Sitting in the dark, I can’t forget (Tags Ba’sun)

[Rei]

Sel’n momentarily walked around the massive pyre of wood and other flammable brush he had created just days ago. The stars winking into existence above him the only silent watchers besides Kaaoloth, who lounged not far away on the beach. The large brown’s head was turned towards the man even as his rider circled the pit for the third time. Are you going to dance or light the damn thing? Chuckling the older rider pulled a piece of flint out of his pocket and struck a few sparks. “Hold your runners. S‘not that cold you wuss.” As the fire caught it quickly flared up due to the accelerant the brownrider had soaked some of the wood in. Laughing like a man slightly possessed he half danced back from the blaze with a grin on his face. “How’s that suit you wher face?” Mildly impressive especially since you managed not to singe anything. Congratulations. We will see if your luck keeps up. “Obviously you just can’t admit the level of my experience and wisdom far out weighs your own.”

Chuckling Sel’n strode over to the large log he had placed near the large bonfire and picked up the bottle of wine he had brought along. Wasn’t the first or strongest vintage he had brought either. Better to start slow. Uncorking the bottle easily he flung his head back and took a few gulps. Dropping the bottle back into the sand he sank down on the log and grinned at the blaze. “Kali’s going to be pissed that I didn’t invite her.” Doubly pissed that you pawned Vanity off on her and then didn’t show up to infirmary duty. Evil man. She may give you a good beating. "Hmm something to look forward to then." Rumbling in draconic laughter Kaaoloth settled deeper in the still warm sand. The night had yet to leech all the sun baked warmth out of it and the brown sought to take advantage while he could.

While he sat contemplating the blaze Sel’n pulled out from his pocket a set of scrolls each bound in a different colored ribbon. Each representing a time or person in his life. Written stories each in completely legible in his neat script and all containing things he regretted or resenting about this person or that place. With casual ease he tossed it towards the fire. The small chunk of firestone wrapped in the rolled hide causing the thing to explode outwards. “That one was for you old friend.” Tipping back the bottle he took another draught and casually tossed the next one in causing a similar explosion.

Trust you to turn something simple into something complicated, stupid, and dangerous. I am going to laugh all the way to the infirmary if you lose an eye or a finger. “Hmm. Well we have all night old boy. Don’t count your firelizards yet.” Grinning he looked back at the bag of firestone he planned to use as a grand finale of sorts. This is providing you can still stand at the end of the night. Laughing up at the night sky the older rider tossed in another scroll. One way to defeat the past.

Burn it. Burn it to the ground.

[rii]

"That's helluva of a fire."

Ba'sun's hand curled around the neck of the wine bottle as he eased out of the darkness and into the ring of fire light. He tipped it up to sample a drink – with our without Sel'n's hand along for the ride. It had been impossible not to notice the blaze from afar. What, with the falling of a night a good few candlemarks ago, no other light source for miles, and firestone made a very distinct sound when tossed into a fire. Ba'sun eyed the bag full of the explosive lumps, a wolf whistle absently filling the air. "And here I thought I would be the one getting into trouble. Pinching firestone, though, imagine they might lynch you for that one."

Because being a grounded rider out well past curfew and designated area would earn a slap on the wrists. Riight. Ba'sun had been curious, in truth. His assigned watched was 'busy' with that weyrmate of his, and it Ba'sun had noticed that the green salamandyr became either drozy or extremely distracted during those times. The idea had then seized Ba'sun; to see how far he could get before it was noticed he was gone. Leaving Ekarth behind on the ledge would throw off suspicions for a few extra moments. Ba'sun had walked and studied the paths around Selenitas enough to know his way around.

Ba'sun plopped down on the log next to Sel'n. Never crossed the bluerider's mind that his company might not be appreciated. His eyes glanced at the dragon, noting the brown color in the flickering light, often times a dragon's reaction spoke more truely of the bonded man's response to a situation. Cautious, yes, but not outwardly so. Ba'sun didn't exactly find a man throwing back a bottle of wine and tossing firestone into a bonfire to high on the list of threatening figures. "Special occasion?"

[Rei]

The greeting caused Sel’n to smile lightly before he even bothered to turn and see exactly who it was that was speaking. After all it was a ‘helluva of a fire’. The man’s accent marked him as Benden, however he still didn’t recognize the voice. Interesting. Blue eyes tore themselves from the fire and went to his ‘companion’. An amused smile formed on the brownrider’s face as the arriving rider sampled his wine without even asking. Bold one. The whistle caused a chuckle to sound from the older rider’s throat. The words brought a friendly and amused smile. Yes normally Sel’n could be quite grumpy but he was determined to be in a good mood. After all he was destroying the past. What was there to be grumpy about? This was an exercise in clearing. The start of a clean slate so to speak. Blinking over at the firestone bag the brownrider laughed. “I don’t think Selenitas has ever lynched someone. They’d rather take away all your free time and make you scrub pots. Pray tell my ‘friend’ what trouble are you up to tonight?” Amused blue eyes again went to his party crasher.

