Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

" Really?" A timid smile covered critter's redenned face, as he kept caressing his hair, almost in instinctive loving gesture. "Still... I just do really hope you would not feel I am just... Considerate to you when it comes to love because I am nice people pleaser. If you call it aquired taste, then it is my aquired taste, too, because I would never feel pleasure hurting you," he purred louder as he nestled with him." But it is fun to play dangerous. Only because it is you, though. I know how a prey feels, and I have lived as tame pray by my own choice. But to be a pretensce predator, if for a moment... It's nice to not be afraid of being seen poorly. I don't think I changed your tastes, or that you changed my. We just both like to play a lot. I like keeping you in suspense, you like being kept in suspense, and excitement and anticipation of it." He whispered his conclusions brightly." And we can have that with both pain and gentleness, can't we? As long as we prepare  properly. Besides... Isn't this a perfect arrangement? I did tell you I enjoy when experience is savoured longer, so that I like long foreplay.  When we use whip, you last longer, and when I am gentle, you last longer, and we can be roughed when we know we can use balm later... Isn't it just, the best? We get both exciting game, and then exciting aftercare... And even more so, I get to touch and handle such delicious soul so freely... Honestly, I feel like I am getting better part of the deal. I have never been so relaxed and confident when making love... And I never made love with a human in anything else than my main form. You have way too many of my firsts than I expected..."

[Mirach]

"They don't know what they missed then," Senecio grinned. "To me, it never mattered much who I was with, it was more about what they were doing. But it was different with you... like it was so much better because it was you..."

[VisAnastasis]

Even in this altered form, maybe even more so because of his ability to perceive feelings now, Senecio could feel just how flushed the creature's cheeks were in embarrassment, but by his feelings, even if he was a little unsure, it seemed he felt good with the sudden praise.
" You... know you can always give me negative constructive criticism too, right? " he asked with a touch bemused, hoarse voice, as he curled more against him. " Still... it is the same for me. I don't think I would be able to be so free and playful if it wasn't for you. I mean, there is a reason why it is generally a horrible idea to consider treating someone's soul during intimacy. When making love is involved, it is easy for other people to grow terrified with my strength. When treating the soul, it's really important for another person to feel safe and reassured, otherwise, handling could easily grow into an awfully traumatic experience. If you tried to do both at once, it can be recipe for disaster, if the person has softer tastes. But you are used to extremes and really adaptable... That's why, when you told me about your taste for pain and extremes, I thought it was worth a little try... When I said you are fearless like a dragon, I meant it. And I can tell you trust me a lot. If you wouldn't, you could not enjoy me touching your soul at all, but extremely so, when you're already vulnerable physically. It is just a really new feeling for me... To look forward to pushing the boundaries of that trust. I keep wondering, how far can I really go... and have you still enjoy being intimate with me? " he caressed his hair. " I really pushed you farther today than before... is your body, soul and mind all really okay? I am ashamed to admit, but at one point, I almost got lost in the heat of the moment... "

[Mirach]

"I'm a bit sore still... in all of those, I guess, but it’s not unpleasant," Senecio said. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Can I help in any way? Or reassure you anyhow? " Tide asked quietly, as he added hopefully. " You still have unlimited wishes, you know... If there is anything you desire to talk through with me or anything I can do, I would like to do it, both for me and for you, " he whispered, revealing a little restless streak of anxiousness. " I know soreness is normal, and I will trust you when you say it's not unpleasant, but... I am a little touchy today about all your feelings, I guess, after your admission that death tempts you. I need to make sure I don't do anything to tempt you further toward it, or... " he buried his head more vulnerable in the actor's hair. " Or, if something bad happens, I am not sure I will heal from it easily... "

[Mirach]

"I really shouldn't have mentioned that..." Senecio murmured. "There’s a difference between being tempted and acting on it. It's just that things were bad sometimes, nothing else. Don't worry about it, please. Let's just stay in bed now, or somwhere you can lie down comfortably too. We could get some drinks and snack and read a book." 

