Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" You are a fine lad, and you did only come for a few days. I wouldn't mind you bothering me for your pleasure. " Sage grinned. " True, I will be more busy later to make up for this sudden holiday I took, but please, by all means, do not hesitate to take advantage of the fact I know my Sea and can get you anywhere you want to go around it. That potion is special. You should save it for occasions when I am not around, and you may need it more. "
" Yes, my Sun. " Melody smiled softly at him, seeming pleased to see him content over something. " If it works not only on salty, but our water back home too, you should save it for later. We have so many amazing rivers and lakes back home, and underwater caverns with all kinds of weird funny life and minerals, and we also have White's waters. " little girl beamed. " Just imagine the possibilities! "
" It can get quite useful, yes, ability to straight up not drown. It adapts your eyes to better see through the water, too, while its effects last." Hans agreed playfully. " And if you want, you can share it with friends. By my experience, it's always more fun to explore impossible to reach places with someone, than on your own. "

[Mirach]

"You are right, that sounds like fun," Svarik smiled. "But the ability to not drown seems to be limited on times when you expect it and take the potion. Knowing to swims is a better prevention, I guess..."

[VisAnastasis]

" It certainly is. Do you know to swim then... or not? " Hans asked with a bit of raised eyebrows, as by Svarik's words, it wasn't quite clear to him. " I mean, it's pretty easy for you humans, you have little to no mana and magic to make your bodies denser, so you can float really easily. But I can give you some classes, if you'd like. Is anyone up for a dive in the sea, by chance? " he asked curiously. " Or any other form of hanging out whatsoever. I cleared out all my obligations in the Organisation this morning, and may be having a first full free day in a century, so I am up for whatever. "

[Mirach]

"Oh... I'm sorry, there already is something else I want to do today..." Svarik said, glancing at Melody. "I only wanted to take a short walk before that, I don't feel up to anything else just yet... If you still can move your free day, it would be nice tomorrow... And I can swim, if there is not too strong current. I grew up by a lake. But I have heard that it's easier to swim in the sea for some reason? It was too cold to try when we came to it, though..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, salt water makes swimming much easier. But, no I fear I can't reschedule. But I'll see if I can take couple hours off tomorrow to hang out, then. It's not everyday that we get Falcon's best friend sent around. " Hans replied fondly - it seemed that, while being king was all cool and all, they mostly sow Svarik through lenses of being chosen as someone of whom Conrad approved of, and being just that - Conrad's friend worthy of all help and comfort. " Well, since I have free day scheduled down already. and I wouldn't want to get it wasted... Would you mind if I borrowed your cute fox friend for today for companionship?  " he asked curiously, observing little fluffy dog in Svarik's lap.
" She's fun to be around, and I could meet her with many nice people in my Organisation. She loves learning, so I would like to brush her up on her imperfect knowledge of sign language, too, one she uses now is very basic one, without much nuance. Would that be alright? " he asked, and behind a meaningful wink, king could see something else - as if mute nod of acknowledgement, a brief sparkle of intelligence piercing through the, on first glance, laid back serene attitude.

It was quite apparent that if anything, peculiar Spirit had a sharp mind he loved using, and it wasn't hard for him to, despite not told prior to this, conclude the meaning behind Svarik's ancestress's arrival, and offered to babysit little Xia for them so she would not be in the way of what will be a trying and private healing experience. He was bright and charming, a combination well fit for a leader in his own right. By the type of gaze he gave to king, soft and compassionate, but perceptive, it was clear he desired to help in his own way, by looking after a demon that would otherwise only hinder the healing song in its worry for meadow king.

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded thankfully. "I think she would enjoy that, but I don't know if she will be willing to part from me. She just started to learn human language, to understand spoken words and be able to reply in sign language. But if Tide can explain what you want to do and that I will be fine in their own language, I think you could convince her. Maybe Erdel could go with you too."

[VisAnastasis]

"  Yes, I met your other friend last night. I really liked that goofy demon that does not know how to properly *demon*. He's adorable, but alas, adorable ones are never single. " Hans grinned. " I sent him out on one errant at sea, actually, with one of my more skilled low level demon underlings. It's bad when demon does not know to demon, I thought. Bad for staying alive in this world of Spirits in particular. Your friend is demon if very high level, but his ability to use his powers are practically jokingly null. This should get him a bit more experience so he can feel a little less inadequate. He should return to you by the evening to report to you. You are welcome. "

[Mirach]