Kaaoloth in turn lifted his head from it’s position on the sand his calm whirling eyes examining the new arrival briefly. With as little movement as possible the dragon shifted his position so he was facing the two riders. He gathered his back legs underneath him, his single foreleg shifting as well. It took a lot more time for Kaaoloth to get to his feet than most dragon’s, solely due to his lack of limbs. Still the brown positioned himself to be able to spring as quickly as possible to his feet should it be needed. Through it all his eyes whirling in calm pleasant feeling shades. Blinking his first membrane over his eye to clear any sand away he rumbled softly. Have any idea who your new ‘friend’ is? Not really. I have a small idea but really it doesn’t matter. Relax wher face. I don’t think he is after a fight. You know one day I might decide to bite you for that nickname. You’re horribly mean. Not my fault you’re scarred to shit. Oh it isn’t? You’re the one who directs my love. I am merely the muscle. Yeah, yeah. We are being horribly rude to my guest. Shush now. Snorting Kaaoloth flicked his tail tip and then set his head back down, a soft croon emerging from his throat.

When Ba’sun sat Sel’n turned his head towards the man and kept his seat, despite the proximity. Grabbing the wine bottle he took another swig and then passed it to his now seated guest before clearing his throat. “You could say that I guess.” Smiling he grabbed another scroll and tossed it into the fire. “That or maybe I’m just a closet pyromaniac.” Chuckling he grabbed another wine bottle out of a bag near his feet and held it up to his companion. “Plenty more if needed.” Uncorking that one he lowered it to sit on his knee.

“Name’s Sel’n. Large lump over yonder is Kaaoloth. Tell me friend what brings you over this way?” The fire you moron. Ignoring his dragon he picked up a scroll and smiled. “Really I’m just burning the past.” Tossing the scroll towards the fire he smiled. “Figured it would be more enjoyable to watch it explode as well.”

[rii]

"Easy brown," Ba'sun smiled, using the same tone he would an unruly runner. His dark eyes flicked up to Kaaolth's head. Large as the brown was it was more than a little difficult to not notice the motions the dragon took to be ready to spring if the moment required such. Ba'sun made a face, a strange humorous mix between a smile and a grimace as he rubbed the scar disappearing into his hairline. "I don't pretend to be able to take a dragon on, so do my nerves a favor and not get all worked up like you're going to bite off my head. Only hurt your rider is going to feel anyway is when his wine is gone and he has to get up ths next morning."

Ba'sun folded his arms behind his head, returning his smile and attention to Sel'n. "Bas'un, and anyway, you're right. This place does have something for the cruel and unusual punishment. I think a lynching would be too much of a kindness." That was definitely a Fortian accent. Ba'sun took the offered bottle anyway, snorting at the other northern man. "Don't get me wrong, I may be up to no good, but if I sit here next to you, I'm going to look as innocent as the day I was born."

He gave the other a slow, sage-worthy nod before taking a short draw from the wine bottle. Again he made a face of distaste. "If not for stealing firestone, you should be strung up for drinking this swill." Regardless, he took another drink before reaching over to catch Sel'n's forearm and stop the tossing of a scroll. He poked at the parchment with the bottom of the bottle. "You're burning your long past of.. grudges with the archivist?"

[Rei]

Kaaoloth regarded Ba’sun with calm whirling eyes, his nostril’s flaring as he took in the man’s scent. Rumbling softly he shifted again, this time into a more comfortable position and one more geared towards lounging than springing. His large head swung back around and he lowered it back down on the sand, one whirling eye still watching the fire and the men. You may inform your ‘friend’ that I have no intention of biting off his head. The brown’s tone was predominantly amused as his tail tip flicked back and forth as if in thought. He is right you know. You will be in a horrid mood come morning. Something to look forward to I dare say. Sel’n snorted dryly and eyed his lounging dragon. You likely won’t even remember this in the morning. You’d be surprised what I remember. I’m not some fool green. Even so. Yes. I quite like to forget that you reside in the realm of stupidity.

