Open ♔ Now then, promise that you'll always heed me

[priforprince]

Who: The staff/cast of Shikyoin Hibiki's movie (This could be YOU!)
When: January 20
Where: The Far Shore, mostly around Apollo's temple
What: Filming has begun on Hibiki's masterwork. Vive la révolution!

[ I. Prihind the Scenes ]

[ If Hibiki has talked to your character about helping out with her movie, a purple envelope with a wax seal arrives at their current residence bright and early on the 20th. Within is a summons, ordering them to report to Apollo's temple for filming. Granted, the front yard has a new pond in it, and in the center there's a small burbling spring that betrays just how...recent...this development is, but the temple itself is fine.

Filming itself will happen all over the Far Shore, wherever there is sufficient room. Hibiki can use her illusions to create a set. This prompt, however, is for handling all the stuff that's real - whether you're helping out with props, trying on your costume, reading over your script, or gaping at the role Hibiki has assigned you, this is the place for everyone to prepare for greatness.

....Hibiki, incidentally, can be found wandering around to supervise. She'll be solicitous to all newcomers, but if she sees you messing up or engaging in Nonsense, you will be yelled at. Crossly. And don't even think about sitting in the giant armchair with DIRECTOR embroidered on the back! ]

[ II. Prights, Camera, Actprion! ]

[ Filming happens here! The general plot of the story is that a samurai has been wrongfully accused of wrongdoing and stripped of his title. Now he works as a vigilante to support his little sister and her sick friend, and every woman he meets falls in love with him. But when he tries to rob the crooked samurai who's taken his place, he discovers that - gasp! - the lover he'd thought was dead is working for the samurai....and doesn't remember him! Can he fight the one he loves, to save the children who are dearest to his heart?!

Things happening in scenes may include:
♔ ninja fights under cover of darkness that turn into lethal dance battles, because musical;
♔ dramatically exaggerated suffering of pure-hearted downtrodden people for Hibiki's character to angst over;
♔ bad people doing Very Bad Things, such as kicking said downtrodden people, or laughing as they take all their money;
♔ scenes in which there are too many animals to move around, because the Far Shore abounds with four-legged actors;
♔ confrontations between the protagonist and the people who care about him, regarding turning thief when Honor is a samurai's lifeblood;
♔ a whole hell of a lot of pining for Hibiki's character on the part of every woman who has ever met him (complete, perhaps, with song-and-dance fantasy numbers as the women daydream);
♔ at least one equivalent of a bar fight, because Hibiki is also into Westerns;
♔ the triumphant recovery of Hibiki's character's lover's memory, and the restoration of Hibiki's character to his former position after the family he'd served learns of his unbroken devotion to those he loves, which betrays his strength of character even as he was nobly willing to sacrifice his honor by thievery;
♔ and everyone breaking into song whenever the hell they feel like it, especially to monologue about the situation they find themselves in, or the feelings they're feeling. If you're a ninja, sing about being stealthy! If you're a noble, sing about your fair and just rule! If you're a woman, sing about Hibiki!

Look, this film has an agenda.

This, at least, is the script. There is nothing stopping everyone from completely ignoring it and doing whatever. Scenes here will frequently but not always feature Hibiki's character; she's available for any and all threads in which she's required, or else characters can mingle amongst themselves. Have a fight scene! Do a comedy routine! This is a movie with something for everyone.

Will you adhere to the script and support the revolution? Or will you see how far you can bend the storyline before the star (who is also the director, and the scriptwriter) breaks character to yell at you? If you annoy her enough, everyone may get to take a break while she stalks off for alone time...... ]

Comments

OOC ♔ CAST LIST

[priforprince]

The following list is suggestions only, based on my ideas for a Very Bad, Very Silly Movie. If you wouldn't have fun playing out the listed role, please comment below. Alternate ideas are welcome!

If your character is not on this list and you'd like them to be in the movie, comment too! There is something for everyone who, OOCly, wants to be a part of this.

(Backtagging is also encouraged - to accommodate people on hiatus, etc. Hibiki won't be screening this movie until she's a God of Fortune, so we have time.)

