The Balladeer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tellthestory) wrote2016-10-05 08:20 pm
tellthestory) wrote2016-10-05 08:20 pm
THE BOX OFFICE
This is where you can meet privately with the Balladeer! The Balladeer is almost always around during the day; just knock.
(Secretly, the door's usually not locked if he's inside. But you wouldn't want to be rude, would you?)
Comments are screened for privacy!
(Secretly, the door's usually not locked if he's inside. But you wouldn't want to be rude, would you?)
Comments are screened for privacy!
no subject
He's kinda not. D-ne's trial and execution made sure of that.
He knocks once, twice. Slowly. ]
Balladeer, do you have a moment?
no subject
[He opens the door and then turns to go back to his desk. He's not looking so cheerful himself.]
- yeah, come on. Shut the door.
no subject
[ He means that, too. He's never had someone to actually talk to. I mean the Balladeer doesn't have much choice, but it's better than his brothers who usually laugh in his face.
Hans steps inside, shutting the door behind him. ]
So... how are you doing?
[ "Let's not talk about me ever!" ]
no subject
People don't usually ask me that. I'm... [Well, let him think. When he does respond, it's with careful consideration.] That wasn't the first execution I've sung. And I was angry with her. I'm still angry with her, that was - I wasn't watching when she killed him, but I saw it later.
[It wasn't great]
But that execution was...really intense. I don't know.
no subject
The same skills he's worried are going to kill him here though...]She could have at least killed Hook or something.
[ That's awful to say and Hans knows it, but there's actually little emotion in his voice when he says it, like the response was more automatic than anything. ]
I couldn't watch it, either. The, uh, the words were enough. [ Different reasons, probably. ] I'm sure Monsieur Valjean wouldn't have wanted that...
no subject
If he'd been willing to fight her at all, he probably wouldn't have died in the first place. He just tried to talk her down, and she got him off-guard.
[But, well.]
How're you doing? Are you okay? [Hans doesn't be one to break down like the others, but all the same.]
no subject
this is how he woos you, Balladeer]Knowing all this and doing nothing must be hard.
[ I mean, if you're detached, maybe not. But it's clear that the Balladeer is not. He cares. Hans is going to start making that mistake too, at this rate. ]
I'm... [ No one ever asks him that, not after they know he's such an asshole. It's hard for him to make words without them coming out like lies. ]
The things you sang about her— I didn't know her but I. I'm not sure why, I can't stop thinking about it.
[ He's shaken. Are these feelings?? ]
no subject
[He states it like it's obvious, so obviously we can now turn all our attention to Hans's issues. The execution song...
...the Ballader frowns suddenly.]
Oh, god. We must've said the word "mirror" forty times, that's... [Ugh. He presses a hand over his eyes.] ...Hans, you're trying to usurp a foreign country because you think that's the person your family wants you to be.
[In the context of talking about D-ne, does that sound at all familiar, or are you just really lacking in self-awareness]
no subject
[ He totally counted. Hans leans back in his seat, trying to get comfortable. He can feel u judging, Balladeer, wow. ]
It's more than that. I've always... been the person people want me to be.
[ D-ne might have just been a little girl but she had that in common with him, apparently. Trying to be someone else,for someone else. ]
I learned pretty early on that being myself wouldn't cut it if I wanted to get my way in life. I'm charming around princesses, sympathetic when people are sad, angry when... well, you get what I mean.
[ He waves a hand, dismissing his own thoughts. Doubts. Those are called doubts. ]
I was thinking about what you said the other day. About what would make me happy but I... I mean, success makes me happy. But that's not much of a goal.
[ Help. This is called asking for help. Fear of death has given Hans time to actually consider... maybe murder is bad?? Maybe. ]
no subject
Isn't there anything you enjoy doing? Hobbies, something like that? [He is literally the least qualified person to be giving this advice but he'll take a crack at it] What were you even up to before this whole thing with Anna?
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[ He's gonna have to do some soul searching, and there really isn't that much soul in there to begin with. ]
I enjoy... riding, I suppose. And dancing. But those aren't careers and I'm certainly not going to become a stablehand. [ Unless you count Frozen Fever. But Hans digresses. ]
Basically... nothing. I continued my studies, worked in whatever my father told me to, and tried my best to find a suitor so I could leave the castle and be done with the place.
no subject
I mean that - would you still have money if you broke from your family, or would you need to start supporting yourself?
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[ He's not super sure? ]
I've never asked, I just assumed asking would get me disowned, one way or another. And I'd definitely have to find some way to support myself without them.
[ Dude needs at least money to replace his white gloves all the time. ]
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...but I don't know a whole lot about finding a job. [He's always had his, it's nearly indistinguishable from him] Seems like you're in a good place, though, right? You're well-educated. And you've got all that - [He gestures vaguely] - schmooze.
no subject
I guess it wouldn't be so bad. I don't doubt I could do it. [ He is the prince of schmooze, after all. Hence, The Mirror. ] But I... my family always said I'd never amount to anything, I'd be proving them right if I just faded into obscurity.
no subject
Millions of good people live happy, obscure lives every day. And people who're famous now are just as likely to be forgotten in a hundred years. You can't control how you're remembered - or who tells your story in the end.
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[ You'll tell his story, right, Balladeer?? ]
Um, thanks for the talk.
[ Now seems like a good time to leave before he gets too emotional or whatever. Hans doesn't have feelings, haha! ]
no subject
Hey, that's what I'm here for.
no subject
Still. Thanks.
[ Okay, peace out. Hans waves as he closes the door and leaves. He's got an existential crisis to fight off. ]