closed Monet's Impression PV Hans Jenssen

Roleplaying as Hans Jenssen

All things were better done away from the masses. An odd statement for someone who seemed to bask in attention but as much as a crowd could raise you up on their shoulders they could trample over you. It was bound to get suffocating and for a while Hans enjoyed that suffocation, the ride from wave to wave meant he never had to think about where to steer the boat next. Yet waves could also lead him into treacherous waters, eat him up and swallow him whole. Out there was a world perhaps more easily navigated than in his mind but for all the wrong reasons. Out there he knew what to give, an exact act to portray smoothly adapting with whatever he had been offered. Out there as careless as he would like himself to be everything adhered to plan. Yet like the broom racer he was agility would not failed him and eventually boundaries were drawn between when he would be that carefree grinning epitome of sunshine and when to allow himself to be lost in foreign woods and foreign thoughts. The reason he ran in the mornings could be easily dismissed as something as mundane as exercise but everyone already knew he was not only the MVP of the team but also in perfect shape.

Also, this was not an excuse to familiarise himself with Beauxbaton’s grounds while looking for a perfect picnic spot for Astrid.

His run slowing to a jog than eventually no more than a walk he found himself instinctively aiming for altitude. Who didn’t like feeling as if they were above the world, whether that was highflying on a broomstick or with feet planted on the tallest mountain? Yet Hans’ affinity towards height would offer a stark contrast to his soon-to-meet friend’s. When the buildings and bustle of people finally seemed to fade away into the distance, when everything he knew was so small, when everything around him grew so large, the world seemed out of proportion and in the best way possible. Like during that hike when Nikolai had pulled him into an unsuspecting hug while two snowbirds chirped behind their embrace. Then the world had felt as if it had titled on its axis itself, and all that was left of it was only the two of them. He could forever relive that moment, away from the trivial matters of School.

Hans’ thoughts were stolen away as the campus sprawled out before him. The castle, the stables, the grounds — and none of them really mattered. Hans had no interest for the extravagant rooms and lavish gardens they had eaten in. They were all sheen and no meat with overpopulation from the nine schools. Though with a fantastic atmosphere practically drowning in love anyone could have a fancy brunch in that hall, the location was generic, with no thought placed into them. The decor would never compare to moments that seemed to slow down time itself, damn it for its mortal nature and demand the world stop for its business.

Yet one non-generic addition to his view stole Hans’ thoughts away as daydreams of his plans were replaced with reality. Before him was a boy with brunet curls who seemed to have decided to join him a race of who woke up earlier. The unfamiliar boy deep in thought as they both looked over the scenery beneath them Hans decided to make his introduction blunt even if he would disturb him. Not even bothering to try for French he approached the boy with a smile, “You’re up early. Enjoying the view?”

Date: 13th February 2024, Sunrise

Eyes flared with soft white spots under the light of the sunrise, still Matthew kept staring letting the impression burn into his retinas to keep the moment with him. A gift to fuel the memory with one added bonus, for now when he closed his eyes rather than the all encompassing dark he would see a spread of fiery reds to soft oranges and radiating white with a yellow spark of sunlight in the centre of it all. Of course the mirage would fade back into dark before long but for a while he could feel it coarse through him absorbing the gentle heat of it under his skin and feeling his finger tips pulse with energy renewing his spirit.

Sleepy from the previous day he was blissfully unaware as another entered his space until the words appeared out of nowhere accompanied by an accent he didn't recognise that could have been a sign of his grogginess but he was fairly sure better implied that the student was from one of the foreign schools. Knowing very little about them he was particularly excited about the possibility of discovering their secrets and developing his understanding of the wider wizarding world.

With the breath taking beauty of the scenery and mind taking focus on the foreign schools Matthew was suddenly transported back to a day that was quickly approaching almost an entire year ago. Back when the young snake was still just a first year and he spent a most miraculous morning just like this with a Durmstrang student. Within moments the gentle warmth that had ran under his skin began to heat deeper with the memory of a kiss, more of a small kindness than an act of passion but still memorable and under the sunlit luminance it tugged a smile out of him. The sunrise delivering on its promise to start the day anew.

