Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

Janus smiled a little with approval, but Emmet was a bit timid with the way Janus proclaimed it.
" You can... be a little bit afraid of cat scratching you, but that doesn't mean you do not want to keep the cat," he whispered shyly, trying to use animal analogies that seemed easier for Being to understand. " Even if I feel unsure here or there... what if I want you to stay regardless? "
" I... do not like, feeling self-conscious about how others think of me. I only spend my time with people that respect my differences... "
" But if you can plea me to not mind your hunger towards me, can't I plead you to not mind if I'm uncomfortable sometimes? This is all... new to me. Of course, I may be uncomfortable sometimes. But I... I don't want to fear that you'll pack your things and leave the first moment... "
" I... find it hard to explain things, on your language. Is the word you are refusing to say abandonment? No, I shan't abandon you. " Being replied, refreshingly as straightforward as hesitant about admitting it. " I shall stay as long as I want - if you do not mistreat me or hunger does not overtake me, who knows how long. I just can only stay in one place as long as I am wanted there, not a second longer. It's... " he smiled timidly. " A Being thing... "
" It's a human thing as well... " Emmet replied softly, reassured. " Alright. Talking.... talking through those things comes difficult to me... But I understand now. If I'm feeling conflicted about you, I'll talk it through with you... It's a promise. "
" Good. " the little shade from Being's face cleared, as it added then, more vibrantly, with anticipation in its softer expression. " Because of the second condition I have is tied to it. You see, it may seem equal to you, to give part of yourself you no longer need to me, but to me it is not equal. I would not be comfortable giving you less than I feel your generosity deserves. Would that be alright? "
" What do you wish to ask, then?"
" I've been thinking through the night... It is nice to have one new hand, but a lot can happen. What if someone attacks you and it gets broken? What if humans drive me out of here and I have to flee, and in my absence your hand gets too damaged to work from force or wear of time? " he asked quietly. " I want to make you at least one more hand, in our free time from theather work. Two or three would be best, at least... With different levels of complexity, so you can learn to make different versions and combine them as you see fit... "
" Two... three more hands? " Emmet's face lit up with visible excitement, a little smile upon his lips this time spreading slowly, but genuiely, as if in that moment, boy forgot about the fears of today.
" I had planned to wait until the time seems favourable to ask... Because I did not want you to say no, on account of not wanting to owe me even more. " Janus, that seemed pleased with his expression, explained timidly. " Please, do not look at it as additional compensation. It is something I wished to ask none the less, Emmet the apprentice. I just wanted to wait until I thought there was a chance you'd say yes with no guilt, so that's what I am hoping... "
" You're hoping that I won't feel guilty accepting what you wish to give me? Well... that sounds familiar. " Boy chuckled a little at last, his laugh hoarse - maybe because he looked emotional and was holding back tears. " You are right... I would feel bad just accepting it for nothing. But if you accept my plea, I'll accept your generosity. As long as it's not tiring to you... "
"We'll make the next ones slower, so it won't tire me. I'll research and try to use as many human tools as possible, and built alongside you, so you can learn to make them yourself. And the kids can learn too, so they can help you build it if you need the help of more hands. We can all work on it and make notes together, while the three of you eat warn human pies. How does that sound? Would that be a strong m-maybe? " creature stuttered.
" It is a shy yes. " Emmet sobbed, trying to hold himself together and keep the firm hold over his vulnerable voice. " And that actually sounds... rather nice... "

[Mirach]

Svarik gave them space to discuss it, not interrupting once he saw they don't need his encouragement anymore. But he felt that one point remained not addressed and so, when the conversation halted, he sighed. "I don't like bringing this up, but there's something more. Janus, what would you think if you found that the finger you get contains more pain than you expected? It's Emmet's decision and I will respect it even if I'm not that comfortable with it myself. But I wouldn't want you to find out when you have no more say in it."

