Red Lips, Oh What A Tryst! [Open][QR]

[Fiona Starling]

Fiona walked through the strawberry fields, her bare feet sinking into the cold, snow covered ground. It had come that time of year where all the plants need to go down to their roots, to rest and sleep. It had been quite a cool front that came through the camp, but now was one of Fiona's favorite times of year.

Yes, she missed all the bright greens, but without long winter nights, spring would be much less welcomed and rejoiced. What was the point of rebirth if there was no death.

A cool wind came up through the bare, snow covered fields and gave Fiona a low shivering feeling. It was going to storm again, she just felt it, it was not for sure, but knowing this time of the year there was always another one coming. No magic in the works, just too much time reading almanacs.

With another shiver Fiona started to head over towards her blanket and picnic that she had set up for herself to enjoy the view and quiet that was the Strawberry Fields in wintertime. Setting herself down, she dusted off her bare feet and rubbed them a bit to bring back some warmth to her toes. She looked around her at her little set up, a picnic basket filled with warm goodies, her guitar, a book, her shoes, and a big bag of yarn to knit with; Fiona was set up for the entire day.

[Alistair Theirin]

Alistair hated living in such a crowded place. He disliked all the noise and the amount of little campers running around as if they had no sense. Alistair shook his head as he slipped a leather bound book into his pack. There were a few theives here and there, but this has been a gift and he didn't want it go be stolen. He sheathed his sword and pulled his shield on his back before taking his bag and slinging it over his shoulder without a problem. He would do some practice in the arena before doing what he normaly did without the threat of exams looming over the horrizon. It was finally over and he was awaiting his exam results but that anxiety wouldn't be nessicary for another week and a half. then he would know whether or not he would be eligible for readmission of the next term. Though he didn't know if his scholarship would be eligible any more.

Alistair walked outside and and gave a whistle. There was a loud bark and suddenly there was a massive hound at his side. "Good boy, barkspawn" Alistair said as he rubbed the dog behind his ears and the dog gave another happy bark. At the shoulders, the dog itself was nearly four feet tall. A smaller person then him would have been able to use the dog as a riding dog. Barkspawn was a good dog and a war dog at that. Sometimes Alistair would forget it. But then something would happen to him and then bam, Alistair was greatful that Barkspawn was a wardog. The dog barked and bounded behind him as he made his way through camp. Alistair didn't know where he was going. Occasionally he did that, he just let his feet lead the way. It was then that he found himself in the strawberry fields. The fields were rampant with strawberies. The help of the children of Demeter and Dionysus made these fruits grow insanely all year around.

He wasn't alone. Barkspawn leapt off and bounded into the snow. kicking up snow piles and chasing squirrles. Alistair smiled. But the figure that he had spotted wasn't the silouette of Barkspawn off in the distance. As he came closer, Alistair couldn't help but smile. It was Fiona. The delicate flower that he had met the other night around the hearth by the cabins. She was different from the other women and girls that he had met. She didn't knock him out nor did she threaten his manhood. Fiona was easy to talk to and a sweet woman. But it was such a shame that he didn't have anything to present such a lovely girl with. He found himself at a loss of words before approaching her. "Hey Fiona. Fancy meeting you here." Alistair said in a smooth voice. "Mind if I pull up a patch of dirt?" He asked as he motioned to the cold ground beside her.

[Fiona Starling]

Fiona's mind had wandered a bit as she just looked out towards the landscape infront of her, she was strange she figured, she actually loved camp. Although she missed traveling constantly, it was nice to actually have a place to feel settled, to a certain degree at least. Fiona never felt like any place for her really was certain, there is always something that would uproot her.

The daughter of Demeter's eyes had glazed over just slightly, they were just taking in every lovely part that was the glistening snow under the dull sun behind the clouds. The strawberries popping out of the white snow like little red hearts, if Fiona had been snacking on her fruit snacks, this would look like a snow covered rose garden with red and white roses.

A slight smile came over her lips with that thought, her smile went away for a second as she heard someone approach, she never knew what to expect with people here. When she saw it was Alistair her smile returned, "Imagine that huh? A Demeter child in the strawberry fields." She smirked a bit, then scooted over on her large blanket and patted on it, "How about keeping from getting a wet bottom and just sharing my blanket... may be a better choice." She heard a barking and her attention turned towards the very large dog in the distance, a soft chuckle came from her before she turned her attention back to Alistair, "That one yours?"

