heliodorianwings | And the sunlight hurts my eyes

[Wrinkles spread across his forehead. Worries burrow beneath his skin and provoke him to scowl and frown - if only to avoid the terror in his eyes.

Once his nerves calm down, he looks towards his friend.]

I thought you were trying to lift my spirits, Hendrik.

[The smile slips when he sees Jasper react somewhat badly to what had been a joke, but he resists reaching out and shaking him.]

Oh, come on now. Do not tell me you are actually worried about that.

[The curious gaze changes mercurially; a frown becoming a scowl, anger turning dark as worrisome dark skies. He bites his tongue at calling Hendrik an imbeciele - he isn't that mad. Yet.]

I am now.

[Keep that up and Hendrik is going to have to turn a sad puppy look on him. At the moment, he just looks a little lost on how he should be reacting.]

Jasper, get those thoughts out of your head immediately. You are going to age gracefully!

[Jasper wrinkles his nose.]

Oh, yes, gracefully. With you beside me I should have no problem!

[His indignant anger - and its bemusement - hide an emotional reality at their core. That he finds this man's friendship only makes him stronger. Regardless, he should get it out of his head that appearances is the only arena where he has this man beat.

But he cannot.]

[Well, at least he's responding, even if it's in an angry way. It takes Hendrik a solid moment to realize that Jasper's words actually target him, a period of silence sitting between his friend's comment and his own reaction.]

What is that supposed to mean?!

[He's never been terribly focused on his own looks; at most, he's had to worry about keeping his hair trimmed and face washed.]

[Standing on the beach, beneath the warmth of the sun, feet in the chill of the ocean, Jasper finds he has nothing to worry about. Only this man before him and his odd way of approaching things. He wrinkles his nose and finds himself driven to smile - to take delight in having something over the other man.]

Only that I seem to receive the lion's share of attention.

[It isn't Hendrik the ladies are drawn to.]

W-- well...

[That's actually better than what he had thought Jasper was saying. After all, how can he possibly argue against the idea that Jasper isn't good-looking?]

I would think that obvious. The others notices as well.

How can they not? I am rather majestic.

[He wrinkles his nose at the thought his peers admire his appearance, following years spent gossiping behind his back, too cowardly to meet his face. What is there to worry over now, though? His star is rising and theirs are left to fall to earth.]

One would think they are jealous.

That would be rather unbecoming for knights.

[And certainly isn't a denial of the possibility that they are jealous. He can't exactly claim he's any better, dreaming away about bunny girls advertised for the casino that would be built in the city and staring helplessly at the pictures in periodicals.]

[Jasper frowns to himself. He looks towards his peers, partying on the beach, slapping each other on the back or running into the ocean. They celebrate camaraderie, friendship and connection. They cheer their freedom from work - and he frowns because that is something he cannot understand. Should not service be an honour?]

It would also be the truth.

[He cannot quite understand people at times.]

As you say.

[It's the most clipped reply that Hendrik gives, his frown faintly annoyed as he tries to figure out why Jasper's comments bother him. Maybe he's feeling a little personally attacked.

Again, he shakes himself out of the negative headspace and walks past Jasper to head towards the beachside hut to see what can be ordered.]

[Time has taught him to tell when an argument is brewing. Thoughts focus on grievances - of being ignored and cast aside - even as feet carry him towards the hut. He looks for Hendrik within the shack. Eyes glance around the wooden tables and reed walls, towards faces unfamiliar and familiar, at groups of their peers sat around in groups. Talking and enjoying each other's company.

Some notice him and wave him over. His frown becomes annoyed like his friend as he tries to figure out why they want his company. Should they want to boast about association? Maybe he will head over once he's checked the bar - there is certainly nowhere else to sit.

He heads towards his friend, finding peace in his company.]

Like the look of anything?

[Hendrik doesn't answer right away, letting his feelings drift away from whatever storminess was brewing inside of him while he looks at the various colorful pictures of drinks on display.]

...I am not familiar with these mixed drinks. They seem more to your liking, with the added fruit.

[Margarita. Mojito, lime and mint. Tequila, orange and lime. Eyes linger on a Pina colada, mixed with coconut milk and pineapple juice. Decision made, his mind settles.

He sighs in thought.]

I dare say you are right. Make mine a pina colada.

[Has he even pronounced that right?]

[The bartender goes right to start with Jasper's drink, leaving Hendrik staring at the pictures for a longer time. He ends up ordering a "Clara," which as it turns out is beer with lemon in it. Lemon beer. ...It sounds a bit more appetizing than alcohol with coconut milk, at least.

He turns his attention to the snacks next. Fried snacks, grilled pork skewers, cheese and cured meat, and even seafood.

He might be debating ordering all of them.]

Do you want something to eat?

[Eyes turn on the board. Grilled meat and vegetables, yes, and custard tarts and almond cakes. He glances at pieces of fried dough, each as long as his fingers, which are being plated before carried to one of the tables seating their men.

He looks famished - his stomach rumbles - but frowns at the board.]

Everything.

Ah. Good.

[Hendrik takes a breath and smiles, his good mood renewed. He cracks his knuckles like he's going to break something, when really it would be more appropriate to think about where his money currently is.]

Then we are of the same mind.

[A tab won't hurt, right? It's not like they're going to dine and dash, considering they are staying the night in the city. He flags down a different bartender to relay their food order to the cooks.]

[Fingers grace his coin purse, a leather pouch tied to his belt, threaded with twine and string. His mind shares the same thoughts as his friend - to settle their bill once the week is done. It appeals more to enjoy their time before worrying about finances, when he is responsible for accounting for the regiment's spending.

He looks towards the open table, shared by nobody but their fellow men. He glimpses a couple wander into the bar and immediately his thoughts turn towards the freedom of the open air.]

Indeed. Now, do we want a table or the joy of the ocean breeze?

...I think we will be kept busy for awhile with this amount of food.

[Hendrik has the grace to look a little embarrassed as he reflects on how much he just ordered, but it disappears as the bartender returns with Jasper's drink.]

So we best be comfortable wherever we choose to sit.

[That said, his gaze does linger towards the outer edge of the little establishment.]

Outside, then.

[Jasper closes his eyes, considerate of the environment and his calm, relaxed nature. There is something in being beneath sunlight that is rather fulfilling.

Which makes the decision less theirs and more his.]

I would rather enjoy the ocean view, wouldn't you?

I would.

[The response comes easily; he had been leaning in that direction as it was, with only a mild politeness holding him back. He oddly enough feels more of a need to be a bit more polite with his (generally) poised and proud friend. It's something that he's become more aware of in the years since returning from abroad.]

I suppose we will not be far from sight should they need to find us. Would you like to find a seat now?

[Feet head towards the outside. His mind is already there as he finds himself weaving between tables and chairs, imagining himself sitting beside the beach with nothing but the company of his friend and the company of a bottle. He is mildly curious about the local wine but finds himself too proud to outright ask about it - and resolves to simply order some later in the day.]

It would be nice to park ourselves somewhere and rest.

[That would be a yes.]

"Rest," says the one who was swimming as slow as a jellyfish.

[Hendrik smiles to himself as he thinks about the languid, almost lazy sight of Jasper in the water, but doesn't move to follow him just yet; he's going to wait until his drink is ready, though he didn't voice that at all.]

[Ears prick at the daring remark. Nerves fret and features frown - but he shakes his head and wanders out the hut. The scent of saltwater strikes between the eyes and he wrinkles his nose. Sunlight beats upon the sand, upon his face.

He stops walking; his throat feeling parched.]

Bring mine along once ready.

[That said, he finds a comfortable outside table underneath a parasol.]

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