Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

They were left alone in the room, with but two servants that put lot of exotic local fruits and refreshment before them.
The room was beautiful, and beautifully lit - but they were not left to linger idly in it for long. It could almost be felt, by a subtle change in the air, an ever nearing presence, that a figure slowly and elegantly approached their room, breezing through the corridors with ease, like water. It was unmistakable, knowing Conrad's taste, that this indeed was a person they were looking for - the Sage, man of proud stance, clothed colorfully and adorned tastefully with many trinkets and beautiful seas shells.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/76/a2/a8/76a2a83414670425352c8a63e6ecbff1.jpg

[Mirach]

Svarik turned towards the man when he entered. "Good evening," he bowed his head. "We are travelers seeking your hospitality. "

[VisAnastasis]

" Weary travelers are always welcome in my home. I never turn down hungry and needy. " the mysterious man spoke, with thick accent from southern isles, but voice of rich vibrancy, solemn, captivating, and pleasant to listen to. " But you are not just common travelers, if I may.. " he mused with little cunning smile on corner of his lips. " You're Falcon's friends, and that is a whole different thing. I welcome you with utmost joy to my city. " he beamed, giving them a light nod of a head, which seemed to be a sign of respect.

( OOC: We've been to Devin castle today, it was very lovely! Oxford didn't have much from Prachet so I got another fairy tale book from there, but I've just returned from bookshop in Aupark, and found Hogfather by Terry Prachet there, so I'm super happy! :D

[Mirach]

"Thank you, it is an honour to get to know you. I am Nightingale," Svarik introduced himself, using the name both as a sign of belonging to Falcon's organisation and also in case his real name is already known as the name if the new king. 

[VisAnastasis]

" It is as long name as it's lovely. Falcon gave it to you, I presume? He is very good at name giving, from my experience. " The Sage smiled. " With such name and such unicorn horn flute of good crafting, I presume you must be have high aspirations in music, do I guess it right, Little Nightingale? "

[Mirach]

"Indeed, that is no secret, and if your household agrees, I would really like to play for it. Falcon recommended you as a host, but didn't tell us anything more, so we were rather curious. Are you actually a ruler of this city?" Svarik asked, wondering if the Sage's position is more official or rather underground like Conrad's. 

[VisAnastasis]

" A ruler? Oh, my, that is interesting theory indeed! But, I fear, no - it would have been boring to have to indulge in every audience in the city. It would be such a waist of my time and skills. " stranger bemused. " No - to this city, I came not as the highest of the highest, ruler clothed in silver and gold - but as a slave, little Nightingale. I solely managed to free myself, and to earn myself a humble living here, if I may say so. This is where I started - at this hill. It used to be the city's poorest quarters, but little by little, I've bought of all the houses and employed all the people in my service - and now, this whole part of the city is under my employment, and it is becoming the most prosperous as all. " he smiled little cunningly. " Not even the mayor of our city, my dear wife Nia, can't deny the services I'm done for her city are plenty. I've got to apologize for taking this time to meet you, but I just returned from my daily visit to her and my children that live in palace Aethyr, the highest palace on the highest hill. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, not surprised by the answer. "I expected that you wouldn't rule it directy. I wanted to be sure..."

[VisAnastasis]

" My wife rules the city, along with my children. I fear I have little say in it. I am but a humble man of humble skills. " stranger smiled bemusedly, with warmth of his smile covering the vagueness of his reply. " But, please  - do not bid me to speak with thee while you are still weary from the road - you have not eaten yet, and it would be a grave insult to most kind and fearless Falcon to leave you lingering like this. Would you like me to bid my servants to bring us meal here? And is there any specific food that would delight your hearts that I could try to provide? "

[Mirach]

"We have never been to this part of the land, so we would like to taste its food just like its sights, if it's possible," Svarik smiled. "The choice I will leave to your cooks. We came unnanounced at a late hour, so we will be content with what they have ready. But you will have to excuse my companion, he will not join us as his religion requires him to eat in privacy and say certain prayers above the food in this time of year."

