Svarik and the company I :)

[Mirach]

A smile spread on Svarik's face as he watched his hands in the gloves. "That's a wonderful gift...One of those you don't realize you needed until you get it, and then wonder how you could go without it... My deepest thanks for it, Cernunnos..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I would not be able to gift it to you without your friend giving me the rabbit skin, without little Xia that comforted me, and without you playing me music that helped me deal better with the long night behind me... When you do good things, you clear path for good things to come your way, sooner or later... " old demon whispered shyly and fondly, it seeming to be one of the few opinions he was deeply convinced about. He seemed delighted and relieved deeply to see king appreciates his little gift so sincerely, not so free with him to dare reach for him in familiarity yet, but feeling kindred enough to him to reward his kind words with a little sincere beaming grin.

[Mirach]

"Allow me then to do some good for you with them," Svarik smiled, and took the flute into his hands, getting used to the feeling of holding it in the gloves first before he started to play.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature smiled shyly, and sank down back into his chair with weariness, timidly looking forward to some relief. Xis transformed this time into her winged form, and she got close to him, covering him protectively with his soft wings, making sure he feels protected and soothed by her imposing, powerful jet gentle presence.
Erdel in turn made sure he again warmed up the blanket for him, to make sure he feels warm, knowing how deep the night coldness can sip into the soul. After he did so, he looked around, trying to figure out if there's anything else he can do, and he smiled a little - and while Svarik tended to Cernunnos with his music, he decided for more practical route, and went on aside to continue clearing feathers from a duck old demon god started preparing that morning, so he would take some work of his shoulders and do that instead of him.

[Mirach]

Svarik was glad to be allowed to play for Cernunnos properly, and he made sure to use the time well with a strengthening and healing song.

[VisAnastasis]

Creature was very defensive after all it's been through, and it wasn't easy, but a bit by bit, with time and with gentle sounds, it learned to open up to the song, despite the intimacy it evoked was unpleasant, knowing it's a bitter pill it ought to swallow to get a little better.

[Mirach]

Svarik felt that and did not press him or rush with the melodies, helping him to accept the song gradually as the melodies deepened. 

[VisAnastasis]

More he listened to the old demons' soul, king could feel how different it was, both from human and Spirit souls, and from souls of Xia and Erdel. At that distant past, when he was attacked and barely made it out alive, a terrible damage had been done to it, and he survived only at great cost. His essence, indeed, seemed as if some filthy terrifying force had bitten into it, chewing it and tearing into it, even swallowing some bites of it, before spitting it out. Over eons, hurts healed, but injuries were so severe, that scars were grotesque and unnatural, connecting strange soul bits or having them be nearly detached as well, and his whole essence grew twisted and unrecognizable, like a skin after horrible burns that had recovered, but is stiff and always tender and sore. His soul was, beyond doubt, disfigured beyond power to return to what it once was, barely even being able to maintain physical form and stay living, thanks mostly through strength of will and couple resistant strained threads his enemies and pressure didn't manage to tear. Even now, after so long, creature seemed to be on verge of death every moment.

It seemed and deeper touch of those scarred places reminded him on the horror of what he had been through, and Cernunnos was trembling lightly with pain that had to come with it. However, he made no voice, as instinctive it was for his kin, for which one louder breath could cause them to be caught and hunted down. He was not used to make sounds of pain, as any such would be sign of weakness to his enemies. Instead, he gritted his teeth, and hid face in Xia soft fur, embracing her close to help him deal with worst of the hurting. It was very sad, though, to see him like this - for, despite pain and vulnerability such intimacy brought, creature still was eagerly with earnesty letting soft music reach and pick upon his soul as much as he could bear to, as it brought him relief to finally be tended to on such way by someone who knew how to mend souls, his tender essence untouched by anyone like that being like an itch he knew could not reach on his own, being not a healer and having no healer of souls in his home.

[Mirach]

Svarik had tears in his eyes as the damaged soul of the ancient demon unraveled before him. He knew well how it felt having his soul torn, and what suffering it must have been every day for Cernunnos, and he felt a deep sorrow for him. He did not touch the deeper scars, the opening of which would only bring pain without chance of mending properly with the missing pieces of soul. He kept to the surface scars, his music like a balm that was carefully making them softer and more flexible so that they wouldn't bring pain anymore.

[VisAnastasis]

Cernunnos held onto little Xia firmly during the worst parts, thought he even then seemed careful not to accidentally prick or scratch her with his long nails in moments of distress. As the worst passed, and when he got used to the process more, with Svarik respecting his boundaries and not insisting on trying to go deeper and therefore cause more harm than good, kind old demon seemed to more freely entrust him with his well being, as he felt safer with him and his thankfulness toward Svarik grew. He relaxed more after a while into the pleasant caring feeling, and with it, his aura seemed to flow more freely and clearly and sip more in the air around them, drowning scent of miasma from the air with its more intense flavor - with shy sprouting scent of a spring flower that, given proper watering and good new soil, was lingering pleasantly, relieved to be freshened up and taken care of.

[Mirach]

Svarik carefully nourished that new feeling with his music, strenghtening and encouraging it with his song.

[VisAnastasis]

Demon was listening intently, for a moment seeming to forget everything, but the beautiful music, taking it in as a thirst tormented person would take an offer of fresh glass of water. From time to time, his fingers would twitch a little bit, as if he was instinctively trying to shift his form lightly, into a little more comfortable position, since his soul was now breathing more freely and material form he had right now was not fully in tune with it, but he was unable to do so, as invisible chains were binding him and preventing him from that. Other that that, he seemed very pleased, and comfortable, as he felt safe with Svarik's reassuring gentleness, and, dazed from this unexpected but pleasant experience, he allowed Svarik to play for him for as long as meadow king believed it would do him good, trusting him to stop when he feels it's best.

