RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Some Princes/Princesses of Amber: a PbtA game

07:07, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD.

Posted by The GMFor group 0
Ballad
player, 171 posts
HP: 18/21
XP: 4
Tue 17 Nov 2020
at 18:56
  • msg #181

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

quote:
"I'm confident any story you bring me will be ... engaging, Ballad."


"I didn't know all I wanted was to inspire your confidence until this moment! Good night, Aunt, good night Lance. Tomorrow!" Ballad says with a smile, drawing her gaze away from the sculpture. There are many questions she expects to spend years learning the answers to, but Ballad is a hopeful creature, and her romantic heart thoroughly believes in the uncovering of all Mysteries, and is also pleased to see proof that Vialle feels for Random as Random (seems) to feel for Vialle. There's a promise in the tomorrow.

If there's a trick to dramatic entrances (Ballad certainly has made a few), but there's also a trick to the exit: observe. It involves looking always forward, never back.
Lance
player, 155 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 10
Tue 17 Nov 2020
at 22:04
  • msg #182

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  "Good night then, Aunt Vialle.  Goodnight Ballad, until tomorrow." Lance, following Ballad's lead makes his way to the door and out, watching his cousin depart as she goes her own way.

  Ahh, if only I were escorting her unto the rising of the sun, but then I'd be exhausted before the Grand Design.  Thinks Lance, playing back each bit of the dinner conversation within his head. He stops in his tracks when he reaches Vialle's final comment..."No, I'm fine. As long as no furniture is moved, I can make my way around the castle just based on memory of where things are."  She is blind??  Her poise and grace had more than adequately hidden that fact from him throughout dinner  Amazing!

  Lost in thought, Lance has managed to lose his way within the castle's still unfamiliar passages.  With a shrug he continues to meander, hoping to find his room on his own without having to ask anyone.  There are fewer servants about this time of night, but he did pass one or two.  He decides to give himself another half an hour before he'd ask for assistance in finding his way.

  Oh, Ballad....whatever am I to do about you?  My head tells me no, but my heart wants what it wants, and that is thee!  Cousins, sharing a grandfather's blood, yet of different grandmothers.  Did that make us second cousins, or first cousins once removed, or something else?  Dost thou feel for me what I do for thee, or is it just wishful thinking overlaying my vision with what I wish it to be?
Ballad
player, 352 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 01:55
  • msg #183

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

And the next day, a little earlier than three...

Ballad uses the space going from ride with an active (victory!) Jon to play-reading (she hopes) with a restful Lance to explore a little. There’s a window; she gazes out it, people watching or bird watching. There’s a tapestry; she studies it, hands clasped behind her back, chin lofted. What’s this? What’s that? Does the floor creak here? Is the floor good for sliding on here? That’s a nice rug. How many guards does she see? Let’s play a counting game. What's that? What's this?

If Lance didn't clearly tell her which room was his, she realizes this too late and asks around, going near where she found Lance and all the young Amberites the night before. Knock on this door, knock on that. Maybe he has helpfully left his door open? Either way, eventually Ballad wends her way to the door and raps her knuckles on it smartly, though not too too loudly.

If he's resting, why, let him rest.
Lance
player, 292 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 02:21
  • msg #184

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Upon hearing the knock, Lance sits bolt upright.  He had been daydreaming and fretting again on the couch and the sound startled him.

  He leaps over the back of the couch, not quite sticking the landing, and yells out, "Ow...a moment!  I'm on my way!"

  He stands, straightens himself, and opens the door.  It wasn't locked, despite Jade's warning to keep it so.

  So he stands there, gazing in awe and wonderment.

  She still came!!  Even after...

  Lance notices she is still in her same riding clothes, so perhaps she hadn't returned to her quarters.  Then he saw the scratch.  How could he not, so focused on looking at her he was.

