Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

Death finished the healing then. "I can't do more," he said. "The antibodies need to deal with the rest of the toxins."

He then moved to Svarik and started healing his hands, but under the mask he was frowning. "He needs something very, very sugary as soon as possible," he muttered. "Straight into the blood would be best..."

[VisAnastasis]

As Hans and Tide were comforting Senecio, Eros felt he is not needed there, not wanting to impose his presence on the man he knew had mixed feeling about him. Instead, a little slower since he was weak from his considerable blood loss, he stepped to Conrad, Svarik and Death who were a little aside. He looked at the unconscious man's face sadly and thoughtfully.
" Yes, he's feeling very unwell," he said sadly, not seeming to register much the magnitude of Death being beside him, with his focus on meadow king's condition. " May I help you? " he asked the Spirit simply, only with a slight discomfort of not seeing his facial expression or feelings. " I can manipulate the chemicals of things that I hold. If someone can give me some sugary sweets, I can separate nutrients from them and make them into a liquid. In a fluid form, mixed with a salt solution, we could inject it in the vein directly with a syringe.  "
" I have some cookies and pralines I saved up for Senecio. " Hans offered readily. " Would you be able to draw sugar from them? I don't have salt on me, but I did pack one salty cheese he also likes... Can you use those if it's urgent? "
" Yes, of course, dear. " Being agreed tamely. " We can find better ingredients later, for now, your guests is right - it's important that we act right away. "

[Mirach]

Content that it's going to be taken care of, Death returned to healing Svarik's poor hands. "Senecio will need a lot of water, too, to help clean the toxins," he said, dealing with things in the order of priority.

Senecio was still upset by Guilamo's memory and feeling quite awful with the residual poison. "I should have realized..." he murmured. "I knew it's bad, but I wasn't sure what's going on... I thought if I just finish the play, there'll be enough time to deal with it... I'm sorry..."

[VisAnastasis]

Eros took all offered sweats and cookies, and a dish. He first made a salt solution, putting it in a dish so he could pour nutrients into it. His hands were glowing purple as he was separating the chemicals, taking out what was good for Svarik's body, to make as potent mixture as he could.

In the meantime, Tide focused on Senecio.
" You will be alright, and that's all that matters. "the demon whispered, caressing his hair. " B-but... " he bit his lip. " When you noticed something was wrong... Why didn't you stop? " he seemed confused. " Did you think... we would be angry? Senecio, we wouldn't have loved you any less, if this turned out bad. It wouldn't be a great thing, but it is not as important as your life. "
" No, this is my fault. " Hans protested, feeling rather guilty. " I noticed something was wrong around the middle of the third act. I've seen Senecio weary, weak and drunk by now, I know a Senecio reaction from an acting reaction, I've seen the play once in full in rehearsals, anyway. " he sighed. " I just didn't want to stop it and ruin it for Senecio... for us. We were... actually really proud at how the project turned out... "

[Mirach]

Death just finished healing Svarik's hands and shifted aside to make place for Eros. 

"Same..." Senecio murmured. "It was important to me... I noticed it around the same time, too... but I misjudged the situation. I thought I'll just finish the play and then there'll be time to deal with it. I should have realized it was Guilamo, and that he would time it so precisely..." He blinked then, as his vision was getting a bit sharper. "Wait... we're in the hallway?"

[VisAnastasis]

Eros seperated all the healthy nutrients and vitamins he could into the solution, until it was ready. Then, as Conrad out Svarik to a more comfortable position on the floor, with head upon his lap, Being took the syringe. He filled it with a part of solution, and then, he used it on Svarik's arms. There was something gentle and loving in his gesture, that reminded Death of Tide - it seemed Eros really enjoyed doing what will better wellbeing of others, doing so as things come, without much pondering over it. Death could feel Eros was also adjusting reactions in Svarik's body, aiding it and fine tuning it to accept nutrients faster and easier. . He emptied the syringe, and then filled another one, injecting it gently until the solution was emptied.

