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vdragon-creations · 27 days ago

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Because I wanna yap on and on more about Yora and her backstory, I think I'm gunna sit here and talk about her relationships with some of the other cast of Wilds too! Cause why not!?

Olivia:

Yora had been curious about her ever since Erik told her about being accepted into an Ace Team. She knew how well respected and how strong of a hunter she was. But was a little concerned about how well the two of them would work together due to Erik's personality and quirks.

Her biggest fear is that he would end up working for a Hunter who hated him, or didn't take him seriously thanks to his eccentric nature.

Turns out, she needn't have worried at all. When she finally met her, she was happy to see that the two got along well!

Olivia, while more serious then Erik, seemed to have a more softer side when it came to him. Kinda motherly in a way.

Yora was also happy (if maybe a little embarrassed) to find out that Olivia already knew a little bit about her. Thanks to all of Erik's stories about the two of them.

She also tends to tease her a little about a few things as well. Her and Erik's obvious infatuation with each other, her performance at a Dance performance put on by the academy (which Yora had no idea she had seen), and about how she and Werner seem to be at each others throats.

She, along with Fabius and Erik, where also the ones most interested in getting to the bottom of why Yora was kicked out of the Guild. And, if able, convince her to come back.

Athos

Athos cooks sometimes for her Unit, and while they're still basic, she'll even bring some to Yora from time to time.

The two even eat together if Yora stops by the Ruins to speak to Olivia or Werner.

And, unintentionally, she's the one to let it slip to Yora that Erik has a letter in his journal that was from her, along with a sketch of her and a LaLa Barina floret taped inside.

The aforementioned incident leading to Yora wanting to make him his own bottle of Barina Perfume as a present. In return for the Botany Charm he gave her, of course.

Werner:

To say these two don't get along would be an understatement! It's practically "on sight" with those two.

And it's not like Yora wants to hate him, but he doesn't make it very easy for her to like him.

His arrogant attitude towards others, and his seemingly intense need to be the smartest person in any given room did a lot to turn her off. But, he seemed to have a particularly bad attitude with Yora.

At first, she thought it might have been because the two of them both created very useful items for the Guild was at the academy, and perhaps he hated sharing the spotlight.

But he started getting particularly nasty at her when she and Erik started hanging out more and rumors started spreading that the two where courting each other. So, Yora started assuming it was because Werner had an interest in her and was pissed that she and Erik were so close.

Well, it later came to light that her assumption was dead wrong. As, when it came to Erik in particular, Werner had no real problems with him. (Other then thinking Erik should cool it when going off about nature.) Nope. His problem was with Yora in particular.

It wasn't till one particularly nasty argument that Werner's secret was reviled to her and his attitude toward she and Erik getting close made sense. He was like Yora, part Wyverian, but took more after his human side in the looks department then Yora did.

Apparently he was in a relationship with a human at one point, but it ended when the human made some pretty insensitive comments regarding their huge difference in lifespan. They felt like Werner being able to live fair beyond themselves was unfair. And that their relationship was only a mean to an end. A way for Werner to kill time till they passed, and then he'd just move on. (A bit like a pet with their owner.)

After learning this, the two had a small talk, and while they still don't get along very well, they're way more civil with each other.

Fabius

She and Fabius know each other very well, after all, her mother was one of their finest Hunters before she went missing. And after seeing how gifted she was in her field, taking after her father, had her enrolled at the academy in one of the highest rakes based on his recommendation.

He was also one of the folks who spoke highly about her father at his funeral, So Yora is more then familiar with him and his reputation.

She was honored to have him fighting for her case to be brought back up to the guild to get to the bottom of why she was kicked out in the first place with no proper reason given.

The two had also talk privately about her relationship with Erik and if that would be a problem going forward if she were to be brought back into the guild. Only to find out that it would've never been an issue in the first place, and he seemed genuinely confused by why she thought it might be.

It's then Yora finds out that, before her father was strictly a member of the research commission, he was a Handler. And her mother, was his Hunter. But the record's showed that after Yora was born, her mom was "sent off" on an extremely important mission, and her father willingly stepped down from being a Handler.

Fabius is still trying to find out this mystery, feeling strongly that Yora being kicked out of the guild and her mother's disappearance have to be connected. Backed up with records being very wishy washy about her mother's mission orders, the records involving her fathers death having notable gaps, and Yora's testimony about her treatment at the Academy's hands despite her skills.

Y'sai

The others don't find out about Yora's interactions with Y'sai until they visit Kunafa Village with Yora in toe. As they enter the village, Yora starts noticing that some of the villagers are staring at her and whispering to each other.

They all assumed it was because they had never met a Wyverian before, and where interested in her based on her more obvious differences.

It's not till one of the villager's ask if she's the "Blue-Eyed Angel" Y'sai talked about a year ago. (Well before the Guild ever made it to The Forbidden Lands) Yora seams to be surprised by the title, and doesn't recognize Y'sai's name.

But when they all introduce the two of them to get some answers, that's when the story clicks and the two do seem to recognize each other. Y'sai in particular seeming very eager to tell the story and doing so while being very grateful to Yora. Almost starstruck, which made Erik a little jealous. (This happens a little bit before the two finally get together. So nothing is really official there.)

Apparently, one night, Y'sai got caught out in the middle of the Sandtide while hunting and had to take shelter. But while trying to, he injured his foot pretty bad. And to make matter's worse, A Rey Dau was circling the area, and seemed to start picking up the scent of his presence.

He ducked down by some bushes by the Oasis to try and hide, but the Rey Dau landed right beside him, and as it looked like the Rey Dau would spot him, it stopped like it had noticed something else. Something right behind him. It's eyes turned from gold to a glowing cornflower blue and it seemed to still and it breathing seemed to relax.

That's when Y'sai looked behind him, and nearly leaped out of his skin when he saw what looked like a girl, walking slowly out from behind what he thought were just rocks, her hand was out toward the monster. Her eyes were glued to the monster, and they glowed that same cornflower blue. This girl defiantly human, at least not any kind of human he had ever seen.

As she got closer to him, she put her hand on his shoulder and gripped it tightly. She quickly said something to him, in a language he didn't quite understand, keeping her eyes on the monster the while time. but the color was flashing a fading from the monsters eyes fast, and it breathing started picking up and getting more growly. Whatever this girl was doing to hit to keep it calm, it was wearing off.

There where only two words that he did understand though, "we" and "Run". The "Hold" she had on this monster seemed to drop and it roared, prompting the two to scurry as fast as they could away! Yora helped him up and yanked his ass around the corner of the rock she came from and, as it turns out, it was an entrance to a cave. One far two narrow and small for the monster to follow. they were safe.

While down there, Yora had taken him to her little camp she had set up down there and started treating his leg. It was awkward and slow, but she was able to "Convince" him that she wasn't a threat to him, even if they couldn't understand one another.

Y'sai wasn't really concerned about her hurting though, after all, she could've just left him to die. But she didn't. No, what concerned him more was not knowing WHAT she was. She was obviously human in shape and female, but it was little things that made him confused. This biggest where her eyes, legs, ears, and hands!

He noticed she only had only four fingers, not five. Her legs seemed to bend more like an animal's legs. She had long and pointy ears, they wiggled a little as she talked. But when he saw her eyes, they were, hauntingly beautiful to him. Clearly not human. The color alone told him that, as they almost glowed in the dim light of the cave. But the pupils where also slightly slitted, like a Seikret...almost. And the few times she tried to speak to him, he could almost swear he saw the slightest glimpse of a pair of fangs beyond her lips. she was also using a strange green liquid that seemed to make his leg feel much better. Like magic!

The village elder had talked about a race of supposed "Angels" who could do amazing things, a race that looked a little like this girl. And, she was...breathtaking. And after finally, after working all night on his leg, Y'sai finally felt better. But decided to sleep.

The next Morning though, he awoke to hear the voice of Zatoh, smacking his cheeks gently to wake him. He sprang up after seeing him and started quickly trying to tell him what happened. Y'sai got to describing the girl he saw, and Zatoh just shook his head saying, "It's best you don't do too much over the next few days. You must've hit you're head quite hard."

Y'sai looked offended, but when he looked around to point out the obvious camp.....it was gone. Without a trace. The cave was empty. He couldn't help but be a little sad. He didn't even get a name.

And over the next month or so, whenever someone asked what happened out there, he would tell the truth. Calling the girl who saved him the "Blue-Eyed Angel". Most thought he was just going crazy from the heat, or eating some bad cheese, or just had a really weird dream about girl that he liked. Even Nona would tease him sometimes about the "Girl of his dreams". And for the most part, he'd take it on the shoulder. But always regrated not getting her name.

Until now of course, and the first thing he does is thank her for saving him, and asks for her name. The two talk a little, it's casual, but Yora is clearly getting the vibe (As well as Erik and Val) that he's starting to get a little too...clingy. Before they leave, Y'sai does try to ask if he can see her again....and maybe even get closer. And Yora say's no, and that she's sorry, but her heart is with someone else. Her eyes drifting ever so slightly back to were Eric is standing with the others.

Y'sai is a little saddened by the rejection, but ultimately says that he wishes her the best then and "May the winds bring her and her lover closer."

Roqul

The two don't have much interaction with each other outside of him making a comment along the lines of "Man, it just got hot around here. Is it the Firespring already? Or was it just because you showed up?"

Yora wasn't impressed, and it really miffed Erik.

Weirdly enough though, (when I mentioned in my previous post talking about Yora's lore and role in the game as an NPC) when Erik makes the replacement Botany Charm 3 for Yora, he's the one he asks to help in locating the Charred Oilbone needed for it.

Of course he asks who's it for, saying that all the girls they travel with are pretty hot, and he can be trust worthy. Just between bro's.

And when Erik gives him the answer, getting pretty embarrassed about it, Roqul responds with a hardy laugh and a slap to the shoulder. Saying he's got damn fine taste. Needless to say, Erik nor Yora really talk to him unless they have to.

Val

My hunter OC! Avis Unit's hunter! And #1 Yora and Erik shipper.

Truth be told, she honestly though Erik was a chick when they first met on the boat ride to the Forbidden Lands. No that she complained, being Bi and all. After finding out he was a dude though, even better!

And after meeting Yora and finding out a little about their past together, that was it for her! she HAD to get these two together.

Yora notices that after Erik starts tagging along more with Val, the more she shows up to her home and starts looking through her potions and other wears. While also encouraging her and Erik to just hang out a little while she does her business there.

She and Yora even have a few privet convos too about their history together, So things Yora refuses to talk further in depth about.

All in all, Yora and Val both get along quite well. She just think Val need to ease up on the Romance stories and just let her and Erik get closer more naturally.

Nata

Yora finds him to be a very bright young boy, and is always open to answering his questions about the potions and other medicine's she makes.

She even lends him some of her notes and journals about all the things she's studied over the year.

And she finds it so cute when she see's Erik teaching him about monsters.

Gemma

If Val was Erik and Yora Shipper #1, then Gemma would be at the #2 spot. The two love coming up with new ways to get those two to start dating.

She's always trying to get Yora to confess, giving her all the best pep talks she could think of, but of course, Yora just chuckles a bit and says that if something happens with them, then it will because nature wills it. No amout of forcing it to happen will help either of them.

Though...that doesn't stop her from helping Erik to forge the charm he wanted to make for her. (He would've gone to Werner for it, if it wasn't for Yora and him having beef)

The whole time Gemma is gushing about how cute it is that he wants to make this for her, and how she'll love it, teasing the poor man all to bits about it.

Alma

In a similar boat as Gemma with about half the enthusiasm. Shipper #3!

Only thing is that she's more interested in Yora's writings then anything. And not just her studies on the Forbidden Lands either.

When she accidently get ahold of one of the books from Yora's private collection, she quickly finds out that Yora is quite the writer of romance and erotic fiction.

Not just stories either, but poems too. A few of them even having a few....rather...specific details thrown in that sound and awful lot like a certain blonde forest dwelling twink.

She never brough it up to Yora, as she figured she wasn't supposed to read those in the first place and didn't want her to be embarrassed about it.

Buuuuut....she's also never gunna look at the melted candles or nets handing from the ceiling in her hut the same way again after reading some of her stories...

That's all I really got for now! Now I must get back to working on some more fanfic writing! Hope you enjoy!

#mh wilds #monster hunter #monster hunter wilds #erik #erik mh wilds #erik monster hunter #oc x canon #mh wilds erik #mh wilds olivia #monsterhunterwilds #monhun #erik x oc #erik x yora #erik monster hunter wilds #mh wilds werner #mh wilds Y'sai

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vdragon-creations · 1 month ago

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The more and more I think about Erik's new voice lines in the game, the more and more I feel like a damn psychic!