[VisAnastasis]

" More... pain than I would expect? " Janus looked concerned, not sure how to take it - looking a little unsure. " I... do not wish to be... impolite. But I am not certain how to take that news, so I must ask... What do you mean, Svarik the healer? Do you mean that... it will be a hard operation? That thing can go wrong? " he gulped. " I know a lot of how bodies work... but not as much at how to keep them alive. Is the operation in danger of... leading to more damage than we anticipated? You did not tell me... "

" It isn't dangerous... not really, I think. " Emmet whispered, holding his breath, as if, with the direction of the conversation and Being's acceptance, from relief he nearly forgot the controversial nature of his choice. "  You need not worry, master. Mister Svarik is just... a rather kindhearted man. He doesn't like to cause suffering, and he doesn't see it's not a big deal, sometimes... " he gulped, adding hopefully. " I thought... maybe you will. I don't want to do things half-way. I've already gone through the cutting of the two of my fingers without painkillers, and it wasn't really a great feeling, sure, but having been through it once, I thought, I wouldn't mind if--"

" ... if you went through it again? " Janus asked, and as the news dawned on him, the shy tint of appreciation in his eyes turned into horror. " You... you want it to taste better, don't you? " he asked quietly, understanding. " It is... commendable... to try hard... But... why isn't it enough? Why do you have to try the hardest to please me? Is your fear I shall leave so grave? "

" No-oo... " boy's lip trembled. " It is just really not a big deal. I... There is a potion that paralyses body for a short while. You are aware, but you can't move or jerk away from the blade. I've had it used on me before, for, um... medical purposes, and otherwise. I am used to it, and it will make it even easier to work on me than with a painkiller. It will be perfectly safe..."

" And perfectly horrifying. " Being whispered, its voice, sharp to the ear with pain like thorns are to the touch. " What you describe, it... it is torture. Your words do not state but ask. You are asking me to allow you to be tortured so you can be a better meal. "

" It isn't torture if I am fine with it... "

" It is torture no matter how you put it. " Being cut him off. " Why do you think I scavenge bodies, where I can not bring myself to hurt? The people they belong to are gone, unfeeling - I can not terrorize what is already dead. It is one thing to take from the dead, another from the living. I take pride that I am a scavenger, not a hunter. " Janus watched him, with a terribly deep sadness. " I can not... kill a rabbit, or a mouse, or a cow. They are somebody's sister, brother, mother. They are somebody's, and they are their own, not mine. Beings and humans too. None of them is mine. I take only which is neither's or what can be mended, like tails or fingernails that can grow. But I can not mend the memory of horror you wish to go through... "

" There is nothing to mend. " boy protested quietly. " Things... t-things just happen. And then they end. And that's it. There's no reason to dwell on them..."

" But it stays. It hands between people like poison. And, there's no reason to go all the way. If you don't succeed fully in your intent, that does not mean you failed... It means you succeeded 90 persent. That is very good score. " Janus replied urgently. " Why wouldn't it be enough? It... it is one thing, to eat your finger once it's cut off. It's another thing to purposedly make it more painful and traumatic for you. In the first case, I am taking what would otherwise be thrown away. I can live with eating something that would otherwise perish. That's moral enough, proper scavenging. Salvaging what others no longer need. But... this? " he gulped. " It is evil to do this to you... "

[Mirach]

"I agree, Emmet," Svarik said quietly. "And I don't like the implications of the *otherwise* you say it has been used on you. It is not so simple that things just happen and then end and that's it. Things like that create trauma, and trauma sits deeply in the mind long after the pain ended. Sometimes never leaves completely. That it has been done to you before doesn't make it okay. It never was okay. I respect your wishes as a patient, but I don't like it and I think Janus doesn't like it either. You are making him something he doesn't want to be." 

[VisAnastasis]