Hibiki - Lead character; a deposed samurai, now taking odd jobs as a swordsman by day....and acting as a vigilante by night
Wendy - "Hibiki's" little sister, also deposed; doesn't know, but suspects, what "Hibiki" is up to
Chinatsu - "Hibiki's" former lover, presumed dead; amnesiac and working as a ninja for "Caster"
Elfnein - A poor, sickly girl; "Wendy's" friend. "Hibiki" tries to rob "Caster" to afford her medicine
Ebisu (If Available To Help; Hibiki, Presumptively, Wrote Him In) - "Wendy" and "Elfnein's" friend. Secretly the heir to the shogunate, who is slumming it to investigate whether "Hibiki" really is a bad person
Celestia - "Ebisu's" older sister; serving as regent while he goes undercover
Kuroyukihime - "Ebisu's" other older sister; was in love with "Hibiki", and still pines for "him"
Ginia - Kuroyukihime and Celestia's bodyguard; implied she may have feelings for "Hibiki"
Caster - A corrupt samurai, who has a guard of ninja at his house....and many dogs. The entire set design of his lodgings has a canine theme
Archer - The head ninja. Responsible for brainwashing "Chinatsu" because he was envious of "Hibiki" and wants his master to take "his" place
Zetta - A (non-sentient) book on "Caster's" desk during office scenes
Minako - A ninja in "Caster's" employ. Falls in love with "Hibiki" after fighting "him"
Snake - A ninja in "Caster's" employ. The snakes are ninja, too. With little masks
Obi - A ninja in "Caster's" employ. Also in a little mask
Natsuru - A geisha in the pleasure district. Looks after "Hibiki" when "he" is injured. In love with "Hibiki"
Nephenee - "Elfnein's" caretaker, a poor but optimistic girl who owns many animals and tries to make a living on selling their milk/wool/etc.
D2 - Front half of "Nephenee"'s cow
Mirei - Back half of "Nephenee"'s" cow
Anyone's Animals Who Want To Show Up, Including All Animal-Form Shinki And Ken, Whether He's In Vessel Form or Not (But Not Pezzante or Shun's Vultures) - "Nephenee's" animals

Richard and Shin were tasked with composition/performing the score. Forrest is handling costume design. Elfnein is taking care of the cameras (SCIENCE!) in addition to her role.

ADDENDUM

[priforprince]

Roles discussed on plurk that have since been added! (Please do not reply to this comment, so I can edit it as necessary.)

Joscelin (Roped Into This) - A smol ninja in "Caster's" employ
Adrien - Possibly a cat; definitely helping with behind-the-scenes things
Celty - A ninja in "Caster's" employ, silently smitten with "Hibiki"; various other stunt roles as needed

[priforprince]

[ Prihind the Scenes ]



So you've come. I was just thinking about you.

[ Said as if this is going to make your day. Hibiki stands from where she'd been sitting in her plush DIRECTOR chair, already dressed in her deposed-samurai costume (for someone who has fallen on hard times, this samurai has suspiciously excellent hair and skin care), and offers you a script from a side table. ]

This is your script. I've done you the favor of highlighting your lines and blocking. Engrave it all upon your heart.

[ She's in a good mood! Things must be going well - but of course they are. Surely, nothing could go amiss today, and no one could dislike their role! ]

[ Prights, Camera, Actprion! ]

Ah -



[ Hibiki collapses to one knee in the snow, supporting herself on her sword. She stares at the sword, absorbed in its gleam (and her own reflection within.) ]

This sword that was pledged to defend my lord.....Is this all for which I can use it now? A mere crutch in my hour of need? But....

[ TORMENTED EXPRESSION. Cameraperson, this better be a close-up! ]

There are those whose happiness relies on its dance! Yes, for their sake, I'll become a thief or even a villain.

Even if I should sacrifice all that makes me myself.....

[ Clutching her heart. Staring at the sky. Is she injured, or merely in mental anguish? Someone needs to come find her! Someone who loves her, or who will take care of her...

Or someone who means her ill, and wishes to take advantage of her vulnerability....

Music begins to swell. Whoever comes, they'd better be prepared....to SING. ]

Prights, Camera, Actprion!

[unlucky7]

[Having grabbed her script earlier and gone through it a few times, Ginia returns with script and cellphone in hand. She flips the script open and points at the directions laid out for her.

"Insert pining monologue about [Hibiki's Character] and how life is incomplete without him."]

