[Hendrik has found some measure of peace in keeping himself busy in the aftermath of the trials, mostly tending to the house and garden and keeping himself from swinging his sword around. It's a strange change of pace, but he knows that training with his sword will likely ruin his sleep schedule. He wants to ensure he's not running on fumes whenever Jasper awakens.
Still, when he hears that somewhat raspy voice from behind him, he has to remember to turn off the stove before he turns around to face his awakened housemate.]
Jasper!
[It's both a relief and a surprise to see him awake; he certainly wasn't expecting him to shuffle downstairs. He has to pull together some composure before he speaks again.]
Ah, do you have any appetite? Do you need anything?
[Jasper sidles over to the kitchen table and runs his palm over the back of a chair. Fingers stroke and smooth against the wood and worry around. He already has a brave mask on his face and is willing to ignore everything about yesterday; choosing to forget until Hendrik decides to talk about it. The man is showering him with attention - and he looks awkward and miserable about it as he pulls the chair out.]
Oh, a cup of coffee and a cake shall not go amiss.
[He sits down and waits. Perhaps it is not Hendrik's attention putting a dampener on his mood.]
[Hendrik repeats the word with a blank expression -- cake is a rather broad want at the moment, but he supposes that means anything will be suitable for that. But do they have cake? He probably should have realized Jasper would want something like that when he eventually woke up.]
I do not recall you drinking coffee much.
[But he does at least have that available. He fetches a mug and the coffee pot, setting them on the table before going back to grab a teaspoon and the jar of sugar (which he really doesn't use that often but mysteriously it seems to get used a lot).]
[The first thing he does when Hendrik sets the table is pour himself some black coffee. The second thing he does is grab the teaspoon to shovel in sugar; one, two, three, four, five, six servings that he dissolves by swirling around the spoon. Only he decides six isn't enough and adds two more into the mix.
That is without even preparing himself a cup of tea - which he intends to do afterwards.]
Oh, I fancy something keeping me awake. If I am to spend the morning with you I should rather be alive then...
[It's at least simple enough to put more water in a kettle and put it on the stove to boil; Hendrik's attention remains largely on Jasper, trying to ensure that he's doing okay and not about to slump over in his chair.]
You are at least more animated than you were last night. I was unsure when you would wake up.
[Trying not to hover, Hendrik keeps focused on bringing the rest of breakfast to the table. Eggs and bacon, a comforting smell that would remind Hendrik of uncommon times spent in inns instead of camps with his knights, or even childhood when the other knight trainees were on break and he and Jasper were allowed to take meals with the royal family.
Not that he cooked them just for the nostalgia. He also enjoyed them.
A small pile of toast and a jar of fruit preserves make their way to the table next. He probably didn't need to toast half of the loaf of bread he had purchased, but the first few pieces had been burnt casualties of a distracted mind.]
[Jasper brushes his hand against his mouth, seeking a focus in the present. The previous day's events have him trying to escape his own memories - and that is a deed he can claim success in doing. The smell of eggs and bacon wrinkles his nose and purses his lips. He claims the pile of toast and next the preserve.
He might be stealing them. He will at least finish them.
Fingers unscrew the lid on the jar and he slides a knife into the strawberry preserve. Out comes a mess and he slathers a load over the topmost layer of toast.]
Well, that would be one reason why you changed my attire.
[He points the knife at Hendrik.]
Try not to worry. I shall not hold it against you.
[He shoves the knife back into the preserve jar. It strikes the bottom, swirling around the jam that he promptly slathers across that already coating his toast. The amount of it bends the ends as he lifts a slice to shove it into his mouth. Fifteen long seconds pass; he at least has the good grace not to speak with his mouth full.]
Thank heavens for small mercies, I suppose.
[An instant later, his mouth is full again. Jam splatters onto his fingers, leaving him to wipe them on a tea towel lying nearby. Perhaps he is hungry after sleeping all that time.]
[The way his housemate focuses on his meal feels quite deliberate, but Hendrik isn't about to deny him that just because he's concerned about Jasper once again being unconscious for a period of time. He manages a few bites before returning to the stove to turn off the heat. His forays into preparing tea have not been that great, so he is quite thankful there are things like teabags for easier consumption.]
Is your goal to simply stay awake this morning? Or do you wish to go somewhere?
I have to say I do not know. In truth, I hardly know where I might go.
[Is this a careful attempt to coax him out of the house, perhaps? To encourage him out of his shell? He carefully hides the scowling on his face, lips cracking in the corners at the thought he is being mothered. He is calm and placid with his tone but speaks with an impatience that is easy enough to notice.]