"I appreciate it," Svarik nodded. "And... don't tell him I said it, but his family disowned him, including his wife. And she is mortal anyways... Give it a century or two, and maybe... It seems to me that his family won't be persuaded, so I would be glad if he would find someone who would appreciate him as he is. But he remains faithful to his wife still, so no word about it while she lives..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... Maybe it's good fate then, or maybe Falcon was feeling particularly curious what will turn of it, if he sent you to us. " Hans thought out loud with some interest, seeming particularly occupied with playing with some peculiar ideas in his mind. " But, no, you got me wrong, I think - I did not mean it's pity he's single for me. I am a Spirit, he's a Demon... Intimacy between two kins can get quite painful, and I am all about intimacy, but a pleasant one, if you know what I mean - it wouldn't work out between me and him. " he commented little naughtily, before adding with more innocent delight. " But he seems like a rather loyal brave little fellow, and Falcon did write lot of peculiar fine things of him in his letter to us. I was considering setting him up on a blind date with Tide, actually. Maybe not now, but in a century or two, I hope I may be able to pull out something from it. Falcon said he has high plans for him in Organisation, and if lad proves himself trustworthy, then we'll all cooperate closely, which will only go nicely with my plans. "

[Mirach]

"I meant Tide as well," Svarik said straightforwardly. "From what you said, he is the one who has trouble finding a date, not you... But you said that Erdel is a higher demon. What does that mean? What is the difference, and what is my other demon friend then?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Both little Xia and Erdel are higher demons, which means they skills and powers are greater than one of most demons. Most of demons are mediocre powered, and have simple powers and blessings. All great in their own ways, but just like majority of low level Spirits, they can be easily slain and killed even by humans, if they are caught of guard... Your ancestress Melody is forest nyph, and quite good at escaping peril by turning to wind, but she is considered, among Spirits, to be quite, if I may say so, low level. Xia and Erdel are high levelers, thought, Beings of great potential. Erdel is just, perhaps, two or three ladders above your lovely fox fluffy head. He is among as high as it goes. " Creature explained readily, seeming well versed into a demon world. " Xia is, if you'd forgive the term, very powerful - but by her design it is obvious she is designer to be your Familiar, and is in lot reflection of you and all your flaws and strengths alike. Erdel on other hand - yes, he's already his own package. He's a high demon, not dependent on anyone else, and with human strengths, but without human flaws in his design... He's going to be great asset to you if he stays loyal, and, if I may say so, grave danger should he goes rogue and turns into your enemy. I'd keep a good eye out for him if I were you. "

[Mirach]

"He is my friend," Svarik said simply. "It is good to hear he has so much potential, but I fear at home there is nobody who could help him with discovering it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" We will be delighted to help out more later with time, but I think it would be wisest to let him start small. " Sage noted to the conversation.
" I agree. " Hans nodded. " He needs to get to understand and know himself better. He is not born a demon, but made one, so he needs to find out what kind of stuff he's made of first. I look forward to see him figuring out what kind of blessing or blessings can he bestow upon the world. It will take some time. I think it'd be fine for him to change environments and visit us here for an errand every now and then, but listen carefully... " Spirit said straightforwardly and sincerely, looking his straight in the eyes with his crystal ones, pointing there were no jokes in his words. " If his family disowned him and he suffers for it, it can be a terrible dark gloom in his heart that may damage and hinder his growth to no good end. Traumas layer up and grow immense, such way. If he is your friend truly, and you mean him well, very best thing you can do is provide him with a loving environment. If you do not, he won't grow, and his suffering may turn to poison that will poison those around him too. He needs no teacher to find himself - he needs care and affection and to find something he's good at and enjoys and can excel at, like any other demon, and probly like any other humans would, for that matter. "

[Mirach]

"It was hard for him," Svarik sighed. "First becoming a lower demon and his family turning away, and then, when he became a higher one, one of his friends condemned him too... But the rest of us, who remain his friends, we do what we can..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I am pleased to hear that. " Hans acknowledged, waving away playfully and gracefully, indeed appearing so. " Don't put whole weight of world on your shoulders - they are far too slender and tender for that... " he winked. " But do keep an eye out of him. Monitor him every time you can. He is currently solidly healthy, so if you sense even a bit of strange coldness or first signs of miasma, act immediately. When Tide is stressed out, specially after particularly bad break-ups, he can start lingering in a bit of miasma in his depression, but it wears of after some care and stress eating and after we comfort him and hang out with him a bit. Your friend doesn't appear to either eat or wish to indulge in any pleasure, though, so you need to quite urgently find out something that relaxes him, otherwise, if he starts oozing miasma in stress, there's no telling what would stop it, and he is strong, so his miasma will be very concentrated and toxic too. "

[Mirach]

"I'm not sure if he even relaxed more than once or twice in this trip..." Svarik said. "Falcon sent him as my bodyguard, and he's taking it very seriously. It's hard to find some pleasure that he would like to indulge in..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I can't help him relax, he would feel too guilt feeling nice when he feels he should focus on you. " Hans noted fondly and gently. " If he is your friend, you wil have better chance than me. There is no danger to you in our home. You should seriously both just relax and find something that is fun for you. Let that be a little errand for you once you two reunite."

[Mirach]

"I really wonder what that would be for him," Svarik said. "I hope we will find out."

