astralfortune

[astralfortune]

In case you're wondering why I'm taking so long to put out the next update

[astralfortune]

Side Story: Warm and Cold

This thing has been running around in my head and I wanted to write it down before it gets away from me. Here's how E and X started their tradition of weekly lunches, starring Elaine and Xanthe.

Minor spoilers below!

The teenager crossed her arms and huffed as the rest of her classmates scattered into different groups to continue practicing. It’s already been half a year since she became a trainee and the rumors about her have yet to die off. She can kind of get where these kids are coming from- even though they’re all working together, the competition to debut is fierce. Everyone is both an ally and rival. But that doesn’t mean they can just ostracize Elaine because of baseless assumptions!

She’s heard the rumors. It’s not that different from the ones she’s heard back home. People think Elaine is full of themselves and entitled. All because she looks nice and comes from a well off family. Yes, she’s aware of her physical appearance and social class, but that doesn’t matter much to her. She wants to be acknowledged for her own skills and what kind of person she is. Elaine had hoped that she could start fresh here, but with the way everyone is deliberately ignoring her…

Elaine heaves another sigh and leans against the wall, sliding their back down to sit on the floor. If she stays in the back and looks small maybe the instructor wouldn’t notice her. Elaine rests her head between her legs and closes her eyes. It isn’t long before she hears the sounds of someone’s boots approaching them. Elaine lifts her head to see another girl around their age with short black hair looking down at her with a blank face.

“Do you have a partner?” The girl asks with a tilt of her head. “We’re supposed to be practicing with at least one other person.”

Oh, now Elaine recognizes the girl. She’s the newest trainee that was scouted a month ago. Xanthe was her name? Apparently no one’s been able to crack her poker face yet. Elaine stands up to properly address Xanthe but still chooses to lean back against the wall. “Well, as you can see, I’m not exactly a popular choice around here.” She says with a wry grin.

Xanthe sweeps her gaze across the studio, now noticing how the rest of the students have their heads turned away from the pair. “Hm. Then practice with me. I don’t really care about what others think.” Xanthe reaches a hand out to Elaine, looking at her with earnest eyes.

Elaine looks down at the hand and back up at Xanthe. Hesitantly, they take it. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” For the first time in months, her face breaks into a genuine smile.

---

“Xanthe!”

“Hey Xanthe, let’s have lunch together!”

“Xanthe, help me with the choreography! I saw you nail it last week.’

“Xanthe, come try this new recipe I found online! We can eat it in my room!”

Xanthe isn’t sure how Elaine became so attached to her. All she did was offer to practice together. Now, the blonde is seeking her out almost every day and taking her out to eat at least once a week. Xanthe barely even talks during their time together, she’s not exactly a vocal person in general but Elaine has a way of taking over the conversation completely. Not that Xanthe minds, she’s always preferred being a listener. 

She likes the energy Elaine brings with her, it’s refreshing to see how full of life a person can be. Xanthe is used to stark professionalism and formalities. Elaine is the color she never knew she needed in her life.

Every day with Elaine is filled with excitement and laughter but lately, it seems like there’s something in Elaine’s mind that keeps her from bringing out the same enthusiasm she usually has. Should Xanthe say something? She’s never actually had a proper friend before, would asking make her seem too pushy?

These thoughts continue running through her mind as she looks at the menu in front of her. Elaine asked her out for lunch at a new cafe she found but the conversation between them has been stilted and lacking the usual energy. The two order and the awkward atmosphere only grows as they wait. Maybe Xanthe should bring it up, maybe she did something wrong and she should apologize. 

“I heard the agency is sending some of the trainees to a survival show.” Elaine starts. “Think we’ll get picked?”

“Maybe.” Xanthe says, ending the conversation. The food arrives without much fanfare but before either of them can eat, Xanthe finally brings up the elephant in the room. “Are you mad at me, Elaine?”

The blonde almost drops their fork in surprise, whipping her gaze up to Xanthe with a shocked expression. “What?! No! No, I’m not mad at you at all. Why would you think that?”

Xanthe shrugs. “You just seem… different lately.” She says. “Like there’s something bothering you. I just thought I might’ve done something to upset you.”

“No, no. You didn’t do anything.” Elaine stabs her cake in frustration. “It’s all me. I don’t know- I just feel- low energy? You’ve told me before that you like my energy but it’s just been hard to keep it up. A-And if I don’t keep being that way, you might leave me. I know it’s stupid, but the thought of you starting to dislike me…” Elaine sighs.

