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[color=2e2c2c]..........................[/color][color=8A9A5B][b]#8a9a5b[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fd/42/9d/fd429d535250c40ec1bf69f3df07d7f9.jpg][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]his cabin > party[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]........................[/color] [color=c7b29b][b]#c7b29b[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/mXwRSmT][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]her cabin > anatoliy's cabin > party[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/abg0vvh][color=9b9b9b][b]rocco[/b][/color][/url]
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]Sloane had been fully dressed and sitting at the foot of her bed for several minutes. She wasn’t particularly concerned with trying to impress anyone or turn heads, so she found an outfit that looked decent enough for a New Year’s party. She wore a beige long sleeved shirt, beige boots and a beige, blue and orange tartan skirt that she even had a little matching bow for Rocco that she pinned on his collar. By her account they both looked party ready. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to stand up and leave. 

The entire time she got ready, Sloane constantly flipped back and forth between going or just staying in. Who would really miss her anyway? Ace and Elysium were the first people she had talked to in days and there were going to be so many others at the party she doubted they would notice her absence. It was a good argument. Sound. Just one big gaping problem… How did she expect to make friends and not be lonely if she constantly remained shut away in her cabin? And that was the endless loop her mind ran through. Did she make a decision? Of course not. 

She began to favor staying in her cabin enough that she leaned down and started unzipping one of her boots. Rocco knew that meant they weren’t going to leave, like he was very excited to do, or he saw a squirrel. Either way, his head cocked to one side then he darted out the dog door. [color=c7b29b]"Rocco!"[/color] she called after him, immediately zipping her boot back up. Sloane didn’t bother with a coat as she ran after him out into the snow. 

Rocco was on a mission because by the time Sloane got outside he was nowhere to be seen. The only way she knew to hunt him down was to follow his paw prints in the fresh snow. It wasn’t until she had reached the main trail that she realized she wasn’t cold. She ran out in such a hurry, she was aware she didn’t grab a jacket but she had expected to be cold already. Yet the only chill she felt was from the snow that landed along the skin of her bare collarbones and legs. Her pace slowed for a brief moment as she tried to understand the strange weather anomaly. It was… [i]warm[/i]. Like a nice day on the cusp of summer and fall, but there was snow? She could have stood there and pondered it for the rest of the day, but all her loligagging was doing was letting Rocco get further away.

Between the snow and her heels, Sloane struggled to run at a decent pace. As each second ticked by she started to accept that the majority of her night would be tracking a dog. It seemed he had a different plan than the two options she was already debating. It wasn’t far from her cabin that she heard a bark telling her she was heading in the right direction. His tracks led her to the right then trailed off the path between some trees. She came upon what looked like a mix between a tree house or a park ranger’s tower. And, of course, Rocco was already halfway up the stairs, sprinting to the top. 

[color=c7b29b]"Rocco!"[/color] she called after him again, but it fell on deaf ears. Sloane cursed under her breath as she followed after him and started up the stairs. By the time she reached the top Rocco had a small mouse looking creature cornered between the doorframe and the door. He wasn’t attacking it or barking, just aggressively sniffing the little creature enough that it scooted it around. All the while his tail wagged furiously like he had just made a new best friend. [color=c7b29b]"Rocco, no!"[/color] she hissed under her breath, trying to resolve the situation without disturbing whoever lived in the cabin. 

At first the noises didn’t bother him or pierce through his sleep though they started to. Ip was beginning to yell for help with the anxiety filled lungs of a very small rodent. Panicked squeaking was heard by everyone else. Mumbling out the words, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Ip…[/color]’ Anatoliy huffed out. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Quiet down…[/color]’ but then everything went quiet which was what woke him up. 

She squeezed her way between Rocco and the door, attempting to create some space and get her dog to back up. Sloane crouched down and gently scooped up the small animal into her delicate hands. She used her index finger to gently pet it, doing her best to try and calm it. [color=c7b29b]"Where do you belong?"[/color] she asked barely above a whisper. She didn’t have a clue what kind of animal this was, nor its habitat or where it came from.

It was too quiet and he jumped out of bed. Slamming against the floor by tripping over his feet, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Дерьмо![/color]’ could be heard muffled behind the door. 

[i][color=8A9A5B]Shit![/color][/i] 

Hearing the stumble and—[i]was that Russian?[/i]—Sloane started to panic looking down at the small terrified animal. She didn’t want to leave it scared high up on this deck where it could potentially fall or become prey to a bird. [color=c7b29b]"Look what you did,"[/color] she cursed under her breath at Rocco. 

That stumble was mildly annoying but he bounced onto his feet and began looking for Ip, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Ip, where are you?[/color]’ he called out to the little rodent but he didn’t get a reply. Was he outside? Did his cries for help sound like they were outside? That was when he noticed a figure outside of his door through the blinds and he held his breath. [i][color=8A9A5B]Why is someone outside?[/color][/i] He looked around his cabin as he was becoming more aware of his surroundings and more welcoming to the waking world. However, he was suspicious. Did he do something wrong? Was this cabin already taken by someone else? There were plenty of thoughts running wild through his mind while he quietly stepped forward. 

Grabbing for the door, he let his hand stay on the knob, and he thought about it. [color=8A9A5B][i]Is this person dangerous?[/i][/color] It was a decent question to have when one wasn’t properly dressed — a towel around his waist. 

Breathing out with a little bit of anxiety, he opened the door knob, and came face to face with a dark haired girl, a dog, and the girl was holding Ip. Without controlling his expression, his face twisted with confusion, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Why do you have Ip?[/color]’ His face and tone sounded so accusing as if she was kidnapping a child. 

