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Post by Mathias Kolher on May 5, 2016 19:10:21 GMT -5
“Judging from that, I think I might be the one hogging your attention and not the other way around, hm?”
Mathias could only laugh at that statement. While it was true that he was busy, he had just managed to finish his work, including unexpected visitors, so he knew he shouldn't be accosted while on this... should he call it a date? He had never really been on a date before so he wasn't sure if this qualified. He smiled though as it was suggested they start their walk as they watched the sun set behind the horizon. It should be a very beautiful sight as the last of the suns rays highlighted the colors of the flowers, turning the most drab colors into blazing finery with its dying light, as if causing the inner fire in the colors to shine through at the end of every day. These were the special times, the times that he hoped Lukas would enjoy seeing with him.
"How are your apprentices doing anyway? Any new ones lately? Any of them excelling beyond what you thought they would?"
He really wanted to know of Lukas' life here at the castle; what his favorite meals were, if any of his apprentices drove him nuts, anything that the man would be willing to share. He wanted to get to know the man beyond work life. He wasn't going to ask him what his past was like, for he figured that if Lukas wanted it known, he would share it on his own. As for Mathias himself, he'd share his own once him and Lukas got closer.
"Have you ever taken time to enjoy the flowers in the dying light? They're beautiful, making one last stand against the inevitable night. The plants are preparing to sleep though, ready for another day."
This trip was only about Lukas,and none of his other usual jobs creeping in. If there was something he needed to look at, he would make a mental note and come back to it later on, when he wasn't on a date with a handsome man... the first person here to actually get his attention in the romantic realm. It was exciting new to him, and something that he hoped would actually work out.
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Micronation
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Wanna hear a joke? Decaf.
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Post by Lukas Iversen on May 23, 2016 11:34:00 GMT -5
The night air was still and quiet around them, Mathias’ laugh filling the space between them with warmth and ease. It reminded him again why he had gravitated towards the Jack in the first place, why he’d grown interested in him and not the others who less subtly had tried to win his favors. For all Mathias was clumsy and a bit too carefree at times, he was also kind and gentle and simple in a way that made him easy to understand. Mathias’ kindness didn’t stem from a desire to further advance his position, nor did he plot and ploy behind the backs of those he’d sworn himself loyal to. And in the court, that was something incredibly refreshing and rare.
Perhaps he was misjudging Mathias horribly and the man did have some ulterior motive to all this after all, but for now he liked to think that this wasn’t the case and just enjoy the other’s easy company.
"How are your apprentices doing anyway? Any new ones lately? Any of them excelling beyond what you thought they would?"
“Too early to say for sure, but they have some wits about them.” Truth to be told, he did have faith in all his apprentices. He’d handpicked them, after all, and those who he did not believe in never made that first cut. And those who did not reach adequate results in their studies… They got separated from the rest sooner or later. “I hope they won’t surpass me anytime soon, though. I rather enjoy my work.” He gave Mathias a small smirk and stepped off the main path of the garden, preferring the narrower side paths that offered more flowers and more privacy. As much as Mathias was keeping the conversation casual, they both knew they hadn’t come here to talk about their work.
Which was why he didn’t ask Mathias about his duties, just kept walking in silence for a few moments and appreciating the way the sun cast its last rays of gold upon the garden, behind them the night already creeping in. And it seemed Mathias was doing the same, or perhaps he too was starting to feel confident enough to drop the formal subjects in favor of something else.
"Have you ever taken time to enjoy the flowers in the dying light? They're beautiful, making one last stand against the inevitable night. The plants are preparing to sleep though, ready for another day."
The question still surprised him, though, not because he hadn’t expected the Jack to speak but because the way he said it was… surprisingly eloquent. He turned his eyes towards Mathias and gave a little chuckle, leaning a little closer into the other’s space as he felt another layer of doubt between them peel off. “I never took you for such a poet.” He said, teasing but also a little thrilled. He prided himself on being a good judge of character, being able to figure out what people’s hopes and desires and morals were. It had been a long time since he’d had any interest in knowing someone beyond that, to learn all the little details about someone that made the person who they were, the inane but surprising things that were only revealed to those considered important.
