⦙ theater

@❀ moon yonghwa ᵃᶜᵗᵒʳ Jayden's eyes crinkled along with his nose, a sign of amusement from what Yonghwa'd settled on. He didn't really care much for whether someone called him by his stage name or his real name, and while it was true that most people knew him by the name of Jayden, it still somehow came off as strange when he heard the name from the other. "You could also call me, like... Jayd or Jay or something if you want something to make us feel closer," he mused. Sure, it had been a long while since they'd spoken, but being casual was something that felt much more desirable for him. "It's not like we're strangers."

His eyebrows raised slightly as he carefully took in Yonghwa's words. He allowed each word to stay in his mind, his smile growing slightly as he noticed the smallest of changes with the other's expressions. It was clear that this was something he truly felt proud of, and it was true that he understood. A mere difference of acting for television or performing a play for a live audience wasn't enough to leave him wondering. After all, the most satisfying part of it was the reactions gained from those watching an actor's performance. The joy, sorrow, frustration, and even the more complicated emotions being passed from the screen or stage to those watching was a sign that their goal had been successfully achieved. At least, that was how it felt to the idol. "That's amazing! I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'll be keeping a close eye on it once it airs, okay~?" He sang out this much, hoping that Yonghwa would feel the genuine excitement that was felt on his end.

Jayden's demeanor changed slightly with the questions that came from the other. He looked down at the paper in his hands, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he thought of it. He knew that he'd chosen the script on his own, but in the same breath he wasn't entirely sure what drew him to select this particular one. He lifted his head, a small smile slowly forming on his face after a moment. "Well, it's a piece my father once did. It's older, but... I felt a sense of nostalgia when I found it. Ah- I picked it, actually. I forgot to say that much," he rambled a bit, a small laugh escaping his lips afterwards followed by a small sigh. "She didn't ask that of me. I just... wanted to," he explained, eyes slightly glossy as they lifted from his feet to properly meet the others.

@❀ he jiaxiang 「ᴊᴀʏᴅᴇɴ」ˣ.ᵈʸⁿᵐᵗᵉ Yonghwa couldn't quite pinpoint why Jayden's response was getting under his skin, but deep down, he knew exactly why. Jayden had this way of diffusing tension, of taking Yonghwa's edginess and transforming it into something gentle and calming. It irked him, partly because he half-expected everyone in the industry to be as bitter as he was. But Jayden was different—a kind-hearted trainee in a sea of jaded souls. Yonghwa almost felt guilty for his irritation. "Well, I can just call you Jayden since it's what people mostly know you as," he conceded with a nod.

A chuckle escaped Yonghwa's lips at Jayden's question, a mix of pride and satisfaction evident in his voice. "Oh, yeah," he replied, a glint of excitement lingering in his eyes. "I love it. I just finished wrapping up a historical drama not too long ago. I'm pretty excited for it to air," he admitted, recalling the thrill of anticipation he experienced as he awaited the release of his latest project. He knew Jayden would understand the feeling—the anticipation of unveiling one's work to the world.

Yonghwa tilts his head, flipping his hand as he extends it out to gesture for the dialogue in the idol's hand. "You want my help?" he echoed, genuinely intrigued. "What are you practicing anyway? Is it something you chose, or did someone else assign it to you?" His demeanor softened as Jayden mentioned his parents, a flicker of admiration crossing his features. He knew how much Jayden's parents were a driving force in his career. Despite others dragging the idol for it, he found it admirable - though perhaps he was a bit biased since they were actors. "It's nice to see that you're still keeping in touch with your parents," he remarked warmly. "Did she ask you to get back into acting?"

@❀ moon yonghwa ᵃᶜᵗᵒʳ Jayden studied Yonghwa's expression for a few moments. There was something about the way he was referred to and the smile that the other sported which admittedly hurt the idol's feelings, but he knew better than to take it to heart. For all he knew, he was simply overanalyzing the other and getting in his own head. Although he'd already cleared his throat once, he did so again while trying to calm himself. Calm, he thought. That would result in a much more pleasant exchange. At least, this was what he'd hoped and decided to stick to as he straightened his posture, a small laugh escaping his lips as if Yonghwa's question on his name had been nothing but a lighthearted joke. "Jiaxiang is okay! Jayden is, too. You can call me whatever you want, hyung." He spoke in a joyous tone, hoping that the casual phrasing wouldn't be an issue to the other. And if it was, that would be another issue for him to worry about correcting in real time. Not that he minded too much.

