Hyperion was back on the beach. By now he hadn’t a care in the world and while a fair number of the partygoers had given up and now lay in loose or tangled clumps in and around the coastal grasses, Hyperion, like the bonfires, had not yet run out of kindling. He perused the beach - stepping carelessly over sleeping wolves - in search of something to hold his attention. The occasional hiss of a disturbed sleeper bounced harmlessly off his ears; he feared no one unable to survive the night upright.

He picked around the cart in search of an unopened container; a quest not unlike the search for bigfoot at this point. His hopes weren’t high. The ground around the cart was littered with empty and/or broken vessels and the inside of it was mounded with them. Hyperion picked up flask after disappointingly empty flask and tossed them angrily towards the waves. Finally he had no choice but to admit there was nothing, absolutely nothing, left for him.

Oh well. Hyperion decided that all that meant was that he’d have to charm someone into sharing and since he’d been planning on splitting what he found with someone anyway, his role had only shifted slightly.

Having been hanging over the lip of the cart, Hyperion hauled himself out of it and turned to face the dunes of sea oats and cactus that separated the beach from the surrounding scrubland. He looked a bit lost as he deliberated what to do. Where to start, where to start...

Ballad thanked Tor again for the glorious night she’d been led to. Though her purpose here was still uncertain her firey paws played in the sand as the night went on and on. She’d sipped from some memorable chalices and drank some booze as well. The host had shown her quite a time, and she wouldn’t be forgetting him anytime soon. Perhaps one day she’d seek him out again, for now there was much more amusement to be had.

She occupied the night, being a servant of the moon goddess. Though the beverage she enjoyed was tugging at her consciousness Ballad had most of her functionality. As well as a rather large urn, filled with the majority of its contents. The Ademre woman sipped slowly, she knew the dangers of the drink. She was here for a reason, and wanted to remember her experience.

At this point she’d found herself alone again, with many of the participants already passing out in the sand she wasn’t sure if anyone else would see her tonight. It would be pleasant to watch the sun rise at least. To greet Fenris in all of his early glory. She settled into her little nest and she faced eastward in preparation for the eventual morning to come. Stormy silver eyes fell on one form still standing, his colors still vibrant in the dull light of the fire and moon. He was close but she still had to raise her sweet voice.

”Are you looking for something?” Ballad asked him as she shifted slightly into a more sphynx like pose in the sand.

He didn't have to wait long for someone to take notice of him. He was far too good looking of a creature to stand seemingly lost and unattended for long. Someone would inevitably take pity on him. And he was right; the voice of a woman came to him over the sand. He turned towards her and almost did a double take. There were many beautiful creatures here on the beach, but few others had the coloring that reminded him of home. This woman, with her fiery markings and her pale eyes, was a welcome sight. She was lovely and small and oh, what was that at her paws? Jackpot. Hyperion cocked his head and grinned crookedly at her. "I am." He motioned towards the woefully empty cart and worked his features into a playful pout. "It seems all the good things have been taken." What would it take to get invited over for a drink? He was going to find out, because there wasn't a single thing about the scene he didn't like; from the woman, to the impending sunrise, to the drink.

Her call wasn’t left unanswered, the beautifully marked man was quick to give her his attention. He turned towards her and even from here she could see his grin. Ballad returned it, the alcohol really bringing out the emotions that would normally be hidden behind dancing paws. He was indeed on the search, and as the cart had been fully pilfered, she had one of the last bottles. Ballad would welcome his company, and silently wonder if he might remain at her side to salute the sun god.

”I shouldn’t drink all of this, if you’d like to share with me?” She asked with an innocent cock of her head in curious question. Ballad wiggled over from her settled place just slightly to indicate the closeness she expected while they shared this bottle. ”The ocean breeze is turning a bit chill, perhaps I could enjoy your company until the sun returns its warmth?” Her dark brows raised slightly as her lashes fluttered at her cheeks lightly.

