Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

Tide barely managed to tear his sight lightly from the stage. He heard the words, but they didn't seem to register, as if he didn't understand what Death meant, his eyes clouded by the violence on stage.
" What... do you mean? " he asked tensely, his words muffled to the others by the sweeping music and cried on stage. " There is no difference if it's him or you. "

[Mirach]

"There is," Death said. "It's not him now. It's me, long ago."

As he said it, Death on the stage, limping and looking badly hurt and at the end of his strength, gave a killing blow to Grendel. The music stopped in that moment and the lights went dark with the exception of one pale light directed straight at Senecio, making his features appear sharper. In the complete silence of the theatre, the quiet, choked sob was heard clearly before the light went dark. The darkness and silence lasted for a while and when the lights went on again, Death was sitting on his throne, stern and grim, declarimg the war on demons. The pain in his face was hidden from the other characters on the stage, but visible in the looks to the audience. He sometimes winced a little with a movement, but never when someone on the stage was looking in his direction. Nobody noticed a wince that was genuine. 

Senecio felt a little sharp sting on his back, like a needle, and briefly wondered if there was some nail left sticking out of the throne. But it didn't repeat, so he he dismissed that thought immediately, focusing on the role.

[VisAnastasis]

Much like Hans, Tide did not know the pain was real, fully trustful in the quality of Senecio's acting and holding it in the highest regard. What was on the stage seemed to fall as heavy on him now, though, as while he relaxed just a little as this fight was over and there was no one to stop right now, the pain of the main character was twisting Demon's face in a sad grimace.

" It isn't about who or when. It's about... the what. " Tide whispered barely audibly, not sitting down, just faintly, slowly putting his hand over Death's - it was trembling, barely restrained by the knowledge of his own foolish urges. " I know it's not real, but I want to stop it just the same... "

[Mirach]

The second act ended there, with the promise of war. There was a pause that the actors used to change costumes into a battle garb and adjust their make-up. Senecio felt a little dizzy as he was doing that, but still didn't think much of it after the physically exhausting stage fight. He drank a glass of water that was ready for him and then returned to the stage for the third act. It was one focused mostly on the Demon and Spirit friend, but he was still present in the background, giving orders to his army and hiding his pain, physical and emotional. Distantly he thought that he's being so deep in the character that the pain almost feels real. 

[VisAnastasis]

During the break, Tide sat down along with Death, decisive to collect himself and not make a scene. It really didn't seem as if Senecio being the main actor was the reason he was upset, though - even as the play continued, he seemed troubled as the fights began, and he wished to stop them likewise, but couldn't. Tenseness slowly grew into sadness as he watched powerlessly, inability to do anything in the imaginary conflict wearing him down.
He was sitting next to Death as play continued, and, watching Senecio's performance in the background seemed to help him distract from carnage from the stage, though. However, the more he watched the Spirit King, more contemplative he seemed, subconsciously leaning a little more against Death's shoulder. It didn't seem he was as upset as before, but the amount of pain and realism in the dizzy hazy movements of actor's character made his suspicions and dread grow. Every time Spirit king would wince when no one was looking, he would shift uncomfortably, observing with bated breath.

As play continued, Hans, who despite not able to sing anymore, could still hear sharply, was growing more suspicious as well, having already seen Senecio's acting, knowing he would be this good - but also having already seen how the actor looks when hurt, unwell and drunk, his suspicion only grew.

[Mirach]

Death somehow made it through the break, but as the war stared in earnest, he sank to the ground in their private lodge. He buried his face between his knees and wept quietly.

Senecio realized sometimes in the middle of the act that something is wrong with him, and it's not just being too deep in character. The pain grew steadily, making it hard to focus. He felt hot and cold in the same time, his vision getting blurred. But the play was too important to him. He didn't break character, using his own pain to play it even more convincingly.