When I was writing Yora's story, I was doing my best to come up with ways that she and Erik could connect with each other in a way that would seem meaningful to both Characters!

I'm about to go on an unhinged rant about my OC x Canon Ship, so if you don't like that, here's were you stop. If that doesn't bother you, then read ahead!

Yora has some issues opening up to others due to how Humans tend to treat her. Either they see her as something to be admired just because she's Wyverian passing, or they see her as a snob who expects to be looked up to or worshipped. When neither is the case. And with her being only part Wyverian, some Wyverians see her as a lesser. So she feels like she doesn't fit in with...any group really. But she doesn't hate any of them, instead she finds things she likes about them. One of those things being their passion, and drive to live their lives fully without fear.

And then we have Erik, and now we know that he can't seem to relate well to other people. I'd say likely due to his perspective of creatures and other things different then himself. Despite that, we see him still interacting with others despite that, due to encouragement on Olivia and Werner's side. He also mentions a time when he was feeling very low, to which Werner helped him see that his passion would help him learn more about others, including himself.

So here we have two folks, both dealing with the pitfalls of dealing with other people, both having something about themselves that they can't change that tends to get them shunned or isolated from others. So what do they do when they meet? It's rocky at first, but Erik showing a genuine interest in Yora as a person and as a Hybrid probably meant a lot to her! And Having someone around who loved his passion for learning and encouraged him to continue with what made him...well....him! Well, it probably touched him in a way he though no one ever would or could.

And I think putting their meeting at some point while they were in academy together was a good call. Cause in my story, while Werner is part of the Ace Team, he's mostly left behind there. As his skill with technology would be useful to teach others. So I could see that with both his reputation and Erik's, the two have probably met and worked together a few times. Ultimately leading to Werner being the one who recommends him for the Ace Team. And this little talk that the two had, the one where he points out that learning about living things is his field, probably takes place before he met Yora. Giving him a little more confidence in himself.

This also makes the Academy appointing her as his assistant make sense too. I could see his lack of being able to relate to communicate well with others becoming a bit of a problem, especially if he wants to be a part of the guild. (And his knack for getting himself in trouble.) Something that, I imagine, would've lead to some kind of discussion with him and higher-up's about the need to implement some kind of solution or treatment. Otherwise they would heave to let him go. And to let such a bright mind go to waste would be a shame. I feel like that would have prompted the "Low point" Erik mentions being in and when Werner talks to him.

And what would be the best solution? Someone who also has the same problem, and someone who could help in keeping him in check when his interests get in the way of his self preservation skills.

Their relationship lasting for so long, even after being pulled apart makes sense too. Yora is a Hybrid, and thus, while she won't live as long as a pure Wyverian might, she would still live way longer then a normal human. And with Erik being the first person she's ever connected with like this, that would stick with her, for a VERY LOOOONG time. And she'd hang onto that. As it would be likely she'd never meet someone like that ever again.

And the same would go for Erik! The story makes it pretty obvious that Erik more then likely has some kind of Autism, and tends to hyper fixate on things that mean a lot to him. And as someone who's on the spectrum, for me, this can also extend to people. Especially if you're the type that has a hard time making friends. To spell it out, when someone like that finally makes a friend or starts having feelings for someone, they don't let go! Erik loved Yora, and she, outside of Werner, was the first friend he ever made. And, more then likely, the first crush he's ever had on someone that he could actually follow through with.

Which makes their goodbye gifts to each other make more sense! Yora gives him a Hair Clip, as he refused to get a hair cut, but always had to move the hair out of his eyes to do his work. And sometimes, Yora would be the one to do that for him. A Physical gesture that Erik truly held dear and always enjoyed. So her giving this to him was like Yora being there to help him, even while they're apart.

And for his Gift, he gave her a Botany Charm. Yora feels the way about plants the same way he does about Monsters. And many time while out on investigations together, Erik would help Yora gather up plants that he thought she would need. (Even the occasional flower to give to her, weaving it into her hairband.) He would also help her take care of these specimens! Watering, Soil Treatment, Trimming, Etc. And this way, he could still help her, even when he's not around.

All this to say...

I totally read Erik like a fucking book this whole time! This is why my friends started making jokes about me when they found out we could have Erik as a Handler!

"Damn Val, guess that 300,000 word letter you sent to Capcom really paid off, didn't it!"

"Man, don't tell Val about this, she'll flip!" (And I did, I screamed hearing the news live!)

"Guess we know what Val's gunna be doing when the Update drops."

Whatever! I'm just having fun! Cringe is the byproduct of sincerity! If you can't have sincerity, then throw it all away!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my blabbering about my dolls! Have a good day!

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vdragon-creations · 19 days ago

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A little bitty doodle of the cute nerds before bed!

Might clean this up at a later date, but for now, it's fine as it is!

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vdragon-creations · 23 days ago

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At this point, part of me is just sketching out the scenes from my smut fic just so i can remember some of the shit I wanna write! That...and I'm a thirsty bitch. I blame Capcom.

The image isn't really NSFW though, no bits be here, but just in case...

Oh wow Val, a Hotsprings scene! Real original! Tropes are tropes for a reason, and it's cause they fuckin' work!

In my defense though, this scene in particular, while it does have some of the usual Hotspring shenanigans, is honestly a pretty tame scene. and is really more of a character building moment for the folks involved.

After all, when all you're clothes are gone, you can be a lot more honest when there's less to hide.

#my art #oc #sketch #oc x canon #mh wilds #monster hunter #monster hunter wilds #erik #erik mh wilds #erik monster hunter #mh wilds erik #mhwilds erik #erik x oc #erik x yora #monster hunter erik #mh erik #mhwilds #wip #art wip

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vdragon-creations · 25 days ago

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For those wanting to see the WIP sketches for my Erik x Yora smut fic....

Don't say I never give y'all anything...>///>

Should go without saying, but this isn't suitable for folks underage! Behave yourselves!

#comes with some nice hints as to what's gunna be in the fic #my art #sketch #oc x canon #mh wilds #monster hunter #monster hunter wilds #erik #erik mh wilds #erik monster hunter #oc #Erik x OC #Erik x Yora #Yora the Wyverian

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vdragon-creations · 26 days ago

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💌"I Still Remember...Do you?"💌 (An Erik x Yora Fic)

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(Author's Note: Heyo all, been a while since I last wrote a fic, and I'm hoping this one is a bit better. Not that I think the last one is terrible, it just needs a lot of touching up. And I'll do that...some day. But for now, I hope you all enjoy more ship trash from me!)

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Summery: "After a special package arrives for the Ace Team's Biologist, Erik, to analyze. One of the items seems to trigger a cloud of depression over the poor man. And it's up to his hunter, Olivia, to get to the bottom of it. But it may mean a trip down memory lane. A Road often bumpy and unpleasant...."

Fandom: Monster Hunter (Wilds in particular, and takes place well before the game's events.)

CW: OC x Canon, Angst, brief mentions of Pouching, and crying. (Lot's of it)

The week had been particularly hard for The Research Commission. Troubles getting their teams supplied were plenty, thanks to the increase in monster activity in the surrounding area. But they desperately needed this data!

They were researching minerals, in the hopes of discovering the compounds used in the making of a special pendent found on a lost boy one of their teams found on their way to The Forbidden Lands. There was to be a full fledged expedition planned to happen in the next year or so, but without that data and their other researchers, they would be going in blind. So rescuing them, getting the supplies to them, and providing extra protection was their top priority. So they called in one of their best Ace Teams to handle the task.

And just as expected, as soon as they arrived, they made quick work getting rid of the Monsters that were bothering them! Olivia, the Captain and Hunter of the team, seamlessly dealt with the pests. Her Hammer and trusty Palico, Athos, making even the mighty Diablos think twice before getting anywhere near the Research Site. Her Blacksmith was no slouch himself either. Werner, while mostly known for his work in helping to make The Wyvern’s Fire Tech, was also brilliant at creating new traps and machines to make Olivia’s job easier and safer! Even if he was a bit of a prick at times, and tended to be cold to those who had nothing of interest to him. But, even with him, what is a Hunter, without their Handler?

That’s where Erik comes in! The Eccentric and joyful Biologist of their team! He’s always on the look for some new samples to add to his collection of insects, even if it sometimes gets him into trouble. But what he lacks in self preservation, he makes up for by being very useful in the field! Olivia had only been paired up with him for about a year by now, and it was like her team’s effectiveness with research missions shot through the roof overnight. He was always eager to analyze anything they captured or found as soon as they returned to camp, and would stay up for an ungodly long time just scribbling notes on all the new discoveries he’d make. There were a few times Olivia had to put her foot down though, as a Handler falling asleep during a Hunt was not gunna fly with her.

All three of them always made a very good team, even if they didn’t always get along! And after a year of getting used to the flow of things, it started feeling like a family. A weird one, but still family. But…

One day, they received a special package, addressed to Erik specifically. It was a delivery from Fabius himself. He would be leading The Expedition Units in a year when they’d finally be going to the Forbidden Lands, so any kind of special message from him was bound to be important for their team to handle! Unfortunately, this package had nothing to do with the expedition, but it was a sample from a captured monster the researchers from the New World found in the Ancient Forest. And it was from a monster type he specialized in. A Temnoceran!

Erik ran full speed, dodging past the other researchers and people, to his little table in the corner of their base camp. A small makeshift shelf lining the walls of the cave they were set up in was covered in rows of jars, tools, and books, they clattered as he feverishly thumbed through the contents. “Come on! I know that knife was somewhere…” He muttered to himself. Olivia had noticed him dashing through camp after hearing some of his rushed apologies to the folks he nearly knocked over, and was now walking over to him to see what he was so excited about. “Did a Rathalos try setting your coattails on fire or something?” She asked, halfheartedly chuckling at seeing him looking through his stuff. Erik looked back at her, “Oh! Olivia! Quickly, can I borrow your dagger for a sec?” He asked, speeding walking up to her, like he didn’t even hear what she had just asked him.

Olivia merely cocked an eyebrow at this request, “Didn’t have one of your own in your coat pocket?” Erik seemed to freeze in place, blinking for a few seconds before searching though the inner pockets of his huge green Research Commission Jacket. He had gotten it after graduating from The Royal Academy and being appointed to be Olivia’s Handler. Sure, it’s been a year, but he never truly got used to just how much space he had to store things in its pockets.

He found the small dagger, which honestly looked more like a small switchblade and whipped it out, giving off a mildly embarrassed chuckle, “Ehehehe, forgot about that. Thanks!” He nodded his head at her, and then quickly went back to the table, where his package sat. He pulled up a short barrel as a stool and started opening it, using the blade to wedge open the small crate. “Is that the package Fabius was supposed to send you?” She asked, getting closer to the table, leaning on it with an arm. “Yes! It’s supposed to be a Temnoceran sample from one they captured back home!” Olivia grimaced a bit. She wasn’t afraid of bugs or bug-like monsters in any way, she just couldn’t get behind why he liked them so much. “What kind of sample?” She asked, now staring at the crate, almost sizing it up. Erik kept trying to pop the lid open as he answered through strained grunts, “Hard to say! But if I had to guess just based on the size of this impossible to open box, it could be the carcass of a hatchling. Maybe. If I’m lucky.” Olivia scrunched her nose up again at that guess.

One more strained grunt from Erik brought her back from her thoughts, and she rolled her eyes. “Allow me…” she said, gently taking the blade from Erik’s hand and wedged in between the boards herself. With one quick upward push of the knife, the crate lid opened with a loud crack, and she handed the knife back to him with a warm smile. Erik sheepishly smiled back, taking the knife back and putting it on the table. He lifted the lid and started digging through the hay inside that kept the contents safe. First thing he dragged out was a bundle of scrolls and other documents, presumably the first batch of researcher’s notes and the report from the hunter who found the specimens.

“Wait…Specimens! As in plural!” Erik thought to himself as the smile on his face grew, he looked like a kid during Christmas, digging even faster now. And that’s when his hands hit it! And he pulled it out, rotating it up over his head to look at it better. “YES! I WAS RIGHT!” Much to Olivia’s dismay, Erik’s previous guess was correct, there was in fact, a dead baby Temnoceran wrapped up in some kind of cloth. She wrinkled her nose, taking a step back from the table. Erik kept digging through the box, finding a few jars with globs of silk inside. The silk itself being slightly pink. “Oh my, fascinating…” he muttered to himself as he continued to dig. As Olivia was about to walk away and give him some space to himself so he could have his “fun”, but just as she turned her back to walk away, she heard a sudden pause from Erik’s excited muttering.

