THE BOX OFFICE

[tellthestory]

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!

Comments

[tellthestory]

I don't think anyone's ever said that to me either, but I used to live with a bunch of literal murderers. You really need to go somewhere else.

[you know, if you survive this shit]

[trettende]

Maybe you're right.

[ He'll find some... far-off kingdom, maybe... get a real job or try to seduce a princess without murder this time. ]

[tellthestory]

Yeah. I know Rule Eight is a thing, but that's more for people like me. Who can really say what your role in life is?

[trettende]

Honestly, If I can find something better than thirteenth, I'll take it.

[tellthestory]

I have to believe most places would be better than that.

[trettende]

Yeah, even this place is starting to seem better than that.

[tellthestory]

...this is awful, but I'm almost glad someone else thinks that.

[trettende]

[ Hans chuckles a bit. ]

I mean the murder and threat of death is a bummer and all, but everyone's actually pretty nice! Way better than court at the Southern Isles.

[tellthestory]

People actually talk to me without threatening me here! I know that's just because there's a rule about it, but it's still nice.

[trettende]

I know what you mean.

[ When murdergames are a vacation... ]

Did that sort of thing really happen to you a lot, back home?

[tellthestory]

Not everyone takes honesty as well as you do.

[aka, sometimes when you directly tell people they're awful they don't like it???]

[trettende]

Not many people are still willing to talk to you after they know you've done awful things.

[ Maybe Hans just wants to be accepted for the trash he is??? ]

[tellthestory]

[The Balladeer laughs a little.]

Oh, I think the vast majority of people I've ever spoken to have done awful things. You're a lot more cordial than the last group.

[trettende]

Oh, really? What was the last group like? I mean, besides the whole 'trying to kill you all the time' thing?

[tellthestory]

They were pretty rowdy. Most of the time when more than two or three of them were together, they'd get in a fight sooner or later. They'd never try to kill each other - not like me - but they'd really get into it.

[trettende]

[ With Hook gone only Hans is left for team douchebag ]

They must have been pretty awful if they couldn't even work together without fighting. Hopefully that won't be the case when people find out about... well, everything I did.

[tellthestory]

Guess that just happens when you get that many psychos in one place.

I doubt you'll have too much to worry about. Most of the people here are alright - even if they don't like you, that's no reason to haul off and try killing you. Even if that wouldn't kill everyone else, too.

[trettende]

[ Hans shrugs. ]

I hope so. I can deal with people being indifferent to me, but if they start to get nasty with me, I'll just have to be nasty right back.

[ #TheMirror ]

[tellthestory]

I don't think escalating things is gonna be the best approach.

[trettende]

Probably not. But it feels so good to do.

[ He's awful...... ]

[tellthestory]

Hans. Is this really the time and place to stir up trouble?

[trettende]

Okay, fine.

[ He sighs. You and your logic, Balladeer. ]

You're right, of course, the last thing I need is people hating me. That'll just make me a target.

[tellthestory]

It really would. They'd all die if anyone killed you and got away with it, but I guess...it's more personal, doing it up close like that. Easier if you don't care about the person.

[trettende]

That's true. So far it seems like the deaths have been a case of being caught in the wrong place and the wrong time.

[ Of course, this was before Hook and Darla. ]

But who knows how long that will last. Getting everyone killed over something petty would be stupid, but it's not like it couldn't happen.

[tellthestory]

Yeah, sometimes people just have stupid reasons. But most of you guys seem...better than that. Or at least saner.

[Though of course, he does say "most". Because Hook is still alive.]