Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

While Demon tried to keep the scale smaller, there was care and attention to every thing he prepared. There was a little table set up, with a lovely embroidered tablecloth, three cakes, candles, and beautifully positioned refreshments and little cookie snacks. He used inspiration from many storybooks he was consulting in recent days. Three confused children were the most out of place thing in the scenery, as they tried to smile and spoke politely, but sitting on comfortable nice chairs, surrounded by such bright dazzling sight was clearly not something they knew how to respond to. When they picked today as their birthday, they very clearly just tried to not make big deal out of it and burden him with it, but now that their plan clearly failed, they seemed unsure how to act. Erdel wasn't there, as it seemed he made calculations and choose to go support Senecio instead, but Xia was there. She was quieter, as usual those days, but it seemed she took what was asked of her very seriously, understanding the anxiety of the children, and she was currently sitting in lap of the youngest child in the form of a kitten, purring to soothe him.
When the group arrived, Janus was carefully setting tableware and putting forks and folding napkins to the side, and he seemed very pleased to see them all come, greeting them warmly as they came closer and bowing his head slightly in thanks. Children indeed seemed to be a little taken aback by sight of a tall and unusual looking Alpha, but since they were seeing their Master every day, and since there were many Beings wondering the theatre these days, they seemed more used to such sights and tried to not appear too affected, although the sight of dark stranger looming tall above them seemed to subconsciously leave them on pins and needles without them realizing it.

---

Now that he was doing better, others worried for him less and were more able to focus on his performance and enjoy it instead. Among approval from Beings gathered up, Senecio could feel Tide and Hans's relief and pride. Erdel, who was watching the play for the first time, wasn't really able to enjoy it much on first rehearsal try, since he was so focused on observing if Senecio is panicking, but this time around, he could relax a bit more, and he seemed genuinely impressed at the acting around some parts. As for Janus, likewise, while he did listen to it from below the stage and would pay attention from time to time, this was his first time watching things from the perspective of the audience and seeing Senecio act fully, instead of just watching snipets here and there when he would have to follow cue for mechanisms. His feelings were quiet and timid, but held a very pure and simple admiration for Senecio'scraft, as admiring things visually seemed like one of few things he was able to do with his senses, and he would smile a little bit here and there, especially at parts where he would sing on Spirit language, as it seemed, judging by Beings reaction, too, that Senecio sang and got the accent really well and added lot of dazzling flair to the songs that was pleasing to Being ear.

[Mirach]

"Hello," Svarik greeted them with a joyful expression. "Happy birthday! This is Alpha, I hope you don't mind me inviting him? He doesn't need to stay if you don't want him to. Are we waiting for anyone else or can we get to the presents?"

---

Senecio enjoyed being admired, and with the feelings he could perceive, he soon felt even more confident and enjoyed being on stage. That feeling lasted him until the break, when the anxiety came back because it was a part where he was in the background for longer portions of the story, and couldn't focus on acting to override the anxiety of the role that he played for the last time while he was dying. "I think I need a cup of tea," he told Erdel as soon as the break started. "And a hiding place. I'm going down to Janus. Can you check if he's there or still in the audience, please?"

[VisAnastasis]

" No... It is okay if he stays... of course... " Emmet, who was oldest, spoke up, as if not wanting to cause misunderstandings. Even though it was clear they would not likely refuse Janus's guests even if they disagreed, because they had trouble refusing, they did not seem like they had strong opinions about Star being present - it more seemed like a reflex and instinctive response rising from bad experiences, as their master bringing in strangers to them had never never a good thing before. But it didn't seem they had too strong an aversion to Alpha himself, more like instinctive apprehension to the unfamiliar yet familiar situation. But it seemed they already felt a lot better when tall Demon sat down docily on one of the chairs, Creature who could read the room masterfully hid if it felt any pain with the response, and instead, it was cheerfully commenting on how cute tableware and cakes looked, turning one of the rose napkins into his hands, so, with him not paying too direct attention to them, they seemed to slowly begin relaxing a little.

---

In the meantime, Janus seemed to have passed from the corner closer to the main entrance to one closer to the door of the basement level. Erdel didn't even have to search for him, with how used he must have been to scents of people he would spend a bit of time with. He just turned to the old Being, shyly pointed to the actor, and made a gesture with his hands, as if drinking from a cup. Janus's face brightened up a little as if he was content he could get Senecio out of the stage, even for a moment - while he did enjoy the performance, now that break was happening, he was clearly quite apprehensive whenever some of the theatre staff he didn't trust would walk around Senecio. He waved to the actor, as if trying to coax him to join him, before any humans could trap him with conversations.
He wasn't sure what words of comfort to offer him, though, as he probably did not want to say empty platitudes, and knew what Senecio is going through is raw and complex. So, he didn't try to offer empty words. Instead, as soon as he unlocked the basement and they went inside, he lit soothing lights inside, carefully freed the armchair for him and put a warm comforting blanket on it, placed roses folder from napkins in front of him, along with pastries and cookies he brought, and then he took out the cooking utensils, and carefully put down the water in a pot so he could brew tea.

[Mirach]

"Thank you. You know, everyone appreciates a nice party, I'm glad we could come to yours," Svarik said, trying to subtly make them feel that the party is a nice excuse to hang out together, not something just for their sake. "Do you want to unwrap the presents? I don’t know if any of you had a proper birthday party before, it usually starts with the presents, so you can try them out during the party, and then cake when it seems the right time for it."

---

Senecio sank into the armchair and sighed tiredly. "Thank you, I really need a moment," he said.

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, it seemed children had no idea what they should do and when, never celebrating it before, and Janus was also basically reinventing his own idea of birthdays by following storybook illustrations, so he wasn't of much help when it came to actually starting things, not just setting the scenery. Thankfully, Svarik's and Alpha's casual attitudes, as well as presents were finally distracting enough to loosen their nervousness a little bit.

The first gifts they opened were Janus's boxes. It was hard for them to keep straight faces when browsing through boxes filled with not one toy, but packed with useful things instead, each one reflecting time Janus put into thinking what would be helpful for them, even if not always following a common way of thinking. They tried their best to look bright and thank him, but it was clear to people that had more experience reading expressions than him that Emmet especially was trying his best not to cry when turning hundreds of little folded roses. Luckily, there were other presents to draw attention to, because if they were only left lingering on countless useful little things Demon carefully prepared, there would definitely be some tears.