Is this necessary?

[disciprined]

[Round round get around, cow gets around, yeah
[Get around round round cow gets around, ooh-ooh cow gets around
[From town to town get around round round cow gets around
[I'm a real cool cow get around round round cow gets around
[Hey do you see me now get around round round cow gets around

[I'm a cute little cow with but a single scene
[So I left the ol' homestead, made sure I was seen
[In every moment, baby, I'm right there
[Distracting the viewers coming from nowhere

[Round round get around, cow gets around, yeah
[Get around round round cow gets around, ooh-ooh cow gets around
[From town to town get around round round cow gets around
[I'm a real cool cow get around round round cow gets around
[Hey do you see me now get around round round cow gets around]

Prights, Camera, Actprion!

[redmare]

That can be arranged.

[ A mysterious ninja appears behind Hibiki, lifting her blade to strike her---him--from behind. A mask covers the lower half of her face, showing only her hair which is tied in a ponytail, as well as her eyes.

The music begins, which means the song is about to begin, the build up for their eyes about to meet the moment Hibiki turns.]

Prihind the Scenes

[futhark]

[ What is he doing here? How got he roped into this? Why? But, hey Archer kicked his butt to get here. So he's now in full get-up wearing quite a sour expression on his face. Impressive how his acting skills must have evolved.

Or it's just a rare day when he is actually in a bad mood.

He takes the script and immediately raises his gaze upon The Director, very unimpressed. Look, he's getting into character already. ]

No normal person names their dog "Pooch"

[ Of course it's his role and there are dogs. OF COURSE ]

Prihind the scenes but she's definitely annoyed with him

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 eventually does appear. Hey, he couldn't cancel his tutoring sessions just like that, it's his job, it's got more priority than Hibiki's little movie. But so the result is that he's late to appear. And just because- he's in one of his garish Hawaiian shirts under a very clashing (deliberately, because he's been taught color combination by his god by now) hoodie. ]

Uhu, are directors usually taking part in movies too?

[ Actually he doesn't really know much about movies so it is partially an honest question. Partially. ]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Prihind the Scenes

[Zetta, of course, is obviously the star. So he plays the part magnificently, plopped down in a comfy armchair behind the set, with minions surrounding him -- fanning him, feeding him grapes, angrily yelling at an agent on the phone, or so forth.]

[Those that wander by and are within his spectrum of tolerance get a supercilious grin. Those who aren't get a supercilious yell of:] Hey! Grab me a donut!

Prights, Camera, Actprion!

[Behind the book! It's -- floating over the desk and mugging for the camera.]

[This is definitely not in the blocking instructions he'd been given.]

prihind the scenes 1/2

[priforprince]

Such a high-quality set only serves croissants.

[ Said automatically, while busily reviewing her own lines in her script. Even though she wrote the thing, it's Hibiki's idiom to only rehearse the day before an event! ] "Ah, meetings.....they are a preface to partings...."

Prights, Camera, Actprion!

[yasei]

[ This is meant to be a serious scene filled with ominous mystique. Obi, instead, is finding it pretty hilarious. At least he's trying to not laugh. It's great that he's wearing a mask, but his shoulders are definitely shaking with barely suppressed laughter as he's supposed to fetch a mysterious box for his "Master" from the office. ]

Prihind the Scenes

[bass_instincts]

[And Shin is having a smoke nearby, not being particularly concerned about where his smoke goes. His job is done- if Hibiki takes issue with him smoking backstage in an outdoors scene, then he would just leave and adjust the music to fit better in post.

He wasn't going to re-record anything unless he absolutely had to, and Zetta's failure to follow his blocking was going to make his beats seem off. If he would actually stick to them then Shin might not be blowing his smoke in Zetta's general direction.

When Zetta shouts at him to get him a donut Shin glares in Zetta's direction. He's tired, cranky, and has practically been working two full-time jobs at this point, and he wasn't about to play gopher for a f***ing book.]

Yeah, no. Not my job.

[letteropener]

Prihind the Scenes

Oh goodness.

[Backstage, Celestia is doing her best to practice her fight choreography, though the wooden sword she holds looks clumsy and awkward in her hands. Taking on a human shape for the movie doesn't mean she knows how to use one of these things -- quite the opposite, really!]