Sel’n rolled his eyes before oh so maturely sticking his tongue out at his dragon. Returning his tongue to it’s rightful place inside his mouth he smiled lightly and shrugged. “Cruel and unusual is one way to put it I suppose. I could find other words more fitting but eh. Your right a lynching would at least be far less tortuous.” Tipping back the older rider took another swig of it’s contents. Ba’sun. One of the ones from Benden. His accent had given him away the minute he spoke in truth but it was always nice to have a name to fit to a face. Dropping the bottle back to his knee Sel’n laughed outright. “A saint hmm? I rather doubt that. Sitting next to this old fool is hardly going to make you look saintly. Perhaps only pathetic and a touch desperate for company.” Grinning he tapped the bottle against his knee. “But sure. We’ll say saintly. Sounds better at the very least.”

The brownrider watched with thinly veiled amusement as Ba’sun took a sip and then grimaced in distaste. Chuckling lightly he shrugged and tapped his bottle against the one in the bluerider’s hand as if in a toast. “No one said I had good taste.” Grinning widely he took a long draw from his own bottle. “In the end it all gives the same effect. I reserve the better tasting stuff for company. The firestone though. Caught me red handed there.” Pulling back his hand to toss the scroll he froze when the other man caught his forearm. Smiling lightly Sel’n shrugged. “Him and everyone else in this weyr it seems. I haven’t exactly been good about making ‘friends’ in my time here. ” He joked before setting his drink down to partially unroll the scroll, displaying a name. Kaaoloth’s in particular. “I’ve written out one for everything I regret and everyone I either hold a grudge, despise, regret, or owe something to. It’s probably a little silly but I’m attempting to clear my head of it all. Turn over a new leaf I guess. I’m old but not that old. Still have some time left on Pern, Faranth willing, and wasting it in the past suddenly seems ridiculous.” Shrugging, unreadable blue eyes went to the man sitting beside him. Ba’sun’s reaction really didn’t matter in the end. Still…

Sel’n had to wonder why he was choosing to loosen his tongue to this one at all. Didn’t know him. Didn’t trust him as far as he could be thrown. Probably the alcohol but in the end did it really matter why? Fact of the matter is he was. “Burning the past seemed so unoriginal. So I decided to give it some personal flare.” Idly he kicked another scroll into the fire and watched as it exploded with a loud pop. With a soft chuckle the rider glanced sideways at his companion. “The old phrase about curiosity and the feline comes to mind. Tell me was it only the fire that drew you?”

[rii]

Ba'sun didn't glance again in Kaaolth's direction, but he could still tell the beast had settled down. The bluerider often had that effect on people – or in this case, dragons. He put his attentions on Sel'n, sniffing audibly at the Fortian's words. "I'll have you know, innocence is directly related to cuteness, and when I was born my mother said I was the cutest boy she had ever seen. Of course, she also asked me what happened, that I use to be such a cute little boy – I digress, because still.. next to you.. " He grinned, utterly shameless. "I may as well be a damn Saint."

He drank, gauging Sel'n's expression through the corner of dark eyes glittering with the fire. Ba'sun was never picky about company, but he preferred those that didn't take themselves seriously. Sel'n was looking to be a promising candidate. Ba'sun chuckled, slouching down against the log to stretch his legs out toward the fire. The bottle of wine found a cradle in the sand beside him. "You speak like a cocky novice. The key is pacing yourself on the good stuff – this though, will have you pissing away half the night. Hard to enjoy your night and buzz when you're fumbling with the fly of your pants every candlemark."

Fumbling with someone else's fly, once, now that was a different story. Ba'sun tilted his head side to side as he internally debated the pros and cons. A matter he set aside to squint at the scroll. The bluerider wasn't the best with reading, less so when the inked words were half-shadowed by the darkness. He glanced past Sel'ns legs at the small pack filled with scrolls, his eyes turning up to the brownrider. "A lot of baggage you're toting around, friend." Ba'sun settled his gaze back on the flames, thoughtful a moment or two before he spoke again. "I'm sure there are a few things I regret, but at the same time, some of those things I wouldn't change."

His memories, in the end, and some of those people were dead – he'd rather honor them with some lingering memory. Bad, good, regrets, hopes; his own past, one he accepted. To shun it would be to cutting away a part of himself, wouldn't it? Ba'sun's nose scrunched at the idea - but to each their own. The idea of burning the past away was interesting, at least. He tilted his head back to peer up at Sel'n. "I wanted to see how far I'd get before my keeper caught me. His 'I'm going to kill you' face is kinda cute. Know him? F'lix? Benden bred, short bluerider, dark hair, bunks with some bloke from your neck of the woods."

