Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"I think we could have some pancakes later, but let me call him first, so that he doesn’t get nervous waiting," Svarik said and quickly headed back to Simbel and Conrad. "Janus was just as self-conscious about meeting you, but I think I managed to reassure him a bit," he said. "He's expecting us now."

---

"If I wouldn't know you, I would say that's some fey deal that would give me bottled songs in exchange for stealing my name," Senecio chuckled, and signed the paper. "Here, you may have it."

[VisAnastasis]

Both previously and now encouraged by Svarik, and with Conrad managing his anxiety in the meantime, Simbel nodded lightly with the words. He followed, hiding timidly behind him, and trying to fold his wings as much as he could so he could look non-threatening, peeking shyly from behind Svarik's shoulder, which looked quite silly considering how tall he was.
When they got close enough to see their hosts, though, his eyes sparkled with wonder. They could see Janus was carefully making three new seating places beneath the tree house, for his quests. It was clearly the most shaded place, where Simbel could feel most comfortable with his vampiric vessel, sheltered from the sun. Alpha was still sitting, but he was waving with one of his arms to levitate and bring out shadows from the trees to create veil-like protection from the sun, and Emmet was helping Janus move the little table next to the chair. Perhaps because of the great care with which Demon seemed to try to adjust table and chairs so that he would not be burned, Simbel's eyes shook anew. When Janus turned to them, and their eyes met, hands around the present he was holding clutched the box nervously as if he suddenly forgot the words of introductions he was playing in his mind.
" I... I d-did not bring bread, t-this time... " was all he managed to stutter, as he slowly vulnerably extended the box he was holding.
Janus hesitated for a moment, looking back and forth from his trembling hands to face, before he brought himself to smile but faintly.
" I see... If you accept the shape of my hospitality... I shall accept your heart, no matter the shape of the present you brought, " were the first words Demon spoke to him, in a quiet, compassionate voice, bowing his head slightly, as if trying to be considerate to not frighten him, despite himself anxious, too. " Could I... implore you to sit down, first, if you would be comfortable enough to, please? I can not deem myself a good host if I keep you standing in the sun when there are alternatives available... "

---

" My, my, I am something far worse than a common fey... The malevolent trickster God, the iron-clad Lawyer, the mad Marquess of Eldergod, at your service, " Hans laughed mischievously while taking the papers and gathering them most carefully in one pile, with clear satisfaction. Since things went well, his low mood from worrying about Alpha's unusual behaviour seemed to have risen more, and he was in his element as he carefully put documents in his endless bag, to hand them to his aide later. " But a moment of having your guard down, and behold - your name is now mine! It won't be long, before your future last name is mine, too, my sweetest Moonthorn, " as if he was giving himself more place to test Senecio's boundaries a little more now that the actor was opening up to him more, he carefully reached for his head, and lightly patted it, and added, while gently rushing and fixing up the hair messy from sleep with his fingertips. " Still, just so you know, you cute rascal - it can not legally be called theft if you handed it willingly. I fear you've unfortunately not been deviously tricked, but merely given me a gift this once. But alas, it's not enough for this greedy nobleman, so, my sweet Simay, what will you give me next? I am positively starving, so how about sharing some of your time, over breakfast? Of course, I won't be offended if you'd like to invite your friend Erdel to join us for breakfast, or if you'd like to talk to him on your own first while we bring food, so pick what you'd like best, Simay... "

[Mirach]

"Let's sit down," Svarik agreed and smiled gently, feeling comfortable with both of them and trying to extend the feeling around himself.

---

"I'd like to talk to him first," Senecio said.

