Senecio adn Tide II
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Svarik's smile faded a little with that. "I'm sorry... I'm not sure if I will ever like any weapon. I can't really imagine forming much of a relationship to one. There's still this thing with the Bull... I'm still the last remaining Derhain, and there's a bit of his power in my blood. That's why the Thief could be defeated. He didn't have all of his power. And as long as I don't spill any blood, it should remain asleep inside me. I don't want it to wake. I don't suppose you know a way how to remove this power? Your water burns demons, but the Thief wasn't a demon. So if I have to defend myself, I would prefer a weapon that doesn't spill blood."
--- "So this is your tax filling chair?" Senecio pointed to the chair closer to the window. "And this you tax evasion chair?" he smirked, and sat down on the other chair across the table. He waited for Hans to sit down as well, but then he got serious. "You really need to know what Erdel overheard from Alpha. It's urgent because he wants to leave after the play today. He feels you've been avoiding him recently, and he worries that he has been too assertive recently. So he's going to leave and you don't have much time to do something about it. But I've got an idea, if you would accept a suggestion." |
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The smile Simbel returned to him, was, likewise, a little more fragile than previos one, as if Svarik's words had passed across a wound - but one that was healing up and did not hurt as much as it once used to.
" My dearest... you are... asking me if I know a way to kill something immaterial, that has no soul, only raw power to it. You are asking me for instructions on... how to kill me, you see. But... it's okay. Whom should I tell, if not you? You already know the method, anyway, "the creature whispered, with one of its softest, gentlest gazes tinged with just a bit of sadness, the one it often wore in the first days they met. " Dearest... You have already been using the method, all on your own, splendidly. The way to kill something like me is slow, but simple... all you have to do is starve it to death, " he gently reached for Svarik and pressed his hand lightly, not looking afraid, though - only worried. " It's not just mere blood - thief needed blood seeping with violence the most, and you denied it to him for ten years splendidly. You have done such good job starving it most of people won't even know it's there... but you are right, both of us do know, so I should have paid it more mind, even if surviving Long night was a priority. I apologise. I should have known you'd still be scared... If Thief were alive, I would be scared right there with you. But he is dead, so even if you killed someone, the imprint of Thief in you can't let someone that's alreadt dead and gone possess you. If I were to die... objects or people with my essence could still kill demons with my presence for a while until it faded - but they could not be possessed by me once I am gone from this world. If you became a serial killer, that would become a more serious cause of worry, because it can create something New, but meanings and symbolism are extremely important for Being matters, and I believe in your goodness. You can not have the same level of influence happen if one accidentally cuts someone while cutting vegetables, or with fierce intent to inflict violence - I am certain that over the years you spilt enough blood as healer and used sharp needle enough when sewing wounds to realise that. Thief's death is a very important factor in level of danger... But I would never treat your safety with callousness. It's just that I believe in your goodness that much. It is like mixing oil and water - even if they may mix, they are fundamentally too different for water's nature to change," he explained gently but firmly. " I believe in your goodness, so even if there were setbacks, I believe you would starve it eventually, spilling blood would just delay it a while. Everything that is starving will eventually die, it is all a matter of time... It does not matter how resilient... I was. After a thousand years of starving, if it were just a little longer, if I were not fed but kept trying to help you, I would have spent myself and faded away ito nothing, like I never was. The same is with what is within you... If we just keep starving it, it will fade, perhaps in decades, perhaps centuries. But you are right... An immortal perspective can make one think it's fine to wait for things to naturally take their course. We can wait, since you choose to be immortal... or we can deal with it. If the thief were alive, our options would be more limited, but he is dead, and I am stronger, so there are more options. There are things I can do, but even if you do not choose them, we can figure out other options with our friends. I can tell you one path right away. You may refuse freely, but it is on me to offer, " he reassured him, watching carefully. " We may call it an imprint of a thief... not as perfect an imprint as I was an imprint of White Eagle, but it's a specially tailored imprint for your bloodline. Think of it like a permanent tattoo... It's possible to remove it with force by burning away the whole surface layer of skin - it would hurt and be hard to recover from, but extremely powerful Beings like Stars have good chances of doing it without killing a person, if they eat the imprint. Thief was just a special case of menace, where trying to do such a thing was dangerous, because consuming anything from Thief raised the chance of being possessed by him - that's why Alpha and the others would not be able to easily risk doing something like that while Thief was alive. Now, it can be done, and we can do it, if you wish... But I'd rather not cause you needless permanent change, just to get rid of it, when it can starve on its own - tatoo that is not renewed with strong ink will fade when you are immortal, it is only a matter of how long you wait. But there is another way that I can offer you... You can change it. You can create a new tattoo by covering and painting a new one over it. A new thing covering the old until it can no longer be seen, " Simbel offered quietly. " I will understand if you say no... but know you have that option. What Thief did to you is leave part of himself in you that overrides your will. I can cover it up by leaving a stronger part of myself in you that does the same. A more extreme version of you planting flower in the garden of my mind. Flower is just a faint imprint of *your* essence within *my* mind. It is merely a strong enough link that we can connect our thoughts when we think of each other. But we can also do the opposite, you see. There is a ritual that I used to do sometimes - an Apostle contract, " he explained quietly, speaking more carefully, as if he were just a little anxious about Svarik's thoughts, as this was his first time explaining such things in this language. " Right now, when I want to possess a person, I have to ask their permission, and they have to visibly struggle to allow it to me - that's the way I possessed Melody that one brief time, when I had to quickly help Conrad. My presence is too strong, and such incomplete possession only allows me partial control for a little bit because the mind resists it. I sometimes did a ritual with healing priests that would change people in the same way as the Thief changed them - enable me to possess them whenever I want if certain conditions were fulfilled. I could do the same as a Thief, because we are the same. Full control whenever I want when conditions are fulfilled, but I could still only remain for a brief time, because if I stayed longer I would have to start eating the soul, so to avoid the danger of hurting my followers, it were usually very brief possessions. In my case, it was more like a solution to a medical problem, than an elaborate scheme to jump from body to body like he designed, " he coughed, seeming little embarrassed, as he admitted. " Uhm... It's silly, but... some people I cared for had heart conditions that would make their lives very short... Their heart was working irregularly. So, when priests with sicker constitutions would be born, I would designate them as my Apostles and make a contract with them - they agree to briefly let me possess them in case of emergency, so I can have an emergency vessel I can use. In exchange, when I feel like they are in danger of a heart attack, I possess them briefly to make their heart beat manually until danger passes, so they don't die. An emergency vessel in exchange for regular health checks. It may sound a little crude, but I... was just one person, and I had to make do with one-person solutions. If you make a contract with me, what is left of Thief within you could no longer Grow, because it could no longer Eat, because you would be feeding me, not Him, with your violence. A tattoo of a pink bird instead of a tattoo of a red bull. I... am no longer just one person against the world, though. If you dislike this offer, give me a little time. I am certain we can find more options if we brainstorm and ask around... " --- Hans paled, his expression indeed getting serious. " I mean... I know I was getting a little more, um quiet... but in my defence, this is hardly an orthodox situation. Our position is... quite strange, as you know... with all its will we, won't we... " Spirit was murmuring, revealing his true feelings, visibly more thoughtful and reluctant than before. " It is a strange state where we aren't technically dating... but it's not like we are nothing. It's not something you can like, drop straight into marriage and pretend like we were dating the whole time, I mean, right? But it's also not - not that we don't have a connection strong enough to be... dating in anything but words. It's just that we flirted most of it into the future. He... was always there for me, it's just that... you know. Before I gave up on Time Lord fully that matter stayed up in the air between us, and after I fully ditched that bastard, with the thief and emperor, and then Bull priests... it was... " he shook his head grimly. " It was all too heavy for me to be... enough of a person to want normal things like relationships... " |
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"I think for now, I would just prefer to try starving it. It's good to know that it can be done. I was afraid it will always be there as long as I live. It's not like I would be in a hurry to remove it so that I xould do some violence. But it means that if you would like to gift me a sword, I'll be demanding and ask for a special one, if such a request can be fulfilled. Conrad has one that can cut a soul. I would like people to think mine is the same, but in truth, it would just pass through flesh harmlessly, but be solid when touching anything else, like another blade. Then it could parry a blow and act in defence, but its offence would be just fear of its ability to cut a soul, when it truth, it would be harmless. That is a sword that I could actually wield comfortably and take a liking to.
--- "I know..." Senecio nodded empathically. "But listen. I still owe Alpha a debt for my clothes. A short play about him, for the price of a ham sandwich. How about I do the play today, before the big one, and we could turn it into a confession from you to him? I already sent Erdel to buy me a ham sandwich, since I don't plan on using any props other than what I already have. What do you think? I know it's rushed and maybe you would like to do it differently, so feel free to refuse." |
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" It is fine if it is not a sword, but something else. If you prefer weapon that draws less blood, we can brainstorm. My mere wish is that you do not choose with fear that you would lose yourself... You have me now, and you worked so hard to protect yourself, too. Thief can not claim you, so choose without such things weighing your mind, " Simbel explained gently, but with Svarik's words, it seemed the other two Beings stirred a little more. Alpha was the first to clasp one pair of his hands and put it in front of himself.
