Scene #8842: Yuri's Invitation

Owner	Pose
Angela	Angela naturally isn't going to sign up any Agents to the Desire Grand Prix herself--if anything she'd prefer to approach this world from a different angle entirely but her grip on the Agents or even the Sephirah here aren't quite as complete as she might act. Yuri has returned to L Corp and is performing her usual works. She duels the Snow Queen in the morning, skips the training with Ceri because she's out of the facility right now, leaves to deal with a breach from Schadenfreude, finds when she gedts there that Gebura has (once again) already 'killed' the Abnormality sending it back to its cell, and is now making her way back to the sleep pile to get a nap in before her next shift. The Warpgate is open--L Corp isn't expecting company but it's a relatively peaceful day in the facility. Gebura may be reckless in rushing around to deal with every Abnormality personally but it does mean that the faint stench of blood in the air is even more faint than usual, though that lingering scent of cleaning solution never fades like it's baked into the very architecture of the facility. The Warpgate enters into Control as usual, and Yuri is napping in a hallway some distance from the entrance. Angela is in her office, watching over the video feeds with a bored expression on her face. The Manager is doing this too, but with a little more tension as he knows one bad order could turn an easy day like this into a bloodbath. All in all, a good day for an Outsider to visit for the first time.
Desire Stars	Control has an unusual visitor--a woman in an outfit composed of a flated-sleeve blouse, a skirt with an asymmetrical cut, leggings and boots, all of it in contrasting black and white--right down to each boot being the opposite color. Her black hair is bound in a sidetail that bobs with each purposeful, professionally brisk step, accessorized with a white hairband. A black-and-yellow box is held in both hands, marked 'DGP' on the lid--it looks sturdily made, as if to withstand great force. The video feed, if anything, likely emphasizes the purposeful nature of her gait, the way she seems like she knows exactly where she's going despite the fact that she's assuredly never been here before. She doesn't even seem bothered by the smell. Tsumuri stops, when she encounters Yuri. The Navigator, standing before the napping Agent, clears her throat. "Congratulations," she says. An awkward pause follows, when she realizes she hasn't yet managed to wake Yuri up. She frowns, and breaks her professional facade to gently nudge Yuri twice with her foot--hastily readopting the facade when the Agent wakes. "Congratulations," Tsumuri repeats, going through her spiel again. "After careful consideration, you've been invited to become a Kamen Rider." She extends the box expectantly.
Angela	Angela doesn't try to stop it. She just watches. She has never seen anybosy but Lilian ans Petra march into this facility, first time, with so much purpose. She doesn't immediately know she's from the Grand Prix. All she knows her is as a (cute) stranger walking in and... Hm? Where did that come from? Angela pushes the thought out of her head. Persephone had gotten into her head a little, she reason it away. Yuri answers Tsumuri with a "Nsrkh?" She opens an eye blearily. "Oh...hi. Are you new here? Am I supposed to ahow you around.." She blinks once, then twice as what Tsumuri said starts to enter her head "Er, w-wait. What?" Yuri sits herself up with a jolt. "Are you sure its me?" She asks uncertainly. "There's a lot of people here." "sshhddup...." Baba says from within the pile. "Ah, fuck. Best not wake them up. Can we..uh...walk and talk?" She looks up towards a hallway camera pointed directly at them. "Um. I'm Yuri, what's your name? Are you a friend of Petra's?"
Desire Stars	Are you sure it's me? There's a lot of people here. Tsumuri's head bobs once in a matter-of-fact nod. Can we..uh...walk and talk? "Of course," says Tsumuri--although she is insistent about foisting the box onto Yuri even if she does follow along. Um. I'm Yuri, what's your name? Are you a friend of Petra's? "No. I'm Tsumuri, the Navigator of the Desire Grand Prix. You can think of me as a master of ceremonies. Among other responsibilities, it's my job to extend invitations to prospects which the Game Master has selected." Absent a box to hold, her hands are laid palm over palm before the wide black cinch just below the hem of her blouse. "Rest assured, your invitation is no mistake, but the purposeful result of the Game Master's decision process. The Desire Grand Prix is a production put on to protect our world from monsters known as the Jyamato, incentivizing our Kamen Riders with a competition where the prize is a wish of the victor's choosing."