[She takes a step to the left, swings the weapon around, and manages to look awkward and clumsy while also sweeping the blunt blade through an area she hadn't intended at all. Duck!]

Prights, Camera...

[A clever chair and clever body language make Celestia look small and frail in her chair, a physically weak woman holding court behind the protective auspices of a bodyguard and soldiers to shield her from those who might do her harm. Yet nobility looks out from her eyes, and her voice is strong despite her body's seeming failings.]

Who then shall next petition for an audience with the shogun?

...Actprion!

[Battle rages around the throne room, as dishonorable ninja and their ronin masters make their move on the shogunate, with only a weak woman serving as regent in their way. Such are their numbers that even thanks to the swift efforts of all who protect her, one of the ronin has made it clear to her throne, and now sneers up at her with cocky overconfidence. As she looks at him, Celestia lowers her head and presses one hand to her chest.]

Though it seems my time is over,
With my debts still unpaid.
I'll meet my fate with courage --
I shall not be afraid.

[She rises, slowly and deliberately. And powerfully, unfolding herself to reveal her full height. When her eyes open, they all but strike down the ronin with the gleam and fire within; he takes a step back in involuntary surprise.]

For I cannot feel much fear
Towards those so very weak
That to gain their foul desires
A helpless foe they'll seek.

[With a twitch of her arm, a fold of her dress falls aside -- revealing the hilt of a sword. She lowers her hand to it, fingers curling around the hilt as she slowly bends into a ready stance.]

But woe betide the villain
Who knows not what they've found.
And YOU, oh vexing vagabond --

[She draws the sword with a dramatic chime of steel. Somehow the blade manages to completely shred her dress, leaving the tattered fabric to drift back over the throne. Beneath it, Celestia wears light but functional armor, in a way that probably couldn't have been concealed beneath the dress in any way but who's counting?]

I'LL STRIKE YOU TO THE GROUND!

[Leaping down the stairs, she brings her sword around in a vicious two-handed chop for the ronin's head!]

prihind the scenes

[priforprince]

[ That wooden sword is blocked with ease by its fellow, which somehow manages to make a satisfying metallic clang sound despite being a stage prop. It also sparkles. Which probably explains a lot, especially when considering the person holding onto it.

Hibiki lowers her "blade" now that she has stopped the blow, smiling. ] Is your sword not to your liking?

[ There is no way a Princess could ever be bad at anything. ]

[iii. Pritobombing]

[disciprined]

[On the one hand, this is an absolute outprige.

[On the other, Mirei is a professional. A dues-paying professional of the blood-sweat-and-tears school who knows far better than to assume anybody can simply walk up to a movie set and recieve top billing. Which she isn't entirely sure is what she would have wanted anyway given that Hibiki is in charge here and a lot of the other roles available here... priflect that.

[On the other other hand, and she's running out of hands here so she's going to have to borrow one of D2's, if Hibiki actually wants what appears to be a pantomime cow to play a part in her movie, Mirei sees no reason not to give her exactly what she desires.

[Pripeatedly.

[Prigardless of context.

[Prifectly prissive-prigressively.

[There is now a pantomime cow in the background of every single scene Mirei can crash.]

[priforprince]

Should we have not sworn our love to the moon?

[ Hibiki stares up at that glowing orb in the illusory sky, still holding the ninja mask her character had sliced from an enemy's face to reveal - the amnesiac love of his life! ]

If we had pledged to the sun, perhaps we could have been constant. Ah, that all vows...

[ .....Is that. A cow. Behind her.

No. she will not look, she will not react, she is in the moment, she is Acting, she will make this work, she refuses to film anything in multiple takes, and besides, this is her big PRAY TO APOLLO moment - ]

....could be placed on brilliance, not fickle rays....

[ THERE IS NO COW LA LA LA ]

-1: Why is there a small, fluffy creature roping me into this?

[dredefulchilde]

[Joscelin’s taken to roaming The Far Shore lately, attempting to understand the place that once felt as close to home as he could fathom, but now seems strange and foreign after the volcano incident. Today’s long walk has taken him to an unfamiliar temple, with lots of people milling about. He pauses just long enough to see what the commotion is about when—]

You.

