bills, bills, bills...

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Sender: Meilin "Mei" Lee
To: All
Subject: $$$ For Warm Fuzzies

So, sending out a quick question to all my homies and newbies.

How much would you pay to hug a gigantic red panda? Use whatever currency you feel comfortable with, just tell me if it's high or low.

I may have a business opportunity in the works.

Comments

[adorabrawler]

Depends on how soft it is.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

More soft than a bedroom full of stuffed animals.

More soft than a warehouse full of downy pillows.

[adorabrawler]

Oh, tempting. But there’s no real currency here, right? What exactly are you looking for in return?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

I'm sure we can figure something out! I'm mostly just trying to figure out how much people would give to touch the fluff.

Because maybe, just maybe, I could try this at home and make a killing!

[adorabrawler]

Back home?
It probably doesn't matter here, but aren't they usually illegal to keep as pets?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

I'll cut to the chase, since everyone else already knows.

I can turn into a giant red panda.

[adorabrawler]

[ holy crap ]

No way. Just a red panda?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Not JUST a red panda. A super big, super strong one!

[adorabrawler]

Whoa. That's such an oddly specific superpower.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

I know, right?

I mean, there is some "logic" to it, in a weird way. My ancestor's favorite animal was the red panda, and she asked the gods for a way to protect her village, so they thought the best idea was to give her the ability to do... that.

[adorabrawler]

Those gods have a weird idea of what kind of animals are the protective type.
But I guess that's okay. If you can be strong and cute, I'd consider that a win.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Yeah, the problem is that the ancestors apparently decided all her descendants should have that power too. Even though we don't live in villages anymore and don't need to protect anyone.

[adorabrawler]

Is it a problem?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

It is when

1) no one tells you about the "blessing" until you accidentally turn into the panda

2) because of this you barely have any control over it

[adorabrawler]

And let me guess, it's not something that's normal to see.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Bingo. Hidden family secret, totally normal world, it was kind of a disaster back home.

[adorabrawler]

But it worked out, right? You seem pretty confident about it now.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Well, here, sure! But not back home. I nearly destroyed my home and my family's temple, not to mention making people freak out at school.

[adorabrawler]

But they'll be okay with it once you're offering them hugs?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Sure!

Probably.

Maybe.

Okay look this plan is a work in progress.

[adorabrawler]

I guess they don't have to know it's some magic of the gods thing. You could be a mascot character.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Now that I can work with! I've done mascot work before, but with a cardboard costume!