[Alistair Theirin]

Alistair gently sat down after being offered a nice warm and not butt chilling and soaking spot to sit. The blanket was a nice change from freezing his buttocks off. There was the sound of loud barking and Alistair looked up as a flash of brown fur ran by, knocking him unceremoniously onto his bottom. the moment he was flat on his back, Barkspawn saw fit to lick his face in a slobbery cacaphony of barking and playful growling. "Fiona, this is Barkspawn. Barkspawn this is fiona, say hello." Barkspawn leapt up and bounded around in a circle before heading off to chase some squirrles. "He's a warhound. But sometimes he doesn't quite act like it." He then laughed as the dog slipped on a patch and went skittering across the snow to land against a tree, a pile of snow landed atop the confused hound.

alistair let out a contented sigh as he leaned back on the blanket, just enjoying the company of Fiona and even Barkspawn's run by licking. "So other then the obviously delectable strawberries and the wonderful snow, what brings you out here?" Alistair asked curiously. he already felt a bit bad for intruding in on her time. "I'm not intruding on anything am I? I can get grumpy sometimes when people barge in during my devotionals. But they mostly are durring sunrise and sunset." Alistair looked up at the sky with a smile. "I have always believed in spiratuality over religion. Sometimes people can get a bit overzealous at something like that."

[Fiona Starling]

A loud laugh came from Fiona as Alistair was interrupted in his seating by being tackled by the large hound, then promptly slobbered on accordingly, a hand covered her mouth as she had a bit of a giggle fit come up, "How-do-you-do Barkspawn, quite lovely to meet yo..." Her little greeting was cut off by the dog making a run for some squirrels, another little giggle escaped her.

She shrugged, "He may be bred to be a warhound but he is all dog, perfectly lovely and definitely a great companion I bet... I mean he is named after an awesome game, that so happens to have his master's name in it as well..." She chuckled and pulled out a thermos, "Would you like some of my friend's amazing apple cider, its still quite hot... I also have some tea, earl gray, hibiscus, and green; I mean they will be made with the steamy water I have in my other thermos..." As she talked, she rummaged slightly through her basket, "I also have lots of different little treats in here, mostly finger foods and snacks."

She smiled at Alistair as he laid back, "I just enjoy the view... its calm yet always busy, something growing and living, always moving yet still... Kinda pretty you know."

She smiled, leaning back herself just a bit, "No intrusion at all my friend, I am always welcoming to people to come into my days. I am quite social." She chuckled a bit.

She nodded, "I am not very spiritual or religious, but I do enjoy learning about others on occasion, mainly just urban legends and mythology... I mean fables and such, fairy tales, I just find things like that amazing to listen to, not really research."

She rolled over on to her stomach, propping herself up on her arms, "What brought you out here? Not many people come out here during winter... They find it too barren or cold. I love to pluck the frozen strawberries and make smoothies."

[Alistair Theirin]

"He truly is a wonderful hound. And yes, I did name him after the dog in Dragon Age. It was oen of the few videogames I got to play and truly enjoied. I played it at one of me mates houses back a few years ago." Alistair nodded as he became the victim of a run by licking. He couldn't help but laugh at his hounds antics. Sometimes the dog was just the diversion that Alistair needed to keep people from either beating him senseless or wanting to try to mug him. "But for all the trouble he keeps me out of, he does get me into trouble too." Alistair said as Barkspawn ran past the edge of the forest to dig under a tree root.

"You know you're the first woman to not knock me flat out on my backside for talking to her?" Alistair could remember the girls at his school and their collective decision to deny him friendship and the time of day. Then came the mention of tea. Alistair looked at his watch before nodding. "I'll have some cider. It is about that time to take tea anyways." He couldnt but help let his mouth drool over the smells of cider and the different teas that she had. "Some days nothing is better then a good and warm tea." He said, nodding his head in a matter of fact way.

Alistair listened to fiona speak. "I do find myths rather facinating. But all in all it does feel as if we live in one. A fantastical place where we learn to fight monsters and we learn about the use of actual weapons. Tis truly a place of the gods." He listened to fiona speak on how much she loved this particular place. He could see how this place was so beautiful. At least save for the massive pawprints dotting the snow as Barkspawn trounced about the place like a puppy on christmas.

