songerein | dreamscape #2

Entry tags:

dreamscape #2

Who: Hans Westergaard and open
Which: Interactive dream
What: It's King Hans of Arendelle, everything is totally fine with no murder involved.
Warnings: Discussions of murder prob

[There's a celebratory feeling in the castle, with food and drinks being served to everyone that's decided to attend the celebration. Oh, you haven't heard? Apparently, the new king saved the kingdom by slaying an ice queen, it's just too bad his fiancé froze to death-- but everything is in good hands, right? The people seem to be relieved, especially as they laugh and drink throughout the night.

For whatever reason, maybe as if to greet his new subjects, Hans is making his rounds around the party, dressed mostly the same, except for a crown on his head. Eventually, he'll come across your character and--]

I'm the newly crowned King Hans of Arendelle.

[He smiles almost politely, but there's definitely something off about this whole situation, even if you don't know him. It probably doesn't help that the music that's playing sounds just slightly off.]

I wish to express my gratitude that you decided to come here. That snowstorm was awful, wasn't it? Please, make yourself comfortable.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Something about this is... all very, very. There is something about it. Unnatural? Discomforting? A combination of those two things? Although Beatrix has stood in the noble court of Alexandria many, many times, as guardian and representative both, there is something about standing in this very room that leaves even the hairs along the back of her neck rising.

What's wrong here. What's off here. Her eyes are scanning the room with haste. She's heard the announcement all right. But the Hans she knows. A prince. A prince who wants to be a king? In order to be a king, does he have to slay the queen?

Is...
...

Regicide?

Before her thoughts can wander away from her in their skittering haste, Hans is addressing her. His expression is so diplomatic, so perfectly presented. Too perfectly presented. She wants to cut right to the heart of the matter. Ask him what's really going on.

But does he even know who she is?

Instead, Beatrix falls into old habits. She always does in his company. Hand firmly across her chest and the little bend at her waist in formality.]

Your Majesty.

[How strange the words feel falling out of her mouth like so. As if they don't belong there. Something isn't right about any of this. Or maybe Beatrix is being too sceptical.

...When is she not, though?]

[For whatever reason, he knows her name, and that she's a general-- although she doesn't appear to be from Arendelle's own military. He's probably just been briefed about hear appearance, that a foreign representative has come here to meet the new king. That seems right.]

General Beatrix, is that right? I believe this is the first time we've met.

[He still behaves cordially, his words filled with false warmth as he smiles at her.]

You must've travelled long to arrive here.

[As she's straightening herself back up, she's still turning everything over in her head. She isn't sure she's supposed to be here. A part of this conversation. Standing in front of him. She also understands, however, that if this is a dream, much of what's around her is likely not even real.

Even in a dreamscape, however, it is possible to be hurt. It is possible to be affected by the atmosphere. As such, she must be careful in her approach. If she decides to approach at all.]

Correct. I am Beatrix of Alexandria.

[Although she has to wonder if that means anything to this version of the man. Perhaps his experiences with her directly are capable of colouring the knowledge he holds in this world, though this is, certainly, not the same Hans she's familiar with. It doesn't feel like the same man who she once caught firing cupid arrows at innocent citizens. It doesn't feel like the same man who's been willing to share conversation with her and his insight. It doesn't feel like the same man who's found optimism in hopes and dreams where she has had few or none.]

The distance was nothing, I assure you. [Eyeing him thoughtfully, her head tilts.] You seem to be taking well to your role.

I believe I've heard of your kingdom. It's very good to have you here.

[Usually, he does a better job knowing about the kingdoms and their various diplomatic statues, but he can't recall many details about Alexandria right now. He knows it's quite powerful, however, so he definitely wants to set a good impression as the new king.

As such, Hans keeps his polite demeanor, even if the whispers around them start to grow louder. The word 'murderer' can be heard every so often, but it's hard to tell who is saying that in particular.]

The people here... they just lost their former queen and princess, it's my duty to be a source of strength at a time like this. To many, I may seem like an outsider, only given his role due to unfortunate circumstances.

[She listens carefully to what he has to say, her attention only broken every so often when she’s certain she hears something else. Something different. A quiet interjection? She can barely make it out. The beginning of a word. The end of a word. The middle, on occasion.

That he admits he’s an outsider is a concern in its own way. Anyone in a kingdom would be apprehensive to have a foreign leader. Many things about this don’t add up properly. There are tales in history where princes have wed into the families of foreign princesses, or vice versa, and have inherited the kingdom by way of ‘unfortunate’ death.