Luckily, colorful bright rest of the boxes were enough to offset the focus from things Janus got them and make them little more cheerful. Packaging was the first thing that caught their eyes, with how unusual and sparkly it was, but they were really surprised with the variety and kinds of gifts. They were a little embarrassed and unsure about plushies, but they did not refuse them, colourful books and mechanical gadgets were very interesting to them, and they chipped in a bit more loudly when they tried to figure out how something worked. But most of all, they seemed to be pleased with board games, and then with instruments. Both Svarik and Alpha were right, about giving them something they could do with Janus, instead of just for themselves, as it must have been growing increasingly hard to be provided for without being able to do anything in turn. They were unsure when observing instruments at first, but when Alpha explained subtly that Janus likes music and that it would be nice if they could learn to play something together with him, they immediately got more interested. Janus didn't want to frown or lie in front of kids, but he did not confirm Alha's words either, and he was conflicted when observing the violin he was given, and even children could clearly see in the sad eyes of old Being, how he was weighing out the time learning instruments would take from earning food, tempted to be irresponsible, turning the violin in his hands wonderingly, lost in thought for a moment. Emmet especially, while quietly watching him from the side, was gripping the lyre he picked tighter, turning it in his hands. He never held such things, and he clearly didn't know what he was doing or even had the luxury to think about it, but it was clear by determination in his eyes that he wanted to give his best, even if he was not too confident, picking lyre because it seemed most realistic for him to be able to learn with his hand difficulties.


---

" I wished I could give you more than just a moment of my time... but if it's just the moment you need, at least I have plenty of those, " Being smiled faintly. Anew, it did not try to offer any empty words of sympathy, reassuring him about what he could, instead. " In any case, I gave you the key... you can always come and hide yourself here, even when I am not around. I can teach you how to use my instruments here to brew yourself tea whenever you feel like it, too... but for now, there is no need to think about technicalities too much. Let me just serve you without teaching you anything redundant. What kind of tea would you like today, and how much honey or sugar? I am trying to learn as many varieties as I can, so you don't get bored over time, " he coughed shyly.  " So far, I know how to make black tea with milk, green tea, mint, cinnamon, rosehip and chamomile teas... "

[Mirach]

"If you want to learn, I can teach you a bit when I am here, and I think Alpha would be willing to teach you, too," Svarik said. "But now, let's have the cake. You should blow the candles together, and while you do, you can make a wish. But do not tell anyone, it'đ your secret. Then we can cut the cake."

---

"Green, with one speen of honey," Senecio said. "I suppose it's not complicted, but your instruments look complicated, so I'll only touch them after you show me how.:  

[VisAnastasis]

Emmet smiled a little with his words, putting all his willpower into keeping a collected face and not showing his turmoil, not wanting Janus to misunderstand they were not happy about his efforts, despite all of this being so out of their expectations that it was hard to know how to feel.
" You... brought us so much... the least you can do is eat plenty of cake. Please, have as much as you like, " he told their guests, trying to take the initiative, as he understood Janus was out of his element in the procedure where he knew no steps. He wanted to make it easier for him and make sure the party he put so much heart into is a success. When he was searching for what to light candles with, Janus still did timidly stand up and carefully lit them using some small artefact he had, and, despite trying to go through it to fulfil his expectations, it was hard not to be a little swept in the atmosphere, by bright soothing candles and the gifts and talk, in a magical little garden gathering. Emmet especially took a little longer to think about his wish, looking a little awkward as he blew the candles. He was still lost in thought after it, but he was clearly determined to make it worth coming for their guests, and he took it upon himself to cut the cake, clearly having practised a lot with his prostetics to be able to do small tasks like this. He was asking everyone for preference, and because cakes were so large and varied, he was able to give everyone plentiful plates, filling them up with cakes, small cookies and folded napkins to the side warmly, relieved he can give them something good in exchange, even though he knew it was nowhere near how much they spent on the gifts.

---

" I can show you how anytime you like, I just wouldn't like to trouble you now, when you've having enough thoughts to consider... They look complicated, but are not really that hard to learn to use, as long as you don't use them for more delicate work, " the creature explained, while turning some things, chipping in with a little bigger smile, as he clearly loved talking about things he made, as, despite his circumstances, creating things was clearly sentimental matter close to his heart, that brought him joy, although feeble, in his complicated state of frail health. " It would be a waste of time to create simple utensils only for cooking, that would be less precise and less convenient to use... This is a set of utensils I use when I have to handle chemicals. In my line of work, there's lot of specialised knowledge required, and I often need certain elements to be warmed up or cooled to just the right, precise temperature, for chemical reactions I want to happen... just like you need exact precise temperature for tea water to boil. That's why there's no reason for me to not use a utensil where I can set temperatures and conditions just to my liking, instead of relying on estimations and watching the water and hoping I don't overcook or undercook something. I can not judge if something is right by taste, so I must follow exact instructions and numbers... " he explained, gently pointing to one part of the mechanism with what seemed like an information plate. " You can set exact conditions here. It is quite easy to set conditions when the temperature is the only thing you have to set. You just have to input a couple of runes, so as long as you know ten runes for ten numbers, setting the temperature is very easy for you, " he smiled a little softer, as if pleased he found a chance to add a compliment, putting it simply and sincerely, with a timid sprinkle of shy admiration. "  You learned the whole Spirit language song with perfect intonations in such a short time and fit just the right dialect and gestures fit for a traditional Spirit court dance that follows it as if you copied it straight from the ancient Court, I have no doubt learning a couple of runes and how to set them would be so easy you'll barely call it an effort, Senecio. Things tied to Beings seem to come exceedingly easy to you. "

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Svarik smiled as Emmet gave him a plate with the cake. "By the way, this is your party, so that means you can do anything you want. Like, if you want to get a break from all of us and go check that lovelt treehouse, you can. Or you can take your cake and it it there, if you want. There are no obligations, really."

