Re: Svarik and the company II

[VisAnastasis]

" I can imagine, that I might be too distracting to you. But to get you best working conditions... You have enough snacks, drinks, water, and painkillers to last you... Would you like me to sneak out for couple hours as well, maybe until hour before sundown, while you work? " demon bid him. " I would like to believe, that you won't escape, or try anything ill. This is my room, so you are free to feel at home here and take time to think through things. I will trust you with it. It can be our little secret. I need to think through carefully, as well, what can I give upon little Erdel, to treat him, so I'd focus easier too, if I wouldn't glance at you every now and then, but focus on that.. I could not really... figure out anything during those three hours..  " he admitted, embarrassed. " I kind of, um... Just watched you sleep, that's all... But I should get to doing this, too. Erdel is emphatic demon, and his powers need good tuning to his feelings for him to reach his full potential and grow up healthy. I must not let this experience stain his heart. I wronged him yesterday, by doubting him... I need to make it up to him, too. "

[Mirach]

"Why would I run away from free food and accomodation?" Senecio joked. "It really would be easier to focus. And... was he really dying from that poison? I really did not want that..."

[VisAnastasis]

" He probably was. Dying... well, a bit of a twistable word. Maybe he could have died, maybe not, but he certainly was on verge of corruption. That is the point when your whole essence... cramples on itself in pain, like crumpled paper. It is incurable ilness, and you almost got him in verge of it Only with king's care and warmth, and when he started to calm, did he start getting better. "Tide replied a little darkly, sensitive about the subject." You have given an empatic, sensitive Demon an insanely strong doze of  beverage untested, that was built to directly hinder his soul, instead of soothe it. Yes, he could have died, but dying would be least of his problems, if he grew corrupted... You just should never put another creature through this. Not even the worst enemies. It is too cruel. Now you know better. "

[Mirach]

Senecio looked genuinely troubed with that. "I did not want to do that... I visited Garnet, trying to figure out where she held poisons and antidotes. That was my original plan, but I was afraid that I might get killed before I manage to give them the antidote... When she told me about this new mixture she was experimenting this, and how it's just mildly poisonous to humans, enough to cause unpleasant symptoms that will pass on their own. She said it was more poisonous to demons, but I thought that demons are hard to kill, and that the king's demon bodyguard would just be slowed and weakened for a while, giving me a chance. I did not know it could do that..."

[VisAnastasis]

" He is youngling. Younglings need more practice to be in tune with their emotions. It only saved him that he was a very high level demon. His immense potential and will to protect his king enabled him to fight back. But if he was a low demon, there is no telling what would have happened. He was so upset for safety of his king and fear consumed all his sences. He drank all the poison, just to make sure his master gets none... and still, he bid for your life later. That is great quality of character. I am proud of him. Do not worry... I will make sure he recovers. You only need make sure he gets a proper apology. "

[Mirach]

"I will write that first," Senecio said, taking a new clean paper. " If you also want to give him something, can I help you with choosing?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I am not sure yet, what shall I give - something physical, or something spiritual, that is, put some of my skills to his service. His essence still needs some embellishments to be in tune, after yesterday. " Tide said. " As said, I am still deciding. Do you have some suggestion, then? "

[Mirach]

"He seemed really afraid of accidentally turning me into a vampire," Senecio said. "Isn't there something that would prevent that, if he does that again to someone while protecting his king?"

[VisAnastasis]

" His powers are potent and strong - giving him something to prevent him from doing it would only cripple him somewhat. You should let yourself be what you are and experience yourself fully. " Tide noted. " That said... Lot of things he does is instinctive, not controlled. It is remnant from time when he wasn't whole, when he was a vampire, walking the maddening border between us and humanity. It is instinctive for him, to excrete poison through his fangs when biting. If I had more time, I could teach him to do it only when he chooses, not on impulse. But I do not have that time now, and I do not know if I will have it, in case... you know... "

[Mirach]

Senecio nodded quietly. "I just think that the possibilty of turning people is holding him back from doing his job as a bodyguard, and that he doesn't like it. But I do not know him well, only from what I saw."

[VisAnastasis]

" I more think he is holding himself back mentally because of general lack of confidence. Being bodyguard - he is capable of it by brute force alone. He needs no refinement for such a thing.  Had he not being poisoned, he could have squashed you. I don't doubt his power... Only his skill. I think he will only feel freer, when he gets hold of his powers and manages to bend them to his will, gain experience to use them properly, instead of randomly and by instinct. " Tide said slowly. " If I live, I will offer to teach him to get to understand himself better and explore his powers more efficiently. If I do not... Well, hmm... I am sure he will understand why I was prevented from it and forgive me. "

[Mirach]

"I will leave you to picking something for him then, you understand his powers much better. I just wish I could give him something as well..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Best you can give him is a well crafted apology. A sincere and throughout one. I think that would help him right now more than anything I can give him in the moment, since you wronged him more than I did. " Tide replied quietly. " Do not underestimate, what you can give. Words can be very powerful balm, you should know that by now, being in profession that you are in. Demons are very emotion driven creatures, and he should be reassured, that he made a right choice about speaking in your behalf. Just pour your heart out. I believe in you. "

[Mirach]

Senecio nodded quietly, pondering the words.

[VisAnastasis]

" Good luck. I am sure you'll do well. " Tide told him gently, before he took his cloak so he could travel freely, and removed bandage from his hand, so it wouldn't bother him. " I will be back an hour before sundown. " he promised and tipped his mask to him, before he made a move to the open window, and the next moment, he disappeared, as if he slipped through the air, into the deeper layers, leaving actor to work.

[Mirach]

When he returned before sunset, Senecio looked up with a startled expression. "Is it that late already?" He was still writing the first letter, which already had seven pages despite his writing being rather slow as he struggled to put his thoughts on paper. 

[VisAnastasis]

" I fear, yes." Demon admitted. When he sow the paper, and that it was first letter still, he grew thoughtful. " But do continue, please. " he bid him. " Do not think about time. Time is an illusion, anyway - and as a Spirit, he's a really cranky guy, so all the more reason to ignore him. Just work at your own pace to do a really good job, instead of fast one, and trust me - I will take care of the deadline, you will see. "

[Mirach]

Senecio looked at him a but uncertainly at first, but then he nodded. "I will trust you then. I know it shouldn't be this long, but I feel like I can't stop now..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Then don't stop. If it feels right to write, write. " Tide advised him. " I'll just be reading a book or something, so I do not bother your writing. But write, do please, as long as you feel there is something left unsaid. If you do that, I shall be proud of you, and have no shame in defending you tonight. "

[Mirach]

Senecio nodded, and continued writing a bit hesitantly at first in Tide's presence, but soon he stopped noticing him.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide indeed took some of his poetry books, and he remained reading for all the time they had left, while waiting for Svarik and Erdel to return to the mansion, seeming deep in thoughts.

[Mirach]

In that time Senecio wrote three more pages, but all of that still in the one letter. Svarik with Erdel and XIa returned some time after sunset.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide, as sunset came, bandaged his hand quickly and moved and stood in front of the door, so he could be first to greet Svarik and Erdel when they come to ask for the papers.

[Mirach]

Svarik did not came to collect them though, he just sat down into a chair by the fire as the weariness he felt after growing the violets did not go away comletely during the whole day, although while being with Jake, he was distracted from it.

[VisAnastasis]

When Tide sow they are not coming, he reassured and left Senecio in the room, while he went upstairs to speak with them himself. He knocked on the door, and when vampire bid who he is and told him to come in, he did so, a little shyly.