Re: Svarik and the company II

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Senecio said. "It's good that we are eating here," he murmured then. "I don't think I'll ever be welcome in the kitchen..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You will. You'll just need a bit of... um... Time to pass before it. " he suggested. " I am sorry I carried you through it if it made you uncomfortable. I am pretty adored here, you see... And, sure, while it's totally lovely to carry you, I figured, it will be good if everyone sow I like you and consider you close to me, so nobody would be compelled to try to put something nasty in your drinks or meals, of course. " he whispered, only half jokily, as he sat down with him and started unpacking their food. " As I said, I am, um, I could say, extremely beloved, among humans as much as demons and other folk... Sometimes, it can get scary, how much. "

[Mirach]

"Really?" Senecio asked. "You also mentioned earlier that you are the king of Demons. I didn't know that... Like, that one king? Ruling all demons?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not really something to brag about.. It can get you killed, as you can imagine. But,, actually, yeah, I am a Demon King. " creature said shyly, with simple humbleness, as it reached for one of the sandwiches and nibbled on it, in quite unkingly manner.  " Not all Demons, per se. After King Grendel died, there was an empty place to fill. Spirit King is king because he proved to be strongest from Spirits... Demon king is a bit different. We chose him or her, by system of voting, from those we consider worthy of it, those most beloved and intent on looking after demon kin. First it was Gaia, and Grendel... Then there was war, and no more kings, only different fractures under different commanders, and I was mostly in the background of events, helping needy. After most of demon army was sealed of in fifth layer of world, though... I guess I just tried helping as many people as I can to run, hide and heal... I looked after them... one thing led to another... And they elected me, and I am now their  Demon King. " Tide just shrugged, with charming timid smile. " Not of all demons in the world, I imagine, as lot are unknown to me... But I can safely say, of all Demons along shores of Seas and in its waters, in this and quite few layers I can not name for safety. Those are not borders of my kingdom though - I seek to expand it, even often, as I can, when I hear of new demons in predicaments. Just few days ago, I heard of a forest demon called Cernunnos, that, if I live, I am going to seek to help, too, and put under my protection. I am a demon that always knows a demon that knows a demon and can get you connected to anyone you need. So you can say, yeah... My kingdom is ever growing, and full of sick and needy, and thankfully at least some that through my help through strong and healthier, who are, loyal to me - for I am their Demon King, and I look after them, the best I can. "

[Mirach]

"That's a big title..." Senecio said with awe. "I thought a king would live in a palace, with the whole court, guards and everything... It was so in the play..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, I technically do live in a palace.... " Tide said innocently." But you will notice Grendel's guards and army did not help him live much, didn't it? My best defense is people not always knowing who I am really. Besides, times have changed - palace and court assume openess and freedom... but my people are hunted." He shook his head." I know their hidings, but I would never organise them to an open court and mock and lure trouble that way. I am not that vain that presentation is more important than my people, and I prefer to stay alive, too. Besides, I am very... contraversal and unusual.. you could say. I demanded so when my people chose me, that they understand my best friend is a Spirit, and I won't seek malice or deny help to any soul, even Spirit one. And, even if then to some more begrungingly, I was still accepted. My kingdom is no exclusive to Demons... I help Spirits alike, and many Rogue Spirits alike Hans or gentle ones like  Garnet have pledged loyalty to me and helped me lot throughout years. But my biggest help is secrecy, and keeping my name to stay but a beloved whisper and nothing more. My kingdom is strange, mixed, and inclusive regardless of someone's weakness or race..." he smiled a bit as he added. " Just like my family.... because my people are my family, too. They might not be impressive by conventional standards, but weak and needy.... but in my eyes, they are uniquelly beautiful. "

[Mirach]

"The more I learn about you, the more I have to admire you..." Senecio said shyly, trying to suppress the nagging disbelief that someone so amazing would have interest in him.

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? " Creature beamed a little at his praise, though, seeming warmed up by it, some shade in his expression exchanging with relief and wonder." I am... ver much obliged... to be honest, I mostly said that in my distress. I didn't plan to just randomly brag. I feared you would just see me through ovrrblown prism of being Demon King, and consider me either better than I am, or lesser, as I mostly feel I pale in comparison to my mighty predecessors... and it's still just me, no matter how my people call me..." he said and chuckled shyly, flustered." When you really think about it, my position is just one of, heh, let's say, a glorified mom friend that looks out for you... That is how l see it, and I love it.... I think I can be very well be described, as a soft caring mom friend..."

[Mirach]

Senecio chuckled suddely. "I was trained to assassinate royalty... and here I end falling in love with a king..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I wouldn't put it like that... Maybe you are just a man who was forced out of being a child, that just craved warmth of family so much... that  he  fell in love with a most mom  person that can be imagined, heh..." creature said shyly, and it lightly timidly reached for him and lightly caresed his hair." Role of assassin never fit you, anyway... So I more see it, like this... "

[Mirach]

"You think so?" Senecio asked thoughtfully. "Do you think... it's not a good reason?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Why would I think it lesser? " creature inquired. " I prefer someone falling in love with me because they enjoy my caring nurturing side, rather than an assassin falling in love with a king. It sounds so needlessly edgy... I prefer to think of it in softer means, in ways I can understand, and that is how I understand it. It is my biggest quality, and if it's not to my nurturing side, I don't know what else is so prevalent to sweep you of your feel so instantly... You did start to grow fond of me, by your letter, once I looked out for you and bandaged your hand. That's longing for nurture, if I've ever seen one.. If it's not for that that you are drawn to me, I am not quite sure what else...  "

