You're ready

"Your loss." Accompanying her dismissive statement was a wave of her hand conjuring a chair. "Have a seat and I'll tell you something of the world you're going too."

She didn't give you a choice. The chair moved on its own, pushing and bucking your legs, forcing you sit down. Manacles on the chair's arms clicked shut around your wrist, a second later your legs were similarly restrained. Her glare told you to memorize each and every word.

"The Sphere Union is a loose affiliation of technologically advanced worlds, governments and species, including uplifted animals, kemomini, artificial lifeforms and a few non-human aliens. Connected by a warp drive that allow for Faster-Than-Light travel. Communication is slower, so spaceships are the fastest means of sharing culture and information between their constituent civilizations."

"Of importance to you are the merchant ships. Some are massive behemoths darkening the sky when they come to land others are smaller and form caravans for mutual protection - oh, space pirates exist, should've mentioned that earlier. Basically, think of them as mobile insect hives and you're the lowest of the lowest worker ants."

"With all the goods comes entertainers and other services. Idols especially are something of a phenomenon and young women, including a few otokonoko, struggle for fame in the industry. Although some are based on planets many chase galactic recognition and are trained and educated on the merchant ships while they journey between the stars."

Finished with her introductory spiel, the cards you had chosen started to glow and were lifted off the table by some unknown ****. They swirled around in ever tighter circles before they merged in a shower of intense light. The locks clicked open, allowing you to move again and you gently took the floating, golden card.

"When you enter you'll find yourself preparing to board one of these vessels, already accepted to one of the Idol schools. As a reward for listening attentively, I'll also give you some musical talent. You know, one of those things you could've spent time refining instead of being glued to episodes of Macross Delta Music is food for the soul, you know, both for the performer and listener, so make sure to shine brightly on stage and move on when you die again."

She seemed to take an inordinate amount of pleasure when she said she wanted you to die, though being a goddess of reincarnation it made sense. While her words immediately before held some warmth and hopes for the life she wanted you to lead, despite all her previous harshness.

All that remained was to take the plunge. Or ask questions, if there were any.