You'd think that people would have had enough of silly love songs (OPEN)

[plasticbow]

WHO: Hearthstone + YOU!!!
WHERE:Various/General
WHEN:Throughout February
WHAT:Hearth catch-all - open and closed prompts.
WARNINGS:None yet!

Wild thing, you make my Hearth sing.

[It's been about a month since Hearth's arrived and, aside from that one weekend where everyone got turned into fucking plants, he's spent most of that month wandering around, trying to get to know this new version of America that he's been dropped into. In some ways, this universe has been even crazier than the one he came from (not easy to do) - in other ways, though, it's just plain old capitalist America.

[That's where he finds himself now, drifting through a would-be Wal-Mart, deep in the throes of the impending holiday - nasty chalk heart candy and stuffed teddy bears everywhere - and eventually in front of a display of dancing, light-up cavemen that blare a Valentine's Day-themed version of "Wild Thing" at an embarrassingly loud volume when a button on their club is pressed.

[Being deaf, of course, Hearth has positively no idea what song these cavemen might be playing, but he does know that it's likely loud and highly obnoxious, so...

[Why not set them all off at once?

[As a hellish chorus of dissonant "WILD THANG"s fill the air around him, Hearth stands unaffected, enjoying the light show, his scarf conveniently hiding any hint of a mischievous smile that might or might not be showing through.

[If an elf can't have a little bit of fun around Valentine's Day, then when can he, eh? Enjoy the concert, passerby.]

Shot through the Hearth, and you're to blame.

[Once the whole caveman thing gets boring, Hearth finds himself in the toy aisle, which has also been more or less transformed by the upcoming (or recently passed) holiday. As he makes his way through the aisle, passing shelf upon shelf of heart-shaped fidget spinners and less-than-conservative Barbie dolls, he eventually comes across a little plastic cupid's bow stocked with heart-tipped arrows.

[He snorts a little - and does it sound...bitter? Maybe just a little. But that moment passes quickly enough and he picks up the bow, considers for a moment what he's about to do, and then sets off to do it.

[You, unfortunate passerby, will have the privilege of becoming one of his targets. Out of nowhere, you might feel an arrow strike you in the arm, the butt - wherever he can hit you, really. Hearth himself is a little hard to find, crouched behind a teddy bear that's almost as tall as he is.

[Must be Cupid or something!]

Although my Hearth is falling too...

[It's mid-afternoon, a relatively warm day given the season. Hearth has been strolling about a nearby park, looking a bit aimless as he wanders, hands stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket, eyes far away looking and expression as somber as ever. He's had a lot on his mind lately, especially given the time of year it is. His stride looks confident enough, though - he knows not to let any kind of vulnerability show, especially when you're out in the city.

[That doesn't stop him from tripping over his own shadow and face-planting in the grass, though. And, after he does, he just sort of...sighs and doesn't get up.

[It just kinda be that way sometimes, you know?]

Wildcard

((Ooc: Hit me!))

Comments

He gonna get it now

[k31rfree]

[K31 had yet to make up her mind about the concept of Wal-Mart. The size and structure of the building itself was a bit of a reminder of a home. High ceilings and buzzing lights above her. It was like standing in an underground bunker, but full of items for seemingly any venture you were set on executing.

While she thought to spend her days mindlessly roaming the store, she is drawn quickly to the aisles decorated in a mess of pink and red. Cards and decorations lining the shelves of the impending holiday.

She jolts as she us struck at the middle of her back, causing her to spin at her heel in the direction it might have come. While normally this would not have surprised her as much, a recent scuffle with an entire store of rogue toys had been enough to set her on edge. And when her eyes drop to the floor to find a gaudy pink arrow at her feet, this only affirms her dread. Not this again.]

Come out then. [She demands, now holding the arrow in her hand. Not in the mood to play games.] Before I come and find you.

(It would help if her target now could hear her warning.)

[plasticbow]

[He can't, so instead of coming out, he fires another arrow (with surprising accuracy given that he is using a plastic children's toy), this one aimed for her chest. A killing blow.]

