Death Cast

01.8 | Grecia Bella Theatre

Breakfast has been piled high on the table, with a variety of food anyone to choose from. There are hams and eggs, honeyed bacon strips, and puffy pancakes dusted with white sugar are served alongside strawberries and tarts. If one wanted to eat heavily in the morning, they could go for the meat dishes that have been seared, roasted, or fried till tender. It wasn't greasy, not destroying the appetite at all.

Jaerim was watching the tantalizing scene and realized that he hasn't eaten anything since yesterday. Aside from that one cup of tea he drank out of curiosity, he hadn't have anything, not even water. They weren't served with any food when they arrived since they immediately went to sleep. He touched his tummy and thought that he wasn't feeling hungry. He could still eat normally, but he didn't have that feeling of hunger as someone who had been hungry for more than a day.

Noel poked around, rubbing his palms as if to indicate that he liked what he was seeing. He moved from one side to the other, torturing his eyes and hungry stomach with extremely gratifying images. They approached Ken and his company, who were sitting in one of the table's corners.

"These..." He pointed the stuff of the table and asked hesitantly. "Are they good? Can we eat them?"

"They're good," Ken said, eating a good meal himself. "You don't have to worry. Meals like these are normal in these world. Unless it is a requirement, punishment, or a questionable plot, you are free to consume anything you want."

"That's good! Very good!"

Noel eagerly grabbed anything he could and devoured it. He is in an age where he is always hungry due to growth spurts. on the other hand, Jaerim ate meekly. He slowly gathered some congee to pad his stomach since it has been a long time he had eaten food. If he rushes like Noel, it will just induce abdominal discomfort.

The meal was completed without incident. Everyone went to their respective troupes in silence, waiting for orders. The jester emerged next to the dinner table, beckoning his entire crew and ushering them to their designated lounge.

"Sleeping late, eating so slowly, don't you want your work anymore?" are his first words.

He glared at them sternly, giving off a frightening look. Nobody dared to raise their heads in protest, allowing the clown to reprimand them. Despite this, none of them appeared bothered in the least. The crew had been accustomed to such treatment they had become numb. Noel secretly nudged Jaerim with his elbows.

"He complains about wasting time," Noel said in a hush. "He's also wasting time complaining."

Jaerim looked at Noel silently then to the white-faced jester. Elias seems to have discovered creativity today since he had painted his face quite strangely, using dark colors instead of the gaudy red. Two black circles were drawn around his eyes, making him look like a panda. His jester clothes are also in greyscale to match the horrific face.

The teenager pointed the clown when the person is looking on the opposite direction, and added, "He looks more scary today."

After fifteen minutes of lecture, the jester finally revealed them the plot. He handed out fliers that were distributed by the management that entails the schedule of the events. There are many performances in one day that has been distributed through time stamps. The jester already highlighted the time of their performances to easily spot it.

"We will be performing to the stage of Grecia Bella, one of the most renowned theatre stages in the whole world. Every performers desired to stand on it but only few were given a chance. We are the luckiest amongst the few."

The jester walked around, his hands on his back. The crew that has been lined up looked like soldiers in a training camp, awaiting for orders, while the Jester is the training captian lecturing the troops. The way the events are unfolding make it look like they're going in a battle.

Err, well, they're indeed going to a battle.

Jaerim remembered the posters plastered on the glass display window of that tailor shop talking about the opening of a newly renovated theatre. It seems that his guess was correct.

"As you can see, we have reached the summit that not anyone could get. You should be proud and praise yourself. It is an achievement that is not easy to attain. It is a reward that only the best could receive."

The crew nodded in unison, excitement glittering in their eyes. It's not every day this hot-tempered clown say something good. They should treasure it.

Elias was pleased by their reaction and continued. He tried to hide the grim forming out from his face but it only made his face crooked. The black paint on his face moved together with his expression, creating shapes and creases that are unintentionally hair-raising. Noel crossed his arms and hugged himself, brushing his arms to gather courage and comfort.

"If he wanted to smile, smile ba. Why does he still give us a jump scare if he's pleased," Noel complained.

"However, let's not celebrate first. We are here to compete and show the world that we owned the stage. Prove to everyone that we are worthy of their praise!"

Elias added more encouraging words to fuel the fire of desire within everyone's heart. Even Noel and Jaerim were affected by the blood boiling battle cry. Receiving the desire effect of his peep talk, the jester started explaining the regulations and mechanics of the program.

"Three months ago, the management released an ad on the newspaper, a contest program in celebration of the successful renovation of the Grecia Bella Theatre. The theatre has been closed off for two years, making the people lament for losing their source of entertainment. On its opening day, it is expected that there would be many people coming."

