driftfleet | the scheduled program will now continue...

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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!]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

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.

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.

... 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.

Edited 2017-06-21 23:51 (UTC)

...

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.]

[ 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.

I'm sorry, I don't know what you're implying.

[It's hard to tell if she's lying or not...]

You don't seem that way to me. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?

[ 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.

[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.

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?

[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.]

[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.

Edited 2017-06-23 19:39 (UTC)

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.]

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?

[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?]

I'm not implying anything, I'm flat out saying. They were murdered. With drills.

I'd like a way to get everyone either back home or wherever they'd want to be. That would make me more comfortable.

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?

[Her brows furrow, clearly getting more upset.] No, they were not. You must be very sick to say something like that. Please stop.

[A pause.]

Unfortunately, that is beyond my power as a host. If you wish to go home that badly, to throw away all the sights and incredible adventures you are having, then I suggest focusing on your ratings instead of anything else.

[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?

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?

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!

Are you- are you even for real? Did you not see that broadcast?

Yeah? And if I win what happens to everyone else? Only one winner, right?

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