Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

Senecio was also laying there without motion, just breathing heavily, content with Tide's closeness in the moment.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature slowly climbed closer on the bed, and curled at him side, leaning its head lightly against Senecio's side, as if drawing reassurance and comfort from his presence after a vulnerable experience.

[Mirach]

Senecio pressed his body against Tide,  basking in the closeness as an occasional shiver of pleasure still ran up his back in the aftermath.

[VisAnastasis]

Demon shivered lightly, sensitive to touch after the intense experience, but he then curled closer. Slowly, as he was getting used to a normal level of sensations again, nudged against him. Since he was still in Beast King's form, he didn't move too much, not to scratch him by accident, but he caressed the arm leaned against him lightly, and he slowly raised his gaze and looked up and down the lying man - even without a shy tinge of worry Senecio could perceive, Tide's face was eloquently conveying he was trying to figure out if he was too rough and if he were in pain afterwards.

[Mirach]

Senecio seemed exhausted and a bit sore, but not in a visible discomfort and rather then doing something abouth it, he enjoyed a moment of lingering closeness.

[VisAnastasis]

Seeing that, Tide felt a bit of relief, and didn't feel ready to break the moment just yet either - it seemed that he tried to allow himself to be more indulgent recently without feeling guilty about it. So he stayed as he is, and closed his eyes, enveloping one pair of his arms around Senecio's body protectively, embracing him, again, carefully, not to strain him. As he held him close, the actor could suddenly hear a familiar purring sound of pleasure. The creature remained with its eyes closed and purred with quiet contentment with his closeness, the purring sounding rough and strange coming from the Beast King's body, but being an honest expression of how glad Tide was to be with him like this right now.

[Mirach]

Senecio's breath evened slowly and he opened his eyes. "I think that was a worthy reward," he smiled slightly.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's lip trembled lightly with the words, his feelings timid but hopeful as he opened his foamy eyes. He was unsure by the words if the actor spoke as himself, or as Sein Miru, so he didn't respond right away. It seemed as if he would have things to say as himself, but was not sure how to phrase them in a way Beast King would be able to say, too.
" One... should not make the mistake to treat fearsome dragons poorly, or deny their well-earned rewards, " he spoke up quietly, but despite his words being neutral, his voice sounded a little choked up as he nudged closer. " But Beasts are not a small fry, either, and you are too fearless before me even for a dragon. I don't get it at all... "

[Mirach]

"I might be one of those fools who dream of beasts and want to be close to them, even if they might end poorly for it," Senecio said, getting back into the role to enjoy it for a while longer.

[VisAnastasis]

" When we first met... you at very least had an appropriate inkling of fear, though. I could reasonably deal with the fact that you were sticking around *despite* being afraid, and could wrap my mind around that. Many people stick to me despite being afraid, after all, " Tide noted quietly, dancing on the border between himself and Beast King, the confidence of the latter enabling him to ask a question that seemed to be troubling him for a bit. " I was curious tonight... being put in a position to torture you. Despite both of us knowing it's a pretence, was there something I could do to cause you a more proper amount of fear? And right when it seemed I might be getting there... I suddenly realized, " arms wrapped around him held him closely, but behind the voice, there was a growing suspicion, not one of hostility, but bafflement. " You... are no longer suppressing instinctual fear in order to see me beyond it... you are just beyond even feeling fear with me, aren't you? " he narrowed his eyes. " It's as if you're... consciously struggling to convince yourself you are terrified. It does not seem like a problem you're overcoming, rather, a problem you pretend to have because... because it feels like a dramatic plot point to get lost in? " it was the only way Tide could come up to voice the peculiar situation. " You almost tricked me, for one passing moment, but then I suddenly realized that your face grimaces in terror, but from close up, the dread did not reach your eyes at all... "

[Mirach]

