We all end in the ocean

[leitstern]

🧙 WHO: Hendrik and Jasper
⚔️️ WHAT: Gathering rocks
🕒 WHEN: First week of May
🗺️ WHERE: River's edge
⚠️ WARNINGS: Nothing

[Hendrik had waited until he was sitting to offer his suggestion of venturing outside. He had thanked the upturn in weather and remarked how nice it would feel to enjoy a stroll. Holding onto his breath for a moment, bracing himself before commenting on his chance to do something kind for a stranger. Tears had filled his eyes while he yawned and slouched, twirling his finger and twisting his fringe.

A stranger? No. Hendrik is the reason he wanders outside today. Nobody else can motivate him to sludge through grass and soil, to stride over pebbles and verge, walking so far for so long.

The light patter on his hood is barely enough to soak through, clouds overcast with intermittant blue skies. The plight of an ailing grandmother is hardly enough to drag the human remnants of caring out of him. It is difficult to muster up the energy to find feelings for people outside his life. Where is their connection?

His fingers curl around a thin pebble and he weighs it in his hand before skimming it across the river. One loud splash and it sinks to the bottom, rather than bounce along the top.

Such is his life.]

Comments

[standvastig]

Northwest of the farmland.

[Even having reached the river in question, Hendrik mutters the directions from the request and looks off into the distance. Was the sparkling supposed to be visible from a distance? What exactly was a "holographic" shine? Regardless of any confusion on his part, being outside is a welcome change after tense, rainy weeks spent ... tending to someone who has been his friend, coworker, enemy, and now awkward housemate within the span of their lifetimes.

It's also an opportunity for their familiars to interact outside of the confines of the house ... which makes it all the more ironic that his platypunk has taken to sitting in the cage that makes up the iron maiden's lower torso.

It speeds up their travel progress and neither of the two seem to mind the arrangement, so he leaves them be.]

Do you see anything ... sparkling?

[leitstern]

[Jasper bends down intending to select another stone, his fingers gracing one for a split second before he leaves it alone. He looks so disgruntled by the failure of his first attempt at skimming one across the river, wrinkling his nose when glancing over the river. Hendrik's words make him think. Isn't he supposed to be searching for one that shines like the sun?

Rain, no matter how light, has a habit of putting him a foul mood.]

I doubt I can see anything but this infernal river.

[He doesn't sound convinced this search will be successful.]

[standvastig]

[Humming absently at his traveling companion's reply, Hendrik pulls out his phone and refers to the description again before speaking.]

Perhaps we are not far enough along the river to see the phenomenon. Apparently it will be very noticeable, with fairies attracted to the area.

[He has thus far had relatively good interactions with the creatures of this world, and he hopes to continue that trend.

The grumbling is not acknowledged. For now.]

[leitstern]

[The first thing Jasper does is step away from the riverbank. The second is pivot on his heel to stare at his old friend. He folds his arms across his chest before his itching impatience has him unfold them, hands coming to aggressively rest on his hips. There is no use for both of them to look at that description and he taps his foot impatiently. The sooner this task is finished the better.]

Perhaps. It would have been useful had the author left one of those photographs.

[If that's what they're called? The word hardly rolls well off the tongue.]

[standvastig]

[It takes Hendrik a moment to realized what Jasper must be referencing, taking a few steps further along the edge of the river as if a few feet will change his vantage point.]

A better reference point of some sort would have been helpful, yes. Though I am sure it will not take long to explore the whole stretch of river.

[He rubs his wet phone screen against a dry portion of his jacket before slipping it back into his pocket.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper turns and begins following Hendrik along the river's edge, moving a good number of steps from where he stands apart, as if being left behind makes him feel unwelcome and unwanted. He approaches from behind and inspects his fingers as though entertaining thoughts of pushing the other man over the wide. He would certainly make a weighty splash! Unfortunately, he knows that same weight would surely not budge an inch.]

On a fine day, perhaps. But this weather is barely tolerable.

[He holds out his hand and looks at the light patter of rain. Maybe he's just thinking of getting them ahead. Maybe he's just grouching.]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik glances over to watch Jasper hold out his hand and feel the rain. It is a simple action, likely to observe the weather, but his mind slips to dark thoughts of the past. Of thinking benign things of his fellow knight and general and old friend that would be betrayed.

