driftfleet | text; get this child out of his comfort zone

Who: Kazuto Kirigaya and [insert your name here]
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: Today / Sept 4

[Waking up in unfamiliar surroundings is not new for Kazuto, but in the past it's been quite a different experience. It's not an MMO this time, which is what catches him off guard the most. He can tell immediately, even with a simple glance around- the world is too real, too detailed. (Just in case, he tests a few menu-summoning gestures, but no dice.)

Waking up in a hospital-eque area makes him think that something went wrong with his last MMO dive, but that isn't right. He clearly remembers being safe and healthy the night before- they'd checked him out at the hospital before he'd gone to Sinon's. So... what? A kidnapping? Some kind of experiment? Something about this place doesn't feel right, and there's information slowly filtering into his head that doesn't make much sense.

And then he goes and looks out a window. Yikes.

He spends some time wandering, quietly observing, though there isn't really anyone to observe- computers, broadcasts, machines, yes, but people? The place is pretty deserted. It's eerie and uncomfortable, and he gets totally lost before long. Finally, though, he puts to use the knowledge of the broadcast system that is inexplicably in his head now, typing out a message.]

Is anyone out there available to answer some questions? I don't understand what's happened to me.

[Yep, that sure is a message. Which... is probably gibberish to anyone who doesn't read Japanese. Someone should probably let him know about the auto-translate not working on text.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Right. Most people come from Earth, but there's a few from other planets I've never heard of.

[Not that it's an accomplishment. Stefan wasn't much for astrology.] We also visit planets from time to time. Feels like we're endlessly wandering around, but I guess we've got a path ahead of us.

Do we know where in the galaxy we are? Or- universe, even?

[It's likely not that simple - when is it ever? - but it doesn't hurt to ask.]

Kind of. I don't know off the top of my head, but anyone in communications could tell you what sector we're in.

[Apologetically:] I'm more of a medic. I can heal people, but I sure can't navigate a ship.

I wouldn't be much use for that, either. Give me parts and I can build a computer, but flying ships? I doubt it's anything like the vehicles I'm used to driving.

Hey, that's way better than anything I could do with technology. [After a while, a vampire gives up on figuring out the newest gadgets...]

If you haven't figured out your augment yet, I'm sure you will once you get Shuffled. Er, when they decide what ship you'll be on.

[It's pretty eerie the way he just automatically knows what "augment" even means.]

About that... how much do we know about those? Are they even safe? I'm all for useful technology, but I like to read the FAQ before I hook myself up.

[Another good question that he doesn't have an answer to! Since the kid's new, he's gonna... ignore the part about it glitching from time to time.]

As safe as something like this can be. Some people've been buying upgrades for them, but... I'm not thrilled about letting them poke in my head again.

I don't like the sound of that, either. What's the benefit of upgrading?

You can get some powers. I haven't checked which ones, honestly - most of my money's gone towards upgrading my ship.

Hmm... so upgrading the augment makes you stronger... it's like leveling up, then...?

[Don't mind him, just talking to himself over here.]

Is it more beneficial to upgrade the ships then?

I... guess?

[He's not a gamer, bro.] Yeah. A better ship's a more comfortable ship, and when you're traveling in space for weeks at a time... it helps. It's not as obvious now, but the other ships're a lot smaller.

[It totally makes sense, just smile and nod.]

Isn't that strange? I mean, there's so much empty space on this ship. Why do people get relocated?

If we're gonna follow the reality TV theory? To create better "TV watching."

Smaller space means we're more cramped, and more cramped means some of us get cranky, and... [He'd shrug, but this is an audio conversation - it's probably audible anyways in his tone.] I don't get it, but it fits a producer's MO.

Just how big are the other ships? Is it that bad?

[Are we talking shoulder-to-shoulder bunks, or is it just in comparison to the behemoth he's currently on?]

Depends on the ship. All of 'em start out cramped, but like I said, you can upgrade for better space - and therefore, better living conditions.

Mine's not that great so far, but we're working on it. [Unfortunately, the Paisley IS the ship of shoulder-to-shoulder bunks for now. Not that Stefan minds.]

Edited (icon fail) 2015-09-10 00:58 (UTC)

Okay, now I see the logic of throwing us on those ships. You need to get ratings to earn stuff for upgrades, right? That's good incentive.

Unfortunately. [Siiiiigh.] I still have no clue who'd even want to watch us in the first place.

Oh, I'm Stefan, by the way. Sorry you're stuck with the rest of us.

Not like it's your fault. I appreciate the help, too. I'm Kirito- it's nice to meet you.

[Someday he will feel guilty about not using his real name.

That day is not today.]

Nice to meet you too.

[Not like Stefan knows any better!] That's about all I've got - if you need to talk to the rest of us, obviously the text function's a bit useless. Audio or video stuff's gonna be your best bet.

I'll try to remember that. It's going to be a hard habit to break.

[Well, he's been telling himself he needs to get out more, so. This is good practice, right?]

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