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel's wings were shaking slightly, as if in unwitting muscle memory - despite his best efforts, it was not easy to feel calm and lower his guard, after the kind of death he faced, when asked by Two-headed Raven, he lowered his sword before his enemies, and ending up hurt and killed for it. He already came without a sword at all, to not send the wrong message, so being the first to lower his guard was harder. Seeing his distress, Janus took a deep breath himself, and making sure his movements and what he did with his hands were slow and clear, he turned to his own seat that was a little to the side of the table, and was the first to sit down.
" Hans has gotten us very comfortable sitting available... I am sure you'll enjoy it when you try it. There's enough place to rest your wings comfortably in the shade... " Demon whispered, despite he was clearly afraid himself of the person he had for so long worried would kill him, towering above him. Seeing he was anxious and worried about his reaction, too, seemed to help Simbel get the courage to sit down, too, despite his wings still trembling involuntarily.
Janus made no comments on it, though.
" I hope the shade is to your liking... " Instead of talking of heavy things, he whispered so, instead. " Little Svarik told me you... are worried about my liking of your gift. To be honest, I am not that familiar with modern customs of... receiving things outside of deals, in contemporary gifting culture... It is a gift to me to see you healthy and... willing to see me, despite everything. I... am content with that. Would it be enough to you that am glad to have met you? Whether your gift is suitable or not will have no influence on that, so you have no need to worry over such things...  " he spoke carefully, as he glanced to Svarik for help - it was clear he was not used to receiving things, and even more so, things that could be of help or use to him, since his whole little world revolved around surviving with taking as little from others as possible. He clearly had not dared have any expectations, so instead of having formed a habit of looking forward to gifts, he was anxious he would hurt their feelings if he did not respond as they expected him to, and in his clumsy way, he tried to reassure them.

---

" Alright, dear. Then, Tide and I will drop by my aide's office to give him theatre documents to handle, and if you take longer, we'll go around to prepare a few people about playing nice with Riversong and Silver Simbelmyne, and you call us when you're done, deal? " Hans told him gently as he finished fixing his hair and softly withdrew his hand. Instead of both walking out, as if it was more natural for them, as in their private time, Tide probably often wore four-legged forms, Spirit just gestured to the demon to carry him. Tide shyly licked Senecio's cheek, before he left the bed and turned to a four-legged form of a large fluffy dog, more comfortable for riding, on whose back Hans jumped up lightly, letting Demon carry him outside of the room as he waved Senecio goodbye encouragingly.

When Senecio called for Erdel by name, it took but a couple of minutes for him to arrive. After the knock, he could see the familiar person entering.
" Sorry for taking a bit, I heard you right away, I was just doing some butchering work, so I had to wash my hands first, and then pass through the fabric a few times just in case, to make sure there's less chance for unpleasant feelings to linger, so you wouldn't be uncomfortable, with your feeling perceiving ability and all, " Erdel replied a bit apologetically, and then smiled but slightly, with warm feeling of worry actor could easily perceive.. " How are you doing? Did you sleep well? "

[Mirach]

"I think contemporary gifting culture is just enjoying the feeling of giving someone something that they might hopefully enjoy," Svarik said. "It's aiming to be as low-pressure as possible."

---

"Good enough," Senecio murmured. "Look, I called you because I promised you I would, but it still feels a bit awkward. Could you just... do the thing?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... " Being could not help but smile a little, since he could feel Svarik's wish to reassure him. As he slowly took the box and unwrapped it, it was clear he was still troubled by worry if he would react the way they expected him to, if he'll thank them by proper customs, if he'll disappoint them anyhow, be a bad host  - but suddenly, as he opened the package, all calculations seemed forgotten as his expression got blank.
" This texture... it... Looks similar to the scarf Erdel wears... And the one Death wears, that's woven with pain?  But... something in the... flavor is... different... " he asked cautiously as he cautiously examined the scarf and gloves within with his fingertips.
Simbel seemed to struggle with anticipation as he admitted shyly.
" It is similar... But more tailored to you.. Mister.. Sir, " Simbel stuttered, continuing more energetically, with hope that made his throat hoarse. " Death's is made by Nammy, from the pain of nettle, but my scarves are made from the pain of my waters soaking fabric as I knit. It needs strong emotions like pain to ground the item, and it needs me to knit runes in the patterns to maximise effects, but... into Erdel's, he needed more of a safety feeling, scent of my pond's waters, to ground him. In yours, I put less of a presence, and focused on layering the pain as much as possible so... so it would feel nicer to wear for you, sir. I, I knit them for the children too, but children's are more like Erdel's, with more focus on my presence, since I felt that is... more suitable for them... "
As he spoke, Janus bit his lip, not being able to take his eyes away from Simbel's fingers that knitted all those things, watching them intently, as if trying to figure out if he was still in pain. Only when he assured the vampiric vessel Simvel had been fully healed, he reluctantly looked back on the scarf and gloves. Slowly, so very hesitantly, he took them out of the box and caressed the surface slightly, with conflicted expression, grieved by the pain Simbel went through, but tempted by the inviting texture previously unknown to him. He seemed emotional and a little lost, as if he was previously composed and determined to go through the meeting by following the rules of good hosting rigulously, but someone suddenly ripped out the rulebook from him, and left him to his own devices, frozen and fragile. Unused to such earnest, everyday gifts untied to any deal or gain, he was unable to find the words to put his feelings into.


