[Entrance Exam] Arrival

[lockdownmods]

You wake up. There’s a dull, throbbing pain in your head that lasts for a few moments. You’re slightly disoriented at first, but once you come to your senses, you realize that you are not where you were last. You lift your head and realize that you're sitting at a desk. You aren’t quite sure where this is, exactly, but from what you can tell--desk and all--this appears to be some sort of...fancy classroom. Maybe there are others in the room who are as lost and confused as you are; maybe you’re the only one. At least you’re not in the dark. The room is well-lit, giving you a proper view of the blue and silver designs that make up the school’s colors.

You feel something around your wrist, so look down at your hands and notice a strange sort of bracelet. Some of you may be able to discern that it's some sort of Fitbit, but try as you might, you cannot remove it.

You only have a few more seconds to process what’s happening before you hear something buzzing on the desk you’re sitting at.

It appears to be a tablet of some sort. It turns on automatically due to a notification that pops up on the screen. The notification reads, “Good morning, Prospect. Welcome to Fayflower University’s Entrance Exam!”

There’s a “Next” button that leads you to another notification: “Please spend the next hour introducing yourself to your fellow Prospects. More information on your peers can be found on the "Profiles" app. Failure to engage will result in punishment. Be sure to adhere to the rules, which can be found in an application called “Rules” on this device.”

There’s one last notification: “When the hour is up, report to the Gymnasium immediately for your Orientation. You will be given further information and instruction there.”

You exit out of the notification. You now understand what the notification means: the tablet has four applications: Rules, Tasks, Profiles, and Maps. If you try to click on the Tasks app, another notification pops up indicating that the application is currently unaccessible. The Maps app only shows you a map of the building you're in right now. There's a little marker indicating your location as well: The one and only classroom in the vicinity.

A large red timer appears at the bottom of the screen. 59:59.

You'd better get started.

Comments

[covertizer]

[ Oh. There's a lot going on here - he's able to give the whole room a quick sweep, before his attention is drawn to the woman in the middle of the room. The one who is talking to him directly. ]

No, not really. To both those questions.

[ He... purposely doesn't step further into the room. In case the dog is going to be mad when it wakes up, and... well. Better he keeps his escape route clear and easily accessible.]

I'm not all that patient with kidnappers.

[robomin]

[She's more at ease with him at a distance honestly.]

If that's what you came to talk about... unfortunately... that's not something I can help you with.

I didn't choose you. I'm just... here to watch you... for now.

[supportrole]

[ Where the heck did Akira-- Oh, that door wasn't open before, was it?

....OH.

He just. Comes up beside Akira and peeks his head in -- yikes, looks like a tornado blew through this place -- and gives a small wave to the woman at the desk. ]

Hi! Sorry. We're, uh, supposed to go to the gym now, right?

[ Giving Akira's sleeve a light tug... I DON'T THINK WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE HERE ]

[robomin]

...since you've come here... it's fine. I was... planning on opening this door eventually...

The point is... now we can meet... I'll be watching over you... for the entrance exam... after all...

[supportrole]

[ Well, this is... weird... but she doesn't sound mad and isn't siccing the dog on them or anything so??? He can at least exhale with some relief. ]

Oh. Well, it's... nice to meet you. Thanks for taking care of us.

[ Bows politely!! I mean, he doesn't really want anyone here watching anything any of them do, but that's the proper thing to say here, right? ]

[robomin]

....since you’re here. I may as well... introduce you to one other person. He will... be assisting you all, and me as well.

[She gestures to the small dog.]

...tell them your name.

[mechanimals]

[ The dog stands, and his ears prick forward. It's immediately obvious that the movements are off--less like a dog. They're robotic, and it's strange to see from something that looks so similar to a corgi. Regardless, he sits on his haunches and addresses the prospects, ]

I AM APPRENTICE FACILITATOR MODEL C0R61. I AM HERE TO ASSIST.

[ His voice is off, too, like the Google Translate voice. ]

[robomin]

Good boy.

[She fondly pats him on the head.]

[mechanimals]

[ His tail wags. ]

THANK YOU. I AM THE BEST BOY.

[escardos]

WOW! A robotic dog!

[ kIDNAPPING? WHO CARES ABOUT THAT WHEN THERE'S A DOG ]

How incredible! Admin Fairy, did you build him?

[robomin]

Yes.

[She’s very proud of him. Enough so that her normally anxious behavior softens.]

I hope... you will all get along with him.

[mechanimals]

[ THE DOG LOOKS AT HIM... and sees that this is a Friend.

He hops down, off the desk, and walks on over. ]

HELLO, PROSPECT OF CHAOS.

1/2

[supportrole]

[ yikes ]

Uh... Hi there.

[ Just... gives another slight bow?? He guesses???

What was that name again? C zero-- ]

2/2

[supportrole]

...Oh! I get it. 'Cause it looks like "corgi", right?

[ okay that's kind of cute ngl ]

[covertizer]

[ C... 0... R6-oh. ]

I see. Clever.

[ He's a cat person, but he still crouches down to a level that little robofriend would be at were he on the ground. ]

Are you going to be as coy about the mysteries of this place as your owner is?

[mechanimals]

HELLO, PROSPECT OF VIGILANTISM. YOUR RESOURCEFULNESS IN BREAKING INTO MY MISTRESS'S OFFICE IS ADMIRABLE, IF SOMEWHAT ENTITLED.

[ sorry akira ]

I WILL REVEAL ONLY WHAT I AM ALLOWED TO.

[9laborsoflove]

Interesting...

[ Shuu is now observing the corgi, because of course he's here. And stealthy as always. Because Shuu has the uncanny ability to walk up behind people despite a limp and being weak on his entire right side. ]

...Quite the accomplishment.

[mechanimals]

[ The corgi, meanwhile, is completely unbothered by the giant-ass bird. ]

YES, PROSPECT HEAD OVER HEALS. MY MISTRESS IS VERY SKILLED.

[itwasfeyt]

Aww, a dog...!

[She crouches down, without a shred of fear to check out this new friend.]

If only I had some samurai dogs for you.

[covertizer]

I think we can be wherever we want for the moment.

[ He just keeps watching the woman, with thoughtful, piercing eyes. ]

We're entitled to a few questions. Just because you didn't choose us, doesn't mean you're not involved.

[ Which makes this woman culpable. And a source of information. What's to see if they leave, she won't have the means to change the locks before they're let out of the gym, when they go there? ]

Also, I didn't break the lock. Or any of your rules. Just so we're clear.

[robomin]

Understandable. I will... answer whatever questions I can...

[She bows her head lightly and looks at the desk.]

As for the rules... no, you didn’t. Don’t worry. I won’t take it personally...

[covertizer]

Good to know. [ He wouldn't have been completely bothered if she did take it personally, to be honest. ]

Why are we here? Not just "to take part in whatever we have planned". Why.

[robomin]

It is exactly... what it seems. You are here to participate... in an entrance exam... to determine if you are... worthy... of acceptance to Fayflower University. For two weeks you will stay here and we will... judge... your character.

You will either pass, fail or... perhaps go on a waitlist... if we think you have potential... but do not stand out as much as your other prospects.

[covertizer]

And what happens at Fayflower University? If it's so important you've got to put us through a two week pre-acceptance exam.

[ It'd better be impressive, is all he can say. ]

[robomin]

Fayflower University... is looking to cultivate students that are... the best of the best... in order to help save it. Should you pass... you will be able to learn more.

Naturally that means that... we want you to succeed... and will do everything we can... to help develop your talents and what makes you... special.