[k31rfree]

[This time, she's ready for it, catching the arrow in her hand as it glides the air toward her. Fortunately for her (or for Hearth. Whoever's side you're on.) a toy arrow is a fairly easy target.]

Alright. [A huff of frustration in her voice as she snaps the little arrow in half in her hand. Seeing now where exactly the threat is producing itself. Clearly it wont come quietly.

K31 makes her way toward the stuffed bear, knocking it to the side with a hard swing of her foot. Can't be too cautious.]

le faceplant in muddy maurtia falls

[fauxmarth]

[she had been just about to flag him down and greet him when...down he went. the sight of her new friend dropping so suddenly is frightening -- she's known war too much to trust a simple trip.

with a gasp, Lucina rushes from the walking path, diving and sliding on her knees through the melted winter slush to his side, her hands hovering in fear of breaking him or doing harm.]

Hearth? Hearth!

[the deafness part doesn't really click back into place right away, but all the same, she grips his shoulder and gives him a worried little shake.]

Hearth...Are you ill?! What's wrong?

[plasticbow]

[The deafness part is sort of significant in that when Lucina grabs him, Hearth is entirely unprepared and ends up whipping around and punching her in the nose on reflex.

[Whoops.

[His eyes pop open a wide a minute later and he's frantically sitting up and scooting away, shaking his hands at her like - no, no, that's not what I meant to do, oh fuck, oh gods, oh fuck.

[Then it's the sign for sorry, over and over and over again. Shiiiiiiiit.]

[fauxmarth]

Are you--Ooph-!

[she recoils, landing on her butt, hands to her face, completely startled. that's the last thing she expected to happen! it was just a little bop, but it was scary all the same.]

Goo-goodness, I...! [she pats her nose down, safe and unbloodied, and exchanges the distressed, apologetic expression Hearth's wearing.] N-no, please! It's fine, I...I startled you, didn't I? Forgive me. I just thought you were...you were hurt! Or ill...

[halloflamer]

[It's approaching mid-February already when Blue texts Hearth to meet up for another ASL lesson. Given the timing of their last conversation, he's notably more like his usual (annoying) chipper self when he swings through the café door and greets Hearth from across the room with his usual salute.]

Bonjour! [He calls, signing his hello with a flourish as he plops down heavily in one of the armchairs across from the elf, dropping his pack beside him.] Gonna grab something. You? [He signs for a 'drink' and 'pay'. Getting better at this already.]

[plasticbow]

[Turns out that that "bonjour" is just as annoying without sound as Hearth assumes it is when someone can hear it. But, he waves back, correctly Blue's salute with the proper (albeit salute-like) sign for "hello" instead.

[Then, he shakes his head, lifting up a mug of tea that he's already purchased. He makes the sign for it just to review.]

Tea. No thanks.

[halloflamer]

[Same difference, Hearth?? Blue doesn't even notice as he shrugs and gives an 'OK' sign before he hops up again to get in line. He returns after a few minutes with his coffee and a tasty-looking muffin, and starts pulling the wrapper away as he opens his mouth again.]

Always just tea? This place actually has some pretty good snacks. Well, whatever you want, I guess! [He pops a chunk of muffin into his mouth. Good luck with the lip reading. At least he has enough wherewithal to sign instead;] What, today? [What's the plan, Stan]

although my hearth is falling too....

[athnvas]

[ annabeth was definitely on her way back from work. it's gotten to the point that now her manager has to tell her to leave at the end of her shift, or else she'd never leave. it's forced her to go wandering through the town more often, and sometimes she ends up in the park, taking a shortcut through to where the grocery store she liked to stop at was located.

except this time, she sees a figure totally wipe out in the corner of her eyes, and when jerks over to try and help them, finds...hearth. just. face first in the grass. she waits for a moment to see if he's going to get back up, and when he doesn't... ]

Uh... [ and then, realizing her mistake, she walks over and squats down next to him, tapping on his shoulder. ]

[plasticbow]

[Hearth startles at the sudden touch (but luckily doesn't punch Annabeth in the face or anything) - though, what was he really expecting, lying there with all of his senses muted like that? Still, when he whips around to face her, there's a little glare on his face as he signs something she probably hasn't learned yet.] What the fuck?

