Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" Liron, Ciel, Zephir - they all helped me in search for the feathers. Ciel told me to bid you to eat well and stay warm, and Liron told you to relax, but try to not be barefoot as often as you would like. " Vampire smiled a little shyly as he explained. " I also shorty met others when on errands.. Mole, Owl, Melody... All wished you wel, sir. Mole said he will make you a super sweet song when you get back, and Melody said it is super important for you to know that she loves you to the sky and back. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled with that. "They are so thoughtful... We should save a full day for buying presents for them. But it's hard to buy souvenirs without getting to know the place, so I think we could go straigth to the sea today."

[VisAnastasis]

" I would like that, if you are willing and not tired, sir. " Vampire voiced his opinion timidly. " I am not sure if I could had kept up with such tempo if we didn't have a brake in that strange underground world - but after that, I feel much better. It doesn't feel like a strain to breathe anymore. I'd very much like to go. " he grinned a little shyly as he added then, as if hesitantly trying to continue testing the boundaries of things he can say. " Everyone had build up the sea for me quite a bit, I hope I won't be disappointed by seeing it for the first time. But I think that, if I may say, I will enjoy seeing it with you none the less, my king... "

[Mirach]

"Indeed, what if we come there and see it is not as amazing as we imagined from all the wonderful descriptions? That would be a bit of a disappointment, but we would survive that. Let us see with our own eyes then. But if somewhere on the way it gets hard to breathe again, don't hesitate to tell me so we can make a break. I shall be angry if you keep silent about something like that. You heard Willow, it's dangerous if you strain yourself too much. It may be necessary sometimes, but it's not so now."

[VisAnastasis]

" I talked with Willow while you were away... I asked him about his illness... He told me how he had taken of on himself the plague of many thousands, in couple of the cities that he loved living in in the past, where people loved him dearly. He told me how he thought he could heal in non time, as he always used to take on illnesses and hurts of people around him, but that he overestimated himself and got corrupted. When he needed help most, humans just shunned him and chased him away so they wouldn't grow ill again... " vampire shook his head quietly. " I don't want to get corrupted. I will try not to impose, but I will tell you if I don't feel well, sir Svarik, I give you my honest word. I want to live a human life... I don't know much about my limits,  but I'd very much prefer to not be shunned from society for trying to hard. I couldn't live alone like that, like Willow. "

[Mirach]

"The spirit I met there, Mordekai, has the same illness. He got it from Willow when he was hurt and the demon saved his life... He used to be Death's lieutenant and Riversong's friend. They may be able to heal him. Maybe if just Bell comes, and not Death, he would be willing to help Willow as well..." Svarik thought aloud.  

[VisAnastasis]

" But if Spirits that usually are immune to all of human illnesses can only through touch get infected with this specific one, and get so unwell it twists their essence, will only Bell be enough to heal it? He and Death seemed to had been most powerful combination when they're together. " Erdel tied in hesitantly with unpleasant possibility. " Maybe you should keep quiet about Willow's existence to Bell for now as well... And only later, if it turns out Ben can heal that Mordecai on his own, you can bid him privately to see if he can do something for Willow as well. But if it turns out Death's help will be needed... " soldier shook his head grimly. " I really don't know what to tell you, sir. I don't know Death well enough to predict his reaction, if he found out... But if he'd wish Willow's demise, I doubt even San would be able to stop him when he's at his angriest, and after he grows stronger as Bell builds new layer for his soul. Even if the tea makes Death better, I honestly don't know what he'd think or do if he found out a demon, not a Spirit, was a main initiator of making and sending it... "

[Mirach]

"Willow said they know each other. As a healer, he used to be Death's apprentice. I honestly have no idea how Death would react if he found out. It would be best to only tell Bell first, and see if he can heal Mordekai alone, but I fear that's not possible. I need to tell Death about Mordekai if I don't want to tell him that the tea is from Willow. But can one actually lie to Death? And how? I'm a bit scared to try..." Svarik admitted. "Knowing all the things he shouldn't find out, I would rather avoid talking to him, or even coming close to him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" *You* are afraid of talking to him? " vampire raised his eyebrows, and he couldn't help smile a little with some amusement. " Sire, you are like... Bell's favorite person. I am quite certain you could give Death a slap, not a cure, without real consequences. If it were me, yeah, I'd probably be turned to fine ashes or so, as he'd only see a treacherous demon in me... But you, sir? Not only Bell, but Nameless has such a soft spot for you, and Death had started to grow rather fond of the lovely lord recently - quite sure that for their both's sake he wouldn't obliterate you for just trying to lie. " demon seemed to, timidly and little awkwardly, try to cheer king up. " I doubt you'd be able to avoid him no more than me - both of us are always at mansion, sir, and you both, I deem, will likely stay close beside Bell while he is a flower... But I think you really do have quite less things to worry about that me, sir, really... If any mortal right now is untouchable, besides lord Nameless, I'd put you high on the list... "

[Mirach]

Svarik shook his head. "You don't understand, I'm not afraid for myself. But I fear even knowing about Cernunnos and Willow is enough for him to find out if I talk to him. Maybe he can't read thoughts, but I would say his senses make it pretty close to it. I don't know if it's possible for a human to successfully lie to him..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You really like to repeat that *you* shouldn't do it, and that no *human* should try it... Is there specific reason? " Erdel asked slowly with a dawning realization, as dread seemed to creep into his expression. " Sir, are you implying... That a demon would have better odds? That you think I should speak with him instead? "

[Mirach]

"No, of course not," Svarik shook his head. "I don't think that would be any better... But we first do need to find an answer to the question if it's actually possible to lie to Death... for either a human, or a spirit, and what capabilites are needed for it. And if someone has to do that, then I think it should be someone who thinks he is telling the truth... and to whom we can lie. So it really can't be you. Nameless, maybe... You went as far as not telling Falcon to not reveal Cernunnos, so it would be a poor choice from me if I somehow revealed it to Death unknowingly while speaking to him. It's better if someone who does not know talks to him..."

