Senecio adn Tide II

[VisAnastasis]

Tide helped him carefully, making sure he is held in a comfortable position, rubbing his belly lightly, as you do with children when they have a stomachache, though it didn't help as much, it was quite an adorable instinct response, that even made Hans chuckle a little bit, and lightened the atmosphere.
Around the time they dressed up, and Senecio was able to maintain a more-less sitting position in Tide's lap, Eros returned with a big bottle full of water. Tide used his cooling power to make it taste cold and fresh, and he slowly helped actor drink so it wouldn't make him sicker.

[Mirach]

Senecio sipped it slowly and found out he was a little better after it. He nodded slightly. "I think we can go now."

[VisAnastasis]

" Alright, then. " Hans said and turned to Eros suddenly, making a choice. " Could you maybe help me out a  bit to get to the carriage? I don't want to trouble Tide, he'll have his hands full. " he looked at demon significantly, and Tide's face brightened up thankfully, as he understood what he meant.
" Yes, indeed. Don't underestimate my strength, though, I have plenty. One arm for my favourite lead actor... " he easily made Senecio comfortable in his left arm, as if he held a toy, effortlessly standing up, before finally, shyly turning to a person he didn't have enough time to pay attention to until now, to Death. He smiled shyly, extending a hand to him. " And one for my favourite supporting non-actor... "

[Mirach]

Senecio's sight was getting better already, and he squinted a bit to see Hans more clearly. "Are you all right?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

Despite all the big talk about not hiding anything from Senecio, on such direct question, Spirit bit his lip. He tried to stand as straight as he could while rubbing his fingers, although it didn't look as convincing as he was half leaning on Eros.
" I... can fill you in on everything in a less embarrassing setting, preferably, w-when we have had a whole bunch of cookies and tea. " he stuttered a bit. " In short, it's just one of those soul-mind-body not syncing right episodes. All of us pitched in a little to help you, and it was trial and error process, my part just didn't help that much. I... can not sing anymore, but I tried to sing, just a little. " he waved say with his hand. " it was, um... one of those really stupid heat of the moment choices that didn't amount to much, really. Thankfully, others came soon, so I didn't have to do it for too long...  "

[Mirach]

"I see," Senecio murmured, not asking more as he realized it's making Hans uncomfortable in front of others. He just leaned on Tide tiredly, trying not to bump into Death as Tide was carrying both of them.

[VisAnastasis]

The Being was quite taller than both, being tallest of the group, and having the strength of a demon, he seemed to not have much trouble balancing them out. Actually, he seemed rather glad, as, after both play and poisoning, he was relieved to hold both of them close. By an occasional glance, it was clear he still worried about Hans, but he also knew it's not an urgent matter, and that insisting on it would make Spirit just feel worse right now. He let Eros assist Hans, and he focused on keeping the two people in his care comfortable, warming their clothes and stepping lightly.

It didn't seem long before they arranged transport and finally got back to the mansion, the bitter taste of the poison and death slowly washed away by the familiar sight.

[Mirach]

Senecio was still a bit nauseous by then, but he was able to see almost clearly now and that calmed him quite a bit, since he didn't have to worry that the blurry vision might be permanent anymore. 

Svarik was still in a deep sleep, but he was looking much better, too.

[VisAnastasis]

As they arrived at the mansion, Conrad explained that, while otherwise, he'd enjoy the colourful company, he wants to go and take care that Svarik is alright.
" Oh, so his name is Svarik? That's such a sweet name. " Eros replied, smiling brightly with the thought. " What's your name, if I may ask? I'd like to seek you in the morning, to see if your little friend is alright. "
" Um, I am Sir Falcon. You... didn't know? " the man asked wonderingly, and Eros chuckled at that.
" Ah, that's such a common misconception, people often mistake my omni-empathy with omniscience. I just met you, of course, I do not much more about you than I can reasonably conclude from emotions you bore through your life. "
" Alright, I was just curious... good, don't worry. I'll make sure you learn one way or another if Svarik is alright, when he wakes up. "
" If you need any more help with sugar, all you need is ask. He's one of my favourites, I have to make sure he's alright. " Eros said tamely. Conrad nodded, and then, the group separated.
" Okay. " Hans cleared his throat, looking hazily around as if bright lights were hurting his eyes. " Now we just need to decide what room to pick for our glorified tea party... Senecio, you died, so you can pick first, what would you prefer? "

[Mirach]

Senecio snorted at the priority. "Is Tide's room okay? I feel all sweaty and sticky, could use a bath..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Is everyone else okay with that? Okay, you didn't die, so tough luck, you're going to have to choose next time. " Hans grinned, trying to act all casual, despite his voice, after the adrenaline wore off, seemed a little strained. He tried walking on his own as much as he could, but in the end, he had to accept Eros to carry him up the stairs.

