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've swung through there! Dad was always looking for new places to hike, so we've driven through most of the towns in the state.

[cyan_maid]

Wow, really? That's awesome!

[Thank goodness it is a real place in the real world that people can see with their own eyes.]

When was that, anyway? I'm just curious.

[everylittlesecret]

About... 2012? So a few years now.

[cyan_maid]

Huh.

[A few years from...this woman's perspective. For Jane, it'd be during her time in the Medium.]

I just missed you, then. I, erm, left home near the end of 2011.

[everylittlesecret]

You don't look old enough to have left home... But it's not really my business on whatever your reason was. Would you go back if you could?

[cyan_maid]

I kind of didn't have a choice whether or not to leave...but...if there was anything or anyone to go back to? Then, yeah. I'd go home.

[Oh you sweet child.]

[everylittlesecret]

[THAT'S DEPRESSING]

Well, I'm sure you'll find a reason to get back there even if there's no point in it.

[cyan_maid]

...Hmm.

[She...tries to smile. She does. It's a small thing, a little strained.]

Maybe there's a reason that I just haven't realized yet.

[everylittlesecret]

If I had a chance to go back home, it'd be for the food.

[cyan_maid]

Well, that's as good a reason as any.

[everylittlesecret]

Is Maple Valley known for anything in particular? Or is it just apples, apples, and chocolate like the rest of the state?

[cyan_maid]

Uh...well, my Poppop lived there? And he was a pretty famous old timey comedian...

[And heir to Crockercorp, but it's not like they lived in a mansion and flaunted that fact.]

[everylittlesecret]

Maybe you can bank on that? If the townsfolk liked him and all.

[cyan_maid]

I'd hope so. He died before I was born, but, my Dad always said he was a good man.

[everylittlesecret]

At least you have that connection. I don't have grandparents, so who knows where they're from. Then again, family connection isn't everything.

[cyan_maid]

[Haha just wait if/until you unlock Full Homestuck Backstory, Nari.]

...Yeah? I don't know, myself. But...I really only had my Dad for the longest time, so...

[everylittlesecret]

Having someone, anyone, while growing up, is a good thing. Even if it's just a dad.

[cyan_maid]

...Well, I meant..family-wise in general, but...that's true.

[And now she doesn't have anyone. She's 17 16 and doesn't have anyone in the world. It doesn't make you special, Jane thinks to herself.]

[everylittlesecret]

... Same, Maple. I don't really have fam to go back to either. It happens, but that doesn't make you any less deserving of a happy place to live.