Re: Svarik and the company II

[Mirach]

"Sure, I will be safe with Xia," Svarik agreed.

Sencio nodded quietly in thanks, and gave Erdel the letters to give to Svarik.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel first, as if by instinct, smelled the letters to make sure they are not poisoned, as if not able to help himself from it, before he handed them to Svarik, with a nod of reassurance that they're safe.

He then turned back to Senecio, and after closing doors behind them he but silently nodded to him, keeping safe distance, as he indicated he will follow him.

[Mirach]

"Thanks," Senecio said, and as they were further away, he continued: "I have no idea what the king might enjoy, and for Tide... I have many ideas, but they seem too banal... Flowers, sweets... I will get those, of course, but I would like to give him something more meaningful as well. I hoped you might advise me about what's meaningful to a demon..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I have not been a demon for long. Less than a month, honestly. I still have lot to learn. " vampire replied quietly and thoughtfully as they walked, seeming to be more open to talk when they talked about such general broad subject. " I would exclude typical flower bouquets if I were you - Tide does not enjoy dead flowers as much as live ones that can live and last him for a while to remind him on nice ocassion, from what I've seen of him, so flower pot may be better idea if you want to go with it. " critter stated slowly. "But to answer your question... I doubt you can generalize, but to demons, most pleasant things are ones that can elicit strong emotional response. It should be something that comes from companionship between the two of you. Something sincere and thoughtful. Something that will make him go *wow, he really thought of me, when he got this*. That is what Tide needs. Something that will make him excited, as he sees how much through and care you put into it. "

[Mirach]

"I fear I lack inspiration right now..." Senecio sighed. "What would make you excited? Could we just go to the market and see if they have something like that?"

[VisAnastasis]

" We don't have same tastes. Mine are more human, I guess, than his. Tide would be excited by something  that would really make him feel you considered him. " Erdel persisted thoughtfully to focus on kind old demon, with little more color to his voice, as he agreed to go with him to the market and they headed there. " So, sweets are actually pretty good bet. " he agreed readily. " It depends on your budget, but lot of sweets - that'd be good call. One more important note - I noticed Tide likes to give his own touch to things.  Whatever you get, you should get a nice blue box, and you should wrap it up yourself. I know he adores anything sea themed, and he adores everything with glitter - when we played board games, sea cards and cards that were shiny were his favorite ones. He loves handmade touch to everything, so you should also get a card, with some nice message you'd write to it - it is only natural. So, something that would make him feel you thought of him... " suddenly he grew bit more quiet, with sudden inspiration. " What about not just buying him a treat... but finding him one? Tide loves to eat seashells. For him, those are like delicious, hard candy. Maybe we could go find some shells at sea for him. He would appreciate the effort. I mean, he doesn't eat only shells, he eats human bones, and teeth, and he eats all kind of other weird stuff, like corals and tree bark - but what better way to show him you care for his tastes as demon, than by getting him something no human, but only he could enjoy? "

[Mirach]

"So that's why he liked the baked potatoes with skin and charcoals and everything..." Senecio chuckled. "How about I get some sweets, and put them inside shells? Do you think he would like that?"

[VisAnastasis]

" That would be a really neat idea. " Erdel agreed, and despite he tried to keep his objective demeanor, there was some trace of pleasure in his voice at the mental image. " There's also this thing I sow in one bakery here, that they sell - an edible glitter in all colors! That would be a perfect little touch, to sprinkle over the candies and shells, to make them sparkly. It's delicious and sugary, and also colorful, and I know for a fact he likes rainbows. As pleasure of demons, like spirits, are highly affected by sight, taste and smell, it would be a nice packed up visual marvel for him. Little, sweet, delicious and thoughtful - I think it would be perfect. "

[Mirach]

Senecio nodded eagerly. "That sounds great. But tell me also if you see something else you like, I need inspiration for future presents..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I am sure you'll get inspiration from your talks with Tide sooner or later, if you listen carefully. He's very open guy, and likes to talk about what he likes. " Erdel smiled little cunningly with restraint, keeping his tastes protectively to himself, as he added innocently instead. " Like he talks about you, for example. "

[Mirach]

"Does he?" Senecio asked with curiosity, hoping to learn more.

