Deux ♔ Heaven’s BBS ♔ Video

[priforprince]

[ I. Sparkling Knight ]

Posted: June 21
From: Anonymous

[ It’s the most peculiar thing. Without anyone’s willing it, or any clicks on the thread topic, a window pops up on the BBS of its own accord.

At first, there’s just static. Then, a countdown, grainy and jittery on the screen:



Followed by…darkness. Pure, unadulterated darkness, for several seconds more. The darkness lingers, undisturbed and silent, for several seconds, and is interrupted only by - a voice. It’s not yelling, it’s not whispering. It’s simply speaking, as if you and it are sharing an intimate moment together. It’s a sultry, deep voice. Regal, too. ]

Stellar nurseries. Cradles in the darkness of forsaken galaxies. Nestled to their bosom, a single gleam is born.

[ A flicker of golden light flashes in the center of the screen, then twinkles out. ]

To this world deprived of true radiance - appearing, lo, now on stage.

[ A trail of purple sparkles and rose petals streams through the darkness. ]

A new era dawns.

[ Lights up! Music up, immediately - the ringing of bells, the sounding of trumpets.

And the show begins. ]

Watch on YouTube

[ Lyrics are here. ]

[ When the performance is finished, the lights go down again, replaced by a sign written in ornate letters, with a sunburst in the corner: CELEPARA TALENT AGENCY, by SHIKYOIN HIBIKI. NOW SCOUTING.

And then the video switches itself off. But don’t worry. As Hibiki's very first boon to the world as a god, it's listed on a message board.

You can watch it as many times as you want. ]

[ II. Private to Natsuru, Felicia, & Maria - From Apollo ]

[ Hibiki’s sitting at a desk with a laurel pattern on a door behind her. She’s got her crown of golden laurels tucked behind her ears, too, except instead of wearing her usual purple jacket and trousers, she’s wearing a business suit. ]

Senou Natsuru. Felicia. [ A pause. ] Maria Cadenzavna Eve.

I have something to discuss with all of you. Please accept my invitation.

[ And Hibiki sends along a little attachment. It’s a purple envelope with a pink heart on it that shows you a fancy invitation if you click on it. Apparently she wants you all to stop by this afternoon.

Also, since the “paper” the invitation appears on is monogrammed, it looks like Hibiki took the time to program this herself. ]

I await your presence.

Comments

[papillonprincess]

[ And color her equally intrigued. While performing was never in the forefront of her mind, she could see it as something she could apply herself to if it proved to be enough of a challenge. ]

And how exactly would you go about seeking this genius? Any standards of comparison?

[priforprince]

Have you ever heard a bell ring?

[ THIS IS RELEVANT, SHE SWEARS. ]

[papillonprincess]

Of course. I doubt there's anyone who hasn't.

[ Whee exactly she's going with this, who knows... but color her intrigued. ]

itt: far too many puns on the word "hibiki"

[priforprince]

Then you've heard it. The way one crystalline peal leads to another, reverberating off each other. Echoing, resounding. Calling to each other in a neverending harmony.

So too are the souls of those fledged with the wings of talent. What magnificent music could they create together, when resounding for the same aim?

Blessing the world with that song is my dream.

[ And, you know. Using their brilliance for her own aims. But that's her business. ]

brill...

[papillonprincess]

[ Well that's certainly a poetic way of putting it. ]

And what better place to look for bells that resonate in ways mortals can't fathom but heaven?
But of course, now I have to ask just how you plan to find out of a bell rings with the right tone you're looking for?

[priforprince]

Trust me.

[ Never trust her. ]

[papillonprincess]

I see. Now I have to admit, you have me intrigued.
How many so called bells were you aiming to scout for, if I may ask?

[priforprince]

Logistics are so limiting.

That said, a five-person group is, of course, commonly known as a "Dream Team".

[papillonprincess]

I'm sure someone creative could get around those limitations easily.

[ Hint hint. ]

Have you found anyone so far?

[priforprince]

Are you putting yourself forward?

[ The first act of the drama, and already, an unexpected scene has unfolded. But what sort of talent has Hibiki's radiance attracted...? ]

[papillonprincess]

I will admit I'd come forward out of pure curiosity but now I find myself curious for another reason.

Perhaps I will if only to see if this might be an interesting way to apply myself.

if you want we can thread this OR if she was busy that day we can say hibiki couldn't find her

[priforprince]

[ This is so peculiar. Usually she's finding people and pursuing them herself. The shoe being on the other foot is slightly disorienting. ]

I'll need a demonstration.

Await me tomorrow.

[ She doesn't ask whether that would be a good time for Kuroyukihime or not. Other people's schedules revolve around Hibiki's, of course. That's just. How things are done. ]

Her schedule's pretty flexible! I'm down for it!

