heliodorianwings | life is changing everyday

life is changing everyday

Where: Heliodor Castle
When: Act III
Summary: Growth

[Time passes. Days turn into weeks, and the steady heat of summer becomes somewhat oppressive as the days grow longer. As the days churn on, murmurs of birthdays ebb through the castle. Hendrik isn't sure when he becomes aware of Jasper's approaching birthday; after so many years spent distant, it doesn't register as readily as he would have liked.

But he does hear about it, and ponders what in the world he should do. He doesn't particularly recall Jasper having big parties; neither of them did, more content to keep to celebrating with special foods and then going off to play. Or getting together with some of the knights and getting some drinks.

But now? Should he be cautious? ...Should he simply ask?]

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Back to my quarters to reside in misery.

[Contrary to his old friend, he is shrouded in white and blue, light colours suited to the season. It makes them stand apart and he smiles at the thought of being of equal stature. Though months and months have passed where he thought they were anything but equal. His thoughts settle, uneasy and fretful of his future in this place. It does little good to see the men congratulating him as though nothing he did made a difference.]

What about yourself?

[Hendrik sighs audibly at Jasper's reply, misinterpreting it as something of a joke. Possibly. Hard to say with Jasper smiling and pushing past those words quickly.

He will let it go for now.]

Off to the stables. You should come with me. The stable master brought in new mares from Gallopolis last night.

[The allure of company of animals instead of people. He glances over his shoulder towards the direction of the stables, curious and temmpted by beasts who do precisely as told. Fingers grasp his hips, which point forward.]

How many?

[And so the negotiation begins...]

[Oh, he has his interest. Hendrik has to fight down a smile. The battle is not yet won.]

Six. Four is the minimum for transport, of course, but apparently there were two more that looked promising.

[He has to keep himself from prodding further by asking outright if Jasper is interested.]

[Hendrik's face brightens, prompting his to turn cold and thunderous, curious but unwilling to show affection for this consideration.]

Six minutes, then. You have my attention for six minutes.

[And not one minute more. He needs to sit down soon, anyway.]

[It reminds him of when Jasper would put a timer on their meetings in his quarters. It's like a challenge, though he does almost pout at the timing.]

I hope that does not count traveling time.

[He's tempted to toss in a comment about picking up Jasper and running, but that may be a bit much in terms of joking for their current level of closeness.

So he instead ushers the other man down the hall, throwing open the doors to the breezeway that leads to the outside structures.]

[Jasper feels a hand and a leg behind, a hand guiding his back like he is one of those horses so admired. He pushes the other man away and rolls his eyes, offended at the insinuation he needs support to walk. Those days are dead and gone, left behind like Hendrik now.

He strides through the passage and lets his voice carry in the space.]

Certainly not. I am hardly an unreasonable man.

[When Jasper pushes him away, Hendrik lifts his hands placatingly and adds some distance, not wanting it to seem like he's trying to drag him along. He shuts the doors that they pass and jogs to keep up, any weather-related fatigue forgotten as he enjoys the prospect of looking at the horses with Jasper.

The stable master meets them with a bow, listening to Hendrik's inquiry about the horses and motioning over to the corral where five horses are grazing. One horse was held back due to having gotten sick on the boat, food intake monitored in its stall. They are, of course, welcome to look at any of the horses as they wish.]

[Annoyances and worries cease. Jasper watches the horses with small amounts of admiration and curiosity - a far cry from losing interest in his own mare. One thought turns to visiting her stall, another to observing her exercises. He leans across the fence, hands clasped in relaxation, and says nothing. He cannot speak to Hendrik about how much he had been willing to abandon.]

They are a different breed, surely not?

[There is something to be said for horses from that part of the world.]

Mm. They are.

[Hendrik leans against the fence as well, propping an arm up and out as if trying to lure in one of the horses. It seems to be a futile gesture for now, but he doesn't move as he keeps talking.]

Our Heliodorian horses are generally larger stock, to withstand the different conditions for the seasons. Horses from the Gallopolis region are somewhat smaller and more so built for speed. I understand they have shorter, thinner manes as well, but I haven't seen a stallion for comparison.

[What he does know is that there's been amiable trading of horses between the two countries for as long as he can remember.]

