Re: Svarik and the company II

[Mirach]

"You gave it to me before we left," Senecio said. "It didn't give me the answer if I fell asleep in it here or in the boat. It would be a nice dream, but I'm glad it wasn't just a dream. Would you please remove your mask so I can really be certain it happened?"

[VisAnastasis]

Tide slowly and hesitantly complied, doing so. When he did so, he revealed his face before him, and looked up at him slowly, with his big, transcendent wavy eyes - they were sad this time, though, filled with vulnerability and fear of being treated unfairly, and rejected before given a proper chance.

[Mirach]

"It was no dream..." Senecio whispered and traced the demon's cheek in a gentle caress, and then tested his hurting head on Tide's shoulder. "It seems too good to be true, but it was true..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was tense at first, but then he slowly relaxed, with lad's calm tone. He gave himself freedom, to lightly put his healthy hand on lad's back, and pat him a little, in silent support.
" It seems too good to be true, yes... " he agreed quietly, still seeming a little astonished at freedom lad was interacting with him, with normality behind it. " Tell me truthfully... Were you honest last night? Are you really... available? " he brought himself to bid quietly, before he smiled vulnerably. " Because, to be honest, that was the least plausible statement of whole yesterday, for me...It makes last night feel quite like but a dream, indeed...  "

[Mirach]

"I did not lie to you since I entered your room," Senecio replied seriously. "I thought I was going to die, so I had no reason to lie anymore..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It was just so hard to believe. " Tide admitted. " You are a famous actor, after all... There must be so many cute boys and girl, gushing over you... And you are so handsome, when you peel of all the funny masks... " he complimented shyly and vulnerably. " It's just so hard to believe you are single yet. If last night was a reality, not a dream, you'd have laughed at my question, and told me it's the silliest notion in the world... that someone like you, could be single... "

[Mirach]

"I have some admirers, that's all I have," Senecio said. "I have no friends, hiw would I get someone who would be more than a friend? I have finally felt free last night. I have never been this free for my whole life..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Alright. It is a golden opportunity for me, then. I shan't make the silly mistake all the people that wanted a one night stand with you made. " critter finally smiled a little more freely, with charm. " Now that you are sober and can give me consent with clear mind, if you agree... " he coughed, and he shyly leaned forth, and slowly, he enveloped actor in a hug light and gentle... as he added. " I hereby, officially proclaim you - taken. Unavailable. Claimed. There. It was easy, wasn't it? "he bid little hoarsely. " If you agree, you may not have much friend, but at least you'll have a boy-friend... "

[Mirach]

"I would like that," Senecio said quietly. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Alright, then. You are taken. When somebody asks you, you will be taken, as long as we choose to stay in a relationship. " Tide whispered simply and quietly, but with undertone of shy wondering and some excitement. " So... first..will you let me check out that hand.... boyfriend ?" He bid gently, but with some pleasure at saying it like that, as if tasting the word." I can see it hurts... it requires medicine and rebandaging, I would say..."

[Mirach]

Senecio nodded. "I saw you left me some painkiller when I woke, but I didn't dare to take it with the guards here... If I take it now, would you wait a bit until it starts working with the rebandaging?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course. "  Tide agreed earnestly, wanting to provide him with easement of his troubles, not just make them worse. " I will wait until you tell me you are ready with it. If you didn't have chance before, here, you should take the painkiller right away. " he agreed, and he shyly let go of the embrace, so he could bring his painkiller. He smelled the water he left for him yesterday, and it was already lukewarm - so, uncontent with it, he breathed into it, and little ice enveloped the glass, as water became refreshingly cold again. Shyly, he gave the glass to the actor then.

[Mirach]

"You can not only warm things, but also cool them? Cool..." Senecio smiled, and drank the refreshing liquid.While he waited for it to start working, he st down on the edge of the bed a bit tiredly. "Your friend Hans, he doesn't know much about theatre, does he?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" No, he does not, I fear. " critter replied, as he sat down on the bed, a little bit at a side, shyly. " When he sow I don't like going, he said he won't go bother with that, either. He didn't want to make friends from that circle, so that I wouldn't feel bad about being excluded from it, since I don't like it. He is a kind friend. Why do you ask? "

[Mirach]

"Because he clearly doesn't know what it takes to prepare a play," Senecio said. "I didn't want to complain to not look ungrateful before the king, but a new play every two weeks? I really don't know how he wants to make that happen. It is not a problem to me, I can learn a new role in a week. But there is so much more involved in it. Other actors having to learn their roles, costumes, props, music, rehearsals... Not speaking about a producer that would be willing to introduce the play in the theatre. And willing to pay the other actors even if the play is not successful. If he wants a new play of his own choice every two weeks, he would need to pay everybody involved very generously."

