Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"Oh, there is a great shop with instruments here," Svarik smiled. "I already have two flutes - one from Liron and one carved from Ben's horn (OOC: if I remember right?). But I like to carry both on me and choose the more suitable one, so having a backup could be useful. But today we're going to negotiate freedom for Eros, right? It depends how long that will take, we could go there later today or tomorrow. And I already have something to do for us for the last day, too." He told Conrad about the deal with Alpha and how it included listening to the whale song. "What deal did you make, if it's not a secret?" he asked curiously.

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Yes, those are the two main ones, he also has a sceptre one I just remembered, but that one is only for official events when he is at the capital, h doesn't carry it around, only those two :) )

" Listening to the whale song seems like an interesting picnic, actually... " Falcon nodded lightly and then responded to Svarik's question. " Honestly, going to Alpha right away last night was one of my more impulsive decisions - I just had a really good feeling about it and decided to take a gamble. I didn't do a lot of research, so when he asked me what I would offer him, I was surprised. Since a lot of Beings seem to follow arbitrary rules, I decided to go by the classic fairy tale rule of three, and offer him three smaller things he may find increasingly hard to refuse in a bundle, and used his love for Hans against him. " he explained. " First thing - I offered to make Han's detailed law proposal about theatre reform the very top of our priority and begin implementing changes quickly. Second, I offered to give Hans one sincere law wish - that he can tell me one really hard thing he wants to change about our laws, and that I will try my best to change it as soon as physically possible. Third, I offered him a promise that, in the long run, I will do my best to figure out the worst triggers of Hans's illness and manipulate him in a way that would help him get at least a little better, or in the worst case, manage to make him some spiritual medicine he won't feel as uncomfortable using as he would direct healing, " Falcon explained his utterly practical offer with a completely straight face. " He didn't seem quite amused, and told me I am not quite as fun as he imagined, which confused me quite a bit, because I didn't think I was supposed to be fun - but he said my offer was still too good to miss out on, so he said yes. Since it puts a lot of my effort on the table, that's why he offered to make my couple additional items for others, and also promised me, if I ever need wedding attire for me and Melody, that I can come for free to him, which is quite suspicious, though, since he had to have heard of your confession plans from you..." he smiled a little. " It seems he is gaining a lot either way. What exactly did my lovestruck boyfriend offer him that was so fun besides whale sighting that he was still fine accepting my quite dry deal? "

[Mirach]

"Well, I had a bit more of a heads-up regarding his taste in deals, so I offered him that game of never-have-I-ever," Svarik smiled. "From my side, it was the whale song, visiting a salt mine and... I think you will like that one... he can make my hair grow magically and then braid it as he likes, and you're invited too. As to his picks, he wants to be invited for a kingly wedding - as if I wouldn't invite him otherwise... Third is flying to the city with Hans and having a picnic when the cherries flower. But it has a prerequisity in the second one, which is... he wants to paint all the city roofs pink. With a color that offers protection and in the same time honours our new deity..."

[VisAnastasis]

With the hair growing and braiding mention Falcon inhaled sharply with an excited expression, as if the thought of Svarik with long braided hair was too cute to deal with. With the last suggestion, though, he also covered his mouth, as if he had to to keep his feelings in check, appearing to have renewed zeal.
" Um, Svarik? Are you sure you aren't just adorable enough to have somehow coaxed him to just keep doing us favors?" He asked wonderingly, measuring Svarik up and down." From how it looks from my side, it mostly seem like he's either giving us some pretty decent dates, leading you on fun trips, or doing really adorable civil work... "

[Mirach]

"It does feel so, but he really wants it," Svarik explained. "The painted roofs are most important to him. He wants to show the city to Hans, different than it was during the reign of the emperors. He wants to make it feel safe to him, but I think that would take more deals. But just for watching from the orchards, the painted roof would be enough."

