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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

[leaveofabsence]

Thank you. That's a very kind thing to say.

[ Pats her hand where their arms are linked. ]

Is it too personal to ask the question in reverse?

[sangreine]

[ Normally it would be, but not with her mood pleasantly humming thanks to the various tiger costume pieces. So her answer comes immediately: ]

I'd wish to be allowed to be whoever I want to be here, and not be yoked to my past.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Even with the quite contrary answer to what he was expecting, this man is not emotionally intelligent enough to attribute it to outside forces. ]

That definitely sounds a wish that should light up the night sky.

Would you like to release a lantern with me?

[sangreine]

Does that mean you'll think of something to wish for, too? It only seems fair.

[ In that event, yes she'll release a lantern with that wish, and feel ridiculous about it tomorrow. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Of course. I would not dream of having your first Lantern Rite be solo.

I shall endeavor to think of a suitable wish as we construct our lanterns.

[sangreine]

We have to construct them? [ She looks concerned, like overly concerned, to the point where it's probably funny. ] I'm really bad at things like that.

-- Which is weird, because I'm really good with my hands in other areas, like music and painting, but I can't put things together well. And cooking, I also can't cook.

[leaveofabsence]

I will endeavor to remember both of those things.

But in that case, we can make this a collaborative effort. I shall construct the lanterns and you can paint them.

[sangreine]

Oh. Okay, that sounds fair. [ she calms quickly, all smiles once again. ] I guess I'll find out eventually why I'm good at so many useless things, but right now it doesn't make much sense.

[leaveofabsence]

Painting and music are far from useless. It is through the gifts of creativity that the world is made a much more vibrant and beautiful place.

[sangreine]

Well. Maybe not useless, but not very practical. I think I'd rather be able to do things for people that they need.

[ At least for this particular project, her skills are of some use! She starts getting a bunch of paints together and mixing them to make the colors she wants. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ And Zhongli gets to work on constructing the lanterns. Though he does have to make a quick detour in the point shop to get some specialized light ore that will help the lantern be light enough to float.

They are cylindrical in shape and tapered at the base. ]

Is there a particular skill you wish to improve?

[sangreine]

[ Once the lanterns are ready for her, she picks up a paintbrush and proceeds to paint some nature scenes on them with delicate details, also copying some of the symbols she sees in the other decorations, they look quite good. She's either exceptional at something or terrible at it, and painting is the former. ]

I'd love to be able to cook. Not just because I love food [ but, you know, that too ] but because people use it to take care of each other. None of the things I'm good at really do that -- well, I guess music is taking care of Venti, he seems to like my singing and playing.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Oh.

Those are beautiful indeed. ]

Do you mind if I take a picture?

As for your cooking dilemma, there was a particular dish taught to us by the God of the Stove. It's specific purpose was to be an easy and hearty dish as we were nomads at the time. Perhaps you'd like to give it a try.

[sangreine]

I don't mind. [ She holds up the lanterns, far enough away from herself that she won't be in the frame. ] I'm glad you like them.

As for cooking -- I could find a way to burn a sandwich. I don't know if even a recipe from the God of the Stove could help me. [ She's more amused than sad about it, at least. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He takes a picture of her handiwork held up to the sky (and with her not in frame as she prefers) and sends a copy to her mobile device as well. ]

Well, if you are ever up for trying, then I would be honored to attempt such a journey with you.

Now then---

[ And he claps his hands together before looking for thin sheets of parchment to slip inside the lanterns themselves. ]

I believe all that is left is attaching our wishes.

[sangreine]

It's a very dubious honor, trust me. I'd prefer you keep liking me. [ Well and truly, she is hopeless in the kitchen. Making tea is about all she can do. ]

Does this mean you decided on one?

[ She writes out her wish in flowing French calligraphy, which is itself an art form. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

I wish to be more proficient at the mobile phone and other technological devices.

I was so confused in some of the dreams I wandered through. It seems that these things are very commonplace yet I am completely perplexed by them.

[sangreine]

[ ...A significant pause goes here. She doesn't want to make fun, and she won't, it just strikes oddly because: ]

I guess you do have a flaw. Even if it's a tiny one.

[ This probably explains a lot about why she found him so painful and intimidating to be around. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ That gets a small chuckle out of him. ]

I appreciate your gentleness, but I am as flawed as those around me. I have just made it my mission to strive for a particular sort of perfection.

[sangreine]

Well, mission accomplished. And it's pretty impressive compared to those of us who are basically all flaws.

[ She doesn't sound upset about that fact; it's just the plain truth. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He purses his lips as if to say something, but then his expression relaxes back into something a little more polite and pleasant than neutral as he pens his own wish and attaches it to his lantern. ]

I suppose I shall have to find another goal then if you think it already achieved.

[ He lifts his lantern carefully in his hands, testing the weight ]

Yes, I do think these are ready.

[sangreine]

[ Totally missed that subtle face shift, but the words alone make her backpedal somewhat. ]

Hey, don't change your goals because of what I think. I'm the last person whose opinion on perfection anyone should be taking, let alone someone like you. I mean, I can't even compliment someone correctly, evidently.

[leaveofabsence]

I find your compliments quite charming. They are sincere and from the heart. And offered in a way that could make you vulnerable. Yet you share them all the same.

Perhaps that is something I could also strive to achieve.

That openness.

[sangreine]

I don't do anything halfway, seems like. It has upsides and downsides. Sometimes I wish I could find a middle ground a little more. [ Instead of being head-over-heels or crashing and burning, with absolutely nothing between the two. Not terribly becoming or fun. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He picks up his brush again - pondering what else to wish for this year. ]

Is there an area in particular you wish to find more moderation in?

Changing oneself is an arduous process, moreso the longer we have allowed certain habits and patterns to cement over time.