Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

" Maybe... On back of the hands would be too much. I want to carry you a decent amount today, after all. But.... Perhaps some nice simple pattern at the bottom of the face and along the neck?" Tide bid shyly." And... Beings don't often wear nail polish because it has to be washed away in order to change forms... But how about I paint my nails to match you guys?" His heart fluttered." I have many colours, normal and glittery, too. And nail polish doesn't smear like makeup, and my hands are large enough so it's noticeable to anyone who looks closer, and... I think it would be lovely, if I could match more with you two, even if my face is covered..."

[Mirach]

"Let’s all paint our nails!" Senecio smiled. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Sure, why not, I always have appropriate thinner so if we need to change forms urgently, we can do it on the go, " Hans agreed, and, perhaps especially after two days ago he and Hans didn't get along well, the prospect of doing something matching like that seemed to excite the demon.
" That's great! " he beamed. " Let me show you what I've got, I have so many colours, you'll definitely find something to match us all! " He proclaimed brightly, and he called for the room to transport a large suitcase from his makeup room. When he opened it, Senecio could see that it was built with many sewn elastic bands, and in rows, were neatly placed numerous rows of nail polishes. They were arranged in various gradients between colours, the most impressive one being a rainbow glittery gradient that spread through one whole row - Tide definitely did love sparkly glittery things, and it showed in his care in organizing them.

[Mirach]

"Awesome," Senecio grinned. "So I'll do the makeup, would one of you like to do our nails?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Tide's hands are rather big compared to ours, so while he is insanely precise, it takes forever, we'd be painting nails for like, two hours at least, " Hans waved away dramatically. " I volunteer to save us from such terribly unfair divine punishment in favour of more pleasant time management. "
" Hheehe, well, yeah... I'm guilty, " Tide grinned shyly. " Okay, Senecio does makeup, Hans does nails... I guess I can cheer you on? I'm sure it will be lovely either way, though. I am really excited to go outside! Hm, how are you feeling, Senecio? How much... are you in a mood for walking? Hans is still a little faint, so he says I can carry him most of the time, so I wondered what your plans were... I have two arms, after all, there's plenty of space... "

[Mirach]

"Actually I'm a bit stiff and looking forward to a nice walk, but maybe on the way back," Senecio said, preparing his makeup brushes. 

[VisAnastasis]

" That's a deal," Tide proclaimed, content that it seemed Senecio wasn't feeling too bad after exerting yesterday. Since both him and Senecio just woke up, they first did makeup for Tide, who was indulging in it timidly, not often having it done for him. Hans bid to be the last, and after Senecio was done with himself, he did makeup for Spirit. It seemed Hans needed to steady his heart first, as it was still something he was slowly getting used to.

 This was the first time Senecio was doing Hans's makeup while able to perceive his feelings, and it was unusual experience. Hans wasn't just simply content and happy like Tide, his feelings were more layered and nuanced. There was anticipation, warmth and thankfulness behind his calm looking face. There was also a feeling harder to distinguish yet, but that felt like a mix of trustful indulgence and admiration. While Tide was happy to merely match with them, for Spirit, whose face was badly scarred, Senecio's highest level of artistry was bringing his lost face back to him, even if only on surface. For first time, through his new perception, actor could feel just how much it meant to the Spirit, who was indulging in the little pampering act trustfully, responding positively to it, like to a much needed act of health care that he craved.

[Mirach]

Senecio took extra care to do his makeup well, carefully combining dark violet with sparkling silver and a dash of blue. "Now we look presentable," he grinned, as if it weren't a big deal, since he wasn’t sure how to react to the feelings telling the opposite. "Just one detail missing..." he offered Hans his hand for the manicure.

[VisAnastasis]

Hans took the offered hand with a grin. Although comparably, nails were not as important to Senecio as makeup was to Hans, Spirit was still determined to return the care equally. He was precise and meticulous as he worked, with results to match, as unlike makeup, he seemed highly skilled with this. Like a true manicure arrist, he first clipped actor's nails to refine its shape, and then he painted Senecio's nails with dark violet and black, and a splash of silver for details. The result looked delicate and tasteful. He worked with pleasure and reverance, and directed Tide dry the nails when needed during work, so it was done rather sooner than human would do it.

" Well, well, I would say lessons with Alpha payed if, what can I say,"  When he presented the final result to actor, he did it with a smug bright smile, well aware Senecio could feel the warmth behind it, and just how pleased he was to treat him to a professional manicure .