  "Are you alright?  Your eye.." he asks, concerned.
Ballad
player, 353 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 02:45
  • msg #185

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

There’s a certain something bemused about the curve of Ballad’s mouth when Lance opens the door and the suggestion of contained laughter in her eloquent eyes. Perhaps because of the sounds of chaos which just came from inside.

Yes: she does look fresh from the outdoors. She is still in the same clothing she wore riding, rakish coat unbuttoned, the pretty green tunic from breakfast and the black belt, etc., although her silvery gold messy braid-as-mohawk is a little more windswept. It's possible there's still a thorn branch here and there, a flower petal caught under her collar, and as he noted, a scant handful of already-healing scratches.

He mentions her eye and her eyebrows perk up. She touches her brow, looks at her fingertips, but there's nothing there, so she waves her hand dismissively. "A minor argument with an arbor. I wanted to ride one way, it wanted to be in the way... And so, as you see. Our argument resolved with some rumple on both sides, but I'm sure we'd be friends if I rode that way again." Pause. "Has your morning been restful? Do you feel like a cup full of hope, ready to meet with a bright future? Because I will say 'ow,'" she tries to mimic his voice, "did not sound particularly like the sounds of restfulness, Lance. Didja find the play in the library?"
Lance
player, 293 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 02:58
  • msg #186

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  He smiles.  "I...I tripped over the couch on the way to the door.  Rest seems to be an elusive thing for me of late." he confesses, but continues  "The library did have a few copies, so I borrowed them all for us to save everyone the trip.  I did make sure to leave one reserved for the Queen, but I have the others.  But where are my manners?  Won't you come in, Ballad?"  he gestures stepping aside to allow her entry.

  "So, you just came from your ride?  That means you haven't been to your room yet, I suppose?
 I tried to leave you a copy in your room, but the maid wouldn't allow me entry.  They're very strict about privacy, it seems."

Ballad
player, 355 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 03:34
  • msg #187

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

He smiles; her smile goes lopsided, brief appearance of dimple as he explains he tripped over the couch. Ballad likes to be amused, and she is in high spirits “Someone will have to read the play aloud to Aunt Vialle. You, perhaps? Or do you mean Uncle Random to read it to her? I wonder if he’d be game."

Lance steps aside, gesturing her in; Ballad offers Lance a carelessly gracious nod, tucks a loose stand of silvery gold behind her ear. A sympathetic warmth in her eyes, and perhaps, just maybe, a minor note of caution. "As long as you're not weary of your room. If you are, we can read outside. I prefer moonlight, but there's something about a golden afternoon, isn't there? The air all honey, sweet to the skin and the eye?"

If he indicates he's not tired of being in his room: Ballad saunters in. She's bright with curiosity, and about to ask more about Lance's library visit, when the rest of what Lance said catches up with her. She frowns, reflexively, at the maid wouldn't allow me entry.

"I'm glad to hear they are. I am a territorial monster about my room. Truly: you'd have needed a necklace of wolfsbane, silver nails, and garlic flowers to keep me from your throat." Bright-spark grin, and she is at least half-joking. "I did just come from my ride." She claps her hands together, fingertips meeting gently at the end, so what seems like an exuberant motion ends quiet as a secret. "Now, sit. You must be restful, and choose a restful scene for us to read. Did you do any other research in the library? Was Laurence there?"
Lance
player, 295 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 04:26
  • msg #188

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  "I was told by Laurence that the Queen has an actress that reads to her.  He was very helpful.  Helped me select a book on Amber's history, and found me a copy of a book I've read a hundred times over."  The titles are sitting on a small table next to the couch.

  Lance shrugs and gestures across the room. "We could read here, or anywhere you'd prefer of course.  I have some wine, cheese and fruit if you'd care for a refreshment after your ride?"

  He waits to see if she expresses any preference to go elsewhere, and if not he leaves the door cracked to help her be at ease, then fetches two copies of the complete works of Shakespeare, pours the wine and pulls a coffee table close, placing the food platter upon it.

