off brand ghibili movie night

[spacialeyes]

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Off Brand Ghibli Movie Night

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Since the new timeline, Yuuto has moved in with Elliot Nightray, Leo, and Mu. Their new home is a traditional Japanese house, chosen to purposefully contrast the Western style of living that the younger boys are used to. Now that they've settled down, the housemates have decided to host a movie night with their close friends. There are pillows, floor seating, and a tea table set out and a large tv screen to play the movies on. Yuuto has collected some of his favorites which are, for the most part, all Ghibli movies. The movie party will go on for way too long, so latecomers are more than welcome! Party will be on Friday!

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Kiki's Delivery Service

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actually the most important movie in the catalog. The first movie starts at around 6pm, right as Yuuto is beginning to service fresh bread and sweets for people to snack on. There will be plenty of options for tea and hot chocolate, should anyone need it. This movie is a sweet and cozy tale of a young witch, who embarks on a coming-of-age story in a seaside town.

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Ponyo

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Let's be real. Yuuto is going to end up making ramen for everyone mid movie. You all get free food with this confusing story about respecting nature.

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Castle in the Sky

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After a short intermission, the next movie will start to play. Snacks will be refreshed and fresh pots of tea set out. This is a movie about two teens on a journey to find a floating castle! It's a more action orientated movie, but still has a theme of respecting nature.

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Spirited Away

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Hmm weird hmmm that event that's upcoming, hmmm, odd, maybe characters can learn what a certain phrase means, hmmm. Also, the tea tables will be switched out for futons and more cozy sitting situations. There will still be some snacks, but there is less focus on gathering around one or two tea tables.

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Howl's Moving Castle

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The last movie of the night, perfectly timed for the party beginning to wind down. Yuuto and any other helper-types can begin to quietly clean-up in the background, while the others are distracted by a dramatic story about loving yourself more. Maybe some of y'all should sit down and take notes though cuz holy shit.

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Party End / Sleepover

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Because that's a lot of movies, everyone is welcome to sleepover in the large tatami rooms. Yuuto will provide futons and any other necessities to keep his friends comfortable! there can be eggs and bacon in the morning. you're being evicted from friendship hours by noon. this is a house of introverts.

Comments

[nightwild]

[Fauna has never seen any of these movies. She's enraptured by Kiki's Delivery Service, watching, her tail flicking...

... But as the movie keeps going, and then Ponyo starts, she seems to be getting restless. Fidgeting much more in place. Tail thumping the ground lightly.

It's a good thing ramen distracts her.]

Huh. Did you make this, Yuuto?

[But other than that, you might find her just... behind someone else, lying on the floor like she's overloaded.]

[spacialeyes]

Yes! Do you like it, Fauna-chan?

[He was sure to give her extra chashu to help keep her spirits up. Her bowl is also a cuter pink one with little kitsune painted on it.]

I can teach you how to make it. It's really easy.

[nightwild]

[This is why you're the best, Yuuto. The meat and the cute bowl. The bowl makes her smile, but the ramen is getting devoured.]

Seriously? I... well, maybe I can try it.

There's this ramen restaurant I found a while back that I've been going to pretty frequently, Mutekimen... I never really thought much about trying to make ramen myself. Other than the instant kind.

[tapformana]

[Tap is here! Because she wants to see Leo again, and make sure he's okay... and talk to Elliot again, because they had half a conversation earlier.

Talking above love over Ghibli movies does seem to be like the right thing to do.

Except that Tap is, well. She's really, really into the movies. When Kiki flies again, Tap is crying Ghibli tears herself.

But at the end of Spirited Away, she does have to ask:]

... So... How long were they gone?

spirited away

[stavros]

It may depend on what you see. It makes sense that the overgrowth would indicate that they were gone for perhaps even hundreds of years, but that seems to be more of a fairy thing than a youkai thing, does it not? So it may well be that the entrance always looked like that, and they were simply enchanted to see something different. Or that its current appearance is the spell...

...though perhaps I ought not theorize when I slept through half of this movie.

[tapformana]

But time flows differently in different worlds, right? Like Urashima Taro!

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto is here mid Ponyo to offer some warm milk and honey, since it’s in the movie… and Tap got so emotion during Kiki’s. He’s worried.]

Tap-san, have you had milk and honey before? I made some, if you’d like to try it?

[tapformana]

Milk and honey? Isn't that for when you're sick?

[She's surprised, but clearly open to it.]

I've never had it, though! I'll try it!

[goldspecktacles]

[When Tap arrives, Leo is still playing the part of a cheerful servant. He laughs and waves to greet her.]

Ah, Ms Tap. You’ve made it. Please, do make yourself at home.

[tapformana]

Leoleo! Are you doing okay?! I'm sorry I haven't talked to you since before, it's been really hard to find you!

[rejectedchain]

Kiki's

Hey, welcome. Thanks for coming.