"Actually I came out for a bit of freedom. I finished my finals and I needed to escape the confines of the minor gods cabin. Too many children there are underfoot." Alistair didn't mind the over crowded cabin on most days. He had quickly gotten used to not having much privacy. "It's just a bit strange when you've grown up in a massive manor all by yourself." Alistair fell silent as he looked off into the distance. He could just see in his minds eye on how wonderful the manor looked and his heart went out to his aunt. She must have truly been having a hard time with the holidays aproaching rather quickly.

[Fiona Starling]

Fiona nodded at the talk of Dragon Age, "I understand, I mean whenever my dad would be playing a concert or having to record, even if sometimes I tagged along, after about the millionth one you start to grow tired of them, I wound up playing a bunch of video games, watching movies, and gardening mostly. Oh and playing my guitar of course..." She patted her wooden baby next her gently.

She chuckled softly at the quick lick as Barkspawn ran past Alistair, it was quite adorable she had to admit, "I could see that... But he keeps your life entertaining and interesting, part of the fun of such a..." She watched him run and dig, with definite looks of joy, "vivacious animal companion." She watched Barkspawn a bit more and nodded at her choice of words before she turned her attention back to Alistair.

"Oh I am? Do you perhaps have a case of wandering hands and rushing fingers? Just note I have a weapon on me at all times, even in the shower, or in a bikini... Its not tucked away anywhere you can grab either." She laughed hard, making sure to push that it was a joke, "But anyways, I haven't had a reason to do any of the sort to ya' so yeah, don't give me a reason and it won't happen."

Fiona rummaged through her basket, she leaned down into it, her top half going into the container, her legs slightly kicking as she talked to herself, "Dagnabit! Where are they? They are always in here..." She slightly grunted and growled before she finally found what she was looking for, popping back up she smiled holding two larger than average mugs, "Hope you don't mind a Texas tea party." She laughed a bit and poured the apple cider into one and stewed her a hibiscus tea in the other.

"I have never really had 'tea' with anyone else before, its kinda strange but nice." She chuckled as she leaned her arm in and found her sugar bowl, plopping two cubes into her own glass before handing over the mug filled with cider to Alistair. "I seriously have a good amount of food in there, I kinda always over make what I need so just in case I have company," she motioned to him, "I have more than enough food, truly if you are hungry I think I could over fill you."

She laughed a bit again and took a long slow drink of her hot tea, the warming liquid coursing down her throat warmed her entire body for the moments she took in enjoying the flavors and heat.

Setting her mug back down, she smiled, "I know what you mean, but I really like fairy tales like from the Grimm brothers... I also like Mother Goose versions, but I love the classics, they are really dark usually but it kinda makes me feel better about our situation at times." She picked her cup up and looked at the leaves under the tea, "I mean, it could always be worse is a truth that you have to remember... even if it sounds terrible to say."

She looked up at his mention of freedom, "I currently don't have really many siblings in my cabin, so if you need a bed to crash when you get stressed by chaos, there are plenty in mine and no one would mind." She nodded her head and smiled, "I kinda get it, a giant tour bus with just me, my dad, and a driver was kinda fun at times, but it gets a bit lonely too. We kinda went a little extravagant on ours, but eh, if you are going to live in a home on wheels, why not make it a mansion?" She chuckled as she quoted her dad a bit.

Her chuckle dropped as she saw Alistair's attention go off and his face seemed almost void of emotion for a moment, what was the deal with Fiona that made guys do that? Taking a moment, she took a deep breath, "Anything you want to talk about per chance?" She hoped it was not her, but lately that is how she felt when people did that, she just did not understand why.

[Alistair Theirin]

"I think playin an insturment is a wonderful thing. Me aunt tried to get me to learn how to play the piano. I practiced for nearly two years and only was able to squeak out jingle bells after all those two years." Alistair shook his head with a laugh. "mostly my time was spent in an after school job working in the stables of my uncle's polo club. I wasn't allowed into many of the family gatherings so I took solace in working in the stables. That was one thing that I really enjoied. The horses don't look at you based upon your birth." He smiled as he looked out in the distance with a smile on his face, remembering when simpler times were 'don't go anywhere near the family functions, bastards aren't wanted'. Then he turned sixteen and Barkspawn was given to him from his mother.