Such things are always difficult to prove, however. The politicking of kingdoms is never a simple process.]

Know that on behalf of my kingdom, I represent support where it may be needed. The reign of any new monarchy is a fragile thing, especially that when it comes to a king who is native. What a grave misfortune that befell Her Late Majesty and Highness. Whatever became of them?

[She asks with care, trying not to pry too hard.]

[The whispering starts to become louder, more frequent, as all the dignitaries and diplomats begin to look at the two of them. A sudden chill breaks through the air, as they give accusatory stares to the newly crowned king. If Hans notices, he doesn't react, just his polished demeanor still planted as he adopts a remorseful sort of tone.]

I won't avoid the truth, I've slain the queen. [He closes his eyes, as if to look upset about what he's done.]

She was hurting the people of her kingdom through an everlasting winter. If there was a different way to stop her, I'd pursue it, but time was not on our side.

[The whispers begin to adopt a new word, echoing 'liar' through the air.]

[He confirms what she’s merely made conjecture over and she isn’t sure she’d rather be right or wrong. This might be one of those rare occasions that she’d like it to be the latter, and that’s saying quite a lot for a woman who doesn’t like being wrong.

She dares not offer an immediate response. That would be too telling, she thinks. However she responds, she must be careful. Instead, Beatrix simply studies him, taking in the green of his eyes, as if she’s attempting to extract information she hasn’t even asked for.

Something about this doesn’t seem right. But maybe that’s because she’s always wary. Safer to be wary. Safer not to take everything at face value. He is probably not fully telling her the truth. She has never pried into him before and she doesn’t intend to start doing so now, but…

Whatever she hears in the air, or thinks she hears seems to be agreeing with her.]

That is unfortunate. I think your path, wherever it is you are intending to go, may be a difficult one for you.

[She casts a look around Arundel’s court before returning attention onto him.]

I am surprised that you are so willing to tell me what you have done. You did just say you are not so familiar with my kingdom, after all. Yet you trust me to say so? How flattering, Your Majesty.

[There's a small head tilt from Hans as he looks at her, somewhat aware that she's observing him as well. It's not anything he's unfamiliar with, especially after tonight, but he still wants to be slightly cautious here.]

My way of ascension to the throne is not a well-guarded secret here. You may have asked any citizen or even one of our knights and they would've told you the truth of the matter.

[He smiles now, although there's a slight edge to it. As if to match the disconcerting atmosphere, the whispers around them continue to grow in volume, along with adopting an accusatory tone.]

I figure it's more respectful to hear this from the king himself.

[Is it just her or is she having more difficulty hearing him? Was it a mistake on her part or did she hear something in his voice that she’s not expected? Not necessarily… aggression. Not quite a threat. A warning, perhaps? Something meant to ward her away from getting too close to something she ought not to touch.

Is… it all in her head?]

My concern is that being so willing to share this information, so unabashedly, could imply that you may be a bit proud of yourself for how you got to this place. Not that I am here to judge, only to learn of the situation and how the people are handling it. Only that as a woman very familiar with combat, some have made the mistake of thinking I have enjoyed it. I think combat should only happen when it is necessary.

[And that they ought to try not taking too much pleasure in it. They aren’t barbarians, after all.]

You think I would enjoy killing someone-- a well-loved queen of her kingdom? Why would I commit such an atrocious act, if only to stop her for the greater good?

[His smile has completely disappeared by now, a look of pure offense taking root instead. But despite the almost hurt look, his eyes turn icy, the temperature around them plummeting as he gauges Beatrix.

The atmosphere, as if sensing its host's mood as well, starts to affect the party as well, with some of the people that were whispering earlier slowly freezing on the spot, their skin turning to ice. Some individuals start to scream and run from the area, but Hans himself doesn't seem to either care or notice, his focus entirely on the general in front of him.]

I did not say that.

[It's important that she states that first. Because she didn't. She merely voiced a concern, but his reaction, the very defensive wall that she's met with is logical. Telling, perhaps, in its own way. Or she's committed some grand atrocity, which... all things considered in Beatrix's world is not the most surprising turn of events.

For moments, her attention flutters from him onto those of the court. The sounds made. Hans seems utterly unfazed by it all and that's worrisome in its own right. She stands her ground. She has to. Beatrix believes in owning her words, her actions, even if they are the wrong ones. Few people would trust someone so incapable of committing herself.

Ironic, considering promises and commitments tend to be things she avoids.]

'Greater good' is subjective, Your Majesty. I am sure not all people perceived things as you did. But I was not here. I did not see myself. I have always thought you to be a man with kindness, shown to someone who perhaps did not deserve it.

