Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"That sounds great!" Svarik smiled. "Like a group craft project... as long as you tell us if our presence starts to be distracting instead of helpful. As long as it's helpful, we can all have fun together."

---

Sein Miru looked at the king slowly, with teary eyes. "It feels wrong..." he murmured. "It feels wrong to think that you would be like that... but thinking otherwise feels too good to be true. Too good to happen to me. It feels like more than I deserve..."

[VisAnastasis]

" No matter how many feathers I swindle from Alpha and Sun Spirits, there'll still be a lot more flying feathers I'll be making by combing normal bird flying feathers. I plan to go Falcon-level mega crazy here, and buy of loads of the best feathers in the city, and I'll need as many hands as possible, to pick out the loveliest, sturdiest ones, for the best foundation. Regarding colour, I usually do pigments on my own, but on top of my tongue, there's a lot we can do to up the quality, colour included. For color, I was thinking about perhaps going a more unconventional way, since we have Alpha. We could fill in large barell of blackest paint, the darkest highest quality colour, and Alpha can alter the foundation of colour and sprinkle starlight into it, so we can put each feather and paint it one by one, so they all shimmer like starlight as we take them out. Simbel's attribute is actually one of protection, and if we think protective warm thoughts while we do it, some of that intent to protect will be painted into them, and they will become much more sturdy and harder to cut by normal means, and be able to maintain his energy better when he is acting on his attribute, " Ben explained energetically. " Anyway, those are just the first ideas I have, we can always refine them, or figure out more if we put our heads together, how to up the quality ridiculously. There'll be plenty of workload you can lessen for me, if you all tag along, and don't worry, " he reassured him with a dramatic wave of his hand. " Partial nepotism as it was, I was still heavily trained to be the next councillor, and you can't be one without some iron concentration. There's no way I am not going to be distracted by this little. Congratulations, " he winked, doing a dramatic, fairytale-like bow. " Consider yourself first to be roped in, swindled with a vague promise of good time! Master plan to gather a bigger workforce to make extremely over-the-top quality wings is already starting off splendidly! "


---

" Have you not suffered more than you deserved, too? If you get more good than you deserve too, do things not balance themselves out? Is it truly more satisfying to paint an image of a callous villain out of me in your mind, than to accept the truth of my grief? " he lightly put his other free hand on the man's chin, to steady it and to meet his foamy blue gaze - not clouded with doubts, but with pain. " Look at me, Sein Miru... Do you see joy in your suffering in my gaze, or do you see the truth? If I tell you that your grief is my grief, would you believe me, or do you only believe what you see, not hear? If so, why don't you tell me, what is it that you wish to see, from the Beast you choose? " the finger steading his chin moved but slightly, caressing his cheek. " Sein Miru, I have a new order for you, one you must uphold... If I ever dare see your crying suffering face and battered bleeding body, and tell you that it was just punishment for merely trying to breathe in a little fresh air, in times where I was absent and could offer you none, " King breathed closely to his face, his soft breath smelling softly, of soothing cool oxygen. " If I ever dare say such horrors, know it can not be me. It would merely be a hollow husk of a person, wearing my skin. If I ever do that, you must gouge my eyes out, slash, and gut and dice me, and feed me to the pigs. Do you understand better now, the debt of my repulsion to your absurd pleas for punishment? "

[Mirach]

"Alright then, I'll leave the organizing to you. I'm going to the pond to meet with Ciel, do you mind telling Conrad what’s going on too?" he asked Simbel and headed out to the pond, taking out the vial with the wayerbreathing elixir.

---

Tears fell from Sein Miru's eyes. "I believe you..." he whispered. "It's so easy to listen to the voice calling me worthless. I'm sorry I let it whisper into my ears and doubted you. I believe you..." he sighed shakily, but then he sank back into the bed, in relief and exhaustion, wincing a bit with the pain.

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel reassured him he'll explain everything to Conrad, and then, he and Ben went to do their own given tasks, while King went outside to the pond.

There, he met Ciel Moonwalker, for the first time after a while. The old blind man turned towards him and a soft happy smile beamed across his face, as he heard the sound of Svarik's footsteps.
" It's so good to see you. You sound very healthy today, sire, " His voice was warm and affectionate, and like always, the title seemed like a mere token of formality, and despite he could not see him, man must have felt enough of what was important, for his already wide smile to deepen. " Simbel told me we are to dive to take out his bones, so we can use them to make wings for him. There is no world in which I'd let such a task fall on you alone when I can still dive just fine, so I came to offer my assistance, " he said softly, with no shadow of doubt. " Will you take it? "

