Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"I thought it's implicit that if my day is an hour longer, I age an hour more. I was aware of that when asking you. 25 years instead of 24 doesn't really seem like such a big deal, and it would really help me function much better, so I'm definitely taking it if it's not too hard for you," Senecio said.

[VisAnastasis]

" Only Janus has the talent to embed powers of a star into an object, so you will have to convince him too. That line sounds quite chill, so I'd go with it. He won't do it unless he feels you're really not bothered by it. He's too ethical, it's not even funny, but that's Janus for you. if you convince him, though, I'm willing to make an object of your choice enchanted to give you an extra hour of sleep. You can either have Janus make you something unique, or you can pick an object you already own, like a ring or pendant, that, when worm, will grant you an extra sleep hour. In the worst case, when we go out shopping today, we can check out some jewellery stores so you can pick an object for this use. " Alpha agreed, much brighter when Senecio seemed not to be upset over ageing. " Since it's for healthy sleep and you're a cutie pie, I won't be petty and ask for who knows what. How about this? I've arranged to go whale sightseeing with Svarik and Falcon one of these days. He said it's alright if I pick you guys up, and I feel like it, so what do you say? " he asked mischievously. " You should just work out Janus's part of payment with him, as, from my side, I'll do the enchanted bedding for you, and, as long as he agrees, make you a clock system tied to sheets that will wake you up when you set the mechanism, and stretch an hour longer of sleep through an object of your choosing, too - as long as you three go with whale sightseeing with me, Svarik, Falcon and Melody, and behave nicely to them, especially to my new cute future friend, the flowery king, " he winked. " I need to - how does Hans put it? Yes, I need to win a lot of Svarik points. I smell like this could be a one in million chance where I could be given a chance to pull a one of a kind overload budgeted quadruple wedding, and if I can get you three to attend as my plus three, it would just be marvellous, so, you have to put in the effort of getting along with the grooms, okay? It won't be fun for me if everyone doesn't get along! "

[Mirach]

"I'm all in for arranging a wedding," Senecio grinned. "We've already discussed the political problems that stand against it with Hans, and we're planning a theatre play that could improve the situation. We were just going to talk with them about it after the breakfast."

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't know too many details about political situation, but I do know he is definitely in shakier position than his ancestors, especially since he is not a war sympathizer, but a cute flower child," Alpha shared his observations brightly. " He could easily be a mild king without controversy, but it would be a shame if such bright child leads an unhappy life. His life could potentially suck if he is forced to constantly struggle with priesthood and military. That's why I was thinking giving him a little bit supernatural help wouldn't be a bad thing to rise his reputation," Creature was eating a slice of bread covered in jam as it spoke." Generally, any supernatural help wouldn't hurt, but if I am bored and free enough, sure, I will help with what I can, especially if it leads to my quadruple wedding," he winked." So what do you say? Can I come to the talks with you? I feel like it would be interesting."

[Mirach]

"For myself, sure. But I don't know lord Falcon well... what do you think, Hans? Won't it lower our chances to get him to agree if there's more of us coming to him?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I do only know him through letters, but unfortunately, yes, I agree, that much is guaranteed, " Hans sighed. " He is a very private person, he'll definitely just brush it off if all four of us come to talk to him about it. If only I come, though, he could also easily brush it off on account of me pestering him. I believe me and Senecio are the best combination for this conversation. "
" Well, that's a pity..."
" You can still promise your help, of course, just not talk directly, " Hans asked sheepishly, and Alpha snorted.
" It's something dangerous you're entangling in, as your future boyfriend, it's natural that I'll get entangled in it too, " Demon commented flirtingly, leaning back as he ate. " Fine, have it your way. I'll hang out with Tide a bit, then, while we wait for you. I wanted to pick him up and go to Eros to have a short talk, anyway. I noticed cute little Svarik has an insanely powerful fertility blessing of the Sun God Solstice on him, it is definitely something I'm worried about, so I'll go discuss it with Eros while we wait for you. "

[Mirach]

"Huh, that sound like a juicy story," Senecio raised his eyebrows. "I definitely need to take care to *not* mention it in front of him. Okay, let's go talk to them," he said as they finished the breakfast.

[VisAnastasis]

Alpha and Tide bid goodbye to them for a little while as they parted ways. The two of them left to look for Eros to talk with him, while Hans and Senecio left upwards, to the floor and room where Conrad and Svarik were staying along with Melody. Hans still seemed a little bit faint and pale, his soul still aching a bit, but he seemed well enough to function, and his expression was determined and just a touch nervous as they climbed the stairs.

