2948/Wish Factory: Serious Auditions 1

Wish Factory: Serious Auditions 1
Date of Scene:	22 February 2026
Location:	Hotel Augusta
Synopsis:	Chibiusa and Noemi (Veronica) received call backs after attending a suspicious search for models. Today, they head in for that call back, Amy serving as their back up. They're not too surprised to run into Kyubey, but the truth behind Kyubey's latest action throws them for a loo.
Cast of Characters:	Gabriel Agreste, Chibiusa Tsukino, Veronica Perenna, Amanda Faust, Kyubey
Tinyplot:	Wish Factory

---

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
The second round of auditions is a very different affair from the first. Where there had once been hundreds of hopefuls overflowing the Hotel Augusta's ballroom, now there is just the two of them, invited back to the hotel for the second round of auditions. Tao conference rooms have been reserved in the hotel, one for the audition itself, and the other a matching waiting room. Each of those who passed through the auditions had been given the same instructions: to arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to their audition time, to be prepared to reveal the answers to their brief assessment survey, and to come dressed to impress.

The last really shouldn't have needed to be said, but it was.

The assessment survey had been comprised of three simple questions:

    1) If selected as the winning model, what would you do with the grand prize money?
    2) What do you want from a modeling career?
     3) What is your greatest ambition?

Not the most difficult questions, all things considered, But with only one directly related to modeling, might be enough to give pause, particularly in light of their conversations with Kyubey.

Noemi and Chibiusa are the only two scheduled for call-back auditions today, and thus it's just the two of them and whoever they've brought as their plus twos who are welcomed into the waiting room by Kojiro Nyarth, the co-CEO who had once sported a chin-length blue bob now rocking an upset boysenberry-colored shock of hair tamed with enough hair gel to give a glam rock star envy, a black headband on his head, red scallop-edged sunglasses on his face, and a pair of dangling gold star earrings. He wears a spiked black leather jacket with golden ties draped across the front, the open jacket revealing a dangerously low cut top that reveals collarbones, and low slung black jeans matched with spiked combat boots.

"Why, hello cool cats!" He calls when the girls come in sight, "Get on over here, come in, come in! Chibiusa Tsukino and Noemi Aikawa and... guest?"

Chibiusa Tsukino has posed:
    Chibiusa had to come dressed to impress. She didn't need to be told that, but it's good that they established it outright. She had to, not because she was told to, but because she's Mamoru Chiba's daughter and she must bring pride to the family name. Due to that, as much as she loved the costume that Veronica had made for her, she wanted to show that she was capable of some versatility.

    Plus she had managed to get in touch 'Noemi' and make some plans with her, since their original cover story involved Chibiusa being her with her friend Noemi who is totally not the same person as her friend Veronica. Wink wink.

    When she shows up, she has a new costume. A pink diagonal striped bubble-hem dress with frills along the bottom. Her shoulders are covered by a more firm material, contrasting the softness of the dress. She wears white gloves and a pink shorty top hat with a red band around it. She of course also has tiny sparkling pieces of jewelry that are glass if one looks too closely (because she is a kid) but they look nice from a distance.

    Everything about the costume is meant to highlight her cuteness and adorability, making her appear as sweet and innocent as she can in front of people who don't know her true nature.

    (Which is still basically cute, but with more sarcasm.)

Veronica Perenna has posed:
'Noemi' didn't have much trouble in picking clothes: thanks to her disguise magic, it was impossible for her to run out of choices. But before Veronica had even considered starting to draw up a design for the second audition, Chibiusa got in touch with her and suggested wearing matching outfits.

That was actually quite sensible: the CEOs said it as well, that they could be presented as sisters by marketing, after all, and how else to make a good impression than strike in their weak point they have been so kind to reveal to them?

So for the occasion, Noemi is wearing a striped bell-shaped purple dress with a mauve ribbon at the center, with frills at the bottom hem. It is accompanied by frilly lilac gloves and periwinkle flats, as well as more robust fabric over her shoulders.

