Shinoku just looked at Louis as they walked over to the rest of the actors, he got the very distinct feeling that Louis was secretly deep down hoping that he didn't do well enough to be on the actors team, to be associated alongside him. If it wasn't for Anya and Sheila he might have been given as fair a chance. Still, despite his critical gaze, Louis did at least acknowledge that he had at least performed well. The only thing left now was to prove the arrogant bastard wrong about him being on the acting team.
"Gotta say Shinoku, I'm impressed, didn't realize you were that good." Bill complimented as Shinoku and Louis walked over to the others.
"It was nothing really, just a bit of learning on the fly." Shinoku said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh don't be so modest, you did great!" Bill said encouragingly.
"Yes, don't be modest, it doesn't suit you." Louis remarked with a hint of displeasure. "Now then, I suppose the best way to go about this is to give you something easy, maybe Odie the water spirit."
"I wouldn't mind him being my understudy!" Bill grinned. "I could even give him a few pointers."
"Thanks but...I was thinking..." Shinoku trailed off as he turned his full attention to Louis, "Of doing one of Adler's lines."
For a split second Shinoku could swear he saw Louis almost lose his composure, whether it was from shock or enraged offense of him daring to try a line from the star's role was hard to tell. Nevertheless he could tell that struck a nerve, something he was not at all bothered about in the least. If Louis wanted to judge him by appearance and word alone then he was not going to hold his punches when it came to the deer.
"Ha! Aiming big eh Shinoku?" Bill asked as he gave the arctic wolf a hearty pat on the back, though unlike the last time Shin didn't slightly budge from the impact.
"What can I say Bill, if I am on Louis' level as you say, then I should push myself and not take any easy paths." Shinoku replied knowing it would irk Louis. "After all, this is just seeing my range, shouldn't matter what line I do...right?" He asked, though his focus never left Louis.
Louis just stared at Shinoku, if it weren't for the fact the others were around Shinoku Knew that the deer would be outraged by the notion. "Fine." Louis said, trying to hide his displeasure. "I suppose you had a scene in mind?" The red deer asked.
"I was thinking one of the early scenes, the one where he's taking Ellen through the woods away from the spirits." Shinoku replied.
"…Alright, but after that you'll do Odie as I still think that's better for you." Louis stated. "If you can act well enough that is." The red deer said before giving him the lines. "Here, study them if you feel you need."
"Fine." Shinoku replied, though he declined the script. "I've seen the play enough to remember this scene, should be easy."
Louis arched a brow. "Have it your way then."
Shin didn't say a thing before he moved to get on to the stage. Anya had been the only one to really notice him watching them rehearse; he didn't know that Shin watched as many rehearsals as he could, even go through the motions while watching. He wasn't perfect, especially considering he wasn't practicing with the actual actors, but he was familiar enough with the roles that he was sure to surprise Louis. And that, that thought of making Louis eat his words and admit he had a place on the actors team, brought a smile to his face, albeit a slight one.
Shin stood there, looking at the others and took a breath. He was on stage, about to perform in front of the others, nothing that should be too hard, he was after all an athlete who performed for crowds. Still, he felt excitement coursing through his body. He cleared his throat once before proceeding to go through the lines, only to have a somewhat unimpressed Louis look at him.
"Not bad, but not exactly good either." the deer commented, "It looks like my initial thought of you being better off with the dancers team was right."
Shin thought for a moment, he knew he could do better but it felt like somethin was a tad bit off. It wasn't nerves, he didn't get nerves...well, not in these situations at least. No, it was the feeling of it not feeling quite right. But what could it be? He had done the motions when he watched them rehearse, memorized the lines...maybe if he had someone to work off of; He blinked as he looked to Louis.
"Yes what is it?" Louis asked with slight annoyance.
"Doing the lines and scene doesn't quite feel right without Ellen and the spirits"
Louis sighed. "So you're saying you can't perform unless you have Ellen and the others to do the scene as well? Not a good sign."
"Maybe, but if I'm doing a scene where there's multiple people involved it just seems like it'd be a good idea for me to work off their energy, humor me." Shinoku requested.
"Very well. Ellen, Tao and the other mooks, go up on stage." Louis ordered.
All of them nodding as they moved up to the stage with Tao and the others who played the mooks taking their positions. Though as Ellen moved towards Shin, she seemed to get rather pensive, nervous even, around Shin as she got closer. He was so much taller than her, and his eyes were as piercing as any wolf's, if not a bit more.
"S-sorry." Ellen said as she tried to compose herself. She was...scared, barely holding back shaking being so close to a carnivore that she only knew by reputation and intimidating looks alone.
"It's fine...I won't bite or hurt you." Shinoku said reassuringly with a rather soft tone, "I know I should be able to do this without you or the others, but I just think it would really help. Plus, it'd make it a bit more fun to do." he dded with a friendly smile.