[Mirach]

"Okay, so... how do we start? Do we have any strategy?" Senecio asked in a whisper.

[VisAnastasis]

" I have shaky relations with Svarik at best, and he'll naturally be wary of you. We are not exactly in the best negotiable position. " Hans whispered back to him quietly as they walked. " I have a little more favourable disposition with sir Falcon, but he probably doesn't seem me as much more than a reliable ally. If you want to push some things, you need to show goodwill, " he explained. " That's why, before anything, I planned to bring up the talk about the ball. It is something we'd like to make anyway, but since they are here still, we are willing to work harder to fit the ball a night before they are to leave. I think that's a good bait. IN the capital, priesthood and military are most influential, and there's no way sir Falcon and Svarik can go out on dates or anything such truly freely. It seems like the safest conversation starter to me, to offer them something they might not get to experience otherwise, at least right now, if nothing changes... "

[Mirach]

"Right... start with the ball, try to not make the switch to the play too awkward. Got it," Senecio murmured. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Basically, we're winging it at this point, yes, " Hans grinned, on the surface, looking confident, but a dose of dread and worry definitely reflected in his feelings. Once they were in front of the door, he took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, before he knocked to let them know of their presence.

[Mirach]

Svarik knew from the knock who's behind the door, so he opened them a bit curiously. "Good morning," he greeted them.

[VisAnastasis]

" Good morning, fellow life forms," Hans waves in greeting, when nervous, not able to help a little bit of his inclination for peculiarity pass through." On a scale of one to ten, how free you are at the moment? If we could talk for a bit it would be really great."

[Mirach]

Svarik glanced at Conrad and Melody. "We were just deciding what we're going to do today, so we are free to talk, and then you can maybe give us some suggestions. Please, come in."

[VisAnastasis]

Hans nodded lightly, coming in. Melody, who was in her child form, was most casual of them, and as they were sitting down, she filled all of them glasses of fresh juice. Hans looked at his glass thoughtfully before clearing his throat.

" Well, regarding cool things you could possibly be doing... this is actually not a suggestion for today, but it could be suggestion for the day before you leave, if you are willing," he tied in right away, not willing to waste a chance to bring it up." You see, most of the Beings that came to play are still either in the mansion or close by, staying out of worry for Tide and me. So, since last ball sort of sucked for all of us, and you didn't even get to participate, we thought it would be  nice to make smaller private ball mostly for our Beings and humans we feel like having. Naturally, because of all your circumstances, I mean," he shrugged lightly." You are at top of our inviting list. It will be a bit of a pickle, but with proper organisation, we could pull through and have ball ready a day before you are to return to the capital. So, what do you think?"

[Mirach]

"Oh. That would be great," Svarik said, glancing at Conrad. "I mean, you don't need to organize another ball just because we missed the first one, but if you want to have another go at it, I'd be looking forward to it."

[VisAnastasis]

" We want to have another one anyway, to make better memories out of it, naturally, but to be honest, it's not like my heart depends on it - first, I mostly thought of doing it for Tide's sake, because he was really sad he couldn't have you and sir Falcon spend time with him at the ball. I am weak to Tide's desires, so I'd bid you come to make his day, anyway, " Hans admitted a little over will, not used to straightforwardness in this situation, but knowing it's the best course. " But when he told me you three are dating now, it would really feel a shame, to send you off to capital without a big event. You'll be attending together, right? "

Falcon kept a neutral expression on his face, looking quite nonchalant of the outside as if made of stone. Senecio, with his powers, though, could feel a doubtless surge of interest.
" Hmm, " Falcon responded neutrally. " I guess a smaller ball, with mostly Beings would be a safer option, anyway. What humans you intend to invite? "
" Nothing much, mostly some of the people in the mansion that serve us. None of the ones that have military background, or have ever been to capital, if that's what you mean. There will be zero chances of making trouble if no one that can recognize you is present, isn't it? " Hans chipped in freely. "A with majority of Beings being ones to attend, won't it be more fun for you guys, anyway? You'll be able to meet interesting people without worry. "

" Melody too will probably enjoy having fun with Beings more properly, won't you? " Falcon nodded slowly, with feelings of approval, as he turned to the child, that nodded brightly.

