Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"Right, we aren't that comfortable with each other. With some people you just aren't compatible, no matter how much you respect them. But about the song, yes, it's a bit too straightforward. I don't know him well enough to guess what else he could like. I could maybe offer a vacation in the capital, if he would like it."

[VisAnastasis]

" Technically, even if Stars are often ambiguous, Alpha is a Demon, so a vacation to the capital where so many Sun Spirits are right now might be a touch... dangerous. Besides, he would not want to go there on his own. He hopes Hans will one day will overcome his fear enough so they could go there together. Once in the past, when there was a time of kings and it was still a young city, they were passing through it while on a mission and had nice memories in it... It would not be nice to him if he was alone, no matter how much the city grew and how grander it is, now that it's the biggest city in the country, " Being whispered more quietly, watching through the window as they were riding. " I do not wish to impose myself... I know I am nosy enough. If you do not wish to work on your relations with Hans, know that you never have to, okay? It will never be wrong. But still, I think you should explore why you feel that way and take what you find to work on your self-care. I do not know everything, as I said, but... I am certain, with Hans's personality and from the context I have, that when he is panicked or nervous, he flirts and jokes with people. I understand why you may dislike that, but... it worries me a little for your future. " he admitted quietly. " You are very pretty and lovely... And undoubtedly handsome. If you will live an immortal life, it is a certainty many people will find you attractive and make a move on you... You are lovable, so many will love you, and many grew to like you now as well, through your years or travel. It is okay to not accept any advances, casual or otherwise. But I hope you will grow enough comfortable enough with people, women and men, human and Being, that you would feel no fear and threat from the world that will adore you, because you can reject advances, but not stop people from loving you, just like Conrad may reject you, but it won't stop you from loving him. You should never feel like you have to get along with people that discomfort you. Just that you feel safe in this world, and not lose your flavour to fear... That is all I wish for you...  "

[Mirach]

"That was the initial misunderstanding between us, but we cleared that. Now it's just a general difference in opinions and attitudes. We can work with that, but I don't think we'll ever be good friends. Senecio is someone much more suitable as a friend for him, and I'm completely different from Senecio. But about the deal, not a song and not a vacation? How about letters then? I don't have much time here now, but I'd be happy to exchange letters with him, with news from the capital. Do you think he would like that?"

[VisAnastasis]

" You are very different from Senecio, in some ways, yes, but in other ways, no... I am just afraid your reservation around too different people will prevent you from gaining otherwise nice bonds. Especially among Beings. And as one aiming for immortality, not being able to make friends among Beings is going to make life harder for you, " Eros replied quietly. " Take Alpha, for example. Senecio is really open to differences, and he adjusted to Alpha's weirdness easily. With exception of me, for personal reasons, he is really open to people's differences and easily goes along for the ride - he takes everything as it is, without overthinking it. You overthink a lot, though, " Eros replied, looking back at him lightly, with gentle expression. " Think about it... I told you Alpha likes to have fun, and that he is feeling down right now... And all three things you offered are useful things, tame things, not fun things, not this that can raise his mood right now. Listen, you are going to meet a lovely, creative creature, that likes to sew clothes and tease and play and hang out with nice people. He is as human as you are, the only thing inhuman of him is that he is also extra tall, weirdly thin, with no mouth, glowing eyes, and with six hands. But that doesn't make him unapproachable. You do not have to treat going to him like going to a job interview... He is just a softhearted fellow, who likes cute people, is charmed by humanity, can weave clouds into sweaters and sun into scarfs. Just a nice lad who exists on six dimensions, but can still focus on this one and play some damn great piano with his sixty fingers. Isn't overthinking it just overrated? Instead of a prepared reply, why not just say whatever comes to your mind as you talk to him? It will be easier than like this, as if you're preparing yourself for a test... "

[Mirach]