[VisAnastasis]

" As for the roofs, the truth is I was playing with the idea for a while, starting the first while Simbel was still White. He always sounded so wistful when he would tell us about how all roofs used to be white in his honour, so I had it in the back of my mind that I want to paint roofs white one day for his sake. His happiness is most important though, so when he suddenly decided to work on himself and discovered joy for pink once he got new body, naturally, I decided to change my plans to pink, even though that would be harder to convince people over than easier to accept neutral white colour, " He explained." But if he is willing to paint roofs, with his insane speed, and weaving some noticeable protection to it, it would be great - that way instead of just our pushing of new Deity, we can really pass it off as Bulk's will and miracle, and do it much sooner... Did he say when he would be available? It would be huge work for me, but how would day of Spring Equinox work for him?" Falcon asked wonderingly." I thought about making that day Simbel's holiday - Bull has so many and Simbel should have at least one, but it would have been weird to give a War God a first day of Spring, so the date is available for the taking, and I thought a little festival would be nice to help him grow more as his own person, and his own God, that is. But if we could also have a little miracle on these days, that would be very helpful to boost his image..."

[Mirach]

"I think Alpha would like that plan," Svarik said. "I wondered about the best way to get the owners' permission to paint their roofs, but if it's a miracle, it doesn’t need one. If someone doesn’t like it, they can repaint their roof... with the knowledge that they'll show a deity they don't accept his protection, and will also stick out among their neighbours."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, we can either do fight to get permissions up front, or take a little gamble and do it without permission." Falcon said innocently." What do you say about this - instead of wasting our energy on gazillion permits, we instead put it all into organising a festival for Simbel outside city walls, even larger than coronation, something that really will be remembered in city history and draw most people outside of the city - and those that stay in, we can have Simbel have them fall asleep during that time si they see nothing that's going on. We have festival last through the whole night, and in the early hours of morning, high priest says he received Bull's revelation that he is content and will bestow us a symbolic protection blessing - and when everyone arrives home, roofs are all pink and clear. Well, of course, since Simbel's presence can make people fall asleep at huswill, we could also, like, have him just knock out the whole city asleep but us while Alpha works..." Falcon frowned thoughtfully." So it is technically an instant miracle for everyone else, but it feels a little too tyrannical, maybe? I mean just because Simbel is cute, doesn't mean his powers over consciousness can't be terrifying if we use them on larger scale. I am feeding him insane amount of food, so I recon he is more powerful now than in the old Kingdom's time, when city was smaller..."

[Mirach]

"It would be worth it just for seeing the reactions when the people get back and see it. Or even better, do the festival in a spot from which the city is visible, and have it be revealed with dawn. But it needs to be a two day festival, because Alpha said it will take him more than a day to do it with the blessings."

[VisAnastasis]

" I will talk with Alpha about details; maybe if we do really good preparation and get appropriate helpers to him, we could finish sooner. Sun Spirits, while not technically nearly as powerful as actual stars, are still descendants of stars and quite fast, maybe we could work out some deals with them to help Alpha - from all Beings we meet, Solstice seems to have kept his count most neutral toward demon kin, and they may be willing to help a fellow star do the work faster, " Conrad noted. " It is a city where Solstice plans to grow up in, under Simbel's care, if nothing funny happens in Spirit kingdom to prevent that. So it would only work in their favour, the more powerful enchantment there is to keep Solstice safe, and stronger Simbel's god image is. Just because Alpha is cool and all, doesn't mean we can just throw it all on him, right? I will try to come up with the most optimal plan, and we will keep in touch with him by letters, so that we can ease his burden, since he is going out of his way for us, too. Besides, we will have to tell Sun Spirits about his visit, anyway. Can't have them suddenly panic as they realize there's suddenly an overpowered dandy demon jumping around the roofs and doing something suspicious.  "

[Mirach]

Svarik chuckled. "That's true. We can discuss the details with him later, maybe during braiding my hair. I really like the deal because everyone gains from it."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, I am also not looking for my gain in particular in the deal, either. I honestly do want everyone to gain a lot. When our allies are stronger, we are stronger, too, so whatever good Alpha would ask me to do for Hans, I'd have probably been willing to meddle with on my own free time anyway. Keeping the country together is hard enough even with me in charge, saving the world, in the long run, is going to need much more heads than mine. I am not conceited enough to believe I am the most capable man in the world when there are Beings who had much longer than 30 years of experience to draw from, " Falcon commented, but his voice seemed a little fainter. " How about we just... leave all the deals aside for a moment, and just sit down? I mean... is there such a thing as suspiciously too much good happening at once? " he asked suddenly and patted space on the bed next to him, inviting Svarik to sit down closer with a gesture. " I am really trying to go with the flow here, but this is all too surreal, and I am honestly no longer sure if I should believe my senses, so I really need some grounding to stop my mind from dissociating... I don't... " he admitted reluctantly. " Feel quite like me right now... "

