| Stepping over your lines; Sayoko, Ryou, [open] please ask | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 8 2016, 04:33 PM (735 Views) | |
| Zesseract | Nov 8 2016, 04:33 PM Post #1 |
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It was Friday night, students were well-out of after school activities, and the privileged few who were promised an out at 5 from their usual rote, had been allowed to leave as a rare show of mercy. And as every day, the glass-front cellar of the Adyton opened, spewing forth an intoxicating mixture of earthly smells, mixed with roasted coffee beans and a slight hint of pastries. As with every other day, Ryou had gone to school, and at its end had headed towards his place of employ, happy to stock things from his returns cart, unto the different alcoves and book-cases built into the walls of the small coffee lounge. Unlike his usual rote, today was special, and near closing time he'd be treated to a rare sight; Ishikawa-san had decided to grace the staff this day, for today marked one of several (and hopefully future) reading night sessions. As Ishikawa-san had deigned for the Adyton to cater to such a specific crowd, he'd made pulled all the stops to try and engage his core audience, -more importantly- to entice them to stay. And so a safe space, -if for a few hours- had been created, and it'd been dubbed reading night. First-comers would find the usual lay-out of stations to be drastically altered, as seating and tables were placed around an elevated central stage (though in reality a moddable deck constructed specifically for occasions such as this, and the odd performer or two should they wish to make the lounge a venue), mood lighting was employed to create a curtain of shadows enveloping a very brightly lit central point, and special stands put on the stage for each 'performance'. The purpose: to put on a 'play' by the clientele; the method: an improvised reading, with roles spread amongst attendees who functioned as both performers and audience; of course, the play: a selection of scenes from a Midsummer Night's Dream, having been selected for the brevity of its scenes. Ishikawa-san presided over the session, preferring to take more of a master of ceremonies role if he could help it, but that didn't mean he wasn't prone to his own brand of theatrics. He took to the stage as a playwright on opening night, welcoming phantasms of lords & ladies and other patrons of his 'art', "We welcome you to share in our collective hallucination, those with a pre-disposition towards reason and the lesser pleasures of congruence, causality and concordance should best turn back, turn around, and turn tail, for when the curtain opens draws, we peel back the real to bring Zurvan once more into this world. Let audience become actor, as we unfold these things before you: turn light, take stage, -this is first and last call-, and so begins!" Newcomers would be sorted into roles as soon they came, to fill scenes yet unacted, caring little to match sex to part, in that grand thespian tradition. The crowd showed a couple of new faces to the usual, and Ryou thought he spotted some of the people that'd come during the week. Whatever staff remained served courtesy pastries, along with taking any orders the customers might still have, but soon the kitchen (and the coffee machine) would close, as Ryou stocked the small trays of of food throughout the audience sitting, he took the sight of the regular stroll of players that wandered in on Fridays.... and those new. |
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| Nonsequitur | Nov 9 2016, 02:32 AM Post #2 |
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Yellow Bubblegum
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It was Mia's first time there. She didn't even know of the place's existence when she got up that morning. But she overheard that there was regular readings at a certain coffee house around lunchtime. After that she knew exactly where she was spending the remainder of her afternoon and evening. She was still in her Taiyoutono uniform when she stepped inside the Adyton. The unassuming girl still had her schoolbag at her side. Mia Sato had a look around and listened to the monologue. She smiled approvingly and picked her seat. There was something very pleasingly familiar about the arrangement. What he Ryou was talking about was exactly why she came. The idea of that ritual, that collective spell that could push this mundane to the side and for a while just imagine what there could be and what they could be had always been the draw. Though maybe a cup of coffee and something sweet on the side couldn't hurt in the mean time. |
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| Zesseract | Nov 9 2016, 08:40 PM Post #3 |