[Mirach]

"It seemes a bit embarassing..." Senecio admitted, "falling in love with first person who cares for you..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Why? Isn't that how it's supposed to be? I don't mean *first* bit... but generally all other words you said? " demon bit his lip. " I certainly wouldn't like to think I am falling in love with person who doesn't care just as much for me... But I could see from the start that I am your first. That is precisely why I want to thread carefully. I wouldn't like you to stay with me *just* because I am the first and you don't think you can find anyone else who will care for you... I want to be your last, of course, but not just because I am your first. "

[Mirach]

"It just sounds too desperate for care..." Senecio murmured, looking down. "I actually liked you since you caught me falling from the roof in that other form. There was just such a contrast between the form and action, it was fascinating and beautiful..."

[VisAnastasis]

Demon blushed suddenly - it seemed such comments being truly a distraction to his grief, soothing his sadness, making him all flustered and vulnerable.
" Well, I did tell you already... I am actually a pretty nice character, when you get to know me... I was just given an ugly costume, that's all. " he replied shyly with little sad smile. "I blame it on the costume department, really... Somehow, when they were designing costumes for villains and heroes alike, they got mines all mixed up... I know I am generally unsightly and I am normally fine with it, but the way you say those words.. *fascinating*... *beautiful*... with such awe and respect, and fondness... " he gulped, with bathed breath. " It makes you so.... awfully attractive to me... "

[Mirach]

Senecio blushed as well. "I don't understand one thing..." he murmured. "You said you have a lot of people, demons or spirits who adore you... Do they all find you ugly despite that?"

[VisAnastasis]

" That's one of the cons of being a mom friend, alas... Demons just have this instinctive submissive desire before me, to deem me as parental figure, because of my calm and enlightenment. It is very pleasant and soothing, and I have an aura of caretaker, so it's very easy to see me as caretaker, but not potential mate... It's a total pain to find dates among Demons, I literally can count on fingers ho many times I've dated those. And Spirits, I avoid dating myself, because we are not compatible... So it only leaves humans.And even humans see me as such a mom friend, that it's embarrassing. You can see it with both Svarik and Erdel, and Xia and Sage... They all see me a mom friend, you know?" he said quietly, and it seemed he evaded lad's look a bit, seeming rather vulnerable. " If I had a coin every time I asked if someone's available and only been told I am liked, but not attractive in that way... I'd have lot of coins. And I get that, you know. I am not attractive in conventional matter of word... My personality over-shines my nature. But my nature, as you could see when you'd gaze upon my eyes, is terrifying... It makes dogs bark at me, you know? For a reason. I am made of many souls,  not one. Demons, Spirits, and even humans that observe it, can feel it as unnatural. For you, it'd be like... Seeing a monster that's made from several different bodies stitched together. You can say, yeah, I acknowledge it's unnatural and don't care because that monster's just so lovely and sweet and I adore it, but it's hard to feel physical attraction to it, you know? " he murmured downheartedly, embracing himself around his knees vulnerably. " I am extremely beloved.. Only not seen as extremely attractive, you see. That is my curse, because what I am is so unprecedented and rare. And if your partner can't see you as attractive, what's the point? Most of my human relationship would end, when I'd slip into some less sightly form, and be met with, like, throwing up... It's not really what I ant in relationship, you know? It's hard to be invested in it, when other party is fine with just some aspects of you, and loves your personality, but never lets you freely be yourself, with all you are...  "

[Mirach]

"That's why it doesn't seem right to say that I fell in love with you just because you care for me..." Senecio said. "You care for a lot of people... But to me, you are also dangerously attractive..."

[VisAnastasis]

Demon couldn't help but gulp, and he seemed tense, but not with fear, but as if fighting against the wave of attraction, not wanting to act improperly, ever gentle and polite in his intents, even if he seemed to fight to not be overcome with passion.
 So... Um... Would you mind... Elaborating on that statement? Dangerously attractive, how so? " he asked with bathed breath, rubbing his hands nervously.

[Mirach]

"It feels a bit like looking at a majestic mountain," Senecio explained. "You have a similar power and beauty. Maybe the mountain used to be a volcano, that could kill whole cities... but instead, it nourishes crops."

[VisAnastasis]

Creature beamed ever more brightly, actor's reassuring words and simple compliments seeming to be like a balm for his wounded soul, after the coldness last night.
" It's easier to be mountain, than person, I think... " he said with bathed breath, leaning toward actor, as if unable to help some kind of magnetism, drawing him closer. " A mountain does not have to deal with this terrible desire to overflow you with caresses and kisses... You are right... I am trying to be responsible one  about this.... But I am quite sure I am falling headfirst, too... With immense speed. Mountain is stable and bound to ground, it does not have to worry, about such a terrifying and sweet delight.. as is this fall... "

[Mirach]

"The similarity might not be... ehm... that perfect..." Senecio murmured, loosening his collar as if finding it suddenly hard to breathe.

[VisAnastasis]

It as a sudden, subtle movement, and it made him reevaluate if his advances or words are that welcome, as he sow actor losing his voice.
" Am I frightening you? " he asked little shakily, leaning back a bit and slouching his shoulders, as if instinctively trying to make himself smaller and less threatening, despite he was still enchanted and couldn't control his breath well yet.

[Mirach]

"No," Senecio shook his head. "Just... stealing my breath away. Please, continue doing that...."