[Mirach]

Svarik sat down next to him, looking at him with a mix of fondness and concern. "What would help?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

It seemed, after a really strong unrestrained response from before, now that he was collecting himself and cooling down his head, things just didn't feel like falling to the right places, as if the weight of everything that was happening for years have pushed on him at once. He stared before himself with a little lost expression and he didn't seem to be able to find right words right away.
" I guess I just realized that... my face hurts from... all this grinning and laughing," he said unexpectedly, touching his cheek. " And... I thought... when was the last time that happened? But then it suddenly dawned on no matter how hard I try, I can't remember it ever happening to me. You will think it's a silly thought, but... " he stuttered. " I suddenly feel like I am in someone else's body, wearing someone else's face... My hands moving with someone else's excitement... My head swirling with someone else's happy thoughts. It does not make sense, that any of them are mine... "

[Mirach]

"It's okay..." Svarik said, lightly touching Conrad's hand to see if he's alright with it. "I'm sorry, I guess it was a lot at once..."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon tensed up at first, but slowly, pushing through air like it was concrete, he put his free hand over Svarik's, breathing in deeply, as if trying to push through the overwhelming feelings.
" Never apologize... For being too good to be real, " He murmured quietly." You are meadow king... Healer of souls... Descendant of stars... Person that makes flowers bloom when he plays music, " he pressed Svarik's hand faintly." It is in your job description to go beyond expectations... "

[Mirach]

Svarik entwined their fingers, hoping to ground Conrad. "Would be a shame if I broke you with a few gifts," he whispered, but then got more serious. "I know it feels too good to be true... but maybe for once it could be... It will be fine..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It is all just... unexpected. I always know what I can do with variables I anticipate... But not now. Not with a variable that was never there. " Falcon whispered, his gaze locked at Svarik's hand seriously as if he was trying hard to convince his mind that he is holding onto something material, not the air. " I guess the feeling is like... opposite of betrayal? " he murmured. " An action so starkly unexpected it leaves you disbelieving and confused? I guess... it seems like I take everything you tell me at face value more than even I thought... " through a lost tense face, a little warmth broke through. " When... you say you just like me as a friend, I just take it at face value and never question it. So, you really did surprise me yesterday, and it was an unexpectedly nice surprise, but... For you it was a gradual revelation, for me, it was brand new information... it is somehow hard to take this one at face value, I fear... "

[Mirach]

"I understand," Svarik nodded. "It wasn’t that gradual to me either. I knew I told you that, and I believed it at the time, so it took me a long time to start questioning it. But only with the talk with Eros things finally fit into place. Would you maybe like to talk to him too? It could help..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Maybe... I will talk to him later, " Falcon reluctantly agreed, but he didn't seem content with that solution, not fully. " Still... between you and Eros, aren't you the one with more accurate information? Maybe, if I understood it more, I could believe it a little more. " as if moving came at greater difficulty, he pressed Svarik's hand faintly. " Why... is it me, specifically? You are quite close to and fond of many people... Is it just... being at the right place... at the right time? " he murmured as if his mind was desperately scraping by for a reason. " Lot of people worried about you back then... it is... easily conceivable if I decided to focus most of my time to keep situation stable in order to protect you, even if I was doing it from utmost devotion for you, someone else would fill my shoes and spend more time with you than me... if someone else took care of you to extent that I did... would you just fall in love with them instead? "

[Mirach]

"Ah... yes, Eros is better when you find it hard to name your own feelings. For mine, talking to me is more efficient, although I suspect Eros would be able to put them into words better, still. But the answer to that one is an easy no. Otherwise I would fall in love with Liron even before you, wouldn’t I? But that was actually what made me realize... There's friendship between Liron and me, right? I wanted to go with him into another realm because of it, and I would if he wouldn’t find a better companion. But now that he did, I'm relieved for not having to leave my other bonds here. Lipka, of course. I knew that what I feel to Lipka is love. But it's not quite the same as what I feel to you, and I knew it’s more than friendship because if you would be going instead of Liron, I wouldn't be relieved that you found a more powerful companion. I would go with you if you would have me. It's not that I can’t be without you... I don't possess you and if you would ever want to leave, I would let you. It's that I don’t want to be without you. And that's love, isn’t it? It was obvious but I couldn't figure it out, because I was already in love with Lipka."

