Open-ish ♔ What a Wonder-PriPara World!

[priforprince]

Who: Hibiki, CelePara Talent Agency, & any tagalongs
When: August 16 - 18
Where: All over the literal world.
What: Hibiki "polishes" her team with Cultural Experiences. And then holds a movie marathon. Of her collected works.

[ I. Worldwide ]

[ Gods can teleport. This is a fact of which Hibiki has been aware nearly since arrival, yet has only recently begun using to her advantage. The best opera, for example, cannot be found in Japan. The best musical theater is, of course, in New Yorp. Europara possesses the finest art museums, and ballet has found many a home worldwide.

So CelePara Talent Agency is visiting them all.

New York (sigh), Paris, Moscow, Milan....Nothing but the very finest arts are on display. Hibiki has every intention of enabling her agency to absorb the best entertainment this world has to offer, then reflect those experiences in their performances. This is a genius's practice! No sweating or drying of one's throat required!

It only goes smoothly, however, if nobody gets lost. And these are some pretty big cities...full of sights.

So in this particular city, Hibiki is frowning. ]

Where's Natsuru?

[ II. Apollo's Temple ]

[ Hibiki's temple has grown stuffy after her being away from it so much, so she has a window open to let in some cool, refreshing air. It is also letting out, however, the sounds of....space adventure. And hard-boiled culinary drama. And - samurai comedy?

That's right, the entirety of CelePara is gathered in one of Hibiki's sitting rooms, a whole spread of snack food and beverages of their choice laid out on the coffee tables (everyone's favorites are mysteriously here). There's no shortage of opulent chairs, chaise lounges, and ottomans to sit upon, and occupying the entire far wall is a movie screen.

A projector in the back is rolling through real film, onto which Hibiki has transposed the illusions of her complete works that she'd recorded to DVD, because Aesthetic. There'd been some...hiccups...earlier, but now it's spooling along nicely.

So, what's on right now? Are you enjoying the thrills of space hero Shikyoin Hibiki in 2001: A Galactic Odyssey? The stoic profile of Shikyoin Hibiki as she wanders from town to town, sampling local delicacies, in Lone Wolf Gourmet? The more humorous samurai Shikyoin Hibiki who partakes in Twister battles with her enemies in Leave it to Kaishuu?

Or perhaps you prefer the classics. Perhaps your eyes are caught by the sight of child Shikyoin Hibiki in awe of "his" relative, the titular God Grandma part 2.

Whatever happens to be on right now, with this many high-quality titles at your disposal, don't you feel more Cultured already? ]

[[ ooc: This is a mingle log! Anyone who feels like stopping in is welcome, though only CelePara members were invited. Lyrics are from here, because of course they are.

Incidentally, we only need one more singer to be able to do this song. Just sayin'. ]]

Comments

[priforprince]

[ I. - Open ]



[ Hibiki is not watching this piece of art, or this ballet, or this musical, right now. Hibiki is watching you watch it. And feeling Mentorly.

That, or proud of this idea. They look like the same thing, sometimes. ]

Do you find it inspiring?

[ II. - Closed to Elfnein ]

[ The teacup spirit broke her projector.

The stupid teacup spirit broke her film projector and everyone will be arriving shortly. For movies. That Hibiki refuses to screen using a DVD player because the ambiance will be ruined. RUINED! Why, she's planning on serving them dinner first, and playing Peethoven's Fifth on her phonograph. She can't follow up a phonograph with a DVD player!

Fixing the projector does not seem to be on her radar. Instead, she's standing in the middle of the room, talking loudly into her phone. ]



--Film projector! For reels of film.

Would I be inquiring privately if it weren't for personal use?!

[ Beep, beep. Beep. Hibiki stares at her phone in irritation. ]

I suppose I'll be resorting to that....

[ But she'll be cutting it close. This will have to be a particularly expedient installment of Masquerade Time... ]

[ II-ish. - Open ]



The salad fork is the other one.

[ She's presiding over the head of the dinner table. The phonograph is playing. The teacup spirit has been trapped in a circle of holy water. Hibiki is in a delightful mood.

So while she's still correcting you, she isn't offended. In fact, she's being rather kind. ]

[ II. - Even More Open ]



[ Hibiki had started sitting up straight on this couch, but then she'd started to lean. Then she'd started to lean further.

