songerein | closed 🌠 hold on, there will be better days

[While he's not as fully trained with a bow as he is with a sword, he's definitely competent and what better use of his ability than causing just slight mischief in the name of love? Or whatever. Look, it's been solidly entertaining having people fall in love with random objects or chase a bird around the street, and he's not stopping now.

Honestly, it's been quite a miracle that no's stopped him just yet, maybe because everyone is all focused when someone starts to chase an animal down the street or hug the nearest person with all of their might. It's been causing quite a commotion, to say the least.

But as he pulls his next arrow back, an unfamiliar voice actually gives him pause, the prince lowering his weapon as he looks back at Tifa with a completely bewildered expression.]

Pardon, my lady? [He blinks somewhat slowly, as if fully registering what she said to him.] Oh, of course! But I wouldn't be helping people find their true love if I practiced at the target range.

Edited 2022-02-07 23:37 (UTC)

[She folds her arms and approaches slowly but firmly. She isn't about to jump at a man armed with poison-tipped arrows, but Tifa's eyes do narrow with suspicion.]

I don't think anyone asked to be shot in the name of true love.

[And after the experience she had with not the arrows, but those bleeding hearts or whatever people called them, the idea of forced emotions makes her stomach turn. Granted, she isn't after Hans (at the moment) but rather—]

Do you remember who gave you those arrows?

[Hans realizes that he probably needs to choose his words pretty carefully here. She's definitely not amused by his arrow shooting and honestly, the last thing he wants is getting into a physical fight with her. He's not entirely sure if she's the type to resort to violence quickly, but Hans would rather avoid it as much as possible.

So, as innocently as possible--]

It was a request on the dream board, asking people to assist others with finding their true love. I didn't see anything wrong with that, love's a wonderful thing to share with another.

[He smiles slightly, as if to reassure her.]

I promise that these arrows aren't hurting anyone. There's no bleeding or anything terrible like that.

[He didn't! Answer! Her question!!!

She tries not to let her frustration get the better of her, especially after that, but it rises in the way she presses her lips together in a taut, firm line. But she does arch a brow, curious.]

Uh huh. So you won't mind if someone hit you with one of the arrows then?

[~~What if she just stabbed him in the leg with one?~~]

[He feels like he's one sentence away from falling into a trap. Or getting punched.

There's no way he can admit that he'd hate being struck by an arrow, because that will put him in a really terrible light. So, he'll just have to lie, maybe admit some truthful comments in there to make him more believable. He's always found that to be the most effective and easy method to pull off.]

Not entirely. I won't argue that the experience my be embarrassing at first, but I wholly believe that more good is coming from this. It helps the person that's been wanting to confess, but didn't have the courage to do so. It allows two strangers to meet-- in strange circumstances, most certainly, but that's part of living here.

[Tifa snorts under her breath.

She doesn't want to get high and mighty or virtuous on him, but she's been in her fair share of situations where "being forced" into it didn't make things any better, so of course it's going to leave that sour, bitter taste in her mouth.

So rather than get angrier, she only allows a smile to surface.]

You hoping someone'll come along and confess their love for you? That it?

[He waves one of his hands in protest, becoming slightly more animated as he tries to reassure her.]

Oh goodness, no! I'd never burden some poor individual with my presence, not in that manner.

[He's even going to go the extra mile and poke at himself for this. It's fine, he's put on a far more difficult show for Anna, pretending to love her and going along with everything she says. His ego can take this, surely.]

That's why I've been shooting from the rooftop, usually I'm the last person they see after getting struck.

[He is so nonchalant about all of this!? Uncomfortably so, and Tifa continues to watch him through narrowed eyes, her angry smirk fading with each word he tries to convince her with. Unfortunately for him, she remains thoroughly unconvinced, and leans around him to try and get a look at the arrows—even reaching a hand out as if she's going to grab one.]

And then what, you just sit up here and watch them?

[With a sigh, she shakes her head. No, don't answer that. She doesn't want to know. She doesn't like to judge a book by its cover, and he seems like an okay guy besides... She'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, on one condition!]

I'll be taking them back. The arrows, and the bow.

[She's not falling for his act, is she? Hans notices the less than impressed look that she's still giving him, showing that he hasn't been able to convince her at all with this charade. He wonders if he should keep trying to push his ideals or acquiescence to her demands and for a moment, Hans seems to consider something, before adopting an apologetic look.

He's had enough fun for today; he'll surrender his arrows to her. Her potential future cooperation with him is probably worth more.]

