Welcome to the Program

[airlockedmods]

Good Morning, Champions. In the interest of maintaining healthy sleep patterns, a day/night cycle is in effect. Your presence is expected in the cafeteria in exactly one hour.

[The voice comes through not a large speaker, but through the device that's attached to each Champion's arm. Further investigation of the features of the device will reveal a list of profiles, a mini-map, and a list of rules. The hallways are shiny white and silver, with running lights along the floor and lights on the ceiling, and at the junction of the hallways is a sign with a knife and fork icon and an arrow pointing down the hall.

Welcome to the Excellence Program, Champions. Time to get to know your teammates.]

Comments

[keepmeinyourheart]

We might find out in the future what sets you apart. For myself, it must be because I am the last one. May your reasons be happier.

[challengesfate]

[Lucina hums, though her smile takes on a bit of a bittersweet tilt.]

I cannot say for certain. It may well be for an unhappy reason - though I am not the last of the Exalts. My brother and cousin still live and thrive, after all.

[keepmeinyourheart]

So you have quite a bit of family to share your burdens with. I am sure those two must be very proud to be Exalts as well, and in turn, proud of you.

[challengesfate]

[She had had more, but...war, and evil dragons, you know how it is.]

I know Owain is proud of his lineage. He talks about how much his blood burns when faced with injustice all the time. Morgan, though...I think he'd be happy so long as he got to spend time with our mother.

[They're incredibly idiosyncratic, just like the rest of the people she knows, but Lucina wouldn't change a single thing about them for the world.]

[keepmeinyourheart]

[Oh does she... Stupid war.]

Your mother? Is she a warrior as well?

[Please tell her about what sounds like a happy family.]

[challengesfate]

A warrior, yes - but also the most incredible tactician the world has seen. My father would tell me, sometimes, how he'd seen her leading troops into battle with a sword in one hand and a Thoron tome in the other, and when everyone returned she hadn't lost a single soldier. Morgan wants nothing more than to follow in her footsteps.

[...She misses her mother, she does. It's just complicated.]

[keepmeinyourheart]

[Hearing Lucina speak about her mother makes Luna miss her own.]

Your mother sounds wonderful.

[challengesfate]

...Thank you. She...was truly a unique woman.

[Hahaha this is incredibly painful to think back on.]

Hopefully, when I return home, my efforts will make sure she remains that way.

[keepmeinyourheart]

[Remains... that way?]

Lucina... pray tell, one cannot change the past. How do you mean to save her?

[challengesfate]

[Not with that attitude they can't]

I...before waking here, just before...my friends and I had traveled through time. And I know it worked, because...I met them. My father, my mother, my aunt...they were right in front of me, alive again. They still don't know what's coming, but...if I can go home, I know I can change their fates.

[keepmeinyourheart]

Are you not worried how it will affect yours?

[challengesfate]

No. My parents will still have a daughter - she will get to grow up in a safer and happier time. I know there's no way back for the rest of us, but...we all agreed, it was better to risk our lives to save the past, rather than be beaten down to dust in the future.

[keepmeinyourheart]

So... in saving the past, you have become trapped in it. That seems a very ill fate...

[challengesfate]

Even so, I...could not attempt to try. It seems to me a much better alternative.

[keepmeinyourheart]

You are very loyal to your family. I cannot say if that is a common thing among the people back in my home.

[Though she knows her brother is very loyal... if stubborn.]

[challengesfate]

No...? I'm sorry to hear that, though, I can...imagine how that might be the case. Not everyone thinks the same way, or believes the same things, after all.

[keepmeinyourheart]

.... [She looks around them, quiet for the moment.] Loyalty can hurt you back in my world. There are those who would happily use it against their followers.

[challengesfate]

[Lucina's brows furrow, but...she nods, all the same.]

No, I...understand. Though I would not have it changed for the world...loyalty is what...killed my father.

[Loyalty and a Thoron to the stomach.]

[keepmeinyourheart]

[Lunafreya swallows hard. Lucina... that's so heartbreaking to hear.]

I am sorry for your loss... It must have been a tremendous loss not only to yourself, but your people as well.

[challengesfate]

[Luna girl you don't know the half of it]

Thank you. It's...been years for me still, and yet, it's...not a pain I can easily push aside. [There's a pause as she lets out a breath.] It's why I can give up so much to try and save him.

[keepmeinyourheart]

[She knows some of the pain that Lucina is feeling...]

You are very strong, Lucina... to bear so much pain and still have so much hope that you can change and save the future.

[challengesfate]

...Thank you.

[She didn't need to say that, and yet...]

You are very kind, Lady Lunafreya.

[keepmeinyourheart]

[She is someone who believes that one should always have hopes and dreams.]

I do not know how else to be, so thank you.

[challengesfate]

[No wonder Prompto will be so eager to see she's alright]

You're welcome - I can understand that, myself.

[keepmeinyourheart]

[Prompto is a good boy.]

One should always be genuine to themselves.