Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

Despite not having close relationships himself, Being seemed to hold them in high regard, and his face grew serious and solemn.
" So, it is a keepsake, " he said simply, but the weight of that word seemed meaningful to him. " Whether you succeed to redefine your relationship or not, it is something you want to give as a token of your love, to last a long time... that is different from birthday customs. This one has to be really good. With that in mind, you may choose as you like... but I would not have equal trust in other craftsmen as myself, to meet your demands. If it is your wish, I can make it so that it's both durable by itself, and so that it's very hard to destroy intentionally too. " he whispered. " But making it simple pendants does not sit right with me. You don't make such an important thing with no function. You do not make a deal with the Being just to make something humans could make... You need to make it count. For a start, when you ask for the pendant, you mean one of those lockets than can hold things, I hope? In those, seams can be seen, and with someone that lives a dangerous life, it could be dangerous to keep something precious in it, because it could be robbed by his enemies - and it's just sad if he keeps such a thing empty for caution. For a start, how about making a version that appears to not have seams and is heavy, so it looks like a full piece of jewellery, not an openable one? And one that doesn't open from the outside, but has a mechanism that opens it when a set phrase is set out loud? That way it can only be opened by someone with a password. The mechanism is more complex to make, but it's more worth it, I think than a simple push and pull that even my apprentices, without much practice, can figure out to make. You can not possibly confess with something that is only pretty to the eye... lot of things are just pretty, and nothing else... "

[Mirach]

"Well, it's more the thought that's important, not if it's pretty," Svarik said. "But of course I'd like it to be pretty, too. And special, if possible. I'd like a small silver pendant for him, shaped like a star, with a golden engraving of the sun in it. And an opposite one for myself, a sun with a star. With a strand of hair inside, and an inscription. Something like "the sun is a star too"? I'm not 100% sure on the inscription yet, I didn’t have much time to think about it."

[VisAnastasis]

" I like the shapes. They sound loving. But is it special enough? It sounds like there should be more to it. Do humans usually carry locks of, um... Living people? I thought they do it for the dead? Do you anticipate your soon death?" Being asked, seemingly a touch tense with the implication. " Wouldn't... You rather have him keep something different in it? Hair of Beings he can call for help through it is one thing, but hair as human hair seems... Depressing? More like a parting gift, tight?"  He inquired, as himself not sure about feelings of humans, so speaking from his perspective." I.. am not offering this lightly, because he seems rather creative, but... He seemed really, hm... Fascinated by pocket dimensions. To be honest, even if it wasn't very tiring and demanding, I would ve terrified to make him a big pocjet, for bigger things... Can you imagine giving him the power to store infinite amount of weapons and ammunition?" Being shook its head tensely. " But... Making two little pocket dimensions, that could hold limited amount of small things.... It shouldn't be as hard or dangerous, right? Small enough, with just a bit of function, for couple of small objects... Isn't that sage enough? I can not imagine either of you changing the world for the worst with very tiny and limited pocket dimensions..."

[Mirach]

"A lock of hair is supposed to mean *I'm always with you*. I don't think it's reserved as a memory of the dead, at least where I come from. But the pocket dimension sounds nice. In the Mountains, there's a custom that a boy who wants to marry a girl climbs the highest mountain he dares to, and brings her a stone from the peak. The problem with it is that Conrad wouldn't want me to climb mountains. He would much more appreciate a symbolic nothing, like *look, here's no stone because I didn’t climb a mountain because of how much I love you*," Svarik chuckled. "So, maybe he would more appreciate the pocket dimension than whatever I think of to hide there. He could use it to store whatever he needs to store very secretly. I can already think of a few things he would put there. Nothing that would be dangerous to the world, I assure you. But it's the locket and its symbolism was supposed to be the main gift."

[VisAnastasis]

" I think a pocket dimension to keep precious things is more secure, also because it doesn't make a sound. Even with all precautions, things put inside would make sound when shaken, but things in pocket dimensions don't make sounds. And with only him able to open it with a password he sets, only him and people that know the password will be able to access it. He may even store some emergency medicine in it, that is always useful. " Being explained, not without a trace of pride in his work, but there was a little regretful shade on his face as he admitted ." To... To be honest... My spacial powers are not what they used to be... After... I got ill. I used to be able to connect pocket dimensions as I sow fit... I remember one time in particular when there was a village chief married to a warrior queen. They were often apart and wanted to send letters between each other at least, to know the other is alright. So, I made a bracelet for each, with a joint pocket dimension. One could put a letter in one bracelet, while the other could take it out easily. They could exchange letters in but a moment, " He sighed, appearing rather regretful, almost as if apologizing." But with my current power, making seperate dimensions for you and him is the best I can do right now. Maybe one day if I get better I could connect them in one, but I can not guarantee it..."