" Yes, yes, sure, but... I know it's futile to worry about your safety in most cases, considering either Eldritch horrors like Erdel or me are always at your side, or superhumans like sword master Birdie here.... But do you really think your friends are going to be reassured about your safety if you have a sword that can't cut? At that point, it's better to pick up a strong branch to hold. Like, not gonna lie, little sugar cube, my anxiety just spiked about 5000 per cent, haha... " star's expression clearly looked troubled and somehow saddened. " Annnd... While fear of their soul being cut would certainly deter most of people, human greed can be endless. I worry it might be a double-edged sword for you, little sugar. You'd be surprised, even after 200 years in the neighbourhood, how often I have headaches with thelf related issues, and I only make clothes. If we're making a cool banger for you, shouldn't we at least make it something that doesn't sound extremely tempting to steal, while in reality it doesn't do much? It's like dying when someone tries to steal your glass ring thinking it is a diamond one... " " It... is sad, but not surprising, that even if evil burns you, you struggle to account for it... I can not fault you for the flaw I have myself, too. It is hard for people that despise violence to see the face of evil without being taken aback by it every time, " Janus voiced his opinion in a whisper, too, looking tensely at the level of Svarik's hands, with a pained tinge of sorrow as he observed the meadow king's nails that were torn off and later regrown with Simbel's powers. " Both Alpha Centauri and I hate violence, kind child. But it does not mean we would be reassured with you having less, not more. Making little Erdel's weapon is a more urgent task, since you are currently safe with Alpha and your other friends, but we think dearly of your safety... We also want to see the world you create, and we can not see it if you do not live long enough to make it, or worse, live, but never a life untouched by hurt." Being spoke with his own distinct, blunt and direct approach, his words laced with quiet worry. "Absolutely, " Alpha confirmed, " We planned to make a shield artefact like the one Janus made for Senecio, that can alert me and enable me to appear in front of you in case of danger, but it just got pushed back because we are working on Erdels's sword and Senecio's gift. Pocket lightning might not hurt to have, either, if you're looking for weapons that don't draw blood, but anything you wish for defence as additional precaution, I am naturally all in. Besides, you're cutey patootie and deserve the cutest shit, " he wiggled one pair of his hands as his gaze grew into a soft expression. " When you already agree to get something, wouldn't it be extremely boring to make you a faulty magic sword, when you have a reality-bending star and the best runesmith at your side that can go the extra mile for you? " " I would not say boredom is a deterrent for me, but... It would be a pity to waste good materials for lesser protection. And would it not be more meaningful to make something more fit for you? In my opinion, the biggest change to make sure little Svarik actually uses something is to make it too tempting not to, and to do that, we must make a tool that he would actually like that just happens to be a weapon. Something nice that just happens to be sword-shaped. " Janus spoke up a little more hopefully, bringing forth his out-of-the-box thinking that had his distinct mix of practicality and concern. " There are plenty of paths to choose, and everything depends on materials... But you are a healer, and healers are rare, so you have a good foundation to make deals for materials. It does not have to be a sword, but it would be, if you'd like it to be. We can give it some function that is more useful for you, that would aid you in healing, but also happens to be able to be used for defence in an emergency. " " But whatever we choose, it must be something with clear enough flaws that it's obvious stealing it is pointless, " Alpha chimmed in excitedly. " How about us making it appear like a holy item of the Bull or Simbel, and say it requires Simbel's and Bull's daily blessings and clear favour to work? If that is known, everyone will be aware weapon is useless if stolen, and might even curse a person who steals it. I use similar little curses with a lot of my clothes, where they turn into normal clothes with theft. " " Hmm... If we wish to honour Simbels' desire to protect Svarik, and also put the least amount of pressure to learn what he hates upon him... How about making something Simbel can partially inhabit? You recall that when I considered those runes, I considered making Simbel a mechanical body? This is simpler than the functioning mechanical body - but if we make something from materials that can accommodate Simbel and carve proper possession runes into it, he can inhabit it to a certain degree. He could inhabit normal weapons if we just carved proper runes, but that would feel like just entering an object without being able to move or feel much, even if the sword would have a purifying function like pond water does. The best metal choice would be Necrodermis. It is living metal. If we make a weapon from it and carve runes, Simbel could inhabit it and would feel vibrations of air around it, and he would be able to channel his energy to make the sword float around you as he wishes. You would basically have a weapon that can move by itself around you, so you would just have to learn to guide Simbel's movements, while he could do most of the work and uses his own energy to put strength into his slashes. Like Simbel's vampire body has to be refilled with energy from the pond, the weapon would have to be refilled regularly to work, so it would actually be a weapon that can only work as long as you have enough of Simbel's approval for him to agree to refill it and protect you through it. And Necrodermis is quite rare and special. It is metal that heals itself and is able to change shape. Simbel can change what it is based on what you need, as long as you have enough of his power stored within it to channel the change. You can change it to be a sword, a whip, a staff, or even a flute, if you desire it - the only limitation to what you can make is the amount of metal, for you can not make anything bigger than the amount of metal used in the original crafting. " " Yes, necrodermis is rare trinket, so we don't have much. Most of what we currently own is safeguarded by Hans, so you'd have to make a deal with him to get enough." Alpha said. " We don't have enough to make multiple things, because necrodermis is treated as our kingdom's treasured good, and its usage has to be carefully mandated so it's not spent wastefully, but you are both king and healer so you have good grounds to stand in this request. There are some other materials we'd need and more unique things we use, more fun final result we can make, but whatever I make, I do not see making Simbel a little extra vessel he can possess as a bad thing, even if it's not as cool as his current living flesh. Besides, making a weapon that can only protect you magically as long as Simbel himself believes you are worth protecting... " he grinned playfully. " Is the kind of fairytale trope that I think is pretty fun, so it would be worth a little more effort to see how long it lasts on both sides... " --- Hans's gaze was soft and warm, but he was a little quiet as he clasped his hands, his feelings reflecting a little smidgeon of anxiety and concern. He looked Senecio up and down carefully, and spoke up hesitantly and slowly, almost as if trying to decide exactly how much of his feelings it was okay to reveal to not put pressure on him. " It... would be a lie to say I am not worried about Alpha's actions lately. He often gives me space, but... he never just disappears on me like this. True, it might have been an unexpected trip to the capital, but... he'd usually let me know before he just... leaves suddenly like that. So, I naturally can't help but be... a little anxious, no matter how I choose to confess. I want to make it special to him. He is a collector of rare experiences... I want this confession to be a rare treat for him he can look back on fondly. It would be a treat indeed to have a little friend and family gathering that unexpectedly turns into a confession... it would be a precious memory to look back on, to have a confession like no other. It would not be something he would see coming indeed... But I worry, I greatly worry, Senecio, " despite he could not help smile, Senecio could see simple, quiet worry in Spirit's gaze, one creature did not try to hide as it spoke, its words transparent and with no trace of deception or deflecting. " I am worried if it is the right thing to throw such expectations on you. Just because you sit in my tax-evading chair, my dear, does not mean you are expected to fix my problems, taxes-wise or otherwise. I put a lot of effort into... making sure you don't feel like you have to maintain any usefulness to belong with us. You are going through a lot today, choosing to face your fears and act again tonight after everything that happened... I fear putting even more on your plate to deal with. You... are not my pet, my employee, or my jester, dear, " he whispered, inquiring plainly and directly, as if trying to deter Senecio from trying to joke his way through this. " And I am not your patron. You do not have to... make decisions considering what would be helpful to me. You have so, so much on your plate... You truly are helping me, terribly so, just by the time you spend with me, and the warmth you show me when you do make up for me. I can feel your sincerity, and it's enough for me. Would it truly be a pleasure for you, not a burden, to have two important plays to balance in one day? You have done so much for me already. Just because you are a great actor, does not mean you have to spend yourself away, especially when dealing with so much... " |
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Svarik seemed getting uncomfortable with the talk about swords and defending himself, avoiding the gaze of the people he was talking to. "I'm sorry... I feel I'm being selfish. I hate hurting people. The thing with spilling blood... it's real, but it also feels like an excuse so I don't have to. The truth is, I would rather get hurt that have to hurt someone. And it's not fair to you, because then you have to worry for me and hurt or kill the people yourself because I'm not willing to..." He was talking to all of them, but looking especially at Conrad. "I feel like I should say yes to the sword thay can be posessed... but it doesn't make me feel much better about the selfishness of it."
--- "Oh, so that's you biggest concern about it?" Senecio actually looked a bit relieved. "You know what I'd do if you said no to it? I'd wander the house aimlessly, getting nervous and looking for a distraction before the play tomorrow, because at this point going over it again in my head would only make me more anxious, but I'd end up doing it anyway. This it the perfect distraction I can put my mind into. So what do you think? How do you imagine your perfect confession?" |
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" I do not mind being the one more... focused on fighting. I am used to it, anyway. But I would not mind having any extra security we can master, either... It would not matter if I killed one or ten if you died in the meantime. It would be a much more horrible nightmare if I had to kill someone to protect you, but you died anyway, " Conrad whispered quietly.
