Re: Svarik and the company II

[VisAnastasis]

" Geese, meadow king, you have no talent of surprising someone, like, pleasantly don't you? " Falcon rolled eyes at him. " What good is a surprise, if you spoil it? We agreed to adopt it, but, like, Melody's a total clueless fledgling - she can't, goodness, imagine hoards of people that will come here by spring, once they notice huge flowers here, to take them all and uproot them for their gardens and pleasure. She just thinks, cool, let's let it grow and play for it, like plants don't need water and soil and fetrilizer 14/7. She's not practical... This sucker would die right out, if we relied on luck. I'm going to take a special effort to begin growing the kin all across land, as it produces seed to do so, and so on - but to assure the original vessel stays with us, we'll take strongest plants with us, and put the fluffy pink ribbons over them when we plant them in cutest part of the garden, because nothings of this counts without them. " he grinned sheepishly. " I'll keep it safe, and plant so many of those goddamn cuties, that the whole land is going to be overgrown with them... It's Melody's favorite flower, and I'm going to spread it all over the world for her... I mean, yeah, for everyone else too, but mainly for her... "

[Mirach]

"Sorry, I'm not much in a mood for coming up with romantic surprises... and I'm a bit unsure if someone you are going to adopt would make for a good surprise, or if she would rather like to be here and witness the moment..." Svarik murmured. "I will gladly help you, though. Just tell me what I should do."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, I'm terrible at romantic surprises, so it's my best shot for now. Don't you know how weary I am of buying sweets and clothes? It gets old too quickly. " Falcon sighed. " For a start, you can help by getting near it... Slowly, though. It's a very delicate flower, um, very sensitive, I mean. It doesn't like strangers too much, so you have to treat it nice. After you earn a right to pat, you can maybe water it. It likes being watered around the roots, but it also likes getting its crown sprinkled a bit. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded and approached the flower very slowly, listening to its reaction to every step to see if he should stay in place or get closer.

[VisAnastasis]

It took a moment, as he was new, but it seemed still that there was something familiar to it in king's presence, maybe distant scent of Melody that he carried in his ancestry - and the flower seemed a little curious, a little more relaxed - as much as flower could be. More closer it came, stronger the scent was - and there was something different and special about it. Because of its demonic nature, it was especially fragrant and strong, but that scent itself was not quite typical and easy to describe... And maybe it was one more reason why Falcon took special interest in it. It smelled almost as if strong joy and trustfulness would smell, if they were to be trapped in corporeal form, mixed in with some childlike innocent and playfulness. Maybe it was so because, in that moment, when he made it for Melody, Riversong himself was overjoyed, and in his joy, instinctively, he made flower that practically oozed joy when content and taken care of.

As soon as Svarik touched the stem of a beautiful tall flower, the scent grew a little stronger - uncorrupted, healthy creature seemed to enjoy gentle touch, as it seemed to help against its feelings of loneliness that came with living here, far from people to look out for it.

[Mirach]

Svarik caressed the flower, assuring it that it won't be alone anymore.

[VisAnastasis]

Zephir also got closer after a moment, and he was grinning in most healrtfelt childish way, ear to ear, while watching the beautiful gorgeous flower, and it seemed to enjoy caresses of both men, once it assured they are of good will. It's song was a song of joy, and while in same sleeplike calm state as Bell as a flower, the sunflower responded more strongly to outside influences, as, despite sleepy, ti seemed somewhat more instictively aware of them, in its curiosity for outside world.
" It's so young and healthy... " Highlander whispered quietly, astonished as it caressed it. " It's wonderful... It really would be nice, if we could plant its seeds around as much as it likes... It is curious. It is so adventurous, for such little sweet plant. It wants to spread everywhere and taste everything in life... "
Falcon nodded thoughtfully.
" Melody said that, too... " he whispered. " That it's such a free spirit, for a Demon... "

[Mirach]

"Very much like her..." Svarik said quietly.

