pawnstorm | at least it's not a log about angst

Entry tags:

at least it's not a log about angst

Who: Bolin and Saber
When: Rosa 26
Where: The Shield, Lasker
What: Well, at least Saber comes out looking good.
Rating: None

Okay, so you definitely look a lot better than me.

[ Given the events of the past week, and the fragility of the peace following the Noir attacks on the trains, Bolin had approached this new job with tact. He would be gracious and quiet, grateful at any opportunity to help, and not pretending to do the refugee community any favours. And really, it hadn't been much of an act. Like many of the others, the earthbender carried guilt heavy in his heart over how things had played out, and he is grateful for any chance to help the newly arrived community, and help soothe the hurt that they had suffered.

While helping with the supplies that needed to be handed out, one of the older women had approached the pair of them - Bolin and Saber - to ask if they would be greatly opposed to be dressing up as famous characters that were popular with quite a few of the refugees. They knew about Lasker's Dunyaland, though they couldn't yet muster the cheer to venture to the amusement park, and they hoped that at least seeing Heroes dressed up as those beloved characters would bring some lighthearted fun to the people.

Bolin had agreed for the both of them.

And maybe it's because of the lack of consideration that he showed Saber that his roommate is currently standing in front of him, looking incredibly stylish, while Bolin fidgets in an overly warm grey dress. (The dress at least isn't that embarrassing. It's long enough to cover his knees as well as his arms. He kind of looks like a milk maid.) ]

I gotta ask though, is yours itchy too?

[ fidget fidget ]

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[ While the tragedy also weighs heavy in her heart, it hasn't soured her mood. To others, it might even seem that she's unaffected--frankly, she's used to making sacrifices and seeing so much blood shed, but it doesn't stop her from pitching in to help. These are the small things she wished she could have done for her own people.

Not sure about the mascot costumes, but Bolin already agreed to them.

Ah... So she just gets dressed, not that opposed to the apparel at all. It feels kind of similar to clothes for nobles except a tad bit less authentic. The material is a little hefty, but she works with it. Plus, she's playing the role as the prince it seems.

Then she glances at Bolin. ]

... Even if it was, I'm rather used to it.

[ The dress is not exactly flattering on Bolin. She's surprised it hasn't ripped. ]

Are you sure you wouldn't like to switch costumes?

[ Thanks, Saber. It's not like Bolin thinks he looks good either. And he considers the offer (though he really doesn't think that Saber can actually fit into it now that he's got it on) when he spots a group of volunteers looking in their direction and laughing, expressions bright.

He sighs, holding up his hands in a shrug. ]

I'd love to switch, but it looks like this makes the people here happy, so I can't exactly be selfish.

[ He squares his shoulders (the fabric tenses), and holds up a fist in a show of determination (and the fabric bunches and tenses further). ]

We're performers now, Saber. We'll just have to do our best.

[ So he doesn't feel ridiculed when volunteers laugh at them? She guesses that's okay... His outlook is positive and his drive is strong. She merely nods, but notices how the seams are practically about to burst. ]

Try not to perform too intensely, Bolin. [ Like, you don't need to do the splits.

Saber tries to get into character of a prince, now bowing forward with an open hand offered to him. ]

Shall we, milady?

[ Bolin rarely feels ridiculed, and he can take most things in stride. Despite that, he actually flusters a little when Saber bows (though he doesn't appreciate being called "milady"), because wow, Saber is actually really dashing. Maybe if Bolin thought he had more than a snowball's chance in hell with her, he'd try flirting.

For now, they're apparently a fake couple, and Bolin knows nothing about princesses, much less the Western kind that the people here are familiar with. But sure, he can make this work. ]

Absolutely!

[ But not with any semblance of grace.

They don't wander too far into the camp before kids are crowding around them, girls fawning at Saber and little boys laughing at Bolin. It also doesn't take too long for one of the boys to step up and challenge Bolin for Saber's hand(??), and—what? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? ]

[ Saber only looks confused at the prospect. She's used to Gilgamesh's unconventional proposals, but something so small... And shouldn't they be asking for Bolin's hand? He's the princess. A tall princess compared to a short prince, but that's how the story goes.