That seemed to calm the Zebra down a bit as she smiled back, getting a bit more at ease around the larger carnivore. As she took her place Shin took her hand, making sure the grip wasn't too strong. He took another breath before they went through the scene. This time he managed to do a bit better, but it still seemed a bit lacking.
"Better..." Louis admitted. "But if you can't find that spark to sell the performance you won't make a very good actor."
Shinoku hated to admit it, but Louis was right. It still hadn't felt quite right...he needed something to give him the drive...the spark. Sure Ellen was there, but if he wanted to sell the performance he needed to have real emotion put into it. Then it popped in his head, Anya, imagine Ellen was Anya and the spirits...Otis. Yes...that worked, he could feel the blood boiling and agency burning through him.
"One more try." Shinoku requested with determination. "Give me one last try. If I fail, I'll accept the dancers team and not even try the other role."
Louis just looked at him, arching his brow. "Alright...one last try." He allowed with a dismissive gesture. "But you best keep your word." The red deer added as he gave Shinoku a serious look.
Shinoku only nodded as he then reset with the rest of the actors. Shin closed his eyes, taking another breath as he let his mind shape the scenario in his head. He was Adler, the god of death escorting and protecting Anya from the spirits that sought her, each one bearing Otis' ugly mug. His grip tightened on Ellen's hand, more protectively as his whole demeanor rather noticeably changed. And, with that, the stage was set.
"Mr. Shinigami...why are they chasing me?!" Ellen asked.
"Because You were supposed to be dead three days ago." Shinoku said, his voice full of agency and driven determination. "Water...wind...fire...the forces of nature all want you dead." His voice turned grim, solemn even.
"Then...These guys are with them?" Ellen asked finding herself being more drawn in to the act as though they were performing for real. She was amazed at how Shinoku had quickly went from decent, to practically memorizing with his performance, it was as if he was living out the scenario.
"Yes." Shinoku replied. "This is a fight against fate." He continued as the motions he went through sold each word. "Just stay behind me. Killing you...is my job. Until then...I won't let ANYONE lay a finger on you!" The arctic wolf said with a determined ferocity that surprised even Tao and the others. They honestly thought that Shinoku was about ready to actually attack them. Though they couldn't quite place it, the last words Shinokuu had spoken felt just a little more than acting.
Regardless, there was a silence in the room as what just transpired settled on those that watched. After what felt like a solid minute clapping could be heard as most of the club showed their awe for what just transpired. Shinoku looked about at those that were amazed at how he just performed, his eyes soon settling on Louis who could not hide his shock at what he had just witnessed. It didn't last though, he was quick to compose himself, though for that second he saw Louis, he could tell that he had the deer not only been taken by complete surprise, but he was now starting to worry about Shinoku being an actor. Still, in that brief second, Shin couldn't help but smile a bit.
"That was incredible Shin, way to show what we carnivores are capable of!" Bill said as he walked up and put his arm around Shin's shoulder as he congratulated him.
"Thanks...but I feel I wouldn't have done quite as well if it wasn't for you and the others." Shinoku replied.
Bill just grinned. "There's that modesty again, I think you just needed to warm up a little." He encouraged. "That, or that bit of extra pressure you put on yourself by telling Louis you'd go with the dancers if you didn't do well this time."
Shinoku just rubbed the back of his head slightly, he was about to reply to Bill when he heard a slow clapping. He turned his head to the direction he heard it from only to see that it was Louis, that took him by surprise. He had thought that the deer would do anything but that, and yet...he was. Still, Louis still had that same look to him, this was not an admission of any kind, it was a formality.
"Well looks like you get your chance to be on the actors team, Shinoku." Louis said as he stared directly at Shinoku, though there was no kindness or friendliness in his eyes. "Though if you need pressure to help you perform then you need to iron out your your raw skills so that you can perform under any situation. So with that being said, until I deem that you have reached that part, you will be in reserve for when those who have had more EXPERIENCE are not able to perform. Is that agreed?" Although it was phrased as a question, it was clear to Shin that it was more of an ultimatum; either agree to his terms, or be possibly forced into the dancers team.
"Now hold on a second Louis..." Bill started only to be stopped by Shinoku as he pressed his hand towards he tiger.
"That's more than fair Louis, you all have had more acting experience than I have." Shinoku said. "It's only fair that I just come in here and take someone's role that they've put more work in than me."
Bill blinked as he looked at Shinoku. "But..."
"Louis' right Bill, if I need pressure and others to help me get going, then me taking someone's role would be a disservice to their hard work." Shinoku commented. "How would you feel if I took your part?" He asked/
"…Fair." Bill admitted.
"Then you accept the condition?" Louis asked.
"I do." Shinoku nodded.
"Good. Then I will officially accept you as new member of the drama club, welcome." Louis said as he reached out his hand.
It was such a delicate hand in Shin's eyes and yet, the was no hesitation in offering it. It was as clear as day to the arctic wolf that the deer was intimidated by nothing, nor was he one to back down. He could respect that at least, everything else about the deer though was another story entirely. He made his way over to Louis, taking his hand in a firm grip.
