Open ♔ I will change even the world!

[priforprince]

Who: Hibiki, CelePara Talent Agency, & the whole Far Shore
When: March 27
Where: Temple Apollo, Far Shore Central District
What: Hibiki's movie screening/draw-her-homeworld-to-herself gambit. The day of revolution has dawned.

[ Act I. Prilude ]

Today is the day.

[ Hibiki's done that thing again, that thing where she forgets to lock her temple door and then monologues to herself in her office. What an inconvenient and ham-handed thing this thing is! Why, anyone who stopped by early for any reason might overhear! ]

I'll be coming to pick you up soon. Ando....Princess Falulu.

[ Hibiki is standing next to her model of Apollo's Temple, and she's talking to miniature dolls. Most of the dolls she has sorted in boxes around her are of people from the Far Shore, but the three she's addressing have never been seen here: a man in a goat suit (no, wait, that would be silly, it's a goat on two legs, that makes way more sense!), a fancy girl with long curls, and a barefoot girl with a pure smile. ]

Fuwari.

[ The longing in Hibiki's voice is so potent you could rend ayakashi with it. ]

[ Act II. Movie Screening ]

[ The seats to which usher spygoats lead everyone upon their arrival to Apollo's temple are exactly as described on the tickets Hibiki sent to old and new gods alike (what do you know, Zetta - she actually managed that...incredible....seat you were assigned). Spygoats in little concession hats roll about before the screening, offering gourmet flavored popcorn and sparkling water to any takers. Even the popcorn boxes are etched with gold filigree, and may be taken home as a memento.

One thing all seats have in common, however, is that they can see the stage. And what a stage it is.

At the appointed time, the lights dim, and Hibiki's voice can be heard echoing all around. ]

Worshippers of Apollo, bienvenue. This puniverse's eons-long drought of true entertainment ends tonight. Bathe your hearts in the oasis of extravagance and slake your thirst in the crystal springs of genius!

Tonight, I'm serving it exclusively for you. Enjoy the taste.

[ A movie screen unrolls across the stage. The same bleating goat logo for MPriM Productions as was featured in the trailer bleats its bleat across the now-darkened theater.

And the movie begins.

As anyone involved in the production can attest, it's a historical musical about a samurai who was unfairly stripped of his title by a jealous rival. The samurai is left fending for himself against the ninja assassins his rival sends against him, and is torn about turning to a life of crime to support his little sister and her sick friend. The plot only thickens when it's discovered that one of the assassins sent to take the samurai's life is actually his former lover, believed dead - but she's been brainwashed to forget him!

Will the samurai stain his hands in sin for the sake of those he loves? Will there ever be an explanation for how someone can supposedly have the world against him when every woman he meets falls violently in love with him, often singing about it? Or why a samurai movie features saloon scenes? Can the samurai rescue his beloved from the true villain, a retainer of his rival's who's been manipulating everything from behind the scenes in hopes of siezing power himself?

Yes, Archer's role ended up being the secret bad guy of the piece. What a strange happenstance.

Because our hero is noble and handsome and played by Shikyoin Hibiki, he can achieve all his aims and more! While he does steal to support those he loves, it's only ever from wicked people, and in the final battle, he not only defeats the true villain but is rewarded with a restoration of his title by the shogun. (Whose sisters are all also in love with the samurai, but that is neither here nor there.) His lover also recovers her memory of him when he saves her from the True Bad Guy, nearly losing his life in the process, and his would-be sacrifice leads her to rediscover her passion for him.

Everyone is happy who should be happy. The samurai's little sister's sick friend recovers. Even the farm animals seem happy. A cow who has been in nearly every scene, even scenes where a cow has no business appearing, seems happiest of all.

The film ends with a rousing musical number about how wonderful the samurai is, and with the samurai saying that even more amazing places await them, and as the camera pans up to the dawning of a bright and wonderful new day, music begins to swell throughout the theater again. The screen fades, but four girls rise on Ionic columns from beneath the stage, their backs to the audience. Acquaintances may recognize them as Natsuru, Wendy, Elfnein, and Tsubasa.

And everyone had better recognize who's rising up in the center of the stage now. Her back is also to the audience, and. And.

Oh. Oh, Hibiki.

No. ]

[ Act III. Revolution ]

Now! The first act of revolution has concluded!

[ Hibiki lifts her mic towards the ceiling. A faint glimmer of light can be seen there. ]

Our radiance calls our quarry to us. Resound, across primensions! Captivate PriPara and draw it towards us!

