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[idolpro]

Who: Idols and idol accessories
Where: Tokyo-F
When: Day 437

[ Idols will start their day today to find red envelopes, each with their idol names, presented to them on a table at their dorm's landing. Each envelope is supernaturally sealed, incapable of being opened except by their designated recipient. Inside each envelope is a gold zan-style hairpin with stripes of silver carved into its stem, and the tip is heavy with a weighty decoration—be it a dragon, phoenix, tiger, butterfly, flower(s), or anything else, they are all inlaid with bright, glowing tiger's eye gemstones.

As ornate as they look, these hairpins aren't just for decoration: upon the recipient touching the accessory, they'll find their clothes magically changing into fanciful Chinese or fantasy Chinese clothing—perhaps vibrant red, regardless of unit, or woven patterns and colors that reflect the idol's position. At the same time, the hairpin knits itself into the idol's hair (if capable, else it pins itself as a brooch) which has also magically been done up fancifully.

Down at the lobby there are more hints toward the holiday, if the red envelope didn't already make it obvious: red streamers and paper lanterns decorate the hotel, along with tiger decorations which vary from elegant wall scrolls to cute tiger plush pillows on the lobby seats. And, if it still isn't clear enough—perchance for those who aren't familiar with the culture at all—a red and gold banners hang from the wall, reading "HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY" and "LUNAR NEW YEAR" and "YEAR OF THE TIGER".

Near the kitchen, there are tables with spreads of Chinese foods from various regions, all available in an all-you-can-eat styled buffet. And, what's more—the food seems to be completely safe! They don't contain even a little bit of status effects. For once, here's a party with safe food.

There are additionally tables with gift bags, once again labeled with each idol's name. These are not supernaturally sealed, and in each bag are . . . well. . . tiger things, along with a note that reads,

300 points per item worn for the day! Max 1,200 points (head/hands/tail/feet

Oh, right, this is an idol show. And oh, surprise, the tiger appendages (optionally) have some sort of status effect thing going on:

• Feel more cuddly/desire cuddles
  
• Feel more mercurial/contrarian
  
• Feel more possessive/territorial
  
• Feel more hungry, both for food and for immaterial things (especially attention)
  
• Feel more brave
  
• Feel more light-hearted/more easily amused

At least they're all fairly mild in effect.

Last but not least, decoration wise, there's also an ominous poster near the elevators. . . Well, who's afraid of a sign, right? . . . Nevermind that if someone were to break a taboo, they'll find themself just slightly unluckier today, on the level of breaking their shoe/sandal laces and receiving the wrong order at the café.

Outside, though the weather is cold, the sun is auspiciously bright today, warmth radiating out the city to soften the chill. Moreover, there's an infectious energy on the streets, one that would surely make a person forget the temperature—long paper puppets, taking the form of dragons and lions and tigers, parade down the street, powered by ghostly dancers and backed up by the orchestra of a marching band and fan dancers. Floating lanterns guide them throughout the city, where they'll circle around the streets ceaselessly until evening.

At the stroke of midnight, idols will find their old clothes back in their closet and their hairpins no longer glowing, but they'll also find they're able to keep the clothing they received from the hairpins. They can also keep the tiger paraphernalia, which have lost their effects. ]

Comments

[childeishly]

[ childe is dressed in this!, having had zhongli help him with his clothing and his hair, which is a lot longer than it normally is. he's got his phone out so he can snap pictures, though he does take a break from that to look at the offered envelope. ]

What's this? [ eying the design suspiciously. ]

[leaveofabsence]

These are red envelopes. In Liyue, it is tradition for couples to give them out during the Lantern Rite Festival to friends and family.

The color red symbolizes good luck and wards off evil spirits. Normally, they would contain mora - but since points do not have a physical form, I will simply have to remember who we gave them to and send them the points later.

[childeishly]

[ /// ]

[ his face colors. ] W- We, you want to hand them out with… me? [ stares down at the envelope. ] Are you sure you even have the points to do this? I can help cover the costs, since I imagine you may end up spending well beyond your means. [ said playfully as he leans over to give his cheek a kiss. ]

Do the dragon and Phoenix mean something too?

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

I do not worry about the points. They will take care of themselves as they always do.

[ Because Childe always takes care of it when Zhongli goes in the red. ]

[leaveofabsence]

As for the dragon and the phoenix.

