Job : Be A Model [Solo]

Gemma grumbled as she trudged her way through the dense forest outside of Magnolia, her enthusiasm for the upcoming mission non-existent. If you could actually call that a mission, she thought bitterly to herself. No, the only true challenge with what was facing her is if she would manage to find her self love and dignity once it will all be said and done.

She didn’t really get to pick the mission, no, she would have avoided it like the plague if possible, but Sorcerer Weekly wanted a mage from every guild for there issue, and with the member of her guild less than excited for it, she was chosen de facto. The joys of being the most recent arrival, she scoffed.

Oh well, it should be easy to get this over and done with soon, and maybe she could even get back home late tomorrow if she manages her time well. Gemma needed only to find the whole pictorial crew of the magazine, which should be around somewhere.

Only a few steps later, Gemma was able to distinguish a large group of people dispersed through the thin Magnolia forest. Making her way closer with dread and annoyance rooted deep in the pit of her stomach, she continued her assessment noticing some lighting accessories disposed out the ground as the photographer was capturing a girl that seemed to have the time of her life.

At least someone will be enjoying themselves here I suppose, she thought to herself as she got closer to make her presence noticed. “Excuse me?” she called out relatively quietly, nd sighed when no one answered. She was going to hate this.

“Oh, hello, can we help you?” Gemma turned around to find a small enthusiastic young girl next to her, holding what seemed to be a large schedule.

“Yes- I’m here for the photo-shoot. I should be in there, under Gemma” she answered simply, looking around once more, less and less optimistic about the ordeal.

“Ah- yes, I got you right there. Eclipse Soul right?” Gemma nodded. “Okay then- follow me!”

Gemma followed warily the small wisp of a girl that had talked to her, who seemed immersed in her paper. Such a big deal about pictures made her roll her eyes. Exaggeration seemed like such a common illness nowadays to her. But she came here for the job - albeit not truly willingly - and it was now time to get it out of the way.

Her eyes drifted to the current photo session going on. A woman probably in her late twenties was currently posing happily as vines wrapped tastefully around her body, leaves flying around her as she giggled and smiled joyfully for the camera.

Earth Mage, Gemma thought to herself as she curiously watch the woman. Lamia Scale judging by the mark on her stomach she observed. As much as she would hate to do it, Gemma had to admit there was something beautiful about this woman being so close to her magic. Her guild had made a good choice sending her.

Gemma, on the other hand, only dreaded what kind of boring mess she would show.

"Good okay you were the last one we were waiting for. Come over here please for the costume change". The overly joyous voice of the small girl ripped Gemma out of her thoughts as a small hand pushed her towards a small group of woman in a makeshift dressing area in the middle of the forest.

"Well, what do we have here?" The first one cooed making Gemma cringe slightly. This will mentally pain her, she thought bitterly. "We don't get to work with Eclipse Soul mages. You aren't the easiest to get a hold on" the second one explained.

With good reason Gemma thought, a small smile on her face which the woman probably mistook as some kind of excitement for her upcoming task. “Ah look how just cute she is when she smiles. We need to get a nice little concept for her, I think I have the perfect idea!”

The enthusiasm in the woman’s voice didn’t reassure her one bit.

They milled around her, like a group of non murderous but still unsettling vultures, sometimes touching her hair, other times poking her cheek, and overall just asking a lot of self restraint from Gemma who wanted little thing more than just bolt from there and spend a few days away from other humans.

They dressed her in some kind of puffy outfit, white with large polka dots and a hat on top of her head. Gemma cringed, but wasn’t able to tell what it was, the women had made it so quick for her to see what it was. Ruffling her hair once more they pushed her towards where the other girl had posed.

“The glasses” the photographer called out boringly and before Gemma could even answer, a woman came and snatched them off her face. She blinked, her sight suddenly blurry and she was unable to see the staff in the distance.

“Come on now, smile” She tried not to throw something at the aggravating man as she tried to pose and smile at the best of her ability, which wasn’t much. She was suddenly thankful for the blur which made the situation slightly more bearable

Soon, although not soon enough It was done and she stepped down off the little makeshift stage, and her glasses were handed back to her by one of the stylists “There. You were the cutest little mushroom” Mushroom? Gemma looked down at her outfit and groaned, finally understanding what the stupid clothing was supposed to be.

“Am I free to go now?” She asked, quickly changing out into her usual attire when the answer was positive. Walking away a woman caught up to her "Here are your jewels, you almost forgot them- you seem to be in a hurry” a hurry to get away from here yes, she thought. “Anyway, be sure to buy Sorcerer’s Weekly next Thursday!. You'll love the pictures- you looked adorable!”

With a fake nod, she bit her goodbyes, and headed back home, wondering how long she’ll have to avoid social contact to make sure no one will recognize her as “Mushroom Girl”.