Recipe #001 - Arrival

[nonightdriving]

Who: Ignis Scientia
Broadcast: Network Communication
Action: Aboard the Marvisa
When: On the evening of the 28th

[When he'd stepped aboard the ship in Caem, he'd known that he'd be leaving behind everything he'd ever known for the unknown, but this? Not what he had in mind. The others are nowhere around—something that set off all of the panic buttons in his brain—and he is mostly definitely not in a water craft.

The air is chilled, but there's no salty tang. He's warm and feels as if he's enveloped in a blanket. After a few moments of trying to get his bearings, he leaves what appears to be a bed in a...medical type room. A search of his person turns up his cellphone, his notebook, pen and... another communications device. He takes a few seconds to appraise it before opening to use the item.]

Hello. I'm not sure whom I'm addressing, but my name is Ignis Scientia. As I appear to be new to this place and there are others here as well, I would like to know where I am and what is going on.

[The look on his face says that if you waste his time, he will hang up on you.]

Also, if anyone knows the whereabouts of Prompto Argentum, Gladiolus Amicitia or Noctis Caelum, I would appreciate being told.

Comments

[ video... obviously ]

[luxoraculi]

[ It's been quiet, almost eerily so. Lunafreya has been busy all day planetside and has only recently come back on board the Blameless to rest for a while when this particular message comes through. She's only half paying attention, honestly, more keen to get back to her room than anything, until she hears the name.

Ignis Scientia.

That's a name she knows very well. She's not had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but she's heard about him over the years, has seen pictures thanks to Noctis. She peers down at her own device, flicking it on once she has retreated into her quarters. ]

Ignis Scientia... you are someone I have wanted to meet for a long time. I never realized it would be here of all places. Worry not, Noctis is here, but your other friends seem to still be missing.

[ Oh. She's being rude, she thinks, and so she's quick to straighten her posture and offer him a small bow. He probably already knows who she is, but... ]

...Forgive me. My name is Lunafreya Nox Fleuret, and while it is unfortunate that you are stuck here as well, it is a pleasure to finally be able to speak with you.

[nonightdriving]

[He would have to have lived in a cave not to know her voice and face. Of course he knows who she is. How important she is to everyone on Eos. How important she is to Noctis. Not only is she the Oracle of the Six on Eos, she is his prince's friend and fiancée.

To have her address him without his prince is strange, but he will take a semi-familiar face over no one.]

Lady Lunafreya, it's an honor to finally speak to you as well. [He bows his head in reverence to her position.] Thank you for the information, but I'm a little unsure as to what is going on around here. It's obvious we're no longer on Eos.

[luxoraculi]

You are correct in your observations. We are far, far from home... outer space, it would seem. From what I have gathered in the last few weeks, something called the Atroma is what summoned us here. For... a reality show, of all things.

[ Take that as you will, Iggy... but she's not even joking here. ]

[nonightdriving]

Outer space. I never would have imagined that was possible until now.

[He would never doubt the Oracle. From all he's heard, she's not the type to play a joke like this on someone she doesn't know.]

I'm not sure that I was properly made for reality television. I'm rather mundane, all things considered.

[luxoraculi]

I really did not believe it myself until I spoke to some people who have been here far longer than myself. It... is truly a strange concept.

[ She hums, tilting her head slightly, looking as though she's thinking on something. ]

That would make two of us, then. But I have a terrible feeling that reality television is not the only reason we have been dragged here. I can't quite put my finger on it, though.

[runawayprince]

Should I do this like a role call and say 'here'?

[Here's your sassy Prince, Ignis.]

Hey.

[He wants to say so much more than 'Hey' because damn it Ignis is here and he's whole and uninjured and it's like some weird dream after everything they've been through. He's just so glad to see another familiar face.]

[nonightdriving]

As if you were awake in class long enough to respond.

[Despite the dry lilt to his voice, there is an obvious pleasure in his eyes and to the lift of his mouth's corners. He has known this man since he was six years old and has seen him grown up at his side since then. To see him safe and sound in a situation such as this is relieving.

It might not be his sworn duty to see to Noctis's safety, but he is the prince's friend and advisor.]

How are you?

[runawayprince]

Hey - I was awake sometimes. Give me some credit, I did graduate.

[Still, he isn't even a little offended and is actually smiling throughout their exchange.]

Couldn't be better. Missed your cooking, though. The food here is icky.

[nonightdriving]

During physical education classes and training with Gladiolus doesn't really count, Noctis. Besides, as if the teachers would ever fail you.

[One doesn't fail the prince and Chosen King. Of course, if Ignis is being truthful, Noctis is intelligent and deserves everything he's gotten. Although, he doesn't deserve any of what the Empire has done.]

Icky, hm? You sound as if you've been here for more than a few hours. How long have you been here, Noct?

video;

[maledictus_semper]

Ignis. How delightful to see you here.

[Another of Noct's bodyguards, or rather, chef this time. Ardyn took off his hat in greeting over the network and offered the younger man a knowing smile. So, more of the entourage was arriving it seemed by the week. Who would be next? The big brute or the puny blond?]

It seems his Highness and Lady Lunafreya are also here from our world. Will you perhaps diverge into culinary delights aboard the ships?

[nonightdriving]

[If there was a list of people that Ignis would rather not see, this man would be near the top. Behind the emperor or at least tied. He trusted him about as far as he trusted a magitek trooper to not attack Noctis.]

