Welcome.

[trustfellows]

Rise and shine. There are a few things that matter right now - the fact that you're waking up in an unfamiliar but decently comfortable bed, the fact that you don't recognize the room you're in, the fact that you seem to have some sort of headache... Nothing severe, mind. Just the sort of odd, heavy fuzziness that comes with having slept far too long. You don't really remember where you were immediately before this, not upon waking. Something will come to you eventually if you think long enough, however - a couple of seconds of consideration will bring to mind a place, a memory, a recollection of where you were and what you were doing. It probably wasn't anything that would result in you being here, though. Welcome to Graceside Preparatory Academy. You may want to pick up the key to your room before you leave the room, but don't worry too much - your door won't lock automatically, so you won't be locked out if you've forgotten to pick it up. It seems you're not alone, either; the hallway outside your room is most likely full of other confused people by now, and should you turn around to look at the door of the room you just left, you'll find a nameplate with your name printed on it. There's a single word underneath it with no explanation. This is your title, but don't worry about that right now. Depending on when you left your room there may be a clock chiming in the foyer up ahead. It seems like it's seven, though it's difficult to tell if it's seven in the morning or seven at night. There aren't any windows, after all. Should you venture into the room with the clock, you'll find that the only exit is closed - there's absolutely no way to break down that steel bulkhead. It looks like you're not getting out of here anytime soon. The foyer also holds some very interesting information. There's a bulletin board with thirty-five pictures on it. Beside each picture is some very specific and very familiar information. Feel free to examine it. The bulletin board is large enough for plenty of you to gather around and gawk. Don't try to get at it though, that glass in front of it is very thick. If you try to break it, you'll find out the hard way that it's shatterproof. Sorry about that. Perhaps even more of a concern than the glass is the list beside the profiles. It looks like a set of rules. You might want to examine those, though they're not providing much of an explanation for why you're here or how you got here. So relax and get to know your fellow Participants. You might be stuck here for awhile.

Comments

[ninehundredlives]

Right...

[Susan sets about the coffee-making in silence for a little bit.]

You're making yourself at home here. [She doesn't feel quite ready to cook in this kitchen, to sit around with these people and eat this food. The coffee is different, that's not quite so...domestic.]

[destage]

[Likewise, Sayaka settles for a bit as not to disturb her--the remark gets...a little bit of a pause while Sayaka works, before she speaks up.]

It's a very stressful situation. Cooking has always helped me stay on some sort of task, so I don't think about much else for too long. I...imagine it must look silly, though, doing it here...

[ninehundredlives]

...no. No, that makes sense. You'd better just do whatever helps you.

[she's gonna need it]

[destage]

[...yeah, in a place like this...]

I plan to, believe me. Um...would you like me to make you some, though?

[While they're standing here, you know. Her tone's a little more somber, but she's trying to hold onto a smile.]

[ninehundredlives]

...oh. Um.

[She doesn't really seem like she expected the offer.]

I...guess if you like?

[destage]

Ah...have you ever had curry before? I was going to make some of that, but I could try to make something else if you'd like.

[Sayaka tends to make it very, very mild, but it's something to do for the time being. If she can help somehow, she'd like to.]

[ninehundredlives]

It's fine.

[Curry's fine, though even if it wasn't, she certainly wouldn't request a change on her account.]

Do you...want some help? [She's still not totally sure how to accept random food gifts.]

[destage]

Oh...well, if you'd like to! I don't want to take up too much of your time, though, especially since I offered...

[That just...feels so rude? She looks a little unsure, but if Susan insists, she won't mind. It'd be nice to work with someone.]

[ninehundredlives]

No, no, that's...alright.

[Susan's not sure how she got here and she's not even really a good cook. It just seems better than...what, standing here waiting for a teenage girl to serve her curry?]

[destage]

Alright. [Sayaka beams.] Could I have your help in cutting some vegetables, then? I've got some carrots, potatoes, and onions--whichever you'd like to cut up first, I'll hand to you, and I can handle the other two. Then we can move onto the next step! Does that work okay?

[ninehundredlives]

That sounds fine. I'll take the onions.

[She doesn't mind the smell too much, after all.]

[destage]

Understood, then!

[She'll pass the onions on over then, with a bright smile. It's nice to be cooking with someone.]

Just be sure to be careful, okay? Keep good track of your fingers and where they are--not just for cuts, but to make sure it doesn't slip either!

[...She hopes that's not rude, but hey, she's always been a bit of a worrier.]

[ninehundredlives]

I have used knives before?

[She sounds a little arch, but not really angry. Honestly, she's twice your age.]

I'll manage.

[destage]

[--whoops, she screwed up. Ah. She turns away, in that case, just going to get started on her cutting.]

Sorry. Just a force of habit.

[ninehundredlives]

[...how long has it been since she even really had a proper conversation with somebody...?]

It's fine. Sorry.

[destage]

No--I was rude, you don't have to apologize for it. I didn't think before I spoke, so it's really nothing you need to apologize for...

[ninehundredlives]

...it's fine. Really.

[But let's stop so they don't get in an endless cycle of apologizing?]

[destage]

[Yeah, anyway--she'll get both of those things done in swift order and quietly, and once that's done and she can see Susan has gotten the onions done, she smiles.]

Alright, the next thing will be cutting up some chicken...I'll handle that end of it, but could I ask you to grab two pots? Two medium size ones--one for some rice, and one to start getting everything reduced down.

[ninehundredlives]

Sure.

[This is...okay. Isn't it? Susan goes to fetch the pots, keeping half an eye on Sayaka.]

Do you want me to get the rice together?