With Svarik's words that seemed to unexpectedly stir something in him, Emmet was avoiding their gazes, looking instead at the floor, as if patterns of the wood were more interesting to him. But he was holding his hands tightly in fists, the tight grip probably causing more pain, at least, judging by Janus's twisted look at them. But Emmet didn't seem to care, struggling with his hands much less than with the darkness of his distressing thoughts.
" I... am not making anyone, anything. You... you are just projecting what you fear to become. You are making it a big deal where it's not... " he has whispered, his eyes glazy, distant. He almost seemed to be forgetting he wasn't just talking to himself. " Things just happen, and that's it... Some things are neither really the greatest... but neither the worst. They even each other out. They can be endured. "he murmured, lost in his justifications. " Everything... is a tradeoff. Maybe some things that happen hurt... but they can still be worth it if they get to feel better by the end. Or at least, if it brings something good to someone, it doesn't have to be me, anyway. I am fine enough with a tradeoff. It won't be pleasant at first, but I'll be happy, knowing I've... made someone happy. It was always my choice to accept the tradeoffs. It was always okay... "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded slowly, seeing now more clearly what's going on here, and also seeing more clearly why he shouldn't allow it. "It's very kind from you, but I don't think Janus would be comfortable with accepting it. You should find a way that both of you are comfortable with, don't you think?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, but... why wouldn't you be comfortable?" the boy replied thinly, with a trembling voice, not looking at them still. " Why are you making such a big deal out of it? Why... why won't you just let me do this for you? "
It was clear who that question was for, but Being didn*t reply right away, struggling how to put it.
" Because this is what I feared from the start," he whispered gravely, at last. " That you kids will try to hurt yourselves... in hopes feeding me will put you in my favours. It is, well... a terrifyingly uncomfortable thought... "
" Why? " Emmet looked up, biting his lip, waving away with confusion and loss. " Why would it be terrifying? It is perfectly reasonable. I am not just cutting my limbs left and right. I just wanted to make sure you get the most out of what has to be done anyway... "
" Alright, but why do I have to be the one to get most out of it? Why shouldn't you? " Being asked sternly, distrustfully. " Why is it so important to make me pleased? Besides, if you really wanted to please me, you wouldn-t be insisting on stepping over my feelings. What am I, a fairy tale witch? " he couldn-t help but snarl, in disgust. " I... am not feeding you pies and making sure you have proper milk just to make you feel indebted. "
" But I do feel... indebted? " Emmet whispered, not sure of the word. " And I just want to act on it. It isn-t fair, that you can act on it, but I can not... "
" I do not prevent you from acting on it... But don't just make assumptions about my life. " creature lashed out, pain clear in its sad eyes. " Just because I eat what I eat does not mean I have nothing to value in it than food. I can not feel joy, or anything intensely positive... But I can think about it. I... want to think good thoughts, when I am with you.... But you would rather make a competition out of this, when there-s no one to compete against, and no price for the person that runs the most... You want to ease your conscience, not to ease me. "
The tone and the statement were Janus-s true feelings, and their honesty cut sharply, like knife, cutting down the boys hopes to do this - hopes, however grotesque, were sincere, too. It must have seemed to him that his fears turned true, and he disappointed the Being, in the end, after all. He hid his face in palms.
" I-it... it is not fair..." he sobbed. " I want...to think good things, when I am around you, too. I can-t... when I can always see how... hungry you are... "

[Mirach]

"Emmet, dear," Svarik sighed, "that offer is very generous from you, but you are offering more than Janus feels comfortable to accept. You can show him that you respect his values by not pushing him into accepting something he does not want to accept." 

[VisAnastasis]

Emmet was breathing deeply, trying to calm down, not quite successfully. More than anything, he appeared lost and cornered by denials on both ends.
" I... won't make him take... anything he doesn't want. " he finally whispered, each word being a fight to say. " It's just harder to be refused this than a little pain would be... Much harder... "
Being bit its lip, appearing conflicted and pained itself. While he was normally formal and professional with the three children, alone here with Emmet and Svarik, talking about this, he was able to bring himself to speak of his feelings truthfully.
" Do you not see... how hard it is for me to say no to you? " He asked hoarsely, clutching hands in fists. "Everything be damned... I really do want to. Every pore of my body wants to eat you. Not just your finger. I can feel it all... layers upon layers of pain and suffering echoing all through you, built up over years, compacted by guilt, resignation, and eagerness to let yourself get hurt to keep people from leaving you. You are as delicious as they come, and you always leave me tempted. " he said, straightforwardly, not sugar-coating it this time, and the weight and tone of it made Emmet shiver, as few would not be torn from their thoughts, with admission someone wants to eat them.
"W-why... are you telling me this? " he asked, a tinge of fear in his voice, fear that made Janus's heart sink.
" I hoped you won't see... but since you do see, there's no point in leaving you to wonder. But there's a point in making a point. My temptation is my problem, but you can help it, if you choose to. Do you want to make a tradeoff? That's fair. Alright. But make a tradeoff what would actually please me. " he whispered. " Do not try to make yourself more delicious... Make yourself less so. Sleep your due hours. Eat good food. Talk with little Svarik, and take good medicine for your body...Drink calming teas, indulge yourself in things that feel good... And take care of your torn off mind and soul. Dull your flavour. "
Emmet, who, by Janus's initial tone must have feared he'd be suddenly asked for more, not less, was stunned into silence with the request.
" Are you... trying to trick me... into taking more care of myself? "he asked finally, uncertainly.
" It would be my hope... but I know I am not too good at trickery. " Being whispered. " I am just trying to talk with you in your terms. Things just happen, yes? I see. Then try to endure good things as they happen, alright? Do you want to tradeoff? Alright. Don't take an easy way out and put yourself through bad experience to get me to like you. " Being said firmly. " Dedicate yourself every day, to make yourself taste less to me, and I'll be deeply grateful. "
" Grateful? For that? " Emmet pressed his temples, seeming lightheaded, and yet, amidst all that, feeling strange and surreal enough to be snapped out of tears. " Well, to be honest, I still feel like I am being tricked into self-care, but... " he bit his lip, admitting over his will, with a heavy lump of disbelief in his throat. " You do sound... like you mean it... "

