Idol Lunas

Idol Lunas is a character played by AnticrosslandDraws.

In order of employment, Idol works at F.S. Holdings, UwU, Burger Shot, Mojito Inn, Artist Studio, intern at Mandem Records, and Tequi-la-la. Born January 8th, 1994, Idol does not easily mention her upbringing and may comment that she does not have parents/family if the topic arises in conversation. But, she will say she comes from a place that mirrors Los Santos almost exactly, so she's familiar with her surroundings despite her difficulty navigating the city. She's passionate about music and art, has little patience or energy for conflict or hostility, and is content to just exist in Los Santos after leaving her "home" city to distance herself from an unpleasant past and ridiculous breakup.

{More info soon.}

Backstory
Idol is someone who's struggled with confidence and public speaking since childhood, in part due to anxiety born of being legitimately "bullied" by her mother.

As a kid, Idol was bright, cheerful, and did her best in school where the only subject she couldn't advance well in was math. She's had her share of bullies at school, as well, through the years. If she could claim there were no lasting effects, she would. But, instead, she doubts every single move she makes due to said bullying endured at home. Smiling? Doubt doing it; it could upset someone who isn't even mad at her, but she becomes the target to take it out on.

Similar to being seen, enjoying food, laughing, sketching whether frustrated or merry; any move could be to her detriment, and reacting in any direction on the spectrum could make it worse. This mindset persisted through high school, which paired well with the prevalent loneliness and walking back and forth over train tracks to get to different campuses for varying classes. Time alone gave her time to think, something she couldn't help but do at mach speed. Hiding actions and reactions only helped so much. Suppressing feelings, as well as chiding herself for not doing it well enough in a particularly volatile situation, was wearing the dear girl out.

Her outward warmth and friendliness, conveniently used to mask the chaos in her mind, is her "default setting," as it were. It's easier to make friends if you're not only nice, but understanding. Idol's aware of how she is inside, to try and put herself in someone else's shoes to consider everything that may be stressing them, so she can openly relate to them and let them know they're not alone. All of this, and she felt very much alone, herself. How uncomfortably chilling it was to feel by oneself in a world so cluttered.

She graduated with nothing to look forward to and no hope, her life was useless and void of meaning. And then her parents divorced, and it was the funniest thing she'd ever witnessed, as it proved that sometimes good things did happen, and that loss wasn't always a bad thing. Neither parent was the good one, so watching a narcissist and a martyr-complex [redacted] part ways anything but amicably was incredibly amusing. At 19, and still unable to support herself, she just ditched one bad parent for the other until she earned enough doing odd jobs to become someone's roommate. It was the right option, as she was only able to be emotionally supportive to others, and the parent she ran to was emotionally unavailable. It gave her time to admit some things to herself and take on a larger, voodoo-related ritual in order to attempt to seize control of her fate for once.

Idol didn't have to focus on anything but art, work, and partying in her 20s. And that's exactly what she did until late August in the year she turned 28. She'd gotten cozy with a boyfriend in his place, he was a muscle model for social media, but she liked him because they both liked anime and share music tastes. But, no surprise to her, this man was an idiot where it counted. As lovers may, they were sharing intimate details with one another and having a good time. Idol told this man, Gabriel Osorio, that certain songs were so good that they "excited" her. She watched him severely blow it out of proportion for a week-- calling it cheating that she felt that way-- before he went out and actually cheated on her with the friend Idol was told not to worry about.

If she ever saw him as husband-material at any point, she would've been devastated. But, since she was more aware of the incompatibilities between the two of them, she knew this relationship was on borrowed time. Hell, Idol could've just been using him to get away from her mother in the first place, and now she was comfortable enough financially to dump him on the spot when he told her trying to proclaim they were "--even now, so we don't have to fight anymore."

Relationship drama aside, she found both the torrent of emotions and lack of them at any given time to be great inspiration for her art. Statement pieces, outcries, general expression, comics to put words to it-- she'd draw it all. It made her proud of herself, being productive, and prouder still if she ever got positive feedback. It wasn't often, but when it happened, Idol was reassured that she could trust her emotions, even just for this. Sure, maybe she wasn't ever satisfied with her skill, but that fact that expressing herself finally felt justified in her heart was a step forward.

Osorio was a broken man after, though, because Idol was attentive to his mental health and encouraged him to care for himself better, even drove him to therapy multiple times when he was afraid. His support was gone, but for her own sake, Idol couldn't let him hold her back after taking actual care for granted. Last Idol heard, he quit modeling to do adult cinema in Miami as penance for violating the sanctity of real love. He wasn't so eloquent in the multiple texts he sent Idol since she left, but she understood what he meant.

