anfaenge-blog

[anfaenge-blog]

      “I disagree,” Ludwig says, and he considers shrugging the other’s arm off his shoulders, but ultimately decides that it’s a fruitless endeavour. “We have nothing to offer one another.”

Do Not Disturb

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     He places an arm around the blond’s shoulders. “True, but we can be friends. It would be a good relationship if you think about it.” ╠════════╪═════════════════☢═════════════════╪════════╣

[anfaenge-blog]

      If Ludwig was surprised to hear that the smaller student was a year up from him, he certainly didn’t show it. He simply nodded once and continued on. He knew students arrived at the academy at different times in their lives, and that there was a slight variation of ages even among students in the same year.

      “I’m joining the soccer team, actually,” Ludwig said. “So if there’s no volleyball, we may become teammates.” And he actually smiled a bit at that, still an awkward expression on his face but not horrendously so. It seemed he was becoming more comfortable with Kiku. Ludwig was a pretty friendly person, after all. Just... not great at making friends. Terrible at talking, and so on.

      “Ah, I’m from Germany,” he added at the other’s question. “A little farming village in the south of the country that I wouldn’t expect you to have heard about. We’re not even on major maps. And you? You don’t speak like an American, but...”

          “A third year.” He supposed that might be slightly surprising, due to his short stature and his almost frail body. But it could also be not even slightly shocking, due to the fact he comes off as mature (or so his friends and companions tell him).

          “Yes, correct, I am considering volleyball. I’m not sure if there is a team or a club, but I am certain there is one or the other. If the option isn’t quite available, I might end up joining the soccer team instead.” Which, even if volleyball was an option, was still on his list of sports he was interested in. He preferred something that wouldn’t heavily rely on strength, like American football.

          He wasn’t exactly strong, especially when in comparison to the man beside him.

          Kiku looked across the area, trying his best to match his stride with Ludwig’s, and considered the fact that so many students were in the academy. “Where are you from, Mr. Ludwig? Everyone here seems to be from all over.”

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      “It’s okay,” Ludwig said, though he didn’t know exactly what Gilbert was apologising for. It didn’t matter, though. He would forgive his brother anything, and even old hurts vanished now. “Yes,” he agreed, following him. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.”

Gilbert’s eyes watered. Gods, he was so weak. “I’m sorry.” he told his brother shakily, German coming back easily, “I–We need to talk.” He said. He set off towards his dorm, through the rain.

[anfaenge-blog]

      Ludwig shakes his head, face stony. It would be easy to tell this guy off, but he doesn’t bother, just settles on, “We aren’t friends.”

Do Not Disturb

@anfaenge continued from this.

     “Aww come on now~ We’re just having a friendly conversation about you. Don’t be such a prude,” he smirks.

[anfaenge-blog]

      Ludwig had noticed that the other’s position surely couldn’t be all that comfortable, and was glad that there hadn’t been any argument in letting him hold the umbrella. He would have insisted, if there was. But it hadn’t come to that.

      “Of course,” he replied, smiling slightly in response. An awkward expression on his face, but a friendly one, if one could get past the difficulty his facial muscles seemed to have.

      “Volleyball?” he asked, then nodded. That was not a sport he himself enjoyed, so he hadn’t looked into it, but he recalled hearing other students discussing that very thing. “I believe there is going to be a club for the sport-- or perhaps a team? Something like that. Surely something you would be able to participate in.”

      Ludwig himself liked team sports on occasion (days spent playing soccer with others during his youth came to mind), but much prefered exercising alone, for his own sake. Still, each their own.

      “Oh, I’m a second year. And you?” he asked

             At the other’s offer, Kiku couldn’t help but feel relief. His arm felt like it was going to fall off from the lack of circulation, and holding it up so high was by no means comfortable. Had this not been the case, he’d probably hesitate when giving up the umbrella to the other.

“Thank you.” He breathed, making sure the other had good grasp of it before letting go. “Ah, well, I was actually heading over there as well. I wanted to speak with the coaches about volleyball.”

As the third year thought about it, he had to admit that his companion was certainly strong, broad-shouldered, and a little bulky. It made sense that he was someone he went out to the gym. But it was almost as if he was attempting to be a body builder, but as Kiku took a glance over him, he supposed that couldn’t be the case. Body builders didn’t look like Ludwig did.

“What year are you, Mr. Ludwig?”

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      Ludwig flinched, as though the words were an accusation. He’d easily caught up with his brother (what he lacked in speed he made up for in stamina after all) but wasn’t prepared for the outburst.

      Responding in the same language, he replied, “I-- my biological mother was--”

Gilbert paused, unable to keep running, he turned to his brother, shouting at him angrily, voice hoarse, but distinct as he spoke th language he’d avoided for years, “Why are you here?”

