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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

[crossmyheartandhope]

Good food, even.

[Offers her a bao]

...you still missing Gold?

[unbr8kable]

[Takes it, flipping it in her hands]

...I'm glad he got his happy end.

But...it ain't the same without him.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Yeah... yeah.

It's rough, losing people.

[unbr8kable]

...Yeah.

'Specially when you start running out of people to lose.

[A pause, then she snakes her hand around to take his]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Takes it readily, and gives it a squeeze]

...m'glad I got you.

[unbr8kable]

Same.

More than same.

[The bonus of all the food being on his far side is that she can lean in closer to his near one, sorry-not sorry. Her grip on his hand is tight]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He's quiet for a beat or two - tugs her in, a little closer]

[unbr8kable]

[Leans in against him, ducking her head]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Eventually, quiet:]

...least they're safe. Right?

I know it don't help as much as it oughtta, but it ain't nothing.

[unbr8kable]

...Yeah. I know.

Ain't nothing.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Quieter, now]

...still sucks, though.

[unbr8kable]

[Takes a long breath and sits up a little, voice pitched notably brighter]

...A-anyways. Is what it is, right? Just...gotta keep doing what we're doing, I guess.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Yeah... yeah.

We still got this.

[Squeezes her hand, gentle]

[unbr8kable]

[She squeezes back, hand a little clammy]

'Til then... Plenty of bao left, right?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Tons of bao.

[Passes one over]

[unbr8kable]

[Raises it, as if giving a toast]

To tasty food?

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Taps his against it]

To tasty food.

[unbr8kable]

[She quirks a more believable smile this time, and takes a bite]

...Mmm, not bad.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Takes a bite of his own]

Cobalt knows how to call em.

[Taking another bite,]

[unbr8kable]

Everybody's got a skill. And this ain't a bad one.

[crossmyheartandhope]

You kidding?

This is an awesome one.

[unbr8kable]

Awesome ain't bad, is it? ...'Less you mean bad meaning good. Then it is bad.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Dude, why would it be bad? We got a whole buffet out of it.

[unbr8kable]

Exactly. That's what I just said.

[crossmyheartandhope]

You think he'll do it again for some othr holiday?