Ba'sun waved a hand as that information was unimportant, "Besides that, saw the fire and you drinking, and it's just sad to let someone drink alone." He shot a grin at the Fortian. "And I'm excellent company, if I do say so myself. So, about this new leaf of yours, how 'bout your start by getting me some of this better tasting stuff you mentioned."

[Rei]

Sel’n turned his eyes to Ba’sun the amused light in them far from unreadable. “Hmm she said that? Tell me was your mother blind or just confused? Because to me you look like quite the devil. Then again I think my eyesight might be going a little so maybe it’s my mistake.” With a short chuckle he took another swing of the wine and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. If the brownrider had to have company this night, he couldn’t say he was regretting his current companion. There where far worse people to have to suffer the company of.

Yes this Ba’sun was alright in his book so far. Amusing at least. Although maybe that was the alcohol talking. I doubt it. You haven’t had near enough yet. Instead you have a gift for attracting odd people. If you ever met anyone normal I might keel over dead. We wouldn’t want that. Oh really? I think it might be a blessing. Yes for me. I wouldn’t have this annoying thing picking at the back of my brain and making a comment every time I have a thought. A rumble of amusement was his answer, Kaaoloth stretching out and closing his slow whirling eyes. Awake the brown remained but he preferred to give the illusion that he was not.

The brownrider was aware of the eyes on him but he have no indication of such, instead swirling the wine around in the bottle and gazing into the fire. He was content to leave Ba’sun to his own inner thoughts for the moment as he inwardly turned to his. A chuckle however left Sel’n’s lips as he outstretched his leg, mildly irritated that his knee still wasn’t one hundred percent. The chuckle turned to a short bark of laughter. “Ah words of wisdom. You’re right. Pissing the night away was not really my intention, but this stuff is just laying around so I thought to use it up. I suppose I could always be cheap and gift it way to those I don’t really like.” A spark of amusement lit up his face momentarily as he set the bottle down on the sand. The outstretched scroll in the brownrider’s hand was rolled up when it became apparent that the bluerider was done examining it.

With a simple underhand toss Sel’n threw it towards the fire where it exploded with another audible pop. Before the man reached down for another couple of scrolls he noticed Ba’sun’s attention drift towards the bag and he silently waited for the comment he knew was likely coming. A slow smile spread across the older rider’s face and he nudged the bag with a foot. “Heh. Any wonder I want to offload some of it hmm? I’ve carried it around for far too long. Feel like a damn burden beast. I’m sure it won’t all leave forever but just the actual action of putting it behind me will help. I believe so anyway. Certainly better than the alternative methods I’ve tried.” Sel’n didn’t intend to get into those alternative methods but if the other rider was curious Ba’sun seemed to be the type to likely ask. Looking back towards the fire the brownrider gave a light smile. “I’m not saying I would change all of it. Or even most of it. But certainly going back to it constantly isn’t helping me out any.”

Falling quiet as Ba’sun picked up the conversation his eyes narrowed at the name given. F’lix. A soft snort was given. “Yes I know him. He’s much less cute when he’s busting your knee let me tell you.” Wincing at that memory Sel’n turned his head to catch his companion’s eye. “F’ur is his weyrmate. Right adorable couple aren’t they?” The dry sarcasm in his tone was not even slightly hidden and he gave a snort of irritation before reaching behind the log and pulling out a different bottle.

“Have to feed you to keep you around eh? Like a stray dog.” Grinning to take any unintentional sting out of the comment he tossed the smaller bottle to Ba’sun. “Lucky you’re a cute stray. I don’t share with just anyone. Especially not Benden curs. But I guess you get to be an exception.” Amusement was present behind the brownrider’s as eyes he tossed a few more scrolls into the fire. He watched them burn before checking the status of his ‘past’. “Hmm. This is going to take all night at this rate.” Stretching his arms forward Sel’n tilted his head at Ba’sun. “You don’t slobber do you?” Humor danced behind those words as he waited for a return comment. “If you do I might just have to let you keep that.”

[rii]

Ba'sun flashed his best impish smile to suit Sel'n's dubbing of devil. "I believe the phrase is 'he's a handsome devil'." He toasted his bottle to Sel'n and only taking his gaze off the Fortian to watch the fire consume the small chunk of firestone. It gave off a lovely white blue glow when first igniting, fading away to match the orange flames of the fire. The smell wasn't pleasant, at least to a normal man, but Ba'sun had long ago gotten use to the sulfuric aroma. There were worse things to smell burning - flesh, for one.

A loud snort retorted to Sel'n's jab of gifting wine to unliked individuals. If Sel'n was of that sort – and his Fort background certainly suggested it was in his repertoire – then the man should mix a bit of poison in with the drink. The way Ba'sun took another swallow showed just how concerned he was about falling over dead. "Well I hope you make your amends, friend, 'cause a burden such as that is like to crush you."