She narrowed her eyes a bit and turned back around, “What is it Erik?”, her voice sounding like that of a concerned mother. Erik almost NEVER shuts up when he starts going off about his work, but now, he was looking inside the box and seemed frozen in his tracks. She walked up closer to him, “Erik?” She asked again, and he still didn’t answer. But now a very fragrant and floral scent hit her nose. That’s when Erik reached into the crate to pull out one final sample. He pulled out a loosely tied up paper package, folded to keep something inside. He didn’t need to open it up to know what was inside, but he did so anyway. He untied the twine keeping it shut and what was inside the package, made his face drop. It was something Olivia had hardly seen, not since his first week or so with her team. Inside were what looked like flowers. Bright and red in color, but they were way too stringy and swirly to be an actual flower. They were a batch of LaLa Barina Florets. With a little sealed envelope laying next to them.

Erik said nothing and picked up the envelope to look at it closer, something in his eyes flashed, and Olivia could tell something was bouncing around in his mind. His finger traced gently over the wax seal on the envelope, an image of a potion bottle made to look like it was made of crystal was imprinted on the wax. Recognition was the look in his eyes, and his lips formed a line, but he said nothing. “Are you ok Erik?” Olivia asked, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. That seemed to snap him out of his thoughts, and he blinked looking up at her. “Huh!?” “You sorta spaced out. Are you ok?” She asked, sounding a little more on edge now. He could tell that he did worry her and stood up, quickly swiping the envelope into one of his coat pockets, letting out a nervous laugh. “It’s n-nothing! Sorry for worrying you! And thanks for helping open the package!” She was about to stop him there and ask about the envelope, but something about the way he smiled at her, it wasn’t genuine. He wasn’t normally the type to keep things to himself, it was one of the reasons she liked him. He was straightforward about his concerns when it came to their jobs, and was always looking to prove himself by being as upfront and open about his work as he could be!

But this was different, his eyes looked glazed over, like his brain was on autopilot and there was no real thought put behind what he was saying. And he was actually hiding something, he clearly wasn’t gunna talk about it. At least not now.

Olivia smiled, and nodded, “Of course. Just let me know if you need me for anything.” She said, trying her best to reassure him. Of what? She had no clue, but she had to make sure he knew she was there if he wanted to talk. Even if it wasn’t right this second. Erik nodded back, smiling, “Of course! And I’ll be here if you need me. This is…going to take me a bit to process…” he said, his eyes glancing back at the contents of the table. “Then I’ll leave you to it.”

With that, she walked away, not before looking back over her shoulder to see him sitting back down at the table. Holding up one of the florets, slowly turning it around with his fingers.

——————————————————————————————————

The next day, it was pretty clear that Erik had stayed up all night. He looked exhausted and his eyes seemed a little red. While preparing for the day’s hunts, Erik seemed to lag behind Olivia and Werner the whole time they were tracking their target. More than that, he still wore that same look he had the day prior when seeing that envelope. “Any progress on those samples Erik?” Olivia asked, trying to sound casual about it. Erik blinked and flinched, “Uh huh!? S-Sorry, I was a little-“ “Lost in thought?” She answered for him. “I’d imagine so, you did stay up all night. Right?” Erik looked sheepishly at his feet, his cheeks getting a bit red. “O-oh…yeah. It’s a pretty interesting case. And I’m trying to be as thorough as possible…”

She nodded, “Understandable. But remember, your job as Handler should be your biggest priority. While research is important, lives are at risk when you're on The Hunt. Not just your hunter’s, but your own too. And I’m sure Fabius would tell you the same.” Erik nodded, “Yes Ma’am. I’m sorry.” He apologized. He was genuine in his words. “Just pace yourself with your work. You don’t need to have all the answers right away. And be sure to rest when you can. There’s no need to rush.” Olivia reassured, looking back over her shoulder at him.

Werner chimed in, readjusting the equipment he brought on his back, “Then might I recommend he stop messing with those flower things! You were sniffling all night and waking me up. If you’re allergic to those damned things then you should really consider sending them back to Fabius and telling him to let someone else handle them.” Olivia glanced over at Werner, then back at Erik. Now that she thought about it, he did look like he might have been getting sick. His eyes had definitely been watery and red. “No use in putting your own health before this job. Get things done, but not if it means getting yourself sick.”

“I’ll be fine, Werner…”

This sort of tone was new and almost made Olivia and Werner stop dead in their tracks. Erik was never the one to get a tone with someone. Even if they annoyed him, he was always polite. But the way he talked back to Werner just now, he sounded embarrassed and…kinda irritated. Maybe even a little offended. “I just haven’t smelt those kinds of florets in a while. They’re a lot stronger than I remembered…” He added, still not making eye contact with either of them. “It won't happen again. Sorry…” Olivia and Werner shared a look, honestly a little taken aback by the shift in Erik’s attitude.

The rest of the day went on without incident. They completed their hunts, and made it back to Base Camp without a scratch. But…the whole time, Erik barely talked at all. Something VERY much different from his normal demeanor. And as soon as they made it back, he went straight back to his research table. “What has gotten into that boy!?” Werner asked, scowling a bit at Erik’s figure now hunched over the table and writing things inside his field journal. “I wish I knew. I’ve never really seen him like this. He was a little down when he first joined the Ace Team. But not like this…” Olivia stated. “Are you planning on talking to him about it?” Werner asked, looking back at her, eyebrow raised. She didn’t know what to say right away honestly. She felt it might be way too early to be badgering him with questions, and it had only been a single day so far. Perhaps this was just a funk he was in. But the “sniffling” comment from Werner earlier made Olivia even more worried about his mood. “Had he been actually getting sick? Or…could he have been crying?” She thought to herself. But the idea of someone like Erik crying was just so foreign to her.

Werner frowned and turned to start waking over to him, “Well then I’ll get to the bottom of it” he muttered, before Olivia firmly gripped his shoulder and pulled him back. “Oh no you won’t!” She snapped at him in a firm and low voice. He was honestly taken aback by this, not expecting her to be this rough with him, but the look in her eyes said not to test her patience. “It’s only been a day. I’m sure he’ll come around and if he feels like talking about what’s bothering him, then we’re here for him. But we don’t need to rush into getting answers out of him.” “Let’s hope so. I hate to say it, but…” Werner looked back at Erik, shaking his head, “I don’t like it when he’s like this. For once I prefer his mindless chattering…” he muttered, before walking back off to his forge, arms crossed and scowling.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

A week passed, and while Erik seemed to be doing a little better, he was still uncomfortably silent most of the time. He wasn’t staying up all night anymore, at least as far as Olivia and Werner could tell, so they didn’t have to worry about him not being able to work. But still, the whole situation rattled like an angry Najarala in the back of Olivia’s head. He didn’t start acting like this till he saw that damn envelope, and him hiding it after taking it out of the box was strange. He wouldn’t even let anyone come close to his table while he was working either. Something he’d NEVER done before. But even from a distance away, she was able to spot one of the LaLa Barina Florets resting over on his shelf. With the envelope resting right next to it.

That damn envelope! What was it? That symbol on the stamp wasn’t familiar to her in any way. But Erik certainly recognized it! Was it a secret message from Fabius? Was he in trouble for something? She had to know. If one of her own was in trouble, she NEEDED to know if she was gunna protect them. Even if it meant she was probably gunna have to go behind his back to find out what was happening.

So, very late into the night, Olivia decided to sneak out of bed, taking a peek over by Erik’s work table. Making sure he wasn’t up and working late again. And at first, seeing his form sitting at the table made her turn back and give up. Until she heard it. Deep, slow, gentle breaths. He was asleep! Good, so this was her chance. She snuck past the table, behind Erik who had left his jacket crumpled up on the table. Without the bulky garment on him while he was laying on his arms folded like a pillow on the table, she was able to see most of his face. He seemed peaceful as he rested, but in the pale light casted on him from the lone lantern that flickered on his table, she could see small reflections on his cheeks. He had been crying at some point.

Something in Olivia felt enraged now. Her friend was upset! And he wasn’t telling her anything! She wasn’t mad at him, but was mad that something was able to make someone like Erik cry. She was gunna get to the bottom of this!

Turning her gaze back to his shelf where the letter and the Floret laid out, she moved in a bit closer. The smell from that thing still as strong as it was the day they opened the crate. And looking at the letter, gave her pause. It had been opened. Of course it would’ve been. If it was part of Erik’s work, he’d need to read it. But…why keep it. And leave it on the shelf for all to see. Along with one of the Florets, which you would assume would need to be kept with the others in a secure place next to all the documents they came with. Taking one last glance over at Erik’s sleeping form, making sure he wasn’t waking up anytime soon, she took the envelope down and opened it. Slowly taking out the paper inside and unfolding it as quietly as she could so she could read it in the light of the lantern.

Unfortunately, the lantern didn’t help anyway, as the letter was handwritten. In Wyverian. Now this wasn’t too uncommon. After all, Wyverians were always helping out with the guild! Most of the time through Research and Investigations, and naturally they would write reports on what they saw! Oftentimes in Wyverian! It was so common that The Royal Academy made learning the language part of the curriculum! So of course Erik would understand it. But…Olivia didn’t. She gritted her teeth a little. Invading her teammates privacy like this was something she hated, but she HAD to know what was making Erik so upset. And now to have come this far, only to not be able to get anything out of it…

She heard Erik yawn a little and whipped around to see if he’d wake up. But he didn’t, repositioning himself to set his head more comfortably on his arms. Muttering a soft word in his sleep as he did so. It was barely audible, but Olivia was able to make it out. A name.

“…Yora…”

She raised a brow at that, looking back down at the paper in her hand. While it was all in Wyverian, the only thing she could make out at the bottom, was a signature. Yora, Head of Botany and Alchemy for The Third Fleet. She narrowed her eyes at the name, thinking it over. But that’s when something else caught her attention on the table, something she didn’t notice before thanks to the way Erik had his head laying on the table. But now that he had moved, it was visible. It was a journal. Not his Field Journal though. It was older, and opened up to a specific page.

Right away, she noticed and recognized some of Erik’s sketches on the page. The boy was one hell of an artist, even if it was only ever used in his work as a researcher. But it wasn’t bugs or other points of research on the page she was seeing. There were flowers and what looked like LaLa Barina florets scattered all over the page, and right in the middle of the page, was a portrait. It was of a girl, sleeping in the same position he was sleeping in currently. And based on the look of her, two things became clear.

One, this girl was Wyverian as the pointed ears were unmistakable. And two, the outfit she was wearing was reminiscent of the outfit most Wyverian Females tended to wear while attending The Royal Academy. So clearly, this was someone he knew, and knew well. There was a passage written in Erik’s handwriting right next to the image, but part of his arm was still covering it, so she couldn’t read it. Her eyes drifted back to the sketch, and after a little bit of staring, something about her started to look familiar. But she really didn’t have the time to sit and think about it at the moment, she already had most of what she needed to start asking questions. So, as quickly and quietly as she could, she slipped the paper back into the envelope and placed it back on the shelf.

“Now that I know a name, and more than likely a place, I can start asking some questions. And I know just who to ask…” Olivia thought to herself as she sped walked back to her tent.

——————————————————————————————————

The following morning, Olivia sent Erik off with the other researchers for the day, and at first he seemed unsure about it since it really wasn’t like her to want him to go off on his own. But she reassured him that it was fine, and that if he truly needed help, he had Athos with him and his SOS flares. She noticed the quick glance he made over at his table before he reluctantly left.

With him gone, she got to work.

Werner was working hard by the forge, making some adjustments to Athos’s swords. His eyes flicked up just in time to see Erik walking off with the researchers and Olivia heading his way. He stood up, stretching a little as he did. “You know, if you let him out, he’ll never come back.” He joked, a bit monotoned, but clearly laced with mild sarcasm. “He’ll be fine. But I need to speak to you personally.” She responded, her voice taking on that serious motherly tone she usually took on when she was upset with someone. Werner rolled his eyes a little and sighed heavily, “Look, if this is about what I said the other day to Erik, I’m sorry. But I was only-“ he started before Olivia cut him off with her question, “Do you know who Yora is?” Werner stopped and looked at her confused, “I’m sorry…who?” “You knew Erik back before he joined our team. You were the one who vouched for his reliability and skills. Right?” Werner’s face turned pink, but he kept a straight face and grumbled. “Yes! What does this have to do with anything?”

Olivia sighed and leaned back against the anvil, looking away towards Erik’s work table. “I’ve been trying to piece together what’s been bothering him. And last night, I took a peek at that envelope he got along with those Florets.” She motioned to said shelf with a nod. Werner narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything. “I tried reading the letter, but it was in Wyverian. All but the signature. It was written by someone named Yora, working with The Third Fleet as their head of Botany and Alchemy.” “Oh good lord! Is that what’s got him so upset?” Werner growled, shaking his head and going back to sharpening, clearly frustrated now. Olivia looked at him a bit surprised by the sudden change in his mood, but she stayed firm. “So you do know who she is.” “Unfortunately, yes. I do!” He responded back, not looking at her anymore. “Care to enlighten me?” Olivia asked, now genuinely curious.

