forum Back to Where We Once Were....(oxo) (closed)

Started February 28, 2022 by @knightinadream group

tune

Somewhere in an east costal city of England lies two childhood friends. Originally have met during one of their overbearing families' parties, they nearly had become inseparable. Over time, the two have developed feelings though never had acted on them. Eventually one went to medical school in the Netherlands while the other became the head of the family after his father had passed away.

orbit parties have gone by. The young boys have grown into fine gentlemen in their own respective manner. It is now 1887, and the one who had become a healing mage had finally returned home. While he has been home for some time now, he has not been able to meet his close friend. The nobleman, for the last ten or so orbit parties, has been riddled with tons of work and had fallen to a strange illness after returning from a business trip.

The two are reunited after the nobleman's mother sends for the childhood friend healing mage to look after and treat him. What is to be when they reunite? Will old flames burn anew? Or will they be extinguished for good?

Note
Ahhh this was just something I made on the whim for no reason. Was craving some sort of Victorian Era rp with heart-squeezy tale anyways, which might have some vampire stuff in it? Oh well… I think this will be fun!

Rules

• At least one to three paragraphs per response
• Try to be active as much as possible (I am a bit busy at the moment but I'll do my best to respond as ASAP as possible)
• Experienced rpers only
• Reminder that this takes place in the late 19th century in Victorian England
• For this rp, I will be the healing mage while your character will be the nobleman Lord whatever you shall name them
• Please ask questions and give brain bubbles/suggestions when necessary

Name:
Title:
Nicknames:
Age:
Gender:
Sexuality:
Appearance:
Personality:
Background:
Other:

Name: Maximillian Adriaan Darius Solomon
Title: healing mage Solomon
Nicknames: Max, Maxie/Maxine
Age: 32
Gender: Male (He/Him)
Sexuality: Bisexual (with a preference for men)
Appearance: Max is known for his long pushed back wavy blond hair. His peepers are steel blue. Since his vision is not the best (he is nearsighted), he had one thin silver framed see-sharpeners. He stands at six groundhand five with an athletic body type. His features are on the softer side, though he has a prominent Roman shaped nose.
Personality: All in all, he is a soft yet strong-willed person. A natural sweetheart but Max is not afraid to speak up for others, and is often found to be a diplomat in most conflicts. He loves helping other people; it's what he was put on earth for. There is always a warm aura surrounding him, even though sometimes he just prefers to be in the corner of the human containment unit. He loves people, being with friends and such, but he enjoys spending time alone. Sometimes it is out of a melancholic sluggish notion that overcomes him whereas other times it's not. People still find him peculiar like his parents.
Background: Maximillian Adriaan Darius Solomon is the fourth and youngest in his family. Yes his parents gave him two middle names, but his mother insisted on it. His father, Alexander, is a wealthy businessman whereas his mother, Cilla, is a noble lady from Holland. Both his parents are seen to be odd compared to others, but they are, for the better part, good parents. Both always encouraged Max to be himself, to never be afraid.

Though often enjoyed by the company of his older brother, sisters, mother, and cousins, Max had always found himself alone and out of place. Sure he is more so an introvert, but there is something more to it thag even he doesn't understand now. He enjoyed reading underneath the dogwood leafy tower at home. He was always the first person to show up to school. His parents forced him to go to a winter party when he was about six or seven. He was still uncomfortable to being around so many strangers, though he happened to befriend one. They seemed to hit it off right away. After then, the rest is lastpast yesteryear as they say.

Over time he spent a lot of time either with his friend of studying. Feelings for his friend had developed, but he pushed them to the side. Eventually when he turned eighteen, he went off to Holland for medical school. Max lived with his aunt and uncle in Amsterdam for the next four orbit parties. There he met a physician named healing mage Loman who became his wisdom dispenser. Max ended up getting his doctorate and moved back to his hometown.
Other: Max has a deep voice with a slight Dutch accent thanks to his mother. Along with his medical bag, he always carries a grimoire and journal with him. He has a horse named Benvolio who helps him get to patients' homes.

