2024-08-11: Summer Comiket 0099

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<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

Comiket is here!! The 0099 Comiket weekend is set to be the biggest in a while; 0097-98 had shaky runs due to the ongoing conflicts, but a year of relative peace has given the event time to build up... and, for that matter, let some artists and exhibitors build up. Sure, some have gone to online sales models, but just as many decided to wait for the next summer Comiket.

Two of those artists, as it happens, are parked right here with their own booth, even after one of them thought they weren't going to make deadline! They've even come in cosplay.

Akane's opted for Serena -- she's gone for that look more than once, but this is the first time she's had the chance to cosplay in this *particular* configuration. She's ditched the long brown coat typical of private eyes and police detective on the chair behind her, because as it happens, wearing a coat in excruciatingly hot Japanese summer kind of sucks. She's still got the white undershirt, slacks, loafers, and suspenders though. Her hair stays neat in a low ponytail.

The shirt... is struggling a little bit to fit. She's gained a little weight since the last time she pulled out this particular cosplay, and while she wears it well, it *is* a bit uncomfortably tight.

"I think we're on track to at least make printing costs back," Akane murmurs, as she looks at their dwindling stack of doujinshi. "More guys than I thought, too..." She's coped surprisingly well with that -- even accepting requests for a couple of photo ops.

Still, things are starting to enter a lull period... not a lot to do but chat up the other exhibitors.

Akane and Rikka's offering:

Your Truth
A bite-sized, episodic mystery-with-heist-elements comparable in scale and flow to a single episode of something like Carmen Sandiego (2019) or The X-Files. The gang's all here, but the spotlight character is Cecilia; a big chunk of the investigation involves the two of them posing as a perfectly normal suburban couple. There's another physical-flirting-fight (that only lasts two pages, with an SD Alien Zamiki drawn in the corner apologizing with a 'This was longer in drafts but we couldn't finish in time!! >_<'. Ends on a gag note where Cecilia admits she wouldn't mind that kind of life for real, if Serena would show her the ropes (SD Alien Zamiki smiling enigmatically next to this panel), and Serena sits bolt upright shortly before the pencils she keeps chucking into the ceiling like darts all fall on her dumb little head.

Akane's half of the afterword, in addition to the usual round of 'thank you for purchasing my doujin,' plug of her To-witter, and outlining her responsibilities (primary illustrator, editor, inker, project manager) includes a note about how this is the first art project she did with someone else, and likewise her Serena fandom owes a lot to it being the first show she watched that made a connection with her after getting out of a long funk.

Rikka's half of the afterword omits a social media plug, while still thanking the purchaser and listing her responsibilities(writing and story outline, backgrounds, coloring). Included is a note on how this is her first big project presented to the public at large, and how she has the support and encouragement of her partner to thank for giving her the nerve to put her work out into the option. She goes on to explain how Truthseeker Serena has played a big part in her life, and how every time she goes back to it, she finds something that resonates with her and her experiences in a way it didn't before and, in that way, has helped her learn more about and be more comfortable with herself. 

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Comiket is here!! This is something they've been preparing for for a while. Rikka is excited... but a little nervous at the same time, too, to put her work out into the open. She's always found herself hesitant to do so. Ecnouragement has seen her putting up some of the fanfiction she's written... but this is her first time putting out something like this for the public.

Rikka exhales. Breathe in, and out. It's alright. She's got this - and she isn't alone, which helps.

Rikka joins Akane in the booth, and she, too, is in full cosplay. She's the Cecilia to Akane's Serena, today, and Rikka feels internally grateful for choosing one of her more active outfits in this exceedingly hot weather. The combat cyborg look is lighter by design, with the jacket made to be shed for style points. She's made some adjustments to the outfit, though - toned down and reinforced in some places to emphasize a change in mindset while still being outwardly recognizable... It might be a bit bold to cosplay one's own post-series headcanons, but it does tie into their doujin, and Rikka considers it expert marketing.

"I think so. I'm glad. I wasn't worried about it, but it's nice that things are working out." Rikka replies with a nod. If people are buying it... that means they like their work, right?"Yeah. ...You've been holding up pretty well. Good work."

For now, Rikka settles in. With this lull, they've got some time to socialize... it'll be good to get to know people. That's an important part of these events, too. 

<Pose Tracker> Cascade Vermilion has posed.

Cascade decided to make an appearance at Comiket. Why not? She enjoyed the times she did gunpla, she has watched at least some of the television shows (granted, sometimes it's just on in the background while she does other things with her hands, but she is very good at mentally multitasking and taking in television while doing something else is something she does extremely well); it sounded like an interesting time.

So she looked up what gets done at Comiket. She found out about cosplay. It took some Internet sleuthing to find a cosplay she could wear - she wanted something that didn't involve changing her long, straight red hair, which limited her options - but she found one. She put it together. And then she arrived.

And it turns out Cascade made a mistake.

Cascade has chosen to dress as a character from Flyheight, or possibly Freiheit, a supernatural powers yuri about a girl who gets the ability to fly. She's not the main character, though, but a side character, Tessa Moore, an Australian student who comes to Japan for a summer that several characters - male and female - end up having crushes on, but who ends up having a whirlwind romance with the lead that ends when Tessa goes home at the end of August. And she's *very* popular among fans.

In short, Cascade accidentally picked a yuri icon to cosplay as and is getting a lot more attention than she expected.

Cascade is dressed in Tessa's skateboarding gear. Sneakers with black socks; denim shorts, worn a little low on her hips and artfully ragged along the lower edge of the legs; orange skateboarding knee guards with a star's silhouette on each one; a top that might have been a swim shirt except it cuts off to reveal her stomach; a yellow and black jacket that zips from the bottom, currently unzipped over her midsection but closed up over her chest; goggles, worn around her neck.

Her hair is up, caught in a couple slim braids at each side of her head and pulled into a tail behind her, though it's quite a bit longer than Tessa's actually is. Tessa also isn't built like Cascade; she's athletically slim, while Cascade is... not, and tends to stand and move in ways that flaunt her figure even (or especially) when she's not thinking about it. A tight shirt and hip-hugging shorts hits different on her. This is only increasing her popularity.

Having extricated herself from the last group that wanted a picture with her, Cascade/'Tessa' practically ejects herself from the crowd to fetch up near Akane and Rikka's booth. She is not sweating, but if that was a stress signal for her, she would be. Why do people keep focusing on her? 

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kyouno has posed.

Where there were events, there were people.
Where there were people, there were (predetermined, arranged in advance) calls for help.
Where there were calls for help...The Jersey Club was there.

So was commonly the case, Madoka's own reasons for being here numbered on the singular, cascading into the multitudes as she made her way around the venue. The ocean of the self-published, the circles that made their bi-yearly trek to this locale to peddle their wares and showcase the products of their toils to the world, one where one could drown if they missed so much as a single sign that began the line for the latest piece of a series. Swimming through the crowd, line after line, Madoka bouncing about...