In meantime, Tide seemed to struggle to explain situation to Senecio, not wanting to traumatize him with the truth, but not knowing how to conceal it, the darkness of what happened leaning heavily upon him.
" Oh... You see, I..  I think Hans wanted to get you away from the scene, so audience would not see you. But you were so unwell, he decided to just get you in hallway and seek for antidote right away.."
" Tide... We can not hide this from him." Hans gritted him teeth, almost a touch horrified. " He deserves to know, for goodness's sake!"
" But the worst is already over... " Demon replied shakily." He would only be more worried. It's over, there's no use dwelling about it. "
" But we need to make sure there is no weird side effects - and even so, it's not right to pretend it didn't happen. If you don't say it, you will just keep thinking about it all night. "

[Mirach]

Svarik sighed quietly. As the nurtients kick-started his body into starting to renew its resources, he drifted into sleep, exhausted but getting better with it.

"You know I can't see you that well, but I can hear you just fine, right?" Senecio muttered. "Out with it, what's the *it* you are talking about?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Msy I give him some good dreams?" Eros bid gently. Conrad agreed hesitantly, and Being laid its hand gently on Svarik's head. His touch was soft, and under its effect s, Svarik's mind relaxed more, producing a light dose of chemicals to make him caln and content. Only then, Being smiled, relaxing itself as it withdrew its hand.
It turned its head to Death then, though. Its face was rather calmly neutral, so it was hard to figure out what he was thinking.
" How are you feeling?" He asked in the end  " I can not tell. "


As of the conversation, Tide, unsure still, indeed seemed haunted by what was unsaid - and so he said it, delicately.
" Do not worry, you should be alright soon. But, you kind of... Died. You were dead for... Half an hour or so, I think?" He bit his lip, trying to steady his hoarse voice. " I am not sure... It felt like forever... "

[Mirach]

"That's good," Death said quietly. "That's how it's supposed to be."

"Oh..." Senecio murmured, digesting the information. "Damn, I see I misjudged the situation even more than I thought. I'm so sorry..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It is not how it is supposed to be, though. I am supposed to feel everything. " Eros replied quietly. " Is it how you would like it to be, though? It can only remain so as long as you wear that mask and cloak. I came here to make sure Senecio is right, and stayed to make sure this sweet human healer is okay. If you do not want me to see you seeing you, you only need to say a word. " He smiled, a strange, sad kind of smile. " Should I go leave you to yourself now? "  


" Do not worry, I took it like a champ. Someone had to organise everything, so I didn't have enough time to grieve just yet. "  Hans exaggerated shamelessly, decisively diverting attention from himself, toward shaken demon. " Tide arguably had the worst task, though. "
" Hans, don't tell him, please- "
" He had to keep your heart beating and lungs breathing, and he had to lean over you and breathe oxygen from his lungs into your, um, corpse for all the time, " Hans shared facts relentlessly, though." Tide, you are barely holding back the tears. You can't not to tell him why. He deserves to know that. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, I would prefer to stay unseen, thank you," Death said seriously, bowing his head a little. "And I think we should all get somewhere more private now that everyone can be moved."

"Oh Pearl..." Senecio whispered. "I'm so sorry... Come here, please..." he extended his hand to invite Tide into a hug, too weak to rise yet.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide needed but that slight push, to reach for him immediately, too unsure to do it until then. He embraced Senecio, raising him up in his arms and burying actor's face in his shoulder. Indeed, though, it seemed this was the last drop for Tide just like Hans presumed, and as soon as he hugged him, he began sobbing, shaking firmly, as it finally caught up to him how close they were to failing.

Eros turned to Tide at that moment and smiled sadly. " I do not think we can move... just yet. Not for a couple of minutes, at least. At least, not them. But we can. " he turned to Death anew, as if deciding something. " I don't have to see you, to see you through the hearts of those around you... And Tide's heart would break if you were harmed. I can see clearly by him that he's been feeling protective to you for a while. Are you a guest at his home? " Being spoke vaguely, not to reveal his identity, but almost as if he wanted to explain what he could conclude on his own, patiently, as if not wanting to raise any misunderstandings. " What were your plans for tonight? Did you wish to return to the mansion? If so, I could escort you there while others are busy here. If you wish to go to the ball, but Tide is taken here, I could be your escort if you would choose so. " he said, bowing his head, as his offer was serious, but he added more quietly so the crying demon couldn't hear him. " If I accept to remain blind to you, you won't be bothered by my presence then, will you? I feel Tide really needs some time with Senecio right now, so I plead you to, whatever you choose, choose for him... "

[Mirach]

Senecio sobbed as well, overwhelmed and scared by all that happened, seeking safety in Tide's arms.

"I was supposed to go to the ball with Tide, but I would much prefer returning to the mansion?" Death said. "I don't know if they will go to the ball or not, but I really don't want to be a distraction to him right now."

