Across town is an old theatre a student of mine is. There's an old legend that it's haunted, and that's what he's investigating. Though....he's not doing a very good job of it. He looked back to Serenity.
If I asked you to spend the day at the theatre hunting ghosts, what would you say?
I would say that you're possibly insane and know why you left Highever...
Serenity looked at Margrett, really uncertain this time as to what to do. She did want to see the man's real wares regarding magic scrolls, but she knew he'd probably restrict them from her if she didn't accept this seemingly ridiculous request.
Well, I didn't believe in werewolves until I actually saw one...
"Ummm," her mouth was gaped a little, looking stuck on the words before Serenity looked at Margrett again, "What say you, dear?" Serenity was trying not to sound insane for accepting this, "Would it be possible to do this errand? I won't keep you if we're short on time."
Serenity knew they weren't on a tight schedule of any sorts, not that they discussed it after bed, again, but she wouldn't drag Margrett on an insane quest if the guards-woman didn't want to tag along.
Hun, we got all the time in the world. We weren't supposed to be back until tomorrow anyways, really. I like the idea of ghosts. Could be fun, Serenity. She shot the wizard a look.
What would we have to do? He nodded, pulling a box from under the desk.
Everything you'll need is in here. Just catalog the haunting, and if necessary, exorcise it. My student will help you with that if it comes to it.
She looked at Margrett for a moment and narrowed her eyebrows for a moment before blinking, as if confused by something. The mage turned to the shopkeeper, "Well looks like we're more than willing," she smiled, "Where is the theater exactly?"
A ghost hunt would've been the last thing on her mind, if it ever entered at all, when taking this little vacation. Nevertheless, it was a little interesting and Serenity was beginning to look forward to see what she would find at this haunted place if anything.
When the shopkeeper would give her directions, Serenity would say to Margrett, "Shall we get going then?"
The shopkeep gave them directions and handed Serenity the box. They found the theater easily, across town. It was rundown, but not amazingly so, the paint peeling but the structure intact. MArgrett opened the door, looking inside the dark structure....no one there, looked like. There was a small entryway, with wings that went out to either side, and a door in front of them that led into the theater itself. Margrett walked across the room, looking at the rotted carpet and peeling paint.
Hmm. Maybe the assistant is in the theater itself...
She opened the big double doors that led into the theater and looked around inside. It was dark, for the most part, except for a single beam of light shining through a hole in the ceiling, landing on the stage, catching the flecks of dust as they wafted across the room. A lot of the chairs had been moved or broken, and the stage itself was scuffed and maybe a little rotten. Despite that, there was an air of history and importance in the air. This place had once been magical, and maybe still was.
Serenity didn't think much of the building when they first got there, the fact that they had to investigate phantoms being on her mind. She began to take notice as they walked in through the decayed halls and finally into the auditorium, the mage stopped dead as if she witnessed the aftermath of a blood bath.
The lady analyzed each part of the room as best she could with the limited light: the seats, the stage, curtains, and isles.
"Yes...I wonder..." she drifted off as she began to walk down the isle towards the stage.
The theaters of Highever, at least on the peak, were magnificent. They were a crystal ball inside which glittering performers would dance and twirl for anxious audiences. Perhaps this wasn't Highever, but surely this place had its moments, a hall filled with music, laughter, and cheers. The thought made Serenity frown a little.
She walked to the side of the hall and walked up the steps to the stage, carefully. Serenity stepped towards the edge and looked down at the floor directly below.
"Step lightly on the floor in front of the stage, Margrett, if they had an orchestral pit it would be below here. The floor boards might not be strong enough now to hold our weight."
Last Edit: Oct 30, 2011 2:48:01 GMT -5 by Serenity
It seemed strong enough; it only creaked a little as Serenity walked across it. Margrett followed her down the aisle, but walked in front of the stage and experimentally sat in one of the only remaining seats in the front row. She looked around quietly.
I feel like I'm in a graveyard. Like I shouldn't touch anything. She leaned back in the chair and looked up at Serenity.
"Its....sad...I'm not sure why, but I feel like...there is something more. I'm not sure how to explain it." Serenity looked back to see that the curtains were raised still.
She stood back away from the edge, only a few steps from where she'd normally stand if she were performing in an actual concert. Serenity closed her eyes and tried to picture the room in a better state.
