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

[a10tionplz]

Oh, well. That's one way to deal with things, I suppose. Spring cleaning, get a fresh start, clear your mind and focus on something else for a bit- hang on is that candle seriously durian scented?

[Picking up the candle in question, incredulous.]

[everylittlesecret]

[Someone who understands!!!!!!]

Awful, isn't it. Worse than mint almost.

[a10tionplz]

Oof, mint. Could be worse. Could be mint-durian.

[everylittlesecret]

[That about makes her gag.]

Gross. I don't even want to think about that.

[a10tionplz]

People've always got to mix mint with something, don't they. Can never just leave well enough alone.

[He unscrews the lid on the candle for a second, rubbing a finger on the wax a bit.]

Feels like genuine bees wax, at least. Maybe-

[He. Um. Tastes the waxy residue on his finger.]

Yeah. Definitely. Migrant Bees from Melissa Majoria. Which- might still've been harvested on Earth, so not much actually useful there.

[He grimaces, wiping the offending fingertip on his unitard.]

[everylittlesecret]

It's supposedly soothing, but no matter what type, it all smells like toothpaste.

[Hm. This guy was a tad strange. She picks up a jar and looks at the label, turning it over.]

"Manufactured in the Tarantula Nebula"... that can't be right. There's nothing there that can be considered a planet... And bees need a precise climate. [This is confusing.] This feels like some huge setup for a joke.

[a10tionplz]

Probably a manufacturing station set up in the nebula. Nice potential, really, harvest any raw materials from the nebula around you, convert it into whatever you need- could even set up a nice enclosed level with absolutely perfect conditions for bees, wouldn't even have to import the wax from another planet.

[He inspects another of the candles.]

Pretty elaborate setup for a joke. Not that that'd stop someone rich enough and bored enough, but no, there's got to be some kind of actual goal here, there always is. Just need to work out what it is.

[everylittlesecret]

.... you seem to know a lot about things like that.

[Strange...]

Who or what are you?

[a10tionplz]

You generally have to, to travel through space. I mean if not, you pick it up pretty quickly.

[He extends a hand brightly.]

I'm the Doctor, hello!

[everylittlesecret]

.... uhm. Okay. Just. [Going to shake the Doctors hand with one that is way too warm to be humanly possible.] Nice to meet you?

[Don't say anything about Doctor Who this guy must be an actor, clearly. Let the poor guy stay in character.]

[a10tionplz]

[The hand temperature is noted, but there's more important things to worry about for now.]

I hope so. Is it? Just out of curiosity. Still breaking this personality in a bit, learning the ins and outs.

[#JustTimeLordThings]

...it's Nari, isn't it? It said, in the profiles.

[everylittlesecret]

[Welllllll]

You do look a bit familiar now that I think about it...

And yes. It is. Strange name for someone German Irish.

[a10tionplz]

Ah, well, I just have one of those faces. Maybe. I'm fairly sure we haven't met before. Or that I haven't met you before, at least, that can happen.

[I already used the hashtag joke, dangit.]

Bit unusual, maybe. Nice, though. Short, memorable. Alliterative too, Nari Nishitani.

[everylittlesecret]

You kind of look like an actor I've seen...

[Please don't be an actor. That would be awful.]

My actual last name is Reno. Don't know what is up with Nishitani...