[ The columns lower the four girls back onto the stage. Hibiki's column just plain vanishes. She drops, twirling around as she does, so she lands in a flurry of purple sparkles on one knee with her mic out, then stands. Music strikes up, all around. ]



[ The "Special Performance After The Show" begins! It's a live musical number, though resplendent with immersive illusions that take the audience, one by one, to different vistas through which Elfnein, Wendy, Tsubasa, and Natsuru sing and dance with Hibiki. They keep dancing together even once they return to the original set, with Hibiki eschewing the big finish at first in favor of going on to a sultry jazz solo, gesturing to each of her members in turn but mostly showering herself in her own splendor. This is her moment. This is her revolution. And she will sing the full version.

At last, however: ]

[ Everyone sprouts wings. Hibiki's fellow singers all have gold wings, but Hibiki's - Hibiki's are special. ]



Ah ha ha! Ah ha ha ha!

[ The light up above grows as CelePara Talent Agency zips through the air. Hibiki twirls higher, higher, ever higher. The others take each other's hands, but Hibiki soars higher still, and instead of a bell appearing, there's just light, that light, and within it -

Is there something within the light - ?! ]

This is my revolution! My divinity! I drop the curtain on this forsaken stage!




[ The music reaches its climax. Hibiki stretches out a hand - ]

What a

[ It's getting closer, everything is bathed in light - ]

Wonder

[ Hibiki takes a deep breath. Hibiki smiles, a smile full of unrestrained, unrefined glee - ]

PriPara World--!!

[ Drums crash. Cymbals ring. And just as the music ends, Hibiki's fingers -






hit a wall. ]

[ Act IV. -- ]

[ The lights go off.

The music has ended. The set has vanished. The members of CelePara Talent Agency appear back onstage again, all illusions dissipated. Nothing's left but a darkened concert hall, the audience, and Hibiki, frozen in place with her fingertips lightly pressed against the topmost part of the hall's ceiling. ]

Wh....at?

[ She blinks, like she can't believe what she's feeling. She stares at the ceiling in front of her, at the darkness and the solid pressure against her hand. For a long moment, she remains there, suspended in time and space. Everything is silent.

Then, slowly, staggeringly, Hibiki tips backwards and floats back to the stage. Her wings and legs give out in tandem, and she collapses to her knees about a foot above the floor. The hand that'd hit the ceiling falls, useless, to her side. ]

PriPara.....didn't come?

[ The spygoats begin gathering in the doors of the hall. This...is not what they were supposed to record. This is bad, right? They should. Do something. Something for Maa-ster. ]

Everything was...illusion.

[ Hibiki's eyes are open, but it sure doesn't look like she can see the concert hall around her - or any of the people here for her show. She's the only one privy to whatever drama she's looking at right now. ]

PriPara.....

[ Her lips tremble. Her head bows. She's sweating. And her voice is quiet

so quiet. ]



......isn't coming?

[ Spygoats burst through the doorways, pouring in en masse to begin attempting to push, cajole, and otherwise encourage everyone to leave in a cute, polite, but firm manner. Right, okay! Maa-ke your way to the exits, please. Flock this way! In case you haven't herd, the presentation has concluded. Maa-ny thanks for your attendance today....

Anyone who's determined enough to get through to where Hibiki's kneeling will be able to. But if you were just here to spectate, the goats will see you out now. There is nothing more to witness today.

Not when Maa-ster is kneeling there, so small.

Not when Maa-ster looks so alone. ]

---

[[ ooc: Characters are welcome to use this post as a mingle to heckle/comment on any parts of the show amongst each other, in addition to tagging in with prompts meant for Hibiki or other members of CelePara Talent Agency. Hibiki will not be coming out of the concert hall to speak to anyone who the goats manage to expel, however.

And a warning to anyone who stays: she might....explode. ]]

Comments

iv

[nopixiedust]

[That wasn't part of the routine.]

[Wendy quickly looks around them, searching out an interruption of any sort- but no. It's nothing outside that's the problem. It's Hibki herself, floating down weak and shellshocked to the ground. Immediately, she's running up to her, listening to those heartbroken whispers.]

[Shit. First things first- damage control.]

Alright, shows over!

[Coming in front of Hibiki, shielding the sight of her heartbroken body behind her tiny little frame, Wendy puts her hand on her hips and yells out into the audience with a voice bigger than her body.]

What are you still looking at?! Don't make me come down there! [She'll do it, too, she's not afraid to shatter someone's kneecaps. Although Wendy doesn't really have to, considering her next demand.] Goats! Move it or lose it!

[That surer does get them moving. While the goats handle crowd control, Wendy looks over her shoulder slightly to check how Hibiki is doing.]

[priforprince]

[ How is Hibiki doing? ]




.......This can't be.

[ Not well! Her voice, at least, is rising a little, and hands that had been motionless have begun to shiver, ever so slightly. So has the rest of her.

