Uneasy

Erisi was one of the last people that one would expect to be dragged out on some Candidate bonding expedition. Whatever. Valerian had decided to go on this camping trip, and Erisi was personally hoping for some woodsy rendezvous. Naked rendezvous. Plural now, because he was in a miserable mood. Charath had spent the first day following Valerian around like an over-sized puppy, and today she had gotten over her infatuation with his fellow Weyrling long enough to pick a victim out of the Candidates. Erisi didn't even pity them, because the attention she paid them was the attention he liked to avoid. Charath was perfectly fine when she wasn't in a mischievous mood. However, when she was... well, that poor Candidate probably knew by now.

His Green had spent the morning harassing the unfortunate soul. Well, not literally harassing them. The Green kept some distance between herself and the smaller human, mostly because she didn't like them. Still, wherever the Candidate went, Charath followed. When they'd look up from their breakfast, they'd see Erisi's Green staring at them from across the tents, perfectly motionless, eyes unblinking. Later when they went swimming in the lake, Charath was there again at the edge of the water, staring the poor soul down. It was a trick that she had mastered during her hatchling days - a classic, and she so loved it! The Green was likely waiting for the Candidate to break their composure, and she was going to keep it up until they did just that.

Which meant Erisi was alone. Talian was off somewhere probably doing Candidate 'bonding' without the fun. He sat at the lake's edge, a distance away from the tents, because most of the people here annoyed him. He had seen B'jin off somewhere, and I'shan was lurking around like the bastard he was. All the fun people were ignoring him. R'nd was tied down by B'jin, which was disgusting to begin with! So, he was out of the entertaining equation. Z'ia would have been some fun, but he had no idea where the bluerider was.

He was just bored, and he hated this trip. He was not the outdoorsy type. As a Harper he had spent a lot of time in taverns - there was no need to go trucking through the sharding wilderness. The Weyrling was beginning to realize that he had done this out of the good of his heart for nothing. There was no special perk besides getting Charath to shut up. Valerian certainly wasn't rewarding him with what he wanted... and Talian would likely not want to.

Not that he thought Talian would say no, because Talian was a confusing individual at times. He just knew that the Healer was probably sidling up to his disgusting 'father' and ugh.

I think I am finally getting to them! Charath hissed into his mind with delight.

'UGH.'

...What's your problem?

'Every-fucking-thing.'

How... unsurprising. A mental sigh quickly followed the droll comment.

Valerian still spent too much time wondering how he gave in to B’jin’s pestering. He could understand the assisting with Candidate classes from time to time since he was a Harper and his masters had made him focus in the areas of teaching but the camping trip? He couldn’t even begin to think why this was a good idea. Sure, it made the class work together and made them bond or some such nonsense – he wasn’t entirely listening to B’jin by this point, having realised he would have to agree to help in all the man’s crazy schemes or have B’jin haunt him day and night – but did he really need so many extra chaperones?

At least Talian was in the class, which was something Valerian was still unsure about. His friend didn’t want to be a dragonrider and the Harper wasn’t sure if he thought a dragon would be good for the Healer or not. Either way, it was likely nice to have friendly faces with him on what was likely viewed as a horrible experience. Erisi had signed up to come along as well. Whether that was for Talian’s sake or Erisi had some ulterior motive was the question. The question, but it didn’t need an answer. Not even when Valerian finally sought out the green weyrling in question, sitting at the lake’s edge and looking miserable.

As he approached his friend, Valerian noticed Charath wasn’t exactly close by but several dragon lengths away. They were always arguing so it wasn’t a sign that he should worry for his friend but it was a sign for something else. “Who is Charath focused on today?” He had her yesterday, but Valerian liked the green and didn’t mind her as a silent shadow. Veeth had been off making new friends and visiting with others so he didn’t have to worry about his sensitive blue’s feelings when too much attention was given to the mean green. Uncaring about getting a sandy behind, Valerian sat down beside Erisi and stared out over the lake. It would be peaceful if it wasn’t for all the commotion around them with playing dragons, shrieking dainty girls, and guys laughing.

"Someone other than me," came the grumpy response. At least someone was finally going to entertain him, and it was better that it was Valerian than another person. Valerian was one of the people he genuinely connected with... outside of physical means. Sure, he pursued Valerian for some sexual gratification, but more often than not he simply liked hanging out with the Harper. It was something that was sometimes forgotten, considering how easy it was to forget that Erisi was human, and not just the physical embodiment of lust. So while a woodsy rendezvous would be wonderful and entertaining, he wasn't jumping on Valerian from the get go. More often than not they came to a mutual and silent understanding that Erisi was horny, and Valerian was obliging.