“Elaine…”

“You’re my first real friend, Xanthe. I don’t want to lose you.” Elaine’s eyes start to become watery, she takes a bite of her cake to keep herself from completely breaking down.

Xanthe’s face softens at her friend’s confession. “Elaine, it’s not stupid. You should have told me sooner that you were getting worn out. There’s nothing wrong with that.” She reaches out to gently stroke the blonde’s hair. “I like you for you, it doesn’t matter to me if you’re feeling lively or not. Being in your presence is enough.”

Hearing those words soothe an ache in Elaine’s heart. Tears freely flow down her flushed cheeks as Xanthe continues gently stroking her head. “Thank you, Xanthe. You don’t know how much that means to me.” She manages to blubber out.

“That’s what friends are for.”

---

“We should do this again.” Xanthe says suddenly while the pair walk back to the agency.

“What do you mean? We always go out for lunch.” Elaine sips at her bubble tea, looking at her best friend with a confused expression.

Xanthe shakes her head. “I mean, we should take a day to recharge. A day where you don’t have to take the lead.”

Elaine pauses, then smiles, taking Xanthe's hand into her own. “Oh… yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.”

[astralfortune]

What would the ro’s do if mc went up and bit there shoulder playfully?

T/H -

X -

E -

O -

[astralfortune]

The personality variations... they're killing me....

Who's the fool who decided to make four different types for home and work?

Oh yeah. Me.

[astralfortune]

Scenario: It's the first night/day of the team staying at MC's place. MC wakes up completely forgetting that anyone else is there, and walks into the kitchen to make breakfast completely naked because that's how they sleep. How does everyone react when they get up (or are they already up)? Let's say the MC woke up fairly early, say around 5 am.

Let's say this is around when they first start dating...

T/H - T/H also wakes up pretty early but they'll also forget where they are so they'll stumble into the kitchen to make the usual coffee. I'd imagine you and them will kind of just work around each other without really realizing what's going on. T/H will finally figure out where they are after a while and just kind of freeze on the spot when they see you. They'll stare for a long time before apologizing profusely and then escaping to the living room, telling you to put on some clothes.

X - The heaviest sleeper. X probably won't even be awake to see the you naked but on the off chance they do actually wake up... when they register the your lack of clothing, their brain just sort of shuts off. They're not entirely sure how to react, so they choose to leave the situation with a quiet apology. Sits on the couch staring blankly at the wall until you put on some clothes.

E - Also a late riser and probably the only one who takes the whole thing in stride. When the walk into the kitchen and see you, they take in your figure before giving you a nod and thumbs up in appreciation. They'll ask if it's okay for them to sit and watch as you continue making breakfast.

O - They wake up around the same time as you with the intention of surprising you with breakfast. Instead O is greeted with the sight of you making breakfast. They'll avert their eyes and clear their throat to get your attention. If you put on some clothes, the two of you can make breakfast together. If not, well.. don't say they didn't warn you.

[astralfortune]

Fun Fact #14

The only time O has gotten in trouble during their time as a trainee was when they ditched their lessons to attend their younger sister's middle school graduation.

[astralfortune]

If there is one thing I've learned about idols, it's that sometimes they all share just one brain cell no matter how big the group. Fortune is no different.

[astralfortune]

Does O have a crush on mc?

Nope. No one has a crush on the manager at this point in the story. For the most part, Fortune sees the manager as a colleague they want to get to know better for the benefit of their working relationship.

[astralfortune]

Anyone watch Her Private Life on netflix?

The manager could be like Duk-mi.

[astralfortune]

What is RO's reaction when they hear some random guy spreading shitty rumors about MC?

T/H - An insult to the manager is an insult to all of Fortune in their eyes. They go through the proper channels to report the one who started the rumors. Spends the rest of the time reassuring and comforting the manager.

X - Glares at anyone who even dares to talk about the rumors within their earshot. They didn't spend all this time looking up to the manager just to have their good name tarnished. The rumors quiet down after a while because no one wants to know what X is like when they're actually angry.

E - E's willing to straight up throw hands with the guy. They can't stand people who make assumptions about others without really getting to know them. Argues with anyone who tries to insist the rumors are true.

O - O goes and spreads positive rumors about the manager. They won't stoop to the same level, but they'll play along with the guy's stupid game. The positive rumors become a more popular topic as more people fall for O's charms.

[astralfortune]

Dunno if anyone has sent you this before but I stumbled upon this in the demo and though it would be worth sharing!

