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

[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. ]

[discutio]

[this is the slow inhale of someone very patient]

Bit difficult, I'm afraid.

[cancrymods]

How come? You can't read, maybe?

[ Phoenix might not be able to see it, but anyone with a trained eye will see her smile's turned just a touch nasty. ]

[discutio]

[...Oh, hell no.]

[Phoenix's own smile turned very diplomatic and very fixed in place; he might not have seen it, but he knew enough to catch A Tone when he heard one.]

Oh, I'm quite literate on a good day. [...not technically a lie, considering he knows damn well he wasn't always blind.] Why, have you your own cook and yet no personal scribe on hand? How terrible.

[twibeast]

[ UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH yeah he caught that ]

...While we wait, mayhaps I can write it down if you tell me, Sir Phoenix?

[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?

[daughterofthemark]

Already? Gracious, how time flies... well, I'll be certain to come see you again!

[And she just... goes for a hug. Because that's the kind of energy she has today I guess.]

[cancrymods]

[ OH I GUESS WE'RE HUGGING?? Esme sure doesn't protest, even if her bodyguard does sort of tut to himself. ]

Aww, you really are such a sweetie. Come back soon, okay, Veil? I'm gonna miss you bunches!

[crosscutting]

[POINTS 2 EYES POINTS 2 U]