Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, indeed, sire... It would make you look bad. I do not desire that. What if maybe... We say I'm fasting? For religious purposes? " vampire suggested slowly. " I am paler than the most, so it would certainly not be preposterous to say I am in some kind of fast. This city and it's culture is far enough from the City of Heroes, so it can be considered a valid culture difference. Beside, the religion of the Bull is particularly strong in the capital... " a shadow passed over his face shortly, as he did not like to bring up Bull or think about him, but eating was something he would feel even worse about doing. " I could say I am from some obscure sect of mercenaries and bodyguards that worship Bull as their protector... That I believe if I fast on some specific days, that Bull will make me stronger or give strength food would give me to my current employer or something. That I took secret vow with high priest to do so to honor our God. Saying such sorts of extremist things usually leads to people not asking many additional questions. I could do that if you want me to, sire. "

[Mirach]

"I wish we could find some better explanation, but if we don't until we arrive there, we can use it," Svarik said slowly. 

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't mind, sire. I'd rather have me look a fool before a stranger, that have you appear like a bad employer. I am in lot a fool, I fear, but you are in no way a bad person. " vampire smiled faintly, putting up a brave face - he looked a little vulnerable and frail, having to pretend to have anything with the Bull after all that happened with General, but he was okay to lie to a stranger if it will reassure their host and make their holiday more of relaxation and less of escaping before a demon hunt if somebody ill found out the truth about him and Xia.

[Mirach]

"There are still a few improvements we can make to the story, though," Svarik suggested. "You don't need to mention Bull, unless asked. Just say your God demands it. I doubt this Sage woule be a Bull priest, knowing Falcon, but in case we meet one and try to sell that story, you can expect a lot of questions. This way, if asked, you can name a god that the host does not know much about, be it Bull, or maybe White. He has been worshipped as god once... And second, do not say you can't eat. Just say you need to eat in private, after saying some prayers above the food. So the host will feel better than leaving a guest hungry, and also Xia will have her portion. Since she will be posing as a dog, she will only get dog food, and that would be a bit unjust to her, don't you think?"

[VisAnastasis]

" That's right. " Critter smiled, seeming relieved a little. " That way I can say I worship some other God... And I can give my food to Xia. " He smiled a little shyly, and caressed the Fox that woofed at him affectionately, putting with his touch.

[Mirach]

"Good," Svarik smiled, relieved that they settled the thing that he worried about for some time. "And about you not sleeping or being tired, I do hope we will have a bit of privacy for the night, but if not, can't you pretend? Not for the whole night, you can say you only need a few hours of sleep. There are such people, Falcon for example..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, if he knows Falcon, then it shouldn't be that big thing for him to buy into our story of little sleep required, as long as we can explain to Xia that she has to pretend to sleep too. I think it shouldn't be hard, if we make it some sort of game. " Vampire agreed, fondling the playful critter kindly. " So, shall we go now, sire? You are still not quite dry, I think we should not delay it much longer, or you'll really get yourself sick... " he added innocently with a blush.

[Mirach]

"Yes, let's go now," Svarik nodded. He took Sunshine and Yiska, and climbed on Xia's back with them safely in their bag.

[VisAnastasis]

They went up in the sky, and as night was nearing, they were flying beside the cost, both nearing their destination, and enjoying the beautiful sound and sight of the ocean.
They flew over couple of smaller fishing villages along the way, and while there seemed to have been no inns in them, there'd probably not be a person who'd deny hospitality to weary traveler - but soon, the sight that stretched before them made them realize how it was worth to fly a little further to reach this host.
For before them, soon enough, they sow a splendid sight, of a beautiful coastal city - it was all build tightly, upon one soothingly green cliff, and it had beautiful palaces, old buildings and splendid architecture -  all packed in with lot of green grass, plants and trees that grew on the island across whole year, as winters in this particular point at sea seemed to be less harsh than on the north:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/5d/c4/ea/5dc4ea0d817df29ff66f0368e3bf4467.jpg

[Mirach]

"What a nice city!" Svarik said admiringly. "Do we have any instructions about finding our Sage in it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Do you see that part of the city on the hill that is on the farthest left, one separated from the rest with a bridge? Whole that little island is circled on map, sire. Maybe if we ask someone, they should be able to tell us, or perhaps there would be a sign above if he has a shop or something. We should inquire. In any case, there's that place a bit farther from the bottom of that particular hill where we should land so nobody sees us flying. Sire. "

[Mirach]

"Alright, I hope they don't lock the gates for the night or something..." Svarik said, and directed Xia there. 