" I've met more Beings these last few days than in many centuries, " she chipped in. " It almost feels like attending the little festival! I think it would be fun! "

[Mirach]

"That sounds great," Svarik smiled. "So Jake will be there too, right? Then we could go to the city with him today, to get him something fancy to wear. Would you like a new dress, too?" he asked Melody. "Since it will be a private ball, will there still be masks?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I think it would be fun to get a new dress, " Melody agreed. " I have lot of child dresses, but I don't have much grown up ones, since I am a child most of the time. Originally, on a party with more humans, I planned to go as a child, to avoid humans asking me out, but since it'll be mostly Beings, adult form should be alright! We'd just have to get adult mask if it's ball under masks again. Is it? "

" That's also a part of why we wanted to talk with you, Tide and Senecio merely came up with the idea late last night, and I just woke up around half an hour or so ago, so we don't have concrete details yet, " Hans explained. " Since it's an event for us, we don't have to make some strict formal boundaries, we can just make it to our tastes. I wanted to hear what you'd prefer. For Tide, pretty much the most important part is that he has fun with everyone, so the ball has to be fit for your tastes too. What kind of food should be prioritized? How formal or informal should we make it? Should I hire human performers for music, or do you just want us to wing it among you and Melody, and whoever Being feels like playing at the moment? " he inquired. " And, of course, do you want the mask part or not? I believe it is safe enough to not have to make it a masked ball, but if you'd be more comfortable with it, we can still wear masks. Jake, of course, you'll have to ask if he wants to come, but naturally, he can if he wants to. Even though he came here recently, he has had a lot of close contacts with Beings, so I am sure he'll be pretty casual about meeting more. So, what about your preferences? How would you prefer it, and are there any special requests you'd like to make? Naturally, you should give me your taste in food in any case, so I can make sure part of the menu is to your liking, but I mean on any other possible requests too. "

[Mirach]

"I think masks would be good for the beginning of the ball, and the after a few dances, people could put them away or keep them as they feel like. I think some of your guests would prefer to stay masked, so it would be better for them if everyone is," Svarik said, meaning Death. "And for such a private occasion, I guess it won’t be good to bring musicians from outside your household. Can we find enough musicians among the guests? I would like to play a few songs, of course."

[VisAnastasis]

" Me too, " Melody agreed heartily, glad to have a chance to play music publicly.
" We can certainly find enough people willing. We don't have healers at sea, but we do have a lot of Beings casually interested in music. When you're immortal, you have a lot of time. " he explained. " Anything else I should be mindful about? "
Falcon, who was mostly quiet, nodded only slowly.
" I am more comfortable with masks, too... It's not like I don't trust your discretion, but I'd not be able to relax without at least some precautions," he spoke at last. " As for demands, my most important demand would be safety. Organizing a private ball, it's bound there would be some rumours it would be for the sake of the king. I'd count to your discretion that there won't be any sliver of a chance for, how to say discretely..." his eyes narrowed slightly, with an intense deep gaze, as he measured up Senecio, talking quite none discretely. " Unexpected assassination attempts. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, definitely," Senecio nodded, avoiding Conrad's look. "We'll make sure there's no chance of that." 

[VisAnastasis]

" That is the bare minimum requirement, indeed, " Falcon replied, raising an eyebrow at him lightly. Despite his neutral and cold expression, there was an obvious idle pleasure in his feelings - while until now he didn't communicate with Senecio despite knowing what he did, it seemed he found this a fitting chance to probe him a little, enjoying his evasive reaction, and meeting it with direct comments unable to evade. " So, I've pretty much heard Hans's surface motivation, of seemingly wanting to give us all a good time and all. Alright, then, so what is yours? You're really an interesting choice of person to come to talk to us, " he tilted head at him, with curiosity indeed. " If Hans wanted smoother talk with us all, wouldn't it be wiser to bring Tide, or Alpha, whom Svarik gets along well? I feel there must be quite an interesting reason why you, of all people, are following him. Is it just a bland matter of conscience where you want to apologize to or thank  Svarik, or is it something more entertaining? "

[Mirach]

Senecio glanced at Hans and then nodded slightly. "Yes, you can put it like that. I already had a life debt towards you," he spoke to Svarik, bowing his head, "and then you saved my life again, even taking a risk to do it... How am I even supposed to thank you or repay my debt to you? But then Hans told me about you and sir Falcon - I hope you don't mind - and I thought there's at least something I could do, together with him. You saw the effect that the play about Death had, didn’t you? All Spirits and Demons believed some things about him, but we showed them that the truth might be somewhere else, made them think about it. So I thought, what if we make another play? There’s an interesting character that everybody knows, but what if we show him a bit differently, make people think? We wanted to ask you first, though. Would you agree, when the situation will seem right for it, for us to make a play about the Bloody Mayor?"