I suppose you lacked time.

[Jasper looks towards the rear of the paddock, staring away from his old friend more than for any other reason. The man is renowned and adored, not as a knight and hero but a legendary companion of Yggdrasil's chosen. It would make him want to spit into the paddock, were he more ill-mannered.]

You were busy, as I recall.

[With no small amount of distaste, no matter how he hides it.]

[Hendrik says nothing to Jasper's comments, though the arm he holds out over the fence falls slack. What can be said? The reminder is oddly hurtful, despite the other times Jasper has brought up the past. Perhaps it stings because of the amount of time he spent bonding with Obsidian.]

Such is how it was. I got to see the Gallopolis racetrack for the first time while traveling with the Luminary.

[He watches the horses as they continue graze or wander the area of the corral. They must still be adjusting after the lengthy travel.]

[Arms withdraw from the fence. Hands clasp at his back. He focuses his ire into his fingers and clenches them together, tight and firm.]

Well, dear friend, I am sure it was fascinating. But let us return to the present.

[Silence. Considering how quickly Jasper pulled back from the topic, should he have met him by talking about the past as well? He finds himself irritated that he's analyzing the situation as much as he is, but the other option would be to forge a new topic and not address what had been said at all.]

Indeed. I suppose those six minutes are up.

That they are.

[Six minutes. Jasper finds himself being generous, lingering by the paddock instead of striding off to work. He crosses his arms over his chest and flattens his lips. Not enthused by their conversation, but not forsaking it.]

Back to work, indeed.

[Recalling what Jasper had said earlier, Hendrik doesn't move from where he is leaning, turning his head to look at his old friend.]

I thought you were going to "reside in misery."

[Cold. Challenging. Daring to the point of idiocy. Jasper twists his head and turns his gaze upon his old companion.]

You know I handle affairs within my office, Hendrik.

Ah.

[Hendrik gazes back at Jasper, his expression impassive. It takes a moment for him to nod, a wry smile touching his face as he looks back at the horses.]

My mistake. I must have misunderstood.

You speak like that is a rare thing.

[Jasper clasps his hands at his back and loosely shakes his head. He then leans forward and looks at the ground; thinking about years gone by. Being ignored. Being misunderstood. He frowns, tightens his lips and stands upright. One hand obscures his face whilst he brushes away his fringe, revealing a lighter expression.

Whatever. Old times are over.]

Time we start heading back, surely?

[It really isn't a rare thing, is it? Hendrik sighs in acknowledgment, bobbing his head in agreement while still gazing over at the horses.

He's about to affirm that they should get going when there's a loud bang from the stables, followed by a creaking thump as something hits the ground. There's some alarmed shouts and noises from the stablehands, but Hendrik can only turn around and look blankly at a large black stallion turning out of the stable and trotting right up to him like it has a vendetta. To snort in his face and then headbutt him.]

...Ah. Obsidian.

[Hooves beat across earth. The noise draws his attention; twisting him around to face one of the tallest horses in the stables. He watches the animal quietly, letting his thoughts hang on the air. Hendrik and Obsidian. The two of them sharing a bond that he is hardly part of. His brows cross as he remembers the favour Hendrik was shown to receive such a beast.

He hardly enjoys the memory and resides in dismissing it with pointed humour. A laugh at Hendrik's expense.]

I see even your beast finds you hard work!

[Hendrik has to fight off Obsidian as the very headstrong horse tries to headbutt him a second, a third, a fourth time. It would almost be entertaining if Hendrik had more escape routes, but he has Jasper directly behind him and a fence to one side.]

Obsidian, behave--

[Obsidian snorts again, getting close enough to chomp on Hendrik's hair once before finally calming down at bit. Hendrik stands there grimacing, any internal angst forgotten.]

I suppose I have not been out here for awhile.

Not often enough, it seems.

[Jasper looks around the paddock for the stable master, finding him conversing with a hand just outside the stables. Frustrating. He hollers without proper conduct and gestures for a carrot. One still dirty with soil, freshly pulled from the earth. He gestures it beneath Obsidian's nose once acquired.]

Not often enough to honour your friend, at least.

[And that's something he knows about.]