There are also no fees upon entrance so the number would've doubled.

"There will be three segments of the program, two of them are the elimination rounds, and the third one as the final round. Due to the influx of performers and limited time, only one performance is allowed in each troupe. We are to perform these three dances within the five days."

"Though there is an elimination round, one could still perform to the next level. One of the criteria of judgement includes the involvement of the audience where they are asked to vote which of the performers showed the best. After all, at the end, the people dictate which of the performances could give them satisfaction. The judgement will always end up to the masses."

Elias take a look of his own flier.

"The arrangement of performances had been done by lottery. We are lucky to get a good spot in the afternoon. The morning schedule doesn't usually have enough traffic for votes since most people are still working while some are still asleep in their beds."

"The people selected to dance were also done with lottery. You can find the name of participants on the back side of the paper."

Jaerim turned over the paper he was holding and indeed found a list of name. He scanned up to the section where his troupe belonged and unsurprisingly found his name and Noel's name written on it. He had already expected it.

"I will handle all the rehearsals. I hope nobody will slack off during the event. Our mission is to perform the best performance everyone could see, to gain the title of the very best!"

The jester laughed maniacally, giving him a more crazy look. Noel averted his eyes instantly, his sight falling to the paper on Jaerim's hand. He searched for the schedule of their group's performance and found out that they will be performing this afternoon. But he have no idea what to dance!

"Hey, hey," Noel called out in worry, ignoring his fears.

The laughing jester stopped, looking at one of the 'naughty' people on his list. He strode towards the two, arching his brows to show his attention. "What?"

Noel snatched the paper from Jaerim's hand and showed it to the jester. He pointed the time frame beside the schedule highlights.

"We are performing today?"

The jester nodded. "Today is the opening day."

"Are you serious?" Noel widened his eyes. "But I don't know what to dance!"

And most of all, he don't know how to dance! The jester only shrugged his shoulders as if he expected the complains.

"We will be rehearsing the dance today. Isn't that what I said?"

"Yes, but it wasn't that easy. If you wish to become the best, you must practice for long time. It's impossible to perform this afternoon without any comprehensive training."

Dancing is an easy yet difficult skill to execute. It is easy since anyone could just perform a sequence of steppings and body movement. It can be learned easily if one has a good memory. It is difficult since a good dancer must have good reflexes and timing. Everyone could dance but not all could become dancers.

The jester ignored their pleas. He pointed to the door and said, "If you can't dance then what are you doing here? Out! Get out! I don't need useless people!"

Everyone had fallen to silence. The jester wasn't showing any anger on his face but the threat he was excuding is quite evident. Noel jolted in surprise, unable to discern the situation. He had been told to go out and leave the group.

If that happens, how would he be able to get out of this world?

Jaerim suddenly grabbed Noel's hand and yanked him to the back. He stepped out to come face to face with the jester. Different from Noel's appearance that easily garners attention, Jaerim's looked pretty average especially with normal clothes draped on his. His long bangs covering the top of his face and the blooded gauze on his cheeks did not give any positive impression.

He would have remained a background character if he had not interfered.

"Sir, this friend of mine is just joking. He didn't just have enough sleep last night from being too excited to perform. He's just anxious after hearing your wonderful speech."

Jaerim showed an appeasing gesture filled with genuine flattery and affection. He wasn't smiling but the shine of his eyes exposed his desire and submission, as if telling the person in front of him that he is harmless. Elias arched his brows as he gazed at Jaerim boldly.

He sneered. "Your friend is already shaking after getting scolded once. Such weak attitude is not suited for a performer. He might as well give up now before he bring disaster to us."

Jaerim didn't look back but he could feel Noel clutching his clothes. The trembling of his hands is evident but he knows it is not because of fear towards performing. Noel has a slight fear of clowns and the jester suddenly going berserk in front of him is equal to throwing him in a den of ghosts.

His poor heart must have been scared to death.

"He is shaking because he is excited, sir. Not fear. You should take a close look to see that he is very willing and would want to become the center of attention, sir. Can't you see how he dressed up to show his intention?"

Jaerim secretly pinched Noel to start acting. The young man received the message and immediately switched to a new persona. The worrying expression had changed to a fawning one, almost giving a real reaction.

However, the jester already know that he's only acting up and just let go. Anyways, of he wanted to perform then let him perform. He is more interested to Jaerim who never showed any weakness from the start.

"Then that's settled." He said, walking towards the door. "Let's go and start practicing. We only have about six hours left. Anyone who arrived late and slacks off will pay a price!"

Everyone immediately followed, even passing through the jester, leaving him in the speed faster than light.