[Guess what, Hilda... Lorenz demands reparation... Or: he has attempted to nip this in the bud to no avail, and now he is here, loitering with his drink, watching with mild dread as undesirables keep putting their names on him. God! Is this real!
Hilda's support is appreciated, maybe, but also maybe not really because—]
If I recall... That particular poem was disposed of for being of too low a quality to ever see the light of day! And yet, there it is! How interesting.
[That is just one of his many objections!!]
i haven't even picked her outfit yet... quelle horreur
[What is shame, Lorenz? Hilda doesn't know her? Or: Hilda watches yet another person bid on her pal before shifting her attention down to her champagne glass, demurely lowering her lashes as she does so. She is the very picture of innocence, Lorenz. Small and cute and harmless.]
Very interesting, [she agrees, tilting her glass this way and that was just to watch that strawberry bob about the bubbly.] Maybe you turned it in on your own? We both had a lot to drink that night... my memories are a liiiittle hazy.
[Oh, boxed wine! How they love thee.]
Or maybe someone realized that your poem was very good and turned it in for you? How nice of them.
[This is probably when Sylvain steps up to bid? Hilda is going to choke right here, right now.]
neither have i...... i don't know how to find ye olde outfits in all purple. help me
[How dare she question his pristine memory, which is definitely untouched by boxed wine? Lorenz Hellman Gloucester would never forget what he does with a poem, especially when he doesn't like it! Damn!]
Oh, do you think so? [but he's still fool enough to fall for a compliment—] I'm sure that person is a better judge than me, the poet himself...
[Hildaaaa... ah, but this banter is immediately over the second he spots Sylvain. Were he an impolite man, he would shatter his wine glass instantly.]
Hilda. You must place a bid. As soon as possible, please.
[So long, friendly banter; hello, Hilda trying not to laugh as she imagines how, exactly, a Sylvain and Lorenz Date™ would go down. This might just be the funniest thought that's entered her brain since her arrival? Makes the whole sneakily-submitting-a-poem thing more than worth it...
...But there's thinking it, and there's saying it! Hence the doe-eyed look she gives him as she continues fighting the urge to laugh.]
Oh, Lorenz, I would... but I don't know if I can afford you? Look how popular you are!
[Hilda!! Do not do this at this of all times! This is serious.]
You do not need to win, you need only take a momentary lead. I will forgive your indiscretions— [ie taking his reject poem and doing this cruel thing to him] if you will do for me this one simple favor. For a dear friend!
[This is as close to begging as he can physically get, gurl. Don't leave him hanging.]
Edited (dang) 2020-04-11 19:59 (UTC)
which means i will agonize over fits for four of em
[Desperation! The flavor... exquisite... which means that Hilda is, naturally, going to double down.]
You are a dear friend, but everything is so expensive here! You do not want to know how much this dress cost. I didn't think I'd have enough Chroma left over for food...
[Forgiveness is cheap! Sweeten the deal, sir! Somewhere, you just know Sylvain is winking.]
[Hilda, if he could bid on himself, he would have done it already. Not that bribing her to bid on him is technically any different, and yet—]
Do you think I would let you leave empty-handed for such an act of loyalty? I will honor my unwitting charitable promise and buy you dinner! [...] More than once, if you like.
[He would anyway, but let him pretend he still has pride.]
time to have 984334 tabs open... pink dresses in all of em
[Was she going to bid on him regardless? Yes, because the Golden Deer are nothing if not loyal. Does the promise of dinner—multiple dinners—make it all the better? Abso-fuckin-lutely. She is how she is! Love her and the genuinely (aha) touched smile she offers him.]
Really? How generous of you! [Swoon.] You're always so noble, Lorenz...
[And with that, she raises up on her tip-toes (do not @ her) and waves her free hand in the air, only settling back down when the auctioneer acknowledges her bid of... something-or-other. More than the last person's bid! That's what matters!]
There! You inspired me.
[Or: there is no better motivation than free stuff.]
are you saying your browser isn't always like that
[Thank you Golden Deer brand loyalty... Lorenz earnestly appreciates her noble donation to his security buffer to keep Other People away. His poem should have just said "Do Not Interact"? He is willing only to be observed.
But ah, he is visibly relieved. At last, he can relax.]
Yes, yes— I trust you will remind me of my promise whenever you see fit. [so, tomorrow] Now, returning to the problem of submitting an unpolished poem...
[Expect Hilda crashing through that door at, like, 11 in the morning, yawning and asking if he's heard of this mysterious dish called ~french toast~? A game changer. But yes, fine, back to this—which means that Hilda is taking a sip of her champagne. Tipping the glass just so, all to ensure that the strawberry doesn't bump against her nose... that's art, baybee...]
[11 in the morning is late brunch, Hilda, please wake up earlier. That's just lunch. But yes yes, Lorenz will take her to late brunch and eat a single corner of french toast.]
