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]

Would you like me to go with you or wait by the piano?

[ What draws less attention to her... ]

[showbaka]

I shouldn’t be too long…but do you feel comfortable waiting? What about the ghosts? And I saw a cobweb here once!

[depressured]

I'm not really bothered by ghosts. And I can probably dust in the meantime.

[ She's not afraid of bugs, unlike One of Them. ]

[showbaka]

[He goes more transparent at the thought.]

Be careful! I shall not be gone long!!

[Voice echoing in the auditorium, he makes his retreat from any creepy crawlies. He’ll be gone for a few minutes. The theatre seems to creak in response, temperature dropping to a chill. Voices that aren’t nearly as loud whisper in the corridors and balconies.]

[depressured]

Mm. [ Quieter, to herself. ]

It isn't that bad.

[ She's just going to grab a broom to clear up the corners and any cobwebs, because she might as well be productive while she waits. ]

[showbaka]

Asahina-san.

[Tsukasa whispers from stage left. He has a stack of papers in his arms, but he's holding on in particular closer to his chest.]

Please be careful. I think I saw an insect crawling offstage.

[depressured]

... Tenma-san...

[ ... ]

By any chance, are you not very good with insects?

[showbaka]

W— What do you mean?

[He’s fine he’s not twitching or grimacing over it.]

I’m good with everything!

[depressured]

It's fine if you're not. We all have something similar, I'm sure.

[ Well. It's not bugs, though. ]

[showbaka]

Do you have something like that, Asahina-san?

[depressured]

[ Being alone.

She doesn't say that. ]

... Thunder, I suppose?

[ Hm. ]

Though I have to admit, it's not much of a problem these days.

[showbaka]

I can sympathize! The way thunder crashes loudly out of nowhere can be very jarring, especially when the skies are clear or you aren't expecting it!

[...He hopes he hasn't said something to make the fear come back.]

But it's good that it no longer scares you. Getting over a phobia is something to be proud of.

[depressured]

I wasn't alone. [ Simply that. ]

I'm not sure if you could say the same for insects and arachnids, but at the very least, I can contend with them for you while I'm here.

[showbaka]

[He rests his chin in his hand, looking at her thoughtfully.]

That certainly makes a difference. You're a kind person, Asahina-san, going to all this effort and even braving ghosts and even insects. [She had called the theatre lonely, instead of decrepit or creepy, and she had gone out of her way to talk to him and help him with this when he was otherwise alone. Had she been lonely at some point too?] He I'm not sure how I could ever repay you, but is there anything I can do?

[depressured]

[ Is this kindness, really? She's been called that before, but she really just does what she needs to when she's asked or told. Mizuki had asked her for help, recognizing that Mafuyu wasn't afraid of things like ghosts. She didn't dislike Tsukasa, but she didn't exactly have strong feelings of positivity towards him either. As for what benefit he offers...

... It doesn't seem likely he'll be able to help her find herself. And that is what it is. So she shakes her head with a careful smile. ]

Please don't worry about it, Tenma-san. The important thing right now is getting you out of this theatre and back to your normal life.

[showbaka]

[It’s not the first time he’s felt powerless to do anything. It doesn’t sting the same way it had with Saki. He’s old enough to know his limits in this situation, and he doesn’t know Mafuyu that well. It’s not like there’s a wall he keeps hitting. She might not even need his help. She has friends, a life.

But being powerless isn’t something he’s good at. The very least he can do is not make things harder or be more of a burden. He wears his brightest smile and gestures grandly, narrowly avoiding sending the music sheets in his arms from scattering.]

Yes! What kind of star would fail to put on the most dazzling show here? I have brought a plethora or the music sheets you requested— there should be enough variety there to compose something that captures the voices of everyone here.

[depressured]

[ Undaunted, it seems. Well, it's not like she wanted him to feel disheartened by her carefully worded refusal, so this works.

But Mafuyu settles on the edge of the stage, patting the empty spot beside her. ]

That's perfect. Then let's start with selecting something from the earliest show they would have put on and ending with the most recent. Your input is going to be crucial here.

[showbaka]

[Sitting next to Mafuyu, he starts sorting through the sheets.]

This is the oldest one. The theatre had its first show in the early twentieth century. The first show they had is about an aspiring musician who has to go on a journey and learn to sing.

[depressured]

I see... I'm not familiar with it, but...

[ She glances down at the sheets. ]

Starting off with an aspirational sort of song wouldn't be a bad idea.

[showbaka]

[He nods, looking down at the sheets in thought.]

It has several energetic and hopeful songs. On the other hand, something more melancholy that reflects the theatre's current state might work better.

[depressured]

Then we should aim for bookends. If you start melancholy, the final song of the medley should be hopeful or triumphant.

[ Maybe the ghosts would appreciate it ending on an upbeat note. ]

[showbaka]

I like that idea!

[He starts laying the sheets out on the stage to make them easier to sort and read.]

Ending it on a hopeful note with the same musical would be a fitting dedication to the first show.

[depressured]

Mm, I agree.

[ She glances down at the sheets, thoughtfully. ]

Which one is your favorite show, Tenma-san?

[showbaka]

Ah-- It's this one!

[He gestures to one delicately placed down towards the end of the row.]

It's called The Happy Phoenix. Are you familiar with it?

[depressured]

I'm afraid not. Presumably, it's about a phoenix?

[ Well. Yes. ]