Re: Svarik and the company II

[VisAnastasis]

" Hm... That could potentially suck, because, since you're going to leave and end up killed, I'm in a mood for making at least one or two bitter sweet memories." Falcon teased sarcastically, despite in light frowned on his brow laid a heavy truth that he wasn't joking. Still, he seemed to try to brush it off. " What can we do about it... Wait... Hey, I have an idea!" He smiled suddenly, despite, unlike for his casual mood, a little vulnerably." You know what? It's nice here, in reading room... We could stay here. Simbel could bring us plenty of nice food, and we could tuck ourselves in blankets and pretend we are I'll.." he grinned, as if at pleasant distant memory." And I could read us some fairy tales, and when you feel like it, you can play us some relaxing flute music... If you don't feel like going out, a little indoor picnic would do just fine..."

[Mirach]

"That souds nice..." Svarik smiled faintly. "I do feel like sick... Heartbroken. Does that sound too pathetic?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I think you're too self conscious. You're melodramatic, sure, but you're not even the most melodramatic person in the room, kiddo. " Falcon winked. " Remember that one time when we argued and I felt so angry and blue about it that I literally made my heart stop accidentally? Now, that's some heart brake hard to top. You may be a king, but I currently hold the title of king of drama here. " man grinned a little bit, and offered Svarik his hand, as if in a deal. " I'm okay with being miserable with you, so you should be okay being miserable with me. Come, you sillyhead.... I'm gonna wrap you on the sofa and make a blanket pancake out of you, and read you some awesome fairy tales as we warm by the cracking fire... How's that sound? "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, feeling that indulging in that little comfort might help him to feel a little better in his misery.

[VisAnastasis]

Simbel was shy, and he bid them if they"'d like to be alone. Falcon reassured him his company is pleasant and that they want him there, and critter, timid as he was, beamed with it. While Falcon and Svarik left door beside reading room, to pick books to read from the library, Simbel excitedly left to bring them some tasty comforting snacks and more wood for the fireplace.

[Mirach]

Svarik let Conrad pick the book, and just snuggled in the blanket on the sofa, as he was indeed feeling sick with the heartbreak, the symptoms of body and mind being more interwined in listeners - and he was able to feel that now, when the hangover that he could blame the symptoms on was gone.

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon indeed, did as he promised - he wrapped him up like a true pancake, as one would a loved child. He then lit a fire with their remaining wood, making sure it's warm and cozy, before sitting down at armchair beside him, passing along the book, trying to find the best story to read to brighten him up.

Simbel was gone for a bit, actually - and when he got back,  they could see why. He didn't come on his own. Practically shyly dragged with him, was Zephir. Highlander was timid, and he stuttered a little, hiding behind the pink haired creature, as it wasn't a small thing, to come before a king uninvited, on his own accord. While his companion carried more wood for the fire, Zephir, leaning with one hand on his cane, in the other carried the basket full of pink decorated muffins.
" All... Your friends are... busy... sir king..." he stuttered with insecurity, trying to explain himself before being sent away. " Simbel said you are ill and... in mood for some.. fairy tales, and.. vampires are currently resting in the shade, because it's sunny right now.. and so... I though... " he cleared his through, before finally getting to it. " I thought you may like some... To hear some nice, obscure stories... Being, or Highlandian... Whatever you're curious about. J-just wanted to say.. I am on service... "

[Mirach]

Svarik was pleasantly surprised by that offer. "That would be very nice..." he said. "But first sit down and have a snack with us, would you? After that will be the time for tales..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh.. Okay. That sounds.. nice... " Zephir in turn, seemed pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome, as if used to his intentions being questioned often, too often neglected or abused by nobles to so easily get used to pleasant treatment of meadow king. But Simbel was overjoyed that his new gentle friend will be with them, and he helped him sit down on the free chair comfortably, and helped him distribute the warm tasty muffins all around.

[Mirach]

Only after they have eaten, Svarik leaned back more comfortably. "Do you have Bell's flower here?" he asked Zephir. "It would be nice to be together like this, even if he doesn't perceive that much of it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, so you know he's with me? "Zephir blushed a little. " Um, yes. I hold him with me. He finally began craving some more company, so I've planted him along with my poppies, so he's not alone. Here..." Man shyly opened his bag to reveal couple of little blooming flowers, red and one white among them, positioned safely so they couldn't be broken or harmed if bag fell. He hesitated, as it was a big sign of trust for him, but then, he gulped, and smiled faintly and offered." I would rather not have him taken out now that he is comfy.. but if you'd like, you can take the bag for a while... You just need to be gentle with all flowers, that's all I ask... They are a bit jealous, with how much attention I give to Bell..."

[Mirach]

"Thank you, I will be careful," Svarik nodded. "Should I open it some more? I think they might like more light..."

[VisAnastasis]

" They are plants, so they like light, of course. You kind of tend to enjoy things you need to survive.. sir. " Zephir smiled, as if forgetting his place, but blushed a little as he realized the freedom of his tone, and cleared his throat - as he slowly handed the bag, as one hands down a treasure. " But, I guess.. I guess I am a little overprotective... sire. I don't know what I'd do, if Bell came to harm, and... When I used to carry bag open, local kids would... sometimes, you see... you know, kids will be kids... and there would be stone or two around, and it happened once or twice that I couldn't protect the flowers, sir. " was all he was willing to say on the subject that brought light frown to his face. " So, um, I learned to close the bag eventually... I don't feed them of on sunlight... I sing to them, to grow, instead... "

[Mirach]

"They are safe here," Svarik assured him. "We can let them enjoy some light..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I guess.. yes." Zephir whispered a little wonderingly, as it was hard to break habbits instilled by fear. " I guess you are right... It's all right for them. After all, you are a Lord of sun. They will be happy for you." He whispered softly, and at last, smiled more widely and trustfully, seeming eased to see bright tender flowers getting some sunlight without constant fear for them.

