Perhaps not quite a holiday (Open to all)

[Helena DeFlavis]

The DeFlavis cottage was located close enough to the town to be convenient but far enough to not be noticed much. People who had lived in the town for a long time were aware that the influential DeFlavis family owned some of land in the hills but were the quiet sort. The house was barely ever used, it was more of a 'holiday home'. For generations, there would be no one in the house and then suddenly one of the DeFlavises would come along and stay there for a while, normally quite quietly, barely interacting with the locals but generally being very polite.

The house had recently been renovated, the old and inconvenient 18th century home in the woods had been pulled down and in it's place stood a new structure made entirely of reinforced and oak and a lot of green creepers growing over it, giving it a slightly camouflaged look. The inside walls were all painted in vibrant colours, almost as if the house was a piece of pop art and it did look like one when all the blinds were open. The two storey structure was made up of bizarre shapes an structures places so that they would be aesthetically pleasing and the clearing it was built in acted as a front garden with a swimming pool in it and a few deck chairs and a picnic table.

A mostly hidden road did lead up to the house, very few knew it or spotted it, but next to the house, a black Audi R8 was parked, showing that it was occupied. A macbook lay on the picnic table in the front garden and a set of speakers lay attached to it. The owner of the house stepped out, barefoot, wearing nothing but a long, loose, off shoulder, navy blue top with strings that tied up behind her neck, seeming like she was wearing a bikini underneath. The red head had a copy of a well worn book in hand, something about Celtic legends and myths.

She sang along with the lyrics of the song as she walked to the swimming pool.

"Someone tell me how I feel
It's silly wrong but vivid right
Oh, kiss me like the final meal
Yeah, kiss me like we die tonight

Cause holy cow, I love your eyes
And only now I see the light
Yeah, lying with me half-awake
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day"

The music continued to play in the background as she hummed along with the violins while making her way to the pool. Helena sat on the edge of the pool, dipping her legs in and opening up the book.

[Ares Lusitani]

Ares lay in one of the great expanses of green that made up England. The gently rolling, emerald studded hills surrounded her, imitating their salty blue brethren to the west. Above her, the sky stretched out in an endless canvas, dotted with a painter's carefully moving clouds that hung effortlessly high above. A light breeze brushed her cheek, but Ares felt it only as a soft tickle. The sun that turned her skin into a lake of diamonds barely registered on her conciousness as it made nothing more than a small wave against her. Eyes closing, Ares could almost pretend that she was asleep. She really only missed the now unnecessary act because of the fact that she couldn't do it anymore. When mortal, sleep had been a necessity that kept her from her training and enjoying being Themysciran. Sitting up, Ares wrapped her long arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees. Birds floated on the light updrafts overhead, soaring mindlessly in circles. A light voice distracted Ares from the birds, but she didn't move her gaze. At first, she thought it was the hum of one of the men she was tracking, but found that she could make out words.

Someone tell me how I feel
It's silly wrong but vivid right
Oh, kiss me like the final meal
Yeah, kiss me like we die tonight

Cause holy cow, I love your eyes
And only now I see the light
Yeah, lying with me half-awake
Oh, anyway, it's looking like a beautiful day

Standing in a quick, fluid motion, curiousity getting the better of her. With long strides, she ran with agility over the five hills separating her from the voice. Pausing, she gazed down at the cottage nestled behind an expanse of foliage, hiding it from view. Ares could just make out the drive leading up to it with an Audi R8 resting at the top. The pool in the back of the cottage drew her attention as movement - too quick to be a human's - caught her eye. A young woman - or what appeared to be a woman - passed across the ground to the pool and dipped her legs into the pool. Frowning, Ares debated on whether to approach the vampire or go back to pretending to sleep. Again, curiousity won.

Tripping easily down the hill, Ares paused on the far side of the pool. The sun's tickle increased without the slight shade where she had been moments before beneath a large tree. Her long legs were bare, as were her feet and arms. A light yellow sundress rested easily on her shoulders and moved with a soft swish against her granite skin. She smiled, not bothering to show her incisors. The vampire before her would know her for what she was. However, Ares's age might surprise her. This thought made her smile wider. For a moment, she was unsure what to say. Oye, 'ello there. Mind if I join you? Over her years, she'd learned to adopt many accents as well as learn many languages. Now, she took on that of an English woman. She didn't enjoy intruding on other vampire's lives. She had no clan of her own, and usually found herself bored and lonely when she wasn't 'working.'

