Test Drive

[idolpro]

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Prompt 1: Amnesia

[ You woke up, all your memories having vacated you. Well, that sucks. But hey, no time like the present to go out and figure out things. Maybe someone in your smartphone contacts knows you or what's going on. You open up your smartphone's lock screen and-- hey, that looks relevant. Profile pages! It has your unit name, member names, but no pictures. . .

Well, the rest varies. This one says Likes: Industrial Strength cleaning products, Breakbeat hardcore, Volleyball shorts and Dislikes: Roombas, Electro-industrial, Maid Outfits. The next has a thrilling tale that concludes with the idol mud-wrestling God, though it doesn't mention if they won or not. The third says that the member became an idol because they want to use the television and media attention to get the notice of their long lost sister, and reunite their family. The fourth just has someone's three sizes. The fifth has a detailed astrological profile.

Since no one remembers their names and there's no pictures to match it to, this is actually less helpful than you hoped. And furthermore, the doors aren't opening until you and the rest of the amnesiacs on this unit tell it who is who. Looks like you and the rest of these people have to discuss which of you is more likely to have mud-wrestled god, and who joined because they really want to find their long-lost sister. Or you can just use the tape-measure that was left sitting on the main table of the center room, that might be a quick way to settle at least one of these things. ]

Prompt 2: Memory Regain

[ You saved up your points, performing in Games or Lives or Vids, something or other until you had enough points to put the order in.

You didn't really know how to expect a memory to look like, but as it turns out there's just an alert on your app. Once you click it, a playback starts-- on the screen, and in your mind. You remember something now.

However, in buying the cheap version, that just broadcasted to several other people's phones in the area as well as all screens in the area. Cool. That was definitely what you were trying to do. ]

Prompt 3: Game Time

[ Welcome to the Game Tower. Today's game is a sort of mad fake phantom thief free-for-all. You arrived, were given top hats and cloaks, and the inside floor of the tower had been remodeled to resemble an art museum, with a giant roulette wheel right by the elevator you exited. Below that was a little slot, where today's hologram host explained the wheel would spit out a slip with a goal just for you.

So you have a little slip of paper with a goal on it, and no way of knowing what anyone else's goals are, though you did see the big roulette wheel being spun at the beginning letting you know the some of the possibilities:

♚Steal a heart
♚Steal a life
♚Steal an object
♚Steal a kiss
♚Steal someone's clothes
♚Steal someone's shoes
♚Steal a secret
♚Steal the giant statue from the center of the museum
♚Steal the portrait that depicts your true love

...well, waiting around isn't going to get you any points. Get to it, temporary phantom thief! ]

Prompts 4: Fanmail

[ Today, trying to take the elevators up from the lobby to access the apartments you and the other units live in just isn't working. Upon the doors being pried open, you found out why quickly: the elevator shaft was jammed up with fan mail, so it couldn't properly descend. Letters cascades out from between the open doors: letters from people who watch you play games, do lives, make vids, and probably all sorts of other things on those omnipresent cameras.

Are you really going to read these? Though right at your feet, a few have spilled from their envelopes. Now you can't help but read those. Here's one in purple glitter pen that says, jesus just come into my home and strangle me with your hair and one that is written with newspaper cut out letters (alarmingly reminiscent of a calling card written by a serial killer) that reads incongruently hello my soft best child ur good and valid and I love you forever plz be ok don't listen 2 the haterz u have done nothing wrong. Oh, and here's one asking if you can wear tighter pants for your next live, they want a better shot of your ass for their shrine. This one just says MARRIED?

Well, it's just as well you have no idea who those were for. Most this fanmail isn't for you. Except for the few that you just read, they're all labeled in envelopes for different people from all the units. Time to read other people's fanmail. Or try and find them and deliver the fanmail. Or just start a big fire in the middle of the lobby, you could do that too. ]

Prompts 5: Wildcard

Feel free to make your own prompt. Here is a link to specific unit information, if you would like to use it as inspiration.

