Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

It wasn't first time The Sage brought to them someone knowledgeable from the Lands in this sort of bubble, it seemed. They knew the process. One of the critters, that appeared ambiguous, but perhaps a little bit more powerful than most of his fellows, came protectively forth, while others hid behind him. King could see two bright eyes watching at him, and nothing more - and then, a little later, a hand overgrown with fins, passed through the air bubble, and fetched an orange from the pile, before it retrieved itself in water again.
It smelled it, turning it in its hands attentively, as if trying to figure out something beyond mortal otherworldly scent, more of feelings behind the king's offering gesture, than the fruit itself. Then, it slowly bit into it and started to eat it, all together with flesh.

[Mirach]

Svarik caressed Xia to reassure her while he watched to see uf hus gift will be accepted. 

[VisAnastasis]

The little creature finished an orange, and then it lingered for a moment, as if judging its safety and intentions behind it being offered, the feelings behind motivations of others seeming to be important part of those people's culture. Then he wavered lightly, and turned back to king, nodding with some respect and curiosity. Same little demonic hands reached forth again, and took the basket king offered to it solemnly, seeming to accept his offering.
Despite they were still concealed, king could see how the creature started carrying the plentiful fruit basket around the group of Beings. By moves of basket and slight glistening of fins and scales of the critters, it seemed that kind little demon was making sure that each of his friends got one nice ripe fruit, so nobody was left out. As king brought lot of fruit, five pineapples and three oranges were left from it in the end.

After short whistling, that was probably a conversation but sounded like a soft underwater song, they seemed to come to an agreement, and the little leader demon that was carrying the basket swam to the Sea Deity, caressed it gently and with respect in its sleep, and with devotion placed on one heap the rest of the fruit, so their deity could have a part of the offering, too, when it wakes up.

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded to that, and seeing they did everything they came for, he waited for the Sage to join them again.

[VisAnastasis]

There was a short little chatter between the Low Beings and The Sage, the sort of whistling, soft murmur. They seemed to be talking about their visitors.
Soon after, as they came to an agreement, Sage came to the bubble again, but only for a moment, only his head and neck visible, the rest still surrounded by the water.
" They would like to know if you'll still be here tomorrow morning at sunrise. " he just bid shortly. " What should I tell them? "

[Mirach]

"If by here you mean this city, then yes, we will certainly stay that long," Svarik replied.

[VisAnastasis]

" Good. " Sage acknowledged, and then he retrieved back to sea, and passed onto Svarik's reply. After brief exchange and nods of respect, Sage at last went back to the bubble, leaving magical world of Beings behind, gesturing to Erdel to return him his garments, and taking on his crown and cloak.
" You peeked their interest. They like you too, I think. Kind one for a Land Critter, they said. " he passed onto their message to king. " They will have lot to discuss of you during this day and night, to sort things through, and discuss their impressions. Sea critters don't like to rush, you see. They want to keep the basket for now - they said one of them will return it to you in the morning, when first rays of sun shines upon the land. "

[Mirach]

"Should I come to the ocean then?" Svarik asked. "But they can keep the basket if they like it."

[VisAnastasis]

" It's not how things work around here. For whatever is given, something of equal value must be returned in exchange. They'll spend the night deliberating on what is equal to what you gave them. Basket is a container of fruit you've given, not gift itself, in their eyes, and they know it's due to be returned. Their world is an aftermath of war, a complex place and has many insider rules. We have to learn rules of their culture, not argue with them. I am but pleased they accepted you as equal. Hopefully, the good word of you will spread faster in the area that way. " Sage noted. " One of them will come to return the basket in the morning: he'll come to shallow waters, beside the lowest Gate of the City, at sunrise, and await. You can wait for him then, or I can pick up the basket and bring it to you myself, little one: whichever is more convenient for you. "

[Mirach]

"Alright then. Could you tell them that I would like some nice seashells? They should be quite common for them, but my friends home would like them a lot..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Seashells? I think that could be arranged. " Sage smiled a little, and he made a gesture toward the waves, similar to some kind of alternate sign language. Critters nodded back at him.
" Information has been passed on. We are done here. I hope you are not offended by my friends concealing before you as well as they could, sire - I advised them it would be best, since less you can remember of their looks, the better chances they've got to blend in and hide in danger of prosecution and purge. If you desire, I can lead you for a walk somewhere else, anywhere in sea you like, or you can go now where your heart delights to go - I aim to please, letting you do what you like is least I can do for this kind service you have done to me. "

[Mirach]

"I would really like to explore the sea bottom a bit more, when having the chance. But can we make a pause for a lunch? I'm always hungry after a long song..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Wouldn't  we lose lot of time to walk back and forth just for lunch, sire? You gave your best, you deserve a fun rest of the day, at least, and not to have to walk back to city hungry and be back on square one. " Erdel was one who bid him thinly, trying to steady his voice and take initiative. " Give me some money and send me and Xia to the city, sire. She can fly fast, we'll be there and back before you know it. She can fly me to it, and I can pick you and bring you whatever you'd like from the market and food shops... You can just continue exploring with The Sage and have some fun while we're away.. "

[Mirach]

"But I wanted to show Xia that food is not just a hobby..." Svarik said first, but then he thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright then, we can do that at dinner. Here's the money," he gave several coin to Erdel, much more than was needed for food. "You don't eat, so if you see something you like, buy it instead," he said. "And I'm sure Xia will pick something tasty for both of us. How about you?" he turned to the Sage. "I hope you will give me the pleasure of inviting you for a meal in turn. Would you like something particular?"