[VisAnastasis]

Death's reaction drew focus away from Senecio, at least right now. He knew he is choosing between focusing on two dreads, one of seeing Senecio and one of seeing Death like this. However, there was a difference - in all this time, Death's eyes only welled up with tears twice, and he only wept once, that time when they spoke about the war, and when he demanded from the demon to leave him alone. And even more - he could do nothing about Senecio's, but he could do something about this. So that knowledge brought him to make a decision, and he carefully knelt down beside the weeping Spirit. He could see he was in a vulnerable state of mind, so he didn't try to impose himself. He was upset by the war scenes before them, but he was able to hold a brave face, and as Death did before him, he placed his palm on Being' shoulder lightly, his hand trembling slightly with worry.

In the meantime, Hans, who unlike others, was decided not to be dazzled by the allures of the play, but focus on the actor, around that time also realized that something was wrong, seriously so. However, this play was important for both of them, and if there was any way, he would never ever ruin this for Senecio. He tried to see any wound, but he couldn't, no matter how hard he observed, as it was unfortunate that the character wasn't moving as much during this part of the play, mostly sitting on his throne and giving orders. He gritted his teeth, cursing in himself, as he knew Garnet, who was their double agent in Spirit council and expert on poison, decided not to come here not to risk her cover. The next best bet on someone that understood how body works was Eros, but there was no free place in Being's corner of the audience, as everything was tightly packed with people, so his hands were tied, and he could not go ask the love deity for advice or help either. He had to wait, and so he waited, as excruciatingly long seconds were slowly sipping away.

[Mirach]

It was a strange experience for Death - his pain was understood. He could feel and hear it in the audience. Something he never allowed himself to reveal was now revealed by another, without claiming it to be correct. To the audience it was just a story, one they could believe but didn't have to, but they understood it. And their attention was not on him. There was only Tide with him, and so he allowed himself to let go of his composure and show the pent up pain, overwhelmed by the acceptance of the audience.

Senecio played on. The lights felt blinding and his vision was getting more and more blurry, but the audience didn't notice his dilated pupils thanks to the violet lenses he wore for the character. When he couldn't rely on sight, he moved on the stage relying on memory. His skin felt clammy and too sensitive under the heavy costume, feeling the chafe of every thread and seam, but it wasn't that bad compared with the steadily growing pain. The final part of the play was nearing - he was able to tell more by the music than by what was going on on the stage, and he knew he will soon have to rise from the throne and give the final monologue, one that could sink the whole play if botched. But he wasn't sure he would be able to stand up and neither trusted himself to talk. That's how Death feels, he told himself. It's how Death feels and you are Death...

[VisAnastasis]

Tide originally believed he would be overwhelmed with fear while watching the play, but after meeting and getting to know Death in last days, he just couldn't feel the same - instead, the play overwhelmed him with a feeling of helplessness, as he was unable to change bad things from happening, not because he was powerless this time, but because it would be an unproductive thing to do. Despite different reasons his feeling of helplessness was real, though, and he had to act on it and had to have an outlet. Death did not reject his touch and carried by the feelings of the moment, Tide took a shaky breath and suddenly embraced the Spirit lightly from behind, leaning against him protectively over the cloak. It wasn't just an empty hug though - there was a vulnerability in it, and it seemed that creature found comfort in his close presence against horrors of the play and past both.

Hans watched Senecio in meantime quietly, as well as Eros by now - he who could see the feelings of others and knew real from fake, said nothing, but didn't break his gaze - he watched, but not with cold collectedness of Hans. Being tried its best to listen to the surrounding, to try to find the source of Senecio's distress, but the music on stage and of actors was, ironically, too distracting, and he couldn't focus on finding anything, so he watched the escalated weakness with growing dread, not daring to look away from him. He knew Senecio might be deep within the role, and if he tried to send him any thoughts to inquire about this, he may be instead met with rejection of the role, so he couldn't even do that.

Instead, as the play was nearing its end, determined to trust Senecio to stop if he couldn't bear it any longer, he skipped through the layers at one point, and reappeared at the corner of the backstage, behind the coulises, where the audience could not see him, but he hoped that in the final position of the last monologue, Senecio would see him - determined, if the actor would give him a sign, to somehow step in and improvise the end of the play in order to get him away, even if that would mean the failure of the play.

