(Toronto/Noon/2004)

Well, among the hundred places you could go move in that was affordable and didn't look like a dump to live in was Canada, it’s not the cheapest, but it’s better than its ugly cousin across the border.

After leaving the airport and heading to your new apartment. Opening the door you’re greeted with dismay as…

Ok there’s nothing wrong with the apartment, it’s just too bare bones. Bed, kitchen, restroom and table with a crt and oakwood walls with dark green carpet. There’s nothing else than that…

Since you’re going to be living in here for a long time, might be good to get some entertainment while you’re inside, maybe rent some movies to watch, there’s got to be a video store nearby this area.

You head out into the city and walk through the suburban area, eventually finding a small shop among the others. “SUSPECT VIDEO” “Independent Store.” “Membership Required.” on plain text. You decided to walk in after reading the sign and basking in its simplicity.

You are greeted by the simple design with aisles filled with multiple movies and shows to rent, plus some magazines and on the side of the store, a clerk behind a counter with an old tower pc, she has an interesting appearance to say the least about it.

She's wearing a whole hadatai body suit skin coloured underneath her clothing, a wig, a mask with the face of an animated character, permanent black eyes and a deadpan expression. It seems the clerk is Kigurumi cosplaying as Kim Pine from Scott Pilgrim. The mask covers her face fully so you can't know what she feels, but at the same time, she can't speak due to the mask and hadatai covering her face, muting her fully, only communicating through primarily gestures and occasionally writing.

’Kim Pine’ is sitting and using the computer of the place playing a knockoff breakout, her mask shows that same bored and emotionless look that she probably is feeling underneath it all. She notices you, closes the game and faces you. She recognizes it’s your first time here and waves at you, in a demotivated and disinterested way.

You walk closer but you’re stopped when she taps the counter multiple times to get your attention. She points at a sign on the wall that reads “MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED.” She pulls out a form from underneath the desk for you to fill out, not saying anything because she’s fully mute. She rests her hand on her mask’s cheek as she looks up at you from her seat, waiting patiently.

She seems a bit moody and irritated that she has to do this process with you or maybe just seeing you is making her unhappy, this could be the cosplayer’s slim patience or maybe trying to impersonate Kim Pine’s personality.