---

Tide was getting progressively more worried, as, while they were always escalating things a little further, it was true that today they went quite far, especially near the end, when he did his best to build up a proper intimidating show. But now, he was worried that he might have gone too far, and if there were more serous hidden injuries, or if it was just that everything hurt too much to move properly. Beast King would be worried too, with weak and frail attitude of Sein Miru. That's why Tide did not feel it would be out of character, to let Beast King's hand pull the collar of his cloak a little higher, carefully tucking in the hurting vulnerable person before he sank to the floor. He kept sitting down there, beside the bed, so he could be at eye level with Sein Miru, as he lightly patted his hair - the only where he was certain that did not hurt.
" I'm sure it hurts a lot... But if you find it hard to face it right now... It will be fine if you don't want to. The only important thing right now is for what you want to happen, to happen. So... what do you want, Sein Miru? Do you wish to sleep it all away first? If so, would taking a little painkiller be allright? If you take it, I will reward you, by staying the night here, and guarding your sleep until the morning light, " Beast King whispered quietly to his ear, slowly and carefully bringing to the surface things that would normally be hard to initiate casually like this, but it seemed that the dark reality of the situation convinced him to not delay. " If you are in too much pain still - would you rather want, for me to look at your injuries, and put balm on them? It does not have to be anything more than that... unless you want it to be. Whatever happens, I am only interested, in finding out the wants you have trouble sharing. " He whispered quietly, biting his lip, before he suggested slowly. " Or, if the pain clouds your head too much - would you like me to call the royal healer to heal you? Even if our situation is precarious, I can still do that much, under the guise of maintaining my property. A sad excuse, but it will do, to help. If you so want it, I will call him, but you must say a word so that I know what is it that you wish for. My... chosen consort must know as much, as to distinguish what their wants are... " It seemed Tide was not sure how to phrase the question of if Senecio would like him to go and find Erdel, to bring him to heal him, so, in order to not have to break character to ask, it seemed Tide has decided to assign to Erdel a title of royal healer, judging that, even if they did not officially discuss it, it should be reasonable role for Erdel to fit into, if they wish to call him to help without breaking character.

[Mirach]

"I'll be glad for the company," Svarik smiled. "It will be more of an underwater walk than diving, though. Here, drink a sip from this," he offered the elixir to Ciel. "It will make us able to breathe under the water. Shall we go, Simbel? Can you navigate us to the bones?"

---

"Maybe later. Now I just want you, please," Sein Miru said. "A balm and a painkiller sound nice. Will you stay and show me what a fool I was to ever doubt you?" Senecio winked slightly with that, to show Tide that it's not that bad because he's no evil general and was careful to not hurt him too seriously - all the deeper cuts were actually from his own straining against the restraining limbs, not from the general, except a few bites. They still hurt though, and in the game they were playing, Sein Miru would be hurt worse, so he could use some pamperimg from the king. Hoping he will remember it, he also made a note to himself to tell Tide later that it was unrealistic if the king didn’t check and treat his injuries right away, before even talking, because Tide knew that he didn't hurt Senecio seriously as the general, but the king couldn’t know that, and would be worried.

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, " Svarik heard a voice ringing in his head shyly. " First, you just have to go to the central part, where my roots are most numerous. There, between the roots, you will see the smaller, inner circle, not as narrow as well once was, but not as wide as the whole pond...  It goes many meters deeper, much deeper than the sword did, and space grows darker the deeper you go, so just go slowly. Do not worry... there's no reason to be afraid... I'm here with you, and I will guide you... " Creature reassured him softly, not able to hide a slight tearful, thankful note in his voice.

With the instruction, Svarik and Ciel got ready and stepped into the pond together. Svarik had no need to go into the pond for a while or drink its waters, as he had gotten a lot better recently, but it was hard to forget, the pure and fresh feeling of being enveloped by Simbel's water, and the creature seemed truly happy and unable to hide its happiness at feeling Ciel and Svarik so close, and the pure cleansing feeling was unrestrained and strong, making them slightly drowsy. As Svarik dove in, it took a moment, despite they knew it, to get used to the fact they could breathe freely. As they breathed in for the first time, the clear fresh feeling spread through their body, like being fed a cold refreshing peppermint drink on a hot summer day. Svarik has never had enough time, to see the pond from below the surface, but from here, for the first time, he saw just how fully transparent the clear water was, sky above them as blue as upon the surface. With eyes wide open, he could see a lot of long roots and part of the flowers that grew partially underwater, shimmering under strong sunlight coming from above. With muffled sounds from the outside, they were creating a rather serene, beautiful image as they swayed with slight water current as if under a wind - current coming from below, from the direction of the older roots, in the deepest part of the pond, from where the plant Simbel symbiotes with first began growing, and where the centre of what he is was.

---

" Then things shall be, as you wish them to be, " Beast King replied quietly, and he stood up, and went to the table first. It was a little unusual to use Beast King hand's for such a task, after getting so used to his most common current humanoid form, but he did his best, although it took a little longer. He prepared the painkiller and returned to bed and carefully raised him from one side, to help him drink it, also bringing some fresh cold water, to make sure the actor wasn't thirsty.

[Mirach]

Svarik enjoyed the view and caressed some of the stems as they neared the middle part that used to be a well. He looked down into it and took Ciel's hand as they started to descend slowly along the underwater stems towards the roots and it was getting darker.

---

Senecio drank the painkiller and all of the water. As the pain numbed slowly, he also started feeling a little numb, slipping out of the role. "Tide?" he asked suddenly, breaking it. "Could we stop the game now? It feels like a good place. I'd like to talk a bit as ourselves before we go to sleep, because that was a bit intense. How are you doing?"

[VisAnastasis]

Ciel took Svarik's hand in his, pressing it slightly, as if in support - for him, the difference in light decreasing did not mean much, but it did for Svarik, so he was worried for him and wanted to make sure he was alright, keeping up the pace with him. They descended deeper more slowly, as they were getting used to the Simbel's presence growing stronger deeper they went. The pure, familiar feeling of water gliding around them was growing more intense the deeper they went, and it reminded Svarik a little of diving deeper into the ocean while dreaming with White. Simbel's roots indeed looked much more lively than when he was starved, and despite they were more sensitive to touch, he trusted both Svarik and Ciel greatly, and it showed, in affection and longing he could not hide, even in this form. The roots were moving away from their path, as much as they could, so they could descend deeper more easily in more narrow space, yet still, they would caress them slightly as they descended, as if the creature hoped to reassure them that everything is alright, even if it was getting darker and darker.

