Event Open Samhain Bonfire

“I don’t know…” Liliana said, “Samhain is such a difficult time for me, and others like me. I see the dead almost anywhere right now, the veil is so low, soon it will be almost gone …” she confided, “and while most spirits are good and mean no harm, there are others that scare me...” she admitted as she and Bel walked slowly towards the bonfire.

The two girls had met in the dorm hallways earlier, struck up a conversation of sorts that turned quickly to love, life and the dead and dying (a rather weird conversation for two strangers) and had decided to go and check out the Bonfire together.

“Samhain has almost always been a hard time for me too,” Bel admitted as she retied her long blond hair in a high ponytail, “I mean, I bitch and complain, and am generally unpleasant at times, even telling others to f-off and that I hate Samhain,” she told Liliana, relieved that she could be truthful with somebody, “Truth is I actually love it, the whole symbolism, festivities, the bonfires, all that. How could I not? I am a Celtic goddess, any celebration for the others is also an acknowledgment of myself.” she admitted as they neared the beach.

“So, you feel guilty admitting you like it?” Liliana asked.

“No, not guilty, it’s a bit more complicated than that… “ Bel admitted, “You ever taken a soul across and envied the love and life it lived? Hoping that you could have a life so well lived and be so loved?” Bel asked curiously.

“Yes, a few times now…” Liliana replied, kind of knowing what Bel was hinting at, “A few souls, older reincarnated souls especially, they’re the ones that are aware and you can feel that love and kindness emanating from them…”

Bel nodded, “In a way, I feel the same. Everybody loves Samhain, he doesn’t need to try, the love and adoration are there. People haven’t ever stopped loving the mystery of the festival despite the passage of time,” she explained calmly as they stepped onto the beach, each girl removing their shoes.

“Hell, even me, the goddess Beltane, likes Samhain, despite the fact it saps me of my god abilities… although I will rarely, if ever, admit that to anyone,” she told Liliana glancing at her sideways and grinned.

Chuckling at Bel's revelation, Liliana could easily understand her and how she felt.

"Hey, speaking of festive things.. I hear there are soul cakes, pumpkin bread, and candied apples, oh and cider, hot cider… Shall we try some?” Liliana asked Bel.

“Gods yes, I love candied apples, and hot apple cider with cinnamon,” Bel replied excitedly.

“Great, so do I.” Liliana said grinned, grabbing Bel’s arm in hers, “There’s a booth over there, I think, let’s check it out.”

(Open for interaction with one or both girls. : ) )

"I really like the idea of modernizing traditions," she told Roldan with a nod. "Your mom sounds like a smart woman," Celeste said, realising that this was the first time he had mentioned his mother, and couldn't help but wonder what she was like.

Listening quietly to Roldan talk, noting his uncertainness with Iesha, Celeste smiled in understanding. "I have the same problem with Azure," she admitted as she glanced sideways at him, "Just give her her space, let her know you care and are there for her as much as you can, and eventually things will work themselves out, and she will open up to you," Celeste suggested.

"Azure was so quiet when he first came to live with me, always off sort of doing his own thing... He still is quiet and aloof, if I'm honest, but now, every so often, when I am reading or correcting papers, he comes and just lays in his wolf form at my feet." she told Roldan, looking at him softly. "It's not a big leap, but I know it's progress, and that he enjoys being with me and the family." she said as she squeezed Roldan's hand back. "I am sure it's the same with Iesha. She just needs time, and gentle assurance you are there for her."

"Work... well, that has been interesting, very interesting actually. This year, I took on an assistant, a young girl who was part of a religious cult of some sort," she had finally taken the time to read Euphemia's file, "And she's helping me with errands and classwork, basically I am helping her learn how to socialize again, and not feel so awkward talking and relating to others,." Celeste told Roldan, unconsciously pulling him a bit closer to her as they walked along the wet sand, enjoying his company.

@Kada

"You would have been an amazing scout," Celeste stated, very much seeing him in the role, as she leant over and kissed his cheek, "But I know what you mean. I see it quite often when new students are brought in. We are sometimes warned in advance, but often, you can tell... There's an air about them," she said quietly. "And my heart goes out to them. I can't imagine how family can be so cruel at times," she told Roldan, as she lightly squeezed his arm, more an involuntary gesture of comfort really.

"Your mom sounds amazing," she laughed, "My mom was also a fiery thing, though not like yours," here she grinned at the subtle dragon reference, "She was this independent, crazy force of nature. Though a bit on the overly dramatic side sometimes," Celeste admitted rolling her eyes.

"Little secret not many know," Celeste said as she looked at Roldan while they walked, "Rafael, my father, actually wanted to marry her, but she said no..." she told him, "I'm not a Forestier because of him, but because of her idea that marriage and kids was old-fashioned, stifled dreams and tied people down," she told Roldan, shaking her head at the memory of the fights, the heated discussions about her welfare, she had heard between Rafael and her mother.

"I do too, maybe before Christmas we can do a little something. Go shopping together, or to the tree lighting ceremony or something else, something where nobody feels pressure to stay if they don't want to," Celeste agreed and suggested, trying to be mindful of everyone's needs.

@Kada