Yes! It's a travesty! Now this entire hall has seen my most mediocre of works.
[He gestures meaningfully with his glass, for emphasis. The whole! Room! His reputation is in tatters!!!]
[This is a game and Hilda is having a blast, yadda yadda yadda, but she says his name so fondly? Gives him an equally fond look? He is how he is, and she loves him for it. A great friend, 10/10, would fight beside—and gas up at every available opportunity, so:]
I think you're being way too hard on yourself. People are going for you, aren't they? [Yes, they are, which is why she tilts her glass in the auctioneer's direction.] That's because they like your poem. It's a good poem!
[Oh— You know, these many strangers could just be compelled by his obviously gorgeous face? But that's a given, so it's a nice thought that maybe his garbage poem is also good. Hilda is a Good Friend.]
Hmm. That could be. [He's not going to, like, say it, but he'll quietly forgive her poem stunt... Don't @ him.] It could have been better. That's all I need say on the matter.
[You know, for like, the fourth time.]
You didn't join in? These guests would be lucky to spend time with you.
[Lorenz's Good Looks™ are obvious! And the poem is charming. But oh, well... hmm... allow her to take another sip of her drink.]
That's sweet of you to say, but no. I think I'd rather pick the person I spend time with.
[Because this world is wild and wacky—and because something, something, the people she chooses will be both grateful for and blessed by her bid? Win/win! Anyway, Lorenz, don't think about this too hard. Don't read into this. Just accept this dramatic sigh before she adds:]
And if my brother ever shows up, I do not want to deal with the questions.
[Her unwillingness is proof of her pranking ways, he knows it... Like, that's a good point, no one they've ever met is allowed to know about this if they turn up one day, do not betray him terribly thank you in advance, but hmm!!
Hmmmm!!!]
And he will have many regardless, I'm sure.
[Neon furry city... But alright! Instead of that, it's time for the hot goss. Tell him whomst among them meets the Standards.]
[That remark earns Lorenz the quickest of sharp Looks, because the soon-to-be Soap Opera Squad™! Does not reveal! Any secrets!! If Holst shows up, Holst can keep on believing that Hilda is as sweet and as innocent as he currently does, but—ah, well. A bridge that will hopefully never be crossed.
So... yes! Gossip. Lorenz putting her on the spot, which she doesn't seem to mind.]
Oh, I don't know. Someone interesting? [A sigh.] No one has really caught my eye.
[Give her two (2) more glasses of champagne and she's bidding on Gintoki just to pet his ears? And then convincing him to donate some serious Chroma for the privilege. Schemin'. She will relay this tale next wine night, but for now, allow her to casually flip this right back around.]
What about you? Is there someone you're hoping will place a bid?
[Besides herself. Naturally. She is WATCHING.]
Edited (how did i forget a whole word) 2020-04-12 01:21 (UTC)
[Make this pact over a fresh glass of boxed wine in the sanctity of his apartment living room and then he will keep any secret she wants! There are procedures, Miss Goneril. Holst will undoubtedly have his own section in the Soap Opera Squad Secrecy Charter, just in case.
He communicates this much with a raised eyebrow while he sips his drink, because of course he does. And then making a face, because hmm, just look at the bids he has... eugh.]
Is there any direction to go but up from here? Your generous favor excluded. But no, I have no specifics.
[It's an avoidance game right now... And also the natural consequence of spending most of his time here with all these tiny, bossy women? Maybe so.]
[The Holst Clause: Lorenz will speak highly of Hilda, and Hilda will speak highly of Lorenz, The End. But Lorenz's current bids are... interesting, Hilda thinks. Very interesting. She refrains from reaching out to pat him on the arm, but know that she does it in spirit.]
And that means that you have more options.
[Okay, so no arm pat... but what about a friendly arm bump? Pals.]
When you do find someone interesting, you have to tell me right away, okay? I know that you have excellent taste, so... I want to see it for myself!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
here's your mandatory auction thread now bc time is fake
Hilda's support is appreciated, maybe, but also maybe not really because—]
If I recall... That particular poem was disposed of for being of too low a quality to ever see the light of day! And yet, there it is! How interesting.
[That is just one of his many objections!!]
i haven't even picked her outfit yet... quelle horreur
Very interesting, [she agrees, tilting her glass this way and that was just to watch that strawberry bob about the bubbly.] Maybe you turned it in on your own? We both had a lot to drink that night... my memories are a liiiittle hazy.
[Oh, boxed wine! How they love thee.]
Or maybe someone realized that your poem was very good and turned it in for you? How nice of them.
[This is probably when Sylvain steps up to bid? Hilda is going to choke right here, right now.]
neither have i...... i don't know how to find ye olde outfits in all purple. help me
Oh, do you think so? [but he's still fool enough to fall for a compliment—] I'm sure that person is a better judge than me, the poet himself...
