Senecio and Tide

[VisAnastasis]

" That's a part of it. His domain is actually all the chemicals bodies contain and knowing how to manipulate them. In legends, do you recall how often he is depicted with arrows that, if he hits two people with, they fall in love with? And how instead, if he uses other arrows, that he can make two people hate each other? It all depends on what he would put on those *arrows*. Arrows were actually only a pretty metaphor. What he actually does, is take on a form of a mosquito into the night, and bite his target, pushing into its bloodstream the chemicals of his choosing. Depending on what he wants, different effects will come... One of them, the pretty one, people used to call love - though it's not true love, like what you and Tide have. It is what chemicals make without emotional bond. Rather call it, desire, passion, or infatuation... In various forms, based on his choosing. It's all in what he wants. Actually, it's with his help that I killed Guillermo... "

---

" I won't say I can do anything. But pretty much anything? Anything tied to mechanics, dimensions, optics... I see I won't convince you on anything concrete... I dislike uncertainties, but I understand where you are coming from... Very well. We shall see. Maybe it is for the best. " he smiled a little. " That way, if I see you've taken an honest effort, I can reward you more when my turn comes. I shall not stay short to you... "

[Mirach]

"Okay..." Senecio in a bland tone, his feeling on the matter too conflicted to be expressed.

---

"Or maybe we manage to figure out what it was that Hans had in mind until then," Svarik smiled a bit.

[VisAnastasis]

" Alright, then, so, I won't tell you details of Guliermo's death right now, because I promised not to until you ask me to. Not until you want to hear... But I have this idea. We can't technically castrate that guy as I would like, but maybe we can do something about as good. Eros's power over hormones and balance of the body are great - after all, he is love, and love has so much to do with how things in the body react to each other. But love is also wrathful, and vengeful. Eros is hard to anger, but abuse in the name of pleasure and love is something that infuriates him - that's the only way how I convinced him to help me. He can construct chemicals that can damage and change structure of the body. Biologically designed poison, biological weapon, you could say. I think it would be pretty entertaining to design a specific poison that will make him absolutely painstakingly painful to get aroused? " Hans asked innocently. " And at the same time, incredibly horny and in need to relieve himself? Or, how would you like us to give him high libido and an insanely strong inclination to pleasure himself with a broom or something equally bad? We can really tailor the *disease* to our liking and make it as ironic as we would like... "

---

" I wouldn't count on it. Hans's plans are not something easy to figure out. Did he tell you that he was worshipped as the trickster god in the old days? " Being smiled back a little, seeming to open up a little and feel more friendly. " I never met him back in the old days, both of us were doing a lot of hiding, but I've heard so much of him. You never know what he is scheming, you only know that he is and that he's having a time of his life doing so...  "

[Mirach]

"That sound quite good..." Senecio said. "But we need to be careful. Giving him a high libido poses a danger that he would use someone else to satisfy it. The first one sounds better. Make it hurt as if he would be castrated every time he gets aroused. Delightful," he smiled darkly.

---

Svarik chuckled. "No wonder he and Conrad understand each other so well."

[VisAnastasis]

" I was thinking the same thing. " Hans replied delightfully, with an intent, morbid pleasure." It seems like a waste, to just latch onto first idea. It is more clitche, but we can also add effects to make it look like human illnesses. Combine some things, mix them up. For example, it would take a bit of effort, but we can affect his veins in a way that gives him hemorrhoids in a week or two. That would be particularly pleasant for me - not just pain when he is aroused, but pain in general when sitting. We should also add at least one more ironic thing, a cherry on top - it's a blessing of a Being, after all." He proclaimed morbidly." They go well in pairs of three..."

---

" I only met him today, but if he is anything like Hans, you must be leading more interesting life than I imagined..." Creature grinned a little bit, it's teeth sharp, but expression friendly." He said he is immortal - that doesn't mean invulnerable, though, right? You care for him, don't you? I tend to be more careful about giving these things to strangers, but if Hans and you can vouch for his character... I could build him impenetrable armor, that amplifies his strength, but is thin and easy to hide beneath regular clothes. I do not... Make war things lightly... But this would be for protection. I did not see him wearing armor, and it seems a waste of immortal life to fall on such preventable way... "

[Mirach]

"I vote for something embarassing," Senecio said. "Inclination to fart when people get quiet... something like that."

---

"I think he would appreciate that," Svarik said. "I would certainly appreciate him having it."