This bow is actually mine, but... if you're truly uncomfortable with what I'm doing here, I'll give my arrows to you.

[True to his word, he begins to remove the quiver from his person.]

[Tifa holds an arm out for him to slide the quiver onto it, eyes never leaving the tips of the arrows as he does. At least he's being amicable about it which is more than she can say about some of the others who have gotten their hands on them. The friends who played a prank on their other friend, namely—it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.]

Do you know where I can find the person you got these from?

[He slides the quiver onto her arm, taking care to ensure that she's not pricked by any of the tips. While it might be somewhat amusing, he's already resigned to going along with her at this point.]

I believe that they went by the name 'Cupid,' but it's likely that it's just a nickname they've picked to honor their tradition here.

[If she wants to give them a scolding, that's fine. Although, he's quite curious how they infused their arrows like that-- probably some magic or dream energy. It's not impossible, especially in this world.]

I can lead you to them, if you'd like.

Cupid...?

[Tifa arches her brow a little higher. What a silly name. She hopes for their sake that it was a nickname, or a cover of some sort. But yes, she is planning on giving them a scolding or two about their methods.]

Yeah. Best we stay out of sight too. Don't know who else has the same bad ideas you did.

[Although she's a little less stern about it now that he's agreed to help her, but her eyes do sharpen as she scans the area around them for any sign of trouble, though anyone worth owning a bow would know to stay well out of sight.]

Lead the way.

[Little do they know, there's someone else who did have the same bad idea, and he's currently waiting with his bow drawn somewhere in the shadows...]

I'm afraid I'm hardly the only person that took this endeavor upon themselves.

[A lot of people are terrible in their own way, Hans supposes. He doesn't know what to do with that, except help stop them? Make them seem more awful than him? He figures that's better than trying to be more terrible, not in front of others at least. That certainly has a higher chance of backfiring spectacularly.

So, he keeps up his amicable behavior, even smiling lightly despite the light jab. It's fine. With a slight bow, he starts to lead the way.]

At this time, perhaps I should've practiced my energy into creating shields.

[And said bowman is aiming their arrow straight at Tifa, waiting carefully until he gets the perfect shot. As in, until they're deep in conversation with her back turned...]

For the arrows?

[That would have been a much more practical use of his time, especially given their circumstances as they wander unknowingly through the marketplace. Granted, she doesn't think either of them are decent targets, but that doesn't mean she's going to let her guard down.]

I guess it'd come in handy if you knew you were—

[That's when she feels it: a sharp prick in the back of her leg and when she bends back to look behind, she sees it. A small arrow sticking out from her calf. Ifrit's balls...]

... You're joking.

[And before she can think of much else, a relaxed feeling comes over her, a wave of warmth as she peers at her reflection in a shop window as they pass, and...]

That's so cute...

[That little stuffed dog in the window?]

[Hans only stops to turn and look at his travelling companion when she stops midsentence. The question that's formed in his throat dies almost instantly when he sees the arrow sticking out from her leg. Ah, well then.

That's quite unfortunate.

He watches her look towards the shop window and... he doesn't really know what she's looking at precisely, only that he can give a guess or two. At least she wasn't looking at him when this happened, that's the most important bit. Honestly, Hans is rather glad that he doesn't have to deal with some false fawning.]

...The stuffed dog has grabbed your attention?

[Guess there are worse things to shower your love with.]

[Be glad he doesn't have to deal with her interest, but she will spin around to face him with such speed and intrigue that it might as well be him she's showering with her love. And Tifa grabs hold of his arm with all the strength in her hands, not realizing that she may just pop it right out of its socket with how hard she tugs.]

It's so cute. Can we get it? Please?

[It feels like his arm is getting yanked out-- Hans cannot hide the wince as his arm deftly protests the sudden pull, just how strong is this young lady? There's no way he can escape her death grip, he knows that without even trying. It's definitely a good thing he stopped the whole arrow thing before she punched him, he's quite certain his nose would break almost instantly.]

I-I don't see why not, madam. As long as you release my arm, I'd be happy to get it for you.

[SPARE HIS LIMBS PLEASE...]

No, it's fine.

[Is the only answer he'll get, because she doesn't spare a single limb, and she's already pulling him mercilessly towards the door of the shop, where she first peers through the window before dragging him inside. It's a massive store filled with all kinds of knick-knacks. It isn't even just a toy shop, but it's an everything shop—almost anything imaginable that she might want to decorate her home can be found in here, but it's still the small stuffed dog in the window that has won her affections.

