Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"I don't do that much anymore," Death said. "It's tiring. So I'm not going to look, but I'm not sure I want to entertain another guest today. Who should it be?"

---

"If it’s a game to you then we'll gladly play it," Svarik smiled. "Let’s go, horsies!"

[VisAnastasis]

" It probably won't be today, as it will take a bit for him to arrive - at earliest at dawn in the morning, or sometimes during tomorrow, depending on if he travels during the night," Tide replied, and then he finally said it, knowing it is best not to dance around the news much longer." Besides it being important that you don't look into the future, Eros said it's important that you don't go seek for him, but leave it to the person to come here. And as for who that person is... well, it is Riversong. You see, Sir Falcon was worried about him being a flower for longer than seemed healthy, and he asked Eros if he could do something to help him wake up, so Zephyr wouldn't have to resort to waking him using his true name. So, Eros actually went to the capital a bit ago to help him, and is now probably having his first meeting with Sil Simbel. "

---

The two critters indeed seemed quite excited with the prospect of playing - it seemed that adults used such little games to more easily get them to hide their nature in human world so they would not get into trouble. They were playful, but their strides were steady and their backs and hair was soft and pleasant to ride on. Twins were young, but quite tame and ever curious, and they gladly went whenever their riders bid them, enjoying exploring the shore together with them.

[Mirach]

Death froze, his eyes widening in shock. "He's going to wake... and come here?" he stammered.

---

Svarik was picking the direction randomly, enjoying the view and keeping an eye out for nice places or houses.

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, " Erdel tied in reluctantly, as he knew more of this, his expression looking worried with Death's response. " To us, it's been quite a while... but the last thing Benjamin remembers is you, Svarik and Nammy trying to break his curse. His biggest fear was killing the three of you when he's not himself, so... I believe he will definitely want to see if you're all okay right away. "
" Eros believes it, too... And so do I. I'm pretty sure even if those weren't his last conscious thoughts, that he will worry most greatly about you being seemingly snatched away and imprisoned by the new Demon King, " Tide whispered with a smile, but it did not reach his eyes, as they were clouded with concern and encouragement. " How are you holding up? I tried to break the news as gently as I could, but I can see I still startled you... "

---

Falcon appeared rather suspiciously docile and well-behaved, rather unusually for himself. While he made quite a few mistakes in his life, it seemed like he was never before as humbled and induced to reflect on himself by one as now. He wasn't bewildered though, as instead his resolve to do better seemed stronger than ever before. More than the view, no matter how sunny and refreshing riding across the vast coast was, he seemed to enjoy observing what Svarik liked from places they had seen, but this time, not with a goal to plot something, but in a genuine attempt to learn more about things Svarik preferred and enjoyed.

Critters were having a lot of fun pretending to be horses and, like most of the Beings, even if they had seen some sceneries before, they enjoyed seeing their little riders enjoy those places for the first time. They were mostly quiet but tied into conversations here and there along the way, to point out where the salty winds were most freeing and pleasant, and where the grass was softest and most scrumptious, munching on it as they passed by.

[Mirach]

"I don't want to meet him..." Death said with rising panic.

---

Svarik was aware of Conrad's current mood and he decided to use it to the fullest as he stopped to chat with people, play some music to make their work easier and accept figs or cheese they shared in thanks for that, enjoying himself.

[VisAnastasis]

" Do you not want to meet him now... or ever? " Tide asked quietly. He didn't try to come closer, not to intrude in his personal space when he was sensitive, but he leaned to him lightly, speaking with soothing firmness and promise, seriously and patiently. " Do you not feel ready to meet him right now... or do you want to cut ties with him for good? Tell me what you really desire deep down, please. I will act by your will. I can talk with him in your stead whatever you decide. "

---

Conrad could never afford to blindly go around and meet people, always in fear someone might recognize him, especially close to the capital where he lived his whole life. But perhaps because they were so far from home, he allowed himself a little more leeway. Because this was the first time he was travelling with Svarik in broad daylight, it was also the first time he had seen Svarik interact with common people like this, as most of the time they knew each other, they either spent together or manoeuvring around noblemen or high officials with Falcon hiding from plain sight. He appeared thoughtful with the new experience, glancing at meadow king or observing him quietly often as he played as if he had a lot to think about. He didn't want to appear as some mysterious silent bodyguard, though, and they were dressed not as noblemen, but as travellers, and he did not sing or play music, but when they would make a stop, while Svarik played, he would help people carry heavy things or help out with their chores as much as was natural for passing idle wanderers, doing what he felt was more practical help from a clearly physically stronger person like himself.

[Mirach]

"I... felt relief when I learnt that he’s a flower. I know it’s selfish, but it would feel so much easier to not have to deal with him anymore... I don't dislike him, but I have this... sinking feeling when I imagine meeting him again. But it's not his fair, it’s not his fault and he will feel bad if he learns that...

---

Svarik enjoyed it like something he missed a lot, but didn’t realize until now how much. He looked joyful and energized and he was glancing at Conrad often, as if having him there made the day many times better, like sharing something precious to him with a person he cared about.

[VisAnastasis]

