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saltysaccharin · 1 year ago

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Cletus Aite: Homecoming (0)

— [TRAGEDY/COMEDY!] {CANON}

• characters :: cletus aite, vil schoenheit, rook hunt, epel felmier, idia shroud, ortho shroud + cleonn aite (mentioned)

• content :: kind of crack, explains how and why cletus is in so many theater productions even though he's supposed to be in the basketball club, tall people (vil & rook) scare local short king

• warnings :: none

synopsis / prompt :: cletus aite has always had a tendency to garner attention — good and bad alike. it seems that that very attention-seeking-grabbing behavior is exactly what a stage play calls for. it's too bad cletus hadn't performed in years...

word count :: 1.4k

a/n :: breaking news, sachi projects their own skittish behavior toward their crush and injects it directly into an oc's bloodstream.

cletus is fine dw (sachi is not /ovd)

"…Why am I here again?" Cletus absentmindedly muttered to himself as he took a glance around the Film Studies club room.

"You're here because of your penchant for acting," The Pomefiore head, Vil Schoenheit, replied simply as he watched Cletus with narrowed eyes. "Frankly, as shocked as I am, your talent has the potential to accrue more interest in…"

Vil's explanation went in one pointed ear and out the other.

Suddenly shaking his head, Cletus interrupted, "Wait, what was that about me and acting—?"

Behind Vil, Epel frantically gestured to abort by repeatedly slashing his hand across his neck.

"…You're referring to the first thing I mentioned, yes?" Vil deadpanned, somehow managing to make it look elegant. Cletus almost felt shame for once. Sighing, the blond housewarden clarified, "The Film Studies club is planning to compose a theater production. Alas, most of our actors are more suited for the screen — I'm certain you're knowledgeable about the differences between film acting and theater acting.

"In any case, I searched through a few auspicious individuals' backgrounds…" Vil trailed off, his hand placed delicately underneath his chin, "And I happened upon the Aite twins' history with musical theater."

Oh.

Cletus flushed, waving his hands around in front of him in a panic, "Aha, no no no. You've got the wrong g— Um. Well, you do have the right guy, but I don't.. do that anymore—" He stammered, an anxious smile creeping up to his face.

"Quelle malchance! That's such a shame," Exclaimed a melodramatic Rook, who then raised a gloved hand to his lips suspiciously. "Are you absolutely positive, however? I distinctly recall querying Roi de Ta Chambre about your performing abilities… You generally enjoy attention, no?"

Querying.. who? Cletus didn't really get any of what Rook said, but he found himself feeling pity for whoever the hunter must've cornered to get that info.

"Well, why don't you ask Cleonn to do it? This is totally unfair!" Cletus huffed, avoiding the question.

Vil sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. "Unfortunately, your housewarden hadn't a lot to say about your brother. Cleonn seems to have actually moved on from performing, but you…" He trailed off, inadvertently coming off as sinister in Cletus' perspective.

Huh? His housewarden? What did he have to do with...

Meekly clearing his throat, Epel chimed in from behind the older two Pomefiore students. His wide eyes told Cletus that he understood the dread of being cornered like an animal; and that he was trying his best to get Cletus out of the situation. Cletus internally burst into tears of gratitude, offering to do anything Epel wanted in return.

"Um, maybe you could just do an audition? Just— Just to see if you're fit for the.. role that Vil needs," Epel suggested with a smile, earning a hum of consideration from his upperclassman.

Cletus stared at Epel in disbelief.

His bright amber irises bore into the poor first-year's soul, causing Epel to laugh anxiously and flutter his hands wildly in dismissal of his own idea, "I mean, you don't have to, of course! I just meant that, uh, y-you could compromise and audition and if Vil doesn't like it then—"

"No, no; your idea was brilliant, Epel," Vil interrupted, "It's the perfect way to gauge Cletus' skill, as well as his compatibility with the vision we're aiming for. It also leaves room for our potential star to back out, unlike if.. Rook were to pull some strings for me… It's a much fairer arrangement, I admit." He hummed with a nod, a hand on his chin in thought. The blond glanced at Cletus, extending the 'offer' wordlessly.

Cletus smiled his biggest, toothy smile — as fake as he could manage. "I really haven't kept up with anything like this in a while… I'm rusty…" His attempt at an indirect rejection was not effective.