She had added a violet wide-brimmed flat hat to her head, and unlike the free-flowing hair she had last time, she has now tied up her hair in short and thick twintails, with additional hair being formed to imitate rabbit ears on top of her hair, behind the hat and on each side of her head. She is also wearing glass jewerly just like Chibiusa's.

Their shared pink eyes also help give them a vague similarity, even with her different hair colours. Though, she still has the big round glasses Noemi is supposed to have, of course.

When they finally get into the room, she flashes a smile at Chibiusa, just before bowing at their examiners.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    Usagi's sick. Amy's... not feeling her best either, honestly, but she can fight fine if magic stuff happens, and so she's sent to keep an eye on things.

    Problem: Kyubey may be there and Amy is a Puella Magi. This presents multiple problems. Why'd she have to wish to be so distinctively cute? ...Well, there were good reasons, but it doesn't help in this specific situation.

    Or maybe... it does? She can chance her clothes and hairstyle without work. Some quick testing confirms she can turn her hair short. Then mess it up a bit. Cover her face with aviators -- 'it's the red eyes, very sensitive' -- and find some style she normally wouldn't wear. Uhh, a warm insulated vest over shirt and tan slacks and different sneakers than she usually wears? Yeah, now she's got a bit of an androgynous little professor thing going on. It'll have to do!

    When she meets up with Chibiusa she briefly gushes "Oh wow, that's so cute!" Then Luna-P messenger bag is slung over her shoulder with a Soul Gem tucked away inside -- try not to think of the catball's creepier moments, remember, it's Chibiusa's magic! It's Chibiusa's magic!

    She double-takes at the CEOs' change of outfits, "Wait, you two are...?" wait, don't say 'the same two I saw last time. Uhhh... "...really innovative! Your fashion is beyond me, but that's why you run a modeling company and I don't, hahaha!"

    In her panic, she deepened her voice slightly trying to sound differently, and when they say 'guest' and look at her

    Fudge she didn't think of a name

    uh

    uh

    Panic! What is she doing. This outfit looks kind of... "Eric uh Smith. Friend of the family. Nice to meet you." She holds out a hand to shake, hesitates, then uncertainly bows if they didn't shake the hand.

    NAILING IT. This will go SWIMMINGLY.

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
Kojiro brings a hand to his chest, beaming at the vision of adorable that is the purple and pink striped duo who truly could be sisters. They're seizing so well on a dynamic, it's just darling! If he were the one making the final call, he'd absolutely be tempted to pick them, but of course, there is that little fact of there needing to be one decisive talent selected.

The only one he's not expecting is Guest, though the extremely awkward redhead in aviators gets no judgement for eyewear from the person wearing sunglasses indoors. The hand is accepted for a shake, though the grip is made stronger by the leather gloves and the strip of metal and spikes over the knuckles - its all decoration, though, to not qualify as brass knuckles and weaponry. This is pageantry, is fashion, not something as gouache as violence.

"Wonderful to meet you, Eric Smith, Friend of the Family. My other half is handling other affairs today, but don't you worry, because this audition will be held personally, in front of the man deciding your fates!" He grins, as if completely unaware of how nerve-wracking that could be to young auditioners. "Sadly, I won't get to see the audition, but if either of you makes the final cut, we'll be working closely together as your agents."

The waiting room they've been welcomed into is a conference room, tables removed and chairs lining the walls to make a square with an empty space in the middle. At the back of the room, nearest the entrance, is a table laid out with plenty of snacks - French style, this time. There's two large charcuterie boards with various cheeses, berries, grapes, fruit spreads, nuts, cured meats, and crackers - petit fours of various flavors - crostini flights each spread with different toppings: tapenade, whipped cream cheese and tomato, ricotta and pepperoni - and of course plenty of fizzy flavored waters and juices.