---

From contemplative and enduring, it was nice to see the creature's expression immediately brighten up, upon hearing more confident, undoubtedly Senecio's voice, and upon being called by his name - it was strange, but good, to see undoubtedly Tide's tender free expression, on Beast King's face, expression that shone as if he had just met up with someone he had been greatly missing. Unrestrained by the more stoic role, the Being immediately sat down on the edge of the bed, gently took the actor's hand in his, and pressed it lightly.

" It is... still a little hard to say where role ends and reality begins for you sometimes. It was very fun as it lasted, and the scenario felt exciting and grand... It was fun to feel a whole new story is being crafted as we speak. But when we put aside how dramatic the game is, it was also the first time you cried as Sein Miru. So... I was worried... if I reminded you of something unpleasant unwittingly, that made it so easy to cry, " innocently, the creature right away began putting its feelings to words fluently, and he lowered his head, so the actor would not have to stir and feel pain, and he kissed the hand he was holding, as he inquired shyly, the shyness looking as strange as joy on this form. " Do you... feel safe now? Was the suffering just one of the moment, or are you still shaken up? Is there anything I can do? " he smiled, but with the slight shade of worry that he tried to keep under check. " If you just say you're fine, I'll not be able to relax... I can only relax if I see you are not trying to hide if you're hurt. Could you tell me... if I passed the line, at any moment? I tried to act as much of a villain as I could, " he admitted hesitantly. " Doing and speaking things as a villain would... I continued it because I got the impression that you liked it, but I am worried if I said or did something that went a little too far, that might have been fine in the heat of the moment, but doesn't feel okay right now. How are "you" holding up, Seine? Can you tell me how are you feeling right now, too? "

[Mirach]

Svarik took a deep breath of the water. Even the darkness felt comforting with Simbel's presence, more like a blanket than emptiness. He pressed Ciel's hand and ccontinued deeper, relying on Simbel's directions to find the bones.

---

"I feel like it was me who went a bit too far in the heat of the moment," Senecio admitted. "I was looking forward to the talk with the king, making Sein Miru realize what he means to king, but I wasn’t ready for how emotional it felt to just stop trying to appease and instead say no and resist. I wasn't prepared for that. It made me more emotional, so it was easier to cry. I might have gone a bit too far with the resisting and hurt myself just a bit more than I'd like. I was hoping that the king would tend to Sein Miru's injuries as they are talking. It felt a bit unrealistic that he didn't check, because you knew there's nothing serious, but he wouldn't. So... I think I was a bit dissappointed that there was no gentle tending to the wounds and pampering. I would like that more than calling Erdel to just take it all away. Can I get that now, please?" Senecio smiled like a child asking for a treat.

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel gently directed them, until they were in a place where no light was, and where Simbel's presence was so strong and soothing that it was making them a little more drowsy - it was fortunate indeed, that they could breathe underwater and not rush, because it was very hard to resist the urge to sleep and relax - White's priests in the old days must have trained diligently, to resist the soothing call of the waters. From the old, deepest, numerous roots, they felt Simbel's presence very vividly, as it was clearly the origin point, where the creature began symbolising the plant so very long ago and his core. At that point, they felt the soft, sandlike texture below them, comforting and smooth - they must have reached what the bottom of the well was long ago. With Simbel's instructions, after a moment of patting across the sandy ground, they first found what under the palms felt like a partially decomposed textile bundle holding something. While a lot of little bones were scattered around the floor, a big part still seemed held without the small delicate wrappings. As Svarik's hand touched one of the smooth bones, he felt there was, as Ben said, a lot of pain engraved upon them, especially across spots where there were light cracks that had to have needed a lot of force to be made, considering just how ridiculously strong White Eagle was and how sturdy his body must have been. An ancient, protective feeling was emanating from them, as if a distant echo of the one that once owned them - one quite similar to Simbel, but more reserved and sombre, shaped by misfortunes of his life, or even more, his death. They seemed to emit a vague hard-to-define feeling of power that even to Listeners felt slightly intimidating, bursting with rich leftovers of life force - Svarik could see why Beings bones were considered such a huge thing.

