un: aurora | text

[arora]

Hello, citizens of Etraya.

My apologies to those who arrived earlier than anticipated. We understand how stressful arriving in an uninhabited new world can be, and understand your frustration at the lack of resources that should have been available. We believe we have finished construction on quite a few more facilities that you may find comforting. We hope this helps with any stress this may have caused.

As compensation for your patience, and your willingness to play along with our bonding activities, we have rewarded every new arrival who completed their bingo sheets with five points available for immediate use.

As explained during your arrival, you have been chosen to represent your universe. While I understand this may feel heavy, rest assured that you were chosen for a reason.

Your first mission will be a team exercise, and will begin in five days.

You may choose a companion now, or I will assign you one once the mission begins. You may want to keep in mind that you will be asked to trust your partner with your greatest weakness. Should I find any pairs unsuitable, I will select someone else for you. You may have more than one partner assigned to you throughout the exercise.

If you have any questions, please ask them now.

Thank you,
Aurora

Comments

[revengeisalie]

If our worlds are dying, do we have time to do these team-building exercises?

[arora]

Time is relative.

[revengeisalie]

What does that mean?

[ Aurora pls, you are confusing the Edo Period girl without much of a science education. ]

[arora]

Time passes significantly slower in the space we are currently occupying.

The time you spend completing team-building exercises will not negatively affect your world.

[revengeisalie]

[ Well, that's awfully convenient, Rin thinks. But since asking very directly doesn't seem to get her what she wants, she'll refrain from voicing her suspicions out loud. ]

That's a relief, at least. But why must it be our greatest weakness, and not, I don't know, a medium weakness? And who decides what our greatest weakness even is?

[arora]

You decide what it is.

[revengeisalie]

[ No answer to that other question either, then. All right. ]

So we are to trust our own judgement?

[arora]

That is up to you.

[revengeisalie]

And how do you determine whether we fail or pass?

[arora]

I don't.

[revengeisalie]

Who does?

[arora]

Echo is who judges your performance. However, the task's focus is not on failing or passing.

[revengeisalie]

And yet, it is a performance to be judged.

[arora]

Yes.

[revengeisalie]

I'll be doing my best, then.

[ Alright, clearly there's not more info to be procured this way. Rin's going to let it rest.

While still not trusting Echo or Aurora one bit. ]

[arora]

I know you will.

[revengeisalie]

What would happen if someone refuses to participate? If I understood it correctly, their world will cease to exist. What about the person themselves?

[arora]

Your lives are safe as long as you are with me.

I cannot guarantee you will stay with me if you refuse to participate. Beyond Etraya's walls, I do not have jurisdiction.

[revengeisalie]

I see. Do you know what's outside?

[arora]

Yes.

[revengeisalie]

Can you give me an idea of what it is?

[arora]

Not at this time.

[revengeisalie]

I see.