Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" Not a last chance... Not a last chance... " Creature repeated after him as if tasting the words, and then it hesitantly looked back at Erdel. " Is it not the last? " he asked, revealing his doubt and distrust at what he deemed inevitable, and that is, fact they will probably not return to him, too busy and charmed with their own modern world to heed for remnants of his.
" Of course it's not last time. " vampire reassured him firmly. " I will get free days - and where would someone like me use them, really? " he smiled a little sadly. " I will come whenever possible to seek your wisdom, again and again. I am immortal, like you, so you can rest assured I won't die before I end up missing you. I will come again, I promise thee - just please, use this chance to gain some music while my king is still here. He is very good with melodies.. "
" I don't know... " Cernunnos bit his lip, seeming confused with their resistance and unsure what to answer - from one side, it was clear as day he genuinely and ardently desired to help them, but from other, Svarik could see that despite the ever gentle kind smile, he was in lot of pain and strained greatly, and he was aware of tempting fact that some well crafted music would help him get through the night easier.

[Mirach]

"I assure you that Erdel will be glad to be able to visit someone of his kind," Svarik said gently. "You don't have to rush now and strain yourself. I may not have that many chances to play for you, though. I would be thankful if you would allow it to me now. I went on this journey to get a break and have some time to reconnect with the land and myself, and do what I love. And playing for those who need my music is who I am and what I love. You did so much for my companions, please, would you do something for me as well and allow it to me?"

[VisAnastasis]

Unlike Erdel's arguments that appealed to his own well being, Svarik's argument that was expressing how his own well being will be bettered by chance to play for the old creature, was argument that prevailed in his heart - for creature loved to help very much, and king guessed right that putting request that way that instead it touched subject of how Svarik felt about it. It also helped that Xia was watching him sadly and with worry.

" You are right - I wished I could have done more for you, kind little prince. Alas! I have no healing powers to bless thy soul, and my humble blessing, I have already given thee yesterday. " he grimaced lightly with some sadness, before he brought himself to smile a bit. " I can see it would grieve both you and your kind friends if I refused - so, please, if it is such pleasure to you, do play for me, as long as you wish - until sun is to come down and calamity of night to enthrall our world for another little while. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled heartily. "I would very much like to do that. Just sit down and relax, alright?" He then started to play for Cernunnos, slowly getting from the calming tones to a deeper healing song responding to the demon's very soul.

[VisAnastasis]

This time, the two young demons he had obliged wanted to return his kindness too. Sensing his need for support, Erdel shyly led demon to sit down by the fire this time, and while Xia sat down in his lap to snuggle in his arms, Erdel warmed up remaining of the tea, filling cup for Cernunnos to drink while he listened to music, and shyly former vampire made sure he was covered in a blanket. It was a little too much freedom from their side and too invading to his personal space,  and old demon seemed tense and vulnerable with it instinctively, meeting their desire to return his kindness with some wonder, as if it had been a while since he had been treated fairly by guests, and without fear or repulsion. It was hard for him to open up to the song - for lot of grief and pain weighted down his weary ancient soul, that was crippled and clenched, disharmonious and chaotic, despite his good heart and manners masked its ill state; but he complained not and listened quietly and with full attention as long as king played, breathing deeply and more rapidly, his breath filling room with oxygen.

[Mirach]

Svarik wished he would have a whole day to play for him, but he was thankful also for having at least the hour, and tried to do as much as he could with it, putting maybe more power into the song that was wise in the presence of the demon's miasma, relying on White's flowers he was carrying to help with that. 

[VisAnastasis]

Creature felt that, and it seemed it helped him trust and open up to Svarik a little more, to feel how selflessly and sincerely he wished to help him, even at his own expense. After finishing the tea, he listened attentively, shivering a little from time to time, but doing his best not to appear weak and to keep somewhat intact image of his dignity. He did not weep or moan, as if he would find it too humiliating and be ashamed if he expressed such signs of weakness and ache before his guests, despite, however relieving, intimate touch of the music upon his soul overgrown with thick scars was painful and uncomfortable. He tried to indulge in every moment he had of it, but at one point, not trusting his voice, he just raised his hand, gently signaling king to stop - for night was slowly dawning, and they run out of time.

[Mirach]

Svarik just concluded the song in next few moments, letting it soothe and caress and linger like that after it ended. Only then he finished it.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature shivered and gritted its teeth, shutting its eyes tightly until powerful immersing music settled down and he could regain some composure. He still look dazed when he took a deep breath, and slowly, opened his eyes - he looked exhausted and vulnerable after emotional experience, but his gaze was warm and thankful.