In her mind's eye of the auditorium, there were red seats being filled with people of the town. The curtains were black and dark red velvet, the box seats were ornamented with velvet, a chandelier hung from the ceiling like a jewel off the ear of a noblewoman, and the conductor raised his baton and musicians adorned in black raised their bows, horns and woodwinds.
"Un bel di, vedremo..." she began.
'One beautiful day', I would like to see this place again full of smiling patrons...
As if the acoustics had not aged at all, her voice carried through the auditorium, carrying her unaccompanied aria through its desolate crevices. Her voice soared on high, carrying a silver tone that painted the walls with her music. The sound was a breath of air that seemed to have not entered this hall for many years, bringing perhaps just a little bit more life back for one last concert it was denied.
Margrett smiled, sat back, and watched Serenity sing. It was truly like an artist at work. Every bit of her body moved, sung, contributed to the aria. Every fiber of her being lent its hand to make the song and voice beautiful...and beautiful it was. Marg almost found herself hypnotized by it, leaning her head on one hand, eyes half-lidded, comforted by it.
But as the song neared its end, Serenity began to hear something strange. The background instruments she heard in her mind began to softly play around her, ever so faintly. She could hear the strings wailing, the woodwinds moaning...a sort of sickening yet beautiful shadow of what they used to be. The moment the song ended, the music flared, playing a part of the song Serenity had never heard, continuing. She looked into the orchestral pit and saw clouded shapes, playing away at spectral instruments. The theater around them began to change, subtly, shapes filling the seats, applauding. Margrett stood up in shock as her seat was filled by something else and backed up to the stage.
When Serenity began to hear the ethereal sounds she backed away slowly, seeming to go into shock. Her eyes widened and lips began to quiver as she looked around at what was happening. She wanted proof, she got it in all the seats.
It was amazing and frightening at the same time. Her heart was racing and a sound could barely escape her throat. Her legs were unsure as to what to do, her whole body seemed paralyzed on the stage. It was stage fright all over again.
It seemed like the time was returning to the world around them and the shadows of people returned to fill their roles in this once grand theater. When Serenity heard the applause, her fear began to subside a little. As the applause went on she, as gracefully as she would in a real concert, took a bow, still amazed and bewildered at what was going on.
She finally answered Margrett, "I think I sold a full house..."
Last Edit: Oct 30, 2011 4:36:25 GMT -5 by Serenity
Margrett laughed once, looking up at Serenity and shaking her head in disbelief.
Suddenly there was a loud banging from behind the stage. A man stepped out, dressed in a robe, waving his arms in a panicked manner.
What are you doing here?! Did Menarus send you? Get out of there before they stop applauding!
He gestured frantically at Margrett and tugged gently but urgently at Serenity's arm, trying to pull them behind the stage. MArgrett jumped onto the stage and followed him in a jog, throwing Serenity a worried look.
Serenity was still in awe over the situation and at first didn't realize she was being pulled back stage, then she blinked into reality, "What? What happens if they stop applauding? I have more repertoire if that's not good enough..." she herself wasn't sure if that last statement was an attempt at a joke or serious.
She awkwardly followed after the shopkeeper's assistant, not sure what to expect from the phantom audience after they were done applauding.
I don't know what happens when they stop applauding, but it's big and I've lost two singers that way!
He hurried into a room behind the stage, obviously once a dressing room, and slammed the door as they entered. There was deathly quiet in the room, but outside the applause died down. The man, breathing heavily, pulled a small device from his pocket and watched a needle as the applause faded. When it finally ended, the device made a small thumping noise and the needle went wild. The man let out a sigh and rubbed his eyes.
I knew I should have locked the door. This is bigger than Menarus could ever have predicted. He sighed and to them.
Sorry. I'm Egon. And now you know why I haven't been handling this haunting.
Serenity entered the dressing room and seemed to cough on some floating dust the came up as they entered with a slight breeze. She heard the noise outside die out slowly even though her amazement did not. Actual ghosts, who'd a thunk it?
Her racing heart was slowing back to a steady rhythm and she finally took note of the assistant and his mentioning of losing two singers, which of course caught her immediate attention.
"What do you mean you lost two singers? What happened to these people?"
Egon shook his head and stepped away from the door towards one of the makeup tables. It was obvious he'd turned it into a makeshift lab, with magic paraphernalia cluttering it.
I don't know. They came in here to see the theater, sang a duet while I was behind the stage, and poof, they're gone. He sighed, leaning on the desk.
I have no idea where they went. That's what I'm trying to find out. I guess he sent you to help me?