---

Senecio wrapped himself in the blanket getting more cozy in the armchair. "That doesn't sound too hard, although I'm not going to learn it right now. By the way, you're not using the same vessel for heating chemical and making tea, right? Just making sure..."

[VisAnastasis]

Children were reluctant, and it took a bit more coaxing, but they slowly got around to it, perhaps because it wasn't frames as playing, but checking out something new they were curious about, that until now they could only come across in orphanage books. After a while, Melody and Alpha managed to coax the two youngest ones to go to the tree house, Melody climbing to the top part with great view, and teaching one child to play music there, and Alpha playing lyre casually while swinging the youngest one on a swing. The kids only got brave enough to go explore when Janus stepped in to follow to the side though, as even though the guests seemed nice, they seemed reluctant to follow strangers to more secluded location. Despite Demon did not seem to get from the context that that they were more reassured when he was around, it seemed he mostly followed with an intention to make sure they aren't lacking anything, observing around the tree house mostly as he did so, as if trying to analyze if there are more things he should add for them alter.

His clueless attitude about his importance seemed to warm Emmet's troubled heart a little, and he was smiling frailly whenever he would glance at the peculiar group. He knew it was all just a ruse to make them play, and he knew he wouldn't be good at pretending to when he knew it already, and instead, he stayed at the table to make sure Conrad and Svarik aren't lacking anything, refilling their cups with drinks and ice that Janus probably made to match some children illustration that was from the storybook set in summer - thankfully, coast was warm even in early months, so it was perfect time for an icy drink.

---

" Oh, no, of course not, "the creature chuckled lightly, its face bubbling up with a little shy smile, as it seemed to relax more and some of its pensive worries were calmed as it watched Senecio wrapped up cosily in an armchair. " I would never dare risk poison you, you know... I would rather perish than give you anything even a little contaminated, suspicious and spoiled. Everything I give you and the children, made or store-bought,  passed through rigorous tests for safety, " he reassured him, while adding herbs to the tea and mixing up the honey, as he did so, gently nudging the teacup, along with pastries and cookies, toward the actor. " Whenever instruments I have are important to work, I make a couple of backup copies. I would be quite awful, if I only had one, and had to stop working if it broke and needed rare materials to be fixed. So, for important things, I have spares. I took one of the spares I hadn't used in couple of decades, did maintenance, deep cleaning, disinfection, and so on. I deep clean it after every use, too. I don't even put regular tap water, I deep clear it from heavy minerals before use. You are probably drinking the purest tea in the country, excluding tea made from Silver Simbel's waters - supernatural teas are their own category. And on the same level as the teas made from water in the mansion, I built a very rigorous water clearing system into it, so Tide and Hans's human companions and guests living there don't get sick easily. "

[Mirach]

Svarik made sure that Emmet's cup and plate were also full, and tried to engage him in a ligt talk, curious about how his mechanical hand works and how it feels.

---

"Really? I was wondering why the tea tastes better," Senecio said, but then didn't speak more, using some time to quietly relax.

[VisAnastasis]

It seemed Emmet was relieved he could do something for him, even if it was merely showing him how it worked - he wanted to be a good host and treat them well, but it was obvious he did not know how to hold a conversation well, as he lacked practice. He clearly had a tone of someone who is used to entertaining quests, but not by conversation, so he was very much out of his element at first, struggling to figure out what to talk about beyond general greetings, but thankfully, since it was tied to mechanics, even if he knew little, he was able to explain a bit and show how it worked to Svarik. He had a complicated and thoughtful look when using it, as it seemed to have been a source of lot of conflicting feelings, but beyond that, Meadow King could truly see the difference in him, now that he had it, compared to before. He was clearly a little more confident that his limitations were cut down so drastically, and he must have been in a lot of pain every day before, and now that Svarik cut down the damaged fingers and healed what remained, and he ate better and was taken care of properly in the meantime, he was timid but clearly more energetic, his face less sickly and pale. He was clearly clumsy and inexperienced in speaking about simple, mundane things, but it seemed he felt great thankfulness to Svarik, and despite being barely successful, he tried to keep the conversation going naturally with all that he could.

---

Janus double-checked if he had enough tea and refreshments. He analysed the table before he reached for the small handbag - it seemed he had a spare small pocket dimension that only held smaller things there that he used temporarily, after borrowing the main bag with his temple to Svarik. He reached for it, and took out two items. One was a tiny circular artefact, and the other was a custom music box. He gently placed them in the middle of the table.

" Controller has two buttons, where you can remotely set colour and intensity of lights in the room, so you can make it of colour and intensity you like without standing up. As for the self-playing music box, I built it to stand on the table here... I thought you and the children might feel bothered by the sounds of silence in case you come here alone, or if I don't maintain the conversation well... I made it so that I can addmore buttons for specific people as feels appropriate... For start, I felt free to put five, for you and the children. Each of the children along with little Xia has their button, and this one is yours, " he just explained simply and pointed to the little drawing - it seemed he drew pictures that he associated with each of the children on the buttons, and for Senecio, he drew a lovely thorny silver rose. " Each button has ten songs tied to it, so you can press your button to shift through your songs when you feel like it. I choose the ten by my discretion, based on the ten most popular current music box tracks, but I plan to customise songs per your taste, so as you figure out what kind of music you would like on it, tell me, and I'll be updating them as you provide me with feedback, " he merely informed him it was an option but did not make him either change lights or play music if he didn't feel like it.

He fell silent, and so the actor wouldn't feel uncomfortable being the only one that drinks while he was unable to, he pulled out one of the children's storybooks from his bag, and quietly leaned back and began reading, though it seemed more like reading for research than reading for sake of content, as he would often pause and write some notes aside while he read.

[Mirach]

Svarik encouraged him to talk about the mechanisms, finding it fascinating how it can help people, hoping to eventually make a deal for a new leg for Mole. He also asked Emmet for tips about how to get Janus to accept something. But he did not want to make the boy feel like he has to talk or do something for them all the time, so he turned to Conrad to give him a break. "I have a present for you, too. Just a little something to remember yesterday..." He took out the little plush dog he got, not hiding from Emmet the fact that he was giving Conrad a plushie, too.

