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

[daughterofthemark]

Goodness, must the rest of us pay late fees as well?

1/2

[seasharp]

[she WAS just giving rei shit, but

...]

2/2

[seasharp]

Yes.

[mementomoritz]

Hmm... [Just digging in her pockets.] I have... some mint candy and a pen shaped like a fish!

[Just gonna go ahead and hand that over to Ariel. This counts as valid currency, right?]

[seasharp]

I accept your bribe!

[phantasmagorial]

Is right now really the time to be extorting everybody?!

[seasharp]

[she just

shrugs?

IT'S WORKING, SO........]

[daughterofthemark]

But I've no money... how am I to pay you...

[seasharp]

I'm sure you can think of something~

[emberserker]

There is something seriously wrong with all of you.

[seasharp]

Are you just saying that because you don't have anything to pay with? Hm?

[emberserker]

Ariel!

[seasharp]

I could put you on a payment plan~

[emberserker]

Don't be ridiculous. We're here to investigate that girl, anyway.

[seasharp]

And you were late. This is a serious investigation, and you were late.

I'm disappointed.

[emberserker]

Was this organized? No. It was not.

[daughterofthemark]

Yes, we must organize these things better in the future to ensure we aren't late again.

[emberserker]

...yes.

[seasharp]

Excuses.

[daughterofthemark]

I suppose I could provide you with some manner of service?

[veil no]

[seasharp]

Let's call it an IOU for now, hm?

[daughterofthemark]

Very well. A favor to be repaid later.

[mementomoritz]

It's okay, you can share mine! [Sliding some more mint candies over to Veil. Where was she even keeping all these?]

[daughterofthemark]

Ah--thank you, Dame Medic!

[She accepts them! And immediately hands them to Ariel. This is 100% sensible.]

[twibeast]

[ Hands you an egg a feather ]