Indeed, Madoka wasn't one to turn down a free outfit. A Victorian maid outfit from the frilly headband down to the nines, including the (slightly tight) loafters knocking against the floor. A skateboard with a leaf-and-wind motif on her back. thin black gloves...and rolling a suitcase along, checking the map of this sizable event on her smartphone. Another circle. And another. And another. To bounce here and there, to take five minutes to admire the artistry of everything (and the cosplays milling about), but more importantly, to keep tabs.

"Mmmmmh. Mmmmmmmmmh. I can grab this one, a few others; Ah, no, I can't grab this one, she'll have to order online. Captain Zeon, check. Sparkling Witch Athrusa artbook six, check. The Life And Times of Arm Slaves, check. Angel Noa Abe: Mr Right Beside, check. Boddole-kun fanbook, check. Then, next is..." Step step step step step step step stoooop.

Your Truth. Check. Check. Double check. Right, this is the one.

To stride up in that maid outfit without the lightest hint of shame in her stride, the sizable hardcase suitcase rolling along behind her. "Yes! One copy of Your Truth!" Direct and to the point, only a quick glance given at the cover to triple-check that the request was right. There's the minute eye of criticality born of scrutinizing practices, one that came unbeknownst to her...though, the gaze isn't demeaning. "Ooooh, those are good cosplays..."

Track the ones in her mind. ...Hmm. HMM. "...Which ones are you cosplaying as~?" The obvious question at Rikka and Akane, already digging out the Cold, Hard Cash for payment.

Even the task of being a doujin proxy for the highschoolers back home who had hopes, dreams, and the ability to save on shipping costs could fall on her and the Jersey Club.

<Pose Tracker> Muginami has posed.

        Kamogawa Maid Squad: Assemble!

        The three girls of Kamogawa High's Jersey Club arrive in full force as maids. With skateboards! Where Madoka and Lan opt for more traditional, conservative maid outfits, their newest member Muginami is there in the most cosplay of all cosplay saucy French maid getup, open around the waist and far, far showier than most might be comfortable with! Of course, she's cheerily in her element - every look and gaze is rewarded with a big merry wink, and even opportunities to take pictures.

        Though she insists Madoka and Lan be part of them too!

        The idea of Comiket sounded straightforward at first, but it's rather -crowded-, isn't it? Nothing Muginami isn't used to, thankfully. After all, ships of the Yaman Rebellion also often gathered together in little clusters on the high astral seas to share little passion projects crew members worked on, and it's not like those ships are spacious! Still...it's a little hectic.

        Oh, and Muginami's skateboard has a big space-voyaging train graphic on the underside! Can't forget the skateboard, which she assumes is custom to all maids!

        "Honestly, I'm so unfamiliar with a lot of this stuff, so it's hard for me to pick anything out, I'm sorry!~" Hands clasped together at Madoka, Muginami does stop at Akane and Rikka's booth, tipping forward to peer over the spreads, and she's impressed by the cover artwork and matching cosplay. So it's time for her usual "My name's Muginami, pleasure to meet you!~" spiel at the two. "What motivated you two to make something like this? I'm used to magazines like this made during downtime, but they're nowhere near the quality of what I'm just about drowning in at this convention!"

        Muginami does divert from her entourage to meander Cascade's way, and boldly proclaims, "I really like that outfit! Can we take a picture together, pretty please?~" 

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

        Comiket, people, heat, sweat, and did they say people? Yuta was half aghast that so many people (there they said it, again) could fit per square meter in this convention. It was sweltering. Coming back from Huffman Island and their run-in with Sousuke straight into this kind of weather felt like just punishment. Sweat and a shower even had their hair, usually unruly at the tips, (mostly) obediently go straight down (aside from their characteristic 'horns' and additional 'hair vents'). Additionally, the denim jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt and brown shoes they got was as comfortable as any outfit could be for this. "Haaaaah..." they've sighed after chugging another swing of water from their bottle, a brown suitcase in the other hand.

        "Oh! An Aoko Aozaki cosplay from the iconic first scene of the hit visual novel Tsukihime! And the suitcase from the original CG no less! That's a nice touch! Can I take a picture?" Another person attending asked, camera in hand.

        "No problem at all!" Yuta said, slumping the suitcase over their shoulder, arm bending back, other hand their hips as they settled the water bottle down for a second for the characteristic pose. In fact, Yuta hadn't planned on cosplaying Aoko at all, but after the first person pointed that out, the red-haired youngster just rolled with it.

        Picture taken, the rednette swiftly escaped the open area and walked towards the general booths, mostly wanting to take a break from the attention. They took the day off to relax, but even then, managed to give a few of their business cards in their pocket as they walked around. 

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.


        This was going to be an unorthodox operation. Infiltration of the Earthsphere again- this time, an earthling propaganda conference. They had an understanding of how colonists worked, but with the Villainous Federation changing their name and operations it was important to understand what was occurring- for their new allies as much as for Jupiter's own sake. She felt unusually nervous. Spywork wasn't really in her wheelhouse- but there were few AECF operatives who had both the experience and ability to keep a 'low profile' on Earth.

        Still, it felt wrong, presenting like this. It was duplicitous. It was forgoing her usual role. But... this was an important task! Why else would it have been permitted?

        "...Michi." Hime's heart was beating quickly. "I'm counting on you to keep me safe." It had been so long since she'd needed to rely on her bodyguard like this, but...

        One could never know what sort of trap they were walking into with Earthlings.

        -=-=-

        It was, perhaps, an unusual cosplay- after all, it's a relatively simple wedding dress, white and down to the floor with a flowery lace patten on the sleeves, with a white tiara holding a sapphire attached to a veil. There are a few simple accessories in her outfit: a simple silver necklace, a blue ribbon wrapped around one wrist, a battered old cellphone charm and what looks like an old high school class badge in the shape of an S converted into a hairpin in her long, black wig. In her hands are a simple bouquet of what seem like freshly picked flowers, mismatched and put together as best as one could. (The microphone and camera hidden within are VERY well hidden. Top of the line Jovian technology.)

        Weirdly, she seems to not be bothered by the heat at all- or has a really good deodorant. You'd think someone would be struggling to maintain the temperature in an outfit like that.

        And she was fine until she entered the convention hall, blinked once, and then fainted. Fortunately... her cosplay partner was there to catch her and carry her somewhere to recover- providing a delicious photo opportunity of a bride being Princess carried across the con to the cosplay room to recover.

        After that, the costume came with a non-standard face mask with filters- and a suspect amount of perfume.

        "...A chemical weapon in the room and spies one would never suspect... They're truly devious..." Hime whispers, her arm wrapped around Michiru's, when she's sure no one is listening. They've acquired a number of materials for analysis now, as well as footage for more. (Michiru is carrying most of them, even if they haven't investigated them in detail yet.)

        "...I can't believe we've barely covered half of it." Hime says, a bit louder, trying to keep with the 'vibe'. They start down another aisle, where a gathering is forming around one booth in particular. "...I think there's something over there. We should investigate."

        Michi has to be the outgoing one this time- this environment is exhausting Himeyuri a lot...