Oh, hell yes. If it wouldn't have undermined the look he was going for Hyperion might have celebrated the woman's response and the fact that he didn't have to do much to get his foot in the door, so to speak. Instead he opted to play it cool. Pretty or not, no one liked a desperate playboy. "I'd like that. I don't think I've ever seen the sunrise over the water and I bet it's spectacular. Beautiful company, beautiful view, consider me hooked." He padded over and sank into the offered spot, which put them in close enough proximity that their hips and shoulders touched. Hyperion was acutely aware of their closeness. Call it a test; if she shifted away he would know he made a minor mistake and do his best to fix it and if she stayed, well, then he needed to do more testing.

Hyperion crossed his wrists and glanced around the beach to get the lay of the land. He noted the low fires, the dull grayness of the sky over the horizon and the deep black overhead. Clouds that had rolled in at some point during the night now blocked the stars from few. It would be awhile yet before the sun rose which meant it was going to stay nice and chilly. Perfect cuddle weather. "The name's Hyperion."

She didn’t have to try very hard to get his attention, but that seemed to be the general theme of the night. Ballad smiled softly, eyes half lidded as her buzz continued and she felt the warmth of the night’s activities still clinging to her. She giggled and offered an aproppriately amused and bashful smile at his words as he closed the distance and sat close beside her.

The pair were barely touching, bu Ballad could already feel his warmth as he tested her and she pushed back. Ballad tentatively leaned against him gently. She took another sip of the bottle as he introduced himself as Hyperion. She took his name and passed along the booze in exchange. ”Mine is Ballad.” Her voice was softer and sweeter with him so close. She offered him a glance from the side of her eyes as she smiled shyly. He wasn’t nearly as up front as the men to preceed him. Ballad had no doubt this would be her brightest flame of the night.

”We will have to give Fenris a proper greeting indeed then,” She told him, knowing full well he wouldn’t have a clue what she was talking about, but that was the fun of the game. Her normally stoic composure crumbled into the soft and gentle she wolf that enjoyed showing her fangs with an innocent smile. Or maybe she was picking up on bad habits.

He accepted her drink gladly, but only took a sip. It was late in the night - or early in the morning morning, depending on who you asked - and drinking had been one of his main activities. Hyperion may not have been the brightest but if there was one thing that was guaranteed to stick in his mind it was lessons related to boning. He knew what would happen if he had too much and he knew not from hearsay, but from experience. That stinging memory, dulled as it was by tonight's liquor, still embarrassed him. Never again. And especially not with this woman on the line.

"Ballad," he said softly, taking the name for a test run. The corners of his mouth rose in a small smirk. "Lovely." Wasn't that some kind of music thing? That was cute and kind of fitting. It sounded dainty and inviting, and was certainly the sort of name he expected to hear attached to such a woman.

Hyperion smiled gently in confusion at the mention of giving Fenris a proper greeting. By the sound of it that was a god of some kind. Right? Not a boyfriend she was subtly threatening him with. Surely not. He was far too good looking to be chased off in favor of cutesy loyalty to a man who hadn't the sense to stick with his woman at a party like this. Nah, it had to be the name of a god or spirit or some other such gobbledy gook. He leaned in as though interested in hearing more, his silver gaze expectant and playful. "Fenris? Patron saint of...wild parties and meteoric lovers?"

Though she had no doubt that he’d been enjoying much of the beverage she offered him now Hyperion only took a sip. His attention was focused primarily on her and not her offered gift. With the looseness of the liquor it was easy for her dark lips to pull up softly into an inviting grin. She liked the way her name fell from his lips, and she flashed her teeth in appreciation as he offered his own comment on her title. She leaned into him comfortably, he was warm and inviting and she felt thrilled at the confusion and interest as she mentioned her god.

Ballad chuckled softly, her own soft silver eyes sparkling with mischief as the floor was opened up to her. ”The sun.” She explained simply, at least his mind was going in the right direction. ”God of the daylight, of men, the hunt and death.” Ballad slyly shifted her body suggestively. ”For now we celebrate with Tor. The moon, goddess of women, life and love.” The ember marked woman fluttered her lashes softly as she looked him over once more, knowing full well where they both wished this meeting to go. Hyperion was a handsome man and she felt eager to have her taste of him. ”We should honor her before Fenris’ return.” Her words were nearly as suggestive as her body pressed to his.