He refocuses himself to pull away from such things. Focus on the present.]

This weather is the best it has been in a number of weeks.

[leitstern]

[The answer hangs on the air for what seems like eternity. Jasper continues looking across the river, his spare hard shielding eyes that squint in the absence of light. His mind drifts towards thoughts of happier times; the joys of which escape him as surely as the rain slips through his fingers.

He trudges past, stomping across soil that is slowly becoming mud.]

Come on, Hendrik. You know I dislike the rain.

[An appeal to their shared past, perhaps? He doesn't really recognise it.]

[standvastig]

[Silence. Does he? Did he? Did he actually know that Jasper disliked the rain? The internal question has Hendrik paused in place for a moment, leaving him to follow after Jasper while their familiars trail behind.

As he goes through his memories of Jasper, there are more thoughts tied to snow than anything else.]

I thought you disliked the snow?

[leitstern]

Yes but is it snowing now?

[Jasper continues stomping through mud and only stops to look behind at his footprints. For a moment, he sees their outline within soft, fresh snow. Memories of wintery days plague him as he turns and trods onward; hours trapped inside his lodgings at Sniflheim. The thought makes him shiver and he checks his coat is fastened to his neck.

Rain is uncomfortable. Frustrating in how it makes one change their approach. Snow?

Well, Hendrik knows why he loathes snow. Why is he even asking?]

[standvastig]

No. But I do not recall you having particular dislike of rain.

[His honesty is always delivered plain in these instances, without the caustic arguing that has had him imploring to seen as truthful. This is meant to be a simple outing with a quest task that isn't harrowing or confusing.

That's all.]

[leitstern]

Perhaps you simply paid no notice.

[This time, Jasper keeps his eyes on the road. His words sound with honesty; he is as blunt and forward now as he ever was. But their past is a sore issue and he longs to focus elsewhere at this time.]

But no matter. I imagine we are close to our objective. I doubt it could lie much further.

[standvastig]

Indeed.

[Whether Hendrik is answering to Jasper's former or latter remark, he makes no effort to clarify; there is only a certain level of acceptance in knowing that both observations are likely the truth.

The area seems to have recovered from the month of downpour, with birds chancing the drizzling rain to take flight and forest animals venturing out of cover to graze. It would probably be a fascinating time to try out more of his green magic, which is certainly not something he would have thought about before arriving in this place; magic had always been more of a tool in his arsenal than something to explore.

A bridge in the distance marks where "west" becomes "northwest" of the farmlands, and he quickens his pace.]

What do you think "holographic" means?

[leitstern]

[Crows and sparrows dart outside trees and into hedges. Deer linger under nearby boughs and munch on the forest floor, keeping their distance. Jasper watches it all with no small amount of longing; fuelled by his deep-seated dislike of being chained to the human world, with responsibilities. Obligations that had never ceased even when he swore himself to the service of the Lord of Shadows.

The bridge in the distance comes closer every minute. He takes a few deep breaths and wipes mud off his boots using a grassy verge, Hendrik's question reaching his ears. It is difficult to care about what happens to this place. Less so is he upset at having his opinion sought. It serves to lighten his mood and his tone.

He casts a look back and forth down both sides of the river. Nothing.]

Oh, I wish I knew.

[He takes out his phone and wipes rain away from the screen. Pulls up the search function and enters the offending word. Flips it around and shows the images to Hendrik.]

I would say it most closely resembles iridescence?

[standvastig]

[Hendrik has to walk beside Jasper in order to see the image that is pulled up, and he frowns at the rainbow-like shine he sees. It's not something he's ever seen realistically portrayed on canvas, so seeing it on the screen is rather surprising and interesting.]

To think such a property could be passed on to a river rock. It will certainly be something to be witnessed.

[Never mind the fact that similar miracles had happened in climbing up into the heart of Yggdrasil months ago.

He shakes the thought from his head before he has a chance to dwell on it, stepping onto the bridge as they approach. True to the description in the request, the river water northwest of the farmlands seems to sparkle independently of the sun, taking on different colors at different places.

It's quite the sight, and one that leaves him speechless for a moment.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper places his hand on the bridge and peers over the side. One second later, he finds himself staring over the sight that has stolen the words from Hendrik's mouth. The river shines in a multitude of colours; purples and yellows changing their shade and tone.