[Herself, she means.]

I would like not to immediately think the worst of you. I hope you will not give me a reason to do so.

Do you see anyone here that's claiming something nefarious went on?

[Hans seems to drop whatever act he's been putting on, the almost saddened face shifting into something that's completely remorseless. Even if some part of him feels like he should stop now, that he doesn't want to admit anything further to this foreign dignitary, he just feels as cold as the room that they're in.

He finally notices how some of the guests have turned to ice, but there's no care to him as he blandly observes them.]

But I guess some of these people can't talk now, even if they wanted to. I would hate to see you end up in a similar state.

[Beatrix decides right away that such a pointed inquiry is almost certainly a trap. There are the whispers. The screams. Those who have turned into ice, words frozen in throats. It's not hard to understand. Those who can't speak, can't sling accusations. Can't voice concerns, legitimate or invalid though they may be. And the same goes for the dead.

Ofttimes, truth falls along with those cut down to conceal it.

"I would hate to see you end up in a similar state."

It's a threat. Cunningly provided in a way that whatever potential malice there may be lingers beneath clever wordplay. In almost any other situation, Beatrix would appreciate it. Even find it remotely attractive. And in some very strange way, the idea of anyone perceiving her as an obstacle, remains a high compliment.

But this, she decides is a dreamscape. (At least, she's almost certain it is.) And whether it's telling the truth of Hans' history from where he comes or simply housing a desire for a throne, which... is entirely feasible for any member of a royal line, it is not necessarily a reflection of the truth. This is Hans, but it's also... not quite Hans.

Some manifestation of him, she imagines. And she would likely never dare utter her following words to the real one.]

Were I you, I would not threaten me with a good time.

[She sees it for what it is. She isn't afraid to offer him a little education of his own.]

[If Hans finds any amusement from her words, he doesn't show it. Maybe if he was his normal self, the comment would've garnered a laugh, or at least a lightly worded retort. Instead, the king just continues to stare at her, his demeanor slowly becoming less composed by the minute.

He appears to be responding less to Beatrix and towards whatever ghost is haunting him.]

Then I suggest that you leave this well alone. [...] Or what do you want to hear? A full on confession? That I beheaded the queen right in front of her sister? Because I'd never have a throne of my own?

[Leaving it well enough alone would be the wiser course of action. But what he says and follows up with is…

Well. She’s not royalty. She’s simply spent her life around it long enough. She understands remotely what he’s getting at, however. Alexandria never had any such concerns. There was only one child of the royal family. A daughter, which… Well. Perhaps a son might have been more welcomed, but…

Brahne certainly never has let anyone look down on her for being a woman. And given Beatrix’s position in the court, it’s evident that anyone seeking to disparage the role of daughters versus sons has plenty to be met with.

Instead of responding immediately, she turns his words over in his head, studying him. It’s almost… more with sympathy than any real concern. After all, again, it’s not the Hans she knows. Perhaps something deeply-rooted inside of him. Not unlike her own insecurities and concerns, though she’d hesitate to share those willingly.]

I will take that as a confession if that is what you are getting at.

[Her posture shifts as she takes stock of the room again, the frozen, the cold that feels so much as she normally does, and then eventually it returns onto him.]

Do you feel your only worth is tied to a throne? You are still a man, Hans. [And she refers to him so plainly to make a point. She can’t think of a time she’s ever addressed him so informally. If she is more than her role, then why can’t he be, as well?] Your worth is more than your title. It is tied into what you believe. What you want to accomplish. How you treat others around you. You are not only a prince. Only a king. You are flesh and blood. Have you forgotten that?

[Hans seems to falter, his expression shifting just slightly, as unfamiliar regret begins to form in his chest. He's not sure where it's from or why he's feeling it now of all times. He's finally won, he's proven himself and became sole ruler of a kingdom, something that's extremely hard to achieve, especially with his standing. After all, what does the 13th prince of the Southern Islands have to offer?

The king buries any feelings and resumes his earlier cold expression.]

A nice sentiment from someone that wasn't born into royalty. I was raised to be a king, that is my worth. Everything I do, every action I take, is to further my ascension to the throne. That's all I've ever done in my life and now I finally have it.

[He thrusts one of his arms back, his anger cropping up once more.]

There is nothing else!

[For just a moment, she thinks she’s found the core of where she needs to be. He has valid reasons for feeling the way he does. Even if he has done, or wants to do something terrible, it seems to be out of desperation. There is, without a doubt, a kind of pressure he holds on his shoulders that others not him would not be able to recognise appropriately. And if it can’t be recognised then he doesn’t have the support that he needs.