Another long annoyed sigh from Werner filled the air, “I do, but if it helps with getting Erik to stop moping around…” He shakes his head, continuing to sharpen the blades. “I don’t know too much other than she was some ‘Big Shot’ from The Botany and Alchemy Departments at The Royal Academy. And at some point, for some ungodly reason, she was appointed to be Erik’s ‘assistant’ for his research. Not like he needed one in the first place if you ask me.” Olivia seemed to think about that for a second, lifting her hand to rub at her chin some, “I see, so they were close friends?” She asked, thinking a bit out loud. Werner let out a quick dry laugh that had no humor in it, a sound that surprised her honestly. Hearing Werner laugh for ANY reason was extra rare. “I feel like the word “close” is barely appropriate for whatever those two had going on.” He glanced up from his work to look at her reaction, this look on her face saying that she understood where he might have been going with it. “So they were lovers then?” She asked. “Let’s just say that if they weren’t, they were terrible at making it look like it…”

“I see. Honestly I was expecting something worse. Given how you reacted to her name.” Olivia added, Werner merely growled, going back to his work. “Look, I don’t have time to air out my issues with some random woman I knew from the academy! Alright? Only relationship that matters for this situation is Erik’s.” Olivia narrowed her eyes at him, but ultimately understood his reasoning. And agreed. So she quickly thanked him, and left him alone to continue his work in peace.

Now that she was armed with the basic info she needed, it was now time to talk to Erik about it. If she really was as close to Erik as Werner implied, this was probably gunna be a bit of a tender subject for him. And based on how upset he’s been, she sure did have her work cut out for her. But, Erik, colleague or not, was still her friend. And what kind of friend would she be if she just let him stew in this kind of state. What kind of Hunter would she be!? Like it or not, this had to be done.

——————————————————————————————————

It wasn’t until sundown that The Researchers, along with Erik and Athos, returned from working. Erik had a rough time getting into the mood for it early on, but by the end of the day, he had seemed to cheer up. Even finally grabbing a few new specimens for his own personal collection, something he couldn’t find the energy to do since those Lala samples arrived. It felt good, like he could think straight again. Though, even that made him feel the tiniest bit guilty.

It had been a full year, and while it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought of her at all since he left, in fact the opposite was true. But seeing those Florets…and that letter was like a slap to the face. Her life, much like his, kept moving after they separated. And he didn’t get to see any of it. Watch her become part of The Third Fleet! Celebrate with her by The Canteen as they drank, ate, and danced to their heart's content. Sleep off their hangover in his Quarters as they spent the rest of the night talking about anything and everything that came to their minds.

He never forgot those times, and could never forget. No matter how hard he could try. Not that he wanted to, those meant more to him then he’d ever be able to put to words! So it hurt, it hurt so much, to think he may have even forgotten. Even the smallest bit. The smell of the florets. The seal on the envelope. Her handwriting on the letter. It was all her. A reminder.

“I’m still here. But do you remember me?” Of course he did. Did she remember him? He was still here too! Did she ever think about him? Ever? Even once? Did she miss him as much as he missed her?

His brain started buzzing again as he approached his work bench, but he stopped when he realized someone was sitting there already. And his stomach started to twist itself like a pretzel. Olivia was sitting there, with the Florets and The Letter laid out in front of her on the table. Her arms were folded, resting on the table, her gaze on him. Her face was still as stern as it always was, but she wore an oddly soft smile on her face. “You’re back. Glad to see you didn’t get into any trouble out there.” She said, her tone casual. Erik only shriveled up a little, like a child being caught doing something they shouldn’t have been doing. “Y-Yeah, it was too hot out…” He muttered, his eyes drifting to the items on the table.

Olivia’s voice nearly made him jump, “Erik, you can be honest with me. As a Hunter, it’s my responsibility to protect all those around me. Same goes for being the leader of an Ace Team. And as a friend, I must do the same while offering a helping hand. Or a listening ear.” He gulped, his personal journal suddenly becoming very heavy in his pocket. “You wanna talk about her? Yora, right?” She asked gently. Hearing her name again out loud made it all just, hit harder. Erik softly sat the samples he collected at the end of the table, wiping away a tear that started rolling down his cheek quickly with his sleeve. He sat himself down across from her, sniffling a little. “How do you know her name?” He asked. It was a stupid question honestly, the letter was clearly on the table and the seal was open. She could easily have read it. “Aside from the letter, you mean?” It was like she read his mind, and he nodded. “Well, I talked to Werner about it. Truth be told, I’ve seen that later prior to this moment.” Erik looked at her a little confused, she seemed a little uncomfortable with what she was about to say, but she continued. “You passed out at your desk and I was able to see the letter. I also noticed your Journal and saw one of your sketches. You muttered her name in your sleep. Admittedly, it was a stretch, but after noticing The Academy’s uniform on her in the sketch I saw…” she trailed off, nodding her head back over towards The Smithy. “I felt confident enough to ask one of the only people I knew had info about you from back then.”

Erik seemed to grimace a bit at that, “A-and what did he say?” Olivia looked at him, a smile pulling at her lips. “Nothing really, other than that the two of you were very close and worked together a lot.” That gave him some relief, at least a little bit. “He knows better than to let personal feelings interfere with someone else’s opinion regarding another.” She added, “Though it was amusing to see him get so irritated by the mention of her name alone.” A small chuckle came from her voice. They were both silent for a moment, before she spoke again, “I would rather hear about her from the person who knew her most.” His eyes lifted some to look up at her, his cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. “If you didn’t mind of course.”

The look on his face, his mind was racing. “I-I suppose that’s fair…” he admitted softly, slowly taking out his journal from his coat pocket. He placed it on the table and slid it over to Olivia, a small embarrassed smile on his face, and the slightest hit of relief in his eyes. She took the journal with a soft smile, and opened it, flipping it over to the page she had seen the other night. “She was a part Wyverian girl, and one of the most brilliant Botanists and Alchemists I’ve ever met. But…” Erik stopped himself for a moment, unsure if what he was about to say was going too far, but shook his head. “…more than that, she was my best friend, and the most beautiful person in the world to me…” he admitted, his cheeks going even redder as he clutched his shirt a bit, looking down at the ground. He had never actually said those words out loud before. Olivia listened to him talk, while reading the passages next to some of the sketches he made in his journal.

The one next to the sketch of her sleeping at the desk surprised her, and it went on for a few pages.

——————————————————————————————————

”Things have been a little crazy around here lately. Aside from finals, Yora and I have been asked to assist some of The Guild Researchers with an important project. We didn’t know what we were in for until we got there, but it sure was a sight to behold! They had captured a Rathian who was apparently going on a rampage in the surrounding areas. No one seemed to know why, and the reports from Hunter’s assigned to the area were vague and unhelpful. So, they had the two of us investigate the area, just in case. We didn’t mind it, the change of scenery was good. Anything to keep from being in those stuffy labs back at The Academy.

“We started with the basics, surveying the local wildlife to ensure no immediate danger was present. However, we both quickly noticed that it was pretty silent…a little too silent. It was strange to say the least. According to the reports made by the Hunters, there was supposed to be a Rathian nest nearby. But if that was the case, wouldn’t the Rathalos be taking over the patrols in the area while their mate was MIA? Our next step was to find this nest, which wasn’t too hard. Yora knows a thing or two about what monsters like most to build their nests out of, so we started tracking down those materials. Along the way, we spotted several scratches and scorch marks on the ground and surrounding trees. Clearly, they were made by an enraged monster, and we figured it was from the Rathian. But, if it was, I didn’t see any poison barbs. And we both noted that the scratches seemed to be a bit big and deep to be the work of one Rathian. Yora seemed to be thinking the same thing I did, and we started slowly approaching the nest, her hand in mine with me leading the way.”

“What we found could only be described as a crime scene. The nest had been tampered with by something. And judging by some of the scorch marks, they were made via gunpowder. Not Wyvern Fire. I kept checking out some of the damage left behind until I noticed a small gathering of white butterflies, and my stomach dropped. Yora noticed and saw it too. We found them. Remains of, I’d have to say about three total eggs smashed to bits. The site made us both sick, and Yora started to tear up, so I just held her. It was possible this was what caused the Rathian to go on a rampage, but the evidence didn’t line up. Things like this happen in nature all the time. But, if this was the work of some kind of egg thief trying to have a quick meal, then why kill all the eggs? Why eat them here? It made no sense, sticking around a Rathian Nest and eating its eggs was a guaranteed way to meet your maker.”

“That’s when I heard Yora mutter something to me in her sobs, and I helped wipe away her tears. I hated seeing her like this, and truth be told, the sight had me wanting to cry too. She told me that she knows something wasn’t right about this, and that this had to be some kind of crime. Just as she said that, her ears flicked back in the direction we came from, and we quickly hid! Taking shelter behind some of the brush behind the nest. At first I thought she might have heard a monster approaching, but Yora whispered to me that no matter who comes over the edge, don’t make a sound or move. Sure enough, a hunter came up over the edge of the nest. Which didn’t make sense either, we were told that Hunters currently weren’t allowed to be in the area while we investigated to prevent stirring up any monster activity! And that’s when I noticed the armor they were wearing. Rathalos Armor. The pieces started to fit into place, and I was starting to understand what was happening. We needed to get outta here and let someone know what we saw. It took a while, but when The Hunter finally left, we waited a while, and got back to base camp safely.”

“We theorized that this Hunter, in an attempt to gain materials for a set of Rathalos armor, started killing the eggs. After getting the desired result, killed The Rathalos without authorization under the terms of ‘Local Environmental Protection’. But when The Guild ordered an investigation, I imagine that Hunter worried that we’d piece it all together. And so, went out there to try and…I guess, stop us. We presented our thoughts to one of the Guild Leaders, and when asked for evidence, we cited everything we saw. And to drive the point home, Yora offered to use her powers on the Rathian they captured, to see if what we had theorized was true. It took a little convincing, but we were finally given the permission to see The Rathian.”

“I had only ever once seen Yora use her powers before myself, helping some of the Livestock Handlers back at the Academy find out why one of their Aptonoth had refused to eat for a while. But this was on a whole different level, the Rathian was well awake, rattling its restraints and wearing a muzzle. When Yora began to approach it, it growled at her and locked eyes. Yora had her hand out to it, but her eyes were closed, a part of me wanting to walk out there with her. In case she needed to be swept out of harm’s way. But she assured me beforehand that she could do this, and to trust her. Of course. How could I not? When she got within arm’s length of the monster’s face, her eyes opened, and rather than their usually gorgeous dark cornflower blue, they were now a bright gold and red color.”

“She was speaking to it, but I couldn’t hear a word of it. But I watched as the monster began to shake its head softly, like it was trying to get something off of its head. When it did, Yora’s head seemed to start to shake too. And her walking seemed to stagger. It wasn’t long before she stopped walking all together and she fell to her knees, looking like she was crying. She kept saying something, but she was still too far for me to hear her. Until I saw her eyes opening again, the color of them quickly shifting between the gold and blue hues. She called out my name, and there was no hesitation in my legs as I ran to her side. She was crying and holding her hands to her head, and through her sobbing, we had our suspicions confirmed, “He killed them! He killed the babies! And then killed her mate! That’s why she was so volatile! She knew it and could feel their loss!”. She was hysterical, understandably so, and it hurt me to see her like that. The Guild Leaders asked us what had happened, and Yora did the best she could to explain it through her sobbing. We were then asked to leave and that the Guild Knights would be taking over from there, so we gladly did.”

“We went back to my room so Yora could get a little downtime to let the effects of her powers wear off. I remember at one point, while I was finishing up my half of the paperwork as she laid down on my bed, wet rag to her forehead and eyes.”

“I heard her softly say, “I can’t help but emphasize with that poor Rathian. If someone out there had taken you from me like that, I’d probably cease to have a coherent thought…”

“I stopped what I was doing and I don’t really know how to describe how I felt. Touched? Flattered? Smitten? I don’t think any of them alone would do. But, I also felt the same. If someone took her away from me that way, I think my body would become an empty shell. I’ve stopped trying to deny the feelings that have been blooming in my heart for her ever since we first met. But trying to express them openly…that might be the one thing that gives me genuine fear. I tried to find words to say, but my body moved before I even thought about it. Walking over to the bed and sitting down beside her. Shakily, I placed my hand in hers, and I gripped it. I felt way too nervous to look at her, and even with the rag over her eyes, it was like I could feel her gaze on me. Making my face burn hotter. I looked away, softly telling her that she’d never have to worry about that.”

