won't you take me to flavortown

[theoversaw]

[At the end of that one hour (that seemed so much longer than just one hour could be), hopefully everyone's gathered in the cafeteria. The doors to the other side of the space station open to reveal two figures, a man and a woman. The woman is dressed in sharp business clothes, tapping away on some kind of a device that looks similar to but sleeker than a smart phone. The man with her has a circle beard and bleached blond hair, shorter but thick with muscle, wearing a checked button-up shirt with a gold chain peeking through the collar and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He scratches at his non-dominant forearm (which, nonetheless, is bare).]

Welcome, Champions, to the...

Champion Excellence Program.

Yeah, the Champion Excellence Program. As you may have noticed reading the rules, there's only one way out of here: Rule 7. But just in case going home isn't enough for you, we've decided to add an extra incentive.

[The woman barely looks up from her phone, like she's doing a headcount of the Champions.] The Champion who successfully proves their Excellence by murdering a fellow Champion and escaping punishment will receive an all-expenses-paid space cruise to the Vegas Quadrant.

[The man gives his companion a deadpan look and then looks at the Champions.]

Any questions?

Comments

[karappo]

Lucina-san-

[Is...it okay if he calls you that? He's never sure but it seems easiest. He comes to her side once he's done having a meltdown over his lost clothing, reaching for her arm- but then thinking better of it and pulling back.]

We will get our answers in due time. As awful as it is to be expected to murder as a means of an escape, I do not see anyone taking it that seriously.

[He says as his own brother literally just took it seriously. Kindof.]

[challengesfate]

[I mean, whatever a "san" is, it sounds perfectly fine, she's not going to argue it. Especially not in a state of slowly-reducing distress.

She takes a moment to breathe, looking over at Karamatsu to listen to what he's saying...and then nods once, shakily.]

No - you're right, I just - this is...

[Everything happens so much..............]

[karappo]

I know.

[He isn't sure how much of a help just...saying something like this can be, but he isn't sure what else to do. And seeing her so incensed makes him feel like he should do something.]

It is not right, none of this is.

[challengesfate]

[It's still a good thing to know she's not alone in her feelings - even though it seems like most everyone is on about the same wavelength, joking questions aside.

She takes another slow, steadying breath.]

I...I need a moment. I'm sorry...

[karappo]

Do not apologize. Just take your time.

[He's just going to stand nearby to make sure she'll be okay...]

[challengesfate]

[Good that's...good. Because so long as she's standing and breathing and not yelling anymore, she'll eventually calm down.]