Senecio and Tide

[Mirach]

"That sounds good," Senecio chuckled. "It's not valid retrospectively, I suppise?"

---

"I see..." Svarik sighed heavily. "Such things shouldn't be happening, especially not to children... I just don't understand how someone can be like this. It is all old wounds, though? See, what I can do, either with magic or the normal way, is healing current wounds or illnesses. And I can heal souls with my music. That I can do for them, but it would maybe need more time than just a day. But old, closed wounds and scars, I can't do much about that. Silver can, though. And I would be glad to offer that, but you would need to come to the capital with them because he cannot leave it. And it's not a pleasant procedure. If they would like to come though, I'll gladly offer hospitality to all of you for as long as it takes, and would also be able to focus on the healing of souls when given more time. Hospitality includes the food, of course. We would figure something out."

[VisAnastasis]

" You know what? Let's say it does. We've earned the hell out of it. " Hans replied, snorting, but his words not or jest, but endearment. " I already promised you we will all share one cake after the play, to cheer us up. So, after all this is done, when you feel like it, tell me, and we'll go get us some fancy slice... "

---

Being tried to follow as well as it could, but it was clear that to it, who could just pass through layers and get back to its old self, healing was a more abstract concept.
" Capital... is so far. And we have lot of machines left, to kick out and replace. We are replacing everything. I couldn't just leave this for someone else to take care of, while I go on such a long journey. It's too dangerous for anyone but me to handle most of the current mechanisms. " he whispered, seeming torn. " How long does it take to human capital... two weeks on horses? A month? All in one direction. It's too much for them. I imagine those are repeatable wounds, but some damage is lasting. I do not know. " he said, at a loss. " Can you... do anything against the pain? " he asked in hope. " At least a little bit. I know the eldest one is always in pain when he walks and limps, and that his hand always hurts when he moves it, but the younger ones also seem to be in pain. I know at least that when I see it. I have to do something, but I do not know what, and I can not just chug them all the time with human painkillers. Humans can die just by taking too much of something, I couldn't bear accidentally poisoning them. But I have to do something... "

[Mirach]

Senecio chuckled. "We will end having it regularly every week if you keep promising it for everything. Not that I would complain, but I don't think it's good for financial stability, especially when running a theatre."

---

"A day of flying," Svarik said. "Xia likes kids, I think she would gladly help. So, maybe a week long trip? It could be nice, getting a break from work between two plays... And I will see what I can do right now, too. Or what they would trust me to do."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, I can't help myself. " Hans replied, with an innocent, gentle tease. " You are too sweet. It's too fun, treating you to something you like. Besides, you are treating me to something I really like... " he touched his face with makeup that got smeared up while he was resisting, and he added quietly. " It's only fair I try to return you in the same measure. "

---

" You were brought here by... a flying Being? You... really lead an interesting life. Only a week, you say? That sounds... rather more manageable. " Janus was surprised, stroking his beard thoughtfully, clearly tempted. " I don't know when Hans would let me, and if time would be convenient for you... But anything you can do for pain would help a lot. It is... really frustrating, you see. I can not touch them. I can not comfort them. I can not help them. And there is nothing I hate in this whole world... " his gaze darkened, in powerless anger. " Than cruel men, getting away with things like that. They shouldn't be able to, but it seems they always do... "

[Mirach]

"I should find something cheaper to like then," Senecio smirked. "Otherwise I'll feel bad about eating the value that could be invested into the theatre."

---

"Because it's something so easy to do and so hard to undo..." Svarik sighed. "I will see what I can do, but I am a stranger to them and these thigs can't be rushed."

[VisAnastasis]

" We will be investing in theatre, anyway. " Hans reassured him. " All those things you have told me... seating changes, room improvements, better usage of space, interior design... We will do it, one thing at a time. The most important thing at first is taking care of stage mechanisms, though. All those should be done with as fast as possible, that's why we started there. "

---

" Tell me about it... I am facing the same problem. I am a stranger to them and these things can't be rushed. Senecio also advised me to be patient... but patience is tortuous when one side is hurting. " Being shook his head sadly. " You are not quite like me, though. You are human, and you are a healer. You look a certain way, too. Golden hair, blue eyes, pleasant sparkling voice... And you are one of them, you understand better how to speak to them. You are not in a position of power, like me. You have better chances than me, to reach them. " Janus admitted quietly. " I am a tall, dark Being with horns, that works with scary loud machinery. I am alien to them. I am still not sure I even convinced them I do not want them physically - waiting to address those things may as well seem like I am just waiting to gain their trust and then use them... But you, you speak simply and honestly. It's hard to imagine you have any ulterior motives for anything. Your voice is too warm and earnest. They were laughing at your jokes and smiling with your stories. It seemed to me you have better chances to speak to them in a way they would not disinterpret or be scared by. "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that's a priority," Senecio agreed.