[VisAnastasis]

" You didn't say that you were just tempted by it... you said you felt like Eros has saved your life because you were reassured away from it by my feelings. It was too serious, " Tide murmured quietly, his face concealed in Senecio's hair, his words frail, but decisive. " I want to give you a good life, to tempt you further away from it as possible... But I am afraid it's not a strong enough incentive. I did believe we were doing quite well and had a lot to look forward to... I still do, but I also acknowledge your temptations. You should also acknowledge mine, though, " he continued, speaking terrible words not with threatening, but hopeful tone. " I am fond of you more and more each day... If you were to fall under temptation and try to kill yourself... I know I would be tempted to give you all the last of my heart or however much of my soul had to be given to save you, even if it meant my death. I could not bear seeing you die like that again, so... s-so... Please, keep that in my whenever you are tempted, could you? Because I really want to keep living, and eating countless snacks and reading countless books with you... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, well... okay, more than temptation sometimes. Like the thing with the King... But I think as long as you feel like that, you really don't need to worry," Senecio said with a sigh, feeling a bit bad that it's still bothering Tide. "I wasn't fully convinced that this can last, before. It felt too impossible, to have such an insane turn of luck after what I've been used to. It felt fake, no way something so perfect could happen to me, there must be a catch. And learning it can be like this and then having a turn of fate take it all away would be more than I could bear. But, this is real, right? It won't be taken away..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I... don't know what you hope me to say, " Being responded to him quietly, holding him in embrace still. " I don't know why should you doubt the reality. In fact of reality, I am the fortuitous one, to have been bestowed the cosmic tier luck to meet you and to meet you under circumstances where we could choose each other honestly. I merely wanted someone to lead a happy life with and be accepted by, and respected... but to get to meet someone like you, who goes way beyond that... How is it not a blessing? My greed for you only grows, fueled by your qualities. But the more I am attached to you, the more I am terrified, " he shared his fear quietly, hand on the actor's back twitching a little. " You are strong, but when you have a crisis, you are more easily swept by it... I know you trust me, as a person, but I can feel you do doubt future with me, " he whispered weakly. " That's why I am afraid if we ever argue or not agree if, or if we are attached or something bad happens, that you may grow desperate again, and maybe really do something unspeakable one day. I really... don't know what I can do, since I can't promise you we won't get hurt. Both of us have enemies. Of course, there is danger, but... We have a lot of allies and friends, too. We brought you back to life with their help. I understand the temptation of death when something goes wrong, but... it hurts that it is more than temptation. Deep down, I... from the start I firmly believed that you would have surely resisted that temptation, now that you have me and Hans to share the future with. Now that conviction is shattered, I just really don't know how I should act... "

[Mirach]

"But that conviction is true," Senecio said. "As long as I have you and Hans to share a future with. Maybe there will be other reasons, given some time, but that's all I have right now, and it can be taken away. This possibility scares you, but to me, it's scary how little it took for you to almost become sea foam, and knowing it's still an option and there's no telling how long it would take you to get back... that it could be decades, and maybe I wouldn't even be alive by then."

[VisAnastasis]

" I would need something really, really unspeakable to happen to become a seafoam for decades or longer... like you dying at your own hands, " Tide commented hesitantly. " Becoming a seafoam is not a conscious choice for me... It's just something that happens when it feels really bad to be me and I need to take a break from myself. And it doesn't happen often. I am sure I wouldn't have been close to that point, if I wasn't already terribly shaken that day, seeing you die, " despite it passed now, there was still a feeling of terror in the creature's mind as he recalled it. " How... would you feel... if I had been dead for half an hour, and you were struggling desperately to preserve my empty body, overcome with despair and grief? I have only been so easily swayed because I had gone through hell just hours before. And... and if it's true I am so irreplaceable to you... would it really be most terrible to wait a year or two? " his voice was trembling. " It was not because of foam, but... One of my marriages ended like that because the other person did not wait for me. Spirit Hunters tracked me and Hans, and we had to flee... Just a couple of years, I asked her to wait... When we lured hunters away, I returned three years later... and found her remarried. Her doubts won over my promise. Becoming seafoam is reversible. My mind just needs to have some space to soothe. But... if I returned and found out you k-killed yourself in my absence... That you did not wait for me... I can not even imagine, how unspeakable it would feel... "

[Mirach]