Sloane gasped, startled when the door opened when she stood nearly up against it. Her eyes widened as she found herself inches away from a man she hadn’t seen before. Not only were they both within close proximity of each other but he also appeared practically naked with only a towel to protect his modesty. She gulped, unable to keep her eyes from wandering, noticing his various tattoos, muscles and naked—focus. Her right hand cupped the creature now known as Ip while her left reached out to take his wrist, turning his hand to create a little bowl with his palm. [color=c7b29b]"I’m sorry. My dog was curious and scared him."[/color] She gently passed off the small animal into his available palm. [color=c7b29b]"He’s gentle and never would have hurt… Ip was it?"[/color]

At first, he wasn’t fully aware of why the woman was touching him even if she had Ip in her hands. It didn’t connect until the furry little beast was in his hands and he blinked while staring at Ip — his facial expression changing. It was one that had more focus and thought to it even though there were barely any functioning gears behind his stormy blue eyes. He nodded, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Da, it’s Ip,[/color]’ he confirmed. 

With her hands free, Sloane immediately started back away trying to put as much room between herself and that awkward situation as possible. She smiled awkwardly, tucking her hair behind her ears. [color=c7b29b]"I’m really sorry for disturbing you."[/color] Before she could make herself look like an even bigger idiot, she turned toward the stairs. 

Then it was registering that she was apologizing — she [i]had[/i] apologized twice — and he stood up a little more straight while his eyes left Ip and locked onto Sloane. ‘[color=8A9A5B][i]I’m sorry…,[/i][/color]’ he began with a whisper under his breath. He wasn’t even sure if he was saying it to Ip, the girl, or both of them.

[color=c7b29b]"Come on, Rocco,"[/color] she said, annoyed while motioning for the dog to go down ahead of her. Taking her very first step down the stairs her shoe slipped on the mixture of snow, slush and ice causing her to lose her balance. Her hands frantically reached for the railings and just barely managed to catch herself before she fell.

Before he could get anything else out, he watched her weight shift, and within those few seconds. He was able to put down Ip right on the railing and put his hands right under her armpits. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Woah,[/color]’ Anatoliy said in somewhat of a sleepy voice. Without issue, he lifted her up in a similar way to how a parent or older sibling would lift a toddler and he made sure she was hanging there for a second before turning and putting her down on the porch again so she was away from the stairs. ‘[color=8A9A5B]You should be more careful…,[/color]’ he glanced at where she slipped. ‘[color=8A9A5B]That’s a lot of stairs to fall down or a very far fall.[/color]’ 

Anatoliy looked back at Sloane, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Are you okay? You didn’t hurt yourself, did you?[/color]’ That was when his face showed a tad bit of concern in it. 

Sloane didn’t squirm or fight against his help. If anything she was taken by surprise and sort of froze while he moved her like a stumbling child. By the time he set her down her face was beet red which she promptly buried into her hands out of embarrassment. [color=c7b29b]"Thank you. I’m fine,"[/color] she mumbled into her palms. Her hands slowly ran down her face as she allowed herself to look up at him briefly before fixing her gaze on her feet. [color=c7b29b]"Stupid shoes."[/color] She wasn’t planning on chasing after her dog or doing much of anything beyond getting to the party in those boots. 

After a moment of catching her breath she sighed. [color=c7b29b]"I’m sorry, [i]again.[/i] I’m going to go now, much slower and using the railing,"[/color] she added with a nod of her head as she once again turned toward the stairs, this time with a significant amount of caution.

He could feel his feet getting cold the longer he stood in the slushy snow but he was more focused on the strange girl to care at the moment. Taking a few steps back to give her space as well. The man was beginning to fidget with his hands because he didn’t want to bother her. ‘[color=8A9A5B]It’s okay. Accidents happen,[/color]’ he got those words out but they weren’t really what he wanted to say. His body began to feel the nipping chill too. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]Why are you not wearing snow boots or something built better for this type of weather?[/color]’ Anatoliy was a bit curious as to why she was wearing boots like that in the slushy snow. Oddly enough… he noticed it felt a bit warmer too but he was thinking that was in his head. 

Then he reached over for Ip who was on the railing, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sorry,[/color]’ he whispered. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I didn’t mean to set you down like that,[/color]’ he explained while carefully bending over and setting Ip inside of the door of the cabin before standing back up. 

Sloane stopped at the top of the stairs with her hand resting on the railing. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a confused expression. [color=c7b29b]"I thought a New Year’s party called for more than a down coat and galoshes,"[/color] she replied with a weak smile. [color=c7b29b]"Plus, I wasn’t planning on chasing my dog up a couple flights of stairs,"[/color] she added with a shrug. While he might not have cared or been aware he was standing around in only a towel, she was still [i]very[/i] aware. She did everything in her power to look only in his eyes or focus on trying to leave again. Maybe he had the right idea and didn’t plan on going to the party, but considering she was already out at that point, she figured she’d at least make an appearance.

