[closed] Spread your wings bewitchingly, dancing like a butterfly

[priforprince]

Who: A MAGICIAN Hibiki, Venus, Wendy, Lux
When: July 2nd
Where: The Near Shore
What: Answering Prayer #27

[ The band waits outside the stairs down to the basement venue, crumpled fliers clenched in their nervous hands. One young man, a trumpet case hugged to his chest, squeezes his eyes shut.

Please, he begs anything listening, for what feels like the umpteenth time. Please, not again! Don't let the other acts suck so much all the talent scouts leave! Give us a chance to perform! We've only got the rest of this year together before we graduate!

"There he goes again," mumbles the bassist. "Dream on, man," says the percussionist, tapping his drumsticks against the brick wall. "It'd take nothing short of a miracle to make this competition--" ]

Your cries of lamentation - have been heard.

[ A shadow falls across the band. They turn, see a figure silhouetted against - where is that light coming from, anyway? - well, standing on the sidewalk with light blazing out behind it. A black cape is held in front of the figure's face, but a golden mask gleams above the darkness. Two other figures flank it on either side.

Tossing the cape back over its shoulder, the deep-voiced figure flicks an index card at the band. They grab it, gather around it. "CelePara...Talent...Agency...?" they read aloud. "Murasakikyoin Hibiki, CEO...?"

The figure makes a grumbling sound in the back of its throat, but clears it and continues. ]

I am a magician sent by the god Apollo. And I am here - [ The figure sweeps an outstretched hand towards the band. At the trumpet player, his hands still clasped. ] To spirit away your despair!!

[ The band stares as one, jaws slack. Then, without taking his eyes off the figure, the drummer reaches into his jeans pocket. He presses a button on his cell phone and lifts it to his ear.

"Hello?" he asks. "Police? We've got a weird guy at the talent contest on..." ]

OI!

Comments

[rememberher]

[ Was it chance or was it fate that brought the light-bound shinki to this place; truly, it was hard to say. Maybe it was because she appreciated music to some capacity, or maybe that she was genuinely curious when she saw people carrying instruments standing outside of a building (that didn't seem all that common? What were they doing?)

Regardless, curiosity brought her there, and the nervous energy kept her, although Lux kept a relatively low profile. It might be nice to help, but... well, what could she do, really? Cheer them on maybe. Would that be enough?

Especially when one of their trumpet players looked so nervous he might burst. Should she say something, or— ]

..!

[ Or someone would beat her to the punch. Hearing a deep contralto voice sail over nervous murmurings, Lux looked over, blinking a few times before giving the god(dess) a wry smile. Cries of lamentation... wasn't that a bit much?

Apparently, because, oh, well that might be trouble. Stepping forward, she smiled at the drummer apologetically. ]

Ah, wait, that won't be necessary.

[ Please don't call the police... Couldn't they just blend into the crowd anyway, it's probably not as big a deal. ]

My friend is just a bit... overexcited! He heard that your group would be performing today, and simply had to come see. I hope you'll forgive him.

[loveheart]

You can call them if you want! The more to enjoy the show the merrier! You wanted more talent to shine you got it!

[Venus quickly chimes in practically skipping up to stand near Hibiki, long-bubblegum pink hair bouncing with each step. She lifts her hands up and touches the tips of her fingers together as she makes a heart shape with her hands and holds it by her cheek.]

Let's all do our best!

She's not as posy as Hibiki is, but who really is? Hibiki is a star. But the god has her full support of her shinki no matter what, even if it is a bit showy and weird. Hibiki's heart is more or less in the right place and she's doing her best so that's what matters most! Ooooh~! This is so exciting! She winks to the band and at Lux. Let the police come see the show, just so long as they don't cuff Hibiki and try to take her away.]

Let us show you our hearts and warm yours~♥!

[nopixiedust]

And it's not like you have anything left to lose!

[In a twirl of frills, Wendy poses as well- a little behind and to the side of Hibiki, not outshining her god but trying to be a good backdrop. In her little capelet and a small mask herself, she looks absolutely adorable. And you guys wouldn't call the cops on an adorable little girl, would you?]

[Yeah that's what she thought.]

[Still.... This is actually really fun. It's showy, and all flash, and Wendy loves it. Now they just have to get this bunch of losers to love it, too.]

When you're all the way at the bottom, there's nowhere to go but up, right? So just hear us out~.

[With a little hip cock, she folds her fingers in the shape of a heart. She saw this in a magazine.... This is cute, right? Venus is doing it, so it has to be.]

[priforprince]

[ The drummer appears to have lost the ability to speak, too busy staring at both those hearts, so the magician takes pity on him - and on the person asking "Hello? Hello?" on the other end.

Stepping forward briskly, they snatch the phone, snap it shut, and stick it back in the drummer's pocket (including a red lily with it for good measure), then sweep right past the band towards the entrance. ] The first to strike takes the bout. You've lost your vocalist, correct?

