heliodorianwings | line up the dominoes / a light wind blows

line up the dominoes / a light wind blows

Where: Heliodor
When: A few years after Hendrik's promotion
Summary: A seemingly petty curse. A terrible incident on the battlefield.

[In the moments he is conscious enough to string awareness together, he sees blue. A blue sky. Light filtering through the trees. He tries to hold on to that sense, but it blurs under the pressure and pain of everything he feels. A wooden wagon, its wheels rolling over stones and holes in the road. Flashes of cold that bite into him when his skin doesn't feel hot and sweaty. Pain, pain, pain--

A particularly rocky patch of road jostles him against the burlap that provides little protection on the wagon, and merciful darkness takes him.

The field medics fight what the healers cannot, trying to keep General Hendrik's fever down while stemming the blood flow from the grievous wound that took the man's right arm. The giver of the wound -- a nightmarish dragon with teeth capable of piercing plate and chain both -- has the knights rushing back to Heliodor, touting more injured than previous campaigns.

The crowds that see the knights drag themselves back to the castle grounds cannot do much more than look on in shock.]

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[Gesture accepted. Jasper turns his eyes on Hendrik and folds his arms across his stomach. Words hang on the edge of his lips. Silent seconds extend into moments, deep breaths and tension working through his shoulders.]

Not quite. I considered whether you fancy company this evening.

[A companion to eat beside, he thinks. He continues on.]

Does the physician have you eating yet?

[Hendrik is rather slumped in his chair, not having any intention of moving if he doesn't have to. He probably should have just migrated back to bed after letting Jasper into the room.]

Drinking. I am to wait and see if I suffer from any side effects from the medicine I am taking.

[It's not a small amount.]

...My appetite is rather low, in any case.

Drat. Here I was scheming to smuggle you wine and you risk throwing up on me.

[One time he might have been amused by his words but his lips are turning down. Worry creasing the line of his face as he rounds the chair and looks down on his friend.]

Might I support you back into bed? You look, well...

[Awful.]

[The joke is met with silence. It shouldn't be terribly surprising, given Hendrik's hit-or-miss reactions of jokes, but it's a more brooding silence than anything else.

He does look up at Jasper's offer, head lolling to the side as he considers it for a long moment. His hand grips the armrest for balance as he slowly attempts to stand.]

Might as well. I will probably grow cold sitting here too long.

[It's the closest he gets to mentioning the quite obvious fever plaguing him.]

[Jasper finds himself learning about compassion and patience as he waits on his friend. His left hand slides across the top of his back, offering a supportive push he offsets by positioning his right hand across his upper chest. The absence of an arm enables him to stand close and support Hendrik's weight when he pushes forward.

He lets the man catch his balance and breath. Holding him steady, ensuring the absence of a fall. His own body is relaxed as he enjoys their connection: that closeness of being trusted and wanted. He grasps Hendrik's remaining hand from below and offers his arm as a walking aide.

Patient, indeed. One day he might never live this down.]

Alright. Steady?

[A pained hiss escapes Hendrik as Jasper positions himself close to support him; the tender wound of his missing limb pulls uncomfortably in a way he hadn't thought possible until the shredded muscles were tested. It leads to him having to catch his breath even before they try moving together, sweat already beading on his neck and forehead.

He grunts in way of confirmation, already taking a shuffling step forward. It's clear that the exertion taxes him, given how a shudder runs through him before he attempts another step. He probably used his energy being relatively quick in answering the door.]

[Hendrik shuffles along in a shambles. The slow pace provokes the hand behind to tap his back; the familiarity of a comforting gesture mired with impatience. Jasper stands a little apart from his frustration and strives to be a supportive friend. He voices amusement in a light attempt to remind his companion to be careful.]

Try not to wobble. I hardly relish explaining to His Majesty you took a tumble.

I am trying.

[The words are a murmur, punctuated by a sigh. For a moment, Hendrik leans even more heavily onto Jasper, before he rights himself with gritted teeth. He can at least navigate onto the rug before getting to the bed, his relief tangible as he sits on its edge.]

...Apologies for the trouble.

You are hardly trouble, friend.

[Jasper is gentle in supporting Hendrik to perch on the edge of his bed. He reaches down to ease his friend further back, resting his weight upon his palm. The mattress is firm and supportive beneath his fingertips. Dense and pliant in distributing Hendrik's weight without creating discomfort. He scoffs at his own tenderness and shakes his head.]

Look at you. Making me profess concern.

Edited 2022-01-08 21:43 (UTC)

[There is reluctance in Hendrik's sigh as he leans back and settles into bed once again, but he accepts Jasper's help and words with a guilty frown.

His friend is bearing both of their responsibilities, and using his off-time to help him. It's a terrible way to use time that could be used resting and getting ready for the next day. It's not like he can even serve as entertainment in this state.]