Anatoliy looked confused then looked around and noticed how the sun was setting and everything else. He seemed confused, ‘[color=8A9A5B]The New Years Party isn’t for a few hours… right?[/color]’ this seemed to throw him off completely. Then he looked at the cabin stairs which were a few flights, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Yeah… sorry about that… My cabin seemed to want to be up high like a hunting tower,[/color]’ he explained. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]And I actually don’t know where they are holding the New Years Party, I’m kind of new here,[/color]’ he began to rub the back of his neck with his free hand. ‘[color=8A9A5B]If you want to wait inside, let me get dressed. Could you show me the way?[/color]’ 

She paused at the top of the stairs with her hand resting on the railing. The snow beneath her palm slowly melted and chilled her skin. Her fingers lightly tapped the cool metal as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Sloane already felt utterly embarrassed being caught on his porch with her dog scaring his… [i]whatever[/i], then she nearly fell on top of all of it. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in a hole and die, but she also hated being rude. [color=c7b29b]"I’ve already caused you enough problems,"[/color] she replied, half looking back at him over her shoulder. [color=c7b29b]"And I can’t leave Rocco outside alone. He’ll probably find another animal to scare half to death."[/color]

Anatoliy shrugged, ‘[color=8A9A5B]I don’t see any problems to be honest,[/color]’ he smiled at her. There was nothing that was bothering him, he was shocked at first when waking up, but other than that… no harm, no foul. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Rocco can come inside. Animals are more welcome than humans in my cabin,[/color]’ he smiled with his eyes when he said this — it was true. Animals were more comfortable to be around and they judged you way less than humans did. Unless it was for good reason. 

Picking up Ip again, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Also, Ip doesn’t mind. He was just scared at first. Isn’t that right Ip?[/color]’ he stepped inside while carrying Ip over to the carpet and setting him on it. Ip was squeaking away. Anatoliy was nodding his head, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Da, I know. Animals that are way bigger than you are scary but it’s okay. Rocco is a friend. Isn’t that right, Rocco?[/color]’ Anatoliy wasn’t talking to Sloane at this moment. He was looking at Rocco as if the dog would answer him perfectly fine. 

Sloane hadn’t followed him in yet, instead lingering a bit on the porch for a moment, watching as he spoke to the tiny Ip and her dog. Whether or not she was going to make another excuse to try and leave, Rocco slipped between her legs and the doorframe, poking his head into the cabin. His head cocked curiously to the side, causing his ears to flop with the movement. [color=ffffff]"Friends? I like friends. I never met little friend before,"[/color] he replied to the man. Meanwhile all Sloane heard was barking as the little pup trotted into the cabin, looking at Ip with an excited curiosity. 

[color=c7b29b]"Rocco,"[/color] she called after the dog quietly, but his short attention span made anything she said go in one ear and out the other. Sloane sighed in defeat then did the best to tap the snow off her boots before entering. She made sure to close the door behind her. She only took a couple steps inside but still stood awkwardly near the door. To be fair, she didn’t know this guy, and the Gods were dicks, so it was possible for any of their children to be serial killers. Although, she doubted someone who preferred animals was dangerous. She still felt awkward and didn’t know how to act in someone else’s cabin… Especially someone she didn’t know.

Anatoliy looked at her as she stood by the door, he gestured to the bed, and the little sitting area with two chairs and a small table. ‘[color=8A9A5B]You can sit wherever. I don’t mind,[/color]’ he was trying to be friendly and welcoming even though it was a bit odd when he thought about it. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]I’ll just step into my closet for a minute and get dressed,[/color]’ this was when he completely absorbed the situation — this poor girl has been interacting with him and he’s only been in a towel. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I’m sorry that I’m in a towel…,[/color]’ he mentioned while heading to his closet, flicking the light on, and shutting the door. 

[color=c7b29b]"It’s ok,"[/color] she said as she looked around and eventually wandered over to the sitting area. Sloane ran her hands along the back of her legs, holding her skirt slat against her backside as she sat down. She crossed her ankles, tucking them a bit under the chair and rested her hands in her lap. As she waited, her gaze skimmed his cabin. It was small compared to others around camp, but still bigger than her own. It was cozy and didn’t overcompensate.

Within a short amount of time, he opened the door, and spun around, ‘[color=8A9A5B]There! I am dressed now![/color]’ He was wearing [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/fd/42/9d/fd429d535250c40ec1bf69f3df07d7f9.jpg]a blue decorative shirt and faded dark orange pants[/url]. 

Her gaze had just fallen to her hands as she twiddled her fingers when his closet door reopened. Sloane didn’t know this guy or what he usually dressed like, but she was still somehow a bit surprised. It was more clothes than a towel, but she could still see his nipples. So how much more was it really? It definitely was the safer option though and far less likely for accidental flashing. She smiled slightly and nodded her head. [color=c7b29b]"Yeah a towel and alcohol would have probably ended badly,"[/color] she said with a bit of sarcasm in her tone..

A mischievous expression came onto his face, one with somewhat of a charismatic smirk, ‘[color=8A9A5B]I don’t mind people seeing me naked,[/color]’ he confessed. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Though I know other people like to give their consent to that type of thing and showing up nude to a party isn’t proper,[/color]’ his voice was playful and teasing. He knew he shouldn’t show up to places naked so he would refrain from that behavior… hopefully. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]Also, do you think it’s that type of party? A drinking-drinking party? Or do you think it’ll be more calm?[/color]’ he was honestly curious as he roamed around his cabin before finding eyeliner and mascara. Walking up to a mirror in the cabin, he began to apply it. 