[Mirach]

"Grateful for lowering the temptation and reminder of hunger, Emmet," Svarik answered the question for Janus. "A long-term, harder effort than hurting yourself now."

[VisAnastasis]

Emmet nodded slowly, appearing thoughtful with that. Slowly, he looked up at Janus, and though it took willpower, he did not look away this time.
" I realized... I was a temptation. But not to such an extent. Am I... that tasty?" he asked quietly.
" What... Svarik said before... about trauma. You can say he was right about it. " Being replied quietly. " It stays with people. Physical and emotional pain entwine, in a vicious cycle. I can eat both pains if I eat its source, but, for the obvious reason of them not regenerating and being the most precious consciousness part of any person, I do not eat brains or nervous system. Does not mean I don't feel tempted by it... It's like... being able to eat human cakes, but not eating them out of principle. "
" I see... " the boy nodded slowly, and finally cleared his tears, replying more firmly, as if finally, after seeing it from a different angle, he could make peace with helping, even if it was different than he imagined it. " If it will help you, I'll... try to look after me better, but... I can not promise I'll be too successful, with... the mind part," he admitted. " I will do what I can that is in my control, but... I can not really... control my emotions. Sometimes, I'm excited about things, like all those things you make. They are amazing, but... but I fear, most of the time, I feel downhearted without much say in the matter... My brain doesn't ask me how to feel, otherwise... " he blushed a little faintly. " ...otherwise, I wouldn't have demanded this from you before I understood you better... "

[Mirach]

"I can see that doing this would hurt you in places that are still raw, Emmet," Svarik said. "You need a soul healer. So I would really like you to not do it, so that when I come again or you come to visit me, we don't have it harder, alright?"

[VisAnastasis]

" You mean... So that I don't grow to think ill of you with... what word was it again... trauma? " Emmet smiled faintly, a little bemused as if that word came strangely to him, who wasn't used to hearing or saying it. " You... do not need to worry., mister Svarik. I could hardly think ill of you. But I won't do this anyway... not when it wouldn't help anyone. " he cleared his eyes again. " It is counterintuitive to me, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. I don't know how successful I can be with making myself taste blander, but I will try... "

" And that's plenty already. " Janus hurried to add before boy changes his mind. " I... do not really know how to cope with this situation, either. I'm just trying, too. But, regardless of anything, you should not think of yourself as my provider. It is not your burden. " he shook his head. " I am an adult. Your part is to focus on learning and on yourself. My deals are just a bit scarce right now, so my rations are lower, but I'll work on it. That's my part of our arrangement, making sure all of us are fed. "
" It would have been easier to accept that... if the rations weren't so low. I... noticed that ever since you choose to stay, you've not been eating three cups of nails per day, but two. That even so, you eat so slowly, nibbling them to make them last longer. " Emmet admitted. " I wasn't staring, just... It was hard not to notice... "
" Ah... I see. I know it may have looked bad, but you could have asked. I am used to rationing. It's not your fault that I have to. I'd be probably rationing anyway if I don't find enough new deals. Hmm... I guess, among Beings, that you can count me as kind of *poor*, by human conventions. " Being explained with some vulnerability, appearing shy, but in some way, also relieved, as if the direct talk, the one he feared to have until now, has made him feel a little more comfortable in expressing himself. " And... I have also... noticed things that upset me. " he added, with a softer, sadder voice. " I noticed in first days that when you'd be going on errands and come across people that know you, if they'd belittle you or touch you innapropriately, you'd pretend they didn't. You'd roll your eyes and let it be, like it is not a big deal. It is, to me. I did not understand at first, but I do now... "
" You mean.... you... " boy couldn't bring himself to say much more, but being blinked like it was obvious.
" Of course I noticed... They would only recoil in fear when I'd show up or call for you. Why do you think I'm always keeping you so closely in our unit? I kept a watch as soon as I noticed. Your consenting age but a young body is a temptation to them, and if anything, I can recognize temptation. I understand now... why you'd rather allow people to handle you half-heartedly than risk them taking you by force in spite. Why you would rather endure things than escalate them. " he shook his head. " It is okay to feel that. But I hope you understand that until that changes, I think you'll taste much... I mean... feel much better, if you don't put yourself in positions that would just make you feel worse... "
" But... If I make a big deal out of it, I'll just get the rest of you into trouble. It's really not a big deal to me to just let things be... " Emmet replied, an answer ingrained deeply within him - but more uncertain this time, shaken by Janus's observations.
" Yes it is. Didn't I just tell you how tasty you are? It most certainly is a very big deal. " Janus raised his eyebrows. " I don't like... forbidding things to people. I don't like to feel like I'm invading your love life. But it seems to me there's no love in whatever you have right now, so I'll always be opposed to it. You are my apprentice here, my pupil, my human of choice. " he said solemnly, underlining word with wide protective gesture, not much one of a master, but more parental and unexpectedly expressive. " I want your words to protect me from evil tongues, not your body. You are my voice among humans, not my shield. "

