Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" It's a big mess. As I said, nearly all kind terms for demons became offensive in all languages used by humans. " Emil shook his head sadly. " Name *Beings* is still neutral, and encompasses both races, but only part of both races. Some demons and Spirits both are too weak to pass barrier of layers of the world, and are tied to particular layers of world, kind Svarik. Term Being includes only those Spirits and us that can travel through many layers. For example, my father is both Being, and demon... But not all demons are Beings, just like not all Spirits are Beings. As there seems to be no less offensive modern equivalent to our name, your most polite bet, I fear, is to call my father by his name, kind guest. In the book he borrowed you, as you will see, he himself just gave up and just called demon children *younglings* and demon kin -*my kin*... "

[Mirach]

"But yokai is still alright to use, isn't it?" Svarik asked. "It's quite confusing to me still, but I will figure it out with time, I hope." 

[VisAnastasis]

" Yokai is still alright. If you decide on using it, at least while you speak with him, I shall be very pleased. " Emil said, and then smiled a little softly. " And to make up for lingering upon heavy history before, I am going to provide you with a little fun fact. While yokai mostly communicate by sharing their emotions with one another, once they grew to develop society, they developed their own secret language, only used by their own kind. In their language, word by which they call their race is Shakti. Shakti by words of my father means "power" or "empowerment" and is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe. Yokai hold belief that within that cosmic power are imprinted collective emotions of every creature that has ever felt something, and that demons themselves, as they never require nourishment and bloom when they are overflown with emotions, all share that enormous Well of emotions of the whole world as infinite power source that gives them all great strength, eternal life, youth, and so on. " Emil smiled a little. " Shakti is sacred word for them, that both means emotion and refers to all demon kin... You shouldn't use it, of course, as it's sacred to them,  but I thought it would be something you and your friend should find of interest. " he said, nodding lightly to Erdel.
" Thank you for telling me that... " vampire smiled a little sadly, and nodded back to Emil with respect. " I am a little new in all of this, so I fear my knowledge of what I am is pretty much same as knowledge of my king... I didn't know word demon was offend, either... I thought it was just simple division... "

[Mirach]

"And I'm glad we came here together, so we can both learn more," Svarik smiled. "Maybe Cernunnos could also help you with other things that yokai can do, how to change form or move between layers more smoothly. Is it alright if we ask him about that?" he asked Emil, wanting to make sure first. 

[VisAnastasis]

" If you have problem doing that, then you should most certainly ask for advise. Cernunnos knows a lot of all things bound to yokai, their nature and powers, having taken upon himself to help younglings grow for as long as he did. " boy exclaimed pleasantly. " He can not show it in person to you - the chains we build for him prevent him to skip elsewhere or change forms. You can imagine what mess would have everything turned to, if he would in his distress suddenly change into something bigger and more destructive, and be unable to stop himself from raging around the place, heh... Not to speak of needless lost energy... So we must assure against it. But as far as knowledge goes, I am sure he can help you greatly with all you need, if you are new to all this. "

[Mirach]

"Then we can ask him about it tomorrow. By the way, do you speak the language of yokai as well?" Svarik asked. "Or can only pure blood yokai can speak it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It's a language made by forming words, so yes, if you learn the words, you can speak it. It's just that yokai keep it so secret that its existence is often but a rumor among other species. It is very intimate for them, as it's shaped in such way that it lingers nicely with their essence and comforts them when it's spoken with affection. " boy said, sipping his delicious cold strawberry juice. " And technically, as I am not full yokai, it would be least to say, a little controversial to teach their secret tongue to me, but father said, *well, both sides already want to kill us, so I might as well teach you all of it*. " eternal child chuckled a little as if telling a good joke. " So I know both Spirit and Yokai tongue, kind guest... Just spoken tongue, though. Father never really thought much of writing before he settled down here and started living with humans, so he never learned how Spirits may write, and from written language of Yokai, consisting of special runes devised by our kind to write their secret language, he knows, alas, only couple of simple protective runes... Nothing major... But as far as Spirit language goes, I believe, as it seems you have Spirit friends, that they could teach it to you with no problem. "

