Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

Svarik chuckled. "Ah yes... That's something I failed to consider, although in hindsight, I should have. Might have sabotaged myself there a bit"

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, not that I am the best one to give constructive criticism on this subject, but I have to say that, while it's not the too bad atmosphere, it can still easily be considered a friendly outing. Just saying, if you had put a little more effort to make it more obviously romantic, maybe I would have figured it out sooner instead of just thinking you are reluctant to admit to me that you want to create a harem of peculiar girls from the countryside, " Falcon teased, still a little hesitantly, vulnerable, as if unsure how to put himself. " Well... you always jest to me about having plans for everything, but for once, this is... really new. I am not... quite sure what any of it entails, and I am not one to make assumptions, so... how about you handle the plans as of right now? " he said seriously, going about this in very Conrad-like way. " Since neither of us is ready, and most shops are closed by now so we can't even buy sweets for couples like matching cakes or cotton candy and call it half success, I don't expect a perfect date, but since it is the first one, I will settle for at least avoiding it being too awkward. "

[Mirach]

"I don't really want anything much different," Svarik said. "Nothing has to change... nothing but this..." He leaned closer to Conrad and laid his head on Conrad's shoulder. "I'd just like to be close without having to think *it's not like that*, because it is like that. And I'd like to kiss you sometimes... Other than that, it's already perfect."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon watched him from the side quietly still, as if trying to figure out if that's the honest desire, suddenly seeming very aware of the head on his shoulder. His gaze did not weaver, though.

" I would also like to be close without having to think *it's not like that* because it is. If I can get to be able to carry you around like it's no big deal and cuddle with you without fears of having you grow anxious around me, I really am only gaining something too, aren't I? Kissing is about the only sexual thing I can handle right now without burning away in anxiety, so I can easily put it on the table. But... this is something I also have to ask, " he said then, and he watched king carefully, as he slowly raised his hand, and put it over Svarik's, pressing it lightly. " Obviously, neither of us is in a proper mental state to be like, super casual about it, but... would it trouble you if we agree from the start to keep the matter of things other than kisses more open? " he asked quietly, carefully observing Svarik's gaze for any tinge of fear. " You know me. You know I will never do anything you do not want to... It is just, you never thought you would feel this way towards me, and I literally never thought I would even find any person I would be comfortable even touching me, least feel this content being so close to. Life is unpredictable. When people get casual with kisses, from all I have seen, things can escalate. Since you are the one putting kisses on the table, from my side, I would just like us to keep that matter open, and say it is open when negotiating terms and conditions with Melody and Lipka. I am not saying that is all on my mind, alright? Not even 16th thing on my mind when I think how we can make this work, " he tried to confirm, tense because he knew he is stepping into a possibly triggering territory. " But in case things began going more into such direction and it wasn't something we told the two of them could possibly happen, I would feel like cheating on Melody, so I'd feel calmer if I was absolutely sure there is nothing to feel guilty about, whether it ever comes to it or not. Something may come of it or nothing may, but whatever happens, I just don't want us to accept the shackles we may later come to regret... What are your thoughts on my wish, Svarik? Are you... uncomfortable? "

[Mirach]

