meet and greet

[cancrymods]

If you've been paying any attention to the screens around Invidia (and it's honestly harder NOT to pay attention to them than it is to actually do so) then you'll be familiar with Esme, the woman whose face graces every single screen. Some initial poking around has revealed that Esme is a sort of idol to the people of Invidia, whose enviously glamourous life has taken the city by storm but that's more or less all you've learned so far.

But it looks like you might have the opportunity to learn more sometime soon.

Just as the dark sky of Invidia gives way to what passes for daytime, all of the screens in Invidia light up with the same video – it's Esme, perched on what looks to be a fancy throne in the middle of a white void, nothing to distract from the glaringly insincere sincere smile on her face as she addresses the camera.

"Good morning, lovelies! ❤ I've been soooooo busy with work and filming lately, I haven't had even a single second to see any of you in person! And what's the point of all that hard work if I don't even get to see your smiling faces at the end of it? So today we're having a very special event! For this afternoon only, I'll be on the Starlight Stage on the roof of our mall, all ready to shake hands and sign things and see all of you lovelies face to face again! Make sure you hurry on down to see me, okay? Bye-bye-bye! ❤"

With a wave and a sickly sweet smile to the camera, Esme signs off.

Looks like you've been given an opportunity to do a little investigating...

Comments

[seasharp]

[Can't have a much clearer invitation than that, can you? Who knows what everyone else is doing, but Ariel? Oh, Ariel is already on her way to the Stage. Without so much as a second thought, really.

...Huh? They just got phones to communicate over long distances?

Sounds fake, bro.

So, she's going to be there as quick as she can. Which is quick! She has youthful energy and a complete lack of sense on her side. Anyone else there yet?]

[daughterofthemark]

[Duess who shows up not long after?]

Ah, Dame Ariel! You're here as well?

[discutio]

This certainly sounds like a trap if ever I've encountered one.

[had he? who knows! but he's sure as hell showing up to the party.]

I can only assume we're all actually foolish enough to follow through with this, of course.

[seasharp]

Oh, Veil! Good timing~ I only just got here.

[cancrymods]

[ Suddenly, cutting through all the chatter and cold-blooded extortion, a chime sounds over the intercom, followed by a polite announcement. ]

Attention to all our valued customers. Please be aware that the Starlight Stage meet and greet will be getting underway in five to ten minutes. Customers wishing to take part in the event should proceed to the roof if they wish to take part.

[twibeast]

[ Before anyone (or.... everyone can anyway) leaves, Beast claps this hands loudly together. ]

Right-- since so many of us are here, shall we plan a little first?

Would everyone want to stay together or go in groups?

[seasharp]

[Ariel - who had already started running - stops in her tracks.]

Don't we just... show up?

[daughterofthemark]

Plan what?

[discutio]

I think it best to stay together, should this somehow take a sharp turn southward.

[schardynfreude]

[Meanwhile, in the background, all on his own, a helldad casually sipping on a hot cup of Starstrucks makin' his way to the roof.

sorry were we having a meeting he didn't get the memo]

[cancrymods]

[ And up he goes! He doesn't meet any resistance on the way up (in fact, there's even some helpful signs pointing the way) but once he gets to the top floor before the roof itself, Chiron comes face to face with one of the greatest horrors anyone could imagine contending with in Purgatory.

It's the ass-end of a gigantic line. ]

[cancrymods]

[ Fifteen minutes is just about enough time for Team Executor to cross the city in one piece, right? Well, even if it's not, fifteen minutes is the deadline Esme gave, so in fifteen minutes, Team Executor are expected to be there.

The gates are still closed but th

There's a pe








I'm sorry, but there's a fucking PEACOCK just outside the gate, apparently waiting to greet these visitors. ]

[mementomoritz]

Oh, how pretty! [Medic is just absolutely delighted by fun new wildlife and choosing not to dwell on anything upsetting that may or may not have just happening, nope, no thank you.]

Well, aren't you just a lovely thing. [She's just crouching to talk to the bird. That's normal.] Are you a fine example of genetic speciation for attracting mates? Yes! You are! You should be very proud of yourself and your evolutionary adaptations.

[emberserker]

Is this really necessary?

[cancrymods]

[ It.... caws at her??? That is NOT a peacock noise. ]

[seasharp]

[ huh?

huh??????

bird???????????????? ]

[schardynfreude]

[just bc he doesn't actually remember a personal chocobo doesn't mean he doesn't remember chocobo so Chiron will give a little gasp of delight and coo]

Hello, beautiful, aren't you gorgeous...

[discutio]

...What in the hell are you talking to.

[cancrymods]

[ It coos at him like a pigeon. ]

[daughterofthemark]

[!!!

TAKING UP A DEFENSIVE STANCE AGAINST THE BIRD]

[seasharp]

D... Do you think it's an attack bird...?

[that's not incredulous, that's a GENUINE QUESTION

she's standing behind Veil a little.]

[morelikeisabeast]

So like.

[Isabel is here. Pretend she was always here. She was just kinda hanging back for the first encounter.]

Is the peacock going to let us in, or...?

[cancrymods]

[ It...

...

I don't know what the hell kind of noise it just made but it sure as hell wasn't a peacock noise. ]

[twibeast]

Oh goodness, is that a peacock?

[ hi birb meet birb ]

[cancrymods]

[ It flutters its wings at him and honks like a swan. ]