haunted theatre au psl

[showbaka]

Truly, this challenge could have only been trusted with a future star such as myself! No wonder I got dragged into this. Even this theatre and the ghosts residing in it recognize my talent!

[Is how Tsukasa chooses to make himself feel better about his predicament. Not that he hasn't done his fair share of panicking and would continue to do so, but panicking wouldn't solve this. Yes, this is but a stepping stone in his career!

One he isn't too thrilled about and never could have predicted, but a still a stepping stone. The only thing that would get him out of this mess would be his skills as an actor. But there is the whole issue of getting visitors to stick around long enough to act. The place is creepy. Signs of abandonment are showing as its popularity declined over the years with no one wanting or able to take care of it. Even Tsukasa has to admit it looks different from how he remembers. To make matters worse, his attempts to draw in visitors have been doing the opposite. He can reach people with his voice, he can interact with the props and theatre, but no one has managed to see him. All of his rehearsals end up backfiring with visitors panicking about the theatre being haunted and leaving as fast as possible.

His shoulders fall as he watches a group of people do just that. They whisper to eachother about how the ghosts here are a lot louder than they imagined and...kind of annoying for a ghost? No one sees Tsukasa stagger back at the insult as if injured.]

I'm not a ghost!

[Even if he is transparent, and can't get hurt, he's definitely not a ghost! But his shouting does the opposite and the visitors leave the theatre empty again other than of Tsukasa and the actual ghosts.

The stage lights turn on, flooding the auditorium and stage in a dazzling light. In that moment, Tsukasa can almost see the same sparkle it had when he and Saki visited. There's laughter as some of the residents of the theatre emerge to perform one of their favorite shows. Scrambling off the stage, Tsukasa meanders and starts tidying up where he can--dusting the shelves, rearranging items, bringing belongings to the lost and found that no one ever visits. He still tries to avoid the ghosts when possible. They're the reason he's in this mess.]

A welcoming and neat appearance will attract more of an audience!

[And no one in their right mind would visit a haunted theatre at this hour!]

Comments

[depressured]

[ "No one in their right mind"... is probably correct, but there are a few factors leading up to what happens next and they are as follows:

1.) Mizuki, who loved ghost stories and tales of superstition, mostly for the effect it had on people like Ena and An, had brought it up, something about a haunted theatre that dragged in hapless souls to perform for them and didn't release them until a satisfying performance was achieved. Which, obviously, hadn't happened yet.

2.) Some kind of discussion had gone down with one of Mizuki's seniors--Tenma Tsukasa, she thinks, who she remembers vaguely from the Kyoto school trip. Whatever the case, he hadn't come to school since. This isn't really anything Mafuyu thinks is that Important, except that if the rumors are true, she can check to mollify Mizuki. She'd helped out a ghost once before, after all.

3.) Haunted theatres made for excellent inspiration for composing and lyrics, and maybe what she learns would be useful for Kanade.

All of this is what leads to Mafuyu stepping into the theatre, after pushing past the heavy doors.

She doesn't say a word, of course. She's here to learn the situation first, and that doesn't require announcing herself. ]

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa is in the middle of looking for a sewing kit when he hears the entrance doors echo. A hush falls on the theatre, like the building itself is holding its breath. It doesn’t take long for excited chatter to erupt over the visitor. A visitor!!! A show!!

Tsukasa tries to get a better look at the intruder. It doesn’t happen very often, but the ghosts have told him that occasionally people will trespass after hours, whether it’s out of fascination for the occult or to prank their friends or to try the challenge.

Kind of like how he did.

He’s surprised then when he sees who it is. She looks a bit familiar, and worry for her wellbeing sets in. Out of habit he hides behind the tables left in the front entrance.]

You shouldn’t be here after hours. It’s not safe.

[But it might be a good opportunity to perform a show?]

[depressured]

[ ... Yeah, that's a familiar voice.

Mafuyu debates exactly how she wants to respond here, if she needs to use her proper polite tone--

Well, probably. He's only ever heard her like that and she still doesn't know the whole of his circumstances here, so she just turns her head towards the tables. ]

I don't believe you should be here either, Tenma-san?

[ So mildly. ]

1/2

[showbaka]

Ah...!

[The only thing louder than the crash of a chair falling as Tsukasa staggers back is his booming voice.]

A..ASAHINA-SAN?! [Thank goodness. He drops the hand over his chest and smiles, happy to see her.] You gave me quite a fright!

[showbaka]

[Why is she here? Did she get lost? But she doesn't seem like the type.

.....More importantly--!]

You can see me?!

[depressured]

I can, yes.

[ A pause, as her eyebrows furrow. ]

Should I not be able to?

[ Is the situation worse than she thought? But he's as visible (and loud) as ever... ]

[showbaka]

No one else has managed to.

[But this is good news(?)]

You're not here to try the ritual, are you? It's not safe!

[depressured]

No, I...

[ ... ]

Mizuki told me about this place, and also that you'd gone missing. I thought I should look into it before involving the authorities.

[ Why Mafuyu specifically?

... Well, one ghost sighting meant maybe she had a better chance of finding an answer. Though she's not sure how to bring that up. ]

[showbaka]

A...AKIYAMA?!