“It is beautiful, though.” He agreed a few moments later, eyes resting on the flowers that were starting to close their petals for the night. “I usually tend to my herbs so I don’t often come out here.” The gardens were full of people during the day too, which lessened their appeal in his eyes, but at night it was surprisingly calm. Though they weren’t the only ones here not either, as he noticed a pair of young lovers sitting on a bench a few paces ahead of them as they rounded another corner. Suddenly, he was struck by a desire for even more privacy, and he laid his hand on Mathias arm to draw his attention. “You said you found a meadow close by?” He asked him, recalling the Jack’s invitation earlier in the week. “Why don’t you show me? I’m sure it’s every bit as beautiful as this place.”
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Post by Mathias Kolher on Jun 25, 2016 13:24:07 GMT -5
Feeling Lukas move a bit closer, he could barely keep the smile from his face. He was glad that the other man seemed to be more willing to take steps towards trust, towards more than just coworkers as they were. It was a feat he knew he was accomplishing, pulling the self-isolating man out of is cave and into the real world with real people and having him interact more than just the brief questioning involved in treating the sick. And Mathias was proud that he could be the one to pull Lukas into the dying light and let him enjoy the traces of the sun as it kissed the leaves and colored their world for sleep.
“I never took you for such a poet.”
Chuckling in response, he just shook his head and looked more towards Lukas with a wink and a smile, enjoying the surprised look on his face. He could already feel himself wanting to know all about him; his hopes, his fears… he even hoped that one day, Lukas would feel comfortable telling him about the scar on his neck. Mathias had scars himself, but nothing such as this. Though… for now, it wasn’t any of his business.
“There’s a lot of things that you don’t know about me… but I would hardly call that poetry. That’s just me expressing a thing that I find beautiful, worthy to be shared with someone else that deserves beauty in their life. “
“You said you found a meadow close by? “Why don’t you show me? I’m sure it’s every bit as beautiful as this place.”
“I did say as much… and I’ll be glad to show it to you. Here….” He held out his hand to him, the same hand as had the soft touch on his arm; a hopeful look on his face. There was a shortcut he wanted to show him, more just to show Lukas it was there, just in case he ever needed to use it himself to escape something, or if something should happen, he could know one potential way that someone either got it… or if he needed a break from work life but didn’t want to be seen leaving the castle.
“Secret way out of the castle gardens, we won’t be seen by others, makes it a bit more fun that way. So… do you trust me?”
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Micronation
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Wanna hear a joke? Decaf.
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Post by Lukas Iversen on Nov 25, 2016 5:45:45 GMT -5
“There’s a lot of things that you don’t know about me… but I would hardly call that poetry. That’s just me expressing a thing that I find beautiful, worthy to be shared with someone else that deserves beauty in their life. “
Mathias was right. There were more things about the Jack that he didn’t know about than there were those he did. He knew the man was a reckless but fierce warrior, that despite his joking he took his job seriously, that he could be surprisingly gentle and considerate. And he knew that for some reason Mathias had taken interest in him, out of all people, and seemed to think he was somehow deserving of such attention. Even though he’d been careful not to reveal anything about himself to the Jack.
Maybe he should have questioned Mathias’s motives a little more. Romance was something that required trust, after all, and trust required at the very least a moderate knowledge about one another. Yet no matter how doubtful, how cynical, he tried to be about this whole situation, he couldn’t help but feel that Mathias was being sincere, that he meant every word he said. And though it was new and a little frightening, he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, there was a part of him that wanted to learn more about Mathias and share some of his own secrets in turn.
“I did say as much… and I’ll be glad to show it to you. Here….”
He looked down at the offered hand, then up at Mathias’s face, the mixture of hope and expectation there in the other’s eyes. He couldn’t recall the last time someone had looked at him like that; not with cocky self-confidence but like he was being made an offer he could refuse if he so wished.
“Secret way out of the castle gardens, we won’t be seen by others, makes it a bit more fun that way. So… do you trust me?”
Trust. There it was, the most important question, and one he could not give a proper answer to. Did he trust Mathias? More than most people in the castle, yes. Did he trust him with his darkest secrets, the most private of his thoughts? No, he did not. Not yet. But that was not Mathias was asking of him right now, might never ask of him, yet he somehow felt that if he did take that hand he would reveal something about himself he could never take back. He would be swept of his feet and carried to some unfamiliar place where he would get lost forever.