[Mirach]

Death allowed Tide to embrace him and leant at the Demon. As the act was nearing its end, he raised himself to see over the railing, a little calmer already and not wanting to miss the end.

Senecio could only see blurry outlines of lights and shadows then, so he had no chance to notice a figure in the backstage. He was lost in the role and in the pain, trying to hide it and not cry out as he stood up from the throne when the music silenced. For a moment he thought he would faint, the blurry lights getting dark and the only sound the rapid pounding of his heart in his ears. He managed to remain on his feet though, and not let show more weakness than was needed for the character as he slowly walked towards the centre of the stage, hoping the two characters are lying in the exact same place he remembered from rehearsals. They did, and one exhausting step after the other, he got to them and knelt. And then he just let Death speak. And Death was overwhelmed by emotions. It took a while for him to find his voice, and then he spoke shakily, towards the dead demon.

"I did not want this... I tried to choose the path of the lesser evil, but there is none. Every path has its victims to whom it causes suffering, and the lesser evil to the world is a bigger one to you... I wish I could be in your place, and be reborn without the memories. I wish I could forget the friend that I used to have... But I can't and you have to. Forgive me..." 

Then the stage darkened and the curtain fell... and Senecio did as well, his body spasming with pain.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide embraced him from the side, holding him and supporting so he wouldn't get weary from the pose, while he himself was listening and clinging to every dialogue, not wanting to miss the end either. Last Spirit King's words hit a string in his heart, and they rang true, as he remembered all the weight in Death's mind, and how much creature wanted to tell people he was choosing between two evils, and never thoughts demons were evil, and that he wasn't feeling righteous, but suffered from that choice every day. Now, at least, even if not from him directly, his people could hear him out, and though some were conflicted, others were crying, too, and listening with open heart, and that was giving Tide courage. As last words slipped away, he finally felt he did make a right impulse decision of encouraging this play after all, and he sobbed and smiled both, as even part of the Beings began to clap along with numerous human audience.

The solemn but strong applause was drowning all other sounds, and that allowed Hans to not waste any more time. He ran to Senecio immediately, and he called out his name with the bated breath, calling him urgently, putting his palm on actor's cheek, trying to get his attention.

[Mirach]

Death wept quietly. "They are applauding..." he whispered in wonder, watching the audience. But suddenly his expression changed as his look was focused somewhere behind the curtain. "We need to go there," he murmured urgently.

Senecio's skin was sweaty to the touch, burning with fever. "Help me get backstage", he wanted to say when he recognized Hans, but all he manage to gasp between whimpers of pain was "Help..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Is something wrong? " Tide asked, but he noticed the change in his tone, and he felt freer with him right now, and he already reached for him to pick him up, willing to get him wherever he wanted to for whatever reason he had.

In meantime, Hans was busy with Senecio, on quick glance trying to figure out if it was some kind of seizure - but this looked nothing like an outburst on natural illness.
" I will bring Eros right away. As soon as I get you this... " Spirit replied to Senecio's words, as he urgently took out something from his bag - a strong painkiller he had prepared before, not strictly for this, but with similar mindset. He opened the bottle and struggled to get the whimpering actor to drink some, hoping if he took a little bit if would give him a moment to run to seek Eros or Svarik, but not able to leave him while he was spasming on the floor like this.

[Mirach]

Svarik heard that something is wrong too, and met Death and Tide halfway to the backstage.

The other actors on the stage watched with horrified expression. More and more of them were coming, as soon the curtain was supposed to go up for the applause. 

The painkiller helped with the pain, as could be expected, but nothing else. The spasms didn't abate and Senecio was having trouble breathing now, struggling for every breath.

[VisAnastasis]

Despite Senecio wasn't able to say it before, Hans knew he would sooner die than have the audience and his enemies see him like this. He would prioritize his wellbeing, but he could sense that Tide and Death were coming and that Svarik caught up with them, and Eros followed on safe distance behind them, so he focused on the actor.

