When Theater Kids Attack

[thestarknows]

⭐ Who: Junna Hoshimi... and you!
⭐ When: Late August and throughout September!
⭐ Where: Some prompts in Yumemigaoka and the Dream Sphere!
⭐ What: September catchall for Junna! I'll add top levels as the month goes (and September info posts go up), but I'm putting up a couple of open prompts to get things started for Junna. Please hit me up on Discord if you have any questions!

Comments

[thestarknows]

Well... I like theater. Musicals, plays, movies... I thought of looking for some posters. But it can't all be posters.

[She looks thoughtful for a moment, before looking back at them. They seem nervous.

She smiles after a moment, then nods.]

Some potted plants would be very nice. I could come with you, if you'd like.

[hgs]

[The nature of Shinsha's powers as a Dreamer makes them wary of getting too close to people even in the real world... but they're trying, at least.]

There's a flower shop not far from here... I can show you around.

[Theater? While Yumemigaoka may not be as famous for its theatrical history as a place like Takarazuka, there are a few local stage companies, and the city's large international populaton means that there are shows and film festivals in a variety of languages. While Shinsha would immediately die from stage fright if they tried to act, they enjoy being a part of the audience. There's a moment when the lights dim and the curtain rises and they can forget who they are for a while.]

We sometimes go to see plays on class field trips, but I've never seen a musical... are you an actor?

[thestarknows]

Thanks. I'd really appreciate that... I'm still getting my bearings.

[Junna is attentive as she walks along. She's noting every street sign, where shops are, and taking in the sights. Getting to know her new city is also, in its own way, hard work.

She does pause a little at the question. It surprises her a little how her answer to them hurts, when she thinks of it.]

I used to be. I'm not sure if I'll have time here.

[hgs]

[Shinsha goes quiet - well, more quiet than usual - and seems to hunch inwards.]

Because of... Dreamer stuff?

[Shinsha has always hid their Dreamer identity from classmates. How are they supposed to make friends and fight alongside them when their powers are as dangerous to other Dreamers as they are to Torments? Better to let everyone assume that they're one of the few washout Dreamers who doesn't fight or explore.

But maybe they've been going about this the wrong way. Befriending Amane and Lisa in the real world, however tenuously, might have improved their confidence as a Dreamer, even if only a little...]

It does take up a lot of time, but... who you are in the Dream Sphere is a reflection of who you are here, so you shouldn't neglect the things you care about.

[thestarknows]

Mm. [She catches how they go quiet, but...

She misreads it -- maybe that they think it's unfortunate, that she's being foolish. Junna hesitates for a second. It doesn't register that this may have to do with their issues with being a Dreamer, too. Junna looks down for a moment, and then she opens her mouth. Then she closes it.]

Yes. But... I'm not all that talented at acting. [That's not entirely fair to herself.] I had to work hard at it, just to measure up.

And... to be the best Dreamer that I can, the very best that I can, I need to put all of myself into that.

[hgs]

I think maybe it's better to not have talent. I have a... talent, but since I never had a chance to develop it, it ends up hurting people...

[From the moment they awakened as a Dreamer four years ago, Shinsha possessed immense raw destructive power... but only minimal control over their abilities. When one wrong move could poison or crush another Dreamer under thousands of pounds of liquid metal, how could they possibly protect anyone?]

...So I'm sure you'll be a great Dreamer, if it's something you work hard at.

[thestarknows]

...A talent that only ends up hurting people?

[She hesitates at that. Clearly, not like being talented at acting or singing; a talent that carries many more risks. Junna hesitates for a second, before she looks down.]

That... sounds difficult. Very difficult.

[But, they were trying to be kind, too, Junna thinks. She smiles, a little, after a moment.] But... thank you. I'll work hard until I master it.

[hgs]

[Shinsha blinks, taken somewhat off guard. Communication is not a talent that they possess, so they're never sure whether they're being too blunt or too vague when speaking to others... they'd half expected Junna to take offense at the comment, and they certainly hadn't expected thanks.

Embarrassed, they stare at the ground.]

Th-that's good. I... I still have a long way to go towards mastering my talent, so I'll try harder too...

[thestarknows]

[Junna smiles a little more, for a moment longer. Then, she nods at them, and hesitates for a second. Did she embarrass them?]

I think... with hard work, you'll get there. Some people have to work harder. I know I do. But... I think hard work can make up for that, and then some.