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

Comiket is here! And one Tenjou Michiru has not the slightest clue what that is! All the same, she's found herself attending as the focal point of an espionage mission, having heard this event was some kind of huge cultural touchstone for Earthlings. Learning all they can about the strengths and weaknesses of this planet's inhabitants is precisely what they need. It's a supposedly foolproof strategy for uncovering methods of subverting their civilization and making them vulnerable to attack. Still, she'd prefer to claim victory in a straightforward clash, honestly. Defeating their greatest monsters and proving herself a Hero, without any tricks. But that strategy was vetoed some time ago, as were most of her other ideas. There's too many of them, and Michiru is only one person. She can unite her heart and mind with Hime, but that only lasts so long before...

Michi shakes her head. There's no point dwelling on such things. "Of course I'll keep you safe. No matter what we find in here, I won't leave your side."

Right now, she calmly adjusts her costume wig to get it back into proper place. It took a herculean effort to contain her hair and set this outfit up. So much custom stitching and measuring, to make it all EXACT. Right now she isn't Michiru. She isn't the pilot who dreams of heroism and victory. She isn't the girl who lives by the mantra of Gekiganger.

She's Abe Noa, a high school girl who spends her every day saving romance all across the campus and beyond! And more particularly... She's Abe Noa in her most famous moment, having donned the ceremonial dress uniform and appearance of a certain deceased pilot, to give his girlfriend the hope and closure only she can provide.

And she's completely in over her head, even while grasping the hand of her best friend and partner against the insidious Earthling menace. In a sense, Himeyuri fainting is something of a blessing, as it provides her with straightforward, immediate purpose. She never even hits the ground, as Michi ducks low, sweeping both arms beneath Hime to catch her with perfect precision.

Michi, for her part, doesn't need the mask it seems. She may be naturally resistant to the chemical weapon? Perhaps it's the hardier constitution from the extensive workout and pilot training routines she does with her squad? And she still looks impeccable. "Too clever indeed, I'll be on my guard." Himeyuri is pulled close to her, about as close as she can get in fact.

"No fear, we'll see all there is to see before we leave. It's sure to be something we'll never forget." She's intentionally lowered the pitch of her voice to sound as close to Noa-as-Akio in those scenes as possible, but even with that and her extensive costume, the most astute of congoers and creators, with their honed experience, will definitely know she's a woman.

Thankfully, Michiru IS quite outgoing on her own, happy to investigate every attraction of the con, and approach the assorted costumed people to ask all manner of questions. Being an oblivious, first-time attendee is going to pay off for her, since her questions ought not rouse suspicion. 

<Pose Tracker> Laffinty Fin E Ld Si has posed.

Jersey Maids! Roll out!!

With costumes and skateboards, Lan was pretty sure they were helping out with the Cool Tricks Club or something, but that one lasted until they got on the train. In the venue now, Lan does indeed match with Madoka's floor-length skirt, and helpfully provides valuable additional energy in the form of looking completely flat-affect, neutral expression on her pastel-pale skin and eyes. She does have a clipboard in hand - a clipboard! (This is because her portable terminal is Spaceman Hologram Nonsense and she isn't allowed to bring it in public.) That's loaded down with her own list.

She looks down at hers, then up at the booth, then over at Madoka. "None on my list from this row," she says. ...then, murmuring, somewhat in response to Muginami, "I've never seen anything like it...what an enormous gathering..." ... "Are we supposed to use the wheeled boards for something...?" 

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

"Ehehe... this isn't my first Comiket, actually. I went once when I was really little, so it's less scary than a lot of other kinds of crowds are," Akane offers Rikka, reaching over and gently resting her hand on Rikka's for a moment. "You're doing a good job too. I was kinda worried I was pushing you a little much, but... I think it's worth it."

She almost says something else, but her eyes track to Cascade; she blinks once, then twice. Flyheight is something she's never actually been particularly 'online' about, so she had no idea it hit enough to snag even a couple cosplayers. Discreetly at first, she taps Rikka on the shoulder and points in Cascade's direction; then she comes to her booth, though. Her eyes widen a bit.

"That's a really good cosplay," Akane enthuses to Cascade. She means it, too -- this isn't part of the customer shill. "Are you caught up? I'm like ten chapters behind these days... things got really busy in the leadup here." Getting enough space away from her mother (now mercifully back in SAUS, doing her job) to print was a pretty narrow window.

-- Oh, and there's a sale to make, no less! Akane starts ringing Madoka up, saying, "Thanks. This is our first time doing this pair in this order -- usually it was the other way around," on the topic of their cosplays. "I've done Serena before -- at one of the live events last year we went as Serena and Antheia, and for prom we did Serena and Cecilia in the other order..." Rubbing at the back of her head, she murmurs, "I'm, uh -- she got me into it but it's kinda crawled into my brain and stuck there." She's all smiles about it. "The maid outfits are killer, though. I have one at home too!" Discreetly, she whispers, "Sometimes I wear it when I'm cleaning~"

... The fact that she's having fun surprises even her. She's midway through "It's nice to meet you too, Muginami," when the realization creeps up on her. ... She's having fun in a crowd. Huh. "As for that, uh... to tell you the truth it started as kind of, like, vent art... this version of the story was something we started working on in 0097. I don't really wanna go into the details, but a lot of really horrible stuff happened that summer... and this started to be a good way to get those feelings out." She tilts her head toward Rikka, prompting her gently if she has anything she wants to add.

... which is when she spots someone else -- someone familiar. That long hair is new, but... the face is unmistakable. She blinks once, then again, trying to figure out if she's just imagining things... Once Rikka's done giving any of her answers to the Jersey Club, Akane taps her again and discreetly moves her head just slightly Yutaward, then gives her the universal '???' searching-for-confirmation look...

... and then, to avoid too much suspicion, diverts her attention to the Jovians. "... Oh, that's really, really good, and her back muscles must be like seriously toned," she says, unsure if they're able to hear her at their present distance. "Even now that I have an okay routine at the gym, I don't think I could pull that off... what do you think, Rikka?"

Now she's thinking about it. Now she's really thinking about it. 

<Pose Tracker> Cascade Vermilion has posed.

Akane, Cascade remembers - from GUTS, and also from that maid cafe. So Akane will know her as an Ashford student, which she no longer is, but... she's used to that. Rikka, too. "I read it all recently," Cascade says, which is true. "I couldn't think of what else to wear when I came here... and now I find out that I could have just worn the maid outfit." She smiles, with an indicative nod toward Muginami as she approaches.

"I had to do more tailoring than I expected. ...did you run out of time for yours?" she adds, more quietly. "I could help." RUDE

She's also well close enough to hear the rest of it: "You mean for picking someone up? It just takes some practice." Cascade may be overestimating Akane's strength. "I could pick you up without a problem." She doesn't, but she could.

Cascade, that is cheating.

"It's good to see you again, though. I haven't seen you since I left Area 11." Cascade looks over the doujin here for the first time. She knows at least some Truthseeker Serena... "Is this what the two of you have been doing since you graduated?

Muginami isn't the first person to ask Cascade for a picture. She isn't even the first person who's done so in the last ten minutes.

Cascade's response is to look up at the new individual - who she does not know, but recognizes the outfit for, as Cascade worked at a maid cafe for a while. She understands this kind of getup. If she'd known it was appropriate she would have worn it and saved herself some prep time!