[VisAnastasis]

" Is that so? May I presume your companion is the one the letter informed me of as Erdel? " he turned to the demon and observed him from head to toe intently, before he smiled. " In that case, it would be impolite from me to demand he ate before me just because I enjoy his company. Still, not as impolite as letting you linger with our talk on empty stomach, young soldier. You will certainly stay for the night, won't you two? Erdel, I can give you room and food you like so you can eat now, and join us once your hunger is quenched. I couldn't ask for any less. "
" I am used to eating little, so starving I am now. Besides, I... Shouldn't leave my companion. I am his guardian. " Erdel stumbled, it not being a part for him to leave Svarik alone with the man they just met, no matter how pleasant.
" There, there - there is no palace on this side of the sea safer than mine, I assure you, my guest Erdel. " Sage grinned pleasantly, as if oblivious to Erdel's suspicion. " Your friend and I shall be dining as well in meantime, and I am sure we will get by just fine - there's no need to rush with the prayers to your God. We take pride in this city to respect all religions, no matter how different from ours they may be. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded slightly. "It's alright. Falcon would not recommend a host in whose house there would he danger for us. You can go and eat if you are hungry, but stay if you would prefer company now and dinner later, if you don't mind watching us eat," he said to Erdel kindly, providing him with a reason to stay.

[VisAnastasis]

" I would rather stay here, if that's okay. Our journey was long, and I am not hungry for food, but distraction and company. " vampire replied, and he seemed relieved when Sage nodded back.
" Alright, there's no reason to linger idly, then, when that's arranged. " he said, and with a couple elegant light steps, he made his way closer to them, and sat down on the opposite side of a table set for them. " Let's see what my kitchen can delight you and your lovely little animals with! " he proclaimed, and called servant, whispering to him couple brief instructions.

Soon enough, their meal was ready - couple of cooks came and brought forth many treats that filled the air with their delightful scent. There were so many things, from various rare sea fishes, to seashell meat, as well as lot of local special dishes scented with seaweed and other herbs. He also brought a little cute porcelain plate with strawberries, insects and soft cooked meat fit for little Yiska, and a little plate full of delicious fish and meat for little Sunshine. Xia, though, he just observed from head to toe, and smiled - he said he can see she's curious about all the new strange food around her, and that she can pick up anything from the table she desires to eat.

[Mirach]

"No wonder, I'm curious as well," Svarik said. But first he took a safer choice - a fish - to sate his hunger before experimenting with some stranger foods. He offered a piece of the fish to Xia as well, feeding her from his hand to keep the appearance of a dog. Then he asked about the other meals, and about how they are supposed to be eaten, if it wasn't apparent, and tried a bit of each of them. 

[VisAnastasis]

Xia was surprised to have to be fed out of hand, unused to eat like that too often, but she welcomed it none the less, enjoying all the numerous treats. The Sage seemed kind hearted and patient as they ate, explaining all they desired to know of the food. He as well started offering Xia food, and as his voice was so reassuring through their meal and his aura seemed to be pleasant to her, it didn't pass long before little fox demon was all over his lap.
Now that he had come closer, they could see him better under the light, and they could see his eyes were dark, but not black - they were very deep blue, and were sparkling as he laughed, and just like his whole aura, they had a deep sparkling imprint of the ocean that surrounded them, powerful and clear, easy to be drawn to and admire.

Man seemed of simple interest, and he seemed content as he shared meals with them, laughing and caressing little Xia lightly with respect, not commenting, as if not noticing, how she was eating far more than any normal dog would be able to, not having measure humans or animals would have to tell them it's been enough. He raised his eyebrows with some delight, but did not comment either, when out of the blue, while he was caressing her, Xia suddenly started to purr.

[Mirach]

Svarik tensed with it a bit, but did not try to explain to not get tangled in some lie. As long as their host didn't comment on it, he just behaved as if it didn't happen. He complimented the cooks on the food, although he found some of the tastes a bit too strange, interesting to taste but not like something he would want to have for a meal if it could be avoided.

[VisAnastasis]

Once Xia has successfully managed to eat up all the food that Svarik couldn't finish without realizing she should stop to keep appearances - only then The Sage seemed pleased and willing to let them talk with him  further.
" I believe your hunger has been quenched now, but you are free to correct me if I'm wrong. " he mused, while gently fondling Xia behind an ear on way she seemed to like. " You can ask for anything, and you shall be served, if it's in my power. Now, is there anything you'd desire to inquire about with me, kind little Nightingale? I could tell you many good places to visit, interesting sights, good shops... I can humbly say I have some rusted up knowledge in many areas this wonderful countryside we share has to offer. "

[Mirach]

"That would be most useful to us," Svarik nodded. "We would like to spend a few days at the sea, see the interesting places, buy some souvenirs for friends... We do not have any more specific plan though, so we would be glad for recommendations."