“I felt her shift in the bed behind me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, quickly pulling my hand away from her. Thinking I probably went too far with that and she was mostly mad at me. I then felt her move so that she was now sitting beside me, and she softly said my name, and it felt like she did so directly in my ear. Cautiously, I peeked one eye to look at her. Sure enough, she was sitting next to me now, and was close enough that if we both leaned in…”

“It was like my heart would leap out of my chest if I opened my mouth, so I didn’t speak. She gently took her hand and caressed my cheek, softly turning my head to face her, greeting me with that dreamy sweet smile of hers. Her own cheeks looked a bit pink too. Even the tips of her long ears seemed to blush as well. It wasn’t fair. Why does she always have to look so cute? It makes trying to keep a cool attitude up so much harder. “You really are the sweetest Erik…” she whispered, her fingers gently stroking the side of my face before trailing off below my chin. I gulped hard, starting to feel my face burn more and my head start to spin. Her actions casting a spell on me that turned every last thought in my brain to mush.

“Her thumb then gently brushed my lips and I sighed out loud. It sounded pitiful and breathless, and it was completely by accident. At that very moment I wanted to just melt into the ground and let the earth take me away! Anything was better than potentially embarrassing myself any further! I’m surprised her hand didn’t go up in flames because of how hot my face felt. Yora’s eyes never left mine, that soft smile not leaving her lips. Then she blinked, a gentle laugh escaped her, as she pulled her hand away and stood up from the bed and walked over to the desk. “W-well, if you’re done with your half of the documents, I best get to doing my share.” She said, taking a seat and starting to get to work.”

Perhaps it was just my imagination, or the dopamine that was pumping through my veins at the moment, but she sounded. Nervous? Maybe even a little disappointed? I could feel my insides shrivel and I started cursing myself for being such a coward. It was bad enough that when it came to normal people I could barely interact with in any reasonable way. Even less when it came to girls. But now, here I am, with a beautiful girl in my room, who was so close to me that we nearly kissed…”

“And I blew it….”

——————————————————————————————————

That’s where it ended, and Olivia just took it all in. When Erik saw her flip to that page and stop reading, he let out a long sigh. Looking at the table, his fingers mindlessly dragged along the grooves in the wood. “Wouldn’t be too long after that, we ended up going on our Finals/Grad Mission together….” His words trailed off, and Olivia flicked her eyes back up off the pages to look at him, expecting him to continue. But he didn’t, but his cheeks were burning red now. So she filled the silence instead, “Yeah, I remember. I had to read the full records of your results before I could let you into our team. Had almost forgotten that you did all that with only one other person.” “I wouldn’t have made it if it hadn't been for her honestly. She did so many things for me. And she really didn’t even have to. But she did them anyway. All with that same…sweet smile…” for a second, his lips formed a smile saying that last part. But it dropped again, and he continued, “And yet, despite all she did for me. Did for the academy! Did for the guild! She….still couldn’t…join the Ace Team without a recommendation.” His voice started to crack a little, and he sniffled. “I can still remember the face she made when I told her I filled out my form. And…” he choked back a sob, and he was clearly trying to keep from losing his composer, “I remember her telling me to still go for it, even if it meant leaving her behind.” His voice squeaked after the last word, and he stopped to wipe his eyes.

Olivia had never seen anything like this. People crying, sure. Happens more times then one might think in this line of work. But seeing Erik, someone who’s so bright all the time, be reduced to a crumpled sobbing mess. It was…painful. Olivia really didn’t want to say what she had to do next, but that’s just it. She had to. “What happened when you told her you got into the Ace Team?” Erik sniffled, wiping his nose with the sleeve of his jacket as he spoke, “I-I didn’t get a chance to tell her…” That surprised Olivia a little, but Erik clarified, “The next day, after the graduation party our class threw, everything moved so fast! I was pulled into office after office. Meetings followed by paperwork, only to be met with even more meetings and more paperwork. They told me I got accepted into the Ace Team, thanks to Werner’s recommendation. But when I asked about Yora, I was met with silence and told to focus on my own path now. They wanted me ready to board a boat set for our first job together ASAP. And…I didn’t even get the chance to tell Yora that I’d be leaving….”

This was one of the few times Olivia had felt genuine anger for their way of doing things. If she had been around, she would’ve made sure Erik would’ve had the chance to tell her everything before leaving. And seeing the tears flow from Erik's eyes, only made her more angry, and she clenched her jaw, her hands balling into fists on the table. He saw this, and sniffled, “But…I did get to say goodbye…” Olivia’s jaw relaxed a bit, but the rest of her stayed tense, “Well, it’s the least they could do. After what they did to you two.” she said, but Erik just shook his head, “They never told her about it. When I got to the dock, she wasn’t there, and I remember walking onto the boat ramp. My legs felt so heavy and like jelly. I kept thinking that this was it. I was gunna just board the ship. And never see Yora ever again.” His eyes watered again, “And I remember feeling the sudden urge to just drop everything and run back to her dorm to find her, hold her, kiss her, and hear her voice again. Just one last time. And that’s when she called out to me!”

She couldn’t help it, a smile spread across Olivia’s face hearing that. Even a sigh of relief escaped her lungs. “When I looked back at the crowd, I saw her running up to the dock, waving at me and shouting my name. My heart stopped, and I swear my body moved on its own. I dropped my stuff on the ramp and ran back down there to her, tears starting to sting at my eyes. When we got close, I remember having the faintest thought to stop running at her, otherwise I’d run her over.” He said that through sniffles, a small laugh in his voice. “But I didn’t. We both ran at each other, and…I think that might have been the tightest hug I’ve even had.” He looked down at his arms now resting on the table, “And I really didn’t want to let go…” “I imagine not..” Olivia responded. “I asked her how, and she said that Werner told her. That surprised me honestly. And I knew it couldn't have been easy for the two of them to talk long enough for him to give her the info. And…to this day…” Erik trailed off, looking over at Werner, hard at work without a care in the world, a sad smile spread across his freckled face. “I still think he hunted her down to tell her. No way she came to him, knowing it would start a fight…”

Olivia’s gaze looked back over her shoulder too, and she nodded, “He’s a good man, under all that ego. I’m sure he knows you’re grateful…” she said, tuning back to Erik, who nodded softly in agreement. “So did you just…hug it out?” she asked. “No. Surprisingly, she pulled away, telling me she had a farewell gift for me. But told me I needed to close my eyes first.” Erik stopped long enough to see Olivia’s expression change. Not by a lot, but enough to know what thought crossed her mind in that moment, and his face turned bright red. “D-Don’t look at me like that! She didn’t…d-do that, though…it’s not like I didn’t think the same thing at the moment.” He admitted, before shaking his head and getting back on track, “A-Anyway, I did as she asked. And I felt one of hands caress my cheek, before running her hand through my hair. Tucking it in behind my ear. She would do that all the time…” he said, his eyes sorta looking off into space as he said it. One of his hands reflexively started to do the motion of him moving his hair away from his face, even if his hair was still pinned back by his Hair Clip. Once his fingers touched it, he spoke again, “That’s when she clipped this in. Said that since she…wouldn’t be around to do it anymore, this was like…her always being there to help me.”

Erik smiled a little at that, but his lower lip quivered, “And then, I said I had something for her too. To be honest, I didn't think I’d be able to give it to her in person. And I figured I’d just have to settle for sending it off to be delivered to her instead. But…” His eyes focused back down to his journal and he flicked through it. Olivia raised an eyebrow at this, but then he found the right page and turned the book around to face her. On the page was a mock-up of what looked to be a Botany Charm Bracelet, with what looked to be items needed to craft it scribbled alongside it. Even a few notes scattered across the page that seemed to be tips he got from someone on how to properly weave the band together.

He placed the journal back down on the desk, and sighed, the air coming out shaky. “I asked her to give me her hand, and she did without question. There was a look of panicked excitement on her face when I took her hand in mine. I knew what she was thinking, but…w-we definitely weren’t there…yet….” A small humorless laugh came from his breath. "I slid the charm onto her wrist and said the same thing she said to me. That I knew she loved having me around to help her with her plants. And this way I could…e-even..if..” Erik was trying REALLY hard not to cry again, and he wiped his eyes. “A-And…then she kissed me. R-Right there on the dock, in front of so many people…” He hiccupped, and it was clear he was not gunna win the fight against his tears. Reflexively, Olivia reached over the table and took one of his hands in her’s, running a thumb over his knuckles. “It’s ok, it’s ok.” she muttered. Erik shook his head though. “N-No…it wasn’t, cause…just as she stopped kissing me. I-I tried to tell her the one thing I had wanted to and…I-I-”

A boat horn sounded, and all I could do was back away. Tears welled up in my eyes as the final view of her beautiful self became distorted. She wouldn't be able to hear me over the sound. But, I’m making excuses. I was hoping it would hurt less if I didn’t say it. That the two of us could move on if I didn't make the obvious statement that needed to have been said much much sooner! But it still hurts, and I know it will always hurt! But I’m a coward, so it’s what I deserve. Right? I have no right to say it now! But, I can’t stop myself.

Through his tears and sobs, Olivia got up over to his side of the table and held him close. Erik was just too inconsolable to even register the gesture. “I-I love her. I-I *hick* m-miss her so much. W-Why didn’t I j-ust-” He blubbered, sobbing into Olivia’s shoulder, his arms feeling too limp and weak to even hug her back. “It’s not easy. Opening up to others. No matter how much you love them…” she said, quietly into his ear. She began rocking him a little back and forth, letting her hand gently pat his back. “B-But…w-what about her!? I’ll NEVER forget her. And I think about her all the time. How? H-How do I know if…i-if she...still..” his voice cracked and another round of sobs came out instead of words.

Olivia looked up for a second to see Werner, leaning up against his anvil, staring right at the two of them. His expression was something Olivia wasn’t used to seeing on the man. Remorse. And a kind of softness you wouldn’t normally catch him dead wearing so openly. Olivia nodded softly at him, a way of saying, “It’s gunna be ok now”. And Werner nodded back, turning back around to tend to his work once more.

After a few more sobs, Olivia loosened her hug on Erik, who pulled back too, rubbing the tears and snot away from his face as best as he could. He felt a bit humiliated if he was being honest. Reduced to that of a crying child, having to be held to calm down. All over a girl? It’s the stuff only kids think about right? Then why? Why did it hurt so badly? Why did it feel like part of him was missing? And why did it hurt not knowing, if she would’ve said the same words back to him that he wanted to say to her back then?

“I love you!”

“I love you too!”

“Erik?” Olivia’s voice brought him back to reality, and he peeked his head out from behind his hands.

His eyes were quite red now, but they still held the same softness that they always did. “I understand your pain...having someone you love, and not be able to share that love with them…” her face was soft and for the first time since he had known her, Erik could swear he saw her hold back a tear herself. But perhaps he was merely projecting. She continued, “...it can really hurt. I’d dare say it’s one of the most painful things in the world. Far worse than any monster attack I would wager. But you wanna know something?” He responded with a “Hmmm?” and she smiled, “You are probably one of the most unforgettable people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. And if you really think that someone who’s spent the amount of time with someone like you, the way she did, and still forget you? Then you might need to start carrying a mirror around so you can get to know what it’s like to be with you for a while.”

Erik had no idea why. Maybe it was the absurdity of the statement or the fact that he did agree with her to some degree, but he couldn’t help it. He started to laugh a little. Tears still streaked his cheeks, but he laughed. And Oivia joined in.

They stayed like that for some time till Erik caught his breath, Olivia finally getting up to leave him be. Giving him the final words he needed to hear, “If you truly regret not reaching out to her that day, and you still feel that way about her. Then it’s still not too late. Reach out for her again, and this time let her make that call. Cause whatever answer she gives you, it will be the correct one.” Erik nodded, “Yes ma’am. I understand…and…I’m sorry for-”“Don’t apologize for having feelings. Ever.” She corrected him. “Y-Yes Ma’am.”

——————————————————————————————————

Epilogue: (Two years later…)

It’s been a little over a year since she made her way to The Forbidden Land for her special mission. The objective of which seems so pointless now. Convince the guild, that she worked her ass off to please, to let her stay. But here she was. Thousands of miles away from any real form of modern civilization, and no one, not a single person, has tried to find her. “This was fine.” Yora thought, as she rifled through her shelves of ingredients, “The people here need me more…” She grabbed a bottle of Wild Herb Oil and walked over to her boiling pot. And this was true, the people here had no knowledge or equipment to make use of proper medicine. But with Yora’s skills, she was the most renowned Wyverian healer in all of Suja.

