Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

Svarik thanked him with a shy smile, knowing that their personalities don't really fit together well and they probably can't become good friends, but can respect each other. It was almost time for the beginning of the play when he finished dressing, but he didn't hurry too much, already knowing that it's a bit awkward for a king to arrive early. 

[VisAnastasis]

Tide and Death didn't hurry either, as Demon King didn't want to draw the attention of all the passing Beings. After they finished building and furnishing Death's little house, they ate some food Jake made them and rested for a while, Tide being a bit more thoughtful, as if contemplating something. He said it's a time then, and he took off his cloak and mask, borrowing it to Death before he excused himself briefly to go pick up his fluffy ball gown to dress in it and put on the ball mask Senecio got for him, as he couldn't go out without his mask if something else wasn't covering his face at least.


In meantime, as play was nearing every moment now, Hans returned by Senecio's side, putting a hand on his shoulder.
" How are you doing? Nervous? " he whispered. " Hey, not like I'm predicting worse possible scenario, but even if Tide's, like, super busy with our new guest, don't worry, deal? I am totally clearing out my schedule from all probable orgies and lovemaking so we can sulk together if needed, okay? "

[Mirach]

Senecio smirked. "That's good to know. Sure I'm nervous. This is a damn big role, and the audience is... well, you know who's in the audience. I may be having the time of my life on stage, but this bit right before it starts is the worst."

[VisAnastasis]

" I've already seen the play as your practice audience, and may I say, I think all of them bastards have no idea what gut-wrenching punch they are in for. I am mentally prepared now, but these suckers? They are all in for a treat and a punch, and it'll be damn glorious! Eyes on the prize, my boy, " he grinned, despite discretely not mentioning Death's name, seeming to be morbidly cheered up a little at the thought that what he's been through the first time he watched will inevitably fall upon him too, and that he won't be the only one who was thrown into identity crisis " Now, can I help the wait suck less until then? I prepared loads of praise and restocked a pile of sweets, would some help? "

[Mirach]

"It might," Senecio agreed. "If everyone is ready, we just need to pass a bit of time."

[VisAnastasis]

" Some people already started coming in, but it would be best to wait around ten-fifteen minutes till they are all seated. Don't worry about Beings, I coaxed Sage to deal with that today and greet them, " Hans reassured him, dramatically sitting on the edge of the table while pulling out a box of expensive sweets and cookies Senecio liked out of his bag - he ordered them refilled after Svarik ate the previous batch so he would be ready for this. " You've earned a ridiculous amount of Hans points in last two days, after all... so you might as well use them to coax me to have things your way, I feel uncharacteristically benevolent right now, " he tempted him, offering him the package.

[Mirach]

Senecio reached for a praline and let the sweetness in his mouth soothe his nerves a bit.

[VisAnastasis]

While Senecio ate, Hans spoke quietly to him, as he offered before.
" It's a big role and all, but it's not bigger than you, " he spoke, leaning back, decisive to unlike yesterday when he got upset, be collected for both of them today and be a good distraction. " You know what'll be hard? Just wait till I write a love story for you and Tide, with puffy dresses and unnecessary amount of sexual tension and pining! I'll make it torture to not break the character and just make out with him in the middle of act two, " he teased innocently. " You better worry about that, okay? Compared to that, this will be a piece of cake, a little bit of dramatical tension? You know you eat dramatic tension for breakfast, there's no way it'll eat you up now... " he spoke, entertaining him playfully, as time drew closer and closer.

[Mirach]

Senecio smirked at the idea of playing a love story with Tide, passing the time until the beginning of the play. 

"We should go," he said when it was time.

[VisAnastasis]

" Let's do this. "Hans agreed, putting remaining pralines into the bag for later. Then, he stood up, and he and Senecio went together to the stage where everyone awaited them, a theatre to the brim full of people, humans and Beings - and among them, Svarik and Conrad, Sage caring for little Xia, and Tide, with a soft fluffy dress and a new mask, sitting next to Death, concealed with his own mask and cape. Everyone watched them expectantly, and there was some commotion and murmurs as they climbed the stage, concealed with strong backlight.