Angela	Yuri seems bewildered. Becoming a Kamen Rider feels like an elite thing to do rather than...someone like her. Even with her current situation, it is strange to imagine she'd get an offer like this. As...fodder, perhaps? Actually, she isn't even sure she has a choice in the matter. Or is this simply the opportunity she had been whispered about? Yuri stands up, taking the box and fumbling with it a little. "I take it that refusal isn't really an option?" She doesn't know if she intends to or not but she wants to learn more about the process as she can. It is pretty clear that information is power here. "Happy to fight the Jyamato of course," Yuri adds hastily. "Um, it's nice to meet you, haha... Sorry, my brain is kind of catching up. I guess it must be because I was the Agent that visited right?" She looks up towards the next camera as they head into Control properly. Angela's voice comes out over the speaker. "Miss Tsumuri. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Your visot was unexpected. If you wait in Control a moment, I will be down shortly." Yuri thinks about the prize and her hand curls lightly into a fist. "Um, sorry about the smell." Yuri adds.
Desire Stars	I take it that refusal isn't really an option? ...Happy to fight the Jyamato of course. Tsumuri smiles, polite and professional. "Of course, you're under no obligation. However--" Miss Tsumuri. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Your visot was unexpected. If you wait in Control a moment, I will be down shortly. The Navigator inclines her head towards the speaker in a gesture of polite acknowledgment. "I would be happy to," she answers. Um, sorry about the smell. "It's of no concern," Tsumuri replies with a slight shake of her head. "My role as Navigator sometimes requires enduring such things." While she waits for Angela to arrive, Tsumuri resumes where she was cut off. "While there is no obligation for you to accept the invitation, the scope of the DGP's ability to grant wishes shouldn't be understated. So long as the nature of the wish isn't something that impedes the continued operation of the production, almost anything you desire can be yours." In other words, it's not so much an obligation as it is the opportunity of a lifetime--or so Tsumuri paints it, anyway.
Angela	Yuri seems relieved to hear she has a choice in the matter. The smart thing is to say no to bargains like this and Yuri knows that too. But she isn't going to say no. It isn't often that someone like her gets called to the stage, after all. Despite bringing up the idea of it, gambling something that she would rather lose seems...wrong to her. Maybe Petra's way of thinking has affwcted her more than she expected. "Alright, if it's my choice--and my bosses won't kill me for accepting... I'll have to check with 'em but I tentatively accept." Yuri agrees. "I'd be fighting them anyway so I might as well try to get paid for it, right?" Angela comes down shoftly after. You know what she looks like! But in person she looks different than over comms. She almost looks human but not so much that ahe could be mistaken for one. Her skin is too pale. Her eyes are unnaturally golden. Her body seems designed to appeal to a specific kind of person. She is stiff as she bows her head to Tsumuri. "Miss Tsumuri. Or...should I say Master of Ceremonies, Tsumuri? How would you prefer I call you? ... My own name is Angela, I am the Secretary to the Manager of this facility though if you wish to--unnecessarily but optionally--refer to me by a title, those who respect me often use the title 'Lady' before my name." Her eyes slant towards Yuri. "I see you have an interest in one of our Agents. She is already assigned to your world but I have no objection to her helping in this manner." She is curious about kamen rider power herself. "Do you have any questioms about L Corp while you are here?"
