Svarik and the company I :)

[Mirach]

"I still need to choose the books to leave here now with Xia, and make some plan for tomorrow, so that we use the time we have with your father well. We shall see how late it is after we do that..." Svarik said.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia seemed to get a little nervous during their conversation, as she heard her name being said over and over again, but she herself never was called. She carefully transformed into her tiny charming fox-child form, and she a little shyly tugged Svarik's on a sleeve. She hesitantly and clumsily made a square with her paws, looking at him hopefully and shyly... she did not know of king's plans, and in her eyes, she must have estimated she was pretty obedient and good today, and that she deserved to be read and taught some words to as a little treat, as it was offer she seemed to have been waiting for since king woke up in the morning, specially since she knew they will leave some colorful books she loved to Cernunnos.

[Mirach]

"Yes," Svarik smiled at her. "If our kind host would excuse us now..." he looked at Emil politely.

[VisAnastasis]

" I welcome yours wish to teach her. I see you like it here, so if you desire so and if you'd be happier like that, I could perhaps leave you some privacy to enjoy the garden and leave you for some time, kind guest? " Emil asked. " Not that I would mind checking out some new books, but if it would make you more pleased, I can leave you here, so you can find me downstairs in the common room when you choose to see me so I can lead you to your rooms to spend the night in. "

[Mirach]

"Maybe you could show us the rooms now, so we can leave our things there, and just bring the books here, so we don't disturb you in case we will finish later?" Svarik asked. "I suppose you do need sleep, unlike the pure-blood yokai..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I need to sleep, for I am not linked to the source, I am only sensitive to feelings by nature. Instead on collective feelings of the whole world, alas, I humbly can but feed on happiness of people around me. " Boy smiled fondly. " I need to sleep, but only around 3 hours each day, if I eat properly. However, as your host, kind guest, I shall be at your disposal for all your needs while you are in my care, even if it costs me a little sleep. I usually at night make sure everyone is safe and all is right, so I will be downstairs if you need me, as I will probably make sure fires are all lit and prayer circles are tight. But if you desire for me to show you your room first, that's what I will do. " he said gently, standing up.

[Mirach]

"Please do, we will see where Xia prefers to stay to read." He took Xia into his arms, and pointed around himself. "Garden," he said, giving the place a name so she could choose between the options later.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia nodded uncertainly, and she let him carry her, deciding to be patient and see what he wants. Erdel took the bags with their things with ease, and he also made sure to take Sunshine in her bag.

Emil led them a floor lower. Their room was humble, not too big, so it would be kept warm easier, but neatly set and cozy. Blankets and pillows were all freshly washed and smelled nicely, of lavender. It looked quite normal and expected for a room in a fort, only windows were fully barred, and there was one priest there, that was beside fireplace, making sure fire was lit. Thanks to his efforts, little room was already kept quite warm, and thanks to some plants he had thrown into the fire, the whole room had soothing lingering scent as well.

[Mirach]

"Thank you very much," Svarik said gratefully. "We will unpack the books now, and then see where we will go to read for a while."

[VisAnastasis]

" I will go downstairs then if you need me, not to disturb you while you regain some strength and peace, kind guests. " Emil bowed elegantly before them, like a young prince indeed. He blushed a little, though, as he asked hesitantly. " As you'll be pretty busy with reading.. Could I perhaps look after your tiny fox Yiska tonight? She sleeps downstairs still, and as I said, we had no pets here for quite a while - it would please me very much to take worrying about her of your shoulders for one night, if you'll allow me... " he said more shyly, with innocent soft hopefulness.

[Mirach]

"Alright," Svarik smiled. "I guess you have your father's gift with animals, so maybe she will be calm with you even if she wakes, but if it's not the case, please bring her here, alright?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I will! Oh, of course I will! I am very obliged to you, kind guests! " Emil grinned broadly, as if permission had lightened up what would be long night to him. He bid them farewell, and he and the priest then left Svarik and Erdel, so they could have some privacy while unpacking and resting.

[Mirach]

Svarik seated Xia on the bed, and reached into the bag to take out the books, carefully wrapped in waxed paper. He unwrapped each and showed it to Xia one after one, so that she could choose which one to read now, and which to leave for Cernunnos.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia choose couple of books with lot of pictures for herself on one pile - illustrations feeling more familiar to her and less intimidating as well, easier to learn from. On other pile, she slowly chose couple of books that had much more text and little pictures, meant for Cernunnos. She glanced at Svarik questioningly and a little insecurely, then, squealing shyly, as if to ask if she did right.

[Mirach]

"Good choice," Svarik smiled, and ruffled the fur on her head affectionately. "These are harder anyways, so we will take them on the way back, after we get through these. So, which one do you want to read now?" he asked, pointing on the picture books questioningly.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia was hesitant at first, looking around them critically, but maybe inspired by beautiful garden, she chose one picture book about healing plants, and the other about different kinds of creatures and flowers common to meadows, wagging her tail a little with timid  interest.

[Mirach]

Svarik nodded, and took the books. "So where are we going to read?" he asked. He pointed around them with the same gesture he did in the garden, and said "Room. Room or garden?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia was indecisive for a moment. She just made square with her hands again, and embraced Svarik shyly from a side while maintaining eye contact, as if just wanting to make sure he understands she wishes him to read for her, that that was most important to her, and the place isn't as important to her as desire to learn more of this world.

[Mirach]

"I see," Svarik smiled. "Well, if it doesn't matter, we can stay here. We need to make sure that the fire doesn't go out anyways." He seated XIa on his knees, and opened the book about meadows, since it was problable they will see many of those plants and animals on their journey. He started pointing at the pictures, and connecting them with words.

[VisAnastasis]

Fox was considerably more eased and cheered up with it, content to be taught to, and being diligent as student, curious of it all.
Her joy seemed to cheer up vampire as well a bit from his gloomy withdrawn recent mood, and demon also sat down at a side, thoughtfully watching the little ever energized Xia learn new words in silence, from time to time making sure to add more logs to the fireplace so king and all of them could stay warm.

[Mirach]

Svarik read for her until it got quite late. Only then he put aside the book, so he could talk with Erdel before he would fall asleep over it.

[VisAnastasis]

Xia turned into form of winged fox then, and she licked Svarik's face gently and lightly, as if to tell him she appreciated his help and recognizes he is tired, knowing he is soon to go to bed and showing him she's ready to tuck him in and make sure he is comfortable.

[Mirach]

Svarik caressed her, and then turned to Erdel. "So, what do you think about today?" he asked gently. "Quite unexpected, wasn't it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Unexpected... Covers the event quite well, sire. " vampire replied quietly, but warmly, maybe a little bit of gentleness of Carnunnos and his son rubbing of on him in way he couldn't help it. " It was a little sad... But interesting surprise none the less. " he murmured thoughtfully. " I almost regret that we asked ser Falcon not to write more details about places he recommended us to visit... True, it enabled us to be surprised, but this was such small peculiar household, and we almost missed learning of it... unknowingly... "

[Mirach]

"I think he knew that there is a waterfall with two fortresses, which is interesting on its own. I wouldn't be so sure he knew who lives here. If he knew, he would add some warning to not approach it after sunset, but he didn't. And it's good we didn't do that..."