  "Oh yes, the maids are very strict about it, said they don't even have keys.  I was going to leave this for you, but instead had to settle for leaving a letter slipped beneath your door.  That they seem to be okay with."

  He sits down, flipping easily to the page.  He knew the book well.  As he does so, he says nonchalantly, "Page one thirty six, let us start at the beginning."  As he waits for her to find the page he remarks, "Our family tree it seems is rife with interesting tidbits.  Did you know that our cousin Rinaldo is married to a daughter of Oberon?"

Lance
player, 296 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 04:44
  • msg #189

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  "Wait, not the beginning.  Let's you meet Robin Goodfellow, or Puck.  Page one seventy seven."
Ballad
player, 356 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 05:35
  • msg #190

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Ballad does not express a preference to go elsewhere. Indeed, Ballad shrugs her coat off and tosses it (reckless elegance) over the back of a chair or a table or some statue or some other thing that looks like a likely place to hang a coat (but is not necessarily for that purpose), and then claims the sinister side of the couch as her own. While Lance is settling everything, she looks at the books he brought from the library, playing the game of ha open this book what page is the most recently loved with the history book.

Once Lance has poured the wine, she reaches for her cup. “To locks and keys,” she says, mischief, “and visits with friends,” she ends, more solemnly, and takes a careful sip of the wine before setting it down and picking a piece of fruit. She settles the Complete Works of Shakespeare in her lap and turns to the suggested page, bowing her bright head over it, lashes low as she gives the scene a glance.

Her gaze flicks up at Rinaldo's name. "Oh? Well, I suppose when one's a king, one begins feeling matrimonial. That seems to be the general trend in this family. Were you looking up general family tree matters, then? Did you read anything interesting about your grandmother, or mine?"

She flips past the original page Lance quoted her to the real one, with Robin Goodfellow, Puck. Flip flip flip. There it is.

She puts on a brash, husky voice for Puck, all insinuation and a note of pompous bossy self-importance: "How now, spirit! whither wander you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:54, Tue 08 Dec 2020.
Lance
player, 297 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 05:54
  • msg #191

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Lance meets the toast with, "And to the written word."

"I wasn't digging for anything specific, really, just sort of skimming.  I did find that Jon and Ari are first cousins though, the rest of us are whatever the separation is with different grandmothers."

  Ballad does her Puck voice, and Lance croons, "Ooh, that's good.  I like that!"

  He reads the opposite part in a singsong falsetto,

"Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire,
I do wander everywhere,
Swifter than the moon's sphere;
And I serve the fairy queen,
To dew her orbs upon the green.
The cowslips tall her pensioners be:
In their gold coats spots you see;
Those be rubies, fairy favours,
In those freckles live their savours:
I must go seek some dewdrops here
And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.
Farewell, thou lob of spirits; I'll be gone:
Our queen and all our elves come here anon."

This message was last edited by the player at 05:59, Tue 08 Dec 2020.
Ballad
player, 357 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 06:19
  • msg #192

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Ballad doesn’t seem very interested in the finer points of geneology, but she gives Lance’s information a nod, gratis for the share. She sucks the juice from her slice of fruit (whatever it is) while Lance singsong falsettos his way through the fairy’s speech, then eats what’s left before they get to her next line: “The king doth keep his revels here to-night,” says she, still husky and self-important. “Take heed,” Ballad reaches over and raps (gently) her knuckles against Lance’s forehead, like a school master taking an unwary student to task, “the queen come not within his sight; for Oberon is passing fell and wrath,” and here, she leans forward, trying on an air of sinister foreboding, eyes wide. There’s a brief pause as she juggles the book which begins to slide out of her lap, tries to figure out tone, and settles on Gossippy Gossip is Gossip for the lines about the changeling boy and what Oberon wants him for.

“And now,” said with gleeful satisfaction, “they never meet in grove or green, by fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen,” and now her tone's like well these celebrities they're no better than they should be through the end of this Puck-speech, the hiding, the acorn caps.