I really just found out about this interactive fiction and I have to say, just this small fraction of the work already got me very interested in what is to come!

Thank you so much! Every time I see a bug or grammar issue, I cringe 🫠

I have a free day next week, so hopefully, I'll be able to get some real work done. My goal is to have another update out by the end of this year or early next year but I think I'll have to make it a smaller one than I originally planned. I don't want to keep everyone waiting for too long especially since the demo's still feeling a little too short for me.

[astralfortune]

How would the RO react to MC saving the show (because one of the members lost their voice mid performance) so they come to the stage dressed up in a Mascot idol costume and pick up the vocals right where it left off which makes the crowd go wild since

MC before being their Manager they were an extremely famous online Mascot Idol that never revealed their identity but people in the crowd recognised their beautiful voice and the costume being the same.

This Is the kinda Mascot costume I'm talking about

Usahanaaaaa~~

There would be a brief moment of shock from the group before they get back into formation. They'd notice how the crowd's energy rising and they'd try to match it in response, making it one of their most successful shows since debuting. T/H tries to play off the whole mishap by claiming it was a surprise collaboration. They're all pretty shocked when the show's over and you finally take off the mask.

You would probably get grilled by the whole group once you reveal your past. Whatever reason you have for not continuing, they would respect. In fact, they're all pretty happy that you have tons of experience with the idol world to share with them. E would have been the first to realize what was going on since they would be a fan and would definitely ask for an autograph. X would have a bit of a hard time connects the two different sides together but they think it's charming in the end. O also asks for an autograph because their siblings are also massive fans.

[astralfortune]

Dear author how fortune would react if they found all of them fell for the manager?

Love triangle or rivalries won't appear in the story but I don't mind answering hypotheticals!

There'd be a silent concensus between everyone that's it every member for themselves. T/H will try and pull the manager away during practices and schedules to steal a moment, X may go and insert themselves into the manager's life more, showing off how well the understand the manager more than the others. E's the only one daring enough to take the manager out on dates and O subtly sways the competition by becoming a person the manager relies on.

In the end, it doesn't matter who the manager ends up with, Fortune values their friendship with each other more. There won't be any hard feelings between anyone. The one who wins will also end up with three new wingmen/women.

[astralfortune]

The T/H and X triangle love ask is so goooooodddd

Thank you!!!

[astralfortune]

We can change the mood if you prefer ! How about homemade gift (for birthday or Christmas)

Imagine the MC offer them a home made gift (drawing/woodcraft/pottery/etc). The gift is pretty good but MC is a bit affraid of their reaction because for example of their rising success and they are unsure of their skill.

Haha, I actually don't mind them at all! Just thought it was little amusing.

They'd all appreciate the gift, regardless of how it looks. They recognize the effort the manager's put into the gift and that's what really matters to them. All of them would reassure the manager that they don't expect perfection from them, just because they're idols it doesn't mean they're suddenly high class people. T/H and O would treasure a more humble gift since it will remind them of home while E and X would try and make something of equal value to give back.

[astralfortune]

Following the cooking ask, if a terrible cooking MC took secret lessons and then invited the group to eat at their home to show what they learn.

Will, some RO propose/impose to help them cook because they don't know that at least now it's eatable.

Is everyone is a cooking mood lately? I feel like we've gone through a whole saga already lol

T/H - Look, if they help out, they'll probably make things worse. So they'll patiently wait and watch, mentally preparing for disaster. Pleasantly surprised and very proud when the end result actually tastes good. Asks if they can come along for your next lesson when you reveal the truth.

X - X is pretty sure their stomach can handle anything at this point. They don't bother to ask if you need help, they're more than ready to bear another attempt. Cries a little on the inside when the dish turns out edible. Suddenly X is asking for you to cook for them more often.

E - They don't trust you one bit. They insist on helping (read: taking over) and won't take no for an answer. They'll back off a little once they see you're showing some skill. When the food comes out and it tastes good, they'll praise you. Then calls you a cheater when they find out you've been taking lessons from someone else and not them.

O - They'll offer to help, but if you say no, that's fine. O watches you like a hawk, ready to step in if things go awry. When the dish comes out and it is actually edible, they'll apologize for doubting you and asks for seconds.

[astralfortune]

Hey!

Recently discovered this IF, I really like the dynamic between the different members of the group.

I play a shy MC at work but a bit alof at home.

Wish you a good day!

Take you so much to sharing your story with us.

A French Anon

Awww thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful day as well <3