momquest: a quest for moms

[farfromgrace]

[ It's another day in Tokyo-D, and the relentless cycle of content generation for the masses goes on; how long have you been filming this drama, exactly? And it's not that it's a bad show, per se, but the fact that it's really dedicated to showing the gritty realities of combat and using practical effects for it is... kind of a lot.

Also it can't decide if it wants to be a show about frenemies or about enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies. Cowards.

And besides, it's not home, is it?

It occurs to you on break at the really honestly lackluster buffet table set up for the actors and any surviving extras that... there's really not that much security on this show, all things considered, unless there's something you're not seeing... ]

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[farfromgrace]

[ The elevator doors close. ]

"Oh, that's easy. I know a lot of folks would say the troublemakers, since we have to make sure there's extra security, but the really prim ones are absolutely the worst. Just because you can get basically anything with a wave of your hand in Tokyo-F—"

[ ding! ]

"Honestly, local talent is way easier to work with, though. But everyone wants these big names, since there isn't anyone who doesn't watch Imepro shows. See you 'round."

[ they wave a hand, and head back toward the front desk. and here you are, in the lobby of this studio. the doors are right there.

where to? ]

[worthathousand]

[ A little parting wave to her "coworker," then she turns to look around the lobby.

...The doors really are just right there, huh. And apparently this illusion is exactly the right level of convincing.

Come to think of it, she never had the opportunity to do reconnaissance of Liar hell before. So... sure, she'll try the doors. After all, at least she's not one of the "prim ones"—and no one here has earned the right to her playing nice.

Can she indeed just... walk outside? ]

[farfromgrace]

[ well, when you walk up to the doors... and then out the doors...

well! no one and nothing stops you. there's a feeling a little bit like what the modern folks would call static electricity, for a second, but—here you are, on the bustling, brightly-lit streets of Tokyo-D.

Everything glows, all the windows blazing with kaleidoscopic light, high-rises done up with stained glass and wrought iron instead of impassive reflective surfaces and steel. The further up you look, the more they twist in your perception, becoming spiraled spires and gothic arches that create neon silhouettes. The sky above is in a perpetual night sky, but the stars wander like planets and airplanes rather than staying still in their orbits. In other words, the kind of place that gives you a headache. ]

[worthathousand]

[ There's the initial impulse to look away, as if from the sun, but that feels vaguely like a concession so obviously she's against it.

...Even so, she can't look at the sky long before it starts to become truly uncomfortable. Is this what the Wyld was like?

She has, unfortunately, no sense of direction whatsoever here, so she just starts walking—looking for the first side-street she can find. Better to get someplace a little less public, and better yet if she can find whatever passes for the "bad neighborhood" in this place: it's where the rumor mill is sure to be located. Well, apart from the chambers of the highest nobility, but ha to that notion. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ Unlike Vengeance Hell, Liar Hell has, like, information kiosks and maps and so on. The studio building is in the middle of the downtown—in fact, the layout of this city is pretty much just like Tokyo-F, as far as the position of the buildings.

This area seems to have a lot of shopping, cafés, merchandise, and everything is so brightly-lit and loud that no one's looking at you for that long. You're hardly the most ostentatious-looking person here; there's plenty of wings and fanciful hair colors and purple eyes going around.

...somewhat awkwardly, you pass a digital billboard advertising the Hotel Omphalos ("Recently featured on Imeeji Idol Productions!") Hm.

But there's also plenty of alleyways, just like there are in Tokyo-F. You're able to find one without too much looking that's quiet; it just contains some vending machines.

—oddly, as you duck into the alley, there's that feeling again, like a brief jolt of static electricity. Maybe it's just that you're on high alert? ]

[worthathousand]

[ Or demonic sorcery. (She is, in fact, on very high alert.)

Quick as reflex she turns around, shifting her grip on the "parasol" as she does, half-expecting to see the receding shadow of some stalker. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ I mean there's not like. any stalkers. although one of the passing Damned does catch their gaze on you momentarily—almost like they're surprised—as you see them pass.

—wait a second. Your "parasol" isn't a parasol anymore; it's back to its normal appearance. ]

[worthathousand]

[ cursing, low ] Bloody Empress.

[ She lowers it quickly—she'll spare the concentration to fix it after checking the rest of herself: is her personal illusion still in place? How much damage control is that moment going to cost her... ]

[farfromgrace]

[ Looking over yourself—and catching your reflection in the glass of one of the vending machines, it seems like your personal illusion is still intact—though on closer inspection, your eyes are back to gold again.

It doesn't normally slip like this, but maybe it's something about Tokyo-D? ]

[worthathousand]

[ It's as if Liar Hell was designed to personally inconvenience her, honestly; she makes an irritated tsk before setting about fixing the details of the illusion and then returning the naginata to non-threatening parasol form.