---

"What an interesting music box,"  Senecio said. "I would prefer silence now, but I'll check it out next time." He drank his tea slowly, and it seemed he was quite comfortable with just sitting in silence with Janus. WHen he finished the cup, he took a dee breath nd stood up. "I should go, the second part is starting soon," he said.

[VisAnastasis]

Perhaps because it wasn't a priority to act stoic and hide his true feelings, or perhaps because the light of the last few days still hadn't faded from his eyes, Conrad's face was much more eloquent in the last days. He looked embarrassed but touched, and there was no pretence when he immediately reached for the little plush, shyly but eagerly.
" I thought you were so sleepy you'd forget half of our talk... You've grown more mischievous, my sun. It suits you, " he couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. He bought Svarik couple of stuffed toys in the past, like a big unicorn plushie, but he seemed strangely sentimental about being on the receiving end, and his next casual comment revealed why. " Only you and Melody would think plushies are a perfect gift for a gloomy person like me... and you know what - thank you. I have been only getting weapons and books as gifts as far as I can remember, and never got any of those cute bastards. Sure, it was because I was stubborn and looked down on such things and would throw a fit and demand to be given more books instead... but it is natural I could not always make good choices just because I was a little bit smart for my age. Getting plushies is long overdue, but it would be useless to have one when I was young and had no desire for such things, so in a way, perhaps I could say it arrived just in time, " he proclaimed proudly while turning the little thing in his hands playfully, as if trying to engrave the soothing texture in his memory of the last few days.

It was clearly written on his face that he was observing it fondly, not because he was trying to send a message to Emmet, but out of his contentment. Maybe that sincerity was why this Svarik and Conrad's little exchange seemed to leave a deeper impression on Emmet than the way they skilfully swayed others to explore the treehouse with tactful words and acts. Coaxing didn't work on him, but sincerity seemed to leave a little dent.
He grew quiet where he had spoken a lot before, and he reached for his own plushie for the first time since he got it, observing it thoughtfully, a little more withdrawn. He watched it wonderingly, with just a little bit of bitterness, as it seemed he felt a little envious of Conrad, for being able to rationalise so clearly something he was struggling with.

---

" I'll go with you, " Janus said simply, neatly folding the book aside and standing up. " It is nice seeing your craft, and you and Hans truly made a lovely little world, from costumes and music and words... it is nice to witness, even when it is sad. Your work is very good... but even if you did very poorly, and even if I don't know how to offer support properly, I'd still go up to see it until the end. Hans lowered their numbers as much as he reasonably could, but there are still too many humans present... untrustworthy humans who are eyeing the children whenever I am not looking, and talking about you with envious dark hearts. It is important for people that think well of you to be present, to balance the overall ratio... " he said gently, timidly, in his way trying to say that he wanted to be there to support him, regardless of how little help he was or not. They left the basement level together, and he locked the door behind them, like he promised, letting actor reunite with Tide, Hans and Erdel who awaited him, while he stayed in his corner, watching from a safe distance.

[Mirach]

"Books are great, but sometimes you just need a hug a soft thing, and a live one might not be available," Svarik smiled softly.

---

"Theatre is still a job," Senecio said. "You can't just replace people who are good at their job just because you don't like them - or they don't like you - as long as they don't act upon that dislike and keep doing their job well. If they do the smallest untoward thing though, we will get them fired." He joined the others and nodded slightly. "I think I'm ready," he murmured.

[VisAnastasis]

A little the words, and even more, the soft smile, seemed to prickle Emmet's conscience. While he tried to keep a cheerful face for his guests, his expression turned a little pained, and guilty.
" I apologise... I wish I could give you the excitement and joy you hope for... But you are my benefactors. It would be patronising, if I tried to deceive you with empty words, " he whispered so quietly that Janus could not hear by accident, not daring to look up. " I don't feel the joy you hope for. But please, believe me, my appreciation is genuine... "
Falcon, who was torn from his toy by the comment, bit his lip a little, as he felt his comments may have poured some salt in the wound where he was merely trying to be more open about his feelings before Svarik.
" You don't have to think so deeply about it, you know. We got a lot of things, so that statistically some of them will have to be good picks. It's fine if you don't like all the gifts, you can just keep what you do like and do with others whatever you want. It's up to you whatever you do, you can let it collect dust, or sell it, or throw it away..."
"No, " Emmet raised his head up more abruptly, shaking it, as if it would indeed be a sin. He bit his lip with guilty conscience, as he admitted. " I mean... Unlucky circumstances don't consider one's preferences, so if I ended up on the streets, I would naturally have to sell what I could whether I wanted to or not. I just wish I could see it the way that you do. Rather than indifferent matter... to me, it is incomprehensible, " he admitted quietly. " I do not understand... why people would feel happy to get such expensive things, that resell poorly in emergencies, and have no function other than looking pretty on the shelf or soft when you touch it... Useful things can be pretty, and blankets can be soft... "
" There's no reason to overthink it so much, or to just to have useful things. It is fine if you buy lot of useless things and hoard them. I am impulsively buying flutes whenever I see a flute shop, so i can give them as gifts to Svarik and Melody all the time myself, " Falcon coughed innocently, trying to lighten up the mood. " Buying useless things just because one feels like it is best part of adulthood, because nobody can stop you. "
" I ... see. I guess... there are certain thoughts that people can only think if they feel they are in a secure enough position to spend money frivolously, " it didn't seem that he realised he was speaking bluntly, as it seemed he tried to share his genuine feelings, as it was least he could offer them, for their sincerity. " I do not know... You strike me as the kind of people that have skills to earn their keep, no matter at what corner of the world you are tossed into, either with a sword or music... but you do not understand, how having no job skills.. well, at least no proper job skills, feels like, when you are... ageing out. I should have aged out last year, you know, but I was luckily, to be pretty enough and have high enough improver skills, to stay at the theatre. Janus... has a good heart, but he does not... understand the complexity of human life. He thinks he's protecting me, by cutting off other people when they try to getin touch with me. But I knew I was aging out, and I tried to build as many bridges as I could, so, if... when Guliermo throws me out, I'll have people to stay with... " "There was no smile upon his lips, as he spoke of it, as it seemed his likely future was bleak and no different from Senecio's when his father died and he had no adult to turn to, and as he had even less future prospects with his disability, his plan must had been to bounce between different men he could be with in exchange for taking him in. "  Choosing to give up on all the other ways out to placate Janus... It is just hard... knowing that if this whole thing fails, I essentially burned all my other bridges. It is hard to not have clouded sight. Maybe... once my eyes aren't clouded, I'll be able to thank you for this gift with a real smile. But I promise you, even... even if bad days come, it will definitely, definitely be the very last thing I ever sell... "

