Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? That's odd to hear... They are still friends, right? He never really was keen on our war... But he didn't do something stupid to cause Death to banish him, right? " Spirit inquired, with some more urgency in his voice. " If Riversong's still free Spirit and if you know of him, could you please pass him a message from me? I was slaying some demons in the area, but they caught me in a trap; they overpowered me and threw me in here to die... I survived, but I caught a plague, and I can not leave this place without spreading it, and I can not end my life without having my Familiar die with me. " his lip trembled. " No Spirit that came here since I'm trapped had means to contact Riversong or get audience with Death, but you know Riversong... I bid you..." he cleared his throat, composing himself better to hide longing in his voice. " Please tell him I need help, if you meet him again, little human. I have spent so long trying to find cure for me and my Familiar, however, while my knowledge of herbs is superb, my knowledge of body and healing its illnesses is flawed... You will tell him of my predicament, won't you? "

[Mirach]

"I can tell him, when I meet him again," Svarik nodded. "It might be some time, though, so don't expect him to come right away. But I will tell him. He should know you, right? Is there some nickname I can tell him to recognize you?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I am Mordecai. Maybe tell him he used to call me Morty when I would visit him and Death at our king's palace? Um... Sometimes he used to call me Morty Shorty, because, despite all my talents, because of my grandmother's blood, I turned out shortest one from all my comrades... " Spirit bid, now that Svarik mentioned he knew Riversong who was probably his, although casual, higher up, not feeling fear to conceal his real name. " He has to remember me. You know the saying, vultures always follow Death, heh? I am a part of the Vultures, the Death's first formed and most elite unit of Demon Hunters!  I am one of most faithful knights in Death's army. " he proclaimed proudly, though he seemed to be suddenly a little nervous, as he knew his chances to contact Riversong depend on a short lived human who may never see him again. " I am Mordecai, The Vulture King! He... has to remember me... If you tell him of me, he'll surely come. Just please, make sure he doesn't tell Death. " he added most gravely, with great passing and devotion. " This disease is disease of flesh, and I doubt Death can do anything... I... I don't want to risk to infect my Sun and Stars, my splendid Spirit King, with lowly foul disease I caught up with dishonor. Just tell Riversong. "

[Mirach]

That request created a problem for Svarik, if he wanted to tell Death that the tea is from Mordekai. "I'm not sure when I'll meet Riversong, though," he said. "What if I meet Death sooner?"

[VisAnastasis]

Spirit bit his lip with conflicting emotions - desire to find someone who can help him heal, and desire, just as strong, to not endanger the Ruler he deeply ideolized. He slowly looked down, and he smiled a little, with more polite expression already.
" If mighty Death is your friend as well... Then... I bid you to forget you had met me, little one. Could you perhaps do that for me? "he asked tamely and amiably. " Death is a good king. Death is a ruler kind and just beyond measure. He loves all Spirits dearly - if he knew I was suffering, he would risk his own well being for me. " he shook his head, with a little smile. " Only tell Riversong, please. If you meet Death, speak him no word from me, and do not weight my predicament upon his shoulders - he already has to carry the weight of the whole world.... I will continue searching for the cure on my own then, like I have in all this time. "

[Mirach]

Svarik sighed heavily, seeing there is no other way but tell the truth, but seeing also how the spirit revered Death, he felt that it is safe to speak about his weakness. "If you love Death that much and desire to keep him safe, you might want me to tell him," he said quietly. "The truth is that the first Being I met here weren't you, but a demon named Willow. And Death is not well. He lost a layer of his soul during the Winter solstice. Willow gave me a tea that may help him, but I had to promise him to not tell Death that the tea is from him, since he wouldn't take it. I asked to meet with a spirit from whom such a tea could be... By lending your name to it, you can help Death, but I'll need to tell him about you. And if you are skilled with herbs, I would ask you to check the tea first, as well. Willow's desire to help Death seemed genuine to me, but still I would like to make sure. It's here..." he put the jars with tea on the ground and retreated some distance.

[VisAnastasis]

Many expressions lingered shortly upon Mordecai's face - surprise, displeasure, note of anger at concealing of the truth -  but after anger passed with clenching and release of fists, there came some acceptance, as lot about Svarik's coming made more sense now. He however also looked genuinely ashamed and defeated in that moment, as if he was caught in doing something lowly and dirty.