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Comments

[syckophant]

Creme Yvette, hm? What an enchanting name. You can just call me Eichi, if you'd like, Miss Yvette. We're all equals here, after all. Everyone an idol... We'll each have to work together, so there's no reason not to get familiar.

It is a pleasure to meet you!

[tradesecret]

Likewise. You're carrying yourself quite well for a newcomer.

[syckophant]

Am I? Perhaps it is because I have always been an idol, since I was quite young. We have an audience after all, Miss Yvette ♪

No matter the circumstances, the show must go on.

[tradesecret]

That seems like an unfair advantage, doesn't it? But life is hardly ever fair. I hope we can work well together.

And you can drop the "Miss," there's no need to be polite.

[syckophant]

I don't know if it's unfair. I am certainly willing to help impart my wisdom on the other idols here! I was once the student council president at... Oh...

I suppose you all wouldn't know of Yumenosaki, or of my family. All you need to know is that I find joy in helping to raise and teach other idols, so it shouldn't be bad for me to be here, even for others!

[tradesecret]

You're right; I haven't heard of either, but I'd be happy to listen, if you're inclined to share.

[syckophant]

Of course!


...How do you feel about tea? Maybe we could have cup of tea while discussing.

[tradesecret]

Tea would be lovely.

[syckophant]

Perfect! There is nothing more relaxing than a cup of tea and discussion with friends.

[Guess he'll just start leading her back to the elevator!]

This will be a test of my teaching ability. I was taught myself to be an idol, but I've never had to start from scratch with others. That said, you do seem to have a bright and charismatic personality! That's a good start- I'm sure you'll be a natural with just a little direction.

[tradesecret]

[ following dutifully. ]

If that is how I'm perceived, then my hard work is paying off. Of course, direction is always appreciated. I don't mind making my own judgement calls, but it's easier to do if there's some set framework. Does that make sense?

[syckophant]

It does make sense, yes!

[She'll certainly be one to watch! How advantageous to be able to direct her growth, too.]

Surely, you know of our audience here, right? Our most important duty is to that audience.

[tradesecret]

I've heard it said that the customer is God. If that's true, for an idol, the customer is their audience, isn't that right?

[syckophant]

That's right. It may be even more important here to remember that, for the audience determines who lives and dies!

To that end, we must take care to be cohesive within our units. You see, even a unit written to be the villains can do well- as long as eyes remain on them, they will grow strong together. The worst thing one can do is fade into the background.

That said, we are still idols, and so direct contact with the public should be limited. I doubt that'll be much of a problem here...

[tradesecret]

Style-wise, staying cohesive isn't a problem for BARiTONES. If anything, people want to raid our closet. Not that I mind.

The rather loose definition of an idol runs contrary to what little I recall, but if the rules are different here, I'm certainly in no position to judge or complain.

[syckophant]

Hahah, I can imagine! I do mean less of a 'style', than I mean socially. It doesn't necessarily mean you must fit the image, but your unit here should be as close to you as family. They should be your priority, your closest confidants, and you shouldn't do anything to compromise them.

The rules here are quite a bit different from what I once was, especially since idols cannot choose or change their units. Perhaps the stakes here seem somewhat higher, and the idea of a 'career' is more nebulous, but in the end we are meant to be the shining beacons of the entertainment industry.

As long as we all put forth the work and do not grow content simply feeding off of the efforts of others, I am certain that things will go well.

[tradesecret]

I'd say life or death are the highest stakes around. We run a tight ship; I can't imagine anyone letting others do the work for them.

[syckophant]

These stakes are higher even than life or death... They are damnation or salvation, the resting place of your very soul, where you can suffer or live in paradise for all eternity.

[Of course, Eichi may not think of it the in same way as others do.]

I'm glad to hear that, though! There is nothing more dangerous to our survival than apathy.

[tradesecret]

[ she's... pretty sure she's a bad person, so her soul is... /shrug

But her expression remains soft and pleasant ]

Apathy is a dangerous emotion in general, wouldn't you say?