---

Tide didn't miss a chance to hug him lightly and kiss his cheek as he passed next to him. Hans patted his back lightly, trying not to cuddle him too much in front of others as he wasn't sure how much he'd like him to show affection publicly, but wanting to make sure he could feel his support, thinking intently warm thoughts that actor could perceive with his senses.
" Just remember, even if you feel like you have to stop in the middle of a scene, it's fine, I will handle the aftermath, " Spirit whispered, quietly but fiercely. " It doesn't matter if you ruin it or not. Just have fun if you can, if not, you can stop right away and I can exchange you and wrap up the day's work for you, so we can go out and have cake, " he reassured him anew, as for the whole day, radiating with a lot of sparks and being in his element when he was determined and protective of people he cared for.

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded thoughtfully. "I see... I'm sorry the presents don't really fit. I've just tried to help Janus in giving you something that you have missed, but you have outhgrown that safe box he would like to put you in. You are right, having indulgent things can't give you joy when you have no certainty in the future. Janus is teaching you how to operate and create mechanisms, right? When you can do that, you will be able to find well paying work easily, but before  you learn enough, there is a time when, if Janus were to leave suddenly, you don't yet know enough. He burned your old bridges, so let's figure out how to make some new ones, alright? To have the certainty of being able to make money, you can have two things. First is skills, which you are working on, but arent quite there yet. Another option is having money to start with. That's the adventage some people just have and others don't, but if you have money, you can invest them and make more money without even knowing how to do much. Or you can just have them, if you find investment too risky, as a safety net to give you time to get by for a few year that it would take to learn the skills you need to find the work you really want. I think it would be much easier to enjoy things now while knowing you have that, right? So let that be our actual birthday present. You dont need to tell Janus about it, if you don't want to. A thousand gold should be enough to get by comfortably for you and your two friends for five years of apprenticeship, right? If you want to invest them, Hans can give you a good advice about it. Well, it's not really a proper birthday present because I don't have it with me, so you'll have to wait for it for a little while until we come back. Which is stupid, I admit, to promise a present and make you anxious about actually getting it. Maybe if we wait until the end of the rehearsal, we can borrow it from Hans and give it back to him after we get back. Or we can talk to Sage instead, without having to wait. What do you think?" he turned to Conrad, intent on giving Emmet a proper birthday present that he could enjoy.

----

Senecio nodded a bit shakily. "I found that the repeating of the first act really helped. Maybe if we could repeat just some scenes once or twice, I can get over them. Could you maybe call for a repeat of the scene when I make this gesture?" he asked and curled his finger slightly and then srtetched them.

[VisAnastasis]

" N-no... Please... " Before Conrad had the chance to reply, the boy interrupted him, with a horrified expression, clutching his mechanic fingers tightly. " I am not a shameless person, to accept something like that. I am just a simple commoner... even if I were a prince, that big gift would be excessive. Not to even speak, that Janus is subtly hinting that he would like us to visit the capital, where we will be at your hospitality yet again... how much should we take from you, for you to be satisfied? " instead of hardness, he gave Svarik an extremely fragile, sad smile. " Why do you act as if you failed with my gift? All of this... it is just adding drops to a glass you already filled, " he waved his hand at the box he got. " You healed the kids. And for me... You do not know what the hell it was since I was 12... never being able to lift a glass of water or even walk without pain. Even a life of manual labour that requires fewer skills, would be out of my hands, due to my disabilities... Maybe it isn't certain, but for the first time, my future does not look bleak. Why do you act as if such a big gift isn't enough? "
" As I said, there's no reason to overthink it. You have two friends to look out for besides yourself, so what is swallowing a little pride compared to knowing you can take care of them if the situation changes? If you believe in the frivolous spending of nobility, can't you just see it that way? Just look at it as me buying this cute rascal an equivalent of a pricey flute. Platinium flute I have bought for his sceptre is less expensive than your gift, anyway, " he said while grinding lightly at Meadow King, and boy, momentarily dizzy with incomprehensible numbers, faltered a little, lowering his gaze.
" I... am not a shameless person, " he barely whispered, with heavy conflict in his voice. He clearly yearned for some safety in his unsafe life, but warped as it was, he had pride. Just like Alpha felt, it seemed like the biggest issue was being the receiving end of kindness but having not one thing to return it with, struggling pitifully. " Sure, it would be nice to have some guarantee we won't end up on streets, whether Janus leaves out of his will,  leaves because he gets in fight with someone in the theatre and is forced to go away, or if the whole conflict thing with the Spirit Kingdom forces him to run away... but... he keeps saying he wants to stay, and tries so hard... I don't want to disrespect him by doing something like this behind his back. I don't want to lose his trust, over temporary gain. And... I... do not know how much longer would I have means to, but you already did so much for me that you deserve to eat cake on my table until the day I die... but even if I fed you cake once a week for centuries, I could not pay back so much money... "
" Why not feed us a cake a week for however long you live in exchange, anyway? That could be fun too, more fun than just hoarding 1000 coins for us. We plan to often come to the sea, and it is not like we are strangers. We will see each other often when we visit Janus, so a friendly welcome over a long time is worth its weight in gold. But if you're burdened by the amount, how about this?  Look at it as emergency funds we are leaving at your discretion, so you have means to figure out situation if something unexpected happens. I can go and entrust the amount to the local lawyer's office for safekeeping, and you can take from it at your discretion, either if something bad happens if Janus leaves, or if you see someone in need, you can use some money to help out. So just look at it as an emergency fund for rainy or sad days, how about it? " Falcon tried to negotiate to give him an easier time to give into temptations, and it seemed it was making a bit more dent in boy's resolve, even though he looked sad still.
" You... are well-learned, so you'll always have an advantage over me when choosing words. But no matter what kind of word sophistry you use, it does not change the fact you just want to give me money I don't deserve... " he struggled with the concept. " I.. or the kids... are by no means special. There are many unfortunate people... in our industry. Acting like we are especially deserving of special treatment just... just because we had a little harder time compared to others... " he spoke such words, but still, his voice seemed thinner and trailer under the weight of memories and heavy shadows of the past. " It makes no sense to favor us and reward us, when we have no value or no merit to return it... "
" How about just looking at it as our investment into your future? Let's call it your scholarship. Whatever you do with it, play with it or burn it, let's say it is money we give you to give you peace of mind, so you can study in peace, and later return it, by inventing useful things for the kingdom, when you are more mature and learned person. You love making things, and your plate is too big, to be just tied to theatre work. If Janus teaches you, you'll become a great man anyway, and if he is forced to leave... you can use some of the money, to travel to capital, and seek us out. At that point, I'll discuss your options with you and kids, and make sure you pick and get best human education we can give you, to fulfill your true potential, " Falcon could not help but smile a little bit when Emmet's resolve crumpled up a little more and boy held his breath when Falcon mentioned such high things as dreams he long gave up on. He turned to Svarik for help. " I have already put through various schools and helped and employed many people as they graduated, the value of people that seek knowledge on society is much more than the monetary loss it takes to teach them. We are not helping a random sad person... we are just helping out a great man in the making, so it makes sense to spend more, so you can study comfortably. Besides, with that arrangement, you'd have both an emergency fund and promise of schooling and a job working for the country one day, if you're willing to - and are not those two bridges that we offer you much nicer than bridges you had to build so far? Are they not worth, abandoning the old trashy bridges without regret? "  

