tellthestory | (no subject)

[ The Balladeer had warned him that this could happen, but neither of them thought it actually would.

They had breakfast as usual, even visited a few landmarks before lunch and spent the afternoon in Hime's world, saying hi to Astarte and D-ne. It's an otherwise normal day, but some time after lunch the Balladeer gets a headache. Which. Weird. Or maybe he's tired, it's hard to say. They both know it's a bad sign. They cut their trip short and head home, just in case.

It sure would be awful if something went wrong now. Hans sticks close as they make their way through the scene transitions, though once they're home safe maybe they can relax. ]

Bal, is everything okay?

[ Do narrators get sick? Not unless something is wrong, right? Hans heads towards the kitchen, just in case. ]

Do you want some water? We probably have aspirin somewhere.

[It's not as if the Balladeer has never had headaches before. He can't recall getting any since taking over the mod accounts, but this isn't some new weird thing. He just has an uneasy feeling, one that drove him to want to head back home.

He's quick and sure as ever through the scene transitions, but he seems anxious as they enter the house proper.]

Uh...yeah, that might help. I think I'm gonna just sit down for a bit. [He makes for the couch in the living room, and the glass in the windows darkens as he goes, making it a little less bright in there. That's better.]

[ Ah, mood lighting. Always a thing when you're dating a narrator.

Hans steps into the living room with a glass of water and two aspirins. It's weird for Bal to be this anxious. Hans does his best to keep it cool, he might not be doing the Mirror and manipulation thing, but it probably helps not to worry him any more than he needs to. ]

Here. [ He sits down beside him, holding up the glass and offering him the pills. ] Did you strain some kind of narrative muscle?

I don't...think that can happen?

[Can it? There's not really anyone to ask. The Balladeer takes the water and aspirin, though he leans back against the couch and shuts his eyes rather than take them right away. He's feeling pretty tired, for all that they haven't done a whole lot today.]

Is this what getting sick feels like?

[ Hans shrugs. It's obvious that whatever narrator powers Bal has don't actually come from any physical part of him, but if it can give him headaches, why not? ]

I assume so. [ Hans sets a hand on the Balladeer's shoulder, leaning in closer. ] Does your head feel kind of stuffy? Like in your sinuses?

Not stuffy, really, it's just...um...

[He blinks at Hans for a moment, as if he's lost his train of thought.]

I feel kinda light-headed?

That can happen too. At least you're probably not getting a cold or anything.

[ Maybe he's just dehydrated? It's not like he hit his head. ]

You should drink some water. Or I could heat up some soup?

Mmmmm...soup sounds nice?

[He sets the water on the coffee table and leans forward, elbows on his knees, heels of his hands pressing against his eyes. The room darkens a little.]

I'll go get you some, then.

[ Hans squeezes Bal's shoulder, sliding his hand to massage the back of his neck. ]

Take the aspirin, okay? You'll feel better. Hopefully.

[ I mean they can't really be sure with him being not-really-human, but you know. He stands. They definitely have canned soup and a microwave, that's standard home stuff. ]

I'll be right back.

'Kay.

[Though he doesn't move as Hans goes to exit the room. Is this how some weird theory about LHO being triggered by aspirin starts?]

[ Oh my god, they're going to have throw away all their aspirin.

But anyway, Hans fiddles in the kitchen for a few minutes and comes back with a hot bowl of soup, a spoon, and a napkin for good measure. He's figured out the appliances in their house by now, wow modern technology and mass production are great. ]

Here. It's vegetable, I think I read somewhere that chicken noodle is more traditional but you could probably use the vegetables?

[ Vegetables are healthy, right......? ]

[The aspirin's gone, but the Balladeer's still sitting in nearly the same position, hunched over on the sofa with a hand over his eyes, breathing a little sharply. There's an odd tension in his shoulders, and he doesn't react when Hans enters the room.]

[ Well, that's worrying. Hans sets the bowl and everything else down on the coffee table, then steps around to sit beside the Balladeer. ]

Is everything okay, Bal? What's wrong?

[He jolts at Hans's touch, a full-body reaction as if he hadn't even been aware anyone else was in the room.]

What? [He's off the couch in a second. The glare he turns on Hans is instantly suspicious, and his posture's hunched and defensive.] Who are you?

[ Oh.

Hans stares in surprise. This is happening now, isn't it. ]

Sorry, I... [ Well, he's got no reason to apologize if this isn't Bal, but it is him too. This double-casting thing sounded impossible, but even his body language is like a completely different person. There's no doubt of what's happening here. ]

I'm Hans.

[ Hans simply stays put. Now he's facing an Assassin, though hey, Seymour had killed someone too. It's not like assassins are all bad people. He's just gotta be careful and make a good impression. And maybe not spook the guy. ]

Who are you?

[The guy definitely looks at least halfway to spooked. His eyes dart towards the window (which has stayed darkened despite what's going on), but what he sees out there doesn't seem to enlighten him any.]

Where is this? [look who's not getting answers to questions it's hans] How did I get here?

[ How to even begin explaining where they are, when their home's location is vague at best... well. ]

We're... this is our home. You live here, too.

[ Probably not the right thing to say, but he'd rather whoever this is doesn't try to run or anything. Hans stands slowly, careful not to make any sudden movements. ]

What's the last thing you remember?

[ See, look, two can play the not-answering game. ]

[Shockingly, being told he lives in this strange place with a stranger is not calming! That's a super creepy thing to say, Hans!]

Like hell I do! I know where I live, and it's not here - or with you.

[the lack of answers continues]

[ Yep, mistakes keep happening!! Wow, Hans, time to change your approach. Hans raises his hands, see look, he's not even armed, buddy! ]

Alright, alright. Calm down, we can... I can explain, if you'll listen.

[ Good thing Hans is a great liar because he's gonna need a really good story to talk his way out of this one. Time to be that guy and bring the Mirror back to deal with this. ]

Just-- you're right. I don't know you, and you don't know me. [ Wow, that almost hurts to say good thing we've locked our feelings away for the time being. ] I'll explain everything, just... Can I at least have a name? I told you mine, and calling you "Hey, you" is going to get old.

[Admitting the lie is not a good way to earn trust, but there's also no obvious way out of here. The Balladeer or whoever is tense and hunched, and his eyes dart towards the door.]

.......it's Lee. [He thought about lying, but what would be the point?]

[ Victory! First name basis with not-Bal. ]

Lee, then.

[ Lee Harvey Oswald? Hans had heard the name in the last trial. He'd killed some president, but that's all he knows. At least he doesn't seem too pompous about it.

But chances are he wants to bolt, and that's a bad idea. Hans keeps it chill, first he needs to get Lee to calm down. ]

Lee, you're not a prisoner here. But also... chances are everything here is going to seem really confusing to you. So if you stay put, I can explain.

Then explain.

[He's still looking pretty squirrelly, but he seems okay as long as Hans is keeping his distance. Not one for talking or being friendly though.]

[ Oh, great. Hans was actually kind of hoping Lee would ask more questions and yet. Well. ]

Okay, first can you tell me what's the last thing you remember? This might be easier to explain if I know what kind of context we're working with.

[ Logic, take that. ]

[Lee makes an impatient sound, glancing away.]

I was - at work, what does it matter?

Well, you're obviously not at work, is what I'm saying.

[ Hans shrugs. This is totally fine! Wow, he is a good liar. ]

I wanted to see how much you remember. [ Like, was that before his show, or after... ] Do you remember having headaches at all? Or maybe blacking out?

let's start the sad au train

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