Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

The air indeed seemed a little more heavier on miasma, as if the old demon had a rather long upsetting night. It was rather early in morning, so it seemed creature was a little ill from a long night still, which was understandable. As if he was hesitant in meeting them right away, he seemed to be buying every minute, as this time, they had more trouble getting around, and couldn't find the right path straight away.

They walked around twenty minutes, before at last they found a way to the familiar common room. Cernunnos was there, and as still recovering from long night, he was pale, and looked more fraily and sickly - he was sitting at a table, close to the recently lit fire in the cold room, and with his elegant lightly trembling fingers, he was contentedly tearing off feathers from the duck Erdel caught yesterday. Knowing king chose it for lunch and wanting to start preparing it already so it would be done in time, he seemed immersed in the work he probably didn't get chance to do for quite a while, not having much animals in his nutrition, and along with other numerous supplied king brought him yesterday, despite feeble, he appeared rather charmed with chance to provide his guests with wholesome meal.  

[Mirach]

"Good morning," Svarik said gently as they entered. "I apologize for coming this early - I know you don't feel that well yet, and I hoped that I might offer some of my music to help, instead of waiting."

[VisAnastasis]

With hearing the gentle understanding tone of his voice, creature looked up at him, and despite tired and embarrassed about obvious feeble weak state, in its eyes, there was a light beam of endearment, with no fear.
"  I am obliged, my kind young guest.... " he replied him warmly and amiably. " Please, do sit down - but I fear, I don't feel I could trust my legs enough to carry me to stand up and great you. If you would be ever so kind to give it to me freely - your song would delight my heart, and help me ever so greatly, until the room grows warmer. "

[Mirach]

"Of course," Svarik smiled. "Please do not get up..." He sat down close to the demon, and started to play right away, desiring to help.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature signed contentedly, relieved with gentle melodies that filled the deafening silence of his home. He tried to continue the work at first - but Xia, that cunning little fox, took on her cuddly childlike form, and she went to him and sat down with him, keeping close to him as if to warm him up, and he seemed charmed with her sentiments, and he couldn't help but return attention to her, and paused with the work. Erdel said nothing, seeming more in mood to be quiet - but he went to fireplace right away, and just silently starting adding wood to get the fire bigger, so room could warm up faster, and then, he bid for permission and took one of the blankets, and he warmed it up well, before, like old gentle demon did for him yesterday, he shyly made sure to wrap him up with it to aid Svarik's efforts in making him better.

[Mirach]

Svarik played as the sun rose higher in the sky and warmed the land, as if mirroring its rays into the room.

[VisAnastasis]

As along with the sun rising higher the room was getting warmer from the fire and brighter underneath the pure music, life and color was returning to ancient demon's face, and he seemed to grow stronger gradually, his emerald eyes that were clouded with some pain and shade, growing brighter again. He nestled with Xia gently, with time, as his strength was slowly returning, he himself was growing more lively and seeming excited about having such nice company in them again, whistling melodically with Xia as he  talked to her in their native tongue.

[Mirach]

Svarik played as long as he could, not stopping on his own but waiting for Cernunnos to tell him when he will get better and wishes to do something else.

[VisAnastasis]

Forest God enjoyed in lingering music for a while, it seeming to help bright some sprinkles of relief and peace into his corrupted aura. After some time, when he was already feeling better, and when he noticed king won't stop on his own, he raised hand on his own, kindly indicating him to stop.
" Thank you for your generous gift, kind little prince.. " he addressed him fondly. " I am thankful for it. It warms those old bones to see a young human as lovely as you still walks upon this earth. " he nodded to him with some endearing respect.  

[Mirach]

Svarik stopped playing on the sign, and smiled. "Are you feeling a bit better already?" he asked.