Svarik closed his eyes for a moment, as if that would help him determine how he feels. "No," he said finally. "Not with you. I know you wouldn’t do anything I don’t want and I really don’t want it now. But there's a lot of time and it may change. I'm getting immortal with you, obviously. You didn't seem to believe me before, so I hope you do now," he smiled a little. "And since you're not getting rid of me, I think it's okay to keep it open. But right now it's not like 30th among the things I want, but pretty high in the list of things I don’t want."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon's lip trembled just a little bit, as if he were shaken.
" Y-yes... " He said slowly." I can hardly imagine it right now, either, but... If you are really going to be immortal, keeping it open means acknowledging possibilities of immortality. I hope it is okay it is hard for me to believe it yet, but at least.... If we are in a relationship, not just friendship.. I will try to find it easier to... accept  that as reasonable choice," he said, and suddenly, he smiled vulnerably. " And... Thank you for telling me no so straightforwardly. Honestly, recently I was getting better at practicing the way I hear the world, and I am getting there, and can distinguish much more colours and nuances, and by that understand more about things. That's why I was so surprised, because there was no trace of any colours of wanting or lust in your aura. You keep defying my expectations, " he took a deep breath." Which is okay. I told you, my love is selfish, but, as you know, I am not exactly a kind of person dying from lust over here. I was a little surprised, but I am open minded - as long as you yourself are going to firmly acknowledge it as relationship even if it is unusual to humans, I am perfectly fine not having to have any forced right of passage. Just to  prevent things getting too unfair, I am going to insist on equal cuddling and affection time. Since you are the one that asked me out, you are going to have to make sure what we have ends up obviously being a relationship... Not just to feel like we are friends with benefits of kissing. And... When we are already speaking of things high on the list of what we don't want.... There is something," he hesitated at first, as it seemed to weight on him, before he continued." The other reason I never thought you would want a relationship with me... Is strictly because I am a man. It felt to me, ever since what happened, that you mostly perceive me like... Genderless teddy bear maybe? It's not bad in general, but... It still leaves me a little wary. What I would absolutely feel defeated by is if among your vibrant colours when you are with me colours of fear began growing... For all this time, I was always a little afraid you will suddenly again realize I am a man, and feel tense around me... because... I am also strong, tall and well  build like those mercenaries that hurt you," he acknowledged hesitantly, as if it was hard for him to admit that and risk triggering Svarik by it, but this seemed something he had to say" Do you ever... Find yourself fearful with those  similarities? If  not... I would rather enjoy it if you acknowledged me as a man you are still happy to be with, rather than pretend I am genderless just because we won't be more intimate. I really do dread, if I touch you or hold you too closely, that I might remind you on something unpleasant that could cause you to lose your calmness with me... Now that kisses are involved, it may seem like a small change, but it drastically raises the chances I could unwittingly remind  you on those bad experiences..." His voice was hoarse and a little overwhelmed with dark doubtful thoughts, as if he suddenly realised the situation he was in." . If there was... Like... A cheat sheet with list of what I can avoid for you ever to feel that way, that would go a long way into reassuring me... I never asked this, because as long as things were platonic it seemed like I can dance around the subject.....  "

[Mirach]

Svarik pondered that for a while, wishing to give a honest answer. A corner of his mouth lifted slightly for some reason. "You know that I'm a man as well?" he asked. "Hard to believe, I know... But seriously, I have no problem with men. It's not a defining feature of people to me. And you don't remind me of those particular men at all. On the contrary, your strength makes me feel safe. Well, I think I might even be into it, to be honest... There may be some specific touches that would startle me, but those are in the territory I don't want to go into now anyway. But more than touches, it would be intents behind them, as well as behind words. It would be a humiliating intent that would startle me, but that's something I've never felt from you and don't think I ever will. If you want a detailed cheat sheet though, I don't think I can provide it. It's not like I've tried to do different things to see which one is triggering and which not. I can only promise you to tell you right away if I get uncomfortable or even unsure with something."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon's expression cleared of a little bit.
" For a start, knowing you will tell me and not keep silent if you are uncomfortable is enough. " He whispered, gathering his resolve to continue what he wanted to say." I know you feel safe with me... But I always was a little afraid you would come to see me as threatening because of our phosical imbalance of strenght. It may sound strange to you.... I do not have rock solid reason like you. Still, because of the life I lead, most closer and longer touches instantly put me into anxiety  flight or fight response," he smiled shyly." Not yours... And it is not really because I refuse to see you as a man. You just... Happen to be a very soft man, with a touch like a tiny light caress of a dandelion... I feel safe and peaceful with you, and friend or not, I always admired the gentle quality of your intentions... " He whispered." Still... In light of the lack of an official cheat sheet, and both our resolve to not do anything phosical... Will you permit me an experiment? I want to show you what I like and I want us to figure out how it makes you feel... Prove it to me that it's alright and you really varen't feeling threatened whatsoever... " Falcon whispered quietly to his ear, looking at him resolutely, indeed, as if ready for experiment. It was quite far from risky or scary one, though. His hands were raised to the light where Svarik could see him, and  the first thing he did was put his palms under Svarik's arms, and raised him up with ridiculous ease from the ground - and brought him closer, putting him unexpectedly straight into his lap. His moves were timid and hesitant, afraid of startling him, but this time brimming with hope. He fixed his hair shyly, and then, he leaned towards him and embraced him firmly, as if his life depended on it. Sitting in his lap like that, feeling his presence all around him, and with strongest arms he knew wrapped around him firmly, it was their closest, most couple-like embrace yet, and it was easy to understand why Conrad was afraid - in a tight embrace one could not squeeze out of, his more unrestrained strength was terrifying in concept, unquestionable and overwhelming to the core, very much inhuman. Still, the difference of intent couldn't be more different - where one was to restrain him and make him feel powerless, the other felt more like an impenetrable shield nothing else could touch him through.