---

"I'll what I can do now. Is there some space that feels safe and more private than the stage? And they do not know I am a king, do they? It is quite inconvenient in situations like this... I hope they don't feel deceived when they find out..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Speaking of priorities... Can I ask you, is there anything else, that you'd consider a priority? " Spirit murmured quietly, glancing at him. " Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm actively striving to be your fairy godmother or something... but you staying here with me through this even though you knew it would suck is a real bragging rights move. I respect that. " he smiled innocently, with a tint of curiosity. " When you earn lot of Hans points, I just feel inclined to do something nice for you... "

---

" I... fear I do not know how obvious it is. I think I might have more power of hindsight, regarding that. " Being admitted, more quietly, watching him sadly from the side. " At first, I was not so sure... Your blue eyes and hair clearly came from some nice, bubbly Being. It looks friendly. It's eloquent of your softness. But... I did meet your ancestors. I met a couple of human kings here and there when they would seek for me, for my help... And the last king I knew, the one that captured me, is burned into my memory. His image is buried deep into your genes, but there is still a distant echo, in the tiniest details you learn to notice when you've seen millions come and go... The shape of your ears, the wideness of your shoulders, the tip of your nose... That's how I knew, you carry their blood, and Hans said king would come to watch the play, and that's how I knew what you were. But I do not know if they know. I do not know, how does it work for people, when they feel deceived or not... " his face grew sad, as he admitted what seemed a flaw to him. " I am not good, at anticipating people's reactions... I always assume people are more than they tell on, and in Being world, it's impolite to insist on revealing even someone's name or powers if they prefer to be quiet about it. It's their privacy. You wanted to come here, free from the weight of your name. I was a little scared, but I do not feel deceived... "

[Mirach]

"Getting the building next doors as a living space with privacy for the actors and employees," Senecio said. "That's a priority mosty for Janus's apprentices."

---

"That was my ancestor as well?" Svarik sighed. "Damn, I hoped at least that one was in some different kingdom. I'm always dreading to find out what else my ancestors did. And a king, even? Not an emperor? I kind of assumed at least the kings were better..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? What is wrong with the rooms out here, if they are just going to have rooms in the building next door, isn't it the same? " Hans seemed surprised. " You did not tell me about this issue before... If you did, I'd have assigned someone to work it out, so we'd have already taken care of that. What is the difference you seek to make, I mean, other than the rooms in the theatre are creepily small and claustrophobic? "

---

" Oh... Hans didn't tell you... even that? I assume he did, so you'd be more regardful with me. Well... I guess I am... kind of glad... That you did not need to know that, to be. " Janus replied, a little shyly, rubbing his fingers a touch nervously. " I told you, I missed half the kingdoms and all of the emperors. Kings, emperors... Hmm... I do not know the difference. It seems to me whoever is in the head, and wants to spread their territory, will always have bloody secrets in their attics and dungeons. This particular king was a famous conqueror... He spread borders of his kingdom a lot, thanks to.. my inventions... " creature admitted, with pain, not seeming this time to come from the darkness of the memory, but from the guilt, he felt with that. " I... did not want to help him, you see. I just wanted to live... But for a peaceful king, that cares about healing or arts, to come to the throne... I guess there had to be... an ambitious one, before him. You can't be a king unless you have a kingdom. " Janus whispered quietly, before looking up at him hopefully. " You shouldn't... feel too bad about it. Every human ever had so many ancestors, some are bound to be bad people. By how you seem, you should be proud of yourself. ou shouldn't feel bad before me. After all, you're the sweet king that strives for peace, who only had couple of bad ancestors along the way... I am the one that made war machines of terrible destructions to said ancestor... you are the one that holds the moral high ground, little Svarik. "

[Mirach]

"I'm sorry..." Senecio murmured, looking a bit embarassed. "It seems such a big thing to ask for, I didn't know how to bring it up. I was waiting for the right moment, I guess... The theatre is quite crammed as it is, it would profit from moving the living quarters elsewhere. We would get room for more dressing rooms and storage. But... most of all... it's the memories. You can't feel safe in a place where you have been hurt before..."