[color=c7b29b]"Last party we had there was alcohol, 7 minutes in heaven… and a camper was nearly killed by another. They don’t lack for entertainment if nothing else."[/color] Sloane watched him continue to get ready, putting on some eye makeup. Perhaps it was because her father kept her and her brother in high society circles, but it was rare for her to see a man with any sort of makeup. Not that she mined. It just wasn’t common. She leaned back in the chair, watching Rocco out of the corner of her eye. His tail never stopped wagging as he laid on his stomach, occasionally booping Ip with his nose. [color=c7b29b]"I take it you like drinking parties?"[/color]

Anatoliy nodded his head while hearing all of that — [color=8A9A5B][i]Campers tried killing each other?[/i][/color] — that made him wonder if he should show up to the party or not. Hopefully that was a last time thing and no one was going to try to kill each other. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sounds like a lovely time,[/color]’ he chuckled somewhat nervously. The game sounded fun, 7 minutes in heaven, but he didn’t care to play that either. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]Depends,[/color]’ he shrugged his shoulders while putting the mascara and eyeliner away. His stormy blue eyes glanced over to Sloane. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I enjoy drinking but it really depends on how the vibe of the party is. I don’t want to get shit faced if I am the only one getting shit faced and if everyone else is being mild. I might not drink at all,[/color]’ Anatoliy confessed because he bounced off from everyone else’s behavior when it came to parties though he had his own guidelines… [i]most of the time.[/i] 

[color=c7b29b]"I’m sure there will be plenty who get drunk. Blair is usually a safe bet."[/color] Her hands absentmindedly ran along her skirt, straightening out any creases or folds. Sloane wouldn’t be caught dead partying with Blair, but she would get drunk, without a doubt. [color=c7b29b]"I’m more of a wallflower myself,"[/color] she added nonchalantly, almost like it was common knowledge. She was used to disappearing into the background and going unnoticed. And while sometimes it left her lonely, when it came to parties she didn’t mind. She’d rather watch than partake.

Then he realized he hadn’t introduced himself, ‘[color=8A9A5B]I’m Anatoliy Voronin, by the way,[/color]’ he added with somewhat of a nervousness. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I didn’t mean to not introduce myself until now. I know… a bit rude, but I just woke up,[/color]’ he sounded like he found humor in that. 

[color=c7b29b]"I think if anyone was rude, it was me showing up on your doorstep,"[/color] she contradicted with her own shy smile. [color=c7b29b]"I’m Sloane Astor, and you’ve already met Rocco,"[/color] she added, motioning towards the puppy that ran around trying to play with Ip.

Hearing the last name, he seemed amused, ‘[color=8A9A5B]You have the same last name as ‘[i]trrraitorrr politician’[/i][/color]’ Anatoliy’s Russian accent went thick because he was mimicking what his father would say. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sorry, I just thought it was funny. My father always had this politician he bitched about. Vladimir Astor or something like that. He said he was not really Russian because he had a German surname then moved to America. So he was a traitor,[/color]’ he chuckled. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]I was never really interested but I loved how passionate my father was about the motherland,[/color]’ Anatoliy confessed with a shrug of his shoulders and a half-cocked awkward smile. 

Sloane adjusted in the chair, crossing her right leg over her left and resting her hands on top of one another on her knee. It was nothing she hadn’t heard before when they still lived in Russia. But it had been some years since anyone had a clue who her father was or what he did for that matter. [color=c7b29b]"That would be my father,"[/color] she admitted as her gaze slowly drifted over to him. [color=c7b29b]"There is no love lost between us. Although I’d recommend not saying such things around my brother. He looks up to the man,"[/color] she added in a droll tone. Her shoulders shrugged slightly. It was what it was. Although, she supposed being favored by the Goddess parent over the politician gave her some bragging rights. Not that she wanted them.

‘[color=8A9A5B]Oh…,[/color]’ he was internally cursing himself for saying anything. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything,[/color]’ his half-ass smile faded into a neutral expression. He wanted to say something sassy about not caring if her brother looked up to their father or not — he didn’t care. Look up to whoever you wish… that doesn’t mean other people have to validate that for you. 

[color=c7b29b]"It’s fine. I don’t mind,"[/color] she reassured him.

Anatoliy walked over to the door and grabbed the handle, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Ready to go to the party?[/color]’ he asked while reaching for his guitar and stringing it over himself. 

[color=c7b29b]"Sure,"[/color] she replied and slowly stood up. [color=c7b29b]"Rocco,"[/color] she called after the pup, getting his attention. He whined once or twice, seeming more interested in staying behind with his new friend rather than going. But with one snap of Sloane’s fingers he was at her side and ready to go. She looked back at Anatoliy, noting the guitar slung on his back. [color=c7b29b]"Plan on playing?"[/color]

He nodded while opening the door and gesturing for her to go out first and slipping on some nice dress shoes that matched his attire, ‘‘[color=8A9A5B]I do plan on playing. I don’t know what type of vibe this party will be so I am going prepared,[/color]’ when she stepped out and Rocco followed, Anatoliy closed the door behind all of them. 

Sloane stepped back onto the deck making sure to usher Rocco along with her. The dog had no hesitation taking off back down the stairs, his back legs slipping out from under him every few steps. But once he reached the bottom he lingered in the area trying to catch snowflakes. [color=c7b29b]"I love music,"[/color] she admitted as she took a step out of the way toward the railing so he could descend the treacherous stairs first. [color=c7b29b]"Can you play me something sometime?"[/color] she asked genuinely. Her eyes widened for a brief moment, shocked at her own forwardness. But if he could play, especially well, she’d love to hear it.

‘‘[color=8A9A5B]Watch your step this time,[/color]’ Anatoliy went around Sloane while going down the stairs, he moved the slush off the stairs so it would fall to the floor below. ‘[color=8A9A5B]And yeah, I can play you something at the party if you want or any time. You’re always welcome to knock on my door.[/color]’ He casually replied while making sure the stairs were more cleared off so she wouldn’t slip. 

‘‘[color=8A9A5B]So you are from Russia? Do you know how to speak the language?[/color]’ he was curious. 