"I feel better if I can prepare ahead. What if I get no ideas when he asks? And it's not that I'm not open to meeting and getting to know new people and Beings. I do enjoy that. But once I get to know someone and it's clear that we didn’t click well, isn’t it better to not force it into a closer friendship and just respect each other?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't want to tell you what to do, so asking someone who has capacity to understand and love too many people may not be your best call. But as for my opinion, let's just say that I think how devoted friend sir Falcon is has risen your standards way too unrealistically. Conrad is an overachiever and an outlier and should not be counted as golden standard, " Being teased a little bemusedly." Most people disagree on many things but can still have a lot of fun as a group. Different personalities offer you perspectives you can never come up on your own. They can enrich your life immensely so... It is something that can not happen if you consciously trim down your circle. " Being replied quietly." That is... How I see it. I think you should rather work to just live freely with people instead of making lot of circles around them. Friends are just a label, isn't it tiring to weight values of every person you meet instead of just hanging out with them as they come? If you ask me, saying in the same breath that you do not want to force it if you don't click with people, but in the same time thinking of offering a Being you didn't yet meet to exchange regular letters with you... Isn't that more presumptive? You aren't going to be given a negative grade if you give ten wrong answers... This is a subjective dealing with another person, not... School," he smiled." I can warn you if something is likely to be rejected... But what is the harm of offering something rejectable? That just means you have to figure out something else with him. No one will accept something they don't like, little one... It's not like he will have to go on that trip if you cannot come up with anything else... Just don't panic, okay? It is natural it is not easy to come up with something to cheer up a primordial star. Isn't the world more interesting and wonderful that way?" He asked pleasantly." It would be such a dull world, if celestial Being older than the Earth would be insanely happy about going sightseeing just for the sake of sightseeing, wouldn't it?"

[Mirach]

"No, I wanted to go with him. I never got to simply go sightseeing in the city. Either I'm doing some official business, or Conrad shows me the secret places, but I never got to see the most famous sights that every traveler coming to the city does, from that perspective. I thought it would be fun to do that with someone who haven't been there yet."

[VisAnastasis]

" That's already rather different than getting someone a travelling ticket and pocket money and calling it a day. How could I know you have been sightseeing here, but haven't seen your own city that well yet? You should have said so from the start." Being leaned to him with more interest. " First times doing things are always more interesting. Lot of Beings who have seen it all still like seeing things when others are seeing them for the first time. As well, while He has been there, it was when city was really small and even walls barely existed, so it is almost new to him. It was a century or so after White Eagle died, when religion around him began to take more roots. Hans was a Singer back then and he was able to use Songs that would conceal their essence for a while, and make people perceive them as humans... They were supposed to go check if religion was growing dangerous... In the end they only ended up going on a date. " Being was smiling faintly with a thought." They acted all like pilgrims, eating local food, doing volunteer work at the first palace, and throwing food offerings into the pond for good fortune..  they were very bright memories. To be honest, I think Alpha really  loved the city. Back then, all roofs were painted pure white, so even if it was humble in size, it was a beautiful sight - watching from the first walls, white rooftops from one side, and from the other, river of swaying cherry trees in full bloom," creature sighed wistfully." But I don't think he would be happy going there if Hans wasn't with you... But Hans is very hesitant even leaving far from the shore. I mean, it figures... No one could easily go back to the place he was imprisoned for months and reduced to.. well, you know. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, I know. Probably not a best idea," Svarik nodded. "Well, I hope I'll figure out something together with him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You have a sweet idea that is honest,  but sincerely, whatever happens, just be yourself and do not be burdened with formalities or pressure of leaving good impression," Eros said softly, standing up and offering him help as they arrived back at the mansion." You are sweet enough that I am sure you will manage to sweeten your way through wherever conversation takes you. Would you feel more comfortable talking to him if I went with you or if you went on your own?"

[Mirach]

"I'd appreciate an introduction," Svarik said. "After that it may be better to have some privacy to meet him properly, but I don't mind either way."

[VisAnastasis]

" I originally wanted us to just take it easy and have some fun, but since you are  anxious of doing well, aas for the first meeting, if I go there I may distract you too much, so for right now, I will just introduce you. He is staying at one of the smaller guestrooms as well. " Eros said, and he lead Svarik to the floor where Being guests were staying. Even if a part already set of to return to their homes, quite a bit still remained there, and some would wave them as they passed the coridor. Eros stopped by the door at a corner of the hallway, and knocked. Finally, after a moment, a voice sounded, inviting them in.

