Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

(Ok, I'll just summarise this city and you can do the Fourth. Melody could go with them if she's awake.)

"You're better prepared for kingly acts here than me," Svarik smirked, dressing in the noble clothes and a cloak on top of it. They discussed the eventualities for a while longer and then went to the local temple to convince the priests. The talk took a bit over an hour and Svarik got questioned throughly about the manner of his dreams and everything the Bull has ever said to him, but at the end they believed it's truly Bull's will to let Eros be free. 

[VisAnastasis]

After they finished the job in the city, things were already looking up a little, as at least they knew if Eros would go outside here, even if there was a commotion over his appearance at first and someone reported him, Bull priests would acquit him, and promised them to work on spreading the news on the decision among clergy so that trouble is minimal.

When they finished the job, they needed a quick and reliable way to get to the Fourth's city, and there was no one quicker than Sage when it came to Sea Travel. Like always before, he was always ready to act as a good host, and especially content to be able to help out Conrad a little too, after all, since Falcon did so much for him. Melody, who woke up in meantime, thought hard about it, as if deciding whether to give them some space or not, but in the end, she wanted to support them and encourage them because she knew this was important for them, going along in the form of a child.

Falcon was indeed well prepared for royal duties and on the lovely luxurious boat ride, man used that time to repeat some of Svarik's important *visions*, so that he doesn't entangle himself and coaching him some important easier to swallow bits of information about relations between crown and local priests, and giving him some tips on handling them based on the previous talk.

When they reached the city, Falcon seemed interested in it, as it was quite big but much different than the capital, but he didn't allow them to get distracted - they headed straight to the priests. Those people, having higher position than the one in a nearby city, were stricter, and to be worse, since Tarmagil himself was the one who urged Eros's imprisonment so much, they were harder to convince the will of the Bull changed. But Svarik's talk about visions and explanations of how they helped him throughout the years was hard to dispute, from a person that evaded whole Lowlandian army for ten years. They questioned him a lot about those visions to make sure there is nothing fishy about them. Managing a huge city, they were also somewhat more practical and down the earth, so a more practical argument that, if Eros's value to kingdom turns out to be material, part of the profits if that value would go directly to priesthood pleased them. Conrad also coached him to say when the time feels right that he would be grateful if they spread his decision further in next couple of cities for a start, and that, in appreciation for their trouble, he plans to invest more in the local priesthood himself in the future. That seemed to help out tip the scale, and despite Tarmagil's previous insistence, it seemed they accepted well enough that it was plausible Eros didn't fit in Bull's plans back then, under previous two emperors, but fit under his plans for the new one. The talk took nearly two hours, but it was fruitful, and the head priest promised him he will personally see to it that local priests are introduced to the change of circumstances.

[Mirach]

When they left the temple, Svarik sighed with relief, looking proud of the result, but also exhausted by the negotiations with people whose beliefs were still awaking some of his worst memories, where he had to conform to those beliefs and use them to get what he wants. "Well, I'm glad that's over," he murmured.

[VisAnastasis]

Melody looked a little worried about Svarik, but from all of them Conrad, who was most used to all kinds of half truths and deceptions to survive, seemed least phased by the magnitude of what they had to do. On the contrary, he looked brightened up and in his element. In a disguise of a bodyguard he could not show much affection right there, in front of the temple, but when he put hand on Svarik's shoulder king could feel joy and enthusiasm in the touch.
" Thanks for doing this for me. I could not do it on my own, so I was really worried, but you really pulled the weight of the task this time," he grinned, as if he could not wait for a while now for then to go out so he could speak with him frankly, for once in his life, too carried by his own enthusiasm to notice the grimmer aftertaste others have been left with." You even managed quite a confident look, even under all the pressure! I am...  just so proud of you. You did great. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled, his mood brightening with the praise. "Thank you. Your pointers were very helpful too. And now we are here already, so how about a light late lunch and exploring the city a bit? When we get back, we could give the good news to Eros and then have the dinner at that restaurant."