Desire Stars	I'll have to check with 'em but I tentatively accept. "I'm pleased to hear it," says Tsumuri with a curt inclination of her head as acknowledgment. "We can go over the basics after it's settled with your employer." And her employer is there, not long after! Miss Tsumuri. Or...should I say Master of Ceremonies, Tsumuri? How would you prefer I call you? "'Tsumuri' is fine, or 'Navigator,' if you prefer formality," she says with a small smile. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Angela." Do you have any questioms about L Corp while you are here? Again, Tsumuri shakes her head lightly. "No," she says simply. "But it may interest you both to know that our offworld Riders can earn equipment for future deployments, in the interstitial time between Jyamato attacks, simply by using their Drivers to tend to those offworld affairs they already would have. In Yuri's case," she says, gesturing to the Agent with a sweep of one hand, "As an Agent of L Corp." She elaborates further: "The DGP ultimately aims to be a prosocial production, and it's the understanding of the production staff that L Corp simultaneously provides power to the City and contains dangerous Abnormalities--so the staff feels comfortable in compensating you, should you use your Driver gainst the Abnormalities," she says, turning towards Yuri with a little nod. They've really done their research! Unfortunately no one at the DGP could guess that Gebura is doing all of the Abno-hunting herself, at this point in time. "We're pleased to hear that you've already assigned Yuri to our world," Tsumuri says to Angela, offering her a little bow at the waist.
Angela	Angela says, "Navigator Tsumuri," with a smaller dip of her head this time. "I see. So your role is to find and direct the path forward. That is a difficult responsibility. Have you been with the Grand Prix long?" Surprisingly, Tsumuri doesn't have any questions. Angela quirks her head like she expected ''something'' and was surprised Tsumuri kept selling the tournament/death game to her instead. Angela looks to Yuri, who seems to be recovering her ''cool'' persona but is still caught off guard so it's a bit of an artifice in this case rather than her natural state. "...L Corp wishes to be a prosocial organization as well." Angela says with a small shift in tone Tsumuri might (or might one day) recognize as a sign that she finds this aim to be dubious or...troubled. "Having seen what Kamen Riders are capable of, L Corp recognizes their power. Considering the risks, Yuri ought to be ideal for the task... But I do not anticipate her defeating Ace " Yuri winces. "Hey I'm right here..." "...My apologies, Yuri, but between a reigning champion and a new player, the odds are clearly not on your favor." Angela adds before turning to look back at Tsumuri. "Not to discourage you. Offworlders have defeated such odds before." She curls her toes within her shoes. She is not content to just leave this one to Yuri and the power behind the games is...something that would interest L Corp. At the very least, it pays to be informed of what other Wings may be up to. "L Corp is ultimately a governmental body as much as it is a company." Angela says carefully. "I am authorized to make the offer of a partnership with the organizers of the Grand Prix. We are willing to discuss details but it is to our present understanding that our organizations' goals are not antithetical to one another." Yuri 's fist curls more and she looks away.
Desire Stars	So your role is to find and direct the path forward. That is a difficult responsibility. Have you been with the Grand Prix long? "For a few years, now," says Tsumuri. "At first, I was worried about filling the shoes of those who came before me. Now, I feel like I've risen to the challenge, but I always strive to maintain that forward momentum," she says, her head dipping slightly. ...L Corp wishes to be a prosocial organization as well. Tsumuri notices, of course, the way in which it's uttered--but she seems to want to brush past it without acknowledging it. How appropriate, for someone whose name means 'one with closed eyes.' Offworlders have defeated such odds before. The Navigator nods, then looks pointedly at Yuri, as if to encourage her specifically. "While the Game Master's reasons aren't mine to know, I have to believe that was accounted for." The slight frown on her face somewhat belies her feelings, however. I am authorized to make the offer of a partnership with the organizers of the Grand Prix. We are willing to discuss details but it is to our present understanding that our organizations' goals are not antithetical to one another. "Is that so?" Angela's offer piques her interest, sparking a moment's thought. "Then I'd be happy to arrange a meeting with the producer to that end." A little respectful inclination of her head, before she turns to fully face Yuri. "Yuri," she says, with a little more pomp than she'd displayed a moment ago. "At your convenience, please open the box. Inside, you'll find your Desire Driver, a hardened communications device called a Spider Phone, and your personalized ID Core. ID Cores are assigned to contestants based on their personality and behavior. While they will work in any Desire Driver, only you may use your ID Core to become Kamen Rider Fuyubee." The ID Core is icy blue with a stylized, fluffy head of a bee etched in white. The Desire Driver is a rectangular belt with a small circular slot right in the center, no doubt meant for the ID Core. A band of grey encircles the slot for the Core, dividing the Driver into two halves, which each seem to have slots for some other device, on their respective sides. That must be for the Buckles, like Ace's Magnum, Michinaga's Zombie, or the Arrow Buckle that Shirowe (the polar bear) had used. "Summons for Jyamato attacks will be delivered to your Spider Phone. Please have your wish ready and written on the Desire Card enclosed beneath the foam insert by the time of the first summons." She pauses, after having given her spiel. "Do you have any questions at this time?"