[Mirach]

Svark played for him until noon and even a bit longer, feeling it good for Cernunnos to connect his song with the rays of sun at the time of their greatest power, to help him overcome the future nights. Only when he managed to do that, he stopped playing gradually, and remained quiet, drying his tears.

[VisAnastasis]

Demon was dazed for a little while, this healing experience being new and overwhelming to him who knew only of survival, one coming more by spite and strength of will than particular skill. He too secretively dried the tears that gathered up in his eyes a little wonderingly and clumsily, as his material form was a little out of tune from his soothed eased soul. He was quiet, the intimate moment he shared with Svarik leaving him in silence as well, as if he could not find proper words to convey his thanks and therefore all words suddenly evaded him, as if taken away from him, rendering him voiceless. He was disoriented, looking around with some confusion, as if he had lost track of time and was trying to figure it out, and to figure out how far is the night.

By that time, Erdel, who knew he can not do anything to help God's suffering, was intent on making sure both the duck and all ingredients were ready for the cooking, so that lunch would not be too delayed. He also took freedom to make the tea separately for both Svarik and Cernunnos, and he poured and offered them each a cup, his own hands trembling a little as he did so in silence, seeming little shaken by the experience and inability to help in it himself as well.

[Mirach]

Feeling suddenly rater tired, Svarik accepted the tea thankfully, and sipped it in silence, giving the Forest God time to absorb the experience.

[VisAnastasis]

Cernunnos took a moment to breathe deeply through it and take it all in and to find his voice again. When time started flowing for him again and he realized it's past noon, he bit his lip, seeming a little saddened and thoughtful suddenly, knowing that they planned to have meal by this time already and get going, while being played to, time having past so fast, as if he had just blinked and already was meant to bid goodbye to them. Still, he cleared his throat, and tried to appease that pang of sadness, looking up to king shyly, decided not to trouble him or make him feel bad for leaving.

" Will you... stay for lunch still... kind guest? " he whispered quietly, doing his best not to sound needy, while warming hands on a tea cup given to him. " I am to apologize.. I knew not it had been this hour already.. I can't make something special, like I intended to, without delaying you too much... But I could still cook you up something good and nutrient... if you'd let me... I'd like to make you duck for lunch, and some nice rabbit meat... for the road.. if I may... "

[Mirach]

"Yes, of course we will stay for it," Svarik nodded. "I'm sorry I took more time for the song, the noon seemed the best time for playing it. But Xia can fly fast, it's alright if we stay a bit longer. And Erdel already prepared the ingredients for cooking, you have time to make it how you find it most tasty."

[VisAnastasis]

" I had hoped to have chance to make you something special as a parting treat, to help replenish your strenght.. But I'd rather have you escape the treachery of night safely, than face any risk just for the sake of few good bites. I can take an hour to  make you instead some nice nutrient broth, mashed potatoes with vegetables and duck meat, and also roast you rabbit meat that you can eat later for dinner, when you have ventured far, safe beyond these woods. " Creature offered shyly, despite nearer parting seeming to leave it a little tearful, nothing comparing in his mind to terror of more people he admired facing danger to  perish from the dangers of the dark. " You have bid promise to me to return me my book as your journey is to end - I will wait for you, and if you do come back to bring it to me again, kind little guest, and do me an honor to stay but for one, just one meal, I could prepare you something better to thank thee for that good heart of thy that you have shown me, kind little prince... "

[Mirach]

"I will certainly do that," Svarik nodded. "And that faster meal now sounds very good to me as well. I will gladly have it with you."

( OOC: Linda was born today at 5:45! Measures are 50cm and 2930g, she is healthy and beautiful)

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: OMG, I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO, DEAR! <33333333333 Sorry for replying so late ( I've had important exam yesterday so I didn't sleep well for few days prior as I was painting, and then after it I slept over yesterday, and just woke up now * super embarrassed * ) but I am so EXCITED NOW THAT I'VE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND THE LITTLE CUTIE! IT'S SO WONDERFUL AND SURREAL THAT I'LL GET TO MEET HER! AWWWWW, DEAR, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW YOU'VE MADE MY DAY! I HOPE EVERYTHINGS OKAY, AND AM SENDING YOU THOUSANDS OF HUGS AND LOTS OF LOVE!!!!  <333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

[Mirach]

(OOC: Thank you! I sent you a photo on facebook)

[VisAnastasis]

( OOC: (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ (◕‿◕✿) )

Cernunnos smiled shyly, and he gestured to Svarik to stay sitting and rest, while he slowly stood up himself, and seeming a little drowsy, he was still determinate to cook up something as well as he could for his little beloved guest who obliged him so much with his kind treating.

[Mirach]

Svarik let him do that, knowing it's important to him to have something he could offer. 

[VisAnastasis]

Creature's hands were a little more shaky than usual, as the unbalance between his soul that was more eased than his material form reflected it was somewhat uneasy. However, as he obviously did feel quite better than usual, he could work faster without as sharp pain as was ever present, and he was delighted and pleased with that. Soon, potatoes and vegetables were done, and he seemed to weave some nice light blessings into it, for scent of the meal was very soothing and pleasant. He filled Svarik and Xia full nutrient plates both, and for Erdel, he also in meantime prepared big mug of tea, knowing he eats not, but graceful in his wish to make sure he doesn't feel neglected. Then, as they ate, he proceeded to cook them a nice broth and rabbit meat, that they could save up for later when they have dinner.

[Mirach]

Svarik took care to eat everything on his plate this time, even though it was a bit more than he would take himself, and thanked Cernunnos for the tasty meal.