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon listened intently, watching Svarik's hand holding his as if it was the only thing he could focus on in the world. Slowly with the words, a little bit of colour seemed to return to his stiff face, and he felt a little more present as if it helped to focus on reality more.
" I do not think... that my thinking is as straightforward as yours. You think, if this is love, I will ask Conrad to date me. I am more... driven by what I want, not by conventions, " Conrad finally replied quietly after a moment, replying to Svarik's sincerity with his own. " What I think is - spending time with Svarik is the time... when I feel like life is worth living. When you were hurt, your joy was... so feeble, like glass. Nurturing that joy made me happy, and greedy for more of it. I just wanted you to grow happier, and happier. So, I was not thinking - is this love? I was rather thinking - how do I organize my time most efficiently... so I can spend as much time with Svarik as possible... " for the first time since the talk, a little more present, a fragile smile danced on edges of his lips. " That is why, I can not just simply say, that I love you, just so. In same terms, I do feel like I love Melody, too, but in a more calm, soothing kind of love. Rather, I would say, that you are a person whose presence makes me happiest to exist in this world. It is not love that is calm, but loud and full of pride and admiration," he said seriously. " That's why... I felt foolish last night. I thought I was reasonably happy these days with things as they are... but last night, when you confessed, it made me actually happy. And only with how happy I was... I realized how miserable I was before it. " he admitted. " I thought that since I met you, I was living a more emotionally honest life... but I really wasn't. I was just doing the very same thing as before... steeling my resolve to make sacrifices for others. It is not like I hate Lipka... but I... felt bitter toward her, who suddenly appeared, and had a stronger claim on your time than me. Especially since I found out about the child... I did all I could to make sure you can make up because I knew it is important to you, but still, what I felt is a sense of emptiness, as my claim on your time grew even thinner. If you did not confess to me, I would just think of it as loneliness, but now, I think I can admit that it was envy... "

[Mirach]

"Whatever it was, I told you about my feelings as soon as I figured it out, because wanted you to know just how important you are to me," Svarik said. "I wouldn't really call it dating, because I don't think much would change about what we do together. I just hoped you'll see that you don't have to feel lonely or envious."

[VisAnastasis]

" No...it has to be different." Falcon frowned a bit, his voice growing firmer." If how we were before was enough for you, why would you risk so much just to redefine it a little?" It seemed, unexpectedly, that Conrad responded strongly enough to it to snap out of shock a little, his grip growing stronger." I am not narrow minded enough to consider us less of a couple just because we are not doing such superficial thing as sleeping together - that's something even strangers can do fine enough. Alpha still sleeps around casually for pleasure, even though he is hopelessly in love with Hans, too. Maybe my status limits us more than most people, but between you not wanting that kind of intimacy, and me wanting to lay low so my enemies don't reveal ny identity and ruin everything for us, there is lot overlap. Maybe capital is a red zone where it is too dangerous for most public things, but here we are a little freer and have a little more proper dates. If it's worth redefining, it is worth putting more into it. If we just leave it as it is, how can it be considered better than what we already have? If nothing changes, then wouldn't we really just be friends with benefits of kissing? That would change nothing for my claim of your time... How long can a kiss claim, a minute top? That's not nearly enough time,  " He shook his head slowly, turning his gaze hesitantly to Svarik." Tell me, would just calling what we have a different work satisfy you? Or aren't you just settling for the lowest possible bar to make sure nothing we currently have is lost, just like I did? It should not be enough to keep doing whatever we are doing and maybe, like, kiss sometimes.  There are cultures when kissing between friends or family members isn't considered a couple thing, just affectionate thing. I refuse to acknowledge merely that difference is enough to call us couple over friends. It is not enough. Is it really huge enough for you to just say it is good enough and call it a day? Don't you want more?  "

[Mirach]

"But I have more already," Svarik said. "It seems to me we've always been finding fun ways to spend time together. The biggest change to me is in the freedom to express that feeling, to touch you, to show you just how important you're to me. It may be the same activity, but it feels so much different with it. I would be content with that, and being together as much as we can... But you have something more in mind, don't you? I'm curious now, I can’t really imagine what else we could do that we wouldn't as friends..."