---

From worried, Tide could not help but chuckle, just a little bit, unable to hide a slight tinge of bemusement.
" Just to double check... You know Sein Miru was just brutally assaulted by a monstrous, horrible stranger, right? I know you have a bad habit of normalizing such things, but still, even you must acknowledge that Sein Miru was mauled violently and almost brutally killed, and he was all worried if he would be abandoned on top of it - should I have made Beast King a brute that cares little of it, and starts being touchy and insensitive right away? Don't you think at the very least he should wait until his poor Sein Miru stops crying, to offer some pampering? After all, you knew I would never kill you, or even do things like break your bones or tear off your arm to it it, but Sein Miru does not, and he would die if Beast King arrived a moment too late... Do you expect Beast King to be as insensitive as to lay his hands on someone that was confused and crying instead of first reassuring them that everything is alright? " he asked innocently as he, so very gently, caressed the actor's hair. " As for how serious the wounds are... I imagined Beast King, who is so familiar with battlefields and scents of wounds and blood would be able to feel well enough if wounds were extremely serious. If I felt like you had broken bones or were bleeding out, I would bring you to a healer immediately, regardless of how fun the game is... But since it is not a life and death situation, Miru's wishes held priority for him. It is not like he would not be worried... It's just that I, I mean... he does not exactly need to see something directly, to get the rough idea of how bad things are. When you are a Being, you focus more on how much strings of fabric around you are messed up combined with sight, not just sight. But if you don't feel soothed enough, it is indeed a problem. We can't have that... " Creature responded softly to him, adding conspiratorially. " To be honest, I did not expect Sein Miru to be comforted this easily. Were my arguments that good, or was he just caught up in my confidence? I assumed much more pampering would be needed, to assure him that King really meant what he said. And surely, he can't be calmed down enough just by being told me won't be thrown away? " he encouraged Senecio to raise his expectations gently. " Surely, there's plenty to be anxious about more, and ashamed, and guilty and conflicted about? Won't you have any doubts, and lingering horror or fear, after going through something so bad? " his voice was just a little sad. " Don't you think you are not... indulging yourself enough, into being rightfully upset and afraid? I am sorry. I don't wish to belittle your courage. I can not begin to fathom, how much it took from you, to be this unfazed with just how bad of a situation Sein Miru was in... Perhaps I am imagining a worse situation than it has to be. After all, I mostly deal with very devastated, corrupted souls, and the worst living case of despair I handled closely was without doubt... Hans's, 300 years ago. But I am aware that is a very extreme example. I don't expect that level of despair from a comparatively briefer encounter... but still, wasn't it awful for Sein Miru, to be called horrible things, while hurt so horribly? " he smiled faintly, as he gently kept caressing and fixing up Senecio's hair, with soothingness and affection only meant for him. "  Do you not think you are cutting out dear poor Sein Miru short? In my opinion, he is overdue on a lot, a lot more pampering, and he deserves a lot more reassurances than just this... This much, just reassuring your loved ones that you won't abandon them after they went through something horrible, don't you think your bar is too low? " he grinned most tenderly while daring him. " Why don't you raise the bar for me, a littlest bit? Ask me for more, than the bare minimum, please. I have not even yet gotten the chance, to tell Sein Miru that it's not that Beast King didn't wish to tell him his true name to more easily call upon in trouble, but that he has no real name of his own to offer. We can always leave it for future scenarios, but if Sein Miru is troubled by not knowing and trying to think up a reward, did I not set a good stage for you, to ask? Beast King clearly said that whatever Sein Miru wants to happen is what will happen from now on, so I am just saying, whether that, or something else that he may really desire, right now, when he's worried about him, it would be pretty hard for Beast King to refuse what Miru asks of him... When something really bad happens in novels, you must offset it with something really good, you know, otherwise, the plot gets too sad... It's just is what it is, I totally don't make the rules...  "

[Mirach]

Svarik tried to steady his hands, overwhelmed by the sense of power emanating from the bones, as he carefully placed them in a bag they brought.

---

"Yes, okay, but I want some pampering now, not after an hour of talking, and from you, not the Beast King," Senecio smirked. "I can't properly focus on Sein Miru's problems when I just accidentally unearthed some of my own, so I get priority because he's just a character. I would like to return to all of that tomorrow, after waking up. I feel like Sein Miru wouldn't be able to talk about all of it right away. He just needs to be reassured that he won't be abandoned, so that he can start processing the more complicated and traumatic things. I'd like to imagine that his wounds are more serious, and he's not up to much talking right now."

[VisAnastasis]

It took a while, but thanks to that overwhelming powerful feeling, it was easier to figure out and find when they would miss smaller bones that scattered further away or got slightly buried in the soft sand. It took them between half an hour and an hour, because they did not rush and were meticulous to not miss even the few tiny shards, but finally, they felt all the bones were in the bag. The only presence left in the deep narrow well was that one Simbel's, whose essence was caressing them warmly and gratefully, just a littlest bit uncertain and thoughtful with the huge change to come, but emitting clear, gentle thankfulness with their hard work.

---

" Oh, so.... you asked for pampering for you, not for Sein Miru? Do you even have to ask? Even if you asked for Erdel to heal all your wounds, it's not like you'd avoid a whole lots of cuddles and snuggles and reassurances until you fall asleep - unless you asked against it, of course. Then, you'd get lot of other things, perhaps some nice tales, poetry, or talks, if you'd rather talk. Do you... really think I'd comfort Sein Miru and be satisfied with it, just because his narrative would be circled up more, and then just tell my loveliest boyfriend to shut up and go to sleep? I really do love romantic plot points, but I love real acts of romance much more. I would be pretty disappointed in myself and tell you to dump me, if I dared do such an awful thing, as love a plot point more than you," Tide bemused, with just a streak of worry in his voice. " Would you like me to... turn back into my usual form, if we are not playing Sein Miru and Beast King anymore tonight? And if so... would it be alright if I hugged you? Beast King's form is not as cuddly and soft as my usual one, so I didn't want to try to hug you with it... " he requested shyly, offering him more options as if trying to gauge his current level of comfort with touch. " Just a little, littlest hug? If you feel up to it. If not, how about some kisses on the forehead? Or letting me run my head against your hand and kiss it? Honestly... " he admitted shyly. " It was... quite intense. I am quite anxious, to make sure my eagerness did not unearth something bad, and sentence you to a night of bad memories and dreams. I could get enough outlet for all those worries, by tending to Sein Miru, because I could comfort you through him, if that was the way you wanted, but the only way I'd not insist on some closeness with you yourself would be if you fell asleep while I treated you. There's no way I'd ever wake you up and interrupt your rest, just because I'm feeling a little... cuddly and needy, so... that would be the only path where I would not possibly dare pursue your closeness and affection. I... am not good at figuring out how tired someone is, and I'd hate to tire you out greedily, just because I want to spend more time with you... "

[Mirach]

Together, they swam to the surface with the bag of bones. Knowing that he will be there, Svarik automatically reached up for Conrad's gand to help him out of the water.

