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]

[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.

[discutio]

Something like that, yes.

[cancrymods]

Aww, that's so cute! A big day out together! Jeez, that sounds fun. I haven't been out on a day like that in forever! Is this your last stop for the day or are you heading out after this too?

[twibeast]

[ A quick glance at the others and then ]

Mmm, probably so, save for a grabbing a bite to eat on our way out.

[ Well at least that's what he'll probably do, there's still food stands to try damnit. ]

[cancrymods]

Have you tried the cakes from the bakery on the fifth floor? The chocolate fudge cake there is seriously to die for!

[ She titters to herself as one does when they're enjoying a particularly good joke with themselves. ]

[twibeast]

Oh-- not yet, but I shall keep it in mind, thank you.

[ Not even gonna comment on the joke because oof ]

[cancrymods]

Alright then! ❤ Promise me next time you come see me you'll let me know what you think. We can swap cake recommendations!

[discutio]

If you'd like, I can give you a cake recipe of my own. Surely you've the spare time for a brief moment in a kitchen, I find it an excellent way to relieve stress from being overworked.

[which is just a lot to say what in the hell do you do around here]

[cancrymods]

Oh, that'd be so sweet of you! Here, how about you write it down for me and I'll give it to my cook? I'd love to try it!

[ i hasten to clarify this is Esme forgetting that your boy is blind and not claire, your mod. ]

[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.

[cancrymods]

[ She laughs. Infuriatingly enough, she does have a very pretty laugh. ]

Aw, that's too much! I'm just doing my best, the same as anybody else, you know? The way I see it, I work hard so everybody else can get the motivation to work even harder!

[daughterofthemark]

[There is some alternate universe where someone with the ability to not adore her is having this conversation. Veil is making this face.]

That is precisely the mark of a good leader, is it not?

[cancrymods]

Seriously, I'm gonna blush if you keep up with that! ❤

[ She very pointedly does not blush. ]

I don't know if I'd really call myself a leader, but you're a total sweetheart for thinking of me that way!

[daughterofthemark]

Thank you!

[That's fine, she's cute anyway.]

I hope we'll be able to become friends.

[cancrymods]

I'd say we're already friends, wouldn't you?

[ She gives Arianna's hands a little squeeze. ]

Just make sure you keep coming back to see me when you can or I'll get lonely!

[daughterofthemark]

[GASP

FRIENDS! :D]

Of course! Goodness, you must have been lonely all this time...

[cancrymods]

Well, sure! With all the work I do, I hardly get any time to talk to my friends. So it's always nice getting to meet a new one.

[ The Specter hovering bodyguardingly just behind where Esme's seated at her little table clears his throat and Esme rolls her eyes playfully. ]

See what I mean? I guess we're almost out of time. Oh, but since you're all in line, your friends can all come through by themselves too, okay?

[crosscutting]

[POINTS 2 EYES POINTS 2 U]

[schardynfreude]

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

[twibeast]

[ not sure you're fooling anyone there bud but okay ]

[discutio]

I'm aware this is ironic coming from me, but I assure you that you stick out in a crowd.