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

[destage]

[Oh...she's a little thankful for that, at least, and she wills her fretting down a little more and tries to smile? She's thankful, at least.]

Yes...that does seem like the best idea. Maybe there is someone around here who knows what's going on.

[...]

I-I apologize, though, I should try to keep calm.

[notaccurate]

It is understandable, this certainly is a frightening experience. Especially for someone as young as you are.

[He doesn't know her exact age, but he would guess that she is a young teenager.]

[destage]

[Sayaka brings her arms closer to her at that, and nods her head.]

Yeah, it's...I'm just an Idol, this sort of thing isn't supposed to happen. I just hope my managers won't be too upset...or the headmaster of the school.

[notaccurate]

An...idol?

[Hello, term he has not heard of before.]

[destage]

[Oh, he's never heard of them? Sayaka seems to quickly beam, excited for the chance to explain her occupation--]

Ah, are you by any chance familiar with 'pop stars', where you live?

[notaccurate]

Unless that has something to do with soda fountains or constellations, then unfortunately the answer is no.

[destage]

[...wow, that actually throws her for a loop.]

Do you have singers, at the very least? Or musicians?

[do you come from the one world without music, luca, what the fuck]

[notaccurate]

Singers we do have, yes. In a few different varieties.

[Though he is assuming that Sayaka is not an opera singer.]

[destage]

Ah, okay! That's basically what I am, then--though Idols in particular tend to be more focused on being good influences for those around us, inspiring people, and making them happy. That's what made me decide it was my dream to become one in the first place.

[She beams when she says that! If nothing else, it's something she takes pride in.]

[notaccurate]

A singer who is a good influence?

[That...kind of exists in his world? there's no movies or tv, so theater actors and actresses are the primary source of entertainment. There is a lot of gossip about their lives too, so being a good influence could technically help people. Luca is picturing Sayaka to be something like that.]

That certainly sounds like an important job. And you decided on it at such a young age?

[destage]

Yes! Many of our fans tend to be very, very young--it only makes sense!

[See, he gets it! It's simple enough, at least.]

Of course! It's actually pretty common for us to be younger, too. I started when I was...thirteen, I want to say? But I did a lot of practice beforehand as well, so I'd be able to impress them.

[notaccurate]

That is extremely young to start a career like that, I doubt your voice is even done changing.

[He sounds impressed, though.]

Is the reason for it that it is easier for young children to relate to someone who is young?

[destage]

[...her eyes widen for a second when he mentions voice changing--that...seems like a bad idea, and you know what, she's going to get that smile on her face and act like nothing's happened!]

In part, at least--we're...all going to be moving on to bigger things eventually, so in a way, it's like watching someone grow up and make something of themselves when they watch us, too.

Honestly, though, I'm mostly in it for the reason you brought up. It's how I got into the business--seeing the warm, glowing smiles of Idols on stage...it was very inspiring. I wanted to be that kind of light, for anyone who needed it.

[notaccurate]

[Yeah okay, they can go with that. No war in Ba Sing Se, etc.]

It sounds like you have planned this all thoroughly, at least.

Do not worry, we will get you back to your home soon. Then you can go back to your idol work.

[destage]

[Sayaka will incline her head a bit, smiling--it's good to have that kind of faith, at least.]

Thank you, it's very appreciated...ah, I don't believe we've been introduced! How rude of me--may I have your name, sir?

[notaccurate]

We haven't, but that is alright, it was no rudeness on your part. My name is Luca.

[destage]

[She'll bring her head up, then!]

I'm Sayaka Maizono! It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance despite the circumstances, Luca-san.