" Yes... " Simbel tied, with a little tension, but a slowly steadying expression that showed his determination and growth he had gone through since they met. " I... understand your feelings about selfishness... I also feel like it is selfish to be... on the receiving end of so much good. To maintain one more posessable vessel, I would have to eat more... My heart burns with guilt over it. But... I never wish to make the same mistakes again as when I first met you. I was too scared to ask you for anything, in fear of being abandoned and covered again if I was seen as too much. It is a great regret to me that I did not dare ask you for food before the point where I was barely staying alive. If only I had asked and recovered a little bit earlier, I would have been able to heal you sooner, and you would have suffered less. Never again... do I wish to ask myself, if the present would have been better if I... Asked for what I needed sooner, so that I can give back sooner, too, " despite the hardship of saying it through his own tepid anxieties, his voice was full of warmth as he shyly tried to catch Svarik's look. " You... are telling us what you need to stay healthy, too. You say you need to avoid fighting, and would rather be hurt than hurt. I do not like killing, either, nor permanent damage, but I do not mind fighting and hurting, so I would gladly do my part to ease that burden from you. If you are in danger wherever this body can reach you, I would have defended you and our friends all the same - it does not make difference to me if I would do in in shape of a person or a weapon, as long as I can do something. If... If you truly believe it is not selfish of me to eat more than minimum to maintain myself, you should not treat yourself as selfish just for asking bare minimum you need to not drown in guilt. It's not fair to yourself... " "Sweet pink God is right, little sugar, " Alpha said with a smile that was gentle and genuine, but a little more strained, unusual for himself - it seemed the theme resonated with everyone differently but deeply, because they all spoke their fill of words more seriously, even him, who kept his playful tone. " Goodness, dear... It would be terribly poor taste for any of us to deem you selfish for wanting to avoid violence. What could I possibly have to say in my defence? I am a Star, one of the strongest Beings there is, who discovered this planet right as the Being war started... It was as if the whole world conspired to force me to be a warrior. I was killed many times, not because I was weak, but because I tried to avoid violence. Even now, whenever danger arises, how can I not always feel guilty and ask myself - if I were more tolerant of violence and ready to hurt and kill, would my people have lived better? Everyone goes through so much convoluted trouble and effort... just so I would not have to twist my Purpose of Creation into Destruction. We are different, but I am certain my guilt can not be much different from the guilt of you, whose purpose is healing, being pushed by the world to cause hurt. I used to feel much worse about it... But do you know what Hans would tell me about? " Despite his words being a little melancholy, Svarik could feel an undeniable patient fondness in his voice, and a certain tender hopefulness that the shadows of reality could not touch. " He would be angry beyond measure. He would yell at me and scold me and tell me that the problem with peaceful people is that they can not get angry enough when they have every right to, as if all anger is a sin. They instead blame themselves for not stopping bastards, instead of blaming said bastards for inciting violence in the first place. It is not my fault that bad things happened just because I did not train to be more powerful fighter. So that's why what Hans does not pressure and force me into sacrificing myself for the kingdom... but asks me instead... what alternatives can we figure out to help everyone together that does not require sacrifices that would break my spirit. Are we not in this whole mess of wanting to see you live well and long together, little sugar? " Demon asked most softly, as he lightly flicked Svarik's forehead, as if trying to lighten his heart with a playful gesture. " None of us say we wish you to become a violent sword master. We ask you - what all are you willing to do, to fight for our joint goal of keeping you cute self alive? I dislike killing, too. I can burn someone to crisp, but it depends on my mentality - I can only do it if I am either terribly angry, or terribly indifferent to the person I aim for, and it's hard for me to get indifferent enough to life, even though with time with Hans I am slowly getting better at learning anger. That's why I am not a warrior... I am an evacuation expert. That's why my blood is woven in all our shield artefacts, so that they summon me when they are attacked. How can I blame you for prefering to get hurt over hurting? My body is tough, so I myself am quite comfortable being summoned by shielding artefacts when attacks happen, acting as a proper meat shield myself too, and fractaling space to grab the allies and make a run for it. I am willing to do the same for you, sweets, and appearing whenm you are attacked to get you to safety. I can comfortably appear within area of shielding artefacts within few seconds of them empting out under attacks, but I need you to be able to stay alive until then, and I may get little delayed if there are multiple emergencies at the same time. So what you really need is not exactly becoming a sword master and killer - just surval plans until I can get to you, little joy... And you are meadow king. Nobody is as rich in options as you. " " Alpha... puts it little dramatically, but... he is right, " Janus added his own thoughts, too, watching Svarik with his own flavour of timid and hesitant but unquestionable warmth. " You... seem to have a little warped image of... how the world fully sees you. To most humans, you might be seen as an unreliable, weak emperor with an uncertain legacy and unproven skills... But all Beings in Tide's kingdom know that you sacrificed half of your soul to purify the Vein and stop the demon army from destroying this layer of world. We were all ready to fight for it... but we did not have to, because of your selflessness. You can not treat your merits as if they cease to matter once the danger is gone. There is no Being in Tide's kingdom that meets you that will by default not meet you with a net positive attitude and the benefit of the doubt. There is no Being who cares for Sea Deity that will not approach you fondly over how you treated it. There is no Being that cares for Hans and Tide that will not treat you preciously over the mercy you gave to Senecio...me included. I care for that child dearly, and I would not have met him had you not been so unapologetically just as you are - a person that would rather be hurt than hurt others, " despite Janus's smiles were always fragile, perhaps with thoughts about Senecio and unsaid care Svarik gave to three wounded children, this smile was brighter than usual. " You... are beloved greatly. And deals for trinkets and pleasure is one thing, but for any deals that address your safety, I guarantee you there are few that would not go the extra mile for you. You would have more options than probably most in the world, so if we think it through together, I am certain we can figure out what feels comfortable to you, whether it's just making a posessable sword, making some additional features to the weapon, adding more materials to add to itd defenses and abilities, combining the weapon with other options and so on... When there's a great variety and options of materials, creators and allies, there's a lot that can be done. It would be quite sad if you believed the favour you receive is pity or charity we wish to give because you are causing us worry or trouble, though... Your hesitance to engage in violence is something we appreciate greatly. You measure ten times before you cut. That is a reassuring way to be, so how can we, who are always hunted, not be reassured that you will not raise hands against us easily? You are not built wrong, " he said firmly, almost a little sternly, scolding softly. " It is only the world that works against you. It is not your fault that we worry dearly for you... It is something we choose on our own, because of who you are. You commit no sin for it. Becoming someone people fret losing is a natural consequence of the way you tread through life. If you did not worry us, you would not be you... " --- Hans's expression eased into a slight soft smile once he was reassured that Senecio is speaking the truth and is truly not feeling pressured and burdened. That's why he was able to focus on properly thinking through to reply truthfully, leaning his head on his hands as he thought it through. " Most important... is that he is properly surprised. That he does not realise it right away as the play starts. It is... long overdue. I would like it to be something he would not right away figure out, so in that sense... the play is perfect. He would not think it is anything but something we are doing together. Lot of Being deals when broken down are often wrapped up like offers of company so both sides can see if they like being together, so he won't immediately think there's something between me and him in focus, since he'd be thinking more in the lines of it being something between you and him, " Hans started, speaking slowly and carefully, as if he was figuring out how he felt as he was speaking. " Deal was to have a small circle of friends present.. So having me, Tide, Erdel, Sage, Janus... Maybe Svarik and Conrad would like to join? Alpha has been doing quite a lot for them recently; he would not be doing that much had he not been fond of them, so it might be nice to have them be a part of the memory. Hmm... Maybe little Simbel too? A mix of present and future. Generally, in those things most important is to imagine what kind of memory it will turn into as you look back at it, and... I want to give him a one-of-a-kind memory. He... is... a little sensitive. He often has trouble... feeling like he fits in with others. So for a start, being surrounded by a small circle of people he is fond of that he can look back on fondly is a must, even if a small circle. And I would like there to be at least a small gift involved - after so long, it feels like I should get him something, at least something little tied to the play so it is tied to its memory. But I am not sure what. I have never thought too deeply about any of it, " he admitted quietly and honestly. " You... may call it superstition... but it sort of... feels like a fear of foreshadowing, you could say. I felt as if I thought about it more deeply, it would be like setting myself up for failure, like a soldier who says he will propose after the war is over, will most definitely die in the very next scene. It felt like less could go wrong if I did not dare to put more will into wanting more than this... " |
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"What am I willing to do?" Svarik repeated slowly, looking at the problem from a new perspective. "Well... I am willing to follow your judgement in things I'm not good at myself. The thing is, with my position, most people who would want to hurt me don't really want to hurt *me*, but the king. There's a lot of reason why someone might want to hurt a king. They might not be a bad person because of it, and they might change their mind. It's how I got to know both Ben and Senecio. So, if you think I should have a sword that you could possess, I would do it, and trust you to only do what's needed."
--- "The gift can't be a part of the performance, though," Senecio said. "The performance has to be for the price of a ham sandwich, that's the deal. And to be clear, I'm not being so literal about it because I'd be afraid I'd accidentally break the deal, but because it's fun to play the game. So, I'm sorry to inform you that your confession will be tied to a memory of a ham sandwich. Do you think you could use it in some creative way?" |
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" No worries, we are all on the same page with minimum violence to keep you alive! Great fan of the overall mercy theme you have going on, sugar! And I believe a weapon that can be possessed by Simbel is the bare minimum we should go for. While Janus could code the intricate system of Will to have it make its own decisions like Death's sword, those things take a long time to make. It's much easier and more practical for your specific case to just make a weapon that can be posessable, because then you leave the thinking to the actual person and free up space for runes for things more useful to you. It will be much easier for Simbel, who knows you to judge what is the minimum level of violence to keep you safe, and knows not to pass the line, while a weapon that can only rely on code might have blind spots when you get hurt and goes too far for the sake of safety. No matter how well you code objects, if they are programmed to put keeping you alive above all else, mistakes can happen, or worse, if we code it to be too cautious, it may underprotect you, " Alpha sounded relieved, clasping one pair of his hands.
" Indeed... That is why Death's sword was primarily guided toward strengthening and protecting the soul of the user, not unleashing powerful attacks by itself. It is a safer way to avoid conflicting instructions, but please, keep greed in mind... I caution against making anything that looks too tempting to steal. It would add needless danger. It would be best... if it was useful but it did not give the impression that it was useful to anyone but you, otherwise, others will covet it. I would often mask specific things I made to pretend they are divine tools, so that seemingly only chosen ones can use it, and more important something is, make it look more unseemly, " Janus whispered very quietly, with a slight shadow on his face. " I think primary material should be necrodermis, so object can change shape when Simbel wills it to. But since you won't need protection that often and it is mostly for protection, the main form it is in should not be a weapon, but an animal. A reptile, anarchid or a hexapod might be good choices, since they go well with metal, and it is easier to craft body for those that resemble living creature enough to not stand out too much, and people will covet them less than if we choose something humans find loveable. Scales can be layered well with metal to make it sturdy and segmented. Maybe having the main body be metal snake? It is repulsive enough for humans to not go out of their way to have it, while it can still not look too unusual for meadow king to have a strange rare snake pet ... " " Or you can make an extra cool unrealistic animal like giant centipede. Giant metal centipede would be cool as heck, too, just saying! Or something imaginary that can look whatever you like, like tiny phoenix, or something silly, like a fish that floats through the air when it swims. " Alpha chipped in more brightly and softly. " Wonderful thing is - that you do not have to just choose what you have to have. Since we have us all on your side - you can also choose what you "want" to have. You are dealing with Gods here! If you tell us what you'd like, we can try our best to bend the rules as much as possible for you to get it. " " We are not omnipotent... but the fact that all the Beings we know want you safe opens many more options to you than people normally have, " Janus reassured him quietly, " Whether it is snake or something else... I believe it would be wise for the default form to be an animal, as I said, that can either coil around your neck or fit in your backpack. We can make mechanical eyes through which it can see, so it is more comfortable for Simbel, too. Unlike a humanoid form that is active and spends a lot of energy, if most of the time the form is dormant and is carried around without doing straining activity, Simbel can still travel with you in that form and watch over your safety, always be aware of the dangers, and only transform into a weapon when danger is near. If most of the time Simbel rests