✨ you only get one chance...

[liltuna]

THE FIRST IMPRESSION MEME   You only get once chance to put your best foot forward. Screw that up, and you'll be forever seared in someone's mind as the person who had spinach in their teeth, or worse! ✨HOW TO PLAY 1. Drop a top-level! 2. If you have previous CR with someone, you'll have to let them know what your first-impression of them was. If this is your first time meeting, you'll be compelled to share what kind of vibe they give off. It's okay to be honest! Are they gross? Do they seem approachable? Do you find them incredibly hot?  3. Find out if your first impression was correct! Maybe that strange loner actually has a heart of gold? You'll never know unless you talk to them!

Comments

[lotusdancer]

[ That figures! She did wear her heart on her sleeve..figuratively of course. ]

That's what I've always thought, but I feel like sometimes some of the people who come to our performances don't see me as just another person. I definitely wouldn't want to be put on a pedestal.

[ A pause, as she suddenly wonders if Heizou is actually the best example to use for people, with the amount of teasing and mischief he gets into. ... nah it's fiiiiiiiine. ]

[unquestionable]

I guess there are people like that everywhere. [ A sigh. ] I get what you mean, though. Sometimes when I get a case brought to me and don't solve it right away, I feel like it makes people angry. Like I'm supposed to be this omniscient figure instead of just another person doing his best. It's probably similar for you, right? They just expect you to know how to do all the moves and never make a mistake?

[ It's fine, because nobody is as good at teasing and mischief as him anyway. Well, except maybe that little beetle of Itto's named the Prince of Mischief. It's hard to beat royalty. ]

[lotusdancer]

Yes, that's it exactly! At the same time I don't want to let them down anymore than I would want to let down anyone else in the theatre..but it can be exhausting sometimes.

[ And so stressful. This is why she sometimes forgets to eat - she gets so caught up with practice and dancing she forgets to look after herself. One day Heizou will be even more mischievous than the bug Prince, Nilou believes in him!]

[unquestionable]

Honestly. [ He rolls his eyes, entirely unimpressed that she has to deal with similar nonsense. ] You're nicer than me. I can't help but feel like I just want to make them wait longer in situations like that. It's a shame those cases tend to be too important to mess with them like that...

[ It wouldn't really garner him any favor in being a renowned detective, either. Alas!

As mischievous as he intends to be, he'd also put that aside for Nilou's sake if it was necessary. Really, she's going to get a scolding the day he finds out she's not caring for herself enough! ]

[lotusdancer]

[ He must never know o_o NEVER. But Nilou laughs at that. ]

Well it wouldn't be fair to punish the entire audience because of one or two bad eggs..although maybe calling them 'bad' isnt fair to them either. They're just really enthusiastic and appreciative of the work we do, so it only makes sense that we would want to make sure our audience members walk away happy and satisfied with what they've seen.

[ Also don't snub your customers Heizou! Even if they deserve it. ]

Aren't they really happy and appreciative when you solve a case for them?

[unquestionable]

[ Tsk tsk. Quite bold of her to assume his intuition won't lead him to catch on!

He looks up and shakes his head in fond disbelief. ]

And nicer she gets. You are really too selfless for your own good, young lady, you know that? [ There's a dramatic, drawn out sigh then. ] But you are right, I suppose. A few bad apples can make the barrel rotten, but it is our duty to care for them all the same. [ By removing them and tossing them in the trash, he'd like to say! ]

Sometimes. Other times they'll just say stuff like, [ in a mocking imitation of the last clown that had something stupid to say to him: ] "well, took you long enough, didn't it!" It's terribly annoying.

[lotusdancer]

[ Uhoh, she's doomed o_o DOOOOOOOMED!

And, well, he can probably afford to be a little ruder to his clientele than she can too. ]

Ah... that's pretty ungrateful! [ She huffs a bit, how dare these people be rude to him. Why she had half a mind to give them a talking to. Just point her at 'em, Heizou! ]

But I'm sure most of your customers aren't like that..?

[unquestionable]

[ But isn't it okay if she's doomed now as long as her health won't be doomed later? It's worth it to be pestered by him for once~!

Considering they do still need him in the end, he's got a little more wiggle room to be a menace than poor Nilou does. ]

I know! [ Oh, he wants to hype her up so bad! How funny it would be to see her tell somebody off. ] And then when it's all said and done, the higher ups still don't give me a raise! How do they expect me to deal with all this with my wallet weighing so little?