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A new face pulled back the curtain of mood lighting centered about the stage, Ishikawa-san was still enacting his master of ceremonies routine, perhaps to the benefit of the newcomer, as Ryou had seen many a person be intimidated by the owner's forthrightness; strangely enough this seemed not to bother him so much, as did those not in the know for his own brand of theatrics, but then he found this overt and passionate display for one's hobbies a welcome respite from the usually reserved people surrounding his usual life. It was probably that which had enticed him to working here, that and having some disposable income without bothering his parents was always okay in his book. He hovered over the last of the stations needing to be set, and quietly prepped a seat for the newcomer to take, pulling it out gently from beneath the table. His exit left a small white saucer adorned with a neat pile of courtesy beignets, the fluffy cube-shaped pastries were topped with a light coating of powdered sugar, and dotted with small redcurrants. The purpose of them being -of course- to entice the clientele, though not much for sweets Ryou couldn't fault Eiri-san's baking, and was sure a large part of the Adyton's appeal was due to her. Seeing the new face, Ryou moved aside to an especially designated table and grabbed a small handheld service bell, ringing it once for the new arrival, and to announce to Ishikawa-san of the presence of a new participant, willing or not. Ishikawa-san meanwhile continued to tantalize the minds of the audience, as he continued setting the stage for when their first act should commence: "And so to your delight we've procured a tale befitting the bard, for it was one of his latest plays; fortune has it that it'll be a comedy, to begin this new cycle with a light note that we may move towards more contemplative works as we approach as we follow these chtonic cycles we're subject to. The faeries shall join us tonight for a revel, I think; for a tale of young love shall unfold before your very eyes; but I'm getting ahead of myself" Ishikawa-san explained the scene to take place as the first volunteers took on the roles of Theseus, Hyppolita and others as it was set. Customers stood up from their seats, or made to stands by acquaintances and the staff alike. No lookie-loos was a ground rule for these things, it wouldn't do for entertainment. Ryou, resuming his usual rote took to picking up a menu to offer to the newcomer, he was still on the clock after all. |
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| Nonsequitur | Nov 11 2016, 10:53 PM Post #4 |
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Yellow Bubblegum
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Sweets on top of everything else? Mia just didn't know where to begin. She did her best to come with no assumptions and yet there was something both delightfully familiar and enticingly new about the scene before her. She accepted the menu with a polite thanks and glanced it over. She had a good idea of what she wanted and why she came. Though when it came to refreshments, but it would never hurt to keep your options open in re, would it? Try as she might, she couldn't concentrate too intently on the items listed. Fresh baked sweets and warm aromatic brews, light meals and…oh, her selection could wait. The moment volunteers were recruited from the audience, it was like there was a shock under her. As good as the fare was, that was the most succulent dish there. To step forward with no idea of who's shoes they asked her to step into. There might have been been better things in life, but she hadn't encountered them yet. As requested and directed, she stepped forward. "Please, you had me at collective hallucination." She smiled, but she reigned it in. She was a bit giddy, of the 'indulging a simple joy' variety of effervescence. Being happy to be there was one thing, but until they actually did something she should have restrained herself from actually bouncing…for the moment. |
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| Zesseract | Nov 12 2016, 01:36 AM Post #5 |
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The 'basic' roles were filled one by one, as Ishikawa-san provided various settings for the scenes ; 'stage directions' fell within the purview of each player, and was partly the reason for some of the usual customers' continued patronage of the Adyton, the result was hardly a formal production of the plays offered but it made for entertainment on a Friday night. The parts of Theseus and Hippolyta expressed their jubilation at their coming marriage, where Lysander, Hermia, Egeus and Demetrius bickered over Hermia's and Lysander's desire to be wed, as a secret plot to elope was hatched in a 'consequences be damned' approach over the whole deal. The lovers' secret plot was to be carried out in the forest a few miles outside of town, a reunion to take place before their escape. Ishikawa-san described a scene in the woods, untouched even by the moon's light , with only the gentle glow of foxfire between the boughs of willow trees. He called to the stage Titania, as she confided in one of her fairies the actions of her Oberon, painting him less than her beloved with each tile; something of a departure from the actual stage play, but something Ishikawa-san allowed if it made for a more interesting premise. The back and forth between the fae confidant and her queen, read less like the baying of an unfulfilled lover and more the singing of a nightingale about the sins of love and love's