and just tags along, you should be able to carry him with you on travels and only need to recharge his energy every three days or so, depending on how active he is. " " Three full days? "Simbel's eyes grew wide with surprise. " You mean... I could travel with themn... like that and... always know if they are okay... even when they are too far from the pond? " " It is less convenient form than a humanoid one... it can not eat or feel sensations in the same way, and it has no voice or sensations, so it spends less energy, " Janus explained. " But you would always know if they are alright. And it can be recharged much more quickly than an organic vessel. If Eros just drops by for few minutes back and forth each night to make sure you are always at full charge, you will always be sure you have enough energy to act. " "And the best part!! We can brainstorm to lessen the limits on Simbel and increase the benefits for you, sugar! We can see what people and materials to include in the project to get better results, " Alpha added, rubbing his hands with little more excitement, like it seemed he always would when excited about creating something, clothes or otherwise. "A lot of cool as heck stuff can be done if you pick the right materials or people! This would be impossible for us before since we did not have Riversong and his skills are a cheat, but if you can get your Ben to help us, we can overkill the hell out of this. Beings usually can't bless objects, only people, but Ben, who is tied to life, should be able to bless a living metal like necrodermis. With Ben's blessing, we could make the metal be unable to feel pain, but still be able to feel sensations like touch, warmth and cold, so Simbel can be more comfortable and nice when he cuddles with you. And as for materials, blood of stars is a cheat, too. If we add my blood and nails, it would have good synergy with Simbel, and he could collect additional power by sunbathing so recharge lasts longer. Also, I heard Solstice gave you his heart and flesh to eat at Long night, but you still have his bones that you safekeep. Bones of the life giver like Solstice are insanely valuable material. If we add a bit more of that to necrodermis, we can give the object the ability to share a bit of its energy with you as you use it, so if you faint Simbel can lessen the toil on your health a little by sharing its energy with you, like Sun gives to all life. He can also actively borrow a little of his energy to you all the time you hold him so you can stay healthier even when you overdo things. " " It is not something on the level that would remove the need to eat or drink... but it is something that would help you get less sick if you play powerful music or perform too much healing spells, " Janus continued, explaining with some sadness, surely remembering how he passed out after saving Senecio. " You surely remember the strengthening feeling of holding Death's sword as it shielded your soul? Half of that ability comes from Riversong's horn, half from Solstice's bones. " " Oh, yes, that's right! You have a flute and a sword made from Riversong's horn, right? That's even better material than simple unicorn horn. Solstice's power neutralises the burning the horn normally has on demons, so if you'd allow us, we can melt the horn sword into this one, to give the new weapon a little extra power to shield your soul from the backlash of playing too many listener songs or overusing his healing powers. " " Something like that is possible? " Simbel asked hopefully. " If... if I could help Svarik more... I would not care if I could not have function to touch, or see, or enjoy it... I would rather prioritise Svarik's health, if possible... " " It is choice for you all to make... it is only my personal preference if we would already be making a vessel for you, to make it a good place to exist. We are not saying more functions for comfort do not have drawbacks. Biggest drawback is that more power Svarik wishes to gain from you and more costly form is to maintain, more he has to feed Simbel, " Janus whispered. " So you will only get as strong an effect up to level of how good materials we pour and how much you feed Simbel. But like we said, there's lot of flexibility since we have options. Main form should be an unsightly animal easy to pack, so it's easy for you to carry, an emergency form should be a weapon, like a sword, or a whip. Maybe an additional form like a small shield or a pair of daggers, would be good for some situations. And also a form of flute... Flute would be a very good choice for one of the forms, since if we include Riversong's horn and Solstice's bones Simbel can channel his powers into helping you play longer or stronger songs - channelling his strength into your healing, instead of an attack, so you can heal together what neither of you could heal separately. We only suggest what we think would be most convenient for you... seeing how often you faint while playing, and how much you wish to minimise both violence and worry of your friends... Buy it is by no means a limit of what can be done. We have to know what you desire to be able to give it to you, though. As Alpha Centauri said, it is a precious chance that you should not take for granted, to ask for sun and stars and be able to receive it, so now is not the time to be cordial. It is time to think of your friends and how dearly they fear for you, so you can make sure to change tears from their future into smiles. I do not say it lightly, but it is a good time to not take yourself for granted and give yourself the level of safety you deserve, after enduring the decade of constant unsafety you did not deserve at all... " --- Hans could not help but suddenly laugh with Senecio's words, shadows in his feelings and upon his face turning lighter, his heart reflecting a certain soft fondness. " Why do you apologise? I would not want it any other way... I am very happy to see you find new delightful ways to colour my memories. How can I refuse you, who make my boring chairs into tax-evading and tax filling chairs? How can I compain about small silly joys like these? By all means, feel free to make me unable to think of everyday things like chairs and ham sandwitches without thinking back on you and feeling happy, " Spirit shrugged innocently, indeed, his words oozing with a glowing excitement and sentimental joy as he fondly inquired. " Do pray tell me, what are your plans for the ham sandwich? How do you plan to use it specifically? I can not come up with a clear idea if I do not know where exactly it's going. Only clear part of the deal was that play will be made on the budget of ham sandwich. How do you plan to put it to practice, though? Are you just, like... going to eat it and claim budget is spent on energy for performance? Or are you going to bring it to the performance and give everyone present like, a bite of sandwitch? Or if it's treates as budget instead of money, will you use it like a bartering system, to try to offer parts of sandwitch to people to use it to but props, in a way people in bartering systems would exchange products for products? Are we going for just eating it, or trying to scrape of bits of it to offer others in exchange for props? Or are you just going to bring it and put it on table to brag about for responsible you were and how much budget you saved? " Spirit was purring playfully, wiggling his tail as he clasped his hands. " Work with me here! Alas, I can not know what to plan around it if I do not know what is the fate of the grand ham sandwich that carries the weight of one whole play on its poor, fragile bread slices... " |
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"I just asked Simbel what he would like to do today..." Svarik said, a bit overwhelmwed by how much all the Beings were willing to do for him. "And it seems we're not doing what he wanted, anyway. Is there something else you would like to do?" he asked Simbel. "As to the sword... not sword... thank you so much. It would be lovely to have another vessel for Simbel. And it's true that I could use some help. I've learnt a lot and got better with using what powers I have, but I'm struggling to keep up with what's needed. So, I won't tell you to not bother. And I like the idea of a snake. A white snake with a little golden crown, would you like that?" he asked Simbel. "Some people are afraid of snakes, but they are so nice to touch, smooth like silk."
---- "So, my original plan was to make a play where the premise is someone doing a favour for Alpha, and Alpha offers something in return, but all the parson asks for is a ham sandwich. We go through increasingly ridiculous offers about what the ham sandwich could do and how it could be special, but no, all the person wants is a simple ham sandwich, so we end up seeing the ridiculously powerful star making a ham sandwich with the same level of attention it needs for creating artifacts just to ensure that the sandwich is as simple and normal as possible," Senecio explained. "But I'm open to suggestions if you have an idea that would suit your goals better." |
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This post was updated on .
" White snake with a gold crown? Even with people's dislike... it sounds way too pure, for someth... for someone like me. I no longer wish to be a person who chases White Eagle's form. I will take all that is substance from him... but I have no need for an empty colour, when there are so many colours full of joy you brought me, " Simbel whispered, with a wobbly, fragile smile. " Black like Birdie's and Erdel's hair I use for my clothes... Pink like the eyes of the vessel you gifted me and the hair dye from Tide... I wear silver jewellery like the name Silver Simbelmyne you gave me, and gold jewellery like your and Melody's hair... I no longer need to chase white eagle's colours. For the snake that will always follow and protect my beloved meadow king, though... How do you feel about a humble green? Any shade of green that is your favourite that fits with the green clothes you most like to wear and can blend in well with you when you lie in the grass, " he spoke softly. " Or if you'd so prefer, it can be a snake yellow like your hair, that can blend in well in dry grass or sand, perhaps? Or black, like the night sky, if you wish for me to blend in more during night travel? Or grey, to appear more neutral and ordinary? A crown is too much for me - but whether green, yellow, black or grey, some silver details on the belly that match my name would be plenty enough for people to connect the snake to me... I wish not to choose for this something made to be pure or dignified - just something that matches you, my joy, well... "
" We can absolutely do any colour you want, sweets! And even better, whatever colour you choose, that's the colour of the weapon, so whether it's green, yellow or any other sword colour, any sword color would look positively adorable on you! My only requirement is that you love how it looks and that it's not too stealable, I can compromise with any other conditions you have! " Alpha seemed quite invested in making something beautiful, and even Jaunus nodded, as, unlike a beautiful weapon, he seemed more interested in crafting another vessel to make Simbel's life richer. " We already have possession runes created, ones we used on a humanoid vessel, so as long as we get materials, it truly is not something that you should feel too burdened by. It can not be compared to how hard it was to create something like Death's sword from scratch, compared to this. Death's sword required us to make and create an ego for an ego sword, which requires extremely long list of fine materials and immense time - you have an ego from the start, hardest part ot create - Simbel's ego. You only need a place to house it. It is child's play once we gather materials, " He reassured them. " I merely insist that we create it to feel as nice to live in a living vessel. That is my only requirement... " " That is... too much, though, " Simbel shook his head, revealing his anxiousness a little more, clasping his hands in fists powerlessly - it was clear he himself was overwhelmed and unsure with just how casually he was treated with so much generosity. " It is... true this is not what I originally had in mind... A small thing I planned grew so much bigger suddenly... but I won't refuse. Not when it can help Svarik so much. No matter how much I may want it for myself, I would not dare think I deserve it if it were just for my sake. You all ask me what I wish to do. What I wish... is to return what you give me equally. But I know I am lacking. There is so much I am just learning, and so little I can do. I can't... I can't accept a present like this, where I knit you a scarf, and you give me a world back. I do not expect to be able to return it with one gesture - but if it's at least a first step out of a thousand, I need it. More I think of this, more I burn. These painful yearnings to be better than I am are... so hard to deal with. Svarik... taught me that I should ask for help when I need something, and I am an empty canvas that yearns to offer substance it does not have. One brushstroke will do, " he bowed his head quietly and tensely, revealing his inner turmoil. " ... Will you help me? " " I do no... like this, " Janus shook his head quietly, subconsciously fiddling his fingers around the scarf Simbel knitted for him. " Lack of things to give... is not a sin. It is not as if we measure what to give you based on what you give back. It is criteria solely based on how much we want you to stay alive... I just wish the person who poured his whole heart into making scarves for the children and me would stay alive and well longer. There will be good checks and balances on all sides in this system, where all, you, Svarik and Eros have to be on the same side to keep it working. I would not offer anything that can become a heirloom to potentially one day protect someone evil, or encourage the divine right of kings or emperors. I only do this because I am taking a gamble in your integrity... It is by no means a carrot. Just something to make our life easier while making Svarik's a little safer. It is no different from prostetics. " " Yeah, and besides, I am totally not digging the whole self-depreciated vibe you all have going on. Svarik's standing is high in itself because of all the additional things he did when coming to the sea, but it's not like you are all just munching off Svarik's hard work. True, Janus and I might have more complex reasons for liking you a little more, but you guys still saved the world. Do you expect us to act like those stuck-up bastards in the Spirit realm and not acknowledge it at all? " Alpha spoke with a smile, but there was something a little more anxious in it, as if he was likewise, on his side, growing unsure with Svarik, Simbel, as well as Conrad, who grew quite thoughtful and quiet with the talk. " You delicious, delightful, frustratingly sweet pack of marshmallows... " he took a deep breath, putting one pair of hands together. " If you were any sweeter, we'd choke and die. You suffered so much and sacrificed half your soul, your cute little boyfriend lost so much helping us over the last three years and keeping the land safe, and little Simbel risked fading into Nothingness to keep the decay of the vein at bay for centuries while starving. Are we all going to pretend that all is not at least equally as cool as making a snake sword? " he teased incredulously, despite there was only worry and no bite in his tease. " You... are aware that it is a loss for us if you die? This is absolutely beyond casual, fun-driven deals. It is like you read in fairy tales... When even if hero makes silly mistakes that frustrate the magical helper, the helper helps the hero get out of trouble anyway... It's a much bigger loss to have you die early than to invest more effort to give you the best odds. " " It would be different if you were people whose achievements were big but hearts small, " Janus whispered just as quietly, avoiding their looks, half-buried in a scarf for comfort, as he spoke the heavy words. " I would not be inclined to give so freely to people whose hearts are small... but even so, I could not ignore the favour