Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

As he grew to accept it and managed to calm himself a little, he could find a little more peace and solace in surroundings again. Water managed to slip just a bit deeper into soil with his acceptance, and sky cleared out a little as he grew calmer again. It was strange but nice experience, to be able to so clearly see a physical reflection of how different ways of thinking and feeling were affecting his essence. This world was strange, but more time he spent there, more familiar it became to him and more experienced he was in understanding and feeling around of how it worked.

[Mirach]

Seeing the effects it had on the land, Svarik started exploring some other thoughts that would seem selfish to him before, like playing for himself instead of reading with Xia one evening.

[VisAnastasis]

As he explored those thoughts, he could slowly feel the longing and desire for such things forming in his mind. He could in some way compare it with desire for water, though it was still faint and shy need - need to do more to help himself. He connected such acts of self care with selfishness, but his soul longed for them, since deep down he knew only hand that could reach him deeply right now without it feeling threatening was hand of his own - any other touch, like Sage's, he found violating, fear of it being yet deeply engraved within him and something he needed more exploring to overcome.
The sun seemed to shine brighter and sky seemed bluer, as Svarik found himself shyly looking forward to a possible chance to play for his soul, and be able to tend for it in ways he was to ashamed to let other gifted listeners around among his friends him do.

[Mirach]

It was hard for Svarik to imagine playing for himself instead of others, but a bit easier once he understood that he doesn't have to stop playing for others, or put himself first before othets who need it - that it was enough if he threats himself equally with them.

[VisAnastasis]

The notion of being equally worthy as his friends seemed to be a big, healthy step forward, and he found more confidence in it, once the acceptance of it sank down a bit. More accepting and good he felt about himself, less firm and scary the barriers separating him from the waters appeared, and it was a long heavy way down, but meadow king felt like he was slowly getting on the good path to it, step by step at a time.

[Mirach]

Svarik also felt somehow lighter with that, freed from some lead that he was carrying for all the time. Despite the land being still rather desolate, he was able to find some beauty and pleasure in wandering it.

[VisAnastasis]

There was self contained peace in that wondering, as while exploring this new place, he was also exploring twists and curls of his own soul, and growing more familiar with its shape after the ordeal he's been through.

It was much easier to perceive it now that he has started feeling more at home here, and after the rain has distracted him from dryness and malnourished of the place. With time, he could even distinguish something new. He had noticed that one half of the soil - of him - felt much older, and other half much newer. He recognized that as a feeling that something forceful at Long Night tore out half of the ground, and that later on the gap was filled with new half of soul Riversong made for him - new part of soul. He could almost somewhere deep inside feel what Sage had commented on - imprints of fingertips of Spirit Death, that had held his soul in his hands firmly that day and then healed New and Old part of it together with his immense power.

It was a seamless scar, fit for Greatest Healer of them all, and only Svarik could notice that there was still something within him that did not quite deal with that big intrusive change - for sealing in a whole strain part of soul was much like what to Sage was having a demon heart implanted where his old heart once was. There was still some dissonance between the old part, that has suffered so deeply, and the new part, upon which that old suffering has been forced on, despite it was fresh soul, without even knowing pain before it was called into Existence, and not knowing how it deal with it.

It was a part of the soul that was gifted to him from Riversong, initially pure and untouched by anything evil of the world, now touched by experiences of the half of the old soul it was sewn into. What that new part of soul was in this world, Svarik understood, was all the new healthy soil he had spent all this time trying to seperate, mixed in with torn and hurt one, fighting to breathe in it. He was still the old Svarik, but to understand what he was now, meant he had to understand and accept himself as a fusion of both something old, and something new. It didn't come easy, but to accept himself, he needed to accept what had happened and how it had changed him, so he could learn to see both new and old parts of his soul as his own, not something strain forced within him.

[Mirach]

Svarik was slowly getting to understand his hurts and he knew that was needed when he shall tend to those hurts. He knew best to do that with music, and so he rather used the sioence now to explore them and understand them better.