But. Um. When her voice gains a hint of its usual timbre, it's to say: ]

I don't.....accept this.......

[trustheart]

[Chris... doesn't know how she should be feeling just now. This whole thing seemed rather ridiculous, even after putting her enmity towards Hibiki aside in favor of rivalry. And what she was most interested in was supporting Tsubasa and Elfnein here anyway, and while she appreciated that, and even liked the movie on some chintzy level, the ultimate outcome of everything, and seeing Shikyoin like that...

... It didn't make her feel good at all

So as spygoats tried to push her out, she promised them that she'd get them some new fancy stickers, earning her way past them. Eventually, she reached Wendy, a look of concern upon her face.]

Wendy. Shikyoin... is she gonna be okay?

[1/2]

[disciprined]

Wendy!

[Have you seen Mirei like this, Wendy?

[Mirei doesn't care. She hasn't even thought about it. She's been thinking of absolutely nothing save dodging, jumping and (where necessary) kicking her way through the spygoats to the stage. No, she is not going back to her temple and she doesn't care how cutely they may be asking.]

Wendy, what on earth is going--

[2/2]

[disciprined]

[And she catches herself. Places one hand to her brow.]

No. I know. I know exactly what she was trying to do. Please, forget I said that. Hibiki-san... how long has she been working on this?

[beyondtheblade]

[i./ii. OPEN to anyone, general sort of prompt.]

[Tsubasa largely is in and out of the back rooms preparing for the performance at this point, looking largely distant and mulling over things. On the one hand - she's very impressed with the preparations. She has enough confidence that it will be successful on that end, and it's enough to get her name and voice out there. These are good and necessary things. She's fairly pleased with it.

But... at the same time, she's more than a little worried. She's got a good idea of Hibiki's goals now, and... She's not exactly confident that it's something which will prove to have the effect she wishes.

A part of her feels guilty, understanding that. Another does have a small hope that in all this otherwordly nonsense, there's something that could break through that.

Either way, she believes in the strength of her music, so... At the very least, it should prove entertainment for the masses. She just hopes things don't go too badly if it doesn't pan out how Shikyoin wishes...

One can find her dressed down, moving back and forth between the dressing rooms, actual stage checking on things, or milling about the temple grounds for some fresh air before the movie starts, if anyone happens to be early.

She WILL be viewing at least the part of the movie too, but hanging back and waiting before she has to take off and be ready for their appearance following its end. Which she actually ends up disappointed in - god help her she's fairly invested by the time she has to leave and prepare for the performance.]

[iv. Closed to Hibiki or anyone necessary.]

[So.

That didn't pan out how Shikyoin wished. Even if the show itself went off without a hitch, seeing her react as such, as people are ushered out of the place... Regardless of how silly it may seem to hope such a thing would work, it hurts her heart as both a performer and a person to see anyone crushed like that.

Thus, she approaches. Should any spygoats get in her way, she's just going to shove them off.]

Shikyoin.

[Her tone is, at least, softer than normal. Certainly more than anyone but Chris or Elfnein has heard from her since arriving.]

...this isn't the place for you to be kneeling.

ii

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure has calmed down a fair bit since her... outbursts on her first day, but with becoming Tsubasa's shinki, she feels a need to be at her side. And with this talk of "revolution", no matter how ridiculous it is, she doesn't like that her god is wrapped up in all of this. What if she makes a fool of herself? Or the old gods see this as an act of insolence.

So, as Tsubasa is preparing for the performance, she... ends up sneaking back stage. Shadowing Tsubasa, by literally staying to the shadows. For what it's worth, she's quite stealthy, but with her having two glowing yellow eyes and Tsubasa's ninja training, the effectiveness of it might not be somewhat limited.]

[i]

[trustheart]

[Chris managed to get back stage... primarily because she knew two of the performers. Part of her wished she could be part of all of this, but it was more important to support Elfnein and Tsubasa right now.

It was Tsubasa's dressing room she headed towards first. She reached it, and knocked on the door frame.]

Knock knock. Anyone home?

iv

[priforprince]

[ Yeah, this would be a goat that goes careening out of control once Tsubasa shoves past it - not her fault, not really, it just hit a slippery part of the stage. It falls off, cushioned by a trampoline that a bunch of its fellows happened to have prepared for some reason.

This does not stop all members of these shenanigans from being very afraid for Maa-ster, however. In fact, they start wondering whether they better find a way to get that trampoline up there instead.

Meanwhile, onstage: ]

Impossible.

[ Hibiki hasn't heard Tsubasa. Or seen the comic relief. Hibiki remains transfixed by something only she can see and hear, and from the way her expression is starting to contort, it doesn't make any sense.