[VisAnastasis]

" Alpha is a bit better with weaving complex conditions, Eros's power would mostly just damage intestines enough to cause gasses to happen more often... I think I can convince the two of them to collaborate on those specific circumstances. " How about the inclination to fart when quiet, tied in with inclination to have food poisoning easily whenever he eats stronger food, hah? Bound together, they would all mostly look like some bad intestinal and internal problems and are sure to prevent him from much enjoyment either in sex or in the pleasure of food. I think we may all in all turn all physical happiness he may have to ashes. That's one poetic justice if you ask me... And more beautifully, even if people suspect foul-play, well, it's better if they are afraid of going through the same if they make a wrong step. Makes a good example out of him, and can't possibly be traced to us. " he grinned. " You can't exactly sue someone over feeling pain when your junk is hard... It's a perfect crime. "

---

" Speak with him of it, then. " Janus said, more brightly, seeming relieved to be given some direction, as indeed, he seemed quite uncomfortable with the notion of possibly getting something before sure what to give back, fairness being everything to him. " If both of you agree, that can be a part of our bargain... Hm. There is a tailor Sun Being, Alpha Centauri, that lives in the human city nearby. He can weave lot of amazing things into metal. We don't colaborate too often, but if you can pay his rates and he agrees, maybe we can make the armour even better, like making it look like normal clothes so people don't suspect it, or, on the contrary, weaving sunlight into it so that it lights your way in the night? It doesn't have to be that, but he can enhance things beautifully, so, it would be pity if you are able to but don't use his services. "

[Mirach]

"It needs to be gradual, though. So it seems like a progressing disease," Senecio said slowly.

---

"I'm not sure if we'll have enough time to go to that city, but it is an intetesting possibility. I can talk about it with Conrad."

[VisAnastasis]

" But we should also make sure to limit his a little to hurt people. That is first and foremost." Hans seemed to delight with coming up with details of the punishment, as in his paint, it provided him endless satisfaction." He is a dick, so I vote pain in the dick to come first, and other symptoms to increase with time. He won't notice until he gets hard, anyway, and it should start before we begin moving people - not counting Janus and the kids, as we will move those four first, without having to wait for the others. "

---

" King Hans and Master Tide are the ones that know where every Being in their kingdom lives." Creature advised." He seems hesitant before you, but if you need anything, you can ask him, he is sure to know someone with unique talent to help you in exchange for citizenship. I know that a lot of feiendly Beings nowadays hope to integrate into human society, but it is hard, without same rights. " He whispered quietly." Hans is the only Being I know that gained citizenship, and I do not know what ruse he pulled to do that. But even I know it's important human laws recognize you as equal... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, but that should be gradual as well. Start at a level that makes it impossible to hurt anyone... and get worse over time," Senecio smirked darkly.

---

"They don't? From what I saw, they don't really mention Beings. So it is open to interpretation, and I guess people have been interpreting the way to exclude them. Good, we ae just working on new laws, so I'll make sure to incorporate the changes to specifically include them, if they wish to be included..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, that's just the right thing! Progressive and utter devastation, that gets worse day by then, not enough to kill you, but enough to make you utterly miserable and in pain every day! I'll make sure to arrange it first thing in the morning! " Hans delighted, and he leaned toward Senecio, carried with the feelings, and he couldn't move far enough for a hug, but he put his arm over Senecio's back and patted it, dragging himself a little closer. " I... just adore the heck out of you... " he whispered, a little hoarsely. " It's great to finally have someone talk to me like this about those matters. It's bloody refreshing... "

---

" You would really do that? " Being tilted its head with surprise, taken aback for a moment. " It is not... much about points of willingness to be included. The point is we are interpreted as foreigners. We have been... for a very long time. " the creature whispered. " King of old... knew I was thinking, feeling creature, equal to him. He did not claim me an animal, but he claimed me a foreigner than came who knows from where and can't be trusted. Same old things happen these days. Foreigners don't have same right as citizens. Like those people from the mountains, Highlanders? Their people are second class citizens when they come as refugees in your land. Unless the love or fear of the people protects them, Beings are the same, because your laws do not protect them. If humans sense that you are weak, they will try to claim you are evil and take advantage of you... I must have heard a dozen stories even of Beings that can take human form, being chased around and tried to be killed out of fear, and no law or soldiers would try to protect them. No matter how you look at it, we are not looked at as equal, as someone that should be protected, especially... especially us, who are not, like you. " he whispered sadly, watching at his hands, and at the blood on the floor. " We... inspire fear in people. Us, the ugly, dark ones. But you carry the blood of nymphs, right? Blonde hair, blue eyes... " he sighed wistfully. " It's much less likely for humans to turn on a pretty Being. But for us who are less fortunate, with furr, scales, horns, and whole package... Do you really think... humans would see us as... desirable to their lands? As equal? "

[Mirach]

"Tide wouldn't approve of it, would he?" Senecio asked thoughtfully.