"It's not fear," Senecio shook his head. "It's just the tension between what you could do to me and what you actually would do. It's thrilling."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide's brows furrowed in thought - his feelings reflected wonder at such concise description that seemed to pinpoint the feeling much more accurately, but also, a touch of reluctance to believe it fully and unusual tremble of anxiety digging its claws beneath it.
" It's hard not to believe you because your reasons are sound, little dragon... but I struggle, still, " he whispered quietly. " Doubts trouble me... If there was at least a trace of doubt in me in you, I'd have an easier time accepting it. But when you say it is tension between what I could do and what I *would do*... How are your eyes so unshaken and your conviction so firm? " he demanded quietly. " How can you show such blind unyielding certainty that I would not hurt you in any way, in enough measure to not feel fear at all? "

[Mirach]

"Forgive me if I'm being pretentious for thinking you wouldn’t hurt me, my King," Senecio smiled, finding it easier to explain to the character. "But the question you are asking gives me that certainty, too. It reveals a vulnerability of the mighty king. You would not show that in front of an enemy. You would not show that in front of anyone you don't trust. You can be terrifying in hurting your enemies. But I've never seen you hurting anyone you trust..."

[VisAnastasis]

The creature was quiet for a moment, not moving away, but seeming to digest his words.
" The way I trust... is different from yours. It is not blind and fearless... It is earned. You have to build it up little by little... and you have built a lot so far. But compared to yours, I feel it is rather like a castle in the sand... Because no matter how sturdy we find the castle, if we know waves will one day overflow it, we can not feel fully confident in it, " Tide whispered to his ears, finding it easier to put into words through Beast King's lips, too. " Because I put my trust in people too often, being so certain they would never leave me, only to see them do... I have trouble believing in the longevity of things. Sein Miru... Can you teach me more, about your courage? " a softer, more clouded fear was reflective in seemingly collected words. " It would be nice, to be brave, like you... But because so many people I trusted were untrustworthy, your bravery intimidates me. If... you were to find someone better, I'd let you go. But if you were to leave because I crossed the line... it would burn deeply. And yet, I am overwhelmed with morbid curiosity. I keep wondering - what could possibly cross the line of someone that trust me like this? And so, I am engulfed with a desire to test your limits, again and again, further each time, because... " there was a vulnerable admission, and Senecio felt like Tide was giving him a deeper sign of trust by entrusting him with those fears. " If something I do would make you fear or hate me, I'd rather it happen sooner than later. The fearless belief in me that seems only to grow stronger... it... it is too delicious to taste but briefly, only to lose it... "

[Mirach]

"You're trying to find the line?" Senecio asked with a bit of surprise. "It's not so hard to find as you think. But it's not where you're looking for it. If you lose control and hurt me seriously... well, you are a King of Beasts and I'm attracted to that side of you. I think you would be hurt by it more than me. If you want to give your attention to someone else, I wouldn’t mind that, either, if you don't leave me with it. I am not posessive. If you are unjust to me, that's closer to the line, but as long as you listen to me and believe me, can be amended. If you refuse to listen, that is the line you're looking for. Or if you clearly send me away. I will respect that."

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, that was clearly not in line with what Tide was thinking at all, and he struggled to accept it just like that, having heard it for the first time.
" What kind of sin do you believe you could do upon me... to warrant me sending you away? " a voice bid him quietly after a moment, trying to put its thoughts to words slowly, not to be misunderstood. " I would wish to know what you are preparing your heart against because it is hard to imagine such a sin to me. And... could you tell me... what being unjust to you means for you? " he demanded quietly. " Because when you say it in such manner, it seems as if I am judging you for a crime you're falsely accused of and am just turning away without hearing your reasons. And even if you actually committed some trifling crime... while we may or may not argue about it... can you really imagine a future when I would not chase after you, demanding an explanation and seeking a solution with you? "creature sounded a little confused by man's words. " In what world does it make sense, that I would refuse to listen when I would be the first person to ask what is wrong? How can I know what really happened if you don't tell me? "

[Mirach]