---

Erdel could not help but chuckle at Senecio's roundabout words.
" To be honest, I was half anticipating you felt too awkward to ask despite our promise and instead called me for other reasons, like asking for advice on how to handle Benjamin Bennet who arrived at sea today, what would be best to coax from him, or something along those lines, " he admitted just a touch more quietly with mention of that name, despite his smile was soft as he closed the door and came closer. " But it's nice you actually called me for what I hoped you would, first and foremost. I know you've been delaying it since last night, so it's a pleasant surprise I didn't have to keep racking my brain to come up with an excuse to see you and figure out how to get you to cough up the pain you promised me, " demon sat down on the bed next to him quietly - and this time, he offered him his hand, his eyes smiling warmly and little mischievously, as he continued speaking in same manner, as if hoping light way of speaking would put him at ease. " Last time I wasn't touching you and we practiced how well I can heal from a little distance, even if it's slower, but how about this time I hold your hand and we do a speed run of just how quickly I can rip you off for all you're worth? You look a bit more under the weather than usual today, so wouldn't you feel more comfortable if it were over sooner? And may I take everything, or do you wish to keep something for yourself? As I said last time, I am greedy, but the choice is naturally yours alone... "

[Mirach]

Svarik gave him some time to take in the gift. Instead he turned to Simbel. "See? Your gift is wonderful and not at all inadequate. So how about you both stop worrying about adequacy and just start getting to actually know each other?"

---

"Not this time, there's the play in the evening," Senecio murmured and hesitantly touched Erdel's hand.

(OOC: in case I don’t mamage to reply until the end of April, it's just that I have too many deadlines until then)

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel was amazed and taken aback that his gift was taken so well. He stumbled some flustered apology for acting too worried, but Janus, catching his wits at that moment, shook his head.
" The fault was mine. Too much consideration... can be a poison," he could not help but smile a little, grasping the scarf a little tighter. " I worried for nothing. You are... as kind a God as I imagined you... "
" I... have received too much from you to call giving something back a kindness, " Simbel seemed embarrassed, but also relieved and happy that Janus treasured his gift. " It, it was the best I could come up with in a short time..."
" It is a relief, then, that we are not in competition... You received nothing from me. Please, if you can, look at it as willfulness of this old man, " Janus, encouraged even more with Simbel's clear lack of hate shown through preparing a gift than the gift itself, spoke more bravely and softly, not able to hide little hope in his hoarse voice. " I wanted to meet you here at sea, so... I gave you the means to come. Besides, that cute child Erdel, when given a chance to make a request to me, asked me to help you, so," a slight smile reached his eyes. " From such a point of view, all I did was fulfill that child's request, so please, feel at ease. Seeing you grow up so well is more than enough reward for my work... "

Creature was embarrassed and mumbled its thanks, but it seemed relieved and touched by the efforts. Shyly, he gave away the rest of the oxes as presents to the children, who were timid, but clearly enjoyed the soothing touch of the fabric woven with such care. Simbel did not know Xia became a bodyguard for children, since it happened too recently, but he seemed to have made the decision right away to correct it and gently explained to her that it was hard to make something for her paws without measurements, and bid for permission to check her hands. She was timid and unsure about it, but she allowed him, and despite his hands were shaking a little, he did it well, gently promising he'll have her custom pair ready tonight.

