Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"Okay," Senecio nodded slowly. "Hans told me I can furnish my room how I want, but I wanted to be sure that I'm welcome here."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was definitely snapped out of self-pity with actor's admission, straightening and turning a little to see him better, as the current human-made mask was still obscuring his vision a little.
" You really should have asked sooner. From the start, I welcomed you dearly. I gave you one of the biggest most normal rooms on the floor, after all, with lots of my favourite books, so you would feel welcome - but it never meant I presumed it would always stay like that. Of course, you can change it, " he proclaimed supportingly, with more colour and enthusiasm in his voice. " The room is quite well lit and bright, is that not to your liking? We could alter the size of windows or net curtains. If you find too many books around too snobby, I'll just see to move my library somewhere else. If the furniture is not to your liking, how about going furniture hunting? Oh, I mean I think Hans would like to go with us, so we should wait to get bigger things together, but we can still start a little. Oh, and even if you choose us to remove the books and shelves, you should get a small shelf for yourself, still, " suddenly a pleasant thought crossed against his face as he revealed. " To keep your own books, at least. Hans has ordered a couple of deluxe editions of the play manuscript, It has a first part where the new one is, and it has a section at the end where the script of the old play is written, it's really fun to make comparisons. That is, I've read it while you slept, it was really interesting, and the book is quite beautiful, so I'm sure you'll want to display your copy properly. He wrote himself as the author, and you as a co-author. Congratulations! I'm really happy that people that read it will recognize your passion for this project. There are only couple deluxe books, versions others will read are more common book quality, but the content is excellent, in my opinion! it's slowly becoming a hit, as lot of the people that have heard rumors about how amazing the play was, but can't see it yet are too excited to wait, and those that did watch it, want to have a version at their side to reread the dialogue and song lyrics, that love song that speaks of the world losing the brightness that was a centrepiece seems to be a big hit! No wonder Hans had it printed in the prologue, with all the swirls and flowers! "  Tide, romantic at a soul, seemed content with small things, speaking lovingly. " My Hans is really so opportunistic, even if he's passionate about things, he'll find ways to scheme some money out of it. It's working, honestly... I want to purchase a greeting card or embroidery with the lyrics, and write down some of my favourite quotes at a side - you've written a really quotable and memorable piece... As soon as I had chance to reread it all in silence, I wanted to praise you guys some more... "

[Mirach]

Senecio beamed with the praise. "Thank you. It was great working on it with Hans. I definitely have to put it on some shelf, and I also want a big mirror with lots of little shelves for makeups. And a custom bed."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide blushed deeply with the last part... but he didn't oppose. Through embarrassment, the actor could feel a shy, little fearful, but honest anticipation.
" Well... That bed was good enough for me to cosily lie in it and read books with Hans, but definitely not if we get... too eager, " he said shyly. " So, okay! Of course, I mean... Hans is much better at planning those things, and I don't really know much about beds, other than I like when blankets and pillows are soft, so... I think you and Hans would find it easier to order that. And just in case Hans wants to join us, what do you say we wait for him in general for buying things? Or at least, as many things. That big mirror... I am sure since you'd be doing a lot of makeup in the future, that he'd like to take part in choosing it. And honestly, I don't have much confidence in my choice of furniture - I am a very impulse buyer. If it's cute, I'll get it, " he chuckled shyly. " But hey! Instead of furniture, how about we go shopping for things and trinkets? You will need more than one book to put on the shelves. We could go buy some new things you like, to celebrate our fresh start - like some fun expensive makeup, or maybe you'd like us to go to the glassworker shops, to buy cute glass figurines as decorations? Or do you desire any other cute things to decorate your room with? Um... I mean... As for the bed itself, I don't know much about it, but, " he said with a blush. " Since we'll be lying on it, we are still best qualified to pick blankets and bedding. We can pick more than one, of course, I like soft puffy things, and silk is also nice, what texture do you prefer? Hans refilled my pocket money after we returned to the sea, so I can treat you to whatever you feel like... It would be fun, to do something nice for the room... Hans will surely be happy too, that you have started settling down... "

[Mirach]

"Should we go shopping then?" Senecio asked with a little smile. "I thought we had other plans..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh..  You mean... Bedroom plans?" Tide was flustered." I had an impression those were best for night, before bedtime, so you can go to sleep afterwards? Did I get it wrong? I was under impression we could have multiple plans... Or are you too tired after the surgery for more than one?" He asked with a bit of worry.

[Mirach]

"Maybe not, but I don't feel like going out today anymore and deal with shops and sellers and everything. I'd like to stay here with you," Senecio said.

[VisAnastasis]

" Alright then. Well, I thought you'd be eager to go and get some things right away, to be more comfortable. But this works out for me too. I'd really like us to go as a group in shopping, you, me, and Hans. So, it's even better for me. What would you like to do now, before that point? Would you like to check out your copy of the play? " he asked enthusiastically. " Hans put his copy in his workroom, I put our two copies next to each other in your room. By the way, should I move the library as a whole elsewhere? Maybe I could move the books and things, while you rest and read the play? " he offered. " That way, with more space, it'd be easier to make a list of things you'd like to buy when we go shopping with Hans. "

[Mirach]

"I think better not," Senecio said. "Not until I get something to replace them with, otherwise the room will feel too empty. Oh, but I could water my violets, they will be surprised I remembered..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide snorted with visible pleasure at the thought.
" Oh, yes! I wanted to tell you that I was watering them regularly, but they could indeed use a watering right now. Let's do that, for a start, and we'll figure out what to do later. Mind if I carry you there? Solely because you're totally wobbly and bad at exerting after the surgery... " Being replied innocently, extending his arms shyly in an offer, as he seemed to grow a little more confident asking what he wished for, but still a little uncertain if Senecio will get bored of his insistence and say no.

