interactive dream | childhood

[sleightofhans]

Who: Hans Westergaard and you
Which: Open interactive dream
What: Tiny Hans is getting ignored by a couple of his brothers and is Sad. Maybe help or help ignore him because it is still Hans.
Warnings: Probably mentioned childhood neglect


[There's something elegant and refined about the large hallway, expansive with a sleek ground and decorative walls. It's clear that it's part of some castle with how everything's designed, with blurry portraits hanging about and armor statues standing still throughout the hall. However, there's definitely something cold and empty about the place, especially with no whisper of anyone around, not to mention that the atmosphere just seems bleak.

For whatever reason, the hallway has no windows and no real doors leading anywhere, just endlessly continuing with no spark of life until a small boy with red hair can be spotted in the distance. Although he doesn't to be in any sort of danger, it's clear that he's visibly upset, especially with the incoherent pleading that can be heard.

Unfortunately, there's only the faint laughter of two other children, almost cruel, echoing through the hall as the kid continues to call out. They can't be seen, as the only person standing in the hall is the young boy-- Hans. As one approaches him, his words can finally be deciphered, and he's just as miserable as before.]

Please, don't leave me here... why do you always ignore me. I'm your brother too...

Comments

[hashtagwoof]

[ This corridor just goes on forever, doesn't it? Hunter has been walking for what seemed like hours and so far he's found nothing but castle decor. At least this place is actually maintained, unlike some houses he's heard of. The boy's debating on whether he ought to take out his phone and-

Wait. Is someone whining? There's a kid down the hall...

Hunter follows the sound and finds a lonely boy like him. Being ignored by family. Hunter's pretty sure that boy's parents don't pay much attention to him either, aside from material needs.

Takes one to know one. Sigh.

May as well talk to the kid before he starts getting too depressed himself. Hunter takes a deep breath before finally getting close enough to tap the other kid's shoulder. ]

Lemme guess. Your bros ran off somewhere without you?

[sleightofhans]

[At first, Hans is startled to find someone else-- someone that's actually talking to him. Although, as he gets a good look at Hunter, his expression shifts just slightly, wiping his eyes quickly and trying to appear a little more princely. But he's a kid and it doesn't work quite so well, not with how his eyes are slightly red and puffy.

When he speaks, he tries to sound nonchalant, but the hurt is clear in his voice still.]

T-they always run off, pretending that I don't exist. [...] Do you belong with the servants? The king would be angry to see anyone slacking off here.

[And hey, he can also tell his father about this...]

[hashtagwoof]

[ Hunter scoffs at that question like the spoiled brat he is. ]

For your information, I happen to be Hunter De Vil, heir of one of the wealthiest families in England! [ He puts his hand on his chest, feigning pride even though he isn't sure he should be proud of his family name after all that... But hey. The De Vils were pretty dang rich, so it's not like Hunter's lying here. ]

We happened to be visiting the kingdom on trade buisness, so I decided to do a bit of exploring while the grown ups talk shop... And I couldn't help but notice you standing there all by yourself.

[ That should be a decent excuse. After all, the boy looks polished enough here even if his look seems out of place with everything else-- That's a real leather jacket he's wearing, for one.

He tilts his head a bit and gives the younger boy a gentle smirk. ] What's your name?

[sleightofhans]

[Those names are unfamiliar to Hans, but he still catches the important bit of it and that he's talking to the son of a wealthy family and that they're here to most likely negotiate a trade deal with the Southern Isles-- with his father. As such, he should properly show Hunter around and be a good host, although it might be too late for that if he's already insulted the heir here.

...

If he somehow made a mess of things and ruined the deal that's most likely being negotiated, his father will be furious with him.]

Oh, I-I'm sorry. [He seems to shrink slightly, his voice turning more quiet as his eyes turn toward the ground. A sudden chill seems to enter the hall, making it even more isolated and cold.]

I-I'm Prince Hans-- just the thirteenth son though. I'm not as important as my older brothers if you want a proper tour.

[hashtagwoof]

[ Where did that cold draft come from?

Whatever. Hunter's had worse insults hurled at him, a simple mistake can slide. He'll try to make himself seem approachable. ]

It's cool. We won't mention your little slip up to anyone if you give me that your yourself. That sound good to you?