He took in the other's words, nodding along as he allowed himself to reminisce. He'd always admired Yonghwa for going after his dreams after they seemed to change. In his mind, he felt as though they were quite similar in this way. Because of this, even if they hadn't spoken in the last few years he longed to build, or rebuild, a friendship with the other. Even if from what he'd heard on the outside would make one think it may be quite difficult for him to do so. "It really has been a while. How have you been? Do you still enjoy acting?" He asked these questions in a still lighthearted tone, eyes curving into a more prominent smile of their own as he answered once again. "Yea, I missed acting. My mother called me last week, and I only just made time to find something to work on. Would you mind helping me out with it?"

@❀ he jiaxiang 「ᴊᴀʏᴅᴇɴ」ˣ.ᵈʸⁿᵐᵗᵉ Yonghwa stood poised on the stage of the theater, lost in the depths of his monologue, preparing for an upcoming audition with every fiber of his being. His heart thrummed with emotion, his voice trembling with the intensity of his performance. But amidst the silence of the auditorium, a voice pierced through his concentration, a voice from his past that sent a shiver down his spine for just a moment. Turning slowly, Yonghwa's gaze fell upon a figure from his trainee days, now known by his stage name, Jayden. The familiarity of that gentle smile stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him, a mixture of nostalgia and annoyance that he struggled to contain. "He Jiaxiang," Yonghwa muttered, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Or should I say, Jayden now?"

"Wow, it's been ages. Can you believe it's been... what, a few years?" The words slipped from Yonghwa's lips almost nostalgically. Their shared memories hung in the air like a delicate thread, connecting them across the years since they last crossed paths - the gap between them feeling both vast and insignificant all at once. Waiting for Jayden to explain his presence, Yonghwa eyes the printed papers the idol clutched that hinted at a return to acting. "Oh?" His brow arched, his curiosity piqued. "Acting again?" He had always envied Jayden's natural (but also hard-earned) talent in both music and acting. It was only natural that Yonghwa felt like it was a shame the idol had to contain it in a box until he was given the opportunity to act.

@❀ moon yonghwa ᵃᶜᵗᵒʳ There was something about this particular day that had Jayden feeling nostalgic. Acting was something he hadn't necessarily spent a lot of time on since he'd debuted with X.Mpire, and while he enjoyed the idol life, he truly found himself missing the musicals he'd been in before moving, or even the acting classes he'd taken as a trainee. With these thoughts and feelings growing within him, he'd managed to search for and find a monologue he liked and printed it for himself. It was an assignment he'd given himself albeit not being required for his current job.

A small hum escaped his lips as he stepped into the theater, his eyebrows raising when he caught sight of someone else there. Although he shouldn't have been considering where he was and the time of day, he was shocked at the presence of another person. Even so, a smile bloomed across his face while he picked up the pace, stepping up onto the stage and awkwardly clearing his throat (softly, he hoped) before speaking with a brighter tone. "Yonghwa! You're here today?" His tone was soft and excited all at once, and while he had a feeling this interaction might not go as he would hope he kept a positive mindset. Maybe he would be proved wrong or if things did go awry, perhaps he could somehow win the other over.

@❀ klaus von nacht ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ Xiaoming chuckled softly at Klaus's poetic musings, a wry smile dancing on his lips as he observed his old friend's illicit indulgence. The nostalgia of their shared history hung in the air, mingling with the scent of the forbidden smoke. He leaned in slightly, the intimacy of their conversation deepening.
"Well, my dear Klaus," Xiaoming began, his voice carrying a hint of mystery, "I might just have something up my sleeve that'll tickle your creative spirit." He leaned closer, conspiratorially lowering his voice. "Remember that abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, where we first met? The one they say is haunted? I've managed to secure it for a little project that's unconventional, daring, and, of course, completely secretive. We need to find the time to go back stateside, which will be no issue for us."