[VisAnastasis]

" Of course it is..." Zephir stuttered with delight, leaning gently to the flower, almost as if eager to embrace it. " It had to be inspired by her... It is great honor... He made it in her image... It's like a grand musician, dedicating you a grand symphony. It's delightful. I'm happy for... For you and Melody... One day, when it grows, it shall be most endearing child... It's good you adopted it..."
" It's a bit stronger statement than I would use... Hm... At least right now. I have to see how she responds, you understand. Lot for me depends on it.." Falcon murmured, and he seemed somehow uncertain and little moody, as if situation was a bit more complicated than he lead on. " I hope it will be a good one, and that I choose right, but I'll see.."

[Mirach]

"Yeah, it's hard to tell with women sometimes..." Svarik murmured a bit melancholically.

[VisAnastasis]

" No, it's... I didn't mean it like that... It's more that I am.. you know... Nervous.. if it will.. you  know... Be taken wrong way..." Falcon bit his lip unhappily, glancing aside, as if struggling to explain  personal matter with fewest personal information - and it hit king, that, much like oftentimes in those situations, didn't feel comfortable sharing his feelings and insecurities before other people like Zephir, despite he longed to share it with Svarik.

[Mirach]

Svarik was also feeling uncertain about his own situation and a bit detached from the present situation. "Would you mind caring for the flower while we have a little talk with Falcon?" he asked Zephir, not pretending anything before him.

[VisAnastasis]

Normally, Zephir would be upset by shady requests that seemed to be suspiciously secretive - but he must have felt this one stems from some personal issues the two of them have, not any shady plan, and so he seemed without fear, as he nodded shyly.

" O-of, but of course, sir king. You can trust me with this." He blushed a little, but more sincerely, not able to hide some timid trembling joy, at being here." I'll be good to the flowers, you two can relax and talk freely. I'll be here when you want to get back... Just... Just try not to take, take it too long." He bid shyly. " I should be with vampires in worst case by the evening. The progress on Simbel's home is going even better than we expected. If we work well tonight, building could be finished tonight, so that tomorrow we can already get to the furniture, so I am needed there later."

[Mirach]

"Really? That's a very nice progress," Svaril said. "Thank you. We will just talk a bit there by the river, right?" he looked at Conrad for confirmation. 

[VisAnastasis]

Falcon just nodded lightly, not feeling need to elaborate just yet, while they were not alone yet. He murmured to Zephir that they'll be there close by and he can call them if he needs them, and then, he followed Svarik down the path to the river.

[Mirach]

"I didn't mean to suggest anything about your relationship," Svarik said quietly when they were alone. "I'm sorry... I'm still struggling to deal with my own..."

[VisAnastasis]

" No, it's not that. I'm struggling, too, really, as I told you. I didn't mean to rub it in like all's great, when it's not. " Falcon whispered. He looked a little flusstered in private with him now, as he added. " Look, this is a surprise, because... Because we did not agree together that we should adopt it... in technicality. It's not a secure surprise, as when I'd get you a flute or shirt with flowers or something I know you'd like. It's... an experiment. Will... will you promise not to laugh, if I tell you as it is? "

[Mirach]

"I think I can promise that, I'm not in mood for laughing anyways..." Svarik smiled faintly, but encouragingly.

