Ghostly Roommates Rewritten.

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 2 Months Ago

On a day like any other, Annie and Garcello strolled along the familiar streets. Engaged in a lively duet, they paid no heed to the gray clouds gathering overhead, portending an impending downpour.

The heavens opened suddenly, raindrops splattering around them like staccato notes. In a moment of synchronized intuition, they scanned the street for sanctuary.

Garcello's keen eye spotted an abandoned building in the distance. Without hesitation, he seized Annie's hand, his urgency sending her yelping. As they sprinted towards the rusty doors, rain cascaded around them. Annie, realizing their destination, pulled Garcello along with her, laughter bubbling up at the abrupt twist of events.

Shutting themselves inside the building, the cacophony of rain and wind soon surrounded them. They knew they'd be here for a while.

Within the dilapidated room, their exploration began. Gray, dust-covered walls lined with cracks met their gaze, and a colossal, timeworn stage dominated the center.

"Hey, Garcy," Annie mused, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness. "Don't you think this place looks like an old opera house?"

He pivoted from peering out of a window to survey their surroundings. "Hm, I guess it does."

As their curiosity guided them deeper into the building, Annie heard voices nearby.

"Tanner, look! People!"

"Who might it be no-"

"I bet they can help us!"

"Marie, please... don't you remember the clown?"

Annie observed as these ethereal figures conversed. Her fascination grew, for these were not mere phantasms like Garcello's ghostly form. These were genuine apparitions, albeit far distinct from Garcello.

'Maybe there are different types of ghost forms?' she pondered silently.

While Annie contemplated the diversity of ghostly appearances, she remained oblivious to the twins' curious eyes fixated upon her, engrossed in their own conversation.

"Hello there, kind fella!" a white apparition spoke, offering her a gentle smile.

One ghost sported fluffy white hair, dressed in white pants with a matching bowtie, a black shirt concealed beneath a white suit adorned with four black buttons, and flaps reminiscent of a wedding dress.

The other was entirely black, boasting silky, midnight hair. Clad in black pants and a formal suit with four white buttons, she exuded an air of refinement. Her attire was complete with a white shirt and a black bowtie.

Annie hesitated, contemplating the surreal situation before her. Before she could utter a word, Garcello came rushing to her side.

"Annie! Are you okay? I heard voices. Is anyone here with you? Did they harm you?" His protective demeanor emerged, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the apparitions.

"Garcy, I'm fine! They didn't do anything; calm down!" she reassured him. Slowly, he lowered his hands, the glint of suspicion waning. The two ghosts, though beyond the mortal realm, trembled slightly under his teal-haired stare.

"I apologize for him," Annie interjected, her voice smoothing the tense atmosphere. "He's quite chill; it's just that he's overprotective."

"We understand. My sister used to be like that," the white ghost conveyed, a playful nudge from the other confirming their words. Laughter ensued, easing the tension.

"I'm Annie, by the way, and this is my best friend, Garcello. Nice to meet you!" She greeted, as Garcello waved, his glare now replaced by warmth.

"I am Tanner... and this is my older sister, Marie. Nice to meet you both," he introduced, while Marie offered a friendly wave.

"Sorry to impose, but can you help us ascend?" Marie inquired.

"Yes, as nobody else c—"

"Like the guy with the stone jaw or the red-goggled killer!" she interjected.

Before Tanner could voice his frustration, Annie cut in, "How do you think we can help?"

Before Marie could reply, Tanner preempted her.

"Perhaps a song is in order?"

"Sure! We can do that, as long as it's not too extreme," Annie chimed in, her humor dissolving the tension.

"Yea, we can sing a song or two with you little pals."

As the quartet assembled on the stage, the ghosts took their positions, activating an abandoned but functional speaker at the far end.

"Alright, SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!" the twins exclaimed, and together, they launched into song.

Time flowed as they sang, voices melding in harmony, and the room resonating with music. Thunder rumbled, serving as a backdrop to their melody.

"Well, that was certainly fun!" Tanner exclaimed, his voice transcending the thunder.

"Yea! Thanks for your help, you guys!!"