He quickly ordered two Being special effects craftsmen nearby to help quickly carry Senecio to the nearby door that led to the rooms, stopping them right in the hallway, as soon as they were out of sight. Senecio couldn't breathe, so he didn't dare try to lead him further. Beings laid him to floor there, and Hans took a deep breath, knowing what he must do, but also that it wouldn't be wise. He had no powers or blessings, and it was hard to focus, but he had to buy time for others to come, so he leaned over Senecio, and placed hand on his chest. In his past, he could have made a difference... he could have used the power of his songs, to call the name of the wind, and force the actor's body to breathe and not shake, despite its primal urges. But he couldn't do it now, not really... but he tried. He opened his lips, and forth came a quiet, broken tune, barely a cracked whisper. The music that was supposed to pass fluently the air, was passing through Spirit's body fiercely, barely couple of notes going further... but it did make a little difference. As he hummed, Senecio could feel like more oxygen was passing through his mouth, and that it was breathing in and out better, against the spasms that wanted to block his airways. Spirit couldn't do this for long, though, and he was already dizzy, and blood began dripping down his nose, but he kept trying to continue the grotesque frail tune, buying every second he could for others to come.

[Mirach]

Senecio fought for the breaths, but whatever poison was effecting him, it was calculated in its timing very precisely, meant to kill by the time of the end of the play. While Hans focused on forcing breath into his lungs, it was his heart that started failing, his eyes getting glossy just as Death with Tide and Svarik arrived. Svarik ran to him with a rather weak healing spell, as the short sleep did not do much to renew his powers. But he was too late. Senecio's heart stopped before he could finish the spell. 

Death shuddered and then looked at Tide. "It's alright," he said soothingly. "I'm holding him. You need to find an antidote."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide was shaken and pale, frozen as if unsure where to even start, but he nodded, trusting Death's words, however, as he turned to Hans, his face grew even paler, as he noticed Han's state.
" You... tell me you didn't... " he gasped, but Spirit, who raised his bloody face, glared at him feverishly.
" Tide, f-focus. " he said, sharper than he would usually, knowing Tide is losing his head right now, right away taking the lead to plan. " Quickly, come here! Use your water bending on the heart, to make it keep beating. We can't let the blood get too cold.   "
Tide knelt with Death, and shakily, his hand trembling, he tried to do as he was asked as well as possible, with his power over water forcing the heart to keep beating.
" He needs oxygen for h-heart to work properly, and the brain will get damaged after t-thre minutes without it... Demons breathe oxygen. You can breathe for him. W-we need to continue the flow if we don't want his b-body damaged. " Hans urged him, and Tide's eyes welled with tears. Shaken, he slowly lowered Death on the floor beside him, and he leaned over Senecio, and while he was forcing the heart of the dead body to work, he leaned, and kissed him, breathing the fresh oxygen into the collapsed lungs, in and out, in regular patterns of someone that has done this before.

As soon as Tide focused on that, Hans turned quickly to meadow king, his shoulders swaying, but Being keeping firm gaze brought by sheer willpower alone, while meadow king could see there was something fractured and grated in his eyes, unsettling just like his broken words. " Eros is coming any moment now, through the crowd. G-garnet is in S-spirit world, so he is our best first bet. C-can you figure out anything about pois-son that humans c-can until he arrives? We can't leave the b-body without soul for too long, or it c-could have grave consequences... D-don't ask, how I know... "

[Mirach]

Svarik glanced at Conrad, who just got there following the Meadow king, as he always did. "We need to find out how he was poisoned," he said shortly, already undressing Senecio without much regard to the impressive costume, tearing it to get it off quickly so he could check if there is some wound that could be a way that the poison entered the body. It didn't take long to discover a dark bruise on his back, spreading around the middle of a barely perceptible red dot, like the prick of a needle. "Oh," Senecio murmured, suddenly more careful as he realized that the poisoned needly could be still trapped somewhere in the folds of the costume. "A needle," he said. "I'll check the costume, but it could be somewhere on the stage, too. It would help to know where he stood when he was hit. He was turned with his back to it at that moment. Where could it come from?"