[Mirach]

Svarik's heart beat faster for a while, but not because he would be afraid. He was a little overwhelmed by the freedom of the touch, but slowly leaned his head back, relaxing into it and enjoying it. "Did I mention I might be into it?" he murmured. "Because yes, I definitely am. This is my spot now, you're not getting rid of me..."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon's heart skipped a beat with those words, and Svarik could feel his cheeks redenned. For the first time since the conversation started, instead of being response to nervousness, the laugh Falcon's shoulders shook with held a streak of genuine relief and enjoyment.
" This is my spot now, and you are not getting rid of me, either... No takebacks... " He whispered to his ear, slowly raising one of his wrapped hands a little, and rubbed Svarik's back, as if he found it soothing to test the comfort of his choices. " I will have time to properly be shocked and overthink everything later... Right now, I just wish to be so close to you I forgot anything bad exists. Holding you is like being grown over with a soft garden full of flowers... You can not think bad thoughts when you are overwhelmed by flowers..."

[Mirach]

"And you can't think bad thoughts when you are snuggled in a blanket fort," Svarik chuckled. "And you've got a right for a round of overthinking. I already had a turn on the way here, I can’t believe I actually managed to say something coherent."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon snorted bemusedly through his nose, but he held on close to him still, despite relaxing a little, blanket fort being quite a fitting word for an overprotective mood he was in.

" Wouldn't exactly call it too coherent, but intention got through... Once I begin overthinking, I think I am going to be overwhelmed to the point of having my brain fried, but hopefully, you'll be sleeping by then and won't be too troubled by mine insomnia. My brain is all flowers and clouds right now too, though, so I do not know if my intentions got through, either... I just didn't really feel it is proper to just say I love you and call it a day. Those three words... are said too much, " Falcon murmured, leaning his forehead against Svarik's head - like always in such situations, his words were straightforward, yet monumental, with the weight of his whole determinate mind put into them. " They are not enough. "

[Mirach]

Svarik sighed contentedly. "They're not," he agreed. "But it has to suffice in this limited form of communication with language. Until we become Semai again."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes... " Falcon repeated with a bit of wonder as if he only just remembered that they are Semai as well, too overwhelmed by all the other practical hindrances they will have to overcome, and he seemed more content suddenly. " Yes, I do have that going for me, too, so that's at least two plusses for me. Minuses are going to be rather depressing, but I will focus on them later. For now... just let me stay like this for a little longer... please, " he whispered. " I just want to sit here for a moment, and forget the world... "

[Mirach]

"That's all I want, too," Svarik whispered, snuggling closer.

[VisAnastasis]

Conrad smiled at the reassuring gesture, with an unusual smile, uncommon to him. It was a smile still frail and unsure, but a smile more hopeful and longing than Svarik has ever felt from him, a smile of someone that barely dares to try to believe that future may carry something better for a change.

