Open ♔ PriPara Winter Wonderland

[priforprince]

Who: A mysterious midnight visitor, Shikyoin Hibiki, Shikyoin Hibiki's opening act, and you
When: Night of December 24 - Evening of December 25
Where: All over the Far Shore (but especially Apollo's and...Nekhbet's...temples)
What: A phantom delivers Christmas cheer, and Hibiki puts on a dinner show. But first, she has to give Chinatsu the rarest gift of them all.

[ I. - On This Holy Night, You're a Princess ]

[ 'Twas the night before Christmas, and through the Far Shore....not a creature was stirring but a thief with a chore.



Temple by temple, a mysterious masked figure in a cloak and floppy hat breaks into each inhabited residence and deposits a wrapped present for each god and shinki dwelling within. Instead of a card, they leave a single red casablanca lily. They're oh, so silent, but you might run a chance of seeing a shadow move if you're getting up for a midnight drink or snack.

Alternatively, if you also have business on the rooftops or in the air this evening, you may spot company hopping from temple to temple, tree to tree. They cut an especially striking figure against the moon. ]

[ II. - A Captivating Song Rings Out Loudly ]

[ If you live on the Far Shore and your name is not Overlord Zetta, chances are you have likely received an invitation to the Shikyoin Hibiki-Produced Annual Christmas Dinner Show. True to its name, this is a dinner Hibiki is hosting on Christmas evening. It's a gorgeous dinner, in a hall decorated with holly boughs and tinsel that may in fact be real gold and a nice big tree for gift exchanging if one so desires. All manners of Christmas food are available, the richer and more decadent the better. Given the lack of permanent staff, it's buffet-style....but in the face of a free meal such luxury, this is an acceptable condescension to practicality.

The one thing that is not forthcoming, however, is the host. In fact, she appears to be nowhere in the building at all. Despite having promised a show.

Then, on stage - there is motion. A resident of the temple enters from stage right, looks around in confusion at all the new bright, shiny, and exciting things, and makes her way to center stage exactly, where she sits to watch. Her green eyes grow large with wonder. She lifts her head, full of the noble mien all denizens of this temple possess. The lights shine down upon her festive red and green ribbon and her shiny, extremely well-groomed silver fur.

And she offers - the ultimate entertainment! ]

Meow.

[ III. - Embracing Courage, Let's Go Forth Together and Live ]

[ Hibiki is not onstage at her dinner show because Hibiki is standing outside Nekhbet's temple, a step away from crossing over into that property. She does not take that step, however. Instead, she looks up at any vultures in range. And gulps. Then addresses them - she suspects they're intelligent enough. ]

I have business with Chinatsu.



[ And now she waits. And waits. And waits. She will wait as long as it takes. It doesn't matter how cold it is out here. It doesn't matter if she's late to her own show. She'd rather be tardy than deliver a subpar performance, and she's come to understand - until this is settled, she'll never be able to do anything to her own satisfaction. For better or worse, this ends tonight.

For better or worse, someone in this temple is waiting to hear something from her. And Hibiki can't rest until it's said.

Since she's standing here so noticeably, she'd be quite discoverable if you happened to be in the neighborhood. Depending on the weather and the length of the wait, snow may have begun to accumulate on her. ]

[ IV - Throwing Away Your Sentence Ender Too, Of Course, We Dance Hand In Hand ]

[ The dinner has nearly concluded when the lights all go down, all at once, and a voice rings out from all corners of the room. ]

Now, tonight, for everyone in the Far Shore - especially from me - I offer this song befitting the holiday as a present! Merry Prismas!

[ The lights go up in a burst of confetti that is revealed to be poinsettia petals mixed with glitter. The stage is now decked out with a tree, as well, in addition to a holiday-colored chessboard of marble leading down a runway in the center of the room. Hibiki is standing in front of the tree, also resplendent in a checkerboard of festive colors. Her arms are open wide. ]



Welcome - to the magnificent Christmas Dinner Show!

[ And Hibiki begins to sing. And dance. ]

On this holy night, you're a Princess - Celebrity Princess
Bonsoir, Princess - a kiss for your right hand...

[ Hibiki's Christmas song turns out to be a medley, and by the time she's switching tunes, she's sauntering down the runway. Reaching the end, she spins around, raises her head, points at the audience - and sniffs, winking. ]

[ The whole room vanishes, to be replaced with a snowy night sky. Hibiki, riding in a flying carriage full of roses and lilies pulled by a team of purple reindeer, flies by laughing with a cup of tea in her hand. ] Let it ring out!

[ She leaps from the carriage, a sword suddenly in her hand, and poses amid a swirl of snowflakes as a stained-glass image of bells and holly appears behind her. ]

Pure Maiden Revolution - Handsome Holy Knight!

[ The illusion dissolves, and Hibiki is standing at the end of the runway once more, now rapidly becoming subsumed in neon. ] Super Cyalume Time!

[ Thus attired in her striking final coord, she dances her way through that Christmas Classic, "PriPara Bells", and poses at the end of the song to the tones of her own voice singing backup, somehow. It is a merry Prismas, indeed.