"Thanks, look forward to doing the club proud." Shinoku said as he looked directly in Louis' eyes, giving him the same challenging and uncompromising look that both hid behind their expressions.
"I expect you to be here for each practice, you will need a lot of work to perform on cue, so I don't want to here any excuses or not see you here." Louis instructed.
"You don't have to worry about that." Shinoku replied.
"We'll see about that." Louis said before going to do other things.
"Looks like you made it buddy!" Bill said joyfully as he patted Shin. "Maybe not as a full on actor yet, but you're part of the team."
"Yeah...I will say though that I doubt I could have really sold it without you and the others there to help get me in the mindset." Shinoku said, electing to leave out what had truly helped him. It was true though, in a way, with the other actors there it did help him better visualize.
"Don't mention it! Just make sure you improve so that you can really call yourself an actor." Bill said encouragingly.
"Excuse me, Shinoku." came Ellen's voice from behind the two.
Shin turned to look at Ellen. "Yes?" he asked, keeping his voice as friendly as he could so as not to scare the Zebra.
"I just wanted to say you did an amazing job, even if you had to give it three tries." Ellen said as she looked at Shinoku. "That, and I wanted to apologize if me being kind of scared around you offended you in any way. It's just..."
Shinoku raised his hand. "It's alright, I said it was fine earlier." He said dismissively, "I understand, I'm not exactly the most approachable of animals...especially being a carnivore, I'm used to it. Thanks by the way"
Ellen just blinked as she looked at Shin, the arctic wolf was so understanding and even a bit apologetic about it, she couldn't help but think of Legosi in that moment as she looked at him. "I see...well, for the record I think you're nice and a good actor."
"Thanks." Shinoku sad with a slight smile.
"Anyway, happy to have you in the club, hope you get to perform." Ellen said before leaving. As soon as she had started walking away both Tao and the other two who played the mooks walked up to Shinoku.
"Just wanted to say I thought you did an awesome job man." Tao said. "I gotta say, that last attempt you did had me fearful for my life." the panther addedas he offered a somewhat nervous smile.
"Yeah, I was about ready to run for it." The owl said as he nervously rubbed the back of his head.
"Tell me about it, it's like you just flipped a switch on the last try and saw us as one of your boxing opponents or something." The alligator commented.
"Heh...thanks, though like I said to Bill I owe being able to do that well to you all being their to help me do as well as I did." Shinoku said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Still, if you got that kind of acting in you, you're bound to get to improve in no time with a bit of practice." Bill encouraged. "Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if you were able to take the position of lead actor if you applied yourself hard enough."
"You think?" Shinoku asked modestly, though he had hoped Louis had heard that.
"Yeah, like Tao and the others said, you had us thinking you were about to go all out on us back there." Bill grinned.
"Are you sure we should be talking about this guys?...Louis might hear..." Tao said rather sheepishly.
"Lighten up Tao, we're just talking." Bill remarked. "Besides, you can't deny that Shinoku here has potential." He added as he looked at the panther. "Gotta support talent right?"
"I suppose…" Tao replied sheepishly.
Bill just shook his head as he laughed. "Honestly Tao, we have GOT to work on your confidence issues."
As Bill had talked to Tao an Alpacca had approached, a rather friendly smile on his face. "Hi there, just wanted to congratulate you on doing well and getting in, I'm Tem." the alpacca introduced himself.
"Thanks Tem." Shinoku replied.
"No problem, it seems like you've had fun so far." Tem smiled.
"Yeah, I got to say it's been kind of a dream to be in the drama club. Weird thing for an athlete to say, I know, but I can't help having a thing for performing." Shinoku replied, he had grown a bit more sociable since he had not only met Anya, but had stepped foot in the drama club.
Tem smiled."That's good to hear, and don't worry about sounding weird, we're all a little odd here."
"Says you, I'm as normal as they come!" Bill playfully protested as he looked to Tem.
"Sure you are Bill." Tem chuckled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bill inquired.
"Nothing." Tem said as he continued to smile.
"Hey guys don't fight...we don't want to get in trouble with Louis..." Tao interjected.
"Oh will you stop worrying about Louis already? It's just a friendly disagreement." Bill said with annoyance, "I'm not going to fight Tem."
Shin just let out a chuckle as he watched the tree interact, he was definitely feeling more comfortable with being himself more openly, if only a bit. Maybe it was the fact it had the air if acceptance to it, evidenced by Bill greeting him and introducing him to Legosi and the others coming up to him. Maybe it had started the moment Anya and him had started interacting. Whatever it was, it had made him more willing to be around others other than his friends and talk in a less aloof manner.
It wasn't enough to have him feel ready to start to change things, nor enough to proclaim his other intentions, at least, not yet. For now, he was content in this moment, being around others that accepted him and around Anya.