showhost | ( r6 ) talking-head: minami.

[Oh... the hand squeeze... the leaning in... Tsukasa blinks, and fights the urge to look and see if the cameras are running. He... doesn't think he wants the cameras to be filming this, but there's no way they aren't, right--?!

... ANYWAY.]

Maybe so, but that isn't the sort of actor I want to be. I'll succeed on my own merits, even if it means I have to study even harder!

But you're only saying that because you're concerned about me, right? Thank you for your concern.

Well that's part of it.

[ like yeah and he has no problem admitting he's interested in tsukasa but

Concern bridges into the icky feelings he doesn't like. ugh, he'll think about it later. right now he chooses to focus on the warmth of tsukasa's hands because that's not something he gets to experience every day in Hell.

he does actually lean back though, so there's that! ]

Why do you want to be an actor anyway? [ tsukasa mentioned stars and lights and he saw cotton candy clouds and pink elephants in his dream so he's not sure What to think there. usually people's brains are a bit tamer than that unless they've had one too many. ]

Ah, yes, of course! I never said!

[This is one of Tsukasa's favorite topics (being an actor, and also himself), so he brightens like the sun, and squeezes Minami's hands in his own out of simple excitement and exuberance.]

I want to be the sort of actor that can bring smiles to everyone who sees my performances! [It started with just his sister, sickly and depressed--but it's grown since then. Why not the world? What's stopping him from making the whole world smile?]

And I will be that actor someday!

[ ah? it doesn't matter that it's just out of tsukasa's own excitement, but that simple act of returning his affection makes minami's mind go blank.

the tips of his ears go pink, a much more subtle display of how he's feeling than when he's just acting.

he's so distracted that he almost misses the delicious scent of sugar right in front of his nose. ]

... for everyone? No matter what?

Of course!

[Tsukasa is tragically too enthusiastic about what he's saying to notice that blush, especially with how subtle it is, but he's beaming nonetheless.]

The joy someone feels after having their heart touched by a performance that moved them... the wonder someone experiences when going to the stage and being transported to a totally new world... the smiles on everyone's faces as they laugh alongside the actors... That's what I want to make people experience through my acting!

[ it's for the better, he might die if he realized he's actually blushing right now. ]

Put on a show for me sometime.

[ that's not even close what he meant to say or think but that's what comes out. ]

[And there isn't even a moment's hesitation in Tsukasa's response.]

Of course! I'd be happy to at any time!

[This is his JAM he LOVES performing, especially for people he likes.]

What sorts of stories do you prefer?

Just for me.

[ phew that sounded normal maybe that was just a weird blip after he's spent so many days pretending to be Normal. ]

Hmmm, normally I'd say misfortune and epic tragedies but I'm not really in the mood for that right now.

Do you know any that would make a good bedtime story?

[Oh thank god he didn't go for tragedies. Tsukasa has recently learned how to stretch his range and play characters that would star in shows like that, but he isn't very good at coming up with those sorts of stories.

But a bedtime story... he can do.]

I do! Perhaps... a story of a prince, a sleeping beauty, a daring rescue and a happily ever after!

[But with Tsukasa's own twists, of course.]

'Kay! Let me know when you're ready and I'll come over. I'll give you some time but don't make me wait too long.

[ that kind of story sounds like the kind of thing he's allergic to but also like a good next step in feeling out if tsukasa is exactly what he's looking for.

plus if he gets a private show that makes him feel less itchy about it. ]

[testing out his allergies in small doses. smart.

Tsukasa nods firmly at that, all sparkling eagerness.]

Of course! I'm certain you'll be busy in the upcoming days [given the whole competition and romance tv show thing], but I will refine the story and performance, and let you know when it is ready.

[they are.........still holding hands]

[ oh right, the show that he didn't completely forget about for the past 30 seconds or so. though...