The serious, level tone didn't last long as Sel'n commented on his keeper. Ba'sun was in no way surprised by the information – of the knee or the weyrmate. His bark of a laugh proved it. "I doubt I need to ask what you did. That kid has always been a little-" His finger made a circling motion around his temple. "-if you catch my drift. I'd leave him to be this F'ur fella's problem – Ohh, thank you." The new bottle easily derailing his comments. He uncorked it and gave the contents a sniff. Much better.

Playfully he toasted to his former enemy, "To you, Sel'n, for finally agreeing that I'm cute - for an old mutt." He tipped the small battle to his lips, pausing after a small sip to smile. He would of shared without being asked, but the way Sel'n phrased it made him change his mind. His tongue drew slowly, suggestively, across the side of the opening of the bottle, purposely done under Sel'n's surveillance. The wine was then held out for the Fortian's taking.

"I've got one question. If we're both destined to get to the bottom of these bottles, who is going to get us back to the weyr?"

[Rei]

Sel’n smiled at Ba’sun and kicked at the bag near his left foot. “Crushing is a nice way to put it. Crawling out at times has seemed impossible.” Tonight however wasn’t the night for somber thoughts and Sel’n simply wouldn’t allow them. No tonight was cleansing, celebration. Funny that he should have a previous enemy sitting at his fireside this night. Seemed almost fitting. In truth the older rider supposed that he could no longer truly be considered Fortian. Maybe. Some of his thought processes still ran along old fort paths. That would never change but since coming here he had grown more accepting he supposed. Strange that. Blue eyes flicked to his bag and he gave a small smile before tossing a few more into the fire. It was almost surprising to the brownrider how good a simple act such as this had him feeling. More like his old self. Before the tragic event that had changed his life forever. Only thing constant in life was change though. That was as true now as it had ever been.

Turning his attention back towards Ba’sun, as he continued on about F’lix, Sel’n laughed. “Oh I agree. The kid’s mind definitely works in ways I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand.” Nor really was he sure he ever wanted to. Leaving him to F’ur seemed safer and best. At least his old fortian friend seemed to have a good enough hold on his kitten. F’lix had certainly been almost de-clawed in a way be supposed. Although the young bluerider certainly did still have teeth. After the return thought the brownrider’s gaze immediately went to his knee before returning to Ba’sun.

The words the ‘toast’ contained had him grinning widely and he shook his head briefly in a gesture of amusement. “Yes. I’ve always liked old mutts. They make quite good fireside companions and they don’t ask for much. Just a scratch behind and ear here and a bit of food there.” Chuckling Sel’n noted the smile and a glint of interest lit up his features before Ba’sun preformed his little slightly perverted stunt. It was hard to keep a straight face really. But somehow he managed if only barely. It probably was quite amusing to watch him struggle to keep his face blank. When the bottle was offered back to him was eyed with an expression close to mock distaste and then grabbed it. Holding it up to the fire light and squinting as if to examine it Sel’n sighed. “This is what I get for inviting an old mutt to my fire…. Just my luck that this one slobbers.” Grinning he took a swing from the bottle not even bothering to wipe it off first. Handing it back to Ba’sun he laughed.

“Well I suppose your ‘keeper’ will come fetch you sooner or later. As for me I suppose Kaaoloth will either drag me back or I’ll pass out next to him and hope he doesn’t roll over on me. Who knows maybe we can cuddle together for warmth towards the end.” Waggling his eyes brows at the other rider he laughed. The thought of curling up with the other wasn’t really undesirable in truth. Ba’sun really wasn’t bad looking after all. “Either way the night holds so much promise.” Chuckling he took another scroll and tossed it to Ba’sun. “Help me burn this shit will you.”

[rii]

It was almost sad, Ba'sun reflected, that the whole generation that F'lix belonged to were warped in one way or another. Ba'sun wasn't as straight and narrow as he played, but at least he could cope with the changes and still manage a normal existence. Those others though.. drifters, the lot of them, just moving from one fight to the next and being unable to exist outside of it. Of course, most of them were dead by this point. Thus so, Ba'sun found it easy to shrug the entire matter aside. Nothing could be done about it.

"It's not just him. There's a good few twisted riders out there. See this?" Ba'sun tilted his head back and to the side, tracing his fingers along the scar running across his forehead and sweeping into his hair line. "I made a jab at this one kid, at his expense, and turned my back on him. Next thing I know he's trying to scalp me. I wonder some times what was going through his head to make him snap. It was just a joke after all. But I don't think I'll ever understand his reasoning. Aside from him being very much dead."