[VisAnastasis]

" The changed mostly started around half of the last act of the play, so it had to be before, and probably p-planted somewhere w-where not many people could be there by a-acident. My guess is it had to be at least 15 minutes before s-start of symptoms, too.  " Hans replied quickly. " My guess is around the throne. I will go t-there and take a l-look. " he said, and disappeared, as he cleaned his face, and disappeared between layers, appearing behind the throne, while avoiding being seen by the audience that was leaving for the ball, using all his perception to search for any needle or something similar.

[Mirach]

The needle was on the ground a few steps away from the throne. If it hit Senecio while sitting on the throne, it probably got caught in hus costume and then fell as he moved. 

[VisAnastasis]

Hans immediately picked up the needle, carefully holding it between his fingers. It was hard, especially in his state, to carry something material with him, but there was no time to waste, and holding the needle, he jumped through the layers again. The blood from his nose disappeared before as it was a material remnant, but as he reappeared before Svarik, his nose began bleeding again, and there was some blood from his ears, as if it his body was malfunctioning. He knelt before meadow king, offering him the object carefully, steadying the hand that held it with the other one.

[Mirach]

"It's so small..." Svarik murmured, taking the needle with a gloved hand. "The poison must be very potent. Conrad, you know more about poisons. Have you encountered anything like it? I'd say our best chance is to wait for Eros and send a message to Garnet, if possible. I can manage a healing spell that should repair the vital damage, but it has no meaning if the poison is still active. We really need the antidote."

[VisAnastasis]

" I know to do chemical analysis, but it would take too long. It could be something exotic, so it can be anything. I know of three that could cause similar manage, but it's possible more than one was combined to achieve such an exact result. " Conrad replied, observing the bruise on the back thoughtfully.
" I know of two severe ones, but poisons were never a problem for me, Tide and Sage, as Garnet was around and she knew it all. But she is in Spirit world now, so nobody would suspect her, it's likely we can get a hold of her without getting in danger. " Hans replied.

As he spoke, the quiet steps echoed the hall, as someone stepped forth, slowly, as if not to disturb them, the pace almost timid, and soft.
It was Eros, indeed. It was a strange, fascinating Being, with large horns, elegant soft moves, and a sad knowing gaze. ( OOC: I imagine him looking like last time, only with more covering clothes than last time, with long simple black dress with black lace as detail, without white wings this time, only decoration some simple silver jewelry: https://i.pinimg.com/564x/1f/9b/9b/1f9b9b5b6bbe1f6dbdb5858bda31af69.jpg )

There was some strange atmosphere following him this time, unfamiliar, or rather, one familiar to young children, unusual to adults that felt a nostalgic pull of it. It was a welcome warm feeling of a parent returning home from a long trip, as bitter in this urgent dark situation, as sweet for the unusual comfort of the presence. Being stepped, and gazed across all of them, the look soft, but intent, looking upon all their faces, masked and unmasked, as if he was looking at someone familiar he needed to take a moment to recall.

[Mirach]

Death bowed his head in friendly greeting. He knew Tide's mask was keeping his essence hidden, but he was going to reveal himself with his words and didn't want the Being to feel in danger from him. "I'm holding his soul," he said quietly. "Can you do something about the poison?"

[VisAnastasis]

Indeed, the words made the Being gaze most intently at the speaker, even a little anxiously, but the mask originally made by Lord of Time kept whatever he could have hidden. Tide whom he trusted was here, though, and this wasn't an ambush in the back alleys or bloody battle, with tricks involved, though, this was all field laid bare - almost bare to him.
" I don't need to see you... to know he will be yours if we do nothing. I can only promise to do as I am. " Being whispered solemnly, but not with a grudge, but some absent thoughtfulness. It seemed sad as it looked down on Senecio, before turning back, and lastly, looking straight at Svarik. There was something strange in his look - meadow king could feel a little of Conrad's protectiveness, Melody's care, and Tide's warmth in the gaze, as well as a distant echo of the love his own mother had for him, while alive. " Sweet child... " he told Svarik as he knelt, his dress falling around him elegantly. " You should not exert yourself. People that love you would be so, so worried, if something were to happen to you, so we can't have that, okay...? " he smiled and extended his elegant hand to him. " Give that nasty needle to me, dear... "