The Allhearken herself appointed her almost immediately after she was rescued from a Guardian Rathalos, telling the others that she knows of her unique lineage and it will make her a better healer. And, in private, she told Yora, that if she sticks around for a while, she’ll find what she truly desires in life. Yora didn’t take her very seriously, until she started saying that Heroes would be emerging from the sands to fight back against the raging monsters.

She thought, “She can’t seriously be talking about the guild right?” But, lately, the charm Erik had given her all those years ago started to feel warm against her skin on cold nights. And when she would find tears running down her cheeks in the morning, it was always because she was dreaming of him. The way he held her. The sound of his voice. The way his hair felt between her fingers. The touch of his lips on hers.

She missed him so much….

And she would always wake up, just before the boat horn would sound off, and he would leave once again. Why didn’t she say it, even in her dream? Was she that scared?

“I love you too!”

Yora was shaken from her trance when The Allhearken's voice called out from behind the front flap of her hut. "May I come in child?" "Yes! Of course ma'am!" Yora chirped, as she hopped down from a step stool beside her, almost comically large cauldron. The older Wyverian lifted the drape and walked in, the look on her face, calm as always. She watched as Yora quickly grabbed a satchel she kept hanging on the wall and started rummaging through some of her things. "Pardon the mess in here! Been a little...busy."

The Allhearken nodded, "I know....your minds been quite turbulent as of late...." she said, not missing a beat. That almost made Yora pause, but she kept packing, "Well, you know me! Gotta make sure all my ducks are in a row before a big gathering trip!" A nervous chuckle left Yora's lips as her sentence trailed off again into an awkward silence. She was doing her best to not make eye contact with the other woman, grabbing all the things she'd need for her trip and almost haphazardly stuffing them inside her bag.

And this carried on for a good few minutes, before Yora put the final item in the bag, finally turning to face her. "So? You come all this way just to see me off?" It was a useless question. Yora knew damn well what she was here for, and the older Wyverian knew that she knew. The All Hearken just stared at her, face still so calm, and Yora couldn't take it and she shook her head, dropping the chipper voice. "Please Ma'am, can we not talk about this now? Doesn't a good journey start with a clear mind?" "That is exactly why we must have it now. Your mind has been swimming with doubt again, and it's dangerous for you to leave in such a state!"

Yora sighed, her hand moving to her head and rubbing her temple. "It's just dreams Ma'am! I don't see visions or...hear voices in the wind like you do!" "No you do not, but having the same dream over several weeks is nature's way of warning you. It's in your Wyverian Blood. Please listen to it." She couldn't help it, frustration over it flared as Yora snatched up her bag and slung it over her shoulder, "And do what!? Wait around, and the man I love will just walk right up the mountain!? You really expect me to believe that after all this time, he still remembers me? That's ridiculous!"

"And yet, you still hear his voice in your dreams. Calling your name. And crying for you." The Allhearken stated plainly, not flinching at Yora's anger. She knows it's not out of malice. Yora huffed, "Again, it's just dreams. I've heard him cry and say my name plenty of times. I-It's just the brain remembering information." The older Wyverian walked closer holding out her hand and softly taking Yora's left hand, "If you truly don't believe in any kind of visions or fate..." her eyes drifted down to her wrist, the old charm still clinging to her with it's worn rope string and dull white and blue stone bead. "Then why do you still wear this? If not to keep a part of him close to you? But as a strand of hope that you'll see him again."

She could feel tears start to well up and Yora pulled her hand away softly, sniffling as she walked out of the hut. "I have to go now..." she squeaked as she left. The Allhearken followed her outside. The pleasant and mild Suja breeze whisked by them both as they walked over to the side of Yora's hut, where her Seikret was standing patiently, waiting for her rider. Yora stuffed her bag into the Seikret's pouch by her saddle, taking a short moment to pet her on the neck. "Hey there Opal, you ready to go girl?" Yora asked her, taking in how the sun made her white and blue feathers shine. Her scales almost looking like jewels in the light.

Her Seikret let out a short purr of affirmation, before Yora hoisted herself onto her back. As Yora grabbed the reins, she felt a hand grab hers as well. She sighed and looked at The Allhearken, her face, while still concerned, still had her calm soft smile. It made Yora feel incredibly guilty for yelling at her. "If you insist on leaving so soon, then allow me to escort you down the path child." Yora thought about it, but ultimately wanted to at least give her this. She nodded at the old Wyverian, a small smile on her face, "Sure. I'd appreciate it...."

As The Allhearken walked alongside the Seikret, she and Yora both gave "Good Morning"'s and "Hello"'s to a few of the villagers as they passed by. Yora made sure to let some of the guards know where she was going and when she might be back. And that if they needed to medically treat anyone, she had a fresh batch of healing potions already bottled up for them to use in case of emergency. And just as they reached the village edge, The Allhearken looked up at Yora, and she smiled brightly. "The people here care for you too. So please be safe." Yora nodded, "Of course. And...uhhh..I just wanna-" "I know child. And I'm sorry too."

With that, Yora whipped the reins, as a soft wind blew past. The Allhearken closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them again and she called out for Yora, "Yora!" She pulled back on the reins, just to slow her Seikret down as she heard her name, and she looked back behind her. the old one just smiled and waved, "Your heart will be here waiting for you when you return!" And with that, The Allhearken turned and walked back up the path.

Yora blinked a bit, unsure of what she could've been talking about. But as she continued her descent down the mountain, she could feel the charm on her wrist beginning to get warm again. And this time, she held it to her body closely, hoping that in some small way, "I hope, fate is a real thing..."

——————————————————————————————————

(The End!.....For now.....)

(That took an absurd amount of time, but I hope you all enjoyed! Gunna be working on another story soon. One that's a little more on the....spicy side you might say! And it will be a two parter, so uhhh, hope you'll bring water! >////>)

#oc x canon #mh wilds #monster hunter #monster hunter wilds #erik #erik mh wilds #erik monster hunter #oc #my fanfiction #mh wilds erik #monster hunter wilds erik #monhun #erik x oc #Erik x Yora #MH Wilds fanfic #Monster Hunter fanfic #sorry there's no art for this one #but i promise #the next story will have some rather nice art attached

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vdragon-creations · 3 months ago

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"Madam, Please....will you kiss me?"

It's finally done!

Well, it's been done, I just had some technical difficulties while writing the story that went with this image when I first uploaded it! (And if you really wanna read that, then here you go! >////>)

But I felt like posting just the image by itself, just for the folks who had no interest in the story and just wanted to see the two dorks kiss!

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vdragon-creations · 27 days ago

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I've got another spicy Yora x Erik fic buzzing around in my little sick brain! My only problem is coming up with a decent set up! I have two possibilities! One would probably end in angst if I did it! But the other would just be super fluffy!

Or....I could do both, make it a two parter...draw stuff for it....and make things wayyyy harder on myself.

Curse my artistic brain!

#my art #oc x canon #mh wilds #monster hunter #monster hunter wilds #erik #erik mh wilds #erik monster hunter #erik x oc #erik x yora #Yora the Wyverian #I must #I need more Erik smut #and i shall not me satisfied if i do not make it be so

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vdragon-creations · 3 months ago

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💋Madam, please...kiss me? (Erik x Yora Fanfic)

(Finally getting around to writing something for these two! In fairness, I do have one other fic in process and it's a little bit longer. Aaaand this piece was just too cute for me to pass on yapping about it in story form! So here we be! Enjoy!)

[~Summery~ Erik and Yora decide to ditch the graduation party their classmates threw after having just a bit too much to drink. The two start sharing a bit more then a few words, leading to having thier own little after party.

Quick note, this was posted by accident before it was finished and proofread, so I tried to finish it as best as I could in one go. I'll fix things here an there as I spot them, so please bear with me, and enjoy!

CW: Inebriation and OCxCC Ship Trash.

Fandom: Monster Hunter (Wilds specific)

Spice Levels: Mild, Mostly fluff with a bit of a kick.]

Does every person associated with the Hunter's Guild have a love for over the top parties? That must be the case, as the outside canteen of the Royal Academy was being swarmed with hundreds of partying students! And why wouldn't they be? They were graduating after all, hoping to move up in the ranks of The Guild in whatever their chosen path had to offer. Hard work, dedication, and guts of steel were a must!

But non of that mattered for tonight! For tonight was a night to join their fellow classmates in feast, song, dance, and plenty of booze! Lanterns glowing a golden hue over the crowds, as people and Palico moved from place to place! Laughter filled the night air, along with the sounds of Palico's playing instruments of obnoxious size and cooking food at the canteen. A large warm fire burned inside a large stone oven, the smell of some kind of fresh meat being cooked to perfection was enough to make everyone's mouth water.

Tables lined the area outside the canteen, separating it from the main crowd of party goers. Most were empty, except for a few, a partier or two resting their feet from the dancing. And, over in the far table, tucked in the corner, sat a pair of students. A young human man, and Wyverian Lady. And from a glance, and how far off from the crowd they were sitting, you'd assume the two to be a couple of outcasts. In way, you'd be correct.

The young silver haired man, Erik, was known for is more eccentric behavior when it came to his work. So much so, that it often led him to be easily distracted and end up in some rather dangerous situations. Making most folk around him see him as foolish. Despite this though, his classmates and teachers couldn't deny is brilliance! His knowledge in Monster Ecology, Behavior, and Biology was unmatched in the academy, and it gained him quite the reputation.

Meanwhile, the long black haired lady who sat across from him, Yora, was known pretty well throughout the academy as well. But entirely for the best of reasons. She was a legend in the Alchemy and Botany departments. Most known for her incredibly powerful potions, perfumes, oils, and other brews! Anything from giving Hunters and extra boost to their strength for combat to keeping harmful monster's away when hunting different target. There was no doubting her skills and usefulness to the Hunters Guild would be a great asset to them all. However, her reputation was a little more complicated, as her connection to the guild and lineage seemed to make the world around her more unwelcoming.

See, Yora, while seeming to be like any other young Wyverian lady, wasn't quite like them much outside of looks. She was only half Wyverian, an oddity among her peers. Sure, she had normal Wyverian features. Long pointed ears, digitigrade legs, sharp teeth, three toed feet, and four fingered hands. Her lifespan, while still much longer then a normal human's, was much shorter then her Wyverian counterparts. And her powers as a Wyverian were always just barely controllable, using them at all put her at risk of sever headaches. As far as Wyverians go, Yora was a bit of a black sheep.

Her relationship with humans wasn't much better. Her father was a well respected researcher for The Commission, and she wanted to be just like him. So when she joined The Academy, she was welcomed with open arms. However, after her father's death, she standing with her human classmates and teachers began to shift in some pretty uncomfortable directions. This usually came down to two types of interactions for her. Either humans overly "respected her", treating her less like a living flawed being and more like a goddess. Or, more often then not, treating her with contempt and vitriol. It was like they thought she was some kind of high and mighty royal who needed to be humbled.

But none of them seemed to actually know her at all. Or cared to.

Until Erik came along.

Sure, their first few encounters were a bit awkward, not helped by Erik constantly asking questions about her unique lineage and biology. But, after a while, and some rather timid answers, the two started fining themselves to be a lot more alike then they originally thought. He found the parts of herself that she kept hidden away from others to be so charming and beautiful. Like she was a rare specimen that only he was allowed to admire. And the way his eyes lit up with passion every time he got the chance to study something new. It made Yora remember the one thing that she liked the most about humans. And she felt that same passion every time she was around him.

And that feeling only grew the more they worked together. They got along very well, Yora wouldn't have been appointed to Erik as his assistant by The Academy otherwise. But it became more and more clear to those around them, and to themselves, just how close they were getting. The two of them tried to ignore it at first, a stray hand hold here, a lingering glance there. No biggy right? Then their classmates would chime in.

"Hey Erik! Hanging out with that hot Wyverian tail of yours again tonight?"

"Are the two of you doing some "Bio Chemistry" research later?"

"The two of you sure spend a lot of nights together in each other's rooms. Feel bad for your dorm neighbors."

Juvenile most of the time, barely ever clever and full of snark. But, still effective at planting that seed of thought. "Did they have a point?" The question would ring in their heads, at the very back, barely audible. But still there. Researching together in a lab late at night? Still there. Giving presentations and supporting the other during it? Still there. Going on their graduation mission all by themselves? Still there. And much stronger then ever.

And now here they were, having passed the mission with flying colors, and now on their way to bigger and better things. Celebrating, despite not fitting in.

