tellthestory | (no subject)

[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?

Yeah, no shit.

[HE SORT OF NOTICED HE'S NOT AT WORK HANS THANKS]

What are you getting at?

[ HE'S TRYING TO FIND COMMON GROUND HERE, LEE. ]

I'm saying that while you blacked out... well, you may have been sleepwalking? Except, not quite.

[ I mean, he really hopes the Balladeer is the one who's asleep and that Lee isn't really the guy normally in charge, that would be awful. He can't be in love with both of them ~~or can he??~~ ]

Does that make sense?

...no.

[This explanation is not impressive.]

I don't sleepwalk.

[ Hans shrugs. Dammit, he thought that made a fair amount of sense? ]

Well, you wouldn't know if you did, would you?

I don't know, I think my wife'd notice.

[OHHHHHHH

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH]

[ OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SHIT ]

Um.

[ Give him. A minute. He. He was not prepared for that bomb. In fact, if he thinks too hard on it, he'll probably scream.

But okay, true love. He really just has to keep Lee for however long it takes for the Balladeer to come back. He just has to come back, right? ]

Do you know a guy named Booth?

No.

[He might if someone hadn't stolen him out of his damn show before his scene. But hey, at least he doesn't quite seem perceptive enough to have picked up on Hans's weird reaction to the news of a stranger being married.]

Look, I just want to go back home, okay? I don't wanna be part of whatever this is.

[ Oh jeez, if he never met Booth then he probably doesn't even know he was on a show. Why couldn't Bal have mentioned that his Assassin counterpart was married??

No, those are two separate issues. One thing at a time, Hans. ]

I don't... I don't know if that's going to be possible.

[ Man, Hans can't decide if he should lie to him or not, there's no reading this guy. Not in any way that ends in Hans and Bal's favor. ]

There's no this, that's the truth. This is where I live, with you. And where you... look.

[ Okay, now seems like a great time to provide some photographic evidence to scare the crap out of Lee. There's gotta be a picture of the two of them framed around their living room somewhere. Hans grabs a frame off the wall. This one is of their first Christmas together, a selfie in the yard surrounded by Christmas lights everywhere. ]

Take a look, Lee. That's... that's us.

[First of all, how dare you

He leans closer to look at the photo, and immediately backpedals, hands in his pockets, hunched defensively.]

That's bullshit! I have never seen you before in my life - [is he backing in the correct direction to leave the house? yes, he is, he keeps going] - and I am leaving now.

[ Listening to the soundtrack will do that, okay.

And Hans, haha, well he doesn't owe Lee anything kind. But he's still kind of The Balladeer, there's just no way of explaining it that would possibly make sense. Maybe if he showed him one of the doors or—hey, who taught you how to escape, mister? That gives him an idea.

Hans takes a few measured steps, but doesn't follow. That'll just make him run. He's got a better idea. ]

If you don't remember anything, how is it you're heading straight to the front door? You've never been here, have you?

Edited (phrasing) 2016-12-28 03:51 (UTC)

I can see it.

[He glances over his shoulder again, and the door is still there. Yes siree bob.]