pain, this pleased Ishikawa-san who 're-told' the script to accommodate the change in delivery, before calling a new batch of players to enact the next scene. It seemed as though one of the newcomers deigned herself to participate. "Then let's not waste this self-initiation and limit you to the role of a mere observer; the scene that follows is not a quarrel between the sidhe, but the schemes of a lover driven to madness as he's unable to capture the attention of his fae queen; and as king he confides in his own retainer, a mischievous puck to enact a plot to capture her heart. But that is a base play and I do not desire rote, would you breathe new life to these words before those present?" he cooed, taking a soft bow towards Mia as he offered a spot on the stage. "But this scene requires two, and whether you should deign to be King of the fae, or his royal jester you'll require another..." he looked around the room and saw only familiar faces, many of the customers had just concluded a scene and would more than likely falter if forced to represent another character; so he looked away as a wicked notion struck his fancy. "Ryou-kun, if you would please take the stage, let's see if exposure has done more to stir you from your reservations." Wait -what?-, he looked back incredulous from the ring of darkness surrounding the mood lighting about the stage, he couldn't act and while the clientele didn't necessary, he was less than willing to make a fool of himself. But, Ishikawa-san would have no dissent, as a simple gesture brought Michiyo-san and Eiri-kun to 'persuade' an erstwhile Ryou to come unto the stage. Not keen on the idea, he suppressed his base desire to just tell them off and attempted to put on his brave face. This was, especially difficult with the knowledge that there were others watching him from this darkness, and suddenly the pairs of eyes upon him seemed to multiply in that uncertain area beyond the wrong. "Now, it's not as important to read as it is to interpret the words in the text, for even the glossers proved they could do as much in their transcriptions; cut your words, reorder them and remove them as you see fit... we care only for your interpretation, here." As he offered that bit of advice, he turned to face Mia, a placid smile forming on his lips; "As our guest, I only see fit that you select your role... so shall you play king, or jester?" he grinned, as a sort of flourish with which to end his question. |
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| Miharu Yoshikuni | Nov 13 2016, 03:39 PM Post #6 |
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Exotic Butters
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"Oh, dear. I'm late. It's already started!" a woman said under her breath as she ran towards the cafe. A difficult task, to be sure, considering she was wearing two-inch black heels she wasn't quite accustomed to. After her first visit to the book cafe, Sayoko only wanted to be able to come back once she had the free time and the end of the week served the right purpose. Instead of her typical cardigan and grandma clothes, however, she took to dressing as nicely as she could; a currant red dress with a lace collar, a pair of earrings. Her black hair was neatly tied back by a red ribbon and swished left and right as she walked. It was nothing too fancy, but it was an improvement. Granted, the heels, she realized, she could have done without. Opening the door, Sayoko realized everyone had started taking their roles, but the play itself hadn't truly started. Sighing in relief, she carried her clutch purse towards an empty table and observed. |
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| Nonsequitur | Nov 13 2016, 11:38 PM Post #7 |
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Yellow Bubblegum
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Ryou was his name! She knew he was around her age and didn't seem nearly so at home in the spotlight. He went to another school and worked there. It wasn't going to be much fun playing off someone who wasn't enjoying themselves. If she understood it, he was on the hook unless another volunteer came up. The choice of roles was hers, at least. What would be best? They both had obvious enticements to her, so she was trying to think what would be less of a trouble for Ryou. "I would suppose Oberon would be alright." As she made her choice, there was another recent arrival. The woman was young, dark hair, slender compact frame, glasses. She didn't seem to be the type to typically wear what she was in. Must have dressed up for the show. How did she know she wasn't the type to normally wear that? It was the shoes. And how she stepped in them. She wasn't totally comfortable in them, and Mia kind of got flashbacks of of herself when she was first learning to get around in a pair of pumps. It probably meant she spent most of her time in much more sensible shoes. Still, she was another visitor, and they were to be on the chopping block before the staff, so she spoke up. "Actually? If it's alright, might I request a partner for this?" She smiled at Ryou and hoped that her intention got across well. No disrespect to him, but if he didn't want to get into the limelight, he didn't have to as long as she was around. She pointed out Sayako and beckoned her up. "Ma'am? Would you be so kind as to do this scene with me?" |