"Oh, of course," Cascade says, politely - she doesn't want to make a fuss that will be remembered later, after all. She even poses for it, though that mostly consists of giving a V-sign toward the camera - Tessa is a peppy sort, after all, and it's the kind of thing she'd do.

She asks, afterwards: "Are you any maid in particular, or only a maid? I'm sorry, I don't know all of them here." It looks like Muginami came with others, too.

Now that Cascade is more or less free, she's looking through the crowd again; her eyes never quite settle anywhere in particular, she's a lot more alert than most university-age students would be. It's almost - but not quite - military. She absolutely does not look military outside that, of course. 

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kyouno has posed.

Cascade's cosplay is barely noted; It just struck her as "people dressed this way elsewhere", a sort of normalcy of not asking too many mental questions...and of just being on her own pace. She does flash a thumbsup with a smile of approval. Even if she had zero clue about the origins, one can always appreciate the work put into the outfit.

"Oh, it's the other way around?" The phantasmal question mark of trying to understand the ins-and-outs of shipping dynamics. "She was saying that SereCeci was a rarity compared to CeciSere...So this is what she was talking about." Nod. Nodnod. Antheia? ...So there's a third. CeciSereAnth? AnthSereCeci? The abbreviations jumbled in her head for a second.

Cash: Lost. Doujin: Obtained. "Oooh, your co-author got you into it? Ahaha, that's a good feeling! That got you this far, didn't it?" A beaming smile at that, the lightest of poses at the maid outfit. Even if she had absconded with the largest skirt possible, there's still enough for the most scandalous of things: Ankle flashes.

"You do?" Akane's affirmation raises the Eyebrow of Surprise, mental image trying to square away in her head. "It's a bit more stifling than what I'm used to. Too many loose sleeves, you know?" Tugging at the sleeves, adjusting the apron every so often. "The cosplay's shoot soon enough, so I was just bringing it for a test run with friends."

Cosplay photoshoots were important. They were a mark of a person's work! Mugi's question taking over, she does sidle a bit away from the front of the booth, setting the suitcase down, poppping it open...and pulling out a plastic bag, stashing it away with the tens of others being lugged around in that case. Click, click. Closed!

Still, the sheer number of people...There's a mental check: Muginami. Good. Lan. Surviving. "None here? There's around ten rows before we can say we covered what we could here...I can't skate, but it should be like surfing? Not that there's enough room here." It's crowded. Nastily so!

Her gaze-wandering pores along the crowd; The sort of eye that catches sight of...a bride in a wedding dress? And someone else in a uniform... "...Crossplay?" Wow, they must really love the series. It's a sense of admiration, the sort that admired people showcasing their love for something no matter what.

...Really, she was in her element here, even if this was her first real con-going experience.

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

"Oh yeah? I guess the familiarity helps..." Rikka remarks with interest, as Akane mentions this isn't her first. Akane rests a hand on hers, and Rikka offers her a small smile and a sheepish laugh. "Thanks. It's kind of a lot, but... I'm glad you pushed me."

One of the relaxing things about being at a booth is that you don't have to go walking around to see all the good cosplays. Often, they come to you - even if it's only in passing. Her eyes are drawn to a cosplay of a familiar character as Akane taps on her shoulder and points Cascade out. Rikka is, of course, quite a fan of Flyheight - so seeing such a well-realised Tessa cosplay puts a smile on her face. She doesn't know Cascade that well, but she recognizes her from GUTS events and the maid cafe - it's nice to see a familiar face.

"It's nice to see you again. I love your Tessa." Rikka agrees as Akane enthuses. "You've really made her look your own."

And then... a trio of maids! Rikka isn't sure whether they're from anything, but the outfits are great and she always love coordinated cosplays.

"You three look great." Rikka says. A question is raised about their cosplay.

"She's Serena, and I'm Cecilia - from Truthseeker Serena." Rikka explains, as Akane handles the sale and offers her own input. "It's nice to experiment every now and then..."

Muginami introduces herself, and asks a question.

"Rikka Takarada. It's a pleasure." Rikka offers back with a smile. She nods, as Akane gives her answer.

"...Yeah. I guess you could kind of say... Something like this is what we wanted most at the time, so putting it to the page felt like a good way of... making that real, after everything we went through." Rikka says. "I'm glad we finally got to put it out there for other people to enjoy. Maybe they'll be able to take a little bit of that for themselves, too."

Akane points out a familiar face - and Rikka does a double take. She'd hardly recognize them if not for the hair horns - but those are unmistakeable. Rikka meets Akane's eyes - and nods.

Boldly, she raises a hand to offer a wave in Yuta's direction, to test the waters.

Akane soon draws her attention to another cosplay.

"Oh." Rikka remarks, surprised. Akane's definitely right there. Could she pull it off...? "I could probably try. I don't know if I'd say I'd pull it off..."

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

        "Impressive." Yuta said, watching the princess-carrying pair dart off to the . Not only her strength, of course. But also how the person in question darted this and that way without bumping into anyone in the crowd while carrying someone else. Try and might people give way in an emergency, the place was unbelievably crowded, still. Though the face-mask when they've returned nearly elicited an impolite chuckle. The.... 'human warmth and presence' struggle was something Yuta could relate with.

        Shifting a lock of hair backwards, the youngster adjusted themself and was looking for a corner to rest for a while, when... gaze and intention was shifted in their direction. One that felt different from the looks that passerby gave them before asking for a photo. Casually stretching and shifting about to scan the area without raising suspicion, they happen to lock gaze with Rikka right as the woman waved to them. "Ah, those two... Yeah, that explains the gaze." A bit less wary, Yuta waved back and approached their booth - seems like their circle (?) was starting to build a small crowd, with five people around them.

        "Rikka, Akane! It's been a while and a half!" they said with agreeable enthusiasm to their voice, shifting their gaze to the raven-haired half of the pair. "I was going to talk to you back at Asuka's recovery party, but that went.... well, you know how that went." Not the most pleasant of parties, but -personally- it was amusing no less. Yuta felt a certain affinity for the explosive pilot far more than Gridman had.

        For someone who disappeared for two years without contacting anyone before suddenly popping again as a NERV intern, they were trying to be very casual about it. Though there was also of a matter of -crowded, public space. In any case, turning towards the trio of maids, Yuta directed their greetings to them too. "Nice to see you around too, Madoka Kyouno. I see you're with friends this time!" - Lan and Muginami - they remembered from the NERV employee list, though this would mark their first meeting.

        "By the way-" inclining their head back to the circle in question "-do you take contactless payments of any kind?" Though honestly, who didn't accept contactless payments in this day and age?

<Pose Tracker> Muginami has posed.

        ...The idea of 'expressing hardships through art' takes Muginami aback a little bit. When Rikka and Akane are so straightforward about that...she touches a hand to the little locket at her neck, and gives a wistful little smile off to one side. "...You say it like it's the simplest thing in the world, but I kind of think that's...actually something special. Bold, and gutsy, actually, to put something like that on the page. ...I'll have a copy myself, then, to see what it's all about!"

