Looker Modeling Agency

"Donna!" MJ smiled, hugging her friend upon seeing her. "It's been way too long. How's my favorite photographer?"

"Busy," answered Donna. "Between my duties on Themyscira and my new job, I haven't had much time for the Titans lately."

"Yeah, I haven't seen you around Titans Tower much," said MJ. "I miss hanging out with you."

"Me too. My schedule's about to clear up, so I'll try to drop by more often. In any case, we'll be hanging out a lot more often if you get this gig," said Donna, then turning to Kori and hugging her. "And how've you been, Kori?"

"I've been doing very well, Donna," Kori grinned. "These past few months have been an absolute delight."

"Gee, I wonder why?" Donna teased, of course referring to Kori & MJ's blossoming romance. "I talk to the other Titans, you know. I hear you and MJ can't keep your hands off each other."

MJ and Kori blushed at Donna's remark, but they both knew it was true. Indeed, they could not keep their hands off one another, and they loved it. Since they got together, they'd fully embraced their new lesbian relationship, taking things even further when they'd invited Cassie Sandsmark, Donna's successor as Wonder Girl, to join them in what was a delightful threesome. MJ had found herself inspired by Kori's Tamaranean nature, and these days had found herself far less inhibited and far more open, particularly about her sexuality, and she'd been fully enjoying it.

"Something like that," MJ said, flashing a sweet smile and looking into Kori's eyes. "But I wanna know more about what you've been up to! How's the new job?"

"Lively," answered Donna. "I do a lot here. In addition to being the head photographer, my boss has me acting as kind of a guard for our models. She's made it very clear she won't let anyone take advantage of them -- you guys know how nasty the fashion industry can get."

"Your boss? Is that who we'll be meeting with?" Kori asked.

"That's right. Emily Briggs."

"Emily Briggs? *That* Emily Briggs?" MJ asked, referring to the former supermodel who one day suddenly quit modeling with no explanation. "I'd always wondered what had happened to her. I had no idea she was the boss at the Looker agency."

"Not many people do. She likes to keep things private," said Donna.

MJ couldn't help but be surprised at Donna's comment. "Really?! I can't imagine why. You'd think she'd be the face of the company -- she's gorgeous."

"She says she wants to explain everything personally," Donna told MJ. "But I can tell you both that she loves your work, and the job's yours if you want it. Oh, and just so you know, I've requested to be your personal photographer going forward if you do join Looker."

"If that's the case, then I look forward to working together again," Kori smiled, excited by the prospect of spending more time with her close friend.

"Same here," MJ added. "I've heard good things about the Looker agency, so I'm sure we'll all be hanging out a lot."

"Kori Anders and Mary Jane Watson. Modeling's hottest couple," Emily Briggs said, greeting the pair and shaking their hands as they entered her office. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"The feeling's mutual," MJ said back. "I'm a fan -- your photoshoots were always so gorgeous."

"I appreciate the kind words," said Emily. "I'm impressed with your work as well, the both of you. And your photoshoots together are incredible -- exactly the kind of sexy, flirty vibe I want from all my models. That's one of the biggest reasons I want to work together with you."

"One of the reasons?" Kori asked. "What are the others?"

Emily paused for a moment, reflecting on what led her to start her business. "...after retiring from modeling, I was aimless. I spent the next few months in a depressed haze, wondering what to do with myself. I looked back on my career, and the people I'd encountered -- as I'm sure you know, the modeling world can be a sleazy place. And I found a new purpose -- I thought maybe I could change things for the better. So, I opened my own agency. If nothing else, I could protect the girls I manage from the industry's more predatory elements."

"That is a noble endeavor, and I certainly respect it. But what does it have to do with hiring us?" Kori wondered.

"I could use a little help in protecting my girls. I've made a number of enemies since I started the agency, and I can't risk any of my models getting hurt," explained Emily. "Having Donna working with me has been a huge help. I wanted someone with experience in modeling that could also help protect the girls. I know all about your adventures with the Titans, Kori, and Donna highly recommended you. As for you, MJ, I know you have a good head on your shoulders, and I know about your adventures with the Ghost-Spider..."

"Really? How?" MJ asked. She'd often helped Gwen out where she could, but it wasn't like she went around telling everyone about it...

"Being a friend of the Batman has its benefits," Emily explained. "Anyway, I think you'd be valuable because of your experience. And since I know about your friendship with the Ghost-Spider, I think it's only fair I tell you something about myself, the real reason I retired..."

MJ's ears perked up -- she was anxious to hear what the manager had to say. Emily had her full attention now. "Really? Why'd you retire?"

"Officially, I retired because of a condition that left me sensitive to lights. That's true, in a sense, but there's more to it than that... you see, I'm a vampire."

Both MJ and Kori's eyes went wide and their jaws went slack.

"Heh. That's pretty much the reaction I'd expected," Emily continued. "Anyway, most vampires are enthralled by the one who turned them, but if your mind is strong enough, you can break their control. Long story short, the one that turned me ended up regretting it pretty quickly. But my modeling career was over -- it's kinda hard to model when you don't show up in pictures."

"You're not gonna try and feed off of one of us, are you?" MJ asked, a little nervous.

Emily chuckled at the question. "No, Miss Watson. I don't feed off of innocent people. If I did, I'd have Batman jump down my throat in record time. Besides, Kori there could torch me with her powers."

"She's right, MJ, I've dealt with vampires before," added Kori. "Batman has specifically asked for my help in the past."

MJ felt more at ease with Kori's reassurance, and thought to herself that if Batman trusted her, Emily Briggs had to be a trustworthy person. Besides, anyone who laid a finger on MJ would no doubt end up with severe, painful burns -- Kori would make sure of that.

"Oh! OK, uh, cool. I'm sorry if I said anything inappropriate. It's just, I, uh, I've never met an actual vampire before."

"It's fine, Miss Watson," reassured Emily, amused. "Getting back to business, we believe we treat our clients better than anyone else in the industry, and we pay fairly. So if you're interested, I'll have contracts written up right away."

"Oh, I'm definitely interested," MJ answered, eager to both spend more time hanging out with Donna and to learn more about the agency. "It's not every day you get the chance to work with an actual vampire."

"Me too," agreed Kori. "It sounds like your models may need protection, and I want to do all I can to help."

"Excellent! I look forward to working with the both of you," the redheaded vampire smiled. "I'll get started on the contracts immediately."

After leaving the agency, MJ & Kori walked down the street, the shorter woman affectionately holding on to the Tamaranean's arm. "Modeling for a vampire. I gotta say, dating you has been quite the adventure," MJ remarked.

"I'm inclined to agree," Kori nodded. "I'm very excited to get started. But I think I'm most excited for the photoshoots with Donna."

"Hmmmm, yeah. Those are always so much fun... what say we go back to my place and take some photos together? Some... private photos?" MJ suggested, causing a wide smile to cross Kori's face.

"You always have the best ideas," gushed Kori as the couple began to walk faster, eager to get to MJ's apartment and get started.