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| Zesseract | Nov 13 2016, 11:56 PM Post #8 |
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So that'd make me the puck?, the prospect of interpreting a fanciful fae creature was a prospect he wasn't exactly averse to playing, as he'd indulged the odd fantasy or two before, though not of pretending to be a fairy; but to fall into the role of a provocateur, someone whose thoughts and emotions properly aligned in a way that was plainly evident for any and all to see, to become integral or even fay. Never having denied any requests to the owner, he wondered if this was a trend he wanted to begin when in full view of the patrons while in a somewhat public event. Mentally he weighed in the cost-benefit to just making a hardline statement against his participation, vs enjoying the benefits of continued employment but such decision would be rendered moot as someone else seemed to arrive just during this predicament, and thankfully had relieved him of this choice. There was something familiar about them, but without the proper lighting he couldn't tell and in while lost in his observation, Ryou had entirely missed when Mia had expressed her want of choosing her own partner. The realization only came to him in fractured noises that vaguely conformed a sentence in his mind, as his attention had been otherwise engaged, though he could understand enough to know he could step down. For his part, Ishikawa-san quiesced to Mia's request, and made a sweeping motion towards the crowd before settling back into his role of master of ceremonies, "And who would you choose as your accompaniment?" he added, as Ryou took this chance to get out of the owner's line of sight, silently glad though a part of him wished he'd been put on the spot. Suppressing any want to remain in view, he settled into the ring of shadows about the stage, captive to what transpired in that illuminated sphere. |
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| Miharu Yoshikuni | Nov 16 2016, 03:53 PM Post #9 |
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Exotic Butters
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Sayoko had barely sat down, giddy with excitement to watch the play once it started, only to have one of the volunteers come up to her. As old as she was, she was not immune to temporarily blushing to the request. "Oooh, meee?" Sayoko asked, her voice diving low at the first word and then high at the second as if she were singing. When Sayoko had been in school, she hadn't been unfamiliar with the theater. Granted, she never joined the drama club, but when no one else was in the literature club's room, she'd put on imaginative plays where she was narrator, protagonist, antagonist, damsel in distress, and the ever-quite-eavesdropping nurse maid. The librarian tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and managed a small smile. "Well, I'd love to," she said. "What parts shall we be playing, if I may ask?" She carefully examined the others at the cafe. Oh! Wasn't that Ryou? He had just visited her at the library the other day. If she got to read scripts along with him, that would be such a funny little thing, she thought. She knew she worked here, but she hadn't imagined he did the book-reading roles as well. He must have been paid really well. The world was quite strange. |
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| Nonsequitur | Nov 21 2016, 02:45 AM Post #10 |
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Yellow Bubblegum
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"That's right, I'd like you to come up here with me!" She responded cheerfully as the lady had confirmed that she asked for her. "My name's Mia, by the way, pleased to meet you!" Getting to know someone new always came easy to her. When asked about what parts. "It's a Midsummer Nights Dream. We shall be playing a scene of a conversation with Oberon and Puck. I'll be playing the former." It was a welcome departure from her usual roles. Seeing the leeway they had with individual parts was pretty exciting. She wondered what sort of interpretation of her character would be best? Imperious? Should there be a calm, stoic demeanor that cracked like a raging river once frozen over? In terms of build or look she definitely didn't look the part of king of the faeries, so she had to make up for it with how she emoted, how she expressed every motion, reaction and how she carried herself. She stood up a bit straighter and experimented a bit with her posture? Shoulders out? Was she exaggerating too much? Was there such a thing? "Mmmm, I think I know where we'll be starting from. Give the word and I'll kick things off then?" She nodded to Ishikawa and turned her attention to the relevant lines to read from. A moment to confirm they were indeed on the same page and an extra few moments to carve up and restructure anew the words before her prior to speaking them out loud. |
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