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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[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?"

[worthathousand]

[ echoing, slightly contemplative now ] Who wouldn't.

It's strange, isn't it... how different someone can be, depending on who they're with. All those painful games hosts like her would run, but her still knowing how to be kind...

—Ah, I mean, it's interesting, too, to think about the sort of people who try to emulate that, even in their spare time. I'm sure she had some fascinating stories of her own.

[farfromgrace]

[ she tilts her head. ]

"I never really thought about it like that, but—well, isn't the reason basically everyone watches Imepro because it's really encouraging to see heroes overcome adversity?"

[ she looks a little embarrassed, saying that. ]

"Or, at least—I guess that's why I like watching some of the programs, since it makes me feel like I can get through really hard days, too?"

[worthathousand]

That's... a really beautiful way of looking at it, Michelle. Truly, I'm sure they all strive very hard, on that show, but—

[ look, what does it matter if she uses a flimsy lie? she'll still ride this as far as it goes ]
—mmn, I'll tell you a secret: I work at one of the offices responsible for forwarding fanmail, and it's not something that most fans seem to write to say.

There are probably many Imeeji idols who would like for someone like you to write to them.

[farfromgrace]

[ she looks down at her apron, shyly, and tucks a lock of hair out of her face. ]

"Well, ah—maybe I'll try and send a letter sometime, then. After all, I'm pretty invested, so—"

[ She looks back up, and an odd look crosses her face, but she smiles again, a little sheepish. ]

"So, well—I'm really, really glad you think so, and, um... I guess, er—Mistress, I know you wanted some time to consider, so I'll leave you to it and return shortly—"

[worthathousand]

[ What... kind of odd look? ]

Of course—I'm sorry for keeping you so long with this chatter.

[ Possibly Michelle was just embarrassed, or got distracted by some thought, but... well. Better to check her exits, and her reflection in the table knife while she's at it. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ she does seem very cute and easily flustered, and scampers off, catching one of the other maids on her way to what seems to be the kitchen area to ask her a question.

so that leaves you alone with the menu and time to check these things, yes. at the very least you seem to have come in at a time without too much traffic, and the way to the exit does still seem to be clear. you catch your reflection in one of the table knives (not terribly sharp, could use a lot more polish) and—

oh. oh that's probably a big problem that all your illusions seem to have dropped, huh. ]

[worthathousand]

[ Only the fact that she was bracing for this exact worst case scenario keeps her from cursing both loudly and elaborately.

This has absolutely never happened before and she is still inclined to blame Liar Hell, but really she doesn't have time to analyze the situation—she just needs to book it.

(It's too bad: if this hadn't gone so completely wrong, maybe she could have tried to leave Michelle an autograph.)

—But no, she is hurrying out the door as fast as she can manage without outright running, trying to at the very least change her clothing back to the suit as she does. ]