" If I may ask... Does your discomfort with him come from something about him... or from the unvoiced feelings between you and Riversong? " it was unexpectedly Erdel who asked before Tide could tie in, very quietly but directly, his gaze seeming more clouded than Tide's " I... don't want to be saying this, but... The second to last person to speak with Benjamin was Svarik, to whom he handed letters and his will to read in case he dies... but I was the last person whom he called to speak with him, as you know. He honestly believed he will die for good when you try to remove his curse, and that's why he wanted to give me forgiveness... and also, letters to you, his sister Maira and Jake. He believed as immortal for you and Maira, and a friend to Jake at a time, I'd be the safest keeper of those three letters. I obviously know the contents but I can't tell them, because he didn't actually die, but... " he bit his lips. " While I don't think he can overcome the shame of Jake witnessing his childhood memories to admit anything to him just yet, or perhaps ever, between his letter to you and Jake, uhmm... let's just say that his letter to Jake is way, way more nervous, unsure and fluttering. His letter to you is, hmm, full of palpable trust and gratefulness... but it's definitely not one of confession. It's more like... a letter of un-confession and apology, actually. You may... choose to cut ties with him in the end, of course... but I am just saying... Benjamin did not let your comfort and support him because you were Riversong's crush... It is, ironically, a trust you earned through your own efforts, with everything supportive you did for him *after* Long night when he was unsure and sought an anchor to rely on, " he smiled sadly and anxiously as if this matter touched a painful string in his heart. " When... you held his hand firmly as Svarik played for him, when you spent hours holding him in the cold river as he slept as Water spirit to help him get better even though you were freezing yourself, or when you gave him a vow to always appear to his side when he calls out your name... was there only guilt behind those acts? If so, I'm afraid Ben definitely mistook them for genuine care in his last hours. Likewise, it is quite a big miscalculation on your part, not to expect a person for whose lifting of curse you basically risked getting yourself corrupted and world perishing would not feel even more grateful to you than he was before. You gave way too much for it to be brushed off like it's nothing... or do you think I am wrong? Was what you gave not good enough, to earn an equal return?  You gave nearly all of yourself. I... can not even begin to imagine how it must feel when someone gives so much for your sake... "

-------

Conrad would often glance at him, too, observing him quietly, with a wondering expression. He seemed to try to not talk anymore about what he was forgiven already, he could not hide a thoughtful smile that was growing wider each time their eyes would meet by chance. At one point, as if his warm feelings were too overflowing to stay silent anymore, he embraced Svarik from behind, leaning his head against the king's shoulder, appearing unusually clingy as he held onto him.

" You know... being Semai... is really a double-edged sword, " he whispered as if it was the only way he could properly voice the contemplative feeling he had. " It is great and all... but it only shows a temporary reflection of a person's mental state at a time of connection... not all facets of who they are. You only see what they feel strongly at a time, not what they fully are, with all their likes and pleasures. The last time we bound was quite a while ago, and at a time, you craved a lot of sheltering and reassurances, so I kept showering you with it even when you didn't need it as much as the space to shine. I am sorry... that I trusted that warped image over my own eyes. You have grown a lot... It is a delight, to be able to see you like this, anew, as if I'm meeting you for the first time again. Whenever I think I can't possibly be proud even more, you just make me prouder. The feeling of once again attentively observing and evaluating how you carry yourself with my eyes instead of my anxious heart... is refreshingly nostalgic of the time when we first met... "

[Mirach]

(OOC: sorry, I got totally stuck on Death and then got distracted by writing a f Critical Role fanfic...)

"And yet when he became a flower, it was as if a weight lifted from my shoulders, a relief that I didn’t have to attempt navigating the relationship between us," Death said. "I would do anything to save or help him, but the prospect of just talking to him feels awkward."

---
Svarik leant on Conrad and smiled warmly. "I'm just happy," he said simply. "I don't think I've ever been this happy. There was alway some shade underneath... I'm glad you can see me now."

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Hi! No worries, I was a bit worried for a while because I was concerned if you're still shaken by the accident with a car, or if something worse happened, but then I saw you posting a couple of fanfics, and I was relieved to see you were okay and happy you were having fun with something, it's really no rush! <3 <3 <3 Honestly, I actually read the fics, since I've seen they're about a new fandom I've been curious what it's about since we often have similar tastes, I probably didn't get a lot of contexts since I don't know much about the world, but it was an as enjoyable read as always, your writing style is as polished and pleasant as ever, I always love how you write characters, they feel so natural and real <3 Honestly, I don't know much about Critical role yet as I just learned through you, and I'm unsure about watching podcasts since I prefer reading to listening as I'm not good at recognizing people by voices, I'm thinking about it, though it seems like there are many characters so I'm a bit intimidated if I'll be able to easily remember them all by voice alone (*^_^*) But once I googled them, I've realized I've seen a lot of fanart on Pinterest of many of them already here and there :) There is especially one with bright pink hair if I understood right, I don't know much about him, but there's been no fanart of him that isn't extremely beautiful, and he seems so loveable and serene, with a cotton candy vibe, so I hope I'm not getting the wrong impression about who he is based only on drawings XD but he looks super cute and wholesome :D
 
And as for RP, it's really no worries, I know playing Death can be exhausting, honestly, Conrad's miscalculation is my own, as I thought it wouldn't be too big change of flow... I've just been rereading old posts a while before, and realized it's been years since Jake was on standby about Riversong, and that since we developed their backstories about war more, it would be lovely if Riversong and Jake got an unexpected chance at a relationship because they are currently one of our few more unhappy characters, and also, since Riversong would definitely join Tide's kingdom if Death did, and he is way less hated than Death, he could act as a bridge between him and other Beings to protect him, since he could officially offer his services in exchange for Death's safety and speak well of him to change people's minds about him without him having to put an effort, and finally be able to protect him a bit more after being unable to do anything for him during the war.... plus with added bonus of Death not having to meet or talk to other Beings much since it's exhausting to him, while in the same time being more protected as time passes, so having more safe environment to grow, while Riversong finally has a way to repay him... And we also have a way to heal Beings that have missing soul pieces, like Cernunnos and Se Deity. It seemed like something characters would naturally decide on yes or no as they talked of the future so I didn't think of mentioning it before the time for talks came, but I realized too late I should have... I am sorry about that, like Conrad, I feel my scale was way off as it seemed like a natural next step for Riversong to want, but I really should have asked (´ω｀*) it's fine if most of it happens on the screen, I just thought, since we have Eros already, it'd be a pity not to both give Death closure and give more hopeful chances to Ben and Jake at the same time (//ω//)