(Stupid fucking Liar Hell and their stupid fucking "self-image." Half the show comes back covered in multicolored Wyld mutations but of course her LiliS illusions are failing. Hot take: hell is the WORST.)

...Or at least the closest she can get, if they continue to give her trouble. For good measure, she pulls off one of the random decorative leather thongs from her imitation armor (which is otherwise pleasingly realistic, if a bit outside her normal style) and uses it to tie back her hair so that it's at least less immediately recognizable, in case of further... mishaps. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ ah yes. realism.

it's a little odd, though; tying back your hair is easy enough, but for whatever reason even though you can re-glamour your naginata, your eyes just—refuse. ]

[worthathousand]

[ ....It's heartwarming, in a way: her connection to her sons—something she apparently can't bring herself to even pretend to lose.

Unfortunately, it is also potentially quite dangerous right now. Less so, in the alleys, but she'd rather not spare the concentration to maintain a more complex illusion like changing her facial structure.

There's nothing for it except to keep moving, seeing where backstreets take her; something like a tavern or market would be ideal for information gathering. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ well, eventually, winding through the alleys (periodically filled with gatcha machines) to the less populated streets (still annoyingly bright) you find—

well, technically, you could call this a tavern? ]

[worthathousand]

[ ....Oh.

Is this.... some kind of sensitIV "fan" thing? A "maid café"? It is the sort of thing she has seen them do for Lives a few times. But if they are avid Imeeji-watchers, perhaps it is better to be on the safe side.

—So she changes herself to Shiho (or, well, Shiho in a very snappy suit, with gold eyes) before heading in. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ You enter The Tavern, and are immediately greeted by several of the servers, clutching menus. ]

"Welcome home, Mistress! Is it just a table for one?"

[worthathousand]

Ah—

[ Oh, Cardinal would make so much fun of her if they knew she blushed at that. But look, it's.... they weren't even wearing blue; how was she meant to know? ]

...Yes. Just a table for one, thank you.

[farfromgrace]

"Please follow me, then, Mistress!"

[ one of the young women in a maid costume gestures for you to follow her to a small table. you would be forgiven for thinking that this is some kind of sensitIV cosplay thing, considering how pastel the interior is, although there is also a signed photo of Ruby Luna Kir Royale Sour in a maid costume framed on one wall among a number of other celebrity visit photos.

the young lady pulls out a chair for you, and sets the menu on the table. ]

"Would you like to hear about our specials?"

[worthathousand]

[ ...Well this might as well happen.
(The Rubyluna photo is cute, though.) ]

Ah. Certainly, thank you.

[ Come on, she chides herself. You can certainly do better than that. ]

You're very thoughtful.

[farfromgrace]

"You're very kind! I'm Michelle, and I'll be at your service, Mistress."

[ she starts rattling off a list of specials, including a chestnut and black sesame cake, and also notes that she'll draw a picture on an omelette with ketchup or on a dessert plate with chocolate syrup for an additional fee, and also that you can pose for photos with the staff, too! ]

[worthathousand]

[ Why would she want a picture on an omelette...
Also wait, hold on. She... literally only has imeeji points rather than actual money. ]

Hm, I'll have to think on it a bit.

But I'm very fortunate indeed to have taken a different route home tonight—if Ruby Luna favors this café, then I can't imagine a higher recommendation.

[ Maybe they've had other interesting figures? It's worth a shot. ]

[farfromgrace]

"Oh, a fan? It's really rare that we get someone that well-known in here, although when Imepro did their 'idols who come to meet you' event five months back we did see some of the cast then..."

[worthathousand]

[ Oh, so that was what they had called it. ]

One of my very favorites.
—But, you know, even if Ruby is the most famous visit you've gotten, I won't believe she's the only really fun one.

Charming company attracts all sorts, after all—not just working women trying something new.

[farfromgrace]

[ Michelle giggles, covering her mouth delicately with a hand. ]

"Well, admittedly it's a little hard to tell if anyone's the genuine article or not, because there's some really good cosplayers here—but on the other hand, they're pretty fun, too. We used to get a really good Exael impersonator in here from time to time, for example, but she hasn't been back in a while."

realized i could use these icons, so why not

[worthathousand]

[ ....Shit, why didn't she think of pretending to be a fan in costume as herself. There's an admirable audacity in it—if that disappearance means what she can't help but wonder it does, at least. ]

I can't imagine being that talented! [ a little laugh ]
What was she like? —the cosplayer, I mean. I've always thought artists must be such interesting people.

Re: realized i could use these icons, so why not

[farfromgrace]

"Oh, a lot of fun. She teased everyone a lot, but in a nice way? And she'd do handstands on the stage if we asked her to. She was really committed; I think she paid to get her hair styled that way rather than wearing a wig, but honestly, who wouldn't want hair that fluffy?"