PRE-GAME CATCHALL.

[chakushi]

Who: Hanzo Shimada and anyone who would have pre-game CR with him!
Where: Probably on Leith, but hmu for any deets here.
When: Anytime in the past 4 years, let's roll.
Summary: Pre-game CR establishment with an asshole, tbh
Restrictions/Warnings: None atm! Will add if necessary.

Comments

LAPIS.

[chakushi]

[ As far as vices go, Westerly isn't Hanzo's go-to for indulging his out-of-uniform time (if he even truly has any). For one, the city is too loud, pulsing with too many voices and lives that pull at his thinly-made tranquility; he feels like a string pulled too taut whenever he brushes shoulders with the locale, which is probably exactly what they expect from an uptight Qreshi like him.

(Not that Hanzo is advertising.)

So. What is he doing here, exactly? That's a good question, because he would be hard-pressed to answer that himself, lone wolf that he is. It's certainly not for the drinks, that's for sure— the muddled glasses of unidentifiable alcohol that he forces down on a semi-monthly basis is less about enjoyment and more about the slight buzz that accompanies it.

The real answer is that the info broker that he'd somehow formed a steady rapport with is a phenomenally pleasant singer. There's something self-defeating about his realization that he's come early tonight to hear said individual sing, but he doesn't have it in himself to walk back out and stand outside, arms folded and gaze pointedly cast to the side, until her set is done.

So there he is, occupying a stool at the very edge of the bar near the stage. He watches, listens, and only briefly establishes eye contact with the young woman behind the microphone before he turns his attention back towards his untouched glass of. Whatever this is.

That's his cue to say 'I'm here for our monthly meeting', but. Well.

#doyoueverplayyourself ]

SLAMS IN HERE

[oneirism]

[In all honestly, most people either came to bars on Westerly for the sole purpose of getting completely and absolutely drunk, or to gather info/talk to those that have info. Though Lapis certainly has more than enough confidence in her singing to feel that her songs pull people in too - which makes her other job easier.

So when she sees a certain familiar face and how his eyes catch hers for a moment, she feels a swell of pride to know that it's most likely her song that drew him into the bar today - usually she would meet him outside, when she needed to get a break from the loud noise and crowded spaces.

As her song comes to an end and she steps down from the stage, there's almost a hint of pride on her expression as she steps over to his table. Her smile faint, but still there - the closest to smug someone as withdrawn as Lapis can look.]

So, what did you think of the song? [If you thought she wouldn't call you out on this Hanzo you were wrong.]

SLAMS INTO YOUR CUTE FACE

[chakushi]

[ The fact of the matter is that Lapis is usually too unobtrusive to get defensive over, so his mild inconvenience at being accurately called out doesn't manifest in anything beyond a faint twitch of his brow.

He slides a glass of water to her, cold and sweating. Strangely considerate, as if he's been bred under strict expectations of propriety (he has). ]

My answer would depend on whether you are looking for honesty or flattery.

[ As if the two choices will yield vastly different results (they won't). He's just being difficult, as per usual.

(Still, he looks marginally more relaxed than usual. He can appreciate a good song or two.) ]

CLINGS TO TIGHTLY

[oneirism]

[Sadly, her general lack of a social filter means nobody is safe from being called out, when she sees an opening to do so. At least she isn't too smug about it most of the time - today, she's simply pleased that he actually stayed and listened.

And the smile on her face becomes something more warmer as he slides the glass of water to her, giving a soft murmur of thanks before taking a good few sips of it. Even with all her stamina, singing for a good while is draining.]

Honesty, of course. [Even if he's being difficult, it's easy to answer - flattery means nothing to her. So gold eyes watch him attentively once she sits, curious about his thoughts. A good singer must accept all feedback, after all.]

gently carries you down to my dungeon lair...

[chakushi]

[ The bar loses its light when Lapis stops singing; it settles back into the same-old rancor of raucous laughter and crude conversation, and he feels, genuinely, that the establishment suffers for it.

That's the honest opinion of how he feels about the song, but it feels like overkill. A sentimentalism offered to curry her favor.

So he chooses something that sounds more palatable to him, spoken after a beat he takes to wash his excess words down with drink. ]

You've gained confidence.

[ Patronizing words offered with sincerity. The quiet serenity of his expression speaks to the fact that he means what he says. ]

Your singing hasn't suffered for it.

kyaaaaaa~

[oneirism]

[Lapis is simply patient as she waits for his verdict, sipping on her water as golden eyes keep watching him. It's always nice to here what people think of her singer, not matter good or bad - any sort of bad responses only push her to try and improve.

But his words then get her to blink, tilting her head slightly before she smiles softly, noting the serenity of his expression. And his words are a relief to hear, that she's gained confidence and she hasn't let her singing be dragged down by it - confidence has always been a shaky thing for Lapis.

So her smile brightens, clearly pleased at his words as she nods.]

Thank you, Hanzo. I've had some trouble with confidence in the past, so it's a relief to hear that.

[chakushi]

[ Do you ever try really hard not to have any feelings just to have someone give you the feelings unexpectedly... Lapis needs to quit it, tbh.

The truth of the matter is that no one ever smiles around Hanzo, so the honesty of Lapis's expression is like a momentary blow to his head. His reaction is subtle— a blink-and-you'll-miss-it transition from placid to surprised.

He gets over it. ]

...Have you. A difficult thing to imagine.

[ She's here talking to him right now; she has no shortage of confidence. ] We are only talking now because of your audaciousness, after all.

[oneirism]

[Can't stop, won't stop, Hanzo. Accept the feelings.

Even if his reaction is subtle, Lapis makes it her business to keep a close watch on people - noting that brief switch to surprise, the transition so quick that she thinks that maybe she's just seeing things. But she doubts it.

Though her smile does fade slightly at his words, if only because her expression turns something more thoughtful.]

Hmm, that's true. But there's different kinds of confidence too. I find it easy to just come up and talk to you, but when it comes to myself, my confidence is shaky sometimes.

[She basically has zero sense of self-worth, but this is a much easier and not so depressing way to explain this.]