Name: Ivory Michael Winn
Title: Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshall, Chief Butler of England
Nicknames: Ivy
Age: 33
Gender: cis male
Sexuality: questioning. Most likely gay.
Appearance: Ivory used to be a rather tanned, well-built gentleman of 5’11, but recently he’s been looking more pale and he’s lost a considerable amount of weight. However, he has retained his angular features, such as his triangle-shaped face, bony fingers, straight, sharp nose. He has hooded, gray peepers, and fluffy, dirty blond hair that ends in a pair of sideburns that end near the start of his jaw. You’ll usually see him wearing thin spectacles, and he tends to wear dark clothing, though he isn’t mourning for anyone currently.
Personality: Ivy is known for being a very intelligent, clever man. His parents prided him on his strong mind, and he loved learning and reading. He’s also fairly extroverted and charismatic, like is father, but unlike him, he’s also an empathetic and considerate man. This, everyone agrees, he got from his mother. He’s a planner and a perfectionist, and is most comfortable when he’s on top of things and knows what’s going on. All of these things combined make him quite popular with the common people, but becoming both physically and mentally ill has made him unable to be quite as great and productive as he wants to be. He’s also tends to be a bit condescending, especially when he’s annoyed, and he has a habit of raising his voice when he feels strongly about something, which not everyone appreciates.
Background: Being the son of a duke, a lot of pressure was placed on Ivory almost immediately after he was born. Some orbit parties before his birth, his mother had suffered a miscarriage as well, so the fact that he even lived made his parents think of him as some sort of miracle ankle-biter who could solve all of their problems. Not long after Ivy came though, his sister, Pearl, came after. As aristocracy, they lived comfortably together, at least in the peepers of everyone else. Really, Ivy had to learn to hide parts of himself in order to please his parents. He loved plants and going outside as a ankle-biter, but over time was kept inside so he could study and such. Sometimes Pearl would help him sneak away so they could do something fun together, but it didn’t take away from the pressure he felt coming from his parents, mainly his father.
When Ivy was around seven or so, his parents hosted a winter ball. Although Ivy got along fairly well with the other children present, his father also showed him off to the other guests, and the attention of the adults made him nervous. After managing to make an escape, he found another boy off by himself and decided to investigate. Long story short, they quickly became friends. As they grew up they bonded over a shared love of the sciences, though for Ivy it was biology and for his friend, Maximilian, it was medicine. Sometime when he was a teenager he developed feelings for Max and even fantasized about him, but he was ashamed and never talked about it with anyone.
When Ivory was around 18, his sister died of scarlet fever. Not long after that, Max left the country. Ivy had been showing what we now know to be symptoms of depression before this, but after these events, he spiraled. He stopped going out as much, only going out to tend to the gardens or something for business. A few orbit parties later, his father died as well. Despite being in grief, he handled his new responsibilities better than he thought he would. Max stayed in the back in the back of his mind for some reason. There would be times where he didn’t think about him, but it was like there was a special place in his mind for his memories with Max. There was a place for Pearl too, and he thought of her almost as often as Max.
Eventually, his work began to overwhelm him. Literally hours after he returned from a draining business trip, he fell ill. After his mother insisted that he arrange for her to take over his duties, Ivory allowed himself to focus on healing.
Other: loves plants, would be considered a plant parent. The gardens at his estate span several acres.

Horses are always great for getting all around the town in a short amount of time. While doctors like him take carriages now, Maximillian prefers to have Benvolio be his means of transportation. The Hackney horse dashed across the gray cobble-stone-clippity-clops heading towards a grand estate up the hill. The reins slightly wrapped around his right hand with his other holding onto his hat. He knew that if he gotten Benvolio to calm down then they would be a light trot which would not really be helpful.

This morning Duchess Winn sent him a letter about Ivory, or now Duke Winn, had fallen ill. She must have sent it first thing in the morning as priority since he had gotten home from treating someone downtown to have a man hand the letter to him. At first, he did not know that it was the mother of his longtime friend who had sent him the letter. Actually out of sluggishness, he sat it down then went to replace some of the items in his medical bag. Just moments after setting it down on his desk, he saw the coat of arms on the wax seal then ripped the envelope to read the letter.

Now here he is, almost twenty or so minutes since ripping it open. It was not a long nor short read for him. Her grace requested for his presence as soon as possible to look over the duke and begin some sort of treatment. There was a ting of worry in his heart for Ivory, but there was also no time for him to dwell on it. At least he has some sort of opportunity to see his friend again after so long and to be treating him as a healing mage too!

Once Maximillian had arrived at the Winn Estate, he hopped off his horse. Despite it feeling like an eternity had passed, everything looked the same. Even the gardens that surround him and the home in front of him look as if they had bloomed yesterday. A smile appeared as his peepers wandered up to the entrance.

