2 Leary House Guards, Lite, a little blue canary arrive, following Corbit.

It's another one of those lovely family camping trips Fairen has planned, used to gather the family in a small little get together. Arriving at the campsite, the servants begin setting up the tents while Fairen moves to sit down on a log, folding his hands in his lap. "Mmm. Quiet night."


Cassima dressed for a family camping trip. You know, as far as Princesses dress for such things. Thick heavy brocade silk, jacket over blouse under cloak, that sort of thing. She's used to cold, biting winds of the sea, but still comes with gloves and a cute hat pinned to her hair, which is left down in wild curls. The mane adds another layer of warmth. She rides up, side-saddled, with her retinue behind her. "Marquis," she says crisply, as crisp as the night air, upon her arrival. She looks around, then back to the man. "Quiet evening," she notes, as though she had just not heard him. That smirk, however, indicates that she did.


The silence is almost immeadiately broken by the sound of curses and grunts coming from the woods, either the trees have gotten potty mouths or someone is coming, shortly after comes Corbit, his tall, lankey form stumbling over a root as he hops into the campsite on one foot trying to regain his balance, he finally rights himself and brushes off his clothes in a somewhat dignified manner and glances up to the two already here, he grins, "Hello." he says.

"Your Highness, we are in the presence of family, and family alone." Fairen offers to Cassima with a soft smile, watching as the servants work to prepare the fire, the supplies to make a pot of tea already being deployed. "You may call me Fairen, in such private company." He says, looking back at Cassima. Then there is Corgi's arrival and he watches his younger cousin with an arched brow. "Is everything alright?"


"Fairen? I'm sure I've never heard of the man." Cassima continues to smirk as she dismounts, handing the reigns off and approaching Fairen as she peels off her gloves. She'll lean in to kiss his cheek if he'll let her. "Apologies that Gareth couldn't make it. As you can imagine, things have become complicated on that front." She might be about to say more, but then Corbit stumbles in. Her smirk grows into a grin. "Is this one of yours, Marquis?" she asks of Fairen, even while her eyes look over Corbit with amusement.


3 Thrax Guards, Freja the long suffering, Dame Cupcake, the most elegant arrive, following Coraline.

Luna, the sweet, studious assistant, Coraline arrive, following Carita.

Corbit walks into the camp casually like nothing happened then nods to Fairen, "I was just using my advanced survival skills. See, it may look like I'm stumbling around and getting scratched by... Pokey plant things. But, in reality, it's a complicated series of movement to trick dangerous wildlife into thinking I'm a scary predator." he says grinning then nods to Cassima as he makes his way up to them, "I'm a Leary if that's what you mean." he holds out a hand, "Corbit Leary." he says.

"He's some wild man that runs around in the woods." Fairen tells Cassima, a sly grin forming on his lips. As she leans in to kiss his cheek, he angles his face to better receive it. As Corgi mentions his 'advanced survival skills', he arches his brow up at him. "No, I have no idea who he is. Complete stranger."


"Well I know who he is," Cassima says, still watching the man. "He's Caith, had she been born a man and had she been born a Leary in name. Not in looks, of course, although those eyes ... no, his mannerisms. Why he's the spitting image of my little sister." Cassima finally speaks to Corbit directly, lowering her head in respect. "Princess Cassima Thrax, My Lord. Your ... well, technically you and I are of no relation at all. But your Marquis here is first cousin to my three half-sisters." Say that three times fast.


As the sun sets in rich warm hues of pink and purple, clouds lit like cotton candy, it creates an almost magical place to be outside -- almost, but not quite for the young Darkwater Voice as she and Princess Coraline make their way toward the grounds. Carita's voice can be heard from a distance, "Are you sure it's this way? I... just feel like.." but then the tents are on the horizon and she stops questioning their on the right path. "Oh look, I think I see Marquis Lear now." Dressed differently than she normally would, the pale blonde seems to have taken to wearing pants, even if they're hardly for the rugged outdoors.