"Nonsense! Please refrain from speaking such drivel, Monsieur Juvenile!" Rook exclaimed, moving to stand beside Cletus before draping an arm over the shorter boy's tense shoulders. "Performing in the limelight is akin to riding a bike! Beautiful Vil has set his expectations for you because he has seen promise; it would be an affront to not even try!"

Vil waved off Rook's dramatics, fully turning to face Cletus. "If what you say about being out of practice, then wouldn't that make this a learning experience? On top of that, consider the amount of opportunities that could open up for you," He put a hand on his hip to assert his confidence in his choice to 'recruit' Ignihyde's black sheep. "There's a fire in your eyes, Cletus. I'm certain there's part of you that wishes to channel all the negativity in your student life into something more performative; something people would pay attention to. Won't you finally give yourself the chance to achieve something someone of your caliber deserves?" A gloved hand stretched out toward Cletus.

To call the offer tempting would be a severe understatement. And yet…

"Ah, well…" Cletus cleared his throat, gazing at Vil's hand as he fidgeted with his own, "Um…" He stole a glance at a worried Epel, as well as an expectant Rook; he didn't have the backbone to check how Vil was probably staring him down like a hawk. "I.. I'm sorry, but—"

"Idia! You got him into this! The least you could do is extend some moral support!"

Cletus stopped in his tracks, lips practically zipping shut as he heard the commotion directly on the other side of the door. Epel peeked past his two seniors, tilting his body slightly as he looked at the doorway. "Is that Ortho?" He asked, receiving a murmur from Vil.

"I-It's not my fault! Rook basically ganked me the other day by the dorm entrance! Our dorm, Ortho! I can't even catch a break in the comfort of my own base!"

The second voice, while still audible, was definitely trying to whisper. 'Trying' being the keyword — considering the speaker was loud enough to be heard through the door, he likely did not try hard enough. The two individuals outside continued to bicker, where one was reprimanding the other who only tried his best to escape the situation.

"Oh, for fuck's sake." Cletus muttered to himself, feeling his heart rate start to increase.

Vil made a face of disapproval, presumably at Cletus' vulgar language, but it quickly morphed into one of surprise as a frenzied Cletus practically jumped in front of him.

The voices on the other side grew louder — closer to the door — and Cletus' panicked demeanor grew stronger. The teal-haired imp put his hands together and looked up at Vil with wide, anxious eyes, "Please get me out of here. Hide me. Anything." He begged, a forced smile etched on his features.

The Pomefiore housewarden's eyebrows lifted slightly, intrigued, "Oh? May I ask why?"

"Wh-What do you expect me to do once we're inside, anyway?! I can't just 'SoRe wA chiGAu yO!' Vil!"

"Just apologize and say you made a mistake! I don't think Cletus likes being cornered any more than you do. Now come on, Idia."

"NonoNONO, ORTHO, WAIT—"

Cletus bit back a yelp as the door rattled slightly. He turned back to Vil and nodded desperately, "I'll do it! I'll act in your stupid play— I'll even sing! In all of your stupid plays! Just hide me from Idia, please! He can't see me like this, I look—"

Vil raised his hand, temporarily silencing Cletus' rambling. "You'll commit? To all of our future productions as well?"

"Yes! I will! Anything you need from me!"

A faint lavender glow seemed to emit from Vil's eyes as he smiled and extended his hand toward Cletus once more, this time without his uniform's glove. He turned to Rook and spoke quietly, not taking his eyes off of Cletus. "Take note of this. Get this agreement in writing as soon as possible." Rook nodded immediately in response.

In spite of his confusion, Cletus took Vil's hand without a second thought as Vil's smile grew slightly wider. With a deep breath, he uttered:

Cletus deadpanned at the screenplay in his hands, the casting page open. Expressionless, he silently glowered at his name written adjacent to a 'Michael Mell.'

"Nothing to lose, nothing to fear. The shining crown is meant for me. Fairest One Of All," He declared as Cletus frantically glanced at the door, "Cletus Aite shall turn invisible until Idia Shroud steps outside of this room."

Vil must have had a sick sense of humor.

#courtesy of saltysaccharin's thumbs #maskes theatrou #cletus i'm sorry that your creator is allergic to pretty boys so you have to be too #but hey at least i didn't have him cough up blood for the 23962nd time #he's just having a little chat w pomefiore!!!!#may or may not have sold his soul #if you're still reading #this will be a lil oneshot series #cletus-centric with no hanahaki #or major angst #just lighthearted tomfoolery #huehuehue

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