[VisAnastasis]

More and more he understood of himself, that knowledge was more and more freeing. It was uncomfortable even for himself, to bare and reminisce of all of those pains, but if in anything, he had faith that his own hands would not hurt him - and so, his soul timidly bent to his will and mental efforts. More and deeper he understood of himself, king could feel it was building up more reassurance and confidence within him, as more he understood of it, better he knew to compose a song for himself - and making healing music, that already was his comfort zone.
With each passing moment, a song he knew he needed to hear was growing stronger and louder in his ears, slowly being build layer upon layers based on injuries of his soul that he stripped bare and exposed before himself in his exploring of his essence. With each passing moment, he felt both trembles of fear of his soul to be touched by its permeating light, and longing of his essence to be touched by it none the less, the need growing more fierce and urgent as he understood that need was long overdue.

[Mirach]

Once he firmly decided to make the song, it was easier to observe the patterns of his soul and gather what he needed for it, and he as he dedicated himself to the task, he spent the rest of the time with it, with occasional pauses to relax by tending to the land.

[VisAnastasis]

The rest of the night has passes in that, that to him here, where time was passing much slower, felt unusually long time to be on his own and feel safe at his own terms, specially since here he was nourished physically and felt no need for food or sleep. He mostly could measure the time by the fact that by this point the mud had settled down, and the land, while still moist, had already started to have more familiar shape king had seen when he came here.

Something interrupted his exploring at one point, though. Nothing else changed visibly, but he could feel somebody was watching him - he did not know where or at at what place, but there was a new presence, subtly noticeable in the air, not a human, but a demonic one, and overwhelmingly strong at that.
It seemed by acknowledging itself on this way, but not showing up to meet him, just silently observing him, this new force on some strange twisted way perceived it as polite gesture, allowing him chance to compose and get ready for its visit. It on that way acknowledged to him that it was there, and waited to be addressed first.

[Mirach]

Svarik felt unconfortable with someone else's presence here, feeling it like an intrusion after he got familiar with the land and understood how it reflects his soul. He subconsciously tried to withdraw from the Heart so that they wouldn't meet in his soul but on some more neutral ground.

[VisAnastasis]

He felt that presence was observing his moves and how they reflected upon the environment around them. It was silent for a while, watching his internal struggle.

"  I come in peace and you greet me like that? " it at last noted, not showing up. King could not see it yet or notice where the voice was coming from, but it was very deep and it had a rich sounding echo, similar to one that could be experienced when speaking within some vibrant cave. " You are a very peculiar rude little man, I give you that. You can not just leave this place on your own once you enter it, were you told that or were you not? Your struggle has no point. You are stuck here. "

[Mirach]

Svarik got alarmed with that. "Is the Sage alright?" he asked. "He said he will come... If you are the friend he spoke of, I'm glad to meet you, but I would prefer to meet you somewhere else, if you have some control over this place. This lnd is not quite ready for visitors..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... Well, if I am unwelcome, it seems it can't be helped. I shan't meet you, then. " the voice just cut the conversation short simply - seeming offended by that straightforward denial of hospitality, but not in particular mood to argue or be rude to him. " It is morning. My friend is sleeping still. " it replied to his question. " He had a long day, and heavy night. He told me to wake him with first rays of sunrise, but I am not particularly fond of pretending to be an alarm clock, to be honest. " he explained idly. " I just pulled heavy curtains over his windows when sun lit the horizon so he would continue dreaming, and came here in his stead. "

[Mirach]

Svarik felt uncomfortable both with the perceived intrusion upon his soul, and for being considered rude for not welcoming it, and he couldn't find the will to try to appease the demon, having spent it all during the night. "That's nice from you to your friend," he said. But then he relized he would not feel much more comfortable with the Sage after he felt his touch here. He did not feel comfortable with anyone being there right now, and the longer the visitor stayed, the more discomfort he felt. 

