the scheduled program will now continue...

[thespaceopera]

[You know that giant screen beside the mysterious counter? It turns out that it's not just there to watch cartoons on. A couple days after that ominous broadcast, an old jingle rings from the speakers... and the screen beams to life.

Veteran passengers may remember the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Diamond. But today the special guest is someone different: a woman perhaps in her twenties, with perfect red curls and eyes of a near-glowing shade of aquamarine. She smiles with blood-painted lips.]

Good morning, dear passengers. [Her voice is the very definition of svelte.] I apologize for any inconvenience you’ve experienced in the past few days. We’ve been having some… technical difficulties, so we’ve gathered you all together while we iron those out.

[She draws her nails along the desk in front of her. Click, click, click.]

Please, please make yourself comfortable-- and do let us know if you need anything.

[She isn’t alone. Another appears - a figure in a suit, hair cut short and eyes harboring the same near-glow as the redheaded lady she moves to stand beside. There’s a smile playing at the edge of her own purple-painted lips as she casually drapes an arm over her co-host’s shoulders, though her attention is clearly on the camera -- the viewers. The cameras are rolling and the show must go on, after all.]

We hope your stay here is a restful one. You deserve a break after all the hard work you’ve done this season, don’t you agree? And of course, we’re more than glad to help with that. So please, make yourselves right at home.

[And there’s a suave, charming wink for the camera~]

[ooc: The new hosts will be taking a few questions. Feel free to say something! Also be sure to check out the plot update!]

Comments

Video;

[alwayscomeback]

I take it Diamond and Beau have checked out for good, then?

[That was a shitty way to put down your people, Atroma. ]

What do we call you? I'm just dying to know.

Video;

[thespaceopera]

Diamond and Beau did some excellent work over the last few cycles. They've earned an easy retirement, wouldn't you agree?

[The redhead's eyes twinkle.]

My name is Carmen, and my wonderful co-host here is Chase. [She nonchalantly places her hand on the short-haired figure's shoulder.]

Oh, but don't you worry-- we'll make sure your stay is a delight, just as they did.

Video;

[alwayscomeback]

Last time I checked, an easy retirement didn't involve drills and screaming.

[The line-ist lineface that ever did line. ]

Yeah. I'm delighted already. Overcome with delight, actually.

video.

[uprightness]

You know you're only going to find the same end Diamond did. When the time is right, they'll get rid of you too.

[ and as it turns out - in a rather painful way. ]

Whatever they told you, it won't be any different.

[thespaceopera]

[ The suited figure listens, respectfully, then flashes a reassuring smile and a slow nod. ]

Well, without getting into company policy and specifics such as those, I can at the very least assure you that the situation is a little different. Diamond and Beau were fantastic hosts, but changing times call for new, smiling faces, and new, daring practices. And that's where the lovely Carmen and myself come in.

video.

[edwinjarvis]

... You seem so poised and confident.

[And here Jarvis is, playing the same card. He's good at playing polite butler while still being a sourpuss, himself. The feed before had unsettled him greatly, but he's at least had time to not give them the satisfaction of seeing him bothered.]

I'm impressed, considering the sudden deaths of the people before you; I for one would be rather anxious, working for a company that has so little value for the lives of its employees.

video.

[thespaceopera]

[Jarvis doesn't budge and neither does the smiling redhead on the other end of the feed. She dons a polite frown, however, when he brings that up.]

Diamond and Beau have retired. They've hosted the show for quite a few cycles, you see, and though they were marvelous-- absolutely marvelous-- the show has been moving in a different direction. A fresh approach needs fresh faces, after all. And the show must always go on.

video.

[edwinjarvis]

Even against the wills of your loosely imprisoned contestants?

[hollystrike]

...

Interesting. [She saw the original broadcast and... honestly didn't really care either way, except for the fact that the drilling really set her teeth on edge. My ears are sensitive, thank you.]

Carmen and Chase, was it? Is there any chance of meeting you in person? You're very attractive.

[Which has nothing to do with why she wants to meet them in person, of course. She expects the predictable answer, but hey. She can try.]

[thespaceopera]

[ Chase chuckles at that. ]

Well, aren't you charming, Katie!

[ She looks thoughtful, one finger waving in the air as she nods, smiling. ] You know, maybe one day we could get the network to arrange a meeting between hosts and contestants - in fact, I think that would make for a dynamite special program, don't you think?

Unfortunately right now, we have too many other events in the pipeline. But don't worry, I'll be sure to pitch the idea.

latest response ever I'm sorry

[hollystrike]

Ooh, events! [She leans against the back of a nearby chair, rocking on her toes.] What kind of events? Anything to lift the boredom around here?

[goldenglasses]

[Vash had been listening to prior conversations and has picked up a couple things, but he's also curious.]

Good to meet you Chase and Carmen! I hope you enjoy your new positions!

Hm, as for making things more comfortable, do you think we could get some fresh donuts here? Nothing says: good morning! Forget bad dreams and start the day! Like a nice warm donut in the morning!