Models are often encouraged to diet and abstain, but that doesn't seem as though it will be the case here. There's the white with brown markings cat, Nyarth, perched on a chair by the snack table, busily devouring sardines.

At the front of the common room is a door that connects it to the other conference room, closed, for now.

"Now, Noemi-san, Chibiusa-san, you'll have a choice - you can have your audition solo, or you can go together. Given your outfits, I'm guessing you'd rather go as a pair...? But either way, Smith-san, you'll have to wait here with me and Nyarth."

Chibiusa Tsukino has posed:
    Good. The cover seems to be holding. Or so Chibiusa thinks. She's not sure what she'd actually do if she won, but prize money is prize money, and they are really here to figure out what Kyubey's deal is.

    The thought of him preying upon someone's dreams of being a model in order to curse their souls is too terrifying for them to ignore.

    If there's anything off or strange about any of the three of them, Chibiusa does not betray it. It's perfectly normal to be hanging out with her friend Noemi and of course her family send her with a chaperone. "It's nice to speak to you too, Kojira-san."

    'The man deciding their fates' he says. Small Lady is just going to pretend that doesn't sound incredibly ominous. If there's any hint of nervousness in her tiny red eyes, she thinks it can be passed of as a little bit of stage fright.

    The food is noticed and considered. Is this somehow a test? Will she get disqualified if she eats too much? Nobody seems to even be hinting at that, but that doesn't mean she isn't being judged. Maybe she's being paranoid... but if her experience with the Black Moon has taught her anything, it's that she's not paranoid enough.

    Eating nothing might also be suspicious, so she makes herself a cracker sandwich with pepperoni and cheese and acts like that's enough for now.

    Upon being asked, Chibiusa turns to Noemi and asks, "What do you think? Would it be better for us to go together? Our coordination might go to waste if we don't."

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Noemi looks at her feet when Kojiro mentions they are about to meet the man that will decide their fate, only to look back up and give Chibiusa a calculated small smile, appearing just bashful enough to sell that she is enjoying having her friend alongside her at the audition.

She would give the pinkette a much wider smile weren't they still being looked at. Their disguise is working, both in cuteness and closeness alike, and her friend is really keeping up the ruse with such skill that Veronica would almost 'question' whether they practiced it and she forgot.

Well. She will have to keep the congratulations for later, when they will have all the time in the world, but for now she keeps her focus on Kojiro, with a small exception for Eric's arrival, prompting her to making her surprise slip through her facade on purpose. She has no idea of who this Eric is supposed to be, and Noemi would have no idea likely if her family assigned it to Chibiusa for the situation.

"Ah....", Noemi murmurs when their option is presented to them. The dark-haired girl wouldn't have thought there could have been any other expectation. "Well, I think... That we should go together, right? We match so well, and worked so hard. They are going to be really impressed when they see us", she comments.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    'Eric, uh' or 'Erica' just grimaces awkwardly at the 'in front of the man deciding your fates' thing. That doesn't sound all that encouraging! But then, it's probably reasonable that it doesn't, and not a breach of disguise? Note to self, she thinks, pretending to be someone else probably works better if you have a character to play! "Uh, thanks! I do hope that Chibiusa and her friend make it." She's not sure how a family friend of an aspiring child model would actually behave, but the situation does seem to warrant some nervousness.

    There are snacks! Little snacks, so fancy she doesn't know the name of some of them.

    Amy tries a few of the tastier-looking things, and the things she doesn't recognize.

    It doesn't seem like she should have much input on the decision of whether to audition together, that's up to them. "Makes sense to me." is all she says on the matter.

    She resists the urge to try to pack up some of the food and take leftovers home. Besides, she'd have to stuff them in Luna-P, how awkward would that be?

    Of course, they're going to be going in there -- with the man who decides their fates -- and 'Eric' has to stay here with Kojiro. Best to set this up now.

    << I tested it, and I can do this without Kyubey. >> She's not 100% certain he can't eavesdrop, but... It doesn't feel like when she was trying to include him.