"Yes this is the way," Cora can be heard to say as they come into view. She smiles warmly at those already present and seems very pleasantly surprised to see Cassima, "Cass! I didn't realize you would be here." Hugs go to Fairen, and she tries to sneak on in for Cassima too. Cass have you met Carita? She is doing incredible work with Darkwater, and don't worry normally she wears dresses, I am simply a horrible influence."

Corbit grins at Cassima, "You can just call me Corbit...Or Corgi." the last he mutters out with a sidelong glance and grin at Fairen, "I mean, we're pretty much family how could one deny such strong bonds as cousin of your three half sisters' cousin." he nods to Coraline with a smile, "Hey Cora!" he says the nods to Carita, "Hello." he says simply.


"We might as well be siblings ourselves. Oh!" Cassima was not expecting a hug, and her first response is to lift her arms up in a gesture that both shies away from contact and screams 'I surrender.' "Oh, hello pet. I didn't think you'd be able to make it. As for the Lady's attire, I hadn't thought of it at all. My Lady, you are the Voice of Darkwater are you not? It's a pleasure," Cassima says formally, nodding her head in respect to Carita. With that, she turns back to Fairen. "Stars above, Marquis, but you have drinks here, yes?"


Carita and Coraline arrives and Fairen smiles up at them softly, inclining his head at them both. "Cora. Cartia." He greets with a soft, content smile, then glances back over at Corgi. "Those are the strongest bonds, really. Cassima may not have Leary blood in her, but she is still pretty decent." At that, a slow, sly grin forms on his lips as he looks back at Cassima and nods his head. "Yes. Whiskey, tea, coffee."

"Bitty! Hello you wild man you," Cora says grinning at Corbit. She lets her poor sister go and nods trying not to look tired, "Oh so long as we can avoid another situation like last night at the clinic, I should be alright to actually leave either my office or said clinic." She says wryly and pulls a bottle of rum out of her backpack before handing it to Cass, "I always bring my own to Leary digs." She says wryly.


"Ah, wonderful," Cassima says, almost in a sigh of relief at the sight of the rum bottle. Rather than take it, she gestures to a servant to step up and uncork it, prepare it, and pour it. She likes it with lime and a sugar, everyone knows. It seems camping, for Cassima, is going to be much like palace living. Just outside. "I have promised the High Lord of the North that I shall abstain whiskey, though mostly I do it just to frustrate him. He cannot stand a Sanna who does not prefer whiskey." Cassima smiles at the memory.


Carita's laughter is richly feminine as she lifts a hand to a blushing cheek at Coraline's teasing about her wearing pants. She shoots Cora a glance and shakes her head, "Thank you, I couldn't ask for a sweeter introduction." She dips a respectful curtsey, "Do please call me Carita," she tells the group, and dips her head Corbit's way. Then, to Cassima nods, "Oh yes, the Voice of Darkwater, and I know you to be Thrax's Minister of Finance and Income, are you not, Your Highness?" Fairen's greeting earns him a sweet smile, "I'm not entirely sure why I was invited, but I could hardly resist."

Corbit nods to Coraline, "Is any extra help needed at the clinic?" he asks, "I'm not exactly an expert physician, but I'm not bad. Good enough that if you need extra hands I could be useful." he says in response to Cassima asking about drinks Corbit almost instinctually finds himself the whiskey and pours himself some, "I've always had a preference for whiskey." he tells Cassima taking a drink, "Wine, I can take or leave, but whiskey, I love good whiskey." he tells her, then grins at Carita, "Because, if Elly comes we might need more people for the fire crew." he says with a laugh.

Finding a seat, Cora kinda flops in it and grins at Carita, "Hey, I never claimed to be good at the politics. Besides, this is a family thinger so I take off the political cap and kinda relax a bit, usually." she grins at Cass's words, "Hey, I avoid the stuff when possible, and Bitty that just means you don't know good alcohol." But she does turn a bit more serious at the offer, "How is your stomach, if you can stand gross stuff then yeah we can use the help. I won't go into detail here but if you can't stand such things the offer is appreciated but would make more work for us."

"I haven't figured it out yet either. I would suspect that for some odd reason, some of the family gathered here actually enjoy your company." Fairen tells Carita with a sly grin forming on his lips for her. Then he glances over at Corgi and wrinkles his nose up at him. "Do not burn down the Gray Forest, Corgi."


