Open House

[flowerofsendai]

[ACTION]

[With the theater season officially open, the Divine Theater has little else do with the summer but prepare for next season's jam-packed schedule. However, preparation doesn't really bring in money, so, as they do every summer, the Divine Theater has opened its doors to summer classes! There is even word that those students who excel might even be considered for staff next season!

The first class is free in the hopes that they will bring in new students, in the hopes that people will sign up for more. The offerings are rather diverse.

Acting classes, both beginning and advanced; music lessons for singers and instrumentalists; conducting classes; beginning and advanced sewing and costume design; makeup; theater tech and lighting; beginning and advanced dance classes; stage fighting and choreography, just to name a few. There's a little bit of something for everyone here. The front desk ladies have even taken it upon themselves to start their very own beginner accounting class. It's cute, you should check it out

For those working around the theater, it was a busy time--maybe even more than when they were putting on productions. Cleaning to do, classes to help out with, and, of course, making sure any students don't go down secret hallways labeled "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" that totally aren't hiding their super secret base of operations nope nothing here to see folks.

Are you teaching? Attending? Helping out? Maybe just curious?]

Comments

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Chie frowns, looking understandably hurt at that momentary glare she gets from Maki. Not wanting to cause more of a scene, she keeps her voice low as she picks herself up off the floor.]

It's okay...

[She didn't bring anything along with her, so she just walks out of the theater ahead of Maki and waits outside. She's hoping they can talk a little once they're away from the crowd, as she really doesn't want things to end with hurt feelings.]

[cutiepanther]

[ Somehow, Maki really didn't expect Chie to come outside with her. She doesn't even know why she's leaving the class, when she was enjoying learning how to dance. She's just mad at herself for letting someone see her ears, that she doesn't know what else to do than run away. ]

I-I told you that you didn't have to come outside!

[ And yet, even though she's not mad at Chie, she can't help from lashing out a little, trying to push her away. ]

[footprints_on_your_face]

Well, yeah, but I wanted to apologize.

[Chie's feeling really guilty right now, and it shows in the smile she's trying to manage. She doesn't even resist being pushed, just stumbling back before taking a step forward again.]

And I could tell you were embarrassed, so I thought it'd be better to come out here to do it.

[cutiepanther]

You don't have anything to apologize for, I'm the one who's weird here..

[ Maki hates herself, seeing how far Chie is going to be friendly, and how she can't just stop pushing her away, figuratively. Chie didn't even do anything wrong, it's herself that Maki's mad at. ]

These ears...I know you saw them. I never wanted them, I never wanted to become like a Pokemon..

[footprints_on_your_face]

What's weird about that? I mean, I saw them, but it's not like there's anything wrong with them. They're actually kind of cute!

[Chie blinks curiously. She honestly doesn't see what the big deal is.]

You really don't like Pokemon, do you?

[cutiepanther]

C-Cute?! [ Maki stumbles back a step at hearing that, her annoyed face breaking into another embarrassed look. She's been called cute a lot more than she's used to lately!

Coughing a little, Maki tries to bring herself back down under control. ]

Why should I? Pokemon have never done anything for people..

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Whoops. Did she really say cute? Chie looks a little flustered too, but nods.]

W-well... yeah.

[And she shakes her head a bit.]

I don't think that's true at all. People and Pokemon live side by side every day. We help each other out all the time! At least, that's how it's been for me, anyway.

[cutiepanther]

[ The two of them flustered over Chie calling her cute...best to focus on the actual problem at hand here, the reason why Maki felt she had to leave the class before it was even over. ]

I-I don't see it that way... Pokemon are just dangerous things. [ Maki sighs, and pulls off her hat, showing off her ears again. ]

I hate that I'm like this...I didn't want to be a Pokemon..

[footprints_on_your_face]

They're not all like that!

[Er, wait, that's probably not helpful.]

Er... I mean, some of them are, yeah, but lots of Pokemon are friendly and helpful too. Just like people, you know? Some of them can be jerks, but most of them are okay if you give them a chance.

[Chie looks at Maki's ears again, head-on this time.]

I don't think it's anything to be ashamed or afraid of.

[cutiepanther]

I..I have a hard time believing that.

[ Maki is certain that Chie isn't lying, that she's trying to help, but it's hard to just forgive Pokemon, to be able to trust them like Chie and everyone else does.

Seeing Chie looking at her ears though they flatten against her head, looking a little scared. ]

People will think I'm strange though..

[footprints_on_your_face]

You can meet mine sometime if you want. I promise they're really friendly.

...Well, except for Benedict, he can be kind of a jerk. But the rest of them are nice!