---

"But as you said, I can only try being a good king because someone else before me assured there is a kingdom to rule," Svarik murmured. "History somehow suggests that you can't have both at once. I really hope it is not true. But, all this king businesses is not good for approaching people who need help. At least humans. It is a position of power, and if it's not that power that you intend to use for helping, it gets in the way. They might like you and trust you to not use it against them, but deep down, they are still aware that you could."

[VisAnastasis]

" Just because it's a big thing doesn't mean you shouldn't ask. Perhaps we'll have to wait with other renovations then until we save up, but if you think it'd make such a difference, I agree, let's invest in that first, and save up for other things as we go along. " Hans replied earnestly, the marbles rolling in his head as he was calculating everything. He turned on his belly, so he could lie more comfortably and watch Senecio as they talked. " I just want to make sure we do it right. I want to know how you imagined it. Because, it kind of seems to me that if we move everyone, we are still not moving them to safety - how can they feel safe living in the same building yet again? That's what I meant. We need to figure out the smartest solution. If you're just worried for Janus's apprentices, it'd be cheaper to get them a little secluded house, just for them. If you want to do this on bigger scale, and move everyone, we'd have to be clever about it... "

---

Janus nodded, seeming thoughtful with it. He was quiet for a moment.
" I usually try to stay close to the sea... so, if a human would try to hurt me, I can just dive in and escape. Usually, I would not care too much, as I always move, searching for new grounds to scavenge from. All I have, I carry in my bag... But not, right now. The children belong here, in the human world. I can not just fetch them. So, I am bound here, in Hans's trap. " he smiled faintly at him. " I know what you mean. You seem so nice, but I am a little... you know. Unsure. Adults here that want to get to the children don't like me. I feel like an easy target. Sword is just for the show. I made it for the pleasure of sword making, with Solstice, who endowed it with his holy flames. I do not know how to use it for anything, but cutting logs for the fire, or materials I need when forging or building... "

[Mirach]

"Yeah, good point..." Senecio murmured. "I just didn't want them having to walk a long way, and there are no secluded houses in the middle of the city. How would you do it?"

---

"You really didn't need to tell me that if you are unsure," Svarik said gently. "And good, I'll assume they do not know my title yet. I'll try to make the most of that while it lasts."

[VisAnastasis]

" It depends on the scale on which we want to do this. Is this just for those four? If so, we could maybe just buy an apartment on the first floor of some building, and transform some window into a door with stair coming down, preferably to a park or garden area - that way, it would be as if there was a little house. If you have a permit, it's an easy way to do. But if you meant a change for everyone... That can be complicated. It depends on the situation. I'd need more details from you. " Hans whispered. " You've only given me names, and some details... But we would need to take every single detail into account. If we are moving everyone, which makes more sense for me, would be to buy two smaller buildings instead. And then separate predators from pray, literally. Weed it all out. In one, we put all the younger ones and the victims... In the other, we put all the creeps. If we can assign rooms and move people as we prefer, I think it would work better. I know I'd feel pretty disgusting, living in the same building as someone that abused me... "

---

" I fear we do not have any safe place until then. I don't want to return them back to their old room, and Senecio promised me that he will speak with Hans about getting us an apartment so that children can have their own place. But until then, our base is below the stage. Anything you can do is of huge help. " Being whispered, and then it added, with a brighter voice, hopefully. " Speaking of help... Do you have any idea of something I may help *you* with? Anything that's not bound to war machines, I'm... open to an idea. I just don't think King Hans would send you to me just for me to profit of your kindness. It seems unfair. There has to be something I may do for you too... "

(OOC: I am just wrapping up progress videos, I was planning to upload that board game of Heart of the mountain on Tumblr and artstation, I'll send you the link after I wrap it up :) I was just wondering if it's okay if I make it a free product on Artstation? I wouldn't make any profit from it, it's just a new thing on artstation shops, and as I have no products yet, and if someone wants to download, it is free but they become a follower of the account, so I thought it would be a neat feature to use if someone would possibly want to print it out to play for themselves, I'd feel a bit bad, posting a board game without giving people option to download it if they like it. What do you think? :) Most of the characters are yours, so I think we should decide together, I wouldn't just put it for sale, I don't want you to think I'd profit of the gift I made for you, and from your characters, but I'd like the download to be out there at least, if someone someday feels like playing it :)

[Mirach]

"No creeps," Senecio said darkly. "We are getting rid of all the creeps. Even if we have just one building, I only want to keep people that would not make anyone there feel unsafe."