[He doesn't really care. Okay, he wouldn't say no to donuts, but it's more he's curious if he could get some sort of small creature comforts in here. And a possible long shot that they might say something about the "dreams" people have been having lately.]

[thespaceopera]

[Carmen visibly brightens.]

It's good to meet you too, Vash. [Her lips curve.] I may be able to arrange something like that... Do you have a preference for any kind of donut, or would assorted be enough?

[goldenglasses]

[Vash is curious if that looks is genuine or a bit like how he smiles even when he's upset inside.]

Assorted will be enough. I personally find the classic honey ones to be the best, but all donuts are good ones. As long as they're not day olds of course. But with assorted then other people could find something they'd like to try too.

So! Just new hosts then? Or do you guys help run the show outside of hosting? We don't really have television where I'm from so I'm still a little hazy on how many people it takes. I'm assuming more than fou- er, or well, two.

Video

[tough_love]

[Let them know if she needs anything, huh? Alright, she'll bite.]

My hammer. It was stolen from me during my arrival, and I would have it returned.

[She's beyond indifferent regarding the two new hosts, but that doesn't mean she might as well test them a bit. Even though she already suspects they aren't going to be helpful, it could still be nice to force them to make excuses for why the offered assistance can't actually be given.]

It is unlikely any of you have need of a warhammer anyway.

Video

[thespaceopera]

Well, you're right, we certainly have no use for a warhammer.

[ She chuckles a little - entirely good-natured about it. Her smile turns "sympathetic" though, as she shakes her head. ]

I can assure you, your hammer hasn't been stolen. It's safe where it is. You have my word. [ She nods once, firmly. ] Unfortunately, for safety reasons - and as outlined for the program as a whole - we can't just return it to you at will.

But! [ She holds out her hands, palms up, eyes shining. ] Who's to say you won't find it later? Perhaps you'll regain it during your travels, like others have done with their own personal effects, somewhere in the vast array of the universe? Maybe even at a crucial moment?

[tough_love]

Then I recommend against making any such empty offers in the future. If you do not intend to follow through on your word, remain silent.

[She's never been one that approach would work on, and given her current situation and just who is making the attempt, it's even less effective.]

It is also in your interest to remember I am not here by choice. I have no fondness for you or anyone else involved in running this insult to entertainment. Continue wasting my time with that silver tongue of yours, and I will personally be the one to tear it off.

[dirtyredneck]

Send me back home.

[Straight to the point. Home was crap, but it was home and he had people to protect any way he could.]

[thespaceopera]

Oh, darling, did no one tell you how? In that case, let me inform you.

The best way for you to return to that garbage can of a planet you inhabit is to obtain the highest ratings in a cycle. Though why you'd like to return, I have no idea. Wouldn't you rather stay here, where food is bountiful and your friends are safe? With the compensation you earn on this show, you could carve out a new little planet for you and your people to live on.

Wouldn't that be nice?

[dirtyredneck]

Fuck you! I didn't ask to be here. I didn't wanna come. I didn't sign nothin'. You got me here against my will. Send me back, now!

[humene]

We deserve answers.

[On the one hand, confronting the hosts probably isn't the smartest move, since Eleanor isn't sure how hostile they ultimately are. On the other, this is her first chance to get information that doesn't involve stealing.]

What happened to those people on the previous broadcast? What were those rooms? Why are we here?

[thespaceopera]

[ My! How forward! But Chase doesn't seem to mind at all. She listens intently - dutifully, even - and her brow furrows with thought and concern at Eleanor's questions. ]

First off, let me assure you, I will do my best to answer your questions, Eleanor.

So! Let's take this one question at a time, shall we? That first one... I'm sorry, but what previous broadcast? [ There's a slight pause, and her eyes flick upward, away from the feed, for just a second - then, her attention is back to Eleanor. ] I just ran a search, and the last broadcast before this one occurred well before your arrival.

[humene]

[It takes every ounce of self-control to stop Eleanor from lashing out at the stranger, but she manages, somehow. Even if she's not the most reliable of narrators, Eleanor knows that she didn't imagine that broadcast. That image, and the nightmares, were too real.]

[When she finally speaks, it's in a surprisingly calm tone, but it's hard to mask her anger completely.]

I see, so that's how the Atroma operate, is it? You can't lie to the entire fleet, we know what we saw! Or do you plan on 'replacing' us too?

[passingthrough]

[Her last abduction taught her it was best not to engage with the help. You kept a distance and you watched. You learned what you could or at least you learned what they wanted you to learn for whatever that was worth. But no one is asking the question she cares about in the moment.]

Where's Winn? Where's anyone who disappears?

[She knows what people think happen. What people want to believe. She wants to hear what they'll say. It doesn't mean she'll believe it at face value, but she wants the answer nonetheless. What's the company line?]

[thespaceopera]

[Plainly, without a trace of real emotion:]

Winn Schott's ratings fell below an acceptable level, so he was sent home. It's all there in the contract.