[ The band looks at each other, confused. "Well, yeah," says the trumpet player, finally. "But we've rearranged--"

The magician holds up a hand. ] We shall supply all you lack. My compatriots--

[ A flash of green eyes beneath the golden mask as the magician points towards Lux. One half of their mouth turns up in a smile. ] And this girl.

[ The drummer's phone rings. "Aw, man," the bassist whispers over his shoulder as the drummer pulls his phone out, holding it at arm's length this time - very close to the two girls making hearts with their hands. "They're callin' you back?" ]

[rememberher]

[ What in the world did she walk into? Really, she should have known better the moment she saw the masked and mysterious stranger (Hibiki you're pretty obvious...) and her compatriots on the scene, but curiosity kept her there.

Then suddenly things were moving faster than the blond could keep up with, and attention following each one as they made their flashy proclamations. Adorable hand gestures! Dazzling one-liners! Girls, you're a bit too much, and tilting her head a bit, Lux smiles somewhat sheepishly.

At least this would (probably) prove interesting to observe. You know. From the outside. Or so she thought... until Hibiki suddenly pointed rather dramatically at her.

It takes her a moment to process—blinking once, twice, looking down at her outstretched finger, then at Hibiki full. Wait. ]

...What?

[ Lux slowly points to herself, looking more than a bit dumbfounded.

That's it. That's her contribution. Someone might want to tutor her on adorable hand gestures and dazzling one-liners, stat! ]

[loveheart]

[Venus' smile is big and bright as ever, especially after she's joined by Wendy. The younger shinki knows just how match and set the tone. Cute! So Cute! She can't help but glance over to her. Everything is adorable. Sure, Hibiki may be a bit over the top sometimes but right now it feels so perfect and it's so much fun. Not only that but they are going to help people. Already she can feel her heart racing in excitement.

Her hands stay posed until Hibiki's attention falls to Lux much like everyone else once the god makes that declaration. All eyes are on Lux now. Venus lowers her hands and practically skips over to the blonde shinki as she tries to hook one of her arms with her and tug her gently closer to the group.]

The more stars to shine on stage, the better the performance will be!

[There's no escape Lux, submit to your fate]

when you lose the thread and somehow can't find the log anymore...

[nopixiedust]

[It doesn't seem like dragging in some poor random stranger is going to work too well for them- not because Wendy feels bad for her or anything, but because a routine can only work well if everyone is on the same page, right?]

[So instead she looks up to Hibiki, trying to divert her attention.]

So how will we get started? We need a good first step to get these guys stage ready!

[priforprince]

[ "Whoa, whoa, hey," protests the bassist. The drummer, quietly, lifts their phone, but at a look from the person in the mask, hits "end call". On the police. "We didn't agree--"

"I-it might get us on stage..." the trumpet player proposes. Pleased with this, at least, the figure in the mask brushes past the band, pressing a music score into each pair of hands, whether they're ready to receive them or not. ]

Leave everything to me.

[ A hand is raised confidently as, without further ado, the figure descends the stairs. Whether the band follows or not is up to its members.

It's assumed, however, that the figure's compatriots will be flanking it, as it speaks aloud. First is securing a slot in the competition, so.... ] Find the judges.

[ Who needs to worry about stuff like practicing, anyway? Not this group! Right? ]

[nopixiedust]

[This is such a shitshow. Wendy loves it. Oh, sure, she knows it would drive her up the wall if it was happening to her, instead of being an active participant in shenanigans, but hey! That's just how it is sometimes.]

[As the two shinki accompany Hibiki, there's a worrying sound outside and the sound of someone authoritative that sounds like a cop, and quick decision between the shinki have Venus bouncing off to act as a distraction leaving Wendy behind.]

[Teamwork.]

Will do, Hibiki!

[Really, she's the best for this job. Time to abuse her cute looks and childish appearance for a Good Cause (tm). Bouncing ahead, she quickly asks and searches out for the right people, hurrying along. It only takes a short while before she's coming back for Hibiki, grinning.]

Found them! Come on!

[priforprince]

[ The magician opens her mouth, then closes it, when her assistant drops her real name into conversation - the girl is gone before she can remind them that, in this guise, such nomenclature should pass through no one's lips. Her irritation vanishes upon seeing how timely Wendy is in completing her task, however. ]

I'll make the necessary arrangements. All of you - [ She turns to the group, including Wendy. ] Get ready. We'll be performing first.

[ "Dude, you're crazy!" says the drummer. "But if he gets us first...." says the trumpet player. "What's this word in the middle of the song title even mean?" asks the guitarist.

The magician sniffs, headed in the direction Wendy had indicated. As she passes her assistant, she requests: ] See you on stage.