[VisAnastasis]

"Hmm.. That actually sounds like a better plan... " Vampire breathed out with relief, glad he won't be ordered to face Death, knowing Spirit's bad blood with demons. " Lord Nameless is taking care of him, actually... He couldn't help me in search for feathers, because he was decisive to stay beside Death and look after him all the time, instead of doing anything else. Falcon said he only goes outside of their tent when he is to make or bring meal or beverages for them, and always stays to make sure there are no fevers, pains, or such. He doesn't let him strain himself and plays for him a lot. I imagine, Nameless would be the one who would be making Death tea every day, so to him, we would have to bring tea first, and tell him everything, that is, tell him the lie we have to prepare. " Erdel concluded slowly. " I think... That I would not mind lying to Nameless, for our cause. Maybe I don't feel safest with Death, but luckily for him, I have no personal vendetta against him, so I think I can take on a little lying in order to help him have a chance to get better with this tea. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, satisfied with that plan much better than with the thought of speaking to Death directly. "Alright, that's one worry less on my mind... Let's go to the sea, yes?"

[VisAnastasis]

" If you've ate, let's do so. " Demon nodded eagerly, seeming relieved with their plan as well, as he really hoped it could keep Cernunnos and Willow safe. He stood up, and after Xia cuddled with Svarik and picked his face to tell him she's ready as well, they flew up into the sky, toward south.

[Mirach]

It was still rather far, and the flight took several hours. Tge sun was already setting when they saw the sea in the distance with the shore and water stretching all the way to the horizon.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel was curious about the sea, often looking forward, trying to see it in the distance better, with a little bit of honest excitement he was as well pleasantly surprised to feel. He often looked backed at Svarik, as often as he could as they were nearing, as if hoping to read and see his reaction, and if he's taking the trip well.

[Mirach]

Svarik was also looking forward with a mix of curiosity and excitement. As they neared, he looked for a place to land where they wouldn't be visible from any coastal city or village, where lights already started to shine in the windows.

[VisAnastasis]

There was a high cliff a little to the west, too steep for making a village or settlement upon it, and it seemed uninhabited - and from it, there seemed to be a good view upon the sea. When Xia noticed it, she howled curiously, leaning head toward it, trying to glance up at king as she flew - she could already guess by king's manner when he was searching for a landing place, and she probably hoped this one should be safe from threats as she couldn't sense any people living there.

[Mirach]

Svarik patted her on the back to show her that he agrees, and he led her to land not on the cliff, but on a narrow sandy beach below it so that they could get close to the sea.

[VisAnastasis]

Xis was a little disappointed, as she would have felt safer on high ground, far from any critters than could sneak up on them and attack them, something she still had learned to fear. Hesitancy fast dissolved, though, once she felt sand beneath her feet, that reminded her on the happy time they had in the desert in underworld. She squealed, feeling with it less anxious of the new strange environment, and as soon as Svarik took of the bag with animals and cargo from her back, she elegantly and swiftly during few steps switched to the form of a common fox in which wings wouldn't be in a way of exploring, and she run toward the water, delighted by the strange noise of the waves, woofing back at king, inviting him to follow.

[Mirach]

Svarik came to her more slowly, as he was listening to the song of the waves and it fascinated him with its beauty that he has never heard before. He joined Xia where the waves were licking the sand, and when one of the waves came, he put his finger into it and then licked it. "It's really salty!" he exclaimed with wonder.

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel was high up above them - he had landed on the cliff at first, to have a chance to observe the sight from the distance with his heightened senses that could take in as much of the beauty of the place as it could. His eyes sparkled with it, and as king tried out the salty water and made a comment, he grinned and jumped into the air freely. He made couple of powerful air jumps following air current, before, from great height and not far from the shore, he leaped into the water. Either he overestimated his strength, or it was a deliberate choice, but there was such a force and brute power in that energetic dive, that after passing through layer of water, he buried himself couple tens of meters into the sand below it - and he created such a big wave that it splashed generously both Xia ans Svarik who were not suspecting the little humorous ruse.

[Mirach]

Svarik cried out with surprise as he was slpashed with the cold water. When he got it out of his eyes, he waded into the waves up to his knees in an attempt to go after Erdel and get some revenge - he did not think as far as how to do it, since the demon was already wet - but he changed his mind quickly, as both the water and air were too cold for that. 

[VisAnastasis]

As Erdel was beneath the soil level, there was some commotion at place where he fell, before he dug himself out of the water, covered and muddied with layer of debris. He remained in the water up to his shoulders, and blinked away to look at Svarik, chuckling slightly and innocently, like a little kid that got away without consequence -all while coughing out sand that he swallowed from the sea floor.