for he is welsh you know

[never_promised]

"By God," Henry the Fifth of England muttered to no one in particular a little while ago, "if Wales should carry the day, I'll take me through the hall clad in naught but her banner."

So blame it on a post-life crisis, blame it on football, blame it on alcohol, blame it on Bar producing a sizeable flag at the moment the full-time whistle blew. Blame it on Henry choosing to be a man of his word. But here's a tall man draped in green, white, and red, running through the barroom with a whoop and a holler.

He's hoping to make it to a door before anyone stops him.

Comments

[livinginmyglass]

uuuuhhhhh

"--whither go you in such haste, your majesty?" Yup just chill and normal starting a normal conversation.

[never_promised]

Ah--

--heh.

Hm.

He slows immediately to a stroll. "Why--nowhere in particular, Cesario. Nowhere in particular."

[livinginmyglass]

"And in such sumptuous array! Why, 'tis for some grand feast you are bound, sure."

[never_promised]

He adjusts the drape of the flag to show the dragon to better effect. For the record, he is decently covered...by the standards of a society that doesn't worry too much about these things.

Anyway, Viola's seen him swimming. "'Tis a token of triumph. For look you, my team hath won."

[livinginmyglass]

"Has some sport been held?" she asks with a laugh. "I knew not of it!"

[never_promised]

"What, livest thou under some great rock? Art blind and deaf? Dost not know that all minds, all hearts, are turned to France--the France of some world--where the countries of Europe meet in wrenching combat, each with no thought but glory--?"

No? Not buying it? He laughs and breaks off. "The football, Cesario, the football. Wales has beaten Flanders. Belgium."

[livinginmyglass]

Viola laughs. "What, this sport played by village boys? Wales and Flanders? What hath it to do with thee?"

[vive_lavenir]

"I heard England lost," says Jehan Prouvaire dreamily, from a chair by the fire.

He's not rubbing it in, just curious--though this may or may not be obvious. He recognizes Henry V of England, although Hal was much younger during their last encounter, and he wonders why the man is so happy. He knows it has something to do with football; not being Feuilly, he doesn't know the Welsh flag.

[never_promised]

If Feuilly knew of Prouvaire's ignorance in this department, he would hurry to correct it, simply because Prouvaire would probably enjoy the Welsh red dragon. But said dragon is a bit difficult to make out at the moment, being tucked and draped as it is around Harry Monmouth: he's given up on speed to carry him through the adventure and is relying on grace. (He is, after all, the maker of manners.)

"She did, 'tis true: a moment of prayer for her." Pause. "Yet Wales hath carried this day, and this day I am Welsh!"

[vive_lavenir]

"...oh, yes, the Prince of Wales," says Jehan, with a twist of his mouth.

But--"I commend your style." He's noticed the dragon now. "Who did Wales defeat?"

[never_promised]

Damn right the Prince of Wales. And Harry's an old pro at putting down rebellion in Wales; he'll call himself Welsh as much as he likes, having won that war.

"Belgium," he answers promptly. "Three points to one, and the Welshmen wept from joy, every man of them; not a dry eye to be seen. Though some may say that was the rain."

[vive_lavenir]

If Harry had said that out loud, he might have found he and Jehan have a fundamental disagreement over whether suppressing people's rebellions makes you part of their country.

"Well, then--congratulations. I haven't been watching, I confess," says Jehan. "I hear the news from those who do--but I find it so hard to sit and watch a game. It makes me want to jump up and play myself, though I don't even know how."

[never_promised]

Jehan Prouvaire and Harry Monmouth having fundamental disagreements? Surely not.

"Do you not? Would you learn?" It's asked with cheerful invitation, as if he isn't standing around nearly naked, talking to an ardent French republican.

[balancingminds]

Charles had been enjoying a Scotch when Henry passes by and Charles applauds from his chair as he glances up and down him, "Let me stand you a drink for your patriotism!"

[never_promised]

"An offer I could never refuse!"

He's abandoned the attempt to get through the room quickly; now he's just trying to own his state of semi-undress with casual grace. Just a man in a flag. Ain't no thing.

[balancingminds]

A handsome and confident man, Charles will help him be as comfortable as possible, "Good then tell me what drink you want."

[never_promised]

"Is that the Scottish aquavitae you're drinking, sir? I'll join you in a glass, if I may."

[balancingminds]

"It is, my favorite one," He gestures to a rat to order one.

[never_promised]

"I thank you." Hmm, how to sit down without causing scandal and embarrassment and risking arrest a second time within two weeks? He manages a very nearly dignified, and definitely languorous, slouch onto a barstool. "Are you a Welshman yourself?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Is that something you do when your team wins?"

Ragnar grins at the naked man dressed in a flag.

"I totally failed to do it on Monday."

It might have been Teja's fault; Teja is far too serious to do anything even remotely that silly. Ragnar hopes it's not bad luck, though.

[never_promised]

"'Tis the only way," he answers mildly. "If you mark not every victory so, you dishonor the side."

Harry remembers a conversation with this fellow--sort of; a muddled and drunken argument about kings, in which he'd misunderstood something. Eh, well, that was years ago. "And which is your team?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Ice-land," Ragnar says. "They are descendants of ours, and one of them even has my name. The ousted England on Monday."

Whoops.

[never_promised]

"Then you are my mortal enemy, and we must fight!" No, but he's laughing. "They did, they did indeed, and 'twas handsomely done. I was none too well pleased with England's leadership. But as I have Wales to fall back upon, I am now all good cheer; shall I stand you a drink to honor your Icelanders?"

[bigarmy_strangepants]

"Gladly!" Ragnar says. "After all, Iceland won't run into Wales, unless it's in the finals, and that will hardly happen, I'm told."

[never_promised]

"Have faith, man! You would declare defeat before the battle! For my part, I am sure of it: Wales and Iceland for the final match."