I find it hard to decide.
[Men like them had barely possessed the experience in having the freedom to decide. Their places of study? Chosen. Their roles in life? Proscribed.]
[Leaving the hot water and teabags in case it is later desired, Hendrik fetches another mug and returns to the table to pour himself coffee. He remains silent as he thinks through Jasper's replies. Perhaps he should not pursue the thought of trying to force him into activity to keep him awake.]
You need not decide right now. I will be running a few errands later and I thought you might want to get some air.
[Pick up more groceries. Bring a carrot or two to his horse at the stables. Find some vegetables seeds or something else to attempt growing something other than potatoes in his small garden.]
[Hendrik remains silent as he thinks of a reply. Jasper himself follows the same course of action; silently following Hendrik's path through the kitchen with wearied eyes. Silence refuses to leave his lips as he builds himself up to share what he is thinking. Fingers spread across the table. He inhales and pushes his breakfast aside. Looks at Hendrik and raises a brow.]
Do you not want some company? It should make the boredom of your chores a tad bearable.
[Efficient. Logical. A division of labour that makes it so that need for company is not so obvious. Maybe.]
Never turn down an extra pair of hands, or so they say.
[Does he want company? For an errand? It had never occurred to Hendrik that one might want company while they are going from place to place; his remarks earlier in the month about not seeing travel as a form of leisure extended to the task of running errands.
Such thoughts leave Hendrik quiet, and he reaches for his coffee to make his silence less obvious.]
You are welcome to come along.
[He would have to endeavor to understand the appeal.]
Of course. It hardly counts that you have a choice in the matter.
[That observation given volume, Jasper helps himself to his third slice of toast. He coats the golden surface with a layer of preserve and leaves the knife sticking out the jar. He already has a bite taken out of it when he continues on.]
[Jasper collects his mug of coffee and indulges in a sip. The bitterness hardly reaches his tongue, masked as it is by a copious amount of sugar. The thought of combining it with a dessert comes to mind and he finds himself thinking about one of the local bakeries. A cake for himself and perhaps a pastry for this ridiculous man.
He sets his cup down, still holding it between his fingers.]
Sounds like a plan, I dare say. The world seems bright enough today that I should not mind wasting an hour or two.
[Jasper's agreement has Hendrik quietly nodding to himself. They had a plan for the day, then.]
Very well. Should you need more time to prepare, just let me know. We are not on a strict schedule.
[He'll spend some time practicing magic in the meantime. Those trials have at least made him aware he should continue being earnest about his practice.]
More time is what he longed for over years. This man's appreciation. His company, his companionship. But surely that is not the reason Hendrik feels he needs more time? Does he suggest it out of worry?
He smiles to hide what he fears. That would be like him.]
Of course. I should only take minutes to decide what to wear, nothing more.
[Though combing his hair might take a good deal longer.]
[Hendrik pauses in his meal for only a moment, confused as he reaches to refill his coffee mug. He comments in the middle of lifting the drink to his lips.]
You do not intend to take a shower or a bath? Ensure you do not have salt chafing your skin?
Jasper cautiously lays his new slice of toast across the plate. He closes his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from any criticism. The questions are quickly tackled and immediately answered.]
[That was rather presumptuous, wasn't it? Jasper had mentioned it would only take a few minutes to gather clothes, but he shouldn't have called into question his fastidiousness. After another sip of his coffee, he reaches over to add a teaspoon of sugar.]
Then I will look forward to the outing. In an hour.
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Still, when he hears that somewhat raspy voice from behind him, he has to remember to turn off the stove before he turns around to face his awakened housemate.]
Jasper!
[It's both a relief and a surprise to see him awake; he certainly wasn't expecting him to shuffle downstairs. He has to pull together some composure before he speaks again.]
Ah, do you have any appetite? Do you need anything?
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Oh, a cup of coffee and a cake shall not go amiss.
[He sits down and waits. Perhaps it is not Hendrik's attention putting a dampener on his mood.]
I did not expect to be so famished this morning.
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[Hendrik repeats the word with a blank expression -- cake is a rather broad want at the moment, but he supposes that means anything will be suitable for that. But do they have cake? He probably should have realized Jasper would want something like that when he eventually woke up.]
I do not recall you drinking coffee much.
[But he does at least have that available. He fetches a mug and the coffee pot, setting them on the table before going back to grab a teaspoon and the jar of sugar (which he really doesn't use that often but mysteriously it seems to get used a lot).]