Turning to try and place the bodiless voice into a physical form he might respond to he opened his eyes only to see the world still remained blotched in fragments of white like a developing film roll spoiled by an amateur. As his vision began to come into focus he took in the sight of a handsome boy who couldn't be much older than himself with similar coloured hair to his though even laced with sweat still managed to hold far better shape than his unkept mess. Not that Matthew minded after all his wild curls were his favourite feature. For some reason, that was completely unfathomable to the young snake, the boy seemed to be dressed in running attire at this time and from the twitch of his muscles and bead of sweat that lined his forehead it was confirmed.

Such a shame to see someone fall to madness at such an early age, Matthew mused at the idea that back in the muggle world this kid would likely already be getting his personal trainer degree. No, Matthew was only one to run when chased who would do this for fun was clearly delusional if not completely deranged. A smirk pulling at his features with his thought tangent that had otherwise been strained while trying to refocus his vision but now he could finally gaze upon him properly. Taming his devilry into a pleasant smile he split his attention between the boy and the sunrise and replied with all the warmth he had been imbued with "Ah actually up late if I'm to be pedantic. It's-" a small pause taking up the space while his mind warred with the slight disappointment of the missing green ray "-perfect." Sometimes a battle wasn't worth fighting.

Returning his gaze to the boy he quirked an eyebrow towards him and tilted his head sussing him out, "What about you, why in God's name are you running this early, or at all for that matter." In all likelihood Matthew would have to explain who God was but frankly he had already spoken the sky dad's name enough for one night and so he would just leave the wizard to stew in probable confusion. Instead stepping up to join the boy Matthew brushed off the topmost layer of dirt from his jeans with no real care for his success and made his way towards the athlete a picture of friendly intent as he reached out his hand, "Matthew Campbell, Hogwarts, glad I wasn't the only one to see it."

Interacting with Hans Jenssen @Archer Duncan

Roleplaying as Hans Jenssen

Mentally throwing his hands up as the boy mentioned, if he was to be so pedantic, that he was up late rather than early, Hans probably judged Matthew as much as he did Hans though their silence on the matter meant both parties were blissfully unaware. If the muggle-born thought he didn’t know who the Heavenly Father was he’d better reconsider because Hans was consulting Jesus right now on why He kept shoving people with horrid sleep schedules into his face. If he was to so imply that he had been up since yesterday he matched Nikolai’s over-appreciation of profound thought with a side of sacrificing eight hours of sleep.

But fair enough. Going to a school as scenic as Durmstrang — they were literally in a castle in the middle of snow-laced Scandinavia, what more could he ask for — Hans should have been accustomed to the sights that graced him every morning as he looked out those curtainless (and blessedly so) windows. When even a casual stroll on its grounds led to surreal views Hans, coming from the capital city, had very little chance of experiences other than a stray weekend, did not harbour the same complaints as he once had for its undeniably cold environment. France, on the other hand, was a very different kind of beauty, proven already by the pastel colours that greeted him upon entrance. If Durmstrang was a grating subliminality Beauxbatons was exactly the grace it endorsed.

Smiling as the boy regarded him with curiosity, Hans returned both the smirk and his attention. Gently pushing down Matthew’s outstretched hand with a chuckle, Hans winked at him as he chided in mock disappointment, “Save the handshake for some entitled pureblood brat who has a face begging to be slapped.” Laughing at his own words the half-blood found the other boy’s odd perch over the campus proof enough he was not part of the rigid demographic referred to, they were too full of themselves but at least their decorum kept them from purposelessly wasting a night away. Then straightening himself with an introduction he said, “Anyways, I’m Hans from Durmstrang. It’s nice to meet you.”