---

"That's why I stopped now, because I would like to have you here in your normal form and hug me, and talk about the things that were unearthed there while doing that pampering I asked for," Senecio smiled. "It's just something I need now, not afterwards."

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, perfectly timed, without leaving even a moment to make him wonder if he was really there, Svarik felt a familiar hand taking his, and helping him out. Conrad indeed was already there, and he prepared both changes of clothes, towels, and even new flesh cloaks for them to wear. Still, as he helped steady Svarik who climbed out first, he could not help but laugh.
" I asked Simbel not to tell you I'm already here, to surprise you, but I guess there's no fooling you, " despite the talk with Lipka being heavy and the man looked a little weary in the aftermath of it, his gaze visibly cleared up as he gazed at Svarik, speaking more playfully as if trying to not show too publicly, in front of Ciel, just how proud he was that king managed to go somewhere dark of his own volition, without requiring reassurances and encouragement beforehand. " I was considering bringing you some spiced milk to cheer you up in case it's hard, but Simbel said you're holding out okay. Was he right? How are you doing, my sweet dear fisherman? Did you get tired of farming and change professions, in this short time apart? "

---

Tide's heart fluttered, and he leaned forth. He did not even wait to take his cloak to transform more easily, so he would not have to take it away from Senecio. It was harder to change form not pulling the cloak along in the transformation, but since he was touching it slightly, he was able to leave it where it was while only changing himself. Beast King's appearance weaved slightly in the air, and instead of it, Tide's familiar form appeared, looking just a little haggard from quicker, rougher jump between layers, but before Senecio could even see it better, Demon already raised his back up slightly, and embraced him over the cloak gently, purring loudly as he nestled its head lightly and needily against Senecio's uninjured shoulder, carefully, so he would not stir his hurts.

" Oh, thank goodness... It was getting harder and harder, to wait for Beast King's part to end. He is fun to play, but being too stoic and unused to affection to give hugs freely is a great handicap... "a warm voice breathed out next to his ear in relief, but Senecio could barely hear the words full of longing, from just how loud the purring was.

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled at him. "It wasn’t so bad with Simbel being all around there, and with Ciel's company." He turned to help Ciel out of the water too.

---

"I know, right?" Senecio murmured, leaning against Tide. "We'll have to get him more used to affection."

[VisAnastasis]

Ciel thanked him, getting out carefully with his help - indeed, just like Svarik, while in the normal pond it would be dark and scary, with the ability to breathe underwater and Simbel's presence, it was not a frightening task. Conrad handed them both towers to dry their hair a little from water first, before he used his warming power, to dry the hair fully.
" I can dry your clothes too, but I felt like wearing new ones would be more pleasant, so I got you freshly washed ones, " he explained. " Others have gathered in one of the rooms in Svarik's new mansion, they are bringing in the last materials as we speak. Would you like to first come briefly inside Simbel's little house to change clothes, since it's nearest before we join everyone? Or is there anything you'd like to do first? "

---

" We'll have to get Sein Miru more used to affection, too... " Tide murmured while breathing in Senecio's scent deeply, with yearning, and the same happiness one would have if finally getting to drink a cup of warm soothing tea after being cold and thirsty for a very long while. " Poor bastards had so little warmth in their lives... so it's no wonder they aren't sure how to properly give or receive it, no matter how much they crave it... " he sighed contentedly, as he snuggled so very carefully with the actor, careful not to hurt him, but not able to contain the waves of shy, relieved happiness shining in his gestures and words. " How fortunate we are, to not be them, aren't we? I am so happy, that we instead get to be us, my dear Senecio, my sweet Seine, my precious Simay..."

[Mirach]

"No, we can change in Simbel's house and then join the others," Svarik agreed and went to do that right away, since Ben was waiting for the bones.

---

Senecio just nodded, but didn’t reply, as if something was weighing on him and he needed a break and some cuddles to gather the resolve to talk about it.