And is horrifying. ]

Everything should have been flawless....

ii/iv

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[Dark Precure had burned her invitation, so when she ended up being ordered to attend by her god, she ended up seating herself in the rafters. After she had been basically ordered from leaving back stage.

She... didn't know what to expect. And despite herself, the story ended up resonating with her. Primarily, it was the satisfaction of the samurai achieving absolute defeat over his foes.

But then, there was the little sister. Her recovery, the bond between siblings. As she watched it, it made something burn inside Dark Precure's chest. What was this feeling?

Longing?

Hatred?

Regret?

She didn't understand any of it. But all of it added up to something she felt she was missing, and ultimately, once it was over, she had no idea what to make of all of it. So, after it was over, and the performer was left with an unsatisfying result... she escorted herself out, and stood outside the venue, standing quietly. As she stood, deep in thought, she frowned, and words slipped from her mouth without her realizing it.]

... A lot of effort for it to be all for nothing.

[holygrailed]

[Irisivel is rushed out by the herd of goats despite her best efforts to stay inside. What had happened at the end? The movie, though perhaps clunky in some areas, was highly entertaining and exciting to see. The following performance a spectacle too - such talented singers and dancers! But then Hibiki rose and fell and...

She sighs as she stands outside of Hibiki's castle, catching the words of the woman next to her.]

Do you think so? I politely disagree.

(i hope this isn't too late)

[puzzlingly]

「 Why did he agree to come? This is a waste of time. Not that he would be doing much regardless, perhaps aiding his Goddess to... whatever she would need. But he knows better now that leaving in the middle of the presentation would bring more attention to himself than simply wait for it to finish. He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy at least some of that, there is something about how the samurai risks his life for his lover to recover her memories that has him getting a little lost in thought.

And at last, it ends. Only for the dancing to begin, this is a bit too much and Atem sinks into his seat hoping it ends soon. But of course, just as everyone else, he's rather confused and concerned about that unexpected ending, he's glad that at the very least she seems to have a lot of friends to check on her before he's hurried out. He can worry about that later.

Atem steps out of the temple, ready to go back to his assumed duties when he catches a familiar glimpse of black clothes and dragon wing, she seems awfully quiet and he approaches, hands In his pockets, only when she speaks to herself. 」

It was not for nothing.

「 Hello, friend, long time no see. Hopefully this midget won't take her by surprise. 」

[disciprined]

[Oh. Oh, no.

[She's been having a bad feeling about this since she got back. Mirei hadn't thought too much about the movie: it had seemed, right up until she got the ticket, like nothing more than a fairly typical venture for Mister Handsome Puniverse Prince of the Year to sponsor. She'd been a celebrity back home, inside PriPara and out, and it hadn't seemed at all strange for her to want to recapture that here. Why wouldn't she make a movie and cast herself as the lead? It was such - such a Hibiki thing to do, it had made so much sense on its own, that she hadn't thought to consider this: just where, in Hibiki's own calculations, did the movie fit in?

[And then she'd got the ticket, and time to think about it--

[And that was the moment she had realized.]


i - iii

[Idiot, triple idiot! How could she have thought Hibiki content? Mirei's been forgetful, been blind, too caught up in how this world works, too busy trying to learn and to play by an all-new set of rules. She simply hadn't remembered, or had allowed herself to forget, that Hibiki had never worked that way, that to her all laws were guidelines and, if not sufficiently Hibiki-serving, could simply be rewritten, or scrapped. Mirei, stranded on the Far Shore, had tried to change herself. Hibiki? Hibiki would want to change the world.

[It's that addendum that proves it perfectly: performance to follow the screening. Ring the Charm Bell, rule PriPara. Rewrite it, change it, make it into your own. Want it back, Mirei Minami? All you have to do is ring the bell yourself--

[She has a terrible feeling about this.

[It's a feeling terrible enough to have her reconsidering the evening completely. She changes, not into a fluffy pop coord, but into her Idol Attorney Coord. If this goes as badly as she thinks it will... she may even need to talk to Hibiki, not spar with her. That sinking feeling becomes a breathless, bottomless death dive when she walks into the hall, when she sees the stage. She's got a good seat, Hibiki's seen to that: wants her old rival front and center to witness her second moment of triumph. It's the Winter Dream Grand Prix again, only this time she's trapped in the audience, even more helpless to stop whatever Hibiki is planning than she was last time around. It's the same stage, the same set: it's the same damn bargain, she can feel it. Ring the Charm Bell. Rework the world. Except--

[Except this world doesn't work like that. It doesn't. And there's no point wishing on the what-ifs, because it just doesn't. The rules are wrong.

