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]

[ 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?

[depressured]

Let's. I'm prepared for the accompaniment, in just a minute...

[ Time to pull out the sheet music, arranging it carefully. Once she's settled, fingers lifted above the keys, she'll give him a nod. ]

[showbaka]

[Tsukasa starts off. He pulls from his experiences here at the theatre to get in character, as well as others. His frustration. Feeling helpless. It's not yet where he wants to be, but he will probably reach that point with rehearsing.]

[depressured]

[ They'd agreed to time the music with certain words in his monologue, but as Mafuyu plays, she finds herself listening for the inflection in his words instead and shifting accordingly. The uneasiness when his voice wavers. Slightly louder when the frustration leaks into his tone.

She can't do much else except amplify what he's trying to convey. And that much, at least, is not terribly difficult for someone who's composed songs and written lyrics. ]

[showbaka]

[It’s easier for Tsukasa to get immersed in his role when Mafuyu reflects what he’s trying to convey with her music. It’s really not hard for him at all to identify with the role.

They get through the first scene and Tsukasa lowers his script.]

What do you think? Was that too strong a start, or was it enough to draw our audience in?

[depressured]

I think ordinarily it would be too strong, but it does add a sense of stakes right at the beginning and allows the audience to understand just what kind of situation the lead is in... so it makes sense to establish that right at the beginning.

[ It should really hook them. ]

[showbaka]

I have to agree. Your music makes it a lot easier for me to get in character!

[depressured]

Ah...

[ She blinks, slowly. ]

I'm happy to hear that. I tried to time it with your cues.

[showbaka]

You certainly succeeded! I am fortunate to get to perform with such a talented musician!

[depressured]

Talented?

[ Huh. ]

I'm nothing special, but I'm happy if I could help.

[showbaka]

[He frowns, looking pensive and like he wants to say something but decides against it.]

Hmm. I think I understand now. Yes, let's move on to the next scene!

[depressured]

I'll let you start us off, then. I think it will have more of an impact if the music starts a beat after you start talking.

[ So she'll be poised to play. ]

[showbaka]

A wonderful suggestion. As expected from you!

[Tsukasa falls back into character. His demeanor shifts, becoming more subdued, and while the melancholy feeling from before is still there, he sounds more pensive than emotional as he speaks his lines. How is he supposed to get anyone to enjoy his music if no one is there to listen?]

[depressured]

[ This is a little too much praise, but Mafuyu won't comment on it. She waits for a good moment to slip in, keeping the music softer and a little more subtle. Like it's hard to hear without listening fully. This is Tsukasa's monologue right now and something that needs more focus on his "plight". ]