“As for why I was running,” Hans shrugged casually as he turned to scan over the view again, “I’m supposed to catch kids who sneak out at night and chuck them in the lake so they don’t do it again.” Titling his head up as hands found familiar perches on his hip, he feigned a guise of intimidation as if Matthew was about to end up with the same fate. Watching bewilderment, disbelief, or whatever other emotion that amused him overtake Matthew’s face before the thinly fabricated out lie — like, did Beauxbaton’s even have a lake? — crumbled before his eyes Hans only offered him a devious grin. “No, to be blunt I’m actually looking for a nice space for a picnic, figured I might as well get some exercise done while I’m at it. I know you aren’t from here yourself but if you have any suggestion I’d totally be down for taking them.”

Date: 13th February 2024, Sunrise

The sigh of relief he experienced upon Hans confirmation that he wasn't one of those ridiculous pureblood bastards or worse another Athanatos was rather ridiculous but he had no fight left to resist it. At least it meant he could focus his entire criticism of the boy on his running ethos. Matthew's entire body was released from the tightness it had locked rigidly in from the boys presence now letting his shoulders sag slightly as he retracted his hand with a pleasant smile when Hans laughed. It was a sound he could use more of at the minute.

Listening to the boys introduction his eyes sparkled reflecting the suns bright lights in his golden speckled eyes. "You're from Durmstrang! I guess I'm some kind of magnet for your lot!" Unaware of whatever curiosity had been peaked in the boy for his response as he lost himself in the sunrise once more. Walking back towards the edge and resting against the wall he had been perched on before his mind wandered back to Nikolai and he almost buzzed with the excitement to ask the other boy about him. Elated with the idea that he may actually have a friendly face somewhere amongst these tent.

Just as he was about to ask the boy began to reveal his running intentions. At first taking on the own spark of menace that Matthew was all too familiar with the young Slytherin couldn't help but honk a snort of a laugh. The fellow brunette had summoned an intimidating form with planted stance and sharp eyes but quite frankly a dip in a lake would do him a world of good. Wonder began to enter his thoughts as he pictured a beautiful shimmering French river in this picturesque mountain setting, where a waterfall may break from the Pyrenes rock into a glistening pool. Even if only aa figment of his imagination it was a work of nature's true beauty.

Cocking his head flashing a devilish smirk he drew all the innocence he could possible muster into his voice only to turn it cold and dark with his final notes in equal tease, "Oh well that's perfect because I was up here to lure do-gooders into my trap and push them off the edge. Come closer I don't bite-" Watching a devious grin pull at Hans cheeks his own took on a new warmer light before he giggled out "-But I might push." It felt more than words could express to be unbound from his personal shackles. The world may have not provided him his green light but it did bring him a new horizon, a breath of fresh air and with his current luck he wouldn't push for any more.

Listening with piqued interest as the boy revealed his true intentions he couldn't help but break out in a smirk his eyes a soft brown. If the boy had moved closer he would nudge his arm at the end and with a teasing voice say, "A picnic you say, in such a romantic setting at such a romantic say. My god Hans I never knew I was in the presence of a romantic. You Durmstrangians really start early on all that, players. Well I did spot the start of a trail over by the hedge maze but I'm not sure where it leads it was too dark to explore but maybe it'll serve you well, Romeo."

Pointing over to the location he was mentioning his gaze lingered over the cabins once more wondering just how many international students had travelled here. Hopefully at least their journey hadn't been as tedious as their own, it was his own fault having opted vehemently out of using a portkey but still the point stood. Turning back to the boy with a smile once his finger had settled on the trail a while away over his eyebrow quirked as he questioned, "Say speaking of Durmstrangians I don't suppose if you know if a Nikolai is here. I can't remember his last name but-" hands moving towards his hair pulling it apart combating with the unkept mane until it parted into two sets of curled curtains, "-platinum hair, kind of uptight but sweet, genuine, heavy thinker?" As the words hung between them Matthew observed as Hans expression seemed to shift with recognition and Matthew wondered brightly how familiar they were.

