sounds like hallelujah

ALISTAIR "Venison. I hunted, for years. Ishmal had taught me to man a bow, taught me to respect every creature and the necessity of its offerings to us. Life to sustain life, a precious gift..." Alistair replied, his tone easier this time as he appeared more relaxed, relieved even to having opened up. Perhaps hearing the very words spoken out loud instead of stewing in his own mind was a welcome release. It was also comforting to know someone seemed content to open up their own revelations to him, eliminating the smoke and mirrors some practice during social interactions. "I became quite good at it...there's peace with the whole act of it you know? The silent moments before the quiver rings and the fall of the beast..." He smiled as he recalled the many lessons he had taken with his adopted father, the whispered instructions. The respect he instilled on Alistair to have for every living thing, even when harvesting. "Cleaned it, prepped it myself as well. Most of it is back at the Tavern run by Vervain Calob...she's a fine woman, she's like my mum...if I could imagine her being here that is. I managed to bring some for myself when I set for camp...but there's enough to share." The camp was rather modest looking. A ring of stones built to contain the fire once built, a sheep skin knapsack, a pan, some mushrooms, potatoes, and the meat which was secured in its on ventilated sack. "I'm afraid it isn't much in terms of comforts..." Alistair teased folding his knapsack into a makeshift seat for Rexanna , taking her hand gently and leading her over to seat her. He'd gather some wood splayed on the side and begin to stoke the flames. The sun was setting and a leafchange chill began to breeze through. The thin, sheepskin coat Alistair wore was insulated and warm, though he wore a long-sleeved shirt beneath as well. As the flames began to build, he would walk over to Rexanna and begin undoing his coat, draping it over her shoulders where he rubbed along the arms to quicken the warmth around her. "There, much better yea?" His eyes were dark but held a sincere warmth to him, his slow-forming smile equally so. "You're in good hands..." He muttered before correcting himself at the way the phrase had sounded. "I was excellent cook, you'll be hard pressed to find another to dispute that. Ishmal insisted, I be as well balanced a man as I could possibly be." His voice was soft in recollection as he continued to gently rub the sleeves of the coat along Rexanna's arms. "Manners maketh man right?" Chuckling, Alistair stood and began prepping the food, going about cooking the meat first. "Suppose it isn't just isolated to men. What's the point of living if not to explore the boundaries of who we are and what we are capable of?" As he set the meat to cook he walked over, made sure the coat was sealed around her so she remained untouched by the chill, before sitting next to Rexanna, stoking the fire occasionally as the pan, hanging over the flames began to cook. He would reach for a leather flask, its sack filled with wine Vervain was kind enough to relieve to him, to which Alistair would open and offer to his guest. "The age is unknown but there's no questioning its worth in taste..."