[VisAnastasis]

" Sure he does. He's gushing all over you. He never explicitly said anything about the dating part, but he's so transparent and obvious - king and I guessed quite immediately, and I am pretty sure Sage and Hans know too. Some cooks as well, probably, as he's super obsessive over searching through and picking the *just right* snacks and food whenever he is to get it for you. " Erdel said vaguely with some bemusement, teasing him with knowledge. " If you told him to keep it a secret, I guess he's trying to for your sake, but alas, I must say he's doing a pretty poor job. "

[Mirach]

"I didn't tell him anything like that... but I assumed it would be better for him if he did..." Senecio murmured. "Hans and Sage... don't approve, much, I guess..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, Sage did call you *rascal*, if I recall right. It is generally rather tame word, after what you did to their family. I would use stronger words, really, on his place. " Erdel noticed slowly. " You really need to make amends and get on their good terms, if you want this thing with Tide to work on long term, without making him miserable as you have bad blood with his family... But I think you're in luck, anyway. They love Tide too much. Whether they approve or not, if they see you genuinely care for him, I believe they'll stay out of your way. "

[Mirach]

"Do you think I should get some presents for them as well? I think it would be fitting, to give them all something besides the letters..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't know them that well, I fear... " Erdel said slowly, but with his honest view. " I think that one you really wronged the most in all this is Lorenzo, and they're in lot angry upon you on Lorenzo's behalf. It's Lorenzo, whom you wronged most cruelly. But it's uncomfortable situation. There already, I doubt anything can really make it better, right now. " he seemed somehow sad. " This is a very conflicting situation. You'll probably discover that your foolishness of that night will cost you lot of happiness you could have had... I don't know what to tell you. Cruelty always comes with lot of hardships and baggage. This is a matter of broken trust, stained honor, and betrayed feelings. Money can't redeem you here. "

[Mirach]

"I do not think I can ever mend that..." Senecio murmured. "I fear a present would be offensive to him, I think best I can do is avoid him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I hope you wrote a very good letter at least. He was very intent on dueling you. Only reason why he chose not to was because you stated you'd defend yourself, but not seek to claim him life, and he deemed there would be no honor in killing you like that. " Erdel smiled a little faintly, looking up at the clouds thoughtfully, as he spoke. " I was asking for  mercy for you, but I doubt he'd agree were it not for that. He is indeed hurt and angered deeply, and my only hopes are of Tide, not you, mellowing it up with time. If I may ask... Did you really befriend him just for the sake of... this? " vampire asked quietly, as it seemed it was baffling to him. " Did you ever really deem him your friend... when you decided to gamble with his life like this? Had my king been different person, whole their lovely family would be sentenced to lose heads for this... I am quite certain Hans was seriously considering whether another civil war was worth it to save his family. I really get you to some point - it's so easy to be cruel to strangers... It was way too easy, to disregard my life. " he sighed. " But this, I do not understand - how could you be cruel to him and his wife, like that? "

[Mirach]

"I did not befriend him just for that... at first..." Senecio murmured, ashamed. "I had a bit of a crush on him. But then I learnt he has a wife, and is faithful to her.  It was then easy to convince myself that I don't really want his friendship and just want to use him. But I would not let him and his family suffer over what I did. If I would succeed, I would claim responsibility for it. And if not, I had a note in my pocket, saying where can the real Lorenzo be found..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Did you make sure to write that in a letter, along with all * i knew this was suicide mission and thought only I would fall with it, not you * stuff? " Erdel asked him quietly. " Wouldn't you like to include as well that note that you wrote and put in your pocket in envelope beside letter you wrote him? I feel that would be appropriate, at least, much more than any gift for him. I think you best chance to at least start fixing up terrible impression is with that letter. If you think more can be done with it, I don't mind us returning back to mansion, so we can be quick to mend that, before Svarik gives rest of the letters to their receivers. "

[Mirach]

"I wrote it, but I did not think of including the note," Senecio said, and frowned, trying to remember where the note is now. He reached into his pocket, and took out a piece of paper. "Oh, here it is... I did not take it out yet..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Give it to me, and wait here. " Erdel extended his hand. " I will carry it to king immediately and put it in needed envelope, so we can make sure it's received in time. "

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Senecio said, giving him the note.

[VisAnastasis]

Vampire took it swiftly, careful not to be touched by him, only have the note hanged over to him. Then, he swiftly took a leap, and with a few nimble air jumps, he was already up through the air, to the mansion, to Svarik's room, where he could explain him the note and let him put it in Lorenzo's envelope.

[Mirach]

"It's good that you thought of it," Svarik said as he was putting it with the letter. "I think Lorenzo will appreciate it, and the Sage as well."