Bright-eyed, expectant.
Lance
player, 298 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 06:35
  • msg #193

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Lance is amazed at how perfect the portrayal, how well Ballad seems to fit the role, and her performance draws from him a lip biting smile of wonder, making his next set of lines come forth with the zealousness and glee of the fae he is now playing, who has just unraveled the identity of whom that speaks before him.  He bounces up and down excitedly with the discovery, pointing a finger at Ballad as he does.

  “Either I mistake your shape and making quite,
Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite
Call'd Robin Goodfellow: are not you he
That frights the maidens of the villagery;
Skim milk, and sometimes labour in the quern
And bootless make the breathless housewife churn;
And sometime make the drink to bear no barm;
Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?
Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,
You do their work, and they shall have good luck:
Are not you he?”

This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Tue 08 Dec 2020.
Ballad
player, 358 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 06:51
  • msg #194

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Ballad clicks her tongue, buffs her nails, generally puts on an air of pleased with herself smugness. But she does rather lose the character at the line: ‘neighing in likeness of a filly foal,’ flicking a wide-eyed, wary look at Lance, to see whether he knows why that line might’ve paused her when it’s about Oberon and making him smile. She picks up the thread, though, and once she’s back in character she slings her arm around Lance’s shoulders, dragging him comedically closer so she can use her other hand and paint the picture of all these ‘hilarious’ exploits, nudging him in the ribs with her elbow until she remembers Lance is injured and she pushes him (gently — ish) away. “ - here comes Oberon.”

Then there’s Lance’s line, and that’s the scene. Ballad gives Lance an inquiring look. “Should we continue? If so, I call Oberon.” Then she pauses. “Lance, are you sure you don't want to come down to the city? You seem in better spirits than you did at breakfast. Did you talk to your mom?"
Lance
player, 299 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 07:14
  • msg #195

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Pausing, Lance flips the marker to the page and closes his book, setting it aside.  The line about the filly-foal goes past him, not understanding the familial implication.  Apparently he had not heard those rumors yet.

  "I am in better spirits, dear cousin, and I blame you for that.  You play a perfect Puck, and that on just the first read.  Moreso than that, it's just being in your company that makes me happy.  To your queries though, I did not see my mother this morning.  Indeed, I saw no other family since then.  Ballad, I will go with you to the city if you wish, but first I must implore that you hear me out."

  Lance takes a deep breath.  "About this morning...I cannot take back what I said, nor do I wish to for it is true.  My only regret is how I told you, in front of the others, bluntly and without grace, and placing you in a position to be embarrassed by my admission.  For that I am truly sorry, but I would have you know what is in my heart.  I fell in love with you the moment we met." 

  There it was, like Lance, plain and simple.
Ballad
player, 359 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 07:55
  • msg #196

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Ballad looks disappointed when he closes his book. Oberon’s lines seemed pretty good. The disappointment is subsumed by the luminous hook of a grin at his compliment of her ‘Puck.’ And then Lance’s deliberate cadence, his careful lead-up to I must implore that you hear me out; all that, and her grin disappears. Ballad returns to her side of the couch, resting an elbow on its arm. About this morning, he says, and she says, gamely, hopefully, with an airy wave of her hand, “No need, Lance, truly.”

But Lance wants to discuss it. Very well. Ballad listens quietly, without any further attempts to dissuade Lance from his confession, and is not shy and does not feel embarrassed and meets his eye if he’s looking to meet hers. “Well then.” Even. There are a few different things she thinks to say, but settles on: “I have heard you; and I will…” Brief pause, more a caesura than a pause; she places the palm of her hand over her heart, fingers gently curled over her breastbone. There's no necklace today. “… take your words as an extraordinary compliment.”
Lance
player, 301 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 08:06
  • msg #197

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  "Now Ballad, thank you for letting me say it.  I think I'd have died had I held it in.  I cannot ever hope that you would feel the same about me.  I promise to try to not speak it unless you give me leave to, and you have only to say the word and I shall exile myself, but know that if you wish me to stay I may be sad and wistful at times, and you will know why.  I'll try to not moon after you, but it is monstrous difficult, for you leave a mark on my heart that will never be healed.  You are wonderful, and I will never be worthy of you though I may spend the rest of my life trying to be."