Erdel's gaze was troubled, as if he was weighed down by something heavily... only for a moment, though, before his gaze grew determined.
" You know... screw the whole forgiveness concept. It's not like earning a few words of his thanks would make me happy if I'd see you two miserable over my silence. Do you... want me to give you to read the letter Riversong wrote for you in case he dies? Or at least, have me answer questions about it to give you any insight? " he whispered seriously, but firmly, with a slight tremble in his voice opting for what he felt was best over his own craving for forgiveness. " If talking to him is awkward, won't reading his un-confession help to avoid the awkward talk? It is a breach of the trust he gave me when he handed me the letter, but I care for both of your happiness more than his opinion of me. And if the title of God of love holds any credibility, I am definitely certain Eros isn't doing this to try to match you and Ben... Your safety and well being is incredibly important to Benjamin, yes - but I am positively, absolutely certain by his letter to you and Jake, that if someone, Eros would try to make two of *them* an item. "

" Oh, yes, about that, definitely, "  Tide tied in hesitantly in their conversation. " I didn't realize it may come off as a misunderstanding, but Eros wouldn't be rushing like this without talking with me first if it wasn't only about preventing something bad, but also about there being a short window of time where there was a chance for something good, and since it can't be with you, he's definitely chasing a slim chance of Jake and Riversong endgame. No offence, but while I am against you cutting ties with people once you get close to them, as you kind of did with Xia, you're just not compatible to be with anyone in a romantic relationship, not just Riversong. "

" Yes... Rather than miserable... " Erdel asked quietly. " Wouldn't it be a pretty big weight lifted from both your shoulders, if you could acknowledge it wasn't meant to be and move on and have something based on honesty instead, even if it's lesser than before? Everything sucked for both of you after... war started, I mean, anyway, " he shook his head. " It's pretty pathetic that even under threat of perishing for good, Riversong wouldn't have the courage to write so honestly unless he was sure he'd be gone when you'd be reading his letter, and your first reaction to him waking up was panic that if he realizes your discomfort with him he'd feel depressed so it's best to hide it since we can't have that, can we? "he rolled his eyes. " He also spent thousands of years pretending he was just fine and peachy and totally not affected or scarred by the war whatsoever, out of sheer terror of making you more miserable when the world gave you enough misery and guilt already - as if it would be normal for someone to be unaffected when fairies he played with and cared for too, are brutally killed and his last dearest friend is broken with grief and in pain every day, so, yeah... Honestly, your hearts are in right place, but you both suck at priorities and sacrifice everything for the sake of not making the other more sad, so it's no wonder either of you is happy with your current exhausting stalemate... "

---

Falcon's gaze was warm and proud as he held onto him, but also contemplative, with light flown, as if he were seriously evaluating something.
" I... I definitely, positively, have never been as happy as now, Svarik, " he whispered, finally, in return to the king's statement, staying close to him, as if needing reassurance of his presence to say such big words. " There was always some shade underneath... But even if many burdens are hard or troubling to live with, it's gotten really hard for shades to mean much to me... No matter what, it's hard to feel truly sad or bitter now that I have you, " he whispered with timid but firm affection. " To be honest, I did not realize how deep is the chasm I've dug out for myself and how much it skewed my perspective until I looked up from the digging...  I'm a little frightened by the practical inadequacy of my scale. I am afraid of putting distance between us with my flair for dramatic reveals. Actually, uhm... When we're already confessing sappy things... I've been planning your dramatic birthday gift for a while already, to surprise you when Summer Solstice comes, and I was looking forward to building it, but after today, I am worried if I am being too much and I should scrap everything and make some normal-people-levelled presents for a while... I am not really good with judging what is too much or not, it seems... "

[Mirach]

(OOC: It’s not an actual podcast but a streamed D&D campaign played by professional voice actors. It’s on youtube with subtitles that also tell you who is speaking. The fanart you saw is probably from one of their previous campaigns, they just started a 3rd one with new characters, I haven't actually seen the other two. They are 24 episodes in in this one (which is actually quite early since the previous campaigns had over 100 episodes) and are just taking a month break, normally they post 3 episodes per month, each obout 3hrs long but it's fun to watch them, they are good friends and have interesting characters with a strong sense of found family, and since it's a roleplay, they never know what happens next.

And playing Death feels (I finally found a good comparison :)) like walking in ill-fitting shoes. The longer I do it, the worse it gets instead of getting used to the character. That's why I wanted to leave him in the Heart. I was thinking of replying several times and always thought 'I have to come up with Death's reply, I don’t feel like doing that now...' and then oops, it's weeks later. I don't feel like rereading old posts with him and I'm a bit lost in everything that happened between him and Riversong, I might be projecting my feeling about playing Death to how he feels about Riversong, that's why he doesn't want to talk to him :) If you don’t mind, could you just give the two of them the closure you think is fitting just by describing it without having to roleplay it?)

---'

"I know you like giving dramatic gifts," Svarik smiled. "Honestly I'd enjoy a regular present on its own the same, but you wouldn't. And knowing that you enjoy it gives me more joy, so if you compare the final sum of joy, I'd say go for it, I'm curious what you have in mind. As long as it's not something where I'd more or equally enjoy the preparation of the present than the present itself and you'd take that away from me. Other than that, I'm fine with megalomanic presents. Slowly getting used to them." Svarik grinned.

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Oh, that's so many episodes! I didn't know they had so much, or that they had three campaigns already :) I really love found family trope, so if it has subtitles it sounds more tempting, though it's pity pink character is from the previous campaign, I will maybe check that one out first because the pink one seems so cute - just googled, and apparently, his name is Caduceus, and this is the first quote from his page:

I joined your group of friends—I guess our group of friends now—as a testament of faith, and it would be a disservice to that faith to turn around because it's hard. If it'd been easy, I suppose I wouldn't have been needed to be called to it.

and it really sounds so fitting for such gentle looking pink cotton candy :D  it's honestly tempting to start from there, if one doesn't lose out if not watching videos chronologically, I'll have to google more to see how people usually watch those things as I've never followed campaigns before :)



As for RP, yes, I know you don't like playing Death much, that's why I thought it'd mostly be done in the background since Death is slowly regaining his strength in the background too, while it's presumed Tide and Jake stop by every once in a while to bring him sweets and asks him if he needs anything - while Tide does sincerely want to heal him and can help, it's enough to just assume it's slowly getting better in the background, we don't have to detail out every character actions, it just wouldn't be realistic if Tide seemingly stopped worrying about him. Since Death is important to figuring as a former Spirit king and tied to war, though, we'd have to nominally include him in plans for future peace sometimes, I think, but we can summarize most of it, I don't think there's a need to use him too much in practice :) it's just that since he's so important for Riversong, it'd feel weird if Riversong and he didn't get any closure, especially since while they were breaking the curse Death was really supportive.