Ba'sun accepted the bottle, nearly choking on his next swig at the mentioning of cuddling. The action was followed with a half-jerk when a scroll landed on the flat of his stomach. The bluerider coughed, wiping the spilt wine from his lips while shooting Sel'n an overly amused look. "Made me spill the good stuff, on my shirt too." Affecting a boyish pout, Ba'sun set the wine aside and plucked at the damp spots on his chest. It came off in the next second and tossed toward the edge of the fire pit. He settled back against the log, rubbing his shoulders against the smooth bark before picking up the stray scroll. "As long as that bag of firestone lasts you, a toss of a log here and there, shouldn't have to worry about dying of embarrassing yourself when my keeper finds you cuddling for warmth."

He rubbed idly at the networking of scars covering his abdomen while tossing the scroll into the fire. "You know.." Again he glanced at the bag full on Sel'ns other side. "This seems a lot of your past you are burning away. Is there at least some good stuff you're keeping?"

[Rei]

Sel’n stayed silent for the moment simply smiling at the fire as he tossed the past in to let it become consumed. Kaaoloth had retreated to no more than a drowsy presence in the back of his mind and this caused the older rider to feel a tad more connected with his companion in a way. His brown was not the most trusting anymore. But something about Ba’sun must have passed the dragon’s unspoken scrutiny. Curious it was, and so when the bluerider finally spoke Sel’n found himself giving the other man his undivided attention. Yes it was true, it wasn’t just F’lix. The brownrider himself had met with a good few that seemed to run in different versions of normal. F’lix was only one of them.

Titling his head Sel’n examined the long scar, his fingers twitching in a subconscious desire to run his fingers along it. A desire that, had he had just a little more wine, he might have acted on. As if was he had enough control to prevent embarrassing himself. For now anyway. But all the same the desire to touch the scar was there. Taking his eyes off the old wound he fixed them on Ba’sun instead. The story was taken with a soft smile and a short nod. “Yes you’d be surprised what some of the younger riders count as proper these days. Born in a different world sometimes I think. I rather hope he regretted his actions before his demise.” Those words where soft as the older rider turned his face back towards the flames. He had little toleration for those who didn’t show proper respect when it was needed.

The sound of choking however had his head swiveling back around and back to his companion. Sel’n felt almost bad but he couldn’t quite suppress the laughter that bubbled up from his throat. See even he could be amusing if one gave him the chance. A wide grin greeted Ba’sun as he spoke and plucked at his shirt. “Could always lick it off mutt. That stuff is too precious to waste. Don’t get the good stuff like that until gathers roll around. Have to be careful with it.” He debated waggling his finger at the other but in the end didn’t, instead settling for watching curiously as the bluerider pulled off the wine spattered shirt. Hmmm. Despite himself Sel’n couldn’t help the examination that came next, his eyes automatically defaulting to the other man’s bare chest especially when Ba’sun chose to lean back against the log.

Not bad looking no, and the scars only made him look ‘experienced’, rougher in a way. In truth Sel’n preferred scaring, each told a small story. If one cared to remember that is. Plus they gave fingers something to trace. In fact Ba’sun’s finger’s where doing a nice job of that right now and the brownrider followed the motions for a few moments before he caught himself and his eyes flicked back to the bluerider’s face. The expression in them perhaps a bit sheepish. Here we was ogling the other as if he where a runner up for sale or something.

Tch. Getting to old for that kind of behavior. Running a hand through his short graying hair Sel’n chuckled. “Oh there are good things. Good memories but sadly I find the bad far outweighs the good. Either that or the bad ones just seem to stick in my mind more.” Snorting he grabbed a few scrolls and tossed them in before tossing a few over to B’asun. “So was that a yes or no to cuddling?” He asked, the teasing lit to his voice making it obvious he was kidding. The brownrider just couldn’t quite resist.

[rii]

It had been easier than he imagined. Ba'sun was no stranger to the game, but it had been one better done while young. Young men were at least entitled to be curious. The older ones were few and far in between. His fingers purposely tracked lower, taking Sel'n's eyes along for the ride as he skimmed along the hem of his pants. He slipped his thumb under the fabric and pulled the pants up from his side as if to adjust them from sliding off. If Sel'n had been playing coy before, the brownrider would be hard pressed now to deny it now.

"Don't let me keep you from sucking and licking out the wine if you don't want it to go to waste," His voice rumbled in low amusement. He meant the shirt, of course, though there was a level of suggestiveness in his tone that let the mind stray. Especially when he let fingers brush at the damp spot on the front of his chest. Ba'sun didn't think himself terribly impressive, lean and tightly constructed as most dragonriders were. At least he could boast of gaining back the weight he had lost during his imprisonment.