[Mirach]

Senecio didn't reply, but shifted a bit to allow Tide to pick him up better.

[VisAnastasis]

Demon beamed with it as if given a delicious treat, his feelings shimmering more brightly with it. He gently gathered the actor in his arms and snuggled with him lightly while he carried him upstairs, to his room, carefully lowering him on the bed.

[Mirach]

Senecio smiled at him and got up to water the violets.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide let him do it, feeling pleased with how lively and bright the flowers still looked, at being grown by the powers of meadow king to whom the land sings seemed to make the flowers healthier and more lasting.

While actor took care of that, he brought him a book from the shelf. It was bound with expensive classy black leather, with title, and author and co-author names at the cover done with silver. The sides of the pages were also gilded with silver colour that was shimmering elegantly in light - Hans clearly put thought to make Senecio's copy fit for his taste, and worthy of being displayed and bragged about.

[Mirach]

Senecio whistled. "Oh wow, look at that." He sat down in an armchair comfortably and opened the book, not really reading it since he knew all  the line of the play, just admiring.

[VisAnastasis]

Both the lettering and quality were pristine, and the subtle decorations were an enjoyable addition - even if he hasn't been writing books or songs seriously for a long while, he was into quality items for long enough to know what to demand. Tide sat comfortably on the floor beside him, leaning against his shoulder, not having a problem to do it, since he was taller than the ordinary people. While he did, he was anew admiring the pages with the actor. He, in the end, stopped at the cover, watching it admiringly again.

" He got us all books with precious metals and then had Alpha weave colour and detail into it. Your silver is entwined with the shine of moonlight, mine is blue, coloured with foams and waves... " he whispered wonderingly, touching the cover gently. " He wouldn't put so much effort if he were not proud of the final result... I am really looking forward to what you two will do next. And... I'm really glad he used his own name this time. He always uses pseudonyms, nothing too personal, and nothing that could create trouble in human history, " he whispered, watching the cover inscription - Hans Eldergod and Senecio di Parvaio. " It's so nice to see two of my favourite people on the cover together... "

[Mirach]

"We were thinking about writing something funny next," Senecio said. "This one was heavy enough."

[VisAnastasis]

" Indeed... " Tide nodded slowly, thinking about it. He seemed a little distracted with the notion and from it, came worry. " I am sorry." He whispered. " I just now realized I am not asking you if you are okay nearly enough... You are just very adaptable, going with flow too much... But what you have been through is enough to leave mark on the toughest. First, you played a really taxing painful role... Then you  died most painful death at the hands of your worst abuser... Then you got complicated new powers...  Then you got lack of support from your boyfriend... Then you had to go through very invasive surgery on top," he gently laid his palm over actor's hand that held the book, looking at him with genuine worry, that felt really warm this time, inviting." Senecio... Are you really, really okay? Is there really nothing you wish to speak about or that could help?"

[Mirach]

Senecio stiffened a bit, starig at the open pages of the book. "We spent so much time on it..." he murmured absently. "We enjoyed working on it so much... and now... I'm not sure I can play the role again in a week... or ever..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide grew quiet and thoughtful for a moment.
" Senecio... if that is a surface feeling, I'd like to help you overcome it. But if it's a deep conviction... I would like to help you get out of that obligation, " he whispered, with a solemn, gentle promise in his words. " It is highly unlikely to find a human that could learn to play your role in a week... but I could talk around and find a Being with a good memory, that is human passing enough, and would learn and play the role until a human actor could be trained in their stead. I honestly do not believe anyone can play this as well as you do... but who cares? " he said firmly, pressing his hand. " Who cares, unless you do. If you do, we'll figure out how to overcome that fear. If you don't, we'll find someone else, okay? "

[Mirach]

"I don't really know which it is. Right now, I feel close to panic just thinking about it. But I don't want someone else to play the role. How can I recognize how deep is the fear?"

[VisAnastasis]

" That is something only you can recognize... But we can try to figure out together. It is unpleasant, I know, but we can try to scrape off some of that panic, to see if we can face it... Only if you'd like, " he whispered. " You already went to Janus... I supposed you talked about the mechanism, but it did not help enough, yes? " he inquired gently. " Would you like us... to go to the theatre, check it out a little bit, walk around the stage... sit around the throne? Or if not right now, we don't have to decide right now. We could talk about what happened, too, if you'd like. We just stormed right to the ball after resting, you didn't get a chance to get things off your chest... Some things feel clearer when acknowledged and said out loud... "

[Mirach]

"I haven't been on the stage when talking to Janus," Senecio said. "It felt fine when we were talking about destroying the mechanisms down there. It comes in waves. One moment it's okay, and the next I get sick just thinking about playing the role again."

[VisAnastasis]

" You talked about destroying the mechanisms? So, you want to destroy everything right away? Would you like to do it now? " Senecio asked suddenly. " I could be right there with you if you'd like. I could help, " he offered fervently. " And you know what? Those trashy things don't deserve to be under stage, anyway. How about we wreck everything, and then *accidentally* leave all the thoroughly destroyed scrap metal at a side of the entrance, so everyone can accidentally see it as they come to work, " a little darker, content and playful feeling played on the edge of Tide's gentle worry. " It should be good warming for the future. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, we can’t leave the trash to be in the way under the stage," Senecio nodded.