[sleightofhans]

[Guess he has no choice now... but this isn't so bad, right? The kid-- Hunter, has been far kinder than any of his brothers, willing to overlook his mistakes and actually speaking with him. It's a step up, for sure.

As such, while Hans does a formal bow to the heir, there's a slight smile, an excitement in his eyes that wasn't there before. Along with it, the temperature increases, making it far less cold compared to before.]

I-I can show you a lot! There's the stables where we keep all of the horses. Or we can go to my room, it's really big. Or if you're hungry, we can probably grab a servant to make us something.

[hashtagwoof]

[ Hunter gives the young prince a smile. ]

All of that sounds good-- But you know the castle better than I do, so lead the way!

[ So the other kid's emotions are messing with this dream's AC, huh? Figures. Minor setbacks aside, #royalhangout is starting off strong. ]

[sleightofhans]

[He doesn't need any further encouragement than that and as such, Hans begins to lead the way down the hall. But despite the area being slightly less cold, there's nothing really different about the atmosphere, with no doors or windows in sight. It doesn't seem to bother the young prince in front of Hunter, however, as he continues to walk down.]

So... if you like me, would you say something nice to your father about me?

[A maybe innocent question??]

[hashtagwoof]

[ Hunter follows along with his hands in his pockets and a lazy grin on his face. ]

Totally, I already have one nice thing to say about you anyway.

[ Like Hunter really knew his dad that well before... Stuff happened. But those details would ruin everything so Hunter's not gonna give too much thought on his own past.

Even though the eyes of some of the blurry portraits might look like they're watching him if you squint. ]

Why do ya ask?

[sleightofhans]

[Well, one nice thing is better than none. He wonders if he can persuade Hunter to say more, but he shouldn't push it right away. ...Besides, he genuinely wants to be friends with him. Right?

...

The portraits do seem more sinister now, almost judgmental as Hans continues to speak.]

If he can get a better trade deal with your father because of my influence, maybe he'd actually take me more seriously.

[hashtagwoof]

[ At least they're just portraits and can't harm them. Right?

Whatever. Either Hunter hasn't noticed the change or he's flat out ignoring it in favor of talking to the kid. ]

Who would, your dad or mine?

[sleightofhans]

My father.

[While it would certainly help to be highly regarded by Hunter's dad, it's not his end goal, just a stepping stone at best. Maybe if he was in charge of a kingdom, the story would be different, but it still wouldn't matter much unless Hunter had a sister.

...

He feels like he tried something like that before anyway.]

As of now, I'm just the spare. [He feels his hands slowly curl into fists, anger clear in his eyes as he stares at the ground. Frost begins to slowly creep across the ground and up the walls as the temperature starts to plummet.]

[hashtagwoof]

Oh...

[ Hunter feels the chill alright. He shoves his hands in his pockets, trying to pass the sudden pang of discomfort off as a look of cool indifference. But he sees the young prince balling his hands into fists, and then he wishes this corridor had doors or something...

No, he can't turn back now. Even if this is starting to turn into something way too familiar for comfort. One wrong move, and everything's gonna come crashing in on him, he just knows it. So how does he turn this back in his favor... ]

Lemme guess, you want him to see you as more than just a spare?

[sleightofhans]

[Hans' voice comes out quiet, but still audible, part of his words even echoing down the halls somehow. The young prince doesn't move his eyes from the ground, just feeling that anger from earlier build up.]

Wouldn't you?

[...] Be regarded with actual interest and respect?

[hashtagwoof]

Oh. I see where this is going.

[ At this point, Hunter almost wished for something warm... Warm, not... Furry. There's a bitterness in his tone that he wasn't trying to show, but hiding it feels more and more like a fool's errand now.

May as well admit it. ]

Would you believe me if I told you I know exactly how you feel?

[sleightofhans]

[Hearing that from Hunter actually catches Hans' curiosity and he looks up from the ground, the anger in his eyes lessened as he focuses at the other heir. While their surroundings continue to remain cold, the temperature at least stops decreasing, not that Hans has really noticed how chilly things are.]

You do? Do you also have siblings...? [That's his first go to, since that's how his current situation is.]