[Action]

[camcorders]

Near the centre of Venture City is the familiar façade of Piffle Princess, a well-known local costuming business for both the mild-mannered and the super-powered.

On most days, Tomoyo is bustling around the store, singing to herself and cheerfully re-arranging window displays. Today, however, is different. Today, Tomoyo can be found standing still and silent outside the entrance, hands folded neatly together in front of her, clad in muted colours.

Every now and then, a familiar face passes by, and Tomoyo reaches out to them and utters some quiet words of encouragement: Yes, another dark scheme is unfolding. But this, too, shall pass -- the dastardly are always defeated, and brighter days are on the horizon -- just like always.

Piffle Princess is open for business, just like always. Anyone needing a garment tailored, repaired, or created from scratch can still come in today. They will just be greeted by a Tomoyo a little more subdued than usual.

Those in the know may also know that Tomoyo offers another service: filming heroes doing what they do best, and acting as a go-between to discretely sell the footage to the press without revealing any secret identities. This service is not explicitly advertised, but if someone tells Tomoyo that they are "interested in a photoshoot," she will know exactly what they mean.

Comments

[tiny_revolutionary]

There's one girl who doesn't seem to know her too well. Her outfit is already kind of strange, with a sort of Japanese look coupled with what looks like the world's largest soup bowl on her head and the world's largest sewing needle on her back. She's currently looking at the outfits in the store window, eyes wide in amazement.

"Whoooooa! You made all these?"

[camcorders]

Tomoyo gives a little bow, a good-natured smile spreading across her lips now. A new customer may be precisely what she needed to brighten her mood.

"Indeed. These are my new designs for the season. Do you see anything that interests you?"

[tiny_revolutionary]

Shinmyoumaru points at a particularly cute, frilly one. "I like that one! I don't have any clothes like that myself." She looks at her own outfit. "We dress pretty traditionally at home."

[camcorders]

"You have very discerning tastes; that is one of my favourites as well."

She sizes Shinmyoumaru up with her eyes, and seems to come to a conclusion. "Traditional clothing is just fine, but would you like to come in and try on something a bit different for a change?"

[tiny_revolutionary]

Shinmyoumaru blinked. "Ah... is that really okay?" she asked, eyes shimmering. New clothes! Wow! She pauses, though. "Ah, but... I'm not sure that's such a good idea," she adds, touching the tips of her fingers together.

[high_on_daylight]

A certain regular customer of Tomoyo's happened to walk by, stopping to face Tomoyo. Right now, Evangeline was in the Crookston student uniform... Albeit one sized for ten-year-olds. Must be custom.

"Ah, good afternoon," she declared. "You look concerned."

[camcorders]

"Good afternoon." Tomoyo ducked her head in a small bow, a polite smile replacing her previously strained expression. "May I ask if you happened to see the broadcasts this morning?"

[high_on_daylight]

"Oh, them? Hrm. I guess they'd be disconcerting, other than how this is, what, the hundredth time Doctor Devious has made that kind of a threat? Maybe fewer. I've rather lost count. Now, that fellow in the orange mask..."

She chuckled.

"I'm sure the heroes will work to keep any collateral damage down. It is, after all, what they do."

[camcorders]

Tomoyo smiled graciously. "Of course. If you'll forgive me for forgetting myself -- my mood tends to take a turn for the worse when I'm reminded of those who would much rather do harm than good."

She did seem to be somewhat cheered now, however, and seemed to remember her job. "Is there anything I can help you with today?"

[high_on_daylight]

"I'm just looking for a few of the usuals. You are excellent with specialty dresses, after all."

[sunbloom]

Itsuki's been around the city for quite a few years, and she likes to think she knows a lot of the people and places that are worth knowing. So when she passes by Piffle Princess on her way elsewhere, she pops her head in to take a look around; she doesn't have much of an opportunity to dress up, but there's occasionally something that catches her eye, and almost always something that she won't admit catches her eye. Today is no different, except... Tomoyo is out front today, and she looks like she's trying not to stand out. Which is fairly unusual for her. So after a brief look in the closest window, she turns her attention to the girl standing out front. "Tomoyo? Is everything okay? You seem a little..." There are some hand motions that suggest she's trying to fish for something, before she shrugs. "I don't know. Kind of quiet today, I guess."