Right now he got the vibe that Valerian probably wouldn't be interested, though the Harper hardly ever looked interested. "A Candidate," he continued, allowing a smile to briefly grace his face. "She's been following the poor sod around all day, and she's trying to be sneaky about it, so when they least expect her to be there, she's there." He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around his knees and resting his chin on them. "It almost makes up for her ignoring me completely yesterday." His gaze was slightly accusing on Valerian, but he knew his fellow Harper could hardly help it that his dragon was obsessed over him. If Valerian had tried to dissuade her, she'd probably just latch onto him more.

"Did B'jin drag you out here?" he said the name reluctantly, and grimaced a little. Even Valerian seemed fond of the greenrider. Erisi couldn't see it, but then again he had never came around to Searchriders. He still loathed them for the mistake they made in stealing people from the North. Apologies now wouldn't erase what they had done on the past, and it hardly mattered that they were ordered to do it! They could have resisted, stayed put, done something with their free will.

He glanced towards Charath, relieved that the Green had yet to -

Is that Valerian?

Dammit.

"I bet she's enjoying herself," Valerian cracked a smile as Erisi explained what Charath was up to. He adored that green troublemaker. Some people deserved her special brand of attention and he hoped to see some of it in action on their little outing. That would definitely help in making up for his lack of a comfortable bed. Now that was something to boggle over for a bit. Sure, he was a bit pampered since he was a Harper and was always treated to decent accommodations on his travels and stints at Holds but Erisi was certainly the Lord of being pampered. This was the perfect chance to complain about the lack of comforts he was accustomed to. Then again, since it was Erisi, he was likely waiting to complain long and loud at the right moment. For now, they were catching up and then the complaining or flirting would follow, but in what order was the mystery.

"Yeah, B'jin asked me to come. Right after he got me to agree to help with some of his classes." Valerian wrinkled his nose as he recalled how that encounter went. He was getting soft if B'jin was able to get to him so easily now. "I'd rather not get into the details," he quickly added in case Erisi was curious enough to learn more. It was unlikely given the dislike held for the older greenrider but it was good to cover all bases.

A sideways glance was given to his friend as Valerian tried to guess what type of mood the grump was in and gave a tiny shrug when he decided it didn't really matter. Erisi was Erisi. He was easy to handle in any mood and still better company when in a bad mood than most people when they were in good moods. "I'm not needed until later tonight though if you want to hang out. I think I'm supposed to be a chaperone or something but if they can't survive camping with so many people around, then they weren't going to Impress anyway. I'd rather give my time to someone I actually like."

Erisi was momentarily aghast that Valerian had somehow been coerced into helping with Candidate classes. Valerian was being inspired to work when there was little benefit. So, Valerian wasn't always... lazy. He was just mainly uninspired in that area. "You let him convince you to do that!?" Erisi was inwardly horrified. Not only was Valerian comfortable around B'jin, the greenrider was earning favors out of his fellow Harper! The disgusting two-faced greenrider had wormed his way into everyone's sharding hearts. It was the worst realization that Erisi could be faced with. And now he definitely wanted to move on to a different subject of conversation. He'd let Valerian handle his own stupidity with agreeing to be B'jin's bitch. His friend could dig himself out of that hole.

Somehow, Valerian always won Erisi's minimal affection again. The Weyrling could forgive his friend for hanging around B'jin, simply because he valued Valerian's company. If there was only a physical connection, Erisi would have wandered off by now. But, they had been friends in the beginning, and oddly Erisi couldn't picture not having Valerian's company.

It became clear rather quickly what state the Green Weyrling was in. Both grumpy and flirtatious. But, Valerian had started it! The man had offered him nearly his entire day, how was Erisi not supposed to interpret that as an opening for some physical advances? "Awww, you're flattering me!" he teased with a coy smile. Stretching his legs out in front of him, he arched a playful brow, making it clear that Valerian had (unwittingly or not) sparked a plan in his friend's mind. It was Valerian's idea, really, Erisi would insist.

"I was thinking we should re-enact your first encounter here at Katila." Erisi could live if Valerian decided against it, but he doubted his friend would. Valerian was awfully obliging whenever Erisi wanted to fool around. It was a quality about his friend that Erisi found to be absolutely endearing. Valerian would go with the flow, and Erisi did enjoy dictating that flow from time to time. "And afterwards we can write terrible ballads about how dragonriders suck dick, and then when we graduate we'll write horrible ballads about how Weyrlings suck. In our downtime we'll write about how everyone sucks." He paused, and his face lit up deviously, "Well, if there's time afterwards."