[Mirach]

Senecio's bearing was confident and became even more so when they got on the stage. His expression was still his own though, not in the role yet.

(OOC: did your FB account get hacked? It tagged me on some photo with a discount code, for the 3rd time already.)

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC.Oh, damn, it's so annoying... A couple of my friends told me, yesterday I deleted all photos and changed both mail and password, but it seems it's happening again today somehow, even though I logged out of all devices :/ I searched the net, and it seems many faced this situation and have no idea how it keeps repeating, thanks for telling me, I'll try checking out again )

Hans raised his hand, with an elegant dignified gesture bidding for silence - and little by little, the room silenced indeed, despite lack of power, clear that his Beings still held him in great respect as their Spirit King, and cared for what he was to say.
And so, Senecio spoke first, explaining how they got to the idea of the play, what motivated them, not failing to mention being Tide's boyfriend a few times ( ooc: description from old post ), after each segment, Being translating to Spirit language to the Being audience. Then, Hans spoke his part. Standing proud and tall, his voice washed clearly over the audience, not over the top this time, but warm, unexpectedly sincere - as he explained in brief sentences how they took the original, rewrote it part by part, and reconstructed it together, adding music and reforging it into something old and new, from a script they found, how he took care of script, Senecio of stage, Sage of ball, and Tide of encouragement. " I dedicate this work to original author, for giving us this oportunity, to my brother Tide, for inspiring me, to my brotther Sage, for aiding the project, and... " he turned his head to the actor, pausing, before he spoke before everyone there, enemies and friends. " And to my brother Senecio, without whom none of this wouldbe half as fun as it was. "

[Mirach]

Senecio grinned, watching the audience. With the strong backlight, his face was not visible, but he looked proud of being acknowledged as family by Hans.

(OOC: if you've already searched for it, could you give me a refresher about what the play is supposed to look like, or point out the relevant places in the RP? I know it was going to be awesome but I don't remember much XD)

[VisAnastasis]

That look was enough to make Hans happy - although he knew how such bold proclamation may cause discomfort or anger in their enemies, or in people Senecio hurt, he weighed out his options, and made his choice, doing what was true to his feelings. As the music began playing with his last word, as it grew, he just put his hand on actor's shoulder and nodded to him solemnly, before dissipating through the air in form of a shimmering golden dust, as the darkness fell on the stage - the disappearance being fittingly dramatic.

And then, just so, as the music of opening scene was swelling, the lights lit up again, towards the centre of the stage, where there was a glistening tree made with lights and crystals, and under it, two demons that were badly injured, and whom Death stepped forth to heal.


( OOC: It's been almost 3 years since some scenes were planned, so it's no wonder, no worries :D
I went to double-check the text. In general, events are as follows - first, Death heals two demons, that are good friends, but are rough in play and argued and got into a fight. He is kind to them and helps them reconcile as he heals them. As he heals them, A Spirit messenger arrived saying that Death must come to cast a vote as they are choosing the first Spirit King, but he refuses, too kind to leave the people he wishes to help. Instead, he sends Spirit messanger to Grendel, so Demon King could learn of what's going on.

Then, we transition into scene where Spiriti messanger goes to demon court, and meets Grendel for the first time, and they fall in love with each other as they get to know each other. In meantime, we transition to scene where Death is crowned as Spirit King, and there is big celebration, and as music plays Death sings in Spirit language " If you were gone the world would lose its brightness " song on Spiriti language, as he is getting married to the Fairy Queen at the ceremony.

Then, a scene where, mirroring that one, Grendel sings that same song, whistling imitating demon language, to Spirit lady he loves, who is shown pregnant in meantime. Then, though, while also showing glimpses of troubles in pregnancy, we are seeing two demons in Grendel's court worried, giving them some more character dept as they dread what is to come. Next scene, in Spirit court, Grendel rushing in with his ill dyuing wife, begging for his help. There can be quick transitions, because Senecio came up with idea to make rotating black/white pillars, that rotate to white when in Spirit and to black side when in Demon court.

