Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

Xia didn't understand, as they spoke Spirit language at her request, and she didn't acknowledge them, but Tide chuckled a little.
" I like you as I've met you on our journey. But I do expect something... If I displease you in any way, and you don't tell me like you didn't tell Riversong, I... am not sure if my liking of you won't grow clouded. " he whispered. " But... I will tell you when you do something that displeases me, so you can be clear about how I feel, too. How does that sound? I will give you what you need, but you need to give me what I need in turn. It just doesn't feel good when you grow withdrawn suddenly. I keep feeling like I did something wrong... "

[Mirach]

"I'll try, but I don't actually know what did Riversong to displease me with or if he even did that. It feels more like I did displease him. I can't pinpoint any single thing that I would tell him if he asked me like you do," Death said.

[VisAnastasis]

" Hmm... I guess Riversong probably spent too much time gazing longingly at you and telling you how great you were to actually do more concrete things you could reprimand him about... But I do plan to be concrete. I don't plan to gaze longingly at you, alright? I plan to do actual stuff with you. So how about... we stop talking the empty talk? I propose a little test. " Tide smiled a little shyly. " I'll do something that reflects my feelings to you, and you tell me how you feel about it, how does that sound? "

[Mirach]

"Good," Death said. "I'm tired of talking."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded. He didn't say anything then, letting his action speak. He didn't hug him - as if he didn't feel comfortable doing that without Death initiating it. Instead, what he did was subtler, respectful of creature's boundaries. He shifted his wavy shawl, and beneath it, Death could see many little flowers, and notice that they weren't decorations, but growing out of Being's flesh. He could feel influence of piece of Cernunnos's soul, that now was a part of Tide, beating strong and full of joy, after Death helped Tide by healing it up.

Tide plucked out one delicate flower and with a gentle timid gesture, he handed it to Death, placing it in creature's hand. It wasn't a common flower, and it tingled and called out to the touch, and despite plucked, it seemed glad to be where it was, its touch soft and tempting.

[Mirach]

Death watched the flower in his hand wonderingly. "It's lovely," he said. "It's a part if you, though. What would you like me to do with it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Don't worry, it's not like a piece of soul, more like a nail. It won't hurt me for you to have it. And that's precisely it... It's not about what I would want to do. " Demon whispered, with a streak of flustered vulnerability." I thought before, I could put it in your hair - but that would be my choice forced on you. I could put it to your lips so you can eat it - but then again that would be my choice. No. Whatever you choose should be your agency, to throw it or use it. " He shook his head." It wouldn't exist without you. You took care of my pain these days, healed my hand and your presence helped intergrade my new soul piece perfectly. Its current form and my quick recovery is your credit. It is a manifestation of our health at joy. And us... We want you to have it... "

[Mirach]

Death looked undure what to do with the flower at first. He turned it in his hand, studying it. He looked at Tide first as is wanting to assure he can do anything he wants with it, and then gently pulled out the petals and wove them into his hairnet like drops of color in the silvery mist. He wasn't sure what to do with the remaining parts of the flower then, and so at the end he ate them.

[VisAnastasis]

The feeling wasn't as potent as if he'd have eaten the whole of it, but it seemed that it was strong enough to manifest - just like Tide explained to Senecio, those flowers grew out of his pure happiness, and there was a tingling little aftertaste of it that came with eating it. It felt soft and tender, and it probably tasted differently to everyone - to Death, it reminded him a little on the taste of spiced curry, of spiced milk, and the feeling of soft silky furr against Xia as he'd fall asleep... the smell of violets, smell of warm cookies and honey Tide made him, and the scent of Lord Nameless's hugs... And then feeling of belonging and self-love when bound as Semai with Tide. All of that compacted in one created a short, but intense little rush of happiness, leaving a lingering aftertaste for a while.

[Mirach]

Death relaxed with that a little and took one of the petals in his hairnet. He offered it to Xia.

[VisAnastasis]

Only with the gesture calling for attention, did the creature look up to him. Her gaze was unsure and her eyes were heavy with pain. Still, she didn't look away - slowly and carefully, she sniffed the unfamiliar petal, and then licked it from his hand and ate it. She trembled then, and unexpectedly, as if it was a lot in her distressed state, her eyes teared up in confusion.
" What... is it... Mister While? " the creature asked in the trembling, shaky demonic language. " It... is nice. It tastes... like hugs and picnics, like afternoon naps and pears. It tastes like you... "

[Mirach]

"Like me? That's a bit strange..." Death said. "It's from the injured part of Cernunnos that Tide exchanged for a healthy one. Look," he pointed to the flowers. "Isn't it pretty?"

[VisAnastasis]

Xia seemed to notice it only now, as indeed, she seemed to withdrawn into herself to take note of such things before. Now, beneath vulnerability, there was a frail streak of curiosity, as she stretched a little and timidly smelled the flowers.
" They have scent... like pears and hugs... like naps and picnics. They smell a little like Svarik's smile and Nammy's songs. Little like uncle Tide's laugh and uncle Cern's fingertips. And they smell... a lot like you... " she elaborated on her precious words longingly and a little unsurely. " Xia did not know... that uncle Tide can grow flowers now. Xia... -I guess... They are nice... "

[Mirach]

"Yes," Death agreed. "Really nice flowers."