[VisAnastasis]

They changed clothes, while Conrad waited for them. When they got ready, the three of them went toward Svarik's new mansion. When they were already near the large entrance doors, they joined in and caught up with Owl, Mole and one of the Sun Spirits - since Mole was currently dating one vampire and one Sun Spirit, it likely seemed to be Mole's partner.
All three of them were carrying big but light fluffy bags, and first to notice them, Mole energetically waved to them.
" Oh, did you finish your part, too? " he called to them brightly, " We just got the last package of feathers we were expecting, from the craft district in North side of the city! Others are already inside, and they started sorting out the supplies. We have Melody, Lipka, Owl, Ben, Alpha, Eros, Lord Nameless, Baldir, Irden, me, and the three of you. Is there anyone else you'd like to you'd like to invite, or do you think it's good? Eros had already left Simbel's vessel to that mysterious dramatic rune smith guy Janus at the sea, so you don't have to worry about it, he is working on it as we speak. "

---

Just like Beast King didn't get grabby and touchy with Sein Miru right away, feeling his distress, Tide did not rush to right away try to tend to Senecio's injuries - since it was not a matter of life and death, it truly seemed ingrained in his through many years, to first seek to provide emotional comfort. Besides, after such a heavy more dark and sinister game, it was just so pleasant to him clearly, too, and reassuring, to just hold actor close, and shield him in his embrace, luling him so very lightly. For him, pampering clearly did not just mean wrapping up injuries and calling it a day - he did not feel the need to rush just yet, while Senecio seemed to be struggling, as he did not want the comforting he promised to merely feel like passing over to do list. Knowing Senecio had sense his feelings, he clearly tried to think of as many warm positive thoughts, to give actor some soothing feeling to ground himself with, while cuddling with him.
 
After a moment, slowly, quietly, he began to whisper something to his ear - not dramatic words of comfort or order, but a poem. Since he was not as crafty in putting together grand words like Hans, and since he loved poems, it seemed Demon must have felt that it was something he could add to the table - sharing a poem he loved, to give actor a pleasant picture to help him calm. So far, he gave him many poems, in different forms, whether as they discussed kinds of words they liked, or during making love - but this time, he gave him a warm soft song, humming it to his ear warmly, while patting his hair lightly.

" I'm a fish inside a birdcage...
My lover always sings me songs...
With his beak he tries to soothe me...
He makes me feel that I belong...

He has a wild imagination,
And tells me things that must be true.
Like there's a world where I can take flight...
Where I can freely move...

So carry me from these walls
lover of mine,
Show me the world outside,
It has to be true,
I'm counting on you
To be my wings and my eyes...

As I breathe into our silence
There's a voice that comforts me
It's a voice of understanding
It's the voice of empathy.

Wings of feathers, tails, and fin tips
We feel each rock so differently
You gave me more than I could ask for -
Indistinguishability...

So carry me from these walls
lover of mine
Show me the world outside
It has to be true
I'm counting on you
To be my wings and my eyes... "

[Mirach]

"That's great," Svarik smiled, joining Lipka and Melody. "We got all bones, but you will have to sort them, it's hard to tell to me which is which. And what should we do?"

---

Senecio sighed slowly. "I never resisted before," he finally started talking about what was bothering him. "Not earnestly. Now I feel like I should have... I know it wouldn’t change anything, but it would change how I felt about myself. I know how it feels now, and it's hard to go back."

[VisAnastasis]

" Ben, Alpha and Eros will first separate wing and tail bones from the rest, and put them together as a puzzle on a floor, since they are best at wing anatomy. " Melody explained. " In meantime, we have those bags, but others already have numerous bags and bags more, of feathers throughout the city - first, we should sort them, and pick largest, most preserved ones, so they have best foundation to work with. "
" Ben is insanely hyperactive today, he's went through all Sun Spirits, and he managed to get three buckets of feathers, and he even got ten feathers from Alpha, too! " Mole explained enthusiastically. " So, they have a great starting point but still, Ben wants to make insanely cosy warm and thick blanket of feathers, to make flying easier, so we must sort out various bird feathers as well as possible, so their work is easier. "
As they were walking and explaining, they already went into the large first floor room, where others have gathered. It was bare room with no furniture or decor, only with pillows lied on the floor, so everyone can sit on them. In the center of the room, with there was a circle and wing outline drawn with chalk. Ben, Alpha and Eros were around the circle, all finishing up drawing outline of bones and feathers that they were planning, so that they have clearer image of the size of the final thing. The rest of people were all around, carrying many bags of feathers as well as barells of highest quality black paints that they would need later, spreading out materials so they are easier to walk around - it indeed felt like a giant joint craft project.


---

Tide was quiet, for a brief moment. It felt like he was trying to reply carefully, to try not to hurt already stirred feelings.
" I may not know people in theatre well... But by you and Janus's kids... It is hard not to get some impressions. It is my impression that, if you resisted, they would only be more pleased and treat you more poorly, under the guise of having to discipline you. Is my impression wrong? Either way... seeing you resist while knowing you'll have to give up eventually to not lose either little pleasure or roles... it seems like something that man Guliermo would be extremely pleased about. Isn't it at least some comfort... that you did not give him that pleasure, of seeing you desperate to run away, but not able to? " Tide whispered sadly, brushing his hair quietly. " What is there... to go back to? You never have to worry... about lacking something, if you resist with me, you know. Sometimes... putting your whole mind and body into something just feels good, and it's okay. I understand. I could see that you felt good doing it, so I let you, and went along with it, even if it was cutting more deeply into your skin... " he whispered soothingly. " If it feels thrilling and freeing to you, there's no reason not to focus on the feeling, you know, whether it's inside of this role or not. We can do as we like... I know how you feel about me... Having to restrain you and let you resist, scream or yell at me won't be enough, to shake my affection for you. I did not judge you for liking pain. I would not judge you for liking this, too. To be honest... I imagine it must feel unbearable, to carry decades' worth of frustration and protests never voiced or put into action. I think it would be healthy for you, anyway, to pour this frustration out, even if it's overdue. Even if person that most deserved it is dead already. Even if it won't change the past. Frustration and unvoiced heavy things are like poison. It's just sad to me, to see you whirling in poison like this... "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded enthusiastically, as he enjoyed helping to do a meaningful work with his hand equally to playing music. Such work was better with music though, so he turned to Ciel, who couldn’t really sort feathers that well. "Would you ming playing a song fir us, lord Ciel?" he asked.