[VisAnastasis]

" I am very nice. More than it's healthy for me, probably, but still, can't help it. " voice replied melodically, and though he couldn't see it, Svarik could swear that creature shrugged. " It can not be helped. I see you are busy, and it's boring here, anyway, I don't want to stay for long. " it found excuses. " I only came because I am nice. Close your eyes, human. I require from you to do it and to extend your hand in the air, so I can hand you something. "

[Mirach]

Svarik did not argue with that and did as he was told.

[VisAnastasis]

He could feel presence just lightly brush around his hands, as it handed him something... When he opened his eyes again, he could see that it was his faithful unicorn flute. Sage instructed him to not bring it here, and leave it with Erdel and Xia, in their bag, so he would not be tempted to try play for himself, only listen and let silence help him... But the demon clearly had more lenient idea that his friend, and so he brought king flute from the outside of the Sea Heart, so he could play for himself here, that song he had desired to hear to help himself.

It looked same here as on the outside world, it was just glowing very faintly along decorated carvings, perhaps under influence of all the surrounding magic of the Heart... There was something a little attention grabbing, though, something the creature seemed embarrassed about. On one place where it must had been holding the flute, there was an imprint of blood, and smoke still rising around it, as if something was burning in contact with it. Svarik could remember how Riversong told him when he made flute for him as well as unicorn sword, how horn of a unicorn repels demonic forces, and how it burns and hurts demonic creatures that are touched by it. Sage's friend must had been a little moody over cold welcome, since in his mind, fact he brought the flute  to him was a very polite thing from him to do, specially since its touch was burning him in turn.

[Mirach]

Svarik grasped the flute in his hand firmly. "You really didn't have to do that. Thank you..." he said quietly and a bit tiredly. "I wasn't ready for a visitor, but you are welcome. Can you show yourself, please?"

[VisAnastasis]

There was no reply for a moment.
" It was just an after thought, in sincerity. I was told Sage gave you rain to help. I came for I wanted to offer you rain too. I thought you are probably growing thirsty again by now. But it is fine if you do not feel in mood for it. " Voice replied hesitantly, not seeming ready to show himself as he seemed to feel Svarik's offer is one of politeness, not really wanting to see him right now. " I brought your flute because your friends sugested it. Your friend was cute, and sweet. He bid me to bring you your flute. I thought about it, and deemed him right. Do not tell Sage it was me... He may scold me. "

[Mirach]

"He would know it was you as nobody else can get here... but I will hide it from him, so he doesn't know I have it. But you are right, I feel l need it more than rain now... I would like to give you something too, if you show yourself."

[VisAnastasis]

Creature hesitated. IN the end, curiosity seemed to win. It seemed to be thinking through its forms, lingering through them, trying to pick out some that it thought would not frighten Svarik.

At last, timidly, it appeared before him, glistening in his dark clothes with sparkly glowing touched and details. He was at a safe distance from meadow king tactfully hiding his face behind a mask, and hands behind his back as he waited to see how king would react to him.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/0e/ac/fb/0eacfb0a2d8347f2af3ff2fc328ba93d.jpg

[Mirach]

Svarik bowed his head slightly. "Hello. Thank you for showing yourself. I'm Nightingale. Would you mind showing me your hand? I do not need these anymore..." he said, unwrapping the cloth that the Sage used to bind his hands.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature hesitated. Taking something that was not part of its form would restrict him from transforming, but he doubted Svarik would have such ill intentions, and besides, Sage did need to have those pieces of cloak back, anyway.
Slowly, it nodded back to Svarik, acknowledging his greeting and offer.
" You can call me... Tide. " he offered him a fake name in return, since he assumed Nightingale was fake name as well, and doing same was, as Mordecai has explained to king, considered most polite response. He  let Svarik see his palm. Unicorn's horn really seemed harmful for demons to touch and hold. At place where he was holding the magical flute, there was a bloody imprint, and area of his palm was black and charred, as pure presence of flute had seared itself into his flesh just like White's waters would seer into a soul.