"If you told me to wait for you, I would wait however long it takes. But I was afraid that if I was the reason you had to get away from yourself, you wouldn’t want me to wait or even see me again. You could say I wasn’t at my best, either... playing a complicated character, playing while dying, then actually dying, then learning I got a power to spy on feelings... yeah, I don't think either of us was anywhere close to mentally stable then. It were some pretty extreme circumstances that I hope won't repeat, so could we maybe leave that behind us for now?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I know my worrying is a burden... But I am only this afraid because ... Because I love you so much," demon whispered hoarsely " Could... Could you promise me without doubt... That as long as Hans is still alive, that you won't take your life! That even if I am not there for a few years, whether I turn to seafoam or an emergency comes up... That you will wait for me? Can you swear it that you will keep living... By everything you hold precious?" He pulled away and leaned over him a little to see his face, and actor could see pain in his eyes." I can't swear not to turn into seafoam, because it isn't my choice. But I swear, with everything I hold dear," he paused, before adding with weight." I love you so much that it hurts. If I turned into sea foam now, you would be the first person I would think of when I become Me again. You would be the first person I ache to hug and kiss. " He whispered." Why would you think I would not want to see you again just because we argued? That attitude is something I am really afraid of. Everyone argues... But I... How could I possibly not want to be with you? There is no way I would not explicitly tell you if I didn't want you. I can swear that on my honour, too. I always break clean . If I don't tell you explicitly that I am leaving you, I am definitely hoping you would wait... I    I mean, if you find someone better for you than me, then... Then I would suffer, but still, I would forgive you. But not dying. You can not die thinking I don't love you when I love you the most. Remember it, please.... "

[Mirach]

Senecio took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Okay," he said. "Yes, knowing that, I can promise you I won't lose hope as long as you don't say you don't want me anymore. I didn't know that, and I was freaked out by the new ability while you were freaked out by it as well. In hindsight, it wasn't such a good idea to go to the ball after everything that happened, was it? Didn't want to miss it, though... I hope there will be another ball that we could properly enjoy."

[VisAnastasis]

Finally, a shadow in Tide's eyes cleared away a little with the promise, as he felt a little more assured when they addressed it properly, with clearer minds.
" Whether we went to ball or not... sooner or later, we would clash about your new ability - so isn't it better that we went, and won't feel sorry that we may have had a better time at the ball? We did clash and hurt each other, and we both felt bad, but... we had so much fun dancing before, didn't we? That's what made me panic all the more. You were so alluring and attractive, when you danced freely with me before everyone... I was drooling over you so much, of course I'd be insecure when you told me you could feel that, " demon grinned a little bit then, as he added suddenly as it crossed his mind. " You know, you *hope* there will be a ball... isn't that sentence a little too passive? I am sure if we ask Hans, he would be happy to make a new ball, so we all enjoy it properly. This one was rather large and open to public so it needed lot of preparation... But I heard little Svarik and sir Falcon are staying for a few more days, so... why don't we organize a smaller, more private ball instead? " he tilted his head brightly. " One with only guests we invite, so you won't have to suffer presence of anyone from the theathre, too. We could make a ball just for the guards and household servants of the mansion, whoever of my Beings is available, you, me, Hans, and our guests, Svarik, Falcon and Melody. Maybe if we are lucky, Erdel can come on time, too? There is hope. Since there will be so much fewer people, maybe Janus and Death would also agree to come in some corner if for a while. It's a touch risky to hold so many Beings in one place, but they are worried for Hans and me and won't leave mansion for several days too, anyway, so the level of danger is relatively similar. It would be more humble, but we could still have a ball with most precious ones. If we start soon enough, we can squeeze it in a day before Svarik and Falcon leave. "

[Mirach]

"That's a wonderful idea," Senecio smiled. "But do you think Hans will get better until then?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I did worry about him a lot at first, but he is getting better. He was well enough to wake up for a couple of minutes to talk something out with little Svarik yesterday, it was a good sign. I did hope that he will wake up more today, I expected it since he didn't Sing for too long, but he still Sang fiercely, so it evened out... He did not wake up today, but I could see he was a little restless in the morning. His mind is just too restless for him to sleep for too long, he always has to do something or he'll go crazy, " Being smiled faintly. " Sometimes during tomorrow, I am positive... He will surely wake up. He will probably be sore for a day or two more, but his soul will surely be stable enough for him to be able to spend time with us. His temperature will still fluctuate a bit until he is fully back to normal, so we'll just have to keep an eye on him, and make sure he doesn't exert. He's out of danger at this point, so you don't have to worry... "

