001; come be the first in line to shake the hand of mine.

[truthvalue]

Who: Souji Seta and ... you???
Broadcast: Network; open.
Action: Marsiva; all over.
When: backdated to Saturday morning, before the Shuffle.

[It's a little unnerving, this idea of being on television - a little too reminiscent of the Midnight Channel. Souji himself never appeared on it, but he saw a lot of his friends in those staticky broadcasts over the past year, back in Inaba, their flaws put on display for all to see. It's uncomfortable, but - there really isn't anything to be done about it, so Souji doesn't.

He spends his first three days quietly aboard the Marsiva, mostly keeping to himself. Time seems a little too linear and solid for this to be Liminal Space, and when he wakes on the fourth day and nothing has changed, he concludes this must be the next Jaunt after all. He's not seen or heard from any of the Travelers he knows, though, and the psychic network seems to be out of reach, too. It's somewhat unsettling - but, he supposes, things could be worse.

Things can always be worse.

Later that morning, he finally turns his device camera on himself to make a proper introduction. The face may be recognizable to some, with one notable exception - a thin scar slashed across his left cheek. He speaks quietly but confidently, with all the poise of a perpetual transfer student. The smile he shows is practiced and polite.]

Hello. I'm sorry I didn't introduced myself sooner - my name is Souji Seta, and I'm new here.

[Words he has spoken so many times he's lost count.]

I look forward to working with everyone. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

[He nods once, then ends the transmission.]

Comments

[truthvalue]

I guess it's a good thing you did.

[heresyandlace]

Indeed.

...So what else is there, under the manners? Are you really as content to be here as it sounds?

[truthvalue]

I've moved around a lot. New places don't really bother me.

[heresyandlace]

...Not even oppressive prisons in space?

[truthvalue]

... Is that what this is?

[heresyandlace]

...You weren't expecting this to be some lucky vacation trip, were you?

[truthvalue]

No. I figured it was some sort of quest.

[heresyandlace]

Oh... I suppose that's one way to look at it.

[well, he sounds a little genuinely surprised.]

And what kind of quest do you imagine it might be?

[truthvalue]

[Considering what he's already been through ... Souji shrugs.]

Sometimes that's part of it - figuring out what you're supposed to do.

[That's been true of the last two Jaunts he's been thrown into, and since he assumes being dropped here is another Jaunt, he has no reason to expect anything to the contrary.]

[heresyandlace]

[which, receiving Souji's answers through a different lens makes for an interesting puzzle. there's a pause while Tek drums his fingers on his arm--not that the person on the other side of the screen can see.]

Are you the following-instructions type, then... or are you one to try and break the system?

[truthvalue]

[That's not actually something Souji's ever put much thought into; he's momentarily taken aback by the question, and takes a moment to consider.]

I guess I tend to follow the rules. They're usually there for a reason.

[He thinks, then, about the last time he deviated from what was expected of him, how he let himself get talked into leading a group of teenagers no more experienced than himself in an investigation of the bizarre murders in Inaba, how his uncle warned him not to get mixed up in any trouble and how he didn't listen, how his cousin died because he wasn't smart or fast or good enough to save her, and it sends a wave of heavy guilt twisting into his stomach like cold coils of wire. He swallows hard and does his best to repress the shudder threatening to crawl up his spine.]

People can get hurt if you ignore the rules.

[heresyandlace]

[and here is one of those moments when he's very glad that his own face is hidden, while he gets to watch the other all he wants. he takes his time to think a bit, before replying.]

Well... unfortunately for you, I think they like it when people get hurt around here.

"They" being the audience, of course. And, if you want to follow Atroma's rules, you must keep the audience happy. Whoever has the highest ratings at the end wins, after all...

So. Keep all of that in mind, if you want to follow the straight-and-narrow while tackling this particular quest.

[truthvalue]

[Souji's eyebrows arch up at that.]

I think I can stand to not win, if that's the case.

[A memory flashes to the front of his brain: his hand pressed to a bound, pigtailed girl's stomach; he cackles with malicious delight and she screams as electricity shoots from his fingers into her abdomen. Souji shakes his head, an attempt to sweep the memory aside.]

Thank you for telling me.

[heresyandlace]

[he's still smiling--not visible, of course, but it's there in his voice.]

You're welcome.