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, it's truth we both want to look out for it... We just came to that conclusion at.. different points. " Falcon murmured hesitantly, and with lump in his throat, it could really be seen he was embarrassed. "You see, we came here couple of times, two of us.. Evaluating it, watching its progress, playing for it to grow... it was... nice. Honestly only little excuse for some free time I can give myself these days, when so much falls on me - *obligation* to take care of the demon flower left in our care to make sure it's left uncorrupted. It will play into my future plans anyway, so I should logically look out for it. But... She sow it as more. She really grew attached to it, and last time we came, she... jokily leaned against me, and told me how proud she is of our unexpected first child, and how she hopes it grows big and strong, until it can take human form and we can take it in our arms - until it really is ours...But the way she said ours, to my ear, so sweetly... it was serious. I.. pulled back from what she hoped be a kiss, like a fool. " he pressed his head in frustrating, as if supressing stupid memory. " It was serious, like.. a proposal, Svarik.  It was too big. Too official. I didn't feel ready for such a big step  -do you understand the magnitude, of adopting an immortal child as your own, Svarik, with someone else? It's huge. I stuttered. I felt awful in my excuses, but I couldn't promise what I wasn't ready for. But I thought about it a lot, and... I would like to take a real... real personal risk, once. a risk that doesn't end up badly for me, and I feel this may be it. A child, a child might be a good answer to my solitude - someone that will stay... I have a good feeling about this one. I thought for long, and I want to let her know that I...  want to meet her half way...."

[Mirach]

"But you have already adopted a child before," Svarik reminded him gently  "You adopted Melody when you thought she was a child. Is it different because it creates a bond between you and her?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It is not the same kind of adoption. This about it. With human children, while you adopt them for all your life, it's relatively short time, couple of decades at most. But adopting immortal child, by two immortal parents? It's ten times bigger deal. It's sticking through thick and thin for possibly milenias. It's a grave obligation, one that can truly be for an eternity. Fate of that child rests upon me and her. And, beside other things, yes... " he cleared his throat helplessly. " Fact I adopted herself as child complicates things. It's still hard to allow myself to.. indulge in hopes of romance... with her constantly switching of between childlike and adult forms. I won't restrain her in it, but the fact is, we're at different... wavelenghts still. She had all the time of the world to secretly crush on me, and I'm still getting used to... still amazed at the fact she's what she is, and that she, such bright creature full of positive energy,is even interested in me. I had bitter ad experiences in bonds, and I really have so much baggage on my shoulders right now, and I don't want to ruin it by rushing. Part of me really want to indulge in here and now, but rest of me just wants to approach it carefully, with a.. ten feet stick... so I don't mess it up. I'm just not as ready as she is, and I can't embrace it all so lightheartedly, knowing how rarely immortals stay together for longer time... I am just not as ready to give into it, as she is, knowing how it may turn with time, and it's hard, to be with someone who's at a different point in relationship than you, if you get me.. "

[Mirach]

"Like when you think you are at the beginning and she thinks you are at tge end?" Svarik murmured. "No, I'm sorry... I get what you mean. When two walk together and one is hurt and walks more slowly, who will adjust their pace? I think it's like that for you. You should go by your pace and not rush, or you can hurt yourself. If you talk to her about it, she will understand..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Expect, I am not really walking... I am crawling, Svarik. And honestly, I shouldn't be like this and I hate it. She's so.. so bloody amazing, you know?" Voice of a hardened warrior wavered as if with pain. "  She's... a piece of sunshine, trapped in leaves of a blooming tree. A true goddess of spring. Xia and this other little demon guy may have been inspired by her, but she's the original - she's the real deal... A true nymph from a fairy tale... " Falcon sighed wearily. " And such creature, she - she is... interested in me. She is so playful, though, and she's burning brightly, with Sun in her Veins, dancing around me, inviting me to dance too... Expect, I can not dance. I never knew. However, if I can not follow her pace, I'll lose her, but all I can do is crawl behind her, pitifully. It's frustrating... "

[Mirach]

"She is a ray of sun, and she cares for you. Talk to her openly, because trying to keep the pace and hurting yourself with it is not something she would appreciate, I believe," Svarik said. "I wouldn't..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I know that.. in theory. But practice is much more frustrating. I am not used to giving myself any excuses." Falcon sighed tiredly - on the contrast, rubbing his hands a little hopefully." This is big for me... But in a way... Isn't it a proof of trust? A leap of faith?" He whispered." You can't obligate on something like this, without implying you believe you have a future with someone. Even if I am pittify slow, compared to her... I feel I have to give her something, as a proof I believe in us...  "