Now she's hogging the entire couch with her legs propped up on it, one knee bent. Throughout the whole process, her eyes haven't left the screen. ]

My latest work is available, as well. [ Fascinated by Hibiki, Hibiki watches Hibiki. ] It's sure to win a Parademy Award.

i.

[papillonprincess]

[ She's not quite sure what to make of the traditional Japanese theatre arts just yet. Some parts of it drag and kabuki takes forever to get from one plot point to another because of the delivery... but she can't say she isn't intrigued.

If anything, she can appreciate the artistry to it, especially the dances. While there isn't anything she could use for her own choreography, there's plenty to appreciate at least. ]

Inspiring... and rather cathartic in a way. There's something about the music I find calming.

[ There's a small smile visible in the dim light. ]

I've heard most of these roles were traditionally played by men.

[priforprince]

Not just here. In the past, even Shakespriere's works were performed with a primarily male cast....

[ And yet Hibiki doesn't mention there's at least one theater troupe in Japan that as a marketing ploy to drum up business to their train station does the opposite. Perhaps because that would somehow, metaphysically, seem like lampshading. ]

The focus on forms is the most crucial piece, however.

[ There is a proper, codified way to express each emotion. All theatrical arts contain that, to some degree, but the traditional Japanese arts excel.

Something inside Hibiki resounds with that notion. It's so...harmonious. ]

[papillonprincess]

[ ...She could have sworn it was she-ku-su-pi-a and not... she-ku-su-pu-ri-a... but whatever. It's Hibiki's lesson. For all this Black King knows, it was she-ku-su-pu-ri-a back home for her. ]

Forms... much like kendo and kyudo.

[ Arts are arts, after all. Though she's adopted the pose of a bored monarch (head tilted slightly, resting on the back of one hand with her legs crossed), it's clear her focus is still on the performance before her. ]

A single gesture can imply so much. I can only imagine the sort of training these artists undergo... unless it comes naturally, I suppose?

[ Cue small meaningful smile to her companion. ]

[priforprince]

Such cases do exist.

[ You're attending the theater with one. But you already knew that.

All attention is centered on a single actor onstage now. Hibiki sits forward to scrutinize his performance. ]

[papillonprincess]

I'm sure there are.

[ Somehow, fluffing Hibiki's ego like this doesn't seem like a bad idea. Not often. Just every now and then.

But her attention returns to the stage. This actor isn't so bad. Their movements are poised, graceful, having every bit of nuance kabuki requires... save for a single misstep. It's a subtle, mostly since the actor was able to catch himself before he could fall and mess up his timing completely.

Of course, she catches it. In her eyes, it's a good save... but she has to know. ]

...what do you make of this performance?

[priforprince]

[ ...the timing of that question. Is Hime testing Hibiki? Suspicion of others' motives is a habit that dies hard.

In this case, however, it makes her smirk. ] That you have good eyes.

Still, while a pity, the real test is whether he allows his mistake to shatter him.

[ Someone who gives up on providing for the audience is even more unforgivable than someone who gets their form wrong. Even though the latter is a version of the former. ]

[alchemists]

I have one that can be used, you would need to check it out from my temple.

[ You need to do the proper library check out, other wise what if someone else wants to check it out. ]

[priforprince]

[ WHEN DID YOU

No matter. Hibiki snaps her phone shut. ] This is an exclusive viewing.

[ Priorities must be maintained, and an elite, restricted atmosphere is a priority. Elfnein's presence, while less unpleasant of late, is still -

wait, what did she just say ]

[alchemists]

I don't have to be there if you don't want me to?

[ She's just worried about the projector being destroyed somehow. ]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki considers this. And everything Elfnein has done for her. And that Elfnein is Maria's friend.

And the face Elfnein is making.

She sighs. ] ...Do you truly own a projector?

[alchemists]

I do, I made it using the left over parts from all the obon experiments.

[ How can you say no to this cute smol. ]

[priforprince]

The leftover parts...

[ You'll forgive her if that doesn't fill her with confidence. Yet, she requires a projector, and the Near Shore isn't cooperating. Can she really afford to waste this chance...?

Especially when she'd been recently entertaining certain other notions about Elfnein. What is this but a chance to test her abilities firsthand? ]

Well, there's no harm in my determining its worth. If your handiwork is anything less than top-quality, it's unusable.

ii - open open open

[lostinshadows]

You really are into this sort of thing, aren't you?

