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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]

You're being a tease. [ She sounds delighted about it, however. Playful, she likes, but not quite as much as getting what she wants. Her eyes flutter, and when they open they're glowing a brilliant red. ] If you want to play that game, we'll need some more privacy, and you just got here.

[ Staying right where she is, someone with a more conservative definition of kissing could probably consider this entire conversation to qualify since you couldn't slide a piece of paper between them at this point, but she's still not giving up. ] Are you going to make me ask nicely?

[unbr8kable]

[She flushes at that, smile deepening as well]

Oh, I'm happy to give you what you want. But if I ain't doing it right, maybe you better show me how it's done.

[sangreine]

[ So that's how it is, hm? (She's trying to figure out of this is playing or reticence, but then decides as long as it's not going on forever, it's fine either way.) Her fingertips brush the back of Nem's neck, coaxing, for all the good it'll do. ]

I like you like this. [ But not as much as other ways, a point she makes by sliding her eyes shut and vanishing that last lingering bit of space between them. ]

[ It is far from a subtle kiss, because when you go days without kissing someone the next kiss should damn well be a good one, in her opinion. ]

[unbr8kable]

[No complaints on this side--no coaxing needed either. Nemesis yields easily, parting her lips to deepen the kiss--shifts her hand to the small of Aliza's back to urge her even closer]

[Which is perhaps less subtle than she'd initially planned, but the next kiss after a long stretch should be a good one...]

[sangreine]

[ The hell with subtle, it has its uses but has no good purpose here. Aliza shifts closer, pressing as much against Nemesis as their layered clothes will allow, intent on making this good and thorough. With this place, who knows when they'll get another chance, and even if they have a thousand chances a day she'd still want to make Nem a little weak in the knees right about now. ]

[ It doesn't feel strange in the slightest, it feels like something she's needed for days. ]

[unbr8kable]

[Nemesis lets Alizarin lead, happy to follow with the steady, ample fervor.
Her good hand goes to cup Aliza's face, cool as it strokes over her cheekbone.

It's nice, if such a banal word can even be used to describe something so intense. But it just is--the softness of lips and chest and skin under her fingers, the strength coiled beneath, currently for some ridiculous reason solely directed at her... She makes a soft sound into the kiss, shivering in place]

[sangreine]

[ Nice is a fine word, as descriptions go; if Nemesis wants some other adjectives, however, Aliza will be only too happy to comply. Especially after the distinctly not nice things they had to sit through, she'll take nice all too gladly, especially when Nemesis touches her face and makes that sound and all-over shivers like that. It's enough to make Aliza think that whatever she'd been so worried about before really isn't such a big deal at all, by comparison. ]

[ She tries to press closer only to find that there's no space left to close, so she makes a satisfied rumbling sound instead, like a cat stretching in the sun. ]

[ As far as when to step back, she's going to let Nemesis handle that call. She's done the pulling away more than enough; not this time. ]

[unbr8kable]

[She isn't in any particular hurry, sinking in against Aliza to indulge in the weight of her in her arms and the taste of her in her mouth and the fluttery knowledge that whatever they'd gone through, she was still allowed this closeness.

By the time she eventually breaks the kiss, Nemesis is flushed and breathless, expression a little dazed. She pulls away just enough to shove off her fogged glasses; smiles, loose and lopsided]

So... That's a proper kiss? Why didn't you say so in the first place?

[sangreine]

[ Hell yes, it is. If someone isn't breathless and fogged up by the end, it's just not done right. ]

[ She pulls back just enough so they can catch some air, but keeps her arms draped over Nem's shoulders and sees no need whatever to stop. ]

I don't think I'm nearly good enough with words to do that any justice.

[unbr8kable]

Didn't mind the demonstration. Wouldn't say no to another.

[Dips down to kiss at the corner of her mouth]

...Wouldn't say no to walking around some, neither. If you wanted to check some of this stuff out.

[sangreine]

[ Smiling even more at that little kiss, and the words that accompany it. ]

I think you'll have to pick one or the other. [ She can be arm candy or she can demonstrate all sorts of proper stuff, but not at once. ]

[unbr8kable]

Well--

[Hesitates for a fluttering moment before she continues]

The lunar new year won't last forever. So maybe check it out first, so there's no need to rush...'less you'd rather cut to the chase.

[sangreine]

[ The hesitation is flattering, really. Good to know she's distracting enough to consider ditching the festivities. ]

There's time for that, right? It might be complicated to get these layers back on. I'm happy to see what there is to see, as long as I'm with you.

[unbr8kable]

Good point...

Well, if you don't mind hanging out, let's take a walk? Can work on taking off those layers later.

[sangreine]

Sounds good, on both counts. [ Snagging Nemesis by the arm again, no one thought she wasn't going to be clingy did they? That would have been silly. ]

[unbr8kable]

[Clingy doesn't seem to be a problem as of yet, and she curls her arm to escort Aliza properly towards the front doors]

C'mon then. Heard something about some dancers?

[sangreine]

[ See, some things need to be done properly! Staying curled against Nemesis's side for as long as she'll allow it. ]

It's pretty amazing out there. Zhongli helped me make a wish on a lantern.

[unbr8kable]

[All good so far! She isn't particularly warm as Alizarin curls in, though her smile is]

Whoa, for real? Think it's gonna come true?

[sangreine]

[ Not to worry, she generates her own heat -- lightning fast metabolism and all that. ]

I doubt it, but it's nice to think about anyway. What would you wish for?

[unbr8kable]

[Honestly, Nemesis is more huddling into that warmth than the other way around]

...How many wishes do I get?

[sangreine]

[ And she will happily accept all huddling! ]

I only got one, but I'll be generous and give you three.

[unbr8kable]

So generous...

[It's a little difficult to nudge against someone when you've got your hand around their shoulders, but she does her best]

Still... I thought if you said 'em, they wouldn't come true. Or's that only for shooting stars?

[sangreine]

Zhongli didn't seem to think that telling would mess with the tradition, but if you think it's better to be safe than sorry...

I don't think mine will come true anyway, maybe that's why I don't mind discussing it.

[unbr8kable]

Hey... You never know.

[Her own smile goes a little wry (she knows)]

...I'd wish for a happy ending. Since it ain't like I can change the beginning.

[sangreine]

[ Nudging Nemesis right back, using her hips. ] I like that one.

I wished to be free of my past. I don't think that one's too likely.