You need not worry. It will pass.

[Footsteps carry Jasper away; back towards the middle of the room where his face turns away from the sight behind him. He collects ones of the chairs and hauls it back to the bed. His deliberate lack of notice is exposed as an act when he elegantly seats himself and his hands in his lap.]

That is my decision to make you know.

I know.

[He does know, but it not something he can simply accept as it is. Just as he accepts Jasper's help with a guilty heart, he carries the knowledge that he cannot change the behavior as a similar weight.

It is disheartening. He already knew that he would be repaying the kingdom his entire life for simply taking him in, and then something like this happens.]

I fear I will not be good company today, Jasper.

I fear that is also my decision to make.

[Words falls silent. His indulgence for melodrama is theatrical. His performances designed to cultivate a memorable image. Never had he tolerated whimpering amongst his regiment or from his friend.]

Now, is there a particular topic you wish to discuss? Or do you plot and scheme to fall asleep on me?

[Silence. Jasper's questions feel like some sort of joke when Hendrik has already said that he will likely not be good company. What is he supposed to talk about? How he is feeling? How he cannot do anything? How he has no one to blame for his situation other than himself? (Not that he would pass on the blame, but it is certainly a feeling of helplessness.)

He tries to find an answer that is at least truthful.]

I do not feel like sleeping right now.

[Jasper leans back and relaxes with a sigh. Tense energy dissolves inside his body only to energise the air. He requires a moment to find himself - straightening his posture and sitting straight once his confidence resurfaces.]

And I am to presume that means you wish to talk?

I do not know. What is there to talk about?

[He tilts his head to look up at Jasper. It is an unusual perspective to take, considering he has been taller than his friend since returning from their training abroad.]

Will you regale me with your meetings for the day?

Absolutely. Shall we start with your good man?

[The adjutant he had inherited as a result of, well, everything. His eyes narrow in consideration of what words had been shared and which he ought share. Might his friend enjoy hearing them only to despair over his situation later in the eve?]

We spoke of the men under your command. You can acknowledge the necessity of knowing one's men, surely? I consider it necessary when one must trust the one covering his back. Rest assured, each and every soul is in good hands.

[Hands. He falls silent in apology upon realising what he is saying.]

[Hendrik lays there quietly as Jasper speaks, slowly nodding s he hears what he is talking about. It's a good topic. Something he can bear hearing.

He almost doesn't hear the remark about "hands." But he does. And his hand curls into a fist in frustration for a moment.

Just a moment.]

Have you heard more about the other injured? Will they return to duty?

[The questions take awhile to form on his lips, but they are important to him.]

[Slight movements prompt Jasper to reach out and offer his hand. It lies upon its back above the covers with an open palm. His fingers clench for a moment but lay open thereafter.

He builds within himself the courage to answer truthfully.]

Unfortunately some will not. His Majesty and I will ensure they are provided for.

[Just like that, Hendrik's mood sinks. His eyes shut, his hand clenches again, and he takes slow breaths to attempt some measure of calm. Jasper's hand goes unnoticed.

It is not like this has not happened before. It has happened while he was not general, for that matter. It is never an easy situation.

It simply hits harder than it has in the past.]

...Please do. They deserve the best support.

Of course.

[The way his friend acts prompts him once more into silence. He looks across the bed from pillow to edge, head to feet, trying hard to keep concern from clouding his expression. His nose wrinkles in an awkward manner.]

Hendrik, do you want me to continue? This topic seems to be upsetting you.

[It takes a moment, but Hendrik shakes his head. Some of that familiar resolve is in the action, even if his expression is more somber than usual.]

I should know. I need to know. Those men depended on me.

[Past tense. For both them and himself, with their own troubles.]

Please allow me that selfishness.

[Jasper requires a moment to process the request but nods in acqueiscence.]

Very well. Like I stated, His Majesty and I are ensuring those men unable to resume service are properly considered. Tomorrow our plan is to confer upon the reassignment of your duties.

[His acknowledgement of the end of his friend's active service hangs on the air. He holds his silence but resumes in seconds.]

It is much to think about.

[There it is. The army and the kingdom move on without him. His duties will find their ways to others' hands and be dealt with in the best way possible. If it was ever more obvious that he was one of many in service to the kingdom and could be replaced, he cannot recall.]

Thank you.

[He swallows a breath that threatens to choke him, coughing once and trying to control his breaths shortly after. He swipes his hand across his eyes, though there is no moisture gathering there.]

I ... am sure you can handle it with His Majesty. You have always been incredibly capable.

[What an unhappy sight. Jasper finds himself unable to tear his eyes away. He rubs one hand across the other, wondering if there is anything to say. If there is anything he should say.

He says nothing about the praise for his skill. He is proud enough to take the compliment without protest.]

Hendrik...

[What can he say, indeed?]

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