Meet, greet and eat

[titanianblade]

(To be perfectly honest, Cornelius didn't expect to find other persona users outside of himself and Guzma. The head of the Skull gang was a stroke of luck, but to have found so many others who can tap into that power and help fight off the shadows...it's a welcome relief.

Not to mention the large, large expansion to Cornelius' circle of friends.

So what's a rich kid to do when he's happy to have an extended circle like this? Throw down. A bunch of money to get everyone nice and fed for a day. He arranged for a catered picnic and invited his fellow persona-users and any friends they wanted to bring along. There's a bit of something for everyone, so pizzas, sandwiches, whatever, really. It's a large, open space, too, of anyone's in the mood for playing around. Just like the food, there's plenty of options there.

Cornelius would be lying if he said he wasn't thrilled to have so many people to hang out with. He just hopes they'll have fun while they're here.)

Comments

[theshadowslight]

(There are good people here, Gwendolyn reminds herself. People who actually care about her...enough to save her from her shadow, at least. That was painful and embarrassing, but it's...done quite a bit for the girl. Does she still have many things to get used to? Absolutely. But having a circle of people she can rely on makes things so much better.

However, Gwen hadn't expected Rise Kujikawa to be among that circle of friends. The Real Risette! In person! And talking to her directly! Poor Rise might recognize the look of awe in the girl's face as she's stunned to silence for a few seconds before eventually composing herself, sheepishly ducking her head down.)

F-forgive me for staring; I'm...I'm a fan of your music. You're so talented and beautiful...

(God damn it Gwen, keep it together. Breathe a little.)

My name is Gwendolyn.

[betheirstrength]

[There is absolutely nothing that makes one brave, or makes obstacles seem surmountable like having people one can rely on. Rise learned that, quite some time ago. It can be hard to learn how to rely on others, however.

The second she starts introducing herself she sees the library of expressions cross the girl's face and she knows. She knows that this girl knows who she is, and is probably a fan. Rise feels her chest swell up a little bit and she stands up a little straighter- from pride, or from a desperate need to be her best around a fan? Probably both. She smiles warmly and shakes her head just a little.]

It's lovely to meet you, Gwendolyn. I like you so I'm going to tell you a secret.

[She leans in closer, conspiratorially.] It's all hard work, effort, and the right products.

[theshadowslight]

(At that last line, someone might mistake Rise for trying to advertise a product or two. Not Gwendolyn, however! The girl's listening intently, nodding along at what's most likely sage advice from a professional and wonderful idol!

...Okay, she might be a little biased.)

"The right products?" Do you mean your make-up? It always looks so perfect whenever you go on stage...

[betheirstrength]

[Not when she's off the clock, that's for sure! Just a humble admission that all of her flawless skin is a bit of an illusion. Gwendolyn's rapt attention is just so adorable. Rise wants to protect this girl.]

M-hmm! Partly that! I mean sure, I take care of my skin, but I wouldn't look so perfect without make-up, or high-end hair products. [But she's getting distracted.] My point was really that anyone could do what I do, if she dedicated herself and worked hard.

[She doesn't want to be put on too high a pedestal! She smiles warmly.] But it is always lovely to meet a fan.

[theshadowslight]

(Gwendolyn bows her head politely. She's...honestly flattered. She can almost feel Rise's belief in her, which...well. That's a lot more than she ever got from her father. Her sisters, yes. Even some of her bosses. And Oswald...

...She turned a blind eye to so much, trying to appease Odin. Including herself.)

I'm...still not sure what I want to do. I hadn't given it much thought until recently. All I've considered is to start looking for what I want instead of what my father wants.

(She needed that wake-up call, for sure. Maybe not have it so obvious to all the others who came to save her, but such is the way of dungeons.)

[betheirstrength]

[That's an idol's true job, isn't it? To reach out to fans and empower them? At least Rise thinks so. She hopes she isn't putting it on too strong with this one, but she does feel a bond with the girl already, after helping rescue her. Her struggles feel familiar, and something about her makes Rise want to help her, more than usual.

Rise nods understandingly.]

It takes time, and a little trial and error. Stepping away from what other people want and expect of you is the first step, for sure. Being on a mission to discover what you want out of life is a perfectly respectable goal. Shoot, that's what a whole lot of people your age are doing! You just are lucky enough to have the extra work of detangling what you want from your father's expectations.

[theshadowslight]

(What she wants versus what her father wants...what did Odin want from her? All he seemed interested in were his other daughters. He didn't have any other lovers after Ariel and he seemed to just...want nothing to do with Gwendolyn.

It was a difficult truth to accept, but in the end, it made it that much easier to break away from that cruel old man.)

Yes. I can't remember making him smile on my own. I suppose...that means I can focus on being satisfied with myself instead of trying to please him.

(Griselda and Velvet did it without even trying and, frankly, trying to emulate them just didn't work. It's for the best that it didn't.)

Rise-san...if I may ask, did you always know you wanted to be an idol?