"If I would believe that you would do such a thing, I wouldn’t be here with you," Senecio said. "You asked what the line is for me, not if I think that you would cross it."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... " Creature nodded slowly. Its gaze was thoughtful as if it was weighing out something it was thinking about for a while before he nudged against Senecio lightly with some timidness as he added quietly. " It is just... hard to believe that lines we were thinking of were so far apart... is there truly... nothing else but that? Is there really nothing, with your splendid vast imagination that you can imagine would hurt you, that I may do unknowingly? " he bid, and then, through with frail vulnerable emotion behind it, be smiled a bit. " Or if not that... Can you not imagine something I may do to help... to feed your fearlessness until it grows even more unreasonable, bloated and conceited beyond measure? " he teased with warmth as he leaned closely - embracing him though, in a way where the actor could not see his face. " To be honest, as of late... temptations are much harder to resist. It's harder ever since I allowed myself to indulge in these... pretences of hunger. I can control my strength well still... but it is harder to fight my inhibitions, " the voice whispered by the actor's ear. " As I deal with the beastly instincts of my own gluttony, I'd feel more reassured if I know your courage grew more unshakeable, so I may not hurt your heart too much. For body, at this point, I am confident enough we could find a healer, at least at this moment... But that's even worse, " he sighed. " Because, with that knowledge, I feel less guilty to indulge in dangerous thoughts... "

[Mirach]

"There's nothing you could do unknowingly that would hurt me. Well, emotionally, I mean. If there is such a thing, you would have to do it knowingly, with intent. If you do something unknowingly, I'll tell you and I trust you that you won't intentionally do it anymore. But if you want to find a healer, I'd have to trust that healer as much as I trust you to allow him into our privacy," Senecio said and sat up slowly. "Is there more of that delicious drink?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

The creature looked a little thoughtful and withdrawn with the reply, but with the last question, he smiled a little bit. As if feeling he could not stay in the character at the moment without stretching believability, his form slowly flickered, and he returned to his most usual one, tilting the mask aside and fixing his tunic shyly.
" There's always a rule - make more than you think you need because you'll always end up spending everything you make, " he whispered more timidly, and he stood up to the table at a side, and carefully filled Senecio another generous glass of yellow drink, decorating it with flower petals anew and cooling it down before extending it to him.

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Senecio smiled, taking the drink from Tide's hands, dropping the role completely as well. He pulled a bedsheet over himself, as he was still fully naked and getting a bit cold now. He sipped the drink slowly.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide seemed a little more timid and hesitant after the talk now that the role ended. He seemed to like and admire how confident Senecio was with his nakedness, not struggling with it at all. When he covered himself with a bedsheet, his first thought was that he was cold, so he shyly sat down on the bed beside him leaning his arm lightly against his. As he did so, he began using his warning power on the air around the actor so he'd not be too cold, while avoiding the air just around the cool glass of drink, feeling a little smug about his little achievement after the hesitancy that came with their talk before.

[Mirach]

Senecio sighed contentedly and then watched Tide for a moment. "Is everything alright?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide seemed indeed indecisive as if he were struggling with whether to share something or not, but it was clear something was occupying his thoughts. As Beast King, he could not say it, and as Tide, he was still debating whether he should. But he spoke up slowly in the end.
" It is just that... I am afraid if I say this, it may sound like emotional blackmail to you... but it truly is not how I see it. It is just... about if I can have peace of mind or not, " he spoke up at last quietly, reluctantly, looking down on the floor, with a tinge of unrest, at the remnants of clothes and ropes they were yet to get rid of. " It is just that I was under the impression that by now... we had a reasonable amount of trust in Death, Svarik and Erdel as healers and people, and that I thought... that we were both relieved that we can act more freely, with the knowledge we have a backup close by in case something really happens. But... if the source of my confidence was built on my own faulty assumptions about the abundance of our options... " his cheeks were burning up a little in embarrassment and shyly revealed a lump of disappointment. " I just... feel a little... foolish, for the number of risks I've been taking and scope of my ambitions. There... there is no way I can indulge in all these daydreams if instead of three healer options, we actually have none. It is... an unexpected overflow of terror, and I am still too taken aback to feel it properly... so... " he rubbed his fingers nervously. " I am still digesting it... "

[Mirach]

"As a backup, if something goes wrong, either of them is fine, although Svarik is leaving soon and I don't know about Erdel," Senecio said. "Any healer is fine if something goes accidentally wrong. But seking him regularly with same difficult to explain things, or planning something ahead that would require a healer, and calling that healer to be at hand... that's what I'm uncomfortable with."