---

"I honestly don't know..." Svarik scratched his head. "Do you think I can ask him what he had in mind?"

(OOC: That sounds good. I just have a request - could you include the inscription "The Heart of the Mountains" somewhere in the picture, so that they know the name of the story?)

[VisAnastasis]

" How about we do this thing then? " Hans suddenly got an idea. " The rooms are cramped, right? We can only move part of the people, the ones we are sure are clean. We say - oh, there's not enough space for storage here, so we'll provide homes in this one building to some people here, to free more rooms for storage and costumes and props. That way, we can still seem reasonable, without looking openly hostile. More importantly, we will have the power to move people as we feel like - back to the theatre, if they misbehave, or to the new apartments, once we are sure they are clear. We can't just fire every creep at once, but we can find the replacements, one by one, with time. In the meantime, it would enable us to separate people more efficiently. For example, it wouldn't help much if Guliermo was still alive, and we move him along with the apprentices, like it is helpful now, when we will move Janus along with them. This way, we can pretend it's in the name of generosity -  and leave abusive masters at the theatre, while moving apprentices to new apartments, as we see fit. If we bought two buildings and did manual separation like that, people may not go along with it and insist they go in the package... This way we can insist it's practicality, and keep more power. "

---

" I doubt he would reply you honestly - he would just turn it onto a jest and pretend he didn't think of it. " Janus smiled a little bit, but he did seem curious. " Can't we figure it out between us? I do not make deals with humans normally, but you came to meet me at a very specific time frame, where there is a window. I do not even ask for payment - not in food. I want to repay you for whatever you can manage to do for the human younglings. There has to be something a Being can offer you, even if it is not an insanely powerful one, isn't it? What about this Silver you speak about, too? " he asked with some worry. " What will he want in return, for helping my children? "


(OOC: In both artstation and Tumblr you can upload multiple images, so I thought to upload two board game sides as they are, and to put the name of the story on a mockup. Or do you mean putting the text on the board itself? I kind of like how symmetrical and clear it is, but maybe I could place the title on the back, where there are no fields, in the central part, and place a shadow around it so that it stands out, but doesn't overwhelm it? I wouldn't want to ruin the symmetrical feeling but I can give it a try :)

[Mirach]

"Do you think they won't see through it?" Senecio asked with some worry. "Speaking about priorities, this should be one. Finding replacements for those who make the theatre feel unsafe for others."

---

"He enjoys company and being able to help," Svarik said. "If you want to pay him, you can give him some food, I guess. Regular food. But what could Hans have in mind? There's plenty of stuff going on in the capital, but it must be something he knows I would need, so that narrows it down..."

(OOC: what is a mockup? I guess it's fine as long as it's somewhere, it's true that on the board it would disturb the symmetry)

[VisAnastasis]

" Some will probably see through it, but they won't be able to complain in the same way, as if we would be moving everybody. " Hans noted. " And there is one danger with trying to let go everyone as soon as possible - they could anticipate it and search jobs into other theathres. I do agree we should begin planning for replacements, but to only begin acting on it once the laws on theathre reform of king Svarik begin to pass... "

---

" I do not know much about the capital city... Is it still called White Pearl? Or did it change, too? " Being asked curiously, trying to help him figure it out. " I don't know how much changed, and what kind of things you are in need of now... Are the clock towers still a thing? I had built a clock of the clock tower for the capital, once. " the demon  said wistfully, remembering it. " There was a sort of a Spirit cult there, so I couldn't go there personally, but one of its kings commissioned it - it was the most accurate clock in the world, and had wonderful, intricate mechanisms that time could not wear down, with different scenes appearing after each hour. I always wondered what became of it... "

OOC: Mockups are sort of previews of products/printables/boxes - they show how it would look when done, they are often done whenever something needs a fancy preview, like for example, game releases are places in high quality phones, or books. I sent you on facebook the references of the three board mockups I found, I am still deciding which from those three to use :) )

[Mirach]

"Right, right..." Senecio sighed with some disappointment. "It's sensible to wait..."

---

"It's called City of Heroes now," Svarik said. "And I don't know about the clock. Probably lost or destroyed, I fear."

(OOC: I see! Alright, looks good!)