His fingers flexed on Mathias’s arm, the warmth of the other’s skin seeping through the fabric, their eyes still locked together, and he could feel something in him give in. Maybe Mathias was right, maybe he did deserve beauty and happiness. He just had to take the chance and let it in.
Besides, he’d fought off worse demons in his life.
He lowered his gaze and slid his hand down Mathias’s arm, fingers brushing over the rough, warm skin of the Jack’s palm before they slid into the empty spaces between Mathias’s and gave a light squeeze. He took in a small breath, almost like he was relieved, and looked back up at Mathias.
“Show me the way.”
Mathias Kolher Sorry this took so long and for the lack of dialogue ;u; Muse was in inner turmoil |
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Post by Mathias Kolher on Jun 29, 2017 7:50:59 GMT -5
Mathias waited with a look of patience on his face. He wasn’t in a rush, and he wouldn’t be hurt if Lukas said no, that he didn’t trust him, if he didn’t’ take his hand. The thing about trust was, you had to earn it. And really, what had Mathias done to earn it. He hadn’t pulled off any great works, he hadn’t saved Lukas’s life. All that he had really done was bother the man. And yet… he was still hopeful that the man would take his hand. As the silence extended and Lukas kept looking at him, he looked back, not lowering his eyes or looking away. It was a sign to him that perhaps he wouldn’t say no. Slowly the hand moved down his arm and into his own. It was warm, and the way their fingers intertwined and the space vanished, he could feel the warmest feeling in his chest and he tried to project a look of calm into his face, but he was sure that Lukas could see what he was feeling. When it came to things like this, he had trouble controlling his expressions and what could be seen. It was different between his job and here… at least to him it was. He wanted Lukas to trust him, and what better way to do so than to wear his heart on his sleeve. Not saying anything, he led him to a different part of the garden, to an entrance he was almost positive that only he and a few of the castle staff… well, he was sure Ludwig would, and Kiku better… he had better bring that up to him at some point actually. The door was in a part of the garden that was overgrown and didn’t look like it had been tended to, but it had been arranged to look this way. There was no excess clutter, it was all arranged to give a certain look, to half hid the door, but to not hinder it in any way. It was an escape route if anything. And he was sure there was another secret way around here, he just had yet to find it. “Here’s the door. From here it’s a little bit of a walk, but it’s worth it. Heh, perhaps we should have went out the main gate with a few horses or something…. “ He just moved to scratch the back of his head with his free hand, a smile on his face that said oops, perhaps this wasn’t thought out to well.
Lukas Iversen sorry for the wait, I've been super busy and its been hard to get Mathias active. |
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Micronation
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Wanna hear a joke? Decaf.
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Post by Lukas Iversen on Oct 20, 2017 13:31:23 GMT -5
The look in Mathias’ eyes seemed to say it all, the expression on his face both the source and the cure for his lingering anxiety. That impossible warmth and affection in his gaze making his heart race just as much as it drew him in. Mathias’ skin was dry and rough against his palm, and he let his eyes slide shut as he focused on that sole point of contact between them. He’d made up his mind, he’d taken up Mathias’ offer, and he was not going to back down from it. Not tonight. He let Mathias guide him through the gardens in silence, past the areas he usually visited, through the neatly trimmed benches of roses and walls of ivy, until they reached a corner of the garden that appeared completely overgrown. He would have easily missed the door had Mathias not pointed it out, and he wondered if that was part of its purpose. The gardeners were nothing if not meticulous, so he doubted they’d intentionally leave a portion of the garden untended. “Here’s the door. From here it’s a little bit of a walk, but it’s worth it. Heh, perhaps we should have went out the main gate with a few horses or something…. “