He accepted Svarik's snuggling with wonder, returning it slowly and a little stiffly, like someone not used to it, but doing his best, carefully observing how Svarik felt with it and if his comfort is still undisturbed. The stars shone above them, and the waves kept rolling lazily around the beach, yet the two of them remained so, having nothing else right now to be in rush over. Conrad did not speak anymore, only when the night wind began growing stronger, he covered him with the cloak better and raised Svarik's hood up gently, as, while it was pleasant to keep it off before, now that the night deepened it grew too cold without it.

[Mirach]

Svarik felt comfortable in that position, all tension of the uncertainty dissipating now and leaving him relaxed. He was rather tired after everything of that day and the previous one too, so after some time, his eyes started to close inadvertently.

[VisAnastasis]

Conrad also seemed to calm down, since the initial desperation of the hug slowly melted in comfort, leaving him able to draw more peace and strength from it. He knew the moment will have to end at one point, but he prolonged it as much as he could, for this was their first date, and he wanted every second to count. Only when Svarik grew so tired he was on verge of sleeping, he straightened just a little, to ask him.

" Svarik... Do you want me to wait until you fall asleep, and then carry you back to our room? " he whispered. " Or do you want me to just carry you back now? You're in bad luck and have no other option but these two, I am afraid... "

[Mirach]

Svarik woke up a little with the question and opened one eye. "Carry me there now," he murmured. 

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon nodded, gathering Svarik in his arms and raising him with ease. Since his bag with their unused supplies was still at his shoulder, the only thing left to take was a lantern, and man easily shifted sleepy king's weight in one arm by having him lean on his chest, and picked up the lantern in the other. He didn't rush, just doing his best to focus on keeping the steady pace, and at one point as they walked, he began humming a calming tune, lulling him just a little bit to make sure he doesn't wake up too much, like every other, taking this self imposed task earnestly.

[Mirach]

With the calming humming and rhythmic pace of Falcon's steps, Svarik soon fell asleep, comfortable in his arms.

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon walked him up the hill to the mansion, and up the stairs then, to their room at the highest floor. Melody, who in meantime slept quite a bit and woke up, was waiting for them there, and they helped take of Svarik's booths and cloak and tucked him into soft bed quietly.

Since the food and drinks they prepared for the walk ended up uneaten this time, Falcon shared them with Melody, and they talked for a while quietly as they ate. At one point during night, Falcon seemed thoughtful and left somewhere for around an hour.

Once he returned, they kept talking, and since he spent reasonable time for himself sleeping before, as well as the girl, they stayed awake for some more time,as there was lot to talk about this time. Melody, who was spending most of her trip similar to Svarik, playing music for peculiar Beings that liked to listen, while not ill, was more sleepy these days, and so fell asleep first, and Conrad carefully laid her to bed next to Svarik. Himself most unused to sleeping at unfamiliar places, he kept a silent watch over them until a little before dawn, doing as much thinking as guarding - before he at last succumbed to sleep in the armchair next to the fire at first light of dawn.

[Mirach]

(OOC: Senecio will wake shortly after dawn, since he slept the whole day, Svarik a few hours later. Shall we take it chronologically or finish this arc first?)

[VisAnastasis]

(ooc: Tide's, Senecio's and Death's on one side, and Svarik's, Conrad's and Melody's arch at sea are probably not going to entangle too much, so we can do either  first, as we feel like, I don't have particular preference, as on both side we have its stronger points, whether it's with Senecio or Svarik we have a decent dose of adorable contrasting mysterious :D as for my characters, Falcon will be sleeping, but rather shallowly by the point Svarik wakes up, Xia has began doing little odd jobs for Sage, while she did decide to make truce with Death, but is currently waiting if he or she will call the other one first. Tide will periodically visit between sleeping Senecio and Death, and as for Hans who is with him, since what happened took a toll on him, he won't wake up that day, unless someone else wakes him, but only around noon tomorrow. )

[Mirach]

(OOC: ok, let's stay here for now)

Svarik woke a few hours after down. He felt better rested than for all the day before, and his magic already started returning as well, even if not fully yet.