Senecio adn Tide II

[Mirach]

"He also wanted you to have it, didn’t he?" Svarik asked. "But what I'm asking now, try again to thing about what you would be like to be to him. But forget all circumstances and actions. Think only about the two of you abd be honest to yourself."

[VisAnastasis]

There was a shadow of conflict on Erdel's face as he struggled to ignore the circumstances surrounding him.
" It... it is hard... to not be anxious when I have to watch out for everything I do. Even... even with you, sir... I would not dare do as much as brush the end of your fingertips by mistake, have I not been certain I can't endanger you. Beings have a natural inclination to trust you, and it appeases me to know that if they accuse you of sheltering a demon if you but say I tricked you by pretending to be kind Spirit and renounce of me, you'll be fully safe. You're human, after all, there's no way you can tell the difference. But... White Eagle is the most famous hunter of all and his fate is widely known. There is no way he can claim ignorance of my nature. How can I ignore his situation when deciding what to do, then? " the demon asked vulnerably, struggling with each word, as he slowly confided himself. " Above all else, when I look at him... he seems determined like sir Falcon, but also... fragile like sir Cernunnos. It would be different if he continued rejecting me and acting like I was wrong to exist, but... I am weak when I see repentance. I... feel sad when I see him struggling against his limitations. I want to soften his limits and protect him. To help him find ways to live more fully. It... feels painful, when I see him uncertain and afraid before me. And... I thought I would not mind holding the grudge for a while, but it is surprisingly painful to feel excluded... When I watch him train the other vampires and give them advice and act protectively of them, I feel a sense of loss from being an outsider to the picture... And... at mountains... sir Falcon asked me to seek out weakest Beings I could because weaker ones should be easier for us to entice to visit us, and he wants to meet more Beings for his *make Simbel more immortal friends* plan... " it seemed Conrad has made both a plan to make Simbel and Erdel friends while keeping them in the dark about the opposite plan. Not knowing that the demon murmured quietly. " It's a good plan. I wanted him to have friends even if he hated me because he was good to many other people and was worthy of their friendships... And I truly wanted to cut ties with a creature that acted like I was filthy for becoming a demon, but... I can't help but be drawn to the person that did all it could for me when I returned ill from the mountains. There is little place for me in the hearts of people in the capital... that is a weight of my sin, and I'm determined to bear it. But... I feel the weight more keenly when I dread losing place in his heart. I know logically that right now is the perfect chance to stop all contact with him to make sure he gives up on me and isn't hesitant to discard me should a need arise, and to make sure I leave no scent or trace of me upon him to implicate him with me. It's the best way to protect him, and I do want to protect him. It is the best choice for him, without a doubt and yet, " he smiled fraily. " I keep delaying it... it's shameless, isn't it? Saying I want to do best for him, but not having the resolve to actually go through with it... "

[Mirach]

"I see..." Svarik nodded. "But when I'm asking you to ignore the circumstances, I don't mean permanently. I just want you to do so now, so that you can figure out how you actually feel about him, as a person and as a friend. Only then we can consider everything else."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, if he were to suddenly change his mind and shun me again, I don't know if I would be able to pass against such a thing twice... But his change of heart feels genuine... And his fear does, too," Erdel whispered." It's not like he is pretending to be afraid to brush me off... I can see it's instictive and not out of malice. I understand it a little more now. When I noticed the hunters, I felt it deep in my soul that I would die if they raised hand at me. It's instictual knowledge engraved in me. I just knew. It's... Not unreasonable of Simbel to have the same gut feeling when faced with strong demon. One Being I met in the mountains was bemused with my story when I told him I was not born but made a demon. He said... It seemed as if my maker was curious what would happen if he pushed all reasonable limits of what demon could be and then just removed all limits to growth for the heck of it," he sighed." I am incompetent, so it's all mostly potential yet, but still... For someone who can judge demon's strenght, I can not imagine how terrifying I must look to Simbel... As terrifying as demon hunters are to me who lacks experience. I... I really find his new efforts admiring. He is afraid, but he struggles to be a better person, and strives to change his very self so he would cease to be a weapon for killing demons," there was vulnerable timid admiration in creature's voice." I... Want to be more like him. And it's indulgent thinking, but... It would be comforting if I could draw some strenght from his presence, like before. I... Am not really doing too well. I would like to have more reliable straws to hold onto. I... Have too little to drive me..." He shook his head unsurely." When I was thinking that I could die if hunters caught me, I... I was so afraid I would die before I returned my debt to you and sir Falcon. Before I helped Malachite, before we freed Cernunnos of his fate. I am driven by things I want to do for others but... I don't feel like I have something to look forward to strictly for myself. With White, though... It didn't feel like what I was doing was out of morality. When I fed him or took care of his fairies it... It was nice and comforting. It was something to look forward to... Something to be happy about," he sighed." It hurts not to have anything strong to sincerely feel about. I feel strongly about returning the good you gave me, and I want to do it fiercely, but... It is not the same as looking forward to coming back to someone and spending time doing something quiet and fulfilling with them. I have never had... That sense of normalcy ever since White renounced me. I have been given warmth and kindness from others, but it just isn't the same feeling I had back then, when White's fairies would cling to me and listen to me teach them language the whole night, while White would envelop me in his warmth closely. I just really needed something like that..."