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, you gotta find out, kiddo, unless you want a pretty messed up demon to grow mad and get lose. You don't want to know how fast demons crumble and corrupt under grave stress... That's why they are so dangerous. " Spirit grinned. " Let's say that figuring that out is my special task for you for the remnant of your time here - after all, you are Nigtingale, member of Falcon's organisation... " he added sheepishly and innocently. " As your higher up, I have full power to assign you missions at times you're around here. I expect a neat report as cute as you in a form of a letter detailing how're your doing when you get back home. "

[Mirach]

"Wait, you are in that Organization as well?" Svarik asked. "And you?" he turned to the Sage. "I thought it's just in the city, and you have something similar of your own here..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Falcon and us... Have some creative differences. " Sage commented.
" Yeah, he likes to think we are extended part of his Organisation, and we like to think he's extended part of ours, ha! " Hans grinned widely and pleasantly. " But truth is, it's matter of potato-tomato. I really couldn't care less which is part of which - as long as I can keep cooporating with him, I'm good. My Organisation is older, just putting that fact out there - hundred years older, in fact. I took good care to establish it for quite a while, ever since this sea city was conquered by the Empire. By your sheepish face, I would say Falcon probably told you not a single thing of us. " he chuckled. " That is to say, you look fairly unimpressed at being given a chance to meet the fabulous Lord of the Sea in person, which would be me, main person around here. "
" Which would be us. " Sage corrected him gently. " We lead Organisation in partnership - me and Hans hold equal power within it and are knows as Lord of Sea and The Sage. Where Falcon has his Grand Seven, there are us two here. "
" Plus Tide as our lucky charm. "
" Yes, plus Tide for good luck, of course. "

[Mirach]

"I must admit I've never heard of you..." Svarik said. "Which either gives you credit or not, depending how secretive you are supposed to be... But in this structure, I could polemise with you about being subordinate to you. I agree with the task, though, so I will take it. But sorry, no written report for you. I have better things to do," he grinned.

[VisAnastasis]

" Our both Organisations started of separately, but since we began to cooperate closely, we have signed a clause of chain of command. Got to have some order, you see. We are much more inclined to it than Ser Falcon who often just goes with the flow, and whose people have pretty much an equal vote in each problem they deal with. But rule goes that everyone who is not one of Grand Seven from his Organisation and comes up here, is directly subordinate to us. That's authority I used to sent your cute demon friend on an errand. " Hans winked at him innocently. " My, my, if you refuse to follow orders of your superior, I don't know what I might be forced to do... I'll probably have to write a letter to ser Falcon to find some tasteful manner to properly punish you. Something fit for your crime - something utterly boring. " he teased him freely and amiably. " I will yet see what kind of disciplinary act I'll recommend to him, so stay tuned. "

[Mirach]

"Even if it's so, you may have authority over Erdel, he is at work here... But not over me. I'm on vacation. So write what you want, I'm quite curious what will come of it..."

[VisAnastasis]

Suddenly there was coldness in the air, as Spirit seemed dumbfounded by king's reply.
" I didn't send you on a mission to save the world or whatnot. I barely asked for a little fun letter. I was curious how you'd be doing when you get back home. Why was that little act too much for you that you try so hard to get out of it? " he whispered, sadly and offendedly. " The tone with which you say * I'm on vacation*to justify I have no authority over you more sounds to me like you're instead saying *I am a king*. " with Svarik's dismissive response to his banter, there appeared some glimmer of seriousness in Spirit's eyes. " If you come under our roof as Nightingale and we accept you as such, I must warn you you do not have any special privileges of such sort. "
" Easy, he didn't mean it like that, dear... " Sage stepped in right away, as he recognized some awoken unrest in his friend - Spirit may have liked Svarik, but having bad experience with all his ancestors, he seemed to suddenly grow wary.
" All I am saying, a man of your position ought to try to be a touch more humble in a city his ancestors were so arrogant in. " he said touch dangerously. " You are speaking with someone who has been there and still remembers times when your grandgradgrandnfather conquered our city, and tortured and killed so many of my dear people, as sacrifice for his terrifying God.. To someone who spent decades making right the injustices all emperors after him committed here, in my very home..."
" We talked about this, please, Hans, you promised you'll behave... For Ser Falcon... " Sage reminded him gently, putting hand on his shoulder, but creature just brushed him of.
" All I am saying is, we have zero to no love for emperors. We welcomed you because Falcon reassured us your only tie with them is that you happen to be an emperor's child. That you are better than that. " creature's corner of lips shortly twisted in a grimace of pain at some darker memory of past, before it returned to cold but polite expression. " I want to like you. Do not get the silly ideas that you, a child that barely dipped his finger into dealing with real problems of our country, has some high ground over hard working people like me and ser Falcon. You can not come to my home as Nightingale, and speak as a king. I will say this only once. I want a written report, by your hand, when you get home, sent neatly in a letter... " he looked at Svarik intently. " That means I want it. I won't ask twice. "