[athnvas]

[ annabeth has specifically moved to stand somewhere where she wouldn't get punched, or it would be very difficult to punch her, if that had been hearth's first inclination (mostly because she knows that would be her's.

at the glare, one brow lifts at him - making it very obvious he's the one who should be glared at, and that she is completely innocent here. ]

Having fun eating grass?

why did you want this

[hellrisen02]

[After a few minutes of Hearth being face-down in the grass, there's a gentle nudging into his shoulder. Too bad Duo doesn't realize this guy can't hear him when he speaks.]

...Hey, friend. Hey. You okay? You need me to call a doctor? I can pay if you need it.

[Is he assuming Hearth is just a homeless guy in need? Maybe. (Is he wrong, though?)]

old shady priests are my kink

[plasticbow]

[He's less wrong than he could be, really. Hearth definitely can't hear him, though. But the tap on the shoulder is at least gentle enough that he doesn't panic and start swinging. Instead, he just lets out a sigh against the grass and pushes himself up to face whoever's decided to check up on him this time--

[Oh great, it's a priest. He frowns, signs.] I'm fine. [Because he assumes this guy is trying to offer him food or a place to sleep or something, which is nice and all, but from what he remembers of actually being a homeless person, a lot of these guys ended up more pushy than anything else.]

drops immediately also I'm reusing this joke here, dwi

[hellrisen02]

[Well excuuuuuuse me, princess-- wait, wrong elf. Hearth's assumption is certainly not uncalled for, and Duo is honestly used to that sort of reaction as well, so he eases off with his hands raised defenselessly as he backs away, once the man begins to rise.]

[Ah, deaf, huh? Duo gives an apologetic expression.] Don't sign, sorry. [But that 'message' that made it into his mind... telepathy? An imPort. Something in his expression adjusts, like physically adjusting the bullshit meter about 50 percent downward, and while the sympathy in his face remains genuine, it's now sharper, more aware.] ...You wanna talk about it? [Whatever 'it' is. He's assuming.]

Wild thing

[ghoulking]

[ Kaneki does eat, but he often walks around wal-mart type of stores to buy some food he might need for his coffee shop, but also to buy some trinkets he might think it fit the looks of the same.

He tries not to pay too much attention to the valentine's day isle because he is a grown man who doesn't get excited about such a things (lies) and his companion also doesn't (well, that's true) but then there is loud obnoxious music and he finds a certain elf pressing all the stuffed teddy bears he passes by so they'll start singing.

The ghoul just stares at the scene and then at hearth and stays still with the shopping cart in his hands, waiting to be noticed.

What are you doing ]

[plasticbow]

[Unfortunately for Kaneki, it takes Hearth a pretty long time to notice him, which means that the longer he stands there staring, the longer these cavemen are going to continue their concert, and the longer he's going to have to endure it. Eventually though, he does take a cautious glance around to make sure that no one's seen him and--

[Oh, Frigg. He freezes, finger hovering just above one of the cavemen's buttons, making direct eye contact with Kaneki. And then he slowly presses it in.]

[ghoulking]

[ it will make it a lot more awkward for Hearth.

Kaneki just stares back at him. and then slowly reaches for the closest caveman and... presses the "turn off" button. ]

.......... don't.

Although my Hearth is falling too...

[battysitter]

[ Steve is at the park too, surprise surprise. He just left his job when a group of girls came to ask him for autographs and because he secretly (ok, it's not really a secret) finds that super cool. He has a coke in his hand, signing a fanbook with the other, and then hears someone falling down.

The girls giggle at the scene, and Steve kind of gives a jerkish smile, before he feels bad and decides to approach. Okay, poor guy.

He stands in front of Hearth, moving to offer him a hand to get up ]

havin' it rough?

