driftfleet

Entry tags:

I

Who: Sora (AU)
Broadcast: Video!
Action: Marsiva
When: Today!

[The background area of the video feed looks very much like the empty hospitality deck Marsiva. And not unusual for newcomers, the network doesn't seemed to be noticed right away. Instead the boy on the other side looks more startled at his new surroundings. Because you know, it's not every day you wake up in SPACE]

Hello?!

[Yep. A completely empty ship. This is definitely creepy. He takes a few steps away from the camera, looking around and calling out]

Simba...! [a pause] Oh c'mon, this is no time to be messing around!

[And of course, there's no response. When he speaks again, he sounds more uncertain] ...Simba? ...Anybody?

[Then when there is still no response and he starts to become very sure he's alone, he rubs his arms and keeps eyeing the place warily as he mutters:] Great. Now what do I do?

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[Kirito's just gonna let that one slide, because 1- he cannot begrudge the guy his sass, and 2- he really could have night vision, who even knows.]

It's... basically an entertainment show. Like a play, but one that people can see using devices like the comm we're talking through right now. That's what this whole thing is- we're the unwilling stars.

[He mulls that over...]

So what you're saying is...we've been taken for somebody's entertainment?!

That's the short version, yeah.

[He doesn't even have enough info for the long version. He should track someone down for Nightingale's guide or something.]

Oh man...!

[This is unbelievable]

I know the Matron warned about getting snatched if you're alone, but I never thought it'd be this extreme...!

[What did he actually think it'd be like? Who knows, he never really fretted about it as he'd run off alone. But still, he's sure he would've never guessed this!!]

What, this kind of thing happens where you're from, too?

[Not like he knows who Matron is, but lots of other people have come from different worlds yet the same experiences.

Hell, even SAO can be described as such a world.]

You mean kidnapping people into space for entertainment?

I didn't think so, but looks like!

It might not be the same people, or group, or whatever- the ones who pulled us here specifically are known as Atroma.

[Unless they've got their hands in all kinds of places. Entirely possible, considering what they're capable of thus far.]

[Truthfully the warnings weren't anything more than what you typical give kids. Hey don't run off by yourself, you could get snatched. You know typical city stuff]

Atroma? Never heard of 'em.

I'd never heard of them until I got here, either. We still don't know much about them, to be honest.

[It sucks. A lot.]

You don't? Why not?

Because it's hard to get ahold of them, mostly. They spend a lot of time ignoring that we even exist. The ships drive themselves half the time and supplies get restocked automatically. They hardly ever even tell us what to do. It's a weird mix of captive freedom.

That's weird...you'd think they'd keep a closer eye on us if they went through all the trouble of kidnapping.

[Like seriously, that's obvious even to Sora]

So what do you do all day?

Trust me, they're still watching. Cameras everywhere.

What we do depends on the person, though. Some people don't mind this place at all. Hell, some days feel really normal. I spend a lot of time messing with the machinery.

Cameras...everywhere?

[Creepy! There's a moment where he looks around, as if trying to see where they are. But he can't tell so he'll just...awkwardly wave at a corner. Hi creepy kidnappers]

[But getting back to the point. Right now for Sora? This seems too weird to even think that there could be normal days here. Or that people might not mind this place. All he can think is that he wants to get home. But saying that probably won't get him much of anywhere- so it's time for the next step in Sora's coping:]

[MAKING FRIENDS!!!]

Really? So are you really good with machines then?

[well. good that Sora is better at that part than Kirito.]

Mm, I guess you could say that? I've been doing it since I was little. Mostly computers, but I started working with robotics lately. It's a really interesting field of study.

Whoooooa- you build robots??

[WOW KIRITO ARE YOU ACTUALLY COOL?]

[Yes, Sora. HE IS VERY COOL.]

Well, sometimes. I'm still a beginner for the most part.

That's still so cool!

I bet you'll make awesome robots eventually!

Well, fingers crossed, I guess.

[You are surprisingly easily distracted, kiddo.]

What about you? How do you keep yourself occupied? You'll have to find something for the boring space flights between our stops.

Well I...

[A pause. Honestly all the activities that came to his mind involve friends or Simba. Which he had...neither, at the moment]

[But admitting he was a friendless loser wasn't cool- SO-]

Oh...you know. This and that.

That isn't very specific.

[He's not sure it's possible to be more vague.]

Well, give it some time, and you'll probably figure it out. Boredom sets in real fast otherwise.

[He just gives a nervous laugh. Oh. He noticed how vague it was. Whoops]

Yeah? Is it that boring here?

Not exactly, but you also won't get far unless you're something of a self-starter. The whole point of this reality show stuff is that you're supposed to be the entertainment.

Of course, technically you can stand around gawking out the windows at space all day and no one could stop you. They just won't pay you for it.

Wait we....actually get paid for being entertaining?

For better or worse, yeah. Some people get perks for being popular with whatever creeps are watching us. I guess it's better not to overthink it, but it's also hard to forget.

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