And she'll be available afterwards, finally able to circulate and greet her guests. She looks oddy - happy.

It's a beautiful Noël. ]

Comments

IC-ish ♔ Present Reveal Thread

[priforprince]

[[ If you want to know what the Mysterious Benefactor gave your character, tag in here! Otherwise, assume they received something high-quality that they'd enjoy, like their favorite food or article of clothing. ]]

[deathmetalist]

[But what could Hibiki get her that rivals the thoughtfulness of Yui's own gift to her]

[priforprince]

[ A set of studded leather bracelets, except the studs are real silver - and, according to the tag, they're exclusive goods from a line of fashion accessories sponsored by Yui's favorite Near Shore band. ]

[bass_instincts]

[Shin's expecting something outdoing the gift he gave. He'll never admit to the fact that he only got her something nice to get something better, though.]

[myblueskies]

[Mysterious figures leaving gifts? Christmas gets stranger and stranger!]

[swordofzero]

[Is it a book on cat maintenance?]

[silentscales]

[Is it another snake? He's building a collection.]

[doodlebuginette]

[Marinette isn't really expecting anything, so pretty much anything she does receive will be met with a smile and a thank you.]

[purr_ince]

[What could go wrong with this?]

[dredefulchilde]

[Pretty sure Joscelin is on the Naughty list this year.]

[boneofsword]

[Caster's temple gained a pack of wild wolves aside the usual trio quartet of guard dogs. Is Hibiki going to brave it?]

[unlucky7]

[Four guard dogs, a pack of wolves, and one borderline-happy shinki. Sorry, Hibiki, that's what you get for braving Caster's temple.]

Sort of II but mostly IV

[myblueskies]

[Romeo has been sleeping for a huge chunk of the day after he stayed awake all night to make sure his presents for all his friends ready. But he had gotten this invitation and though he wasn't sure what a dinner show was he had come to find out.

The decorations were beautiful and Romeo wandered round mouth open, he'd seen a few decorations when he Adrien and Shin had gone to help people prepare for Christmas but they were still amazing.

He happily eats the food, trying new things as well as picking out things he recognises and likes. When the cat comes on stage he smiles and looks around. Was this the show?

No that apparently wasn't the show. Because just as they had finished eating a voice sounded and the magic started! He's heard music before but this music! And sparkles, falling from the sky! Hibiki begins to sing and at least one member of the audience is completely and utterly awestruck.

Then! Then they were outside somehow and Hibiki was flying in a carriage and the reindeer were flying and then she had a sword and there was snow and then!

By the time the show had finished Romeo was mesmerised and he begins to cheer as the music fades. That was amazing! Hibiki is the most talented performer he's ever seen (alright her only competition was enka singer from the last training, but the point still stands.) He is grinning as everyone starts to talk and mingle again.]

[priforprince]

Joyeaux Noël.

[ Hibiki snaps her fingers and a...goat...with a tray on its back walks up. She retrieves a cup of hot cocoa from the tray, and the goat goes on its way.

Here, this cup is for you. As thanks for coming to her performance. ] I trust you're enjoying yourself in my holiday paradise.

[silentscales]

Present time! (For the Pri-nce herself)
[Snake had gotten Hibiki not just a very nice snake befitting her rather royal style. He had help from Marinette bringing in a large present that is evidently very heavy, and another much smaller box in which he has subtly hidden enough holes that the snake is comfortable for this trip.

It's very important that he finds Hibiki as quickly as he can, because even if the snake present he has for her insists she's quite comfortable and eager to meet Hibiki, he feels bad keeping her cooped up in a box. Maybe that's why when he finds Hibiki he's exceptionally pushy in getting her attention while holding out the box. He points to the other large box with matching gold gift wrap and purple ribbons. Ayn raises her head up and noses in Hibiki's direction,] "We got you a present," says Martin.

Distracted
Snake is not big on technology. He's not used to using it in general, and rarely calls or messages anyone. He's far more likely to just seek them out in person before he would try calling them. Yet tonight his phone hasn't left his hand. He keeps checking it, and if someone get close enough to see his screen, it's showing what could just be a picture of a boa constrictor staying close to a tiny tube shaped egg. Occasionally the snake moves to check on the egg a little more carefully and look at the camera.

Other?

oh boy a pristerious prismas prisent

[priforprince]

[ Ah, her dancer. And his....constant companion. Hibiki raises her eyebrows, surprised at the vehemence with which she is being presented a, well, present. From him....in person!? Getting so many gifts this morning alone had been a surprise... ]

For me?

[ She has a hand raised from doing something else. It is in prime position to receive the smaller box. She does not realize this. ]

Distracted

[purr_ince]

"You do know it likely won't be exactly Christmas Day don't you?"

Adrien can't help but tease playfully as he touches Snake's shoulder before helping himself to a seat next to him. "I'm certain Ayn is doing a very good job with the baby. Thought it is really cute to see you so paternal already. You're going to be the best parent that bitty snake could have."