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course, you have earned yourself a nice lunch, and we have to go through some cool shops so I can buy you some cool things. I don't know much about the city, though, other than taxes and what is important for economic impact. I don't know touristy things too much. Sage, could you be our guide, perhaps?"
" If you don't mind me, I would, gladly, since we are returning together, in any case,"  Sage replied earnestly." If your friend Erdel was with you like last time, it would be a different case, and I could freely leave you on your own, but I would still feel more peaceful if I could watch over you this time. We can send the rest of the bodyguards to spend some time on their own, and wait for us back at the boat after - how long would you like? Two or three hours perhaps?"

[Mirach]

"Yes, that would be enough. I'm looking forward to sharing the news with Eros. But now, do you know some quiet place for lunch?" Svarik asked. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Isn't there some local cafee that sells light refreshments with lot of colorful drinks?" Conrad asked." Melody and Svarik like colorful things, we could go there perhaps."
" Svarik was already there with Tide last time, would he mind to go there again?" Sage looked at king curiously." Instead, how about we perhaps go to Summerfield bakery? It is most famous along the cost, with some unique food colourings provided by Alpha, that gives special appearance and taste to particular cakes and pastries. You hide it well, sir Falcon, but I do know you love apple pie the most, and they make really good apple pies..."

[Mirach]

"That sounds good if they also offer drinks," Svarik nodded. "I'm thirsty after all the talking."

[VisAnastasis]

" I can make sure you get juice that tastes like sunshine and beer that sparkles like stars... Among many others..." Sage tempted them playfully.
" You sure it's a human shop, with description like that?"Falcon asked doubtfully.
" When did I say it was?" Sage grinned innocently." Human passing Beings, unlike Alpha and Eros, don't have as much trouble living  among humans. We manage such cases carefully, of course, Hans and I. This shop is led by two Sea Nymphs,  it's rather cosy so I hope you'll be comfortable. I will order us a carriage right away."

[Mirach]

"Sounds good," Svarik said, keeping his answers short as he was indeed a bit tired by all the talking.

[VisAnastasis]

Sage called them a carriage, and led them to another part of town. It was a richer area, as some Beings seemed to cater more to nobles than middle class. They stopped at one street full of restaurants, and one jewel among them - a bakery at a corner, with lot of suspiciously out of season flowers all around it, that were in all shades of blue, from light one reminiscent of sky, over azure to indigo, all fresh and without a blemish.

Even just as they left the carriage, a strong drowsy scent could be felt around it, luring you in, to the inside, where, among the flowers, there was a soothing scent of pastries too, and warm pleasant air that had a feeling of spring, but also had a salty undertone that carried strong identity of the sea. It was not a silent shop, either - somewhere from the kitchen, there was sound of violin, that could be heard clearly despite the distance, playing a soothing calming tune, inviting you to forget all your troubles and eat well.

[Mirach]

Svarik welcomed the relaxing atmosphere and environment that distracted him from the thoughts about the Bull. He picked a table by the window and sat down into the comfortable seat.

[VisAnastasis]

Melody seemed to thrive in this nature, growing more cheerful, as it had the atmosphere indeed suitable for Spirits like her, and she seemed happy to dangle her feet from her seat, excitedly going looking through the menu, and Conrad, whose preference wasn't strictly to nature, but rather to mysteries, was content to look around for the clues that revealed Being influence. Couple cheerful humans seemed to work as waiters and one of them came to take their order.

The menu had a lot of interesting items listed, with bright watercolour drawings next to them, from *fluffy cupcake with the texture of clouds with a pinch of summer mixed in*, to *an apple tart that feels like a piece of childhood and tastes like home*. Juices and drinks also had strange names, like * beer sprinkled with early starlight*, and * ice tea coated with the fresh frost of the winter morning*.

[Mirach]

Svarik studied the menu, smiling with some names of dishes that reminded him of something before he picked the apple tart and "tea with the warmth of a fireplace when it rains outside".

(OOC: maybe we could move to Senecio now and continue this thread after they return from the city?)

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Yes, I was thinking about perhaps moving to Senecio and Tide when the group returns from the trip to the Fourth city, but since we don't know when the two threads might overlap, it's better to first catch up with others, I've been missing Senecio a bit anyway, the two are really cute, too :D )

Tide spent most of the time watching over Senecio and Hans, ever since they fell asleep, besides from time to time checking on Death and bringing him meals, not doing much else. As morning came, he was still there with them, to calm his anxiety and worry, he just took some poetry books he loved and was reading them next to the window to pass the long wait.

