life is changing everyday

[standvastig]

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?]

Comments

[leitstern]

[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!

[standvastig]

[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.

[leitstern]

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.]

[standvastig]

[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.]

[leitstern]

[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.]

[standvastig]

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.]

[leitstern]

[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?

[standvastig]

[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?

[leitstern]

[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.]

[standvastig]

[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.]

[leitstern]

[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?

[standvastig]

[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.

[leitstern]

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.

[standvastig]

[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.]

[leitstern]

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

Surprises.

[He expects something special.]

[standvastig]

[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.]