Erik took a skewer from the large spread of food a Palico waiter brought them, blowing on one of the hunks of meat on the stick before taking a bite from it. Letting out a quick few "Ah!"'s in-between bites. "Careful with these! They're a bit hot!" he warned, pointing at the other skewers, talking with his mouth just slightly open in an attempt to not let his mouth entirely melt away. Yora giggled, lifting her wooden mug of ale off the table, taking a quick sip to hide her smile, "You don't say. Yet another brilliant observation by the amazing Erik." Her tone was joking, but hearing her call him amazing made him nearly choke. Quickly grabbing his own mug and swigging down the beverage to cool his burning tongue. He gasped a bit, setting his mug down, finally able to speak. "Very funny!" he said, a small chuckle in his voice.

He stopped, looking like he was moving his tongue in his mouth, winching a bit at the motion, "Great, guess I'll be feeling that all night." he said, now looking a bit uncomfortable. Yora smiled, putting her mug down and giving him a genuine look. "If it hurts that bad after the party, I'll lend you one of the little mini potions I keep in my hip pouch." Erik blinked a bit, but smiled, "Id like that. Thanks so much!" Yora shrugged, "It's no trouble at all! What are assistants for?"

Assistant...right. That's what she was supposed to be to him after all. Even though the two of them raked equal in every way it seemed. Truthfully, she could very well have just refused to be his assistant. But, then they wouldn't have met. At least not right away. And maybe wouldn't have grown as close. Which would've been a shame. While he loved his work, he grew to love her too. Maybe even more.

But she was his assistant, and relationships between Guild Members was frowned upon. Not impossible, as that's how Yora's parent's met, but definitely not advised. This Guild does some dangerous work, and feelings can make things more...complicated. That's what the guild leaders told Yora anyway, after reading her report for their graduation mission and how it compared to the one filed by the team they reported to in Seliana at the end of it. It was an embarrassing thing to be called out on in the briefing room, but neither of them were ashamed about what happened, just irritated that The Guild even involved themselves at all in it. As if this outside force mattered at all in what the two of them had a right to feel about each other.

Erik's mind wondered a bit, until Yora's voice caught his ears again. "E-Erik? Are you good?" He snapped to attention, straightening his back a bit. "Oh! A-ah! S-sorry, I sorta spaced out.." He admitted softly, rubbing at the back of his neck. Yora quirked an eyebrow at him, but smiled, "Clearly. Is the ale too much? Should we order some water instead?" she offered. He blushed, a bit embarrassed, quickly grabbing his mug, "Oh! N-No no! It's ok! T-take a little bit more then this to get me tipsy." he quickly swigged down more of his drink. Almost to prove his point. "Well...ok then. But you didn't seem to hear my question." she said, sheepishly pointing it out.

Lowering his mug, and looking at her apologetically, he tilted his head, "My apologies...go on then?" Yora's smile seemed to waiver a little bit, but she tried her best to keep from outright frowning, "I asked if you had filled out the Ace Team application yet. I'm having a little roadblock with mine..." she asked. Erik blinked a bit at that, "Oh yeah! I turned it in already!" he said, his usually bubbly smile spreading over his face. She stared at him for a second, her jaw going slack, "A-already!? With a recommendation and everything!?" her voice raised. But not in anger, just amazement. "Yeah! Or course! Don't think they'd accept it otherwise." Erik retorted, proudly smiling.

Yora stayed staring at him for a moment, before slumping a little in her seat, her gaze falling between him and the food on the table. "I see...who recommended you?" she asked. Her tone now sounding the slightest bit disappointed. Something that didn't go unnoticed by Erik, but he answered her question, "You remember Werner, right?" he asked. But the way her eyes shot back up at him, her face morphing into one of irritation, answered his question. And he couldn't help himself, the way her cheeks seemed to puff out a bit, her cheeks and ear tips turning a little red.

Erik's cheeks puffed out as he tried to hold back a laugh, but he couldn't. Yora, raised up from her chair and leaning against the table, clearly a bit pissed now. "What's so funny!? You know I can't stand that pompous jerk!" she said, her little fangs giving her a look akin to an angered monster. This was true, Erik knew all too well that those two seemed to hate each other quite a bit. The exact time their beef started seemed to happen well before he ever became part of the Academy. The two were both responsible for some very successful advancements in Hunting Tech. Yora being the one who created the formula for Oils to be used on bladed weapons for an array of different uses. And Werner being one of the star engineers behind the Wyvern's Fire tech.

He had tied asking many times why they hated each other, but Yora only ever shrugged it off. Saying some kind of sassy and passive aggressive comment about him, before saying that the issues mostly had to do with Werner's attitude.

"Ahahhhahaha, I-I'm s-sorry Yora! I didn't mean to laugh!" Erik tried apologizing through his laugh, slowing it down to a few giggles here and there. His smile along with the mild blush on his cheeks made Yora simmer down a bit, plopping her butt back down into her seat, letting out a frustrated sigh. "No matter. I'm happy for you at least." she said, looking away out at the crowd of people dancing and socializing, taking a long sip of her mug.

"Wait, you haven't turned yours in yet?" he asked, looking a bit surprised. Yora was a paperwork wiz, and without a doubt would have no trouble filling it out. She lowered her mug, "Nope. No one is recommending me. Can't turn it in without one." she answered, a tone of sorrow began make itself known in her voice. "W-Well, maybe Werner would write you one too! I know you both don't don't like each other, but sure he'd-" "Even if he did, which he wouldn't, he's not allowed to recommend more then one person. He'd have to choose which of us he'd rather go with." Yora flatly stated, her eyes meeting his. She looked absolutely dejected, and it hurt him to see it. "T-Then I give them a choice! Either they take both of us, you I don't go at all."

Yora nearly choked on her own breath hearing that, "W-Wait what!? Are you crazy Erik! You've been working toward this your whole life! You said so yourself!" "Yeah, well, what if what I'm working for takes my friends away from me!? Why would I want it then?" Erik asked, a pit formed in his stomach. The two of them started turning beat red before a little meow made them both jolt and look down beside the table. A Palico wearing a little apron stood there holding up a tray with two more drinks on it, clearly offering them more to drink.

Out of embarrassment, the two of them quickly took the two full mugs off the tray and replaced them with their empty ones. The Palico nodding and then scurrying back to the canteen. Leaving the two of them alone in silence, their hearts pounding heavily as they sipped from their mugs. Not daring to look at one another.

After a little bit longer, with nothing but the sound of the music and the crowd being the only thing between them, Yora finally remarks speaks. Parting her lips from the mug, face flushed a deep red. Whether from embarrassment or the alcohol, who knew.

"Please be honest with me Erik. If you gave up this opportunity just to stay with me, could you truly call me just a friend at that point?"

The words hung in the air like the lanterns that light up the party. And if it weren't for the party music, Erik is sure that Yora would've heard his heart skip a beat. He gulped, beginning to feel his hands start to shake. He's never really been this nervous about anything before. Sure, excited about things so much that he'd find himself raising his voice unintentionally or shaking so much he could barely hold his pencil still while taking notes. But, never nervous. But Yora always seemed to be able to get that kind of reaction out of him. The eccentric and bubbly star Biologist of the Royal Academy, turned into a stammering and blushing mess by one girl. Not just any girl though. By Yora. His Assistant. His friend. His...

"No, I don't think I could." Erik choked out. Yora looked at him, eyes widened by his answer. His cheeks turned a deep shade of red giving her a soft smile, "That is...if you didn't want to be just...friends. Of course." Her cheeks flushed to a surprisingly darker shade of red, so much so that now her ears where entirely shifting too. She chuckled a bit nervously, turning her gaze away from him. "I-If you want to ask me for something, then you should ask outright. You're usually so forward, so saying things like that...just feels like teasing..." she said, laughing a little, clearly nervous. "Besides...you know about the warning they gave us..." she added.

True. Erik did know the warning. But right now, be it because of the alcohol or not, he didn't care. He quickly gulped down the rest of his drink, a little liquid courage never hurt.

Yora heard him get up from his seat and when she looked over to the side of the table he was sitting, she was surprised to not only see him standing now, but he was not directly beside her. It took her a second to really grasp what she was doing. He was bowed at the waist, one arm crossed across his chest. The other, outstretched, holding out a hand for her to take. His pale green eyes seemed to almost glow in the light of the lanterns, his hair seeming to turn gold. His normally pale face burning a bright red.

"Then...Madam, may I ask you for this dance?"

It wasn't quite what she was expecting from him, but if this was him being honest, then who was she to deny his request? Besides, him calling her "Madam" made something inside her turn into pure molten lava and threatened to turn her whole body red. Nonetheless, she reached out her hand to take his, "I thought you said you didn't know how to dance?" she said, softly smiling, causally wiping away a small tear running down her flushed cheek. Erik bashfully smiled as she took his hand, and he softly clasped it, "Well, y-yes. But with you by my side and teaching me, I'm sure I can do anything really." he said. He softly brought her hand to his lips, lightly kissing it.

His lips felt as soft as the beat of a butterfly's wings, sending a shiver down her spine. As he then pulled her up from her seat, he twirled her into his arms, her back now facing his front. "After all, wasn't it you who captivated the whole academy with your Lala Barina dance? I'm sure I'm in good hands." He whispered, letting his lips lightly brush the very back of her ear as he spoke. The smell of said Barina perfume she made for herself beginning to fill his senses, a sent she knew he loved. So she wore it all the time.

"Ok, now you're REALLY JUST teasing me!" Yora complained, turning her face to look back at him, eyes narrowed and lips pouting a bit, but a clear smile wanting to tug at them. He chuckled, causing her to break the fake pout and started chuckling too, as the two of them softly started dancing to the music along with the rest of their classmates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The part went on and on, and after a few more drinks and dances, Yora and Erik figured it would be wise to leave the party. Especially after they both almost crashed into a pile of paper lanterns while dancing. So, linked arm in arm, trying to make sure they could both walk a straight line, they walked back to the Dorms. They made it to Erik's room first, but just before he went to open the door and Yora started walking away, he stopped and looked over at Yora.

"S-so uhhh, just...thinking, but would you wanna maybe...stay with me tonight?" he asked, timidly. Now, this wasn't unusual by any means. There have been plently of times where the two of them would sped a majority of the night in each other's rooms and either leave before any Dorm Monitors caught them, or pass out at the small desk in the room and leave just before classes started. But this time, something about tonight, the way they had talked to each other for most of the evening. All the charged feelings they had shared not more then a few hours ago. This felt different somehow.

And Yora's face sure showed it, as it looked like Erik had just asked her to do the most lewd thing she could think of. He quickly tried to save the situation, "I-I mean! If you want! It's just, you know, super *hick* late and with the ladies dorm halfway across school grounds-" Yora placed her pointer finger to his lips to shut him up, giving him a soft smile, "You really think you have to make excuses for me to stay with you?" He looked at her wide-eye, letting out an unintentional audible gulp as her half lidded expression set his heart on fire. Or his was just too hammered and this was actually heartburn settling in.

Either way, he obliged, opening the door and holding it open for her and she stubbled into his room. Him following in close behind.

The familiar scent of Aloe plants and long since burnt Bamboo incense sticks filled Yora's lungs as she wandered over to the window of this small and cozy room. The party was still going strong down below, as the folks seemed to gather over by the pile of paper lanterns. A few people lighting them and handing them out to folks in the crowd. "Glad we didn't end up crushing them..." She muttered to herself.

The strike of a match made Yora, turn her head to look over at Erik who was on the other end of the room. He was lighting a candle and placing it on the desk just across from the foot of his bed. "Well it's no lantern, but it gives a little bit of light in here." He said, looking back at her over by the window, the moonlight coming in through it. The pale blue light of it giving her already dark cornflower blue eyes a hauntingly beautiful glow. "Though uhhhh, looks like the moon is giving us enough already..." he said, realizing he might have just lit his candle for nothing and now he looks like a huge idiot. Yora giggled, softly walking over to the edge of Erik's bed, her footsteps so soft that if he hadn't been looking at her, he'd have never known she had moved at all.

"Nothing wrong with a little mood-lighting, right?" She asked rhetorically, sitting on his bedside and flopping back onto her back with a sigh. "I-I suppose..." Erik responded, his eyes taking in her laying form on his bed. She was still wearing a Royal Academy uniform, but a less formal version then the one he was used to seeing her in. Comprised of a cream colored lowcut top half, the shoulders draped off the sides to look like loose ribbony fabric. Completed with a rather nice dark brown corset, a simple black ribbon tied around her neck to look like a choker, and a short white train done to look like a Flounce skirt. Cutting off to just three inches above her knees.

It wasn't the shortest dress in the world by any means. After all, some hunter's armor he had seen some of his blacksmithing classmates make were WAY shorter, leaving far less to the imagination. Making one wonder how it was even supposed to protect them while exposing so much skin? But still, this was the shortest dress he had ever seen on Yora, and with her laying flat on her back, even the smallest amount of thigh sent his brain spinning. And to keep his sanity, he quickly sat on the little wooden chair by his desk and stared at...literally anything else in that room other then his bed.