They reached Tide's room, and first thing first, he made sure to help Death and Senecio sit down on the bed comfortably.
" I'm going to just check your room briefly to bring you fresh clothes. " he told Senecio, while Eros was helping Hans sit down on a chair, and he smiled softly with the thought. " What do you say I bring, like, a sofa or two, as well? Bed is big, yes, but we are kind of a group right now, and I don't want to sit aside. Hey, Death, what about you? " he asked shyly.  " Do you want me to bring you some nice little sofa only for you? If you'd be uncomfortable sitting too close to Eros, you just met, after all... " he suggested, as he didn't want to make him uncomfortable and tried to give him a second option.

[Mirach]

"Yes, thank you," Death said simply. "I'd also appreciate more cookies, if you can bring them."

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course, I asked Sage w have more made for you, by the time play is over. I will bring food to everyone!" Demon proclaimed brightly.
He left for a moment, and after a bit, he returned, this time, not wearing a dress, but simple gray clothes.
He carried a comically big blue sofa, and a little blue sofa upon it. He first laid the big one one, so Hans and Eros could sit in it, and handed them just as comically large amount of various cakes and sweets. Then, he lowered the little sofa at the other side, and gently helped Death sit down on it, before proudly handing him just as unexpectedly over the top big jar. When Being looked into it, he sow the cookies were kitten shaped - Tide definitely ordered them made like this because he felt Death would probably feel gloomy after the play and wanted him to have something nice to cheer him up.

[Mirach]

Death smiled a bit and took one cookie, settling on the sofa. 

Senecio just took a glass of water, still feeling thirsty. "So what's the gossip about?" he asked Eros.

[VisAnastasis]

Being was drinking the tea Tide brought, Hans leaned at his side, wearily sipping on some apple juice. After Tide sat down next to Senecio, and all were comfortable, he began sharing the impressions.
His words were broad and colorful, more as if he was painting a picture, than sharing a gossip. He spoke with pleasure, and he spoke of people's feelings, of conflicting views, of people pondering about messages of the tale, of people that were shaken and touched, and of people that in the aftermath of tragedy burned with fire of life, determined to fight the gloom with dancing the night away. It was pleasant to listen to the soothing playful talk of an amiable creature, and it was soothing to be in the presence of its aura, that felt welcoming, warm like a piece of a pie given by a beloved parent.
It was only balanced out by Hans, who, while Eros spoke mostly of feelings in collective way, would here and there chip in, as he could hear words more clearly, instead of focusing mostly on feelings, would relay what certain people talked about right now, painting more details in the fascinating unraveling picture.

[Mirach]

Some color returned to Senecio's face as he listened to them and learnt that the play really was a success. "Aren't they wondering where we are?" he asked curiously. "What are the theories?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Actually, it is quite peculiar. " Eros smiled broadly. " It is a ball under masks, so most of the people seem to be under conviction that you have hidden in the crowd with some unassuming masks. Some seem to be even making bets, trying to guess you among the guests..."
" That makes sense - why would we make so much effort arranging a ball, and not attend?" Hans snorted bemusedly through his nose." We sent them on quite a goose chase, didn't we?"

[Mirach]

"Heh. When we get there we could claim we just changed masks but we've been there all the time," Senecio smirked. "Especially if you give us some gossip from the we haven't been there."

[VisAnastasis]

" That I'll gladly provide. We have a deal  " Eros said softly, and Hans, although generally faint, seemed willing to go along with pretty much whatever.
Only one conflicted seemed to be Tide, though.
" Are we really going to go?  " He glanced at Death shorty, as if conflicted - from one side, not wanting to  leave Death, from the other, not willing to part with Senecio after what happened. " You.... You really, actually died there, Senecio. And we don't even know if there are side effects yet. Wouldn't you rather rest?"