---

"I know it would make things worse," Senecio said. "I knew it then, too. But the feeling of freedom with it... it may have been worth it. I feel like it would have. It may have given me the strength to get away. But I never tried. I was too scared..." He sighed shakily. "It felt a bit like when I though I'll be executed if I attempt to assassinate the king, and I knew I need to try but I don’t want to succeed. It scared me a bit to discover that feeling still in me, and how intense it was. And I'm not sure if I should play with it... if it’s dangerous to awake, or if it’s, on the contrary, good to get it out safely. I don’t know how to feel about it."

[VisAnastasis]

" My, that's a great idea. I was just thinking the same thing. It would be a pity, not to have a song to mark this special happy occasion. Let us make it a moment to remember! " Ciel grinned most softly, taking the lute, sitting down close to the centre, so that everything could hear the song well. Soon, the lovely, upbeat work melody sprung from the instrument, echoing more easily around them, as no furniture obstructed the sounds. The tone was not urgent, just pleasant and idle, neither rushing nor lulling them. Indeed, it softened the previously more busy faster paced atmosphere. While Alpha, Eros and Ben were drawing the planned outline with chalk in the middle of the room, and putting together the wing and tail bones on the floor, like puzzles, the rest began shifting through the countless wonderful soft feathers, picking the best they could find with the light heart, with a soft music lighting up the air. There was indeed, lot of work, since, having lot of money now, and being also further helped by others who bought more too, both Ben and the rest had purchased vast quantities of best feathers in the city, so they could pick out finest wing materials.

---

" Oh... Is that not easy? If you see a brand new sweet you have not tried yet that looks really good... How will you know if you'll like it if you don't try it? Just as it is wrong to steal it, it was wrong of you to try to kill the king, so you must make sure others do not suffer from your choices... But it's between you and me, the only people that can suffer are the two of us. So, even if we end up harming each other, we can talk it through and get through it together... When we are unsure about something... we can always figure it out, can't we? Perhaps it will be just a sugary treat that you crave for a little while and won't wish to take after a while, or perhaps it will become your favourite treat. Perhaps you'll not eat it often but on special occasions. Perhaps you'd like it more frequently for now... But have we not figured out already, how we can have something dangerous, without harming each other? We play dangerous games every day, but we are mindful not to hurt each other, so as long as we approach it with the same precautions, why should we treat it as a separate thing? We can try anything, as long as we gauge damage it causes is reversible... If you want to, that is. I don't want to do anything, that you don't want to. As for... talks of the past, " he paused a little bit, bringing his head a little closer against the actor's shoulder, but this time, it seemed he did it as much for his own comfort as for the actor's, he continued, so very slowly picking words, as if it took his courage to say them, too. " I am... not smart. I can not analyse the situation with the same zeal as Hans could... but still, does it matter if we could play the mind game where we somehow found some thin narrow path where past you could have hypothetically broken free? Why are you so harsh, to the poor past you? The past you... had no good experiences, to reference from, to be inspired or encouraged by... He did all he could, from his point of view, to not be miserable. Why be harsh on someone and blame him for not doing what you can only see possible because you now have a wider perspective? It is easier to judge the right path to sail the sea from the boat than while you are drowning and barely holding your head above the surface... " he paused, before murmuring, just a little more carefully, more tensely and shyly, trying to hide a streak of pain amidst the worry. " There are many bad things, too... That I could have avoided in my bonds, if I was wiser. But even if I knew better... I rarely acted wisely, because I was so desperate and yearned so much, to find true love. So, even if things were progressively getting worse and worse, I persisted in toxic bonds many times, more than I should have, holding out to fool's hope. And I can not even claim, that it is a folly of youth. A big chunk of my relationships were bad, even up until recently, and many left me with changes I am still digesting, things that still affect me, or how I see relationships. I do not even have an excuse, of not knowing any better. Nor excuse of being lonely, even - I always had Hans, after all, even when I had no love partner to date. Yet, I still kept making mistakes, and getting stuck in toxic bonds, out of yearning to find something more special, " he spoke tensely and quietly to Senecio's ear, but by little hoarse tone, and with how hard creature tried to suppress resurfacing pain in his voice, the actor could feel Tide was trying his best to respond with his sincerity with his own. " You, who blames the past you so ardently, even if he had no one to turn to, no one to lean on, no one by whose experiences he could gauge, what to do to be a little more happy... would you judge the past me so harshly, too? Past me knew better, lived longer, and knew he was choosing poorly, but still persisted in foolish hopes. If I judged the past you, who lacked either support or resources to figure out a new path out of the impossible situation, I should judge the past me all the more severely, for knowing better and still choosing poorly... But I don't. Moreover, I take great pity, in the past me. Past me, that did not know you, " he nestled and purred, so very cautiously and vulnerable, against man's shoulder. " Past me that did not know you, never knew... that relationships could feel so safe and freeing. Indeed... Past me's bar was just so low. When I think how happy I am with you, the mere idea of settling for less, like the past me did, fills me with agony and grief... But he did not know you. He could not know, this new, strange and safe feeling that is consuming me and gnawing away at my fears and doubts more firmly each day, eating them away. He could not know, what he could be missing, for he did not know you. I can not judge him, for how little he used to settle within his times of despair, just because my own bar is raised so high. " he gulped. " So very, so dangerously high...  "

[Mirach]

The work progressed nicely in a pleasant atmosphere until they had the complete wings and best feathers assembled.