[Mirach]

"Maybe we don't mean the same thing..." Svarik said thoughtfully. "You said it's spoken with words, but when your father talked to Xia, he used whistling and some strange sounds that I'm not sure I would be even able to repeat. And she knew it without having to learn anything, so maybe it's not the secret language I wondered about, but the inborn language of demons, as they communicate with emotions - if those two things are not the same. I just wondered íf you could talk to Xia as well, and if you were born with it too, as a half-yokai... I hope that term is alright? Or is there some other special term?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, that? That is different. What I spoke of is their secret language. But what you wonder about is indeed inborn language. It is more of a skill - skill to bare one's feeling to another, and come to an understanding through that trustful act. It is wordless, much more similar to meowing of cats of buzzing of bees than to way humans see tongue, only done with feelings instead of just sounds.  From what you may know of in this world, it is most similar to song of whales. There are two ways yokai communicate - the newer secret language they invented with which communication of specific terms is much easier, but has to be first learned like any human language - and older is form you are familiar with from your little Xia. " he said, observing the kind young demon that was laying beside Svarik's bench in winged form now, covering him lightly with her soft wing. " That older form is ancient, and exists ever since yokai exist. It can not be learned, unless you have yokai blood within you, alas. And even then, it depends how that blood manifests within you and how much in tune you are with yokai primordial source of energy - me for example, I can understand bits of it, mostly in form of warm or cold feelings that overwhelm me when demon watches me and tries to speak it... But nothing more. It's more connected with my sensitivity to feelings of others, than ability to learn that tongue. My middle brother who was by all means demons despite being half human, could speak it with my father with ease, though, so it all depends. It's not some kind of sacred term, but Yokai call that inborn language *carol*, which means * a song, joyous song*, king guest. It is believed that when yokai are especially happy, that when they speak with it, their voices turn into a song as sweet as sweetest music of a nightingale. Some Yokai have such lovely voice that when they speak while happy, their very words can carry a lingering blessing of safety and peacefulness to all those that listen to it. "

[Mirach]

"That sounds nice," Svarik smiled. "I'm looking forward to hear more of tat language, even if I don't understand it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" You don't need to understand something, to appreciate the beauty of it... " Emil nodded, and he smiled a little wistfully, as if in a pleasant memory. " I never really understood it, as I said, kind guest - but I can remember father singing me lullabies in it, whenever he and mother would come to put me to bed. He was very happy to have me, and I could always feel that in his song, and it brought me great pleasure and ease. Father says it's inborn within demon kin, to sing when their heart swells with joy. She is so young still, and I can feel some hesitance lingering within her, but I am sure that when young lovely little Xia gets used to you and life you lead more, when she grows closer to you, that she will love to sing you to sleep as well, and sing in general to express her feelings even if you can't understand it. Unlike Spirits who often don't consider it a requirement for becoming a parent, for demons it's a preposterous to not look after your younglings until they decide they're ready to look after themselves, and those they consider family is more important to them than anything else, and by her behavior, if I may say, I am quite certain she deems you as an older, but more clumsy beloved sibling, kind guest... "

[Mirach]

Svarik chuckled a bit with that. "Yes, I think that's quite accurate. I know too little about her kin for her to see me as a parent or someone more responsible than a sibling..." Then he got serious though. "I'm afraid I can't give her what she misses from parents. I can play to her, but I can't sing in her language, and she has no real parents, being not born but created..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Having been created? " boy frowned a little thoughtfully. " That is.... interesting... May I ask, are you completely certain she wasn't just born in some peculiar way? I am afraid to say, yokai do have stories about The Yokai of life that was able to breathe demons into existence, um, but by what father said, that particular Being killed himself quite long time ago, kind guest... Since him, there was none else that could create yokai life, I fear... "

[Mirach]