[There is a familiar white, fluffy animal barreling towards him, yowling in a very familiar way. Isn’t that Hibiki’s pet? What is it doing here, and why won’t it leave him alone?]

[priforprince]

[ "MEOW."

Thus spake Rosalie, as she leaps for Joss's middle. She knows this one, he was useful! He helped her find food! Sort of! Close enough!

And now, he will help her again! First she just has to leap onto him and then her ordering-about can begin. ]

ota vulturebombing

[revolutionfalcon]

[Usually Shun's vultures stick to hanging around Shun's temple grounds, but with all this additional noise and drama not all that far away in Central District, they've gotten ruffled. Considerably ruffled. Not helping is the flock's discovery as soon as they go to investigate that the person responsible is that one god they mostly know for storming onto their god's temple grounds uninvited and making a scene before the vultures are directed to chase her off.

As such, anywhere from a half dozen to the full two dozen vultures (some with bald pink heads, and some with downy white ones) can be found at any given time ransacking various parts of the sets around the Far Shore. This may be anything from pecking at the scenery to commandeering any refreshments to knocking over cameras and everything in-between depending on how annoying they're feeling. One particular vulture, a female griffon vulture who seems to be the de facto leader, might occasionally be doing somewhat more directed things...like maybe employing some companions to shove Hibiki's directorial armchair a foot to the left while she's standing up in hopes she'll miss it and fall over. Keba does not in fact know how effective or not this might be, but it seems appropriate to the situation.

While they mostly won't bother actual cast members too much, they will hiss rather menacingly at anyone who tries to stop their shenanigans. Except for any residents or regular visitors of Temple Nekhbet, who mostly just get pointedly ignored while the vultures continue ransacking. Shun may not have sent them, but he certainly doesn't care enough to stop them, because he's nowhere to be seen, so. Good luck?]

[priforprince]

WHUAAAAGH!

[ Hibiki begins to fall backwards.

WHERE

IS

HER

CHAIR

?! ]

[reloves]

[ At first Minako is so caught up in preparing for her role and acting and watching others act, and-- well, pretty much everything, considering how enamoured she is with the spotlight in any sort of way - that she doesn't even notice the vultures.

But it's kind of hard to keep not noticing them when they're turning the set into a total chaos. Especially since it's vultures. Why are they even here?! Those are barely even birds! They're like the ugly old bald man version of birds!! And even if it had been cuter birds, Minako won't tolerate anyone trying to ruin Hibiki's precious movie.

So Minako stands up, running towards two vultures pecking away at the costumes and waving her script as a makeshift weapon. ]

Hey, what are you guys doing?! Stop that!

wide open!

[reloves]

[ Minako is taking this whole film deal very seriously. Which means that she might for once not be all that loud! Or at least not all the time. She's trying to focus and get into her role and watch others while they're filming to make sure she'll end up fitting into the whole well.. This is her big breakthrough, she has to do well! And she wants Hibiki's film to be great too, so that's two stones with one bird! (Was that it?)

So often she's just sitting somewhere off on her own, either watching the filming with great attention or staring very, very intensely at her script and scribbling tons of notes into the margin.

While she's sitting there with her script though, she might just suddenly latch out and grab you by the pant leg (or just by the legs) - watch out you don't trip! - to get your attention. ]

Hey, I'm trying to write a song about Hibiki for my role! Would you rather call her eyes "gorgeous" or "dazzling"? [ These are the real questions that matter in life. ]

[unlucky7]

[Fresh from her costume fitting, Ginia is walking around in a kimono and hakama, sword sheathed, hair tied back, looking every bit a proud bodyguard for a samurai family. Her expression doesn't match her look, more downcast and reserved as she gets used to the footwear. Minako's grab snaps her out of her thoughts; she looks down, giving a brief smile and taking a seat next to Minako. She pulls her phone out of her kimono and taps it against her chin.]

Depends on the rest of the sentence and how it flows, I think.

[alchemists]

I. Prihind the Scenes

[ Elfnein's been entrusted with a lot of things for the movie, between being the go to tech person and being given a role to star in. She's trying to move a few cameras and the sound equipment though it's all much too heavy for her. ]

II. Prights, Camera, Actprion!

[ Elfnein is off to the side of one of the scenes reading her script, it really doesn't make sense to her but Hibiki said she would understand when they started filming. ]

What is the point of my character?