[VisAnastasis]

" Still it seems like Svarik will try to figure it out as soon as possible, so who knows, maybe we won't have to wait for long... " Hans added quietly. " In the meantime, we can focus on moving, we can start from Janus and the kids, but there'll be a lot of work to assign and move the others. And there's another thing, that's a priority to me... I circled two names that day, Senecio... " he told the actor quietly, but meaningfully. " One took a lot of work but is taken care of... Now we need to decide what to do about the other name... That should keep us occupied until laws begin to take effect... Clearing out the garbage first. "

---

" I hoped it may not be... But I assumed as much. I wished people didn't destroy such beautiful things for no good reasons. " Being sighed, but then he cleared his throat, trying to think. " I guess... it would be underwhelming, anyway, to offer to make you something that is possible for human mastery to be able to achieve. I should make you something only I can. " he thought a bit before something fell on his mind. " How about... making mirrors? I can make mirrors that can be used for communication, no matter the distance. It was actually what Hans paid for with his tail. They are very hard to make, but a valuable tool, hard to break, and long-lasting. I imagine it may be useful for a king that has such a vast kingdom... Even bird messengers must take a while to reach from one end of your kingdom to another if even a flying Being takes a day from your capital to here... "

(OOC: I'll send you a mockup with text so you can see if the font is alright, I'm choosing it right now, I think I'll use the first mockup, it's horizontal and it looks prettiest, but I'll see how it fits with right font  :) )

[Mirach]

"Oh... okay..." Senecio gulped. "Do we have to do it now?"

---

"I really don't know if that's what Hans had in mind, but that would really be very useful and precious," Svarik said.

[VisAnastasis]

" We are just talking. " Hans replied softly. " And when better it is to talk, than now? I know Guillermo was someone that had to be dealt with urgently, but now that that's out of the way, I wondered what you feel like is the right thing to do here... "

---

" Probably not... Compared to what I gain, it still seems too small. But I can't just let you go empty-handed. I never took anything I was not able to repay for. equally " Being seemed at a loss. " And... I never met anyone that didn't come to me specifically wishing if something of their idea could be forged into a reality. This is... most unusual situation... Everyone always wanted something... "

[Mirach]

"Didn't the king just say he doesn't approve of that?" Senecio murmured. "Also, I don't know how castration could be made to look like an accident..."

---

"I just want to help... It's a struggle to think if anything I would want in return, though. For myself, at least. What comes to my mind is my friend who doesn't see that well, but I'm not sure that Hans knows about it, so he couldn't meant that, either. But, what would you about this deal: I'll do what I can for those I care about, and when you come to the city, you will see what you can do for those I care about."

[VisAnastasis]

" I didn't say he won't... dislike it. I'm just saying we'll have to work around his disagreement. But he seems mostly against killing, so if we don't kill the guy, there's still a decent chance we won't anger the king. " Hans seemed to be thinking about it. "Hmm. Phisical castration would be pretty hard to pose as an accident... But actually... I have an idea. There's something Eros might be able to do to help us... How much do you know of Eros's powers? Did you by chance hear any legends about them from stories of old? "

---

" That... doesn't sound too bad. " Being seemed to warm up to the idea, as it appeared it liked the way it was phrased. " I am not a good healer, but a lot of Beings are disabled in one way or the other. I am good with making mechanical replacements to make up for physical loses. But if you already know what your friends lack, wouldn't you prefer it more if I'd work on what you desire in advance, and have it ready by the time I come there? " Being asked, with rising curiosity, as, once the request got a direction, he seemed to gain more inspiration. " This friend that doesn't see well... Is it bad sight, or physical injury? I can make special glasses that always give the one wearing them clear sight. The other option is less pretty and humans are usually unnerved of it, but in case of injury, we can also take out the injured eye, and replace it with intricate mechanical eye. I told you about my plans to eventually seek to replace Emmet's injured hand with mechanical one - I can make any mechanical limb you can think of, and connect it directly to the neurological system. So if you have any friends with missing or poorly working limbs, it takes some work, but it'd be my pleasure to replace them for you, if you'll help the children in turn... "

[Mirach]

"I don't remember anything particular, just this impression that he can make people fall in love," Senecio said.

---

"I'm not sure if it's right to ask in advance," Svarik said slowly. "What if they don't agree to it? It is, ultimately, their body and their decision. And I am not sure what all you can do. Maybe you will see somebody and get an idea how he could be helped in a way that wouldn't occur to me."