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That is without even preparing himself a cup of tea - which he intends to do afterwards.]
Oh, I fancy something keeping me awake. If I am to spend the morning with you I should rather be alive then...
[Dead? That's a bad way to put it.]
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You are at least more animated than you were last night. I was unsure when you would wake up.
[Trying not to hover, Hendrik keeps focused on bringing the rest of breakfast to the table. Eggs and bacon, a comforting smell that would remind Hendrik of uncommon times spent in inns instead of camps with his knights, or even childhood when the other knight trainees were on break and he and Jasper were allowed to take meals with the royal family.
Not that he cooked them just for the nostalgia. He also enjoyed them.
A small pile of toast and a jar of fruit preserves make their way to the table next. He probably didn't need to toast half of the loaf of bread he had purchased, but the first few pieces had been burnt casualties of a distracted mind.]
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He might be stealing them. He will at least finish them.
Fingers unscrew the lid on the jar and he slides a knife into the strawberry preserve. Out comes a mess and he slathers a load over the topmost layer of toast.]
Well, that would be one reason why you changed my attire.
[He points the knife at Hendrik.]
Try not to worry. I shall not hold it against you.
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[That was also the case with the vernal pools, but he doesn't want to bring up that situation when it's barely related.
He gives the knife pointed at him a long look before taking a plate and piling both eggs and bacon on it.]
However, I refrained from pulling you into the shower. I was not about to give you a bath or something to that effect.
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Thank heavens for small mercies, I suppose.
[An instant later, his mouth is full again. Jam splatters onto his fingers, leaving him to wipe them on a tea towel lying nearby. Perhaps he is hungry after sleeping all that time.]
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Is your goal to simply stay awake this morning? Or do you wish to go somewhere?
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[Is this a careful attempt to coax him out of the house, perhaps? To encourage him out of his shell? He carefully hides the scowling on his face, lips cracking in the corners at the thought he is being mothered. He is calm and placid with his tone but speaks with an impatience that is easy enough to notice.]
I find it hard to decide.
[Men like them had barely possessed the experience in having the freedom to decide. Their places of study? Chosen. Their roles in life? Proscribed.]
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You need not decide right now. I will be running a few errands later and I thought you might want to get some air.
[Pick up more groceries. Bring a carrot or two to his horse at the stables. Find some vegetables seeds or something else to attempt growing something other than potatoes in his small garden.]
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Do you not want some company? It should make the boredom of your chores a tad bearable.
[Efficient. Logical. A division of labour that makes it so that need for company is not so obvious. Maybe.]
Never turn down an extra pair of hands, or so they say.
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Such thoughts leave Hendrik quiet, and he reaches for his coffee to make his silence less obvious.]
You are welcome to come along.
[He would have to endeavor to understand the appeal.]
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[That observation given volume, Jasper helps himself to his third slice of toast. He coats the golden surface with a layer of preserve and leaves the knife sticking out the jar. He already has a bite taken out of it when he continues on.]
What time are you planning to hit the road?
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[Even as he sets down his mug and replies, Hendrik realizes he doesn't necessarily have to make the goal returning in time for the next meal.]
Or we can find a place to eat while we are out.
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He sets his cup down, still holding it between his fingers.]
Sounds like a plan, I dare say. The world seems bright enough today that I should not mind wasting an hour or two.
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Very well. Should you need more time to prepare, just let me know. We are not on a strict schedule.
[He'll spend some time practicing magic in the meantime. Those trials have at least made him aware he should continue being earnest about his practice.]
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More time is what he longed for over years. This man's appreciation. His company, his companionship. But surely that is not the reason Hendrik feels he needs more time? Does he suggest it out of worry?
He smiles to hide what he fears. That would be like him.]
Of course. I should only take minutes to decide what to wear, nothing more.
[Though combing his hair might take a good deal longer.]
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You do not intend to take a shower or a bath? Ensure you do not have salt chafing your skin?
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Jasper cautiously lays his new slice of toast across the plate. He closes his eyes for a moment, shielding himself from any criticism. The questions are quickly tackled and immediately answered.]
That goes without saying.
[His nose wrinkles.]
Really, Hendrik. You should let me finish.
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[That was rather presumptuous, wasn't it? Jasper had mentioned it would only take a few minutes to gather clothes, but he shouldn't have called into question his fastidiousness. After another sip of his coffee, he reaches over to add a teaspoon of sugar.]
Then I will look forward to the outing. In an hour.