Interacting with Hans Jenssen @Archer Duncan

Roleplaying as Hans Jenssen

Hans deemed Matthew as good company. He laughed easily, joining in with the half-blood at his comment on the gesture. Hans had never particularly gravitated towards the formality, and his first introduction to Vol’ka when he had offered his own hand only solidified his indifference to the nicety. Yet what further caught his attention was the evident elation as the Durmstrangnian mentioned his schooling — though at the moment Hans could not guess for why, perhaps some wild idealisation of their isolated school similar to Xiang’s. This response prompted questions surrounding his interest but as they moved on to his intention in running he was yet to ask. Replying with the same light puckish humour Hans’ eyes flashed with the feeling reciprocated at the playful threat.

At the location pointed out by the boy the German offered Matthew a rascally wink as the boy nudged his arm teasingly and said with feigned contempt, head raised high in entitlement, “Well, I must admit we start early on everything, which is probably why we are better than you lot.” Looking out into the distance once more as Matthew suggested a dark hedge maze, “Hm, don’t want my Julia getting snatched away by some beasts though; she’s hardly suited for being the damsel in distress….” Surveying the area again he turned to Matthew with a face of triumph, “I think, actually, what about here? Overlooking the school and everything.” Unlike how Nikolai and him had turned their backs to Durmstrang and faces to the fjords come his birthday, with Astrid he seemed to be called not to climb to forget the world below, but to offer it to her as if it was priceless gift.

Considering the name had been on his mind it was almost miraculous when Nikolai’s perked Hans’ attention. Watching as the other’s boy’s eyebrow quirked curiously at the name of his friend, he supplied with his own raise of a brow as Matthew finished, “Vol’ka?” Lips twisting into a smirk at the adjectives the Scot chose for his foreign acquaintance, he felt as if he personally could have objected to at least one of the words. Yet Hans made little attempt for jesting as he replied simply, “I do know him actually. Unfortunately he’s not here.” Making the decision against going too deep or rather at all into his brother’s unfortunate circumstances last autumn Matthew seemed unaware of, despite his well faring enough recovery, he ended the lack of his presence there and allowed a mischievous glint to slide into his eyes in replacement of the briefly longing one. Perhaps their relationship could have been described as a simple friendship, but Hans could not help but allow his mind to wander to why this Matthew was particularly in search of him the day before Valentine’s. With a devilish smile he cautiously questioned, “I’m sure you wish he is though. You don’t happen to be after him… romantically, do you?”

Not too long after coming out to the boy during the summertime Nikolai had revealed a first kiss shared in fleeting goodbye, though if he had mentioned the boy’s name Hans would have no recollection of it. Still he had followed the story with both endearment and teasing, and by the end of it Nikolai was probably aware he would be reminded of the encounter far more times than just today. How he could picture the boy before him as the caricature dreamt in interpretation — it made him want to burst into a bout of laughter. What a quaint tale of romance after all, a stray prince on a journey discovering his sexuality to meet another from a foreign land.

Date: 13th February 2024, Sunrise

The devilish smirk of the boy beside him endeared him to Matthew's kindred mischevious soul but with the formation of the question on his lips Matthew would simply roll his eyes in protest, "No, not sure romance is quite my thing Casanova." His eyebrows raised in smug satisfaction at the reference he had picked up from his father, but then suddenly he realised that this must have meant Nikolai had come out officially since their separation. All the worries he had projected must have been vanquished and Matt's heart fluttered with the hope the boy no longer spent his mornings alone but with cherished ones around. Face bright with pride and a warmth to his cheeks he whispered into the silent morning, the crook of his mouth making his words brighter, "We did kiss once actually, around a year past from now. I just haven't seen him since, but I hope he's well. Tell him I was asking for him when you next see him."