[plasticbow]

[Hearth doesn't notice because his face is buried in the grass and he can't hear a word Steve is saying. So, in response, he'll just continue to awkwardly lie there, probably in a fashion which makes it look like he's ignoring Steve altogether. Which he kind of is because he could feel the vibrations of someone stepping a little closer to him. Maybe if he just plays dead they'll go away.]

[battysitter]

[ wellp, some guys are just gonna be like that. Steve takes a sip of his coke, dropping his hand, still staring that the other ]

You know the longer you stay there, more pathetic it is. [ his free hand reaches for Hearth's shoulder to tap it ] Dude, c'mon, that's just sad.

FACE PLANT

[pummelgranite]

[ Falling face first into plants is a relatable feel. Once she is sure of who, exactly, this body belongs to, she's casually plopping herself down next to him. She feels no need to get his attention, really, just pulls her hoodie over her head and keeps listening to her music. ]

[plasticbow]

[Hearth does notice someone thumping down next to him, but when he turns and sees who it is, he basically just shrugs and goes back to trying to smother himself in the grass. He lies there like that for a long time, kind of grateful for the company and for the fact that Persephone isn't obnoxiously trying to ask if he's okay or anything. After a while, though, it comes time to push himself up from the ground with a sigh. At that point, he just sort of nudges her with his foot, trying to see if maybe she's ready to do the same. If she's not, he's sure she'll just stay there and ignore him.]

February 14th; locked to Archie

[plasticbow]

[It isn't often that Hearth drinks, really. Therefore, it isn't often that he finds himself in a seedy bar in downtown anywhere, and yet, here he is. He's been wandering around most of the day, looking to just about anything but sit at home and wallow in his room - not that he's opposed to wallowing or anything, but he doesn't want Magnus or anyone else stopping by and asking him how he is. Besides, they wouldn't know that Valentine's Day would get to him. He didn't even know that Valentine's Day would get to him. But it's getting to him - or maybe just the fact that he's been here over a month now with no sign of his best friend that's getting to him.

[More than his best friend. Whatever the title, Hearthstone had always needed Blitzen. But Blitzen isn't here. And Hearth is beginning to wonder if he'll ever show up. They'd never gone this long without talking - not in years. Not even for a day.

[It's been wearing on his mind heavy ever since he got here, and with the onslaught of happy couples, bitter loners, and aggressive single women insisting that they don't need anyone but their gal pals, Hearth is absolutely Not Dealing With Valentine's Day right now.

[Luckily, neither is this bar. It's quiet, relatively well-lit (well, he can at least see his own hands), and it has a pinball machine. So, that's where he is, stuffed over in the corner with his hands flying around wildly at the machine's side, racking up scores that the machine doesn't even know how to process and slowly drawing a crowd that he doesn't notice. This might partially be because the machine is making all sorts of obnoxious sounds like DING DING DING. HIGH SCORE. HIGH SCORE. YOU'RE ON FIRE. DING DING DING. Etc., etc.. He doesn't even notice them. He just keeps playing, occasionally lifting one hand away to take a sip of a lukewarm beer that he doesn't even like. But it was free since apparently being a pinball wizard (that one never gets old) is worthy of such a thing. Or maybe some drunk passerby had just set it down on the machine when he wasn't paying attention. He's not really sure.]

hoo hoo

[h2no]

[archie is sitting nearby, unbeknownst to both of them, with his head in his hands and far too many empty shot glasses in front of him. seedy bars are some of the only places he can get to where no-one will recognise him for what he did, or if they do, they simply don't care. it's nice. it enables his bad habit, so he won't complain.

he comes very close to snapping at hearth, telling him to stop because it's annoying, when he recognises the elf and clams up immediately, anxiety rising in his chest. wondering if he should just straight up leave before he's noticed.

...unfortunately, he can't leave well enough alone at the best of times, less so when he's drunk.]

Uh, [he starts off intelligently, looking over. cautiously, he gets up and taps hearth's shoulder.]