[VisAnastasis]

" I always feel better when  night ends and light shines upon the land, and you are a child of Summer Solstice - your warm music is like rays of sunlight to my cold soul. Sunlight has not touched my skin in thousands of years, and your song soothes me.  " ancient demon replied gently. " You have obliged me, but I'd like to return the kindness while we still have time. It will take me some time to make you lunch, but I assume you have had breakfast with little Emil already. Would you instead desire me to do that later and now help your little Xia learn more words? Or would you like to speak? Or do something else? I am very thankful to you, and I wish to return your kindness while you're still here. "

[Mirach]

"I would like to do everything of that, including playing for you for longer..." Svarik said gently. "But let's ask Xia first, if there there isn't something more she would like to talk or ask about. We won't have such an occasion to talk until she learns much more of human language..."

[VisAnastasis]

Cernunnos translated for Xia, asking her for her opinion. Little fox demon was thoughtful, lingering upon it for a moment.
Then she looked up at Svarik, seeming a little bit insecure for a moment. She made a sign for * friends* and *?*, as if wanting to confirm once more his feelings for her he reassured her of yesterday, and if he sow her as his companion, not a burden.

[Mirach]

"Friends," Svarik nodded, making the sign with certainly. 

[VisAnastasis]

Xia whistled something with timid delight, and repeated a *friends* sign, seeming warmed up about Svarik's conviction, it helping her a little bit to trust more in sincerity of his care, now that they had better understanding of one another.
She then glanced at Cernunnos, before looking back at king. Her look was a little sad, but just as certain as Svarik's. She made a gesture similar to playing flute, and then pointed at instrument, and then at Forest God, before looking at king, and nodding reassuringly, with warmth, to show him she is certain of her choice. There must had been many things she yearned to speak with him, to tell him of, to learn - but she could feel old demon was ill and music was making him better, and her heart was filled with selfless wish to bring him ease... She rather wished for king to play for him to help him at her own expense, than to use up the time of the day on herself.

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled at her, proud of her decision. "How about you, Erdel?" he asked then. "I don't know how far you got yesterday... Is there something you would wish to have explained about yourself?"

[VisAnastasis]

" There is too much to learn, and too little time for one conversation until noon to make such big difference. I  hope the book we borrowed would help more instead, as it's rather thick. If I have more questions, you can always send me here on errand, sir, and I can ask then - but you won't be able to come as often, and I can not play music or help. " vampire smiled a little faintly. " This may be one of the few visits you can afford in a while. Xia is right - I'd rather have you play for our kind host, sire, than use this precious time on my humble self... "

[Mirach]

"Thank you," Svarik said sincerely. "I will make sure you get a chance to come back soon. But I maybe won't have one, and so that's indeed how I would like most spending this time. Would you allow that?" he asked Cernunnos.

[VisAnastasis]

Forest God bit his lip, unsure about it, seeming a little baffled suddenly, as he was prepared for a routine for using all the time for helping out, not being helped, and this development confused him a bit and made him more tense. He first whistled at Xia, as if wishing to make sure she really wants this, knowing it's a sacrifice on her side. But when she seemed certain in her choice, he turned to Erdel as well, knowing it's just as big sacrifice on his side too.

" Are you sure, little one? " he inquired vampire quietly. " There's so much you should know, and the world is not kind to our kin - now that you are one of us, there will certainly be many cruel Spirits out for your life. You are always welcome here, but when hunted, best chance is to run, little one, and if you run far enough, you may be safe, but even if you do, then by all means, who knows when I might see you again. It's a bitter world out there, I desire to help you. You have astounding potential, but experience, so little - any solid middle classed Spirit warrior could have a chance at your life... Are you sure this is how you wish us to spend time we have? "
" I am sure. "Erdel's voice cracked a little bit under gentle but piercing and intense look of old demon, but he had already decided as well. " To be honest, while it would grieve me to not use this little time to be with you, if I thought it not to be rude, I'd have asked for permission to go hunting again, to see if I can catch more food as gift for you, kind Cernunnos... "
God snorted slightly at such an earnest shy request. He took an effort to stand up slowly, and limping a bit, he reached to Erdel, and bowed to him lightly while leaning on chair for support.
" Absolutely not, kind guest. Of course I would not allow that - it's out of the question, for me to willingly put you outside in this bitter cold. But I am pleased to have met such a fine youngling as you. You are going to be a great demon one day. " he grinned fondly. " I hope so, if luck bestows you to live long enough for it. You are too earnest for this world, little one... " he extended his thin hand, and just laid it on vampire's head lightly, as if in some archaic form of showing approval and affection. " Hold onto that, and it'd be a present enough for me. "