The woman whispered softly to him as her features reached up to where he was, her lips tantalizingly close to his. She smirked lightly as the darkness before the dawn settled over them. Her fiery tail wrapped around his hips as she hesitantly closed the distance and aimed to offer a brush of a kiss to his lips.

It seemed he hadn't been too far off the mark with his guess. The way she'd said the name just seemed like she was referring to something celestial so he'd taken a shot in the dark. Her chuckle was a good sign. Pleased with himself, Hyperion smiled crookedly. He would have pat himself on the back if he could. "The sun, of course," he said as though he'd simply forgotten. "Fenris. Big round fella, nice corona." Whoa, wait. This goddess of hers was significantly more interesting than the sun god guy. Goddess of love, huh? That was exactly his kind of meddling cloud lounger.

The woman shifted closer, her intent clear. Oh yes, he was liking this goddess. Ballad's tail curling around him caused Hyperion's skin to prickle. She leaned in slowly to give him the barest of kisses. Her lips brushed his and then he smiled into it, his mind on a funny thought. Hyperion leaned back just a little. "You're right," he murmured. "We should." He leaned in for a kiss - a real kiss. If they were going to honor this goddess or whatever they should do it properly, right? No half assing this thing.

Had it not flavored her lips the drink they shared would have been entirely forgotten. Hyperion wasn't even sure where it had been set, but he gave the little thought as he moved to lean into Ballad. He lifted one white tipped paw and aimed to cup the back of her neck with it and pull her in close.

Hyperion didn’t seem to be a particularly serious being as he returned his knowledge of Fenris. Uncultured as he was Hyperion didn’t seem offended by her beliefs and embraced them. Tor even more so than the god of men. She let her uncharacteristic grin play over her features as he explored the concept of her beloved goddess. He was receptive to her hesitant kiss and she could feel the smile he wore from her own lips. Her stormy silver eyes flashed with mischief, he wouldn’t be terribly difficult to convince of her intentions.

The desire of the flesh was encouraged to be explored in her culture, the Ademre were full believers in the thought of free love. Ballad wouldn’t shame herself for the desires she explored tonight or themen she had lain with. There was no connection between sex and love, so when you found a handsome brute it was best to indulge. Hyperion seemed to have the same thought.

Hyperion was quick to take Tor’s honor seriously, while she had been hesitant in her affection he resisted not. Their lips met again with much more passion returned than she had offered but Ballad swiftly returned the eager attitude. She allowed him to take hold of her and he could easily bend her to his will. With fluttering lashes and an eagerness in her movements Ballad took her chance. The two of them would show full devotion to Tor until Fenris brought forth the day and their attentions might turn to him. ”To Tor.” She whispered as she moved her lips to his ear and nibbled suggestively as she gave herself to him.

-fade-

Hyperion was happy to honor any deity who placed the same kind of value on sex that he did. If this Tor lady wanted her devotees to get it on by the light of the moon consider him converted for the night. She was a goddess he could get behind. And he couldn't think of a better looking woman to celebrate with. If all preachers looked and acted like this then maybe Hyperion would be a little more religious than he was. Or, more likely, he'd get converted often and just rotate through religions as believers came and went.

Things got serious quite quickly. Hyperion could feel the shift in mood and wasted no time in indulging as the social barriers that usually separated strangers were broken down. His attention turned from her lips to the rest of her as he eagerly set about exploring all this earthly goddess had to offer. He relished the feel of her slender neck under his arm; the firm curve of her hip as it pressed against him; the sweet scent in her hair as he buried his face in it. Conceited as he was even Hyperion had to admit she was the catch here.

There was a clatter and a dull splash as Hyperion shifted over top of her and inadvertently knocked over their drink. He paid it no mind; the loss of it was a small price to pay. His arms were at her waist now, his chin resting on her neck. As he leaned into her Hyperion sought to place a kiss at the base of Ballad's ear. "To Tor," he breathed as an afterthought.

-fade-