…Just where has his counsel been? There are those the royalty appoints to help offer guidance when it is needed. Perhaps Hans has simply thought he could handle things alone. If so, she can deeply relate.

She doesn’t look offended when he grows cold again. No. She’s not royalty at all, despite how closely intertwined her livelihood has been with them. Beatrix takes care before she responds. It’s no longer a point of being concerned that he might do something to her. That is considerably less important.]

I should think if Princess Garnet only ever thought her worth was tied to the throne waiting for her, my heart would ache. I may not be royalty, but I have lived my entire life in servitude to a royal family. I have watched my queen and my princess share these thoughts. Carry the burdens that only royalty do. I have also carried my own burdens. It was not until meeting people like you, like the others, Hans, that I realised I am more than a servant.

[After a pause, she continues, though with the same amount of care.]

I believe, even if you do not, that you can be whomever you want to be. When you want it. I believe you have happiness outside of your crown. I believe you deserve that happiness. I cannot and will not restrict you to only the chair or the people you lead. Obligation is all very well and good, but it cannot be the end-all, be-all. It ought not to be. So if you will not find ways to pursue your happiness, then your friends shall do so for you.

[...]

Myself included.

[A spark of recognition seems to finally grow in Hans' eyes, and with that, the ice starts to slowly melt around them. The temperature remains cool, however, with the guests behaving as if neither of them are in the room. It's still a notable difference in the atmosphere, like things aren't just ready to snap.

Hans shifts slightly, his posture losing some of its harshness, but he tries to maintain some of that earlier frigidity.]

...Have you ever thought that I only said those things just because I thought they were things you may have wanted to hear? To get you to trust me?

[That's how he's always acted and he wonders if that truth will make her take everything back. He turns his head away, finding himself clinging to those remarks of acceptance and encouragement. It's genuinely nice to hear, as he's never felt this supported until waking up in this world. She offers them almost freely to him.

Although, she has admitted to crimes far worse than him. Guess he shouldn't be surprised... but it doesn't stop Hans from feeling what he does.]

Knowing that, do you still mean everything you just said?

Edited 2022-09-29 02:27 (UTC)

I have thought that.

[She can say that without hesitance, without even thinking it, because it was true upon arrival and it's still true now. If she were to implicate that she actually believed many of the kind things said to her or about her, that would be a great lie. Beatrix has simply gotten better at accepting such things without much protest, which is a great deal different from believing it in entirety.

If anything, she would like to believe such things. That too, however, is different.]

It is an unwise man who believes things without even the slightest scepticism. I take all things said to me with the care and consideration that they deserve, knowing that words can often be pretty things only and hollow otherwise. Actions, however, are bit less refutable.

[Whether he remembers or not, he has shown actions that somewhat, in some way, support things he has said. Although she has her own wariness about him, as she does with everyone else, she feels that surely not everything he says is a falsehood.]

I have spoken as I meant to. My words and my actions are rarely influenced by what others should think to say or do, but rather based on what I think is the right course of action. You do not have to agree me. You do not have to like it. You can refuse that kindness, if you wish to call it that, but it does not mean that it simply disappears or fades.

[In short, yes. She still means everything she's said, even if he's been merely putting her through some impeccably laid-out plan.]

[It's definitely foolish to believe that General Beatrix shares the same level of naivety as Princess Anna-- although, none of this is actually real. No matter how naïve he perceived her to be, he was the one still caught in the end. Doesn't that make him the fool in the end?

As thoughts of his fate swell in his mind, parts of the environment around them begins to fade, until what's left is a hollow castle with little detail inside. The only thing stopping the complete collapse of this dream is the spoken words of Beatrix... and Hans isn't taking them for granted.]

...You know, you're the not the only person to offer such acceptance in spite of learning all this. [Hans chuckles just lightly, although there's a sardonic tilt to it.]

If it helps, I wasn't entirely dishonest in our dealings.

[Whatever she regards him with, Beatrix is even, almost like stone, sculpted and locked within time. Blank in some ways, an expression that does not betray judgement or anything more than a listening ear. Her insides, she suspects, are not quite as collected. Around them the features change. Ice fades. Other people fade. It even looks a little muted. Diminished, perhaps. Fraying at the edges? She can’t say for certain.

As her attention settles back onto Hans, she dips her chin just enough to acknowledge his admittance.