    << If you need help, call out to me in your thoughts. I... think that should work... obviously, I'll respond if it does. >>

    "Sho," Amy starts to ask, then chews the mouthful of food a bit more. Can telepathy with your mouth full, but not talk! She swallows.

    "So, who is this man who decides their fates, anyway?"

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
If the food is a test, there's no sign that either Chibiusa or Noemi passed or failed with their specific choices. Instead, Kojiro just beams at the pair and says, "Sounds like a good choice to me. Splitting up a pair never goes well, trust me! This outfit doesn't work nearly as well with Musashi away."

With that said, Kojiro opens the other conference room door for the girls, and it's situated such that all they can see is a portion of the long wooden conference table and comfortable office chairs that are inside, no stealing a glance at who or what awaits them. That's on purpose, and for more reason than once - once Chibiusa and Noemi have entered the room, Kojiro closes the door behind them, leaving 'Erica' to face the co-CEO alone.

"Oh, he's the client, of course," Kojiro says with a sly smile, and makes sure the door is nice and securely shut. "Mitradae is a talent management and acquisition company - Musashi and I are working talent too, but our main goal as a company is finding talent to meet the needs of those seeking to expand their talent portfolio."

On the other side of that door, Chibiusa and Noemi are met with the rest of the conference room: hardwood floor, luxurious rug in the center, with a lovely carved oak table and comfortable office chairs, a pair of dual screens from Zoom connectivity, and... two figures, at the far end, already seated. One, familiar: Kyubey. The other, entirely unfamiliar:

A tall, thin man dressed ostentatiously, his unnatural charcoal-grey skin covered near head to toe, save for the exposed skin of his face. His short hair is two-toned, the top-side jet black and the underside a glowing bioluminescent seafoam green, neatly cut but flaring so the glow is exposed. His eyes glow the same color, the sclera a jet black. Framing both eyes and the sides of his face are the gold filigree wings of a butterfly.

He wears a close-fitting bodysuit of an unreal looking fabric, looking somewhat like a bodice with slim lines of black leading down his body. His shoulders and much of his chest are covered by a dark teal heavy fur mantle, evoking the furred body of some butterflies and moths, and four jet black pieces, like the limbs of an insect, jut from near the shoulders. A black jacket with white edges by the wrists covers his arms, while his torso is covered by a bioluminescent exoskeletal art nouveau breastplate with strips of glowing cloth trailing from the bottom two corners, attached at around the bottom of the ribcage.

His legs are clad in near-hip high boots, their color a gradient of that same deep teal to the shining bioluminescent seafoam green that dots the rest of his attire. From his back, extends a lowered pair of art nouveau lunar moth wings, edged in gold, glowing that same bioluminescent seafoam green. His hands are covered in black gloves.

The butterfly miraculous is a pendant at his throat, fitted within that breastplate.

He's extravagant, and yet alien, menacing and yet beautiful, arresting the eye. If either girl is able to sense magic, they'll feel the disconcerting presence of Dark Energy in the room.

"Hello, girls. Speaking one after the other, please share with us your answers to the assessment survey sent along with your audition date." The speaker is the ostentatiois man, whose voice is rich and smooth, his Japanese accented in a way that may be familiar from listening to Adrien speak. He does not introduce himself.

Kyubey, sitting on his own office chair, looks exactly as he had at their last encounter, tail flicking cheerfully. <<And, please tell me if you've thought about what I said last time!>>

Chibiusa Tsukino has posed:
    So it's decided, or rather reaffirmed. They shall go together. Chibiusa would have thought it odd to split them up at the last moment, but she didn't want to be presumptuous either.

    Besides. They are also here on mahoujin business. The buddy system is in play, and they gotta look out for each other.

    Her smile back at Noemi is genuine, as she does feel a bit more relaxed with a reliable ally here. Far less harrowing than trying to tackle this all by herself.