Just like Eris described to him, in the room was a tall and extremely slender creature, dressed in tasteful black embroidered with gold, six handed, having no mouth, only two big bright circles for eyes. But it seemed most unusual, in a peculiar pose before them - it was laying on a bed upside down casually like it was most natural way to receive guests, with crossed legs leaned against the wall idly. In two pair of its arms it held yarn, in the other, it was knitting a long grayish scarf still while it turned its head to them, and with third pair, he waved at them.

Despite it had no face in conventional sense, Svarik could swear he felt a soft idle grid as creature laid eyes upon them, not stopping the knitting, but seemingly lightly interested.

" Oh, my, aren't you are cutest bunch of intruders? Here to steal my heart or my money? Before you say anything, I am all out of money right now,"

" Hello to you as well," Eros replied softly, without missing a beat, as it seemed he was well used to Alpha's manner of speaking." We can not steal what's already taken, but I could sense the smell of utter boredom and decay from miles away, so if you'd agree, we'd like to steal a bit of your time instead. Isn't that right, Svarik?" He tied him in conversation gently, giving him space to draw attention to himself.

[Mirach]

"Yes, that's right," Svarik chuckled a little as Alpha's pose reminded him on the peculiar ways Conrad used to sit. 

[VisAnastasis]

" My, what lovely sunlit smile... If I was only one bit less lazy today, I would steal some of it... It is such cloudy day, after all, " Being tilted his head but lightly and softly at him, not standing up, but seemingly rather trustful and relaxed around humans, and casual about touch, he offered the king one of his free hands for a handshake.
" Hi there, little ball of sunshine! I am Alpha Centauri, a full-time Star, a part time tailor and tripple hug world champion. We just met, but your laugh is too cute, so you can just call me Alpha. How are you tiny cutie pie comfortable being called by me?"

[Mirach]

Svarik was a bit surprised by the gesture as he knew how Beings are sensitive to touch, but he took the hand as it was offered, in the human way. He smiled again. "Well, my name is short already, so I prefer it as it is."

[VisAnastasis]

This Being seemed rather free and unrestrained, in words and in touch equally, and maybe because of that, or maybe because he was a Star too, despite how distant, creature reminded Svarik on Solstice a little - there was some similar approachable, casual but warm air around him too.
" I am not in the least surprised that a sunny man likes to be called by Sun. With a look like that and a name Svarik, you are literally sir Sun De Sun. " Alpha shook his hand earnestly, and with others, he pointed at the armchairs at aside, and a little table where there were a variety of small cookies and a couple of various cake slices, and couple bottles of juice and wine. " Are you in the mood for some drinks and snacks? By all means, it's lame to be the only one enjoying myself, so do make yourself comfortable. "
" Actually, Svarik would be more comfortable speaking to you on his own first, " Eros explained. " He is a rather shy private person, so he'd be more comfortable to meet you one on one. Would that be okay? "
" You call *that* shy? " Alpha seemed a little more bemused, with a touch more colour in his voice, as if at a good joke. " Well, sure, it's not like he's all frightened and would have a meltdown if left alone with me, so, why not? " he agreed with a calm upside down shrug. " I am a big fan of going along with the flow for the hell of it. "

[Mirach]

"It's okay, you can stay if you want," Svarik said. "I admit I was a bit nervous about talking to you," he turned to Alpha. "I just don't like asking for something from someone I didn’t even get the chance to meet properly. But I want to gift something special to my Semai, and Eros said you are the best person to make such a gift. I hoped it wouldn't bother you. Honestly, you do look rather bored..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, being idle and being in a mood for work isn't quite the same... I am more in a mood to mope around and do some stress-eating and stress-sewing. But you could give your best to change my disposition, if it's important to you, " Being replied, its eyes, the glowing orbs narrowing just lightly, as he waved again to the armchairs at his side once more. " Come on, little Sun de Sun, don't leave me hanging. Have some cookies and wine, and spill me some good tea. I want you to tell me more about this Semai and how much you adore him, on a scale of one to ten, just in flowery words instead of numbers. "

[Mirach]

"Oh, okay..." Svarik blushed a little. "Uhm... I think I changed my mind. Would you mind leaving us for a moment, please?" he asked Eros. "For that topic I don't feel that comfortable with a bigger audience..."

