Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

" I would appreciate... if you don't deflect the subject after that. " Tide took a deep breath, but he wasn't the kind of person to force the conversation in this manner. He took back the pants, for a start, and he directed Death so they could put them on quickly, and then, he quietly put on his socks, and then also the nice booths Alpha made, tying the long elegant shoelaces carefully, being unusually quiet.

[Mirach]

Death stood up to try how it feels in the boots and rest of the clothes, streadying himself with Tide's help. 

[VisAnastasis]

Xia decided to stay on the bed quietly, not to hinder them, not drawing attention to herself, while Tide took his hands, guiding his steps - not that there was too much need for guidance - it seemed craftsmanship of boots was also top notch. While Alpha definitely wouldn't make boots of mine miles for a stranger he never met, as it would enable someone to jump high many miles, indeed, and it could be dangerous,  it seemed Being made the booths have same light effect of flow and lightness on Death as real boots of nine miles would on a human Senecio. He felt very easy on his feet, and while he was weak, it was still an ease and a pleasure to move. And even more strong and confusing was the strong soothing feeling of wearing the clothes, so warm and tender - indeed, like Tide described when he and Senecio opened the package, the touch of them upon bare skin felt intimate and the fabric feel to the touch like soothing lullaby sounds to a weary ear.

[Mirach]

For a moment, Death allowed himself to indulge in that. "It's quite nice, actually..." he murmured. "And what is this?" he asked, taking out the veil with the hairnet. 

[VisAnastasis]

" I think Senecio picked out a veil for you... He must have thought you would be more comfortable concealing your facial expressions. I wonder if it's enchanted too, he didn't mention anything more about it. " Tide whispered with a faint streak of curiousity." Would you... like to sit down while I put it on you? So you can look at the whole package when the mirror arrives... "

[Mirach]

"It looks nice..." Death murmured, sitting down slowly.

[VisAnastasis]

That brought a little faint, but sincere smile upon demon's lips.
" I am really proud of Senecio for this one. He really tried to fit your tastes and find something just right for you. There is even a cloak on the bottom of the package... I... Adore him. " He whispered, as he knelt before him. He slowly and gently put on the delicate hairpiece upon Death's face, and softly pulled a Veil over his face. Despite its detailed appearance, it wasn't heavy, it felt like but a feather, and it didn't hurt his neck to bear its weight. Actually, it was soft like breath, and fastened to a jeweled hairnet, so that if he feels like revealing his hair and being pretty, he can do that without showing his face, if he doesn't want to. It seemed Alpha could weave the hairnet out cobwebs, but make it soft like wool to the touch, and weave the soft morning dew into it so that it shimmers. He could make the Veil out of the mist and shadows - so that it appears vague and solid for people watching him, but that it does not obscure his vision from beneath it. He could sea Tide and everything clearly despite his face being obscured, just like he could see clearly when wearing Tide's mask. Instead of pearls, Alpha has woven winter raindrops for decorations, refreshing and soothing to gaze upon... it was really intricate.


But it seemed beside that, that peculiar Being tied in another free enchantment to it. It was subtle, and he had to focus, but... It seemed to be having a spell that could sense people's thoughts and through that sharpen one's intuition. When focused on people he couldn't feel too deep, but he could sense a bit of their intentions of feelings when looking at them through the fabric of the veil intently.

When he looked at Tide through the Veil, he could sense he felt protective and worried for him.

[Mirach]

"I'm not sure about this..." Death said uncertainly. "It seems to have some enchantment... feels almost like spying... I can sense how you feel, just a little. I feel like intruding..." He pulled the veil down from his face.

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh.. To be honest, I am more comfortable seeing your face in any case... From my side, the veil looks opaque, so I can't see you. " Tide whispered, frowning a little - he remained kneeling quietly in front of Death, and even without the Veil, while thoughtful, Death could see the worry on his face, and that he seemed unusually withdrawn. " Can you feel... deeper feelings... or just what the person is feeling right at that moment? Not all, but many demons are sensitive to feelings. Some to all, some to only a few feelings... " he explained quietly. " I, for example, out of choice of mine, maintain myself exclusively from happiness and positive feelings, so I am very sensitive about those, and can sense them in others, sometimes as if they're mine. It eases my heart when I can distinguish when people around me are really happy, or when it's just a pretence... So wouldn't you prefer it, actually? To know how people around you really feel, if a little? To be able to sense if anyone around you wants you ill? "he paused, before adding, giving proper weight to his words. " I... do not pretend anything. It is not intrusion if I give you permission, is it? I am not afraid of what you can see... "

[Mirach]

