Prompt 5

Destiny City Media is aching for some interviews following the Bat Attack; after bats attacked the Fall Festival, newspapers, news stations, and local bloggers are trying to speak to everyone in sight. They're looking for interviews, pictures, anything they can get their hands on! Are you interested in sharing your story? Your character has been invited to answer a few basic questions--where were they when the bats attacked, what happened, and how do they feel about the safety of Destiny City now? Your character can give an interview for any media they want. Or, maybe, you are the one conducting the interview!

Ally watched the media crew hurry into Mocha Mountain from her homework, blinking quietly as she looked up from Satan's Paperfarts math homework to see what was going on. Some new employee was minding the register, and her mother had been letting her watch them while she went to purchase groceries. Sure, her Uncle was doing paperwork, but this was her after-school-and-homework job. It was a small crew - cameraman mostly, as well as a very well dressed woman walking over to the counter as she flashed a painted smile.

"Hello, I'm Cindi from KROW 13 News. We understand representatives of your establishment were at the Fall Festival during the Bat Attack?" The anchor's tone was syrupy sweet, and the barista blinked, motioning Ally's ways guiltily. Ally sighed. The poor thing was so painfully shty the camera must be alarming her, and the teen quickly wrote her last math answer and rose, walking over idly.

Ally couldn't help enjoying the irony. Goths were so rarely well represented in media that her attire and involvement felt like divine commendation for being, well, dark. No, she wasn't in a fancy dress - or her school uniform by now, but rather her pants - her favorite non-dress outfit. The coat was black, with a pinstripe vest and a white ruffled dickey and cuffs. It had a red jewelled brooch in the dickey, and a lovely vest under; layered just lovely enough to resemble a victorian man's. The gold cufflinks, while plain, gleamed; and the cane for the outfit sat nearby. Ally adjusted her small top hap, collected her cane, and looked down to ensure her binding remained in place. It did, and she breathed releif, walking over to the anchorlady and bowing.

"Thanks, Yolanda. I've got these fine folks. I was at the Festival, may I help you?" She asked pleasantly. Cindi turned, and briefly seemed to double-0take as if ensuring the girl was, in fact, female, not male, and Ally flashed a grin. Cindi coughed.

"You were? S-er.."

"Use either and yes." Ally motioned with flourish. She was 'on', funnelling her customer mode to beam brightly.

"Might we conduct an interview? I'm Cindi --"

"I heard you speak to Miss Yolanda my dear. I'd be happy to give you an interview."

Another smile, and Ally motioned for coffee politely, and Cindi led Ally to a table to sit. Cindi ajusted her makeup quickly, Ally watching contentedly.

"So," Ally straightened as the red light on the camera came on, Cindi flashing a smile. Another moment from the 'so', and the anchor was on.

"This is Cindi Sherridan with Destiny City KROW 13 News live at Moha Mountain, one of the businesses present during the Fall Festival during the BatAttack caused after mining disrupted a local colony into attacking. I'm speaking with one of the employees, whom was present at the time of attack. Can I get your name?" Cindi was on now as well, beaming into the camera as Ally nodded.

"Ally Abson." She crooned in reply.

"Ally, did you have any experience with bats before the event?"

"Only second hand, Cindi." Ally cooed. "Mostly the zoo and such. Nothing fancy."

"How did you decide to fight off a swarm of bats?"

"Well," Cindi's next questioned caused a thought, Ally tapping her chin.

"Truthfully Cindi? My mom was somewhere in the Festival. She's done a lot for me since she tok me in, and I know Mocha Mountain is important to her. So it was hide or fight for that. I mean, sure, it wasn't easy at first, but after the surprise wore off I got at them. I'm just glad my mom is okay. She's a great lady."

Cindi nodded, beaming on before looking to the camera, and then Ally.

"Interesting! But how did you handle the large bats?"

"Bats met a bat of my own." Ally chuckled. "Ol' Betsy. I had a bad childhood before mom, so I was a bit anxious."

More like paranoid; Ally was damn terrified of her biological mother, yes, but her interviewer need not know they ALWAYS had Betsy near - or that the well-loved metal bat was hidden under the counter as they spoke. Cindi clucked.

"A baseball bat! Very creative! But what about the stand?"

"Oh, it took some hits." Ally half-smiled. "We sent for replacement goods. Got her back up to health code. But it wasn't terribad. I mean, it's fall, so it's chilly, and I'm pretty sure a couple people made some use of having hot beverages present." Such as the numerous people mixing beers and coffee before applying ice cream for a fake Irish Coffee. THAT was interesting. Not somethng the media needed though - especially not from a teen, even if she was born on Saint Patrick's Day. Heck no.

"So how did you know how to fight?" Cindi asked. Ally blinked.

"Mom signed a waier to allow me to do some SCA Heavy Fighting. Bats are harder, though." Ally explained. Cindi nodded, and flashed another smile.

"Well thank you, Ally, for your time. This is Cindi Sherridan, back to you Dave."

The small red light went off, and Cindi beamed.

"Thank you for your time, dearie." The anchor nodded, before her cameraman paused.

"Hey Cindi, uh." He motioned. "We got time for a quick coffee or so?"

Cindi sighed.

"NO Alan. We need to go soon--"

"How do you take your coffee? What snacks? We can offer to-go service." Ally beamed, Cindi hesitating, before nodding.

When the duo left, it was with coffee and treats, and Ally stretched proudly, grinning to her poor surprised barista companion.

"And that's how it's done, Yol'." Ally cooed, and turned to her next homework assignment - English. At least it was an interesting day.