[Mirach]

"It is a big deal even without the question of taste," Svarik.said. "You eas just taught go think it didn't matter, but it should matter."

[VisAnastasis]

" It... is a very kind thought. A lot of things should matter... they do not, though. But it is... nice to know it matters to you two, at least. You don't get how life here works, but it is good to know there are more people like you out there... " Emmet whispered quietly - despite their insistence, their words too hard to accept right away - at least though, he seemed reassured about them, if not about the world.
" Conventions define life to a great extent... but we can make our own conventions. People here are afraid of me... Use that. " Janus tried to smile, despite it was hard, through the sadness upon his face, to make the smile seem genuine. " Don't let people forget that if I get upset with something they do to you, I will eat them. I would rather not eat anyone, but let them dread."
Boy snorted a little, suddenly bemused a little, his look a little wondering.
" Is that why you're always looking so gloom when going around the theatre? So people find you scary and don't mess with you? " he couldn't help but ask.
" Well... mostly because I am terrified and keep imagining someone stabbing me behind the back the first second they got, but besides that, yes. I don't want to be friends with any of them, so I have no use of them seeing my weaknesses. Fear of the unknown is a powerful shield. Besides, I actually do have a problem with stress eating. " he explained shyly. " That's, um, why I really, really need you not to touch me, Emmet the apprentice. When I am startled, I lash out, and of all things, touch startles me as equally as a slash of a whip would. My logic is, if everyone is afraid to come near me, nobody will touch me by accident, so I won't bite them in a panic - a win-win situation, as you humans say it. "
" You didn't put it like that before... " Emmet frowned, realizing implications. " I mean, you did say you don't want it because you had bad experiences with people, but not that you can kill someone in a panic if you are touched. If you do not mind the question... Has... that happened before? "
" It did not, but mostly because when it would, it were always Beings in my way, and Beings tend to be very taught - like Tide or Hans. Those terrible children are made of steel. " he stuttered nervously. " If there were humans involved, things would be worst. But this is the first time since I've recovered that I've... been persuaded to be around humans... "
" Since you... recovered...? " Emmet pondered the words, as Being didn't seem to tell them much about itself. " So, you were... ill? "

[Mirach]

"Should I leave you to talk in private?" Svarik suggested. 

[VisAnastasis]

Being was unsure, as it seemed that by the sleight of hand, he said something he didn't think would say as much.
" It is just... Beings have... less defined border between mental and physical health, and... sometimes... " he couldn't bring himself to say anything more, as it was clearly a distressing subject, and slowly, he turned to Svarik. " Maybe... leave us, just for a little while? " he whispered. " I feel the situation requires me to say a little bit of the unsaid... But it is something that may benefit Emmet's understanding. You live among Beings. You already know... " he gulped. " So it would be less taxing if you didn't have to hear... "

" Is it a painful subject? " Emmet asked quietly. " I didn't want to pry and make you feel bad... "

" It's nice to see you recognize that feeling bad is something to be avoided, even if you don't recognize it within yourself, but that's at least a fair start. " Being smiled but there were shame and conflict in its look. " It is painful... but also something I am very much not proud of. I can not bring myself to tell you much, yet... But I see I may have undercut your chance to understand enough of me to see where I am coming from. You don't really get how Beings work, and it is a knowledge you should have... It is... not your fault, that you wanted to hurt yourself to please me. It is mine, for not giving you enough knowledge to see why I would absolutely not be happy with that. It is a pitiful, selfish oversight from my side... "

[Mirach]

"I'll be with Conrad," Svarik said. "Do join us when you are ready.]