"No problem, it really was a lot of fun! Right, Garcy?"

"Mhm, thanks for the singing, little pals," Garcello concurred.

"Well, we'll be going now!" Tanner said, though the twins lingered, awaiting results. Hope gleamed in Annie and Garcello's expectant eyes, and the distant rumble of thunder echoed in the building.

"Uh—" Marie began, seeking an explanation, only to be interrupted by a crestfallen Tanner.

"Marie, you said this time it would work!"

"Give it a few seconds, Tan!"

"NO! We have just wasted our time again! You have no clue what you're talking about!!" he shouted, his anger palpable.

"Stop being such a downer!! It's your fault for not trusting me!" Marie retorted, her ire matching his.

"MY fault?!"

Annie trembled, panic seizing her as she hid behind Garcello, who futilely attempted to pacify the bickering twins.

"Uh, littl—"

"HUSH," the twins commanded, launching into a more intense song.

As the song concluded, and another half-hour passed, the rain outside began to abate. Regrettably, the same could not be said for the ghostly twins. Their argument had escalated.

"Look, this is going nowhere, let's just—"

"NO!! This HAS to work now, I'm sure of it!" Marie interrupted, further exacerbating Tanner's frustration.

"Marie, could you stop interrupting me and listen?! Just because you're 4 minutes older doesn't mean you have to boss me around all the time!"

Marie took offense, her anger matching his.

"ME?! Bossy?! YOU'RE the one who is always complaining. Why don't you stop being upset and give this a chance?!"

Garcello and, to a lesser extent, Annie trembled at the ongoing argument. Annie, her panic surging, grasped Garcello's hand, turning towards him with fearful eyes.

"Garcy, we have to stop them! What do we do?!" she implored, her voice fraught with panic.

Garcello looked at the twins, their fiery argument showing no signs of abating. Inspiration struck him. He extracted a cigarette from his pocket, taking deep puffs, inhaling copiously before exhaling slightly.

Annie comprehended his intent and shielded her face with her hands. Tanner and Marie, in the midst of their argument, fell silent, their attention snapped toward the inexplicable sight of Garcello calmly smoking.

"Is he really just going to smoke right in front of us at this time?" Marie questioned, her disbelief profound.

"Yea! The aud—"

POOF

Luminous smoke engulfed the room, casting an eerie glow over the once dark opera house. Startled, Tanner and Marie cast wary glances around, snapping out of their stupor as coughing echoed in the misty haze.

"Oh no, our guests! Tan—" "I know, I know, I'm looking!" he said anxiously, floating about, seeking their visitors.

After a brief search, they located Annie. Her dark outfit stood out amid the brilliant mist, her stature reminiscent of her appearance during the initial songs, such as "Good Enough."

"Are you alright?" they asked in unison, receiving only a nod in response.

"Phew, I'm glad," Marie sighed in relief. "Wait, where's the other one?" Tanner inquired.

Just then, a hand settled atop Marie and Tanner, causing them to whirl around in astonishment.

It was Garcello, but he had undergone a transformation. He now bore a vibrant teal and white ghostly form.

"Oh gosh, did we kill him?!"

"Uh, no, not at all, little pals," Garcello reassured them.

"Yea! He rarely does that, but he does!" Annie said, smiling.

"Well, that's a relief. But how do you do that?" Marie asked.

"His cigarettes made him so, and oh look! The rain finally stopped!" Annie pointed out.

"I'm guessing it's time for you two to go then?" Tanner inquired.

Garcello nodded. "But we will be sure to visit again," he promised.

"Very well, and thanks for helping us anyways! It may not have worked as planned, but it sure was fun singing with you both!" Marie exclaimed with delight as Tanner nodded.

Garcello and Annie bade farewell to their newfound friends and embarked on their journey back home. They vowed to return for more visits, possibly bringing games and companionship to share with the twins.

It had been a good day, and nothing could go wrong.

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(Random Fact in this chapter: Just as Annie could transform into her liquid form by excessive drinking, Garcello could assume his ghost form by inhaling rapidly, an alternative to his mortal self).