001 - Action/Video

[shoujoreject]

Who: Qing and anyone
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Marsiva's hospitality deck
When: Now

[It's amazing, how immediately things can change. How much can be lost in the span of a few eyeblinks, a whole walk home, a night of normalcy swirled in the realms of "probably" and "who knows". It permits the growth of terror in an individual, waking up in an unfamiliar place that feels like a hospital - simple metal walls, painfully clean, full of just the barest attempts to make it feel livable. It doesn't take long, fueled by that very same terror, to want out.

His only help is the familiarity of the qipao - not that he would have fallen asleep in the dress, he's sure - and the pair of hairties resting next to his communicator. Did someone drug him? There's no chance to be sure, though... they would have to, wouldn't they? Between the communicator mysteriously at his side and the faint feeling of something tugging at the back of his neck - the not-so-faint rigidity of something there when he reaches back to investigate - it seems clear. What isn't, of course, is why.

Why is something he won't find the answer to in a strangely-comfortable bed inside a metal box. So he does what he must - gathering what shreds of courage he can and sitting up - only to find the sight of a place that provides no comfort in spite of its attempts at amenities. When he speaks, the tone is soft and high, almost unequivocally feminine.]

... What is this... place...

[The question is asked to the open air and his arms wrap around his chest for a little warmth. His eyes widen when his gaze settles on the windows - the view of the open space beyond them - and he can't seem to look away for the longest time. This isn't possible. It can't be possible. The shock is clear on features far too smooth, too young for his age, wide violet eyes trembling a little in the very, very visible struggle to compartmentalise terror. Red hair hangs down to nearly his waist, furthering the illusion of femininity and adolescence.

Getting up almost too quickly, the wrinkles of his dress smooth and fatigued legs creak under him, but he ignores all that to move, to find someone to talk to - some answer to what the hell is going on. Anything to dim the fear that's still burning in the pit of his stomach.]

Comments

[ino]

[ Ino's just heading down a hall, back to her room to get something, when she spies him walking. He looks very obviously new here, and kind of, well, terrified, so she'll approach with caution ]

Ah -- hey ... Are you lost?

[shoujoreject]

[There's a moment there where his whole body freezes up, expression briefly akin to a doe in the headlights. Then it melts into an uneasy smile, one that might be convincing if not for the look on his face prior.]

Ah, um... I... I think so. ... Well, I definitely don't know where I am...

['Lost', he thinks, might not be quite the right term.]

[ino]

... Soooo, not lost. You just got here.

Uh -- we're in space, if that part wasn't obvious yet. This is a spaceship called the Marsiva.

[shoujoreject]

[Well that is... an answer. Qing wonders if he should take it at face value at first, but... what reason does she have to lie, exactly?]

... The Marsiva. [Er...] Why are we... you said 'just got here'. Does this happen often, then...?

[ino]

Yeah, people get brought here from all over. --Do you know what a TV is? That'll make this explanation a lot less confusing.

[shoujoreject]

Is it that common for people not to? [He asks it before he can stop himself, then shakes his head. Doesn't matter.] I know what they are, yes.

[ino]

Well -- yeah.

[ She'll get to that ... ]

So, they brought people here to be on this reality TV show. You're being filmed while you're here, and people watch it for entertainment. The more interesting you are, the more you get paid.

[shoujoreject]

...

[Give him a moment. The information sinks in almost immediately, but it's hard to accept. A reality TV show? People are watching him? But...]

..... that doesn't make any sense. [The smile that crosses his lips is sudden, gentle. It's purely manufactured, the product of so many years of customer service and waiting tables, but it's soft and light and honestly very real-looking.] I'm hardly interesting enough to be brought to some TV show.

[ino]

Yeah, that's what everyone says. I'm sure you have something special or interesting about you that makes you a candidate.

[ Like smiling on cue, perhaps ... ]

Anyways, like I said, we're in space, right? So, people get brought here from all different planets and universes and stuff.

action

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru is curled up on one of the couches in the living area, a cup of tea in hand. A book and her communicator is on the end table next to her.]

Are you alright? [you get a curious look for a moment, though it's quickly smoothed over by a small smile]

[shoujoreject]

[It really comes down to the whole question of 'why lie'. Everything she's saying is ludicrous and non-sensical, except... they're pretty obviously in the middle of space, or this is the most elaborate damned setup he's ever seen.]

Different planets and universes... thus the question about TV, then. [Smart cookie, this one.] ... Ah, my manners. I'm Qing-Yuan.

[ino]

[ She doesn't really have a reason to, but -- she is definitely surprised at how well Qing is taking it. ]

I'm Ino. Nice to meet you.

... You're taking all of this pretty well. I'm guessing there's some sort of supernatural type thing in your world, then?