[Mirach]

Senecio enjoyed the care still, and admired the final result, both separately and also the match with the makeup in the mirror. "Well, now that we've taken care of the priorities," he said after a while, "how about getting some breakfast?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Should we ask the room for breakfast or go and pick something from the kitchen? " Tide asked.
" Whatever you guys feel like, I'm fine with, I just don't really feel confident about handling the stairs right away, so you'd have to carry me if we're going down, " Hans replied truthfully, but he was energetic at least in spirit as he added, clapping his hands. " In any case, we have a couple of things on our to-do list today, so we should pick what we're going to do first while we eat. "

[Mirach]

"In that case I would prefer eating in privacy," said Senecio, who still wasn't used to the community gathered around the kitchen of the big house.

[VisAnastasis]

They ordered a couple of things they felt like eating and that were ready in the kitchen, and ate together. Even though he left the choice to the two of them, after being in a lot of pain for two days, Hans seemed to prefer some privacy now that he has awoken too, and he seemed to have realized he was quite hungry, eating slowly though, not to get sick, but definitely enjoying it.
Tide, on the other hand, mostly seemed glad that they are all eating together and that things are going smoothly, as he was anxious that Hans would still push him away after they argued the day of the play. He felt a little like walking on needles, careful not to show any signs of worry that may annoy the still weakened Spirit, and ate his share on the plate happily, comforted by the warm food.

[Mirach]

Senecio was more relaxed, looking forward to having an actual free day. "So what plans do you have for today?" he asked as he ate.

[VisAnastasis]

" I wasn't awake for too long before you, but Tide did fill me in on the important plan of the day. He told me about planning a smaller ball since the last one had mixed results. Since we plan to have it with Sir Svarik and Falcon, we should consult them first, and ask them if they have requested about it, and if they will really stay until then - but actually, I look forward to it. I think it's a great idea and I am for it, " Hans responded between bites, and then grinned, knowing Senecio will feel he was even more pleased with the following, adding with smug contentment. " There are other two things. First, Tide informed me that you finally decided to buy some furniture for this room, to decorate it as you like. You think too humbly - we shall buy heck ton of furniture, decorations, books, instruments, makeup, and whatever else your clueless little heart desires, " there was a satisfying extravagant feeling behind his expression and excitement that was more unique in nature, and could only more accurately be called lust for life. " The second thing is also important. We promised Janus we will procure the building for future use for theatre, and give him and the kids a proper apartment. My agent already gathered couple of locations we can buy, we should go pick the most fitting one, and pick the nicest apartment for Janus. Also, a little tactless excited bird told me about the whip Janus gifted you, " there was warmth mixed in his feelings and expression. " I am happy for you and Tide, really. That's why I assume you'd find it fulfilling to do this for Janus, and also, I think we should get him some nice new furniture for their new place, since we are already buying furniture for you. A good gift should be returned with good gift. Wouldn't you like us to do that? "

[Mirach]

"Me? Thinking humbly?" Senecio smirked. "No, I just don't want to eat a whole box of chocolates at once. I'd like to get some basic furniture, but it wouldn't be much fun to get everything else at one. You know, sometimes you see a perfect vase, sometimes the greatest decoration or book. Let's just shop for furniture now, so that anytime we feel like shopping, we can go hunting for something else. I think we should talk to the king first, before he goes sightseeing or something. Then we can pick a building and then furniture."

[VisAnastasis]

" We are too rich for it to count as properly indulgent shopping if we merely buy some furniture, " Hans shook his head, with a hint of displeasure with Senecio's response, even though his lips spoke nonchalantly like it was not a big deal, his feelings responding with a dash of distance and caution. " You have way too little personal things with you that you like. It's unacceptable to buy new furniture and leave it so bare. If for Janus who is merely a kind person of use, I will bestow an apartment and get him some nice furniture and things, how could I ever possibly agree to give less than that to one of four people in the world with whom I've shared blood? " he crossed his arms sternly, negotiating firmly. " You are a blood brother of Hans Eldergod, the richest Being around, or probably ever, so you should try to act more like it, don't you think? If I just buy you some furniture and nothing else, with my level of wealth, it will more look like I'm giving you charity than a gift... There is no way I can claim it proudly as a proper act of love. It makes me feel like I am offering you a chocolate box and you only took a bite out of one chocolate. Can you be more flexible, and take at least, like, two chocolates? " he smiled dramatically, but there was a touch of bitter sadder undertone of feelings in that smile. " Save my face a little, at least. It is unacceptable to leave you in a nearly bare room like this. You lived generally lower to averagely middle-classed life at your best. Isn't there some kind of thing you always wanted a lot but couldn't afford? You should pick at least one kind of thing you always wanted and get some of it if it's to be purchase worthy of remembering. "