    Amy's attempt to think at them gets Chibiusa to turn her head towards her, but she doesn't really give a response. She's not sure that she can, but she does trust Luna-P, who has always been loyal to her regardless of personal alignment, to sense a problem and signal as needed.

    So thinking, she heads through the door and into the conference room. Immediately she feels off, and for a moment her face flickers from a comfortable nervousness to stony unreadability. Is that a tell? Too late to think about it.

    After entering, and making sure Noemi is with her, Chibi usa turns to the butterfly-clad man and Kyubey, then twirls around where she stands to show off her outfit in full.

    "The questions? Oh!" Her eyes dart between Kyubey and The Client. Is he aware?

    Who is she kidding? There's dark energy here. Someone is aware of Kyubey. They have to be, right?

    No. Impossible. They wouldn't, would they?

    Questions. She has to answer questions. Well, here we go. Chibiusa clears her throat, puts on a guarded smile, and says, "Well, for one, with that kind of money I'd probably pay my way through college, and then when I'm old enough I'd probably try running a charity!" An actual sincere answer because she comes from the kind of society where everything is free and automated and leaving people to rot because they are broke is unthinkable. Chibiusa actually isn't aware of how fake or trying-too-hard this might sound to certain ears.

    "For the second, for my modeling career what I'd look forward to most is wearing new clothes and meeting new people. I mean... if we could be a part of the advertising campaign, we'd get to wear them before anyone else does. I think that sounds really neat!"

    A bit more of a fake answer, but not entirely wrong. What she's really here for is to investigate Kyubey, after all.

    "And as for my greatest ambition... I've thought about how carefully I'd like to word it." She states it, and it's probably a good thing that she already has a Sailor Crystal because she's saying this in front of Kyubey with a lot of certainty.

    "I want to be the kind of leader whom others want to follow. Someone respectable, who looks after their own, and keeps everyone's interests in mind."

    Her eyes go to Kyubey for a moment, and to him he does think back, << I did think of it, but I haven't thought of a specific wish. Would being a Puella Magi make me more respectable? >>

    Can she lead him on without ever committing? How long can she keep this up? Against a normal target that might require a certain kind of subterfuge that Chibiusa is simply not practiced in, but with Kyubey who knows?

Veronica Perenna has posed:
"This place is so beautiful", Noemi whispers to Chibiusa, leaning closer to her in a conspiratorial tone, making a show of admiring the place they pass through with long glances at all the decorations. Of course, she is doing far more than that, checking it out for traps and any points of interest they should be aware of. Unexpected doors, odd hallways, weird colours or shapes.

But with haste, Noemi bows at both the butterfly man, and the white cat sitting on a different chair. They shouldn't be here and, holding her hands together while she greets Kyubey.

"Hello, I didn't think we'd meet so soon", Noemi says, looking directly at Kyubey. "I thought that maybe... You would have found me around the city. Is that... possible? Are you able to tell where are those that you meet? Or do you find your place in Tokyo?", Noemi asks Kyubey, not bothering that they aren't supposed to have that level of familiarity.

She adds "Can I pet your head? Do you enjoy that?", she asks, eyes wide. Those last few seconds of attention given to the white cat. Because Hawkmoth's voice is successful at keeping her on the right path, or so it looks from the outside.

She doesn't dare reply to Erica though she did hear the telepathic messages. That's a bit riskier than she feels comfortable with, with Kyubey right there.

She thinks again, falling quiet as Chibiusa gives her three answers and beaming her a smile once her turn is over, then clears her throat and bows once more to the man of green and gold.

"Thank you, sir. I can do it. Right now. So my name. I am Noemi, Aikawa, age 12, and I have lived in Tokyo my whole life, with mama and papa. No siblings, but mama sometimes says she will go for one, when she looks particularly happy."

She slides her fingers in one of her twintails and brushes it somewhat, believing it likely that she would want to make sure hair is in perfect shape. Highlighting the parallels between her and Chibiusa isn't bad either.