[Mirach]

"Then you know what you would like to be to him," Svarik said gently. "Next step is figuring out what he would like to be to you. Best way wpuld be asking, not guessing, although I know that can feel like the hardest way. It's the only certain one, though. You both need to know where you stand before you can move in any direction."

[VisAnastasis]

It was a bitter truth that there was no easy way to know without asking, but because Svarik said it, and spoke encouragingly to him, Erdel finally nodded, looking a little relieved that he finally somewhat admitted his feelings and disentangled them enough to do something about them.
" Asking him... does seem like the hardest thing. I am afraid of making the situation worse if he is merely kind to me out of regret... It will make it harder for us to live together if the only thing between us is guilt. But... it's not like it's not hard enough as it is now, constantly wondering. So... I... When we return to the capital... I shall ask him, "the demon finally decided, with a mix of concern, vulnerability, and just a glitter of uncertain trust, as he looked up. " Still... I can not bring myself to ask him anything like that barehanded. Not when he did so much for me these days, and even made me a scarf out of his pain. Especially after not bringing him anything from the mountains... I could not bear it. Yet, I don't wish to give him something that he would feel burdened by, either... " he watched the king with hope. " What... should I do, sir Svarik? What could I possibly do, to convey my sincerity, that is meaningful enough, but not weighted by obligations? I...  would wish to give him something to make his life easier or more comfortable, especially since there is a chance this first gift may be last should he refuse me, but... I hate ideas of binding people with big things they never asked for. Besides.... what can I possibly give to someone that is basically an Elder God that is fed, beloved, provided for, and doesn't lack anything? "

[Mirach]

(OOC: Happy Birthday! <3)

"First, before you ask him, tell him how you feel yourself. When you're asking about such thing, it's only fair to answer the same question first," Svarik said. "And about a gift... I would say there are so many options... He's an Elder God, but he can't get very far from his pond, so anything that would show him a bit of other places would be nice for him. But if you want something more, it would be great if he could see what you saw here. Through you eyes or through something else... there are many skilled Beings here, maybe one of them could think of something if we ask them."

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: Thanks dear! It was a good day, and I hope you're having a lovely day, too! Hugggss! o(〃＾▽＾〃)o  )

It indeed seemed what Erdel needed the most right now was guidance, as, overwhelmed with doubts it was hard to see if any choice was a good one. But it seemed Svarik's advice was encouraging him, as the demon's face slowly grew more warmed up.
" Last time I only met Tide and Hans here, but from Sir Falcon's reports, it seems you got closer to sir Janus, Alpha and Eros... Falcon did not write too much in reports about them, though. Do you think any of them would have good advice? Are they friendly enough for me to be able to ask them without offending them? I wanted to speak to sir Janus anyway because Sun Spirits gave me the advice to find a Demon blacksmith because the only Sun Spirit able to create a sword strong enough for me not to break it would be Solstice, and he's too young to do such a thing now. So, I wanted to ask sir Janus if he or someone he knows can make me something close enough that doesn't break. Perhaps I can ask him about this, too? It... might be my own vanity, but... since sir Falcon can buy him anything he desires with money, I'd rather get Simbel something he'd have hardship getting otherwise, so perhaps something from a Being would be more proper. Besides, I've heard that Janus takes pain as payment, and that's just perfect, " his voice sounded more chipper and optimistic, inappropriately so considering his morbid words. " Isn't that the most fitting currency for me? My regeneration is ridiculous, and I don't lose pieces of the soul with it, just body, so I can easily give him my blood and flesh. And even if not that - I heard he takes nails, too, so it's great. To improve the speed of our regeneration, the... the former general regularly pulled out our nails as training to hasten the speed of our recovery. I've done it many times, so I'm confident I can give a lot, " he said hopefully. " Do you think I should ask him first, before asking the others? To be honest, I... am a little worried about what I could give to Alpha and Eros, because, other than my body and doing simple errands or tracking, I doubt I amount to much... It was useful in mountains where resources were scarce and humans and critters I met were weaker, but it won't be much too powerful Beings who don't need any errands done... "