[Elliot nods at the early guests and pitches in from time to time to help out with distributing snacks. His attention though is captured and enchanted by the movie...or rather, Jiji, Kiki's familiar.

He watches in silence while petting Melody, and at the end of it, his eyes may be a bit misty from Jiji and Lily's happy ending and the hand that isn't petting Melody is holding onto Leo's.]

Ponyo

[Elliot doesn't want Yuuto to tire himself out with all the hosting, so he gets up at some point to help hand out ramen to everyone, shooting confused stares at the movie.]

Is she a frog...?

Rest of the Movies

[Forget holding hands- Once Elliot settles down again, as the films continue he ends up sharing a futon and blanket with his...his boyfriend, cuddled up against him comfortably while some of the cats have decided to nap with them as well. Castle in the Sky is a fun adventure, and Spirited Away is quirky but creative enough that he stays invested in the story...

Howl's on the other hand leaves Elliot with a sour expression as the story progresses. Or, well, the character the movie is named after does.]

I really can't stand this guy...

[He mutters quietly to himself, fighting the urge to stand up and start shouting at the tv. He doesn't want to wake anyone who may have fallen asleep.]

Party End

Why are you still- [Elliot yawns.] Why are you still here? Are you volunteering to clean the place up? No? Then get out!

[Still in his pajamas that consist of a t-shirt and shorts and his hair messed up and sticking out in different directions, Elliot is not a morning person and he's on a mission to locate anyone still lingering after the free breakfast so he can kick them out!]

holding hands

[goldspecktacles]

[Leo started the night in very bright spirits; Largely as an act. He had assisted with set-up, but Yuuto brushed off his cheery attempts to help once the movies started. He ended up sitting with Elliot, at first worrying that he had offended Yuuto somehow. Perhaps this was the end of his time at this house; He'd be bullied and encouraged to leave, just as he was at the Nightrays' manor. But as the movie went on, Leo realized what Elliot's elder brother was attempting... and he chose to let it happen.

He grips Elliot's hand with his only one and leans against his boyfriend's shoulder.]

... I still want to take apart the television and learn how it works. [this... might not be a joke, actually.]

[rejectedchain]

[Elliot isn't nearly as observant (or worried), but he is grateful when Yuuto rejects Leo's assistance. He knows the cheerful act isn't something that comes naturally to Leo and he doesn't want him to end up in a bad mood. More than that though, a selfish part of himself wants Leo to himself for tonight. Even though the room is filled with people and they're not even close to being alone, it feels...natural. Safe.

His face heats up as he feels Leo's solid form against his, grounding him despite the dreamlike haze he finds himself in. He lets his head rest against Leo's and breathes out a genuine laugh. Hearing Leo say something so normal is nice.]

Don't...! That thing looks like it could explode at any moment if you did something wrong. Aren't there obscure books about that sort of thing, anyway?

howl's moving castle

[tapformana]

He is... really self-absorbed, huh...

[Tap yawns, though. She's clearly starting to flag....]

Ponyo

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto really appreciates Elliot’s help with the ramen! It’s a pretty simple recipe too, so he’s able to quietly walk his brother through preparing a few bowls.]

The most important part is adding the hot soup and then putting the lid on. Why don’t you make servings for Mu and Leo? You know their tastes better than me.

Kiki’s

[melancholie]

[Dimitri arrives only a little bit early. He has his space cloak pulled around his shoulders to keep him anchored, which allows him to look at Elliot with confidence- Which almost comes across as a glare. He knows who Elliot is… kinda. He’s some guy that Yuuto has decided to adopt. He’s a brother from the past timeline, sure, but Dimitri was always too shy to get close to him.

This timeline is different. Dimitri expects for Satou to adopt people and share her love… It’s weird for Yuuto to be so open about it. Yuuto, who usually hides in the shadows and takes care of people in secret, would never have moved in with a near-stranger.

… Dimitri doesn’t realize that he’s jealous.]

The… the house is nice. [He’s trying to be civil as he glares directly at Elliot.]

[spacialeyes]

(a. arrival / party prep)

[Prior to the party proper, Yuuto has spent a lot of time preparing food, prepping meal ingredients, setting out the furniture, and fighting the television. Some of these tasks taking him longer than ever (how do you work a blu-ray player anyway???)

Of course, he realizes that it's a lot of work... So even if it's hard for him, he does accept help with all of the pre-party tasks.]

Thank you for helping... Can you help wash vegetables for the ramen? Or cut them? I need to make sure that we'll have enough bowls too...

(b. movie watching)

[Yuuto is eagerly playing host, so he doesn't have time to watch every movie. But he is seated for the entirety of Kiki's Delivery Service and Castle in the Sky. The movies have his full attention; Any parts where flight is involved, Yuuto's hair tuffs rise like cat ears and his belt sways on the floor. There are a few points where someone may need to poke him and snap him out of it, because his eyes start to glow pink and small items begin to float into the air.

It's fine. He's totally normal when watching movies.]