[Mirach]

Svarik watched the exchange fondly. "He's not alone," he said. "We won't let any spirit warriors with bad intentions close..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I am counting on you to protect them, kind little prince, with all you can, while thread of your life lasts. Healthy younglings with such kind hearts, they are precious, scarce flavor in our tasteless bleached world. " creature turned to meadow king, nodding back to him as well. He then payed full attention to him, gracefully exploring his features, before he replied on his request at last.

" It would be ungrateful and unjust if I denied the wish all three of you desire so. " he said in the end. " I do have my conditions, though. You have played for a while already, and I wish not your hands to get stiff from cold. Stay beside fireplace, and warm them, little prince, and you may play for me again. Your music is a precious gift to me, though - and it is rude to receive without giving. " he grinned lightly, seeming a bit excited, as if he had something already planned. " My condition is, if you wish to give another song to me, you must accept me give you at least a little something in turn. And make you tea afterwards, of course - every tea time is time delightful, and you deserve lot of delight in your life, kind little guest. Do we have a deal? "

[Mirach]

"Yes, that sounds good," Svarik nodded, and went closer to the fire to warm his hands before playing again.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature sat down, and in silence, it observed Svarik, until he could feel king felt a bit better, with his hands now warm again.

Only then, he stood up again, and went to the shelf where he kept the food they brought him yesterday. From it, he secretively took out something, hiding it behind his back, almost with some eagerness and excitement of a child that prepared a little surprise for someone it loved.

" It is custom to make parting gifts, so I was saving this for later when you were to leave, but as you do not particularly seem to know of traditions, I deemed now may be a better chance to offer it. " he told Svarik shyly. " Extend your hands, little prince, and close your eyes - for I will give you my gift first, and then you can play me yours. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled and obeyed the old demon. "Any time is good for presents and music..."

[VisAnastasis]

" They should fit well... I observed your measures carefully yesterday... But if they are a little tight, please do let me know, I can make them a bit looser.. " demon said gently. King could feel how, with surgical precision, creature was putting on something upon his hands, his sharp nails glazing across king's skin gracefully without making a cut. In the end, he found his hands wrapped up in something very soft and soothing, comforting to the touch - and when he opened his eyes, he sow upon his palms was put a pair of comfortable warm finger-less gloves.
( https://img1.etsystatic.com/106/0/11997212/il_875xN.930455531_lm0g.jpg 
https://img0.etsystatic.com/124/0/11997212/il_570xN.930714766_2u4v.jpg )
Now it added up a little that there was more than one reason demon was rather weak in the morning - he probably did his best during duration of whole night to maintain somewhat clear mind, and skin one of the rabbits Erdel brought him, and to use its skins to sew gloves for meadow king, that, with pleasant feeling of their touch, seemed to also contain some protective little blessings of affection woven into their fabric.

" It's winter, and you love to play, I could see - this way you can play easily, having free fingers, but without getting ill from cold. " Forest God stuttered a little timidly, observing king's reaction carefully, as if he was a little tense, fearing his humble craft may be ridiculed. " Once you warm them by the fire, they should hold warmth for couple of hours before they start to cool... And they have little protective rune charm. Nothing complex, alas... But in case you fall on some ill way while wearing them, instead of braking your fingers or smashing them, fabric will tear instead of your bones. World can be treacherous place, and I know they are not too special for the eye - so I tried my best to give them something a bit special beyond the look, little one... You have such lovely, frail human fingers... " he smiled shyly. " I wished I could do something more to make sure their bearer is safe, but this is all I can do right now. I would have made you some more special shoes too, proper for someone like you, but there wouldn't be enough skin, and one night would be too little time..."