Re: Svarik and the company II

[VisAnastasis]

" More like none than slim... He never answered any such request, as much as I know. But maybe if I push him a bit...  " Zephir smiled faintly, as if trying to distract himself with some tougher talk - but it only sounded a little funny, because he was as tough as a gentle field flower, his tries to sound confident and like a bully unsuccessful like try of a kitten to look scary. " He's at least going to feel awful about refusing it, so that's some gain, hah? That's some gain... "

[Mirach]

"You never know," Svarik smiled at him a little. "I wonder how Tide is doing with him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I'm... looking out for him. " Zephir had to admit quietly. " I... I mean... I guess Bell would be pretty devastated if he perished while he rested as flower, and Ben Temlion wouldn't have been reborn, so... so... I am looking out for it. " frail young man whispered, revealing that, despite his uneasiness and distrust with Death, maybe coming with his demonic ancestry, he still paid attention to what was going on. " Since Tide came here, his fevers seem to be running quite lower than before, his sleep is sounder, and their relation is.. peculiar, to say the least. Tide is really all that rumors paint him, and so much more... so much more... quirky than I'd have imagined. It's refreshing to see such creature in his position." he shook his head lightly. " It's hard to describe... the feeling of ease with him. He's worthy of his reputation. As crazy as it sounds, I think there's hope now. I didn't think it, before he came... "

[Mirach]

"A peculiar relation?" Svarik asked. "I would really like to know what's going on in that tent... Tide seemed quite at ease today. But I'm wondering now - Riversong loged Death. Do you think Bell will still love him?"

[VisAnastasis]

" One question at a time, please. " Zephir blushed a little. " Let's first answer the easier question... Riversong. He had been fractured in half. It takes great toll on one's essence - yet, the curse upon him is broken. He just needs a lot of rest, from both sides - one that is a flower, and other that is slumbering waiting for its rebirth. But that fracture on two completely different sides, one demon, one Spirit... It can affect mind quite a bit. I mean... I do not have to tell that to you, sir. " Zephir glanced at him a little wonderingly. " You... you yourself was fractured in half. It can make a mess of the mind. Some feelings are so strong and fierce that some say they can't be erased not even by Death - but I think there' hope for us in this case. While I knew him, even as a child, I always understood, the quiet longing and powerful desire to be with Death, and to be close with him... But in the short time I've known him as human, I felt he had grown quite a bit.. disillusioned about Death. Before, he used to sound as if he worshipped every step Death makes.. now, not so. " he whispered. " It's faint... so faint you may not feel it, not yet. But within our poor little flower, there's something new... It's a frail confidence, and... It'll probably be hard to get over the heartache of finally braking of from that unhealthy obsession, but I think there's a chance...."

[Mirach]

"Maybe..." Svarik murmured, thinking about Jake. Who knows... And the other question was just rhetorical..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Hmm. Alright, then.. I am no able to reply much on it, anyway. It looks all tangled up between them. It's hard to read it.  For a moment, you'd day it's promising, for a moment, tense and fearful. It's got ups and dows. " Highlander murmured a bit quietly. " At least, it's out in the open, kind Erdel told me - about Tide's nature, and um, place in the world. It seems to me some of the tension on sir Tide lessened a bit, in any case, now that he doesn't have to conceal his nature... "
" I'd rather have it that he had a chance to keep it safe, still, even if he'd be more secretive. " Falcon murmured with some displeasure. " I am not comfortable with idea of Death knowing... I do not trust him. But what's been done is done, there's no use in crying over spilled milk. "

[Mirach]

"Oh, so Death knows? In that case, can somebody finally tell me as well?" Svarik asked. 

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, you're curious, are you not? " Falcon raised his eyebrow with a tease. " Well, I don't know, Zephir.. Should we tell him or not? "
Highlander blushed a little, not daring to decide on his own. " I guess... there's no better time than present, for such things. As long as it's really safe... "
" It's safe, as long as Svarik stays discreetly secretive to others about it. And you will, right? Not that you have good record when it comes to discretion, but alas, in your position of power, I think it's right that you know. " Conrad weighted out the options, before he replied, slowly, pausing from dramatic effect. " You see, our dear Tide, who giggles like a girl and cuddles around like a kitten with people... Well, he's like, a current king of the demons, that has a whole neat secret kingdom at the seaside. Who would have thought, right? "

[Mirach]

"A king of demons? Tide?" Svarik shook his head wonderingly. "That... makes sense, actually. He would be a good king to then..."