"He killed himself?" Svarik asked. "It's a long story about Xia's creation, and I will try to explain it to you, but please tell me more about this Yokai of life, if you know it. It may help me to understand it better too..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I don't remember everything, but father should know more. I always liked the tale, I thought it was hopelessly romantic. " Boy smiled a little thoughtfully. " You see, yokai of life was much of an enigma even to most yokai themselves, and his powers to many were but rumors. Only couple most powerful of his kin knew of his existence, uncluding Gaia, through which that knowledge passed down to my father. He was playful, but always shy in his magnificent glory and boundless might, content to create his own yokai companions and live isolated from others, delighted but to explore limits of his power in solitude, for he never liked unrest or knew an equal to engage with creatively. However, at times when Beings's society just started to form, when King of Spirit and Queen of Yokai were chosen, he was drawn by curiosity to see the results of newfound truce. And there, he met Death, The Spirit King, and before he knew it, he was hopelessly in love with him. Death was all he never knew he needed and desired - a kindred gentle soul full of charm, delight and joy. To all both Spirits and Yokai, it seemed that love was obvious to everyone, expect to Death itself, heh... Yokai of life observed Death from the distance for many eons shyly, often observing him work, or creating lovely demons critters that could come across Death's path trying to cheer him up and engage him. Tiny birds, mammals, dragon and fairies, he created and invented many sweet life forms, in attempt to gain Death's attention, but nothing seemed to work, and Yokai grew increasingly unhappy. He realized that they are of two different world, and that while Death tolerates both, he only ever seemed to have sincere affection for Spirit kin... " Emil smiled a touch sadly. " And so, Yokai of Life had made decision. He knew it will cost him his very self, but he wanted to become a Spirit, so that in another life as one, he may have a chance of winning Death's heart. And so he killed himself, somewhere in the mountain... From his blood, the white flowers grew... And after many years, upon that place, new Spirit was born from those flowers. Father says that love of the Yokai was so strong and deep that it persisted into his new life, and soon after coming into existence, young Spirit soon ended up meeting Death, and history repeated itself... From what my father says, that young Spirit's probably still somewhere out there, courting Death clumsily and shyly, making him flowers and birds... " boy chuckled a little. " To be honest, I was quite fearful of Death myself, and stories of his merciless War upon us frightened me so... But this story always had such charm upon me, it made me fear him just a touch less... It's hard to be terrified of someone in such innocent clueless context... "

[Mirach]

"Clueless indeed..." Svarik shook his head sadly. "I think I can continue your story. The young spirit's name was Riversong, and over the ages he became Death's friend, but nothing more. He once fought a yokai of magma, that wanted to make a dwelling in the mountain that Riversong loved - they could not live together in it, their elements being too opposing... As the yokai was dying, he bit Riversong's hands and cursed him. I think it was the miasma that entred the wounds, but don't know enough of your kin to tell for sure. Since then his hands were always burned, and would only heal for a time when he was in full power. Then the world was in danger - it was connected with the winter solstice that this year. There are spirits who can see into the future, and they agreed that the only way to prevent it would be if Riversong became a human until that time, and forgot all about being a spirit. He did, but that human life did not go well, and brought him much pain. And Death did nothing to help him, trying to keep to that possible future... It was only before Solstice that Riversong learnt about his true nature again, and it was only after he became a Semai with a human, forever missing the chance to become one with Death, even if Death would already like to... He played a great part in saving the world, but got hurt gravely, and the curse manifested itself again, stronger than ever. It became an entity of its own, and before it could consume Riversong, we manage to separate them. It became a yokai, and he was surprisingly kind and nice, on the contrary to what we knew of demons... He created Xia. But he was too hurt, and only Death could heal him. He is in Death's care now, waiting to be reborn - as a yokai, not a spirit. Death promised it to Riversong..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Really? That is.. Not quite how I hoped story would go... But I thank you for telling it to me never the less. Father always seemed to have soft spot for that Spirit for all that boundless cleless love, despite he  helped Death defeat us and chase us all of from our land and hunt down when Wars started, taking their side... Father will be pleased to receive some news of him, even sad ones. " Emil nodded a bit with respect. " If that yokai created Xia, then, despite created, in her eyes,  she sees him as her parent as much as he sees you as older sibling, kind guest. It must had brought her lot of pain, to see his end... I know you may think otherwise, but contrary to what you may believe, despite not parent, you are her guarding and she leans on you - if you wish her to grow healthy, you must be someone she can rely on and trust, my guest. I am sad for loss of her maker, but in his current death, you must replace him if you mean her good. Though I must admit, it's pretty peculiar Death said he will restore that part that passed away  as yokai... I supposed it won't be that happy existence, though. Wishing only for Death to love him, it is beyond certainty that critter won't ever really respond splendidly to Death's hatred of yokai... I can't wrap my mind around why Death never helped that Riversong while he was human and needed it most, I imagine it's just some Spirit thing, but it is still all quite unfortunate. "

