Open ♔ Shikyoin Hibiki’s Magnificent Daily Life

[priforprince]

Who: Hibiki and YOU!
When: Morning through evening, August 12
Where: Mostly the Near Shore; some on the Far Shore
What: A day in the life of a performance god whose temple is now (mostly) free of spirits. Behold its elegance.

[ I. - Morning, a girls’ high school in Tokyo ]

[ It’s a beautiful early morning on the Near Shore, with the air alive with the sound of…..tennis?

That’s right, the courts adjacent to this girls’ high school are the sight of some early-morning private lessons. That…do not appear to be going well. ]

Not like that. [ Hibiki tucks her racket under one arm and comes up behind a very nervous-looking girl, wrapping her arms around her to take her hands and readjust their position. ] Concentrate and observe, if you can’t do it instinctively. This is the difference between effort and—



[ But it’s then that her head raises, and she looks right at you and smiles. ] Perfect timing. Come here.

[ II. - High noon, a movie set ]

[ Why did you ignore the tape that said “STAFF ONLY” roping off this section of town? Did you just not notice it, or did some of it get torn down? Whatever the reason, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped back in time. And it appears there’s about to be a standoff in the streets. ]

That’s no good, partner.

[ Slouching out of the crowd towards the man making his way down the street threateningly, a slim figure clanks its way to the center of the scene and tips their hat up with a finger. A grin flashes. So do brilliantly green eyes. Movie cameras surround them. ]

The sheriff around these parts -



[ Hibiki draws back her fringed vest to thumb a shiny gold star. The cameras zoom back. “He’s good,” one staff member whispers to another. “Who is he again?” the second one asks. “I don’t remember hiring him.” ]

Is me now.

[ ….where are you standing for this? If you’re in the shot, you might get written into the movie. ]

[ III. - Afternoon, outside a café ]

[ “We’re here with the mysterious breakout rookie actor, Shikyoin Hibiki-sa - hm? Is something funny, Shikyoin-san?” ]

No. Do continue.

[ An interview is taking place at this table. Hibiki has changed out of her costume and is sitting politely opposite a lady reporter. The reporter hits “Record” on her smartphone again.

“…Shikyoin Hibiki-san, who came out of nowhere to land a major role in the upcoming film Six-Shot Sheriff. Shikyoin-san, is it true that the casting committee didn’t even realize you were in the room until you began reading the lines for the role you were assigned?” ]

Genius always makes itself known. The timing is of little import.

[ ”You’re very well-spoken, Shikyoin-san. Could you tell us anything about your background?” ]

Then I wouldn’t be mysterious, would I? I’d hate for you to have to rewrite your introduction.

[ ”That’s very kind of…” ]

Besides, even if I’d descended from Heaven, the only angel I would see is you.

[ ”A…ah…..”

The reporter looks over and notices you for the first time, as if desperately seeking for something, anything, to look for that is not Hibiki. Her face is flushed. ”Oh, when did you - are you the intern? Here, ask him some questions….I have to….whoo…”

And now it’s just you. And Hibiki. And this cup of tea Hibiki has just picked up. ]



[ Sip. ]

[ IV. - Evening, the Far Shore ]

[ The day is ending as it began: with the sound of something resounding over the hills. Except, this time, it’s the hills of the Far Shore, not the Near. And instead of tennis balls and rackets, it’s….hooves.



A knight on a white horse! Er, well, Hibiki on a purple horse, but the same idea applies. And something very, very strange has happened.

Hibiki is smiling. ]

Comments

[sweetdeath]

[The confused look is slowly transmuting to a look best described as "I can't believe this is happening right in front of me."

One of Tsuzuki's eyebrows tics up as the woman blushingly takes Hibiki's arm and he trails behind them back towards the table. On the other hand... it seems to be working. That's a plus.

And if he gets involved she might realize he's the one who wrote over all of her interview questions and is recorded on her dictaphone....

On the other hand? Geez, talk about cheesy.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki makes sure all the papers are in order - managing not to show whatever she may think of Tsuzuki's penmanship - and (if it's still on) turns off the recorder before presenting the reporter with her effects. ] If you had any further questions, I'm happy to keep chatting. But I think you'll find many delightful surprises for the audience here.

[ PRAY TO THE GOD APOLLO TODAY ]

[sweetdeath]

[The reporter gathers it all from Hibiki's arms, blushing and managing something confused about thanks for her time, and apologies for the confusion, between mystified glances at the scribbled notes in a stranger's handwriting. She tears her eyes away from the notes after a moment and bows, managing a more professional tone.

"I appreciate your kindly granting me this interview, and hope for a great success with your new movie!"

And -- that's it. Still visibly flustered, she heads away. Tsuzuki manages to keep a straight face until the reporter's out of earshot and he collapses back against the nearest wall, laughing.]

Oh man, did you see her face? I've got to check out that interview when it comes out....

Anyway, thanks, Hibiki! I should keep looking for Sakura's hair ornament. Let me know if you spot it anywhere, okay?

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki nods, though she is far less likely to "let Tsuzuki know" than she is to "show up on Sakura's doorstep with the hairpin and a bouquet of flowers to apologize for the wait, implying that if they'd just had her on the case sooner, the Princess would have been reunited with her precious object hours ago". But it is the thought that counts.

A signed copy of the magazine will also show up, should the interview get printed. ]

Stay diligent. If you can't be a butler, at least be an exemplar.

[sweetdeath]

[Wow, that was almost a compliment. Tsuzuki breaks into a grin, and bows, hooking his thumb into his pocket as he straightens back up.]

Thanks. I'll do my best!

[And with that, he turns to head away. There are hairpins to find, after all.]

[priforprince]

Hm.

[ An amused snort. She can grant him that much of her good nature, after he ended up thinking of such useful questions for her interview.

Now, time to attempt to locate a hairpin via security cameras.... ]