Another week passed since I had that conversation with Casper about livestreaming. Another Friday.
I did consider live broadcasting all the way back then when I was in a desperate need for money. It was a good way to grow exposure, as the streaming industry was growing at a rapid pace. Looking back at the past, I did not expect it to be our only option now.
But Casper's analysis was correct, I had to admit. Lumi's personality was not suited for music, variety, and TV shows, if she was afraid of people. Plus, we were unsure how well she would do in front of the stage, spontaneous questions, and all the cameras. I was whole-hearted in believing she could do anything. But I knew she would have to learn and go through the ropes of being an entertainer first.
Amidst all the reluctance, I still sent her off to the company building every day this past week.
Lumi had told me she had done nothing but sing which sounded great. Yet she sang song after song without receiving any feedback. Daniella, Clara, Casper. Plus, another instructor whom I was never introduced to. They had all sat recording booth, jotting down notes, mumbling to each other.
I knew it was some comprehensive analysis of Lumi's voice and potential, but they had not let me take part in any of it. It had dismayed me the first day it happened, sure, but I had let it go and let it happen. Lumi's joy during that first day was infectious, even through the glass of the recording booth. I had not heard any of her singing, but I knew she was happy doing so. She had placed her hands atop the headphones that covered her ears with her eyes shut. In the occasion, she would nod and turn her head to the beat as her little lips pursed open to sing.
The content but peaceful sight of her told me she would be alright and eased my heart. Thus, instead of bothering her (and them) this past week, I had interested myself with other things.
Lumi performed at the tri-college community park last Friday. What did that mean? It meant that I had yet to use Meteor's wish. The duration between the last wish between the special honey and the black card was one week long. It was not about the sincerity or desperation of the wish. A cooldown duration was more reasonable. I was confident the next one would be the same.
So, this Monday, when I agreed to Lumi starting a live-stream, I immediately prepared to make a wish.
She would be on screen. Though I was careful and meticulous in feeding her, she still looked small and frail. I did not want her audience to see her unhealthy and malnourished appearance. This was different from the MeTube videos, whom the students shot from afar. They could not discern her. The livestream audience would get a close-up shot of her all the time. They would be able to see her sunken eyelids, her thin, weak hair, her pale and dry skin. If they were to point that point and alert Lumi and trigger Lumi, I would never live that down.
I had let Lumi stay with Daniella that Monday night, whilst I had preparations. Ever since Meteor accepted my credit card in return for the black card, I realized something. He was not accepting sacrificial offerings, but instead, more of a reciprocal offer. He would upgrade the items I presented in relation to the wish.
For this week's wish, I had prepared loads and loads of vitamins and supplements. All the multivitamin varieties. Fish oil. Calcium citrate. Colostrum. Iron. Magnesium. Protein powder. Collagen. Anything and everything over the counter at the local drugstore.
"Oh wandering spirit, please hear my please," I had told Meteor, per usual. I made a little ring around the teddy bear with the new cartoon bear blanket and pillows I bought.
"A healthy body is quintessential for a happy life. But nutritional deficiency has wrecked Lumi's body. She is frailer than little kitten and thinner than a stick. She is in her most important growing years. Please, please grant me something that can help her development. I will not neglect my daughter no more. I wish for her to grow tall and beautiful and remain healthy forever. I will pay attention to her every meal and her habits every day. So, oh, wandering spirit, please accept these. My sincerest hope goes with these supplements. May Lumi be with you and may you be with Lumi."
I could not be any more confident, but I was still relieved when Meter's magical pouch zipped open. Stars and fine mist swirling around inside, the sight had remained as mesmerizing as ever. I shook my head, snapping myself out of my trance. With gentle, deliberate movements, I dropped each supplement and vitamin bottle inside.
When done, I had passed my arm inside. Again, something cold had brushed past my hands. I flinched only for a moment, knowing it was what I wished for. This time, it was not some supernatural happenings that unfurled my open; I was conscious in doing so. I had pulled out my arm along with a purple glass vial in hand, more potion like.
"A panacea," I had murmured, holding it up in the air. I read the blurb on the taped label to find out if I was right.
[A gene optimizing serum from a biologically advanced civilization. It also contains blessings from the Goddess of Healing and Beauty. Shall promote optimal human development to the genetic limit and perfect the consumer's appearance. A healthy lifestyle will manifest results faster.]
It was beyond perfect. It was the reason why I indulged myself with nothing but exercise this past week. I dropped Lumi off for her singing shenanigans with Little Starlight. Then I would run off to the gym without a moment's rest.
Our special telepathy and shared senses meant that my transformation would impact Lumi's. While she was singing her part of our superstar dream, I was doing mine. Ordinary celebrities did not only have good skills; they were attractive looking as well. I wanted Lumi to be a superstar without only out-of-this-world singing skills. She will have universally stunning looks, too.