Re: Svarik and the company II

[Mirach]

"Do you really want to help me?" Senecio asked. "Because this turned out wrong... I wanted to get something for you as well, and instead you are helping me again..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, I guessed that much. You wasn't exactly canny, with all *hey, by the way, tell me if there's something you like, purely for future reference* stuff. You may be great actor but you are not subtle, but dramatic one. " Erdel turned just halfly to him as they walked, and Senecio could see light bemused grin of someone entertained, but who is keeping himself at safe emotional distance after being burned. " I just don't want you to buy me anything. I apologize, but I can not give you that pleasure. Helping you do something kind like this, on the other hand... Yes, that, I can give you. "

[Mirach]

"Would you at least enjoy it a little?" Senecio asked. "If not, I will ask for some other guard..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I shall enjoy witnessing your never ending embarrassment, and imagining Tide's excitement, enough. But what I wouldn't enjoy at all, is Tide getting only couple of shells, instead of armful. Armful amount of shells is minimum acceptable amount for him. " Erdel didn't stop, but he grinned a little at the actor.  " Don't be so dramatic. Do you want or do you not want to get Tide shells he deserves? Then just swallow that pride of yours a little. You are human, and you'll be up here all night, if you don't get my assistance. Besides, maybe I could see if I can dig out some other cool stuff from the sea, that he may like, so this is really a win deal for you. "

[Mirach]

"Alright then," Senecio agreed, defeated. "I will just stop in the glasware shop to get something for Garnet."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel followed him there but quietly, carrying his things and remaining quiet.

[Mirach]

Senecio got some nice bottles for Garnet, and took them himself so they won't break with the other things. He then returned with Erdel to the house to put aside the things and get a lantern.

[VisAnastasis]

Vampire also borrowed for them a big, generous basket, so they would have something to put shells and neat things they find into it.

[Mirach]

The rocks by the shore were slippery and treacherous in the dark, and Senecio had ti walk carefully with the lantern to get to the line where the waves were leaving empty seashells.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel stayed close by his side in case he slips, but on safe distance from him, still. When they reached the shore suitable for searching, he instead of shore just walked deeper up in the ocean, walking up into it till it covered his head like it was nothing, not even trying to sim don or hold his breath. Almost a bit like showing of, he returned a moment later, with two smaller ones, and one bigger shell already, and theatrically, with a confident badass elegance - he put that first offering  in a basket.

[Mirach]

Senecio was indeed impressed. He watched Erdel for a while, and then he continued his own search. It took him more effort to find the first shell - without Erdel he would be there until morning indeed.

[VisAnastasis]

In meantime, Erdel would occasionally go into the sea, and return back few minutes later, sometimes taking longer, sometimes shorter. Every time, he returned with new shell or two, sometimes more, sometimes less impressive. He was indeed good at it, as he must have gotten quite used to the scents of shells that afternoon, and he seemed to enjoy at least how good he was doing compared to Senecio, in this game that was completely rigged in his favor, and he liked to make actor self conscious about abundance of his own *hunt* compared to man's much less fertile search.

[Mirach]

Senecio also found a few nice shells, but nowhere near as much as Erdel. First he was a bit annoyed about it, but when he saw that Erdel enjoys it, he thought that he at least found some little, although strange way, to repay him, and he continued acting annoyed even if secretely glad that it raised Erdel's mood.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel was too kind hearted to stay stuck in the acting superior for too long, and with time, his focus shifted more and more on his hunt. More and more, he would stay for longer in cold night waters, and return with weirded, older or more unique shells.

His focus slowly seemed to shift on trying to figure out Tide's liking, and at some point, he started to mix it up a bit. He began bringing oyster shells with beautiful and weird pearls both still inside them, he began bringing interesting bits of colorful corals, and, every now and then, he would bring something strange, like a peculiar crystal or some old bone. He began instead to include Senecio more and more, with time, often asking him whether or not he thinks they should keep some of his weirder findings, and ask him for inspiration on what he should search further on, a little bit of his more common lack of general self confidence showing in it, as he preffered to be reassured about his choices to feel more secure about them after what happened to him as a vampire from side of general who tricked them into doing malice for imaginary god.

[Mirach]

Senecio liked the various shells, but he was getting a feeling that the present will be more from Erdel than from him if they continue like this. "I think that's enough," he said uncertainly. "Could you rather help me search on the shore, please?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Not enough shells.. hm... on surface. But I think I can dig out something nice, hopefully." He said slowly, despite not understanding why, seeing him insecure, so deviding to humor him. He looked around, smelled the air , went to one spot on beach, and started digging with sharp claws of his healthy hand.

[Mirach]

"Would you let me do it?" Senecio asked, starting to dig in the sand on that spot as well.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel seemed a little bewildered with his act, and he retreated little farther, looking up at him. He sighed then, though, acknowledging his choice.
It's... It's contraprocutive. he just whispered. You'll ruin your hand and nails like that. Neither me nor Tide would appreciate that. I'll... go bring you a shovel to you from the palace.  he said, and he disappeared into the thin air, dissipating like mist, as he went to do the deed.

[Mirach]

Senecio sighed, and accepted that, seeing it would indeed be faster, and he will still be able to say that the shell is from him.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel brought him the shovel, and he placed it on the ground before him, and took step back couple of feet  away, sitting down on a rock. He did not dig or search anymore. He instead, did something different this time - he waited until Senecio dug out this one lovely shell, and then, he pointed him to another place where there was bigger shell under the surface. He just remained sitting, and pointing him to placed on shore where he can find underground shells quietly, this seeming to be much more boring and unfulfilling to him, but he still resigned to it benevolently, letting actor have his moment of triumph.

[Mirach]

"Thanks," Senecio said. "I know it would be faster if you did it, but I want the present to be from me..."

[VisAnastasis]

" That's fair point. " vampire just shrugged little apathetically, with carefully composed voice, as if choosing to distance himself emotionally from a task he invested too much in. " I mean, yes, he is your boyfriend. It's only fair, and I... I admit I got carried away, anyway. I will just help out where you need me to, without hindering your efforts. I understand that wouldn't be fair. So, just dig, and I'll point out stuff. "

[Mirach]

"Just a few more," Senecio said appeasingly, seeing that Erdel is bored with that.

[VisAnastasis]

" No, don't mind me. Take your time, as long as you want or as long as there're pretty shells left on this beach. " Erdel retorted simply, as he was pointing out another place with shell, adding, as if the words that followed were self explanatory, indisputable argument. " For Tide. "

[Mirach]

"Still it's enough, I don't have more sweets to fill them," Senecio explained, digging out another one.