[VisAnastasis]

" He's not really, just demon king... " Zephir fidgeted a little uncomfortably, as if it didn't sit right to him that  someone he was inspired by is not given proper credit. " He's not vain, like that... His kingdom is most unique to this day. He takes under his wing all - humans, Spirits, and Demons. He is deemed highest among equals, only by word. In truth, he managed his kingdom with ruling body of three - himself, to represent demons, his Spirit friend Spirits, and always one human of great honor, every generation.  It's a committee of Three. Every race has one to represent them, that understands their nature and keeps their heart in their interest, so each needs are represented - but they don't fight between each other for interest of their people - all three are their people equally. It's oasis of peace... Rogue homeless Beings spread rumors of it with but  quiet whispers... He's not, like... Just a demon king... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that's what he would do..." Svarik nodded. "As I think about it, it seems quite natural..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes. He... is too... too good for his own good.. He's... quite nice... " Zephir murmured barely audibly to it, his fingers subconsciously fixing new glasses that demon brought him upon his nose - it seemed niceness wasn't only reason why he felt need to praise Tide, as he seemed to have been rather touched by the thoughtful present from the sea -  as every moment he could see clearly again through glasses made by skilled smith Janus, was a reminder of a gift from the kind Tide.

[Mirach]

"I don't understand..." Svarik murmured. "Tide and the demons that he protects... they are so much different from those in the sixth layer. I know they are corrupted, but we met demons who were corrupted and were still kind, like Ben. So what's the difference? It doesn't seem to me that being locked away in that layer changed them like that. It more feels like they were like that before, and that's why they had tk be locked away..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Don't be quick to judge, please. Emotions are just very complex. The curves, ups and downs of them are hard to predict. " Zephir whispered barely audibly, with slight tinge of fear in his voice, as if mention of sixth layer was enough to send chill through his spine. " Pay heed... In a way, you're right - that they were terrifying army to fight with. But tell me, was there something you noticed in demons you met so far, at least older ones? Even those corrupted, all share same general traits; they did not want to fight, they didn't believe in war, they had friends on both sides, they deserted from the army and hid, running for their lives... It's not accidental pattern. " he whispered. " You see... Most of the common folk on day to day basis... if they corrupt, they corrupt from pain, from terrible wounds, from deep loss, from grief, and so on. But, if they're of more peaceful, kind nature, and if their pain is not too grave for it, there is more often than not some more sanity left in them. In the army, though, I was told... Feelings that prevailed were ones of wrath and anger, too terrifying to imagine. There's a saying, that anger makes you ugly. There's truth to it. You see, army of demons were so terribly grieved and wrathful, that they were blinded in their anger. Grendel's death was such grave injustice in their eyes, that they sow no reason, and were hungry for the blood of the person that had slain him. They were seeing their comrads fall, and their people be banished from fruitful lands they deemed home, and it only made them angrier. They fought and fought and they began losing, and it only made them angrier. They lusted after Death of Death so deeply, that it clouded their judgement. You feed, with what you attract, you see. In their anger, they fed on anger, and they were only growing more strong and pissed of. And then, behold - locked on barren layer, unable to leave it... It is anger that reaches boiling point, a taste of vengeance out of their reach, and ash and dust of barren land and sandy wind of sixth layer in their mouth. It's a wound upon the world, festering each day. No demon I knew, would ever do to you, what they had, through Bull and Thief... Yet, in it, they sow, the slightest bit of chance, to leave their prison.... Wrath had made them cruel.Anger.... changes even humans. It's exponencially more, with demons, sensitive to flow of feelings in the world. Their despair had made them harden to suffering of others. They can't empathize anymore... All they know is anger. "

[Mirach]

"They wouldn't accept Tide as their king, would they?" Svarik asked. "

[VisAnastasis]

" I doubt it." Zephir whispered with some dread." They are shells of their former selves, and worse, they were breeding with each other like animals, to grow in numbers... They are swarm of hatred and filth. They are twisted, violent... All they must see in Tide is awful deserter that had it easy while they suffeted, and all they have is desire to destroy..."
" Tide agreed with that." Falcon voiced himself." Do you think it is coincidence, that he alied with us? If Demons breeched the layer, they are so full of envy to those that had it *easy* and hatred, that they'd destroy indiscriminately. Tide would have fought on our side to prevent, if there was need. It doesn't matter that they are same kin... He and his people would have helped us. "

[Mirach]

"So if Death would make peace with Tide, it wouldn't end the war, would it?" Svarik sighed. "I dared to hope for that for a moment there..."