you brought to us all. It is okay if you do not know well... it is not a sin to not know, but you are free to ask if you wish to know more. It stands that, if demons from the fifth layer broke free and started a war in the first layer, we would have to make the last stand here to buy the Spirit Kingdom enough time to gather troops to fight back. We would all perish in it. If that dreadful future was to pass... Alpha would spend his last few days fighting and spending all his star power until he burned away, and I would have had to spend my last moments forging weapons of mass destruction, making the world worse to buy even a little more time for it. We would have died doing things we loathed... had it not been for all of you. You stand so high that even if you started a war with Hans and Tide, there is no Being that would willingly pluck a hair from your head. You would have to do something truly loathesome to change that. " his confusion was more pure, simple, childlike, reflected in the disbelief of his tilted head. " Just because it is a service done to the world, not something placed into our hands, it would be sheer madness to act like we did not receive it. We can not treat you like White Eagle, the land's traitor, and the vile emperor's descendant. That is not who you three are, to us... " --- " That is totally something that would drive Alpha crazy, alright! That goofball would squirm violently at the idea of having to create something ordinary. He'd be extremely self-conscious to make it right. It is much easier to make something extraordinary, since there's nothing to compare it to, than to create something ordinary, because then he will feel inadequate for failing to fit in. He's a little silly like that... That's why he dislikes cooking for himself. It is skill that is too common, so he feels too self-conscious about not being able to wrap his mind around it. It can't be normal pancakes... they have to be special shiny or sparkly blood pancakes. Not normal juice, it has to have sea foam and stars sprinkled. You'll notice how he often takes already cooked things, and adds little sparkle, weaves little moonlight in drinks, pours sunlight into honey for pancakes, and so forth... If he adds something supernatural, it's supernatural food, so he no longer has to think about it in terms of him being good enough to fit among ordinary folk, " Hans spoke with a little fond smile, despite everything, clearly tender feelings reflected as he reminisced about little things he loved about Alpha. " Hmm.. What do you think about using that a little more? Fun or not, it would not be a play about Alpha if it does not have a dose of truth to it, and that is in great measure truth to him - whether in small or big things, he likes to feel like he is not an outsider to what others do and how they live. We have to tie the play into the proposal, though, so... how about making the play about me and him, so I am the person who did him a favor and I asked for ham sandwich in exchange for it? Knowing how self-conscious he is about fitting in, that would absolutely be something I would do to tease him about how much effort he puts into creating an absolutely perfect ordinary ham sandwich, " even when he spoke of teasing, even when he was mischievous, warmth was clear as he inquired. " What do you think? Wouldn't it be more personal if you played Alpha and me than some other person? Maybe we can have me doing Alpha favour, asking for a ham sandwich, Alpha going through hoops and loops to make it... And then, how about choosing a twist for the proposal? We can do it in many ways, but first thing that falls to my mind is having character Alpha get depressed in the end, and proclaiming sandwitch is not normal enough no matter how hard he tries, and acting as me, you can say you will be judge of that, and eat the sandwitch to test it, and promise to give Alpha reward if it's good enough. We often tease each other like that, promising affection as if it's a reward for a deal, so it won't be unusual enough to him to make him suspect something. And then we can narrate it as something that already happened - we can say I ate the sandwich and judged it indeed Alpha sucks criminally at making an ordinary thing, but that it is extraordinary enough to deserve an extraordinary reward... And then we can give a gift. Maybe something like marrige ring is too much, but... an engagement ring would fit, what do you think? We can narrate that Hans was so happy in the moment that he could not help ask Alpha out to make him his boyfriend, as if it's something that had already happened. Hmm... what do you say about perhaps taking out the ring and acting confused and apologising to Alpha, saying you seemed to have accidentally taken the real thing instead of the prop, and handing it to me so I can give it "back" to him? " he coughed, trying to shake off extremely flushed shade from his cheeks. " After all, it was a play made on a budget of one ham sandwich... it only makes sense, if that is the centre piece, that whatever imaginary Hans gave to Alpha was a reward for just how far the star was willing to go for him, no matter the task? He truly is a person who... goes far for others. It's.... dazzling. Even if it's a fictional event, it will feel true to him as long as you can show just how earnestly he pours his heart into making others happy... " |
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(OOC: I send you a message on discord)
"Could we please talk about something else than that?" Svarik asked. "I'm sorry... that the thing you feel like owing us for is something I would rather put behind nad not think about if I can. Snakes... We were talking about snakes. You know that White Eagle doesn't have exclusive rights to the color white, right? I suggested a white snake becuase I saw one a couple of years ago, and it was very nice and curled around my arm when I plyed it a song. And there are fairy tales about white snakes as protectors of the household, and sometimes they are depicted with a golden crown. But if you want another color, black would look cool if it had a metallic sheen of rainbow colours. For some reason, that reminds me of Senecio. He has a bit of that snake elegance. For you, I can rather imagine copper, with a pink shine on the top and green on the bottom. What do you think about that? --- "I like that," Senecio smiled. "I think we could go with that, if you want. Would you like to practice the bits where we will interact? You won't have to be on stage while I make the ham sandwich as Alpha, so we don't have to do that and I'll improvise that anyway based on the sandwich that Erdel brings. But the other parts will be a dialogue, so we should some up with some base of it at least." |
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" I know White Eagle does not hold exclusive rights to it, " Simbel could not help but chuckle a little shyly. " I can not like that white snake sounds pretty... all the more pretty, when I know you like them. But it is more about... how everyone always saw me. A memory of a person... play-pretending it is still a person, " his smile turned apologetic as he explained. " Not really a thief, per se, but... something trying to deceive others it is something it is not by using knowledge of a person that is gone. And I can not say that I... did not try, quite desperately, to hold on to everything from White Eagle more tightly than I should have. I know I may be overcorrecting, but all I hope for is for it to be obvious I am someth... someone that can choose to do things untethered to what White Eagle would choose... A choice that is mine alone, not a choice he would have made... "
" Wait, hold that thought... If choosing one thing is hard, how about we go all in multiple choices over here? Why settle for one colour when you can have them all? " Alpha interrupted him more gently, seeming to have more patience hearing his struggles. " If we add a small amount of various colours of metal, by controlling what metal is on the surface of the object, you can choose your colours as you would choose clothes, freely. Pink, copper, red, yellow, white, black, shine or no shine, iridescent or not... Like real people, just choose anything you fancy at the moment. How does a concept of never being stuck with no choice sound? " " I-it... it sounds like... a wave crashing into you and water pulling you deeper into the sea. I... I keep thinking I can not get any more surprised in one day, but somehow, I keep getting taken aback, again and again. I am humbled and touched, confused and... guilty, " Simbel barely managed to keep woobly smile. " How could I not feel like I am taking advantage of you if you are willing to go that far...? " " You can not call us ordering an apple pie at the bakery for a person who likes apple pie going far. It's about the same level of difficulty for us, so we can not pretend like it's a grand sacrifice. Besides, " Alpha rolled the glowing orb of his eyes dramatically. " I can not stress enough, like I said, that while we would be absolute bastards to ignore you saving the world part, both Janus and I would do this for you, nonetheless, since we like you for our own reasons. Come on, Janus, help me here; it would be a disaster if they keep misunderstanding that we are just dramatic and stuck up in archaic concepts of debts and all. " " It is not... exactly debt that binds us. You can more view it... as a favorability you have earned, " Janus whispered quietly, as if he misunderstood that he was asked to explain the concept of their culture. " I have a soft spot for... rewarding foolishness. It was foolish to risk your life to save Senecio... I am very thankful to you for that. If he had died, I would have never forgiven myself for promising to prevent harm to him and failing to stop his death. When making a deal with me for helping your friends, you said you would do your best for the children in exchange for me doing my best for your loved ones in the capital... I could easily just do the bare minimum with such phrasing. Easily withhold effort without breaking the official deal. It is a foolish way to put it. So, for the sake of your folly... I wish to make sure you never feel that when I promised to do my best for your friends in the capital, I pretended nothing could be done. This can be done, and it can be done for him, " his gaze turned lightly to Simbel, and he smiled so very slightly. " ... Because he is foolish, too. It takes courage not to carry a sword when you meet a former enemy you hope to placate, after being killed for choosing not to fight to placate your enemies. Your hands were shaking... but you still came to me unarmed, hoping some good could come from it. How can I not reward your hopes? " " Wellll, *I* was hoping for some more lighthearted explanations than the sad stuff, but A for effort, " Alpha snorted a little, before clapping his hands and adding his part as he looked at Svarik teasingly. " Hey there, you cute little cutie pie you... At least you are not going to pretend like it's not totally normal and understandable for me to want you to be protected with a weapon you don't have to struggle with, and to want your cute, kind friend to have nice things, right? Every single time I requested or hinted that something was important to me, you listened. Things like agreeing to let me paint roofs in the capital pink and promising to help me reintroduce Hans to the city slowly... those things were for a deal, but I gave you space to negotiate or refuse, but you did not, because it was important to me. You are a good, solid 10-gram piece of sugar, sweet sugar cube, " the creature shook its shoulders helplessly, its soft eyes curled like crescent moons. " Come on, fake humbleness is out of fashion, excitement and love for arts and crafts are all in season! If you absolutely would crumble into tiny dust and particles from guilt, sure, we can shake hands and make some symbolic deal for it... But you know by now most Being deals are more like cultural smoke screens, right? " he tilted his head carefully. " Everything for Beings is done through favours and deals, but... what you negotiate, accept or refuse dictates the direction your relationship goes and what expectations are set. In light of it, isn't our willingness perfectly reasonable? When you initiate or accept deals that boil down to hanging out, keeping each other safe, doing your best to raise each other's quality of life... You understand what dynamic you set up between us, right? " --- " Ohhh, so you want to do it at the theathre? Well, indeed, we can go there whenever we like... just making sure you want to. I know it's hard enough to be on stage for the official play after everything, and it's not like it's a play that requires an official stage, anyway - we can equally do it at the theatre, or choose some nice room and cosy up on sofas and blankets in a little private snacks party... Theatre does have a nice ring to it, but any other place will be good just the same, as long as we choose it together, so please, speak honestly, " Hans reassured gently but decisively. " And yes, we can practice, but we also have to choose what all we need to do and in what order. I will need to buy myself a little time to make... that engagement ring, " he was not able to keep his feelings bubbling up with tipsy nervous anticipation as he continued more timidly. " Unless something else feels more symbolic for the, cough, couple, when possible for Beings, it is customary for... such things to be made from one's own bones. It marks the measure and importance of commitment, because to get your own bones, you either need to die to get them, or have a limb cut off to take the bone out. Oh, don't worry, I don't plan to do anything gruesome right now! Beings usually keep important bones for items or artefacts for their loved ones. I still have a few unused large enough vertebra pieces left from all that chaos three hundred years ago, before my quick regeneration went down the drain, so I was thinking of choosing a nice piece and making a ring out of it. For those things, it's usually holding much more value if it's more meaningfully made than having mere high craftsmanship. Normally, I would ask Tide to use water pressure to carve it, but if I told Tide what it's for, he'd totally be too excited and give us away... But I wish to include him a little bit so it remains a part of the good memory. I was thinking about perhaps first asking him to cut the large piece into smaller parts with water pressure, and then going to Sage so he can finish processing the ring shape with water himself. Sage can keep a secret better, so he can know what it's for. Anddd, how would you perhaps feel about going to the jewellery shop and picking out the jewel you like the most, so we can ask Janus to put that jewel in the bone ring? I'd like to include you two goobers, too, so that everyone chips in a little. And... " he coughed, rubbing his hands tentatively as he gaughed Senecio's reaction to his offer. " It's not something you have to do, but it is something I was thinking about for a little while... that is, when Tide asks me what I need pieces of bones cut for, I could tell him I need it because I want to give you a pendant or earrings made from them, so he doesn't suspect anything. A distraction for Tide, so that I can use the chance... to make both you and Alpha a little something. Would you like a pendant or earrings? As I said, Beings often use their own bones, if they have them... for artefacts or items for their most loved ones, because it's the most precious material one can offer. Tide and Sage already have artefacts made from my bones, so I would like to make something for you too, only if that's a part of our culture you'd like to engage with, of course... " |
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"I get it, really," Svarik nodded. "I understand the feeling of wanting to give something, because you can. If you can make someone's day or improve their life with something you can do, why wouldn't you? It would feel bad to not do that. But being on the receiving end of that is something that takes some getting used to, too. I'm getting there, I hope, but Simbel is not that far yet. Thank you for being patient with us."
