Svarik and the company I :)

[Mirach]

"Well, I can't do that much about my face, I was born with it, you see..." Svarik smirked. "Or is there something wrong with it in particular? And how did you amuse yourselves during the night? How did Xia like reading on her own?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Nothing in particular is wrong with your face. Just as a side note, I in fact find the circles around your eyes particularly delightful, sire... " vampire noted just a touch passively-aggressively, with little wry undertone. " And Xia was frustrated when she tried reading on her own - her vocabulary and understanding of language is still too undefined, I'd say. But once I started reading to her and explaining her the terms, she was much more delighted, by what I could say. I think I managed to teach her couple of her words, in fact. "

[Mirach]

"Thanks for that," Svarik nodded. "I thought that leaving her the books we already read might make it easier, but she just learnt the letters yesterday. And it's not that bad with my face, I hope. I don't think I could sleep longer even if I wanted, I'm just looking forward to meet the old demon again, even if we have to say goodbye today... There's something really nice about him, isn't there? I think I will miss him when we get back to the city..."

[VisAnastasis]

Mention of the fallen Forest God and desire to see him again seemed to be more aligned with Erdel's feelings, and maybe because of it, he seemed a little more forgiving of Svarik's not resting properly.

" I can't afford to take free days of in future... Every eye is locked upon me. Everyone is looking at me under a magnifying glass, seeking signs of weakness and pride, seeking signs of potential betrayal. " vampire murmured, and smiled a little tensely with that admission, caressing Xia behind ear. " I'd miss him too... But sometimes, when things get better, I think I'd like to take a day of every once in a while, and visit him more often. He is crumbling image of what he once was, but there is warmth and compassion in his voice despite his sufferings. His kindness comforts me. "

[Mirach]

"Who is everyone?" Svarik asked with concern. "Not Falcon, I suppose? The others in the organisation?"

[VisAnastasis]

" Well, yeah, I kind of just took part in overthrowing the Empire by killing everyone governing it at that one time, and then was pardoned like it's nothing and immediately went back to service of new government, so... No biggie. " vampire raised his eyebrows at Svarik, as if he felt dumbfounded that king acted as if that wasn't a thing. " Of course everybody's following our each step, sire. I know even ser Falcon is dubious of us, specially since he risked so much to go extra mile for us to give us this second chance. That's precisely why I want to prove everyone he did the right thing for it. I am not too inclined to living, but I must prove that for him. But suspicions and doubts are expected thorns on the path. I've deserved that. "

[Mirach]

"I mean... you haven't been that much in public since the trial, have you? I haven't either, until the end of this little vacation. Only ones who can follow you that closely are in the organisation, and the guards in the house maybe. And I know Falcon is quite fond of you... But what if instead of taking a free day, I send you on an errand? The poor Being suffers with loneliness, I would feel bad if we would leave him waiting for another visit too long..."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel's lip twitched a little, as if with some pain. He lowered his head, his fingers clutched a little tensely.

" They like me, but they do not trust me. I know that. Specially those that know what I've become - now they know that I don't need them anymore, and do not depend on them for blood, and could just betray and abandon them without losing chance for safe life. They like me, but they don't trust me. They are afraid of me.  " he whispered quietly. " I really don't get what gets you to trust me like that to be willing to send me away every now and then to be influenced by a full fledged demon without a flinch or doubt it may corrupt me... It's baffling me... But I think I can at least.. Appreciate the sentiment... "

[Mirach]

"Corrupt you?" Svarik raised his eyebrows. "Are we talking about the same demon? We shall return to it later, alright? Let's now go so that me and Xia can have some breakfast, to not let him waiting long for us..."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel nodded, himself not feeling well enough to speak more of it. He seemed embarrassed enough for having voiced aloud this much, probably seeing it as disrespectful and rude. He disappeared from king's sight, probably skipping between layers to go dowstairs before them.

By the time king  and a touch confused Xia  reached the common room, Emi, informed by soldier of their waking,  was already cutting some vegetables and things to make them good healthy breakfast - while former vampire, rather quiet, held the Sunshine that was sleeping, lulling her lightly and not looking up from her, as if she was a source of comfort to him.

[Mirach]

Svarik greeted Emil and then joined Erdel quietly, to see if the kitten is asleep and if he has Yiska as well. "You know..." he whispered as he leaned over Sunshine, "if Falcon wouldn't trust you, he wouldn't have sent you with me..."