        ...It's almost unthinkable to Muginami. Putting your vulnerabilities to paper like that? Isn't that outright dangerous?

        She thinks of Sheryl Nome singing her heart out to her untimely tour-ending injury.

        "...What a weird world this is, ahaha..."

        When Cascade asks if she's a maid from something, Muginami can't help but give a big bashful grin. "I actually have no idea what I'm dressed as, to be honest!~ It's something my friend is into? I kind of don't get it, but she was really enthusiastic, and it's -very- cute!~ I think you're supposed to stand on the board and roll around, but there's no way you can do that with this kind of crowd!"

        As if to 'demonstrate', Muginami hastily looks up these 'skateboard' tricks she kinda-sorta heard of, and shimmies up close to Lan to show her. "...It's a little weird-looking to me, but it's kinda cool, isn't it, Lan? ...It looks like it hurts a lot if it goes wrong, hehe. Maybe I'll actually try to get good at these when I'm not wearing something a little tight and stuffy!"

        ...She's adjusting and shifting her cosplay way too close to Lan AND way too showily in Madoka's direction. A two in one envy attack! "You said the shoot was soon? I'm looking forward to it, Madokaaaaa-!" An unknown agent in the form of Yuta seems to be eyeing her up - somewhat knowingly, to her, Madoka, and Lan in particular? She gives the redhead a peace sign to try and diffuse tensions and suspicions...

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.


        Hime pauses as she looks at one of the maids gathered, turning her bouquet toward them. (The Bridal Carry has happened on and off as more people have asked for photos having missed the first opportunity and Hime can't really say no on account of that being impolite. She is also realizing she could have just brought in a camera but. Shhh.)

        "...hm." That's... confirmation. Someone their allies asked them to watch for. "...I think... we should get over there and talk." Hime says, quietly.

        She waits for Michiru to walk with her, still too nervous to really leave her side. This still feels wrong, honestly. But...

        She edges toward the maid trio- specifically the blue haired one. "Pardon me, I just wanted to let you know that your costume is really lovely!" She says, a little too quickly and clumsily and maybe lacking the genuine sincerity Michiru has been able to present. "I mean, all your costumes do."

        ...Why is this so hard? Normally she wouldn't have the slightest problem talking with strangers. It was so easy in ZAFT or with their strange new allies or even on the island with the Nadesico crew. Here, though? She shifts a little uncomfortably, holding the bouquet almost like a shield.

        She casts an eye to the booth they're in front, the doujin they're selling. Another property she doesn't recognize, about women *really* not dressed the part. "Did you come here for the uh..."

        She pauses. They're all spies aren't they. Is that why that girl is here, the same reason?

        "...spy manga?" She says.

        Nailed it.

<Pose Tracker> Laffinty Fin E Ld Si has posed.

"I see, so it is simply a prop..." Lan says to Madoka's explanation. She knows what props are! The drama club made her hold a flower pot once.

The real funny part will be when someone at the photoshoot brings out a prop halfpipe and sends Lan hurtling into space. But that is a story for another time.

Lan remains, for her part, a girl so pale she's nearly blue, with pale blue hair and lilac eyes. One side of her hair is pinned down with a wide lagrange flower accessory, though perhaps it's preserved or artificial considering she wears the thing daily. She's adjusted her maid band so it fits neatly with that. "Oh. I haven't had much luck with surfing..." She doesn't really know why the surfing club keeps calling for her, they've never really done anything--

Oh, an ~~enemy~~ person who knows Madoka! Lan turns her attention toward Yuta, eyes piercingly serious. She holds up her hand in imitation of a dog paw. "Woof," she says, earnestly.

Then Muginami approaches and presses several huge masses down on her attention and Lan blushes brightly and makes a note-perfect imitation of a Kermit the Frog frump. Alas, such media is lost to these days. "Yes," she says, gently pushing against Muginami enough so she can stand back upright. "I see. It does seem physically taxing. Perhaps you would enjoy it." you common gorilla c_c

And then...an approach!!

... ...Lan does not know this woman. Her head tips slightly to the side. Ah, but she's being rude. "I am here with the Jersey Club to assist with getting some things for our friends," she says, earnestly. And then, she holds her hand up like a paw again. "Woof." 

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

It's perhaps understated just how much of a social butterfly Michiru CAN be when she's presented the means and motive. While in line for the Truthseeker doujin, she takes a number of pictures with people. None of them know what she's dressing as, but it's not like she can be identified in costume, and this seems to be normal behavior, so it will keep them all fitting in properly. She can even excuse Himeyuri to others by explaining she's shy, but they hadn't expected the sheer size of the convention. To those who ask, she does try to explain the series. Though HOW she explains it paints a particular picture of it that... may not have been the unfinished series' intent. And she's not even trying to do that, it's just a side-effect of explaining it with passion and love.

The pictures and information she's gaining will prove unimaginably helpful later, surely.

Gradually she's making it up the line. She keeps holding onto Himeyuri, while nodding to her. "I'll take care of it." Closing in on the gathering, greeting them in her far more cheerful manner. "Oh, you girls look magnificent! You must put such work into your passions!" Her way of talking is still kind of odd and a little antiquated, but she's doing much better than usual. Maybe in part because she's trying to keep at least partially in character?

One person who is a target, mingling with two unknowns? ...Weird. Are they being used as human shields or something?

No time to consider that yet. They can piece together the data later. For now, she's about to approach and buy a copy of the doujin, for a series she knows NOTHING about. If it's some kind of spy manual as Hime thinks, they may need to know its contents. If it ISN'T... then it'll help maintain their cover. Still, she has far more positive things to say about the designs of the characters. "I love how you've brought the images of them in your mind to life, both on the page and in your outfits! They're so striking!" It really is like night and day for them. Michi seems a natural with this social act, keeping up a front and wrapping people around her finger. That... might be worrying actually, if Hime starts thinking too long about it. What that could say about her best friend.

She notices something distantly, out of the corner of one eye. She'll have to pull Hime away to check it out, but... not yet. Too suspicious for now. They need to keep eyes off them, before examining what she saw. 

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

Seeing her a little closer makes it more obvious who Cascade is; recognizing people in cosplay is always a bit difficult. (Paradoxically, you stop being able to trust basics like hair and eye color.)

"I, uh..." Akane rubs at the back of her head. "I bet you could," she answers. "And, uh -- yeah. It's not the only thing, but we've been working on it since a little before then!"

Madoka's confusion gets a little giggle. "Yeah -- it kinda... goes back and forth. I'm not, like, top-bottom fixated or anything? I kinda like seeing it both directions. And yeah! It was the first thing we watched after we started dating... I was kinda bowled over. It's not my usual style, but it was amazing to watch -- and even more amazing to see why she liked it."

The question about the maid outfit gets a giggle. "Hehe, yep." She doesn't linger, though Lan's arrival gets a smile -- and the 'woof' a laugh.