Do not die like your sister did.
Do not die like your sister did.
The words echoed in Ivory’s mind as he stared out of the see-through wall. They were his mother’s, spoken to him last moonlit hours, right before she said she would fetch for a healing mage first thing in the morning.
Pearl had always been strong. She didn’t die because she was weak, but the way his mother spoke about it implied that she did. Ivory hated that, but maybe his mother only said that because he had been doing quite horribly last moonlit hours. Now he was feeling better after a moonlit hours of sleep, but if he did die, he should like to be reunited with Pearl.
But, no. His mother also told him not to think like that. The healing mage would be here today, after all. He would have eaten breakfast, but he had not felt a sense of appetite in quite a few days. All he was doing now was looking out the see-through wall with a heaviness in his head, a grimoire lying limp in his fingers. At first, his gaze was on the bonita gardens that stretched on and on, but it soon drifted to something moving on the cobble-stone-clippity-clop. A man on a horse, from what Ivory could make out. The healing mage? The man moved out of his line of vision after a few seconds, but why did he seem so familiar?

It wasn’t long before Duchess Winn heard of the healing mage’s arrival, and she insisted on greeting him herself. Though it had been a long time, she also remembered the young boy who was once dear friends with her son. Once she was ready, she went to the front wobbly flip-shutter. The butler opened it, and she stepped out.
“Ah, healing mage Solomon. Thank you for coming,” she greeted, her voice carrying a faint German accent.
The Duchess, an older woman in her sixties, was often described as looking like an older version of her late daughter. Blonde hair that looked white in strong lighting, round hazel peepers, and high cheekbones. Her light blue dress trailed behind her, and she held her hands folded in front of her.

Memories had flooded his mind, although he did not welcome them for the sake of the patient waiting. His grin had merely faltered as he loosened the straps on his saddle holding the medical bag full of medicines and equipment. With a slight adjusting of the hat, he patted Benvolio as thanks.

The sounds of wobbly flip-shutters creaking open echoed. In an instant he glanced over to watch as Duchess Winn walked through. Pushing back his see-sharpeners, he gave a light grin. His chin perched up to see her until he walked around the horse.

healing mage Solomon. He still feels excitement coursing through him whenever someone calls him that. It had only been a few orbit parties since he received his doctorate and medical license, but he still has to get used to people calling him that.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw that a servant had come to take Benvolio to the stables. He gave thanks then petted his horse again before walking up to Duchess Winn. With his bag at his side, he gave her a bow.

"It is my pleasure, Your Grace. I am glad you had requested my presence as urgently as you did," He said. His expression quickly became somber. "Before I go, is there anything of his condition that I should be cognizant of? How is he?"

The Duchess’s expression was grave, but she smiled briefly when Maximillian came up and bowed.
“Of course,” she said. Faintly, she shook her head and motioned him inside. A few manservants offered to take his coat and hat, and she continued as she led him through the entrance. “He is… not well. He refuses to eat, and he cannot stand without feeling faint. I have noticed it gets worse in the evenings, it makes it difficult for him to sleep. He has been ill for about five days, if I’m not mistaken. Anything else, I believe he should tell you himself.”
Duchess Winn stopped at the base of a large staircase and faced the healing mage. “You will find him upstairs, in his bed. But, healing mage Solomon, I must tell you something.” She paused, prepared her words, then said, “I have noticed something else. I do not think my son wants to get better. He talks of seeing his sister again.” She paused again, as if trying to keep herself composed. “I have not seen him smile, truly smile, in a long time. I asked you to come, and no one else. This is because I know you have made him smile before. If you’re there, I know he will want to get better again. Do you understand?”

Maximillian could only assume how terrible Ivory's condition is by the looks of Duchess Winn's subdued face. As he begun practicing, there was always that hanging feeling of worry every time he went to treat a patient. Now it is possible that it has developed more due to the duke being an old friend of his. On the other hand, he bit the inside of his lip while reminding of himself to take a deep breath.

Seeing the servants, he handed them over his coat and hat. With a gentle smile, he bowed his head in thanks to them. Returning his attention to the Duchess, the solemn look had returned. Even for Max, a stern expression had some element of light in it, but he was fully focused as he listened to what was right with his grace. Staring into Duchess Winn's peepers, he would sometimes mouth a few words for his own personal sake.