[Mirach]

"I think it has to do something with their ability to see the possible futures. He wanted to help him, but the future that it would bring was probably quite bad... In any case it seems to me that it wasn't an easy decision, and Death still suffers about it... And I fear I'm not a good guardian for Xia. I know too little of her kin, and there's a perilous journey that awaits me still, and taking her with me seems as bad a choice as leaving her behind..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Yes, it sounds like a Spirit thing - to seek best possible future for all.... Yokai tend to be a bit different. Even if they knew death of someone precious to them could end the world, they would still seek to safe the ones they love first before dong something for all else. People they love is their whole world... It is a yokai way. It is my father's way... " Emil sighed. " Alas, I can not give proper advise to you on little lovely Xia. I know too little myself. If your journey is too perilous, then horrors of it may corrupt her - but if she loves you as deeply as I feel she does, it will still bring her grave pain and scar her if you leave her, specially if she knows you are going somewhere dangerous and don't want her or her help upon that road. " Emil smiled a little sadly. " It should, in the end, be your decision, though. Maybe if you really  don't want to take her under no costs - then maybe should seek to teach her enough human language until then. If by the time you are to go she at least understand your leave enough, and you leave her with good people, maybe she will be able to pull through alright... "

[Mirach]

"I will teach her to understand as much as I can in any case, so that she understands what is going on and can express her opinion," Svarik nodded.

[VisAnastasis]

" Letting her decide instead of making decision for her may be best indeed. " their kind host agreed. " You just have to give her as much love and education as you can until that time, then. Father has given you the book, but if you desire, kind guest, I can give you quite nice teas and some special jams that soothe yokai. I make them specially for my dear Forest King, but I judge they would be helpful to you... I shan't overflown you with too many things to carry now that your journey has just started, but I can prepare you those couple of treats in a back so you can pick it up on your way back to your home, kind guest, when you come to borrow my father books you promised him. " he grinned a little cunningly, indicating gently and lightly that, despite indeed wishing to help, that he hoped his innocent suggestion will further cement their resolve to visit his father once more shortly before they return to their home.

[Mirach]

"That would be very generous of you," Svarik bowed his head slightly. "We can exchange it for the meat we bring for him."

[VisAnastasis]

" That kind gesture would mean more to me that any empty kind word. Father had been feeling specially unwell this long winter and Winter Solstice, and needs best nourishment I can give him, it will be relief to me to treat him with something other than fruit. I shall be very obliged to you. " boy smiled softly upon him. " I can see you are too weary, if I may say so, kind guest, for needless grinding and chopping down of plants and spices - but if you are willing, when you come next time, I can teach you to make special beverage that helps yokai relax and feel in tune with themselves. It is so strong substance that, if you make it for your youngling, and then embrace her and make her feel cozy and safe, it may even bring upon her the refreshing couple minutes sleep, which, for yokai who normally do not do so, is quite long. I have been here for a long while - I can wait patiently to provide you with that lesson. When you desire to learn it, kind guest, all you need to do is come, and I shall give you plaints you need for it and teach you how to prepare it too. I have all the time of your life on this world. "

[Mirach]

"Then I will try to plan my journey so that I have more time on the way back to stop here," Svarik nodded. "For Xia's sake I would rather learn it sooner than later," he smiled a little.

[VisAnastasis]

" If you are not tired, then I salute your determination and would gladly teach it to you right away even. " boy chuckled, sipping his strawberry juice. " Whether you want to learn it now or next time you come is up to you, kind guest. As your host, it is my sacred duty to share what I have with you and make sure you leave my home a little less hungry and troubled than you entered it. "