[She can't enjoy the movie. Her own efforts. All she can do is sit there, a tight and horrible knot in the pit of her stomach, and wait for what-happens-after, waits to see if she's right--

[Of course she's right. Of course she is. The calculations are spot-on: there's simply no other conclusion. Same coords, same number, same thematically-appropriate vignettes, just with Wendy and Natsuru and Elfnein and another girl - Tsubasa, from that awful banquet - in place of Sion and Sophy, Falulu and Mikan. That's the force of songs all right, and she wants to jump to her feet and shout stop--]

Stop.

[She simply whispers it, nails digging into her palms. It's not going to work. Whatever you're doing, Hibiki, it's not going to work...

[Why didn't you tell me, oh Brilliant Prince?

[She can't enjoy it. Even as pure spectacle she can't enjoy a second of it, of the tip that comes before a topple. How could anybody, watching a friend riding for so catastrophic a fall? Because it's not going to work, it's not going to, and heaven help her but she wishes it would. Because it's home Hibiki wants, it's home and sanity and friends and the world restored, dazzlingly, turned right-side-up again, and God knows but Mirei wants that too. Laala. Sophy. PriPara. She wants that too and what she wants is impossible. It's not going to work. She wishes it would. Wishes, quite deperately, for Hibiki's sake and her own and there's Platinum wretched Airy right on cue and it's going to do, with a sickening three-hundred-and-one percent certainty, absolutly nothing...

[But Hibiki knows it's going to work perfectly, and that makes Mirei sickest of all.]


iv.

Hibiki-san!

[No. No, she's not going. It should be pandas, not goats, and it could have been an army of them and she'd be ignoring them, too. On her feet, Mirei is fighting to the stage, because her friend is in trouble and she needs them all now.]

Hibiki-san!

[Move it, spygoats, move. She's down the aisles and up onto the empty stage and it's history repeating again, it's three months later and her in her first, her first Dream Parade coord, gazing down at the stage and at Hibiki the instant before the lights snapped off. She never had to work out what she'd say to Hibiki the next time they spoke, if they ever spoke again at all, but that was PriPara and this is here and there's nothing, nothing at all, to shield Hibiki from what happens after.

[On the stage, surrounded by Hibiki's team, Hibiki's unit, Hibiki's friends, she remembers the Winter Grand Prix, and the worst feeling in the world. Remembers not only losing, but losing it all. She remembers losing for everyone--

[Oh, Hibiki.]

How long did this all take?

iv

[priforprince]

PriPara....can't not come.

[ There's truths one doesn't wish to admit because they are Not One's Style, and there's truths one doesn't wish to admit because they are not physically possible. From the trouble Hibiki's having with this one, it appears to be the latter. She even uses a double negative!

As such, she is even less inclined to listen to Mirei than normal. ]

What........?

[ Not even "why". We are still stuck on "what". ]

[unlucky7]

II
[Ginia turns down the offers of sparkling water - she's had enough to know it's not to her liking - but hell yeah, free gourmet popcorn. Caramel, four cheese, basil parmesan, a popcorn feast for all, a snack for a great event. It's Hibiki's big movie debut! Everyone's work coming together! A fun event for all! Ginia tries to remind herself that, but her expression is a bit contemplative as she wanders around the space, devouring box after box of popcorn.]

[The movie itself... well, it's something. As a royal bodyguard, she shows up in enough scenes, looking good and intimidating. Her signed scenes are subtitled in purple font, but she's mostly there for appearances.

So when her mandatory monologue pining over Hibiki happens, Ginia sinks a little into her seat. It's moving! It's sincere in its heartbreak and hurt at unrequited love! Method acting, some might say. Ginia furiously eats her way through because it sure brings up some bad memories.

As for her big scene in the sudden barfight in the saloon? That's a little more encouraging and fun to watch. Hibiki cast her as a swordsman, but throwing people around in a barfight? That's definitely her forte.

...Didn't notice the cow in the scene though. Huh.]

IV
[And then it all goes wrong. The movie was a spectacle, the following performance grand as always, but as Hibiki rises and rises, making her grand declaration, there's a tug of dread.

PriPara, PriPara, the constant echo of Hibiki's words ring in Ginia's ears. The arrival of paradise, that grand day. What did she think would happen? What did she want to happen?

Oh no.

Ginia pushes against the spygoats, leaping over them as she rushes to the stage. It seems wrong seeing Hibiki kneeling there, looking so defeated, so small, so... young. She shoves through the last ring of goats to get to Hibiki's side, kneeling down and setting a hand on her friend's shoulder.

...Yeah, all things considered, Hibiki really is a friend. One of the first she made, for that matter. Strange, that.]

IV

[priforprince]

Don't touch me!

[ The words come out instinctively. Hibiki flinches away from the touch, startled by it but also looking a little confused, like she's not sure where Ginia came from.