" You lied to me... But I am not without sin as well... " he murmured absently, looking away in a distance. " For I have met a demon that I can not kill. I... require his... Cooperation. " he cleared his throat, knowing he can not make working together with enemy sound any better. " When those foul demons outnumbered me.. They hurt me... Terribly. They cut of all my limbs in pieces and threw them in here. My soul was cut in parts, and I was on verge of losing myself as bits of me started to slip away... But Willow was then led to me, and he stitched me up and.. damn.... nurtured me to health. My soul would had crumbled, had he not. He saved my life... But he had given me... This terrible human illness. " he looked at his hands grimly and powerlessly, and he knew his skin looked rather clear, but Svarik could feel that beneath the surface, the illness was festering on same way as in Willow. " I was stuck with him here, able to fly away, but not able to go anywhere without infecting everything around me, and I could not do that. The plague bursting in his Veins mutated, and that mutation passed onto me, and it's too deadly, for anything we touch... I am stuck here, because he had touched me with his hands stained with decay, and infected me and my Familiar. I can not leave, because his fingertips left mark on me. "

[Mirach]

"But he saved you... And Riversong may be able to cure you. I lied to you because I didn't want to reveal Death's weakness until I saw that you are loyal to him. It's alright that you didn't kill Willow. I saw that not all demons are bad. There are still some who are not corrupted, and can be very nice, when one gets to know them. Even Death spared one such demon, even let him be reborn as a demon... I believe he will not be angry with you. Suspicious of Willow and his motives, maybe. That's why I need your help with giving him the tea... I will concince him to wait for Riversong before coming for you, so he doesn't get sick. That would be really bad for him right now, he will surely understand that..."

[VisAnastasis]

Mordecai seemed torn, frowning. King must had kept going a little far with his talk - as at times Spirit ended up dealt with so violently and thrown here, the war must had been still in its zenith, and there was no question of picking out what demon is good or bad, because you can to kill, or wait for demons either to kill you or your loved ones. It was a time White Eagle remembered so keenly, and judging by the stern look, it was time remembered even more keenly by Mordecai, who must had lost many dear friends at hands as cruel as ones Svarik knew.

" Let's just say... That I believe you that Death is ill... And that that is enough for me, alright? " he whispered quietly. " What he may chose to do with me... It's irrelevant. If he is alive and well to do it, that's all that matters. I would rather not live in this world to serve his glorious purposes, than live in the world where he is a Monster twisted by his pain, not a God. I don't have to look at that tea. I know it well enough, and I can smell all the ingredients from here. Willow used it to help me when I fell here. The fool always sneaks around, leaving me a jars of it, so my soul torn in many pieces can grow better. With taking it regularly, I am able to take form as clear as you can see now - in first days, I was as much disfigured as Willow, and there were scars on my joins, face, arms, thighs, everywhere. At first, I couldn't even change my form, now, my power to do it is still limited, but thanks to the tea and this place, I can. " he looked down at a jar, and didn't raise his look, as if he had avoided to meet gaze with Svarik from the shame of it. " The recepie for the tea.... It's something most astonishing I have ever seen. Only a mad person would come up with it, put all those strange things together... But it works surprisingly well. " he admitted. " The formula is getting upgraded with time, though. He... We are working on it. Neither of us wants to stay plagued. We are both doing our own researches, and communicate by writing.... When he brings new jar of tea for me, he writes me his questions and observations on the labels... when I bring him back the empty jar, on the labels I reply to his questions, ask mine, write my own observations, and so on.... And then back again with new jar. We managed to better it a little... With some special herbs only I can conjure up. " he sighed with some grief. " So I guess adding my name to it.... Wouldn't be that straightforward lie... "

[Mirach]

Seeing what Mordecai thinks about demons despite knowing Willow, Svarik did not press the topic any further. "So is it alright if I tell him that?" he asked to be certain. "I will also give your message to Riversong as soon as I can."

(Happy birthday, dear! Do you have some plans for a celebration? If not, you could come for a visit. I must say ahead I don't have a present for you, as there was no time for it, but we could spend some time together, at least.)