[Mirach]

"It's awesome even without a connection," Svarik assured him. "Just the right parts of sentimental and practical for Conrad."

[VisAnastasis]

" If you are certain it's enough... If you think of something to add to it, if it's in my power, I'll try to figure it out, " Being replied earnestly. " And as for inscriptions... this is also the advice of a Being, but it is your choice. If I were you, I would not carve an inscription, actually," he said unexpectedly. " Think about it. You two are aiming for immortality, right? When you live long, you change interests, but inscriptions stay, and languages change, too, so after a couple of thousands of years, it may just feel annoying. How about making *the sun is a star too" a password instead of an inscription? I can update your passwords easily, whenever you feel like it, and making something lovely a password is better, isn't it? That way, you can come up with sweet new passwords every couple of years or decades. I made password-protected items from time to time, as it's easy to change passwords, and it's customary to change passwords after important milestones, weddings or birth of children, for example. " Being smiled a little bit. " One Being couple changed their password when their first child was born, from " love holder of family of two", to "love holder of family of three" a decade or so ago. It is comforting when I get to make nice alterations like those once in a while... "

[Mirach]

"I like that," Svarik nodded. "Yes, let's use it as a password."

[VisAnastasis]

Being smiled a little with the agreement, and it seemed it really tried to do its best to make it
" I think it is a lovable password too. I am sure it holds important meaning for you. Just since there are two pendants, one for you and one for him, do come up with at least slightly different password for your pendant, deal? It would be awkward if you were in the same room and both lockets opened instead of just one, " Being commented softly, but his expression was a little still now, as he had to address the unsaid. " As for the payment, I... Do wish I could make it for you for free. If my situation was different... I would. But I just... can not. If I make a precedent for you, others will expect free things too... I just can not afford that. I must make fair deals always, to ensure no one feels wronged, " he said quietly. " It is... really inconvenient to deal with humans, but I do wish to make this for you. So how about this? If you were a Being, it would be different, but as human, I think I can only ask for this. " he tried really hard to meet him halfway. " You come to me at a good time when I spent most of my best and rarest materials needed for durable fine works on Emmet's hand. Usually, I make deals with Hans every once in a while, for an enchanted item in exchange for a big quantity of raw materials... So how about I give you a list of things I am running low on, and you arrange to buy and bring me as much from te list as you can comfortably afford? Even if... it's not food technically if it's sizeable enough of materials to last me for a while, it should be fair enough, since I'll be using it to build things in exchange for food with those that can give me food, so... would that be agreeable? "

[Mirach]

"I would rather pay the price that your work is worth," Svarik said. "Eros offered to pay it for me. He helped me figure out my feelinngs, so he's now rather invested in it and said he would like to do that."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh... so that is why Eros came with you? " Being finally understood, looking down, seeming conflicted. He was quiet for a long time then, thinking it over. His mouth seemed dry and he was a little tense, as the temptation for food must have been grave, with someone so used to hunger, but he did not want to brindly cling to it. Finally, after a moment, he looked up and replied. " Eros... likes people too much. But that makes him unreasonable sometimes," he said in the end. " This is a special gift for your beloved. A confession gift, at that. It does not hold same weight if you or someone else pays for it. There are two pendants... How about we count it so that you pay for the one meant for your loved one, and he pays for your pendant? " he offered a compromise. " If you can afford it, I think it is better. I will need some rarer material for pendants, anyway. So, how about Eros gives... a jar of nails should be fine enough for one pendant with tiny pocket dimension... And for the other, you get me enough metals from the list I make you? That way, I'll get some food, and you'll also contribute to your loved one's gift in the same time despite not being the only one that pays. It is important you take part in it. " he said solemnly. " Because this is the mountain stone you are bringing him. "

[Mirach]

"Deal," Svarik nodded. "I like that compromise. I'd try to get you the materials anyway."

