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]

It is! But now that you mention it...

[He could probably do that now and not break a sweat! Tsukasa starts to clean up after himself.] Shall we head to the stage?

[depressured]

Let's. We'll need to go through it a few times before I start advertising.

[ The work never ends. ]

[showbaka]

Mn. We'll have a better idea once we're more familiar with it!

[Never] Asahina-san...you should stay back until I convince the ghosts to use the stage.

[depressured]

...? Even though I'm not afraid of them?

[ Should she still be hiding? ]

[showbaka]

...You're right!!! [He frowns.] And you've done nothing to upset them, and as long as you don't try the challenge the biggest hazards to you are dust and insects.

[And it might be easier to talk to them with her around.]

[depressured]

Then it should be fine. I'll meet them on their level.

[ She's here to support. ]

[showbaka]

In that case, I will meet them with you! We will walk on this same glorious path together.

[depressured]

[ Glorious... ]

Alright. Then, shall we go?

[showbaka]

Yes! Let us go! Today is bound to be a success.

[He preens a little, looking pleased, confidence in each step as he heads to the stage. The ghosts are currently in the middle of their own play, playing a disjointed and haunting melody on the piano.]

[depressured]

... What a lonely song.

[ Softly, a little pensive. ]

[showbaka]

Now that you mention it, I agree.

[He frowns.] ...We'll simply have to make them not lonely!

[depressured]

Well, if we get this theater filled... that should help.

[ Ideally. ]

[showbaka]

It will! In the meantime...

[He applauds loudly, drawing attention to them.]

What a moving piece! I wish for your autograph!

[depressured]

[ Well. It looks like Tsukasa's found his bravery, regarding ghosts. That should make things run a little more smoothly. And Mafuyu offers a polite smile. ]

Truly, you're very skilled.

[showbaka]

[The ghosts fall quiet, then whisper among themselves, staring at Mafuyu. Finally, the pianist pipes up, commenting on how she’s much more polite than Tsukasa.

Tsukasa stumbles back as if wounded.]

Hey!

[depressured]

I understand that Tenma-san can be a little loud, which might make him come across as abrasive...

[ Politely. Still. ]

But he does genuinely care for this theater and your plight. And I'd like to help draw people in, as well. I...

... Know what it's like, to feel like nothing matters, no matter what you try. But you have support this time.

[showbaka]

...

[Tsukasa forgets whatever objections he had in mind. He goes blessedly quiet, looking at Mafuyu more pensively than he has before. Was that the reason behind the melancholy piece she played after Shibuya Festa? How she reacted to his comments now makes more sense.]

Asahina-san is right. I'm sorry you've felt that way for so long and that it took this long for me to notice. [Is that aimed at the ghosts or Mafuyu?] You've made so many people smile, including myself. I want to repay that to you.

[depressured]

[ Mafuyu very carefully avoids looking back at Tsukasa, feeling his eyes on her. It's hard, to juggle that mask of amicability with the understanding that the ghosts probably require more sincerity from her.

Thankfully, he can do the speaking now, so she'll just nod along. ]

[showbaka]

[The pianist isn't looking at Tsukasa, but at her. She doesn't cry, but her eyes shine with unshed tears.

I've only wanted people to enjoy my music. But everyone has been frightened, except for you.

A few ghosts murmur and nod as she goes over, hands clasped.

Thank you...

Tsukasa pretends not to notice, looking at the other ghosts.]

Can we please borrow the stage for a few hours?

[depressured]

[ So it's about what she expected. The ghosts just wanted a willing audience, someone who wasn't afraid of them, who would hear them out. And instead, they'd probably gotten a slew of people seeking to do this "challenge".

Mafuyu is quiet, but offers her a nod and a quiet murmur that she's welcome.

At the very least, maybe this will make things a little easier for Tsukasa. ]

[showbaka]

[One of the ghosts speaks up, welcoming them to use the stage. Not wanting to be outdone, another offers them to use their costumes.]

Ah…I don’t know how that would work. But I’m certain what we come up with will dazzle you!

[The pianist offers Mafuyu a tiny smile, melancholy but hopeful, and the ghosts disperse or fade away.]

Do you need a minute? I think I do.

[depressured]

We can take a minute.

[ And she'll sit down kn the piano bench, folding her hands in her lap. She's fine, really, beyond the faint strain of being momentarily vulnerable. ]

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa sits at the edge of the stage, quiet and looking out in thought.

Then he makes a show of stretching and getting back on his feet, projecting in a booming voice.]

…I have decided, every actor and musician will smile by the time our performance is over!!! The very thought inspires me and I am truly fortunate to be on the same team as you! Let’s give it our all!

[depressured]

That's quite a statement.

[ With a soft laugh. ]

But of course, Tenma-san. Let's see it through to the end.

[showbaka]

I should make it even more of s statement… [He flashes her a smile.]

Shall we go through the first scene?