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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

[sangreine]

Oh -- sorry. [ She pulls back immediately, having not been entirely aware who she was grabbing at. A consequence of a good mood and everyone dressing differently. ] My mistake.

[gravitydefier]

Hm. Were you looking for someone?

[sangreine]

Not anyone specific, just people. [ Her need to be with others is magnified substantially thanks to her tiger cosplay schtick. ] But I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I couldn't quite tell who you were from the back. [ Yep she just grabs first and asks questions later, that's not weird right? ]

[gravitydefier]

[he wouldn't know what's 'weird' or not.] ...people? [soft and detached as usual, but there's a hint of curiosity in his voice.]

[sangreine]

...Yeah. People. [ Everyone meandering around here in pretty clothes? What is confusing? Hmm, she tries again. ]

Mostly people I know.

[gravitydefier]

[the idea of seeking people out is what's confusing.] ...I see. [after a long moment.]

...there are so many people here. Good luck in...finding yours. [awkwardly, as if he doesn't know what to say.]

[sangreine]

Do you not like being around people? [ She thought it was just the handshake crowd, which was understandable. Not wanting to be around anyone just doesn't compute at all. ]

[gravitydefier]

[after a moment.] ...it's crowded and noisy.

[sangreine]

[ Just... wow. ]

I -- guess it must be nice to be that comfortable with your own company. [ There's a reason she likes the noise and crowds. ]

[gravitydefier]

[...is he even that comfortable with his own company, or is he just too used to being alone?]

...I am not used to company. Especially that of mortals, but...any.

[sangreine]

What aren't you used to about mortals? I rather like them.

[gravitydefier]

...this is the first time I've lived among them. Or among...anyone. [as far as he remembers, anyway.]

[sangreine]

...Oh. I guess it would be pretty different, then. You managing okay?

[gravitydefier]

...fine.

...as is necessary.

[sangreine]

Oh. Well, that's good, I guess.

You know, if it helps any, you're not bad company. Just quiet, but there's nothing wrong with quiet. Some people prefer it.

[gravitydefier]

[slender brows knit together. as if he is unfamiliar with the idea that he isn't bad company.

it's subdued, but it's definitely confusion.]

[sangreine]

Uh... when we first met you said you were poor company. Maybe you meant just for that day... which I can understand, that was kind of a lot.

[gravitydefier]

...no. I meant all the time.

[sangreine]

[ She definitely mistook that look of confusion for one of offense. ]

Well, I don't know how you can say that's true if you're not even used to being around people.

Believe it or not, I was awful to be around when I first woke up here. Not just quiet, I tore up the dorm and had awful manners and no sense of privacy -- at least you're polite.

[gravitydefier]

[tbh it's easy to assume he's offended. reserved ice queen with no social skills and subdued expressions. makes a quiet noise of acknowledgment at her statement about having been awful to be around.]

I...don't know what others look for in 'company.' All I know is that in one memory, I was something to be...avoided.

[sangreine]

We have that in common, then. [ Her memory didn't only peg her as someone to avoid, but that too. ]

People here keep trying to tell me that I don't have to let my past dictate who I am, but that's no so easy, is it? [ He believes he's someone to be avoided because of his memory, she believes she's someone to be feared; not so simple to just be someone else, knowing what you know. ]

[gravitydefier]

...no. It isn't.

[he doesn't remember yet but he was the adeptus with the scariest reputation in Liyue.]

[sangreine]

[ She looks mildly surprised, because she is, that someone agreed with her. ]

Usually this is where I get a lot of arguments and justifications. It's nice to just be understood for once. Thanks.

-- See, you're good company after all. [ Listening and relating, that's all there is to Aliza thinking you're pretty swell to talk to. ]

[gravitydefier]

...were they human? [the ones who argued.]

[sangreine]

Good guess.

I know it comes from good intentions, but that doesn't make it any better to hear.