Fearing that maintaining course would only lead to his face further resembling a tomato he decided that he had been under the lens for quite enough time, so mirroring the boys devilish features he prodded, "So who's the girl, must be pretty special if you're going to such romantic lengths. You Durmstrang do seem more the heroic type than the damsel." His compliment bring a more sincere expression alongside it that was then refocused on the glorious sunrise before them. The palace grounds in which they were staying glowed radiantly under it light refracting off of the pristine white stone so marvellously it was akin to something straight out of a fairy-tale. Spires above them towering into the sky with the mountains as their only competition. Matthew looked out with wonder and awe tracking every little detail and imagining what other schools looked like, if they were all regal and refined as Hogwarts and Beauxbatons of as varied as the world and its culture. The even more tempting desire that he may get to see them one day in the future filling his head with soft relief.

However, no matter the beauty, the mastery of architecture and the decadence of the setting there was one thing that troubled his warring mind. All of this was so entirely breath taking and yet no one in his outside life would ever get to share it with him. For as long as he had known Matthew and his father had been inseparable, two halves of the same coin a perfect miniature of Patrick. Yet now it felt like everything was changing, all of a sudden his fathers were taking trips without him and he was delving into a world they could only hear about in his stories. The pair were moving in different directions and as much as he hated to even think such notions, they were heading in opposite ones. Over Christmas the devastating realisation set in that in many ways he had held his father back from his passions, not by choice of course but by principle regardless. A guilt he already felt for his mother now broadening for both his parents leaving him with the glooming feeling that he was entirely a burden.

Half listening to the boys response while his mind got away from itself he maintained the polite conversation and even attempted to tease where possible but then when the opportunity took he made use of it. Given the boys dismissal of formality he was sure that he was no full wizard so taking a deep breath he asked the question on his mind, "Do you ever look at these places and think it's kind of sad no one outside this world will ever get to witness them. My dad's would love Hogwarts, Sean studied in a university with similar architecture so I know he'd die to see it up close, roam the library and Dad would paint every little detail for hours." There was a sombre atmosphere to how he spoke of them that gave away the fact he hadn't seen them in so long. The trip to Beauxbatons would mark the second break in a row they had missed together and the second holiday he had to spend on his own mulling in his emotions. It was driving him to such heights of insanity he wondered how he even functioned. That was if you could call his recent antics functioning, spiralling was entirely more apt and yet there was nothing he could do to stop it. A prisoner to his own chains.

Wringing his hands together he noticed that they had begun to sweat lightly with anxiety the internal emotions desperately seeking a viable escape. Tucking them into his pockets to avoid the nervous sensation he shook his head lightly catapulting the maelstrom of his mind back into the far reaches where they belonged. Attempting to make his tone as light as before ignoring the silence as if it hadn't settled in between them he diverted course, "Sorry, have you been? To Hogwarts that is not university. I'm assuming we're fairly similar in age if you know Nikolai?" While his face had turned to view the boy and meet his swirling chocolate eyes Matthew's own were slightly more vacant like he was only partially present in their conversation, some part of him lost adrift in a faraway land or sea. It wasn't that the young boy was disinterested in fact quite the contrary but Matthew had already spent so much of his day being a downer to those around him he rather thought he should spare Hans the necessity to suffer alongside. One dose of teenage angst was quite enough for any sunrise.

Interacting with Hans Jenssen @Archer Duncan

Roleplaying as Hans Jenssen

Slightly disappointed, although not in a surprised manner, as all he received was an agitated eye roll and a word he didn’t recognise yet then realising the purposeful smirk on Matthew’s face at the reference he shot the boy vexed daggers. However after brief seconds of silence Hans leaned over to receive a whisper from the devilish boy, and soon enough a matching smile spread. “Oh!” Hans exclaimed as Nikolai’s first kiss finished his words, utterly amused at the glorious confession that graced his ears, “That was you? So I have heard about you then.” Straightening as he tried to contain himself Hans managed without relentless teasing — that would be served for another special guest, “As I said though he’s doing quite well, though I’m sure he would love to see you. And of course, I will tell him.”