[ Time to...influence...some judges. What imperiousness doesn't fix, cash usually does. ]

[nopixiedust]

[With a playful little salute sending Hibiki off, Wendy looks back towards the poor band.]

All you can do now is get everything memorized as quickly as you can! Think of it like a divine test, or whatever: if you can make it past this, you can make it anywhere! So practice for the future~.

[And with that, she starts to stretch, making sure she's in perfect condition before she heads off to the stage. There's no idea what will happen next... But isn't that the fun part of it?]

[priforprince]

[ The band, having no choice, begins looking over the music. They're confused - this song says there's a violin part, for example, how is that "magician" gonna get around that? - but when an announcement comes over the venue loudspeakers that they, indeed, are up first, they have no choice but to rush to the stage.

They set up in silence, and in darkness: someone has requested all the lights on this stage be lowered. The band grumbles - there are music stands here, that's, like, the most uncool thing ever for a rock band - but they sit off to the side of the stage where indicated.

Their name is announced over the loudspeakers again, this time amended with, "featuring CelePara Talent Agency." "We get top billing," the drummer remarks wryly. "How nice of--"

But then several things happen at once. One, the lights go up. Two, the band members gape at each other as their street clothes are replaced by formal tuxedos.

Three, the missing instruments are all playing. At once. And, four....

Fourth, there's someone standing in center stage. With their own spotlight.

Masquerade Time is over. The curtain now rises on a splendid ball! ]

[nopixiedust]

[It takes a whole lot of work to not burst out laughing and just crumple to the floor. There's a whole lot of reasons for why, but the look on the bands' faces is a pretty sizable one.]

[It doesn't matter. Wendy is striding out as the music starts, keeping her steps graceful and in time with the music. Once things kick up, so will she as the backup.... But she wouldn't want to get in the way of Hibiki's spotlight.]

[priforprince]

...Forget the past!
Disdaining dresses and rouge....

[ The band is cooperating - good, this stage is for them. Wendy is doing well, too - as expected of Hibiki's shinki. Talented enough to manage her own choreography. ]

Envied by both neighbors and gods -
Perfect

[ Here we go. Hibiki takes the first step. ]

Beauty

[ Twirl. Coat flare. Lights down. Appreciative, if confused, gasp from the judges. The band seems intent on playing. ]

Knight--

[ Liftoff for Hibiki, in accordance with her own dance for this song. If you were waiting for a crescendo, her ethereal acrobat,

this is it. And any equipment you might need is mysteriously here for your exclusive use! Magicians are nothing if not prepared. ]

[nopixiedust]

[Hibiki is ridiculous, melodramatic, bossy, and this whole thing is absolutely bonkers, if Wendy can say so.]

[Yet there's no denying the flare everything has, from the setting to Hibiki's attention-grabbit movements, and Wendy loves it even as she does her bet to focus on dancing. Wendy wouldn't say she's the greatest yet, but she's been doing her best to practice and watch others. Most of all, there's some innate part of her that understands the stage and how people move around it. So she sticks to the background, out of Hibiki's spotlight, using her own gestures and the twirl of her skirt to make sure that all attention goes right back to her god.]

[And when those trapeze bars fall into place from apparently nowhere, as far as she can tell? Wendy moves into action without thinking twice about it, spinning, flipping, higher and higher until she's able to twirl around acrobatically straight over the band.]

[This is to draw attention to them too, after all.]

[priforprince]

Pure! Amore Love! A proudly-blooming, beautiful flower

[ So, of all Hibiki's preparations, that's what Wendy chooses....? That level of acrobatics is rare, even in the world of entertainment. Her shinki grows more interesting by the day. ]

Red as raging magma
on a casablanca

[ Her eyes track Wendy's motions for half a second in the middle of her own accelerated choreography, in time to see Wendy highlight the band. Very nice. In that case - ]

Amore, come now!

[ Red spotlight on Wendy and the band. ]

I'll teach you the truth:
Loving is but a foolish impulse

[ Backing up on stage. Pointing. A whirlwind of red petals picks up around the band, who need the cover to hide the fact that they are all fervently just focusing on their sheet music. Hibiki knew the music stands were a good idea. They add a certain elegant panache, as well.

Hibiki twirls in time with the whirlwind. ]

And yet it's because of love

[ The whole stage is bathed in light as Hibiki's hand points to the heavens. To Wendy. Over to you! ]

That we both are here!

[nopixiedust]

[Hibiki knows she can't sing, right? Like... They went over this, right?]

[Well, she'll just have to do her best with what she has. The smile on her face belies the razor focus in her eyes as she concentrates on her acrobatics. Lifting her self up so that she's holding herself up purely by her arms, she twists her body around, fabric fluttering along her legs as she spins them before abruptly switching things up. Bringing them down again, hooked at the feet, she lets herself drop and hang with her arms outreached towards Hibiki.]