She followed after him [i]slowly,[/i] being sure to step wherever he cleared a spot or shoo away some snow with her own foot. It wasn’t a fast descent, but it was much safer. There was only one time where she felt her shoe lose traction. Her right hand held tightly to the railing while her left grabbed his shoulder to brace herself. [color=c7b29b]"Sorry,"[/color] Sloane whispered as she let go of him. Her cheeks flushed from her repeated clumsiness. 

Anatoliy glanced back at Sloane when he felt weight on his left shoulder, he seemed to tense up, and not in a defensive way but in a way that offered Sloane more support. ‘[color=8A9A5B]At this rate, it would be safer to just carry you down the stairs,[/color]’ he teased her with a mischievousness in his eyes and a smirk on his face. 

All her tension faded once they reached the ground and she no longer had to worry about looking like a newborn foal. Sloane cleared her throat and tucked her hair behind her ears. [color=c7b29b]"I do. As a teen we moved to America when my father became an ambassador. Enough time in an American High School rid me of most of my accent. But it still shows up from time to time."[/color]

Once they got to the bottom, he looked at her to make sure she was alright and survived the descent of the stairs, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Ah, Americans are scared of the accent anyways,[/color]’ he waved his hand. ‘[color=8A9A5B]A reason I don’t talk in mine. Most people would always look nervous at first,[/color]’ his voice still had a playfulness to it. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]You can always talk in your accent with me, I don’t mind, I promise. It won’t scare me off,[/color]’ he stepped a few steps away from the stairs before turning back to Sloane because he realized… he had no idea where he was going. 

Sloane laughed softly at his comment. When he turned to look back at her she nodded her head to the left of the arena before she started leading them in that direction with Rocco at her heels. [color=c7b29b]"I don’t really have control of it. But I imagine if I spend time around you it’ll start showing up again. Accents are weird like that."[/color] 

‘[color=8A9A5B]They definitely can be,[/color]’ his [i]normal[/i] wasn’t even very Americanized and it was a waterdown version of what his true Russian accent was. There were subtle sounds that he’d never get rid of due to growing up in Russia and being around a father that primarily spoke Russian and didn’t know English very well. 

Luckily, it seemed like Anatoliy’s cabin was a straight shot to the Activities Field. They had barely stepped out onto the path and Sloane could see a sliver of lights around the edge of the stables a fair bit ahead. She pointed in that direction while looking over at him. [color=c7b29b]"I think that’s the party,"[/color] she said as they started in that direction. [color=c7b29b]"Normally the parties have been at the beach. But given it’s winter, I guess the center of camp makes more sense."[/color]

As he followed her, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Oh? Is it outside?[/color]’ Anatoliy was surprised but he remembered how it warmed up so much compared to when he arrived — there must be magic or something controlling the weather. He wasn’t surprised there was magic that could control the weather when he thought about it. ‘[color=8A9A5B]The beach sounds fun too. I doubt anyone would want to go skinny dipping in a frozen lake tho,[/color]’ he looked towards where the water would have been — the ocean and the beach — ‘[color=8A9A5B]You guys probably have magic to heat that up, right?[/color]’ Now he was curious. If they had magic to heat the environment up. They had to have magic to heat the ocean and beach up, right? 

[color=c7b29b]"Oh, I have no idea. Probably,"[/color] she shrugged, honestly having no idea. [color=c7b29b]"I know the camp has magic, but I don’t have a clue how it works or if it can be controlled. That’s probably some special leader knowledge or something."[/color] Sloane’s brows furrowed as she thought of other possibilities, not that she was particularly interested in skinny dipping, but she wasn’t going to stop other’s fun. [color=c7b29b]"I’m sure between the children of Hecate, Poseidon, Hephaestus or Hestia it could be accomplished."[/color]

Anatoliy smirked, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sounds like I might have to talk to a few others,[/color]’ he said with ambition. As they continued to get closer to the party, he looked at Sloane, ‘[color=8A9A5B]So who are the camp leaders? Are there already people designated to that position or do we have to fight for it or something?[/color]’ His voice didn’t sound all too serious but mainly playful and curious. He was just wondering how everything worked and Sloane seemed to have more knowledge than he did. 

[color=c7b29b]"There’s only a son of Hephaestus, that I know of. But there could be others now."[/color] She offered him the information openly. If he wanted to orchestrate a group skinny dip, who was she to stop him? 

That was somewhat…unhopeful to hear. There was only a son of Hephaestus that she knew about but there could be others — [color=8A9A5B]well…[/color] — he thought at that. There wasn’t much hope for a skinny dipping fun time in the ocean. He would just have to wait until spring and summer, he supposed. 

[color=c7b29b]"Oh, um."[/color] How did she answer that question? Sloane was quiet for a moment trying to recall what she knew. It wasn’t like she was very friendly or familiar with the previous leaders to know the exact goings on but she had an idea. [color=c7b29b]"I think the Gods decide but I’m not entirely sure. First there was a son of Zeus, but he left camp. Then there was Poseidon’s son, who died a couple months ago. Now, Andy has kind of stepped up in the absence of a leader. But, according to this morning’s announcement one of the new campers is our new leader."[/color]

Hearing about how the God’s seemed to filter their children — Zeus, the death of Poseidon’s son, Andy stepped up in the absence — that sounded lovely. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Well, no reason to think too much on that,[/color]’ he shrugged and waved it off. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I was just curious but let’s not think of such things,[/color]’ he added because he didn’t want to think of people dying. He understood that death wasn’t avoidable but his first day at camp… hearing about death wasn’t a pleasant thing. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]How about you? Other than being extremely enthusiastic about parties and not at all wildly embarrassed because Rocco puts you into awkward situations. What do you do around here?[/color]’ Anatoliy glanced over to her, his stormy blue eyes locking from the side to her brown eyes. His tone was teasing when he said all of that. 