We can decide together what the closure will be and just summarize it, though, to be honest, there's another part I'm looking forward to - Erdel actually got a gift from the mountains not only for Death but for Senecio as well, and will seek for him after a talk with Death, so if you agree, I'd like to pass to that in meantime after a talk with Death, it's in my "getting Erdel and Senecio to be friends", not so secret plan :D

As for Riversong and Death, it depends a lot on what Death will feel like accepting, I reworked a bit of his story and feelings as we detailed and changed more things as we made more details about the war. Big part of Riversong's character was that he was one of few that knew of Death's terrible injuries in battle with Grendel, but could never tell anyone or help him since he was neither warrior nor healer of souls, so he became obsessed with trying to become soul healer to help him. In short, if they talked, Riversong would open up about how he did have a crush on him originally, as he couldn't help but fall in love with someone that always protected him from being used by others, and played with him. But since Death already had fairies he felt he missed the window to confess anything, and later, when Death lost fairies and was injured and grieved with war, it left him personally not hurt but feeling guilty that he was the only one left untouched. I was thinking it's most reasonable that someone in that situation would develop a big survivor's guilt, and have suicidal thoughts and blame himself to staying alive when they died, since he doesn't feel like he's enough to make Death happy. So, in a way, rather than sincere love where he'd rush to support Death, he got caught in coping - in experiments to learn soul healing. If he only learned soul healing, Death could heal, and even if fairies are gone, the two of them could be together instead and be happy like that once again. So, I think it's more fitting for his yearning for Death to come from the way he coped with the loss and war and need for Death to get better, than for a strong attraction of some kind, it feels more fitting for someone that was capable of spending thousands of years researching souls and pretending everything will be alright again if he just learns it. Jake and he had a lot of will they won't they feeling, and were mostly blocked only by thousands of years of waiting that was too hard to shake off, but I think the two of them could be a good couple where Death and Riversong just aren't compatible romantically.

But I do think it would be a huge blow to Riversong if after being so supportive to him before the curse broke, Death suddenly wouldn't talk to him. Benjamin inherited Riversong's strong feelings so much they were hard to shake of, so it was hard to admit it, but he did like Jake before his memories returned, so I thought they'd definitelly have to have talk about love, where Riversong confessed he did love him once and some feelings are still stuck, but that it wasn't healthy and he wasn't really in love with him for a while, but it was hard to let go of that, because letting go of idea they will fall in love and be happy one day was letting go of idea Death will be okay. But after talk with Eros and being reassured Death will now be okay anyway, Ben can talk more honestly of how he really feels - that he cares and wants to protect Death, and that since Death protected him even when he was lashing out and being heavy, he sees it as something not just any lover, but real family would do, one you are stuck with even when they trouble you. So, since they would both want to join Tide's kingdom for Death's protection and joining requires blood ceremony where one becomes family, i thought it would be fitting that Riversong offers him a ritual to become a family, so they do it before they join the kingdom, since neither of them has parents or siblings as personifications. As family, they could have that confirmation of care they have or each other, without having to interact much, as family can be separated for long time and still be considered family. So, since Benjamin lost his human family once, and they cared for each other for so long despite hardships of their ambiguous status, I thought it'd be fitting that they become each others' family in name, so they know they aren't alone in the world, without them having to actually interact too much, other than making sure each other are safe, and can spend most time leading their lives seperately. It is something Riversong would offer him, but it of course depends on Death what he'll decide :)

---

Conrad seemed encouraged by that, but he appeared timid for some reason before he slowly spoke up - it seemed he had finally decided to share his plans this time.
" This was something I was super arrogantly proud of coming up with for a while... it isn't connected to us being together. It is something... I only allowed myself to actually look forward to after it became certain you won't leave the realm with Liron, but stay with us. Do you remember when, when Demian decided to destroy my city model, I made a few important clay houses anew? And that you asked me to follow your instructions to make you a memento - a clay model of your childhood home? We made it together, with a fair division of labour - I worked and you watched, since you were already unwell by the time I was to paint it, " he said unexpectedly, with a faint gentle smile, but rather quietly and holding him still close, as if it was the only way he could share this feeling important to him. " I know you've been grieved that it was destroyed by the general, so I thought - hey, it's one floor and simple design, won't it be easy for a proper architect to make a blueprint that's useable based on a clay model? It's selfish, but I didn't want it to be at Sirnis lake because I was apprehensive that you may feel it's too nostalgic and go to visit it often, and I didn't want to inadvertently make the time we can spend together shorter by my own hands. I hoped to coax you to feel at home in the capital more than in any other place, and there are a lot of wild overgrown places around the White river that are too rocky or uneven for proper settlements, and I planned to take you often for picnics there in next weeks and look out for a place along the river you love the most and is far enough and safely secluded from danger... so that I could build a little house based on your childhood home there, and plant an apple tree there for you, so you could have a little home at the capital city that's still safe enough for me to send you without worry but that means something. Since it's just a small house and not expensive, I thought it was a good price range for a meaningful gift for the first birthday gift I get you, but, " he bit his lip as if life was flashing before his eyes. " Once you gave all that talk about how you would be shocked and feel robbed if someone suddenly just said - behold, I got you a whole house! - I got drenched in a cold sweat and was relieved I come to find out your feelings on those things before I built anything. My sense of scale is indeed really bad sometimes... "

[Mirach]

(OOC: the campaigns are independent even if they take place in the same world. Campaign 1 is being made into an animated series (the legend of vox machina on amazon), it only has 1 series so far but I want to watched that instead of Campaign 1 when it's finished. I don’t think I'll have time to watch campaign 2, but 3 is interesting on its own

And let's say that Erdel convinces Death to talk with Riversong, Death would gladly agree to be family, he sees Riversong as something like brother and the romantic advances were making him feel very awkward.)