"If I won, mama and papa want to use a bit of it to spend two weeks in Croatia to visit grandma, and maybe use the money to convince her to move with us." She giggles a little nervously. "But I want to use the rest of it for private lessons on design and pose and elegance, so I can improve on my own time too."

She stops briefly, looking for any reaction on her examiner's face, but then continues. "I want to try out all sorts of clothes, and work closely with the makeup artists. They have intrigued me just as much as clothes designers, so I hope to be able to one day shine brilliantly and give that work just the extra impact, you know?"

She takes a deep breath and her mouth briefly hangs open. "My greatest ambition is one day meeting Chitose Abe. I really like her clothes, and that would... be nice." She looks at Chibiusa now, and then at Kyubey.

<< I did think about that. But I am not sure I have a wish yet. But I know I want to become a magical girl for sure. That sounds really dreamy. Can you, maybe, aid me in choosing a wish, or would it be too much? >> she asks Kyubey.

Amanda Faust has posed:
> This outfit doesn't work nearly as well with Musashi away.
    "Why, what was she wearing?"

    When the doors open, 'Eric' smiles to the girls. "Good luck! Ganbatte!"

> The one determining their fate is the client, obviously.
    "I guess that's probably confidential, huh." If not, great, but she probably has to find another avenue of conversation or face terrible awkward silence.

    "...So. What kinds of talent do you acquire? Just models? Or other kinds of talent, too? What even makes a good model?"

    She takes a piece of... whatever this is called. She thinks this one has fruit on it? And pops it in her mouth. Chew, chew.

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
Hawkmoth - or rather, The Client, gives no indication that he's in a hurry to introduce himself, while Kyubey already has. They both look expectantly at the girls, waiting for the answers to their respective questions, and when Chibiusa is the first to speak, she's the one both fix their eyes too.

The way discomfort had become a stone mask is not missed, but rather, for the moment, disregarded - models aren't necessarily actors, but an excellent model could control their body language and expressions; for a beginner to do so was chiefly a sign that she had learned to control herself, rather than anything to speculate over.

She's curious, confused, suspicious. She glances between Kyubey and Hawkmoth, and he understands (or thinks he understands) the source of her trepidation, and while he could set her mind at ease, affirm that he does, indeed, see Kyubey... he doesn't not yet.

It would be only worthwhile if her answers were correct enough... but then, where one girl is subtle, the other is not at all, speaking to Kyubey openly and with great familiarity, or at least, confidence. Her emotions, too, betray that confidence when Hawkmoth focuses on her - she is curious but nervous, believably and understandably so, but Hawkmoth holds back, allowing Kyubey to answer first.
[ansi(xterm196,<<It certainly could be possible to find you in the city, if I wandered around until we ran into one another! It's much easier to wait like this though, don't you think? After all, you made it to the next round of auditions, so I knew you'd be here! I don't have any particular way of tracking people down just because we spoke.>>)]

His tail flicks, and he does a big stretch, actions he's observed to positive effect with potentials, before regaining his original position, cocking his head. <<You two really should give a lot of thought to my offer!>>

With this exchange made, both girls provide their answers. Hawkmoth isn't a lie detector, but spreading his emotional sense between the two shows that while both are nervous, neither has their nerves particularly spiking as a result of their answers. If they are lying, they're at least confident in those lies.

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
"You both have ambitions that money alone could help you reach," Hawkmoth judges, sitting back. "In which case, either of you would be able to achieve your ambitions by simply taking the contract to be my next model. A Wish isn't necessary for your purposes... save for being a necessary catalyst for you to become heroes."

That settles the fact that he is decidedly aware of Kyubey's presence.

He looks first to Chibiusa. "Wealth and magical power will help you gain the ability to become the kind of leader you wish for. Education will ensure you can look after your own. Only your own will can guarantee that you keep the interests of others in mind."