[He leans against the couch, arms crossed as he peers down at her.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki is so very amused that Lavi is here. Summoned by the mere thought of getting to witness her on screen, was he? She shall permit the trespass! In fact, she will even lift this plate of sweets she'd picked up for herself so he can take one if he so chooses.

Please use the tongs. That goes without saying, right? ]

It is my domain.

[ And her profession before that. She hadn't chosen it, more gone along for the ride - but, yes, she does enjoy it. The ideals. The splendor.

The tricking people. That part is still pretty fun. ]

[lostinshadows]

[He heard word of a movie thing going on.

Lavi being Lavi, he can't help but be curious. Besides, it's definitely helping him not think about a certain god and shinki pair that up and left without a trace.

But at the wordless offer, he uses the tongs to pick up what seems to be a tart.]

What movie is this?

[priforprince]

Battlefield Guitarist.

[ Thank you for using the tongs. Here is a napkin-covered small plate on which to keep your dessert when you are not consuming it. Given that she'd prefer her shinki focus her own current efforts on watching the movie self-betterment, Hibiki is not above serving her guests herself in this circumstance. ] My latest work in my home puniverse.

[ It appears to be the story of a young man in a ruffled shirt who intends to play guitar. On a battlefield. For. Some reason.

Cinema is not bound by the petty constraints of menial logic! ]

[lostinshadows]

[A nod of thanks as he takes the plate to put the dessert on.

He does hand the tongs back onto the dessert plate.]

Well, it really does look like nothing I've seen before.

ii

[1wing]

[ Tsubasa, for all her talent and innate skills, is also a very diligent lady. Although one wonders if she always channels her considerable effort in the most effective way possible? Either way, she's watching the film from the floor, back against the lip of the couch, notepad in hand. ]

I quite enjoy this one. [ She watches Hibiki twist herself into a pretzel intensely, scribbling notes down in barely legible shorthand. ]

I'm not sure if I am suited for comedy, but I suspect I could copy those moves if I had to.

[priforprince]

I've no doubt.

[ Tsubasa certainly moves like someone who has honed their entire body. Like a sword? Nay, like she has wings attached to her back.

Hibiki has absolutely no life skills but she's got a sixth sense for metaphors. ]

I wouldn't have placed comedy as your genre.

ii, the very open edition

[declamando]

[Maria couldn't resist coming to a showing of Hibiki's collected works for a variety of reasons. Professional respect is one, but admittedly one of the others had been wanting to see exactly how hammy her acting got in actual movies. The performance they'd done when they first met had been scenery-chewing enough.

She lets none of that less than respectful part of her motivation slip, though, simply watching the film with a very slight smile that might be amused. It's...definitely an experience, and she glances over to Hibiki at that remark.]

It must be a shame to have to wait so long on the reward, then.

[priforprince]

It's so certain that I may as well already have it.

[ Hibiki has no problem with Queen Maria's presence here. She'd be respectfully excluding the woman if they were preparing for a competition, but it doesn't hurt for their rival to witness this part of the training. In fact, as fellow geniuses, it might polish her, as well!

She can only be a good influence on Hibiki's idols. ] What trouble is there in waiting for the confirmation of an inevitability?

[declamando]

[Maria has to question the tastes of people in Hibiki's world a bit if this kind of ham is what gets lined up for awards, but then, different worlds probably have different tastes. In her own world, she would've mistaken Hibiki for more of a theatre actress than a film one, from the way she does it.

With a small smile, she shakes her head.] Some people would find it annoying to wait because it's an inevitability. Award material in this world seems to run to different tastes more like my own world's, so it would be a lot harder to do the same here while you wait.

[priforprince]

[ The part where that all sounds like "you aren't awards material in my world or this one, Hibiki" is either unintentionally or willfully lost on this audience. ] I'm not worried.

[ She performed. Therefore, she will receive an award. Cause. Effect. That is how the universe works.

This is an exceptionally fine cup of tea. ]

[declamando]

I can see that. [Then again, Hibiki is never particularly worried about anything, barring events that fall out of her zone of experience. And even then, sometimes she's less worried than she probably should be.]

You have an extensive filmography, in any case. How did you get these here from your world?