[ His pay is fine. He's being a brat. ]

Most of them aren't. [ He repeats her words, nodding. ] A lot of them are pretty grateful, too. I shouldn't miss the forest for the trees, I guess.

[lotusdancer]

[ Hmmm. You win this round, Heizou. And every other round too most likely. ]

What? That's awful! You do so much for so many people! [ Heizou what are you doing, you troublemaker XD ]

Are you okay on food and rent and everything? I can ask some of my merchant friends if they have any extra supplies that I can send your way if you need it? [ A small sigh. ]

At least there are SOME people who appreciate everything you do for them!

[unquestionable]

[ He nods along ruefully. ] It is. What am I to do but feel sorry for myself? [ Causing trouble, what else?

But oops. She wasn't supposed to get that caught up in taking it seriously! ] Ah, no, no. [ Backtracking now would make him feel even more guilty, so he'll just try to deescalate instead of outright admitting he was playing around... ] It's not that severe, I promise. As kind as that is, Nilou, you don't need to worry about me getting along. Really!

[lotusdancer]

I really think they should do more for you for all the work you put in to show how much they appreciate you.

[ She'd give his boss SUCH a talking to! Fortunately his de-escalation is so smooth, Nilou relaxes again. ]

Oh alright, if you're sure... but you would tell me if you did need help right? And really, me sending you some things wouldn't be any trouble at all!

[unquestionable]

Ah, oh well. [ He shrugs with a sly little smile. ] As long as I've got your appreciation, I'll manage to persevere!

[ There's an audible sigh of relief that she didn't get too worked up. Even now, he thinks he'll have to be extra nice for a few days to alleviate how bad he feels for making her worry even a little. ]

I wouldn't lie to you, Nilou. I mean it. [ Heizou puts a hand to his heart to show his sincerity. ] If I do ever need anything, you'll be the first person I come to. So promise me you won't go secretly fussing about it, okay?

[lotusdancer]

[ She brightens at that, and quickly hugs him tightly. ]

I promise, as long as you keep your word too, Heizou. [ She lets go and lets out a relieved sigh. ]

I don't know why I worry so much, you can definitely take care of yourself after all!

[unquestionable]

[ The unexpected hug has his eyebrows shooting upward, but his good reflexes come in handy when he embraces her in return fast as he does. ] Oof! I will, I will. Would it make you feel better if we pinky promised too?

[ Heizou holds his little finger out to her once she steps back. ] That's an easy case to put to bed. It's because you're the nicest girl in Teyvat!

[lotusdancer]

[ She eyes him for a second, and puts her hands on her hips with a HUFF. ]

Pinky promise!? I'm not a child, Heizou! [ Footstomp! ... ... Always teasing her and the huffiness she gives him probably doesn't help. But she'd be lying if she said it wasn't tempting. .. ... .. ]

...But yes, we can pinky promise. [ ._. Pinky Promises are special okay?! Don't judge! ]

[unquestionable]

[ And for that, she gets a little boop on the nose. ]

But you're younger than me, right? So you're a kid! [ It doesn't help one bit! He thinks it's very cute. ]

Ah, just like I thought~ C'mere then! [ Heizou pivots his wrist slowly back and forth in encouragement for her to hold out her own finger. ]

[lotusdancer]

[ Ack! Now she is the one who is booped! And.. yeah okay since she's likely about 18..ish...maybe 17..? 19 or 20? (come on Mihoyo stop bein freaking vague, give us the sauce) he is a few years older than her. ]

Hmph. I don't call YOU old.. [ Cough. But she doesn't sulk for long, because she still adores Heizou even when he menaces her with that evil teasing! At the coaxing, she giggles and steps closer to pinky promise. ]

[unquestionable]

[ Being the one that's booped is simply her job. He cannot control this. (Just like he can't control that nobody knows his actual age either!) ]

Of course you don't. Because you're nice! [ The word gets drawn out in a way that makes it seem like he's intentionally talking to her how you would a small kid. The sly little look on his face gladly gives way to a genuine grin, though, once their fingers are twisted together. Heizou shakes their hands to seal the deal. ]

[lotusdancer]

[ OOOOO he's being such the bratty brother right now she could PINCH HIS CHEEKS! She.. can't even really be angry though the way he draws out that word and grins, she, in her 'indignation' sputters into laughter even as they seal their promise with the most serious of all seals! ]

Oh! What am I going to do with you?