Sloane laughed softly, raising her right hand to scratch the back of her head awkwardly. [color=c7b29b]"Rocco is [i]usually[/i] good,"[/color] she glared down at the pup then rolled her eyes. To be fair he was a puppy and there was a rather large uptick of demigods that flooded the camp within the past couple hours. She wasn’t really mad at Rocco, just embarrassed. [color=c7b29b]"Me? I was on bed rest for a while. So, mostly reading. But otherwise there’s usually a lot of training, which I’m terrible at."[/color]

Anatoliy nodded in agreement, ‘[color=8A9A5B]I can tell that he’s a wonderful and amazing boy, isn’t that right Rocco?[/color]’ he patted his thighs to try and cause excitement in the dog. He loved animals. It was great to see that some people had animals at camp. 

Rocco barked and spun in a circle with excitement. His tail wagged fast enough to make little snow clouds swirl around by his butt as he jumped up on Anatoliy’s leg. [color=c7b29b]"I’m just glad he seems happy,"[/color] she said with a small hint of sadness in her tone, contradicted by the timid smile upon her face.

‘[color=8A9A5B]Bed rest?[/color]’ he seemed concerned at first. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I’m glad you are not on bed rest anymore and you can get out and do a few things,[/color]’ he smiled. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Mhm…,[/color]’ he replied because of his thoughts. ‘[color=8A9A5B]What do you read? I’m not much of a reader myself but I enjoy when people read to me or watch T.V. and movies together,[/color]’ the man confessed. 

[color=c7b29b]"My stitches needed time to heal,"[/color] she said with a shrug, as if it was no big deal, just a matter of fact. [color=c7b29b]"Currently I’m rereading Pride and Prejudice. But I like period dramas, romance, and fantasy. Sometimes science fiction, but more of the post-apocalyptic and less of the futuristic space stuff."[/color] As she spoke, Sloane counted the genres on her fingers, cross referencing them with the books she often read to make sure she didn’t leave anything out. 

He nodded, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Why did you need stitches?[/color]’ he was concerned but so far — there had been death, people leaving, and everything else it seemed like so why wouldn’t she have stitches? — He found that they were at the edge of the area that they needed to be for the party. 

Sloane’s pace slowed as they rounded the stables, the party fully coming into view. [color=c7b29b]"The incident that our previous leader died during, injured a lot of us."[/color] She turned her back to him and swept her long brunette hair over her right shoulder. [color=c7b29b]"I broke my wrist, had a minor concussion, a bite or something on my leg and—"[/color] She pointed to the tips of three scars that just barely poked out of the collar of her shirt on the left side of her back. [color=c7b29b]"—a claw slash down my back."[/color] After giving a moment to look, she turned around to face him. [color=c7b29b]"Don’t worry. I’m all healed up now,"[/color] she reassured him with an innocent smile.

He glanced at her while she explained everything that happened to her with the last leader dying. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I’m sorry that happened to you…,[/color]’ he started off with some shock. Artemis barely told him anything about this place, she did say a few things, but it was most general descriptors. Nothing important or magic like deaths, leaving, and severe life threatening injuries. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Well…,[/color]’ he flicked his tongue to his teeth to make a click of a sound. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sounds like I’ll have to train even more so I can make sure I and others don’t get hurt.[/color]’ 

And he decided to continue the conversation about the book instead of trying to dwell on past events. She probably didn’t want to be reminded of her injuries and there was no reason for him to try and act like he was some impressive individual that had prior training — though he did have prior training. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Isn’t there a film about that book? The one with Keira Knightley? My dad had the biggest crush on her and loved her in the movies she was in. I’m pretty sure I watched that movie way too many times,[/color]’ he laughed about it but he honestly could tell you what they were going to say before they said it because he did watch it so much. 

[color=c7b29b]"It’s one of my favorites,"[/color] she replied with a childlike giddy in her step.

Then he thought about it, a little more, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Why would Rocco not be happy?[/color]’ That confused him. At first, it didn’t catch on, but his brain was starting to actually consider those words. 

[color=c7b29b]"Rocco wasn’t originally mine,"[/color] Sloane admitted as they came to a stop at the edge of the Activities Field. While she spoke to Anatoliy her gaze skimmed the impressive setup Andy must have put together, a sledding hill, ice skating rink, fire pit, a dancing area, plus various tables and seats… and a bar, of course. She then looked back over to her present company. [color=c7b29b]"His previous owner, Liam—"[/color] her voice caught her throat when she mentioned his name, realizing it was the first time she had said it outloud since he left. [color=c7b29b]"—he left after that whole incident."[/color] Her right hand waved in the air like she was brushing off the details of the incident itself. [color=c7b29b]"So I took Rocco in,"[/color] she concluded with a smile, reaching down to pet the dog’s head affectionately.

Anatoliy’s face twisted out of pure natural reaction when she was explaining what happened around Rocco staying with her. ‘[color=8A9A5B]What a complete douchebag. Who could ever leave their loved one behind?[/color]’ That was terrible to hear. He never understood why people would leave their animals behind. It kind of reminded him of his apartment, he’d always go out back and give the stray cats tuna and food, and everyone knows the majority of them came from families moving and leaving them behind. People were so… cruel. 

