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.

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[Why not take the dive? What more could he possibly lose?

Ferran meets Hans's gaze head on, though his expression doesn't show much more than the fearlessness of the act.]

... I'm good at getting people to forget things.

[...What is his ploy here? Why is he so eager to serve him? Probably to gain political power or clout, maybe even money. He doesn't even know where this young man's from.

Maybe it's a test.]

Is this a power of yours? Perhaps a strange question, but I have dealt with a queen that had powerful ice magic. Or are you speaking more metamorphically?

It's literal.

[For all that magic is almost unheard of and not exactly revered, Ferran doesn't seem to be afraid of admitting it to the king.]

But I can do more than just one thing. [Surely Hans would want someone with that kind of magic on his side. If he's smart, anyway.]

Edited 2022-09-20 22:12 (UTC)

[The power to make people forget... something like that would be extraordinarily useful. It's still strange that this stranger would want to offer something like that to someone that he doesn't know, but maybe that's his intention.

Hans observes Ferran for just a bit longer, before summoning a servant to come over.]

I'm interested in what you have to offer. Please, set an example of what you can do.

[Perhaps a brazen thing to do in the middle of a party, but for whatever reason, no one is paying attention to them.]

[Ferran turns his attention to the servant and considers for a few moments, the person fidgeting under his gaze. Even if the other guests are paying them no mind, it's his habit to avoid doing anything with his magic that would draw attention to him, and he has no intentions of playing games by forcing them to do something absurd or unpleasant. Information, then, is what he settles on, and his eyes flash orange.]

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

[Have they abandoned someone in the past? Destroyed something incredibly meaningful or valuable? Hurt another person in an irreversible way? People have so many secrets—things they'd only admit to a choice few. And sometimes it's nice to remember he's not the only one with dirty laundry.]

[The servant looks deeply afraid, mostly of Ferran, and turns towards Hans to find any sort of reassurance, but the king provides none. His cold expression doesn't change and he nods his head, prompting her to look at the young man and his-- orange eyes.

Lord, help her.]

I've stolen money before... from the former princess. I-I'm sorry.

[Perhaps her crime is not on the same scale as murder, but it's still rather egregious to steal from royalty. She seems to be aware of this, based on how pale she works, not to mention she's started to shake.]

[Well, that's certainly something she'd never admit in front of that princess's fiancé. He's almost inclined to leave it at that, but his job isn't done. Seeing her anxiety, he issues another command—though his jaw is tense as he does and there's an unnatural stiffness to his posture for the moment.]

You never mentioned this to us.

[And so, she'll forget that her secret is out. He waits to make sure the magic takes hold—but after it does, he takes in a sharp gasp through his teeth and curls in on himself slightly, one hand grasping his chest.]

[As soon as Ferran gives out that command, all the prior anxiety and stress escapes her, leaving the servant looking confused about why she's standing in front of the newly crowned king and his... companion? But Hans just waves for her to leave them for now, turning his eyes to the hunched young man in front of him.

Hm, so he's definitely not lying about his powers.]

You've proven your power to me. [Hans smiles, although there's a careful edge to him. Really, someone like this could be more trouble than they're worth.]

Tell me, why would you want to use your power to help me? How can I trust you?

[Ferran takes a few shaky breaths before he's able to reply, waiting until the sharp pain fades to something more manageable. That always was the harder of his powers to use, and now... well, it hasn't exactly gotten easier.]

... all you can do is take my word for it. [He has no way of proving his motives aren't sinister, nor would explaining his feelings make much sense. He's foolish enough to offer, but not so foolish to think the king would ever really trust him.]

I want somewhere to be. But if you don't want me around... it'll be like I was never here.

[He's not here to make an enemy of the king.]

[For some reason, Hans knows that he can trust him, fully believing that Ferran won't betray him. Perhaps a dangerous view, given how little he knows about him, but he can't dissuade himself from his own thoughts. Maybe it's the desperation that clings to the young man, despite the powers he has.]

...No, stay, you are more than useful with those abilities that you've shown me.

[He should be pleased to have such an ally on his side, but for some reason, Hans almost feels tired. As such, he doesn't bother to hide the accusations that's been tossed at him.]

Are you truly ready to dedicate your life to me? I'm sure you're aware of the rumors now, that I killed the queen for power. How I planned everything from the start.

[Hans's admission of those rumors—the ones he's sure are at least partly true—do nothing but make him shake his head dismissively.]

I've done things for worse people.

[Perhaps Hans did want to be king badly enough he'd resort to murder. But if that's true, he still ended up saving the people of this place from that eternal winter. A monarch would have had to make that kind of sacrifice eventually.]

At least this way... I'd actually have a life to dedicate.

[But some part of him knows it's a fantasy—mere what ifs and distant impossibilities. That doesn't mean he can't indulge for a while.]