[Mirach]

(OOC: I have the last post in email but it’s not showing here for me again, so let's see if it shows up after I reply here. I also got covid, but it’s getting better already)

"Yes, Janus takes pain and body parts in deals, but I think you could try with Alpha too, if you want. He doesn't really need things done for him, he makes his deals to have fun. So if you offer him something fun, you have a good chance of him accepting."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel couldn't help but chuckle a little bit, with a softer expression that held favorability toward Svarik.
" Bold of you to assume it's harder for me to give nails and limbs over coming up with something fun enough for an ancient Being, sir Svarik... " he bemused softly, with a gentler voice. " Your faith in my imagination after I tried to come up with something with all my heart and all I could come up to bring to you from mountains were "flute and food" is really adorable... I don't have high hopes for my success, but if he doesn't get offended easily, it doesn't hurt to try. I'll try with both Janus and Alpha then when there's enough time for me during the day to sneak away to ask them. Thank you... for speaking with me about this, sir, " he replied earnestly, with a hint of embarrassment. " I am sorry for asking this of you... but I knew you'd not sugarcoat anything. And I haven't yet decided on whether it's safe for Simbel for me to approach him too much, even if he would want me to... but after talking with you, I am definitely sure that I do want to give him a really good gift, no matter what happens next. You really earned a cute stone from the mountain... You can pick any you like. I wished I had more to give you. Honestly, I don't know much of how you're been doing these days, because sir Falcon and Mole and purposely scarce with information on both sides ever since Mole started denying Falcon too much news on our side so he wouldn't just keep working when he's meant to rest with you. So sir Falcon didn't tell us much, except that you were in danger after healing Senecio but got better, " he glanced at king shyly as he whispered, speaking more freely. " I know nothing else, and it may be presumptuous of me, but if you're troubled by anything, I wouldn't mind listening, or if you rather want to do something where you need an escort until sir Falcon wakes up, I don't mind following. I don't have much else to give rather than my time and concern, and since, with your personality, it is plausible to assume you may have just gone and spent all holiday overhealing people all over the coast, my worries were heavy...  "



( OOC: It's alright, I was a little worried if something was wrong since it's been a while, and I'm sad you've gotten ill, but glad you're doing better, I had covid at the start of February, too, it is a pretty heavy illness even with all vaccines, it took me quite a while to recover, I hope you'll get well soon, dear! <3  

As for the forum, I really don't know what's the issue, I reply in the browser, so maybe it doesn't show up for me and it's something related to emails? Should I maybe make a new thread in the forum so we can see if it shows up there?

[Mirach]

"Well, actually it was Conrad who was eager to tell you something, so I will not spoil that for him," Svarik smiled. "Maybe you could go to check if he's already awake? We have plans with the others today, and Alpha will be there too so I can introduce you if you want. I'll just play a bit for myself until the others gather," he said and pulled out his flute.

(OOC: I see the post in the email and don’t see it here, but it’s only maybe 1 in 100 posts and it appears when I reply to some other post, as I found out now, so it should be fine)

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel seemed a little curious with Svarik's statement, but he concluded the king would tell him if Falcon wanted to speak of ill things. He looked a bit upwards as if focused on something as if trying to figure it out, and nodded lightly to himself as if he didn't really need to leave to perceive more. He understood Svarik's request as a wish to be alone for a bit, and so he gathered Simbel's sword on his back again and left the room. Svarik finally had a little time alone for once, and he could play for himself for almost an hour aterwards.

All until at one point, the door slowly opened anew. This time, the one opening it was Conrad Falcon. He was neatly dressed, with confidence in his posture and just a trace of a hangover in the slight frown on his face - however, his frown faded and his expression lit up when his gaze fell upon Svarik. At the man's side, in her child form and in a frilly pink dress, Melody was standing and waving to meadow king, and right behind, Erdel's face was peeking, and he was looking at the meeting with a curious and warm gaze and just a tinge of anticipation. Clearly, Conrad already told him about their new relationship, and despite the struggle to act like a reliable and professional guard following them, the demon could not hide his sincere feelings well, and his lips were twitching upwards against his best efforts, and his heart seemed a little lighter than before.

