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... ]

Comments

[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. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ there's a feeling of like—a fizzle at the tips of all your extremities, as you try to re-illusion yourself again, and you realize, as you book it to the door, that you can't—it's just not working.

at the very least, no one seems to be stopping you, although you're now keenly aware that the staff is definitely watching you, slightly alarmed, as you go. ]

[worthathousand]

[ Fuck.

But she stops herself at the door: at least none of the "maid" courtesans seem to be looking to cause her any problems. So she turns around, and gives a polite bow. ]

...Ah.
Well, that's embarrassing, isn't it? You all put me at so much ease that I must have dropped my concentration—it's quite an achievement; no wonder Ruby likes it here.

I hope I haven't caused too much trouble. Before I go back to work... well, if anyone has something small you'd like me to bring back to someone, it's the least I can do.

[ It's just another "idols come to meet you" event, alright. Definitely. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ They all sort of like, look at each other, kind of nervously, like—they know something's up, but also this celebrity's being nice?—and one of them, a redhead, scrambles for a scrap of paper. ]

Well, um, actually—I have a grandmother who's a fan of the show, Mistress, er... Miss Amaranth, and I know she's fond of one of your sons... so if you could let him know that she wishes him well?

[worthathousand]

I'm sure he'd be very glad to hear from your grandmother. Just let me know whether to bring it to Lucifel or Persephone—unless, of course, you mean one of the ones on LiliS.

[farfromgrace]

"Oh, Lucifel, I mean—I don't know if saying it's Annie's grandmother would mean anything to him, but if you get the chance..."

[ she scribbles something on the sheet of paper, too, and they all sort of peer over at it and sign it; it ends up saying "Ganba sensitIV! <3 The Staff of Café Maidreamy" with signatures from all of them. ]

[worthathousand]

[ This is... so cute... Sometimes, fans are good, actually... ]

Oh, I'm sure they'll love it. And I'll be sure to pass along those well-wishes—it's the feelings behind them that matter most, after all.

Now, I really should get back to work; I don't know if Celestial Glory will turn out to be any good, but I hope to do well in my own role, at least.

[ It's... well, it's truth-adjacent.
So she will in fact collect the card for sensitIV before heading back out the door to the little side-street. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ off you go!!!

the question is, where to next, especially since it seems like your illusions are... continuing not to function, which makes you rather conspicuous, since you can't disguise yourself or your naginata. ]

[worthathousand]

[ That's the question, isn't it. Honestly, what is she even thinking, wandering around without anything the least bit resembling a plan? She could cut her losses easily at this point; after all, she's not far from the tee-vee building, and at worst she's just a "troublemaker."

...But gods does the idea grate—trotting obediently back to her little cage.
And apparently, if she knows the layout of Tokyo-F, she knows the layout here.

Experimentally, she tries summoning up first Juniper Tree's bark armor, then Nightingale's breeze: favorites, both, not to mention invaluable for respectively defense and swift travel. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ the bark of Juniper Tree responds to your call, and begins to cover the skin of your arm, and then—stops, abruptly, halfway up. Nightingale summons a breeze for a moment, but it's charged with that same sort of crackling static feeling that makes the hair of your arms stand on end.

you also, in the middle of experimenting with all this, become aware that there's definitely people walking briskly, coming toward you from some direction, talking in a way that sounds like they're agitated. ]

[worthathousand]

[ That settles it: like hell (ha) is she getting escorted back like a naughty child.

So whatever she's got will have to do. Amaranth call up the breeze again, stepping into the petals as she does—and uses it like a small personal chariot: staying low to the ground in case somehow this fails her too, but going far faster than she could on her own two feet.

...And she flies off down the first new side-street she can find—whatever is heading further away from the over-bright main street. ]

[farfromgrace]

[ staying low to the ground is a good idea, it turns out; the wind keeps dying out, leaving her feet skidding across the pavement before it starts back up again, sometimes too strong in a way that threatens to pull her feet out from under her.

unfortunately all streets in liar hell are an over-bright neon dream. how anyone thinks this is akin to yu-shan is deeply unclear, honestly. but there are less-busy streets, at least, even if you turn some heads and elicit some murmurs and in some cases some shouts as you pass.

Ahead, there's a number of little shops, cafés, a sign that points the direction to the train between Delphi and Vengeance. a store selling those "television" display screens in the window might catch your attention with—well, your face, actually, briefly, since it's playing bits of what you recognize as Imeeji Idol Productions as you pass—it must be re-runs, from the uncomfortably-familiar, perky introduction from the pigtailed host:

"Clasp your hands in prayer, hope real hard, and maybe you'll get a front row seat—" ]