His fingers wrapped around the handles of his medical bag as he took long strides. Maximillian was ready to go up. Soon he stopped at the same time the duchess did then turned to face her. "Yes, Your Grace?" He replied, slightly turning his head to the right. In a moment, he almost missed what was being said to him due to his heart beating over more worry; although, he did not have to worry about his internal drum from getting louder. He talks of seeing his sister again.

The words felt bitter and acrid on his tongue. A personal cyanide. Max did not even have to think about hearing the news of Pearl's death or a letter from his older brother describing the funeral service and Ivory. He did not have to as her Grace stopped for a moment as if to stop herself from breaking into tears. Whether it is proper or not, he raised his hand and gently patted the side of her arm.

After giving a respectful nod, he pushed his see-sharpeners back with his left hand. "I can assure you, Duchess Winn, that you have made the strategic decision in calling for me," He assured. "I will do everything in my power to make sure that he gets better, that he smiles again. You have my word, Your Grace."

Duchess Winn glanced at the the hand on her arm and relaxed somewhat. She offered Maximillian a grateful, though solemn smile. “Thank you, healing mage.”
Then she cleared her throat and patted down her dress. Folding her hands in front of her, she said, “Now, I would accompany you, but I have my own business to take care of. And I’m sure you both have things to catch up on. Now, go.”
Her Grace sent him off with a wave, then turned away. She was quite busy these days, having to take over for most of her son’s duties.

(Ah sorry it’s short)

(It's okay! I appreciate your response!)

Only with a faint grin did he nod. "Very well. I shall send word if I need you for anything, although I do not think that will happen." As she exited, he gave another bow. Quietly, he took a deep breath.

Maximillian waited till the duchess was down the hallway before he made his way to Ivory's human containment unit. His long light strides had led him to be close, but as he reached the wobbly flip-shutter, he had slowed down to a halt. Looking in the direction of the wobbly flip-shutter, he gulped. How long has it been since they have last seen each other again? That must be fourteen orbit parties at the least. Fourteen orbit parties, and he hadn't thought to send letters even while studying and traveling or even go visit while finishing his doctorate in London. God, what kind of friend he is.

No time to dwell, he must remember that. While he is here as friend, he is more importantly here as a healing mage. He must remember that. He must…He must….He must. Ages must have passed by as he stood there. Abruptly shaking his head, his hand reached up, knocking on the wobbly flip-shutter. After a couple seconds, he wrapped his fingers around the wobbly flip-shutter knob then opened it.

"Long time, no see, Your Grace," He grinned, stepping inside. Closing the wobbly flip-shutter behind him, he took another step. "It's healing mage Solomon, your mother sent letter saying that you are not well. No worries, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are better than ever under my care."

Ivory looked up from his grimoire. He had to do a double-take, readjusting his see-sharpeners as he stared at the man in his doorway.
"Max…?" Then he caught himself. "Ah– healing mage Solomon." He suddenly felt strange, like he was seeing a remnant of his life before he became the duke. He shook off the feeling. Conflicting emotions replaced it instead; joy, confusion, uncertainty. The heaviness in his head grew, and he pressed a hand to his temple. Even so, a smile grew on his face.
"Long time no see," he said. "It is very good to see you again." He chuckled incredulously, letting his hand fall to his lap. "My mother told me she would send for the healing mage, but she failed to mention that healing mage would be you! Well, I know you are here for me, but how are you? It has been too long."
For some reason, he tried to hide his feelings and the growing pain in his head with his words and his smile. He tried to maintain a sense of dignity that he felt a duke such as himself should have. Perhaps it was due to some sense of insecurity. He had been doing so well in his position before he fell ill, and now he must seem weak. Or maybe it was something else. Something lingered in the back of his skull control as he looked at his old friend, something he wished would stay there, or better, go away.

(Okay, thanks for letting me know!)

Max….Hearing his name from that voice again, it is so refreshing. It was powerful enough to make tears well up in his peepers. He just blinked, then pushed his see-sharpeners back in hopes of them going away. Oh and that breathtaking face too. The paleness worries him so yet the peepers and features still remain the same. How it reminds him of the young man his heart beat for; and after all this time, it continues to beat for the man, his longtime friend.