  Lance meets her eyes.

  "Now, having listened to me, do you still wish me to accompany you to the city?"
Ballad
player, 360 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 08:30
  • msg #198

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Now Ballad, thank you for letting me say it. Ballad interrupts, a little wry, rue kissed by humor. “Don’t thank me for that; I’d’ve stopped you if I could. I tried.” If he’s not looking at her, he doesn’t see her expression at I shall exile myself, but — rest assured, dear reader — there is an expression. By the time he’s ready to meet her eyes, she’s glanced away, exasperated and pensive and wishful, though she looks back eventually.

“Look, Lance. Why in the darkling morning would I want to exile you? It seems to me that you’d be sad and wistful at times in exile as well as here, and either way I’ll 'know why'; what’s it matter if I know? Exile? Didn’t you drop to your knee and pledge fealty to Uncle Random not yet a full day ago? Don’t you want to be properly ... Alive...? Yourself...? Why would you want to be exiled?”
Lance
player, 302 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 08:45
  • msg #199

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  "I don't wish it, but I don't want you to feel uncomfortable with my presence.  I would still serve Amber, and the King, just from afar.  I would choose your happiness over my own, no matter how difficult.  If however, you wish me to stay, I shall do so, and you would always find me hoping that perhaps someday you would wish me to be yours and claim me as such."

  Lance looks down, suddenly studying his shoes.

  "I know not what else to say."
Ballad
player, 361 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 14:07
  • msg #200

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Her eyebrows draw together; a cloud on her brow, when he says he doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable with his presence. Irony, the curve of her mouth still wry, when he says he’d still serve Amber and the King; just from afar. She looks like she’ll comment, but instead she sets her boots up on Lance’s coffee table, crossing her legs neatly at the ankles and listens to the rest of what he has to say. By now it’s clear, or would be to someone paying close attention: Ballad doesn’t rate a confession of love in less than twenty-four hours very highly, and though she’s treating Lance’s declaration of feelings with due gravity, she thoroughly believes (or hopes) he’ll get over it.

“I wish you to stay and become a good Prince of Amber; to defend this kingdom and our kin; to let wonder and pleasure at this whole glorious mess of a reality kindle where it may. To listen to me should I ever try to warn you of danger, even if I can't tell you everything," which is a strange add-on, but that's Ballad for you. "I wish you to like yourself more than you seem to like yourself, Lance! And for you, if you are ever sorry about me, to….” Ballad glances at Lance and she seems sorry, a little beseeching.

“Why... you know, we’re going to know one another for centuries. And probably get to thoroughly know one another. All the way down to the marrow I expect, unless things go terribly and one of us is murdered. I don’t … If it gives you peace, and even if it doesn't, I'll tell you this for a sigh: I haven’t been embarrassed, I don’t understand why I should be, and wistful hearts don't cause me discomfort. That's your business. Hearts do what they want.”

Here: the hopeful lilt of a smile, the suggestion of something luminous, an invitation — although restrained. “But I am, and will be, sorry if you ever find me unkind.”

There. How's that? Did she get away with it?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:12, Tue 08 Dec 2020.
Lance
player, 307 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 14:45
  • msg #201

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Lance lets loose a hint of a smile.  Not as bright as yesterday, yet still better than this morning.

  "I knew I'd be chasing rainbows, tilting at windmills, and trying to sweep out the incoming tide with a whisk broom, Ballad.  You are astounding.  You are moonlight upon the waves, music upon the air.  Your parents named you well, for you are like a song....joyful, inspiring, and I wish I knew all the words, but I am too addle-pated and tone deaf to ever do so.  I don't think you unkind.  Quite the contrary, you are far more kind to this knave than ever I deserve.  I am not a man to hide that which I feel, and never before have I been so moved by anyone.  I could never be sorry for having fallen for you...hearts do do what they want."