[VisAnastasis]

The creature leaned and smelled the flowers, closing her eyes longingly with the scent. However, she opened them, then, sighing, as if she didn't want to take the time by indulging in that.
" Has... Mister While and Tide... finished talking? " Creature asked quietly, clearing her throat and changing the subject, turning away from the flowers like from a reminder on something sad. " Can we go find the new room for While? Tide said he will find your new room if Xia understood well... " she whispered, as it seemed she didn't like to stay there much longer, in the room where she and Death had argued.
" While still didn't see how he look in the mirror in new clothes, dear. " Tide reminded her gently. " I assume Senecio and Jake must be waiting in front of the door with it... Let me bring them in first, and then we can find you guys a new room... if While agrees? " he looked at the Being shyly.

[Mirach]

"Yes, let's move on," Death said quietly.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide stood up, opening the door, where indeed, Jake and Senecio waited with the mirror. Jake wasn't even pretending they didn't wait there for a while, but waved his hand away, seeming rather chill about it. Tide thanked them, and he easily took the big mirror in one hand, bringing it to Death.

" Hey there... So... What do you think? " he asked shyly, letting him see the reflection in the mirror, where the two, the ill Spirit and Xia in her big soft form could be seen, as they stood close to each other. Xia didn't see her reflection in this form in the mirror before, it seemed, and she tilted head at it thoughtfully, as from her perspective it must have been rather strange perceiving herself like that, almost as much as the difference Death appearance has gone through with the new clothes - they really suited him eerily well, so much so even a Being would hardly notice they were material, not his own spiritual clothing.

[Mirach]

Death watched himself thoughtfully. "It looks quite pretty and anonymous," he said.

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: I'm a day late, but I hope you had a lovely Christmas, dear! <3 I drew a little something inspired by your story, I only had time for simple pastel-like chibi painting, but I still just had to do it, so here it is :D : https://visanastasis.tumblr.com/post/189862644110/good-christmas


" Oh? Okaay... Anonymous isn't exactly how I'd describe it, but sure, as long as you like it, let's go with that.  Do you like the petals? " he said shyly. " You did a sweet job with arranging them on the Veil... But now you have one spot missing. How do you say I give one more flower to you and Xia each? " he offered, adding a little vulnerably. " I... feel a little vain, I want to keep them to the time of ball, but I planned to pick them up later in the evening, and share them between you, Hans and Senecio. Now Xia, too, it seems... "

[Mirach]

(OOC: I saw it! They are so adorable!!! <3)

"No need," Death said. "Next time I'll eat one from the other side and even the symmetry. It's nice to know that if I feel uncomfortable during the evening, I can eat those, one by one."

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Yes, I've seen the note you left, thank you so much for the positivity! I was a little uncertain and considered whether to post it or not since it's the first time I've tried more chalky chibi style and I wasn't sure if anyone will like it since it's rather simple... I feel insecure too easily, I guess, but I am trying to work on it #^_^#I am planning to experiment with more styles and draw more of the boys soon, I took couple days between new year and our Christmas, so I'm looking forward to that :)


Tide's brow furrowed a little sadly at that, but he didn't let the smile escape him, holding tightly to it, for the sake of his downhearted companions.
" That's... a good idea and all... " he said slowly, putting the mirror down to the side. " But... do not forget, please, that I'll be right there, watching with you, okay? Sure, looking good at the ball is important to me, but feeling good is important, too. If you'd like to eat more flowers, you know you can just ask me, right? It's that easy. There's no need to lament as if over spilt milk over something that can grow back. It didn't grow for the sake of prettiness, anyway, for me to flaunt it. It grew out of my joy, to be shared... "

[Mirach]

"Thank you. But I like having these without the need to ask for anything. But maybe, if you see that I am out of them, you could give one more flower then?" Death asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" It's a deal, then." Tide smiled a little as he understood, figuring out what the matter was." I will keep the sweetest and juiciest one for you, just don't be saving up just because you are close to running out. Eat freely, and I will gladly give you more.  Oh, as we are speaking of getting owerhelmed, we made sure there is a room in the theatre  we can retreat to make a break if the play gets to feel like it's too much." He proclaimed, glancing at his boyfriend with almost as much shyness as pride, blushing. " It was actually Senecio's idea. He's just... awesome like that... "

[Mirach]

"Oh. That's good to know," Death said. "That there is such place, I mean. Thank you."

[VisAnastasis]

" I really can't take credit for that, so it's Senecio you should thank - he is the smart one, and with my stubborn insistence on support, I was generally just preparing to provide everyone ample quantity of hugs. " Tide admitted, a little embarrassed by the looks of it - yet still, he offered through embarrassment. " But now, let's get you out of here, and find you the room! I have so many rooms on this floor, you are bound to find one to enjoy! From a room with a pool to a room whose all walls and floor are layered with soft materials and filled with cushions, you'll surely like something, I hope... Would... You like me to carry you as we explore? " he offered, seeing a distance between him and Xia and wanting to give them an option. " I can carry both of you, really, if Xia gets into smaller form. You're as light as a feather to me... "