Angela	Angela watches Tsumuri carefully. She can define names but she is named Angela and she hardly is an Angel in any way she'd define it. She closes her own eyes after a moment, as if in a show of solidarity. "...You work hard. If you have--or ever have--A wish of your own--I," She shifts away from 'we' with ease. "Do not have wish granting power but I'd assist you to the best of my ability. As someone who respects those who rise to the challenge...Even when the work is difficult and there is a tough act to follow." Angela watches that frown. Kindred spirits, she thinks. Yuri is quiet but she isn't an idiot either. But she is desperate. And she doesn't have a Lilian promising her deepest wish. She has someone crueller. Yuri works on opening the box. It would be awkward to back down now and she wants to feel real as much as anyone. "Fuyubee?" Yuri immediately feels a connection to it. "What a cute name..." Yuri smiles. "I guess the gamemaster considered my style too. I'll do my best to be entertaining--" She picks up the ID Core. It almost feels like a toy, but she knows that the aesthetically pleasing qualities do not obscure the power of such devices. "...Yeah. Petra would laugh at me if I backed down just cause I might lose something important, right?" Angela doesn't answer but she knows how important narrative is to Petra. At the same time she is certain there are things Petra would never risk. Does Yuri have any questions? "Um. Just the rules like--I assume we are supposed to work together rather than eliminating the competition right?" Yuri of course saw this particular potential problem. "Doubt any wish I have would disrupt the game." Angela nods once to Tsumuri. "That would be wonderful. Thank you. I cannot leave this facility but I can telecommute or have an Agent bring a commpad. Thank you for your consideration."
Desire Stars	If you have--or ever have--A wish of your own--I Do not have wish granting power but I'd assist you to the best of my ability. As someone who respects those who rise to the challenge...Even when the work is difficult and there is a tough act to follow. Tsumuri frowns thoughtfully, then gives a little bow at the waist. "Thank you very much," she says--though Angela can tell that there is a lot going on, behind the eyes, when she rises, and not the least by the way she looks off to the side. That's twice, now. Do these offworlder people see me so easily? Even when I go to such lengths to be professional... Just the rules like--I assume we are supposed to work together rather than eliminating the competition right? DGP rules are familiar territory. Comfortable territory. "That is correct," Tsumuri says. "Attacking other Riders in the field is a point penalty, which can lead to disqualification. Attacking them during interstitial time leads to immediate disqualification. Your Desire Card will notify you in the unlikely event that your wish is unable to be provided. Fortunately, this does not prevent you from competing with a different wish, should it come to pass." "Yuri, Lady Angela--" Another brief little dip of her head. "There are other invitations to extend, so I should be leaving now. It's a pleasure to have you along, Yuri, and to have met you, Lady Angela." She returns her hands to that palm-over-palm position just before the cinch at her waist, then quietly excuses herself. She maintains that same businesslike walk--maybe even moreso than when she arrived--all the way to and through the Gate.
Angela	"Of course." Angela says. She wants to do a good job so of course people being able to see that she is not entirely content is not comforting. But despite it not being comforting, such acts led Angela to where she is now--she considers it paying it forward. But she isn't willing to press against that instinct any more than this right now--....maybe she should talk to Lilian? But she already deals with so much. ... Perhaps Petra first, since she is a Kamen Rider? Something she'll have to think about it. "Oh, that''s a relief to know. Glad you told me." She means this more in the sense of worrying what other Kamen Riders would do than her. Yuri might do some stuff she isn't proud of but fighting people trying to save a City is something she's not interested in doing. She'd rather cooperate and it seems unlikely she'll have to worry about being jumped unless someone's a real dope. ...Yeah, she probably should stay on guard anyway. "Thanks. Um. Good luck!" Angela watches Tsumuri leave with open eyes--before closing her own once more.