[Mirach]

Svarik grinned when he saw Erdel's expression revealing that he knows. He hid his flute again and stood up, a bit unsure what to do now and if he should show his affection publicaly as the situation was still new to him.

[VisAnastasis]

Seeing through his reason for hesitancy, Conrad grinned as if on the contrary it gave him more courage. It seemed that having an outlet to finally share the good news with someone from their home left him feeling refreshed and encouraged, and his step toward Svarik quickened a little. As he stopped before him, with his mind clear from drinking, he was now more self-conscious than last night, but also clearly determined to make his own steps in redefining their relationship.
He still acted as mindfully as he always did with the king, not making any fast movement and giving him space to refuse - as he took Svarik's hand, and then pulled it to his lips, and kissed it with a smile.
" You know... as a general rule of thumb, I think your behaviour should depend on the audience we have, my dearest Sun, " he spoke gently, but with a clear trembling in his voice, as if he felt fortunate to be able to declare his feelings freely at least at this moment, in front of people they trusted. " But in this audience, is it not alright if I kiss you? " he asked as if inquiring of his boundaries, while at the same time, he gently kissed Svarik's hand anew and added with a grin. " If it's in this setting, is it not alright if I give you this? " Conrad inquired, and as the man held his hand with his two, Svarik felt Falcon pass something from his own hand into king's, and press it gently into his palm.

Even before seeing it, Svarik easily realized by the texture of the object and hopeful gleam in man's eyes what it was - it was a pebble from the mountain. Conrad really would not be Conrad if, when given chance, he would not give him stone too, but this time, it did not seem that he merely did not want to not exclude him or Melody - it seemed it was his sincere wish to give this gift to both of them.

[Mirach]

"In this setting, I would rather do this..." Svarik said, and pressed himself against Conrad in an embrace, craving the physical contact. He enjoyed it for a while, pressing the stone in his palm. "It's a stone with a memory of a magnificent mountain," he said then and looked at Conrad. "But I'd like to know, what does it mean to you? I know that in the Mountains, it's an engagement gift. But we’re not in the Mountains. What is it saying?"

[VisAnastasis]

Encouraged by Svarik's closeness, Conrad grinned a little mischievously with the question, replying with just a tinge of anticipation in his voice.

" I picked the stone with a story that felt most personal to me, and poignant enough to bear witness of my feelings... But indeed, you know me well enough that I'd not burden you with something as grand as an engagement when we just began dating... though I am open for negotiations if my meaning is too much or too little for your liking. We are not in the Mountains, but in the Empire, though, where all is driven by rules of gain and trade... so... heh... how about we call it collateral instead? " he suggested suddenly, as he caresses king's clenched knuckles that held the little stone with his thumb. " In pawnshops, you pledge property as collateral, and in return, are given money... I'll pledge you this stone as collateral for all the love you can give me, Svarik, and I'll commit to returning it to you, a little each day. If you judge that after a set time I returned too little to your liking, break up with me with no looking back. But if you judge at some point that I returned the loan in full... I'll let you propose to me, okay? How would giving it a hundred years deadline suffice?" Falcon's voice was still teasing, but there was a more timid, sincere and exposed vulnerability in his gaze, as it seemed correct that, if in anything, Conrad was truly dense when it came to Svarik's plans for him - instead of considering the possibility to rise to the status of the king if he marries a king himself, he was so occupied in doing his best to protect Svarik from all heavier and risky choices that this idea did not even seem to cross his mind. He clearly made the time limit with the thought that by the time it expires Svarik would surely have passed the throne to his descendants, and therefore wouldn't face that much backlash in who he marries since he's a former king. " Is that long enough for you to choose, or would you need more time? If you feel I am too greedy, I'll give you more... "

[Mirach]

