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

[showbaka]

A healthy breakfast can certainly lay the foundation for a successful day!

[The wall creaks and Tsukasa jumps.]

Ah…perhaps I should start with gathering supplies and props!! We should be careful too.

[depressured]

I'll meet up with you, then. I should probably wait outside for the food.

[ Just in case. ]

[showbaka]

I didn’t think of that…shall I wait for you in the lobby?

[depressured]

I think if you want to take ten minutes to find what you were looking for before, the lobby should be a good meeting place after that.

[ Multitasking! ]

[showbaka]

So efficient… Very well! Let us reconvene in ten minutes.

[Tsukasa walks off, a spring in his step. There might be a shriek when he runs into a ghost, otherworldly laughter and voices echoing through the building.]

[depressured]

...

[ Is he truly going to be okay? He's already been stuck here for far too long...

... Ah, well. No point in wondering about it. She just has to get him out. So she'll head outside to wait for the delivery for now. ]

[showbaka]

[He’s fine!

He’ll hum a cheerful tune to himself loudly as he gathers everything. After practicing a few poses to boost his courage he heads back to the lobby, looking pleased.]

[depressured]

[ And she'll step in a few minutes later, balancing a few boxes. ]

Is there a table we can use? I can just set these on the counter, too.

[showbaka]

[He reaches out, offering to help.]

Yes, there's a table in the kitchen since it also acts as a break area.

[depressured]

[ She passes a box over, but carefully, like she isn't entirely sure he can carry it.

But he's managed other solid things, so. Maybe it's fine? ]

That's perfect. Then let's make use of that.

[showbaka]

[He tries not to look worried about dropping the boxes. But he doesn't. They don't fall through his hands. He doesn't understand the rules, but maybe sleeping helped.

He nods in the direction of the kitchen.]

Yes! Let us partake in delicious food in the kitchen before it gets cold!

[depressured]

That would be a shame.

[ Well, at least she can take note of differences that way--

But she'll head for the kitchen to get the boxes open and arranged on the table there. ]

[showbaka]

It would be!

[He cleaned up the kitchen so that it would be more inviting…or less abandoned looking. He places the boxes down with far more dramatic flair than necessary, looking proud.]

[depressured]

... Ah, was this one of the areas you focused on?

[ It definitely doesn't look as... decrepit. ]

[showbaka]

Mn! It's an ideal place to hide because most of the time the ghosts don't seem interested in it.

[depressured]

I suppose that makes sense, especially since they wouldn't need to eat anymore...

[ Kind of sad. ]

[showbaka]

That's true. I'm sure many of them miss it.

[He looks down at the boxes thoughtfully.] We'll just have to work to put smiles on all of their faces with our performance!

[depressured]

Ah... do you think the ghosts will watch too, then?

[ She really doesn't know how this is going to go down. ]

[showbaka]

I wouldn't rule it out. I think that if someone were to perform for the first time in years in a place important to me, even if I was afraid or had my doubts, that I would want to be in the audience.

[depressured]

...

[ She peers at him, blinking. ]

I see... Then, I do hope they can find some enjoyment in it, especially with all the work you're putting into it.

[showbaka]

[He looks puzzled by that look, but before he recovers easily and beams before he thinks to ask.]

Don’t leave yourself out! You’ve been working even more tirelessly than I have. Our efforts won’t be in vain.

[depressured]

Well, again, I'm only providing the accompaniment...

[ The performing part seems more exhausting. ]

... But you're right. After all, we can't afford not to have this be a success. [ Not if they want to get Tsukasa out of here. ]

[showbaka]

That's right. They're counting on us. [He frowns thoughtfully.] ...Maybe I should emulate them more, to get into their mindset.

[depressured]

[ Mafuyu is hardly an expert in this, but... ]

I don't think so. In my opinion, Tenma-san, the best thing you could do would be to... unapologetically be yourself. To show them that perhaps there's anther way to think.

[showbaka]

[He stops arranging and rearranging the cutlery and napkins and cups of syrup that came with the pancakes to stare.]

Be myself? Do you mean dazzle them as a future star?