[papillonprincess]

And where exactly should I be awaiting you?
If you'd rather I come over instead, that can be arranged.

[ She'd rather just not be sitting around all day doing nothing, really. ]

sounds good! should we make a log for it?

[priforprince]

[ See, Kuroyukihime, concrete arrangements would make sense. Where Hibiki's from, sense rarely enters the picture. She'd rather go for spectacle. ]

Look forward to it.

Totally can! Or we can continue here, your call~

[papillonprincess]

[ Oh no spontaneity. Definitely a change from her hanging out with Rei who has to have every single minute planned out. ]

I'll be sure to keep my schedule for tomorrow clear just in case.

here works for me if it works for you!

[priforprince]

Then, until our true meeting. Ebony Princess.

[ And Hibiki signs out, the better to run a search of any other public BBS postings involving the name "Kuroyukihime". Just, you know. To get a feel.

If she's going to be paying a call, a housewarming gift is required. ]

totes!

[papillonprincess]

[ She's not really been one for the network... save for occasionally trolling one such Rei Ryugazaki on occasion. Even if her responses have been anonymous and signed with an ascii butterfly, her typing style is pretty obvious.

But she does decide to stay at Omoikane's that day as opposed to wandering Tokyo was she usually does. The last thing she'd want to be is rude, after all.

Instead she'll busy herself with wandering her god's temple instead, at least until the door needs to be opened. ]

[priforprince]

[ Anyone who signs their responses with a butterfly is A-OK in Hibiki's book. She's more and more intrigued.

The day is growing rather late, however, and Hibiki has yet to make an appearance. In fact, the sun is on the verge of setting.

Maybe she forgot? ]

[papillonprincess]

[ Oh good someone understands her totally telling signature

She hasn't been too bothered about when Hibiki would be coming by. Instead, she's been keeping busy. Set aside the laundry, maybe do some light reading, heck maybe even some light gaming.

But her gaze does go to her phone every now and then, just to see if she's missed any texts about a reschedule... or when she should start texting Hibiki about what time to expect her. ]

[priforprince]

[ Sunset begins dyeing the world brilliant shades of orange, red, gold, violet. Jewel tones lighting up the tops of houses and temples. And then, as the sun's rays shine out around the temple in which Kuroyukihime awaits Hibiki, the noise can be heard, coming down the street. An uncommon noise, but ringing out truly nonetheless.

It's the sound of hooves, outside. Lots of them. And passersby stopping to gawk.

Down the street, a horse whinnies. The noise is getting closer. ]

[papillonprincess]

[ She hadn't even noticed the passage of time. Thus was the case usually when someone found themselves engrossed in a decent game for a few hours. She'd been in her room, mowing down zombies when the sound of those hooves becomes very apparent.

Cue her setting the controller down and going to stare out the window.

A princess at a window. Go figure.]

[priforprince]

[ How picturesque! How ideal! For nothing less than a horse-drawn carriage approaches now, Hibiki in the driver's seat, wearing (or clad in the illusion of wearing) the same blue prince costume she'd had "on" for her performance.

Catching sight of the audience within that window, she brings the horses to a stop and smiles. Then she reaches behind herself and pulls out a bouquet of red flowers. ]

Amaryllis. [ This is an acceptable way to start a conversation when you've kept someone waiting an entire day. ] A name that means "sparkling". Signifying determination, beauty, and strength.

[ Here you are. ] A fitting perch for the evening butterfly to alight upon.

[ She's. She's sparkling. It's not an illusion.

Shikyoin Hibiki is sitting in a horse-drawn carriage outside of Kuroyukihime's window wearing a dippy little prince crown and exuding purple sparkles.

You're welcome! ]

[papillonprincess]

[ Her reaction moves from confusion to surprise to evident amusement. There's the smallest smirk playing on her lips as a brow raises and her head rests on her hand while she looks out the window.

But that smirk is quick to die down to a small smile instead. The butterfly allusion is a definite good way to get her attention. ]

Quite an arrival... I assume you'd spent the entire day planning this...?

[ But she will straighten up from where she's leaning to fold her arms behind her back. ]

If you'll give me a moment, I can head to the front door and let you in. This is hardly the place to be holding a conversation.

[priforprince]

I humbly accept your hospitality.

[ Hibiki there is nothing humble about showing up wi

oh forget it

She'll find a good place to park her carriage in the meantime and be waiting at the front door when Kuroyukihime arrives to let her in. ]

[papillonprincess]

[ It doesn't take her long to finally open the front door after checking herself in the mirror few times to make sure her hair was brushed just so to show her guest in. ]

It would be rude to keep you waiting, after all. Please, come in.

I can have tea ready in one of the sitting rooms.