His first comment actually brought forth a genuine laugh deep from her gut. There was something cathartic about hearing someone else call Liam an asshole besides herself. He was right. The truth of it hit her harder than she had expected. How [i]could[/i] someone leave a loved one behind? How could [i]Liam[/i] leave them behind? As her laughter subsided, tears started to well in Sloane’s eyes. She took a second, turning slightly from Anatoliy to compose herself and wipe at her eyes before anything could escape. [color=c7b29b]"You’re absolutely right,"[/color] she said with an assured confidence as she looked back over at him.

‘[color=8A9A5B]I never understand why people get animals then leave them behind,[/color]’ he was somewhat speaking with his hands now. ‘[color=8A9A5B]It doesn’t make sense to me. I would love to have animals but at my apartment it wasn’t animal friendly, though I did feed the stray cats all the time. However, I never got an animal because I knew my situation was so…,[/color]’ he began making weird maneuvers with his hand as if he couldn’t figure out the word he wanted to use. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Mhm…[/color]’ he was trying to think of it. ‘[color=8A9A5B]You know what I mean, right?[/color]’ He was trying to find the word unstable, not able, unreliable… all the things he couldn’t be for an animal the past few years. 

[color=c7b29b]"I don’t understand either,"[/color] she agreed with him, letting her gaze fall to Rocco who sat excitedly by her feet. [color=c7b29b]"I was never allowed to have pets. But Liam’s stupidity is my gain, right?"[/color] Sloane asked rhetorically, half trying to convince herself. Rocco had kind of became partly hers while she was close with Liam anyway, now he was solely hers. It was a steep price for a pet, but in the end it showed that she was the more loyal and deserving one. She hoped.

This Liam guy was a jerk by the sounds of it and the conversation had caused Sloane to get teary eyed. Anatoliy felt bad for calling the man a douchebag or bringing up why Rocco would be happy. He could have just kept his mouth shut — sometimes that was a better deal. Just stay quiet and not respond to certain things. The man seemed to not know what to do at first but then he stepped closer, not once, not twice, and his arms wrapped around her and his head rested on hers. ‘[color=8A9A5B]I don’t know who Liam is but he is stupid. And I am sorry that he was stupid to you and Rocco,[/color]’ Sometimes people just needed to be seen and he understood that. A lot of people would look the other way when he wanted to be seen even if a simple acknowledgement would make him feel better. 

Sloane looked him up and down as he stepped closer. She didn’t know what he was doing but she definitely didn’t expect him to pull her into a hug. She froze with her arms held out at her sides with half closed fists. Taken by surprise she froze with wide eyes. But as he settled into it, resting his head on hers and apologizing for what Liam did to her, she felt her tension melt away like snow on a morning in spring. Her arms slowly wrapped around his waist and her hands clasped together behind his back. She let her forehead rest against his collarbone as she exhaled a breath that it felt like she had been holding for months. 

She had forgotten what it was like to be seen and heard. It was a comfort that had grown foreign to her, like a fever dream. She sniffled, feeling a lump grow in her throat, but she refused to cry. The last thing Sloane wanted was to cry in the arms of a man she barely knew, and Liam had claimed enough of her tears. [color=c7b29b]"Thank you,"[/color] she mumbled against his chest, allowing herself to be vulnerable for a moment longer.

‘[color=8A9A5B]But we don’t want to think about Liam when we are going to a party, right? We want to try and have fun and make new friends and stuff. And if it will make you feel better. I’ll play anything you want me to, if I know it,[/color]’ Anatoliy was trying to cheer her up and keep her from dwelling on her thoughts. Did other people dwell like he did? He knew his thoughts could be so obsessive that it was a killer for him. He knew that other people didn’t have that obsessiveness in them. However, he still wanted to make Sloane feel better even if they were pretty much strangers and he had no idea who Liam was except for the fact that he clearly hurt Sloane and was a dick to his dog. 

She nodded her head before slowly pulling away. Taking a step back, she looked up at him with a shy, guilty smile. If Sloane had been asked how she thought the evening was going to go, nearly crying in the arms of a stranger was not on her bingo cards. While she had been strong through it all, she hadn’t realized how much she had bottled up and packed away. Apparently it was a lot. [color=c7b29b]"Ok,"[/color] she said, trying to hype herself up for a party that she still wasn’t thrilled to go to. She smoothed down any fly away hairs and tucked them behind her ears. 

Ready to face whatever awaited, she exhaled and turned to face the festivities. Sloane still had every intention of lingering on the edge of the party, hoping to avoid most of the shenanigans. But after the temporary lapse in her facade, there was one thing she needed first… [color=c7b29b]"I need a drink."[/color]

‘[color=8A9A5B]You need a drink?[/color]’ he sounded a bit surprised by her confession. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Didn’t you say you weren’t much of a drinker?[/color]’ his voice was playful and teasing when he asked that question. He was pretty sure that she said she [i]was not[/i] a drinker but he could be remembering wrong. He was pretty sure she made a comment about a girl named Blair being the drinking type. 

[color=c7b29b]"I’m not,"[/color] Sloane replied with a chuckle. [color=c7b29b]"It’s more for the edge,"[/color] she added while motioning her hands around generally.  

He looked into the festivities and the people that were already in a commotion — they were late — and he nodded his head. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Well, let’s get us both a drink then,[/color]’ Anatoliy reached out for her hand, gently taking it, and leading her around the small crowd of people as he looked for the refreshments table which he quickly spotted. 

Still holding her hand when he got to the refreshments table, he thought about it, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Maybe I won’t drink. Maybe I’ll have a tea and lemonade mixed drink without alcohol,[/color]’ However, he could definitely put a shot in that — that didn’t sound bad at all. Put a shot of something that would mix well and sip on it for a little bit to see how the vibe of the party was going and how crazy he could possibly get. 