But then he's extending his hand. "But still we came to celebrate and have a good time so do you want to dance?" A little smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "It'll be fun."

I

[unlucky7]

[As the mysterious thief infiltrates their way into Caster's temple to deliver their gifts of merry wonders and delights, they'll find their efforts interrupted by a white puppy. The puppy barks and runs around their feet, tail waggling as she tries to look threatening.

The puppy also has on puppy-sized red Hawaiian shirt, unbuttoned.]

[priforprince]

[ ....That shirt is more fearsome than that dog.

Phantom Thief Genius is undaunted, however (after the initial unimpressed paws pause to confirm that this was indeed a real thing that was really happening). Reaching into the folds of their cloak, they pull out - ]

Fetch.

[ - a bone with a big present bow on it, which they toss away from the direction they want to go. Always prepared! That is one of the many meanings of "genius"!

Now, will the animal stay quiet so they can finish here?? ]

HERE I AM

[redmare]

[ They'd run out of marshmallows, which was an atrocity in winter, and so Chinatsu had headed out to buy some more. She couldn't wait to get back in the temple, the thought of hot chocolate in this weather sounding more and more enticing. What better way too spend Christmas than with friends and some hot drinks and good? The place was all set up and decorated, much to Shun's distaste, and Chinatsu had already set out her presents.

Really, there was nothing that could ruin this Christmas eve---]

.......Who built such an annoying looking snowman here?

[priforprince]

[ Snow falls off the "snowman" to splatter all over the ground. ]

...You weren't home?!

[ NO ONE TOLD HER!

THOSE ACCURSED VULTURES

THEY MUST BE UTTERLY LOYAL TO KUROSAKI SHUN! ]

[purr_ince]

Masked Meetings [Hibiki Only]

[Of course a certain masked black cat had had the same idea as a certain Phantom Genius. So Chat is bounding from temple to temple with all the ease and grace of his namesake - a large bag slung over his shoulder - stopping here and there to leave presents. His entire costume is exactly the same as it usually is except for the fact that Plagg felt like being a festive pain in his chosen's tail so now there is a large green silk ribbon around his neck under his bell and for some reason that bell seems to be ringing now with ever movement where before it only rang when Chat wanted to or tapped a claw against it.

But that's not the strangest thing about all this. It's that he's not alone in his journey nor is he accompanied by his lovely spotted companion. Chat landed and crouched down watching this mysterious figure bright glowing green eyes narrowed. They didn't seem to be causing mischief but still! So he's bounding after them before landing on the same rooftop.]

Pretty sure you're not Santa Claus. And you're not Santa Claws either.

Celebrations [OTA]

[Adrien and by extension Plagg had come to the party dragging Shin along. The entire merged temple had agreed to come. And even if they hadn't Adrien would still be here since he'd wanted to help with the party as much as Hibiki would let him. Since he was so into Christmas and Shin had taken such interest when they did their prayer; Adrien was more than delighted to come. If anyone who saw him at the baths ran into him now they would find him in a less agitated and distressed state. He wasn't quite his old self just yet but he was getting there.

Though shortly before midnight rolled around on the twenty-fourth, Adrien would be discreetly slipping out. He had somewhere better to be when the hour turned over. ]

pure amore nya

[priforprince]

[ Turning around at the sound of an unexpected companion, Phantom Thief Genius throws an arm out (the better to flare their cloak). This accomplished, they take stock of the newcomer. Ears....tail...bell....hm. ]

And you don't seem a typical cat burglar.

[ CLEVERNESS. THIS IS THE MOST CLEVER CONVERSATION. ]

[doodlebuginette]

Santa Bug (Closed to Hibiki, probably?)

The holiday season waited for no one, and she wasn't going to skip out on delivering her gifts just because she wasn't quite feeling so merry. So she'd waited until she was sure everyone else in the temple had gone to sleep before quietly transforming and sneaking out to deliver her gifts. Maybe not the most responsible use of her miraculous, but she'd welcome the distraction and she'd deal with whatever Tikki had to say later.

Christmas Hijinx (Probably a mix of II & IV)

Go figure, her first Christmas away from her family would turn out like this. But she wasn't going to let the events of the last several days sour the holiday. Or at least, she was going to try. In that vein, she'd agreed to come along with everyone else. But that didn't necessarily mean she wanted to hang around them all night. Too, she figured that Hibiki's party would be large enough to allow her to wander off and mingle with people she didn't see much of. Her dress had been ready for weeks, and that was probably the only reason she'd bothered agreeing to come.

Unfortunately for Dust, she'd convinced him to come along for this, because she figured at the very least they could keep each other company.

[mithrarin]

And Dust had delivered, mostly out of quiet concern for his goddess and recognition that moping around the temple would do nothing for her. In his one fancy suit, with the brim of his hat pulled down to obscure his eyes like it was required to sustain his very existence, he escorted Marinette in with -- well, some concerns, because this was Hibiki's affair, but relief at least that she'd emerged to come to it.

Even if he was stuck here too.