[Mirach]

"A big makeup table with a huge mirror, of course," Senecio smiled. "And who said something about bare room? I just want to leave some room for books and decorations, it's too many choices for one day. It's... a bit intimidating, to be honest. I don’t really have a clear idea about how the room should look like. There wasn’t much time to think about it. I would like to take time choosing the furniture today, instead of having to decide about everything right now. I just... don’t want to feel like stalling if I spend an hour contemplating chairs. We have time, right?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not about having time, it's about making time. If you really want to spend an hour contemplating a chair, we shall spend an hour contemplating chairs. It is something you're going to see every day in your room. It should be something you're happy to have, " Hans seemed to respond better to his admission of being intimidating, being more approachable. " How... about this? I assign a couple of my trusted subordinates on the Ball case, and we give them a list of some basic preparation tasks that are manageable for today, like reserving the place for a set date, preparing invitations, clearing it from previous days, booking places meant to produce food on time, and so on. We can gather those basic information from talking with the king, since their tastes will be counted, too. Then, after talks with the king, I just assign a couple of people that will do the first basic work in our stead. Then, we can practically get to buying furniture almost right away. Won't it be enough time then, for us to properly shop for also some other nice things for you? A big makeup table with a huge mirror is lovely, but it's just not enough. Think about it. We weeded out some enemies, but we still have more, both your and mine. They will try to buy information on what we did the first thing when we went out of the mansion, to seek for weaknesses, " he spoke seriously. " What would it seem like if we just went and got you some furniture, to those that know you were close to death? It would merely look like I am compensating you a little after you were in danger. You would be deemed merely important enough to me to placate you. You need to come up with a gesture grand enough to be worth a fourth person I ever mixed blood with, " despite he spoke of the matter as if it was merely a practical thing, Spirit's feelings behind the request were warm and hopeful, and reason could be felt when he added. " Could... you do this for me? Apparently, no matter how hard I try, I can't manage to protect you... but I can't just restrict your freedom, or assign you a Being guard one meter from you for every waking hour. It's too taxing to always be followed. In most of the people's eyes, I bought the theatre merely cause I wanted to, as a man of culture, and you merely happened to be a most serviceable part of it. I took you out for walks and bought you some clothes and food... it's not too much better than what a nobleman would do for a pet commoner. A lot of nobles merely see you as my pet," he looked troubled. " From now on, I have decided that I will draw a clear line to suppress such views. At the very least, I must very clearly mark your importance, with appropriate weight. I didn't yet get a chance to investigate since I passed out, but there's no way people at the theatre can get so cocky without noble backing that informs them you have too little value and backing yourself. It is not much yet, but I have plans to turns things better with time as your disposition towards me rises with time - but for a start, though, buying you things fit for... someone precious to me, not a funny pet, is a bare minimum I have to do, to show the world I don't see you as expendable entertainment. It's very important to me to make a worthy statement... "

[Mirach]

"I see... Well, I can’t imagine what extravagant piece would make a proper statement, and it won’t be seen in public for more than the time it takes to carry it here anyway. No, let's just keep the furniture in the cathegory of practical and comfortable," Senecio said. "If you want a statement, it should be something that can be seen in public more often. How about a carriage with horses? And a riding horse, too... I always wanted to have a big black one..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It is not just about being seen in public. Those that deal in information will find out and pass on how much I bought you and how good it is, and just some furniture is too little. It's not enough to be a proper stepping stone to my plan," Hans explained." Hm, about a carriage and a riding horse... Let's see... I can imagine that would be a wish of many, and technically, we can custom made you a nice carriage fit to your tastes, to be used when we go around. We have lot of quality horses we can use with them. But a riding horse is a companion... A living creature. Do you think you would have reasonable time to dedicate to ut!" He was stroking his chin thoughtfully, not seeming to realize there was something cute to his manners, reminiscing of a parent discussing getting their kid a pet." For  once, even though she is playful and at theatre most of the time and likes it there, with lot of people, the demon dog Pancake will grow up to be bigger than a horse, and much more comfortable mount. Tide also has the wolf form and other ridable forms, and I also have ridable forms, too, much prettier than a horse. If you feel like riding, you know you can just ask us, right?" He asked carefully, raising his head." It is not proper to ask Being for a ride unless you are close, but we don't have those problems, do we? Besides, as you are close to me and Tide, and as you are charming and have personality likeable to Beings, I think you will definitely be on good terms with lot of our people... What I am saying, Being see allowing to be ridden and subservient a privilege they give to people they like and trust, so... I really don't think you will ever lack a riding partner in future. Specially if we managed to get some kind of peace with Spirit Realm and the Empire, and Beings can move and visit more openly, there is no way you will lack Beings that will like spending time with you, riding or otherwise..."