---

" Do not worry, for I am here, " Hans reassured him firmly, with a bit more softness in his voice. " Strict pedantic bossy nobleman owner is here at your service, to nitpick and repeat any lacking scene... I'll play my role perfectly and make sure to come up with proper critique so no one can complain, so just relax and play to your heart's content, our precious youngest, deal? " he spoke softly, not teasing him anymore with a child-parent relationship, as he learned about planned law change they wanted to use, but still not missing a chance to claim him, even if it was just a private whisper between the two of them still, not a public proclamation.

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded in agreement. "A present that you can't really enjoy is not a good present to me. And you can't really enjoy these presents until you have your peace of mind. The present is not actually money, you see. It's that certainty that even if something would happen, all of you will be cared for, so that you can enjoy the other presents and your birthday. I know the big sums are intimidating and hard to imagine. I get it, I used to go months witough having any coin in my hands, just playing for food and shelter, and suddenly I got this rascal buying me platinum flutes. Even now it's still a bit confusing, I have money but technically the money is the kingdom's, not mine. I did not earn them, it's just there and I happen to be the one responsible for it. So, a bit similar to you, but instead of a thousand gold, there is about hundred or thousand times more. It's not realy mine, but I also have to wear expensive clothes and have a golden carriage or whatever because people want to see that the king is rich, because then they can know that the kingdom is also rich. Which honeslty doesn't make a complete sense to me, but that's how things are, apparently. I need to show off a bit even if I don't like it. So would you accept the gift as a bit of showing off, maybe? Much more useful than buying a golden vase for a throne room, if you ask me. And if you say that you're not special and there are others who deserve it, I'll reply that it may be true, and I will try to take care of the others, too, when I get the chance. But you are right here, so I'm using the chance I have now. And you can tell Janus about it, of course. You don't have to keep it secret from him if you are worried about losing his trust. I'm sure he will get the concept of scholarship."

---

Senecio smiled and nodded, feeling more confident now that he had a means to stop a scene and do it from the beginning. With that feeling and with how well the fisrt half went on the second try, he stepped on the stage with only an unnoticeable moment of hesitation, and immediatley filled it with his presence like he did before the fateful play.

(OOC: in case you haven't checked it, I sent you the next chapter on Discord)

[VisAnastasis]

While he would not be allowed to be convinced by empty talks of how he was special and deserved it, being convinced like this seemed more successful - he would never accept it for nothing, but within a concept of scholarship, where it is assumed he'll pay back in some way, whether to them or the kingdom, he could consider it. It was much more natural thinking to a child who grew up not receiving anything without strings, as he always earned even little morsels he was given.
" I... guess... I will think about how is best, to explain the concept of scholarship to Janus, " he nodded, ever so slowly, timidly. "  I... can accept it, for now. Mister Janus pays us higher than the average theatre worker pay, so there's no need of using it up on peaceful days... so I will just keep it aside, for emergencies... or if I see someone that needs help. You like helping people, but like you said, you aren't always there to see things... My world is small, but for little I can see, I will try to use your scholarship to help others a bit... so you have a bit fewer people to worry about. That is the least I can do, as one of the people your eyes fell on this time. I... am not shameless. Untied to scholarship, in ideal circumstances where things don't suddenly take a wrong turn... I really did intend to find a way to somehow pay you back, for what you did for me until now. It's just that I have very little value now. But... I will try to increase it as much as I can... so that your investment in me is not useless, " finally slowly he was adding more accepting thoughts, adding his terms, nervously, but firmly, with frail, but clear buds of integrity. " If Janus is forced to leave... I will seek you out, and talk with you, to see what field of study would be of mostly help to you, and I'll continue to learn... everything, except weapons. Even if this whole thing lasts for a short while... Mister Janus's heart against weapons is so severe. I don't want to disrespect his help, by using his knowledge to build something he hates so deeply. So, anything else I can adjust to, as long as it's of help to you. I... do not know how much I will manage. Lot of things Janus says are fundamentally are, um... not easy. And I don't know how long this whole strange arrangement will last. No matter how long it lasts, I think... that I would like to stay with Mister Janus, while he is here. Even if he had worst personality, I would never find more knowledgeable master, but... Even if I learned everything he can offer in a single day, I still could not just leave. His personality... is a problem. The more he stays around people, the more they will see through his looks, and realize how much... of a pushover he is like, " he confided in them unexpectedly, with a genuine gentler streak of worry - it was clear by his expression that he worried for Demon as much as he was worried for the children. " He tries to act confident, but he very clearly just learned how to buy things, and he only vaguely mentioned that he tried getting things when natural trade existed when I asked him about it...  There is no way his priests did not just forbid him to trade things after he was swindled for a few times. Mister Janus... is too compassionate. He needs someone to guard him closely, or people will flock to take advantage of him. I am perfectly certain only reason he could keep a godly image for so long was that he didn't interact enough with his followers for them to see him for who he really is. So... so, if this thing somehow lasts, I will find a way to repay you still, but as long as he chooses to have me, I can not leave him. He... is terrified of people touching him, and he is anxious in crowds... yet still, he goes and buys us fresh bread and milk and vegetables every day at dawn, because he read fresh groceries are important. He saw people make shapes with bread... and he got the idea somehow that he should make us heart-shaped sandwiches, " despite he must have wanted the words to sound like he spoke of something absurd, it wasn't very convincing, because his lip was clearly trembling lightly. " His sincerity is too dazzling, in its excesiveness. I must make sure he is not taken advantage of for it, when more people realize he is not naturally scary and stern, but that his stern looks in the theatre are only so because he dislikes people there... "

