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

[crosscutting]

[Yeeeeeah, the heck with any more waiting she's just gonna Go]

[seasharp]

H-Hey! Hold up!

[Ariel is. going after her.]

[discutio]

[AUTUMN OH MY IFRIT HE CAN HEAR YOU WAIT UP]

[daughterofthemark]

[Also going!]

[cancrymods]

[ YEET.

For what it's worth, no one stops Autumn as she goes barrelling through the door... except for what remains of the line, that is. It's only about three or four people at this point though, and it already looks like Esme is wrapping up with one of them.

What do? ]

[daughterofthemark]

[Veil, at least, will get in line.]

[seasharp]

[Ariel's close to barreling ahead... but sees Veil.

...

.......

okay fine she'll get in line too.]

[emberserker]

[As will Wolfsbane, glancing about for anything weird or any useful details.]

[twibeast]

[ is also just gonna follow behind and get in line

...still has his harp out though, just in case ]

[discutio]

[once he stops autumn from 'sus, vote green', he'll be right there with the Calm And Reasonable Approach Crew]

[discutio]

[Well, first things first, he's going to catch up to Autumn and grab the back of her shirt.]

Think. Don't go in guns blazing, as it were. We don't have reason to start off hostile.

[crosscutting]

[ACK]

But--she's obviously screwing things up around here! Or--or doing something!

[discutio]

I don't trust her any more than you do. But starting a fight immediately won't get us any information, and on the off chance she isn't dangerous, we won't be doing her or ourselves any favors.

[crosscutting]

[(x) Doubt]

[discutio]

Just go along with it for now. If this comes to a fight, I'll follow your lead.

[phantasmagorial]

[ A little hushed: ] We have no way of knowing that yet!

It really could be that this is how things are supposed to function here in Invidia!

[crosscutting]

[Uuuuuugh sempai why do you have to be reasonable about it!!]

[But also whispering,] But--just look at how she acts! She's so...it's so...!

[phantasmagorial]

I know. It makes your skin crawl a little bit, doesn't it?

But we can't say for sure that makes her a bad person. We just need to wait and see what we can get out of her once we get close.

[daughterofthemark]

[SO EVENTUALLY Veil ends up at the front of the line, I guess! It's time to meet the ruler of Invidia and befriend her! And maybe get some information but most importantly! Friend!]

Lady Esme! How wonderful to meet you!

[cancrymods]

Oh, it's wonderful to meet you too!

[ She holds out her hand to start the whole handshake part of this handshake session. ]

You're a new face, aren't you?

[daughterofthemark]

[Veil happily takes her hand.]

Yes, I've only just arrived in Invidea. I am called Royal Veil, and these are my friends.

[cancrymods]

Your friends?

[ Still holding onto Veil's hands, she leans to the side a bit so she can see the disaster crew behind her. S–say hi, everyone... ]

Oh wow! So you brought them all to see me today? Yay! That makes me suuuuper happy. ❤

[ H–how... did she do that with her mouth...? ]

[twibeast]

[ Ah.... hello. He waves. ]

Ah, yes hello. We're somewhat of a family unit so we decided to come together.

[daughterofthemark]

[Holding a pretty girl's hands! Clearly this is a successful quest.]

Of course! We all wished to meet you. After all, you are such an inspiration to everyone, as a ruler should be.

[schardynfreude]

[SIPS FASTER ON HIS STARSTRUCKS and glances around like 'who, these people? which people? surely not me']