[Just as quickly as he was snapping at Hendrik's hair, Obsidian averts his attention to Jasper and his carrot. There is some rather emphatic crunching on that dirt-covered carrot, but Hendrik is able to sigh in relief and step away.]

Obsidian has been rather demanding since I returned. It is as if he knows I was traveling about all around without him.

[There's more emphatic crunching. This isn't a particularly dumb horse.]

I suppose I do not know how to ... balance my time.

[These times of relative peace and remaining near the castle have been quite a change from frequently being on the road.]

[Obsidian is watched and observed, Jasper finding himself having much in common with a noble animal who desires attention.

He turns his own attention upon Hendrik and crosses his arms across his chest.]

And you presume I might advise you on that? I am not your aide, Hendrik.

[He believes himself his equal, not always beliving it.]

I-- I presumed no such thing. I was simply speaking aloud.

[Hendrik looks more than a little embarrassed by the chiding, but that may be because he's still a frazzled by Obsidian's "greeting."

But now that Obsidian is here and having demanded his attention, Hendrik is torn about returning to work. And perhaps that might be another element to this lack of time balancing. He gives the stallion a pat as he finishes off the carrot.]

Apologies. We can go for a ride when the weather is cooler.

[It's already a bit much just remaining outside in the sun like this.]

[Stop making promises you cannot keep.

Those angry words linger inside his mind, controlled by a stubborn will. He cleans his fingers and crosses his arms once again.]

Are you speaking to me or the horse?

[Ah. There is immediately an awkward feeling taking shape in Hendrik's chest. He turns his attention to Jasper.]

I was speaking to Obsidian. You and I-- er, riding was never--

[It wasn't something they did together as a pastime. So why would Jasper ask that?]

...Would you want to go riding?

[Jasper narrows his eyes and focuses on this new argument, small as it seems. There is cold delight in leaving this confident man a fretful bag of nerves.

He particularily doesn't want to think about it now.]

Perhaps. I would enjoy vacating the castle and avoiding a crowd when my birthday rolls around.

[Except, well, passing through the town means passing through the crowd.]

[Hendrik slowly nods. Of course. It makes perfect sense to him that Jasper would want to avoid people if there was a celebration of some sort. His birthday would especially mean there would be people seeking him out.]

Then ... let us make a day of it. For your birthday. We leave early to avoid the crowds and return late.

[This proposal completely lacks any minding of work for the day, but that is future Hendrik's problem.]

[The proposal lacks foresight and Jasper considers admonishing Hendrik for that alone. Time is something that is sacrified in service - but has he not sacrificed enough?

His eyes close in thought. Nerves are calmed when his heart is lifted by appreciation.]

Start as we mean to go on, you mean?

[He's quickly realizing (remembering) that he is not good at making plans on the fly. There is a reason why Jasper is the war tactician. He is much more comfortable doing in the moment, which in this case would mean leaping on Obsidian's back and proposing they go riding right now.

The thought makes him strangely nostalgic, though it isn't something he recalls doing before. Carefree spontaneity is very much for the young.]

Are you opposed? I would understand if you are. It is-- It is rather unplanned.

Two days is plenty of time to make arrangements.

[Jasper shakes his head. Golden eyes open and reveal worry and disappointment - the fear Hendrik will let him down again in life.]

I would say it affords us an opening in our schedules, but you are terrible for thinking ahead.

[Hendrik almost misses the shift in Jasper's expression, fretful and fighting for composure as he is. There's no time to congratulate himself on being somewhat observant, as his old friend is already speaking -- and speaking disappointingly of him.]

...It is not, usually.

[It's been years since he properly celebrated his birthday.]

But there is much to plan in the meantime. Meals. Supplies.

[...That's what comes to mind, at least. Meals. Supplies. Maybe he is overestimating.]

[That fear refuses to vanish as plenty of ideas come to mind. Gifts. Meals. Supplies.]

Surprises.

[He expects something special.]

[The suggestion makes Hendrik blink a few times, his contemplative frown giving way for a faint smile as he acknowledges Jasper with a nod.]

Mm. Surprises.

[He has no idea what he can possibly surprise Jasper with, but the fact that he said something at all is worth his focus.

He will try. He will.]

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