[VisAnastasis]

" A nice picnic underwater, with nice people - how could I ever refuse? " man grinned and waved away with his hand theatrically. " I'd be honored to share meal with you. I ask for one condition, though - I do not impose such limits on the others in my home or city, but I eat not anything from the sea from principle. I'm friends with half of those critters, it wouldn't seem right to me. So, no sea fishes, no seaweed, no seashell meat, no crabs, no octopuses or such. Things from land like pork, chicken, fruit - that's alright already. It's my only condition. "

[Mirach]

"Erdel will get something from the land for you," Svarik nodded. 

[VisAnastasis]

That seemed enough for the Sage. He seemed more trusting in that regard than Conrad, or better said, perhaps, more confident in himself to sense any lingers of any poison than underground lord. He just smiled pleasantly, as he awaited demons to leave.
Xia was hesitant to leave Svarik, not liking it now just like she never before did, but when explained they'll be gone just for a moment to take food, she nodded shyly, and she and Erdel just left the bubble, quickly getting lost through the water, having quite more speed when travelling on their own and not having to take it slower to a speed more comfortable to Svarik.  

[Mirach]

"We should stay here until they get back so they can find us," Svarik said. "I hope they do, I wouldn't be able to find this spot from above..."

[VisAnastasis]

" They will, though. They have an affection for you. I quite doubt they would have much trouble even tracking you in different layers, not just on this plain material one. Strong emotions give critters driven by them quite an edge. " man smiled softly, looking above them where demons have left the sea in order to fly faster to the city. " I think it'd be safe for us to get on a bit of a walk peacefully. Unless you'd like to stay here, of course, and maybe pat the sea Deity if you'd be inclined? " he asked him innocently, grinning as he pointed at the massive sleeping creature. " It is a dear old cotton ball, and has a very smooth skin. " he said alluringly, as if tempting him.

[Mirach]

"Is it alright?" Svarik asked to make sure. "Can I touch it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" You touched its soul. Pretty sure just touching skin is a downgrade. " man noted with a grin. " You're right to notice demon or spirit alike shouldn't be touched without permission. It would be plain rude. But this is Sea Deity. Sea personified, one could say, as Death is personification of his force. You're already all over it, actually. " he pointed at the moist sand king was standing on on the ocean floor. " A little caress won't harm it. It rather likes fondling, in fact. Something about it feeling the way sand feels when wavees caress it, I heard. Yes, you can touch it. "

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded slightly, and approached the Deity together with the Sage. He caressed it gently, but with respect .

[VisAnastasis]

As Svarik couldn't breathe underwater, only option was for him to be touching it by pushing his hand though the air bubble. His hand was telling him that water is cold, but his mind just couldn't seem to comprehend it or have a reaction to it - there was an aura around the creature amiable and warm, that seemed to make usual rules of thermodynamics a little bit less real and relevant. It was a little bit like touching a marshmallow, as it was elastic and bouncy, but it was also a little bit like being able to caress the gleam on the surface of the water, if such a thing could be done. It was a hypnotizing feeling, and it was no wonder Sage liked it as well, as it was rather nice and easy thing to get lost in. The transparent skin was glowing and glimmering lightly under his touch, and from this up close, Svarik could see lot of little glows were actually tiny little rainbow fishes, swimming on the inside of the transparent body, glistening as if indeed reflecting the beauty of the ocean.

[Mirach]

Svarik marveled at it, caressing the creature with both hands now, trying to find out what feels pleasant to it.

[VisAnastasis]

It was sleeping, or as close as someone with soul of a demon could sleep - even getting to that state of being able to fall asleep must had meant its soul was hurt quite badly when it needed so much rest. Because of this, its reaction wasn't as strong as it would have been if it was awake, but soon Svarik could find a pattern to what creature was fond of. It seemed physical touch was just a mediator, because through it, the feelings of the caresser could seep into the critter, feeding it with their positiveness, like any demon would thrive on positive feelings around it. To feed on emotions, that seemed to be what demons have somewhat evolved along to, and moves didn't really matter as much as respect and gentleness Svarik was demonstrating through them to an old creature. It sighed quietly in its sleep, relaxing a little more, and by slight tingling in his hands, king could judge when he was doing it right, as warm breeze of creature's gratefulness was flowing through king's hands, in form of light trembling wave of white soothing magic similar to White's, making him feel warm somewhere deep inside.