---

"I can't speak for all and vouch about that, but at least it would be punishable to treat you anything else than citizens, once you decide to become ones" Svarik said. "And becoming a citizen should be as simple as living here and asking for it, not just for Beings but also other foreigners."

[VisAnastasis]

" Tide respects my choices and we agree to let each other make them... But he is more... Soft. Just like Sage. He has a line, but still, his first resort is to try to understand why people act certain way and make them see they are wrong and change for the better..." Hans whispered." It feels... Freeing... To be able to share  this with you. You don't just accept or tolerate my spite and wrath. You share them with me. It's refreshing to be able to indulge in it with someone. It can be a heavy burden to be the only one looking forward to someone's suffering. "

---

" I don't know if it is possible to make it so simple... Yet... Not even treating us as anything else than citizens... If at least we were not treated less than people." Creature whispered, it's hands clenched in fists." It would be... A nice change. You... Do not know... How lucky you are, not to be looking like me in a land where everyone looks like you. " He smiled sadly." I was only safe while people revered me from the distance... Once I got more find of them and got to love them, they sow I am weak, and used me. It would be nice if if someone would try to capture and use Being, it would be a crime in eyes of your laws too, not just your eyes, however pretty they may be... "

[Mirach]

"I think that some people just don't deserve the chance to change and get away without punishment. It's unfair towards those they hurt," Senecio said. 

---

"I've got a lot of work with the laws. It's like a long neglected garden, with a lot of poisonous and thorny plants, often planted on purpose," Svarik sighed. "We have already prepared some laws about foreigners being able to apply for citizenships. I just didn't know that Beings would want to be included as well. There are not that many in the capital, and those who are live with us..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I think both Tide and Sage understand that... but they accept the fact with sadness and sorrow that some people can not change enough to justify their existence... What they mind most is my attitude. " Hans whispered, with a morbid, determined attitude, but a tinge of grief in it. " They mind that it makes me happy. I delight when I can make sure that such people perish or suffer... It is one of my rare joys... "

---

" Are they human-passing? " Being asked quietly. " It is hard for us that are not, but those that look almost like a human, most of the time try to pass as travellers, or appear as children and allow themselves to grow up in Orphanages, in order to be accepted. That is one common loophole, that allows them to live human-like lives, as long as they know that after certain years, they have to leave and start over when their old age comes. That is only loophole I know of.. And it wouldn't help people like me much... " he smiled a little bit. " An adult furry animal on two legs - or one in a child form? It is the same for me. But I imagine it must be nice for them... if they can live with you as themselves, not under pretenses they have to use for safety... "

[Mirach]

"I can't say I'm sorry about it," Senecio murmured. "I wouldn't find joy in death... but I'm perfectly fine with some deserved suffering."

---

"Yes," Svarik smiled slightly. "You can do that growing up thing if you can pose as a human, but then you may find out you fell in love with a human and there is a huge age gap between him and your current form. It's really better to go as yourself."

[VisAnastasis]

" Still, you know I delight in it, but you respect it as a valid option. I know Tide respects my choices, but I don't think he approves. He thinks of it as phase I should grow out of. He thinks I am spending way too much energy on playing God and should focus on other things, like healing myself or whatever. " Hans scoffed, turning around on his back lightly again, as to not stir his tail too much, observing the crystal idly. " I just don't want to. Heck, I used to be an elder god. I have all right to play one as much as I like, within my ability. Tide doesn't understand how fun and exhilarating power is. To him, power is only useful because it puts him in a position to help out. But I've seen how purely you delighted when he grilled and pestered those guys that hired thugs to beat us. I knew you understood... "

---

" I guess... But I do not know. I think if I could choose to look like humans, that I would do that. Humans seem to only feel for what is similar to them. If you look like a wild animal, they fear you and don't get close to you. " the creature whispered, quietly, more shyly, chipping in with some apologetic, strange, poignant sadness as the conversation took an unexpected turn for him. " I am not sure... Love will ever come to me again. I always thought... That I loved humans. I treated them well. I was happy, to make them mechanic limbs, mechanisms to move their ships, to drag their carriages without horses, or anything they needed. I thought that was love, and that their offerings to me, in turn, were love. But I do not know. I fancied myself... acceptable enough... to be loved. I used to have dark purple furr,  and golden horns, back then. I thought I looked friendly. But it seems it was not enough to back then, and now, my colours have faded and rusted fully... I believe thinking about the children taken my mind of feeling angry. I can't feel angry when I am afraid of them, and I can't be afraid of them because they are so little and frail. I think that's the closest someone like me can get, too... something more than just thinking highly of someone... But I do not think they love me. I am just not friend-shaped..."