Svarik laughed. "Oh my... I told you to not get a house, and you've already been planning to get a house... That's funny, actually... I'm sorry for dumping your idea, it's such a lovely thought! I think that's what I hoped to find here, even if I didn’t realize it. There's a house I was looking for in my mind, and now that you mention it, it does look suspiciously similar to that childhood home. But sorry to say it, you wouldn't get it right. Not from a little clay model that doesn't have the carvings on the windowsills, or all the little things... I'd love that as a present, but I'd like to pick the place myself, and give you a more detailed image. After that I can leave you to it until it’s finished and you can reveal the surprise. Does that sound fair?"

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Ohh, just google the legend of the vox machine, it looks promising! It'll probably be smarter to try to put it aside until the second season comes out so I can binge everything, but I really like visual mediums and character designs look really pretty and distinct, and the animation of the intro is so flowy! ♥(˘ω˘) I'll probably watch the first season to get a feel for the world and see how it goes and whether to watch the second or third campaign next. My sister is currently preparing for some exams so she doesn't have much time right now, but when she's freer I'll coax her to watch with me, hehe :D

As for Riversong, yes, Death and he never felt like they could really be romantically involved, not even without a physical relationship - I couldn't quite put a finger on it, but it didn't feel right, especially after crazy chemistry between Tide and Senecio have, or cute chemistry of Conrad and Svarik :) Rather than being in love, I imagine Riversong's crush was expected to result from admiration of someone who always protected him - though because Death always protected all his people, after the war and when Death grew grieved and he didn't feel like enough, Riversong would be plagued by doubts if he was giving himself more importance in Death's heart that he really was if he were really close enough friend to him, or just a subject or patient that happened to occupy more of his time. And even if Ben inherited all those memories, it always felt more like a burden and hurdle to untangle than bubbly love... All in all, rather than a love story, having the two of them choose to be stuck to each other as a family feels much more fitting, especially since neither of them has real parents as Personifications, and since both craved family the most in their human lives, and it's more satisfying for their arc to have them acknowledge each other as a family that is broken, but stuck close through thick and thin, without any romance to it. Rather than feeling like pursuing Death, it feels more genuine that he would ask Death to wish him luck in pursuing Jake :D And without any experience before his human life, it would be hard for Riversong to understand the difference between familiar or romantic feelings, but now he'd mostly see Death as an older brother who always protected him and shielded him from being used by others over his powers, so this time when he could finally do something to help Death by working with other Beings to spare him of social interactions and to make sure others warm up to him slowly, it'll be a nice change for him to finally be a big brother that protects him, for a change, I think it will set him on right track after waking up to, despite Death is ill with loss of soul layer, there is a certainty he'll be safe from both sides wanting to kill him and will slowly get better thanks to Tide :)

----


Death, Tide and Erdel talked a lot, and in the end, they convinced him to talk with Riversong after he comes to the sea. The young demon seemed finally relieved, as it would have weighed heavily on him if he failed to convince Death and had to see the two of them avoid each other and be miserable on their own.
He said he has a gift to give to Senecio and will go to search for him. He stood up, but before he left, from his bag, he took out two bags and offered them to Death timidly, explaining to him the gift he brought for him instead.
Before he went to the mountains, Death asked him to bring him seeds of a specific flower he was fond of, to raise for himself. He brought a lot of those seeds he found, but it felt too little to him to just bring as told, so he choose a little addition to it. He found and dug out rarer and more interesting seeds he could find that were damaged by frost or animals slightly - not enough to be unsalvageable by healing powers, but enough not to be able to grow on their own. Since Death was happiest when he healed something and felt best when fulfilling his role as personification, Erdel thought it might cheer Death up a bit to have a lot of seeds that would otherwise die but could live and grow well if taken care of by him. This was the kind of gift Erdel said he felt was most fitting he could give at the moment, and he shyly handed to Spirit two carefully and tightly full bags of seeds, before he was to leave to find Senecio.

----

Conrad's lightly worried expression slowly cleared up with Svarik's approval, and he nodded more firmly again, with slowly returning confidence, although his cheeks were still red as he seemed slightly flustered.
" O-of course, you can leave it to me! Once you decide on the location, we can talk in more detail, and then, I'll commission the architect, and afterwards, we can choose the materials you like most, too, and you can pick the furniture... I may add in some secret cute decorations for you to discover all across the house and be surprised every now and then when you figure out a new thing, but you were right. I think... it would be more fun and fulfilling if we do something properly... together. I actually wanted to source materials from Sirnis lake to make it most authentic, but since you're already picking, you can pick whatever you like, anyway, " he nodded, and he suddenly kissed Svarik's cheek shyly, carried by feelings as he added fervently. " And.. A-and Svarik... pick anywhere you like, here or in capital or wherever. And honestly, don't worry about technicalities like one house or two houses when it comes to gifts, I can always give you one for our first month anniversary, and one for our birthday - once we have a floor plan, we can build anywhere we like, so you can easily build it whenever you like, or in more than one place. If you just want the capital, we're building at the capital, or just at sea, or at both. All is good if it's what you want. And, and definitely don't pay attention to what Hans said about real estate and all that word salad, " he stuttered. " Honestly, I'm an opportunistic bastard, and strategically, it'd be cool to use the chance to have Beings here build us an island because Beings see doing things for you as showing you their favour and being friendly with you, and I want you to have a lot of Being friends, and as Beings feel more inclined to let you do things for them if they did something for you, it would be good chance to make that sucker Hans feel inclined to rely back on us. But this isn't about the practicality - I stand by my words that my Svarik should have everything he wants. Even if you, like, happen to cover the land of some political enemy around or pesky noble, just point it to me, deal? It'll only be a little more troublesome, but I don't give a damn, " he winked, " I'm totally down on bankrupting any mean noble that wouldn't sell land to my cute Svarik, so even if your choices bring be legal trouble, I seriously don't care. Hans's advice is objectively good, but it's only good if I would mind something as little as swindling some cute piece of land for you. "

[Mirach]

Death enjoyed the gift of the seeds, and asked Tide to help him get some soil so that he could make a garden right in his room and plant the seeds there.