Soon it became Hans’ turn to blush as the topic was guilely shifted towards him. Turning away slightly in denial of the obvious smile playing at him he said softly, “Astrid Olsen, she has blonde hair, nice eyes, kind of looks like that one singer —” he snapped his fingers “— can’t remember, though that doesn’t matter. That’s so superficial. God,” he turned back towards Matthew suddenly, as if angry before a large grin broke across his face, “I don’t know, Matthew, why do you do this to me?”

Almost as he had steeled himself for the question what Matthew asked was an unexpected change in direction from their casual, teasing tones, but it was not a U-turn Hans was particularly against. After all if it meant he could talk more about a topic that actually mattered rather than what colour of attire suited him best, so be it. “Yes, makes sense,” he responded simply at first in the face of the sudden sombreness that had crept into the boy’s tone, distracting himself from the undertone of sadness as he turned once more to the Beauxbatons campus. Studying him with a sidelong glance he decided that since Matthew had been such a blunt opportunist already he would match him as Hans expressed his own disapproval, voice lowered conspiratorially, “Would be better if they always live up to what is expected of them though.” Sliding him a mischievous smile that opposed the earnestness of his voice he seemed to be treating if more as the schemes of a prank, “You're muggle-born, right? I bet I don’t need to be the one to tell you how much you wanted to get here. I love it, but I’m sure we’ve also had our times when we absolutely hated it. Our promised utopias giving us disappointment — what’s new?” Reeling the two of them back into much shallower waters Hans said with a grin that didn’t quite reach his ears and arms spread in sarcastic resignation, “But you know, as the French say, c’est la vie.”

As Matthew changed the subject with an attempted smoothness, Hans did not dawdle behind either when his point had already been made, fresh on the table freely awaiting the interpretation of the ambitious Snake. So ignoring the anxiety he must have attempted to cover, he replied with little further explanation, for the events of the ball were clarity enough in his mind without him needing to reiterate it. “Yes, I went to Hogwarts last Autumn. How do you think it is? My experiences there and from what I have been told, it seems like there’s still a lot of —” here he would have made his grandfather proud by putting it so politely “— undiscovered potential.” Smiling kindly at Matthew as if to signify none of his intentions were ill against him, he continued, voice careless in a stark contrast how it had been just moments before in critique, “Probably, though. In fact it’ll be my thirteenth birthday about a month after this. I’m looking forward to it; someone does owe me good for a celebration after all.” Hans’ lips twisted upwards once more in the familiar motion, the hilltop sunrise reminding him of Nikolai’s birthday last year, all small things, especially the chirping birds that had mired their embrace. Yet when he returned from the memory he found an odd faraway look in Matthew’s eyes he could not grasp.

“You ever feel annoyed when someone asks you what you’re thinking about? I’m sorry, but that’s also exactly what I’m wondering.”

Date: 13th February 2024, Sunrise

There was something so sweet about a young crush, the wholesome feelings of early romantic notions. Having two fathers that were romantic comedy fanatics he was well endeared to the simple joys of such stories and thus as Hans stumbled over his description he couldn't help but smile warmly in response. Such simplicities made the complexities of life blend away like the colours of the calming sunrise. Fading from blazing reds into the calm blue.

Of course that had only drawn him back to its gaze and he found himself in melancholy as he wished to share the moment with his family. Hans' combatted his sombre thoughts with the perfect amount of earnestness managing to draw him out of the clouded reality in his mind and back to reality. It was more than true that wizarding life was not always what it lived up to be. Matthew's status would always set him as an outsider, it was foolish to dawn upon it for it only led to bitterness and resentment. This morning was not a time for that. Dismissing the inner turmoil he exhaled a small laugh and nodding towards the boy said in agreement, "C'est la vie indeed."

As much as he tried his best to power on he couldn't deny the nagging tug of anxiety within his heart that wormed its way into his hands as they begun to wring. If Matthew's subtle hints of hurt were picked up on Hans had not made as such clear and continued in their jovial tone much to Matt's satisfaction. The Durmstrang student certainly had a talent at guiding his self destructive nature back to safer waters. While not quite as intense it reminded him of the blessing from his mother. Her gift of serenity that lived within his bones and spread when he needed it most. Though as much as his instincts wished for him to draw upon it he did not feel deserving of peace when he was a harbinger of the very opposite.