The only person in Idol's life who knows any valuable detail is another girl she met when they were 5 years old: Evanescence Dahmer. Thick as thieves until some distance grew between them in high school as Idol and Evie went through their respective phases, but were reconnecting long before Osorio was in Idol's life, and remain like sisters now after. Evie was the only person Idol told about leaving the city for Los Santos, and the older sister figure promised she'd join her one day after her own affairs were settled. So, Idol took on the task of establishing a nice place for herself and the woman she calls "Sis."

Idol wanted an art career, animation, exhibits, auctions, and for celebrities to love having their portraits done by her, and would be on a journey to figure out exactly how to do any of that. From what she's learned through the years, making connections can get aspiring artists adjacent to the industry-- make them visible at the very least. Not everyone has a star quality where they immediately grow a dedicated fanbase, and Idol figured her standard friendliness and realistic positivity doesn't exactly do the job. She can make connections just fine, it's the following she can't figure out; it's a wonder she'd even want to pursue dreams like this, when social anxiety usually kept her roaming around by herself, she lacked confidence, and was frequently prone to burnout.

Voodoo at 19
Idol, who doesn't bother with academic studying in any sense and never has, does do extensive research on her own time. This is what led her to voodoo in the first place, being mindful of any differences in the practice between Haitian and Louisiana cultures. It's intents and origins did have overlap with her own ethnically and in regard to her worldview, as well as her opinions of herself. She wouldn't call herself a pacifist-- despite never wanting to hurt anyone-- but she did heave a sigh of relief learns that certain voodoo rituals didn't require shedding blood whether it was hers or someone/something else's.

Primary research occurred during the summer until August when she finally put it into action, every day at the same time, until around September 15th. "Around" is used as, after completing the ritual and being relieved of her soul as she asked, Idol lost memory of doing any of this for a few years. Along with that, and knowledge of the Loa she contacted and contracted with was also lost to her.

Upon arriving in Los Santos years later, she did locate the actual, hand-written contract, but even there the identity of the Loa has been redacted.

Information she seemed to recall after remembering the ritual and re-reading the contract give her few clues as to the Loa or the current nature of herself, but the scent of lavender that lingered on her and all she touched was related to how she now bled black as well as red, and whatever the black substance was healed any wound. What's more, she'd later find that other individuals ingesting her hair (broken-off pieces) could benefit from that same black goo healing.

As of April, 2023, she'd been honing in on her abilities and willed a pocket dimension into existence, in the space where her soul used to be. It takes the form of a pastel, beach landscape attached to a rich, sweetly-scented forest. Though shrouded in night, it's illuminated by the moon, and the palace the sits where grass and sand meet seems to glow an array of colors the more Idol solidifies it. Thomas Normady's soul was taken from his corpse in cold storage and currently, happily resides in this palace, in a recreation of LSPI from his memories.

As of mid-June, 2023, Idol took a 4 day leave to travel dimensional planes to attend a conference of sorts, as Loa in Voodoo practice took form and wanted to express their curiosity for her existence. Fearful, reluctant, she attended the conference to ask and answer any questions. It was surprisingly enjoyable, abundant in libations, weed, and Loa in line with Papa Legba actually offered comfort and good advice. She learned she was one of them.

She is now in possession of Bringle Dingus's soul; it was voluntarily given, it is not constantly protected.

