idolpro | princess maker

[ When you insert the key and open the door, you'll find inside the room looks small, cramped, just one living space without any doors—you can hear noises of the bustling life outside, as well as other people beyond the thin walls. the space bends on the walls, and a basket sits on the table in the center of this studio room with a blanket folded into it.

Inside, a baby stirs restlessly - you hope she goes back to sleep soon, and you play your flute in hopes of lulling her back to sleep. Unfortunately, a sharp knock sounds from the ceiling - the tenants upstairs don't like what you're doing. You take a more drastic measure, singing softly to your baby as you rock the basket back and forth and hope the tenants don't complain again. ]

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[ Slowly, the scene changes, fading in and out with various silent scenes—the baby cries, and in turn, the upstairs tenants knock at your ceiling again; she finds her way to your flute, tooting happily though no noise comes out; a little toddler, she becomes attached to a stray cat; you decline her request, and she storms out to run away for a little while as you regret; she returns, covered in cat hair and ignores everything you say; then the wall becomes opaque. ]

[ In the corner of the room, a young girl the age of 10 crouches, looking away from you. she holds a cat in her arms, petting the creature constantly.

You wish you could have done better for your baby girl. But, this is what you love to do and maybe you'll get a gig that pays well enough that you two can move out of this shithole - hopefully. You tried your best to rear her, but with how infrequent you're in the house, working odd jobs in the day and performing at the pub at night, you're not sure anymore. You know she is capable of anything if she puts her mind to it - even becoming a princess - but you also know it's not easy to become a princess, and she's horribly equipped for any of that. Then again, if anything your little tyke is tough, and if anyone could be a rags-to-riches princess, it would be her. Thankfully, you've emergency savings - for her schooling, of course. You have a lot of regrets, but maybe it's not too late. ]

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[Rise takes their daughter, Shira Sunflower by the hand, and sits her down on the sofa in their home.]

Shira-chan, we need to talk about the ring. I want to understand some things from you before we do anything else, so can you please tell me why you took it?

Shira frowns, her grip on your hand tightening before quickly loosening, retracting as if trying to protect herself.

". . . Whatever, who cares? 's just a dumb ring."

[Shakes her head, putting hands in her lap]

But you wanted it, didn't you? So you can't have thought it was that dumb. It's okay, I'm not mad at you.

"I mean. . ."

The girl shrugs.

"Not really, it looks stupid so whatever."

Really? I thought it looked pretty.

"It's ugly."

Is it really? Hmm, then I don't get it. Why did you want an ugly ring?

" 'Cause! 'Cause. . ."

Shira looks as if she's about to get up, or maybe she's about to run.

". . . I didn't want it, okay. But she looked sad, so. . ."

...Ah?

[Holds out a hand to her, but doesn't take hers this time, leaving it open.]

You're safe right now, Shira-chan. You can do or say whatever you like. I only want to know the truth, but you look worried about telling me.

Shira looks at the hand, giving a frown and keeping her own arms crossed. Still, she speaks a little quieter.

". . . That girl . . . she wanted it, but she didn't have the money for it. So . . ."

So you wanted to help her? But we don't have money either... Did you feel like that was the only way you could make her happy?

She scrubs at her face.

" . . . 'Cause she was gonna leave soon. . ."

Oh, Shira-chan.

[I want! To pat! Shuffles a little bit closer, her hand still extended, but still leaving her the space to step forward.]

Is she moving?

She draws her knees up, feet on the seat as she buries her face to her legs and nods.

Re: DECISION

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[Leaning over the top of the sofa in a casual way ]

Were you upset because we haven't been able to get you something like that and you wanted it?

Shira rolls her eyes.

"Uhm, no way. We're like, poor, I get it."

We are. But that doesn't mean we can't save up for special things. That makes them mean a lot more. If we knew you wanted it, we could talk about it.

Uh, I know we haven't always been great at listening and that wasn't nice of us, but we want to be better. We want you to know it's cool to talk with us. And we'll work harder to come up with something we can all be happy with.

Shira frowns a little more and kicks at the ground, arms crossing.

". . . That's cool and all. . . . I guess. . . "

There's a pause.

"It was an ugly ring but I shouldn't have taken it. .....Sorry."

It's all right. We all like things for different reasons. And ugly rings can still be fun because they're not as boring as the same-looking pretty ones.

Why do you think it was wrong to take it?

" 'Cause it costs money or something I guess."

That's part of it. And the money it's worth also helps buy other things for the shop. So the owner can make more cool things. Every little bit counts. Just like for us.

"Yeah, I guess."

So what do you want to do now?

"I'unno. I already said sorry."

I know. But what about the ring? Is it still important to you?

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