[Mirach]

"So do you think organizing a ball will be good for him to keep him occupied? I really don't want to ask Sage for another ball because I couldn't enjoy this one properly..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Hans is honestly only happy when he's useful, yes, but it's not like I would like to just push a new task on him as soon as he wakes up... I was rather thinking - while he is the most skilled one in such matters, why don't we all join in and help him organize? It would be less lonely if all of us tried out something new, and it would be nice to do something together as a family, " Tide spoke up more brightly, as he recalled something pleasant. " Besides, I didn't get to tell you yet, I think! It just sort of happened, but I think Svarik and Falcon will start to date! Svarik was getting him confession gifts, and both me and Eros are certain how it'll go, so, wouldn't it be great to make a lovely ball for their sake as well? Sir Falcon is sort of a big fish criminal, so Svarik can't date him publicly. Wouldn't it be exciting to give them a proper romantic date while they are far from the capital? None of us enjoyed the ball properly, so we might as well make the new one that's tailored to us... "

[Mirach]

"Oh, interesting development!" Senecio raised his eyebrows. "And they missed the ball because of me, too. Now we really need to make another while they are here. I have zero experience in organizing balls, it will be fun."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, yes, I am rooting for them so far! It's like the most badass person I know is getting together with the fluffiest person I know! It's like a union between a dragon and a fairy! We must really make something especially cute for their sake, too! I was planning to get them a special Being cake from a restaurant nearby, too, to properly mark the occasion, but this idea seems even more fun! "Tide, whose face cleared after they cleared out their misunderstandings, seemed to be freer again, and Senecio noticed he was feeling better in the prospect of doing this. " I promise we will redo that memory and make it even better! But until then, let's end this memory on a high note! " he proclaimed with more colour and excitement in his voice as if he wasn't speaking of relaxing things. " You asked for a book before, and a cosy atmosphere to go with it, right? What kind of book would you like me to read? And really, you, a keeper of unlimited wishes, should choose where we sleep, but it would be nice if we went back to a room where Hans sleeps, so I can watch over both of you troublemakers together... Oh, and do you want me to use waterbending to quickly clean you up? Letting balm linger may be wiser in general choice since it's medicine, but honestly, you should pick as you like, " he grinned fondly. " Because I am going to get 5 jars of balm more, just for the start, so I can spoil you with it all the time. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, let's go to Hans's room," Senecio nodded. "Maybe a book you like but I haven't read. And could your waterbending leave the balm but clean everything else?"

[VisAnastasis]

" If we mean on same everything else... " Tide grinned mischievously. " It is harder, but you know you're talking about a guy who can bend your blood as he pleases? Blood is way more complex to bend properly than a mix of balm and bodily fluids. Just lie down and rest comfortably for a couple of minutes, " creature straightened and sat up, pinching his cheek brightly, as if he couldn't help himself. " Do you have an extra nightgown among your things in your room that we can order room to bring to us? Or should we order a room to bring us a simple ready-made nightgown from the prepared storage? I honestly do believe Hans would be chill if you slept naked, he's pretty casual, but you'll probably feel better clothed, right? "

[Mirach]

"I've got a nice blue one in my room," Senecio said and sprawled on the bed so that Tide could clean him.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide chuckled at the casual permission to do as he liked he seemed to have found adorable. He took a pitcher of water, and with a relaxed gesture of authority called forth the water towards him, and began cleaning actor with it. Senecio felt that all usually scattered thoughts of Being were gathered firmly in great focus, and that, in order to avoid particles of balm and leave it behind, Tide used particles of water to gather the salt left by the sweat, and all else. Since his hair was sweaty from physical exertion too, he washed it simply, clearing it with water, too, leaving him to feel refreshed and clean, but still covered with soothing ness of the balm. Senecio felt a familiar warmth of Tide's heating power warming him up and drying his hair, as Being was with pleasure dressing him in a blue nightgown, easily picking him up to do so in this larger form, swooning over him and measuring him up as he tidied him up as if he were a cutest doll.