When Yuta approaches them, Akane looks nervous in a way she hasn't been since they arrived at Comiket. She meets their eyes for just a moment -- then looks back down again. "... Hi," she offers, a little lamely. "It's good to see you around here. I hope you're having fun!" She maintains polite enthusiasm, but there's a bit of nervous strain in her voice -- even as she starts ringing Muginami up. "... Boldness is kind of a work in progress for me," she offers Muginami, before turning back to Yuta. "I... actually, do you have VERTEX?" She might find it easier to talk online. "And -- yeah, we take contactless," she says, flipping her tablet around. "Just swipe your card over the dongle."

As the bridal pair approaches, Akane says, "... I think next week we should try replacing the hip sled with some deadlifts..." to Rikka, in response to her 'I could try'. "And -- hi! Yes, this is the spy manga area," Akane answers Hime. "Are you interested? I'm also running a special on my Chodoroad for people who can't make it to Comiket -- all my stuff online is 20% off." And then Michiru buys one, instead! Excellent. "Ehehehe... I've always been someone who likes working with her hands? Sewing was a new one on me, but I took to it pretty well. I'm picky about aesthetics, too..."

<Pose Tracker> Cascade Vermilion has posed.

Cascade returns Rikka's smile. "Thank you. I like your two Truthseeker Serena outfits, too." She does recognize them! "I was worried that I wasn't going to fit in here but it seems to have worked out." And if Akane did the sewing, she has some respect for that, having recently tried to do some herself.

"Oh, for skateboarding most people use an outfit like this. Tessa - the character who I'm dressed like - skateboards," Cascade explains. "If you give me the board I can show you."

Cascade... probably will, too. She hates doing things wrong in public; she may very well have made sure she knew how to do at least a little on a board before she showed up dressed as a skater. Alternately, she's about to seriously embarrass herself. Either way, spectators win!

"As for maids, I worked at a maid cafe for a time," with absolutely no trace of embarrassment. Cascade isn't sure whether she should out Rikka and Akane as *also* having been there, so she doesn't; it's not like they worked at the same location or anything, even if they did work instead of just trying out (she's not sure).

Cascade thinks she's getting the feel of Comiket. It feels...

It feels good to just interact with people like she was in high school again. It's been a long time; Cascade locked herself away except for work for a while, and then went blazing, getting herself picked up by Satellicon. She almost seems relaxed.

She doesn't recognize the Jovians, but something about them draws her attention. (Not that she can ID them as Jovians.) But frankly half the Comiket cosplayers are unusual enough that something catches her eye, and then she can't tell if it's something she needs to actually be worried about or not, if she's getting false positives. She's paranoid, in some ways - she's built for combat and her instincts are still for combat. It makes it hard for her to tell.

She does look them up and down, thoughtfully - she is trying to tell if they are armed, but it looks like she's just considering their cosplay. Eventually, she nods. "THe wedding dress is very good," Cascade eventually says, "as is the uniform. Is it based on a real one?" She hasn't ever heard of whatever media they're from, but it also seems authentic. Maybe it's the wearer.

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Akane brings up some of their experiences. The first thing they watched when they started dating... There's a fond, nostalgic look on Rikka's face as she thinks back.

"Truthseeker Serena has always been one of my favorites. It was great to be able to share it with someone... and, Akane helped me find an even greater appreciate for it in the process, too." She says.

Cascade says she likes her outfit - and even recognizes them! That feels good.

"I definitely get that..." Rikka admits with a sheepish laugh. This is actually my first Comiket, too. We both seem to be handling it pretty well, though. Hang in there!"

Yuta catches her wave - and approaches the booth! Rikka smiles back, feeling inwardly relieved at the enthusiasm. After the way they disappeared... a part of her had wondered if they didn't want to have anything to do with her anymore, and their meeting at Asuka's party had... not much much to dissuade her of that concern.

"Yeah, that was... not a great time for reunions." Rikka admits with an awkward laugh. "We should try again sometime, maybe. Though probably somewhere less... volatile?"

Akane's the one handling the money, so Rikka lets her field that question. Instead, she looks toward Muginami.

"You think so...? It feels natural to me. Art is a good way of expressing things you might find difficult to put into words otherwise. ...Though I guess when I put it that way, it is something special." Rikka says. "Still, if you like it that much, I'm glad it's had an effect."

"Good idea." Rikka whispers back to Akane as Himeyuri and Michiru approach. She doesn't recognize Michiru's outfit, and if Himeyuri is more than just 'a bridge', she doesn't recognize it. Still, they do look good, though. Rikka smiles back at Michiru as she compliments their outfits. She does note the unique manner of thinking... Is she trying to stay in character, too? That takes dedication.

"Thanks! We put a lot of work into it... you two look great, too. Very bold." Rikka says. She smiles, too, at the compliment of their work. Akane brings up her craftwork, and Rikka nods. "Her work is incredible. I'm pretty lucky, honestly..."

As for 'spy manga'...

"I'd call it closer to 'detective manga', but I guess there is a good bit of spywork involved, too..." Rikka considers. Of course she'd want to be specific on the terminology...

<Pose Tracker> Madoka Kyouno has posed.

Serena and Cecilia. It's good to have proper confirmation, even as she fans her own skirt out. Summer heat was summer heat, no matter the time and place. There's a step back from the merchandise, taking a large sip of water from a convenient bottle. Ah, another refill soon. "Thanks~"

Akane's talk about directions brings out the quizzical look. Top? Bottom? North? South? "Both directions...There's nothing bad about being both top and bottom." Crossed wires of a girl completely out of the Dreaded Shipping Wars. "But it's a good feeling, being able to enjoy something someone else recommended, right?" Dating? The two? So that's their relationship! "How nice..." Granted, it was only a sliver of time outside of any knowledge of how the two got together, but. "I'd say you two are luckier than you think."

"Ah, Yuta! Life's been treating you well, I hope." Wait, Yuta and Rikka were in the same room together when the entire party happened. The minor bit of puzzlement, connecting frayed, nearly transient wires together. Guy being punched was. ...She allows that train of thought to drop, shifting gears.

Still, Mugi's own curiosity is infectious, keeping an ear out to keep track. An ear...and an eventual eye, the (not-obvious-to-Madoka) bait working as intended, peeling her eyes away from scanning over the artwork of Your Truth's table. It's fine, it's fine! "That's Lan, and that's Muginami." Pointing at one, then the other.

"It is! Though..." There's a memory: Her being shown one of those pages. That really was a high place for a kickflip before the daring smash through the fifth story window. She has faith in Lan's ability to repeat something (mildly) less dangerous.

The dashing duo of bride and uniform cosplay forces an instinctual stiffening of the self; Eyes flicking between the Michiru and Himeyuri, staring closely at the outfits. One, then the other. ...Even after so long, the thought of which one to put on if push came to shove...

...It's still a decision she's never mentally settled on. A fond smile for a moment before returning back to the mental headspace of the Now, crooking an eyebrow upwards. A spy manga, huh.

That's a mental note for later.

<Pose Tracker> Muginami has posed.

        Turning over her skateboard to idly start flicking and rolling at the wheels, Muginami just as well rotates the idea of an artistic endeavor when Rikka describes the process a little more. "...Eeeeh, how long have you two been going at it? You don't seem much older than me, but this is really good work...I can't say I've ever drawn anything like this in my life."