[The laughter and voices in the distance go quiet. Tsukasa winces and tries whispering, motioning for her to hide behind the table with him.]

Akiyama was overcome with concern for my wellbeing? As expected from my kouhai. And you bravely came all the way here-- I truly am fortunate! [...] Did you know that you would be able to see me?

[depressured]

[ Why are they hiding--

Mafuyu, who is experiencing being bewildered for the first time in awhile... nonetheless obeys the gesture, crouching behind the table beside him. ]

I didn't think that would be a problem, necessarily, and Mizuki didn't go too much into detail about this supposed curse. But...

[ ... Well. ]

I've assisted a ghost before, you could say. At an old schoolhouse. So I thought, if nothing else, I might be able to help resolve any problems.

[showbaka]

That must have been very frightening... [He shudders as if he isn't transparent right now.] I see! That makes perfect sense. I had no idea you could see ghosts, Asahina-san! I'm very grateful, everyone else has run away in fear a few mere lines in!

As long as you don't perform any rituals, I wouldn't think the ghosts could do anything...but if you can see them we should be more careful.

[depressured]

[ It honestly wasn't bad at all, but Mafuyu so rarely experiences Fear. And the ghost hadn't meant any harm, either; it had only wanted help.

She sighs a little under her breath, but is careful to keep her tone as light and level as always. ]

I'll keep that in mind, but it doesn't really solve your problem like this. Why can't you leave?

[showbaka]

My problem...? Mn, I suppose it doesn't.

[He hadn't forgotten his situation, but he had been distracted from it, worried about Mafuyu's wellbeing.]

The rumors are true. Most of the ghosts here are former performers attached to this place. They want to bring the theatre back to its former glory and I'm not allowed to leave until I throw a successful show with a large enough audience. I've tried leaving, but whenever I get to the exit it leads me back onstage. But fear not! I don't think I'm a ghost! Even if I managed to get out though, I don't know what I could do out there.

[depressured]

[ Mafuyu, who continues to be lightly bewildered when people worry about her, especially when she tries to give off the impression that she's perfectly competent and not a source of concern.

... Maybe this is just how he is. Emu was the same, wasn't she? ]

So the two immediate problems are that you can't draw in an audience and also that... very few people will be able to see them, even if you draw them in. Do I have that correct?

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa nods and smiles. There’s a hint of stress in his eyes, but he’s relieved Mafuyu understands.]

Your assessment is absolutely correct! I feel a little better now…I haven’t been able to talk to anyone since I got cursed, except the ghosts!

[depressured]

[ And his family and friends must be worried about him. Even she has friends who genuinely panic if something happens to her, after all. Someone like Tsukasa probably has a plethora of them. ]

Would it be possible to convince them to at least make you visible? No one is going to want to come in if they're frightened.

[ There are ways to work around that, but still... ]

[showbaka]

I--

[...]

I haven't tried that yet! I have spent a lot of time begging them to make me corporeal, but perhaps asking to make me visible would be a good compromise, especially when you make that argument!

[depressured]

If you'd rather have me remain as uninvolved as possible, you don't have to bring up my presence here. But I think it also depends on whether they're willing to listen to reason.

[ She's talked to one whole ghost. This doesn't necessarily qualify her to deal with a plethora of them. ]

I'd be happy to help you come up with a suitable plan, regardless.

[showbaka]

Asahina-san... Thank you. Your kindness is truly limitless.

[He finally feels like there's a chance to succeed at this!]

For now, I think keeping you hidden from the ghosts would be best. I don't know how they would react. You can be my audience and I will give the most convincing of performances!

[depressured]

But a performance for an audience of one won't satisfy them, will it? I can try to draw in a bigger crowd.

[ ... She is not going to comment on her kindness, only smiles politely with a rueful shake of her head. She can already hear Ena groaning in disbelief at anyone praising her to that extent. ]

[showbaka]

Perhaps you would be able to convince enough people that this place isn't haunted or cursed? It's...merely old and dilapidated!

[But that brings up another issue.] I've been trying to return it to some of its former glory in my spare time and make it more inviting, but it's quite the undertaking.

[depressured]

Return it to...?

[ She glances around them. ]

Do you mean like cleaning it up?

... Helping you with that much shouldn't be suspicious, should it?

[ She's going to have to make adjustments to her entire daily schedule, though. ]

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa waves his hands in concern.]

I couldn't ask that of you, it's a lot of work! I'm sure you have a lot of other responsibilities.

[Classes, friends...he misses those things. He puffs out his chest proudly before he can dwell on that.]

And I conveniently don't get tired now! ...But if it's not too much trouble, perhaps we could work on the performance together?

[depressured]

[ ... This look of surprise is genuine, not that he'll know that. ]

I... if you think that would be helpful, but I don't really have much experience with actual performances.

[ Beyond, like. Grade school plays. ]

[showbaka]

You need not worry about that! A future star can work with any level of experience!

[Some of his bravado dims and he looks down sheepishly.]

…And I would be grateful to perform with you.

[He might not know Mafuyu well, but he still is acquainted with her.]