Janus relaxed much more, clearly and openly pleased even more than with the gift, with how attentively and kindly Simbel treated the children. Copying children who excitedly put on their scarves, he put his own on slowly, his tense shoulders visibly relaxing with the soothing, gentle presence tailored to his hunger.

Since they both were relaxed, a little conversation finally seemed to start to flow, and once it did, it flew fell. It seemed that in a lot, Janus thought of Simbel as a child, much like he thought so of Erdel. Surprisingly, talk somehow went to filling holes in their interactions of past and knowledge of each other, and despite gentle, Janus spoke quite firmly against previous rulers and how much control they enforced upon young god, sounding quite pleasantly surprised and proud how well he grew up despite that, and genuinely full of respect how how Simbel fought for his people in the past despite his restrictions. Perhaps that strong sense of injustice and unfairness was another thing that managed to help him bond so easily with Senecio. He was not as clearly spiteful with old kings as he hated Guliermo, but he was clearly greatly displeased with how they treated the pond God, and now that he was relaxed enough to talk, he did not have any qualms about bashing them, with Alpha bemusedly joining here and there. Simbel would gasp at Alpha's colorful insults to the dead every now and then, as he was not yet at a point where he would think ill of old rulers, but he seemed to enjoy conversation in his own way, listening with awe and wonder as he began to match this opinionated protective and much involved person in front of him with the reclusive distant God of his memories.

---

Erdel took Senecio's hand in his and pressed it lightly, and the actor could feel the familiar, dark soothing aura enveloping him. Indeed, this time the demon tried to take his pain more quickly, and actor was injured a bit more, so he could feel it hurt more to take on the wounds, but more than that, he clearly felt creature's relief - it seemed Erdel was getting worried he might not be called, and since he was, his mood clearly brightened.
" I'll be with you as Riversong, as I promised, " he spoke a little more slowly, as he had to focus on it through the process of taking the injuries, but he spoke still, as if he hoped to distract him with the talk so he wouldn't feel self cious about it. " I double-checked the whole theatre through the night between tasks, and I will check it once more right before a performance. But seriously, " he grinned a bit playfully. " Even if some dramatic bastard appears and shoots not a tiny dart, but a Being-level arrow at you, I am fast and tough enough to block it for you. Hans was so overzealous in making things safe, there's not even a sharp nail sticking out so you can stumble on, and Mr. Janus rebuilt the coulisse mechanisms in such an overkill way that it would take a high-level demon to hit them hard for something to topple over on you. We'll make sure it is ridiculously safe, but of course, I am only saying this so you are aware of it. In truth, it's fine if you are still scared. Just do your best to keep in mind you're safe and scared, not unsafe and scared, but that actual level of danger matters not at all, and that you can bail even if you know you are safe, " he smiled, but slightly as he was slowly taking away worse injuries. " Never forget you have the luxury to bail, so bail, if the emotional toll of finishing the play is too much. My reputation can hardly get worse, too, so just in case you feel too bad to be the one blamed, I don't mind us coming up with a scenario we can play on cue, where I break something important by accident, and we have to stop the play because of me, and we can have Hans take over you if you act like you sprained your ankle or something. I am a rookie first-time actor after all, and I don't know my own strength, so isn't it natural that I might break something, totally accidentally? " he said sheepishly. " There's no way in which you can mess up that we can't fix by sharing the blame and responsibilities to mitigate consequences, I promise... "

( OOC: No worries, dear! I hope it's not too stressful and taxing, look out for your health! <3<3 <3  I'm crossing fingers for it to go well! Good luck with the deadlines!  ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ ♡

[Mirach]

Svarik let them talk and get to know each other without much interfering. Instead, he talked to the boys about what they could see and do when they visit the capital.