  He stops, rubs his temple.

  "Enough.  I'll not speak of it again.  It makes no sense to do so.  I shall bury it deep within and find a way to deal with it, and we shall go into the city if you should desire it."

  Lance smiles.  It's forced.

  "I know.  I'll work on it."
Ballad
player, 364 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 15:39
  • msg #202

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

Ballad is an optimist, so — although she gives Lance a Look when he starts in on himself (quit it), and there’s a flash of wistful irony when he says he doesn’t think she’s unkind (not now, you don’t; let’s see what song you’re singing later, eh?) — she’ll regard this is a success. So when he says, It makes no sense to do so, Ballad whisks her feet off the coffee table and impulsively flings herself across the couch to give Lance a hug. Has he ever been overtaken by a gaggle of puppies? Maybe had someone with swing-from-a-chandelier exuberance tackle him? That’s the energy here. Maybe some nervous energy. Relief. The Collected Works of Shakespeare goes whompf as it hits the ground!

“You’re diamonds and hearts, Lance, really. I do desire you to go to the city, try to have fun, just be... you know. If you want to rest instead, rest. But I know your company is wanted. If you go, you go first; I'll follow, all right?"

There! Ballad gives Lance a final squeeze, then stands and all-one-motion sweeps the Shakespeare book from the floor and sets it down where she was sitting. If Lance senses she's about to whirlwind out of there, he's on point.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:40, Tue 08 Dec 2020.
Lance
player, 311 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 15:55
  • msg #203

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Lance returns the hug, albeit a bit awkwardly, making sure to release it before Ballad does so that he does not seem clingy although every fiber of his being wants to hold her forever.

  When Ballad says that if he goes first she'll follow, Lance nods dumbly, still shell-shocked.

  He gets up from the floor, looks at Ballad and says, "I have no idea where this place is that we're supposed to go."
Ballad
player, 365 posts
HP: 21/21
XP: 5
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 16:09
  • msg #204

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

A lopsided smile, the suggestion (briefly) of her dimple. This is her concession to the conversation they just had; normally, it would be an unabashed sizzle-flash of a grin — but too soon, right? She is trying to pay attention to his mood. She takes a care.

"Then I suppose you'll have to interact with the citizenry and ask direction once you're there. Bloody Mary's. Though I wager you could simply follow the trail of besotted ladies and gents, a general aura of 'here walks beauty' which is bound to follow Jade and Ariadne."

Ballad's talking while walking backwards toward the door. "Thank you for the wine, Lance. And for reading with me. I want to be Oberon next time." He might think that, when she's by the door, for a moment she'll say more; there's something in the shape of her eyes, a pause after she's opened her mouth...

But no, nothing else to say. "I'll find you at the bar!"

And so she leaves, probably to cause more mischief.
Lance
player, 313 posts
Max hp 18
Current hp 11
Tue 8 Dec 2020
at 21:00
  • msg #205

Re: BALLAD AND LANCE'S THREAD

  Ballad departs and Lance just stands there for several long minutes feeling empty.  He thinks about a movie he watched as a child, The Princess Bride, and how Wesley would always say <b><b>As you wish</b></b> instead of<i> I love you</i>to Princess Buttercup.  It meant the same.  He decides that he would adopt this with Ballad.  She wouldn't know the significance of it, but it would give him a way of saying it without saying it.

  Resignedly he belts on his sword, washes his face from where tears had begun falling anew, makes sure he has the card from his mother securely in his pocket and heads out, walking into town.  He didn't really want to go, but Ballad had wanted him to.

  A groomsman offers to get him a carriage or a horse, but Lance declines.  He walks, lost in his own thoughts, taking a less traveled route wherever available.  Today, the splendor of the world around him is muted for Lance.

  Hearts do what they want.  He guesses his wanted to shatter into a billion pieces because that was what it was doing.
Sign In