Induction.

[wordsmithery]

Today seems to have been an exercise in providing more questions than answers. After all, aside from the rules on the walls, it's not as though there's much here that's going to help you understand what's going on, or why you're here in the first place. Some of you are angry; some are more confused than anything. Some are dealing in the best way that they know how. But perhaps one question remains at the back of mind, regardless of what you choose to make of the situation, and rightly so: Who is responsible for this? It's a question that doesn't seem to have a ready answer; after a while, though, you will receive something. It's not a solution, and it's not a way out, but it's contact – the sound of the public address system crackling to life somewhere above your heads, an indication that someone, somewhere, is aware that you're here and has something to say. 'I trust that all of you had a good night's sleep. Now that you have hopefully familiarized yourselves with your fellow Apprentices, allow me to make a formal introduction myself.' The voice is male, that much is obvious; it isn't recognizable to anyone present, however. 'Welcome and congratulations, new Apprentices of Chronos University. You have been chosen for a valuable exercise of higher learning within these walls. Both the rules and a list of your fellow Apprentices have been provided for you in several locations, and I advise that you study both very carefully. Knowing them well can only serve to help you.' 'As for my own introduction, I am the equivalent of a headmaster to this educational institution. For our time together, you may refer to me as the Wordsmith. I do hope that you all endeavor to make the most of your time spent here, however you may choose.' [OOC: You can be heard just fine through the PA system, so feel free to ask/say anything your little heart desires!]

Comments

[byday]

[Can't show his face. Of course. He has to make things difficult. They're everywhere, too, and Bruce immediately has a new goal of discerning where the Wordsmith is broadcasting from. He moves towards a wall, casually, trying to take note of where the voice is coming from. He tucks his hand into his jacket pocket, looking casual as he does it.]

This isn't about ransom, is it? You know I have enough for both myself and everyone here, really.

[wordsmithery]

Of course that's not the case. What makes you think it would be?

[byday]

I hardly see any other reason for my being here.

[wordsmithery]

I already explained why all of you are here.

[byday]

You've explained what we have been brought here for, yes. You haven't explained why you chose me for this in particular, or any of the others. I know I certainly have more important things to do.

[wordsmithery]

I am sure that you do, Distinguished. But what you deem important and what I deem important appear to be two very different things.

[byday]

Oh, no doubt.

But that doesn't make yours sensible.

[wordsmithery]

That is a matter of perspective, in my own opinion.

[byday]

You don't necessarily get an opinion if you're planning on trapping us like rats in a maze.

[wordsmithery]

Usually the rats don't have much of a say in it, so I think that I do.

[byday]

We're not rats.

[wordsmithery]

It was your metaphor, I was only going along with it.

[byday]

That's how you intend to treat us. We're not going to play your games, and we will stop you.

[wordsmithery]

I would not be so quick to speak for those you barely know.

[byday]

I like to believe in the inherent good in people.

[wordsmithery]

That is a wonderful quality to have.

But I must wonder if some of your fellow Apprentices even have that inherent good to begin with.

[byday]

I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.