---

Even if Death had a less active role in the second half when the war started, his presence was immensely important for the play, as it required lot of richness in expression and gestures where dialogues were fewer. Everyone who was in on it was very intent on their support though, and Hans diligently followed Senecio for the sign, and he would always find perfectly nitpicked reasons to repeat the scenes where needed. Erdel also noticed it soon, and, where he felt like he could do it without passing the lines and angering others too much, he would make small reasonable mistakes when Senecio would show the signal. To others it looked like the nervousness of a first-timer that was lacking, but determined to do well and always improved on second or third try. Still, whenever he'd apologise for messing up, despite his manners looking genuine and pitiful enough for others to feel too bad chastizing him, there was no actual regret behind his actions, so to Senecio it was clear Erdel was doing what he could to pull criticism to himself, to shield Senecio from the blame for repeated scenes, following the wish he expressed when they talked in the hallway before.


( OOC: Oh, nice! Thank you, I usually log in on Discord every few days to check some novel spoilers, so I wouldn't notice today :) I was curious how it was going as there wasn't update for a while, but I thought you may have had a writter's block, so I didn't want to put pressure <3 I'll reread the last two chapters, please do tell me when older chapters change, I keep latest English translations downloaded on a computer together with forum backups, so I can reread them easily when I'm offline <3

[Mirach]

"He's a precious one," Svarik said. "Thank you for keeping an eye o  him. He likes the protective role he took with you, but he also needs someone to unconspiciously guide him in the world. I really wonder about the relationship he had with his priests and what they were doing for him. Protecting him, on one hand, bur on the other, it seems like they were also restraining him from doing things. It would be interesting to find some records about them."

***

It started well, and Senecio was able to get through the first half and hour with just a few repetitions. But as the play progress through the parts where he was already feeling the effects of the poison, he was getting more anxious. He felt his throat constricting, and he started feeling a phantom pain as he wasn't able to discern memory from reality. He tried to pull through it, but he couldn't while he wasn't sure. Before he spiralled into panic, he managed to give the sign, so that when the play was stopped the could turn to Erdel like telling him something about his acting, but in truth, he asked him, lkke grasping a straw: "Can you smell anything wrong? Is everything fine?", while reaching towards him so that Erdel could pinch his hand as they agreed.

(OOC: not a writer's block, just a long chapter and very little time to write as the semester started :) The previous chapters used parts of what was already written, but since this one it's completely new. And nothing changed in the previous chapters, just the bits added after the asterisks near the end)

[VisAnastasis]

" " He did not talk too much about them. It seemed like a sad subject for him to remember... But from little I gathered, the more I think about it, the more I get an impression that they treated him... like a fragile creature in a temple-shaped cage. Carefully sheltering from the world so it doesn't hurt him, but also not letting him stray into any condition that may seem unfavourable, " Emmet shared his thoughts quietly, seeming more open and receptive when he could confide his worries and thoughts in someone, as he couldn't speak of those things with younger kids. " Mister Janus... does not really have the same kind of power people might imagine when thinking of a God, nor does he seem like a scary kind of person that would inspire people to bow to him, so I imagine it must have given his priests quite a headache, trying to make sure people don't grow doubts about his Godhood and authority due to how down to earth he is... "

" Simbel might be able to know more, but there are quite few records about his religion, as far as I know, from some general research I did in archives when researching Gods before Bull, " Conrad added. " In general, the name of God is recorded here and there, mostly in bills when it came to dealing with taxes and the relationship between White's church, but it seemed like a religion that was so old that it was common knowledge not worth writing about, so not much is written of any details of it and how it works. There are just many scattered titles and notes out of context, but it is much messier to categorise him, than is trickster God like Hans, or Sun God Solstice. It seemed like he just started operating and just gathered up functions along the way.... "

" That's pretty much what seemed to be the same, at least, from how mister Janus explained some of his titles, " Emmet seemed glad he was able to give them some insight in return for their kindness. " It seemed most of the things he was stemmed from practicality. He would build prostetics for people. He would be anxious that their houses would crumble, so he would help them calculate and build sturdy homes, to the point it was considered it was bad luck to build new home before you get his blessing on the house plans first. He took in a lot of disabled and misfortunate into his priesthood, giving them new change at life. Since he liked bread and bread is affordable to all, people would often give him bread from their first harvests to thank him for his help. And... In old days, it seems, minerals and ores were very hard to get and very precious... so he always reused as much materials as possible to help as many as possible, and on funerals of people he had build prostetics to, he would come to give condolences and collect the used prostetics, to remake them, and give them new life, so they could be reforged into prosthetics for someone new instead of rotting in the ground...  It was easy to see why he would become the God of beginnings and ends, and many little things in between.  It was dangerous for him during the Spirit wars, yes... but it seemed to me that from the start, his priests tried to steer him as much as they could, and direct the way in which he acted in front of his followers, so they would have less chance to see through his true nature. After all... who would revere and pray to and give offerings to a God that is just your friendly neighbourhood craftsman, that loves to fidget with cogs and gears when excited? God that is polite and thanks you for smallest things and forgives you when you rob him? God that jumps through the logic hoops to justify giving you things for free, that makes fun-shaped sandwiches, and plays the violin badly? How do you, a priest of such God, struggle each day to hide such nature so people keep taking your Deity seriously and don't take advantage of him? " Boy asked quietly and sadly, looking down on his new lyre. " He was a fish inside a birdcage... "