[VisAnastasis]

" I was stuck here for a long while, so I may have raised my hopes too high when I met someone who knows Riversong. But if Death is ill, yes, this is way much more important than me. " he whispered quietly with some strain and a little sadly, as, despite his obvious deep loyalty to Death, living here and being so patiently and kindly treated as important by both Willow and San must had got him used to feel a touch more valuable and important, than someone who has to wait for more convenient time to be rescued, after already waiting for so horribly long. " Tell them when you feel is best that I need help, but to help Death get better, tell them whatever you need to - put my name under anything you think would help, little human.... " he smiled sadly. " And I will stand behind it, for better or worse of myself. As long as you can guarantee me it's for Death's interest, I am okay with that. "

( OOC: I am not much of a person for big celebrations outside of home ( I had an early birthday cake while I was still in Montenegro and that was quite enough of excitement for me hehe :D ) It's a pretty ordinary day, and I'm glad that it's sunny, and it's rather nice here at the dormitory, as it's good atmosphere and people are great, so I don't really feel need to go out and organize  a party of something :) But it would be nice to hang out for a little while. We still have lot to do, we haven't jet finished the ticket thing, and are still choosing subjects and everything, but I could come for a little while today, if you're free as well. There's really no pressure, though, as it's really not a big deal that it's my birthday, and we can have plenty of time to hang out until July - I know you said you originally planned us to meet in two weeks or so since my arrival, and that your mom was visiting, so I'd rather prefer to hang out when I'm sure you're more free :)

[Mirach]

"Thank you. I will not let you wait for longer than is necessary to not endanger Death or Riverong. A lot happened in the world and to the two of them, but it would be best if they tell you themselves what you missed, when you meet them again," Svarik said, wanting to assure the spirit that they will come for him as soon as it does not carry a danger to them.

(OOC: My mother left yesterday, but it may be better if you come to visit sometimes during the week (now Lalo here, and I would rather save such visit to cheer me up when I'm alone at home :)). Do you already have a timetable for the semester?)

[VisAnastasis]

" You are very kind, little human. I am glad you chose to be honest with me, albeit, in the end. It is a virtue I appreciate. "Mordecai smiled a little, and he let his familiar fly away and rest  somewhere else, not feeling threatened by Svarik anymore, so not needing animal's support. " Is there anything else you wish to know, little one, or was the little ruse to get to know supposed maker of the tea all you desired to conjure up? " he smiled a little more amiably at him, as he seemed to be warmed up with king's promise and honesty, despite his initial distance. " Is there at least perhaps some knowledge or information that I could exchange with you to learn your name? Because I would gladly do so, if you're already so soon to  leave. "


( OOC: I'll come sometimes later during the week, when you're alone would be better, then :)
It's really a sunny day, so it may be the best that I see it for more sight seeing, anyway, if I can convince someone from the dorm to join me :D I may hopefully go outside with Alexander later and take some pictures :)
And we still don't have timetables - actually, we all are right now in the process of choosing subjects, as there are, like, so many options, and we need to check with all professors and get their signatures to confirm there's enough space, and at Thursday, we have a meeting with Benčik, one of the professors we already met that's going to be our teacher, so we're not going to know for sure when all classes are until sometimes during next week :)

[Mirach]

"My winged friend is waiting for me, so I fear I can't stay much longer.  My name is Svarik, if you wish to know. I have been told to be careful with names, but I don't think that's really a true name, is it? We humans just give names that we like to our children, and most of us spend the whole life without knowing their true name. I don't think it's an equal exchange to learning a spirit's name, and we even find polite to introduce ourselves with name when meeting someone new. I just try to remind myself to not do that before spirits, to not make them feel obliged to give their name in return. Is that right? I actually never got to ask what's a polite way of introduction with spirits..."

[VisAnastasis]

" The custom may have changed, but this is how it was in my time, little Svarik - not only true names, but even nicknames, given names, and every other, are something you should conceal well. More somebody calls you with certain name, more than name marks you and more power that name holds over you. Nothing can harm you as much as someone that can learn your true name and use it, though. When someone knows your true name, he can have complete power over you and your soul. " Spirit explained patiently, as he sow Svarik has not enough knowledge of the matter to deal with his supposedly many Spirit friends on proper way. " However, not everyone can learn and speak true names. Mordecai is not my true name - it is just closest translation of my true name on Spirit language. Like Nameless is closest translation for Death's true name, like Solstice is closest translation of the true name of Spirit of the Sun. We give names in such manner that they are as close to our true name as possible. But just like your human name Svarik, those are all given names - and to speak a real true name, you first have to have talent to sense it when looking upon someone, and then you have to have a Singing talent, so you can say it. Speaking out loud and using anyone's True name is a great taboo, and is forbidden by the Spirit Law. " Mordecai whispered. " However, not only true names, but somebody knowing a given name of yours, can also give him some powers over you. You exchanged given name with me - you told me your given name, Svarik, and I told you my given name, Mordecai. Remember this well - do not ever repeat this, with someone you can not trust, little one. " he smiled softly. " When you meet someone new - never tell him a given name, nickname, or anything close to true name. With each new meeting, come up with brand new, false name, and use it only once, and Spirit will do the same. Telling somebody your given name is something that should be done only after a while, as a sign of trust, when you start to become closer friend with Spirit in question. It is supposed to be something special and solemn, to give someone a power over you, with trust they won't harm you. That is proper etiquette, little Svarik. Make sure to heed it, and protect your name better than today - for I desired to exchange it with some knowledge or blessing that could benefit you, not just take it from you for free."

