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Tara liked to spent time in the woods outside the city. It felt more like home to the tall Irish born woman.
Seth wandered into the woods, having finally escaped from those abusive caretakers. He panted in exhaustion, not realizing he wasn't alone in these woods.
At 6'2" she towered over many of the womenfolk of this century, not that her height alone made her stand out. Her two long red warrior braids seemed to be another outdated fashion that Tara refused to give up. She strode through the woods as if with a purpose, leaving the parking lot area behind and moving towards the centre of the wood unerringly.
The boy walked through the forest, pushing back some of his messy, dirty blond hair out of his eyes. He didn't realize he was right in her path; he didn't even know she was there.
He might not be aware, but as she came into view of him, she was alert to his presence and she paused. 'Great, just what she needed. A watcher, seems she would have to wait for true communion with Gaia.' Tara watched the young man a moment - as he walked in her path directly without even seeming to see her. "Guud ev'nin' to ya." She called out - her Irish accent very prominent in her speech.
She was dressed this evening in clothes of the time.. a pair blue trousers called jeans and an odd manner of shirt, a tank top, that showed more skin that she was used to showing - but had been told it was the norm for the fashion of that time.
He jumped at the sudden voice, immeditely reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small switchblade. "Wh-who are you?!" he called in a nervous voice, though it was obvious he was trying to sound brave.
Tara smiled a bit a seeing the man's reaction and had to hold back a laugh at the sight of his small knife. It was a meagre weapon, nothing to compare with her long sword which was currently Dedicated to her and easily called forth at will. But she would have no need of such, tonight, not if that tiny blade was the extent of protection. "Oh.. pardon my intrusion, sir. I didn't mean to startle"
"Me names Tara"
He took a deep breath, letting it out. "No, it's no problems." he said, putting the knife back in his pocket. "I just wasn't expecting anyone else out there." he held out his hand, smiling warmly. "My name's Seth."
"Aye, I was thinking the same. What's brings ye to this wood this late at night, good sir? I been told oft enough that walking alone ain't safe."
"I had to escape... Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself out here."
Tara nods slightly in response, though she mumbles to herself 'not with that knife like that'. Then realizes that she was being rude in not replying aloud. "Escape ye say? City life too hectic fer ya? I know well how that feels."
He shook his head. "Not quite, though I guess you could say that. Don't worry about it, though. That life's behind me." He looked up at the night sky. "So, you going anywhere? I was thinking of setting up camp soon, and I know it's less dangerous to camp in a group."
That surprised her. "Camp? Yer spending the night outside? Is that even done anymore these days?"
He scratched the back of his head. "Not usually, but I don't have any money." He said with an embarrassed look.
"Ye don't have much in the way of gear either that I can see." She laughed a bit, "aye, I'll join camp with ye.. I was planning on a night under the star anyways."
He looked around, looking curious. "I've never camped outside before, so... Do I sleep on the ground with rocks for pillows like that psychotic nature guy on tv?" he asked, then he looked down at himself. "Or... Would it be too embarrassing for me to take my shirt off and use that...?" he mumbled with a slight blush.
Tara seemed confused for a moment. "If ye wish to go the night bare-chested, be my guest though I suspect ye'll want yer shirt on yer back.. the ground is harsher on bare skin than on the hair on yer head." As she said this she looked around. "We should find a more suitable place though. Not so open."
He nodded. "Sorry, new at this. I'll just follow your lead since you seem to know what you're doing."
"Aye, I know well about living off the land and sleeping beneath the open skies. Yer rather lucky ta have come across me." She lead the way towards where she knew lay a small creek in a bit of a gully that would offer them some protection.
He followed her, looking around curiously. So... are you an avid camper or something?”
"A what?" It seemed to take a minute for her to understand. "Oh. No. Ye could say its part of my job."
He looked genuinely curious. "Part of your job? Are you a ranger or something? I thought they stayed around national parks or campgrounds."
She smiles at his suggestion of ranger. "Aye, something like that. I watch after all of this." And she spread her arms wide to encompass... everything around her.
"So you're a ranger who watches over this whole forest?" he asks curiously, still sticking close behind her.
She gives a slight nod of her head. It was close enough, it wasn't like she could tell him that her Sept's protectorate encompassed the city beyond as well. Mere humans didn't need to know all that.
He continues following her, looking up at the sky with a slight boyish innocence. However, there seems to be a slight darkness in his eyes. Not a mean or forboding look, but just like a mysterious dark sparkle in his eye.
The gully is found readily enough and Tara begins clearing away an area large enough to sleep on. "Will ye be wanting a fire tonight?"
He shook his head. "Nah. Heard fire attracts wild animals. Besides, the night sky like this is peaceful."
"Depends on the animal and it's purpose.. but alright." Once done clearing a space of rocks and twigs, Tara sat down and looked up at Seth. "Are ye tired? Or would ye like to sit up and talk awhile?"
Seth continued watching the sky, smiling slightly. "I'm not quite tired, but it may be good to get some sleep." he sits down as well, but makes sure to keep a slight distance. "Talking would be nice. I really don't want to feel lonely now that I'm out of that... Out of the city." he smiles.
"What would ye like to talk about. I've been told that religion and politics are something I should avoid voicing opinion on ... so what else is there to speak on?"
"Well, there's all kinds of things. For example, what about yourself? I mean, we're staying together and I know almost nothing about you."
"What more beyond my name, would you wish to know?"
Seth looked down in thought for a moment. "Anything you feel comfortable telling me, I guess."
She considered that for a long time before speaing. "Well as I said earlier. Me name is Tara and I'm something of a Ranger of these lands, though I'm not originally from her. About the only other thing I can think to say is that I'm also a mother of three."
"I see. Do you miss your children then? Being out here and away from them must be hard."
"Aye, I do. I miss them. But they are safer back home with their father. I know he'll protect them well until they are ready to go off into the world on their own."
"I guess... I'm a bit jealous. I never really knew my parents. I don't even remember what they looked like." he puts his hands behind his head, watching the sky as he does. "Sometimes I'll have dreams about a hooded and cloaked woman running through rain and darkness, but I'm not sure if that means anything or is just part of the stories I've heard in the past."
"Who raised ye then if not yer parents?"
"I guess that's something I've been hiding. I was actually raised in an orphanage.
"Why would ye want to hide that from folk? There is no shame in it."
He shrugs. "I guess I just don't want people to pity me. Growing up in an orphanage tends to make people think less of me since I never had any parents or a proper childhood and upbringing. Especially with the women who ran it. They always seemed to treat me like some kind of monster... The other children were really nice, though."
"Well, ye'll get no pity from me. Ye survived well enough - ye look hale and healthy.. there is naught about ye that is to be pitied."
He smiled happily. "Thanks. You know, you're pretty cool for a woman I met randomly in the forest. I thought the only people out here were theives and robbers. You know, the kind of people that murder for a living. But you're nothing like that."
Tara smiled briefly.. if he only knew. "I'll take that as a compliment, kind sir."
He closed his eyes. "Well, I think I'm getting tired enough for sleep now. You're a pleasure to talk to, though!" he said with a smile.
"Why thank ye, your company has been quite pleasant as well. I will keep watch for a bit. I may not be around when ye wake.. I leave on my rounds.. quite early."
"All right. If you want me to keep watch at all, then feel free to wake me."

To Be Continued...