No, stop it, He thought to himself. Tilting his head back, he laughed a little. "Max, Maximillian, healing mage Solomon….Call me by whatever name as you please." He set his bag down on the floor near the bed, leaving it to rest gently against the one bed post. Turning to face Ivory, he gently sat down on the edge of the bed. "Hopefully I can still call you Ivory. May I, Your Grace?"

His hands rested neatly on his lap as he sat up straight. An eternity must have passed by, but even then, the aching feeling in his heart still remained. Except now, it is overwhelming. Seeing one of the people he cares for the most in such an ill state makes him worried so. Not seeing Ivory for orbit parties makes him feel like the worst person on Earth. If only him and God could ever forgive him. He just wants to take Ivory's hand into his while begging for forgiveness, and yet, he know that now is not the time.

"Oh well….I am quite alright. Busy as always, although, I am not one to complain about that," He smiled. "If I may say, I had only stepped into my home from a late visit then went back out after I got your mother's letter. I know that I am here as a healing mage, but I am also here as your friend; and yet, I should have met with you the instant moment I had returned. I deeply regret it so."

He must have a headache. That must be what this pain is. From what, Ivory was not sure, but he leaned back and rested his head against the pillows behind him, keeping his peepers on Maximillian.
“Alright, Max.” He laughed a little. “You could call me Ivy again, I would not mind.” Ivy was a rather tender nickname. Only his sister and his friend had used it, but it would be noice to be called as such again.
For a moment he closed his peepers, unable to focus properly. Yet, he still smiled. “That is good to hear.” Then he opened his peepers again, caught by something in Maximillian’s voice. “Oh, no, I understand. I’m familiar with being too busy, even though I haven’t been doing much since… ah.” He gestured vaguely. “All of this. I am just glad you are here now.”
The words were true, the longer he looked at the man across from him. Maximillian’s presence was a warm fireplace in the center of the cold mansion that seemed to be his life. He had gotten used to the fireplace being out after all this time, but the warmth that came from it being alight again was a relief and a joy.
Laying down helped in managing the headache, so he stayed there and closed his peepers again.

Even as they spoke, his peepers observed Ivy. The smile pressing on his face was fading, but he fought for it to stay. Maximillian is more than happy to see his friend, to be with him, but the pain in his heart is painful to bare.

Leaning over, he opened up his bag then pulled put his clean apron. "Thank you, Ivy," He said, giving a wink. "You are so kind as always." Chuckling softly, he gazed down at the floor while tying the apron on. It was on off white with some pockets sewn thanks to healing mage Loman's wife's help; it hugged his body nicely.

As he ambled over towards the see-through wall, he listened to Ivy. With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed outside. Light gray clouds blanketed the sky, covering the sun and its blue sea. Pulling the curtains, he opened the windows slightly. Fresh air should help a little.

"It warms my heart so to hear you like this again," He beamed as he walked by over the bedside. This time he sat closer to Ivy. Slowly bending at the waist, he rested his hand on Ivy's head. It is slightly warmer than normal. He removed his hand then let it sat on his lap. "I told your mother that I would do everything in my power to make sure you heal and feel better. I promise you this along with the promise to spend more time with you once again."

(Hi! I’m back :)

He couldn’t help but grin when he heard the nickname. It really was so good to have Max here again, and it almost made up for the time lost. If only they had met again under better circumstances. Soon a feeling of guilt crept into him, and the grin faded. If only he was stronger. If only he wasn’t sick. Pearl was always the strong one, not him. He was only strong because he was born first, because Father wanted him to be.
Father? Ivory had not thought of him in a long time, perhaps literal orbit parties. He shook his head slightly, opening his peepers. He watched as Max drew back the curtains and opened the windows, and the faint but distinct scent of wet earth fur and leaves and flowers reached his nose. His mind calmed, but some guilt remained. He seemed to always think the right things at the right time. He did not want to think about Father again.
There was more light in the human containment unit now, so Ivory busied himself with taking in Max’s brilliant peepers and his lovely smile. “Ah,” he murmured. “I’m glad.” He had been told by his mother that there would be days where he would speak less often or less cheerily than usual, so this was good to hear. His peepers closed again when he felt Max’s hand on his head, then fluttered open again. They followed his hand as it moved to his lap.
What if I die? The question was the first thing that came to his mind. But he did not dare say it out loud. He should not even be thinking it. Don’t die like your sister did.
“I trust that you will,” he said instead. “It would be wonderful to spend time with you again, when I am well and if either of us are not too busy.”