[VisAnastasis]

" We'll see. " Erdel nodded, and he followed meadow king close to the place they landed to, and then he took their backpacks and things from Xia, so he could carry them. After fox demon understood what they want from her, she transformed into her form of a fluffy golden puppy, and she followed them around, wagging her tail.
Once they reached city gates, they indeed were closed, but there were two guards on the watch. They inquired about their purpose, and it seemed it was not custom for them to just let poor people sleep outside of the city and end up freezing - with couple of questions to assure they are not ill intentioned, and after asking of them to hand in their weapons and leave any of those sharp objects in their office during their stay in the city and take them on the way out, they let them go in.

( OOC: Just returned from a last class this week! :D
Today I finally have a schedule for all my classes - I have 1 main graphic design studio, and 3 other courses, and it's great relief :)

Study of Visual language ( Monday )
Studio 303 ( Tuesday and Thursday )
Slovak art and guided tours ( Wednesday, but may vary a bit )
Creation of Photobook ( Thursday 13:30 )

I will also have to work on one more project at home, my final Bachelor work, but it's a relief to finally know what all things I'll be having this semester after all the running around and talking with professors about where places are open and where not, so I'm overjoyed now :D

[Mirach]

Svarik only had one knife, relying on Erdel for protection. He gave it to the guards, and asked them: "Please, could you tell us where can we find the Sage?"

(Great, so now you know when you have time :))

[VisAnastasis]

While Erdel was hanging over the knife he was gifted from Zephir, the free guard looked at king, with a bit of concern.
" You are rather close - just go the the highest point of this hill, and you'll find his palace. " he said slowly, but he seemed to be measuring them a little suspiciously, as The Sage seemed to be quite famous around, and keeper of gate must have been concerned what strangers from the north would want from him. " It's quite late, so if you don't get an audience with him, do not fret - little to the left, you can find a place to stay over night. "

( OOC: I have no obligations tomorrow, or over these Saturday and Sunday, so when you're most free, I can come when it works best for you ;)

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Svarik nodded. "It's a bit late indeed, so we will see. Have a nice evening..."

(OOC: tomorrow would be best for me, you can come for lunch if you want, my sister will cook something simple for us)

[VisAnastasis]

" May you find rest on your journey, weary traveler. " guard greeted him back with a more traditional phrase.
They let them go in then, and a vampire, a human king carrying a kitten and a fox, and a little playful dog slowly made their way up the hill. On top of it, concealed behind a very high wall, there was a palace, looking rather old and imposing, but somehow warm and welcoming. Despite walls were high, the gates were widely opening into a large exotic garden with all kinds of obscure strange plants - and there was some nice warm smell coming from aside of the yard to the left, as inside of the dwellings of this Sage, there seemed to be a public kitchen and shelter the guard told Svarik about.

( OOC: I'd enjoy most to see you soon, so tomorrow is best for me too <333
Could you just please give me advice what buses I should take to come to there, and at what hour I should be there? I got a 3 month ticket, so I can go anywhere now by them, and I am slowly figuring out the system :) And should I bring Finwe for some photos? :)

[Mirach]

"If the gate is open, what should we knock on?" Svarik mused, peeking inside to see if anyone is there. 

(Take bus 83 from Zochova to Romanova, it's just 10 min. Call me when you are there (they are repairing the facade, so you will see a house with scaffolding). Come around 11 if you want to join us for lunch, and take Finwe please, so he can be there when Finrod is reborn :)

[VisAnastasis]

" I assumed the palace? There seemed to be two guards on the big door, straight through the garden. " Erdel chuckled a little, as if it was obvious, as he could see the door and people through the distance quite well through the dark. " The garden is bigger than Falcon's, but not that big that we'd get lost in it, sire  - 30 meters from here, and we'll be ready to knock. And if he lived somewhere aside, at least we will be able to ask the keepers. "

( OOC: I can come for lunch, or I can eat here and come there afterwards, whichever is more convenient for you, it's really okay with me ;) How often does the buss 83 come by? If I am at to come at 11, if I am at the bus stop at 10:30, do you think 83 bus will be frequent enough for me to be able to catch it to come on time? I have a slovak number now, so I'll send you a message from it once I reach Romanova any way ;)
And, awww, Finrod is getting reborn tomorrow? That will be super fun, I can't wait to see Finrod 2.0! It'll be great to reunite them, I'll bring my camera as well, so I can take a photo or two as well, if it's okay  <3333

[Mirach]

"Let's go and knock or ask, then," Svarik said, but let Erdel go in first as he already learnt from Merit and his guards that he should do that.

