Senecio and Tide

[VisAnastasis]

Hans was gone for around half an hour or so. He seemed to be very efficient, and, in rather down emotional mood - focused sharply on work as well, and efficiency of it, like actor.
When he returned, he murmured out something about how costume designer will join them at noon, and looking somewhere aside at papers he bid actor to stand up from his place at table and sit on nearby sofa instead, or bring himself another chair from aside.

[Mirach]

Senecio stood up as soon as he noticed Hans, which was a bit after the spirit entered. He brought another chair so he could continue working on the scrip with Hans. "I also made a list of the task we need to do," he said, showing him the paper.

[VisAnastasis]

" That's good. " Hans took a deep breath. He paused for a moment, looking at list, before he nodded quietly. " You are an art director, after all - you are more aware of those things. I am more, let's say - of a producer. I need to make sure all is funded and arranged properly and on time, but this is my first time as well doing something big like this, so I need you to keep an eye out on things like those for me. If there's something else you remember needs doing, you need to tell me so as soon as you can, so I add it to my.. I mean... " he murmured over will. "... our timetable. "

[Mirach]

"It's my first time as well, and I fear I only know what's needed to make the play. Adverisig it, selling tickets, paying the actors and so on, that's something I don't know much about..." Senecio admitted.

[VisAnastasis]

" And I only know what it takes to market and spread rumors of something, sell tickets, and pay people fairly for their services..." Hans murmured quietly, for the first time, with some very faint hint of amusement." So...I don't know about you, but... I don't think we will manage it half bad, al in all, between an actor and a writer...."

[Mirach]

"Then it should be fine," Senecio nodded. "You can add the tasks connected with that to the timetable, and then we can get to the script."

[VisAnastasis]

Hans noded, and he quietly and simply put additions to list of things they need to do, adding them to timetable beside actor's tasks.

[Mirach]

Senecio looked at the list, to see what else they need to do. He nodded to himself, and then went on to work on the script with Hans.

[VisAnastasis]

It was strange to work with Hans, in current mindset peculiar frail Spirit was in - it was evident he had very high and refined mental capacities, and wit to match, and his writing skil was superb... It was marvel to observe how fast and efficient he was in patching up the holes in the script that fit tone of play just right - and yet, something was off. Despite his best efforts, Hans came of as unpleasant - for, like with Svarik, he did not trust actor yet, or felt comfortable with him. It was same thing actor picked up from yesterday, a peculiar kind of mood, defensive and very reserved. He said not one insult, yet he did not look up at actor even once, or let their eyes meet, and he worked efiviently, but tensely, joylessly - and he spoke only of script, and when he would speak, it would be quietly, with a dry, resigned tone,  not with passion of artist, but bewilderment of artisan.

[Mirach]

Senecio felt the tension and it was making him withdrwn as well, but he still preferred focusing on the work before speaking about any personal topics.

[VisAnastasis]

It was hard to figure out what creature preferred and what not, and it almost seemed that it refused to acknowledge the tension out of some kind of spite, coming from actor's own refusal to acknowledge it likewise - and it kept working, joylessly, quietly, giving him from time to time his current progress, to bid for tips, but otherwise not speaking of anything personal, either.

[Mirach]

Senecio was getting more tense as time passed, and the discomfort of something unsaid started to overweight the discomfort of talking about private matters. Finally he sighed and looked at Hans. "Alright, get it out. You want to insult me about my twisted ways, I know it. So get it over with..." he said, folding his arms before himself as if in a subconscious defensive gesture. 

[VisAnastasis]

Hans did not move for a moment. He as looking at the paper before himself quietly, and played with the pen in his hand a little, as if it was something worthy of attention. He still did not dignify actor with giving him a look, avoiding their eyes to meet.
"For someone... Who is so into hating things to be *assumed* about him and being all petulant with it... " he finally replied, not really picking words much, as if it was not worth the effort, telling them with some weariness, as he stared before himself at the script. " You surely do keep the privilege of assuming freely about everyone else, don't you? "

[Mirach]

"I guess..." Senecio murmured, not denying it. "It's just hard to imagine other reaction after yesterday..."

[VisAnastasis]

Hans was watching before himself thoughtfully. He seemed to be thinking about something, but only that was evident, as nature of his thoughts was hard to guess.
" Lot of people... say really nice things about you, you know. Such a great, promising actor, of many talents... You have quite a bit number of fans out there. " he said in the end, quietly. " But for every good thing I've heard of you - I'd heard something bad and alarming, naturally..." Hans shook his head slowly, letting his sentence end there.

[Mirach]

"Naturally," Senecio nodded faintly. "I can imagine what kind of thigs you heard..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Then imagine it very keenly, and hold onto that image for me, alright? Because everything you can imagine I must had heard, I did hear. " Hans acknowledged, meaningfully, simply, without any needless dramatic stance to it.

