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[ Even though everything about this feels wrong, it is hard not to soften at the sight of his bow. She wants to believe that he is being sincere, that his dream was just that and nothing more. She sighs softly, trying to shake this feeling that she is somehow giving into him. ]

In the end, I suppose you've saved me the effort of reaching out to you.

[ Would she have, eventually? No way of knowing now. ]

So... will you tell me how much of it was true?

[Hans straightens himself as Susato continues speaking, eventually reaching the question that he's been well-prepared for. Well, at least the question he's been expecting since the dream ended. It's what he would've asked if he died in such a manner in someone's dream. As such, he takes on a sympathetic expression, his hands clasped in front of him.]

It's the least I can do... what would you like to know first? A lot happened there.

[ She pauses to consider. A lot did happen, and she wonders if she should they should be sitting down for this conversation, but she won't wait for that. She's always been direct, and not one to shy away from difficult topics. ]

Well, that I am aware, your title is still 'prince,' not 'king.' So...

Is it too naïve of me to hope that the ice queen of your world still lives?

[The same pleasant expression remains on Hans' face, although there's a flicker of something that passes through, but it doesn't last long. The only thing that's changed is the slight decrease in temperature, but it's not too cold just yet.]

It's not naïve at all, as the ice queen still lives and rules over Arendelle with her sister. Both of them are in perfect health.

[He looks like he's telling the truth, but he always seems sincere.] I'm merely a prince from the Southern Islands.

[ He seems sincere, but he always has. Susato appears subtly relieved, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, but it is too early to say. If they still live, then he isn't a murderer as the whispers said, but perhaps there's still something more sinister behind the way the dream manifested.

At the drop in temperature, Susato finds her arms wrapping around herself slightly without realizing it, however subtle. ]

I see. Then what happened to me didn't... [ She shivers. For a moment, she can see the surface of the lake once again, from underneath, where she was trapped. Frozen.

She trails off. ]

You said Princess Anna did not scream.

[He notices the slight chill that's crept on her and normally he'd offer her his jacket, but perhaps that can wait until a little later, especially as her next comments give him pause. Ah, so it's come to this, not that he's surprised. Still, it takes the prince a moment, as if trying to decide how to phrase his next words.]

...She didn't.

[If he really wanted to, he can probably make some elaborate lie about all this. About why he knows what he does, but he's slowly working on the honesty thing. And the guilt bit. Maybe he's not fully there yet, but Hans is trying now.]

The ice consumed her, but luckily for her, it soon melted after the curse was broken. It's why she's alive and well.

Edited 2022-10-17 17:50 (UTC)

[ She can sense that he is trying. Does it take more effort for him to tell the truth, or concoct elaborate lies, she wonders? He did say something about that in the dream. The curse. It should have been broken with the death of the ice queen, but since the ice queen lived... ]

H, How... did she break the curse?

[ Wait, no. They talked about this, too...? ]

You mentioned a legend. Some sort of... "act of true love?"

Edited (i had reread our thread a bit oops) 2022-10-22 03:09 (UTC)

[He knows where this conversation is going. It's possible that he can get himself out of it still, make an elaborate lie to free himself of this crime, but Hans finds himself having little interest in doing so. He can't wholly explain it, even if Susato ends up punching him or telling others about what he's really like.

Maybe people should know, although Hans isn't racing to tell everyone what he's done either.]

Yes, Princess Anna performed an 'act of true love' towards her sister... by saving her life at the cost of her own.

[It sounds a little confusing, but Hans isn't lying. He smiles at Susato.] Quite noble of her, wouldn't you agree?

[ Yeah, it's definitely confusing. Susato is visibly trying to wrap her head around the events as Hans describes them. So much so that she doesn't even end up answering his question. Perhaps she recognizes his attempt to distract, or perhaps the question just didn't process in the first place. ]

So... When the ice consumed her, Princess Anna actually died... [ When said aloud, it makes sense. It is spoken like a realization, though Susato continues almost seamlessly. "Saving her life" is pretty vague. ] What did she do?

[Hans lets out a sigh, almost hoping that she'd figure it out, but he knows that he's been almost cryptic about all this. The prince drops all proper formality and looks at her with a serious expression, his face nearly cold. He still isn't quite sure if guilt is something he feels about all this, maybe he never will, despite having some second thoughts about becoming a king.]

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to speak so plainly about it, Susato.

[Maybe he can dance around the truth for just a little longer, but why prolong the inevitable?]

She turned to ice in front of her sister, just as I was about to kill her.

[ Should she have been able to figure it out...? Perhaps if she'd been able to spend a little more time with him, and gotten to know him even an inkling. Susato feels all the air leave her lungs suddenly, though the initial shock does not last long. Everything appears to fall into place, from their time on the moon, and his dream. ]

You...

[ ......He failed in the end. He was spared that burden of becoming a murderer. Lucky him. ]

Was the crown that important to you?

I hope you wouldn't think I'd try and murder people for fun. I'm not that heartless, I'd hope.

