✨ test prive #1

[systemdesu]

✨ TEST PRIVE #1 ✨

[ ✨ In the Priginning... ]



PriPara pan pon~♪ Everyooone, gather around the fountain in PriPara Town Square! This has been a notice from the system~

[ Meganee's voice rings out over the Idol Watch, not long after the first crop of idols wander into the Prieamwidth PriPara. All of them have received their Idol Watches, Idol Time Mics, Jewels, and Looky-Cute Bags from the Meganee in Prism Stone, and heard that PriPara is a Paradise where anyone can become an idol - and their ideal self. All of them have held their PriTicket to the gate in the back of the Prism Stone shop and been transported to PriPara. All of them have seen their new PriPara Style, and met their brand-new selves. They've met a manager, too.

And now, it seems they're to meet...their destiny.

The fountain in question is the only clean structure in the Prieamwidth PriPara, which on the whole would be cute and perky if it weren't overrun with grime, vines, moss, actual trees sprouting where no tree has any business being, and other such accoutrements that make the place look like the setting of a post-apocalyptic novel about a fallen pastel privilization. The fountain, by contrast, is pristine, and bears a certain noble visage.

It's also the site of a frothy bubbling, which grows into a geyser when all the idols are assembled. A splash of water washes over the idols, and a voice from within screams out in the dulcet tones of Suwabe Junichi: ]

MEGANII REBIRTH!!

[ A giant shell pops out of the fountain's pool, opening up to reveal a handsome young man in red glasses with a hairline crack on one rim. He's holding a towel with the word "MEGANE" modestly against his privates, despite being fully clothed, but tosses it away with a "Hup!" as the shell finishes opening to display him to all of the idols. Then, standing tall, he adjusts his glasses. ]

Everyone, good day to you. I am the ally of all idols in the Prieamwidth PriPara, Red Meganii. Providing useful exposition and supporting the idols of PriPara is this -





- purpose.

[ He steps out of the shell onto the fountain's rim. A cluster of Meganee slip behind him to carry the shell away, all muttering "sssh" to themselves to remind each other to be quiet while he's talking. ]

I'm sure you all must have a number of questions. I'd be happy to answer them, but I first wish to direct your attention to the list appearing on your Idol Watches.

[ On cue, everybody's Idol Watches pop open, and said list appears. ]

This is your first set of Idol Challenges. Currently, this Prieamwidth PriPara has lost its sparkle, which has caused it to fall into disrepair. At this rate, a dire calamapri shall befall it - and all the primensions connected to it.

[ "Oh, no!" calls a Meganee, being helpful, but she continues to smile a perfect customer service smile. Meganii nods, grim. ]

In order to prevent this calamapri, your priticipation is priquired. The current system of the Prieamwidth PriPara is beset by system errors, but please, fight against this tide of adversipri and deepen your friendships with each other. Yes! Friendship will save the puniverse! Friendship - and likes!

[ The word "LIKES!" flashes above his head as a hologram, then fades. ]

Please gather likes by taking on the Idol Challenges that will periodically be sent to your Idol Watches. I understand this is a sudden and mighty undertaking, but I implore you -

To struggle because of your own mistakes? As useless as ever.

[ The voice rings out through every Idol Watch, and then, a gold-and-purple helicopter lowers itself down towards the fountain. A figure suspended from a ladder drops down, displacing Meganii, who stumbles and falls off the rim, landing squarely on his behind. The figure lands in the exact same pose as the fountain.

The figure looks exactly like the fountain. And when she opens her green eyes, they flash at the audience. ]

I've made you wait. This is Shikyoin Hibiki. Such a scrap-heap system, if left untouched, would hardly deserve the name "PriPara". Fledge yourselves quickly for me, and raise this defective PriPara so it may shine forever as the most radiant star in the sky - if you can!

[ Any opportunity for her to explain exactly what this means is drowned out by a sudden and mighty shriek of "HIBIKI-SAMA!!!!" from a contingent of idols in the crowd who had looked rather used to this whole PriPara deal already. They swarm the fountain, ringing it in admiration, and yelling things like "STEAL ME AWAY!" and "I WANT YOU TO RAISE MY HEART!"

A Meganee takes charge while Hibiki attempts to avoid Meganii's fate. ]

....So, as Meganii-san and Hibiki-san said, what happens to the Prieamwidth PriPara is up to you. Everyoone, please take on the Idol Challenges suggested to you, and pay no mind to any aberrant occurrences! This is the system~

[ And with that, the meeting ends. And everyone's life as a PriPara idol - begins! ]

[ ✨ Idol Challenge #1: "Clean the Prieamwidth PriPara!" ]



[ Idols wishing to combat the physical lack of sparkle in the Prieamwidth PriPara can pick up cleaning supplies from a pair of Meganee riding about PriPara Town atop robotic Proombas (which also wear glasses). The two Meganee have everything an idol could desire for a nice, deep clean job: gloves, aprons, sponges, soap, mops, brooms, dustpans....plus more Proombas and a single pressure cleaner. With such supplies, this challenge looks easy!

But beware. The Proombas have minds of their own, and have a tendency to steer towards the Hibiki statue with adoring hearts in their glasses eyes. As for the pressure cleaner - it's unwieldy. Sometimes it spurts water in odd directions, and coincidentally always manages to hit somebody else with the spray.