[VisAnastasis]

" Great, " Being seemed appeared that they found a way to do this, and despite he tried to keep a straight face, he seemed relieved that he will be able to get some more food from it too. He took a pen and paper from the side and wrote around fifteen items on it. " The ones near the top are the most important. I do not know much about the value of things in human money, or how much you would value this pendant in human money - so I think it is far you make an estimation, and buy the amount you feel the pendant is worth. That way you will feel it is your accomplishment, not Eros's. " Being replied proudly, and then he took out another piece of paper. " Now, let us just agree on simple sketches - just saying a start and a sun is a wide area, we should agree exactly how they should look like. Oh, the deadline too. How quickly do you need it by? If you sent me enough of the first and second material on the list by the evening, I can have the pendants finished by the early morning hours. "

[Mirach]

"I have a bit over four hours until Conrad wakes, but I think it's not a problem if I go shopping with him saying you asked me for some materials. If you have any tips about where to get them, please write them down as well so that I don't lose much time by searching, and I'll get you what I can by evening. Shall we do the sketches now?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I do not... bargain with humans. I am not that good with being around humans, so I do not know good places to buy things from them, " Being admitted, glancing at children, but Svarik could definitely get that Being had little to no experience with buying from humans these days at all, but didn't want to admit it out loud. " That is why I make bulk deals with Hans... Hans knows many humans, so he does it for me. But who knows how long will he be asleep. " he sighed. " Perhaps Sage could help? I do not know him well, but Hans works with him a lot. Maybe he could help you and bring craftsmen to you while you give him the money? I do not know how Hans does it. Others who know human money should know to advise you better... But I do draw well. " he said earnestly. " So let's focus on what we can do now, then. Are you alright with us making the sketches first? It should be good for the children, to see how the technical part is done, and the process of turning sketches to blueprints too... It is a good starting point to know the process of custom work... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that sounds good," Svarik nodded. "Let's try."

[VisAnastasis]

Being nodded earnestly, taking more paper. He communicated with Svarik, while letting the children sit and watch on a distance more comfortable to him, as he didn't like when people were too close. Perhaps because he had lot of experience with crafts and technical drawings, his drawing skills were quite good, clear and precise. It didn't take the two of them long before they agreed on the best design for the lockets and refined them until the details were just right.

[Mirach]

Svarik took one more piece of pie as they drew, and then took the list and took leave of Janus and the boys. He then met with Eros upstair and told him about the deal.

[VisAnastasis]

Eros listened to the outcome, but he couldn't hide a happy content smile as the king spoke.
" I'm really glad you got such a nice outcome! " He congratulated him earnestly then. " He's also been feeling very down and weighted for you, Hans and Senecio because he feels responsible for not seeing through Guliermos's trap, and endangering your three lives... I'm happy his heart can be eased a little, too, " in his happiness, he spoke more freely and happily, his aura beaming more brightly. " You have done such a good job! Thank you very much! "

[Mirach]

"He did most of it," Svarik said humbly. "Now we could try to order the clothes, and see where to get the things from Janus's list."

[VisAnastasis]

" I didn't mean the job of getting medallions. I meant easing his mind. I knew he wouldn't let you go without making sure he helps you refine your idea to the best of his ability. I knew the gift will be good, anyway, because your idea was from the heart, so I didn't worry about that, " Being replied earnestly. " I think going to Alpha for the clothes first would be lovely! He's feeling down because he worries for Hans and Senecio, so it would be nice to distract him with something nice as well. Do you agree? And Alpha is good at getting rare things, since he is a star and has a certain power over space, so if you dislike having a fuss with humans about materials, maybe he can help us with materials too. What do you think? "

[Mirach]

That would be great," Svarik nodded. "I already have an idea for the clothes. Just for information, what kind of deals does Alpha prefer?"

[VisAnastasis]

" He in general likes to have fun with his deals because he doesn't really lack money or means, as he has the most fun when he is spending time with interesting people. " Eros explained as they were heading for the carriage." But he also really likes Hans, and has had a really long crush on him, so you may sweeten the deal and get him to like you more and do more for you if you offer him something Hans would like. One thing I am sure of is that he will definitely first ask you what would you offer yourself in exchange, because he likes listening what people value and drawing inspiration from it."

[Mirach]

"Well, the most natural choice for me would be offering a song. A kind of song by his choice, for him or for someone else he picks."

[VisAnastasis]

" Isn't it a touch too obvious, a soul healer and musician offering a song? " Being asked curiously as they were entering the carriage. " I do not say it won't work, in any case, you're rather sweet, and he likes sweet things - but do not be too surprised if he refuses, it would not be personal. If you offered him a song for anyone, and he chooses to give it to Hans, Hans would be put into a bad spot, because he would feel obligated to honour that deal, but has trouble entrusting himself to people easily, especially people who dislike him. By all means, you do not really like Hans much, do you? At least, from what I have felt, it seems very... mixed, " Being inquired gently as they entered the carriage. " Do not take it personally, but I don't think Hans would ever feel trustful enough to accept a song from someone that he isn't at the very least comfortable with. So you should maybe come up with a backup option... "