[Mirach]

"But I didn't die. Or... I actually did, but I'm alive now," Senecio said. "I can rest later... definitely will... but tonight, I would really like to feel alive. At least one dance, or one song, if I can't dance. But I want to go there and see and hear and live everything." 

[VisAnastasis]

Tide nodded slowly, but it took him a moment to reply this time though, almost as if he was reflecting on something, wanting the reply he gives to have the weight of sincerity, not be an excuse.
" You are right... Your wish to go comes from the right place. You just want to taste life now that you can do again. The problem isn't with you, but me. " he whispered somberly. " I... sort of imagined... all of us will be there, to have fun. But Svarik is sleeping now, and sir Falcon and Melody are with him... so I will be missing them when I am there. But even more than sweet little Svarik, or charismatic sir Falcon, I... I would have been missing you. " he turned to Death finally. His expression looked almost pained, as he admitted. " It isn't... about what you did today. I looked forward, to take you out to the ball, too. To support you after the play, to talk with you, to give you cookies... to just to lead you somewhere nice when you can see and hear and live. At least one dance, or one song, if you can't dance. " he used Senecio's words. " So many of my people will be there, Demons and Spirits both, and... it's been so long since they could just gather up and have fun, and hang out with each other. You're always just thinking about the bad, aren't you? About all of them, dying, and suffering from the war. But this time, I could show you something better. A nicer image to remember when you think of Spirits and Demons. " he looked down. " I really... looked forward to sharing this nugget of peace with you tonight... "

[Mirach]

Death looked thoughtful with that. "One song?" he asked. "I think I could go there for one song... to really experience it. But I feel that I've kept you away from the one you love more than enough already. If you want to show it to me, I would go, but I don't want to occupy your evening more than that, especially after what happened. I would be fine on my own, but Eros offered his company too. You should be with Senecio tonight."

[VisAnastasis]

" Don't you think there's... one too many "could" and "should" there? What is it that you "want"? When you speak, you speak as if you're stealing my time by being there. Is that what you think you are to me? A thief? " Tide's expression was sad somehow. " Every second from now on that I will have with Senecio, you have given to me. How can you think of yourself as anything but generous tonight? Besides, what's whole that talk... about keeping me away from the one I love more than enough? " he paused, before adding, looking firmly, at the creature before him, that wore his mask and cloak. " I love Senecio, but I am pretty sure he won't stop loving me just because I spend time with you, especially since you are in poorer health than him, and I am equally worried about both of you, and about Hans too. You would only be keeping me from the one I love if you were to leave out of fear of standing between us. You would be keeping me from -you-. You wouldn't be doing me a favour by leaving out of consideration. If you were to leave, it would just mean than instead of having three people I wanted to pamper and be with tonight, I'd have two... Isn't that a theft instead? "

[Mirach]

"I believe I used the word *want* several times," Death said gently. "It's just that it doesn't line up with what you believe I should want. I just don't want attention or pampering. Going to the ball is alright, but I would prefer to watch and not be seen. I want to watch you dance and live and have some time to myself to take it all in."

[VisAnastasis]

" You used "want" when you said you -don't- want to occupy my evening. Isn't it in poor taste to assume spending time with you is "occupying" my time? It's like you're speaking of a siege of a castle or something. " Tide smiled faintly when he understood something. " When I said I want you to live and had fun, I didn't literally mean I want you to get in the middle of ball and draw attention to yourself. I meant, stay for us to listen to the song together, or stay to watch us dance. I know you don't like participating personally and find more fun in watching. There are sofas in the ballroom along with food tables where people can sit, and I intended one secluded one with a good view for you. Eros can sit and eat with you, as you watch around and talk with him, unbothered. And when I said I want to dote on you, I didn't mean I won't leave you alone. I'll just check on you and Eros everyone once in a while, to make sure you have all the food you need and that you are comfortable. It's enough to know you are doing well. I don't know if I will feel like it, but I... also planned to sing a song or two during the ball, to cheer up everyone... If I feel like it at some point, you may end up hearing that too. " he whispered. " But not if you leave after one song out of consideration. Do you understand my worry? If you leave out of wanting to go to sleep, is one thing. But if you leave after one song out of consideration to me, that would hurt me, because, if you want to make a choice out of consideration for me, it would be to stay. This ball is a risky dance of fate that we may not repeat again unless we make actual peace with the Spirit realm. It's a fragment of a life you shouldn't miss. "