Xiaoming's eyes sparkled with excitement as he continued, "I've been envisioning an immersive, otherworldly experience, a fusion of theater, art, and the uncanny. It'll be a journey into the unknown, an exploration of the human psyche, and I can't imagine anyone better to collaborate with than you."
He took a step back, his gaze fixed firmly on Klaus. "Imagine it, my friend: the thrill of pushing boundaries, the adrenaline of doing something forbidden, just like this." He gestured to the smoky atmosphere around them. "Are you up for the challenge, Klaus? To tempt fate once more, and perhaps, in the process, create a masterpiece that'll be remembered for ages?"

@❀ xu xiaoming 「ᴢᴇʀᴏ」ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ "if i didn't tempt fate into my arms, then it would remain such a lonely lover." the man mused as he took a lighter to set the end of his cigarette aflame and burned down until there was enough pillowy soft clouds for his liking. it was against the rules to smoke inside most places especially the theatre... in fact, he was pretty sure smoking indoors like this was completely illegal. that hardly mattered now when the craving called his name and the only witness to bear came in the form of an old trusted friend. "sounds fun! you're right, i don't think i can even remember the last time we worked on anything together. much less the stage. feels like a century ago now." a reminiscent sigh exhaled from his lungs followed by a thick haze of grey. glancing over his shoulder to better face xiaoming now much closer beside him did klaus take one more long drag and purse his lips into a round heart shape before blowing little breathy kisses of death. "did you have anything specific in mind? maybe a project of yours already in the works? i'm willing to try just about anything as long as it's with you."

@❀ klaus von nacht ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ Xiaoming's smile remained intact as he listened to Klaus's jovial banter. "Haha, you know how to tempt fate, my friend," he replied with a playful wink. "But hey, no judgment here. You do what works for you. If those cigarettes keep your creative juices flowing, who am I to stand in the way of your artistic process?" Xiaoming was always the calm, understanding one in their friendship, never one to push too hard on sensitive subjects.

He pushed off the ladder and took a step closer to Klaus, his expression shifting to a more thoughtful one. "Actually, speaking of creative projects, maybe we should collaborate on something. It's been ages since we worked on anything together. Your smoky inspiration and my backstage wizardry could make for a killer combination, don't you think?" Xiaoming's eyes twinkled with enthusiasm, eager to find a way to channel his restless energy into something productive.

Klaus's words about his longing for the stage struck a chord with Xiaoming, reminding him of the magic they used to create on their own. "And as for why I'm here, well, I guess you could say I've been missing that old thrill of the theater too. Maybe it's time for a comeback, don't you think?" He glanced at the fallen props around them, a spark of excitement in his eyes, rolling his eyes at the mess /they/ had created.

As Xiaoming contemplated a potential collaboration with Klaus and the prospect of returning to the theater, a rush of nostalgia and passion surged within him. The theater had always been his first love, the stage his sanctuary. He had spent countless hours behind the scenes, fine-tuning every detail to ensure the magic happened seamlessly before the audience's eyes. The theater was where he had honed his craft, where he had discovered his true self, back in his hometown of Guangzhou, in the motherland nation.

The theater was like an old friend waiting in the wings, ready to embrace him once more. Xiaoming couldn't help but smile at the prospect of stepping back into that world, where creativity and passion flowed freely. The thought of collaborating with Klaus on a new production ignited a spark of excitement in his heart, and he couldn't wait to see where this journey would take them.

@❀ xu xiaoming 「ᴢᴇʀᴏ」ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ a soft almost tired sigh slipped out as he bent over to pick up the fallen props and place them back where they rightfully belonged, dusting himself off with a few glides of his rough calloused hands. "even so, i'm just the crew here. i haven't seen the stage in months. to be honest, it's been making me antsy lately. i feel like i need a project or something to do or else i can't function right." the man confessed once comfortably leaning against the nearby ladder still propped open and gazed over into xiaoming's familiar eyes. plush rosy lips curled up slowly into a tender smile radiating with a warmth like summer sunshine that glowed against his porcelain skin and dark shadowy eyes that peek out from behind those pitch black midnight tresses, tiny waves all feathered out into a fluffy perfect mess from a hard day's work.