--- "No, I don't want to do it at the theatre," Senecio said. "It's just a theatre expression, being on stage like acting in the scene that's performed. Cozy room with snacks would be much better for this. And I will spare us some time, because I'm not going to go to a jewelery shop. I already have a jewel I would like to give you. And I'll accept a pendant from your bone, in exchange for you accepting it. I don't have my own bones, but I have something that's special to me, too. Erdel managed to trace the pearls from my mother's necklace, and bring them to me. I would like you to have one for your engagement ring." |
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" I get it, no worries - while on one hand it is a little surprising that Simbel, who should know the etiquette of Beings better than you, I can easily imagine that when everyone around you is a god damn bastard that says you are not meant to be a person, it's easy for nuances to be beaten out of you. It's 1 percent of circumstances like those that make my decision to not be a warrior only tiniest bit regrettable - someone who beat down your confidence so thoroughly is really ripe for a good beating themselves, little ones." Demon shook two pairs of his arms more firmly, grumbling more decisively and firmly, seeming to feel free enough to reveal little more exasperation - his manner seemed to be influenced in a big part by the long time he must have spent with Hans, as it seemed he had similar strong feelings of anger when people he cared for did not believe they deserved good things. " But since trashy people instilled trashy habits of not accepting good things well, this cool uncle will give you a crash course. " it seemed he was intentionally being more careful and respectful, mindful not to overstep and make them fearful, especially to Simbel who was so sensitive and anxious around demons - he did not touch them, but he leaned closer as he smiled back at them, his closeness bringing soft warm breeze that carried scent of summer. " Everything in Being culture revolves around deals, favours, and sophistry, and it's all in subtext. It is a high art, what you choose to offer, counteroffer, and what you eventually accept. A deal can be as impersonal or personal as one chooses to be. The more leeway and chance to screw you over you give to the other party, the more favour you show, to see if they will return your trust equally or screw you over, too. To properly gauge what tone you are setting with the person, you must be flexible and leave them space to refuse and counteroffer, so you can see how far their sincerity goes and what their intentions with you are. Making a deal is not a mere transaction - it is a reflection of what two people hope for from each other. They can be impersonal and practical, a simple deal no different from buying a bag of wheat, or it can be a symbolic series of gestures, where you lay a brick, trusting the other person will lay a brick back, so you can build something existing together. History of all deals you made with a person is not a mere ledger - when you view transaction history between two people, you witness how their relationship evolved over time, " he spoke patiently and tenderly, and like until now, he did not initiate any touch, as if he were careful to not pass any boundary, but warmth in the air kept increasing more his eyes curled, clearly reflecting his protective feelings as he was waving his hands towards the three, Svarik, Simbel and Conrad, while explaining. " So pay no heed to any garbage from the Spirit realm, or any drivel bastards that look down on your Simbel will tell you. You do not need transaction history with such people. Trade with Janus and me instead. Let me walk you through a proper deal. A proper person tells you through a deal what he hopes for, while giving you enough space to refuse if it's not what you are willing to accept. There is no empty measuring of worthiness... just two people, wanting things, offering things to each other. I can easily do it without deals, but making those things into deals puts them into a format in which two people can feel like they built upon something precious together - it can indeed be a shitty feeling, if another side acts as if they give you charity just because they are powerful. Foundation has to be an exchange, not a gift, even if it is a gift in every sense of the word. That is why I offer you a deal, not a gift, and why most Beings will offer you a deal. I want you to be safe, and I want your friend to have a lovely, comfortable vessel, so I say - I will help Janus build it for you. I love you as you are - silly, passionate, with awful low confidence, but heart in the right place. But it is not something a Being would normally say, unless it is a Being that's giving you a crash course like this one. A Being would instead say - I have not yet had a picnic at the capital, and I think it would be lovely to feel a welcome and wanted visitor. If you fulfil my wish and host me there, I will help you. What do you say I help build you a snake vessel to protect you, in exchange for you taking me out on a picnic in your favourite nature place in the capital? It is a request for a host and companion, not an exchange for glass or wine or a bite to eat. Refuse me, or counteroffer me, as your heart tells you. So, can you little ones tell me, what does your heart say? " he inquired gently, " Tell me, so we can negotiate until what I offer you feels like a deal instead of impersonal charity. It is okay to go back and forth until you are comfortable. I am looking forward to making a good transaction history with you all, sweet sugar... "
--- Hans's eyebrows shot up in surprise, clearly taken aback at first, but soon, his expression melted into something incredibly tender. " ...Thanks. Alpha will cherish it dearly... As do I. It is a good feeling to know I can count on you to build upon whatever idea I have... with your sincerity." Spirit whispered. " It does not have the same weight, but I am glad I could offer you a pendant in return. It will be made from a spine bone that was taken before all the messy, untuned body changes of mine became permanent, so it's not like it's a limited edition, since my current bones are a bit more of britle garbage... Those older bones are last ones from good old times, and shine with an iridescent shine, so you can look forward to it, I will have it made today with the ring, " he spoke almost as if reassuring him, as if he did not wish Senecio to think he is halfhearting it, either, but giving him the best he had, " It is not like they are bones of some innately powerful creature, like stars... There isn't some insanely broken perk tied to it, but those were bones of a singer tied to water, and water caries meaning of clarity, purity and all that. It does not do much on its own, but if you put a pendant into a poisoned or muddy drink, it will drain poison and dirt from water until it is clear, and pendant will turn black over time; the more black more impurities it absorbs, so instead of being white iridescent, if you use it to clear things, you will end up with a black iridescent pendant. It can't purify anything, only absorb poison, but it's still not a bad choice as a little extra survival tool when you are outside, but the water around you is not drinkable. And... those specific spine bones, they were... collected by Alpha, when... he and Tide... rescued me, " his words were sentimental, despite the darkness of his explanation - but they little fragile, as if he was speaking of things he had not dared think deeply about. " Since the emperor tried to... break me to take over my body and usurp my soul and all that, near the end, when it was not working, he was getting more... creative. There was lots of bones and guts everywhere and stuff... But it's bad to leave Being body parts around enemies, because they can use your remains to track you or hurt you. I can vividly remember Tide picking me up and trying to gather all bits and pieces that could somewhat fit back in, and Alpha seething and stubbornly bending the fabric of reality so not even a speck of me would be left in that prison cell for the emperor to use. It was... pretty cool, dramatic sight, to see a blazing furious star, you know, " he coughed timidly, despite a note of unrest, a softer hopeful tenderness dancing on the edge of his feelings. " If Alpha had not been stubborn to not leave even a morsel, I might not have had any fitting bones for either his ring or your pendant, just like if Erdel had not been stubborn to search for them and you were kind to give it, I would not have such a precious pearl to put in it. It is fate, and it has a nice ring to it, that we can share and make this - this little pendant, little ring, and little play in a little room. Everything... the proposal... it all feels very right. If there is a room you would prefer for it, I would like you to choose, or if not, now that we have time since we have jewel, we can look around and choose together. I am so glad the right time for this confession came after meeting you. No confession memory without you in it would be nearly as delightful... " |
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"Is it okay to make a deal together, between the two of you and the two of us?" Svarik asked. "I would like to take you to a picnic in the capital, or just to spend the day with you there and take you to more places."