[VisAnastasis]

Eros couldn't help but chuckle a little with Svarik's sudden change of heart, and Alpha clapped one pair of his hands as if entertained, snorting himself.
" Alright, big guy... you've heard the little one. He is shy after all, so, shoo to the other room, shoo! " he comically gestured at Eros, that only giggled louder with it.
" You know I feel everything you do, right? This curiosity of yours and second-hand embarrassment I have from him are truly adorable, " he said to them with a grin. " I'll leave you, girls, to your secretive gossiping, deal? I think I'll go to the kitchen and see if they need help adding some love into meals of demons. Have a good time, " he said, and waved to them, before he left them, giving them a chance to be on their own.

[Mirach]

"Sorry about that," Svarik smiled a bit shyly. "It does feel better to talk privately about... my Semai. Well, for you to understand, I think I need to first tell you about him on his own. And then, I'll tell you about him with me, okay? So, he is strong. I don't mean just in body, he has a very strong will. And he's clever and intelligent, with the most brilliant mind I've seen in a human. He can be dangerous to his enemies, but he has a good heart. He likes giving secret gifts to children, and helping those in need, and he's very just." Svarik sipped from the wine, gathering his thoughts.

[VisAnastasis]

As Svarik began to talk, the Being left sewing supplies at a side. It didn't stand up from the bed, it just turned aside and continued idly lying on its belly, and took a glass of wine too, prompting its head with a pair of hands and listening to Svarik and nodding lightly, in understanding.

" That sounds pretty tempting, alright... If I were single, I might as well have given it a shot. I know I shouldn't be blunt, but suspense is killing me, so I will help you out and say it first, " he said, sipping wine, before asking, his eyes flashing as he added suggestively." You know you just used a lot of words to basically say he is cool and hot, right? Your tone of voice and flushed cheeks betray you. So, how long were you hopelessly in love, and what was the breaking point before the realisation slapped you in the face?" He inquired pleasantly, indeed, sounding not much different than a lady   chatting with her friends at a sleepover, " Please, kind sir, do give me more, this tea is mighty delicious... "

[Mirach]

Svarik shook his head. "No, what I told you was what I saw almost right away. That's just how he is with others. But... it's how he is with me that made me realize... He doesn’t smile much, but he does with me, and it's wonderful to see. He's freer, more relaxed. But he always wants to make sure that I'm safe. He would go to extraordinary lengths to make me happy. He's caring and always willing to make sure that we understand each other well. As to the answer to your question, I thought I was incredibly lucky to have him as a friend. I did wonder about the idea if we could have something more, and just an hour or so ago, I figured it our while talking to Eros. As to when I realized I'm actually madly in love with him... that was about now, as I was describing him to you."

[VisAnastasis]

Being listened attentively, nodding lightly. His face could show no smile, yet Svarik could still feel as if he were smiling and holding his breath at his tale. When Svarik was done, he didn't reply right away, he cleared his throat first, and straightened a little bit.
" Sometimes... we just enjoy like as it comes, and are dense to when it comes to details. If you just always had a great time with him, it's easy enough to just be happy and take it at face value, without thinking too much about it. " Being replied to him, feeling more present and familiar with his interest ignited. " Hey, as a fellow romantic hopelessly crushing person, I am cheering for you, " a soft white orb flickered, as that seemed to be a way for the creature to wink at him. " You know, you had me at *My Semai*. Sure, some Semais are precious, but no one says those words with a tone of *my beloved* for no reason. So, how is it going so far? What are you going to do about it, little Sun de Sun? " he inquired lightheartedly, but despite his direct questions, his words sounded rather melodic and soft, encouraging to hear. " You are really adorable and honestly look like one of them cuddly homemade teddy bear plushies, so you have that going for you, but it's no use having assets that work for you when the other person is probably as dense as you were an hour ago. You are on decent start, being able to confess to yourself, and to someone else that you are in love, but confessing to him is a whole other beast... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, I know. I hope I don't mess up. But regardless of his answer, I would like to get him some meaningful present. He always gets me presents, but I feel bad spending money. I'm not used to have much of it, for one, and two, I don't feel like it's mine when it's from the kingdom. But a keepsake from Janus is something I can get him for something else than money. And I hoped to gift him some awesome enchanted clothes too, if you would be willing to make a deal with me."