[VisAnastasis]

Erdel pondered about it while caressing Sunshine. Kitten was awake in the bag he was holding, purring under his touch, while Yiska was asleep there, dozed off comfortably, seeming more at ease and trustful of her surrounding since Cernunnos gave her his blessing.
" I just... don't know what to think. Sometimes, I kind of feel he might be trusting me just a little.. But I can't help feel like it's all a test. Like everything he asks from me is some kind of test to gain his trust, but the tests never cease to end.. " he whispered, evading king's look. "Don't you.. Ever feel like that with him? Sometimes.. Like he's just testing you on some weird way known only to him? Even this trip... Just sending two of us... I just do not know... "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled a little. "All the time... Welcome to the club, dear. That is just his way. He may trust you, but something in him is still afraid of revealing himself too much, and so he would give you these tests, sometimes impossible to fulfill, because you would need to read his thoughts for that, and act exactly as he would. He also thinks you have the capacity for great things, and wants to prepare you for it. I did explain him once that I am not his copy and can't do everything his way. He understands that, but he still would not stop with those tests, even though we are Semai, and I can actually read his thoughts in that time. It is just a part of him, and you need to accept it, and not mistake it with distrust. He may need a gentle reminder when he crosses a border with it, because he might not want to hurt you with it, but sometimes he does. Tell him. Or if you don't feel like it, tell me, and I will remind him. We have been through that already... But he trusts you, that is certain. He would not entrust you with my life as a part of some test - that would be too much even for him. And he cares for you, too. I know he gave you some instructions to care for me and help me deal with that emotional turmoil I landed in. He asked me to do the same for you..."

[VisAnastasis]

Vampire blushed a little at such statement, seeming flustered with it.
" I don't really feel like I have some outstanding capacities for great things... I'm mostly occupied with simple goals, like trying not to give anyone excuse to demand me a abomination too unholy for this world, heh... I try not to hope for more, because it usually doesn't work out. " he just replied quietly, clearing his throat, not seeming too willing to open up much when they were not alone. " I am sorry... to burden you, sire. It wasn't my intention, now or when you woke up. I am just.. A little overwhelmed. I still have little idea how this weird altered demonic state I am in works, and do things mostly on instinct, and it's all about the instinct - and before I've had the time to figure anything out, suddenly, he sends me out of all people to alone protect you? " he bit his lip. " I know you have Xia, too, yes... But still, if anything were to happen, I mean, I could just eat myself. I feel as if he's just... always testing my limits. Wanting to see how well I can do. And I just... It's terrifying thought that I could... under perform. Not do as well as he expected me to do, and just fall as low in his eyes as I am in eyes of others... " he smiled hesitantly. " I feel like I would just eat myself in that case, too... "

[Mirach]

"You will do well, don't worry..." Svarik said gently. "And you actually have a great occasion here to learn more about this new nature you got, and how to deal with it. I would say instinct is a good start. It seems to me that your kin relies on instincts much, and knows to work with them." He turned to see if the breakfast is ready and if Emil needs some help with it, so they could go to Cernunnos.

[VisAnastasis]

" It can only be good thing, because instinct is my only strong point. " vampire sighed little tiredly, but then he put on polite kind face, concluding the conversation with it, not wiling to bother Svarik further with his problems, when he came on the trip hoping to help relieve Svarik's problems instead. He focused on sleepy kitten, fondling her, while king focused on Emil.
Their host probably anticipated their waking around this time, so meal was ready soon, and he took bowl for himself, while he filled generous plentiful bowl of food both for Svarik and little Xia, as well as some new honeyed cookies he baked them in morning that were just cooling down.

[Mirach]

Svarik and Xia joined him at the breakfast. "We will leave after noon," Svarik told Emil. "We will leave our baggage here until then, and also Yiska and Sunshine. Can I ask you again to take care of them?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It will be my pleasure, kind guests. " Emil said gently and kindly, looking joyous about fact he could enjoy the cute animals' company for a little while longer. " I am going to take good care of them. Thank you once more, for taking time to be with my father. I am very obliged to you for it. "

[Mirach]

"It's a pleasure for us, too," Svarik replied. "His company is very enjoyable."

[VisAnastasis]

" It delights me that both you and him get the best out of those visits. It is priceless to me to feel a bit of his joy sprinkled through the darkness of this land. " boy said fondly, and bowed gracefully to meadow king. " Do you wish to rest a little, or go right away? He tends to be weak and ill this early in the morning, until sun warms up the land a little, so there's no rush. If you wish to leave right away, though, please, do let me escort you, kind guests, it shall be my pleasure. "

[Mirach]

"I would like to go right away and play for him for a while to help him recover from the night," Svarik said. "Are you going to accompany us inside for a while as well? I think he would enjoy seeing you..."

[VisAnastasis]

" To be all honest - if I come with you, I doubt he'd enjoy your visit as much. He'd just be extra worried about me. He tends to be overprotective, for good reasons. I know it would devastate him had his darkness caused my end. " Emil replied gently. " I miss him, but it would bring me enough joy, to know he's delighted with having you. Besides, your animals are small and tiny - miasma would affect them more than it affects you, and I'll fill my time in enjoyment of looking after them. Had winter solstice not been such a big toll for him this year, and had this been the summer, not middle of winter, I'd gladly have taken a pleasure of joining you, for then, father would be better, and miasma less strong, and his worry would be lessened - but alas, if it is alright with you, I'd have to decline your request this once. "

[Mirach]

"That's alright," Svarik nodded with understanding. "We shall go, then," he said, and as he saw that Xia was finished with her breakfast as well, he stood up.

[VisAnastasis]

Animal demon followed him in step, already recognizing the routine. She took on form of a flying fox, and she got him to the other side, while vampire, after gently letting go of the animals and giving them to Emil, followed as well.

[Mirach]

Svarik again knocked on the door before unlocking them himself and entering.