Ba'sun smile was easy, allow Sel'n that nervous moment better suited to a younger man. If the Fortian had been a younger man the bluerider wouldn't have hesitated to tease and pressed his advantage. Ba'sun wasn't a picky man; not in the slightest. "Mm, wine warms the body.. and we'll see how cold it gets. Besides, the sands are still warm." He picked up the wine, taking a drink before setting hand and bottle on Sel'n's knee. "You should join me down here. It's comfy."

To emphasis his words, Ba'sun slouched down further, crossing his legs at the ankles. "Though, can't say I've ever been much of the cuddle type." He shrugged, expression almost apologetic as he smiled up at the brownrider. "Anyway, tell me about the good times then, instead of brooding over this past." A scroll was waved at Fortian in mock scolding. "Or you'll be forced to hear me regale you with tales of my own back in the days."

[Rei]

It was hard to tear his eyes from the movement, something he blamed on the wine and lack of bedroom partners. Flights where his only trysts lately. Sad in a way he supposed. However if he felt lacking in anyway, he was quick to subdue and defend such weakness. Blue eyes flicked back to Ba’sun’s face, the expression in them unreadable. Yes his companion was not undesirable but the older man was not quite fool or desperate enough to let himself be played with. Clearing his throat and pushing aside thoughts of roaming fingers he stretched his leg out trusting the painful pull of muscles around his knee to bring his thoughts back to other things. He was succeeding to until the bluerider seated below him made his comment. Had he been drinking anything he likely would have choked. As it was he gave a half laugh.

As the noise faded Sel’n simply fixed Ba’sun with a patient look. “Real cute.” A smile took any bite out of the words. “Think you’re all clever with your innuendo.” Shaking his head he almost jumped when the other rider’s hand met his knee. Making a small grumbling noise in his throat he took the bottle from the other, purposely lightly brushing fingertips over the other mans. Just to be a brat of course. Bringing the bottle to his lips he took a sip and then clucked his tongue against the top of his mouth. “Join you eh? We’ll have to hope my knee doesn’t keep me trapped there or someone really will be carrying me home.” Nevertheless Sel’n slipped off the log to seat himself next to the Bendenite. Sighing he leaned back against the log. Alright so this was just a tad more comfortable than his previous position. He grunted in acknowledgement. “Alright guess the sand and drink can do your job for you.”

Close enough to touch if he but leaned a little to the right, the older rider reached over to pull his bag of scrolls closer. That done he took a swig of the liquor and handed the bottle back to his companion. “There really isn’t much to tell. Your back in the days stories might be better for fireside tales.” Chuckling Sel’n tossed a few scrolls in the fire in quick succession. “Used to lead my own wing back in the day. Good one to. Although we mainly did a dragon rider’s duty and burned up thread. The occasional battle could never be avoided of course. Those weren’t too bad times. As a weyrling I used to love snowball fights. Can’t say the south is good for those though.” He diplomatically left out just when that was. Ba’sun was from Benden and Kaaoloth had been one of the eggs stolen from Benden. One of the pair born from the stolen clutch that started the whole blasted war. You could say fate had been against the pair since they first bonded.

“Good memories are those I tend to attach more to people than circumstances. I ended up rescuing an old wingmate from dragonless slavery a few turns back. He’s here now. Bonded to a wher. That isn’t a bad memory I suppose.” He trailed off. “Silly but I feel almost like a teenager swapping stories on a first date.” Chuckling Sel’n leaned over and nuzzled the side of Ba’sun’s neck, purely to see what reaction he would get from his amusing company.

“Your turn. Please by all means bore me with a tale from back in the day.” After speaking the brownrider straightened back up and turned a scroll over in his hands, amusement clearly present behind his normally stoic gaze. Fireside mutt indeed. He was actually happy this once decided to slink over to his fire. Even if he was Benden. Good companionship seemed all to hard to find these days.

[rii]

Ba'sun's feet tilted side to side as he shot a beaming smile, nothing but devil, up at Sel'n. "Thank you. I thought so too." A brush of fingers when before they hadn't made contact in the passing of the bottle, assured the bluerider he wasn't barking up the wrong tree (something he had been sure of even before catching Sel'n's wandering gaze). He stretched his free arm back along the log behind Sel'n. Not touching or crowding him, but it was more comfortable talking to the man this way. An occasional side long glance at the man while still keeping his line of sight on the fire for the most part. "Between the two of us, I think we can manage to stumble along home."