Which is a bit strange—she never was one for stuffed animals at all except for when she was shopping for gifts for Marlene, but she simply can't help herself this time. She has no idea why, but Tifa doesn't pause to question it.

So she tugs him towards the stuffed toys section, where they're surrounded by all kinds.]

Which one do you like the best?

[Is she gripping him even harder now? Like she's trying to squeeze an answer out of him?]

[There's little Hans can do but be dragged into the store. The more he resists, the more he can see his arm just getting pulled out of its socket, or worse. So, better to stumble and follow Tifa along, even if this store really isn't a place that he'd normally step foot in.

Right now, his biggest concern is making sure that his entire body is fully attached by the end of this.

He can't help but let out a small noise of pain when she pulls at him again, barely registering her question as he looks at the stuffed animals that's currently surrounding them. Really, he's paid little attention to all this, and so he just picks the first stuffed animal he sees.]

Huh? Uh, the stuffed cat there is cute, wouldn't you agree?

[He may not remember that it was the stuffed dog that grabbed her attention in the first place.]

Oh... The cat...?

[The moment that Tifa's eyes land on the stuffed kitten, they begin to well up, her lip pouting as she tries to bite back what looks to be a sob building up underneath it.

Look at what you did, Hans!]

I used to have a cat, you know... His name was Maru.

[Why is she crying???? THIS IS NOT WHAT HE WANTS especially since his arm is still clutched tightly in the hands of death. And if he's going to make a lady cry, at least let him do it on purpose instead of on accident.]

I-I apologize if I brought up hurtful memories, it was not my intention. [He says that with all the sincerity that he has, which to be fair, he's pretty good at faking it.]

We don't have to get the cat, um, perhaps another animal has drawn your interest?

It's fine. I just don't know what happened to him after we...

[She stops short, her voice fading as Tifa brings a hand up to wipe the tears that have started to form in the corners of her eyes, but her grip on his arm loosens—only slightly so she isn't cutting off any circulation, but not enough that he can make any sort of escape when she drags him a little further into the aisle.]

Where's that dog? [She sniffles.] ... I think Eustace might like it.

[He wonders how badly bruised his arm is going to look tomorrow. He's starting to get feeling back in it, but he's definitely not out of the woods yet. There's little that he can do but helplessly follow her as the uncomfortable feeling of blood returning to his arm arises.

If shooting arrows has led to this, he's convinced to never shoot another love arrow again. Too much hassle.

But Eustace.... that name is definitely familiar. It takes Hans a moment before a certain image of a dog loving individual pops in his mind. While it's more than possible that she's talking about someone else, Hans is willing to wager that she's talking about the same guy that he bumped into not too long ago.]

If I'm thinking about the same Eustace, he is quite fond of dogs. Nearly every message I see from him revolves around them. I believe I saw that plush in the back there, past that shelf. [But more than that, he's learned something a little interesting here.]

Are you friends with him? [He'll try a slight smile, teasing even in a time like this.] Or even closer?

[If this were any other time, Tifa would have refused to answer with words and perhaps her face would have reddened with colour instead, and the flowers would have bloomed, but her heart is feeling full of love and affection for him and all things in this store right now that she's almost whimsical about it.

With a great sigh, Tifa smiles.]

He's special to me, you know. Not just as a friend.

[That should answer enough. Not even an arrow to the knee will completely shatter Tifa's will to not admit it to a single soul. It will just... tip it over a bit.

She pulls on his arm again to spin them around to look at the shelves behind them.]

I want to get him something special. Something that really says how I feel about him.

[And surely, a cute stuffed puppy should do the trick, right?]

[Ah, so they are together, in a romantic relationship of sorts. How quaint. But honestly, Hans can see why people develop feelings for each other so quickly in a place like this. Not only facing difficult situations together, but the whole dream stuff revealing deeper feelings and everything.

So, he gets it, even if he can't personally relate.

But ow, there goes his arm again. This time, Hans gives a small effort to try and pull his limb away, but if she starts to grip him further, his struggles will cease. He knows when to stop, sometimes.]

Y-yes, that cute brown dog will do. I'm completely certain he'll cherish such a gift from you. [It is cute, but also, Hans just wants to be done with this.] He'll be sure to understand your feelings alone with that stuffed dog.

closed 🌠 hold on, there will be better days

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

omg is he actually cooperating with her, bless

gotta earn any points that he still can fdajlks

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)