[VisAnastasis]

" Then I'd be delighted to give you some. " Man nodded to them, and he proceeded to give them advises about cities around the cost that were interesting, some good sightseeing spots, and he also mentioned there're two very good instrument shops in the city twenty miles away from them, that is bigger than this one and has many gift shops. " 4th City is younger, but it's much bigger, and it's usual spot travelers marvel around - our city is more influential in politics, I would say, but it's smaller, and since my wife leads it, it's gotten quite more quiet than 4th city is. "

[Mirach]

"Are all the cities built on cliffs like this one?" Svarik asked. "It looks very pretty..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Not all of them - but the tides here are influenced in lot by mana of various otherworldly creatures of the ocean, little Nightingale, not common laws of physics. " The Sage explained patiently, while caressing Xia. " It makes sense for lot of our cities to be built on higher places - for if tides grow too high unexpectedly, floods would be too frequent, and cuties would have to be rebuilt often. Water even here sometimes goes almost beyond the level of our city Walls at night. Sometimes level of water even fluctuates often during duration of but one same night - that's why duty of a gate keeper is very important, as they have to keep their eyes ever watchful at the water and everything that lingers beneath it. But you're right... "he kept the same gentle patient smile. " Having a city on the cliff certainly makes for a wondrous sight. "

[Mirach]

Svarik leaned forth as he was listening with interest. "Could you tell us more about the sea? We saw it for the first time today... What otherwordly creatures live there? You seem to know a lot about it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, of course, I was born in the Southern isles, after all - I come from a long line of Ancient Chefs there. We have vast knowledge about the ocean. It is in our blood, after all. " The Sage explained, sipping some jasmine tea servants brought them for leisure. " I fear there are too many things living in dept of this beautiful water to be learned in one evening. But I'm sure you noticed already its aura and scent. It is made of tears of a primordial Demoness, that wept and wept for so long till she filled it all with her tears. It is filled with lingering of long faded emotions, and all this is in my domain - I am  no lord of your land, little Nightingale, but the lord of the Sea. " he smiled a little as if trying to appear harmless and sweet, though magnitude of his words were damning. " I guess I could say that I carry a little bit of my ancestor's talents - for in my bloodline, mixed are bloods of many critters and Beings of the sea, you see. Ask your questions of my beloved domain, and I will try to answer them to them best of my ability. "

[Mirach]

Svarik could understand the connection that the man had to the sea, as it seemed similar to his own connection to the land. "The music," he said immediately. "The music of the sea is so much different from anything I have ever heard. It sounds dangerous and captivating... What does it come from?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, sea is dangerous in its own rights - it is always moving, never rests, never stops. Constant motion and waves can feel quite threatening for an outsider, I imagine. It's so very easy to drown, if you are out of luck. But it's not just that, of course. " man explained patiently. " As I said - primordial sea is much older than even what lot consider material life itself. Demon that cried out the sea was of mysterious kind, too old for legends to even anymore know anything of her, rather than that she was as old as the Earth itself, and that she used to tear of parts of her body and soul to create children for herself - for it was a time without life, and she was terribly lonely, alone in the world. But she was immortal, and her children were not, and old world was a dangerous place of ash and smoke and deathly heat and poisonous air  - and once last of them died, her grief was so great that she cried out the whole ocean. Its waters, filled with enormous power of her pain, was such a great soil for life to grow - and not only what later would become our human life, but also  early forms of many Spirits and Demons that live today, that used to be much more gray and surreal than you may know them as well. " Sage grew quiet, before he added kindly.
 " World had changed greatly, and those feelings from the dark waters faded - but you can not quite erase what once was, you see? Nobody knows how many of those primordial first creatures still live there, undisturbed by our modern society, since those feelings they were feeding on faded so much... But I believe what you feel, is still a distant lost echo of those feelings she wept under - of heartache, mixed with loneliness and anger of having been left alone in the world, but still a softness and elegance of once gentle mind. That is at least, how I see it, little Nightingale. I feel me and ocean get along much better, since I've grown to acknowledge that what is now long gone. "