With the young snake's eyes drifting off into the sunset Matthew half listened to the words of the wise one beside him but while wreathed in conflict he found it near impossible to drag himself out to hear them. Not to mention that if the boy wanted to steer them away from murky waters, Matthew's Hogwarts experience was the last thing he wanted to bring up. No instead he just sunk deeper, drowning in a chorus of self inflicted thoughts that new exactly how to make him bleed the deepest. When finally Hans found his eyes drawn to the boy and asked him for the thoughts in his head Matt couldn't help but pause. A choice had to be made, to spill his thoughts to a stranger or bury them.

Opening his mouth he let his tongue make the decision before his head could protest, "Dad says I think too much. That I let the place in my mind talk too much and decide truths that in the real world aren't true. But then whenever I'm in the real world I can't seem to stop making mistakes. It's like if I live in my head I hurt myself but if I live in the world I hurt others." Retaking control his intellect reminded himself of his company and their casual demeanour and thus forcing a laugh he fought out the words, "Basically I'm just being an idiot and distracting you from this beautiful sunrise which is far more important. And hey, Happy early Birthday given I won't see you for it. Maybe you'll get something from Astrid!" The longer he spoke the easier it was to pretend, to hide in the cracks of light jest and brick up the bad things behind walls in his mind.

Taking in a deeper breath Matthew attempted to sort his thoughts out from the labyrinth of walls he buried them in but finding no luck he sighed defeatedly and pushing off the railing of the overlook from which they stood he said, "Thanks for being an ear, sorry if I ruined your morning I didn't mean to. Guess I can add working on my people skills to the long list." Trying to keep as cheeky and light a tone as possible he tried to dismiss the uncomfortable atmosphere that was attempting to suffocate him and when it became too much he found his fingers twisting around the smooth amber stone of his mother's ring. When the calming force finally emanated he let it seep in every pore washing away the self inflicted torment and help catch his breath.

Smiling now properly he threw a playful wink Hans way and with a healthy dose of sarcasm said, "Maybe you could teach me that whole running thing, heard it's meant to be good for getting out of your head!" Then unless stopped by the other he would dash off back to his cabin and in the moments before others would wake, he would lay in deep contemplation. Matthew was too scared to actually think of a new person as a friend given his track record, but at the very least he hoped he had not brought the boy down. After all, when all was said and done, Hans seemed like a pretty sound guy.

Interacting with Hans Jenssen @Archer Duncan

banner by Matthew Campbell || interacting as Hans Jenssen

“Dad says I think too much. That I let the place in my mind talk too much and decide truths that in the real world aren't true. But then whenever I'm in the real world I can't seem to stop making mistakes.”

Matt could have done well with a healthy dose of escapism, a world where he needed not to live in the real one or the one in his head, a completely new universe tainted in rose colour. Except that was also exactly where irony struck, for to many, this world of magic, of spell casting and potions and never before seen creatures, must have been the definition of their highly-coveted escapist fantasies.

“I’m not exactly sure I understood everything you were trying to say,” Hans said, stopping his absent-mindedly picking of the greenery as he threw his hand up, “Which, fair, I just met you and I don’t know your situation. But it’s also probably not your fault. As positive as I would like to be, the world sucks and most of us are just victims of circumstance, not sinners. I’m not certain which truths you decide, but it seems fair to say it’s only because the actual ones are hazy or just straight up terrible. Maybe you do think too much, but that’s not supposed to be a bad thing, yet the world has still villainised it, ‘cause it’s so complicated and disappointing that when you actually take a good look at it you don’t even know what to do with the absolute hellhole.

“Try to find small pleasures, when the grand scale of things seem tipped at least they still remind you of some good. Maybe ignorance is bliss.”

