Isle of Avalon - IC Inbox

[standvastig]

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[standvastig]

Your old armor? That is a strange find.

[leitstern]

It is a stolen find.

No matter what became of it, it belongs to me. Why does this swindler possess it?

[standvastig]

I cannot begin to guess. Its appearance here means it is outside of time.

[And he can't begin to guess how that's possible. Was it flung from their world as it was destroyed or something similar?]

[leitstern]

Well, if it could return to existing outside of time that would be splendid.

[It would not. The man doth protest too much.]

[standvastig]

That seems unlikely. Perhaps it followed you here.

[What if it worked in reverse, with it disappearing if Jasper disappeared from outside of time? What a dark thought.]

[leitstern]

Perhaps one of these days it shall follow me home.

[standvastig]

[...]

What happened to your armor?

[leitstern]

I retired it, an echo of a bygone age. What is this curiosity, Hendrik?

[standvastig]

Considering all that had transpired, I assumed you had it destroyed.

[You know. Like the kingdom it represented.]

[leitstern]

Did I destroy my token, Hendrik?

[It is a question to which he knows his old friend knows the answer. If he had not destroyed that, he would not have destroyed his armour.]

[standvastig]

[True to who he is, Hendrik replies anyway.]

No.

[But there is no apology.]

[leitstern]

Then tell me: why in the blazes would I destroy my armour?

[standvastig]

[... ...]

Is there a reason you told me about your armor being here?

[leitstern]

Yes. I desire to understand why you traded away a gift I poured my soul into - all for you - when I held onto mine after everything that has happened.

[standvastig]

["Gift"? He presumes he's talking about his own suit of armor.]

Because that armor could be better spent feeding and clothing those under my protection than sitting in a box.

[Because that's where it was otherwise relegated. In a box.]

[leitstern]

I ought not be surprised. You are an observant man when the citizenry requires aid but are blind to notice your oldest friend. Though I burned that bridge a long time prior so why am I even concerned?

[standvastig]

Indeed. Why are you concerned?

[It sounds callous. And it probably is meant to be.]

It is all in the past, Jasper.

[leitstern]

It is certainly not in our future, anyway.

[One might dare to dream of them wearing that armour again. One wistful thought before he tells himself it is false hope.]

[standvastig]

You know that and you are looking at that armor anyway.

[He doesn't think he'll ever understand that part of Jasper. The man destroyed his home and kingdom and yet yearns for the symbols of it like they mean anything without that home and kingdom.]

[leitstern]

[What can he say to that? The man is right.]

Are you going to begrudge me some unhappiness, Hendrik?

[standvastig]

You have been bitter and unhappy for so long that I would have thought you tired of it by now.

[leitstern]

I cannot pretend to be offended. I cannot pretend to be content. But really both are neither here nor there. We grew up together but we were not treated alike. I had my wishes ignored and though I understand the reason why I cannot separate my mind from my memories. You should do well to remember that.

[standvastig]

You say that as if I am not reminded every time I look at you.

[leitstern]

What do you want me to say, Hendrik? My wish is you might gaze upon me and see the young man I was but neither of us can turn back time.

[standvastig]

There is nothing to say, Jasper. We both made our decisions, whether or not we were aware of what they truly meant.