He looked at Mathias’ sheepish smile, and he realized that maybe the Jack was feeling a bit nervous, too, worried that he would change his mind and turn around. That something like a short walk would be enough to deter him. Somehow, the realization felt soothing as it washed over him. This was new to both of them, they were in this together. Giving Mathias’ hand a slight squeeze, he shook his head. “I don’t mind,” he assured, nodding towards the half-hidden door as a sign for Mathias to lead him on. Besides, horses would have attracted attention that he for various reasons preferred to avoid. Mathias probably wouldn’t have worried even if someone saw them ride together into the night but then again, he doubted Mathias ever worried about anything. Except what he thought of him, maybe. He found the prospect strangely satisfying. They walked for a moment in silence, the air around them growing quieter the farther away from the castle grounds they got, the night chill starting to creep in in the wake of the last rays of sunlight. He’d never been anywhere around these parts; outside of the gardens, but away from the barracks or the main road. Perhaps Mathias was right and he really did need to get out more. When he was younger, he’d loved nothing more than to get away from people and explore the forests and the meadows around the village. Now, it seemed what little adventure his life had was mostly found within his books. “How did you even find this place?” He asked, his voice sounding out of place as it cut through the silence, almost making him wish he hadn’t said anything. But he was curious. Mathias had been nothing but full of surprises since he’d first met him, as if the Jack was determined to prove each preconceived notion he held of him wrong. Well, at least most of them. He tugged lightly at their joined hands and leaned closer to Mathias, pressing against the other’s arm and looked up at him. “A nice, secluded spot. Is this where you usually bring your conquests?” He teased, lips curving into a small smirk. He wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. Mathias was quite popular amongst the members of both court and servants, despite his circumstances of birth. Even his apprentices always got a little more flustered and giggly whenever Mathias came to the infirmary, which he considered incredibly annoying. He’d always told himself it was because it was childish and incredibly unprofessional, but now, he had to admit that maybe there’d been something a little more to it.
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Post by Mathias Kolher on Nov 27, 2017 14:55:13 GMT -5
Warmth flooded his system as it seemed Lukas didn't care that there were no horses waiting for them, that he didn't mind walking. It just gave him an idea for a different outing, one that he hoped would be able to become a reality one day, if this went as well as he hopped. Once through the door, he made sure it was closed, that any sign of it had vanished back into the brick wall. It was well hidden, a genius of mastery building, an art that was under appreciated. He appreciated the fact that it blended in, something he was proud of, even though he had no hand in its making. For all intents and purposes, there was no door to be found.
" How did you even find this place?”
"I found it by accident really. It was when I was still a regular guardsman. I was on patrol and I thought I saw something suspicious, so I followed it. It ended up being a rather large, sly fox and I got extra duties for leaving my post. But it was worth it. " Indeed it was, he had used the place as a little haven for when he needed to get away and think; a place to just be. It was here he came after the encounter with the Joker. But now was not the time to be remembering that reality flipping encounter. This was his place, and he hopped that eventually Lukas could realize how much it meant that Mathias had brought him here, that he was willing to share this little place of peace with him. After all, a healer might know how to center himself better than the guardsman, but a workshop full of loud people probably wasn’t the best place to put it all into practice.
“A nice, secluded spot. Is this where you usually bring your conquests?”With that statement, he knew that Lukas was teasing, and he could feel the warmth of him against his arm. This whole situation just made him want to play along, to say something swave and lean into kiss him, but that was only one option that was going through his head. He could nearly kick himself for what came out instead. Raising his free hand to scratch the back of his head, he just shook his head and chuckled nervously.If there was anyone else with any interest in him, he was clueless to it.
“Conquests? I honestly haven’t had any of those…. Most of the people here probably think I have no interest in anything except for fighting and protecting the King… You’re the first one I’ve ever wanted to show this place to. I can’t stand most of the people of the court, too up in arms about position and what power plays can get them in the long run. I much prefer someone like you” He could only hope that this didn’t scare Lukas away. He had a hard time reading the man, judging how far to push and when not to. So for now, he was betting on honesty being the best policy and laying the cards down in this situation. He looked around before he let go of his hand and moved to sit down, inviting his companion to sit too. Next time he’d bring a blanket or something for them to sit on, there had been no time to grab such a thing on this impromptu visit. Though if the visits here with Lukas became a regular thing, he might just have to find a place to hide a blanket for their use later.
Lukas Iversen |
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Micronation
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Wanna hear a joke? Decaf.
