MINGLE AHOY

[these_balls]

Who: ANYONE AND EVERYONE
Where: ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE
When: May 29 - 31
Summary: GET IN HERE AND MINGLE
Rating: BUT PLEASE MARK YOUR THREAD CONTENT ACCORDINGLY
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[myownplace]

[In hindsight, it's probably fortunate that he ended up with a fire elemental. He'll have a more definitive way to protect himself, should Elsa try to attack him. Though he's not really all that confident that this little horse is going to do much for him...she's still trying to hide in plain sight as it is.]

You seem rather certain of that.

[For someone who he...assumes just got here when he did.]

Though I have a hard time believing you would just abandon your kingdom, after everything.

[His tone betrays that he, in fact, doesn't have a hard time believing this but, you know. Details.]

[defyingfrigidity]

It's only natural I learn as much as I could about the land I've been trapped in for months now.

[She knows how much of a shock the strange time bending this place does can be on people, but.... frankly, she doesn't care if Hans finds this a bit hard to process.]

Oh, believe me, if it were up to me, I'd be back home making sure that nobody else tries to follow in your failed footsteps. But sometimes things more powerful than us have other plans in mind.

[myownplace]

[That...actually causes Hans to falter, visibly.]

What are you talking about?

[Months? That isn't possible. Unless this really is just a dream, he's certain there's no way that much time could have passed without him being aware of it.]

[defyingfrigidity]

It's as I said. I've been here for months; since last September, actually. And for reference, it's currently May.

[myownplace]

[He's actually not sure what he's more frustrated about. The fact that what she's telling him doesn't make logical sense, or the fact that if what she's saying is true, Arendelle has been without a ruler for months.

...And he's been in his brothers' custody. ...for...months??]

...and that doesn't bother you.

[He replies, flatly, while his Ponyta continues to peer at Elsa nervously from behind his leg. Even if she has, he would have thought that Elsa would have been a bit more panicked over being away from her kingdom for so long.]

[defyingfrigidity]

It does. It bothered me for a long time. It still bothers me, if I have nothing else to keep myself occupied.

[This, at least, she's willing to admit to him. She doesn't want to seem like she doesn't care about her kingdom or her people, because that couldn't be further from the truth.]

But there's no way out. And while time may pass here, time in Arendelle doesn't. So that alleviates many of my fears.

[myownplace]

[Hans doesn't respond to that for some time, watching Elsa carefully while he feels the Ponyta shift at his side a little.]

...so it's magic, then.

[That's the only way he can explain it, beyond it being a dream.]

[defyingfrigidity]

Exactly. Magic even beyond the capabilities of beings from legend, it seems.

[After all, she's read about many fantastical things in her books, but never magic that can bend the very fabric of time and space.]

[myownplace]

[...again, this place is still preferable to being sent back to the Southern Isles behind bars. Magic or no, Hans will accept small victories with as much grace and dignity as he has left. ]

I figured as much. You don't seem to be the only one with magic, here.

[That's said in reference to his little fire horse, who is still very much on fire.]

[defyingfrigidity]

Exactly. You'll find beings even more powerful than me here, and not just the local wildlife.

[Fenrir growls again, as if to make a point.]

Some creatures even have the ability to read minds, so you won't be fooling anyone here.

[myownplace]

[Well that causes his expression to sour a bit, but he does his best to keep it level otherwise. He's certain that Elsa is relishing having so much knowledge over him about this place, and he's not about to let her get wise to how much this is bothering him.]

Who is there to fool? It is as you said; this isn't Arendelle. It doesn't matter.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Oh, you better believe she's enjoying being the one with more control right now.]

Oh, I don't know. You seemed to have every other dignitary and ambassador convinced you were who you pretended to be, so I just assumed you manipulated everyone you met.

[myownplace]

[Excuse you.]

I am still royalty, you realize. I don't need to pretend.

[You know, just...literally everything else about him wasn't genuine.]

But if you have been here for months, I'm sure you have already taken the opportunity to sully my name, so you don't have anything to worry about.

[defyingfrigidity]

I haven't, actually.

[There's no hint of a lie in her voice. She's being a hundred percent honest.]

Unlike some royals, I don't exactly take pleasure in dragging the names of my enemies through the mud. You weren't here, so there was no point in mentioning you at all.

[myownplace]

[...wow okay this conversation isn't going the way he had anticipated at all.]

...I see. If it is all the same, it would be no offense to me if I didn't have to stay here.

[Especially not when she's here, even though it's nicer than what's going on back home. Neither scenario is very appealing all of a sudden, but it seems like he doesn't have a choice either way.]

[defyingfrigidity]

Oh, you're more than welcome to find a way out. But there are people that have been here going on five years and they haven't found so much as a clue on how we're brought here or how we leave.

So you might just be here for some time. Who knows.

[She won't mention that people do get sent home often. She's not going to give him something that he could possibly rub in her face.]

[myownplace]

[Hans scoffs, a biting sound in the back of his throat.]

I'll be sure to get right on that, then.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa actually has to fight back a laugh at that. She's trying to be the bigger person, but... hey, everyone's allowed a slip-up once in a while.]

Good luck.

[myownplace]

...I'm not here to cause trouble, you know.

[He says after some time, his expression shifting just a bit.]

I don't like this any more than you do, but if you stay out of my way, I'll stay out of yours.

[defyingfrigidity]

[She doesn't believe him. Not one bit. Why should she, after the things he's done?]

It's as I said, I won't attempt to drag your name through the mud. [She looks down at Fenrir, who has since stopped growling, but is following Hans's every little movement, the thick fur on his neck raised in clear agitation.] And I'll keep my companions in check.

[She takes a single step towards him, and it's only then that the slight crackle of frost can be heard beneath her shoe.]

But if I see you trying to deceive or manipulate any of the people I've come to care for here, I will not be so lenient.

[myownplace]

[He feels his stomach clench a bit when she steps closer, his Ponyta edging closer to him at the same time.]

I do not know what you expect me to do. I'm not going to lie.

[Hans' expression darkens a bit as he continues.]

But I'm not going to be terribly open about my past, either.

[defyingfrigidity]

[Elsa's face, too, darkens as he says that.]

Believe me, this place has ways of bringing out things you don't want other people to see.

[myownplace]

Does it now?

[He murmurs, glancing away for just a moment.]

Well. It isn't as if I have much to return home to, do I? It will be preferable either way.

[defyingfrigidity]

It does. No matter how fiercely you guard a secret or a memory.

[... If he's trying to play the sympathy card here, it's not going to work. Maybe if he hadn't left her sister to die a slow and painful death all alone that might have tugged on her heart a bit. But no.

Elsa tries to be kind, but there are limits, even to that.]

And I'm sure you know who's to blame for that.

[myownplace]

[He didn't need her sympathy. He didn't want it, because to that he sneers.]

Of course. And if you think I regret anything that happened, I don't.