Death tries to help Grendel's wife but fails. Grendel loses his mind from grief, and kills Death's fairy queen, and then, Death loses himself and they fight bitterly. Whole scene changes, lights turn red and violent, as Grendel dies and Death is injured badly. Scene of war, where Spirits rush to one and Demons to another side begins, as they clash.

Then, we have war, and as they fight, demons friends get seperated. The one remaining, as he is wondering what to do, is imagining how it would be if his friend was there at his side, and how he can't imagine life if he were gone - singing the same song other two people sang, only on humans language, in the end, so it comes full circle.

Then we have scenes of war, of tragedy, of demon friend doing all he can to find his companion, but failing, hoping and losing hope. Then, at last, a battle scene, where all parties of two armies are gone, and he is last survivor fighting with a Spirit, and stabs him with a poisoned sword. He is relieved because he thinks he is finally safe, but then helmet of Spirit falls off, and he realized it has his friend's face, as his frined died and was reincarnated, only to be killed now by him. He allowes himself to be killed, and falls at the side of his friends.

We have final scene then, with Death compelting full circle, and healing two friends, like at start, but now not as themselves, but erasing all their memories, and turning them into new Spirits, and then, ending monologue.


That should be about it :) As well, important point was that Guliermo managed to hide trap, not in mechanism, but in level systems, so that it responds to the scene where Grednel and Death fight - he put a trap so Senecio gets hurt, I remeber we wanted to get Senecio to end up hurt and have to play the rest of the play injured, because drama, hehee :D

[Mirach]

(OOC: wow, it's been that long? I only remembered the trap and Senecio getting hurt, because I've got that planned rather well and can't wait to get there :D I guess we don't have to write all details of the plays, just how well it goes and how the audience reacts, since that's what we didn't have during the rehearsals)

Senecio stepped towards the pair of hurt Beings and at the same time stepped into the character. He was Death. He moved like Death, he spoke like Death, and he had the full authority of Death on the limited space of the stage.

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Yes, I'm all in for that too, I was super curious ever since you mentioned the idea, it was also just rather fun how Senecio and Hans have just planned things in so much detail and how their relationship grew through it, it's taken so long to get to it, hehe :D Yes, I think since we already had rehearsals we only need an audience in general, and maybe general reactions of more important characters? Hans is going to be doing much better this time, as he's already been through the motions once and he's determined to be strong for the others, so most important are reactions of Tide and Death, I think, since they are in separate secluded audience part, watching together? Maybe a mention of Svarik, since his thoughts should be more mixed, considering Senecio tried to kill him but is also going to get hurt during the performance? Other than that, most will fall in general audience reactions :) )

For humans, the change didn't have the as deep impression right at the start - they were awed and surprised, but it was just a splendid, elegant character still to them, not much more but at the beginning. There was a commotion among Beings, though - some vulnerable, some wary, some more restless, some more withdrawn - but they all watched the apparition from either their memories or stories told to them, with keen interest, following his every move. Hans's music also added even more to the character - he tailored it to fit Death's character, after all, and it fit perfectly with Senecio's portrayal, complementing it.

Humans were enchanted and intrigued, with spectacle and lights and presentation, but Beings, even more so, seemed to follow the flow of music and words, as the plot was unfolding. The slow tension was building, and the atmosphere grew more and more somber and solemn, as the coronation of Death was happening, and as he sang on Spirit language, the song of the world losing the brightness if one they loved was gone, to his Fiary Queen... And then, as Grendel sang the same song to his own wife, indicating that she is bearing a child - a news that should be happy, grave, in the minds of Beings that knew, and in subtle undertones in the music Hans composed for the part, alluding to what was to come.