Senecio just woke up and realized it was almost noon. Since Tide promised to wake him in the morning before they'll have to leave, he was confused by that not happening. He was just walking to the kitchen where he hoped to find out what's going on, still with messy hair and no make up, which made several people stop and wonder who he is for a moment.

---

Svarik laughed and returned the light kiss. "No, you really made me realize what I was looking for here. If I can have that closer to the capital and to Symbel, I would be content. We can go for the island here, and involve the Beings with creating it. Maybe even a villa or a small palace, not to hide here but show that the king doesn't only rule from the capital and cares for all parts of the land. But then I guess we'll have to pick more cities and build more houses to make that true..."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide stayed with Death, to bring him good soil and nice pots and to help make sure he doesn't exert with having too much physical work all of a sudden, and it seemed he enjoyed providing something that brought Death joy. Since Erdel went to seek Senecio he was feeling content to spend some nice time with Death.


As for Senecio, he couldn't get many answers in the kitchen right away, as while cooks did seem to have been preparing some food for their trip, all they knew was that due to something coming up it got delayed until later in the day.
While he was trying to find out what happened, among the various feelings in the room he felt a tinge of new ones directed toward him, and when he turned, he saw Erdel entering the kitchen. On the surface, despite being a little ragged, he looked the same as the last time the actor had seen him, not counting the bright red scarf around his neck. His gestures were timid as he was coming to a place where he didn't know too many people, and he smiled and waved but lightly at Senecio when their gaze met. This was the first time actor had seen him since he gained the ability to sense feelings and the demon's feelings were far from neutral, though - unexpectedly, though he seemed to have felt a little weary and unsure after whatever kind of journey or morning he had until now, there was a warm kind of feeling toward the actor woven in it, complicated and little shaded, but still most similar to fondness, proving he was glad to see him.


---

" We can certainly make more than on one place, but if you pick one specific city over the others, you may cause rivalry among cities as they compete to get you to spend more time there to boost their economy, or put pressure on you to build more extravagant places or to build in every city... and then you'd be considered extravagant king. It could get too messy, so we should always choose more neutral grounds than particular cities, and not too many places. You'd hate, anyway, having palaces all over the country and having to maintain and have servants for places that'd be empty most of the time, wouldn't you? You enjoy travelling in hiding the most, anyway, and we don't want to spend money to take away something you like, it's counterproductive, " Conrad explained, despite his words, beaming as he was able to discuss something he was interested in. " How about instead of at many cities, we pick places for sides of the country? We have our home in the capital in the centre, so we can pick places to build houses in the south, east, west and north respectively. As for south - island location is perfect for remaining politically neutral and not tied to the economy of specific cities much, and a palace that would need a huge amount of servants only to be empty often would be overkill - but a nice little villa Hans could maintain for us a bit here and there without permanent servants would be suitable, I think. On the smaller side, definitely, so it discouraged people from thinking you hold a lot of money or assets there and try to rob it when you're not there. What do you think? That is if you want places across the land, but don't want to cause too many political ripples, one on each side of the land and on a smaller size seems appropriate. That is one option, although, of course, it also depends on your planned relationship with Tide's kingdom in the future. If you prefer to not have official residences and would rather stay with friends across the land when you travel secretly, you can still build one official villa here without the political weight if you disguise it under the pretence of the embassy for relations between two factions. Empire always warred and never had too complex diplomatic relations, but it did sometimes have neutral transitional periods when newly conquered territories would send opposing officials back and forth and were considered separate while being integrated. So you could always have it as a kind of official place that would be dramatic to the public, but in truth, mostly a place where Beings that want to visit you or seek your help could seek audience with you. It'd be nice for you to have your own place to meet Beings you like or invite them as guests to you for a while, especially if you'd treat them with music, without having to rely directly on Tide's hospitality. It's a different feeling when you invite someone to stay over a few days at Tide's or your own house. "

[Mirach]

Seeing that Erdel was probably looking for him, Senecio approached him. "I didn’t know you're already here, welcome," he said. "We were supposed to go on a trip but it seems it got delayed."

---

Svarik sat down under an olive tree to discuss the topic more comfortably. "I was taking inspiration from you in the idea of a big villa. I don’t want it to be empty when I'm not there. On the contrary, it could give a nice steady job to several people. What will the cooks do when I'm not there? Cook for those who can't afford a meal, of course. Who will occupy the rooms when I'm not there? Those who need shelter..."

[VisAnastasis]

" We were in a rush and you were sleeping, so it seems nobody told you yet... I'll fill you in, " Erdel replied to the man's statement, a little hesitant as, after not seeing each other for a while, with Senecio's respectful greeting, he wasn't sure how casually actor expects him to speak with him. " Shorter explanation - Sir Falcon kind of sent that Love God Eros on an errand in the capital. Longer version... Hmm... How much do you know about Being called Riversong? As briefly put as possible, he's been through a lot to help during Long Night and due to a curse under his hurt state he was actively dying from all that, and after a lot of trouble, the curse was lifted, but at a cost of a huge chunk of his soul tearing away from him and becoming an entity of its own, while Riversong fell asleep as a flower. Falcon sent Eros to wake him up, and since Riversong's and Death's bond is god damn drowning in overthinking on both sides, " Demon rolled his eyes - his gesture sarcastic, but his feelings reflecting a lot of compassion and sympathy. " Death has complicated feelings about him waking up. We talked with him a lot to reassure him, and he is doing better, I think, but Tide still stayed with him to cheer him up some more, and since the trip got delayed, it seemed to me he's planning to spend time with him for a while... "