She only stays quiet, looking at Bolin and the boy. She's not sure what to say right now. Usually, she would make it clear that they are together as part of their roles, but a noble duel should be acknowledged. It will also uplift spirits, she guesses. ]

What is the challenge?

[ "A race!" comes the small but determined answer. The boy is facing Bolin with his hands on his hips and his thin chest puffed out, two teeth adorably missing. He looks like a real punk, and Bolin's reminded of a younger Kai. ]

All right! [ Bolin nobly accepts the challenge, sticking out his own chest. (This proves to be a mistake, the fabric not letting him breathe.)

When the kids scuttle off to clear an appropriate location for the challenge however, he turns to Saber with a conflicted expression. ]

Should I let him win?

[ What a cute challenge... She stays quiet as the kids scuttle away, but does look up to Bolin when he refers to her. The question prompts a raised eyebrows as if he shouldn't be asking her that question.

Luckily, she is a kind king... So she will answer him. ]

That is up to you, Bolin.

[ Thanks for your charity, Saber. Very helpful.

Bolin just sighs, and accepts the response for what it is, and it's not long before the kids are hurrying back to them, dragging them both along to the tiny area that they'd cleared, where Bolin's challenger is waiting for them. Even as Bolin gets ready at the starting line, the decision of whether or not to throw the challenge remains a mystery. He doesn't want to dishearten the kids by win—

Except then someone yells go! and he's got no more time to think.

To his credit, the little boy is fast, and Bolin's a little distracted by all of the constraints of his clothing. He's doing his best to be mindful of it, but once he hears a small voice cheering for him—well, then he's off. It's not difficult to surpass the boy - Bolin doesn't run every morning for nothing - and as crosses what's been marked as the finish line, he vaguely notices that it's gotten easier to run.

Much easier.

There's definitely something. ]

[ Saber watches like the gallant king she is. Undeterred by the fact they're battling over her hand, she stands at the end of the finish line, carrying herself with utmost grace, and waits for the victor. There's no cheering from her and her gaze is only neutral. Of course she doesn't want Bolin to lose, but at the same time doesn't want to discourage a child.

Well, she applauds. Whether Bolin won or not doesn't matter to her, but she has prepared words for the children in case this were to happen. ]

Princess Bolin has won the challenged and successfully defended my hand. It was a remarkable race and I can see the fire in your eyes. Perhaps once you've trained more can you ask for a rematch.

[ And this is where Saber practically grooms Bolin a rival that he never asked for... She doesn't mean to, but the boy seems pumped up more than ever to have an objective--a goal. It is something that distracts them from the aftermath of war.

His group of friends are also cheering him on, saying he did so well against a burly man (to them Bolin is burly). The boy gives Bolin a Look, pointing at him saying this isn't the last time he sees him. He'll be stronger next time and he will surely beat him. ]

You have a way with children.

[ These are genuine words. ]

[ It's a great conclusion from Saber, and it gives the kids enough spirit despite the loss, and as much as Bolin wants to clap he can't.

Because he's clutching at his costume with both hands. ]

Saber, we have to go. [ He's whispering urgently, it's a strange response to his victory, but the reason becomes quickly apparent given the way that the fabric of the dress is starting to slip down his shoulders. ]

We need to go or they're not going to let me near kids ever again.

[ Also, they might be a little angry that Bolin had destroyed the costume within an hour of putting it on, because there's a a rip clean down the back of the dress, that's only growing wider every time he moves, as well as several more tears along the seams on the arms.

The poor dress didn't even stand a chance. ]

What is wrong, Bolin? [ She doesn't seem to notice right off the bat what's happening here. It takes a couple of blinks before it registers--his words, the slipping sleeves.

Oh.

Oh. Her eyes dart to the children who are still lingering around them, asking when might they see them again. Saber only reassures that they will meet again soon, but she must tend to the princess' "injuries".

... The man probably can't even move, so Saber casts a short spell that heightens her strength. It is time, Bolin, to be princess carried. She scoops him up into her arms!! He is still a little heavy, but a lot better than without the buff. There's some background applause, but Saber focuses on getting them back to the dressing room.