[VisAnastasis]

" Don't worry. I'll speak with him, to make sure expenses are covered. " Tide offered. " Money is no problem for him, when he wants to spite someone. We are rich, anyways, that is, Sage is. I think he only wants to make sure you sweat a decent amount to regret for what you did to all of us. He would want to bore, to strain and to discomfort you, to make you regret every second of your treason. I am sure that all plays he picks up and role he chooses for you, will either be very boring, very badly written, or super long and uncomfortable to play. Knowing Hans, he will overpay everyone, and make sure only you are not payed a dime. It'll be a tough four months. At least you're staying here, so you'll have free food, but I fear you could say bye to your lavish lifestyle for a while... You are expected to pay back every dime Lorenzo invested in you later on when you finish with plays, so that oughs to be fun, too... Don't underestimate Hans. I think he knew perfectly well what he got you into. He, naturally, wants to make your time of *atonement* for your crimes quite unpleasant... Not to level of cruelty... But I am quite certain, to level of utter frustration. It'd be like him. He likes to punish everyone who wrongs him in unique, specific ways. He wouldn't agree not to demand something worse, if he was not content with difficulty of the punishment he suggested for you.  "

[Mirach]

"It just still seems to me that by trying to punish me, he's going to punish a lot more people who will have to fret over introducing a play in such a short deadline. And also his own wallet... And my lifestyle wasn't that lavish to begin with. There were good times and bad times... In the good times, it's all a part of a certain image. I will gladly trade that for being able to stay here... I actually saved some money, I can return that to Lorenzo right away."

[VisAnastasis]

" He's going to *punish* lot people, with stress, yes, but also with them ending up pretty much ready for retirement in few months. Such cruel punishment. " Tide chuckled a bit. " Do not worry. And keep the money you saved, for now. You can always start returning it later, when you start earning money again. " he smiled a little, then, as he looked away shyly. " We are dating now, after all. I told you - I like romantic stuff. It doesn't have to be anything spectacular or pricy, but it has to be sweet, passionate, and romantic. " he coughed, shyly, as he added. " That said, I got the first date right, and next one is on you. Surprise me. I like romance, and I also like chocolate boxes. Those are appropriate for the occasion. I am honestly okay if in plays, you don't perform overly fantastic, after all, there is so little time, you say - but here, I'd like to see you put a little more effort, okay? " he bid him, with a timid, bright glimmer in his eyes.

[Mirach]

Senecio chuckled. "Alright, it's clear what I will make my priority then." He got a bit more serious then. "Hans can't forbid that, can he?"

[VisAnastasis]

" We have a tacit arrangement not to get into each other's relationships ever since, um... for quite a long while. " Tide said shyly. " Don't worry. As long as you do fulfill part you was obliged to fulfill, I don't think he'll spite you to ruin what you want in free time, specially if it's courting me. I think he'll probably make sure he makes you stay here, anyway, until you finish those 8 plays you were sentenced on. " Tide proclaimed, but then, got more more serious, too. " To be honest... If I really am meant to live... If It somehow turns out that Svarik is right, and Death has more compassion in his hearts these days.. Four months seem a little to me. I like the notion that you'd be close by to me, not on some other end of town, or other city. " he admitted. He did not look at the actor, but he did speak up idea that fell to his mind, timidly, carefully. " When you was conveniently drunk, you wanted to leave your whole life behind, mind you, to go with me... Would not ask for that much, of course, ever... But maybe just leaving behind you your house, for a little while longer? They made punishment, for you, but did not realize it actually makes it so much more convenient arrangement for us... To sneak out on dates together, to spent time.  That said... I'd prefer to have, perhaps, eight months living here with you, instead of four. " he paused, before adding carefully. " If it's that tiresome to other actors, I am sure, I could convince king and Hans to accept it instead being 8 months, one play for each month. Double more time to prepare for roles. Double more time for us to find more free time and figure out where to spend it. If you would want that... "

[Mirach]

"That sounds not just much more reasonable, but also pleasant," Senecio agreed. "I don't really care for my house anyways. It's not even mine, just rented. If I don't return into it, the owner will probably rent it to someone else soon."

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course it's more pleasant - giving you so short time was specifically so, that it would make your following life unpleasant, as I said. It won't be easy, but I will convince Hans to be less cruel, in favor of giving you more time to be with me. " Tide chuckled, seeming a little flustered. " You will must have some things in the house you like, though, equipment or such, or something of sentimental value. After day or two, when emotions settle down a bit, I will go with you, so we can pay your last rent there, and pick up your stuff to bring them here, if you agree. If there's too much to fit in whatever room Hans assigns to you, you can keep some things here - I won't mind. "

[Mirach]

"I already paid the rent for this month. I didn't want to be in debt in case I don't return," Senecio said quietly. "But I would like to take just a few things. And I'm ready to change these bandages now, I think."

[VisAnastasis]

Critter nodded. He took the medicine supplies, and then he knelt before the actor, as he carefully unwrapped his injured hand, focused fully on it, so he could see how it's doing and how to best take care of it.

[Mirach]

Senecio gritted his teeth with it, the injury being quite deep and painful even with the painkiller.