Let's put on a show!

[flowerofsendai]

The Union Divine Theater is the place to be this evening, with lines at the box office wrapping around the block. People from any and all walks of life, there to see a show. The theater house lobby is also packed, with people mingling as they wait for the doors to open. A single soul stands vigilant at the doors, ready to take everyone's tickets. It would seem that the return of two of the troupe's most popular actresses helped fuel ticket sales, along with the premiere of otherwise unknown chorus girl Sakura Shinguji.

The combination of Haruka Tenoh's off-script performances and the mounting anticipation on whether or not the new girl can keep up might have also had something to do with heightened ticket sales.

Comments

[incousinswithyou]

[really, if she thought about it, she shouldn't be at all surprised at the level of chaos going on in this play. She had rehearsed this reconciliatory scene with Sakura a few times beforehand, but it looks like they won't be using it after all.]

How dare you.

[a dramatic flourish of an arm] There is no room for you here.

[flowerofsendai]

[M-Michiru not you too...]

I...

[Wow, she actually really does look mad. Is she acting? Is it because they strayed so far away from the script? WHAT DO.

Sakura takes a few steps back. What would her character say in this situation?

She steels her resolve, throwing a hand out toward the audience.]

One such as yourself could not begin to understand the hardships I have had to endure, for this one fleeting moment in the sun!

[...Hey, that was actually kind of good!]

[incousinswithyou]

[hey, don't blame her! Michiru actually read the script, okay.]

Then begone! You have had your fun, have you not? [imperial, cold, and aloof. That's easy enough for Michiru.] I suggest you leave and leave us be.

[she turns her back on Sakura in what is clearly a dismissal. You're not just gonna take that, are you?]

[flowerofsendai]

I will not! Do you truly believe this is simply a bit of passing whimsy? That I do not understand because of how or where I was born? I do understand! More than that...

[The same outstretched hand goes to her chest, her frame shrinking in and placing her other hand on top of it.]

It is because of that that I believe we can truly understand each other, because we have both had our share of hardships. They may not be the same, but... [She stands upright, smiling, letting one of her hands fall.] I believe, in different circumstances, we could be friends, if our hearts did not belong to the same man. Do you not agree?

[Not quite on script, since things had honestly deviated far beyond the point of no return, but the general idea was still there.]

[incousinswithyou]

[there's a tense moment as she allows the sudden silence to reverberate around the theater.

She turns ever so slightly, just enough to catch a glimpse of Sakura in the corner of her eye.]

You presume too much. [she turns away again, back stiff] You waltz in here, insinuating yourself into every aspect of my life, and you think you understand me and who I am?

[the coldness dissolves as she becomes visibly agitated and faces Sakura again, hand clenched against her chest] You barge in here, brash and ignorant, willing to trumpet your love for the world to hear. Do you think that makes you better than me? You, who is so willing to toss aside every pretense, every meaningless game, and every affectation?

[that should sound familiar. Michiru's throwing in lines from the actual scene, though the delivery is way different. It's more desperate and angry than a studied admiration and admission of Sakura's good points, but she's working towards it!]

[flowerofsendai]

[That wasn't how she usually delivered that, and, while Michiru would likely see the break of character straight away, Sakura plays off her surprise well, quickly covering it with a pained expression.]

Perhaps I do presume too much...

[A pause.]

But I know what I feel in my heart, and while I may not understand how I should speak, how I should act, there is one thing I do understand.

I love him. I love him more than words could ever express. He sees the woman that I never knew I could be. I want to become the woman that he sees, underneath the rags and dirt, and will do all I can to do this, and to stand by his side.

I do not believe I am better than you. Not at all. How could I believe... [She shakes her head.] No, that isn't it at all.

I am envious.

[Now she was somewhat off script. In this scene, the peasant girl is strong and radiant but, instead, Sakura, while the lines are nearly the same--the last bit added for effect--there is humility, sincerity and vulnerability that normally wasn't in her delivery.]

[incousinswithyou]

Of me? [as you should be there's a slight incredulity in her voice. You're the one ~Arnoldo~ is in love with. That gets a bitter laugh.]

If only that was all one needed. [cryptic, tones of bitterness. She could be referring to knowing and understanding the social mores of the upperclass or. You know. She's probably referring to her own character's unrequited love or something.

A deep breath and an exhale. There's a softening in her stance, though there's still a rigidity in the way she clasps her hands to her sides.

The truth now, anger and unfairness has no place here.] I cannot deny your mutual attraction to each other. And if it's not merely an ephemeral delusion of youth, [wow, this is like pulling teeth] perhaps your [commoner ways] penchant for the truth will be good for him.

[there we go. Letting go of ~Arnoldo~ for his own sake. Maybe they can wrap this up and they can go home, lest you've got other plans.]

[flowerofsendai]

[Teach her how to make rose petals appear out of nowhere, Michiru-senpai]

[She acts surprised. Truthfully, she's about as ready as she is to get this whole thing over with, but for entirely different reasons.]

Then you-- [Will give up your boyfriend to this impossibly simple girl?]

[But will she keep to the script, or will something else strange happen?]

[incousinswithyou]

[that's covered in Ikuhara Lesbians 101

What, is this "forgetting your lines" thing contagious? Michiru steps forward, elegantly enfolding your hands in hers. It looks like telling the truth earlier made her a little less defensive and her anger has been visibly retreating when confronted with the truth of the matter. There's that smile, a little self deprecating, but tinged with acceptance and sincerity. Her character is supposed to give up ~Arnoldo~ for the sake of the greater good, after all.]

- Will leave the decision to those to whom it pertains. [you get a sincere, earnest look, not ~Arnoldo~, wherever he is supposed to be.

A sigh and she slowly laces their fingers together, almost absentmindedly. If you remember that far back, it's probably the same thing Haruka did to you earlier.] I am jealous, but the truth is, I cannot force my feelings onto another.

[well now. This really depends on how tightly the audience has their yuri goggles on, doesn't it?]