He looks then to Noemi. "Wealth, and a contract to model with this company, could allow you to meet Chitose Abe, and any other artist you wish to learn from."

He leans forward, elegantly settling one hand on the table as he looks to the two young girls.

"You were not called here because of your modeling potential. You were scouted because you hold the potential to make a Wish and become Kyubey's latest Puella Magi. I, unfortunately, do not qualify to make a Wish - but I have one. And if either of you will wish for the complete restoration of Mademoiselle Paonne's health, you will receive the promised sum, magical power as a Puella Magi, and a guaranteed future in modeling."

His cards are on the table. The choice is theirs.

Kyubey nods, voice cheerful, <<That's right! While it's far from my place to suggest a Wish for you, it's true that you both seem like good-hearted girls - perfect to save people from Witches. And if you agree to that Wish, why, you can save someone even before you first use your powers! And grant all your other dreams, too.>>

It's all true. Kyubey can lie, of course, but it's often far more useful to use a lie of omission, rather than one of direct mistruth.

And outside of that rumor, and those revelations, Kojiro laughs at 'Erica's' question. "The match to this outfit including the green hair that contrasts just right with my boysenberry 'do. She's handling other business, though, so Nyarth and I are left to hold down today's auditions without her..."

He shakes his head, a look of genuine regret on his face.

"Confidential, mostly, but really, of either of them do have what he's looking for, you'll meet him. He likes to close out business directly, and you are the family friend, after all!"

"As for Mitradae, we scout all kinds of talent - actors, athletes, musicians, content creators, students of various disicplines, and of course models. Modeling is how we both started, actually, Musashi and I! We had an online presence featuring our cosplays and costumes, but brilliance is so rarely recognized in its time... but what makes a good model is being able to embody the mood the clothes inspire. It's fitting the needs of the label and the brand, not just wearing the clothes, but bringing them to life."

Chibiusa Tsukino has posed:
    Chibiusa maintains her poker face, for all the good that it does her. She knows that they know she's wearing one, but there's no reason to suspect it's anything but that. More than that, as she listens, she realizes that The Client has, in fact, placed his cards on the table... and Small Lady has no intention of going all in.

    She glances towards Noemi for a moment to gauge her reaction, but she also turns to The Client and Kyubey. She speaks out loud, not hiding the fact that she can see Kyubey this time. "So if I understand it right... the offer your making is that someone make a Wish to heal a specific woman. In exchange for that wish, you offer a huge sum of money and the opportunity to become a magical girl as well as a model."

    She is holding her poker face so hard right now. She is holding it so hard because she has to and if she ever dares for one second let slip how angry this scheme makes her...

    No. She has been talked to about this. She cannot just go off the handle and say whatever she wants. There is no tactical or strategic advantage to going off on them right now. This is a critical matter, people will get hurt, and Small Lady has to be the responsible one.

    She closes her eyes, making it look like she's thinking it over. In truth she is hiding the indignant rage currently burning behind her eyelids. When she finally opens them, she is calm, but her grip on Noemi's hand is tighter than it was before. That subtle tell, that tiny expression of her true feelings, she will allow herself to have.

    "We only get one Wish, right? This isn't a choice we should make right now. I'll think about it." After a pause, she says, "I guess it goes without saying that the first person who makes this wish for you gets the deal, right?"

    Regardless of the answer, she says, "I don't think I have any more questions at this time. If I decide to make a wish, I'll keep your offer in mind and give you my answer, but um... how could I contact you? Does everything here go through the Nyarths?"

    No need to discard this cover right away. She may need it later, and unlike her friend she can't simply come up with a new disguise. At the same time, she's confident her business here is done. She has the information she needs, and she needs to tell the others right away.

Amanda Faust has posed:
    'Eric' tries to picture the other CEO with green hair. Contrasts just right? Yes, she supposes she can see that.

    If they have what he's looking for... "I suppose we'll see." She smiles, slightly nervously. How is magic wrapped up in this?

