----------------------------------------------
ON THE PATH BACK TO RESPITE - EARLY EVENING
----------------------------------------------
Erika is slowly walking back with Nesseth, carrying a hefty bag of herbs and leaning on the lizard as they walk. "Good haul, I think. At least a couple of herbs I'm not sure I've seen since I was learning this stuff with Mom."
Nesseth smiles at Erika as he walks with her, his own pack laden with herb bundles as well, on top of their usual hiking and camping gear. "From the way you were going about things, it sounded like this Spring's turning out to be a good one for plant growth."
Erika giggles softly: "Yup! All kinds of neat things growing, I definitely need to go back there." She smirks at Nesseth: "Thank you again, too. I feel safer out there with you."
Nesseth 's smile shifts to a happy grin. "You know I'm always happy to come along, dear. Just give the word and we can plan for another trip out."
Erika leans to give Nesseth's cheek a lick: "Well, yeah, but I still thank you every time. It's required."
Nesseth chuckles at the ticklish sensation from the lick. "And I'll keep saying I'm happy to come along." He winks playfully at the okapi, "It's part of the requirements for myself."
Erika winks back: "Well, good. I like that requirement for you, by me, by you. It gets us out here together. It was fun~."
Nesseth wraps an arm around Erika and gives her a warm side-hug. "Yeah, this trip was good fun. We managed to get a lot done in a pretty short time."
Erika giggles: "Efficiency~. Also we didn't fool around..." She glances aside and shrugs: "Well, that much, this time."
Nesseth chuckles a bit at that. "Hehe... well, we could always make up for it once we get back, but I suppose nothing is quite the same as messing around out in the wilderness, hm?" He smirks as he lightly nudges Erika, "Besides, this just means we're really good at things, even when we distract each other."
Erika smiles: "Or we're good at the distractin' and could be even better if we didn't... but where's the fun in that?" She hefts her bag, grinning: "Plenty good even with all that, and this time we didn't even get ambushed mid-sex."
Nesseth laughs. "All work and no play is no fun for anyone, after all! We know we need to keep things interesting, and we know exactly what interests each other out there~" He grins in turn, "Just gotta find the balance between work and fun, that's all."
Erika giggles: "And maybe there's something fun in the potential danger... sounds crazy when I say it out loud, but... eh?"
Nesseth chuckles and nods. "No, I get it. There's a little sort of extra excitement in the risk. Bit of an extra something that just hits you - and me - right, hm?"
Erika shrugs: "I dunno! It was just a thought, really, but something does draw us into the bush at times." She frowns slightly: "Don't wanna do it too often though, worry the others and all that."
Nesseth nods and leans his head up to give Erika a soft kiss on her chin. "Of course, dear. Nothing wrong with messing around a bit when we're out there, but we do still need to be careful. We're pretty good at keeping an eye and ear out, though."
Erika smiles: "We do have a bit of experience between us." She pauses: "I mean, experience on being out there, not... that other stuff. Although that too I suppose."
Nesseth hums in agreement. "Yup. We both know how to deal with things out there, and we have various skills that complement each other."
Erika snerk-giggles at that: "We do~." She shakes her head, amused, even as Respite starts to come to view: "We should probably take care of all these before we go haywire again, though."
Nesseth glances back at his pack for a moment. "Yeah, the sooner we get all this stuff sorted, the sooner you can get it all stowed away and preserved."
Erika smiles: "And planted. Or at least, I gotta try for some of these. I'm sure I can still find spots..." Somehow. In that very full garden.
Nesseth looks over at Erika. "If anything, I can help you find space for things." He gives her a teasing little smirk after a moment, "And we could mimic the fun of the wilderness in there afterwards, if you want."
Erika gives Nesseth a teasing smirk in return: "Oh, you would like that, wouldn't you?~" She winks: "So would I."
Nesseth chuckles as he gives Erika a light bump with his hip, followed by his tail momentarily teasing up the back of her thigh before dropping away again. He has to take his chances to mess with her before they reach earshot of the wall patrols. "I had a feeling you'd like that suggestion~"
Erika giggles at Nesseth's touches: "H-hey! I'm not that predictable! ...much. Probably."
Nesseth grins. "I mean, I'm probably more predictable than you, dear. I'm a simple lizard when it comes to doing much of any sort of activity."
Erika winks: "Especially that sort~."
Nesseth smiles and winks back. "As long as we're enjoying things... and each other~"
Erika gives Nesseth's neck a quick nuzzle: "I think we've succeeded in that, somewhat. But lest we get distracted-" she hefts her bag: "Let's take care of these first."
Nesseth hums happily as he nuzzles Erika back, then nods as he takes a moment to readjust the straps on his pack. "Yeah, herbs first, and then each other once we're not tied up with that."
Erika hums: "Unless you'd like to get me tied up after that. Hmm..."
Nesseth hums thoughtfully. "Hmm... have we ever tried that yet? I'm sure we could probably make use of some of the vines that you tend to, for that, without hurting them."
Erika giggles: "We could! I can think of one or two..."
Nesseth chuckles and smirks. "Then just keep them in mind for when we get back to the garden. That should be a good bit of fun~"
Erika laughs softly, blushing at the thought: "Worth a try...~"
Nesseth winks, dropping his voice a bit as they get closer to the town's walls. "Something new to try, to see how much we like it~"
Erika nods, her mind running on this: "As long as we pick the right plants..."
Nesseth hums and smiles. "You've got the knowledge for all that. I'll let you do your thing and pick out the right plants for us, and then I can do my thing~"
Erika winks: "Got past experience with-" she glances at a wall guard: "...your thing?"
Nesseth snerks, but continues his quiet conversation with Erika as the two pass the guards on duty. "N-no, not guard duty. Remember, I'm an Explorer and a hunter. I'm pretty good at tying various kinds of knots."
Erika giggles and blushes slightly, whispering: "We gotta find out, then."
Nesseth wiggles his eyebrows. "I'll be more than happy to demonstrate them, once we've got the time."
Erika gives Nesseth a kiss on the cheek: "Then you must show me, later. For now, let's go figure out what we found. And then go see if Mirriam or Vix want to join us...~"
Nesseth hums at the kiss, and gives his frills a happy little wiggle in response as Erika pulls back. "Sounds like a plan, dear. Let's get these herbs sorted out."