[G] [C] 731.08.03 | A Glow in the Dark [Valerian]

Typically, Echlerov enjoyed being in the barracks, with everyone, even if it did get a bit noisy. Today though, he just wasn't in the mood, and he slipped on his boots, planning on going out for a walk.

Where are you going?

"Outside. Would you like to come?"

Pistoth tilted his head and thought for a moment. Yes. But it is dark so I need a light.

Echlerov chuckled. "Alright." It was a good thing he was used to that, to the fact that his dragon really didn't like the night, and he grabbed the little glowbasket that he had altered so that Pistoth could wear it around his neck. "Come here, and then we can go out."

Pistoth bounded over, and then sat still, allowing Echlerov to fasten the glowbasket. Are we going far?

"No, just outside the Barracks."

Okay.

The pair headed out, circling around the barracks. Echlerov knew there was a decent area to sit in around the back, and that was where he was heading.

While Valerian wasn’t really a pampered brat, he wasn’t entirely keen on living a life under the stars either. He could get behind the idea of traders that were constantly traveling and going to new locations since he had found he would up rather bored after a turn or two in one location on assignment. The idea of never having his own place, even if it was a small room in a Hold or the barracks of Katila, was a turn off. He didn’t think he’d like bartering for a roof over his head or simply setting up somewhere to sleep outside. So it was a bit odd to find himself sleeping more and more outside with Veeth curled up beside him as a means of escape from the insanity within the place he currently called home and would do so until he graduated from weyrlinghood. Still, he wondered how much longer he could get away with the budding habit given the cooling of the season. He wasn’t a fan of the cold while it was tolerable with long sleeves and his blanket, Valerian didn’t think that would last much longer. He also suspected G’rem might have a fit at him sneaking about at night to sleep in random locations.

But the solitude was nice, as was being able to hear his own grumpy thoughts about the idiots he was forced to deal with daily. It was just a shame he couldn’t have both at the same time in his comfortable bed.

Perhaps that was why tonight they were curled up together with a blanket around Valerian’s shoulders with Veeth’s head in his lap around the back of the barracks. He didn’t feel like wandering around too far that night and the current location had served them well twice before so Valerian knew it would be quiet. Given that it was also close by, he could judge when everyone else would be asleep and eventually move back to his room to catch a few hours of rest in bed.

So it was an irritated frown Valerian shot in the direction of what sounded like a human and dragonet approaching. Why would anyone else want to venture out in the dark at such a late hour? He didn’t say anything though Veeth stood and stretched as he watched in the direction of the approaching pair. It was due to his better night vision that Veeth recognized first who was coming towards them and started bouncing around in excitement. It’s Pistoth! Veeth helpfully supplied for Valerian before speaking to his fellow blue, hello, Pistoth! Are you going to join us for an outdoor nap? Not that Veeth was in the mood to nap now that one of his favourite clutchmates was here!

Valerian relaxed a bit at seeing Echlerov. At least the vintner was somewhat quiet, though their blues were little balls of energy when near each other. “Hey, Echlerov. Grab a seat if you want. Not sure Veeth will let you leave just yet without a lot of pouting.”

It's Veeth, it's Veeth, the little blue chirped, circling around Echlerov happily. He hadn't known that his favorite blue was going to be out here too! You should have told me he was going to be out here.

"I didn't know." Echlerov responded, smiling down at Pistoth. He hadn't realized that anyone else was going to be out, but that was alright. If he had to run into anyone, Valerian wasn't too bad.  "Hey."

The other boy was right, neither of the dragons would be very happy if he took off without them having a chance to play, and he wasn't really in the mood for a pouting dragon anyways.

Can we stay out here? Please?

Echlerov chuckled. "You're right about that." He took a seat near Valerian, and his dragon chirped happily. Yay!

He bounded over to Veeth, nudging him playfully in the side. We are going to stay out here with you!

Valerian cracked a small smile as he saw the two blues race towards each other and dance around excitedly. They saw each other all the time in classes but that wasn’t always a good time to play or relax together and he could tell both dragonets needed this random meet up. That did, however, leave the Harper wondering what Echlerov was doing out at that hour. “Welcome to one of my places to run off to when silence and a nap are needed. What are you guys doing out tonight?”

Yay! I like sitting out here with Valerian because it’s quieter but it’s a bit boring sometimes so I’m so glad you’re here and staying! Veeth tried to contain how happy he was by plopping his bum on the ground to sit pretty.

His head tilted to the side as he regarded Pistoth a moment before finally giving in and asking his question since he couldn’t figure out why his friend wore it. Would it be rude to ask about it? He didn’t think so and Valerian was always blunt about things that seemed to shock or upset people so it wouldn’t hurt to ask a friend about something he was curious over. Why do you have a light around your neck? Is it comfortable?

"I just needed to get out of the Barracks for awhile," Echlerov admitted, watching the two little ones. "It's alright most of the time, but tonight... well, I was just feeling restless." Normally he would have been working on nights like this, working with a new batch of wine, or even just weeding, but with Pistoth, that just wasn't an option currently. "Figured a walk would help."

Pistoth sat down next to Veeth, copying his pose. I am glad to be sitting here with you too! This will be lots of fun.

Pistoth tilted his head as he pondered how to answer his friends question. I do not like the dark, so Echlerov made me a lantern to scare the dark away. He nodded happily. It works very well.

Valerian wasn’t surprised by that response. Echlerov was a fairly quiet man. He was friendly enough but the Harper often suspected quiet time alone was craved just as much as making acquaintances with everyone. He could also understand the restless feeling and need to get away. Their lives were scheduled completely now and they lived in small rooms in barracks filled with people they saw all day long. Sometimes changing what had become the norm was nice and eased the desire to break away from it all.

Naturally, Valerian didn’t say any of that aloud and simply glanced at Echlerov with a small apologetic smile. “You craved a walk but ended up sucked into sitting around with me. Some would think you were being punished.”

Veeth was rather intrigued by the light and leaned in closer to inspect the way it was attached and bumped the collar lightly with his nose. It was pretty clever! Echlerov was so good to his friend and Veeth chirped his approval towards the humans. It’s very nice but I’ll also help keep the dark away for you! I don’t mind it so much. It holds mysteries, like Valerian. He likes people not knowing much about him. I find it a bit weird sometimes but he has a lot of friends still so I guess it’s not so bad. While Veeth spoke only to Pistoth, Valerian sensed his blue was talking about him and gave him a curious glance which only earned Veeth wagging his tail in response. He was the picture of pure innocence!

What’s your human like? Does he like writing as well?

If Echlerov could have heard the other male's thoughts, he would have agreed entirely. He smiled back in response to Valerian's apologetic look. "Oh, I don't know if I'd call it suckered," he responded, teasingly. "and I certainly could have ran into someone worse than you."

Pisoth nodded. Echlerov is very clever. He listened to Veeth's thoughts about the dark, and about his human, and then added his own comments.I never thought about it that way, Pistoth admitted. Mysteries sounded interesting, and if they made the night better, then that was great. Maybe he likes mysteries so that he knows who really is his friend. 

He tilted his head while he thought, a little unsure of if his liked writing or not. He hadn't ever really seen him write, other than work for lessons. I guess. He really likes working in the dirt, though. He grows things! 

The pair were chatting happily, and Echlerov watched them happily. "What do you think they're talking about?"