[VisAnastasis]

Janus nodded lightly, and when they remained alone, they began to talk. Svarik went to Conrad, and the man kept their thoughts busy, showing them card tricks and teaching them random card games.


It has taken a little while, indeed, and a heavy talk, before Being and human left the understage and joined them. There was a heaviness in their steps, and both seemed vulnerable, but their looks were wondering, and thoughtful. It was clear that Being didn't tell him everything, and that it was probably mostly explanations and evasive information - but it did give a child a lot more to work with, to be able to understand why creature feels so strongly about this. Finally, while there was a lot of things to digest and be unsure of, Svarik could see young man wasn't conflicted about doing it their way anymore, as he understood Janus's aversion to this much better with a clearer image of why he is the way he is. The boy walked up more confidently to them with it, while the Being followed shyly a few safe steps behind.

[Mirach]

Svarik stood up when he saw them. "Are you ready then?" he asked. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes... And... thank you, for the guidance. " Emmet replied, and bowed his head quietly to him. " I... wasn't thinking clearly. I suppose I don't have much experience with thinking long term... "
" And I am not that good for short term things, so we both may have gone too far... " Janus tipped in timidly, rubbing his palms. " But we decided to meet halfway... "
" I hope we will succeed. " Emmet glanced at him, before looking back at meadow king, and asking a little unsurely and humbly, in quite stark contrast from his insistence from before. " Master Janus... wants me to make sure it's done in whatever way I'm most comfortable with, but, um... I do not really have many ideas about what that would mean for me. Should I take the paralysing potion along with painkiller, then, or do you not want me to take paralyzing potion at all? I am good at staying still. " he admitted with some uncertainty. " I... don't want to appear like I'm not trying to be comfortable, but I have only done this once, and I didn't gain an impression from it that anything about it can be comfortable. Could you decide this for me... please? "

[Mirach]

"I suppose you would prefer being aware and knowing what's going on, right?" Svarik asked. "Because there are two options, either I put you under a sleep spell or give you the painkiller. Paralysing potion would be good with the painkiller though, just to have a complete certainty."

[VisAnastasis]

The boy glanced back at Janus, who nodded to him encouragingly.

" As long as you don't just pick to get a higher pain level, but what you find better for yourself, I won't be disappointed. " Being whispered, as it seemed, not really willing to dance around such important matter, once he understood Emmet is burdened with his opinion on this. With the reassurance, the child took a deep breath and looked back.

" I assume that with that sleep spell, I would hardly feel or remember anything, being asleep, while with a painkiller and paralyzing potion, there'll still be some pain, right? I know it's contra intuitive, and it is an option with more pain... But I do not pick it for the pain. It is... substantially more terrifying, to be.. unconscious, surrounded by many people... even when you know they have good intentions. I do not like... the feeling, of waking up to... an unknown situation... " he whispered. " I know I may or may not faint anyway if we don't get the dozes right... but I would prefer painkiller and paralyzing potion. It's much better to know what's going on, even if it's not a great feeling, than to just wake up less of yourself, not able to process it... for me, at least... "

[Mirach]

"It's not contraintutive," Svarik said. "I thought you might prefer that option. According to your experience, how long does it take for the paralysing potion to wear off? Or is there something that would neutralize it faster after it's done?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It depends on the dose. It's hard to overdose on just one bottle of this particular mixture, so depending on how many spoons you take, it can last from ten minutes to an hour, and then it slowly wears off, as you first regain some control over fingers and face, and in around twenty minutes, you can sit down and move, but are too wobbly to stand for next hour, until it's fully gone. " Emmet replied matter of factly to the part of the question he knew an answer to, while to the other one, he stated more unsurely as if apologizing. " But... I fear I don't know if... there is a neutralizer. If there is, I guess it would have cost more money, so it just wouldn't be... economical to get it that often. I never knew of any. You just wait for the effects to wear off... "