"It's just a faint feeling," Death said. "But in my case, I think I would prefer not knowing. Especially when my identity is revealed at some later time. Ignorance feels like a better option..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Why would it matter? It's not too I am going to make you confess or something." Tide grew thoughtful, not seeming to understand what is the problem." Actually... When I think about it, it might be perfect tool of learning for you. You are pretty mediocre at reading people's faces, as you don't socialize enough. But knowing it helps you know and you will be able to lead conversations better and learn faster... It's more like making up for a disability than spying. Everyone interprets people's emotions based on their expressions... But you don't do it well. I don't see a problem if it's just a faint feeling, the same one would get if he was perceptive toward others... To admit, actually... It's strange that Alpha would make such a distinct feature for someone whose preference he doesn't know. " He murmured thoughtfully." I am thinking - you said that when you hold souls of others, that you can feel all their feelings and pains and you understand them fully so you can heal them? It's most likely Alpha tailored the Veil to have effect shaped by your nature. So it's more like extension of your natural abilities, just in the material world. It sounds more like Alpha to give someone a little bonus of extending their ability to make them more confident. It's just a guess, but I assume if I wore the Veil it would aid me by letting me sea auras shaped like water or something like that that. It's an effect shaped by you. " He said shyly." You are a force of healing... It suits you, to understand people around you. If... If there wasn't a war and you didn't have to spend all your time with the burden of truth instead of joy of helping, I am sure you would have naturally developed those skills more... It stands to reason that after enough time of a proper life, your powers will manifest like this, anyway. Powers of Beings evolve according to their nature as they grow... I have grown plenty from the first time I became me, too..."

[Mirach]

"Could you try it, please?" Death asked. "If it's like that, not a new sense but just an aid, then it's okay... is it really so that other can do this and no permission is needed? I didn't know..."

[VisAnastasis]

" So... you didn't develop your natural affinity for sensing emotions... because you felt it was... rude? " Tide smiled slowly, as it seemed endearing to him. He slowly stood up, straightened out his dress, and sat down beside Death anew, tilting head to him. " Lot of demons are sensitive to emotions... asking them not to be is like asking them not to be a demon. It's like trying to demand from humans that they don't use their eyes. Sure, they could... but it would be against common sense, right? Unless they were bid to look away by someone who was terribly disfigured and ashamed of it, what harm is there to look? " he asked gently. " It's same for Listeners and Singers. They have deep insight into the world, and it is who they are. Could I tell little Svarik to stop perceiving the world as he does? Besides, there are different kinds of insights. It's one thing to just be able to observe and notice feelings. I can't feel other things, but I can sense joy and strong positive emotions, as I feed on them. It would be another thing if your sense was invading - if it brought discomfort or pain to people while you examined their feelings. " he shook his head. " I felt nothing, so what would be possible harm to me? Sure, some people may be uncomfortable knowing that, but you shouldn't cut off your wings for that. You have tremendous potential for good. From my experience, it really is weird that you didn't develop any stronger perception of the emotions of the living. It's one thing if you went around and forced everyone who was sad to be healed by you. It's one thing if, with how overwhelming your touch is, you insisted everyone hold your hands. You are... very considerate. " he whispered. " It pains me to think you are limiting yourself out of fear... At first, I could only sense other people's essences were like water. It began but as a new perception of the world to me, it's not like I randomly knew I can just bend souls. I'd never manage to get where I am now without exploring and working on my abilities. It makes no sense that a force of healing wouldn't be capable of way more than me. You probably have miles of potential to grow. In the core of cores, you are a force that comforts and makes people feel good. I am confident given proper time and mindset, you'd probably develop a skill to raise the mood of people around you, or give them a boost of energy with the touch. To distinguish feelings of everyone in the room, without even looking, or to see auras. To be able to heal from distance, without even touching someone - with your mind, not through contact, like me. So many things just need a really exact mindset. There're endless possibilities for you to grow... "

[Mirach]

"I think I was not willing to sense the world this way from fear it would be two-sided and I will reveal what was too dangerous to even think," Death said, knowing that Tide has experienced the gravitational trap that he built around himself instead of using that potential for reaching out.

[VisAnastasis]

" I agree. That's what I said - if it weren't for the war, I believe you'd have refined your abilities much more. " Tide replied earnestly, putting it more gently. " I am only speaking from my experience of working with other Beings, and from how I had seen you... You are smart, but you're a natural empath. You are a Spirit, so you don't need to feed on emotions to survive - but there is something you need but lack... I can not explain it in words properly, as I am only good with metaphors about food but... I can only call what I see in you starvation. " his eyes met Death's and he gave him a compassionate, but intent look. " It was hard to understand at first... But I think I get it now. What you feed on isn't on feelings or flesh of others... you feed off on giving to others. " he smiled a little, but the smile was grieved. " It is in your nature to be the sun that feeds the plants... But because of the war, you stripped yourself from that purpose and prevented your light from shining through. I have to be honest, I am happy if Veil can bring forth even a little bit of you out... Because you can't exist like this much longer. Loss of the whole soul layer was too big to blow to your stability... " he whispered. " If you don't express yourself more, I fear you may collapse under your own weight. It's a too heavy burden, to live against your nature, for a force of nature... But you do. You are starved... "  