[Mirach]

"Some of those rumours contradict each other..." Senecio murmured. "So what do you want to do about the more coherent ones?"

[VisAnastasis]

" More coherent ones? I'd rather wish to do something about most alarming ones... Let's see.... " Hans murmured with some frustration. " I don't think I have to tell you, what those are. That nothing is wrong. That people in the theater are just more open in their sex life and practice it freely as fun activity to pass the time, goodness, with no rape involved. And that, among people open for it, you're, let's say, particularly open... That is, particularly fond to open up your legs to anyone. " Spirit rolled his eyes sarcastically, but surprisingly, his words were much more subtle and evading, compared to yesterday. " Or... Let's say... Not just anyone, but those in top matters of theater, that give you roles for different performances, than ones on stage. I heard lot of things, that can not be unheard. Typical things... That it's you, who asked for it, all of it, and always try to drag honest good standing people into sinful acts that defy nature. That you looked more mature for your age, and had tastes of someone with plenty experience before you even stepped in the theathe... That you are lustful and lewd, and laugh in face of anyone who isn't willing to take you. That you must had been earning dimes selling yourself in some screwed brothel before you became an actor, to grow liking to such things, because, goodness, save us, if any decent person would like any of it... Certainly not humble and well standing people of the theater. They were poor victims, having to accommodate to your tastes, alas, because you are one offering your body so eagerly, hitting on them, trying to bribe them into giving you any roles...  " he smirked a little. " There'a a word for that, but if I'd have to say it, that word would not be from my mouth, but theirs. You said yourself. They make sure they are well protected.  "

[Mirach]

Senecio took a deep breath. "I had no experience and they knew how old I was. I did not look older, either. That much is a fact. Other than that, it's open to interpretation. If you don't understand someone's reasons, you explain it with your own."

[VisAnastasis]

" I believe you. " Spirit said simply, as before, without any change in his tone. " Why do you think I made the list? When someone has to clarify that something *isn't rape*, most often than not, it just simply *is*, isn't it? A child of 12 rarely looks old enough to be mistaken for developed adult, by my opinion. All those things are very laughably transparent. Excuses... Just excuses to pretend you're above those you abuse. Excuses, excuses.... nothing but excuses. " Hans shrugged simply and quietly. " However - there were so many details - vile, more private. Clearly coming from someone who had much closer insight, into your night adventures. Details condescending, cruel... Demeaning. Words used to call you, that I would only use, if I wanted to utterly destroy any sense of dignity you may have ever had, by one blow. " Only barely, lightly, actor could see how Han's nose cringed a little, with some suppressed disgust. " I don't like people, who boast of molesting little children... or adults. It all comes the same to me. Usually when people say it's not rape, it is. " he sighed. " But... I admit... Because of so many... extremely detailed rumors.. as you said yesterday, line of whether it's abuse or not always seemed rather.. unclear in your case. "

[Mirach]

"I never claimed it was..." Senecio said quietly. "That's why it was... complicated," he sighed.

[VisAnastasis]

" That's why it was hard for me to believe thing between you and Tide can work out. We are speaking about Tide here. He is... Gentleness... personified. He is as gentle to everyone whom his life touches, as Death is... to his Spirits. " Hans whispered. " None the less, it was confusing to me - if your tastes are so exquisite, what can Tide offer to you...? Tide... Is, no kidding, the most vanilla person that you'll, ever, ever meet, in your whole life. It is very alarming connotation, to pair up someone who would never consider molesting or hurting someone, with a person that, by all means, constantly returns to a situation that anyone with right mind would call - abusive, toxic, and terribly, terribly unhealthy. I am not saying you like being raped, mind you. I am just saying that for me, it is terribly alarming, that you, by my accounts, end up sometimes drawn to private healing chambers for days in end under suspicious circumstances - and then, when you heal up, you return to people who put you there... it's terribly alarming, to say the least, but that you kept returning for 22 years, is a fact..."

[Mirach]

"Not for days..." Senecio murmured. "I just left in disguise after taking what I needed... And Tide... He's so gentle, yes... But he likes to feel in control, and is willing to explore. He showed me that I can enjoy it *and* feel safe in the same time. I don't think I could ever go back after that..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, excuse me for not thinking you two are going to become intimate after only three days. Do you know how likely was that? Tide has never, *ever* done it before. Usually he waits for, like, months or a year or so, before he initiates it. " Hans murmured with some frustration." Yet, that is no issue. I am willing to look past the obvious danger - it is not your present love life that has potential to be very nasty, but your past one when it shows its ugly head. It is fact you are supposed to go to theathre, show up for work every day - and then work with people that... made you feel unsafe so. People that make it so - complicated. You would have to work with them every day, before returning to Tide's arms, constantly reminded on so many foul ones. It would.. not work in your favor. I could not just sit idly, in that knowledge. "