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]

... Yes. You also have my word.

[showbaka]

Wonderful. We can embark on the path to self-care together! Part of that includes ensuring you rest!

[depressured]

You seem to be the bigger problem in that regard...

[ Under her breath. ]

[showbaka]

Ah? Did you say something?

[depressured]

Nothing important, so please don't mind me.

[showbaka]

Why am I having trouble believing you…

[His smile drops and he looks resigned.]

[depressured]

It might be that you're just not resting enough currently?

[ Sparkle. ]

[showbaka]

[He stares, looking tired and unamused.]

Perhaps you’re onto something! If I rest, surely my ears will be refreshed and won’t play tricks on me!

[depressured]

I'm sure of it. The last thing we'd want is you mishearing anything while we're practicing.

[ Tsukasa doesn't deserve this. ]

[showbaka]

[He brought this on himself.]

It would be. This might be the perfect opportunity to practice my resting poses.

[depressured]

Resting poses? Not actual resting?

[showbaka]

Resting would make it more believable...

[depressured]

And be productive, yes.

[showbaka]

You can rely on me to be productive! And you? Do you intend to rest?

[depressured]

I should get back, if I'm going to rest.

[ if the ghosts let her leave, anyway. ]

But I'll come back as soon as I can tomorrow.

[showbaka]

Please rest! You need to an interrupted night of sleep after how hard you've worked.

[Haunting laughter echoes somewhere nearby and Tsukasa tries to hide his worry.]

I shall walk with you to the entrance!

[depressured]

I understand. Then, shall we?

[ She is ignoring the laughter. ]

[showbaka]

Yes! Let us stop there for today.

[Tsukasa strides through the rows of seats with the confidence of an actor. The lights in the corridors flicker and the stage goes dark as they leave, almost as if it had been waiting for them.]

[depressured]

[ Well. Good thing Mafuyu is fine with things like this, or that might be considered uncanny. But she'll follow him without really flinching. ]

[showbaka]

You needn't worry, Asahina-san! The exit is not very far, and as a future star, dealing with the ghosts is not a problem.

[depressured]

... I'm not sure if future stars are meant to be fine with ghosts, but if you insist...

[ Is he going to be okay... ]

[showbaka]

I insist!

[When they reach the exit, Tsukasa stops with his hands held behind his back.]

Make sure to get plenty of rest, Asahina-san! Drink enough water, eat your breakfast!

[depressured]

[ ... He's so fussy... ]

I'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow, Tenma-san. I promise.

[ He... probably shouldn't feel lonely. ]

[showbaka]

[He smiles. He seems to have cheered up? It’s less forced.]

See you tomorrow!

[He’ll even try to sleep!]

[depressured]

[ Good!!

She'll nod and head out, though it's still going to be a while before she sleeps. Too busy creating flyers to spread the news of the performance, and she figures she can wake up a little earlier to go post them about Shibuya.

She said she'd do her part, too. ]