[camcorders]

Tomoyo offers a modest smile to Itsuki. "Ah, do forgive me," she says, brushing a stray lock of hair back behind here ear. "May I ask if you happened to hear of the broadcasts this morning?"

[sunbloom]

"The broadcasts? Oh, you mean that the city's going to be in danger again? I saw them on television - they interrupted the news for them." She shakes her head. "I don't really know what to think, but... it's not like Venture City doesn't have heroes for things like this. I'm worried, but there isn't much we can do from our end."

She sighs softly. "Is that what's troubling you?"

[camcorders]

She nods. "It's not that I don't trust our heroes, of course. It's just the reminder that people exist who take pride in causing harm to others."

She sighs, then shakes her head and seems to brighten up a little. "Ah, listen to me, going on about such gloomy things. Forgive me."

[sunbloom]

Itsuki sighs lightly. "Yes, I know what you mean. It's hard to cope with, some days." She smiles slightly afterward. "It's not a problem, though. I'll just hope for the best. I'm sure everything will be fine, one way or another."

Glancing past Tomoyo slightly, she peers into the shop, eyes catching on a few things for just a moment, but by and large she's just here to browse. A plain basically-tomboy like her would never be able to wear anything from here... probably. But she can still dream. "Has it been busy today?"

[terrorwhatflaps]

Foiling the bank robbery downtown had gone ... relatively well, as things go. It would have gone better, Drake figured, if that weird lizard guy hadn't interfered with a perfectly good heroic act. But either way, the citizens were safe and the job was done: and he had bullet holes in his beloved cape and fedora to show for it. He carried them into Piffle Princess as he'd been doing for a month or so, now - lovingly wrapped up in recycled paper grocery bags, disguised as an ordinary parcel - and laid them down on the counter like a priceless artifact.

"Tomoyo...? Hello? You in here?"

[camcorders]

Tomoyo was slicing open boxes in the basement warehouse when Drake entered. When she heard his voice call out, she perked up -- a customer was always a treat, and this particular voice belonged to a fairly loyal one.
She hurried up the stairs, lifting her long skirt so as not to trip in her haste, and made her way gracefully to the register counter.

"Good to see you again, sir! The usual, I presume?"

[terrorwhatflaps]

"Uh, yes please." He gave her a sheepish smile and a somewhat pitiful look as he pushed the parcel across the counter. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything important."

[camcorders]

She took the parcel and unwrapped it half way to give the contents a quick once-over, then set it on a shelf behind the register to be tended to later.

"Nothing at all, not to worry. I trust you are well today?"

[terrorwhatflaps]

"Yeeeeeep, yep yep." He shrugged, leaning on the counter with a smile. "Or at least, I am now that I know I don't have to worry about that. D'you think you could have it ready for tonight? Normally, I'd say no rush, but ... well ..."

He glances around, then lowers his voice. "... There's something going on."

[whoneedsdepthperception]

[In walks Slade Wilson - billionaire philanthropist and all-around nice guy totally not related to that Slade guy on the TV making threats. Lots of people have the name Slade. Total coincidence.

Mr. Wilson looks fairly cheerful today.]

Good morning, Tomoyo! How are you this morning?

[camcorders]

[Tomoyo is arranging a vase of flowers next to the register when he arrives. She hears the tinkling of the entry bell and turns with a gracious smile -- to tell the truth, she's been a bit gloomy today, but a customer's arrival is always a pleasant occasion in Tomoyo's book.]

Good morning, sir! I am quite well. And how are you?

[whoneedsdepthperception]

[Mr. Wilson approaches closer.]

"I hear you are quite the photographer, miss Tomoyo."

[camcorders]

[Tomoyo glances around as if to check for anyone listening in, even though she knows there is no one else here. A force of habit, perhaps.]

Some might say that, yes.

[whoneedsdepthperception]

[Wilson smiles warmly.]

Well, I happen to be making a documentary about all the wonderful heroes who protect our fair city, as well as the vile Villains they fight.

I would be very interested in purchasing copies of all the uncut footage you've collected since you've started your little enterprise. I can pay you handsomely.