I. Prihind the Scenes

[unlucky7]

[Ginia is passing by and notices Elfnein carrying some gear, the load looking a bit precarious. Hurrying over, she grabs a speaker off the top of the stack and hoists it onto her shoulder.]

You okay? Need help?

[She signs slow, keeping to basic phrases and words already covered in lessons.]

[nopixiedust]

A - Set Up!

[All of this is looking to be exactly as ridiculous as Wendy could ever expect from Hibiki.... and that suits her just fine. She's not really sure how accurate all of this is going to be, besides "not very", but that's fine. Movies are supposed to be all about things that are fake, right? And there's no convincing Hibiki anyway. As long as everyone has fun, then it's fine.]

[Well, assuming Wendy can even get ready for it anyway. As part of her role as "sad deposed little sister", she's wearing a very subdued and threadbare kimono piece. Or, rather, she would be wearing it, if she could get it properly on. So that's why she's approaching anyone not actively doing anything, kimono dragging a little bit on the ground.]

Do you know how to put one of these things on?

[She could really use the help, since she can't do it herself. At least, she can't do it and look good.]

B - Action!

[If there's any good news at all, it's that Wendy is already very skilled at playing the role of "teary eyed little girl you're supposed to be sorry for".]

[It shows now, in this scene, as she stumbles through the streets, hair (purposefully and carefully) in disarray and her wide eyes shimmering in tears. Finally, she collapses, kimono fluttering out around her in a spread, and daintily raises a hand to her tear-stained cheek.]

It's no use...! We're born of the same blood, and yet, can't I keep up with my elder brother? Every night, he disappears, telling me nothing... [She tilts her head just so for the camera, hair slipping in careful strands over her face.] Does he not trust me? Am I not strong enough to help in his burden? If his honor ends up tarnished because of me...

[Long hair is really handy. It adds a nice weighted curtain to her face as she bows her head, hands at her face.]

I don't want him to leave me behind!

[Those sobs are kind of scary in how genuine they sound... So are you a friend coming to comfort her, or a ninja coming to take advantage of one of the protagonist's loved ones? Anything can go in this scene!]

A

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 is the front half of a cow (obviously because Hibiki doesn't want to see his face- or his garish clashing hawaiian shirt and hoodie) and doesn't really have much to get into at the moment, so he was just browsing the script to see what was actually up with this movie anyway, he's definitely not busy. He looks up, and he smiles as he spots his friend. ]

Yeah I do, you need help with that I take it?

[bass_instincts]

[ I. Prihind the Scenes ]
[ While not strictly needed for this, Shin still showed up to help. He's overseeing that the right music is getting cued at the right times, playing live when the venue allows for it and Hibiki demands it, but some of the time it was obvious that the best sound would come from adding the sound in post production.

It's not uncommon to find him out of the way, puffing on a cigarette. He's got a look that is just daring anyone who might complain to try approaching him. He's tired and has been overworking himself between this job and the host club, but this was it, it was finally coming to a close, and he's honestly just relieved for the moment, even if he'll end up hating having the time to have his own thoughts again. ]

[ II. Prights, Camera, Actprion! ]
[ In scenes where Shin is recording with the rest of the musicians live sometimes he changes up the piece to better fit with what is going on between the actors, but still making sure to hit his cues. Sometimes they can film a scene and Shin will play it five different ways in five different shots. It's not too hard to miss a musical cue if you're expecting something else before it. On the other hand, his improvisation also helps carry scenes with an unscripted change of mood. When he's playing his music he's focused on his music, losing himself in it and having enough presence in the musical recording area that it seems a shame that there aren't also cameras on him as he performs. ]

II

[priforprince]

[ Funny you should mention that, bracket text....

Hibiki is off on the other side of the set, putting out fires (possibly literally. WHY HAS HER SET SPONTANEOUSLY BURST AFLAME?! SHE DEMANDS TO SEE THE ARSONIST!) while this scene continues filming, cameras staffed by a stack of stuffed robot goats all standing on top of each other. As the actors recite their lines - it's a Sneaky Scene between Wandering Lost Souls Hibiki Declined To Name But Told To Be Ninjas - a purple butterfly clacks up on flapping wings, circling Shin's head.

What sort of music is he playing? ]