Speedy shorty, she is. ]

What—

[ Well, he didn't see that coming. Bolin only lets out a quiet yelp as Saber picks him right up, and it's thankfully drowned out by the applause from the children. It's a little awkward, considering that he's so much bigger than her - in both height and width, but Saber looks as unflappable as always as she hurries them along.

For the most part, Bolin just lets her, watching in dismay as the costume falls further apart with the movement, but not to the point where it's completely come off him yet.

Though there is a piece that he can't see, dangling further and further down from his waist until it's ready to tangle in Saber's legs. ]

[ That article of lingerie or clothing whatever it is doesn't stop her. She makes it to the dressing room and places him neatly back down onto his own feet.

That is when she looks at him up and down... A little disheartened by the state of the dress. ]

I do not think we can return this costume as it is. Perhaps a race was too much.

[ Rock, paper, scissors, would have been better. ]

Would you like me to tell our supervisors?

[ That aren't even really supervising them at all. ]

[ By the time that Bolin's standing in the dressing room, the costume just falls clean off the earthbender, and he stares at the dress pooled around his feet with a grimace. ]

Yeah, I guess we can't just leave and not tell anyone. [ Though he's tempted.

Sighing a little, he steps away from the ruins of the dress so that he can find his clothes, not all that embarrassed to be changing in front of Saber. ]

I didn't make a good princess after all—you're a pretty charming prince though, Saber. [ Which makes sense, since she's a king in reality.

And that actually makes him ask. ]

Wait, if you're a king back where you come from, did you have a queen?

[ A male queen? A female?? ]

I think you did fine, Bolin. What matters is that it seems we have lifted the spirits of some children and those that were watching.

[ She nods a couple of times as she picks up the dress and folds it neatly. Just because it's in tatters doesn't mean it shouldn't be treated with care. The question doesn't make her pause or even rethink her answer. ]

Yes. I once had a queen. It was for diplomacy and politics, but she was still a gentle woman.

[ She has no bad memories of Guinevere, but it's something else. Her friend, her knight, and her queen both suffered from something she couldn't have prevented. She's quiet for a moment. ]

If you would excuse me.

[ She'll bring this to the supervisor, so please just wait here, she'll be back. ]

[ Whoops.

Maybe not the easiest question for Saber to answer, and Bolin watches her go with a slight frown even as he's tugging his pants back on. He honestly hadn't even been expecting Saber to have had a queen. He just... couldn't picture it.

And maybe there was something to his surprise, something that tied in with Saber's discomfort with the topic. He's nosy, and he wants to question further: what was their marriage like? How did they get along? Did they have kids? (How)

She's gone however, and he has enough sense not to pursue the topic any further, so he just gets dressed in silence. ]

They have said that it is no trouble. We won't be needling to pay for the costume...

[ She scratches her cheek as her gaze falls to the floor. She's not really sure if this is a good thing?

A bad thing?

Would it be better if they paid? ]

However, they're hoping to call upon us for the same favor in the future.

They're probably going to just stitch it back together.

[ Which is what Bolin would do. It's not like it's been stained or torn to pieces: it's still a pretty good dress with a few tears here and there. Bolin could probably patch it back up himself.

He does his best to muster a smile at the idea of being called back, buttoning up his shirt and answering with a simple ] sure.

I think they should reconsider... If they wish for us to do this again, a proper costume for you.

[ You know... In better size. She starts unfolding her own clothes, ready to get changed. She does wait for Bolin to go out before she changes into them. ]

Perhaps next time you can be the prince. [ She really doesn't mind. The princess costume is actually not humiliating. ]

[ That's his Saber, always being a bro. ]

Yeah. I mean I can pull off a lot [ not really ] but that was not a good look for me. I bet you'd look cute in a princess dress too.

[ He gives her a grin, and thusly dressed, steps out with a ] see you outside [ so that she can get changed as well. ]

... Thank you, Bolin.

[ Though she's not sure if she cares too much about looking cute in a princess dress, but she'll thank him anyway. It's like saying she can fit the role and bring joys to kids!! That's how she thinks of it.

Pushing that to the back of her mind, she gets dressed and neatly folds the costume for their overlords. With a small skip to the step, she exits the dressing room and reunites with Bolin. ]

I am done.

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