(... ) ]

One more thing. Promise you'll perform for me? I know you said you would, but a promise is different. [ if tsukasa is who he thinks he is, minami knows he'll follow through even after he comes out as a demon but.

maybe he wants a little insurance.

squeezing their hands gently for emphasis. he hasn't forgotten that, at least. ]

[Hm...? Strange. He already said he would, so he's not sure why Minami would also need a promise--but it's not like it bothers him, either way.

So he smiles brightly and nods, shaking Minami's hands gently in his own, up and down.]

Very well then, if that's what you want! I promise to perform for you as soon as my little show is ready, Minami!

Hehe, that makes me happy. [ his laughter is light even though something in his chest is heavy. the handshake(?) motion is silly too, though he's okay with rolling with it for now. ]

So do you like elephants? You never answered me before!

[ maybe he'll be more honest now...

also was there a pink elephant in his school dream last night? ]

[WELL THERE SURE WERE NOW. Tsukasa remembers that a little easier this time, if only because now this is twice--and he blinks tilting his head.]

Well... I suppose I don't have anything against elephants.

[they are silly looking animals associated with the circus and that is why they pop up in his silly little dreams.]

It's strange though. I feel like I dreamed about elephants too. What a coincidence, ha ha ha! Maybe I like them more than I first thought!

[ wow here he was considering Fessing up and then tsukasa just assumes so. who would he be to tell him otherwise. ]

It's totally a coincidence ★. If you dreamt about them it doesn't mean you like them necessarily, just that they mean something to you. Or symbolize something.

Just like seeing the color Pink in your dreams could mean that it's your favorite color or just a general note of playfulness about you. Or it could be that you're ready to take on a challenge while keeping everything in mind.

Well, I'm definitely always ready for a challenge!

[Preens.

But, now that he thinks about it...]

Actually, there usually is quite a bit of pink... [hmmm.] I've always assumed it's because the Wonder Stage is quite pink. [And so is Emu. And Saki.]

[ smiling because he Knows even if he's only sat in on two dreams now he Knows!!! ]

What's the Wonder Stage exactly?

It is--

[A beat. Tsukasa clears his throat, and smiles.]

Rather, it was the stage that my troupe and I used to call home. Wonder Stage, at the theme park Phoenix Wonderland. That is where I got my start as an actor!

[as for the stage in his dream, that's one he's gonna be a little cagier about. That's supposed to be a Sekrit.]

[ he'll ask about that at some point but probably not right now. right now he's focused on simple things because somethings poking at him and he doesn't want to think about it. ]

A theme park, huh? I've never been to a theme park—I've seen a lot of them in shows and books [ in dreams ] but I've never been.

Was it fun working there?

It was incredibly fun!

[He's a little loud, but... also just sounds so very, very happy. Wonder Stage was his home, Emu and Rui and Nene have become his family, and the shows they put on are some he feels he can be so very proud of.]

I had so many opportunities to learn and grow, both as an actor and a person... those memories will always be irreplaceable to me.

[...]

But if you've never been to a theme park, you should come to Phoenix Wonderland! [he is biased, but--] You're certain to leave with a big smile on your face!

[ he can't be louder than minami (i think) so it's totally fine. ]

Is that an invitation? Okay, let's go! [ swinging their hands a little.

how far is it?
can they even go right now?
is the production crew listening in on this?

none of these thoughts are in his head. ]

I'll show you all of the sights!

[He is agreeing with this, apparently,,,]

And you can experience a proper show put on at Wonder Stage, with the rest of WonderlandsxShowtime!

[He is sparkling just thinking about it....... BUT THERE ARE RESPONSIBILITIES.]

But first, we must see this through--me as the host, and you as a competitor trying to win! The only way we'll see everyone leave here with smiles on their faces is if we both give it our all.

Hmmm..... [ for dramatic effect, because he really doesn't need to think about it except for one little part.

the smiles of everyone else he doesn't care about. it's actually mostly the inverse of his existence, but. finding out if any of the souls here are suitable for him is important.

and— ]

'kay, I'll agree to that. As long as it's a date.

Of course!

[He says, immediately, unthinkingly.

processing.........]

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