[Mirach]

"I... when you put it like that... It does feel like you say..." Death murmured. "But how is the Veil supposed to help with that?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It seems to be able to draw out a bit of suppressed abilities of yours. Anything that helps draw out a bit more of your clenched mind is good, isn't it? You need to get out of that fake skin. Every little step is important... But the feeling of starvation is more important to address right now. I don't seem to be able to motivate you any other way... So how about with it? I will give you a little bit if you give me a little bit. " He whispered. " I will let you... Visit the room I spoke to you about. The one with black and white doors. Just a visit for a start. But in turn you have to talk openly with me. Please, tell me why you are feeling withdrawn right now..."

[Mirach]

Death bit his lip, turning to Xia. "Is it alright if I do?" he asked her. 

[VisAnastasis]

Xia needed a moment to comprehend fully what was the problem. Her ears lowered as it dawned on her.
" Speak... in that flowy language... that Xia can not understand. " was all she said, and she looked away and turned her head a little aside - she seemed withdrawn, this time not wanting to understand what they spoke this time,  as it was all too much and she could not bear to argue again and repeat it after things seemingly calmed down at least for now.

[Mirach]

"If you are sure..." Death said hesitantly. "If you would like to understand though, we can switch back, okay? Just say so."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide noticed something must have happened, and so he waited, not saying anything first, just watching them with concern.
" Xia... Wants not to hear any of those words again. " Was all little creature conveyed to him through the quiet whistle, not looking at them, avoiding their looks. " Xia... Just wants to be a good pillow right now. No talk." He said, unlike Death, seeming sure.

[Mirach]

Death sighed, wishing he could be a pillow too instead of talking about it again. Tiredly, he explained what happened between him and Xia. "She needs someone who would put her above everything else," he said. "And I don't feel I can be the one... I am afraid of being the one..." 

[VisAnastasis]

Tide listened to his explanation quietly, but intently, not interrupting him. If he was surprised by the unexpected development, his face didn't show it. He just sat at his side and kept silent, only speaking up when Death's voice trailed off.
" Those things are not a matter of objectivity... But feelings. Not a matter of what if, but a matter of what is. " he whispered, watching Death's hands quietly in thought." Once, when we barely met, I asked you why you trust Xia but not me, no matter how hard I try to prove myself. You said that she doesn't ask you questions like those, for a start. It was a sarcastic reply, but there is truth to it, isn't it?" He asked quietly." Silence between you two always was comfortable. You like being with her. You trust her intentions and protection... She is a Being made to protect, after all... But protect little Svarik, not you. Yet she choose you over Svarik today. She put you above everyone else... So surely, would you think it was just a mistake of hers to do so? I wouldn't. " he carefully pinpointed the issue." Whatever it is that she actually needs, It rather seemed to me that you were already were providing her with that, otherwise she wouldn't pick you in the first place... "

[Mirach]

"I don't think it was a mistake, but I wish it would be," Death said. "I don't like being someone's first choice. I'm afraid of it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... But I don't think you see the big picture. " Tide whispered slowly. " Demon's lives are driven by their feelings. She may look frail in her little forms, but she is as strong as her resolve. She wanted to protect us, so she flew without end for those days. That was the strenght of her care for us. She bounced back easily after rest. Knowing she protected us nourished her. She is so full of warmth... She won't grew corrupted for nothing at a blink of an eyes. But most of the time corruption is a slow fade. Accumilation of being not appreciated, unloved, alone, unwanted, or hurt and abandoned with no one to turn to. I know you worry for her... but she is not like your fairies, Death." Tide whispered quietly. " Is she is killed defending you whom.she loves... Yes, it's not ideal, but it's a trauma that can be overcome. But what about trauma of thinking someone loved you and loving that person back, only to be pushed away? The contradiction of desiring to stay with someone you love, and not wanting to stay with someone that's doesn't love you? It's torture. I wouldn't be able to stay with Senecio, no matter how much I adored him, if he didn't prove to me what we have was real. I know it's out of fear for her... But it's bad for her. It's much worse for her to be shunned, than to have to fight someone to protect you. After the fight one can be comforted... But how can someone be comforted in loneliness? You are only setting her on a path that leads to corruption... By accepting her company but not her Love. You have to either accept both or neither. It's too painful contradiction, to be neither accepted or not accepted. You can burn away in it... "