[Suddenly, the entire world just stops, people frozen in time rather than ice. Jubilant and talkative expressions on various guests remain as such, and the only two people that still take a breath are Hans and the young man in front of him. The king himself just appears even more tired, his eyes closing briefly before looking off to the side.

He seems more aware about what's happening.]

Ferran, what are you doing? [...] Even in this state, you plead loyalty and dedication to my person.

[Guess he shouldn't be surprised, given how Ferran wants to be his friend despite knowing his crimes.]

[The sudden halt in the environment around them catches Ferran's attention, though he only turns a side glance to it to acknowledge the shift. His gaze doesn't return to Hans after the man speaks, nor when he answers, and he folds his arms almost defensively as he lets a breath out through his nose.]

What do you expect me to do? Pretend to hate you?

[It's funny how he's finally king and wearing an outfit befitting of him, but the only thing he can focus on is his agitation. Well, this whole thing being a dream is also a big influence because that means his kingship isn't real. He didn't win, Arendelle is ruled by Queen Elsa, and he's set out to be punished back home.

He looks back at Ferran, although he folds his arms, just giving himself a moment to respond.]

You're not in the least bit disgusted? I beheaded a queen in front of her sister. How do you know that I wouldn't treat you poorly?

[Ferran looks back to Hans, though through the corner of his eye in a way that asks, really?]

You beheaded me too, in case you've forgotten.

[They're kind of past that, at this point.]

I'm not going to act like I wanted you to manipulate and kill them. But there's more to you than just that.

You weren't exactly in your right mind...

[But Hans concedes the point otherwise. Besides, there's the whole weird mix of displeasure when he thinks about that particular memory. He's already been through it and doesn't want to talk about it again.]

And what do you think that is? [He doesn't bother to bring up the fact that whatever ideas Ferran has would fall on deaf ears for many; he's certain that many would still find him abhorrent. Then again, even Queen Elsa wanted to give him another chance...]

[Ferran wouldn't expect others to listen, even if he'd like them to. In his mind, Hans deserves a second chance, even if he recognizes he's biased.]

You're patient. You're smart, perceptive. Willing to adapt.

[All qualities that could be positive, based on how they're used.]

What kind of king were you hoping to be, Hans?

[Such flattering comments, but Ferran truly means them. Of course, those traits can be used quite negatively, which Hans has mostly done in the past, but he's sure that the younger man means well.

For that question, well, becoming king has been the goal that's driven him all these years. Maybe the specifics of his actual rule aren't there, but he has a generalization that hopefully doesn't sound too naïve.]

Are you mostly referring to how I'd treat my subjects? Well, being an outsider, I'd have to be firm, but I wouldn't wish them ill. Obtaining this station would be difficult in the first place and I wouldn't want to ruin it by being needlessly corrupt.

[He lets out a huff and shakes his head. That wasn't exactly the kind of answer he was looking for.]

Only thinking about the practicality... [It's said like a sigh.] But what would it mean to you?

[Oh, that's not what he meant? Hans looks surprised, letting the confusion rest on his face before he shakes his head just slightly.]

...It would mean that I've finally accomplished what I was born to do, what I was raised to be. Although I'm thirteenth in line for the throne back home, I was still raised with the same expectation as any of my other brothers.

[It's all he's ever thought about.]

[Ferran knows that royalty has an entirely different set of rules and expectations than what his own life was like, but it seems like Hans is still missing the point he was trying to get to.]

So you just... accepted what they decided your whole life was going to be? [And besides, given how low he is on that line of succession—] I have a hard time believing they treated you like you were actually going to rule.

[Especially considering how lonely he seemed in that one dream... despite being a part of an enormous family.]

You don't have to prove anything to them.

[...Did he just simply accept the fate that was bestowed on him? No, he fought back against it his entire life--]

...I did not think of a different life because I wanted to prove them wrong, especially my siblings. That's all that really mattered to me. If it was up to my family, I'd just continue in my position as prince and only called upon when absolutely needed.

[His brow furrows, creasing in the middle.]

And... then what?

[Ferran has his doubts that his family even would have acknowledged him at that point, honestly. Not in the way that Hans needed from the start. Not in any way that matters.]

So you're king, and you proved you could do it. What's after that?

[Hans almost looks taken back by the question. While it's obvious that no one's really asked him that question before, it doesn't seem like he knows how to answer. Although, shouldn't the answer be clear? He becomes king, gets acknowledged, and continue to rule over a hopefully prosperous era.]

Then... I run the kingdom, of course. To the best of my ability.

[That's what he's meant for anyway.]

Is that it?

[Maybe if he keeps pushing, Hans will start really thinking about it. He folds his arms, keeping his eyes on the other man.]

I just don't understand what you actually get out of that.

dreamscape #2

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