Still, being surprised by something else helps the gears of her mind start turning again. She's able to look at what happened, turn it over in her head... ]

PriPara didn't respond to me....? Inconceivable. I won't permit it....!

[ ....Get stuck. But also, faintly, on the edges, begin to get angry again. ]

[blahblahblah]

[Rita's here for two main reasons: partly because Tsubasa is, and she wants to support her (and maybe hear her sing without something dangerous hanging over all their heads at the same time); but largely because she'd met Hibiki before, at the party when she'd first arrived, and she'd taken interest in whatever this rebellion turned out to be. So she's in the crowd, though for a brief period ahead of time she's backstage by where Tsubasa is getting ready for the show and can be accosted there. Still, she doesn't wait too long before she finds her seat - a reasonably good one, in fact, since Tsubasa's in the show.]

[A | before and during the show (I-III)]
[Sure, she saw the promo video, but. What in the world is this film actually going to be? And why is Tsubasa performing? It's a movie, it's already recorded, right? There's something she's missing, and Rita looks lost in thought - but very much like she's in a sulky mood - while she tries to figure out what. All the pieces are there, she's just...

The movie itself is... decently produced, and she's drawn into it, munching on a box of popcorn. Let it never be said Rita Mordio can't appreciate art. As long as it's art she can understand, at least. She's at least attentive enough to gasp in surprise and make other noises at the plot inspires.

But when the movie ends and the show begins, and Hibiki declares her revolution and its goal proudly, it all clicks. Whatever the paradise Hibiki described actually is, she's trying to connect it, to bring it here. Will that work? Rita cheers, excited despite herself, and enjoying the show earnestly. Maybe this can be something she can get into? She doesn't really look the part, but that can change with time and effort, or at least she really could support Tsubasa. But no, right now she's focusing on Hibiki as the song ends, as her confidence and radiance reach a pinnacle, and she reaches for-]

[B | after revolution (IV) | -> outside]
[-nothing. Nothing came, and Rita feels her heart drop. Sure she'd thought Hibiki was a little strange, but nothing deserves this. She wants to say something, wants to reassure her, but... she doesn't know anything about whatever the hell Hibiki was trying to do. All she knows is that it's wrong, but that's not helpful. So when the goats start to direct traffic out of the temple, she doesn't resist, letting her feet carry her away, not giving the goats so much as a smile. The sullen look on her face, and the glances back to the stage, to Hibiki where she's got people grouped around her, tell a bit of a story themselves, but she doesn't say anything.

Coward, she says to herself, but she knew that already.

Once she's outside, she waits anxiously for anyone she knows - or anyone that looks like they might have news. Or even anyone that wants to talk. Her nerves are probably visible as she keeps glancing at the temple proper, waiting. Hoping. In frustration, she grumbles from moment to moment, most commonly:]

Dammit, she didn't deserve this...!

[inthemoonlightsshadow]

[There's a flutter of what sounds like batwings as Dark Precure touches down behind Rita.]

You seem distressed, Mordio.

IV for hibiki... what's one more timeline, right

[reloves]

[ Minako is having the time of her life at the show. Just watching a movie in which she - even though her part is very small compared to Hibiki's numerous parts - appears would have been enough to make her estatic, but seeing Hibiki in the movie on top of it, and getting an actual idol performance, seeing her fellow shinki Natsuru perform and just.. everything about this is beautiful. She loves it. This is heaven.

Except then it suddenly gets really weird. Minako hardly realises what's happening until the goats are already trying to get everyone out, and then sheer instinct kicks in. Does she know what just happened, or why Hibiki is looking so weird compared to the usual? Not at all. But she's determined to find out, and like hell any spygoat is going to stop her right now.

In fact, it's like some golden light already crinkles in the air around her when one of the goats tries to push her to leave (thanks powers which she happened to remember just at the right time, apparently..), and it quickly leaves her alone.

Then she quickly makes her way towards the podium, hardly even seeming to mind the crowd and chaos. She's not going to leave Hibiki alone when she's looking like that. ]

Hibiki..! What are you doing?!

[ She hasn't made it to the podium quite yet, but she's yelling at the top of her lungs as she's working hard to get there regardless. ]

[priforprince]

In....comprehensible.

[ Hibiki is kneeling, staring at her very own private BSOD movie, and slowly but surely falling apart inside into a pile of firewood just about ready to ignite. You know, as one does. ]

Revolution......failed.......?

IV for Hibiki SPLINTERING TIME FURTHER

[letteropener]

[A faint crack of magic signifies somepony has gotten past her goats through the terribly cheap act of teleportation. A moment later, Celestia drops down to her knees next to Hibiki, then reaches one foreleg out to wrap around the girl and pull her into a hug.]