---

Conrad smiled a little as the king spoke, sitting down beside him so they could speak.
" Svarik... First of all, I love you the very, very most... how can I not? Your motivations are so beautifully consistent and I know I can always rely on your impeccably kind intentions. That being said... " he put his hands together, and breathed in, trying to explain his issue as softly as he could. " Your biggest flaw of always overlooking that you are the king and that safety should be a big factor in your decisions never ceases to lowkey terrify me. Just like Demian kidnapped you and Senecio wanted to kill you, many people will want access to you for either revenge or to get something from you. So... how do you think a future would be Senecio would feel when you give him a perfect and easy way to come into the mansion where you're staying and live in one of the rooms thereby posing as someone poor and unfortunate? Do you think someone that really wants to get to you won't have the patience to wait or pay someone handsomely to wait for a perfect chance to do something sinister? I have a mansion headquarters myself, but only the most loyal to me live there, and while most of them don't have family and are unfortunate souls, I handpicked all of them - and anyone less loyal is distributed along with other headquarters. I always surround you with the most loyal people, but still, I'd not be even half as confident if all your food wasn't poisoned-checked all the time. You must never make a place where you plan to have a temporary home be a place where a lot of strangers circulate... those two must always be separate, and in the best case, your residences should be at classified locations, actually, in the worst case, your residence must be hardly accessible to strangers, " he glanced at Svarik seriously, as if trying to mark how important it is for him. " Giving steady jobs is important... but isn't it more exciting, anyway, to instead of merely employing couple cooks and cleaners, you employ people that'd coordinate and try to give other people jobs to help them out? How about we make a small humbler place for you and your guests of up to ten rooms, just simple and nice, without extravagance that Hans can just send cleaners to clean once in a while, without cooks, so we can just cook for ourselves - and instead build a place in the city that organizes and collects jobs, temporary shelter and food for people? If you are to fund and organize a public charity organisation of such or similar kind that helps the poor in the long term by giving them new chances rather than just feeding or sheltering them, you wouldn't have to worry about the political weight of it or strategic locations, as they'd not be out of touch rich and dramatic living places for a king - you could, ideally, actually build one in every city and be praised instead of seen as extravagant. Honestly, I am only as beloved in Underground despite my bad temper because I am an intent observer that is constantly matching up talents with jobs fit for them. So, I'm just saying, it would be nice if there were actual organisations that did that job for me, as I can't be in every city at the same time, and it's a bit much to leave such a big task to but couple people who mostly self-select themselves for that duty, like me and Hans. I really, really don't want you to officially share the roof with a bunch of unemployed desperate people who may feel a lot of money is worth it if they slip something in your food or kidnapping you may be worth it if they can get something important out of it? Like, sure, you'll always be protected, but why add on to existing trauma needlessly when we can just roast marshmallows and indulge in the absolute safety of our cosy smaller villa on our island fortress? There's not one thing as awesome as maximal safety... "

[Mirach]

"Ooookay..." Senecio murmured, wiping his eyes, looking a bit sleepy still. "I can’t say I understand fully, but I got the part that we don't have to hurry right now. I'll just grab some breakfast and go up to my room to make myself more presentable, do you mind coming with me to fill me in while I do that? Do you want something as well?"

---

Svarik sighed. "Yes, okay, I get it. I lost myself for a bit here..." he gestured at their surroundings, the people working in the orchards that welcomed them freely without knowing who they were. What you suggest sounds just fine."

[VisAnastasis]

" Uhhm, yes, by the way, Tide bid me tell you that he's finished sewing and embroidering the sleeping gown he promised you and that he wrapped it up in a cute sparkly bow and put it on your table in your room, along with some cookies, " Erdel couldn't help but smile lightly with the message he was told to pass on, and despite he tried to be respectfully neutral on the surface, Senecio could feel demon spoke with a softer feeling similar to anticipation. " So... just make sure you don't bring too much dessert when you're picking your meal. But yes, actually, I'd like to come with you. I don't know your plans for afterwards, but would you be available for a brief talk? " he bid with a little mischievous note in his smile. " Since Beings do a lot of those *deal* things, to stick to the customs, I'll fill you in with more details about events of today in exchange for a talk with you afterwards, how does that sound? "

---

" I'm sorry to spoil your mood... I didn't want to, but it's extremely important to me that you pay attention to your safety the most, " Conrad whispered quietly, not without regret. " I'm fine with letting you have fun and interact with people like this when you're undercover, and there's a minuscule chance for someone to recognize you - and even so, if we can get you some artefact that could change your appearance or something similar for a short while, it would be great, you'd need it more than me because I can reasonably defend myself in worst cases, " he sighed. " I am sorry... it's natural you don't get those things with the little experience you have because I shelter you a lot - but it is undeniable that ever since both I as underground lord and you as the king moved into my mansion full-time, attempts for the food to be poisoned or seeking for information on how to infiltrate the place has grown double than before. It's been a breeze controlling things because there are always at least two vampires checking all the food that comes in and because I am putting in extra measures, but it's a fact that for you not to think too much about the safety both of me and captain of the guard's Hall Merit have to jump through some hoops and loops. Strictly speaking, it is high enough liability to allow Orphanage to be in the same mansion as you, but that too is something I allowed because I first judged the pros outweigh the cons because I think it would be the best environment for Irden to grow up in, surrounded by many friends, since you're not that great with investing time in raising kids, and I want him to have many bonds to invest in and grow. But strictly speaking, having orphans grow up without too much care and in the splendour of the king's mansion only to have them have to one day move out and live in normal homes like normal people or take on normal jobs like cleaning or making things is certainly going to be a hurdle to adjust to after considering such whimsical life normal... not to speak of higher chance poor people may start abandoning their children more often in hopes they could have better future if they are noticed by the king... But honestly, I accepted your plea for that out of selfish reasons, for your happiness, for Irden's easier childhood, and for my happiness, too, " he revealed a little awkwardly. " While I may not look like it, and while I can't afford to have children of my own, I actually quite like them, as could be guessed, by how often I visited the Orphanage. I just love those kids a lot and it was always somewhat risky for me to visit them to bring them toys, and I judged it would be a fair risk to have them have some trouble adjusting later if I could spoil them before that, and visit them all the time under the guide of king's nobleman friend Conlaed Falcon. Watching children grow into capable adults, despite the political hurdle of it, will always be tempting enough for me to accept such a thing when you suggested it yourself... I just can't accept when you think of adult strangers in the same protective way because adults have more time to learn to be a reasonable threat - because honestly if I wanted to kill you, and you made a couple of mansions across the country where poor would live in your absence, I'd just pay a couple of assassins per mansion to infiltrate under the guise of poor helpless beggars and seek for liabilities in security and form plans for assassinations, and statistically, with such arrangements, there's no way I wouldn't have many decent chances to kill you as long as I have patience and money. Those two things are both risks, but one is a worthy risk while the other can just be avoided if we separate supporting the poor from building your local residences. "

[Mirach]

"Sure, but I won't unpack the sleeping gown in front of you," Senecio replied, taking a plate of scrambled eggs and a toast before heading to his room.

