Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"Let's make some nicer memories right now, on the ball," Senecio said hoarsely. "We really need them..."

[VisAnastasis]

" No, let's not make nice, but the nicest memories, then. I will try my best to do my share, " Demon whispered back faintly, and he stood up, offering Senecio his hand, and then, hesitantly, offering the other hand to Hans. Maybe if he tried to go for a hug or more, Spirit would reject him, but since Tide was trying his best to be agreeable, he also tried as hard as he could and accepted the offer unsurely.

And so, holding their hands as they walked down, both to make sure they don't stumble, and trying not to ask too much from them, they climbed down, through the hallway, into the fresh air of night, where a carriage awaited them.

[Mirach]

Senecio walked slowly, leaning on Tide as he wanted to save his strength for the ball. He sat between Tide and Hans in the carriage. "So how do we enter unnoticed?" he asked them.

[VisAnastasis]

" I am, like, three meters tall Being with a mask over the whole face in a bright coloured dress, so I think the ship has sailed on that one, " Tide admitted timidly.

" How about Senecio and I enter through the garden door, and mingle with others for a few minutes, and you arrive by carriage officially then? " Hans suggested. " That way, we can claim we were there all this time, while you had some things to take care of and joined us only later. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that sounds good. We can pretend we have been there for the whole time, but not Tide. I can say I waited for his arrival to reveal myself," Senecio said.

[VisAnastasis]

" And I can say I had couple of drinks and some casual intimate encounters to stave off the depression of the play while I waited for you, too, " Hans shrugged. " There's no way not everyone will believe me. "
" Well, that is most plausible part of the lie, " Tide sighed. " I wished we could have all gone in together for everyone to see... but that isn't possible at this stage, yes. Not without other people coming up with all sorts of rumours or whatnot about the situation, I guess, and that would make you guys uncomfortable, " he said with strain as if he struggled but tries his best to consider how opinions of others would affect Hans and Senecio" So it's best you go in first... I will tell the driver to get you to the garden door first. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that will be best. But don't be disappointed. Instead of going in together, I'll go ahead and then welcome you so that everyone will see. Is that all right for you?"

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's expression softened a little with that. He wanted to put his feelings into actions, but they were conflicting now, and again, there was no kiss, but he pressed the actor's hand and put them into words, then.
 
" As long as... As long as once we do meet I can spoil you before the world tonight, and show everyone how awesome my boyfriend is, " he whispered. " Why would I say no? I do not mind it, as long as coming separately does not make it look like we had a falling out and don't care for each other. I just would feel down if anyone got such an impression... "

[Mirach]

"No, we'll make sure it won't," Senecio said. "On the other side, coming together might look very similar to the cover story that Hans is going to use."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, you mean... " demon blushed.
" Yeah, don't beat your head over it, Tide, I'm sure you'll get it eventually," Hans retorted nonchalantly, while looking through the window, as judging by the sound of music, they were getting close to the ballroom and the garden entrance.
" I am trying to figure out if I should take it literally or not. " demon retorted earnestly, not really good at recognizing puns or humour non-related to food right away, his reply rather simple-minded. " Is there something wrong with Hans's cover story? I think it suits him. And honestly, I wished he had been going around being intimate and having fun at the big fun party for real. I don't think he had been to parties ever since this all work on the play has begun, it's unusually long enough. No one would think it strange. "

[Mirach]

"Indeed not," Senecio shook his head. "So would you like them thinking that we have been doing the same together? I wouldn't mind that, actually. But I thought you'd rather keep such matters private, mo matter if it's just a cover story or not.:

[VisAnastasis]

" If you mean, do I feel like oversharing details just for the sake of it? Unless to specific people I love, there isn't really much need. It's just not a common subject like asking about the weather. Besides, normally, my love life or the lack thereof is pretty embarrassing so there isn't much to talk about, " Tide replied. " But this is a different situation, because of your reputation. You are known as someone who indulges a lot in lovemaking, so making it seem like we don't do that, wouldn't it seem like you're settling for me even though I am not giving you one of the parts of the relationship you value a lot? They would be wrong, and happy about your lack of love life, and it's not even true. "

" Hm, so, you're worried not because you want to brag, but because you don't want others to think Senecio is unhappy with you? " Hans commented with bemusement.