[This is good, right? No singing but goes along with the song? She really hopes her legs hold her because she is not looking forward to the drop... and yet, at the same time, the reward-risk of it all makes her heart threaten to beat out of her chest.]

[priforprince]

[ That they did! This time is for you, you and the band. Hibiki will even take her own spotlight off herself, posed with a hand stretched towards each of these highlighted areas.

A murmur strikes up among the crowd as the band plays on and Wendy flips - the other bands, attracted by the unusual sounds and lights, have filed into the back from the waiting room. One of the players had been sucking on a lollipop for nerves. When Wendy hangs just from her legs, it drops.

Hibiki's smirk widens. ]

Now, give yourselves up to me
Entreat me
To take you along to "earnestness"
Hey,

[ She curls her fingers at the audience. Singles out a girls' band to look at. Smiles. The whole band goes pink. ]

You are but the departed spirit
Of a little girl who admired an incomplete dream....

[ Arms wide, head up. Calling to Wendy through the crescendo: ]

Come - this - way!

[ She'll catch you, Wendy. She'll always catch you.

This is what it means for souls to resound on stage! ]

[nopixiedust]

[While Hibiki briefly steals the audience's attention, Wendy focuses on pulling herself back up- her legs weren't in the most comfortable position. But there's barely any time before Hibiki is singing out to her again.]

[Come that way, huh?]

[Grinning wide, she spins once, twice, building up the momentum, and then goes spinning off in a flurry of motion before falling down towards Hibiki with her arms outstretched and legs curled beneath her.]

[They're going to either break their bones, or make the best show in history.]

[priforprince]

[ Perfect. ]

Pure! Amore Love!

[ Hibiki's there, waiting for Wendy; she'll absorb the impact of the blow by stepping backwards as the girl falls into her arms, turning the step back, in its turn, into a twirl. ]

An eternally-unchanging flower

[ Twirling, twirling. Holding Wendy over her head, then lowering her into a more classic dance position (she'll lead, of course). ]

Bearing thorns: that's your heart's casablanca!
Amore, aah! A flower even redder than red...

[ As long as Wendy permits her, she'll continue to use the other girl as her dance partner, and will cover for any strain the girl might be feeling by supporting her and holding her up. If Wendy prefers to pull away and dance on her own, however, Hibiki will oblige there as well. Playing off one's scene partner is the important thing. ]

Pay close attention to this pure wild dance for you
Yes, love is the reason
For the sake of dreams
"I" exist!

[ Wherever Wendy is, whatever Wendy's doing, Hibiki will be sure to be there, behind her, for an elegant tableau. She covers her face with her hand as the final beats of the song are played

and then flicks the audience a glance from behind it, rose in her mouth from seemingly nowhere. There is also a new rose tucked in Wendy's hair. Since she's got her hand here, and the rose attracting attention, only Wendy might be able to tell she smirks in the first beat of silence.

Mission accomplished. ]

[nopixiedust]

[Even with the fluidity of the catch, Wendy still makes a small huff of exertion from it, but she keeps it hidden well- something in her knows how to hide the less attractive aspects of a performance. Letting herself be twirled down into a dancing position, she stays close to Hibiki, smiling sweetly to mask the fact that she's not sure about the state of her legs.]

[And when the song comes to its final notes? She poses along with Hibiki, her own grin strong as she sees that smirk.]

[No one can say anything bad about this. She dares them.]

[priforprince]

[ There is a pause. It lasts quite a while.

Then, slowly, as if still stunned, applause begins filtering in - some of the judges, but some of the other bands, too. "You said there wasn't a projector!" one member of the competition accuses their bandmate. "How come they got -"

"Beats me, man...."

The band, meanwhile, remains seated on stage until Hibiki steps next to them, one arm still around Wendy's waist to support her. ] Bow. Or aren't you grateful to your audience?

[ "We..." The band looks at each other. "We. We did it."

"We finally..."

They leap up as one, fists pumping the air. "WE GOT TO PLAY!"

Hibiki lifts her hand to indicate everyone should applaud the band before taking her own bow. Only Wendy, close as she is, will likely be able to tell she's smiling something other than her stage smile. ]

Event clear.

[nopixiedust]

[Curtsying, Wendy hums her agreement.]

[...But, also- ]

We should probably make sure Venus didn't get arrested.

[And get Wendy herself out of there before her legs give way.]

[priforprince]

[ Ah, yes. Hibiki would rather not deal with that hassle. She bows her head in acknowledgment, then raises a hand to snap her fingers.

The disco ball that has also totally been hanging over the audience this whole time pops open to reveal streamers, confetti, red lilies, and spiraling-down business cards for CelePara Talent Agency. The stage, meanwhile, goes black.

And when the lights go back up, the magician and her acrobatic assistant are nowhere to be seen.... ]