--- "Maybe the water room? It feels suitably cozy to me," Senecio suggested. "And we will need to invite all the people we want there, the sooner the better so that they don't make other plans. Maybe Erdel could help us with that." |
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" That's what I am talking about. How can one not like what your negotiation style says about you? " Alpha's eyes remained curved softly, and he raised his thumb up. " I am in, and a day in the capital doing whatever strikes our fancy at that time sounds good, picnic or otherwise, if others agree. What do you say? "
" I... can ask around people in the capital through dreams and... and make a detailed survey of what the most beautiful sights... places to visit... to experience and see.... " Simbel promised with renewed determination and hope, despite wanting to do more for them, seemed relieved he was offered a little step in the right direction. " I... Whether it's for a day or a million days, when you visit, I will make sure you feel truly welcome. But for a start, yes - I will do my best to make for one perfect day. " " At least an okay day... is indeed, not beyond what I would be willing to accept. So... if I understood right, we are doing a crash course...? Let's see how to phrase it... " Janus whispered very quietly, " I would never ask you for food in exchange for something that's not hard to make, but so disproportionately important for your safety - we have runes already, and base functions are simple, so as long as we get materials, we can complete it in two to three hours. So instead of useful, it had to be meaningful. The same deal can mean completely different things for different people. For Alpha, a day in the capital means a day you make a good memory, and good memories hold great meaning to a Being that has such a different experience with time than we do. For me, a day in the capital means a day at your home where you are strongest, and have the highest chance to take advantage of it... It means giving you a clear chance and hoping you would not use it to hurt or pressure me. I... will give it to you, as you gave me a chance to hurt you when you entered my bag dimension in order to heal Hans there, despite knowing I had more power over you there. You trusted me... It is my turn next. Beings will often craft you a clear chance to screw them over, to see... if there can be more between you, or if it will break under the slightest greed or pressure, " he was looking at Svarik a little pensively, rubbing his hands as he spoke. " In one of many caves along the marshes and waterfalls of the river in the capital... There should be an abandoned temple of mine. We could not afford to recheck it because the emperor's eyes were always on us, and he coveted anything supernatural he could take. There's probably not much left of human value to it, but there should be some restricted sections with Being matters tied to them, so since we no longer have to fear the emperor of the high priest... I would like you, little ones, to come with me to check it on that day, and after you see where it is, I would like you to... transfer ownership of the patch of land around it to Sage. All public land and ruins belong to the king... And whether we find anything useful or not, it is not the place that is safe for humans to wander around aimlessly. So, a day accompanying me to do something I have to, and a trust that you will act in my best interest, even if you do not have to. It is a kind of deal all Beings will put on your table at least every now and then... if they want to keep dealing with you for a longer time. Are you interested in adding such a kind of Being deal to our ledger? " --- " Yes, he would be the fastest to gather everyone up. That scary kid's senses are so powerful that he can just casually track people around despite all the protective runes in the mansion that should make such specific tracking impossible. We cannot find a faster messenger, " Hans chuckled a little as he leaned more against the table. " Let's just make a plan so we know the timetable. I also want to invite Riversong and that sweet cook from the capital, Jake, if all goes well. There seems to be some fun, unexpected love drama going on currently between them in the kitchen that I was snooping around for, but I think it's going to be okay enough by evening for both to come. So first question is - do you... Want to us to talk with Riversong about the whole immortality thing or not? I had the impression you wanted to get to it soon, and he seems down-to-earth enough that I think we could reach an agreement. Or would you rather just invite him to come casually for this event, but not have that conversation yet? Also, Erdel can invite everyone else, but I was wondering... do you think it's a good idea for you to be the one to stop by and invite Alpha? " Hans coughed shyly. " Like... check if he is doing okay, since it's unusual for him to be absent without checking on me, and gauge to see if the mood is okay, if there is anything he would like to see in the play, so he would enjoy it more? Or do you feel it's better if we don't talk to him before tonight and just invite him and surprise him? It's just an important day, and he's... unusually distant, so it's hard to choose what to do... " |
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"Yes," Svarik nodded. "I might not be able to follow all the intricacies of a deal, but that sounds good to me. I admit I haven't thought that you might feel more vulnerable coming to the capital, so thank you for your trust."
--- "Yes, I definitely want to invite Alpha personally, after we figure out the details," Senecio said. "But I don't want to discuss immortality deals just yet, if Riversong isn't planning to leave soon. That would be too much for one day already - my best friend getting engaged, a play, a ball, and immortality on top of that? No thank you, even I have some limits about how many life-changing events are tolerable within a couple of hours." |
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" I... like that about you. The way you see the world... when you are relaxed. When your head is in the clouds, it is as if you live in a different world. A beautiful world shines in your eyes... one where it wouldn't occur to you to suggest reassuring people of their safety, because the idea of hurting them is so inconceivable that you fail to consider such talks reasonable. Your unique flavour of reassurance... is fragrant indeed." Despite the timidness in his manners and posture, Janus could not help but smile a little, speaking his mind more openly, as if Svarik's manner encouraged him. " You say you are doing better than Simbel with acceptance, and I am not one to talk, but... I do hope you take the context of our help to heart, so it is not heavy for you. In the past, when there were many kings, and all wanted help, and I had to measure or refuse so many times... it was heartbreaking. But it had to be done, because giving too much power to one king could create chaos for all kingdoms. I am so glad we live in a world where the better protected you are, the safer the realm is. It is my happiness we live in a world... in which I do not have to measure how much I am allowed to help you, " he explained, so very quietly, surely thinking back to the king who imprisoned him. " So, think of how to get the most happiness out of this deal, too. We already told you our limits - we are satisfied as long as Simbel and Eros keep checks and balances to assure you are only kept safe as long as you do not turn evil. Anything else goes. A snake body that can turn into any colour Simbel chooses? check. The ability to passively give you more strenght more you feed Simbel? check. Ability for the snake and weapons to float through the air to better protect you? check. Please, think of your happiness and put it into words. Set a good example for Simbel. You have not yet shown me a positive expression that did not suit you. Now that we got deal out of the way, show him how good coming up with happy, fun possibilities for the future can look... "
--- Hans chuckled with it, with the same softness that shone especially brightly when Senecio addressed him as his best friend. " It was worth a shot, you can't blame me for trying to nudge you, can you? " he still teased, despite not seeming too worried, probably because he already carefully gauged Ben's character and was sure deal would go through, " You know how the trope usually goes - when you find a magical herb that grants immortality and don't eat it right away, snake will come and eat it while you rest. Or worse, suddenly a terrible accident or natural disaster will happen - and it will end up like a cool, tragic trope with millions of fix-it what-if fan works that will never change the fact that the main character died in the original work. I can understand the overwhelming part; it is a huge deal. If you take weeks to do this, though, I'd go mad, thinking of all things that could go wrong to take the future away from us, so how about a compromise? " he gently offered Senecio not his hand for a Being deal, but a little finger, as if asking for a pinky promise, clearly a much familial request. " Can you promise me you'll start thinking about it from tomorrow on, and try to solve it within a week tops? Any longer than that and your best friend is absolutely going to grind himself into dust and particles from all the tragedy clitches going through his head, you see... I am trying not to pressure you into any direction that makes you feel trapped, but this is important to me, so is this much peer pressure okay to not make you displeased with me? " |
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Svarik thought for a while, and it seemed the task that seemed easy at first turned unexpectedly hard. "You got me there," he smiled a little. "I said I'm getting better at accepting things, not at asking for them. The happiness in this deal comes from having Simbel as a companion. It's most important that he is comfortable in the body, the rest is not about happiness but about safety and practicality. How would it work with his other body, though? Can he inhabit both at once, like he can talk to multiple people in dreams? Or will he only posess the snake body when needed?
--- "I know how the tragic irony in stories works and I'll keep that in mind," Senecio said. "But you can take this... as me enjoying the last days of a mortal life fully, before making the deal. Sure it will be good to be immortal, but it still feels like losing something, and I've lost too many things already without a proped goodbye." |
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" For every loss, there is a gain... but this time I do not talk about the number of vessels. I talk about Simbel's lack of soul, " Janus explained gently, glancing at timid critter with a soft expression. " There are good things that come with souls... but there are also unexpected advantages to not having one. A little different, but coming from the same place as the advantages Thief had. It was not easy to kill, but also, not easy to overwork him, because no soul straining can hurt. A massive amount of music and power can pass through him, and it won't injure him... As long as fuel is supplied, there is no such thing as inhabiting too many bodies, or dreaming too many dreams - hypothetically, if Simbel were fed an insane enough amount, he could spread through the whole world and pull every person in it into his dreams. But that would require burning through an inconceivable amount of calories. It's not a problem of his ability, but how much fuel is reasonable to add. "
" Yeah, that god-forsaken bastard Thief's fuel was blood and violence, that's why he made sure there was never time without some war or priest sacrificed, so he would not starve. As long as he had enough blood, it did not matter if there were ten or thousands of people he wished to control - he would not get tired, he could influence as many minds as power was available to him, " Alpha shook his head with clear disdain. " But that monster's fuel is nothing like our cute lil Simbel's. Simbel is fueled through offerings and care. It is like adding wood to the fuzzy, warm fire. As long as you build a stable and large enough fire, it will not matter if you take a few branches and use them to light and maintain fires in other fireplaces. As long as the main fire remains lit, Simbel will not cease to be. " " Indeed, " Janus confirmed. " I would not recommend making a huge amount of vessels, because the more bodies you make for him to inhabit, the more you have to feed the source at the pond to keep the system stable. " " And if you are wishing for his comfort, necrodermis must be used in the vessel, so it can feel like existing in living flesh, and it is rare, so it is not like you can make too many even if you took all the necrodermis we had, " Alpha explained. " But it is truly not a bad idea to have at least a few, so even if you guys separate in smaller groups briefly, Simbel can keep tabs on you and inform other ones in case of danger. If you ask Hans real nice and give good justifications, I am sure he will grant it. " " Indeed, just like when his fairies are living, Simbel can inhabit however many there are; but it might not be a bad idea if you also create few micro vessels that are simpler, perhaps only in form as simple as a rechargeable pendant or ring? " Janus added his thoughts. " Smaller surface is more challenging, but if you make up for it by adding other rare materials, like soulstone and Eros's blood, it can work. So, if you create a couple of ring vessels that Simbel can possess, you could fill them with enough of Simbel's power for about a week, and it would provide a strong enough connection for Simbel to be able to talk to you in thoughts even if you are apart - and talk with each weaver of the ring. It is not as good as the mirrors I built, throuigh which you can see each other, but that way, you could talk with Simbel and have him send messages between each other regardless of how far you are, instead of it being limited to the city and only to those who have Simbel's flowers - it can be anyone who has a ring and has at least decent emotional connection to him. " " You mean, if we do that, we can extend Simbel's range of communication with us indefinitely... so if Svarik was here and I was in the capital, we could talk through Simbel... and all we have to do is charge rings once a week? " Conrad could not help but ask quietly, and Janus indeed nodded, satisfied, as if he did not quite get how big it was. " Indeed, it is better not to make too many, because food cost would grow exponentially, but a couple should be fine, as long as you can get us enough material from Hans. Hans safekeeps most of the rare things. " " But if we're making more than snake, if we are doing a vote thing, I vote for tiny critters instead of rings or pendants! When we're already all for happiness and comfort, wouldn't it be fine to add some more necrodermis to make comfortable vessels if we make other vessels super tiny? " Alpha pouted, puffing his cheeks like a spoiled child. " What about something extra small but cute, like some adorable bugs? I am a particular fan of moths, with their love for moonlight, but butterflies and fuzzy bees are also super cute choices, aren't they? We can fit in a dozen cute insect boys on much smaller material output compared to bigger vessels! So, we could have a main human body, weaponised bigger, cool-looking snake, and cute insects or mice or something else for communication, as long as what we pick is tiny enough to fit snugly into a pocket! I keep telling you guys, we are Gods, Hans is loaded with rare materials, and Simbel is an insanely resilient conductor of power. As long as we coax materials out of Hans and you do not go over your Simbel's meal budget, we can give laws of physics a run for their money! " --- " I know... Thank you for doing this, even if it's hard. It means a lot to both Tide and me. We would not hate you if you choose mortal life... we would live it with you fully up until its end. But it would be a lie to say I would be happier with that, " Hans agreed without any pathos, sharing his thoughts gently. " Immortality might be something you'll struggle to get used to... but please rest assured that no matter how immortality changes you, you don't have to be scared we'll no longer want you. I am, after all, a completely different person than I was when I met Tide, worse for the wear. Those things are technicalities. The biggest difference that comes from immortality is endless time to change. You do not have to be afraid. Whatever comes is just change. When you feel changes coming, do not fear them, and let them come and go as they please. It will just be different versions of you. The family bond I have formed with you vows that I will love you in any version you become. Dont you recall the words of our oath? If you're someone old and hoar, be my uncle evermore! If a venerable dame, then shall 'mother' be your name. If a maiden fair, I'll call you my dear sister and adore you. If you're young and prefer nothing other, I'll embrace you as a brother. Uncle, father, brother, anything - I'll be all you need me be. I look forward to seeing the way you change and the way you remain the same throughout centuries, " Spirit raised a thumb up to him gently. " You are already so much different from the version of you the day we met, and it's been a delight to see. So do not be intimidated by the version of you that is centuries further from today. Immortality is indeed best digested one day at a time. For starters, it will be a joy for me to have this version of you today, present during this special occasion. I can hear Tide and Erdel taking in the garden! They must have met there on their way back from Tide's errand in the bakery and Erdel's errand for your sandwich. It's truly shaping up to be a wonderful day. Putting current versions of so many colourful people together in one place will surely make for a memorable audience in our little play... " |
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"I like the idea of moths," Svarik said. "You would also have enough space for runes on the wings compared to other things of equal size, so it's practical too. What do you think?" he turned to Simbel.
