Abraxas Inbox

[standvastig]

Should any wish to communicate, the opportunity is open. The door has yet to close.

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[leitstern]

[Jasper holds his tongue. Flashes of anger refuse to exist. His impassive face softens with increasing concern: emotions wobbling between sadness and confusion. Is the accusation accurate? In his heart he knows he is arrogant. It is the least detestable of his worst traits.]

I know.

[Words cease when he remembers. Dying. Passing out - the phrase helps him cope - without sharing his thoughts. His eyebrows lift and his mouth hangs agape. His heart races and his head shakes unwillingly for a second. He wants to control himself but he looks scared.]

Hendrik, I...

[standvastig]

[He doesn't know what happened to Jasper since the Fall, but the man before him now is far from the one he saw for the many years prior. He doesn't know what is a facade or what is real--not truly--but he has always known Jasper to fight to keep face, whether it be because of pride or self-consciousness.]

Why are you doing this? Have I not already seen you at your worst?

[It is a different than asking What happened to you? But it still strikes at his current lack of knowledge as to what would cause such a stark change in the man he had thought he had known for years.]

[leitstern]

[How terribly still he remains in his chair. How terrifyingly imposing. He doesn't know whether to offer Hendrik what he wants or preserve the scraps of his dignity. One time the answer would have been obvious but what dignity is left to preserve? Is he even the same man after everything that has transpired?

He turns over his hands and looks at his pale skin; his entirely human skin. If Hendrik cannot recall him looking anything thus, then...]

This is nowhere near my worst.

[standvastig]

[Silence. Hendrik finds himself unable to think of what to do with this new information, and he sits back in his chair, simply staring at Jasper. Though he cannot quite see his expression, there is such tangible tension that he knows that whatever he may say will affect where Jasper's mind will turn.

So he keeps quiet, eyes averted to a spot next to his old friend's chair. He waits for whatever else may be said in the moment.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper sits in silence and dwells in despair. Words strangle his throat without leaving his lips; the truth a secret best shared another time.

He grits his teeth and steels himself. This is the right time. How disgusted with himself would his old self be? The harsh truth of his end is his doing. His old comrade and companion deserves the truth.

Why is sharing it this hard? Has he forgotten how to be honest? He growls in frustration.]

It is far too early to feel this miserable.

[This man is the same as that who approached him on his knees, yet...]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik's eyes remain averted as he grunts, almost in agreement with that frustrated comment. It seems he is not going to get an answer if he waits.]

Indeed.

[He adjusts his hands to brace himself as he starts standing up, muscles stretching and bones popping as he rises to his full height. For a moment, he stands there and looks at Jasper in his practically fretful frustration.

Then he silently offers his hand.]

[leitstern]

[The hand flies under his nose at first: his thoughts turned inward towards a shared past that led to this point. He shudders awake in a moment and notices the outstretched palm. A peaceful offering is more than he could ever wish for.

He looks down at his hands with thoughtful eyes. One twitches awkwardly at the symbolism: a peaceful offering without forgiveness. Now it is becoming far too difficult to lie. Trust this man to offer his hand without even hearing the truth.

Now. What to do?

His face looks towards Hendrik for guidance. Emotions twist and change his expression. Hope. Fear. Confusion. Depression. In a moment's decision he begins rising to his feet without assistance.]

One day. When I deserve it.

[standvastig]

[It is not easy to offer his hand, even knowing there is obvious stress and conflict churning inside Jasper. But if he does not offer his hand, who else will? He has doubts that anyone else will even see this much of Jasper, considering how long he himself has apparently been oblivious to whatever convinced him siding with the Lord of Shadows was the right decision.

So, when his hand is not accepted and Jasper instead stands by himself, essentially passing him by, Hendrik lowers his hand and steps to the side to leave the room.

"When I deserve it." If he really wanted his hand, he would have put away his ego and taken it. The only one holding him back is himself.]

Then I will see you around.

[He wonders if he will have the heart to keeping offering his hand until it is one day accepted.]