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]

I should be thanking you! I agree, that will be a good starting point!

[He gets to his feet, brushing himself off, and practices a quick pose for morale.]

Whenever you are ready, Asahina-san.

[depressured]

[ Mafuyu moves back over to the piano, resettling herself and resting her fingers over the keys. With a quick glance at him to make sure he's ready, she gets back to playing.

A full run-through is going to require her full focus, after all. ]

[showbaka]

[The music plays, and Tsukasa falls into character. He remembers his lines, each direction, and his emotions seem more genuine this time. Everything goes smoothly.

Then they reach the third act, and Tsukasa pauses. He doesn't stumble, but at first he isn't as cheerful, but he recovers and finishes.]

[depressured]

[ Huh.

Mafuyu takes note of this but doesn't do anything to call it out, instead continuing to play all the way through and following his vocal cues in order to make the piano softer or louder. ]

[showbaka]

[After the music and his singing ends, Tsukasa turns to Mafuyu.]

I think you followed my cues even better that time.

[depressured]

I was trying to play close attention, that's all. Now that I know the music a little better, I don't have to focus entirely on the notes.

[ But... ]

There was a part where you hesitated, though.

[showbaka]

Ah... I was having trouble with my character for a moment.

[He frowns pensively.] Not because it was difficult to stay in character, but because I sympathized with them. But I assure you, I won't falter.

[depressured]

Sympathized with him... what aspect, specifically?

[ Might as well see if he needs to talk about it. ]

[showbaka]

I think it was what he was going through, his loneliness and frustration. For a moment, I began to feel as if his despair was sweeping me up that I almost forgot the plot.

But it's good if I am understanding my character on a deeper level!

[depressured]

It is good, I agree...

[ ... ]

So you've felt lonely? Because of this situation?

[showbaka]

Ah…not lately, no! When people ran away, I suppose I was a bit lonely. But not right now!

[depressured]

[ She blinks. ]

Because I could see you?

[showbaka]

Yes! You could see me and weren’t afraid. That boosted my spirits and made me forget I was lonely to begin with.

[depressured]

I think you're... incredibly resilient, actually. Even if I hadn't seen you, I think you would have been fine.

[showbaka]

…At any rate, I’m glad you decided to come. It’s been much more fun this way, and you’re also braver than I about the creepy crawlies!

[depressured]

Are there really that many here? I imagine with the cleaning you've done, there aren't as many.

[ Probably not as many as before, at least. ]

[showbaka]

I try not to keep track...

But the place is beginning to sparkle more, isn't it!

[depressured]

Mm, it is. It's really made it feel more welcoming.

[ Which she knows he's aiming for. ]

[showbaka]

Why thank you!!! I must make it a venue worthy of our audience and cast! By the team I am finished, you won't recognize the place.

[depressured]

With my help.

[ Mildly. Please don't try to do it all yourself, Tsukasa. ]

[showbaka]

With… [He stops, looking surprised.] Yes, what kind of star steals the spotlight?

Which is exactly why it’s my duty to ensure that you take care of yourself!

[depressured]

Your--

[ She blinks. ]

You don't have to worry about me...

[showbaka]

But you worry about me, do you not? [He cups his chin and smiles.]

Why wouldn’t I do the same?

[depressured]

Well, to begin with, our situations aren't exactly the same.

[ She's not trapped in a theater by angry theater ghosts?? ]

[showbaka]

That's true! But we share the same goals. I can't have you neglect yourself while worrying about me.