Sloane was initially a bit stunned when he took her hand, but she let him lead her through the crowd. She was happy to let someone else lead while she followed, especially in social situations. Her free hand rose to her lips, pressing her fingers against her tongue to whistle for Rocco. She patted the side of her leg, signaling for him to follow her and keep close. She scanned the congregation of new campers as they weaved between familiar and new faces. 

When they reached the table, she looked back over at him with a curiously raised brow. [color=c7b29b]"Why?"[/color] she asked. [color=c7b29b]"I thought you were looking forward to drinking?"[/color] Sloane added. There was no judgement in her voice. She was genuinely confused about his change of mind. It wasn’t on her account, was it? [color=c7b29b]"What about a long island? I’ve heard they taste good and [i]not[/i] like a mountain of liquor,"[/color] she suggested with a small tilt of her head. [color=c7b29b]"Just don’t ask me to make it. I know nothing about mixing drinks."[/color]

‘[color=8A9A5B]I was thinking about making an arnold palmer,[/color]’ he confessed when he looked at her and he shrugged his shoulders. ‘[color=8A9A5B]Sometimes my mind changes quickly and I decide I don’t want to drink,[/color]’ he added before looking back at the alcohol. 

While Anatoliy decided if he was going to partake in drinking or not, Sloane’s gaze scanned the table of available alcohols. There were dozens of bottles of various hard liquors: tequila, rum, vodka, gin… and several others that she had no idea what they were. On the other side of the table there were more beer flavors?... Brands? Than Sloane knew existed. And hidden in a back corner, where she imagined most people missed it, were a few bottles of wine. [color=c7b29b]"I need this,"[/color] she told him gently as she slipped her hand free from his. After weighing her options, she decided to grab the bottle of merlot. She tried several times to pop the cork before looking at Anatoliy with an innocent smile. [color=c7b29b]"Help, please?"[/color]

He didn’t seem to even look when she took her hand away because he was figuring out what he wanted to drink. When she spoke up, he glanced, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Merlot is nice. Wine tends to taste great,[/color]’ he took the bottle from her and he pointed the bottle away from everyone while releasing the cork which had a release of pressure that followed it. He watched where the cork went and seemed to debate if he should go get it — his eyes seemed to focus on it like a cat. 

Anatoliy gave her the bottle, ‘[color=8A9A5B]There you go,[/color]’ and he walked right over, around the tables and grabbed the cork that was in the distance. He came back with a smile on his face, ‘[color=8A9A5B]Here you go,[/color]’ he handed her the cork as well. Similar to the same energy Rocco would probably give with a game of fetch except way less energetic. 

‘[color=8A9A5B]I think I’ll sip on one of these,[/color]’ he reached over and grabbed a Mike’s hard lemonade that was strawberry flavored before twisting the cap off. 

Even knowing it was coming, Sloane jumped when the cork popped out and flew several feet away. She took the bottle when he held it out to her. [color=c7b29b]"Thanks,"[/color] she smiled before grabbing a stemmed glass. By the time she finished pouring herself a glass of red wine Anatoliy returned with the launched cork in hand. She laughed softly, taking it from him and did her best to shove it back into the bottle of wine. It wasn’t the best, but it got the job done. She turned to face him while bringing the glass to her nose to inhale its fragrance, then took a sip. [color=c7b29b]"Mmm,"[/color] she mused with a coy smile. 

Sloane’s gaze shifted to his hand as he reached for a chilled bottle with a liquid pinkish in hue. [color=c7b29b]"I think I might sit by the fire,"[/color] she said, pointing toward the bonfire with the index finger of the hand that held her wine. It was an open invitation if he wanted to join, but Anatoliy also seemed a lot more extroverted than herself. So if he wanted to mingle, she didn’t want to hold him back. 

She slowly weaved her way between demigods, avoiding eye contact and the possibility of awkward introductions. Sloane detoured past one of the snack tables, grabbing a small plate and filling it with a couple cocktail sausages. The bonfire seemed to be one of the attractions that was less popular, luckily for her. There were several various types of seats around the fire pit: chairs, benches and anything in between. She gravitated toward a large log covered in a white and grey flannel blanket. After taking a seat, she set her plate down beside her. She grabbed one of the little sausages and offered it to Rocco, who accepted the treat happily. 

Anatoliy stood there when Sloane spoke up about going by the fire and he thought about it. He wasn’t sure if she was inviting him or not because she didn’t use the words we or anything of the sort, so he decided to stand there. Watching her disappear into the crowd. He looked down at Mike's hard lemonade drink and then looked around. Was that a nice way of her saying that she wanted to go meet up with friends? He wasn’t sure but he sighed. Did he do something? Did he say something weird? He was trying to think of everything he just did and said. His stormy blues looked around the party as he considered what he could do. 

He decided that he would just go sit on the edge somewhere because he didn’t see any familiar faces — why would he? Everyone was new. New and most didn’t care to even look at him when they were entering the camp which was understandable. He was a stranger. Anatoliy went on the edge, the very edge of the party, and took his guitar off. Setting that up against the side of the tree. Sitting by a tree and leaning up against it as he watched everyone else in the group. 

She had half expected Anatoliy to follow, but after crossing her right leg over her left she looked up to find herself alone by the fire. Sloane shrugged her shoulders, more to herself. While she liked the company, she also understood if someone more social like him wanted to mingle and meet other campers. She took a sip of her wine then rested her glass on her knee as she twirled the stem between her fingers.[/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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