---

Senecio breathed through the sensation of fast healing, not answering to Erdel before it waa done. At one point he closed his eyes, because he felt too revealed and vulnerable by Erdel knowing exactly what he did the night before. He only opened them after. "You know how I like doing things out of spite?" he murmured. "I don't think I'm going to back out. Even if I would want to, or it would be clearly better for me. But knowing that I theoretically could is good. Although, doing things in spite, wouldn't it be funny if I tripped over my own feet and hurt myself despite all the safety measures? That would be a perfect comedic irony, just on brand for me."

[VisAnastasis]

Janus was distracted by the unexpected, thoughtful gift enough to forget his struggle to host for a moment, lost in the talk. It seemed after shock wore off a little that he felt compelled to return Simbel's care with effort with his own, and as Simbel was more relaxed and sat and moved his wings more freely, Janus observed the wings closely, and took out the notebook. He began carefully rewriting the needed runes as they talked, forgetting his intention to make them a meal at a moment, as he was determined to first make suitable changes to the runes to repay his guest for the gift.

The two of them being occupied with the talk and runes gave Svarik plenty of time to freely talk with the children. It seemed that with Meadow King healing them, and just as much, with providing them with stability of secret scholarship in case Janus would have to leave, he had given them the proof that he truly wants the best for them, and they couldn't help but be pleased with his visit. Emmet was a little more timid and unsure how to treat him after receiving the most help from him, and not knowing how to return good on any way other than with his body, he was unsure what to do when that was off the table. He did not speak much, he just quietly took one apple and cut and peeled it for Svarik and Conrad, carefully, timidly offering it to them.
Unlike Emmet, the other two were much more talkative and happy to speak, as they seemed to treat him like reliable adult who only brought them good things so far. They were unsure about going so far, but they spoke hopefully of what and where Svarik liked to eat in the capital, clearly hoping to treat him to a meal when they went there. They did not seem to fully grasp that Janus was actually planning to go to the capital for their health, much more than for his own; they mostly seemed to think he had obligations there and that they would just be tagging along with him. That's why, with most of their life spent in the darkness under the stage, their grasp of possible future were limited - this was the first time in their life of scarcity that they must have felt they had some chance for normalcy, so only thing they could have confidence to imagine more freely was finding something nice to eat and treating Svarik and Conrad with something they enjoy, too.


---

" It is tempting to humour you, but... You know that self-deprecating rubbish will not work on me, right?  If messing up was on brand for you, not pushing yourself to the limits to succeed out of spite, we would not be having this talk, " Erdel could not help but smile a little. More vulnerable Senecio acted before him, freer he felt to push how vulnerable he could be, too, so it seemed he chose sincerity over cheering him up with empty encouragement. " But I have to remind you, still... Aren't you sitting with the man that just healed you, and that is going to stay but a whisper from you for the whole play? I am quite prepared to sneakily steal a wound or two if you were to want to fall, but before even that, do you think gravity is fast enough to pull you to the ground before I catch you? Your premise is wrong from the start. You can only fall if I let you fall. I am as overqualified in bodyguarding as you are in acting, " he teased on, but his expression was soft as, after a moment, he carefully continued, as if choosing to share little more of his heart to reassure him. " No... not in acting... but in surviving. To be honest, I do not believe for a moment that you would not be perfectly capable of enduring this on your own. That is why I am happy that you feel secure enough to instead choose for yourself the role of an actor who does not have to endure everything. I as well... for the first time in my life, am in the same position, where I feel like I can push what is allowed to me... without having to worry that making the smallest mistake will lead me to losing everything. Svarik will not discard me for making a fool of myself in a play, or for spending time with you instead of working, no more than Tide will discard you if you mess up today... so please, use that to make informed choice on what role of Senecio who can afford to mess up you wish to experience today, " he spoke a little bluntly, but with clear sincerity. "  If you, by some miracle, hurt yourself as you stumble, I can heal you inconspicuously. If you want me to let you fall and get bit injured so you can bail and have Hans take over, we can set a sign beforehand so I know to pretend I didn't catch you in time... We can do anything, you just need to say a word. I can't know what you're hoping for unless you say it... "

[Mirach]

In the much more relaxed atmosphere, so different from the formal tone it started with, time passed quickly. Svarik suddenly remembered that they still didn’t show Simbel the sea. "How about we now go to the beach for a while?" he suggested.