Svarik thought about it for a moment, not only about what Conrad said but what he didn’t. "That sounds like plenty if time," he said. "So what the stone is saying... is that when I return it to you as a proposal, you will accept it? Is it an answer to a future question?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I think that would be the most proper display of my trust in the consistency and integrity of your feelings towards me. It would be petty of me to pretend I might not say yes if I already know I'll say yes, don't you think? " Falcon replied innocently, though there was a vulnerable softness in his look as he elaborated more quietly, still covering Svarik's hand with his own. " You are my king, my boyfriend and my treasure - but never should you be a slave of my expectations. Never my pawn, my puppet or my plaything. I would naturally be sad if you said no, and then you'd be sad and pressured to say yes, so even more so, I don't want to make you feel guilty for refusing me, so I decided I'll leave the asking to you. I may love to play with your kingdom and manipulate and trick you into doing something good for you, but that is all just fun when it's our own hide and seek game around the throne... I will never guilt and pressure you into a role of a person that can't help but say yes just because I overflowed you with affection and presents or acted unsure one too many times. I only want to have this if there is absolutely no ounce of pressure in you deciding on it whatsoever. I have decided firmly that I will resist the temptation to one day when it's safe enough do some over the top dramatic megalomaniac proposal in public. I'll never put you in an uncomfortable position of feeling pressured to give more than you can or by making you feel guilty for marrying Lipka but leaving the matter between us open. So, I'm hereby absolving you of anxiety of asking and concern over time you need. You can take all the time you need to work up to the question. So... keep the answer and just ask me when you see fit. No matter what happens between us, I can never imagine myself saying no. "

[Mirach]

Svarik pressed the stone firmly in his palm. "That's... so much from you to me. So precious... An answer without having to ask... And only thing I can say now is thank you..." He looked at Conrad. "Thank you..." he whispered, and kissed him fiercely.

[VisAnastasis]

Conrad's lip trembled with the unexpected passionate gesture, as he was still getting used to such things between them - but he was also more emotional after his sincere declaration, and so he could no longer overthink it anymore, and he could not help but return it. His kiss was shy, clumsy, but full of heartfelt warmth and timid wish for Svarik's closeness, and with it, the man slowly cupped the king's face with his hands and caressed his cheek.
" I... I thought I had the upper hand... But I can never win against you, " he whispered innocently, with a bit hoarse voice as the kiss ended, leaning his forehead against Svarik's, his breath a little bathed as he fought to contain a soft smile on his face. " Even... if I weave you the most poetic confession... you will find a way to top it with no words at all, " the man snorted a little bit, while, as if exploring a new emotion, he slowly closed his eyes and idly ran his fingers through Svarik's hair, with obvious longing to shower him with more affection. " It's silly... I... actually prepared two more dramatic gifts for you before I came here to see you, in case this one would be too burdensome and would not be accepted, but yes... This feeling... the relief of always being proven wrong to worry is definitely among the sweetest feelings you always give me... "

[Mirach]

"And you always think you need to win me over with gifts..." Svarik smiled, leaning into the touch, " ...while all I really want and need is you."

[VisAnastasis]

Conrad's heart skipped a beat, and his hand was shaking a little with vulnerability with king's revealing words that were too close to the truth. But he did not retreat, instead, his posture relaxing a bit and his caress growing gentler and freer, as he was showing his indulgence more openly.
" That... is true for the most of the time we know each other. I do want to make you happy... but I eqzally enjoy winning you over, a little bit each day. It gave me a peace of mind... Only if I could give you a lot, I was able to coax my stubborn heart into accepting a bit from you, too, in return. But... I am trying to do better. It's no longer enough for me to merely win you over... I can't be satisied unless I sweep you of your feet. You're slowly growing more resistant to material gifts... so this time, two gifts I prepared are immaterial - one is an offer for the future, and the other a confession of ongoing mischielf, " he whispered, just a little conspiratorially, vulnerably, baring his heart a little more as he revealed longing in his voice. " The first gift... holds in itself an offer to, perhaps, if you're willing... to become your sword instructor. It's a promise to spend more time guilding and teaching you in something you really lack. I could not sleep the big part of the night because thoughts kept racing in my head. You look... so happy and free when you dance. You have undoubtable great talent and skill in it... So that's when I suddenly got the idea. Your mind offers a lot of resistance whenever you learn to fight. If I could make learning a game for you, I could help you learn with less resistance. I heard from Tide some nations of old used fighting styles inspired by sword dances, so I wanted to take the best from imperial and highlander fighting styles, and craft it into fluent sword dancing style tailored just for you and your level of strenght and stamina, " for some reason, man's voice was just a little hoarse, and his hand trembled just slightly. " Your mind creates great aversion whenever you pick up even Izmir's sword,  and you have to keep learning to be able to at least defend yourself somewhat... it would be a chore to you. So that's why I thought, I should just scrap teacking you classic imperial style and craft a new fighting style that is fluent and reliant on speed and nimble movements. I should not fall into same trap as Bull priests, and claim you incompetent just because you can't learn to brute force yourself when you're not a brute like me. I just need to make you something completely new fit for the way you love to move. That is... my first gift. An offer to make this for you. Swordsmanship... is too personal matter for me, so I couldn't bring myself to put my heart into making this new thing as a surprise and end up rejected at a finished step. That's why I am asking you if you'd like this, before I yet finish making it... This first gift is an offer to make something you're not comfortable with but have to learn, hopefully at least a little sweeter, and since I'll be the only one knowing it, it'll buy us more time to spend perfecting it together... "