        Puzzling a hand at her lips, Muginami shows an arbitrary page of Your Truth to Madoka and Lan, and asks, "Do you think we could do something like this if we come back here? That'd be really fun, I think!" She does, of course, merrily admit, "I have absolutely no idea what we'd make the story about, though!~"

        Himeyuri's somewhat bashful approach to the three maid-sketeers elicits a big elegant skirt-lifting curtsy from Muginami, and then a loud unelegant, "Thank you! I helped sew them together for us three! My name's Muginami!" And then an especially un-maidly salute. "I can't say I recognize what anyone's dressed as here, but you two look really cool!

        A sly, cheeky grin crosses Muginami's face as she quickly assesses Michiru's cosplay, and she asks the oh-so-unthinkable question, leaning in to lower her voice at Himeyuri.

        "Fufu, between you and your boyfriend, which of you wanted to come the most?~"

        ...she knows full well Michiru is cross-dressing for her costume, but Himeyuri just seems so...eminently teasable.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

        Akane's.... awkwardness (?) was obvious, even as Yuta tried to be as casual as they could be. Understandable, even though the rednette didn't have.... any hard feelings towards her. At least not towards her in particular. Two years had been more than enough for their cognitive understanding to settle. Not that they didn't have any feelings about it, either. It was complicated. Yet also, they can only enjoy this complication because they exist in the first place.

        Lan's serious gaze, however, does turn Yuta around their smile gone for a second as the alien princess greets them with a.... mysterious ritual. Was this kind of thing common in her culture, perhaps? Striking a pose of their own, the rednette answers with a simple. "Chirp. Nice to meet you, Lan. Muginami. Life's been treating freelancer as well as it can in this economy, I guess!" Perhaps you're supposed to say your favorite animal on a first meeting. With Lan's attention taken away as she was approached by the princess-carry duo, however, Yuta turned back to Akane.

        "That I can do, of course. There's a lot to catch up upon, though I can't say I haven't been hearing from you two here and there. Imagine my surprise when I saw Rikka in a music video at Sheryl's contest, of all places, haha." They chuckle about it, taking a business card and a pen out of their pocket, writing down their personal VERTEX handle on it, and delivering one fresh Snag Solving and Similar Services Yuta card - fresh from the oven as they hand it over to Akane. "Let's not be strangers, you hear?" They said while tapping their card on the payment dongle..... twice. Why did Yuta need two copies? That is a mystery for another time and place, right now it's between Yuta and God. Not the Akane God, mind you.

        Deciding this was a good opportunity, they turned to their attention to Cascade..... while being wary of the Bridal-Carrying pair, especially as they fumble a bit. Yuta is the kind of person who would rather be suspicious of every single thing that is out there, than the possibility of being caught with their pants down otherwise. "Nice to meet you, I'm Yuta Hibiki. I was classmates with these two during highschool!" They nod towards Rikka and Akane.

<Pose Tracker> Himeyuri Oono has posed.


        Michiru's explanations have saved Himeyuri her fair share of embarrassment, and the nervous girl is an easy archetype in Jovian fiction. She does not, however, catch what Michi sees. That will be a fun surprise for later.

        "Oh, I see. Your friends. From the... Jersey Club?" Hime stares blankly for a moment. Is 'Woof' a code phrase? Should she have picked up on it? Should she react? Or should she not react? Is it a fakeout? What kind of games are they playing here!? "...Which is?" She wasn't exactly listed as an enemy so much as a person of interest, but if she has allies here... The pentagonans may want to know...

        Fortunately, Akane confirms it. This IS the spy manga section!! For spies! And- Michi is already on it, buying a copy of their elaborate spy manual. Michi is... surprisingly good at this. Just as she is witch schmoozing with the earthlings surrounding their target. Fortunately for Michi, Himeyuri is excellent at not thinking about things too hard because of the potential implications. She's excellent at not thinking about implications too hard.

        Fortunately a topic comes up that Hime DOES understand. "'Sewing isn't just a skill that mends clothes, it can mend a heart too.'" Is that... a quote from Domestic Princess Miri-Miri...? Well, Hime was told that people here value anime, if not in the same way Jovians do. "It's very important to know, I'm glad you could learn." W-wait, all it takes to break her out of her shell is... talk of domestic tasks? "O-oh, bold? You think? I... thought this would be a very traditional cosplay."

        And then Cascade compliments her wedding dress and Hime blushes a touch. "O-oh, I mean, it was a common pattern in the early 50s-" Wait, yes, the calendar lines up for that. Yes. "But, actually. It's from Heteroic Angel Noa Abe." She mumbles the name, confidence leaving her as she talks about it. It IS a beloved manga but... "Oh, uh, I don't know that it. Got a very wide release." She fumbles again, nervous, anxious, and clinging to Michiru harder. "I'm, um. My costume is Hifumi and M- my friend is Akio. I mean. Noa as Akio. I mean... Um." She gives a plaintive 'please explain it better' look to Michiru.

        "Ooh, detective manga..." Of course, a codeword. What is a detective but a spy on the side of good! And Earthlings would try to paint themselves in noble roles, like detective or police officer or mayor. "I have not seen many detectives... like this." She admits, even as Michiru seems intrigued.

        Thankfully she misses the top and bottom talk, otherwise she might ask and regret doing so.

        And then Muginami comes in with the conversational clothesline. "M-m-m-m-m-my boy-" She looks to Michiru, back at Muginami, back at Michiru, back at Muginami, like a deer in the headlights. "I, we're not, that's, I think you have the wrong idea michi's a girl anyway she couldn't be my boyfriend or like that and besides i'm not that sort of girl i'm saving myself for marriage" her speech rapidly picks up speed as she turns read, not noticing she gave away a KEY DETAIL in her rambling, before the 5'9" Hime is burying her face in Michiru's shoulder unable to know how to proceed.

        "Michi... help..." She whispers, completely caught off balance. 

<Pose Tracker> Laffinty Fin E Ld Si has posed.

Lan looks briefly startled by Yuta's response. Is this...is this the proper response...!? Nobody's ever done it before...!? Asteria didn't tell her this part!?

But, she is saved from an inescapable series of barnyard escalations by Himeyuri and Michiru. She nods at Himeyuri, who has a much more traditional response to the normal human greeting of barking. "The Jersey Club is a club at school that helps people with their problems," she says, firmly and without a lick of irony or amusement. "Today we are purchasing peoples' comics for them at Comiket because it would be quite far for everyone to go themselves." She blinks. Her head tips, eyes going just a little distant with thought. "Is that 'freelancing'?" she asks the air and therefore also Yuta.

Then she turns her attention to Muginami who is presumably still intruding on her person. Hm. Her eyes harden seriously, gaze turning down. "Do we have the skills for such an operation?" she asks, curling her hand into a fist and putting her knuckle to her lips.

<Pose Tracker> Cascade Vermilion has posed.

"...is it? I assumed you had done this before." Cascade really is surprised. You don't need to be experienced to present here? Or sell something, in this case...

...hmm.

"I will buy one," she decides, on a whim. She has to fish her wallet out of her shorts pocket (where it barely fits) but she can at least pay; she's not a homeless, jobless bum anymore! Nor is she borrowing Brocken's gold, so she has to be a bit more picky about what she buys, but this won't break the bank.

