[Anti-OTP - Hero/Hamlet]

[fair_hero]

*singing, shyly and halting, to herself--from here, in the loose shift and with her hair down, she might remind one of Ophelia in her madness*

Comments

[thanitohercules]

*but Hamlet, you'll remember, never saw Ophelia in her madness, and this Hamlet least of all-- as it is, though, she's a very pretty young girl, and may bear resemblance to another pretty young girl he knows, one who he's recently had mind to court*

*and so he bows, some distance off, and calls out, jovial* What, ho, pretty lady!

[fair_hero]

*she startles, rather like a fawn, and turns* O--sir.

[thanitohercules]

*but stops at that and bows, something of an apology in the formality of the moment* Forgive me, lady.

[fair_hero]

*curtsies quickly, prettily, with a slight blush* O, no, I pray you, forgive me.

[thanitohercules]

Why, to be by some unknown invader startled is thy mere offense. *holds out his hands, as if to say 'look, I'm unarmed'* And now, to ask is proper: may I advance?

[fair_hero]

*softly* You are very kind. *holds out one hand, shyly, not sure why she's offering it* You need not ask.

[thanitohercules]

I do. *moves forward and takes her hand very lightly, just firmly enough to lift it to his lips* I meant no intrusion unto you.

[fair_hero]

*her cheeks pink a little more at the touch* O, you did not. I--I do not know what I meant, to be in such disarray. *she puts a hand to the loose skirts of the white dress, anxiously*

[thanitohercules]

You are well; you are the very picture of such wellness, lady. Fear not.

[fair_hero]

You--you are very kind, sir, *repeating herself; but she shakes her head a little, trying to be sensible and polite* I thank you. I--I thank you.

[thanitohercules]

*smiles-- and there's no trace of melancholy in it, no trace of madness or anything frightening* What sang you when came I upon you?

[fair_hero]

O--please you, something old my mother did sing me.

[thanitohercules]

It did remind me of-- *shakes his head* 'Tis naught. Your voice is fair.

[fair_hero]

Thank you. *she looks down; and then she looks up* Would--would please you an I sang again?

[thanitohercules]

*smiles again, for what young man who not smile when presented with a beautiful girl who offers to sing for him* Beyond pleasure.

[fair_hero]

*with permission, then, she goes back to her song, holding her skirts as if she were about to dance--but of course she can't, and furthermore she hasn't a partner*