Can you manage to clean up the Prieamwidth PriPara, or will you just make a bigger mess? ]

[ ✨ Idol Challenge #2: "Snap your first Friend Ticket with someone!" ]



[ An equally simple-sounding challenge: make a new friend, then symbolize that friendship by trading PriTicket stubs. But a system error has prinfected the Prieamwidth PriPara, and anyone trying to befriend somebody else will end up saying the opposite of what they mean! "Your dress is so cute" turns into "Oh my Goddess, you're wearing that?", "What lovely weather" into "I wish it would rain...."

On the bright side, any friendship that can surmount an obstacle this high is bound to last. Do your best! ]

[ ✨ Idol Challenge #3: "Take your first lesson!" ]



[ This is as much of a challenge for everyone's managers as it is the idols themselves. Within PriPara TV are a number of lesson rooms, equipped with balance beams, sound systems, and a mysterious octopus-shaped device that can be used to practice handshakes (the tentacles move around at varying speeds, and the idol has to shake them, rapid-fire). Scattered papers indicate that the balance beams can be used to practice poise by walking atop it with a Go board balanced on one's head. The octopus also has a lever on the side that can control its tentacle speed.

With your manager providing instruction, and perhaps a new acquaintance by your side, see if you can't practice a thing or two. There's even a handy video that you can watch to learn a specific dance.

Just be aware....it's been a while since these rooms were used. So the lights flicker, and the sound system crackles. Mysterious silhouettes flash across the TV screen while watching the video, too. Those who frighten easily might have a hard time focusing.... ]

[ ✨ A Genius's Five Seconds And The Common Man's Five Seconds Are Different (NPriC Printeraction) ]



[ While all of this is going on, Meganii is hurrying about on roller skates with a flashing siren atop his head. He is flanked by a panda on either side of him, and if an idol appears to be in trouble, up he shall skate, making his own siren noises. ]

Whee-woo, whee-woo, whee-woo! Troubled idol, how may I serve you? I'll give you the special 100-Wink Service!

[ He then....proceeds to wink. And wink. And wink. If you don't interrupt him with your question, or your problem, he will just keep going.



On the completely opposite side of the engagement spectrum, a single patch of cropped foliage has been cleared on a balcony on the PriPara TV building, overlooking PriPara Town (how is unclear, but the butler in a goat suit off to one side is...still chewing). Upon this balcony, a table with an umbrella has been erected, and Hibiki enjoys a tranquil cup of tea. Her eyes are on a laptop in front of her, where she's watching everyone work from various camera angles. ]

So this is the limit of the newly-hatched idols....Well, there's no need to rush. Prolonging their desire for my participation is best.

[ And she sips her tea, stubbornly refusing to do a bleating thing. How lofty she is. How above everybody else. Literally and figuratively.

Surely, nothing could disturb her elegant repast! ]

[[ ✨ oopri: Pricause the Prieamwidth PriPara's prilationship to time is....compricated...all threads done in the test prive may count as game canon if you so choose! Conprider this not only your printroduction to what the game will be like, but your character's printroduction to the settpring, as well. Best of luck with the Idol Challenges! ]]

Comments

[velvetinmate]

Odd's a good word for it. I'm just grateful it's a benign sort of odd instead of like... actively dangerous or anything.

[A pause.]

... As far as I can tell so far, at least. [Back to cleaning off this table.] It certainly won't be boring, I imagine. I've never considered myself idol material, to tell you the truth... Celebrity life just seems inconvenient.

[royalroseofearth]

[That made Mamoru gives Akira a curious look. Has this teenager dealt with dangerously odd situations before himself? The events surrounding the Dead Moon Circus is still fresh in his own mind, which is why he's doing his best to remain courteous and helpful...but not overly friendly.]

Small blessings there, I suppose. I'd hate to have to deal with any true threats at this point.

[Even if Mamoru feels confident enough to handle most things that could come their way...he thinks. Still, his tone turns sympathetic, even as he finishes cleaning one chair.]

It does seem like living in a gilded cage, doesn't it? Everyone thinks that it's grand to be rich and famous, but there's all kinds of rules and customs one has to follow as an idol.

[velvetinmate]

[Frankly, Akira has no idea if his Metaverse abilities work in a place like this, and he's not sure he wants to find out. He can, at the very least, still feel his Personas, still hear them, so that's... a relief, of some sort.]

I'm certainly not helpless, but... Mmn, I suppose that's something to worry about if or when it comes up. I'm pretty good at thinking on my feet, at least.

[He nods to the next part as he grabs a sponge to start cleaning the table, now that it's been cleared off.]

It doesn't seem worth it, if you ask me. What good's fame when the public can turn on you at the drop of a hat? [He's seen how the public turned on Akechi. He doesn't like it.] And living under a microscope? No thank you.

[royalroseofearth]

Imagine living as a royal figure, then, or head of state. If you're lucky, the latter isn't permanent.

[Speaking from experience? Perish the thought... Still, it does make Mamoru smile to see this young man having enough self-awareness to see things for what they actually are...at least, so far.]

Thinking on one's feet... It's not a bad skill to have, even in daily life.

[He finishes the chair before he 'gasps' in 'realization'.]

Ah, where are my manners... I'm Endymion.

[...well, if this place is going to make him dress up like his future self, he might as well start using his royal name. It's truthful enough to serve as a good cover, in this instance.]