"one day I shall have you for a proper english tea. I think you might enjoy it. It's a bit more formal then this. But I do make a mean earl grey tea. But my uncle taught me the secret to a good british tea. Dark tea requires milk and sugar while light tea requires honey" Alistair said knowledgebly. He took a sip of the cider. It was spicy and sweet at the same time with such a wonderful and tantalizing smell. It warmed him from the tip of his fingers all the way down to his feet. It was such a wonderful feeling. This was such a wonderful sensation that filled him up. "Your friend must have made this with lots of love, care and attention. It is so wonderful. What other sorts of things do you have in that wonderful treasure basket there?" Alistair was curious as to what other snacks might be in there. If they were made with the same loving care as the cider then he could almost gaurentee they would be so tastey.

"I've never been on a tour bus before. But most of my families homes are ancient and old and huge. but when its only three people plus the four servants that were in the employment of my uncle. But they were more like family then servants." He didn't feel comfortable talking about the servants as if they were like that servants. But most of them were friends and they were lending ears to his problem. "But when its seven people in a mannor with more then thirty rooms, it seems like any man can be an island." He shrugged his shoulders. "But thank you for the invitation. I might have to take you up on that. one more day of frozen bed sheets and unnatural breezes in my sleep and I'd be close to setting that damned cabin on fire."

"My uncle always told me fairy tale stories, but they wern't as amusing for me as the stories of the knights of the round table or Beowulf. Robin Hood was my favorite." Alistair said. He had never really admited that to anyone else. Some times he wondered if his dreams and fantasies were stupid and childish. But sometimes he would think on that statement and realize that it would be stupid to give up a dream. Something he could work towards to make this world better for himself and those to come.

"I was thinking about my uncle, hoping that my aunt will be alright without him. The holidays just don't seem as bright without him getting drunk on eggnog and swinging about the chandiler with his trousers around his head." Alistair let out a dark chuckle. "Why couldn't I have done something to help him? That's why I want to do is be able to help people." It was a private moment that no one else had heard, no one but barkspawn had ever been so listening. "Sorry to trouble you with all of that depressing crap." Alistair smiled as he took another sip of the cider and watched as barkspawn came back into view, rolling ove and over in the snow, chasing hares and squirrles before coming over and flopping down in the snow exhausted. He whined at alistair before rolling over and begging to have his stomach rubbed. Alistair obliged. "Dogs are great therapy."

[Fiona Starling]

Fiona smiled at Alistair's talk of him trying to learn to play piano, another little giggle came up at him saying after two years he could get jingle bells out, she softly mentioned, "At least around this time of the year you can get down with your bad self." She smirked a bit.

She leaned forward more and made herself a little more comfortable, trying to adjust her body to be in a less contorted position. She nodded at his notion of horses and being judged, "Oh no, they only judge you on if you provide them carrots and brush them properly." She smiled widely and rolls around to where she is on her back, kicking her legs up in the air, stretching them out.

"Ohs? A real English tea? Sounds exciting... I mean I am not quite formal usually but I bet I could attempt it. Plus I kinda have a bit of love for those amazing wild hats."

She smiled watching him sip on the drink, then she nodded, "Charlie-Mack is an amazing Dio girl, that stuff is delicious.... Oh the res t of my goodies are just random things I like to cook, I kinda have eclectic taste." She rocked herself up into a seated position and started to pull out different plates with about a dozen of each item on them: some sweet rolls, little dough balls filled with different jellies and paste, some steamed dumplings, crab-cake sliders, brushetta squares, onigiri, Turkish delight, a couple of sea salt ice creams, a big plate of different styled finger sandwiches, and some fried fish with custard. All the plates took up tons of room on the blanket; smiling she went ahead and grabbed her extra one, spreading it out just a bit by them, moving some of the plates onto it.

She smiled and shrugged at Alistair, "Sorry... I kind of have a love of cooking, only issue is I wind up making way too much in the end." She looked at all the plates and blushed a bit, kinda realizing the extent of her cooking habit.