" I just do not want anyone to think our love life is poor and be giddy that, despite Senecio has a partner now, he doesn't have... what he finds enjoyable in it. Especially when my love life finally isn't non-existent, and I have something to be pleased about, " Tide said, with a blush, but also, some hint of contentment despite the gloomy day. " Normally, it takes at least a year for me to be intimate with someone, but I've been intimate with you almost right away, and though I can't do some things, I still feel we had some pretty nice memories... I've been rather happy about them. Do you think I'd like to pretend that we're, like... not being intimate often? " demon was a little bemused. " I don't know what that would accomplish. I feel it would be rather more productive for people that hate you to think we are making love so much you don't know to do with yourself. They would certainly feel more bitter if they know I am, you know, not just an emotional support chaste teddy bear for you. If they only see us kissing around, they may get wrong impression that that's all we do... "

[Mirach]

"Oh? I was getting the impression you might not appreciate such a public image if yourself. My bad. If it's so, then we totally should have an entrance together to support such assumptions."

[VisAnastasis]

Where before his expression was measured and lost in trying to figure out what Senecio would not mind in order to respect his wishes, Tide's face beamed with the words.
" So, we let Hans go in on his own, and you'll come with me? " he asked, not able to hide hopefulness. " Don't do this only to please me, please, but if you do want it too, I'll be more glad. I don't think we see my most desirable public image the same way. It is my, well... my deep desire, to be seen as a perfect pair with someone. " he spoke tenderly as if speaking about the highest most romantic goal. " If I were with someone like Death, who is pretty uninterested in lovemaking, I'd feel horrible if I gave of impression I am pushing him into more than he wants. But since you're so driven by it and everyone knows it, my feeling is the opposite - I want there to be no doubt that we are being intimate and enjoying it to both of ours likings. I know you told me you could manage without it if you can stay together with me but I don't want anyone to think we have settled for each other, and I don't want anyone else to think I am the only one happy with it... " he explained softly. " You said that even if you tried relationships before, either you'd keep quiet about your preferences and feel dissatisfied, or admit it and be ridiculed. Those that know of them ridicule you, and that's why it's all the more important for me that the world knows you are satisfied with me. It's important... "

[Mirach]

"In that case it's a perfect story to explain our absence," Senecio grinned. "Very in character... Do you mind going ahead and having some ambiguous remarks when we arrive together?" he asked Hans.

[VisAnastasis]

" Like some subtle and not so subtle remarks about how you were late because your type of indulging yourselves requires a little more tools and time than most conventional relationships? " Hans, who had no hair on his tongue, finally grinned with more colour on his face with talk more in his element. " You can certainly count on me to know my way with words! On a scale of one to ten, how unrestrained do you want my remarks to be? "
" Unrestrained as in... how detailed? " Tide was unsure. " I am not sure we can really say we included anything extravagant yet. We didn't even get a chance to use the rope yet..."
" Potato, tomato, " Hans waved away with his hand nonchalantly. " The sky is the limit, so you're bound to get down to it eventually, plus, technically, since Death healed him fully, Senecio's not injured anymore, like he was last week when those thugs beat us up, so the rope is no longer of limits, either, or whatever else you come up with, as long as you're responsible, " he explained like a strict but agreeable parent finally giving his blessing on something. " There would be no problem with me mentioning it at least, no? Very subtly and tastefully, of course. Probably wouldn't hurt to mention I smuggled in some high-quality exotic aphrodisiacs and ecstasy popular among richest nobles for you, I mean, just for good measure to get everyone jealous, if you'd like. "

[Mirach]

"Just keep it ambiguous enough so that those have no idea continue to have no idea while the others have some room for imagination," Senecio winked. "Hell, I'm going to indulge my imagination too, even though I know it's not true."