[Shaking her head, Chie's smile turns a little more confident now.]

I don't think you're strange. Why should anyone else?

[cutiepanther]

I guess that might not be so bad... If they are your Pokemon..

[ Still, Maki doesn't feel much closer in accepting Pokemon, or even her own Pokemon Shifter side. But she does feel a little better about Chie.. ]

Because I'm not like everyone else...I have these ears and this tail..It's not normal!

[footprints_on_your_face]

Neither am I, remember?

[Chie reaches for Maki's hand, squeezing at it lightly to remind her of that little temperature issue she's got going on.]

But it's not like we're the only Enlightened in the city, y'know? I don't think anyone would look twice at ears and a tail.

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki goes red as her hair as Chie takes her hand again, but she doesn't pull back or anything. She just sort of freezes, not sure what to do. ]

I-I guess you aren't...

[ Trying to calm down a little, she squeezes Chie's hand back, looking at the girl for a moment and then quickly looking away. ]

I don't want to deal with people saying things about me behind my back.. But it would be a lot easier...If I didn't have to hide when I was in public..

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Freezes. Oh snap, I see what you did there.

But yes. After that little squeeze, Chie briefly loosens her grip on Maki's hand before reconsidering and keeping hold of it. Just sort of... comfortingly rubbing her thumb against the side of her hand.]

Who cares if they say stuff? People who don't even bother to get to know you aren't worth it anyway. And then you won't have to spend all your time worrying.

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki feels Chie releasing her hand and starts to pull it back...only to then notice that Chie isn't letting go just yet. Maki doesn't really understand what she's thinking or feeling at the moment, but she doesn't move her hand either. ]

I wish things were that easy.. [ Maki's tail has found its way out too, swishing about behind her, that purple Purrloin tail. ]

Thanks Chie.

[footprints_on_your_face]

I bet if you gave it a try, it wouldn't be half as bad as you think.

[And now she lets go to strike a goofy martial arts pose, kicking at the air and grinning a little mischievously.]

And if anybody gives you a hard time about it, just let me know and I'll put footprints all over their faces!

[cutiepanther]

[ Maki watches as chie pulls away, looking at her empty hand for a second. As cold as it might be, it was actually relaxing. It's also the first time she ever had a friend to hold hands with... ]

Y-You don't have to do that for me, Chie. [ And yet, Maki is covering her mouth with her hand as she giggles at the thought of Chie beating someone up for insulting Maki's cat features. ]

[footprints_on_your_face]

[It's not Chie's first time holding hands with someone, but it is her first time initiating the action. And it feels surprisingly natural.]

Well, you know what I mean. We're friends now, I think. And friends look out for each other! So if you're not ready for people to see the real you, I'll keep your secret. And if you are, I'll help you out too.

[cutiepanther]

Yeah...I guess we are friends. [ It's certainly nice to talk to Chie, even if it's only happened a couple of times. But she feels less self conscious around Chie, especially with her ears and tail out, like they are now. ]

Thanks, Chie. [ Maki feels a lot more relax now, but she looks past Chie to the theater, and then to the back on her arm. ]

I never really wanted to leave in the first place...I want to learn how to dance.. [ She wants to go back in there again, but all she can do is look down at her hat, wondering if she should put it on or not. ]

[footprints_on_your_face]

It's up to you. I'll come back in with you either way. But I think everyone will welcome cat-eared Maki just as fast as they would suspicious-hat-Maki.

[Chie winks, laughing a bit at her own stupid joke and hoping it keeps the mood light.]

[cutiepanther]

[ This feels like the toughest decision in her life, whether or not to put that hat back on. Chie herself has no care that other people might see her differently because she's Enlightened, so why does Maki care so much?

With the hat in her fist, Maki stuffs it hastily into her bag, all the way to the bottom where she can't just pull it back out again. She's going to do it, she's going to go in. ]

I'm going back in.

[footprints_on_your_face]

Great! Then let's go.

[Chie grins widely, taking Maki by the hand and walking back into the theater with her without a second word about it. Just to make extra sure she can't back out.]

[cutiepanther]

C-Chie! [ Maki cries out a little pathetically as her hand is pulled and tugged toward the entrance to the theater. She doesn't fight it though, stumbling a few steps to catch up with Chie, managing not to think about her ears and tail for the moment, instead focusing on the chilly touch from Chie's palm. ]

[footprints_on_your_face]

We're back!

[Chie lets go of Maki's hand once they're inside, cheerfully announcing their presence to the room in general. She figures the best way to get used to this is for Maki to dive right in. She's also sure the other girl will do just fine despite her nervousness.]

What'd we miss?