[Mirach]

Senecio woke rather early by his standards, just an hour after down, but actually very late since he slept for the whole day. Even before he opened his eyes, the perception from the new sense registered in his mind, strange and still new, and he pulled the blanket over his head as if he could block it that way.

[VisAnastasis]

It didn't work, though, naturally... however, compared to the endless sounds of the ballroom, the floor where only a few people were at the moment, was much quieter. Far in the distance, he could feel a barrier blocking feelings of souls kept in the room with white and black doors, only a sliver seeping through, barely perceivable. Since Tide borrowed Death his mask, Death, who was also on the floor, felt in the distance like an empty page. On the whole floor, though, besides him, there were two different sources of feelings.

One was right next to him, and it felt feverish and dormant, but troubled and sickly. The other presence was close by, by the window, a more easily recognizable one, because of its different structure - calm on the outside, accompanied by the sound of paper pages turning. But on the inside, as flickers of light and coming like waves of passing thoughts, were mixed feelings of concern, worry, and affection that made anxiety all the sharper. But presence still felt too balanced and composed to overflow without reason, and so it seemed content enough to distract itself by reading its books.

[Mirach]

In a way, hiding under a blanket helped - by suppressing other senses, Senecio could better deal with the superfluous one and focus on his own thoughts, remembering what Eros told him. After a moment, he lowered the blanket and sat up, looking around the room and waiting for Tide to notice him.

[VisAnastasis]

It took a moment, as Tide seemed to be at a part of the book he enjoyed, but it seemed, no matter how much into the books ge was, Tide would turn his head from time to time to check on the two sleeping people. This time when he turned his head to check, one of them was awake, though, and there was surprise in his foamy eyes, and Senecio could feel a tinge of uncertainty and regret.
" Were... You awake for too long?" Creature whispered in the end, not certain when was the last time he checked on them, and stuttering the first thing that came to his mind." Are you thirsty? Or hungry? Does..  anything hurt?"

[Mirach]

Senecio shook his head slowly. "Not long... I needed a moment to center myself. I'm a bit dizzy and nauseous, and my mouth feels like I've swallowed a brush. I'd say it's a hangover if I would remember drinking. Have I been drinking? How long have I slept? And Hans... will he be alright? Have you been here all the time? I love you..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide listened tensely to the explaination to know what to expect, but his lip trembled a little as he steadied his sad expression.
" You really do sound drunk," he admitted shyly, standing up slowly and reaching for the table, filling a glass with apple juice and timidly offering it to actor, looking a little unsure how to act in the circumstances." And of course I have been here all this time, well, almost all of it, not counting bringing meals for Death. I can't look away from you two rascals for a moment," he whispered quietly." Don't... Worry about Hans too much. It is always like this when he tries to Sing, but he us a strong cookie. He will pull through in the end..."

[Mirach]

Senecio looked at Hans with worry, but then nodded and drank the whole glass. "I'm not drunk..." he murmured. "I feel like I have hangover, but not drunk. I'm just trying to tell you all about how I feel, so that you're not at an disadvantage."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's expression softened with it, and he hesitantly sat down at the edge of the bed next to him, not daring to do much, but slowly, as if testing what is not too much in the moment, he put his hand on Senecio's shoulder, but actor could fear a suppressed pain, worry and regret with the gesture.
" I had... A lot of time to think things through. You have slept for a day and a half," he whispered, looking down with a pang of guilt. " It was... Really wrong of me to overreact like that, to the point you are this self conscious. I was too panicked and overwhelmed in the moment, but I shouldn't have let doubts get the better of me... I did... Have way too many bad relationships. But you have never given me reasons for worry, so I shouldn't have worried without a reason like that, " he gulped." If I was better with words like Hans, I would come up with a better apology, but this is best I can do on my own. For what it counts, I am really sorry... "

[Mirach]

Senecio relaxed a little with that, but remained cautious. "So where do we stand now?" he asked.