[Helena DeFlavis]

Helena stopped humming as soon as she felt the presence of another mind. She blocked out any vague thoughts that she may hear and stopped herself from sensing any emotions. It was one of those times when she was genuinely bored of knowing the thoughts and feelings of someone completely unknown to her. It was a surprise, of course, it was extremely rare that someone would find her at the Worcester home but Helena was all for surprises and challenges. She saw a female come into the light, very graceful, tall, slim, dark haired and her general aura made her seem regal and knowledgeable. Most definitely a vampire and most definitely much older than she was, Helena seemed relieved at that, she wasn't feeling up to maintaining the 'human act' that day.

Helena smiled but then raised a questioning eyebrow at the vampire who for a moment seemed like she was unsure of what to say. Helena too that opportunity to take the remote control in her left hand and turn down the volume of the speakers so that the music became just soft background music and the soothing lyrics and melodic violins continued to fill the silence. "Oye, 'ello there. Mind if I join you?" The vampire finally asked in a very English accent. Helena smiled warmly and put her book down, so the pages she'd been reading were facing the ground. "Of course," she said, gesturing to the space beside her, "I would be most grateful for the company. Do join me." Helena's accent could distinctly be characterised as 'posh' but with her friendly tone and warm smiled, she could barely be called a snob.

She let a short silence pass as she continued swinging her legs in the water childishly but then spoke again, "I must say, I don't often have visitors here in Worcester, it is usually painfully quiet and not many find this cottage. What brings you here?" She asked conversationally. "And I'm Helena, by the way, Helena DeFlavis."

[Ares Lusitani]

Ares was comforted by the female's voice. Though many might consider it a bit snobbish, Ares could detect the friendly undertones. The smile was welcoming, as well. Ares's eyes flitted to the book as the vampire set down her book, but chose to ignore the pang of guilt that hit her. She really very much disliked disrupting anyone, but especially vampires. When she was younger, Ares had struck out at any and all vampires out of spite. She hated what she'd become, so why not blame everyone else? Taking a deep breath out of habit, she circled the pool and took the seat she had just motioned to. The softened music created a nice background noise that helped distract her from the sudden silence in her head. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Ares smiled as the younger vampire introduced herself.

Helena, it's nice to meet you. I am Ares Lusitani. Her voice slipped to the flute-like voice she'd been born with. No point putting up friends with a friendly enough vampire. She considered Helena's wor "I must say, I don't often have visitors here in Worcester, it is usually painfully quiet and not many find this cottage. What brings you here?" She dipped her own feet into the pool, surprised at how good the water lapping at her legs felt. Curiousity, really. I've been in the area for a while. I didn't know that there were other vampires here. I was lying up in the hills when I heard you. From the top of the hill, it's quite easy to see your cottage nestled down her. She smiled apologetically for imposing. She paused before inquiring, Are you alone here? Or are you part of a clan?

[Helena DeFlavis]

"Ares," Helena smiled at the name, "with a name like that, one would assume that you're not from these parts. It's not a very usual name, it's old," she put her hands on the ground behind her, using them to lean on slightly, "ancient even, if I'm right. Reflects your age, I think. One look at you and one would think of wisdom and experience, well, I would anyway." Helena marvelled at the vampire's flowing, melodic voice, "and you have an absolutely beautiful voice." She complimented lightly, "so, lets hear your story, then. I've barely known you two minutes and it's already intriguing, amazing how much some names can say."

"Don't worry about disrupting me, really," she said empathetically, smiling warmly again, "I was wishing for company. Think I've had quite enough of being alone." She listened as Ares answered her question. "Curiousity, really. I've been in the area for a while. I didn't know that there were other vampires here. I was lying up in the hills when I heard you. From the top of the hill, it's quite easy to see your cottage nestled down her."

Helena nodded, "I wasn't aware that there were any others here, except perhaps the Cullen clan who I know of but am yet to meet, I hear that they're quite a closely knit family, don't think I'll be disturbing them any time soon. Yes, I suppose this place is easier to see for vampires, most humans would ignore the road."