[Mirach]

Svarik carefully opened the bag and let the plants have some light. He breathed on Bell's flower instead of greeting. "Do the others like breathing on them as well?" he asked Zephir.

[VisAnastasis]

" They have a bit of Beinghood in them, though their making, but it's only the Bell that's truly conscious on such a deep level, you see. " Highlander explained with some endearnment, when he realized king's intent. "  They're alright wothout it. Touch of a listener is a special thing, though, but touch of children of sun, is the most special kind. Through Mordew, you're a child of Solstice too, sir. " he whispered. " Flowers rejoice at your touch... It'll be pleasant for them if you just pat their leaves lightly. They do not know you, so you dont' need to greet them through breath. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, amd caressed the plants lightly.

[VisAnastasis]

Svarik was not called by the name of meadow king with no good reason - for, despite motionless, there was almost a sense that vulnerable little plants leaned into his touch, safe with him, as if nurtured by his closeness and attention. It was indeed as if somewhere deep within him, there was a streak of sunlight woven within his soul and flesh, persisting above laws of matter, through a sacred bond with him and land - and ever since he had been intimate with Solstice, he was able to renew and perceive that relation more clearly. Plans seemed soothed and reassured with his presence, despite he was stranger, and it seemed that nothing gave delicate sensitive Highlander pleasure, than seeing his poppy flowers and little bell content and safe. He fixed his new glasses better on his nose, as he observed the sight with delight, forgetting his nervousness for a moment with that little pleasure.

[Mirach]

When he saw that they like it, Svarik kept caressing the flowers. "What tale is you favourite?" he asked Zephir, hoping to distract himself from thoughts on Lipka.

[VisAnastasis]

" It depends... We have a very rich culture of learning tales by heart in the mountains, so I know many tales that I like. " Highlander explained, his gaze locked at the flowers still. " Too many, to pick just one favorite... It depends, what interests you, um, sir king. " he bid carefully, as if hesitant to say anything concrete, not wanting to suggest something king may not like. " And, of course, it depends *whose* stories you're interested in. That is, there are lot... Highlandian... A bit of eastern Lowlandian... Demon... Spirit tales... Tales of in-betweens.... And then all different little secluded tribes in the high north, both human and Being, with their own folklore... You know... " he shook his head. " Lot of strange little critters in the caves and forests of our world share tongue and art of storytelling... "

[Mirach]

"Have you visited all of them and learnt their tales?" Svarik asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" Not all. And not all personally. But you learn a lot, when you travel around. " Zephir whispered a little wonderingly. " I was... Nepharim of my villages. But it was a part of my culture to help the needy, and to travel and prove myself worthy of my calling. And I was on good voice among Beings of the mountains from young age, since from the young age, through Riversong, I got to venture into  secretive parts of the mountain. " his gentle gaze graced the little pale flower. " And good words spread quickly, among the needy, humans and Beings alike - and even more quickly, among curious people. If I didn't meet them directly in my travels across the mountains, I had been blessed to meet many critters willing to sate my own curiosity- and by the fires and safe caverns and secluded riverbeds at nights, we would meet, and I'd tend to them or sate their loneliness or needs... and they would tell me their tales... "

[Mirach]

"Any of those tales that you don't mind sharing would be nice..." Svarik said. "Maybe one from distant parts of the mountains? Aren't there some areas where Beings and humans still live together?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It depends... what kind of Beings... " Zephir first started of more secretively, but then he bit his tongue a little, as he realized it's probably safe to be more open with king, who had both Xia and Erdel and loved them dearly. " You see... Great number of Spirit folk are becoming rarer and rarer sight in human world. Spirit realm is a true paradise, for the big and little folk, these days. They don't often come around, unless they seek for some excitement, adventure, or change of scenery. On the other hand, demons... Demons had to learn to.. blend in more, with the common folk. To lay low. Exist quietly among them. If they don't want to be lone wanderer, they have to blend in, and they do so on many, wonderful ways... Mountains are better for hiding than living, so most demons these days venture south, to... to seaside lands, where they can live more... openly and safely. But those that grew too attached to the mountains, they stay still. There's so much different folk... Some join little human tribes, and become a sort of that tribe lucky charm, doing special services for acceptance and shelter, as their immortal guardian - that's quite more frequent route. There's one or two such tribes that I visited, that have couple of such demonic patrons, that bonded over time and became tighter. Blend of both worlds is very peculiar on such small scales.  There also sometimes exist covens, where two or more Beings, sometimes Spirits and Demons alike, form little households of sort, and live closeby humans, as their neighboors, and have status of mountain gods, doing favors they can when bit for human kin. Once or twice, when they were asked to do more then they could, and once, when one of them got in trouble, I was called by them to assist them, that's how I met them. " critter kept talking, with some mix of longing and pleasure, at the distant memory. He looked at king thoughtfully then, as if wighting something out, before, hesitantly, he slowly shared. " Some... Some marry among humans, and remain their family patrons, as family ancestor, as their line goes on. One of such... demons...  with the eyes, bright like emerald stones, and hair as red as a ruby, was my ancestress, too... She remained patron of my family for a long time, teaching listeners that came from it. She was a Singer, like me, but with the great war, her heart broke, and she sang no more... Instead of songs, she offered my ancestors knowledge of runes, that she developed and perfected, through her knowledge of fabric... She patroned my family for a long time, until she chose to become a flower and give up her immortality so she can pass on. I imagine she is still somewhere, out there... " he shook his head. " As a Spirit, reborn, once. There are such, too. That decide to share life with humans, and in the end decide to share their fate of mortality.... The world we live in is very colorful place...  "