the final threshold

[beejfq]

[The entirety of the past week (at least you think it's only been a week) has been...odd, even for you dead folks. Seeing between two different timelines, not being able to haunt your friends, seeing your own murder play out before your very eyes, BJ still exists- it's, quite frankly, A Lot.

But today things feel different. There's a stillness to everything, an absolute silence to the Opera House that feels empty and alien. Even if you focus you can't see or hear the living. It's like they're gone completely.

If that's not weird enough you suddenly hear BJ's voice echoing through every inch of the Opera House.]

Guys? HEY, YOU GUYS! YOU MIGHT WANNA GET OUT HERE TO THE CEMETERY!

Comments

[expertreese]

[Evan's not really in a place to talk right now - he was already sort of panicking, and it seems to have gotten so much worse with that happening over there. Huge eyes, trouble breathing, the works.]

[isawallflower]

Ev- Evan, what is happening?

[expertreese]

[isawallflower]

Evan, were you the one-? What hap- are you why we're here...?!

[superbeliever]

Riley. Let him breathe for a moment.

[It's not scolding, but it doesn't leave much room for argument, either, as Richard stands there hugging Evan and letting him cry it out.]

I believe him when he says he's been trapped here like the rest of us. Longer than the rest of us. Our Evan isn't that guy - I'd bet my life on it.

[Do you really think Phantom!Evan would be clinging to someone and snotting up his shirt?]

[isawallflower]

But- but all of this... H-he's standing right there, too, I don't know what to believe! Was he that guy who- who kept--

[ But, even the Phantom- even that Evan said it. He wasn't having fun. He wasn't enjoying this. Every single one of his responses when they talked, she... ]

[superbeliever]

Whoever's really behind this wouldn't even let us get near that guy.

[They pushed Richard and he didn't even try to stab him!]

Our Evan doesn't have anybody but us.

[superbeliever]

[There is a huge difference between the two Evans, and after the initial flash of "what the ACTUAL fuck" fades, he notices what shitty shape their Evan is in.

So he takes him by the shoulders, blocking his view of the "trial."]

Buddy? Hey, look at me. Up here.

[expertreese]

[uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah he's not doing great but he'll look at you, Richard

He's crying.]

[superbeliever]

[When Richard sees the tears, he does the only thing a reasonable adult would do in this situation.

He pulls Evan into a big, tight hug. And gives a glare to anybody who's trying to demand answers from him right now.]

It's okay. Take your time, just breathe.

[expertreese]

[Never had a dad who stuck it out




Anyway he's gonna cling to Richard now thanks]

[superbeliever]

[Richard lets the boy hold onto him and cry it out, rubbing his back comfortingly, and shushing him. He hums a few bars, from a lullaby, just to give Evan a sound to focus on that isn't, you know, the living yelling at other-Evan.]

[expertreese]

[Evan clings to Richard and, with help from Steven and Sigyn, tries to regulate his breathing. Everything happening on the living side is not helping, but eventually, he...doesn't get better, exactly, but he sort of evens out a little more.]

I...I don't get it. I'm, I'm right here.

[holyspit]

Did you know about this? Did- oh, whoa, okay. Um-

[What did Sigyn say?]

Try to breath! Slowly.

[YOU DON'T GET TO ASPHYXIATE YOUR WAY OUT OF THIS AWKWARD CONVERSATION, EVAN.]

[expertreese]

[look, he's been to therapy, he ought to know this? he'll uh. try? to do the breathing thing?]

[holyspit]

Okay? Okay. Okay.

[Neither of them are okay and heck you all for making me be in any way sympathetic with Evan Hansen]

Just inhale and exhale, in and out. Uh-

[What would someone not terrible say here.]

Take a moment to think of just
Flexibility, love, and trust
Take a moment to think of just
Memories, yourself, and us

[expertreese]

[Uh. Okay. Breathing, breathing...this and Richard hugs actually do seem to be helping!]

[holyspit]

Here comes a thought
That's quite alarming
So we're still dead
But you're there talking

Someone who's gone
But without warning
Things aren't so clear
And suddenly swirling, and

You're losing sight
You're losing touch
All these little things seem to matter so much
That they confuse you
That we might lose you

[herwiggles]

[She's not the one who needs help, or technically... breathes.

But boy if she isn't trying to help with this.]

[beejfq]

Ah fuck- hey hey hey, buddy, hey.

Look, who hasn't secretly been a mastermind of death and destruction and terror? [He's trying? He's trying.]

[expertreese]

[he's...........trying.................]

[justmeheere]

Seriously? Seriously, Beej?

[beejfq]

What?! I was the antagonist for most of my second act! I'm trying to connect on his level!

[justmeheere]

Of all the characters in school
we are not the ones who the story's about

[He gestures between him and Evan. Which is funny because they're both protagonists.]

Beej, he just wants someone to help him out
and teach him how to thrive
help him do more than survive

[beejfq]

[He frowns, looking between Evan and Jeremy.]

I only know what it’s like to
Be the dead guy
I don't know what it’s like to
Not be the dead guy

[He was alive for a total of one minute, what do you mean that didn't encapsulate the entire human experience?]