[The pony is soft and warm and caring. Hibiki seems like she needs all three.]

1/2

[priforprince]

.....eh?

[ now what's

happening

hibiki was still in the middle of figuring out that somehow, it has all gone Wrong, and then this strange new sensation invaded ]

[myblueskies]

During the show

[Romeo has been so excited for this ever since he learned what a movie was! This was his first ever movie and it is made by one of his best friends and his god was in it!

The plot confuses him almost instantly but he remains amazed at the fact people he knew were on a screen and yet also out here all at the same time! How did it work? It wasn't even like on a phone, on the phones they were only in one place at a time!

He has so many questions but he is trying his best to not interrupt and just watch though he is finding it hard to sit still. It is so exciting! He looks around, grinning at everyone who is near.]

After the show

[What... What had happened? It had all been so amazing, the film and then the dance. Elfnein was a really good dancer but then... Then Hibiki had gotten really quiet and not like her at all and then the goats were trying to make everyone leave.

Romeo is nothing if not determined. He pushes past them all, looking for Elfnein to check she is alright but also making a beeline towards Hibiki.

When he finally gets there he paused. She's his friend but she's also a grown up and he has no idea what is wrong with her.] Miss Hibiki?

[priforprince]

PriPara....isn't coming.

[ That sounds so odd, as a statement. She tries it as a question again. ]

Isn't coming?

It can't be......

[ Romeo is not the only confused person right now. There can be no flaw in Hibiki's reasoning, no flaw in the execution of her plan. But PriPara failed to appear, despite all the pieces being in place. Why?

What was lacking, elsewhere?

....What stood in her way.....? ]

IV

[yasei]

[ Obi had not been sitting in his seat, he found a more secluded spot where he was more comfortable. Man it is so weird to see yourself on a big moving picture like that. It's actually pretty uncomfortable and he's glad he's hidden away in his perch.

Nevertheless this whole movie + music experience is weird and a little weirdly alright. The rest is...just weird.

When the goats start to usher people out he isn't really visible, or easily accessible for little goats.

But once the crowd has thinned out he'll slip out as well. ]

That was...uh.....

[ He's unsure what it was. And who he's talking to. Himself, probably. ]

[trustheart]

... It was a bit hard to watch.

[Chris is loitering at the exit when Obi is slipping out. She waves to him, while keeping her arms crossed.]

Hey again.

[smilingbullet]

pre-performance
[ Not that he didn't know that Hibiki has dolls of a lot of people here (he has seen the one of him sorted into the "No" box) but he hasn't spent that much idle time there. Before being named by her he was mainly visiting for Wendy.

He's sort of resorting them at random. Uuhh sorry?

(Don't worry, he'll put them back later.)

What is with Hibiki's wistful sighs and dreamy looks though. ]

post-performance
[ As one half of the happiest cow alive (and stuck with that joke for as long as he's Hibiki's shinki) and as Hibiki's shinki D2 can't miss the premiere.

This movie was so very Hibiki it's sort of amazing. The performance was a Thing. Hibiki's... That.. is honestly a little sad.

He feels like even if he's not being ushered out by goats he should leave, maybe. He's looking pretty uncertain about it though. On the one hand, their relationship is a bit weird. On the other hand, he's named by Hibiki and she's technically his god.

He's going to leave eventually but he's also going to hover for a while. Decisions are hard sometimes. Agh, it's so much easier to make decisions on the battlefield. ]

pre-performance

[priforprince]

[ did hibiki just hear something "clatter" behind her

She starts, turns -

Glares. Did he hear?! ]

Meddling with others' possessions is rude.

iv

[alchemists]

[ It was a wonder performance from everyone, Elfnein had been working hard to make sure she wouldn't mess up on stage. Her work paid off but when the lights went down the situation wasn't as it should be. ]

We need to find someone who can give Hibiki medical attention.

[ Elfnein was already trying to help the goats get people out by drawing please exit in an orderly fashion signs near the exits with her powers. ]


(ooc: if there's any other prompts you want with Elfnein let me know!)

[priforprince]

[ The goats doing crowd control nearest Elfnein overhear this statement, and a red alert goes ripping through the intr-maa-net that the person writing this has just decided the spygoats possess. Maa-ster! First aid! MAA-SAP!

Thus it is that not long afterwards, a posse of spygoats take the nearest corner on two wheels each, balancing a stretcher atop themselves. A goat with an IV drip attached to itself brings up the rear. All of them are wearing little nurse hats.