Yuta walks up to her. Cascade actually remembers them - from some of the same places she remembers Akane and Rikka, from GUTS and GUTS-related activities - but she didn't recognize them in their current outfit. Which isn't, really, a surprise. (And Cascade never really knew about Gridman, so everything is safe on that front.)

"My name is Cascade Vermilion," Cascade says, politely. "I remember - I think I saw you, then, though we never said much. Did you come to see them?" They only seemed a little surprise to see them, and they did want to catch up.

The dress is explained. "Heteroic Angel Noa Abe..." Cascade doesn't recognize it. Which is slightly unusual, but not worryingly so; her memory may be computer-perfect but she couldn't look up *every* show, manga, and Internet release before she came. Especially if it didn't have a very wide release, which seems to be a satisfying enough answer to her.

...

"Is she all right?" Cascade asks, a moment later, of Himeyuri. "Do I have to perform first aid? I know how," she adds, as if to reassure; she seems anxious to demonstrate. 

<Pose Tracker> Michiru Tenjou has posed.

Michiru has given this explanation a number of times. And helpfully, her accent is far too able to make 'Heteroic Angel' sound like 'Heroic Angel'. For now, she'll break character to elaborate. "It's a classic romance story. Noa and her closest partner have never been able to find the people who set their hearts ablaze, but together are able to bring love and romance to everyone else they meet. Noa has a remarkable talent for costuming, and one of their most iconic chapters has her in the ceremonial uniform of a pilot who was soon to marry, to pass along the message of his love and hope to the bride. So much of its run is about their efforts to bring happiness to everyone around them, and tragically, the writer passed on before being able to finish writing the series."

Hopefully her explanation, and the further elaborations she offers if asked, will clear things up. Even if she has continued painting a very blatant image of the 'unknown' endgame without meaning to.

Hime's distress is altogether too obvious, even if the implications of what was said roll off Michi's back without bothering her in the least. Or so it seems anyway. "A-ah... Uhm, I'm sorry. She's nervous with new people. Would it be terribly rude if I take her to relax for a few moments?" She's already lifting Himeyuri back into her arms. Shockingly gentle and considerate for 'not her boyfriend'. But she really isn't!

Having the chance to escape, she is trying to back off, once the exchange is made and the book is paid for in full. And she's got the details for this online storefront Akane mentioned. That may be an opportunity for them to prform follow-up investigations! Remote drops of manuals and other vital information? She can't pass that up!

Of course, once they make enough distance, she offers Himeyuri some water to drink. To help her calm herself. "Once you feel better... I noticed a section devoted to something important. They have Gekiganger materials... it may be an attempt at reverse studying us, so we need to find out more." Of course, Gekiganger is tucked into a fairly obscure corner of the 'mech' section, but it's very much visible if one knows what to look for.

Still... they couldn't possibly predict what awaits within. Or what lingering effect this night will have upon one pilot's mind. 

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

"Yeah, your cosplay is really good," Akane enthuses to Cascade. "You definitely seem like you're an okay fit here." Akane's a little worried about how much attention their booth is attracting -- if they get many more people loitering a bit, they might be seen as holding the event up... but it doesn't look like things are that bad yet.

... hearing Rikka get specific about the terminology makes Akane smile. She has this kind of side to her, too... that's sweet. She's really happy to get to see it. To Madoka, she adds, "Some people are really hung up on that. I never got it. I don't even draw the same couple all the time..."

When Muginami pitches doing a doujin circle of their own, Akane says, "It's way more work than you think it is. It took us years to get this out..."

As for the idea that expressing in this way is something special... "This has kinda always been how I expressed stuff, for better or for worse. ... Thanks." And Rikka gets a follow-up, "I think I'm pretty lucky, too. Not everyone has a good eye for backgrounds."

When Yuta tells Akane that they're open to catching up, some of that tension in their conversation releases, at least. "... Thanks. I, uh... ehe... sometimes it takes me a little while to call back. But I do think it'd be good to talk sometimes!" The guilt still pounds in her, but... she'll make it, for now.

The gravity of attention comes to rest on Himeyuri and Michiru, and Akane starts to rebound more completely. "Oh, you're a Miri-Miri liker too! I, ahaha... I'm kinda embarrassed about it, but I think that's what got me into making miso soup..."

... then Hime gets detonated. Akane looks on, utterly uncertain of what to say. Eventually, she encourages Michi, saying, "Yeah -- there's a few lower-key areas." She points Michi in a direction, and settles back in at her seat.

"Thanks to all of you guys for coming!" she finishes, as it looks like the momentum of Comiket is starting to push people elsewhere. "I hope you have a good time!" 

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

"Nope, not me. Akane has, though. I've been to other conventions, but this is my first Comiket... and my first time selling something I've worked on." Rikka replies to Cascade, with a shake of her head.

"I'm very lucky." Rikka agrees, as Madoka remarks how lucky they are. Muginami, meanwhile, asks how long they've been at it.

"Out of the two of us, Akane's the real artist... I only picked up backgrounds because I didn't want to leave all the heavy-lifting to her. I kind of like it, though... and I've always had a good head for colors." Rikka explains, for her part. She does smile a little, though, when Akane notes that she's lucky, too. She's glad her backgrounds were able to measure up to Akane's art...

The Jersey Club, though, that Lan mentions... a club that helps people with their problems. The vision is a little broad, but...

"That sounds pretty nice. I would've like to have a club like that while I was still in school." Rikka notes.

...Not that she probably would've joined. She was still heavily in her 'go-home club' phase.

She looks to Yuta and laughs, just a little, as they bring up the music video.

"Oh, you saw that? That's a pretty old one... but it still means a lot to me." Rikka replies. "I still remember the day we shot it pretty strongly."

How could she not, when it was so significant?

"But, yeah. Let's keep in touch." Rikka agrees.

Himeyuri comments on not seeing many detectives like that before and Rikka smiles encouragingly.

"I've looked up to Serena for a while... her story really resonates with me." Rikka says.

...Uh-oh. Himeyuri begins to stammer from a question. Rikka nods to Michiru, and Akane directs her to a lower-key area.

"Yeah, it's fine. Take care, you two." Rikka offers.

Akane thanks everyone, and Rikka nods.

"Yes, thank you for coming. I've appreciated it." Rikka says with a small smile. "Enjoy the rest of your time at Comiket." 

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

        "Well, from what you're describing, I guess you could say you're freelancing.... aside from the part that you're paid for it?" They try to give their two cents to Lan's open-ended question... but that seemed alright.

        With their two copies of the doujin in hand, however, it was mostly time to pack up. Before some staff or another yelled at them. "Right, I vaguely know you, now that you mention it. Long story short, I've dropped out of school, so we haven't really met in a while, haha." They laugh with an awkward scratch to their chin, before handing a business card to their fellow rednette.

        "Pleasure is mine. As I said, it was a welcome surprise. I'll probably be around till the end of the event, if you need some help." They said before giving way to the next line of customers and making their way..... Comiket really wasn't a good place to do a 'catch-up'.

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