[shoujoreject]

[It's better than being here alone, although feeling like the only one freaking out isn't exactly optimal.

The smile earns one in return, similarly small and lightly embarrassed.]

I seem to be fine. I'm just... not sure where I am.

[shoujoreject]

The pleasure is mine.

[He's not, not really. Most of him is still convinced it's an elaborate sham. Even now, his mind is searching out a logical explanation, a way out. Anything. Every time it can't find one, he has to struggle not to just shut down. But... even if it is all true, what can he do about it?

If she's not lying, then--]

Ah... no. [His brows furrow briefly.] But getting upset about it only makes it worse, doesn't it? If you're being honest, freaking out will only make things harder.

And if it's some kind of dream, then... I'd rather be the one in control of myself, wouldn't you?

[incousinswithyou]

You're in space, aboard the Marsiva. [a glance over at the windows should be proof enough.]

And we've all had our first days here. [don't worry about the freaking out part]

[shoujoreject]

[How... matter-of-fact. That gets his attention easily, and his smile doesn't quite waver but it loses a little of its brightness for a moment. She's joking. She has to be. Right?]

This is... if this is a space ship, why is it... picking people up?[His hand goes briefly to that implant. It means little still, just... something there that shouldn't be.]

I don't remember signing up for anything like this...

[incousinswithyou]

[she notes that motion. Well, at least you've noticed the implant.]

None of us signed up for this, but they seem to think we'd make good participants in a television show, so here we are.

[her tone might be getting a bit sardonic]

[shoujoreject]

[So here we are. God, it's so... impossible, so hard to swallow. But even if they're not in space, even if this is some elaborate ruse... if it's a television show, then he can't even deny that makes sense.]

I... I see. [He takes a small breath, largely ignoring the turn of her tone for now.] And... how long are we expected to remain here?

[incousinswithyou]

Presumably, until somebody wins or until the show is over.

[she takes a sip of her tea. She doesn't seem to put a lot of stock in the promises of their captors.]

[shoujoreject]

And I'm sure no one has an answer to when either of those will be, then.

[A promise only matters if there's an end in sight, doesn't it. Qing pauses then, bowing rather suddenly.]

A-ah! I'm Qing-Yuan, by the way. Apologies for my lack of manners.

[forsometimenow]

Hey, everything OK?

[Jennifer had gotten to know pretty much every member of the Fleet during their long stay on the Marsiva, so new arrivals tended to stand out- and this poor young person was almost definitely new.]

[shoujoreject]

Ah-- yes! Er...

[By now, he'd gotten his bearings just a little - enough to at least figure out what the locations were and the options they had here. People filtered in and out now and then, and he was... well, not exactly unhappy not to have demanded attention from too many thus far. Those who had, so far, had proven fairly friendly.]

I'm just feeling a little... overwhelmed, I suppose. [Ha-ha. Offering a wry sort of smile, Qing bowed to Jennifer - a brief, automatic thing.] I've heard the same information more than once now, but... it's a little hard to take.

[innercactus]

[ Well that was like a punch to the face. Asteffiel freezes, his own eyes going wide, and so the sylvari goes to find the person.

He doesn't seem to remember that seeing a person made entirely of plants might.. not be reassuring. At all. He's also pale purple, which is also sometimes alarming, but the sound of his feet is probably odd as well. He's at least barked and solid, by the sound as he approaches. Fear grows and he shoves it down as not his. ]

Shhhh. It's okay! Here, look at this! [ In his hands, which appear to have red bark patterns, he holds a potted plant. It looks like it might have sprouted very recently, and he holds it up to eye level. ]

Isn't it cute?

[ Asteffiel this probably doesn't help other people. ]

[forsometimenow]

[Jennifer smiled back and nodded.]

Yeah, I totally understand... and this isn't even the usual routine here, so it's even weirder. Have you been able to find your way around yet?

[shoujoreject]

[Well that's. ... Yeah it's actually not at all reassuring, no. Qing can't help but stare at the Sylvari, wide-eyed and briefly unblinking.

He... he? It? He's purple, and made of... leaves and bark... and on the upside, it's surprising enough that the fear at least comes to a pause. Plus, the way he talks is... well, it's not exactly dangerous-sounding.]

A-ah- I- [For a moment, Qing is well and truly flabbergasted. It isn't something that happens often, and as he turns his gaze from the potted plant and back up to Asteffiel... he can't help but smile just a little.]

... It is. [Maybe it's a little bit strictly polite, the expression on his face incredibly soft and gentle, and... in all honesty, the attempt is appreciated, even if it isn't as reassuring as the other expects. In the wake of it, Qing is just left trying not to stare at him too much.]