[Mirach]

Svarik withdrew a bit, needing to sit down for a moment. His eyes got a bit distant. "Izmir taught me to pretend a fight like it were a choreographed dance," he said quietly. "He knew he couldn’t teach me enough in the short time we had, but as we had to fight against each other, it was a dance with rehearsed steps made to look as real as possible, not a fight. I still remember those steps... a whole choregraphy, moves I can do with my eyes closed, but only useful with a partner who knows the opposite steps, not against an unpredictable attack. There’s just... a lot of echoes and memories, in trying again. But if I trust someone to lead me through it, then it’s you. I just want you to understand it’s not just about style and weapon."

[VisAnastasis]

Conrad was a little unsure with his reaction at first, but as the man spoke, he carefully sat down on a bed. He did not impose or touch him, he just listened.
" I know... " he whispered quietly as he ended. " I was... there, after all. Young, foolish, ambitious, and terribly frustrated at how hopeless at swordsmanship you were, "the man explained quietly, despite his words about his past self, his current self clearly speaking with affection. "I of the past was a bastard that could not recognize your qualities enough. You sucked at learning imperial swordsmanship because it's simply the best for someone of strong and firm stature and grip, but I should have acknowledged that the choreographed dance you practised with Izmir was impeccable. After all, it did fool almost everyone. I should have been properly impressed. Izmir... was really proud of you, you know. He bragged about your progress and hard work so much... It's not easy to pretend to be a swordmaster when you're but a beginner, " he whispered, his praise seeming real, but also, brimming with something more tangible and hopeful, so unusual for Conrad. " I still think neither of the strongest fighting styles I know would suit you. Do not mistake this as an offer to teach you choreographed dance... My wish, rather... is similar to Izmir's. I want to exploit your strengths. I want to create a path where you can enjoy and excel. Izmir recognized your strengths, " hesitantly, the man put his hand on Svarik's shoulder as if trying to figure out if it's okay. " It's the way you're moving, Svarik... there is a pattern and preference in following the fabric of the world. There is a strong inclination to move fluidly and confidently in it, and instead of swing, to dodge, to evade and shift often... It is something shaped by your experiences as a Listener. I shouldn't push you to fight as most people do... like Izmir, I should focus on drawing out from what you're best at. I don't want to teach you something only useful against me who knows the steps... I just want a path that will be pleasant to you. A style of fighting pleasant and more natural to a Listener, that's all, " he smiled a little. " What's the use of acting like Bull Priests, and trying to force knowledge into your head that's against your patterns of learning? What's the use of trying hard to make you mediocre at imperial fighting, when I can make you swordmaster in a fighting style that matches you? Of course, there was never a reason for humanity to develop special teachings for Listeners, because they are so few, but I do not care about using all those hours for the sake of one person. Not if that person is you. When... When I think about building up on Izmir's efforts... I can not help thinking... it would be... fun, " he looked down, his voice a little too quiet. " He would be truly bemused... with my change of heart. But I don't think he would disapprove of it. Choreograpgy is only useful against a partner that knows opposite steps, but with your senses, and my new understanding of Listeners, I can teach you to anticipate your opponent's next moves by subtle shifts in the fabric. If we work on our strengths, it will not matter that it's a real fight, once you already know what your opponent will do next. It will be hard for you to ever reach my level with a less efficient fighting style because when I fight, I just overpower opponents with differences in our levels, but it's not like we're teaching you to face a Falcon level enemy... Beating people half my strength is about equal to being on the level of the royal guard, so that's the golden spot we can aim for. Enough for you to feel confident on your travels if we happen to part shortly. After all, if you were to face even bit stronger enemies than that, I'd definitely be there with you, so you don't have to be any stronger than that base level. "

[Mirach]

Svarik looked at Conrad and smiled. "I would like that," he said quietly. "Mainly for you to be able to relax when you're not able to keep your eyes on me constantly. Maybe... some different weapon than a sword? The balance of a sword never felt right to me. And I would like to return the favour. I haven’t even checked how you are doing with your Listener abilities lately..."