driftfleet | the scheduled program will now continue...

[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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Even against the wills of your loosely imprisoned contestants?

Imprisoned? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! You get to travel through the beautiful expanse of space and meet new people, see exotic places, make new friends-- and you've already done so much good. When you healed those poor people of their sickness, that was truly a defining moment...

A number of people could willingly work for you and your group, especially with the promise of helping worlds... I apologize if I'm coming across impolite, but I simply find it hard to believe you have to take unwilling people from their worlds unless you have some ulterior motive.

[SOMEONE IS SOUR ABOUT THE CALIBRATION ISSUES LATELY, TOO.]

Unless you have any decent explanations to appease the people you've forcefully employed?

Not every world needs help, you know-- the decision to do so was so generous on your part.

[She leans forward slightly.]

This is a show, not a prison! Or are you arguing that you need more compensation?

I think you need to seriously consider informing those who are willing to stay of your intentions and the history of the fleet... and releasing those who wish to return back to their homes. That's what I believe... Miss.

Carmen, [she replies, not even missing a beat.] My partner here is Chase. We are your honored Hosts, here to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Someone has to bridge the gap between the audience and the passengers, after all, and we are uniquely qualified to do just that.

Oh, but we do send people home. Those who bring in the highest ratings at the end of the cycle are allowed to return if they choose, though we offer other more luxurious prize packages. It's much nicer not to have to worry about food or constant danger, isn't it?

...

I'm fairly certain holding people hostage until they reach a particular goal isn't immediately forgiven by the fact you send a few home.

Are you one of those people?

... Held against your will until someone either puts you out of commission or sends you home?

the scheduled program will now continue...

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