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Post by Lukas Iversen on Mar 16, 2018 19:09:24 GMT -5
Mathias’ explanation of how he’d found this little secret spot of his drew a quiet chuckle from him; indeed, he had expected either a grander or a much duller story than one of him simply getting distracted by a wild animal. Yet this version seemed the most like Mathias, something he could easily imagine happening, even now. Neither of them were exactly old, but despite the passing of the not-always-so-kind years the Jack still held onto that childlike curiosity of his, that boyish charm people usually lost when they became aware of the realities of the world, when you learned to chase not the things you wanted but instead the things you were expected to have.
“I’m sure it was. Worth it.”His own fox had been one of a high status and a tail of gold, but now that he’d caught it he couldn’t say it had brought him much happiness. But, perhaps, it wasn’t too late to chase after something else. For all he was easy to read like a book, Mathias had kept slipping from him all evening, however. He was well versed in the game of subtle flirtations and secret glances of invitations, the language you had to master if you wanted get closer to someone in court without rumors spreading. And though it had become apparent that Mathias preferred a more straightforward approach — the Jack’s hand was warm in his own and he gave it another squeeze — he’d thought it was because Mathias was a simple man with honest intensions. However… “Conquests? I honestly haven’t had any of those….” He looked at Mathias, surprised, disbelieving. Except the sheepish way Mathias said it implied the man was telling the truth. Could it really be he was just inexperienced? He blinked, not sure what to think of this revelation. He hardly noticed when they came to a stop, looking down at Mathias as the other sat down. “There is nothing wrong being dedicated to your work. However, I cannot claim I wasn’t surprised… You seem quite popular.” he said once he’d gotten over the initial surprise. However, he couldn’t quite shut out the implications of Mathias' confession. And his chest grew heavier as the other continued to speak of his distaste for the people in the court. "I can’t stand most of the people of the court, too up in arms about position and what power plays can get them in the long run. I much prefer someone like you.” “Someone like me? There are many who would say I am just like the rest of them,” he said, finally kneeling down beside Mathias on the ground. “Playing games to climb the social ladder. Reaching beyond what is rightfully ours… How else could someone from a lower class get so close to the King?” He spoke lightly, though he didn’t feel entirely so. He didn’t want Mathias to put him on a pedestal as some inherently good, selfless person. He didn’t want Mathias to chase some picture perfect image of him that didn’t exist — even if in some ways that might have been safer for him. He let out a quiet sigh, and finally took a good look at their surroundings. The meadow was beautiful, just like Mathias had promised, and the soft summer breeze was like a warm breath on his face. It was enough to soothe his troubled thoughts a little. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself and reading too much into this, but he’d never been able to not worry about the future. He’d argue that was how he’d even made it this far in the first place. But right now he was determined to enjoy himself at least a little bit, so he ignored the questions and doubts in his head and instead turned to Mathias with a tiny smile. “Thank you for bringing me here. it’s beautiful,” he said, reaching out to pick a small flower from the ground and twirling it between his fingers. “A vast improvement to the stone halls of the castle.” His smile widened a little. “Perhaps you can steal me away from my duties again, hm?”
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Post by Mathias Kolher on Jul 13, 2018 1:49:10 GMT -5
“Someone like me? There are many who would say I am just like the rest of them. Playing games to climb the social ladder. Reaching beyond what is rightfully ours… How else could someone from a lower class get so close to the King?”
Mathias could only just shrug. It didn’t make a different to him. He couldn’t explain why he could see a difference, but he could. Lukas wasn’t like the rest of the court, no matter how he worded the instances like that. Shaking his head, he just smiled at the man and moved to squeeze his hand.
“You might say it like that, but I still see a difference. You are different Lukas. You’re not one of the court as I see it. Them… all they do is play games, try to get to the top and not care about those under them that get smoothed in the process. You care about people, being a healer. You care about your fellows workers… Those elites would gladly kill the Queen if they thought they could get status from it. You are different Lukas, you are so much different.”
He just watched as Lukas looked around and he couldn’t help but smile as he seemed to enjoy it. He loved this place and he was glad that Lukas seemed to too.
“Thank you for bringing me here. it’s beautiful. A vast improvement to the stone halls of the castle. Perhaps you can steal me away from my duties again, hm?”
“I would love to steal you away again. I’m really glad you like it here. And you are more than welcome to come here whenever you want to. I try to visit here at least once a week, to destress and remind myself that the world is beautiful and not everything is awful.”
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