princess maker - pep!pep!

[idolpro]

[ 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. ]

-

[ 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. ]

Comments

4

[idolpro]

Your daughter does not go to the Capital. She is no longer welcomed at school, but she does want to be a princess still - or at least she wants to have a lot of money. How will you get there?

Moreover, you find yourself in a moral dilemma. . . your daughter simply does not want to do anything productive. She procrastinates on her chores and studies, and you're not sure if this warrants disciplining. . . then again, it may be damaging to her work ethic. But maybe she's just depressed . . .

What do you do?

DECISION

[idolpro]

Re: DECISION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

Shira-chan, good morning!

Re: DECISION

[idolpro]

Shira flaps her hands up.

"Mooorniiing."

Re: DECISION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

[Setting out breakfast for her]

Hey, Shira-chan, have you got any plans for today?

Re: DECISION

[idolpro]

"Uhhhhhm study I guess. . . ?"

Re: DECISION

[malignstar]

Yo, Shira, how are things lately?

Re: DECISION

[idolpro]

She looks a little tired - rather, there are bags under her eyes.

"Uhm, fine, I guess. . . ?"

Distractedly, as she looks around for something - a book, it looks like.

Re: DECISION

[malignstar]

Mm, I was just worried because you haven't been that focused lately. I thought you wanted to work becoming a principal.

[ Glances at the book ]

What's that about?

FINAL DECISION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

After talking to Shira about her problems, they agree that she will visit Emi when escorted by a parent, and not in the middle of the night on her own. Shira is given a day to rest and sleep and recover before getting back to work properly.

She is encouraged to pick up her chores and study properly when fully rested, Sunshine emphasises the importance of studies in learning about the world and working towards her goal, and so that she can properly explain and educate people when she has a proper school to run.

To encourage her to work hard on her studies and her chores, they promise that when she is back up to speed Shira may have regular sleepovers with Emi and can spend her rest day with her. They also encourage her to make stronger friendships in the town so she won't be as lonely on the days she's not with Emi.

MOST IMPORTANTLY EVERYONE TELLS HER THEY LOVE HER SHE'S SO ADORABLE GOSH OUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTER!!!

Re: FINAL DECISION

[idolpro]

Your daughter learns to tell her parents before she does anything dangerous, and that she should probably not do things in the middle of the night on her own. She catches up on her sleep debt, and goes back to work brightened and refreshed! Chores, of course, are no problem for her - neither is studying. She's a bright girl, after all, and she does actually like studying to a certain extent. She's very excited to have sleepovers with Emi too - that's probably why she's working as hard as she is!!!!

She loves you too!!!!!

Your daughter's temperament is meek.

Your daughter's morality is good.

DISCUSSION

[idolpro]

Re: DISCUSSION

[malignstar]

Huh, that doesn't sound like Shira. Maybe we should ask if something is up.

Re: DISCUSSION

[lovescomplicated]

Something is definitely up. She might be willing to talk.

Re: DISCUSSION

[malignstar]

We were getting along with her pretty good before. I say we try the direct approach for now.

Re: DISCUSSION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

Ah, Shira-chan's feeling down. Getting pulled out of school and the things she's going through are pretty heavy, something like this is to be expected.

Re: DISCUSSION

[malignstar]

Yeah, but if she wants money to make her own school, not doing anything seems a little strange, doesn't it?

Re: DISCUSSION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

Something's wrong if she's not feeling motivated. We need to talk to her again.

Re: DISCUSSION

[worldlyafflictions]

Yeah, guess so...

Erm, since she seems so concerned about money, ya think we could do like... work lessons or something? Where ya actually earn stuff for your hard work. Dunno if she's too young for that though.

Re: DISCUSSION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

No, that's a great idea! She's old enough for a small part time job, like a paper route or something, let's see how she feels about that. And we can always try giving her more pocket money for chores.

Re: DISCUSSION

[lovescomplicated]

It's only natural. Still, it might be good for her to talk it out.

Re: DISCUSSION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

[Nods]

She usually opens up when we talk to her, let's give it a go.

Re: DISCUSSION

[we_meet_again]

An allowance is a great idea! So is maybe learning a trade. I wonder if she could find an apprenticeship somewhere?

Though maybe that doesn't solve the motivation problem... do you think it's just a matter of finding something she wants to do?

Re: DISCUSSION

[heroicsacrifeyes]

An apprenticeship could be good too. I think... We should help her figure out a proper goal beyond just 'money'.

Re: DISCUSSION

[neverbeentogeorgia]

[ Senpai is going to KEEP QUIET IN THE CORNER because uh. he definitely would have advocated that Shira just steal some money, like, what's the harm in that, this is all obviously fake anyway

this is so awkward and not at all a job he is in ANY WAY suited for... but at least he seems self-aware enough to realize that. ]