[Mirach]

"Huh. Nobody told me Pancake will grow that much. Okay, take the riding horse out of the list for now, I have to think that through. So what do you suggest with the furniture? I really don't want to pick the most elaboratare pieces with gold and ivory just because they are most expensive, and gold isn't really my style. Unlike some nobles, I do have a taste. Is there some manufacturer with exclusive goods where I'd have the freedom to choose what I like?"

[VisAnastasis]

" You should absolutely choose what you like most, that's a given. No plan should ever interfere with your comfort. No matter the plan, always say what you want. I am not saying I won't get you a horse if in the end, you do feel you want it too much. I have just given you information to reconsider if it'll really be something you'd have a need for, with so many other options available. We really can just take on mountable forms and go for a ride or nice picnic whenever... plus, with Being mounts, I won't have to worry about possible injuries if the horse gets scared off or you fall, so, honesty, that's my primary reason why I'd rather have you ride Beings, " Hans waved away with a little barely noticeable tremble in his hand before he continued practically. " Here, there are a couple of shop with nice furniture to get. but I was playing with the idea of going to the Fourth city, because it is the largest city on the coast, much larger than this cosier city of ours, and it has an insane amount of shops and things to buy. A lot of luxury goods can be bought there like we bought a lot of flowers out of season for bouquets. Likewise, just like Alpha specializes in amazing clothes, a lot of people specialize in amazing furniture or room decorations. There is a lot of luxury furniture shops where you can look around and pick what you like, but a couple also offers to take sketches and produce furniture up to your measures and specifications, although it takes some time. I can pay more to speed up the making process, but that depends on you. Would you like to have something we can order and have it speedily delivered, so we can arrange it here and you can have your brand new layout till the end of the day? Or would you rather us pick the manufacturer you like and have us describe the goods we want and have it in a couple of days? There are three really professional famous ones that I recommend because they are really good and exclusive, because of their skill and quality, and it will be a power move in either case, because I will pay a hefty sum to have things given or made first, instead of months of waiting. So, it just depends on your tastes - do you want ready-made things today, or custom made things in a few days? I am a person more for instant gratification, but we will do as you prefer since they're your things. "

" Uhm... You know, Janus can also make furniture, " Tide for the first time in conversation, tied in shyly. " It is just not his primary thing. He usually only makes it for demons, since they are strong and human-made furniture are often too easily breakable. I was thinking, while others are okay to be human-made... Wouldn't it be best if we get bed made by Janus? He works really fast and well, and since we already need custom made bed because I am too tall to properly lie down on human beds, won't getting a bed with materials and structure much harder to break be more relaxed to deal with? "

[Mirach]

"That's definitely a good idea," Senecio nodded. "As to the rest, I don’t really know what I would lime yet. Maybe if I find a few pieces I like, we could order others based on that. I guess it would be practical to take the measurments of the room."

[VisAnastasis]

" I already know measurements of all the rooms. I've designed the mansion with Janus and Alpha, after all, " Hans snorted a little. " Should I write it down? Or make a quick sketch of the floorplan so you have better idea of where can you place things, where doors and windows are and so on? I will need just couple of minutes. "

"That would be helpful, " Tide agreed, as he always preferred visual aid. He was shy, but he suggested too. " We are getting bed from Janus, so we need to speak to him about it... But in any case, wouldn't it be nice, since we are already going to the Fourth city... to go get some nice bedding and blankets to Senecio's liking? Those are nice, but they are fit for a casual reading room, not the cosy bedroom. I'd like to get Senecio something he'd love sleeping on and snuggling with... "

" I had actually planned to make a deal with Alpha so we could make him something more special and cosy, that humans manufacturers can't make, " Hans explained, frowning a little as he realized something. " Uh, by the way, how is Alpha? Did he return to the Fourth city or is he still visiting? I imagined he'd be dying from worry since I've been unconscious for so long... "