(It depends on time of day, I think by then it should go every 15 min. Check the site about public transport I sent you, there is an exact timetable)

[VisAnastasis]

Vampire seemed pleased to go first, both so he could be one asking questions, and to shield Svarik with his body if needed.
When they reached guards on the massive, decorated doors, they were first friendily directed to the kitchens from a side where they could warm and have a meal - to guards, well dressed and mannered, wet worn people must had looked more as travelers seeking shelter, not guests.
When Erdel explained the purpose of their coming, they became more alert, and asked for the letter of recommendation they spoke of. They inspected it first, and then one of them, called Saol, nodded, as if recognizing something similar. He went inside to carry letter to their master so he could confirm the authenticity, and the other guard kindly invited the people to come inside. His name was Martin, and as he led them inside, he explained it will take a little to check validity of the letter and if it's poisonous or dangerous, and he apologized for it.

" We must protect our Sage, you understand. It takes just bit of time, but you should be busy enough not to notice it. Come here, dear guests, you look like you could use a helping hand. I can lead you to a place where you can take a hot bath and wash out all salty water of yourselves, and then I'll lead you to a common room - where you will be served some of the fruits from our gracious gardens as you await reply from my master. "

( OOC: If I managed to find it and adult well (  ٩(⁎❛ᴗ❛⁎)۶ ) , there should be buses every 15 minutes by that time, so if I come to bus stop around 10:35, the stats say that by 10:42 latest 83rd should stop at Zochova. I am a little nervous, but I think I adulted well and figured it out this time, so I hopefully will get it right
ヾ(＠⌒▽⌒＠)ﾉ
http://imhd.sk/ba/schedule-timetable/linka/83/smer/Petrzalka-Technopol/zastavka/Zochova/419430912038

Btw, speaking about adulting and being nervous, I was in a bit of a pickle about choosing gift for the baby - whenever I buy present for kids in my home, beautiful fairy tale books are a must for me, but since language barrier, I couldn't buy a fairy tale in Montenegrin this time, so it was a bit of a panic thing for me, to figure out what would be a little sign of attention appropriate for such wonderful occasion. I know everybody buys clothes and such, but I didn't want to burden you with some clothes Linda would overgrow in few months, and I didn't know what else you'd need.... so instead I bought a fluffy toy... That should probably be bought for child that already is old enough to play with it. But it was very cute, so I was, like, better a cute toy for her to play with when she is older, than something bland now just for the sake of the norm. I adored having lot of toys when I was a kid ( and I still do XD ), so I thought, why not buy that. Hopefully, I made the right choice, anyway, just warning you so you wouldn't burst out laughing when I bring it tomorrow :D

[Mirach]

"That is veru appreciated, thank you," Svarik nodded. "A familiar organization of this place, isn't it?" he then asked Erdel quietly, wondering if the Sage's household resembles Conrad's in more things.

(Don't worry about buses nor presents, dear :) You don't have to come exactly at 11, I'm home all the time so whenever you get there is fine. And she doesn't play with toys yet, but I'm sure she will appreciate it when she is older:))

[VisAnastasis]

" A bit... " vampire acknowledged briefly as they followed the guard, so they wouldn't look suspicious. " I can hear many hundreds voices around, and I doubt some family would be that numerous or loving of one another to have all of the members living in one building... Seems like a little army in here, is what I'm saying. There were quite a bit of concealed soldiers hidden in the garden too. "

( OOC: Yeah, I guess catching right bus for getting to classes in morning made me a bit time wary, hehe.. XD I guess I could try to see if I can manage to catch that one at 10:46, but if it skips me somehow, I'll send you a message not to worry, is that alright?
I will also bring laptop, to show you some recent works if you feel like it, though there are not nearly as many of them as I'd love to make - I'd hopefully fix that in the future if Gods are in my favor and I finally get around to being on dA a little :))))

[Mirach]

"Interesting," Svarik murmured, and didn't speak more until they reached the bathroom. 

(Alright!)

[VisAnastasis]

This palace seemed a lot older from the mansion, and it was marvel to walk across its halls - for everywhere, there were beautiful numerous decorations of seashells,  pearls, jewelry, and there were rich sculptures and gorgeous paintings everywhere - while Falcon's mansion had an expensive look but more open free space, this one was packed in such luxury that every king would, literally, fawn over having it. Even if there would be nothing else sinister about it, it would be no wonder there are as many hidden and concealed soldiers and guards just casually living around. They even met couple - they all seemed like strange people of mixed nations, skin colors and professions.
Bathrooms here were at bottom floor, and they were as well, quite luxurious. Guard opened one door for Svarik, and told him he can take as much time as he feels like it, as it will take some time for their master to check the letter, anyway.
http://www.oversea1st.com/Photo/Picture_80ofnhyt.jpg

He also showed the Erdel bathroom next door, so he could bath in meantime as well.
"I'll keep your animals safe and keep a watch by your doors while you relax. " Martin said simply, giving them all needed privacy, but apparently, having no problem, or more likely, being encouraged by his lord to make sure anyone who enters is not given that much freedom to sneak around until their friendliness is proven, which was quite likely policy Falcon had in his home as well.