(c. ponyo / ramen serving)

[Everyone is getting their own bowl of ramen during Ponyo! Yuuto is handing them out during the appropriate ramen scene, with a small bowl on top to act as a lid while the inside contents steam. He's done his best to pick a bowl that suits each guest and to balance their meals in a healthy way.]

Let me know if you need extra meat or noodles, okay? There is plenty leftover.

(d. howl's moving castle / cleaning)

[During the last movie of the night, Yuuto is helping to set up those who are sleeping over; Putting out futons, removing dishes, and generally making a quiet attempt to tidy up while most everyone is distracted. He's being especially quiet in the kitchen, where he's rinsing dishes for the dishwasher. When he notices someone stepping up next to him, he whispers with a warm smile:]

You don't need to help out. Enjoy the movie.

(e. get outta here)

[Once everyone wakes up in the morning, eats breakfast, and is sent off... Yuuto crashes against the doorframe. He thinks that everyone has left already as he groans, polite façade briefly lost;]

How am I so tired? I'm usually a morning person... [He's also an introvert!]

[stavros]

[Kokoro wasn't sure she should even show up after the absolute mess that was her It's Complicated threatening the host's life in a fit of Facility-induced rage the second she turned her back last month. Good gravy. But arrive she does, since she's not her sort-of-boyfriend-slash-reincarnated-nemesis's keeper, and just for good measure she brings two of those jumbo bags of popcorn. Which looks kind of silly considering how short she is.]

I should hope this is enough tribute.

[During Kiki, she's working on something -- wait, is that just a diary? -- but she will pause to talk.]

Madoka did mention once that there seems to be discourse over the English versus the Japanese songs... Perhaps everyone has simply bonded over what they are accustomed to?

[Ponyo has Kokoro's rapt attention, however, to the point that she's practically ignoring the ramen. She might be starting to tear up. She'll deny it.]

Their circumstances are cruel indeed, and yet defying them led to all of this...

[During the intermission, Kokoro seems to finally realize that she's got a cooling bowl of ramen in her lap! She immediately starts to inhale it. And chokes. RIP.]

Gk -- ah -- why --

[After all that is settled, Kokoro does her best to pay attention during Castle in the Sky, but she spends the next movie and a half... napping. Feel free to draw on her face or stack cushions on top of her. But halfway through Spirited Away, she will wake up and rub her eyes, then scratch her head upon seeing what's on.]

...Was this a wise choice, considering?

[She's awake enough again for Howl's Moving Castle to fascinate her, though she ponders aloud...]

I understand she has no choice, yet I still cannot comprehend how she puts up with this man.

[And during sleepover time, she helps set out the futons and looks around the room with a small smile.]

It seems nostalgic... even the chaotic sleeping arrangement.

[starrystoryteller]

[When the movies are done, Mu finds herself completely baffled by the sleepover arrangement. She's never seen something so chaotic as the way these futons are laid out.]

Is this... normal?

[spacialeyes]

Kokoro-chan! Thank you so much..! You didn’t have to bring anything but yourself, and still..!

[Yuuto is over here looking like Kokoro brought a five course dinner rather than an offering of popcorn.]

How are you? Have you settled into the city well enough?

[veileddreamer]

I. Arrival

[Tau arrives early, excited for an excuse to leave the house.]

I am here...I brought cake that Papa made...It probably will not be enough...for everyone coming...so you guys should hide it...

[It sure would be awkward if someone who didn't live here heard that.]

II. Kiki

[This is her favorite movie, and she is struggling not to sparkle as she watches it.]

I love...the old married ladies...It is really nice how Barsa helps her wife out when...she has that bad back...


III. Howl

[A movie about loving yourself. The message always went over Tau's head before, but this time she's starting to understand it.]

I want...to eat a star...

[Or maybe not.]

IV. Sleepover

[By the end of Howl's Moving Castle, Tau is asleep. She rouses just slightly as people start moving.]

Mm...'s it over? I...will get up...

[She is not moving.]

I.

[rejectedchain]

I'm glad you're here. And thanks...

[Elliot looks over his shoulder, trying to think of a place they can hide the cake.]

We can probably eat it once everyone's left.

[He still hasn't realized this is going to be a slumber party.]

howl

[tapformana]

[Tau isn't the only one getting sleepy by this point. Tap is half-asleep, leaning on Tau- What started as cuddling is now just her nodding off on the poor girl.

But as Tau says that, Tap, in her half-asleep state, stirs slightly, arm moving as she tries to fish something out of her pajama pocket.

... She then proceeds to press a Starling to where she thinks Tau's hands probably are.]

Okay... Here's a star...

IV

[spacialeyes]

[Yuuto has been slowly cleaning up the kitchen and sleeping room, so he's ready to focus on his guests by the time that the movie ends. And no guest is more important than his little sister! Yuuto kneels down next to her, smiling in light amusement.]

Are you sleepy, Oneechan?

III

[melancholie]

Isn’t the moral of this story “don’t eat stars?”