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

[everylittlesecret]

I would rather not just toss it about if there is a possibility of anyone getting hurt by these. Maybe... shove them in a corner somewhere...

[neverheardofhim]

I think I saw a girl with a bunch of brooms earlier. Maybe she's hiding a midden heap in there too?

[everylittlesecret]

Doubt it. She looked too clean to have a trash heap in her room.

[neverheardofhim]

Never know. Sometimes people surprise you. Maybe that's where she sleeps. Like a dragon on a hoard.

[everylittlesecret]

That would be a very uncomfortable hoard. I'd prefer pillows and blankets, and being surrounded by cats. Not candles.

[neverheardofhim]

I'd trade the cats for some ale but the pillows and blankets sound pretty nice. [He chuckled to himself before sticking out his hand.]

Varric Tethras, at your service.

[everylittlesecret]

As long as it's not an IPA or any other pale ale I am there for that. [Well, she can only be polite, right? Varric will find her hand too warm for a human, but that's...... just nerves. Right? Right.]

Nari Reno. Librarian trapped in a weird mall here to help, I guess.

[neverheardofhim]

Good thing I have no idea what you said, right?

[Her hand was oddly warm, but it wasn't anything he wasn't used to. Hawke always seemed warmer than she should have, though Varric attributed it more to her fiery spirit than her magic.

Not that he gave it much thought at all. There were more pressing matters to attend to.]

Librarian? You must be familiar with my work then.

[everylittlesecret]

Good thing indeed. Though I am far more partial to a good larger or stout. I want some meat to my drink.

[Nari might have to meet this Hawke to see who is warmer.]

Depends. I stick predominantly to medical and science literature. Write anything in those regards?

[neverheardofhim]

You're my kind of girl then. Just hope I can find something like that in this maker forsaken place.

[Nari meeting Hawke is kind of terrifying tbh...]

Neither one of those, I'm afraid. I'm a mystery kind of guy. Dabbled in romance and biographical work but... that's where I come back to.

[everylittlesecret]

Maybe you'll get lucky. This place does have some neat things to offer.

[Right???]

Mysteries.... they've become too predictable for me, so I tend to know the ending before I'm halfway through the book.

[neverheardofhim]

Confusing things, more like. You seen that Universe store? I don't understand half of the stuff in there.

[Varric looked almost offended. Almost.]

Guess you've never read one of mine, then?

[everylittlesecret]

That stuff? There's... surprisingly few things I don't get in there. Some stuff I've never seen, but I can use it? Does that make sense?

[Sorry, Writer.]

Probably not... But if you have a copy, I'd give it a read.

[neverheardofhim]

Not one bit. [He flashes her the most toothy grin he can manage.] But thanks for trying.

[He looks a little disappointed now, though.]

Sorry, must have left it in the other "mall" I got trapped in.

[everylittlesecret]

If you ever need help with any of it, I'm probably one of the few that can help effectively. This Millennial got a knack for tech like that.

[NO DON'T BE SAD DWARF DAD]

Bummer... you could always write something new while you're here? Maybe about the mystery of this hell hole?

[neverheardofhim]

Honestly? I'm not sure what you just said. But sure, I'll come to you for help.

[Good news, Nari being nice has perked him right back up.]

Seems like it might be a bit much. Too many characters to deal with, for starters.

[Maybe if they got methodically killed off?]

[everylittlesecret]

Don't worry, people from my world over the age of 40 would be in the same boat as you.

[Yay! Kindness wins!]

Well... why not pick a set party, and everyone else is an expendable NPC?

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah, do me a favor? Never mention my age out loud.

[His feathers are very ruffled. He's not an old man.]

... What's an NPC?

[everylittlesecret]

Hm? What? You're 40?

[Sorry about that little guy.]

Non-player character. Someone in the background only needed for maybe a bit of information.

[neverheardofhim]

Me? No, never. Twenty-nine years young, thank you.

[He's probably not fooling anyone.]

That's an idea. But say I start off now with... [He clicked his tongue in thought.] Arianna and Togami. I spend hours writing about them, only to find that something horrible happens to say... what was his name? Cathedral?

I'd have to change everything up.

[everylittlesecret]

Looking good for twenty-nine.

[Oh my god...]

Church. But close enough. He might get a kick out of Cathedral.

[neverheardofhim]

Heroes don't have time to sit around and grow old.

[Big shrugs]

Maybe. He said he liked Temple and Chapel. Cathedral's a bit of a mouthful, but considering the fact that his ego is the size of one, it might just work.

[everylittlesecret]

Wouldn't know. I'm not a hero.

Yeah, but his ego is a little endearing, too. At least to me. People who know what they like and are comfortable with themselves are great.

[neverheardofhim]

Neither am I.

[Is that a sad note in his voice? Maybe just a little.]

I haven't had much time with him but... I think I'm inclined to agree with you.

[everylittlesecret]

I'd be an awful one to being with.

[Good! More Church appreciators are needed!]

If he gives you a nickname, I'm assuming it means he likes you.