Chancellor Izunia, to what do I owe the pleasure? Are you here to arrange another "training session" for Noctis and myself?

[No need to avoid the issue. He's spoken to both the Oracle and his friend before now. And while he might not be as physically imposing as Gladio, that hadn't mattered when they traveled without him either.]

I've spoken to them already, so I've had a bit of a crash course. What I can't seem to understand is what you hope to get out of this conversation with me.

[maledictus_semper]

[He adjusted his fedora and smiled.]

You owe me nothing, dear Ignis. I am rather surprised that you were brought here also by our unknown captors.

[He used the word captors, since it did feel as if they were aboard some kind of space prison. How would they all cope? Now that Noct's chef was here, perhaps he'd automatically seek out his Highness to protect him. Aw, sweet.]

Oh, I see. Noctis tell you of his brave fight between him and I? Such an angry boy. I don't seek to get anything out of it, my boy. Just a casual conversation. Is there anything wrong with that?

[nonightdriving]

[Ignis's face is still, like a stone, even though a part of him would love nothing more than to force the man to talk to him without all of the double and triple-talk.]

I would assume that it would be surprising for anyone brought here. Not just the citizens of Eos.

[But after every word from the older man's mouth, Ignis has the feeling that he needs to talk to Noctis more and more.]

I can't say that I'm surprised that you and he came to blows. You've been nothing but "mysterious" and untrustworthy from the second we saw you in Galdin Quay. I doubt you do anything "casually", Chancellor.

Action

[norwaysown]

Signy Mallory.

[ The woman who steps up when he's talking is disoriented, of course, but she's trying not to make that obvious. ]

I'm new here as well, and I've yet to get a full report.

[ But she's planning on preparing her own, with or without this stranger's input. ]

[nonightdriving]

[ Ignis carefully looks at the young woman as he finishes addressing the communicator and takes her in. While she appears to be just as out of things as he is, there's something about her he can't quite place.

She isn't docile. Her eyes speak that. ]

Well, I suppose I can take comfort in the fact that I'm not alone in this strange place. As far as full reports, I would settle for a partial right now. Some semblance of what is happening would be satisfactory until I'm able to do my own investigation.

[norwaysown]

[ She can see the window from here, but not out of it very well. ]

I don't see anywhere to clip down during Jump, so this seems most likely to be a station rather than a ship.

[ It's hard to get a sense of scale from inside. ]

[nonightdriving]

[Ignis grows very still, watching his companion more closely as she looks around the ship.]

I'm not sure what you mean by a jump, but I can assume that you mean that we are inside of a some sort of space station instead of an actual ship. If so, to what purpose do you suppose we've been brought here?

[As someone not from space, it would be nice if you explain what you mean to the poor planet-bound man.]

voice;

[servantnotserving]

[Lumiére sticks to voice for now, just because it makes his life easier. You can have conversations with people so much easier without them staring at you like you're some eldritch horror from their deepest nightmares. ]

I know Noctis! He and I arrived here close together, we are on the same ship, too. Are you a friend of his?

[Please be his friend, he really doesn't seem to get along with Ardyn like...at all. ]

[nonightdriving]

[ While it's a little strange that there's no video for this conversation, he can't be certain that it isn't a malfunction.

And even if it's on purpose, he can't say that he cares so much. It's more like just having a normal conversation over his phone. ]

Yes, I am, since childhood. I'm glad to see that he's made a somewhat favorable impression on strangers.

[Because that's new. Noctis doesn't really strike anyone as the royal type when he first meets them. And he can be....a little selfish and childish as well.]

You say you're on the same ship. What's the name of it?

[servantnotserving]

[Well, except for that guy he punched, but that's probably normal. Sure. He'll just pass that on as normal, why not. ]

He seems a very amicable sort of fellow!

We're on the SS Wonderduck...which is a rather unusual name for a space-ship when you think about it. I'm Lumiére.

[nonightdriving]

[ It's not normal, and if Ignis knew, he'd be surprised. However, the guy he punched is a bad man, so... ]

Yes, he can be when he wants to be.

[He can also be a terribly spoiled brat, but he has the bias of knowing him since he was six years old.]

I'm not sure that any name for a space ship is entirely usual. Space travel isn't exactly available on my own world, so I'm the wrong person to judge names. [Hell, he drives a car called the "Regalia".]

video.

[brainiest]

Welcome to the fleet, Ignis. I'm Hermione.

[ Hermione, at least, is trying to be positive. ]

I know Noctis is here, but I think he might have replied already. Did you have any other questions?

[nonightdriving]

Thank you, Hermoine.

[He isn't the think positive sort of man. That's Prompto's job. Ignis is the realist and the planner. He'll stick to what he knows.]

Yes, I've already spoken to Noctis, but I can appreciate your effort to let me know that at least one of my friends is here.

As for questions, I have plenty. [As to whether she has answers, that's a different story.] But perhaps we can start with who is in charge and what do they claim to want?

[brainiest]

I'll be happy to answer as many of them as I can.

[ But, of course, he starts with the most difficult and she just... Breathes out. ]

The person in charge is called the Atroma. We don't know much about them, really, but we know they brought us here to air us on television - so that people can watch us for entertainment and pay us for how popular we are.

[nonightdriving]

That would be appreciated.

[Of course he starts with the most important, you mean. But her reaction is certainly elucidating.]

I was told by another that we were to be some sort of entertainment, but is there some proof as to this being the truth? And how would these "Atroma" pay us for our part in their forced drama?