I thought you had read all of the Customs of Liyue series. I heard from Jifang that you frequented the Wanwen Bookhouse looking for that collection of books in particular. Alongside Rex Incognito, of course.

[childeishly]

[ of course… childe makes no remarks and just readies his bank account, since he’s sure they’ll be dipping into it. ]

[ clears his throat, looking aside. ] I bought the books, sure, but I never had a chance to read them. [ w- wait, maybe he should save a little face here. ] Not all of them. [ aka they sat in a pile on his desk, making great paperweights. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Ah, then allow me to explain it to you as I imagine such books might be difficult to find here.

In Liyue, the dragon represents yang and the phoenix represents yin - together they strike a perfect balance which when brought together symbolize love, harmony and unity. Dragons themselves represent good fortune, wisdom and strength. While the phoenix represents the power of rebirth and transformation.

1/3

[childeishly]

[ yin and yang… and love!? ]

[childeishly]

K- Kind of sounds like… us…

[childeishly]

Wait a second-! Does that mean the chopsticks, were you trying to tell me you loved me way back then?!?

[leaveofabsence]

[ In a very Zhongli-esque way, he neither confirms nor denies this statement.

He simply blinks back at Childe. ]

[childeishly]

[ blinks right back. ]

[leaveofabsence]

I have been fond of you for quite some time. Long before coming here.

Though considering our circumstances at the time, I should probably not have admitted to anything back then.

[childeishly]

[ not admitted?? he didn’t even realize anything had been admitted!! he has to wonder how zhongli felt since he seems to think childe was more knowledgeable than he actually was. ]

I… didn’t know… [ sounding so helpless. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Yes. I came to realize that a few days later which I decided was for the best.

[ He reaches out to place a hand on Childe's shoulder. ]

So please do not concern yourself with it. The fault for that lies with me.

[childeishly]

[ sets a hand atop zhongli's. ] I think some of it belongs to me. If I would have bothered to read any of those books I would have known.

[ childe removes the hand and brings it toward his heart, taking a step closer. ] My lack of knowledge of Liyue customs aside... thank you, though you had always made it obvious that you cared for me, whether I realized how much or not, I knew you did.

[leaveofabsence]

Your kind words are as always appreciated. But after time and learning how to be human, I do realize that it was not your best interests I had in mind during that time.

I am glad I had the opportunity to re-gift you those chopsticks in the proper setting and with the right intentions.

[ And you know.

Actually using his own money instead of Childe's. ]

[childeishly]

I guess it would have made things even more awkward following... [ he makes a motion with his hand. ] everything else. [ his smile softens. ] I am too, Xiansheng, though... I wish I had known what it meant at the time. Maybe I wouldn't have waited so long to finally... take the initiative.

[leaveofabsence]

We arrived at the destination of our choosing. Even if the journey was not a straightforward one.

[childeishly]

We sure did. [ and he doesn’t really mind all the additional twists and turns. it makes reaching their destination all the more rewarding. ] Let’s enjoy the festival together, Xiansheng. You can tell me all about it, since I imagine this is pretty close to Liyue’s Lantern Rite, yeah?

[leaveofabsence]

It does seem quite similar, yes.

[ He places his hand in the crook of Childe's arm. ]

Come. Let us see if the production's take on the cuisine stands up to your interpretation.

[childeishly]

[ steps closer, moving an arm around zhongli’s waist as he starts guiding him toward the tables of food. ] I like to think I did pretty good, so let’s see if it can even compare. How about we get a little bit of everything?

[leaveofabsence]

Of course.

[ Said as Zhongli picks up a plate and starts preparing a dish for Childe much as how he often ordered at restaurants for the two of them.

Over-ordered anyway.

As he sets one plate down and starts preparing a second. ]

[childeishly]

[ as soon as zhongli sets the first plate down childe is reaching for it, hovering closely as a second plate is being prepared. he leans over to kiss his cheek, tails moving around him a touch possessively. ] And speaking of the chopsticks, Xiansheng... I brought them. Maybe today will be the day I can finally show you how much I've improved.

[ I AM ROLLING A DIE FOR THIS. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He hides a teasing smile behind one of his wide sleeves. ]

Of course, Childe.

I look forward to seeing how you've improved.