    "Magenta-ish and lime green..." She stares at his hair. "an interesting choice, but I guess it works... Ah, sorry." She shakes her head, looking at the green afterimage and imagining Musashi's outfit from the other day with that color hair.

    "I see. That's a more... artsy answer than how I'm used to thinking, I suppose. 'The mood the clothes inspire'... I'm still new to even thinking about fashion, let alone its 'mood...' But I can see how a musician who matches the energy of a piece might sometimes be preferable to one who technically performs it perfectly." She taps her chin.

    This probably won't lead to anything, especially if these people are involved in shady magic, but... "I know people interested in singing, or becoming 'DJ idols'. How might they contact you, if they need to get a start?"

Veronica Perenna has posed:
Noemi tilts her head as she listens to the reveal of the truth. So this is how it actually works here. And if this is all about healing someone...

She can feel her emotions pulse with concern, as she grapples with the situation, but she forces it down, deep within her. She looks at Hawkmoth's face, and Noemi's own hasn't changed from before.

That's the saddest motivation for a villainous path she has heard about. If only Kyubey's wish wasn't so disastrous, they would have no reason to be here, would they? They could just pick up the new magical girl later, and teach her the ropes.

They still could do that, but not by letting this happen as is. Maybe if there were a different way... "I... That's, I see what is going on here. I want to think too, and come back later. Can we do that?", she agrees with Chibiusa, and moves slightly closer when Noemi feels her squeeze her hand more strongly.

They have learnt just how dangerous it is here, and what it is they are doing. Time to get out of here, before they push for something that would break their facade. "I will not make you wait long", she adds in attempt at extra plausibility.

Gabriel Agreste has posed:
The offer is made. Hawkmoth and Kyubey wait.

The indignant rage that fills the younger girl makes it clear that for all her smooth face and carefully chosen words, she despises this idea, and even as a part of him wonders where he lost her, the rest is moving on, planning an approach for future auditions. The older girl is a ore sympathetic heart, clearly, concerned and sympathetic, and when it comes to his wife, his pride is nothing to sacrifice. Her pity is worth it, if it makes the Wish happen.

The rest of his is answering, glowing seafoam-green eyes fixed on her for the moment. "That's correct. His magic can only give you one Wish, and I encourage you to consider the offer carefully. Magic can take you far... and seven hundred billion, seven hundred million yen can take you even farther. You can reach me through Mitradae, but you should know - those who can't see magic can't remember it. That includes the proprieteers of this talent management company."

But aside from this, there's no pressure from the man they know only as rhe Client, who simply only fixes the two with his alien stare, as both girls ask for time. Kyubey pipes up then, voice modulated for a disappointed but still cheery tone.

<<You can definitely take your time, but I hope you'll consider this offer! You both have so much potential - you could really help this world.>>

Kojiro smiles down at 'Erica', cheerful. "I'm sure you will. We're about to be pretty busy in Tokyo, and Musashi and I love a chance to dress up."

"Fashion is art, after all. Are you a STEM kid? You're giving STEM kid, and what I recommend is finding the art and beauty in your soul. The mood of a piece is all about what the clothes mean, what they represent. Equal parts selling a dream and embodying what beauty can be... but if you aren't moved yourself, it can be difficult to move others."

The question, about DJ Idols, makes him blink.

"Can't say I've worked with a DJ idol... there are idols who've become DJs, but someone who's both... huh. Well, we'll likely be holding a search for musical talent, down the line. Look out for us on your socials, and you'll find - oh, they're done! And... with no agreements made, given they're alone. Well, back to work for me!"

And Kojiro sweeps back towards Chibiusa and Noemi, making sure they receive a business card with Mitradae's line for interested talent, and then encouraging them to take some of the snacks for the road.

When they're all gone, Kojiro scoffs. "Nyarth, we'll just have to hope Musashi strikes out too, or we're both getting dyed yellow. Here I was, having hope that he'd find the one on the first try, but it just figures..."