You called? ]

[iv]

[trustheart]

[Chris has no idea what's bothering Hibiki, and she didn't ask Wendy. But something kept her in this place, unable to leave, thanks to how she saw her reacting. Eventually, she works up the courage to approach her on her own, sneaking up onto the stage. Her shoes make clacking sounds as she walks across it towards her.

She begins to say something, starting with "Shikyoin...!"... but voice trails off like she wants to say more. The words, they don't come to her. She grits her teeth, and... then an idea comes to mind.

She closes her eyes, and begins to sing.]

I wonder why, why? Even when my heart was a mess...
I didn't hate the warmth of the world that reached out to me...
It's overflowing... it's overflowing... Overflowing this much!

[She comes up in front of Hibiki, staring down at her with a determined expression.]

The light... Power... Lets my soul...?

[...]

Shoot free!
Enthusiastic praise! Brilliance! Heartbeats! All of them!
Look at the sky! It won't fall down...! Because I've... you've found it!

[She doesn't know why these lyrics are coming loose from her lips. But. Something... something tells her that is, this is the strongest thing she can say to her right now.]

Ah! Never again...! Never Again! We won't wander!
Let the dream that should come roar with the feelings of our entire soul!
This is a requiem of conviction!
Our song is a song of conviction! A song that rips through the warped falsehoods!
I've realized... I can finally... see it...
I'm sure it will reach you...

[A few tears bead at the corner of Chris's eyes, and her sleeves coming up to wipe them away from her face.]

... Surely.

[And with that, she turns away, her cheeks burning hot with embarrassment. It's not that she truly knows Hibiki all that well... yet. But she can tell when someone is feeling lost.

And she hates that.]

[priforprince]

[ There's a song.

Why is there a song? PriPara didn't come. PriPara won't come? PriPara was stopped from coming. Something took it from her. This puniverse's system....? Something meddled. Hibiki's attempt to determine just what had gone wrong was interrupted when the song came instead. And that doesn't make sense.

Revolution failed, but there was a song.

Hibiki stares at Chris's back. She doesn't understand how there can be a song, here. How...how dare there be a song. ]

....Stop.

[ This doesn't make sense. The feelings she's feeling don't make sense. Yukine Chris - singing to her?!

What is this inside of herself, and how can she stop feeling it????? ]

iv. A LATE ENTRANCE

[redmare]

Of course Chinatsu wasn't going to miss this. This was her first time in a movie, after all. Well, at least as far as she can remember. Then there's also supporting Hibiki. It was something she was really looking forward to, and Chinatsu was going to make it no matter what. Were a lot of things ridiculous and over the top? She expected that much. Was the movie embarrassing? Just a little bit. Look, she didn't realize how awkward she could be in lovey dovey scenes until she saw herself on screen. But all in all, it was a fun movie, and she actually had a lot of fun making it with Hibiki and the others.

Then there was the performance. She might not admit it out loud, but even she was getting swept in with the music and the hype. She was on her feet cheering for Hibiki as she ascended up in the air---

And then, there was silence. Down Hibiki went.

Chinatsu was already rushing over, pushing away whoever the hell was in her way. She slows down once she's on the stage, looking at Hibiki kneeling on the ground. She's seen Hibiki get down, dramatically so even, but seeing this was heart wrenching, even for her. She walks over calmly, stopping once she's in front of Hibiki.

It was weird, hearing the emptiness in Hibiki's voice. Chinatsu didn't really get the whole Pripara thing, but it clearly meant a lot to Hibiki.

She holds out a hand to her.

"Come on." Her tone wasn't forceful, but it was firm.

[priforprince]

This can't be.

[ Hibiki's only acknowledgment that someone is by her side now is to....use her as an audience for a monologue. ]

Could something have stood in my way? Impossible...

[ But, BUT, if something were to betray her so deeply, snub her so deeply, wouldn't it have to be: ]

...the Far Shore System....?

[ She's starting to tremble as the indignation builds. The indignation, which is a convenient cover for other emotions. Other emotions, which maybe only Chinatsu has seen her display thus far. Like sadness. Frustration.

Like the look on her face when Chinatsu, that first ill-fated night, said "friends". ]

Finally and much too late. IV? V? OVER 9000?

[badassfreakingoverlord]

[Zetta waited.]

[Waited for quite a while, actually. Hibiki being all sad and mopey is no time to approach her. Where's the fun in that? Only when the crowd had finally started to abate, and all these people had given her cheer and support, did the Overlord himself appear on the scene.]

...That was your plan?

[priforprince]

[ ....Suddenly, Hibiki is struck anew by the fact the Far Shore does require revolution, after all.

Her back is to Zetta and she sees no reason to change that, lifting her head from where it'd been bowed in thought. New confidence? Or just a pathological need to get her chin into the air?

The Prince is full of mystery. ]

It worked differently in theory.