---

"I guess I just find it very hard to feel safe, even if it's irrational," Senecio said. "The less I have time to think about it and worry before the play, the better, I suppose."

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel, who was finally relaxed with the meeting going unexpectedly well, could not help himself, and his face beamed with a smile as he remembered how much he looked forward to seeing the sea before nervousness distracted him. He tried his best not to turn around to look in its direction, as he wanted to keep the first look something they saw together. Janus could not help but smile slightly with a childlike gesture. He turned to Svarik then.
" I am... not well-versed in the nuances of current language and etiquette. Do your words mean you wish us all to go, or is it one of the moments when one is subtly asking to be given privacy for personal memory? If you wish for the second, should I make you a meal while you play by the shore? " he bid hopefully, looking Svarik up and down with slight worry - in his eyes, meadow king must have seemed quite thin and fragile after watching him be faint with often healings. " It would be a sin of mine as your host not to feed such sweet rascals... I told you what food I currently have to offer, and as for little Godling Simbel, my vampire food stock is currently lacking since I am still learning to make it for Erdel's sake, but I can offer him vampire pancakes and a glass of heavy iron supplements to match. "
" Little Simbel is a plant, so food from common blood would just be delicious, but if we're going for healthy, you can have my blood for pancakes, blood of stars should be a much better ingredient than using yours. Just make some for me too when you're already making them, it's been a while since I had them, " Alpha said casually, yawning idly. It seemed that such foods weren't considered unusual for Beings, as Old Demon only nodded in understanding.
" Oh, indeed, it is better to aim for health. Since it's Star blood, would you and your companion like vampire pancakes, too, perhaps? " He offered them to Svarik and Conrad readily. " If I understood King Hans's words right, Solstice has given you his heart to eat at Long Night, and you both ate the heart of Star Boy, who is descended from a Star? You both have blood of stars in you, too, so food coming from another Star should be both delicious and healthy for you, so since Alha is generous, I would not mind making you some warm pancakes from it, too, if you crave them. "

---

" Well... It is not like I am the one to berate you for your fears. Even if I... logically know I lost the Demon hunters in the mountains and that they never saw me, I still feel their breath crawling down my neck. It's an awful feeling... when you see something and realise it deep in your bones that you will die if it touches you. I have no high ground to look down on you from, " the Demon smiled very slightly, while he subconsciously tightened the soft red scarf around his neck, as if trying to ground himself - it seemed the shadow of barely escaping back then still lingered upon him, too. " I would be a trash if I pestered you just to make you feel guilty for not overcoming it. Yet...  Are you truly more consumed with thoughts about today's play than with so many perfectly good distractions around?  Mister Alpha seems quite depressed, so you could start there. But even more so... are you not worried about negotiating for your immortality today? And above that, it's a waste not to ask to become a Being when you're asking for immortality, so... are you not torn in the least measure, about deciding what exactly to ask for?  What kind, what powers, what power output? " his gaze at Senecio was both contemplative and soft with worry that he could not help but reveal more freely now that he was relieved the actor was healed. " Have you at least... put together a list of pros and cons of becoming a Spirit or Demon, and weighed them out? There is a lot Benjamin can alter afterwards, but the clearer the image you have of what you want, the better result you'll have than if you choose halfheartedly and later want to change something. And... one thing he can not change without erasing your memories, is choosing to be a Demon or Spirit. What you choose now, you choose for eternity ahead, so... how are you not overwhelmed, weighing that choice instead? It is a choice for the future and... I was half demon, so I had no choice but to become a Demon, " he whispered quietly. " But you can choose, unclouded by preexisting conditions... "