un: sieglindesullivan / video

[grunehexe]

[If you've ever seen an illegal cam recording from the back row of a theater, you are familiar with the style of this broadcast.

Observe, (as best you can), the players upon the stage. The stage being the cave in which many of them have taken shelter from the storm outside, specifically a large, flat rock, at which two fine male specimens you may recognize as Achilles, son of Peleus, and a certain McCree, locked in the midst of a fierce... arm wrestling battle.

Bare arm muscles flexing, beads of sweat dripping, jaws gritting, knuckles white and shaking, eyes narrowed in concentration and competition, testosterone veritably sparking in the air... as two very fit grown men have it out in a no holds barred thirst-fanning battle of the bulges. Arm muscle bulges.

You might catch glimpse of the lovely referee, (blond, very appropriately serious about judging this contest, thanks, Riza), and hear snatches of people rooting for a particular candidate, (the broadcaster herself seems to favor Achilles, if "steel yourself for victory, Achilles!" is any indication), but mostly this is about enjoying a good man on man test of strength.

Until, that is, a voice can be heard.]

- Are you recording that?

[The video sadly? and promptly goes black as the magitek jewelry is clutched to a bosom in scandalous retort.]

Is it not a sight worth sharing? For posterity, you see-

[And apparently she thought it best to post... for posterty. What? Any lady or inclined fella unfortunate enough to not see it go down surely wouldn't want to miss the show... ?]

Comments

[winces]

[ she squints her eyes at him, leaning in. ]

So you don't like him...?

[whatshimadayou]

I-- did not say that either!

Stop making this about Jesse and me.

[winces]

[ too late, it already is!

though, to be fair, at this point olivia had really begun to take interest in this, and not just for the sake of a scapegoat. ]

Oh my gosh, so you do! Does he know?!

[whatshimadayou]

[He takes it back. If there was a cave in now, that would be perfect. Hanzo sighs and rubs his forehead.]

Yes. He knows. Jesse is-- we are--

[He knows the terminology, but it feels difficult to say. So he looks away and huffs softly.]

We are trying.

[winces]

Ohmygosh.

[ she takes an unconscious step forward, her eyes suddenly as glossy as her cheeks are pink. ]

Mr. Hanzo... I'm so — so happy for you both.

[ your children will be so hairy ;3; ]

[whatshimadayou]

[Well, this is immensely embarrassing. Hanzo looks away, closing his eyes, shutting out the embarrassment. Maybe.]

It is not as if we have sworn anything to each other. Just.

That I am fond of him. And I want to try.

[winces]

[ with his eyes closed, he will feel a small hand come upon his arm. it is a gentle touch, and should he feel prompted to look, he will see that she has calmed significantly. though the smile on her face is still watery, she only looks incredibly happy for him. ]

That's beautiful.

[whatshimadayou]

[The contact surprises him, and he opens his eyes to look at Olivia. The warm expression she wears now is startling, and he almost can't meet her gaze. Subjects as delicate as the heart is difficult to speak of, but she welcomes it readily.

Hanzo doesn't brush away her arm, but he is a little flustered.]

It is... simply the truth.

He is a good man. Better than I.

[winces]

Better than you, Mr. Hanzo? That must make him a great man.

[ hehe. she may be teasing him a bit now... ]

[whatshimadayou]

[Gently, he brushes her hand off now, and he frowns a little.]

It would be unfair to compare him to someone like me.

But I recognize your words. They are appreciated.

[winces]

[ the hand he brushes away settles for a new home against her cheek, head tipping so she can rest upon it. ]

Can I tell you a secret, Mr. Hanzo?

[ there is a small smile on her lips now, a bit muted, perhaps even somber.

her gaze shifts back towards the dueling men, settling specifically on the one she had been so passionately rooting for. the man so far beyond her reach. ]

I think I know how you feel.

[whatshimadayou]

[His eyes trail up to the pair foolishly dueling, entertaining the crowd. He turns back to look at Olivia.]

Is that so?

[winces]

[ she nods slowly, smile a little sad. ]

We'll just have to try our best to deserve them, hm?

[whatshimadayou]

[Maybe she does understand, to a degree. For a moment, Hanzo gazes at her carefully, the way she wears her smile. Faint, sad. Empathetic.

It would be impossible for her to understand why he feels as he does. But the fact that she has some issues with her own self-worth...

Hesitantly, he touches her wrist.]

I will never be worthy.

But I will try, regardless.

[winces]

[ she wants to argue, but it is mostly out of reflex. she knows she does not know too much about hanzo, but she thinks (she fears) he may be similar to another man she knows... someone who goes out of his way to help others, but only quietly so. as if it were a mission. as if it were his life's purpose.

as if he were atoning for something.

pursing her lips, she reaches for his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. she doesn't bother to release it just yet. ]

That's already more than enough, I think.