--- Senecio nodded slowly, moving on from the topic of immortality for the time being. "We still need to figure out the details before I go to invite everyone with Erdel's help. We need some half an hour to an hour for rehearsing, I thing. How long do you need for making the ring? Depending on that, we can tell them the time they should gather." |
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With the positive encouragement of everyone and their focus on joy, despite how much in debt he felt to them all, Simbel could not help but be swept away a little in the atmosphere, his expression beaming with thankfulness and timid hope.
" If it is about joy... " he whispered, clasping his hands timidly as he worked hard to do as was asked of him - be genuine and focus on making something lovely together instead of wallowing in guilt. " There... are kind of moths that are very furry and fluffy... I have never seen them myself, but I remember people showing them to me in the dreams when sharing their memories. I think it would be a nice feeling... to be a nice, fuzzy moth that nuzzles against Svarik's neck or fingers if I am hiding in his collar or pocket, " he sad softly and wistfully, shyly explaining. " I understand snake may need to be sturdier and heavier since it turns into a sword, but would it be possible to... make moths feel soft to the touch and not too strong? If... a day is lovely and memory is bright, and I am brimming with joy and excitement, and nuzzle against their faces or hands too strongly, I would hate it if I left my poor Master Sunshine or Birdie with bruises... " " Oh, damn it, could you have given a more adorable request? Now, *that's* the Simbel I was hoping to hear from, finally on brand. You are so cute, I could eat you up! " Alpha made a fist with all his right hands and shook them, as if in cuteness agression, his eyes glowing more brightly, as if he was waiting for cooperation like this from the start, continuing with his own excitement. " I'd move mountains for this, little fuzziness is easy peasy, sugar! You have a deal! " " What Alpha means to say is... yes, " Janus translated gently. " Necrodermis already as material makes the whole product softer to the touch since it is living metal, but Alpha can bend things in reality a little bit based on beliefs and metaphors. There are limits, but for lot of things those are deeper layer limits that are more abstract and work more on the measure of what makes sense in dreams than logical sense. He can weave in the softness of clouds within the moth bodies that can make them fluffy and soft to the touch and on the eyes, like that cotton candy you may have seen in human shops. Basically, if materials are right and sturdy enough to bend to his whims, he can cheat reality a little. If we are voting, I myself vote for adding elasticity, so moths are more bendable and it's a more nimble vessel that squishes nicely as you pet it, so it's more pleasant to snuggle with them, like with cats, and you can't damage them easily even if you put more strength into pets. I have not petted cats for a long time, so I might not remember fully, but I am certain more fuz, nimbleness and wiggliness give the best petting results. " --- " I have the bones in my bag here - it's not a kind of thing to be easily left unattended. So, once you give me the pearl, all materials will be ready. It is not really hard to make the ring, considering all materials are here, just that we need to be sneaky so it remains a surprise for Alpha. So, Tide must definitelly be kept out of the loop because he would explode from excitement. For him to still be included, though, Tide should cut bone into smaller bits, but as we are keeping the proposal secret from him so he does not give it away, I'll go to Sage after the cutting. Sage will do most of the work by carving details in bone with water pressure; I just have to sketch the look. For my sketching part, it should not take me longer than 10 minutes since I already have the design in mind, but Sage's refining might take up to an hour. After Sage's refining is done, we only need to bring the result to Janus, so he is included and puts the pearl in. I think a good plan to make sure we keep it secret is for Tide to cut bone first, I go to Sage to deliver him materials and requests and return to you ten minutes later so we can rehearse. While we rehearse, Sage finishes the carving part for the ring and looks out for when Janus and Alpha are separated to ask Janus to bind the pearl to the ring. What do you think? " |
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"Oh, that would be perfect!" Svarik beamed. "Thank you!"
--- "Sounds good," Senecio said. "With lunch and some time reserve on top, I think if we set it all at three in the afternoon, we should be able to fit everything in comfortably. So, I'll go get the pearl, then find Tide and tell him you asked for his help with something, ask Erdel to help me invite people while I invite Alpha, and then I'll return so we can rehearse a bit while Sage is working on the ring. Do you agree?" |
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This post was updated on .
" Finally, the award winning smile is back! I've been awfully bored of talking with cordial thankful king. Much nicer talking to a beaming piece of sunshine, " Alpha snapped his fingers at Svarik while chuckling, clearly much more pleased with this reply than countless thanks and appreciations from before, adding excitedly. " Is there anything else besides fuzziness you'd like for moths? Oh, we should come up with something more from the extremely cool things we could never add before now since we lacked materials or collaborators. If we ask the cute Ben kid to give us some of his fur and do his magic thingie, we can use his life giving vibes to make Simbel more sensitive to life around you when he's in moth and snake form, so he can feel life presences of people nearby, and can feel if someone around you is ill. And with Death here, if we can ask him for some of his nails or hair, we could make moths and snake more fun - it would not be near as wide ranged or fool proofed as real deal, naturally, but while Simbel on his own has ability to cleanse and soothe, it might enable extremely slight healing factor when you touch snake and month vessels. Not enough for much, but perhaps enough to heal small things like light bruises or scrapes, when Simbel expels his warm powers into air around him. It would shorten how long vessel can work before it has to be refilled since he'd be spending his energy, but tiny healings adds up over time, and it's good function to have. "
" Alpha is right. Normally it would not be enough to just have nails and hair to create decent artifact, you'd need more vital parts, like nerves and bones, to weave noticeable effect into objects. But Simbel does not have to worry about damage to his soul when exerting his will, only fuel. So like with thief, ability to influence what he inhabits is much greater. Meaning that snake and moths would be useless artifacts if just left to collect dust, but while he is inhabiting them, he can drain maximum benefits out of what he is given, just like he can bless the land around him with fertility at a fraction of the cost of the food he eats. Like a Thief, he's an Amplifier of all given to him. More power he has, more he can draw potential from materials to the maximum, just like seashell is a sound amplifier that makes all sounds around it clearer, " Janus explained, adding thoughtfully. " So it might not be bad idea for us to together choose and ask for little bits and pieces of things like nails and hair from couple chosen Beings, for small scraps of powers. It's closest to Simbel getting a blessing as he can get, not having a soul that can be blessed himself. All powers would be extremely weak, and you can only choose few, so small vessels would remain stable, but it can work as long as we don't throw in too many, like human pies can be good if they are pie of mixed fruits, as long as you choose only couple and fruit that match well. And... If you agree and he is willing, what do you think about asking little Erdel for some of his blood and nails to include? This suggestion is... more investment for future than present, though. I am confident in my eyes. I do think he has potential to become someone whose attribute is extremely compatible with Simbel's. Extremely likely attribute tied to protection, perhaps even to the point of a Personification. If he does, it would lead to his awakened nature giving something little new to snakes and months, shaped by who he becomes in future. So it might be something unexpectedly good, if his blessings once discovered turn compatible and strong. But if he becomes twisted and cruel in nature, it would instead instead influence snake and moth vessels poorly. Right now he has no special blessings or nature, but it is more about how much you believe in him. It is a gamble, and my opinion is that his foundation seems solid, but you who know him better are rightful makers of this choice. " --- " I can hear Tide and Erdel in the garden, so it might be faster to just open the window and call them. I often call Tide by opening the window and letting him jump in, or ask him to come and jump me down to location if I need to go somewhere in the city. Or if he's not around, I turn into different form to slither down to glide down edge of facade of mansion since I can't jump like Tide on my own. Anything to avoid bore of stairs. You'll grow bored of stairs soon enough to develop forms to bypass them once you become a Being, " Hans's ears wiggled playfully while he was looking in direction of the garden where two must have been. " Well, even if you jump down from the window, might be fun to give Tide a little scare so he rushes to catch you. I sometimes scare him like that for the giggles, and short fall before the catch is fun. Well, whatever way we go, want us to go to your room together to get the pearl and call them from window there? " |
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"Not really," Svarik. "I would certainly ask him if he would like to be a part of this cool group project, but the decision and judgement is ultimately his. You know, the idea of moths is so nice, and there will be more of them and hey could go with any person they decide, so how about we have more fun with it than just asking some chosen friends separately? We could have a little gathering with all of them and explain the project, and asked them if they'd like to be a part of it with no pressure on agreeing, and let them mingle and combine their powers into the individual moths as they see fit."
--- "As tempting as it is to just jump out of the window and let Tide catch me, I think that's more reasonable," Senecio chuckled and went to his room, followed by Hans. There, he took a little box from a drawer and carefully took one of the pearls that were in it. "Here," he gently put it on his palm and offered it to Hans. "I don't know if I can give a blessing in the true sense, but this is my blessing to your engagement. I hope it goes well and you are happy." |
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