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]

[ ... He's so loud... ]

I think that would be wise.

... But, perhaps a little more quietly, if we don't want the ghosts to take notice?

[showbaka]

The ghosts...! I forgot about them!

[Glancing over his shoulder.]

A...Anyway, this is the lobby! You used to get your tickets over there, at that desk.

[depressured]

[ ... How has he made it this far on his own... ]

Have you been here before?

... As in, not counting recent events?

[showbaka]

I have in fact!

[There’s a nostalgic smile as he talks about it.]

This is the very theatre Saki and I saw the show that inspired me to become the world’s greatest star!!! It is a place dear to many!

[depressured]

A place dear to many fell into this much disrepair?

[ It is, perhaps, a little bluntly worded, but she is lightly puzzled how this could have happened. ]

[showbaka]

...Mn.

[As much as it hurts to see the place in shambles, Mafuyu's right.]

I was surprised too when Akiyama told me about the curse and state of everything. I had to see it for myself. I don't know all of the details, but I wonder if the increase in ghosts resulted from its abandonment and neglect.

[depressured]

It's possible. If it's only been ten years or so, though, that seems too recent to have so many ghosts. It could be that they're from much older times and only reappear when this place is neglected.

[ This is just a guess, though. ]

[showbaka]

You bring up a good point. I've tried to keep my distance, but some of them do look like they belong in a historical play. We could ask them--

Wait, no! We should keep avoiding them!

[depressured]

... I don't see a problem with asking them. At the very least, they should be fine with you, shouldn't they?

[ But is Tsukasa fine with them... should probably be the question here. ]

[showbaka]

That’s true, but…

[He somehow manages to pale despite his transparency.

Mafuyu is right. The very least he can do is be a reliable not!ghost and ask them a few questions.]

Very well! You can count on me to ask them until we get all the answers we need. [Proud laughter as he walks down one of the large corridors. It has a plush, old looking carpet and decorative molding, but it looks similarly neglected and the lights flicker off and on. Whispers float down the hall.] We are trying to help them, after all!

[depressured]

I appreciate it, Tenma-san.

[ Since, you know, he won't let Mafuyu just handle it herself. It's true enough that he's probably a little better suited to it right now, given his current state, and she ponders this as she gently touches a bit of gilded wall. ]

... This place seems... lonely.

[showbaka]

You can count on me! [He looks pleased and gestures to himself, but his eyes fall on the wall.]

It does, doesn't it? [It's not the same without an audience, even as the voices grow louder in the background.] Oh. Over to the side is an equipment room. There's still some props and instruments in there!

[depressured]

Instruments?

[ She's quiet for a moment, thoughtful. ]

... Does this theatre have a piano?

[showbaka]

It does!

[He beams.]

It's in the auditorium. Would you like to stop there next?

[depressured]

Yes, please. I think it's important to see what we can work with.

[ She at least has familiarity with a piano. ]

[showbaka]

Yes, and it would be a shame not to play it.

[That's right. Mafuyu played the piano wonderfully. He thinks about mentioning it, but that looked like a personal moment between her and Kanade.

They could go through the backstage area to get there, but where's the theatrical suspense in that? Instead he'll go down a sweeping staircase that leads to the auditorium. Rows upon rows of red chairs descend to a grand stage, where a piano sits. The walls and ceiling are even more guilded than the corridors. Some of the ghosts are performing a show, while others sit at the front rows to watch.

Tsukasa is so caught up in staying in character as the enthusiastic guide, his eagerness to show the theatre genuine, that he forgets about the ghosts and gestures at the piano dramatically.]

There's the piano! It's still in quite good condition!!!

[depressured]

That's a surprise.

[ Mafuyu pauses for a moment, gazing at the piano while looking past the ghosts as though she's very much unaware of them. Even if that's... far from the truth of the matter.

It feels more... opulent, here. ]

But you're right. From what I can tell, it looks better than I would have expected.

[showbaka]

I've tried dusting it as well when the ghosts aren't as active-- Oh.

[The ghosts. They still haven't noticed them and Tsukasa takes the chance to duck in the aisle.]

Perhaps we should wait.

[depressured]

This might be an opportunity for you to talk to them.

[ She'll have to stay hidden, but. Still! ]

[showbaka]

You're right.

[He smiles nervously but forces himself to stand up.]

I shall give it my all! [The ghosts in the audience applaud as the show ends. Flashing Mafuyu another smile, he descends to the stage. A few of the ghosts whisper and stare but he ignores it and projects his voice through the whole auditorium.]

EXCUSE ME, ACTING COMRADES! I AM TENMA TSUKASA, FUTURE STAR, AND I ASK FOR A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME!!! I'd...like that you make me visible again, in order to make it easier to attract the audience you wish for!

[There’s a long stretch of silence. And then they roar with laughter. They had no idea he was going to act out a comedy!!!]

[depressured]

[ ... Well.

This is going great. Maybe not the approach she would have taken, but then again, she doesn't think she'd ever have Tsukasa's... volume level. Or enthusiasm.

But it also means they're not taking him seriously at all, so Mafuyu sighs a little under her breath, remaining hunkered down for now but wondering if that needs to change. They won't make much progress if he truly can't be seen by an audience. ]

[showbaka]

[Ghosts start talking over one another. Does Tsukasa even know how much energy it would take to make him visible? And where would the suspense be in that? How are they supposed to cheer on his success if they make it easy for him?]

You want it to be exciting… Then what about one day?! Give me one day to perform a show! You have my word it will draw in a crowd! And I’ll tidy this place up to draw in even more people! Please!!!

[That makes them pause. They whisper amongst themselves until finally a woman in a sparkling gown, impeccable hair and mask decides yes, they will make him visible for one day to see how it goes. But if he fails to draw in a crowd of at least thirty people, he’ll stay invisible. Tsukasa brightens and thanks them for their time and runs back up to meet Mafuyu, whispering.]

Your idea worked!

[depressured]

[ ... Thank goodness.

Mafuyu draws in a quiet breath and remains crouched down, because the last thing they need right now is knowing she's there. But they've got a foot in the door, so to speak. ]

It was your implementation that convinced them. But at the very least, that should help draw in a less frightened audience.

[showbaka]

Yes, our success is certain! Oh—

[The ghosts are now chatting in excitement about this new challenge. They disperse, some disappearing entirely while others leave more normally. Tsukasa ducks down, even if it makes no difference, moreso he doesn’t draw attention to Mafuyu as they leave. Once the auditorium is empty of anyone else he peeks back out.]

The piano is free now.

[depressured]

[ At least there's that. Mafuyu carefully pushes herself to her feet and slips down the aisle, taking the stairs up to the stage where the piano sits and resting a thoughtful finger against a key. When she presses down, there's a clear note. ]

It's well-tuned.

[ She says it a little distantly, something darkening a little in her expression, as though she's recalling something painful. ]