Whiskey prepared, Cassima moves to find a seat beside Fairen, sitting back and reclining in a perfectly poised way. Never not a princess, this one. Why she even adjusts her hat ever so slightly, pinned as it is to those loose wild curls. Allowing the rest of the group to talk about medicine, clinics, and other things entirely outside her perview, she mutters a few soft words to Fairen.


Corbit takes a seat and nods to Coraline, "No problem with my stomach." he says with a grin, "I don't get sick at such things, I mean, I'm sure everyone has their limits. But I've seen some pretty awful stuff and I could happily eat dinner while seeing the worst of it." he tells her and takes a long sip of his whiskey, compared to Cassima there is no artifice to the way he sits or moves, he's just plopped down, knees up high due to his height, arms rested on them, whiskey held in front of him that he sips occasionally, though there is an easy confidence to him. "So, this is the first camping trip I've been on... Are we supposed to, sing songs or tell stories or something?"

"It isn't you seeing it that worries me," Cora says dryly to Corbit, however she nods, "Come by the clinic then I will make sure they know to expect you. It won't be glamorous but it is very necessary. And if you can come ready to cheer up children that would be even better." An overly friendly, and rather large, puppy comes tumbling into the grouping and begins sniffing everone, and everything they own, licks follow before moving to the next one, nobody is spared. Cora winks at Carita, "You are wonderful and everyone loves you, so there." At Corbit's question Cora ponders, "The last one I was on didn't have as many people and was kinda tense, so I dunno, probably reading knowing Fairen."

"Some /odd/ reason? Duly noted, Marquis Leary." Carita's eyes narrow playfully Fairen's way. Then to Corbit, "The fire crew? Is that.. putting logs on the fire?" She finds a seat near Coraline, her cheeks turning pink all over again as she busies herself by plucking a piece of lint and sending it to it's grave on the ground. "I certainly wouldn't be opposed to such a thing," she tells Corbit with a smirk before she falls quiet and listens to the conversation swirl about her. Then, with Coraline's comment gives the Princess a smile and a quiet, "Thank you, Cora."


"So long as no stories or songs are required of me. Coraline will tell you; I am exceedingly dull. I will likely spend most of the evening sitting here in rum-soaked quiet contemplation, and what a joy that will be for me," Cassima says, lifting her glass in a little salute to the group before she takes a sip.


Chuckling at Carita softly, Fairen rolls a shoulder in a light shrug. "Everything about you is odd, at times." He teases further, winking at her playfully. Though he adjusts his expression from teasing into a more content smile, inclining his head at her. "It's lovely to see you again."

Corbit nods to Coraline, "In any case, I'm not squeemish." he says "The only thing there that will make me queasy is willow bark tea." he chuckles and nods to Cassima, "Not a talker when you drink?" he asks, "I am. Though, to be fair, I'm always kind of a talker."


"When I drink I become very .... mmm. What's the word. Touchy?" She demonstrates by setting a hand on Fairen's arm and giving it a squeeze before releasing and going back to her drink. "But no, not talkative. Either way, I've little desire to be terribly drunk out in the wildneress as we are. Seems rather unsafe, doesn't it?"


Carita's brows lift as she glances Fairen's way, her lashes fluttering in bewilderment. "Everything about me is odd?" Blue eyes shift from person to person as color rises in her fair skinned cheeks, "I see," is said as she clears her throat. There's a moment of awkwardness and teh faintest of smiles at the Marquis' remark on it being lovely to see her. There's a warmer smile for Corbit, "I am personally a fan of your talking, though I'm sorry I didn't catch your name? I can hardly call you Corgi now, can I?"

Cora rolls her eyes at her sister, "You aren't dull, just the subject matter has to be right to get you talking. Granted that tends to be rather dry subject matter for most people I think you might find the Leary's are rather taken with mathmatical puzzles and financial whoziwhatsits." Because Cora is /not/ one of those who understands any of it, and will say so. She winks at Carita, "I don't tend to seek company of those I don't think highly of Rita." And shoulder bumps her before picking up the overly friendly puppy and laying a calming hand on her head. Fairen gets a grin, and Cora is about to launch into some tease or other but hey messenger. Frowning she says a quiet, "Excuse me." And heads off to the edge of camp to have a conversation with whoever is there.

