There’s something about Hans’s show-don’t-tell attitude that always gets me. His feelings are never in your face, until they are. This is an educated man; a man who writes love letters and poetry, a man used to over the top courting rituals. Yet, with Henry, it’s almost never about the things he says, but the things he doesn’t.
Hans, the skilled, highly competitive marksman, lets Henry win their silly competition during their first hunting trip. It doesn’t matter if Henry only managed to get a single hare; Hans does not mock him, but reward him for winning. Henry hasn’t even saved him from the Cumans at this point.
He asks Henry to enroll in the Rattay tourney for him, knowing full well he will receive a reward if he wins (which he does). It doesn’t matter, though, here are some golden spurs either way. (I see you’ve lost everything; here’s something you’ve earned with your own blood and sweat).
Hanush is about to scold them for the ruckus they caused in the bathhouse? Wear these clothes, Henry, so you don’t embarrass me. (Here’s something fit for a nobleman).
Oh, you’re tired of riding, Henry? How will you travel with me to the Holy Lands? I’ll make sure there’s a forge for you inside my castle, Henry. I will put estates in your name. (I don’t want you leaving my side. I will build a space for you inside my own if I must).
Henry, on the other hand, is a man of words. Henry puts his thoughts and feelings into them (“Irresistible Sir Hans. How could I refuse you? Anything for you, my lord. I care about you, more than you know”). Henry can wiggle himself out of any situation with words alone. And yet, there’s this mismatch, this gap between them that Henry tries to close so many times during the second game and simply doesn’t know how. With Hans, sometimes, words don’t seem to be enough. And you can tell this hurts him.
So what does Hans do? He keeps showing. Here’s a bow I stole from Jobst, Henry. Let’s go hunting again, Henry. It doesn’t matter that I’m meant to be a bellator - I will dig these graves so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting anymore, Henry.
And when this doesn’t work anymore? When Hans has tried to show Henry in the best way he can that the gap can be closed, the bridge can be crossed, but Henry’s not taking the step?
“Here’s a story, Henry, about something I don’t have my own words for.”