[If there are ways to make this conversation go down better, this isn't one of them, especially since he's talking about a rather serious matter with a rather blasé attitude. However, he eventually sobers up, but who knows how much guilt he actually feels about this.]

The crown was the only goal that's ever mattered to me.

[ ...No. No, he failed to kill the queen, but the death of the Princess would still be on his hands. Yet the curse was undone, and they both lived... Susato looks rather outwardly conflicted, not at all helped by his blasé attitude. There are many things she could say here. About power, about corruption, about greed, about justice.

In the end, however, only one word comes out, spoken in a small voice laced with disbelief. ]

...Why?

[He wonders if his answer really matters, would she forgive him if his reason was more 'understanding?' Maybe? He can't predict that. However, he doesn't intend to lie now of all times.]

I'm a prince, raised to be a king since I was young, but everyone knew that I wouldn't ever get that chance normally. So, I thought I'd make my own path to succession, even if it wasn't my own kingdom.

[It's as simple as that, without getting too much into the details. Hans tits his head at her, almost as if he's gauging her reaction, but it's mostly for show.]

Or did you want to hear a different answer, Susato? To make you feel less betrayed by my comments?

[ Is there even an answer that would make her feel less betrayed? Is there an answer that makes this okay? If there is, she can't think of one. All she can do is quietly shake her head. It seems he is just like the nobles back in Great Britain. Been a while since she'd been forced to think about them. ]

I would rather hear that you regret what you did. That you've changed.

...But I don't expect you to insult me by saying so now.

Oh, but I've changed for the better--

[Hans cuts himself short, however, his placid smile disappearing before this charade goes any further. He won't insult her by doing that and it's not worth that effort.]

...Would you believe me if I said I've tried feeling regret for what happened? But the most I can manifest is regretting that I didn't succeed. [Hans doesn't look especially proud by that admission, a small exhale leaving him as he draws his eyes elsewhere.]

Or sometimes I think about how I could've chosen a different goal. Living life here, where it's been mundane, hasn't been terrible.

[ Susato stares at him before he cuts himself short, as if daring him to finish that sentence. He doesn't; and once that smile disappears, she gets the sense that he is being honest with her for the first time. Even if she no longer sees him the same way... she wonders if her father would judge her for taking comfort in that. ]

You would not be the first to change their goals because of this place. Perhaps... that's a line of thinking you should follow.

[ There is a pause as Susato allows those words to hang in the air... ]

What would you have chosen?

[On one hand, Susato hasn't gotten too upset with him. Oh, she's definitely not pleased, but her reaction could've been far worse. Guess he'll keep going then, it's not often he can speak so honestly.]

Who knows? Maybe I would've taken a ship to a faraway country, living a life entirely separate from what my family wanted of me.

[Maybe it'd be a 'screw you' to them, but it's just as likely that they wouldn't care. Be relieved, even. Why give them that satisfaction?]

But maybe I'd regret it within a few days, and that I really should've tried again to find a kingdom to take over. Except with far less mistakes on my end.

[ What his family expected... She can almost feel the weight behind those words. It doesn't sound like he's changed though, no. He says he has tried feeling regret for what he did, but who knows if this attempt was even genuine. Meanwhile, someone like Kazuma has to stew in guilt.

It isn't fair. ]

Did you ever face justice?

[........]

Are you wondering if I was executed for my crimes, Lady Susato?

[Hans nearly stares straight at her, waiting and wanting to see her reaction to this possible piece of information. Many would probably think he'd deserve it, but he wants to know what she thinks.]

[ ...The dead can't dream, though somehow, she wouldn't put it past the tapir. His expectant stare makes her falter just a bit, but she answers with an even voice. Her shoulders lift slightly like she wants to shrug, but she doesn't quite make it.

Yes? ]

Well... I can't claim to know your laws, but they can't have looked too kindly upon your actions either. Even if things did work out amiably.

[That's a boring answer, one that doesn't feel like a complete reaction to his crimes. Hans lets out a small sigh, his eyes closing just briefly, before he gives Susato an encouraging if sharp smile, like he's egging her on to say something in particular.]

I apologize, maybe I should've worded my question slightly different. Do you hope that I was executed?

[ The disappointment oozes out of that sigh of his and crawls right under her skin. With that clarification, the question is suddenly not so deceptively simple. Had she been avoiding that answer, or is that just what he means to imply? ]

Do you want to hear me say 'yes'?

...To show me that I am capable of the same darkness? That those demons also sleep within me?

[Hans makes a show out of slowly blinking, before placing a single hand against his chest, as if surprised by her comments. Okay, maybe he's a little shocked, but he's definitely exaggerating a bit.]

Nothing of that sort. I'd never assume you hold such demons within you. [Unless she wants to confess something now--] I just want to hear your honest opinion.

I...

[ There isn't a part of her that believes he cares about her honest opinion. This should be easy to answer, but still, she hesitates. It is truly against her nature to wish death outright upon someone, least of all someone so deceptively charistmatic. There is still a part of her that hopes he will eventually learn from his failures.

But he asked for honesty. ]

Maybe there is a part of me that thinks your world would be a better place if you were. But those demons will not win, and neither will you.

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