Security of an Idol. [Serperior]

Truly, there was no profession less honorable than that of an actor. Inveterate career deceivers, the bastard children of prostitutes and conmen lacking even the honesty to risk a properly illegal profession; only a fool would trust such scoundrel with anything precious or dear. And yet, as diabolical a fiend as he was, Mikhail Orlov had found himself trapped, a baffled serpent left in charge of the henhouse.

Really, if he wasn’t already sworn to battle Nick Cross and Friends in the name of Truth and Justice, he probably would have simply out of annoyance. After all, by putting Tsutsuji Hachi in the hospital, that left her faithful partner (not sidekick) as the Hero standing between UA and chaos, anarchy, and ruin.

Perhaps he’d underestimated, ever-so-slightly, the mess he was getting in by becoming a Hero for fame and glory.

But, call Mikhail Orlov many things--liar, actor, shallow, self-centered--all of them true, one thing he also was dedicated to a role. He was a hero now, and Tsutsuji Hachi cared about UA, so he did too. It truly was as simple as that.

Besides, if anyone could have some fun tweaking the idol industry’s collective noses, it was him.

Mikhail’s smile faded, but didn’t vanish as he slithered up to the door to Scarlette's backstage room. The conversation with the record execs had been amusing, for sure--the dance of careful words as people he knew, and who had known him, tried to figure out what they were now; how much of Serperior was an act, and how much Mikhail Orlov had really changed.

He intended to leave them guessing forever.

This, though, this was a trick....

Scarlett was a curiosity. She’d come into the public eye after he’d “retired,” and was, as far as Mikhail could tell, a fresh talent, with a single album to her name. That, however, wasn’t the notable part. What had caught his attention, and brought him here in the first place was her outspokenly pro-hero image.

An image that was doubly curious for someone that was billed by her managers as a delicate, helpless flower.

An image that had brought her to UA, to perform at the Sports Festival.

Let the other heroes concern themselves with street crime, with purse-snatchers and pickpockets, Mikhail knew show-business. If Scarlette wanted to tie herself to UA, Mikhail wanted to know why. A popular idol could be a wonderful boost to the school’s image, but would also be a lightning rod for UA’s enemies. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be the strangest way for a villain to try to infiltrate the school.

And at worst, maybe Mikhail could help prevent a young idol from making some of his own mistakes.

Mikhail rapped lightly on the door, then entered, bending lithely at the waist to bow to Scarlette the moment he saw her. “Hello there, Scarlette. Just who I was hoping to see.”

One of Mikhail’s hands came out from behind his back like a magician's trick, holding a bundle of flowers. He’d swiped them off someone’s desk earlier. “A gift from a fan. And, if you’ll allow me, from your bodyguard at your upcoming concert.”

He grinned mischievously at her, his tail curling around the front of him to tap on his chin thoughtfully.

“Hmm. Maybe I should ask for your autograph as well. My students might like that.”