[VisAnastasis]

Demon embraced him, his arms as strong as ever, but holding him gently, like something precious.

" I have to admit... that I originally didn't want to stay today, but Hans pleaded me to make sure everyone there remains safe since I can feel is someone has bad intentions. But between you and me, I would only go there physically out of politeness. I can sense the ballroom from here just alright, and there is nothing dangerous to it right now. Barely but a lot of sadness and happiness both to it, and lot of people reflecting and speaking about the play, life, and death. " Eros explained with a soft voice. " Would you like to come to hear it all with me? If you come with me, I could give you insight into how people are feeling about the play... or I could speak to you about it when I get you to the mansion. You must think I am pestering you, but... " maybe because creature so easily wore a smile, it was even harder to see what it's thinking. " You must know how strange encounter this is. Tide's best friend has written a play, where the main lead is hurting so much he can barely stand. " finally, for a moment, Death could see a flicker of something in Being's eye. " I sow Tide carrying you when you were coming here. I have a bad premonition about leaving you without at least someone to talk to after you have watched such play. "

[Mirach]

Senecio was embracing Tide desperately, clinging to him with all his meagre strength, shaken by what happened. After a while though, he freed one his from the embrace and extended it to Hans, too.

"No need for premonitions," Death murmured. "I really don't want to talk about it right now. But I would like to hear what others think about it, if you can convey it to me without the need to go to the ball."

[VisAnastasis]

Tide also, seeing Senecio's intention, freed the other arm, and offered it to him invitingly, calming a little by then. The gesture touched Hans, who didn't want to feel like the third wheel and spoil their moment. But, like someone starved, with a gesture, he breathed out in relief, and, before he realized it, his hands already were reaching back on their own, and he was at their side, embracing Senecio, and Tide, tall towering above them, embracing them both tightly.
Strong before this moment for all of them that cried, he finally sobbed once, a hoarse, painful whimper.
" You are such a handful l-little brother... "  Senecio couldn't see him well, but he could feel he was weak and that his shirt was soaked with sweat and cool to the touch, but all the more, there was a terrible weight on his shoulder, judging by how firmly he was embracing the actor. " I... I promised you I will protect you. How preposterous of me, to assume I could... I am sorry... "

---

" That, I can do. " Eros finally grinned a little, as if he was a bit tense until then. With a more sincere grin, a little bit more of his strong aura shone through and it carried a pleasant windy touch to it, but it was quickly back to how it was before - it seemed Being always had to repress it, so it wouldn't discomfort others. " So, may you answer me directly, then, did you make a choice? I can order us a carriage to the mansion, but if you can't walk, may I help carry you to it? I will try to restrain my aura as much as I can so you aren't discomforted. "
" Maybe it's a good turn of events. " Conrad spoke up at last then. " I want to return to the mansion too, with my sleeping friend. Maybe we can all return together and let that three catch up with us later? "

[Mirach]

"But I'm alive... despite Guilamo wanting me dead so badly," Senecio said hoarsely. "That, to me, sounds like you did manage to protect me." He leaned his head then as he caught a bit of the other conversation. "Wait, you promised to tell me how you found the play. We had a bet, remember?"

Death smiled a little. "That we did, little one. I'll just say that you won it. Is that enough?"

Senecio grinned weakly. "Yes. But I'd also like to know what others think about it, if you are going to eavesdrop."

[VisAnastasis]

Eros's face beamed with that.
" Then, maybe we could all go back to the mansion, if at least for a while? " he suggested with hope, watching the shaky group, Demon, Spirit and human. " I would worry for you, if you went to the ball, at least, right now. You are so overwhelmed, your feelings would overwhelm and worry others who care about you," he whispered. " If you really wish to go, rest a bit first, please. As you do, we can all take a little breather, eat and drink, and I will tell you all about people's feelings about the play. I can also tell you whatever you feel like about feelings of audience as they watched particular parts of the play, as I could feel it all while it lasted, how does that sound? "

" Not... too bad. " Hans cleared his throat weakly, trying to gather his thoughts, before remembering something and turning to Senecio. " Oh... just quick info dump for you. " he smiled frailly. " I made a little deal with Janus to borrow two syringes. Do not worry, he didn't ask for anything serious this time. If you were to die, he asked to be present for your funeral, if you were to live, he just asked you to return it to him yourself so he can see you are alright. You don't have to do it tonight, we can leave that for tomorrow, but I should drop by anyway at least, just to tell him you're fine. He was, um, very heartbroken about you. " he admitted. " Um, kind of blamed himself for not finding the trap, even though it wasn't in the mechanisms, but a throne prop... "

