Welcome to the Program

[airlockedmods]

[Each Champion is awoken by an alarm ringing from a machine attached to their non-dominant arm. Whatever they were doing, whatever state they were in, they're in a bed now, in good health. And maybe a bit different since the last time they looked in a mirror.

There's a text note on the device attached to their arms.]

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

[Your surroundings look like your normal everyday space mall. But if you look at the functions of the device on your arm, there's Not-so-familiar profiles, some rules, and a mini-map that'll show you the layout of the mall.

You are free to explore at your leisure...For an hour, at least.]

Comments

[cyan_maid]

...I'm think I'm good, thank you. Smelly stuff isn't...really on my list of priorities.

[But, well, maybe this girl is allergic to this stuff, how would she know. Maybe she gets terrible migraines from...patchouli?]

Do...do you know where we are right now? Besides, like...surface-level observations, because I can very clearly see we are in a mall.

[everylittlesecret]

Bad smells can interfere with observation of your environment. It's something to consider.

[Not really, she just hates the smells.]

No, and I don't think I care much. It's not a dungeon or a jail. Yes, from glancing around this seems like some sort of strange place for a possible joke show or some such, but you shouldn't worry. There's no axe murderers around.

[cyan_maid]

...I kind of have more realistic worries to be concerned about...

[Like how am I alive for instance.]

[everylittlesecret]

More realistic than being kidnapped? I'm afraid those kinds of questions are above my paygrade, but if you see a uptight woman who looks like she's far too pleased with herself, that would be the head librarian. If I'm here, then she might be as well.

[But this isn't a library...]

[cyan_maid]

No, that one's definitely on the list - I'm not that stupid.

[Hah, yeah, librarians. Clearly the root of all evil in the universe.]

[everylittlesecret]

[Librarians have access to all of life's information, of course they are evil.]

I made no such implications, merely that I don't think I can answer your questions if they are metaphysical. My degree is in science, not the library kind, and I failed philosophy.

[cyan_maid]

...They're actually pretty darn physical questions, but, I appreciate your honesty...I think.

[everylittlesecret]

Physical I can answer to some degree. And honesty is easier than trying to fabricate a story that will eventually unravel and affect your life negatively.

[cyan_maid]

That's...very true.

[But she's not really keen on...sharing this particular physical question. Not until you unlock her level 4 backstory.]

I guess...if you don't mind me asking, but if you see a boy with glasses and a doofy bucktoothed grin and, erm...ridiculously tiny yellow shorts? If you see him somewhere, would you mind letting me know? I...was just with him, and he and I are...well, we're long overdue for a proper talk.

[everylittlesecret]

[Backstories... That's a funny thing to share and not possible with this one.]

... Does he have a name or would he be offended if I called him bucktooth knickers boy.

[cyan_maid]

...I mean he would probably not be too offended? He laughs things like that off a lot. But his name is Jake.

[everylittlesecret]

Jake... Alright, I'll do my best to remember that. It would help to know your name as well.

[cyan_maid]

Mine is Jane. [And then, because she was raised in civilized society and not on an island covered in dangerous monsters or the far-flung water apocalypse future,] And, what is yours? So I know who I ought to thank.

[everylittlesecret]

Nari is fine. If we are all kidnapped here, formalities are the least of our concerns when it comes to properly addressing one another.

[cyan_maid]

I suppose that's true.

[She'll end up defaulting to Miss and Mister, though, because of course she will.]

So, um...did you...need some help removing smelly stuff from your...kiosk? Why are we waking up in kiosks...

[everylittlesecret]

[Then she might get lectured a few times on using those terms.]

I think I have most of it out. I did not want to disturb the other persons sleeping in other to clear their side of the room.

[cyan_maid]

...You have a "roommate" too?

[Jane didn't stick around to say hello, but she did register that there was another person in there with her.]

[everylittlesecret]

There was someone else breathing in there, so I am assuming so, unless they have a strange ambiance soundtrack going on.

[cyan_maid]

...Oh, geez, that'd be terrifying. I'm going to assume it was a person for your sake.

[No creepy breathing ASMR please.]

[everylittlesecret]

I would rather it be a cat or maybe a dog, but I suppose a person would be good as well. I might not exactly armed for a fight.

[cyan_maid]

...Are cats or dogs really better to sleep with?

[everylittlesecret]

Yes. I have a cat, and she makes a wonderful bed companion.

[cyan_maid]

Oh! I see. My best friend...well, she has a lot of cats. [Or had. Maybe. Was Roxy alive? She didn't know, but as long as she stayed away from that awful spider bitch, maybe...] I only got to know one cat, but that one was...not so nice.

[everylittlesecret]

My cat is a delight, and she..... I am hoping she's alright with me being here. I did leave her with enough food for a few days...

muffled screaming about cream in the distance

[cyan_maid]

Mm...she'll probably be fine, I think. Cats are pretty clever and tricksy, they can usually take care of themselves if they need to.