"Are you alone here?" Ares questioned, "Or are you part of a clan?" Helena nodded again, "I have been a part of the Aistheta ever since I was a newborn. I am alone here, because Aistheta, although based around England and Ireland are very spread out all over the world. We are a clan that love science and all things aesthetically pleasing, we aim to support scientist and are patrons to many artist and musicians, most of us being musicians and artist ourselves." She chose to leave out the fact that she lead the Aistheta, "But what of you? You seem to be travelling alone."

[Ares Lusitani]

Ares let her hand weave through the water, thrilled at the feel as it inched up her arm as she lowered it farther into the pool. She lifted her gaze to Helena, smiling thankfully but clearly embarrassed. I'm originally from now-adays Morocco. Ancient would be correct, though it makes me feel intolerably old. I'm almost at 2200th years of being. I've made numberable mistakes in my lifetime, so yes, experienced is right, but I'm still learning, so maybe not wise. Ares ducked her head when Helena commented on her voice. Thank you. When you get to be my age, you'll more than likely have perfected nearly any voice you want. However, I'm lucky enough to say that this is the voice I was born with. She paused, worrying her lip. My story? Hmm... I was a warrior in the Themysciran tribe. They gain their lineage from Amazonians, although we were much more advanced. I was trained in all of the warrior arts - swordfighting, horseback riding, physical combat - as well as all of the finer arts - music, painting, writing, drawing, reading...

She refrained from stating just how important she was to the tribe - after all, High Priestess is just a step below Queen, and she would have been both. I was turned on the eve my twenty-first birthday. For two years, I was a monster. Now, I'm fine. She smiled at Helena, eyes bright. Two thousand years is a long time to perfect the art of not being affected by human blood. She listened in curiousity as Helena described the clan. Spread out was a bit queer to Ares's mind. Wasn't a clan supposed to be centered? She smiled easily when Helena mentioned that many of the clan-members were musicians and artists. Ares was lucky enough to be both. And she had plenty of money. But she wouldn't invade any further. She nodded slowly. Yes, I've been alone for most of my lifetime as a vampire. No where really struck my fancy. So I travel a lot.

[Helena DeFlavis]

Helena listened to Ares as she talked about her tribe. In one of the many times that she had pretended to be a university student, she'd gone deep into history and the Amazonians had been of great interest to her and her dissertation had been all about them, "We're all, still learning, always learning, in fact," she commented, "but I understand that you, having seen so much, may well have a much greater understanding of the world than one as young and inexperienced as myself," she said insightfully. She noticed Ares duck her head as she complimented her voice, "I've studied the Amazonians, of course, I never thought of meeting one," she smiled, slightly in awe of the vampire in front of her. She looked down but her eyes widened just as she caught a glimpse of Ares' wrist. "May I look at that?" she asked but then lifted Ares' wrist up to eye level, without waiting to be granted permission. "Thought much less that I'd meet Themysciran royalty." She let the vampire's hand go, still smiling, "but then again, that should have been apparent. Your demeanour says it all. Am I right in thinking that you didn't want to tell me that?" Helena had an uncanny ability to read people and sometimes, see right through to their core. "I might have said so earlier, but refusing to allow myself to read into your thoughts and emotions."

"I was turned on the eve my twenty-first birthday. For two years, I was a monster. Now, I'm fine." Ares smiled at Helena, eyes bright, "Two thousand years is a long time to perfect the art of not being affected by human blood." Helena laughed, "now that is a coincidence, I was turned not long after I turned twenty one. I was dying at the time. The one who turned me, he did it out of love," she smiled sadly, looking down at her own two feet swinging childishly in the clear water below, "loved me as a daughter, he did. He intended for me to be part of the clan."

"Yes, I've been alone for most of my lifetime as a vampire. No where really struck my fancy. So I travel a lot," Ares has answered. Helena smiled warmly, "I would thought that you would have fitted in with us Aistheta nearly perfectly." She paused, "we're spread out but very united in spirit. We're a large clan, the original DeFlavis family, me and then everyone else but we stand up for each other and continuously support each other. If you mess with one of us, you essentially mess with all of us." She laughed, "modern communication does help some of us to stay together. The DeFlavis mansion, in Ireland is where we meet, all of us will make at least one trip a year to it."