Notable Life in the City
[More coming....]
 * Idol spent her first week in the city, late September, skulking around alleyways, trying to just get used to being on her own for the first time in a new city. Both TicTac one day, and Fatoni Sarduchi another, displayed kindness by showing her around. She knew she'd forget any information the shared, shortly after, and would have to learn on her own to a certain degree anyway, but their help was appreciated. It had her thinking she could eventually become comfortable enough to find her place in the city.
 * Eventually, she ran across another individual in a similar situation, just trying to gain his footing. He made the mistake of badgering Idol with his unwanted advances for 6 hours and accidentally ocean dumping her at the end of a scuffed Dodo run. It was the first time Idol voluntarily punched someone, outside of Viceroy and in front of Storm Peyton. After this, Idol was in active trauma response mode, and remained in her apartment until around 2 days before Halloween.
 * On that night, two days before Halloween, she encountered (at the time) Ryder Vert. Handcuffed, in a wheelchair, and dressed like Babis. With her sad eyes tired, turning her vision to pudding and a headache, she carted the plucky Australian to UwU and called to get him uncuffed. Very then proceeded to get her a job there, possibly as a show of gratitude. Idol was thankful to be treated nicely, and to earn money to keep renting her mopeds to get around.
 * The aforementioned individual who couldn't take Idol's bold "No"s for an answer called her while she was at work once, a text to TicTac about it resolved the situation for good.
 * Her November was a steady grind to make money, make friends, and remember where locations were. She met Garry Roche, eventually Damien Tinkerman, and others she'd be on friendly terms after time at the arcade and loitering together around the beach. She'd frequent Mojito Inn in Paleto and got on good terms with Max Rockatansky. But-- [Redacted]-- she'd regain consciousness on Vespucci Beach, being resuscitated by EMS after being ocean dumped. She'd spend another week and a half indoors, at Babis's home, recovering from that. Idol gave Garry a rose to try and cheer him up after hearing his home in Paleto burned down and, some time later, he hired her at Burger Shot.
 * Recovering from the trauma of what could only be an intentional ocean dumping felt lonely, though she was employed at Mojito Inn by Niall O'Brien, who mistook her as someone who worked there already; making it a reality was the only logical next step. So, she could feel comfortable in Paleto, getting to know whoever else worked there or customers who'd come in.
 * With water frozen over, Idol was "skating" on a moped on the ice in Mirror Park, told Babis, and was later taken out to do the same with his Lamborghini on a much larger body of water. Unfortunately, finding the only unfrozen part of the lake, she dunks his car and tries to distance herself to get over the guilt. Babis pursuing her despite her wishes to be left alone sparks an argument.
 * On New Year's Eve, after being unable to get in contact with any friends to shake any loneliness, she goes to the Lighthouse. Considering both Storm Peyton and Bringle Dingus warned her against getting close, she stayed to the eastern cliffside and just admired the nautical structure. She considered it ringing in the new year with Norman Bones, and would send flowers and a thank you note the following days, to show courtesy as she assumed the whole area was his property. She'd also send another letter requesting he have a celebratory drink on the 8th of January. Her birthday.
 * She meets Thomas Normady about a week after her birthday. They're involved rather quickly.
 * One of her friends with benefits, Jameson Caine, doesn't much like Thomas. Another, Giovanni Palermo, does like him.
 * At some point, from the same cliffside, Idol sees Norman Bones for the first time and has a panic attack. She may've been unnoticed and is never able to confirm.
 * Some time afterwards, Babis goes to her apartment drunk. Once he's rejected-- because they were never in a relationship, nor is he owed "intimacy", and is intoxicated--, he implies that Idol must be sleeping with Norman Bones instead.
 * Applying to be a doctor in December and being hired in February.
 * Being lured to MDMR under the guise of a friend visiting to record a jokey rap verse, but it turned into her a capella audition in front of Bris Bane and MC Fixer. Internship acquired, but the confidence to perform needed work.
 * Learning to swim. Water phobia was developing after the November incident.
 * Meeting Maxwell Goethe, and making the first move.
 * Sharing difficult pasts.
 * Thomas Normady's death, weeks of mourning him, and Maxwell helping her acquire his soul from cold storage minutes before proposing, She says yes.
 * Maxwell introducing her to Balto in prison visitation, as well as other members of Neon Tigers.
 * Promising to vote for Lang Buddha in a previous Mayoral election if someone was removed from his cabinet.
 * Months later, Bringle Dingus suggesting she would eventually join the Neon Tigers. Weeks later, when Maxwell is already a prospect, Balto and Sebastian suggest the same, before Bubba on a call says "We like you, would being a spouse prospect be something you'd like to do?" Idol, nervous but excited, says yes.
 * Idol reveals to Kieran Felix White that she possesses Thomas Normady's soul.
 * Hours later, she's prospected in at the same time Kieran Felix White is patched in during the same save-the-world scenario.
 * A date for her and Maxwell's wedding is set, August 30th.
 * Noticing her lavender scent lingers in places she spends frequent, prolonged time.
 * Made Secretary by High Command
 * Worked at the hospital for 7 hours during the Sanguine War, married two days later on August 30th, went on honeymoon, fired from hospital on the 9th, approached by serial killer targeting just her on the 10th, her fight to keep Bringle's soul intact brings him out of a coma on the 11th.

Relationships
Idol has complicated feelings towards being emotionally attached to people, but that had all the potential to change since arriving in Los Santos, and did. Considering [redacted]- and the relationship that ended and brought her to the island in the first place, she wasn't under the impression that anyone would genuinely care for her. But some names do stand out as people she can genuinely say are friends or someone she loves.

Friends


 * Gabby Brito
 * Marissa Manicure
 * Basically anyone in Mayhem MC
 * Lotte Breeze
 * Roberto Breeze
 * Sunny Moonstar
 * Sebastian Ableton
 * Malakai Black

Besties


 * Thomas Normady
 * Beatrice Merzhin
 * Brock Thompson
 * Bringle Dingus
 * Rein Synnefo
 * Patrik Orwelles
 * Theodora Thatcher
 * Beau Babcock

Loves


 * Maxwell Goethe - Began dating March 20th, but have been involved since she started at LSMG.

[More coming soon.]