journal 🔶 goodnight sweet prince

[noblegarnet]

Sender: Ferran

[After about a day or two of dealing with the entire town changing suddenly and a little bit of anxiety regarding the following subject...]

So this is the second time I've found somebody in a dead sleep I can't get them out of, and I was wondering if anybody else has seen it happen? It doesn't seem like it hurts them or they need anything special, but it can be kind of alarming to come visit a friend and they're just lying there and won't wake up for days. For the record, the last time it happened, my friend came out of it fine as far as I know, but she's not here anymore, so I can't ask her more about it.

[It's probably a good thing he already went through this or the panic might have had... a very bad effect on him, as he is now. Anyway...!]

I guess if anybody needs Prince Hans, they'll have to take a rain check. I can take any messages for him.

And if someone could let me know how to take care of a horse, that would be great. I'd like him to not have to worry about his poor animal when he wakes up.

Comments

[roseofmay]

I would not use such phrasing, no.

[But to be fair, Beatrix wouldn't call anyone she knows a 'friend.' That's a word that's a little too... affectionate to use and she cringes a little each time someone decides to use it on her.]

He owes me a spar.

[And she. Owes him a beating.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ah, a rival, perhaps? Interesting... very interesting.]

Well, I know my way around a sword if you'd like a substitute to tide you over.

[roseofmay]

I welcome any and all challengers. Shall I know the name of the prince's replacement?

[noblegarnet]

[Ooh, he likes the attitude. He doesn't usually like fighting, himself, but it's always been under duress—maybe a spar with someone enthusiastic about it could be enjoyable.]

My name is Ferran. [He doesn't usually give out his full name, and there aren't any other Ferrans about that he knows of, so that's all for now.] Should I call you Beatrix?

[roseofmay]

[The first person... ever... to meet her and not give her 'lady,' 'madam,' 'miss,' or some other variety. She likes him substantially more than most people upon meeting.]

That is my name. I cannot think of what anyone else would consider to address me as. Well met.

[noblegarnet]

[Well, that certainly is a response. Particular about what she's called, maybe? Either way...]

It's nice to meet you too, and I'm sure it'll be nicer when it's in person. I think I might want to make sure everything's fine here and shake off some rust first, though. How about during the flower festival?

[They can either make it a show cue the vamo' alla flamenco, or go somewhere everybody else isn't while they're distracted by the holiday. Options!]

[roseofmay]

[He has no idea...]

That seems potentially inappropriate for the theme of the festival, however, there is always a way to make these things occur. I do believe we can make that work well enough.

[Who knows. Maybe they'll be able to put on a nice little display for everyone else. Provided Beatrix doesn't get carried away. Sometimes to her, a spar isn't simply a spar, depending on who's on the other side.]

[noblegarnet]

[He's glad she's on the same page, at least enough to agree to the idea.]

I think we can make the theme be whatever we like, don't you?

[Maybe it's a little embarrassing, but he does like putting on a show sometimes, so to speak. He might as well try to channel that feeling with this kind of thing...?]

I'll look forward to it. We can figure out the details closer to then, but I haven't done a lot of sparring, so you'll probably be the one telling me how it's done.

[roseofmay]

I think it is what others will make it out to be. Self-perceived truth.

[Which is Beatrix's way of not answering his question at all. It's the best way to answer, after all.

When he admits that he isn't entirely well-versed in sparring, Beatrix has a thought to simply remind him that one sticks the other with the pointy end, but she supposes that's not exactly sparring either. She makes a note not to cause any unnecessary damage. And perhaps to avoid causing any damage at all.

She must needs not suffer a repeat of Dohalim. Those moments easily could have gotten out of hand. She was ready to die before she was ready to surrender to him. How humiliating.]

I am certain the information you have will more than suffice. I will also look forward to our exchange. I also suspect you will not have a difficult time finding me. Look for the one with all of the roses.

[Truly. Beatrix might as well be a rose herself.]

[noblegarnet]

Maybe we can take a survey afterwards and see the consensus, then. :)

[She certainly has a way with words... however vague the response may have been.]

Roses, huh? I'd give you a description myself, but I think yours might be a little more helpful than "the average-looking young guy with brown hair."

[Though, if it's during the flower festival... there may be more roses than anticipated.]

[roseofmay]

I do anticipate there are no shortage of average-looking young men with brown hair here. You are going to have to do better than that, Ferran.

[And honestly, so will she, for she can't help but think similar lines. What is, after all, a flower festival sans roses, the most beautiful of flowers?]

[noblegarnet]

You're right. I should put a little more effort into it.

[So she'll see him start to add something else:]



How's that?

[roseofmay]

[...She can't decide if she's impressed or just befuddled. This is probably the first time someone other than Garnet has drawn something for her. Funny how she's going to end up using this to track him down.]

I suppose it is better than nothing. I am certain it will be helpful.

[...'Helpful.']

[noblegarnet]

[It's got some defining features! Like his eternal cowlick. He's half kidding around, though.]

Ha ha. Seriously, though, I always wear a silver necklace with a red stone, so that should help you find me.

[He dots the middle of the star-shaped pendant with some red ink. Helpful!]

[roseofmay]

That is more useful. I will be keeping an eye out for that. I look forward to our little exchange, Ferran.

[She'd threaten him to not disappoint her, but Beatrix is just arrogant enough to continue underestimating those around her.]