---

"I shouldn't be so bad at this," Svarik muttered. "I've spent ten years avoiding poeople who wanted to capture or kill me. Doing that while staying in one place is much different than doing it while wandering around. Should we go back to Sage's house?"

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel nodded but he seemed a little taken aback by that firm response, growing quieter. He didn't say anything until Senecio packed his plate and they headed to the actor's room and were alone.
" Uhmm... Just so we are clear, " he only spoke up hesitantly as he followed him. " We are over that brief ridiculous phase from when we stayed up late making Tide a gift - phase of you thinking * what if Tide likes Erdel more because he's so kind* and him thinking*what if Senecio likes Erdel more because he's supposedly hot*? You are just embarrassed by me seeing that gift, but you'd respond equally to any random person and aren't saying no because you're more uncomfortable with me than with other people personally, right?" he asked, not without a note of discomfort. " Because it seemed to me by how casually Tide treated me that you guys have gotten over those things a while ago, but I'd feel uncomfortable being alone with you in your bedroom if I'd get a headache of you and Tide doubting each other later. Honestly, I am not in that great place mentally right now, and I'm not sure how much imaginary conflict I can take... "


---


" Constantly moving instead of putting a pin on the map with your most frequent location makes a big difference, yes... Besides that, you were a great thorn in the country's eye as a Derhain that got away, but it also meant that you didn't have enough political power to be a threat enough to most people other than priests to want to kill you with high enough passion to spend money on it. Now that you are a harbinger of new changes as a king and that we are aiming for a lot of reforms like making life safer for kids at the theathre scenes, statistically, even for that one law change, and even more for many similar ones, a number of rich people that want you dead so you can't change the status quo will begin to grow over time, " Conrad whispered quietly, not without regret, as, being someone who was driving force behind a lot of increasing changes, he seemed to feel partially responsible for growing danger. " We can return to Sage's house if you'd like, or we can do something else, anything you want. I... feel like I've ruined your fun with reality, I am honestly feeling quite bad about restricting you so much after I just told you to have anything you want, but I had to stop short of allowing you to invite assassins to live rent-free in your houses. Optimistically, I'd rather like to myself, too, come to those houses and stay with you for a few days every now and then, and have some privacy and feel like I can fall asleep without constantly worrying you may die or pulling one-nighters... "

[Mirach]

"Oh, no, we're absolutely past that," Senecio said. "I just want some private time in front of a mirror for unpacking the present."

---

"I get it. And I think we could return now, since we went to look fir houses and already decided on the island. I really enjoyed this trip, though."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh... thank Beings. Because I'm also absolutely past people assuming that time plus close bond will always end up with unrequited pining or whatnot and that just because I want close bonds I'm bound to eventually date someone... It'd be exhausting to deal with such doubts for no fault of my own, " he sighed, and indeed, the actor could feel the vampire relax a little again, with relief. " I'll trust you about it for now, though, just to warn you, Tide was boasting that your gift turned out really cute and cosy, so I'm not sure how seductive you can expect it to be... So just make sure to manage your expectations. So, as to what happened while you slept, let me fill you in more properly now, so you know what to expect in the next day or so, " he replied more openly and readily again, and as they walked, indeed, to the best of his ability, he explained about the circumstances of Riversong's and Death current status, marginally mentioning events needed for context, but explaining it more in a way he understood it, of how they were close once before the war, but how the loss of fairies and start to war left many cracks in their bond that were filled with doubts and obsession, and how both at different times led a human life each to escape from the reality of their situation, with Riversong doing it just recently. He explained the consequences of it, along with the curse that was finally lifted, and he explained how Sir Falcon sent Eros's feather to the capital through animal messenger, and thanks to it Being went to the city and is currently working on waking Riversong up.


---

" To be honest, I had a lot of fun, too... Capital is my home, but it's rare I can afford to lower my guard a little during the day, and it's an even rarer joy to laze around without high purposes and just enjoy watching a wild Svarik in his natural habitat, " Conrad couldn't help but smile mischievously with it. " Thank gods we're going with the safe island route, and not * invite strangers to live in royal residences* route, though... I may feel guilty about stopping you in your tracks, but I'm so happy I have the freedom to stop you because usually, emperors would be surrounded by yes-men that'd do all orders, even alarming ones, under fear of being punished or have their loyalty doubted, even if it'd make everyone's life more unfortunate. I'm really happy we can have talks like these. And hey... You compromised enough by accepting my reasons without trying to work around it, so tell me if there's anything you want me to compromise around this, okay? " he said as he was standing up. " Naturally, I may hold my right to stop you if you somehow pick some spot right next to some assassin's guild or something of ridiculous bad luck like that, but actually, if not house around, I'd really love you to pick a place where you'd like to build that island. We've seen quite lovely scenery since we came to the sea, is there any spot where you think an island would feel cool to have? "

[Mirach]

"Oh I know it’s going to be cute," Senecio said to the remark still in the hall. "I would feel less awkward of it were seductive. I'd certainly be less hesitant about an audience."

Then he ate, brushed his hair and did his makeuo while Erdel explained the situation. "Alright, so Tide has it under control, yes?" he asked then.

----

"If we still have time, we could go for a ride along the shore to look for nice spots for an island," Svarik agreed.