[Mirach]

"It wasn't in the throne..." Senecio murmured. "It was not made before Guilamo died. I've no idea how he did it, and I would really like to know if I'm to feel safe on stage ever again. Can you ask Janus to investigate it? He might feel better if he has something to do." He paused, backtracking mentally. "Why did you need two syringes?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I will ask Janus to investigate it - yes, as I said before, timelines for events just don't seem to match up. There's something missing. " Hans took a deep breath, before admitting. " As for syringes, well - like I said, you deserve to know everything. May I tell him, Tide, please? " he looked at the demon, who finally gave in and nodded slowly, so Hans continued. " You don't need to freak out about it, but... we didn't have enough time, with you dead, to just go around and make investigations about the antidote, and Garnet is in Spirit realm right now, so we didn't have her to ask, either. So, we had to make a choice for you, whether we will try to spend more time to seek antidote and risk your body getting irreparably damaged, or... settle for a quicker way with higher chances to bring you back. " he gulped. " Eros can develop antibodies to any poison or illness within his system, as chemicals and all that can not kill him. So, he used the needle to get poisoned himself and develop defences that clear of the poison, basically. Then, we used syringes to draw blood in and out of both of you, to get quarter or his blood into your veins, so your body can use stuff in it to clear of the toxins. There may be side effects, though. Which, we are not sure in total, you don't seem to act much different... it could be that it's nothing, or that it will appear later when things in your body settle down more... "

[Mirach]

"Right now I feel like a bag stuffed with things of various consistency and texture and stitched together very loosely... just a sidenote, I might throw up if I move too fast... so I wouldn't recognize a side effect now even if it hit me in the face. Is there a chance I could feel what audience thinks during a play? That would be cool..." he paused suddenly. "Wait, when you say I've been dead, you mean really dead, not just unconscious?" he looked towards Death.

"Yes," Death said simply. "Dead. I held your soul while they figured out how to save you."

"Oh. You did? Damn, such a story and I don't remember anything... 

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, I can always fill you in on details later, if you're curious. But trust me, it's pretty neat you don't remember, a second-hand experience here is something most peachy, " Hans replied, as he slowly released the embrace, as Senecio's sight was clearing, feeling more comfortable on safer distance, so the actor would have less chance to see how pale and scrawn he looked after everything. He focused on practicality instead. " I'm afraid we had to tear up a considerable part of your costume to find needle mark, so I'll send it to Benito to see how much repairing will cost. In meantime... " he rummaged through his bag. " I didn't pack any simple of your own clothes, I only packed out ball attire... Hm, would you have trouble wearing tunic and pants from those? If you're afraid you're going to throw up on them, I do have material clothes I wore today before I got them off so I could pass through layers for the speech at the start of the play, so you can borrow them, though I am a bit taller than you. "

[Mirach]

"Either those or one of my older costumes, thank you," Senecio murmured, sinking into Tide's arms, a bit overwhelmed with everything at the moment.

[VisAnastasis]

Tide calmed a little by now, reassured by the moment they had, as, despite they were still here, the sincerity and closeness of the gesture brought some sense of normalcy back. He caressed the actor's hair, holding him close and humming a calming melody.

Conrad was busy with Svarik, Death was weak, and Hans wasn't quite well after what happened, so ironically, Eros seemed most healthy person available, so he nonchalantly took over the most pressing issues, first, returning syringes to Janus, and then, after he looked through the wardrobe he got back with one of simpler Senecio's old costumes - actually, one actor recalled he liked quite a bit back then, as it was a tunic, black and silver, that character Findling wore when he went out in disguise at night to meet with a girl he fell in love with. Was it a deliberate choice or not it was hard to say, a lot of what Eros was doing seemed to be choices made on instinct, not some deep thinking.

When given clothes, Hans and Tide made sure they help him dress up, both seeming relieved when he changed into something different, as it put some distance between then and now.

[Mirach]

As Eros was leaving, Death also reminded him to bring some water that Senecio needed to drink a lot to dillute abd flush out the remaining toxins.

Senecio's face brightened with the choice of costume, but he indeed almost threw up on it as he sat up to change into it.