"you saying that makes me want a cig now," klaus replied with a hearty laugh as deep as the mariana trench. merely a joke to lift their spirits, yet there was some truth in it. after all these years he still couldn't seem to escape the itch of his addictions— silly little sticks packed with tobacco included. "i'll quit if i get another role anytime soon. until then though, i'm afraid my vocal chords will have to suffer a bit more abuse. you know i like to play rough, mein liebling." a bit of playful teasing came to natural amongst the company of such an old friend, smirking over towards xiaoming with a devilish knowing expression that could speak a thousand words even in silence. the moment passes as casually as the breeze once the german began digging through his pocket to whip out a pack of cigarettes, glancing around to ensure nobody else was there before pulling one out to slide between his lips.

"so... what brings you here anyhow? not that i don't love to see those soft cherub cheeks of yours."

@❀ klaus von nacht ᵗʳᵃⁱⁿᵉᵉ Xiaoming's eyes twinkled with delight as he caught Klaus in the midst of his impromptu backstage performance. He leaned in, his voice filled with genuine admiration, and said, "Oh, no need for apologies, Klaus. You didn't disturb anyone at all. In fact, your singing is quite a wonderful surprise. Your voice is like a hidden treasure back here amidst all the props and wires."

With a warm and encouraging smile, Xiaoming continued, "It's truly captivating to hear you sing, especially after all the hard work you've put into making this production come to life. You have a remarkable talent, Klaus, and it's moments like these that remind us of the magic that happens both on and off the stage. Keep singing, my friend. Your voice is a gift that deserves to be shared with the world."

With a supportive and encouraging tone, Xiaoming added, "Remember, Klaus, taking care of your voice is like taking care of a precious instrument. Resting it now will ensure that it continues to shine brightly on that stage when it truly matters."

Xiaoming couldn't resist injecting a touch of playful humor into the conversation as he continued, "And Klaus, I must say, your voice is such a treasure that even the props are falling for you! Who knew you could make scenery swoon like that?"

He chuckled warmly, adding, "But in all seriousness, my friend, while we admire your dedication and your ability to charm even inanimate objects, a little vocal rest won't hurt. You don't want to leave your adoring fans waiting for your grand performance, right?"

another day, another fantasy muddied by the absolute drudgery of his daily tasks. as rehearsals for the latest theatre production are in full swing, the stagehands naturally have plenty to keep busy with. hours upon hours of running back and forth behind the scenes, setting up props and scenery, adjusting the soundboard, lugging heavy equipment to their proper places, desperately trying not to look down as he forces himself to climb up the scaffolding to change out the lighting. it's all worth it once those beautiful voices like angels begin to sing, hitting flawless high notes as if they could part the clouds and reach the heavens above. between it all he listens intently, taking mental notes of the stage directions and the nuances in every note he can possibly pick up on.

it isn't long before he finds himself backstage carefully coiling endless wires to be transported elsewhere, seizing the opportunity of silence to give his poor tobacco–ridden vocal chords a spin. what better aria to practice with than the very one he's heard the lead roles belting out all week? at first there's a crack, his delivery rough against the coarse gravel that so often is klaus' most identifiable sound. yet with a few rolling trills to loosen himself up, he tries again, this time satisfied by the much smoother richness that pours past parted lips like decadent chocolate waterfalls. he can almost picture himself up on the stage, his velvet baritone meshing against the soaring soprano.

perhaps that colorful imagination is far too easy to lose oneself in, so distracted that the back of his shoulder suddenly comes bumping against a nearby stage prop, watching it topple down with a horrific blazing thud. dark eyes shoot upwards to see he's not alone, someone else there to bear witness as he fidgets nervously with the prop like a bumbling idiot while pale cheeks burn bright rosy red. "oh, forgive me— i didn't realize anyone was still here. i've disturbed you..."