Even the slowest and most innocent of mind would catch the meaning behind Erisi’s vague statement about a ‘first encounter’. There were many things that had been counted as firsts before they fooled around under their tree but none would really be called an encounter like the sexual activity could be. If Valerian was annoyed at the suggestion, he only had himself to blame since he led them down the flirtatious path and gave the opening for his day to be filled in creative ways. It was a good thing he wasn’t annoyed and had in fact been hoping for a little intimate and alone time with his friend. Valerian couldn’t say he was lacking in physical contact since Veeth started chasing so frequently but it was nice having an attraction to the person you were about to strip for.

“That idea will be counted amongst some of your best,” Valerian casually replied though there was a mischievous glint in green eyes. He had become rather adventurous when it came to sex thanks to all of his experiences since arriving at Katila and the idea of having someone stumble across them didn’t even faze him, not really. He had had group sex, been in various rooms, and of course, in the forest, after all. But while he was fine with a rider finding them, Valerian had no desire to have B’jin’s little girl frolic around a tree and see things she shouldn’t. The wrath her father would bring down upon them would be remembered through ballads for centuries to come. They’d just have to trek a bit further than either of their lazy behinds normally would.

“And,” a grin grew to match the look in his eyes as Valerian showed a bit of his dominant side instead of the usual easy-going attitude, “I can’t say I’m interested in dragonriders sucking dick right now but you on the other hand…” a light laugh escaped, knowing full well he was abusing the play on words and sounding borderline corny but that also fit with the re-enactment of that day.

He rolled onto his knees and sat back on his heels, pausing for only a moment as he considered his friend that had probably been the original corruption that Veeth was now exploiting and finally got to his feet. He held out his hand for Erisi to help himself up with and then Valerian beat the green weyrling to the punch by stealing his memorable line that started it all, “wanna make-out?”

If the boys actually manage to see anything but each other and their fantasies, and manage to walk in a vague manner in that direction *waves hand lightly* Erisi - being Erisi - will step on an empty eggshell. But it's okay. It's empty. Unfortunately, the act of busting up the already empty eggshell will cause the pair to discover a lovely little nest of firelizard eggs.

There are five.

Erisi, being Erisi, will take the pick of the bunch and claim three. Mostly because Charath won't have it any other way - or does she want Val to have them all..?

Valerian, being Valerian, will let Eri have his way because he's pretty easy going like that. He'll take the other two.

But it's cool. Eri took all the duds.

Hatching Eggs:
Valerian, x2

Dud Eggs:
Erisi, x3

"Which must be a miracle, considering how good all my ideas are," he purred comfortably. It was always nice when Valerian's desires aligned with his own. Such an occurrence happened often, or at least whenever Erisi desired to pursue his friend. Even if Valerian was exhausted from the day, he usually gave in to Erisi's advances for a little while. Sometimes it left him frustrated, others it left him fairly satisfied. But, it wasn't too bad to be frustrated from time to time - it kept him coming back for more. Valerian was a comfortable outlet, though how he had slipped underneath Erisi's usual boundaries was the true question.

"That would be very generous of me," Erisi replied with a sly grin, as if to imply that Valerian would have to coax him into the act. The Weyrling likely needed little coaxing, but he wouldn't pass up on the chance to tease Valerian. He intended to spend quite some time having fun with Valerian, there was no doubt that they'd get to that eventually. "It'd be an accurate re-enactment, which means you'll have to return the favor," he supplied, seeming awfully smug with himself now that he was getting what he wanted. He reached up to take Valerian's hand and drew himself up onto his feet. Reaching behind him, he wiped the sand off of his pants.

Valerian beat him to the punch with that line, and Erisi couldn't help but laugh lightly. "Okay," came the agreeable answer. He leaned in to kiss his friend, and they stayed like that for a little while until Valerian seemed to think that it was a better idea to take a hike further away from the camp.

Erisi was less agreeable, but that was fine. He'd go with the flow if it meant having Valerian on top of him.

It was likely because he was far more interested in Valerian than anything else that he stepped onto an empty eggshell. He cursed, and kicked off bits of egg from his boots. That was likely why he claimed the right to pick first, and the most eggs. Because he had just been scared shitless after stepping on one. The Harper was convinced that they were wherry eggs, and someone at Katila would want to trade for them. His hut needed more decorations, so he figured three eggs could get him something nice. Maybe tomorrow he'd keep himself busy by trying to find some more, but today he had plans, and no sharding eggs were getting in the way of those plans.

Today he was getting laid.

So, with that thought in mind he convinced Charath to keep her eyes on his eggs (if Valerian wanted to bring his along with him that was fine), and dragged Valerian off into the woods. There was no way he'd let his friend say no.