---

Senecio sighed. "I just can't feel pity for past me yet. Maybe it's too fresh. I'm only able to be angry at the poor bastard. He's left me too many issues to deal with."

[VisAnastasis]

The side putting together bones was doing surprisingly well - it seemed there was great synergy between the three, two being Personifications tied to chemicals and matter, and one being a powerful Star. As feather sorting was circled, Ben came briefly to check on them, looking satisfied.
" Good, there'll be plenty here to make a really thick, heavy plumage, " he said, satisfied, before turning to Svarik, to confirm next steps. " You did a good job finding all the bones, by the way. It's important that you got even the smallest shards when some were broken by demons... Since I had them all, I could mend them easily. Now, we have whole skeleton gathered up, and Eros also separated me a lot of chemicals I will need, and meaty material from birds, so that I can coat the bones with proper muscles. Luckily, since the vessel is vampiric, it does not have the same problem of rejecting matter as human bodies do. I will use meat, chemicals, and Eros's and Alpha's blood, to to make really cool strong wing muscles around bones, so well that once we get the body back we'll only have to tie the two together. But in the meantime, it will be good if I have as many feathers ready, when the foundation is done, " he told them, and he handed them first the three big buckets of Sun Spirit wings, that were pure glowing gold in color, and ten black feathers oozing with Alpha's power. " Sun Spirit's and Alpha's feathers don't need any adjustments, we will use them as they are, their structure is perfect for flight, we just need to take care of base colour. Can I trouble the rest of my glorious free work force to begin with coloring of Sun Spirits feathers while we work on coating wings and tail with meat? " Ben smiled lightly, looking aside, to the paint supplies. " Owl brought you large medicinal quality cauldron, for a start, you should pour to the brim and stirr and prepare all the black paint we bought, and then, after Alpha blesses the paint, you can put feathers, one by one, to colour them. Alpha promised to do a really cool blessing, that will make black feathers you colour slightly iridescent, and make them glow slightly under sunlight with his refractive over the top Star power, so it will be exciting to see feathers slowly coming together. As soon as I finished with muscles, I will begin going through feathers you put aside for me, and combining and adjusting them to match Sun Spirit ones, so you will have more to colour. Can I trouble you to prepare and start coloring while we finish up our side? "

---

" Past us always leave us way too many issues, don't they? Yet... I think there's plenty to be thankful for from them, too. If they did not try their best, we would not be here right now, and we would not have met. If you were not brimming with confidence coming from the feeling that your death is near, would you muster the courage, to be yourself, and approach me freely, as yourself, the night we met? I am rather thankful, that we got that chance, no matter if it came because you did something terrible and worthy of scorn, and I am deeply grateful, to the past you, despite he was going through terrible motions, because those motions brought you to me. We would not be able to grow enough, to the point where we can have something good and healthy, without hindsight of recognising when something is unhealthy... But even so, there's no reason to put past you as merely a stepping stone for the current you, either. I think... the past you was... very cool. It takes so much, to navigate through the world alone, and try to pursue your dreams, even when faced with horrible circumstances. He managed to become the best actor of the coast, despite all his troubles. He grew to be a person that, even if he thought he was going to die, still was so mindful and tried to comfort the unrestful person he was sharing the night with, not because it would gain him something, but because he genuinely wanted to. He turned the night that I thought would be sad and lonesome, where I would be getting myself ready to meet Death and struggle with fear of being killed, into the most romantic night, where I experienced the most enchanting first kiss one could get... The past you, even the worst one, past you on the day you tried to kill and ended up hurting someone - to me, even that past you, sombre, regretful, but so thoughtful, and so full of heart - he was dazzling,  " Tide paused, before adding, so very quietly. " I wished I could help. Hans... Hans would have found, better words, to say it. I do not want to assume things, because you dislike being assumed about. I... am sure it must have been a hard and confusing burden to carry, to experience pleasure at the hands of someone you hated and had to keep returning to. I can not even begin to fathom, how awful it feels when the only person that gives you passing affection abuses you. But that only means you were in an awful situation, not that you were awful. Senecio I asked out was a little darker, a little more repressed, definitely greatly troubled and burdened... but he was also so very attentive, mindful, and full of understanding toward ordeals and suffering of others, " Almost as if pouting, or perhaps, trying to shield him from his own previous rough words that he seemed to be reflecting on now, the creature was murmuring at his ear while pressing him close against his chest. " Senecio I asked to date me was a little more confused, troubled, and unhealthy than Senecio I am dating now, but he was not a poor bastard. He was wonderful... "

[Mirach]

"I didn’t have time to ask before, but you discussed the color with Simbel, right? Did he choose it himself? Black and pink will look great together."

---

"The way you talk about him, you're almost making me jealous," Senecio chuckled. "I still feel angry, though. And I must admit it felt amazing to have an outlet for it." He was quiet for a moment, looking at the ceiling. "Yes... I think I would like to explore that more sometime. But now, I could use a hot drink."