Matt laughed then, and it was a laugh that sounded as forced as the words he would soon hear, but Hans decided he would go along with it nevertheless. His eyes widened slightly after the niceties solely because of the lack of times he had heard it. Not a sentence to be taken wrongly, Hans, surrounded by friends, was a common recipient of birthday wishes, yet he was quite certain this one in advance was a first. Hans shook his head and laughed, lightly slapping Matthew on the shoulder, unaware that the superstition was not one relevant to the Scot, “Hey! Don’t ever do that again! That’s bad luck, you know?”

Settling back comfortably he continued, smiling, “Thank you though, my friends don’t disappoint, that’s for sure.” Thinking to his birthday and what gifts he may be getting soon warmth crept up his back as the rising sun basked down on the duo, dispelling some of the early morning coolness still lingering in the air and drying the spring dew between his fingers. The sun was an all-demanding presence, finding cracks to shine through even in the densest of forests and darkest of shadows. A mellow warmth beside you, shining through a window, or down over the mountains, the only place lacking its presence were the depths of the ocean. Matt, certainly, was no competition. “Don’t be so pompous, Matthew,” he jested in good nature, “You and your 150 height won’t distract anyone from the sun. Anyways, you’re just being good company.” The last few words were steeped in sincerity, no more of the teasing tone as the curly-haired boy looked at him doubtfully.

As much as he could drown in a pool of self-deprecation there was something endearing about people like Matt. Dumstrang with a school with very little butterflies and a great number of beetles with hard exoskeletons, the exteriors of Hans’ contemporaries often proving to be as cold as the environment they were raised in. He had been masterful at cracking them open, or at least trying to allow his sunlight to reach their very depths somedays their elusiveness frustrated him. Both were by no means not his friends; Hans found himself with playmates more than kindred spirits, but it was a ratio he could live with, roughhousing at daytime and saving the philosophy for late nights. Yet since beginning education at an institute of military nature, he had seen little so trustful of strangers and while he had no qualms with the precaution that was only natural, he appreciated it in Matthew.

Hans watched Matthew take a deep breath, as if he was about to hold it before a dive, with his cheek resting on one casual hand as the other picked at the wildflowers, he found his new friend faltering in defeat. Offering him a bittersweet smile at his gratitude as the winds picked up and forced him to brush hair out of pensive eyes, Hans brushed the gesture off as nothing. He couldn’t even have categorised it as a favour, for to him they had simply been two new companions enjoying themselves in conversation. Despite the cheekiness Matt tried to sneak into his words Hans hid a scowl at the dismissive joke and chose to vocalise the truth, it’s ugliness or beauty fluctuating under different lights, “Most people don’t deserve your effort working on yourself for them. And the ones who do think you’re just fine the way you’re right now I assure you.”

The complex workings of people had always came as easily as breath to Hans, as dextrous with their fragile psyches as a weaver might be with her loom or a knitter his yarn. Built naturally into the very genes of humans were selfishness, careless without any bother to be considerate. At most, they deserved to be tolerated, perhaps thrown a half-hearted grin here or there if Hans happened to be of generous disposition that particular day. Hans found no need for a statistical explanation on how little amount of people would continue to be defined by their unrefined, most primal selves even if Matt chose to put in the one-sided effort. And perhaps in matters of blood Matt would always be an outsider, just as no matter how snugly Hans fit into that opening meant for him in a world of his grandfather’s design he would never be fully pure as his peers. Yet that hardly mattered, acceptance could not be forced but all of them would find those willing to.

With an instinctively quick reaction Hans rose to his feet as he was thrown the wink from Matt, who now stanced ready to dash off and only confirmed his intentions with playful words. As he sprinted off through the fields and back towards the directions of their cabins Hans too broke into a run, calling out, “Well, I might as well race you back!”

Hans didn’t know about the newly-met boy, but at least in his loosely-kept books of messy relationships, the overly-contemplative yet always smiling Matthew was now a friend.