---

" If something was wrong, I would not wait until you asked for a break yourself, I would make a mistake in a scene and tell you of my suspicions right away, " Likewise, Erdel whispered to him calmly, so it seemed as if he was discussing Senecio's words and asking him for advice. He held onto his hand and made it seem like he was casually fixing up a ribbon along his sleeve while secretly pinching him to calm him down. He kept doing so, maintained eye contact, and spoke, with a gaze that other people could easily mistake for a grateful gaze of an extra. " What is there for you to worry about when your mysterious powerful Being helper is here? " he tried his best to not have his lips twitch too much upwards, as he proclaimed, despite seriousness of situation, not able to hide a little amusement. " Do you think, stubborn as your helper is, that if you ended up poisoned, that he would just not be healing you up continuously, until poison is all spent, as if it was never there? It would hurt like hell, but he can do it, so what is there, for my cute human fairytale protagonist to worry about? I am only limited by power of spite, and you know my spite is great. I refuse to give you permission to die, so you can't die today, even if you wanted to. So, what is there for you to worry about. When you death privilege is confiscated from the start, you might as well breathe, you adorable clueless bastard... "

( OOC: I see, I overlooked school starting anew so I wasn't sure ^^ I hope it is not too tiring to you, crossing fingers, I hope semester is starting well! I am sending you lot of luck and hugs and pocket luck, so new semester goes well! <3 and people, if I don't respond on same day in discord if you send new chapters, do send me reminder here, I get too many Discord notification from translation groups, so I usually turn notifications from mobile phone, because I need to make sure I don't miss work notification by accident, so I turned off all other notifications besides job ones from phone <3

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded. "It really seems like they were trying to fit him into the picture of a deity they imagined. The three of you are doing a really good job at letting him experience the world."

---

Senecio obeyed and just breathed, trying to believe what Erdel was telling him through the panicked feeling. The pain helped to ground him a bit as it was different and real, so finally he took a deep breath and nodded, trusting Erdel that there's nothing wrong.

[VisAnastasis]

It appeared Emmet wasn't thinking about it from that angle, and it seemed to encourage him a little bit - as Alpha said, it must have been getting impossible to not feel burdened, given just how hard Janus was trying, as one could only receive so much with a clear conscience.
" I guess... even if it makes him anxious... it suits him more. Going to buy bread and milk, instead of sitting by the shrine silently, with a serious face, listening to holy hymns, I mean, " he admitted thoughtfully. " He is so frightened... but it doesn't really seem like he actually hates being around people when he knows he is safe. He looked... almost happy, on the homewarming party. And it was surely not possible for someone with his looks to go out and casually walk among people most of the time, like humans would, in the old days, without drawing aggression. With his looks, I imagine Being would have no choice, but to either be seen as a Monster or a God. But Mister Tide and Hans have lived here for centuries, and there is almost always a non human or two here and there, so much that even us who barely went outside saw them now and then. I heard people are quite used to them here and in the Fourth city, so it is no wonder it is one of few places where people won't call guards immediately when they see him. It.. is nice, to see him be in high Spirits, over being able to accomplish all on his own such small and simple things we humans take for granted, like buying groceries... "

---

" Good job. Remember, only good things happen, when you follow instructions of Being helpers in fairy tales, so there's no reason not to follow the reliable trope, " Erdel smiled at him slightly, as if trying to coax him into a sense of security with a nice image of something he himself was fond of, trying to bring him nicer thought to focus on as they parted, bowing head lightly, as if to show to others he is thanking him for whatever advice actor supposedly gave him. " Remember, I already read your future lines by the hand, and your lifeline is ridiculously long. Would I, omnipotent helper as I am, lie to my sweet protagonist? Your long life is guaranteed, so use it as carelessly as you feel like. I've got your back. "

[Mirach]

"We are starting a bit of a collection of the in the capital, too, so I suppose soon people will be used to them there, as well. At least at Conad's mansion they already are, so you can come there without any worry about that," Svarik said.

---

Senecio nodded faintly. "Oh, and try acting with your hands more," he added, to actually give him an advice. "In this scene, you can reach towards them as if you wanted to do something, and then let your hand fall as you realize you can't." Then he nodded to Hans that they can continue the scene from the beginning.

[VisAnastasis]

Boy grinned more brightly, as if he was anxious to ask, but was worried about how safe it would actually be for non-human appearing Beings there.
" He keeps, extremely non subtly, hinting that capital and local Deity are quite nice to visit... so I have no doubt he will want us to go there when he judges the suitable time. But I was wondering if it is truly safe for him, or if it would be better for us to convince him not to go... "
" While it certainly didn't have as openly present peculiar people as there are here, people in the capital had shared general closer living space with Fallen Gods under Thief's command, even though they weren't seen often. So they are more open-minded to unusual sights to begin with, and you don't have to worry too much about the current generation... by now, our cute Local Deity is jumping all around playfully, with all his bright pink hair and Bringer of Good dreams whimsy, followed by the vampires who race around him to try to keep him on track of work instead of letting him stop by to strike conversation with every person that greets him, " Falcon could not help but smile a little more widely at the thought. " While Janus's look is a bit more intimidating compared to our cotton candy rascal, he's way less scary than old fallen Gods in the city memory, so as long as we keep an eye just in case, nothing bad should happen to him, right, Svarik? Moreover, we'll have, hm, long and proper talk with Sil Simbel. We have enjoyed a lot of your cake, we'll definitely make sure all you rascals are given all due respect when you visit us... "

---

Hans gave sign, and after some shifting and going back to the start, they set of to repeat the scene anew, Erdel indeed using the pointers Senecio gave him as well as he could - it would do no good if they used excuse that they stopped plah because of him, if he didn't get better, so he tried his best to improve with every take they had to take.