In this place, she has learned well enough by now that she can’t affect free will. The people who have been drawn to her have… simply been drawn to her. That is how it is. Considering Hans the way she does has been purely of her own volition. Like many of the other things she’s done. He can’t change how others feel about him. Not if those preexisting feelings are strong enough. Being disappointed in someone, facing their flaws, these aren’t always enough to separate a bond created.

As for—]

Dealings. Is that what you are going to call them? I have always considered myself the sort to obsess over neutral terms. Anything to make it seem as though I did not hold affection for another. I should think to call our exchanges ‘dealings’ in this case is little more than an insult.

[She shakes her head at him.]

You are but a man. You may have a crown on your head or in your heart, but you play by the same rules of life that I do. Perhaps it is not dishonesty with others that ought to be your concern, but dishonesty with yourself.

No, that's not what they simply were to me. I apologize--

[Hans closes his mouth, before he says anything further about that particular topic. Because truthfully, those moments were far more than that to him, as he honestly enjoyed many of their conversations and meetings. He feels like he misspoke and there's a definite part of him that doesn't want to break whatever relationship-- friendship (??) they have.

Even though he half expects that anyway with most people.

At least he can focus on what she's saying next, more advice and wisdom that he might have heard before, but there's still weight to them. Things for him to consider once more.]

Dishonesty with myself? [He echoes those words back to her, sounding like he doesn't understand, but that's not the whole truth. He has an idea of what she may be referring to and he just wants to hear it from Beatrix herself.]

[She shakes her head at him. That's not what she's getting at. Of all things, she's not offended by however he may think of their exchanges. Those feelings are his own and whatever they may be, they are real to him. That's all that really matters. If she were so insulted, so spurned, she cannot imagine she would stay here, in this moment with him, any longer than necessary.

So instead, she lifts a hand as if just to wordlessly ease his concern. Reassurance is not her forte. Comforting others is not something she's particularly good at and she has no reason to start acting any differently. When he reflects her words back at herself, she thinks about how she means to more properly convey the message.]

It is important that we are honest with ourselves about what we want. Our errors. Even if we are not open with others about them, we ought to be with ourselves. In your world, in mine, Hans, the only person guaranteed to be with you is... you. Make peace with yourself. You do not have to be proud of things you have said or done, but accept the parts of yourself that may be difficult to see, or that you may not wish to. You deserve to be a whole person, not to play a role that you think others expect of you.

[Or... that he may expect of himself. Today, she certainly has shared a lot of guidance that she ought to take.]

[He's aware how Beatrix isn't one to really offer comfort to others, so he sees her movement for what it is. It's a simple gesture, but it does more than abate the anxiety that's been building in his chest. There's still much for him to think about right now, though, and the castle around continues to disappear, eventually just fading into nothing.

And now, they're just standing in an open field, with only a gray sky above them.]

...Before waking up in this world, I must admit, I never thought much about these sort of things. My drive to become king had fueled every action I took but now, I've more than second guessed that goal. Or maybe that's the part of me that's only speaking in such a way because I failed in my plan.

[......]

Sometimes I feel it's far too late for me back home. [He chuckles lightly.] Perhaps that's why I feel bitter for not realizing such simple things earlier.

Edited 2022-10-04 01:39 (UTC)

[She can relate to that, too. Before coming to this world, finding herself here, there were many things she had never considered. Things she didn't think were important or worthy of her time. Things she had never put much stock or value into it. A part of it she could hold under the influence of others, but a greater part of it was because for those same others, she wanted to understand such things more.

She understands all of what Hans says and in many ways, feels like many of her feelings are mirrored in him. Is it too late for her back in Alexandria? Even if she goes back with no memories of this place, she doesn't want to think it. If it isn't too late for her, she with blood-stained hands and tormenting nights, then it isn't too late for him, a man who wants what he doesn't have, but has yet (she suspects) to truly act upon it.]

Sometimes even with the simplest things we ought to see with our own eyes we may need just a gentle push to acknowledge them.

[Beatrix takes another moment to assess their surroundings. No castle. Just a grey sky. Just him. Just her. And here she feels like she sees and finds, discovers the truth of Hans. Imperfections and flaws abound. But to her, he is still just himself.

She offers over her right hand to him, palm up, to take. Perhaps in this dream, she is the concept of truth that he is seeking, presumptuous though that may be.]

Know this—it is only too late when you have surrendered. I think your heart too wild, too untamed, too strong for just such a thing. Conquer this and move forward. You have those who support you. You have me as well. If you think you will falter, we will ensure that you do not.

[After all, he did the same for her. Judgement or not, Hans looked at the truth of her, accepted it for what it was, and encouraged her further.]

dreamscape #2

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