[VisAnastasis]

Zephir frowned lightly, seeming suddenly thoughtful.
" Actually... You might be onto something there..." He said thoughtfully, a little, careful tinge of hope in his voice." Not whole war, per se.... but there's no rule to say that peace can't be made between parties present. There are so many creatures in this world, that live in fear or in agony, in hiding. That yearn for light of day and company of friends and freedom to live, but are too afraid they'll be caught and slaughtered..." He whispered quietly, with some longing." If... If Death could speak in name of Spirits, and Tide in name of his people... If he accepted Tide's position, and if every wondering creature gets to learn that by placing themselves in Tide's protection, they'll take part of their peace treaty... There may be more and more  Beings coming forth, many from mountains, too... And if they are allowed to live freely, and return to Spirit realm anew... If they're looked after well, and wounds of the war begin to heal.... At least some seeds of peace can slowly begin taking rooth... We can have peace, if at least for those that remained..."

[Mirach]

"A watchful peace, though, with the demons in the sixth layer lurking for a chance to escape..." Svarik murmured. 

[VisAnastasis]

" You shouldn't think of it like that.... " Zephir whispered quietly. " Just because situation is not perfect, doesn't mean that improvement of it isn't a cause for great joy... It is unjust, to bring down the suffering of so many, to but a statistic. Elevation hurt of but one is bettering the world. Elevating suffering of hundreds is so much more... Maybe this is messy, and maybe we can not cross out war neatly out of to do list... but counting it a small thing trivializes the hardship it comes with, and good it brings. I believe peace would bring relief and joy to both sides, and joy is sacred, it should always be celebrated.. " he shook his head quietly, mirroring believes of demons in that regard. " It is barren path, path of calculation. It bears dangers of losing suffering individuals out of sight, in favor of blend of their numbers. It bears danger of dissociating with one's empathy, and without it, you lose most precious ability we have... to connect with other people... "

[Mirach]

"We can't celebrate it yet, though..." Svarik noted. "It is just a possibilty that we can hope for. It is in the hands of Death and Tide. But I'm glad to learn that Tide is a king of his people, and that Death knows it. It enables that hope, at least... It's good that they met."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, it hasn't happened yet, but still... That they're getting along at all, and that they're learning to trust each other, speaks volumes of the possibilities.... Death allows Demon King to treat him. It's a huge step forth, unpresedented." he whispered. " It's not just wistful thinking. It's.. sensing the... fabric around us all. Sensing feelings woven within it. It's a gut feeling, with us, Gifted, sire. You're been hurt, and you fear creatures that put you in place of hurting in their escape plan... I, rather, am guided by feelings of weariness and yearning for rest and calm, that permeates the world. The anger's spending, the weakness's setting in.. I think.. " it seemed hard for him, to put his mind to trying to read that feeling, and to dare to say, to predict something." I think that world is ripe for peace... "

[Mirach]

"For a while, yes," Svarik nodded. "It longs for rest... But it will be a catious peace still. The sixth layer still creates a discordant echo..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not a wound healed, yes... Rather, I'd say that what it used to be, was same as what an animal, driven by adrenaline and pain, used to be, always in state of panic and chaos. It ran away so far, though, far from danger. Adrenaline's going down, and it's lying down to rest in the corner, licking its hurts. " Zephir whispered quietly. " It longs... for relief. What happens next will dictate, whether it will begin running anew, or whether an animal can be approached, and helped... If wound of war are balmed and bandaged and soothed properly, it can sew seeds of healing. It is hard, but seeing Death and Tide... I think we have reasons to hope, that it might... "