The sight is fascinating but he turns away. His feet move and he begins crossing the bridge while Hendrik continues watching; his own inability to enjoy simple and wonderful things needling him to the point everything here is a sore sight.

His voice echoes back.]

Come. We cannot afford dawdle if we wish to be home before nightfall.

[standvastig]

[Though he knows he should keep pace with Jasper, Hendrik lingers on the bridge to continue look at the sparkling river. It's mystical show of light and color once again makes him think of Yggdrasil, and he distantly feels regret for keeping himself so busy that he did not stop and think more about the tree of life before its fall.

He takes a deep breath and shakes the thought away, glancing over his shoulder at their familiars. They both linger at the edge of the bridge, which allows his platypunk to see the river while still in the floating iron maiden's cage. He keeps an eye on them as he walks past and follows after Jasper, ensuring the iron maiden has started following before letting his eyes again wander to the river.

Closer to the riverbed, it is obvious that there are fairies also enjoying the light show; they flit across wet rocks or dance on running water, bathing in the shine given off.]

Fascinating.

[Couldn't he capture the sight with his phone? He once again takes out his phone and starts looking at the available apps. Trying to record it would be worth the exposure to the drizzling rain.]

[leitstern]

[Rain patters against his hood. Ears prickle at the noise as his heels squelch in mud, slowing in pace as he begins realising he walks alone. A tired sigh. His temper boils. He slides his fingers out his pockets and perches them angrily on his hips. The iron maiden is easy to forgive because her mind is that of a child. Hendrik? He acts like a thirty-six year old man reliving his youth. A teenager enamoured by the lights; a child seeing their first snow.

Impatience rises at the sight. His foot begins tapping. He tears his attention away from the dancing fairies and ignores their objective to focus on this ridiculous man. His need to be heeded drawing him over to check what's going on.

His voice is a curious mixture of interest and boredom.]

What are you doing?

[standvastig]

[There were options when replying to people on the network. While he usually used the texting or voice options, he had seen others capturing all of the sights around them. And then people would have pictures of themselves. And then there was that "holographic" picture Jasper had just shown. He should be able to capture a picture like that, right?

He looks up when he realizes Jasper has turned around to rejoin him, grimacing at the fact that he allowed himself to get so off-track.]

Ah... I was looking to see if I can capture the river. As a picture.

[leitstern]

Oh, that is simple. Have you discovered your camera yet?

[It is a performance of sorts. He had always been a quick learner; quicker still to crow about it. The unknown part of it, the least he would admit to even himself, is that he enjoyed watching his friend improve. That it made them stronger, together.

He looks down and points at the screen.]

Try looking at the home screen.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik frowns when Jasper points at the screen, carefully pressing the button that takes him back to his "home" screen. There are only two tiles on the three screen pages--AOL on one page and the messaging app on another--that can be flipped between, the other default apps unfortunate victims to either clumsy fingers or buttdialing deletion. (The world will never know.)]

Camera?

[leitstern]

[Jasper stands there on Hendrik's left side; a consternated sigh coming from behind the taller man's left shoulder. The sound of movement and soon he is striding around with a phone gripped in his hand.]

Here.

[One finger flicks through two pages; the time and date on one, AOL and messaging on the other. Along the bottom? A row of the same - with the camera icon in the bottom right. He thumbs it and soon they are looking at the ground beneath their feet in real time.]

[standvastig]

[Frowning in puzzlement, Hendrik tries to follow what Jasper is doing as he flicks through things on his phone. When he's soon faced with a moving picture of the muddy ground and the edges of their feet, he stares blankly for a moment and then looks at his screen.]

I see.

[Well, insomuch as he can see something changed. He looks at his quite unhelpful phone, having to poke at several tiles before he sees something that looks like the camera icon he had just been shown.

It's ... not a quick process.]

[leitstern]

This is an utter shambles, Hendrik.

[Two seconds of baited breath. Three of silent disbelief. His expression is as incredulous as his tone. He holds his breath again and counts to five - and discovers that his surprise doesn't abate.]

What did you do?

[standvastig]

[Hendrik's brows knit together at the comment, his expression pinched in his embarrassment.]

I do not know? I suppose my phone looked like yours at some point, but that must have been a long time back.

[And he's not sure what to do about that now. Should he try to make the little buttons like Jasper's? How would he do that?]