He listened quietly to the story, free of any of the short quips he had been firing at the brownrider from the beginning of their meeting. The comparison earned a grin, but Ba'sun didn't get a moment to return the observation. Sel'n leaned in close, and while the bluerider didn't tense up, he did still and absently hold his breath. His head tilted away, allowing Sel'n more room to.. nuzzle? Ba'sun only just kept himself from laughing at the brownrider's expense. Rusty, wasn't he, the man flirted like some adolescent. The wine would fix that, heh. Ba'sun pressed his lips together, still managing a smile as he turned his dark eyes onto Sel'n.

"My turn?" The glint to his eyes only spoke of wicked things, and Ba'sun didn't give Sel'n time to mull over the possible implications. The hand that had been resting idle on the log lifted, curled around the back of Sel'n's head and pulled the brownrider back down before he could fully retreat. Ba'sun claimed the older man's lips – rough, and leaving no doubt about his interest. He reserved his tenderness for women.

Whether or not Sel'n appreciated such direct attention, Ba'sun didn't seem to mind either way. His ever present smile was in place as he drew back, "Oh, you meant my turn to tell a story. My bad." Swiping his lower lip with his tongue, Ba'sun tipped another drink from the bottom before launching into his own tale. "I remember.. pelting my father in the face with a snowball. The man was livid - he was one of those no nonsense types. Probably would of beat me silly if he caught me. Funny thing is, years and years after that, my own son did the same damn thing I did to my dad."

Ba'sun lifted his free hand, pantomiming getting stuck in the face with a snowball. "Little shithead. It was kind of ironic, 'cept the only difference being I caught my boy and white washed him." Yeah. Ba'sun eyes fell on the fire, the smile losing a bit of it's radiance. It was a good memory, really, but at the same time it made his heart ache.

[Rei]

Sel’n gave a return smile to Ba’sun. “Of course your turn. Who else would I be speaking to?” The smile should have been a major clue to the next move the bluerider made. However the older rider had been out of the game for quite awhile. Turns in fact and so rusty might be an accurate term to describe him. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say the next action surprised him. The sudden grip on the back of his neck had Sel’n almost immediately tensing, however the resistance quite quickly left him as his lips where claimed. A soft growl sounded in his chest as the brownrider returned the gesture in kind, his own hand coming up to tangle in Ba’sun’s hair, forcefully holding the other's head still momentarily so he could return the favor. As quickly as it happened however it seemed to end and as the other pulled back Sel’n dropped his own arm to the log behind the bluerider’s head. There the rider left it.

His blue eyes smoldered with something beyond amusement now, but Sel’n swallowed it down despite his desire to continue. Something in the back of his mind held back on continuing, although he wasn’t sure at the precise moment just what it was. Certainly not his slumbering dragon who had twitched momentarily but stilled immediately afterwards. Certainly not the wine. Thoughts on the subject where pushed away as the brownrider strove to capture his muddled thoughts and place them in some semblance of order. It took a moment or two for the brownrider to even remember that he should be listening to the story. Damn Bendenite. Biting the inside of his cheek with the idea that pain would clear his head he managed an amused smile. “Snowball fights always bring about the best memories..” There was an almost wistfulness tacked onto the end of Ba’sun’s tone however and Sel’n couldn’t help but wonder about it.

The son must be the reason. As a prisoner of Selenitas the older rider could guess that family visits weren’t something the bluerider got. Even then this boy might not even still be alive. That certainly explained the sudden almost subdued feeling that had seemed to crop up. “Never had kids so I can’t pretend to know what if feels like to be without them. But I’ve lost good friends before. Never had much in the way of family.” Licking his bottom lip to wet it he leaned over and grabbed the bottle from Ba’sun.

Tipping it up to take a sip he set it back down and chuckled. “Could offer to distract you from such thoughts but I rather think maybe distraction isn’t the best idea with only a slumbering dragon to keep watch. Maybe we should just blow something up instead. That always makes me feel better.” Despite the kiss and the thought that the man beside him was a bit of a loose cannon Sel’n wasn’t willing to let the night turn completely chaotic yet. To much fun to be had still.

“Not that your kiss wasn’t simply spectacular in nature. But I rather think half of it is your desire to play with an old man’s reactions.” A soft chuckle left his lips, the sound almost meditative. “Not that I blame you. I’m fun to play with apparently.” For a lot of people actually but Sel’n wasn’t willing to get into that. A toy was what he often became and really in ways he was getting tired of it. Rubbing the back of his neck he gazed into the fire for a moment. “Question is what the hell could we blow up.”