"I am teasing, my Lady." Fairen tells Carita, inclining his head at her. Then someone is squeezing his hand and he turns his head to look towards them, arching a brow.

Corbit points to Carita and says "Handsey is the word. You get handsey." he chuckles then smiles at Carita, "Of course you can call me Corgi! You can call me whatever you like, my proper name is Corbit though." he says, "Good to meet you. I'm glad you like my talking, because there will surely be a lot of it."

Carita laughs softly at Corbit, "Very well, Corgi, if that's what you prefer. Though I think you're mistaking me for Princess Cassima, I am not the handsy one." Her smile curls, "I'm not entirely sure what my drinking habits are, to be honest. I suspect it's ...more laughter?" She shrugs helplessly. "It's good to meet you as well."


"As I said," Cassima says, lifting her glass toward Coraline, "I've no stories or songs to share that this group would find amusing, I think. Still, I am happy to listen," she assures them, gesturing with her rapidly emptying glass toward a servant, who takes it and goes to make her a fresh drink. Princesses, amirite?


Fairen seems to have paused, pulling himself into his quiet contemplation for a long moment, glancing around between those gathered with interest as he thinks.

Corbit shakes his head between Carita and Cassima, "Sorry." he says, "I may or may not have had to take a few water breaks on my way here. I also may or may not have failed to bring water and only had my flask. I mean, it was an hour long walk, when you're roughing it, you gotta do what you gotta do." he nods to Cassima, "That was mostly a joke, I'm not much of a singer or storyteller." he admits.

Carita's throat clears, her smile still a touch tepid as she accepts a glass of whiskey and drains a good bit of it on the first go. Apparently the Voice of Darkwater can represent like nobody's business. She lifts her glass in Corbit's direction at his apology, "Think absolutely nothing of it." Then for Cassima there's a grin, "Come now, I'm sure you have oodles of stories worthy of telling. For instance, why would you promise the High Lord of the North that you wouldn't drink whiskey? Surely there's a good story behind that, is there not?"


"Not particularly. He was sad to find me, whose father was a Sanna, to prefer rum to whiskey. He thought it an abomination to my father's family. Good-naturedly, of course." Cassima shrugs a single shoulder. "Quite dull, as you see. But the Sanna side explains why Coraline and I have absolutely zero family resembelence."


Carita leans to speak quietly with Coraline a moment before lifting her whiskey glass to sip from.

Returning to the party, Cora settles back at her seat and looks at everyone, she being one of the apparent few who hasn't been drinking at the party yet she just looks amused at those who are already imbibing, "Oh I am sure mother comes out in both of us at some point or another." She says with a wave of a hand. Replying to Carita, she gives the woman a warm smile and a hug before smirking at Corbit, "So where is Ros, or were you afraid of bringing the killer butterflies to the picnic?"


"Oh I do rather hope not," Cassima says to Coraline in a rare moment of pure honesty, though it's likely the fault of the rum that it comes out. Speaking of which, she takes another sip.


Corbit grins at Coraline, "I think she is probably with her suitor." he tells her, then laughs at Cassima's words, "That deserves another drink." he says, refilling his glass and taking a sip then he offers the bottle of whiskey to Coraline.

Cora raises an imaginary glass in silent toast to Cassima's words, "True, I tend to use her as reference for what not to do, but I doubt we can escape her influence completely." A confused look goes to Corbit, "Her suitor? I uh, I'm sorry Corbit, I didn't realize." She shakes her head at the offer of whiskey with a grateful smile, "If I drink now I will probably fall asleep and there is too much to do when I leave here to do that, but thank you."

Corbit shakes his head at Coraline, "It's fine." he tells her, "I knew this would be a thing. She can't leave Redtyde and I simply refused to leave the Learys." he says and shrugs, "I liked her, and maybe it would have went further if things had been different, but." he shrugs and takes another drink, "We're still friends and everything. I don't know about the... Other stuff yet though." he explains with a laugh.

Cassima is overheard praising Fairen.