[Mirach]

"You have already given me yours, so it felt wrong to me to ask something for it," Svarik said. "Besides this knowledge. You can consider this my request. I do have a few spirit friends, but met most of them in other than formal circumstances. But it seems that knowing a few brings knowing more. It was a spirit friend who told me about this place and led me to meeting you... So I would like to know how to introduce myself properly. If the names you give when meeting someone are both false and you know it, is it still polite to give some? Or is it acceptable to not give any? What is a proper greeting then?"

[VisAnastasis]

" For start, no handshakes. Humans like those, but Spirits more like a wave and a nod from a distance - unless it's a matter of life and death, you should not touch someone without permission, or before you start becoming closer friends. Touch is special to us, because when you touch a Spirit, you touch a material manifestation of their soul. It's something that should first be allowed by a person, not something you should in any way initiate with stranger. So, no handshakes, only a wave, and a nod of a head. " Mordecai explained gently and patiently, showing a more simple and gentle part of his character, one that seemed pleased to teach and advise. " Next - it's proper to give a fake name. If you give no name, if you  refuse to give one, it's very impolite and considered a threat - for that's a sign that you are unfriendly and do not believe stranger you met is worthy of getting to know you. Giving a fake name is a gesture that is meant to represent good will, and a promise of giving someone a chance to slowly work up from a false name to knowing your true name with time. Say the fake name you have chosen, and bow deeply, so much that you can touch the ground with your fingertips - for it is a sign that name you are saying is indeed false, but deep bow is meant to represent reassurance that, even thought you don't believe someone enough to tell him your real name, you trust him that he won't harm you. " he then bowed deeply and softly to meadow king, to demonstrate the gesture, with smile that was a touch playful. " That is, little human, how it's done. "

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Svarik said. "Please don't consider my improper greeting an offence. Now I will know better."

[VisAnastasis]

" To be honest, I was on alert quite a bit at a start, since you offered me no name to call you by at all, and it seemed strange, since you seemed to be more knowledgeable about Spirits than you cared to admit but always evaded questions. Plus, you thought through well how to conceal yourself as a common human traveler - but even if I ignored your eyes and your aura, there's like, a huge masterly made flute made from unicorn horn on your back, so... " creature chuckled a little more heartily, covering his face with a hand a little shyly in its amusement. " I figured you must have some dishonest intentions. But now that we talked more openly, I understand your reasons for secrecy, and I will know better. "

[Mirach]

"I'm really not a good liar..." Svarik shook his head. "I'm really glad I only met friendly Beings so far... I really must go now, though. My friends are waiting. Goodbye Mordekai, until we meet again..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You are nice... At least you seem nice after you have stopped your awkward attempts of lies. " Mordecai grinned a little good naturedly, and he bowed lightly to king as he bid him goodbye. " If your words as a messanger to Death indeed lead to my healing while you are still in life, I am going to seek for you, and give you my blessing in thanks. "

[Mirach]

"I do hope I will get to see you healed and free. Goodbye," Svarik waved, and then turned on the path to return in the direction he came from, wishing to join with his friends.

[VisAnastasis]

It didn't take long on the path, before San has opened up new wave for him, gently leaving him back to the dessert, where Willow and Erdel waited with the animals. Xia squealed with relief when seeing him, and she run into his embrace, nestling with him and cuddling, licking his face and smelling him, as if to make sure he's alright.

[Mirach]

Svarik embraced her reassuringly, enjoying the warmth after the surroundings that Mordekai preferred and that felt rather cold to him. "Now I know what to tell Death," he said, "so we may continue our journey."

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, so, he cooperated? I am pleased. I feared he may sense a Yokai scent on you after all, and refuse to talk with you. " Willow smiled more brightly, seeming relieved that all went well. " I bid you goodbye then. I am, alas, at grief that I can only give you warm wishes, little once. " his smile turned a little sad and apologetic. " I would have given you more, had I been at health and power, but since I can not bless you properly, warm wishes will have to do, I fear. "

( OOC: Me and Alexander went on a walk today around the city center, so I sent couple photos on facebook. Mom told me to send her a photo of me from everywhere around the city, so I had to comply, so it's basically just me being all over the place XD