[Mirach]

"They got it wrong..." Death murmured, strugling to detach himself from the emotional side of the play by nitpicking on details. "There was no Spirit queen..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh... I don't really think that's unintentional. It would be a lot more complicated to make three likeable characters than one... or explain polyamory to people that aren't accustomed. A lot would not understand. " Tide whispered quietly, as they watched, trying to keep a lighter tone, as he also fought to focus on changes, but him, more with wonder with the sight that felt so real, and so surreal at the same time, considering the differences to how events went in the real world. " Hans... promised me he'll try to stick to original as much as he could, so he wouldn't make up something as big, it must have been a character in the old play, too. I am quite sure it's an allegory for... the three fairies... "

[Mirach]

Death nodded heavily. "Well, at least it's a bit easier to watch..." he murmured, captivating by the happening on the stage like watching a disaster that was going to unfold, but unable to look away.

[VisAnastasis]

It was so with many spectators - everything seemed to be going so well, the characters were, although sometimes troubled, pleasant, vibrant and so full of life and joy. However, they knew they were in for a tragedy, humans, from the genre, and Beings, from the history they have been a part of. As scenes were passing to no end, the anticipation was palpable, growing by the minute, and so was escalating the pace of the story, and the weight in the music.

Suddenly, everything was happening so fast, too fast, a lot of small bad turns, leading to worse and worse ones, Demon King's wife grows ill, and they try everything, but she is only growing worse... they wait too long, and Demon Queen is barely holding on to life, as Grendel begins to lose his heart and mind to pain and grief, lashing out on his subjects more and more...
As they had finally decided to run to Spirit King for help, Tide was tense, and with worry, he glanced toward Death, having to look away from the dazzling alluring lights of the stage if at least a moment because the growing escalation of Grendel's violence seemed to strike a chord with him, who was also a member of the court at that time, and he knew the impact had to be even worse for former Spirit King.

[Mirach]

Death watched what was happening on the stage without any expression on his face, detached and resigned.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide wasn't sure what to think of it, so he didn't think much of it - deciding to deal with things as they come. He turned back to the stage, where Grendel was pleading with Death to save his wife and child. They watched Death fail,  and child die in Death's arms while Demon Queen died in Grendel's..  and they watched a little glint of hope, as Grendel was sure his wife would still love him when reborn, only to have that hope squashed before his eyes.

And the worst, as the music was swelling, they watched Grendel finally snapping - and in a fierce, decisive move full of anger, with a heavy painful string of notes following the gesture and light on the stage turning blood red, reaching for the Fairy Queen that could only helplessly raise her hands in wordless plea, before the attack struck her down.  

[Mirach]

Death winced, but he couldn't look away from the stage as Senecio fought with the actor playing Grendel in a staged fight, and the moves were more showy than realistic, but it still felt too real with their expressions and cries and the combination of lights and music. Subconsciously, he clutched his neck.

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, while the choreography was more dramatic than realistic, lacking the grit of actual bloody mess, the lights and music ready added to the experience, and it felt more real than it would without both it and eerily real acting. Tide didn't share Death's memory of this event, as Spirit was only speaking evasively of it, but he did share memories of Grendel being wrathful, and this wrath seemed all too real, atmosphere painting it grotesquely convincingly. There was a mix of grief, tenderness and fright in Demon's expression, as well as a strange sense of conflict.

Suddenly, as one particularly harsh blow was exchanged between the two fighters, Tide unexpectedly stood up from his seat. He leaned down, almost as if he was going to jump out of their secluded elevated seat... but instead, he just clutched the edge of the rail, and it bent lightly under his touch. He knew the scene before himself wasn't real, but it seemed he had to actively convince himself about it, so he wouldn't intervene and push the fighting partied apart. It was in his very nature to not stay aside when someone was in danger, and he yearned to stop the raging battle, even though he knew it would be a foolish act. He couldn't look away either, though. As lights were flashing on the stage and strims of violins and beatings of drums were growing more and more ominous, his fingers clutched tightly on the rail were trembling, wearing out the thick metal with his great strength.

[Mirach]

Death stood up as well, but somehow focusing on Tide instead of his own memories helped him to watch the play. "Relax," he said quietly, putting his hand on Tide's shoulder. "It's not Senecio. It's just me."