[Hildaaaa... ah, but this banter is immediately over the second he spots Sylvain. Were he an impolite man, he would shatter his wine glass instantly.]
Hilda. You must place a bid. As soon as possible, please.
time to venture onto ye olde pinterest
...But there's thinking it, and there's saying it! Hence the doe-eyed look she gives him as she continues fighting the urge to laugh.]
Oh, Lorenz, I would... but I don't know if I can afford you? Look how popular you are!
[Woe is Hilda!!]
technically we have like 5 days
You do not need to win, you need only take a momentary lead. I will forgive your indiscretions— [ie taking his reject poem and doing this cruel thing to him] if you will do for me this one simple favor. For a dear friend!
[This is as close to begging as he can physically get, gurl. Don't leave him hanging.]
which means i will agonize over fits for four of em
You are a dear friend, but everything is so expensive here! You do not want to know how much this dress cost. I didn't think I'd have enough Chroma left over for food...
[Forgiveness is cheap! Sweeten the deal, sir! Somewhere, you just know Sylvain is winking.]
i mean, respect the drip, so yeah
Do you think I would let you leave empty-handed for such an act of loyalty? I will honor my unwitting charitable promise and buy you dinner! [...] More than once, if you like.
[He would anyway, but let him pretend he still has pride.]
time to have 984334 tabs open... pink dresses in all of em
Really? How generous of you! [Swoon.] You're always so noble, Lorenz...
[And with that, she raises up on her tip-toes (do not @ her) and waves her free hand in the air, only settling back down when the auctioneer acknowledges her bid of... something-or-other. More than the last person's bid! That's what matters!]
There! You inspired me.
[Or: there is no better motivation than free stuff.]
are you saying your browser isn't always like that
But ah, he is visibly relieved. At last, he can relax.]
Yes, yes— I trust you will remind me of my promise whenever you see fit. [so, tomorrow] Now, returning to the problem of submitting an unpolished poem...
["enough about me, now back to me"]
wow??? only 80% of the time
Is it a problem?
[Seems to be working out just fine, Lorenz!]
damn don't blast yourself so hard
Yes! It's a travesty! Now this entire hall has seen my most mediocre of works.
[He gestures meaningfully with his glass, for emphasis. The whole! Room! His reputation is in tatters!!!]
i embrace my brand!!
[This is a game and Hilda is having a blast, yadda yadda yadda, but she says his name so fondly? Gives him an equally fond look? He is how he is, and she loves him for it. A great friend, 10/10, would fight beside—and gas up at every available opportunity, so:]
I think you're being way too hard on yourself. People are going for you, aren't they? [Yes, they are, which is why she tilts her glass in the auctioneer's direction.] That's because they like your poem. It's a good poem!
don't we all
Hmm. That could be. [He's not going to, like, say it, but he'll quietly forgive her poem stunt... Don't @ him.] It could have been better. That's all I need say on the matter.
[You know, for like, the fourth time.]
You didn't join in? These guests would be lucky to spend time with you.
no subject
That's sweet of you to say, but no. I think I'd rather pick the person I spend time with.
[Because this world is wild and wacky—and because something, something, the people she chooses will be both grateful for and blessed by her bid? Win/win! Anyway, Lorenz, don't think about this too hard. Don't read into this. Just accept this dramatic sigh before she adds:]
And if my brother ever shows up, I do not want to deal with the questions.
no subject
Hmmmm!!!]
And he will have many regardless, I'm sure.
[Neon furry city... But alright! Instead of that, it's time for the hot goss. Tell him whomst among them meets the Standards.]
Who are you picking?
no subject
So... yes! Gossip. Lorenz putting her on the spot, which she doesn't seem to mind.]
Oh, I don't know. Someone interesting? [A sigh.] No one has really caught my eye.
[Give her two (2) more glasses of champagne and she's bidding on Gintoki just to pet his ears? And then convincing him to donate some serious Chroma for the privilege. Schemin'. She will relay this tale next wine night, but for now, allow her to casually flip this right back around.]
What about you? Is there someone you're hoping will place a bid?
[Besides herself. Naturally. She is WATCHING.]
no subject
He communicates this much with a raised eyebrow while he sips his drink, because of course he does. And then making a face, because hmm, just look at the bids he has... eugh.]
Is there any direction to go but up from here? Your generous favor excluded. But no, I have no specifics.
[It's an avoidance game right now... And also the natural consequence of spending most of his time here with all these tiny, bossy women? Maybe so.]
no subject
And that means that you have more options.
[Okay, so no arm pat... but what about a friendly arm bump? Pals.]
When you do find someone interesting, you have to tell me right away, okay? I know that you have excellent taste, so... I want to see it for myself!
[She wants to Judge. She must Judge.]
no subject
He hums into his wine skeptically though, because he can hear the Judging, if only because—]
You sound like my mother. We shall see what kind of people this city really has to offer. Right now, in any case... well, it is what it is.
[womp womp.........]