" That is enough, kind guest... " he whispered with a little vulnerable smile. " I enjoyed your visit, but alas - the sun is setting on the horizon. All that is good must end here and there. So that you are safe and so that i may see you again tomorrow well and unharmed - please, you should all go now... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, we will," Svarik nodded. "We shall see you tomorrow again..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I'd be very happy if you do. " he cleared his throat a little, seeming more composed already, thought his presence was thinner and fainted in the dawning nearing doom of the cold night, despite he ignored it. " Before you go, I must bid you - could you take those the pot with leftovers from lunch and bring them to Emil? I haven't had a chance to cook him something nice for a while, and I saved him some meat so this should be enough to him for one meal. " he smiled more brightly, glad he had the chance to save up some food for his child instead of eating it himself. " Also, tell him to make you good tea and warm you up, and make you dinner in my stead. Could I ask you a quick question, too? " he bid, not with too many words and speaking more urgently, knowing they had little time. " How is your tiny fox friend? " he asked while standing up slowly to escort them. " I missed seeing her, but am glad she is safe with Emil. Would you mind telling me but if she's alright now? Did she wake up already? Did she eat plenty? I desire much to learn couple words of her before you go, so that my concern for her won't trouble me over long night... "

[Mirach]

"She slept for a long time yesterday, and only woke when morning neared. She ate then, and I gave her the fruit. She seemed well and content when I was leaving, as well as Emil to be able to care for her," Svarik smiled. 

[VisAnastasis]

" I am glad. " Demon seemed relieved with the news, as if he was hesitant to ask before since Svarik didn't bring it forth himself. " Please, eat well and rest well today, kind little prince. " he said more seriously then. " You have spent much time with me today.  You must look after yourself well, so you have least chances to grow sick from my ill presence, little one. " he whispered sadly. "Just tell me first what to make you in the morning - do you prefer rabbit meat, pheasant, or ducks? And which of these do you want to carry to Emil now so he can prepare them for dinner for you? You must take something of these, you are, no offense, just a human, kind little guest, and you must eat well to regain your strength, I must insist on that... "

[Mirach]

"Don't worry, I will," Svarik appeased him. "We still have a lot of supplies we brought, and enough money to buy more in the next city we get to. And among those we have is also some food containing flowers of spirit essence, so I will eat that tonight and I'll be fully well tomorrow. So please, keep the meat from Erdel, it was a gift to you. I will just take the portion for Emil, and tomorrow we can have a nice lunch from it. Duck, maybe, if you agree."

[VisAnastasis]

For a moment, demon frowned a little, clearly seeing king is doing his best to evade eating from the scarce supplies he had, and he could well see there was no use of being offended, as effort seemed to do nothing to change king's mind. Then, a little cunning undertone colored creature's expression.

" Agree for it to be a duck for the lunch tomorrow, and agree to it that I shall make meal for you from a rabbit meat so you can dine on it later, after you leave, when you are to have your dinner, and we have a deal, then." he said with little grin. " I am not willing to accept anything less. If it's a gift to me indeed, I can do with it whatever I like, and I choose this. It would not be polite to refuse, little prince. "

[Mirach]

"Are you alright with that?" Svarik asked Erdel first, since it was his gift meant for the demon, and he didn't want to upset either of them.

[VisAnastasis]

" I guess.. If it makes you happier. " he told Cernunnos, not seeming quite content with it, but he could see Forest King would be grieved should they refuse, and then his effort to aid him and make him happy would be for naught.
" We have little time. I bid you to accept so we can part ways for the day. The darkness is near. " old demon said, extending his hand to him to mark a deal. " If you continue being impolite, alas, I'll have to eat you instead of a duck. " he grinned a little, watching him half fondly, half jokily.

[Mirach]

"Alright then, if Erdel agrees," Svarik nodded and accepted his hand, remembering this time to press it twice. 

[Vis]

Demon seemed rather pleased to see king remembered the detail. After a handshake, hje caressed Xia behind ear lightly to reassure her all is well, and then he went along, doing his best to conceal weariness, in order to escort them downstairs.

[Mirach]

Svarik unlocked the gate as they reached it. "Goodbye, Cernunnos. We shall see you tomorrow," he said gently, and after they passed outside, he locked it again.

[Vis]

" Goodbye, little prince... May good luck bring you back to me. " Ancient demon greeted him quietly from a distance, not able to come closer to door from the invisible chains that restrained him, looking behind them with some longing.

As it was rather cold this night, both young demons seemed chilled and tense outside, and their time was quickly running out, and Xia immediately transformed to a winged form so they could rush to the other fort.

[Mirach]

Svarik shivered as well, feeling now a bit sick from the miasma combined with the cold and ominous presence outside. He climbed on Xia's back as soon as she changed.

[Vis]

The sensitive fox demon was uncomfortable too and dreaded in this place, so it  flew up fast, and with little more ease then before, Erdel quickly reached the other side too. They came just in last moment, when last rays of sunlight were falling down upon the earth, and Emil and couple of his priests quickly took them in and closed the door behind them.

[Mirach]

Svarik sighed with relief as they got inside, but he still felt uncomfortable even behind closed door. He got down from Xia's back, but remained leaning on her.

[VisAnastasis]

Emil was fast, being ready for their sorry state. He led them back to the main living room immediately, to the big fireplace, and he made sure they sit in armchairs there and he covered them with warmed blankets, and immediately gave them a special herbal tea to help them grow more at ease. Despite his aspirations not to drink or eat, Erdel couldn't help but to take some tea too, probably feeling quite chilled as well, despite demons, just like vampires, weren't usually bothered by a normal coldness, his hands trembling slightly as he drank.