Yora herself wasn't so slick either, opting to lay flat on the bed so she'd have an excuse to just stare at the ceiling. Anything better then meeting eyes with Erik again. She squeezed her eyes shut, as her mind flicked back to the party. To the way he held her as they danced, the way he asked her to dance in the first place, and to how he answered her question. About how he could possibly keep calling her just a "Friend", especially after making such a strong statement about being willing to throw away his dream of being on an Ace Team.

Just to be with her.

The idea gave her butterflies, while also leaving a pit of guilt in her stomach. It was probably the single most romantic thing anyone was ever willing to do for her, and that was saying something. She was older then him, him being in his early 20's and Yora being in her 40's, and had been in at least one other relationship before she ever met him. She was a Wyverian woman, and seemed to be fine with the idea of her being only half. Until she realized that meant that, more then likely, she would outlive Yora by a good few hundred years. And the idea of watching her loved one die well before they'd ever get close to their time to go too, probably hurt. So she broke it off.

And Yora didn't fully understand that way of thinking, after all, it didn't seem to stop her parents from being together. Even with her mom not being in the picture, her dad always said her mom talked about how she would never regret being with him. But that was before she met Erik. Before she got to know him. And before she fell for him harder then she had fallen before.

The shoe was on the other foot now. The idea of outliving him, after he'd go so far as to give up his dream of being part of an Ace Team just to be with her. That kind of guilt would be too much. And she couldn't let him do that, even if it would lead to them growing apart. It would be selfish to take the offer.

"H-Hey, Erik?" she asked him. The sound of her voice made Erik stop looking down at his fingers, whipping his head over to look at her. "Hmm? Yes?" Yora raised back up, still sitting on the edge of the bed, but her eyes didn't meet his. instead, they focused on the floor just below where her feet dangled off the edge. He raised a brow at this, noticing the sorta melancholy look on her face, his heart starting to race again. "D-Did I do something wrong?" He asked, suddenly feeling pretty self-conscious that he may have been supposed to be talking to her the whole time or entertain her...somehow. But she shook her head.

"N-No Erik, it's not that. You didn't do anything wrong. It's just..." she paused, taking a deep breath and letting it out, before looking over to him. "Did...you really mean what you said? You know...back at the Canteen?" It took a second for his nearly inebriated brain to think of what she was talking about, but then it hit him like a ton of bricks. The stuff about rejecting the Ace Team. He gave her a reassuring smile, standing up from his chair, starting to walk over to her, "Of course Yora. I'd never lie to you. And I'm not the type to not follow through on a promise." His voice came out, comforting and sweet like always, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her lip quiver.

Then she started sniffling, then crying, "I-I'm so sorry Erik. But I can't let you do that, it's not right. It wouldn't be fair to you..." He was honestly taken aback by this reaction, or what she could possibly mean by it being not right. "What do you-" He was about to ask, but he stopped short as Yora stood up and looked at him. "Please, we've talked about it before. You know that our times on this earth are already so different. If you gave up your dream just to be with me...I don't think I could forgive myself."

Erik froze. He had never seen her cry like this before, and it was heartbreaking. And, now, he felt a little bit...stupid. Yeah, the two of them had talked quite a bit before about how different their concepts of ageing and lifespans were. Yora was still considered very young as far as Wyverians were concerned, but he was 25, still getting his feet wet in life. And by the time he would reach her age, she still would be considered young and look it too. But his life will be more then likely half way over.

Truthfully, he didn't really know how to respond to that. But she wasn't about to make him worry about it. "I-I'm so sorry, I'll just go." She said, getting up from the bed, ready to walk out but, something quickly grabbed her by the arm, and she turned just in time to see Erik. He had stopped her, but before she could protest, he pulled her in for a tight hug. He wasn't exactly the strongest guy at the academy, but he was plenty strong to keep her secure against him.

She could feel one of his hands start to gently comb through her hair. It was such a simple gesture, one that she herself had done to him as well. Uselly done to brush part of his hair back behind his left ear. It filled her heart with warmth, and she hugged him back, now sobbing into his shoulder. "I'm so s-sorry. I don't wanna be alone...but..." She tried to speak, but Erik interjected, "Shhhh, it's ok. It's ok. I understand. I get it..." he said softly, taking a deep breath himself.

They stayed like that, holding one another for a little bit, till they both calmed down. Enough to coherently think now anyhow. Yora wiped some of the tears from her cheeks as Erik loosened his arm some around her, now resting them on her waist. "I promise, Ace Team or not. I'll find some way for us to be able to be with each other." He said, one of his hands reaching up from her waist to cup her cheek. Thumb brushing at some of the leftover tears. She looked in the eyes, a small soft smiled tugging at her lips as she leaned into his touch. "I will too..." her voice was quite and soft.

That's when the butterflies came back in full force, as the two of them locked eyes again. The feeling of his hand on her cheek made her body shiver, face going dark red once more. That when she noticed, he wasn't exactly looking her in the eyes anymore. Rather, they seemed fixed on something a tad lower. She parted her lips some, his hand drifted slowly to her chin, just barley making contact with her skin. His lips then seemed to mimic her own, parting slightly as his face flushed as well.

"Erik..." She said softly, smiling bashfully, a hit of amusement behind her eyes. Erik seemed to blink, realizing very quickly what he was doing, his eyes now widening. Mortified by his lack of self control, but unable to will himself to pull away. "I-I-I'm-" he tried to speak, but again, Yora stopped him, placing a single finger to his lips. "I told you already..." She whispered, letting her finger now trace a gentle line across his warm cheek. Her voice now taking a very clear sultry tone now, something that made Erik's heart leap into his throat.

"If you want to ask me for something, then..." She whispered, pressing her body to his, eyes now half lidded as she craned her neck up a little, just enough to let thier lips brush together ever so slightly. A small gasp escaping past his lips, his head feeling like it was on fire. But his body felt light as a feather. "...all you need to do is ask." She stated. Her finger traced the edge of his jaw, down to his chin, lightly tickling the bottom of it.

He closed his eyes, gluping hard, his body beginning to shiver again. But still, he found the strength to pull her body in close once more, letting one of his hands caress and rest on the small of her lower back. His other hand still resting at her chin, thumb just gently brushing the bottom. Almost lifting her face closer to his.

Eyes now half lidded, face a rosey shade, breath now heavy as his body shaked with anticipation. And want. He's wanted this, dreamed of it for so long. And if all of this was just some drunken hallucination, he didn't wanna become sober. He was drunk on the love that had been brewing between them, something they both knew was happening. But rational thought kept them from truly being what that clearly wanted to be.

Lovers.

With a quiver in his words, his voice came out low and raspy. "Madam, please...m-may I kiss you?" Yora felt a fire ignite within her, deep in the pit of her stomach, as she quirked a short smirk as her lips closed in on his. "Of course..."

And with that, Erik closed the distance. It was soft at first, thier mouths being partly open as the connected making it easier for him to start deepening the kiss. Timidly, he let his tongue explore her's, Yora letting out a sigh of contentment as she began to run her fingers through his hair. Beginning to loose himself in the motions as thier kiss began to get a tad more heated, Erik started leading Yora back to sit back against the bed, not really thinking about what this might lead her to think his next move would be.

His head was spinning as his whole world became a warm heat, spreading across his skin. Down his arms, chest, and stomach. Gathering between his legs. They kept up thier passionate kiss, Yora now beginning to feel a heat unlike anything she had experienced before. Was this what Wyvern's Fire felt like? She had no clue, all she knew is that she wanted more. More heat. More connetion. More of him.

Yora's free hand began to trail itself from his neck, down his collarbone, brush the front of his chest through his shirt. Her fingers found a particular nub pressed flush against the shirt, deciding to let her nail run ever so softly over it. Causing Erik to let out the cutest moan through thier kiss she had ever heard a man or woman make. He felt embarrassed that he was this sensitive, but it sent a new jolt of shivers down to his groin, rendering any negative feelings null and void. Her hand continued till they reached his belt, were his shirt an open sweater happed to be tucked in.

That's when they finally broke the kiss, gasping for air and looking at each other. Both amazed, exhausted, and still wanting more. During the kiss, they had successfully climbed into bed, Erik now leaning over Yora, hand now placed on her ass and the other supporting his weight so he could hover above her. Her own both stroking his hair, and the other now tugging a little at his belt. He shifted a bit from her attempts to loosen his belt, as her soft and persistent fingers only seemed to tickle his hip. Instead deciding to forgo the belt himself, tossing it to the side. Now that his shirts were now loose and free, Erik wasted no time in removing his sweaters and tossing it to join his belt.

With that it was back to business, as they began to kiss again, this time, with a bit more raw passion behind it. Nips of the lips, tongues swirling in ecstasy. Moans of pure pleasure came from his lips once more, as her free had and now began it's journey. Feeling up and down his bare chest under his shirt.

He wasn't built by any means, but he was a tad lean, thanks to all the active running around and exploring he had to do for his job. The one time Yora saw Erik shirtless was during thier graduation mission to the New World. They wanted to take baths, but this required, obviously, getting naked in front of one another. He was embarrassed by his lack of a six pack, thinking that surely, Yora would think of him as more pathetic and not suited at all for her in any regard. Wyverian or not, part of her was still human. That coming with the usual expectations and tastes when looking for a suitable mate. Someone strong and capable of keeping her and...any potential offspring safe. And someone desirable enough for making love.

None of which he ever considered himself to be in a million years.

But, here she was, feeling him up, pressing her body flush again him, and giving his lower lip a few gentle nips. Her lips only breaking from his to trail small kisses down his cheek and neck, her fangs grazing gently along his sensitive flesh. Making him shutter and moan, hiding his buring face in the crook of her neck.

Her thumb brushed against his nipple once more, sending another wave of pleasure down his body again. But this time, he barely noticed just how close their hips were to one another. But what he DID notice was a particular twich coming from down below, and what it brushed against. Yora now aware as well, feeling something hard proding at her lower body, brushing the entrance through the hem of her dress. Cause her to now let out a breathless moan in his ear. A sound so lewd that it made his body react again, proding her more. "A-ah oh myyy..." She huffed, her hips seaming to thrust themselves forward on thier own. Grinding against him, making him huff in response too. "M-ma madaahham, p-please, I-I..need..." his mind was going blank. He didn't know how else to describe what he needed, other then her. All of her. If she was willing.

The two, displaying a surprising level of restraint now, pulled off each other. Looking into each other's eyes. Panting, in love, and happy.

Erik gave her one of his soft smiles, as she looked up at him. It seemed so fast, but this had been something that, said out loud or not, they both wanted. He gulped, feeling his lower half twitch again between her legs, his gaze now shifting lower on her form. The hand he used to cup her butt now moved up her side, stopping just short from touching her chest. It was endearing really, seeing him, even after all of this and seeing her naked before, show pause and blush furiously at the idea of groping her.

His lip quivered, like he wanted to say something, but Yora was already ahead of him. "Please...allow me..." She whispered, shifting her body a little and arching her back, and putting her hands behind her, undoing the clasps on her dress. It was like something out of his dirtiest dreams, seeing that girl he wanted so badly, layed out underneath him. Slowly, almost teasingly, slipping her dress top down to expose her chest. "There, now..." Yora said, before watching as Erik began throwing off his undershirt. She blinked in surprise, but smiled as his eyes met hers again. "Only fair. Right?" He grinned down at her.

Even in the most intimate of moments, he found a way to be adorable. She reached up to caress his face again, gazing into his pale green eyes. The moonlight making his delicate soft skin almost glow. He was amazing, and she couldn't imagine ever being without him.

They started leaning in again to continue, but a sudden loud noise from the dorm room next to Erik's made them both leap out of thier skin. Short screams coming from both of them. They both froze in place, waiting to see what that sound might have been, and it didn't take long for the familiar sounds of a man and woman getting...busy to become clear as day. "Oh for the love of..." Erik huffed, sitting back on his rear now, clearly frustrated. It was surprising to hear him of all people sound that irritated, but Yora couldn't blame him at all. This irritated her too, her ear noticeable drooping as she raised up to sit normally on the bed, crossing her arms over her exposed chest.

They sat in "silence" for a moment, before Erik whispered over to her, "S-sorry..." clearly embarrassed about thier current situation. Yora smiled softly at him, "It's Okey. Not your fault". After a short pause from the two next door, Yora muttered, "Want me to just...leave and head back to-" "N-No...you can...sleep here. You know...b-beside me..." She was honestly a little surprised by his forwardness, but her smile grew. "You know...if you want..." he sheepishly added, still giving her an out if she really did wanna leave.

But, instead of words, Yora simply laid back down on the bed, holding out her arms to him. And all he could do, was accept the silent invitation.

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