[VisAnastasis]

" Is there something specific you enjoy imagining? " Tide asked unexpectedly. " Because I mean, it wouldn't hurt to know, for future reference and all... "
" If you're curious, at least I could show you how the rope looks and feels like so you can have a more vivid imagination? " Hans suggested sheepishly.
" What... you brought it? " Tide's eyes widened.
" Bold of you when I said I prepared for everything before play, that I didn't, " Hasn replied with a sly expression. " Well, perhaps more hopefully, I thought, well, maybe after the tragic play, you'd feel like raising your mood a little before the ball, and there are rooms free in theatre that could be found, and there would be time before dances start... so, like, I packed it too, just in case. "

[Mirach]

Senecio chuckled at that. "Hans really thought of everything. Yes, I'd really like to get the feel of that rope. For reference."

[VisAnastasis]

" Just so you prepare your mind, it's very adorable. " Hans snorted, reaching for the bag eagerly as if he were glad to see the first reaction too.
" Hey, it's not adorable! I just thought it was a cheap feeling to get a white one, and that it would just remind him of other people that bound him, this way, it has a personal touch by me. "
" Sure, sure, adorable personal touch... "
As Hans pulled it out of his trusted bag, Senecio realized why he teased Tide so. The rope was indeed picked well for its use, soft to touch, not too thick not to restrain blood flow, but strong enough to restrain a person. However, it was dark rich shade of pink, extravagant and nice to look at, quite clearly, from colour of high quality that doesn't rub of or spoils over time, so much it seemed as much rope as the fancy romantic decoration.

" How do you like it? " Spirit asked curiously. " Tide coloured it himself with special extract made by Garnet. It won't fade and it has a faint scent of violet perfume. Classic Tide, really... "

[Mirach]

"Oooh, a custom rope!" Senecio exclaimed, twisting it around his palm to get the feel of it. "Now that I know this could have been today's program instead of what it was, I'm really pisses off at Guilamo."

[VisAnastasis]

" Tell me about it, I am just fuming at the thought," Hans spoke up bitterly." I put so much effort into giving Tide love advices, and first it was those guys, and now him too! They are ruining my honest work!"
Tide snorted a little at the phrasing but he seemed a little confused.
" I don't know... It is kind of hard to be angry at someone we killed. Didn't we, in a way, pay him back in advance?" He asked unsurely." And nobody says it can't be today's program. If you don't dance too hard and get weary too much, we can still make some quick arrangements before bedtime, as long as they are not too demanding on your body. We still don't know if you are consequence-free from taking Eros's blood,, but if it isn't something big, we can still do it... "

[Mirach]

"I'm not promising anything, okay?" Senecio said gently. "I'd love to, but I really don't know if being at the ball will energize me or drain me completely. As to being angry at Guilamo... it's absolutely not hard. The bastard died thinking that he assured his revenge and believing that it will succeed... and he's not around anymore for us to shove into his face that it didn't. It's rather frustrating."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, that's true. It is frustrating, " Tide agreed. " But it's hard for me to look at it like that. It's not really in my nature. The thought of him ruining so many young lives hurts and angers me, but while he tried to kill you, he failed, and instead, we killed him, so it's hard to feel like we are on the losing side. If he died thinking such thoughts, he died a bitter, sad man. And what is his legacy? He left mark on so many children, but now, Hans and you will do your best to take care of all the victims, and you brought them justice, and prevented him from hurting anyone again. He was famous as the best machine inventor in the city, and Janus will now dismantle every single last of his machinery and replace them with far better ones. He had three apprentices that were neglected terribly, but now, with Janus who warmed up to them, if we can help him adjust, they can grow far better, I think. So, the way I see it, we are the real winners here, robbing him of all his legacy and everyone that supported and spoke well of him. "

" Yeah, I am still kind of on Senecio's page, but when you think about it like that, " Hans said slowly. " We did wipe the floor with his reputation quite a bit, and Janus will wipe it down even more. Also, vaguely explained to omit gruesome details, I made the murder look like suicide born out of the mental episode, and he killed himself right after losing favourable situation in theatre, so, like, that's quite a pathetic look right there even among people that knew of his misdeeds. He doesn't know it, but we made a mark where it counts. "

[Mirach]

"Well... yes," Senecio admitted. "It's just the part that he doesn't know it that irks me. But I really wouldn't trade that for still having him around, so it's as good as it can be, I guess."