She looked back at him and grinned, "Well uhm, yeah, not alot of people have been on one, if my dad comes by New York City maybe I'll sneak some of us towards the concert, we can see it and you can have the experience of being on a tour bus, which is neat." Nodding her head, "Never really been in any old manors, but we had staff, like Derek my dad's chef, we had a couple maids over the years too... They didn't like cleaning up after the hippos though." She laughed.

She spread her arms out, "Just come knocking, we got nothing but space really." It was true there were so many empty beds in the Demeter cabin it was slightly pitiful. "Just keep your pyro antics to a minimum." Her smile showed she was joking, but she knew that he would be in much trouble even with a small match in her cabin.

Fiona leaned over and grabbed up one of the filled dough balls, smiling brightly as she takes a couple of bites of the chewy, sweet mango-jelly-filled ball. A little bit of the jelly dribbled down onto her chin. She giggled and wiped her chin quickly; "Well... That was attractive." She laughed and licked her hand a bit before grabbing a napkin, wiping her chin and hands off quickly.

She smiled and watched his face as he talked about the knights of before, "I like those! They are more adult oriented than for children, yet they do have wonderful imagery. I still prefer my girly and gory ones, but I have to admit that the romances of days of lore is hard to not enjoy." She nodded, she always felt that had moments that made her heart race even if she knew them front to back.

"Oh... I am sorry for your family, I mean even though your uncle seems to be quite the character, that leaves a large space missing in your life." She sighed softly, "I am sorry. I mean, I hope that you do achieve your dream though, in his memory." She softly smiled and lightly patted Alistair on the hand, "It is no trouble at all. I am here if you would ever like to talk, it is just who I am."

Another soft smile and nice gentle pat on the hand before looking back at Barkspawn, he was quite adorable and definitely a perfect companion. "That they are, but he seems more than just a dog..." She smiled, taking another bite, then offering the last bit of dough towards Barkspawn, "He seems more of a friend or family member than anything."

[Alistair Theirin]

"wow, this is amazing." Alistair took a few bites of a turkish delight and one bite out of a sandwich. "You really have a talent." Alistair dabbed some excess food away with a napkin, trying to remember his manners and keep from becoming a barbarian that hadn't eaten in days. "I always have a willing stomach if you ever feel the need to experiment. Our cook, I called her Nanny Emily, she was with the family ever since I was this big." Alistair made a motion with his hand to indicate the toddler stage. "I always wanted to help and try her new stuff. Nothing was better though then her onion soup in the middle of winter." Alistair smiled as he leaned back and munched on another finger sandwich. He smiled at the gentle winter that had seemed to fall on the camp, he smiled at Fiona, a new found friend to confide in, and he smiled at the thought of being here at camp and how lucky he had been.

"I haven't seen many demeter kids other then you. But not that its a bad thing. I do promise that I won't burn your cabin down." Alistair raised his hand in promise that he wouldn't do anything stupid. "I just am not a fan of some of the people that I room with if you get my drift." Alistair shook his head as he remembered his time in the Hermes cabin. He swore up and down if he found one of the little brats trying to steal his things then he would make them pay with a vengence if he ever had them in a class. Alistair wasn't naturally a posessive person, but some of the few things he came to camp with were very precious to him and he didn't want to loose it.

"My uncle wanted the best for me, he knew of my mother and what good she had done in her mortal form. But he was just so ashamed of my father he felt the need to step in. I'm greatful and I can only pray that he has achieved Elysium. Its what I pray for every day in my devotional." Alistair admited. It was rare for him to talk about what he prayed for, it seemed a bit personal. However it wasn't the only thing that he thought about. "I also thank the gods for brining me here and giving me friends that understand what its like to be a demi-god and having all teh problems that are associated with it." He gave a laugh.

Barkspawn licked at fiona, eagerly taking the last bit of dough that was offered to him by her. "I learned the hard way that Barkspawn is picky about what he eats. He only likes the good stuff." Alistair said with a laugh as barkspawn licked alistairs face with a jelly covered tongue, mussing up the side of alistair's head. Alistair made a face and tried to wipe it off with a napkin. Most of the mess was gone, but the stickiness remained. "Great, thanks mutt. Now I'm gonna have to shower again today." Alistair tried to wet the napkin in the snow to rub off more of the stickiness but it was to no avail.