[anfaenge-blog]

"You look like someone who has it all together. Mind telling me your weakness so I can screw that up?"

      “My weakness? I’m too patient. For instance: I haven’t told you to get out of here yet.”

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      Ludwig noticed the way his new acquaintance held the umbrella and frowned a bit. It would make more sense for him to carry it, as he was the taller of the two, and so he held out a hand. “May I take that?” he asked. “Only, as the taller of the two, I would alleviate some discomfort by holding the umbrella.”

      He certainly wouldn’t mind doing such a thing, but he would understand a refusal, if one came, and not insist or anything.

      “I was headed to the gymnasium, actually. This school has an excellent one and I wouldn’t want to fall out of shape,” he explained.

      Of course, it was a ways across campus. He’d brave the rainwater once again if Kiku wasn’t headed in the same direction.

          “I don’t mind at all,” he replied gently, and he held the umbrella above the two of them as best as he could. It was a bit difficult, considering that the other had broader shoulders, and somewhat taller. But it was alright, it would work. It felt awkward, but it would work. 

          “You are correct, though. Lightning shouldn’t come near here. And even if it does, we will not get hit.”

          He didn’t bother mentioning the fact why it wouldn’t hit them if at all.

          “I am Kiku; son of Apollo. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He offered a thin, almost shy smile to his companion. “Where are you headed, Mr. Ludwig?”

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      Ludwig stood frozen, deer in the headlights, and considered opening his mouth to speak, but he had never been overly good at words. In fact, he often found himself ineloquent and sloppy in that regard. But running, that was something he could do. As soon as Gilbert took off, Ludwig followed, putting as much stamina as he could into catching up.

Gilbert froze. He paused and felt a fear set in. Fear he’d avoided for years. “Ludwig.” He breathed, backing away, mirth gone. “Fuck.” He swore, hurrying away, trying to outrun his little brother.

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      It was as if the vast majority of the school had never thought to prepare for anything, Ludwig thought, as he heard a student bemoan his wet essays. Waterproof bags weren’t that hard to come by and anyway, the sky had been darkening all morning, the rain should not have come as a surprise.

      Ludwig had never minded rain, in that roundabout way that was hard to describe-- how rain brought life to the dirt, which was soil, which made flowers and food grow. He wouldn’t try to articulate. He could be, at times, ineloquent.

      “The lightning won’t strike too near to here,” Ludwig said, shaking his head. It was fine. Safe. This school was hardly the most likely nearby conductor for electricity. Still, Ludwig glanced at the umbrella. Just because he liked the rain didn’t mean he needed to be soaked on his way indoors, he supposed.

      “If you wouldn’t mind,” he said at last, then offered what he hoped was a friendly smile (though it looked closer to a sort of grimace). “I’m Ludwig, by the way. Second year. Er, son of Freyja.”

             It took a while for Kiku to recognize the patter of rain cascading onto the roof, lifting his gaze to look at the drops that splattered onto the concrete. When he comprehend the idea, his instinct was to reach for his umbrella, a small to-go one that was nestled in his bag.

            The sounds of shoes and students scuttling for protection from the rain, combined with the consistent pattering from before, were somewhat amusing. Surely they could’ve been more prepared, by bringing an umbrella, or perhaps a raincoat.

            As he opened up his umbrella and lifted it above his head, he noticed a figure walking across the area, past the third year.

             “Perhaps rain from a thunderstorm won’t hurt anyone, but lightning will.” Kiku replied to the other’s words, and he took a few steps towards the other while lifting his umbrella a tad higher. “Would you like to share my umbrella, sir?”

[anfaenge-blog]

      Ludwig was going to respond, something to the tune of ‘fun, certainly, but mostly harmless’ when the familiarity of that voice struck him. It had been some time since he’d heard it, and there was a more grown-up sound there, but certainly it was...

      “Gilbert?” he asked, eyes widening with the shock. “Why are you here?”

“A bit of rain is fun.” Gilbert muttered to himself, blonde hair stuck to his face as he hopped through the puddles, splashing muddy water up his clean khaki pants. He turned his head, spotting a familiar face, pausing with a frown. “Ludwig???” He muttered to himself, wondering what they boy was doing here.

[anfaenge-blog]

      Students scatters this way and that as the torrent of rainwater falls from the sky as if the clouds are trying to cleanse the area. It’s unlikely to work, if that is their goal, Ludwig reflects, watching his fellow students dart this way and that as if the rain is likely to harm them. He frowns, patting his water-resistant satchel as he calmly walks to his destination, footsteps as precise and regular as those of a soldier in view of the brass

      “A thunderstorm like this won’t hurt anyone,” he comments, mostly to himself.