[Mirach]

"Yes... well... I really hope it's not going to make upset Tide over me..." Senecio murmured.

---

"I don't know. Honestly, do you wonder they don't trust you after knowing you for a week? After the master they had before?" Svarik asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" He will probably be glad we are getting along so well and worried we are getting along so well in huge part because we are delighting in hurting back people that hurt us. " Hans just murmured, shrugging nonchalantly. " What do you expect? It is Tide, he'll always worry for us. When I think about it, we are a real explosive combination. We get in trouble all the time. It's a tad annoying sometimes, but he ough to worry... I mean, not always for us, sure... " he stated innocently. " About as much for people we shall screw over, I think. We really fuel each other well. He will try to keep us in check, but it's not like he is much good at it... "

---

Being was surprised by that reasoning for a moment, quiet.
" I... do not trust humanity in general. But that is different. I am one, and humans are many. Of course, I am afraid. But this... It's a matter of my integrity. I promised I do not want them in that way, but they do not believe me. Guillermo... " his brow furrowed with contempt. " I asked the people from the theatre. They all spoke well of him, said he was a handsome, well-kept kind man... he was friend shaped in their eyes... but he was monster shaped in my eyes. Yet, the children grieve for him, and long for the stability of his cruel consistency, despite his acts. I am not a friend shaped, but I ... was friendly. I am trying. I kept all my promises to them. Yet they keep stealing looks at me when I do not look, like they expect a ruse. I am... monster shaped to them. It is expected of monsters to break their promises. " he looked down grimly. " I... do not know, how to call this feeling in human language. But it burns... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, but if it comes to choosing between supporting you or him..." Senecio murmured. "I hope I won't have to choose..."

---

"I understand. It stings, but it is not your fault," Senecio said. "Really, a week is almost nothing to change something about a situation like this one. You may need months to make any progress... These things take a lot of patience."

[VisAnastasis]

Hans, from blabbering and flamboyant, seemed taken aback, thrown into silence for a moment.
" Are you telling me... You would have chosen... Tide? " he asked slowly, instead of with bubbliness brought on with pain killers, more cautiously. " Why? Unless you manage to change yourself pretty suspiciously fast, you should be on my side in this. Love has nothing to do with it... You should be on the side of what you believe in. Everyone wants justice, but you and I believe that the suffering of bad people is justice, not just stopping them, though that is the primary goal.  You've seen me. I may be a psycho in that, but I am true to myself. Why would you have to lie about that to placate Tide? "

---

The beast shook its head.
" I am just worried... I may invest in years... hoping... hungering... rationing my portions, so I could stay with them... and have things always remain like this. If they only want me for my knowledge... what is the point?" he whispered quietly, his hands. " I am... sorry. I am blabbering. I... I guess I do so because you are so friend shaped. " he evaded king's look with guilt, feeling like he's wasting his time. " You... look like a person that has many friends... I wanted to ask little Senecio for advice, but he is so occupied with sir Hans. So I thought since you are pretty and look trustworthy, that you could have good advice for me... When... I sow how quickly they were charmed by you when I still have to tell them a dozen times per day that I have clean intentions... it... burned... "

[Mirach]

"I'm afraid," Senecio murmured. "It feels too good to be true, that I found him. I'm afraid to lose it over something stupid I do... What if I dissappoint him?"

---

"Did you consider that they've never been alone with me? Or that I am a stranger who will be gone two days later, not someone who's going to take a position of their master?" Svarik asked. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Hey, I have spent eternity doing stupid things, and I still have him. I would have lost him if I were dishonest to him, and we drifted apart in lies. Honesty is one of the most important things to a relationship." Hans replied seriously." It is tempting, but what use would you have of feeling like he is loving a polished, alternative version of you, and doesn't know you really, fully? I know you, unpolished, as you are. That's why I adore you. You are a deviant,  and free to get into shenanigans with me for the heck of it.  A bland all serious responsible version of you I would probably be fine with, but would not love. Some people like flour and that's fine, but I love you for your flavor. "

--

That gave creature, that clearly was conflicted a lot, a pause.
" So you say..  that it doesn't make much difference that I am... Unappealing to begin with...?" It whispered slowly." My chances would always be slim, no matter how I looked?"

[Mirach]

"But would he?" Senecio asked. "It's easy for you, having such a long experience with him, knowing each other. I don't. I'm always afraid that he only loves me because he doesn't know me fully. I would rather bear hiding a part of me than losing him. I could go on never knowing him. But knowing him and losing him... I couldn't."

[Mirach]

"I'm saying they wouldn't be too different," Svarik said. "Slim, yes. In that position you took, it will need a lot of patience. But in the same it is the only position from which they can be truly mended, not outside but on the inside..."