Beautiful People – Airen and Eryth {Valentine’s Edition}

It’s my favorite time of the month: Beautiful People time! And this month, in honor of Valentine’s Day and us writers’ inability to avoid shipping our characters no matter how hard we may try (you know it’s true), our hosts Sky and Cait have cooked up a delicious couples edition of BP! Twirl on over to Sky’s post or Cait’s to snag the questions and linkup. (And I don’t know why you need to twirl. I guess because people like to twirl when they’re in love and it’s Valentine’s. . .? Just pretend with me that it makes sense, okay? Okay.)
(And if you’re new to the word “shipping”, it’s usually a fangirl term for wanting two people to have a relationship and live happily ever after. It has, in fact, nothing to do with pirates. Unless you’re shipping two pirates together, but that’s neither here nor there.)

I’ll admit, this edition threw me for a loop a bit. Because, honestly, I don’t really have any couples! Or not officially yet. I have a ton of characters that will probably become couples later in the book/series/what-have-you but I’ve barely written much romance. I have nothing against romance. In fact, I enjoy a touch of romance in stories. I just never seem to get that far in my books. The most romance I’ve ever written is in Burning Thorns because, well, it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Romance was kind of necessary. But I actually already did Rose and Beast in a similar BP post last year. It seemed a bit redundant to do them again.
But before Rose and Beast ever existed I had two characters in another story that have been my favorite “couple” of my characters for years, even if they’re not officially a couple yet. . . (Rose and Beast are now trying to become the favorite. It’s a constant war in my mind.) So today I shall be answering the questions about them.
Meet Eryth and Airen from my Colors of a Dragon Scale series (which is the series I always write for NaNoWriMo). Eryth is a soft-spoken dragon rider, and a half-elf. Airen is a jester. Just kidding, he’s actually a crown prince that would totally be the class clown should he live in modern times. I actually did a BP post for Eryth a few months back. And Airen deserves one someday because, well. . . Just because. (I won’t admit he’s one of my favorite characters. I won’t.) All their friends and family know they’re going to be together someday, even if they don’t. . .

~ Airen & Eryth ~
1. How did they first meet?
After her husband died, Eryth’s mother came to live in Airen’s kingdom and got a job in the castle. Eryth was only a baby at the time and Airen just 2 years old. Airen’s sister, Iraila, was also a baby and she and Eryth were raised together so Iraila would have a companion. Thus they never exactly “met”, they were pretty much raised together almost like siblings.
2. What were their first impressions of each other?
I think little toddler Airen was excited to have another squishy baby in the castle to play with. Baby Eryth cried a lot when this crazy toddler constantly tried to pick her up. Ah, romance.
3. How long have they been a couple?
Since they were babies. Obviously. I mean, they basically have an entire kingdom shipping them!
Okay, okay. They’re in their twenties and still not a couple. It’s ridiculous. Eryth doesn’t think she’s worthy enough to be with a crown prince and would never take the initiative. While Airen may pretend to be cocky and the “ladies’ man”, deep down he doesn’t feel good enough for someone as perfect and sweet as Eryth. Also neither are aware of the other’s feelings, especially since they grew up together and often have a brother-sister thing going.
Obviously we need a tragic, deadly situation to make them open up to each other, don’tcha think? *grins*
4. How committed/loyal are they to each other? Would they break up over a secret or a disagreement? Could stress drive them apart? Would they die for each other?
Loyal? Well. Airen actually is a ladies’ man, not to mention the crown prince. Basically every girl in his kingdom throws herself at him, but he never lets any potential matches last because, you know, they’re not Eryth.
One time when they were younger Airen teased Eryth and threatened to put a spider down her back. She cried. Their other friend Bryth punched him. It was a good time. Ahem. If they were ever going to break apart it would have been at that moment, but they didn’t. Eryth is usually too tenderhearted and Airen too laid back to let disagreements get in the way of their friendship.
Also they would die for each other so fast it sometimes scares me.
5. List 5 “food quirks” they know about each other. (Ex: how they take their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc….and feel free to mention other non-food quirks!)
Wow, this is a really hard question. Especially for a medieval fantasy. I also created these characters years ago when I was still figuring out the whole writing thing, so they’re not as in depth as more recent characters.
Eryth knows Airen is a little too fond of sweets and sometimes sneaks some under the table at feasts to eat later in his room that night. (He doesn’t want to stuff his face and look like a pig in front of his people after all. That’d be un-princely.) Sometimes he’ll give Eryth some because she gets too nervous to eat at big social gatherings. He believes food is a very important part of life.
Um. . .she knows his arrogant demeanor is really just him joking around. While he completely believes she’s far braver than she thinks. Those aren’t really quirks though. . . This question is hard! But that’s what I love about BP, it gets me thinking about these things.
6. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?
Um, no. Like I said, most of the kingdom (except I guess the eligible maidens) wants them together. Airen’s parents, the King and Queen, love Eryth like a daughter. Iraila would be thrilled to have Eryth as an actual sister. It would be a delight to Eryth’s mother. Eryth’s father was a great elven warrior and she was chosen as a dragon rider, which is a huge honor, so despite what she believes she’s completely “worthy” to marry a crown prince and become queen one day. There’s literally nothing stopping them besides their own insecurities. *rolls eyes* Something needs to give them a shove. (Like their entire world being wrought and destroyed in war. *cackles*)
7. What would be an ideal date?
Airen absolutely loves when Eryth lets him ride on her dragon Neriin. (He may or may not be a little bitter he wasn’t chosen by a dragon.) He’d love a thrilling ride across the countryside together. Although she’d probably just want something as simple as a long, quiet walk with him.
8. What are their personality dynamics? Similar? Contrasting? Do they fight a lot or mesh perfectly?
Her timidity and his playful arrogance are way too much fun to write together. Though they’re pretty much polar opposites, they actually bounce off each other wonderfully. Eryth keeps him grounded and focused on the important things. While he helps her conquer her shyness and insecurities. It took them a while to get there though. The spider incident wasn’t the only one. He was a total joker when he was young (who am I kidding? he still is) and it took some time for him to realize making Eryth cry isn’t actually fun at all. Hearing her laugh is a thousand times better. Over the years he morphed from being a teasing older brother type to having a strong desire to protect her.
9. What have been their best and worst moments together as a couple?
I guess I haven’t really gotten to that in the series yet. There’s one more book to go, it’s gonna happen! I suspect best moment will be when they actually realize they are a couple and have been since they were like toddlers. XD Worst will probably be seconds before that when I put them into some sort of deadly situation that forces them into admitting their love for one another.  *smile, smile*
10. Where do they see themselves and their relationship in the next few years?
Eryth sees him marrying some amazing princess while she regrets never telling him how she felt and having to accept the fact that she wasn’t good enough.
Airen sees them happily married with like ten children. Ya know, once he figures out how to admit he’s loved her since they were tiny.
Hey, the question asked how they see themselves in a few years, not what actually happens.
~ ~ ~
There you have it. Airen and Eryth. And yes, sometimes I want to throw them together and scream, “KISS ALREADY.” But it’s hard when they’re like four kingdoms apart from each other right now. The world has to be in danger and they have to be heroes. Psh.
What do you think, guys? How do you feel about shipping your characters? Do you ever want to yell at them to just get married and live happily ever after already? Annnd, just ‘cause, how do you feel about Valentine’s Day? (I’m indifferent to it myself. I don’t hate it, don’t really like it either. It’s just there. *shrugs*)

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Deborah O'Carroll
February 9, 2016 3:09 AM

AAAAAAHHH THEY ARE PRECIOUS. Airen and Eryth just yes. I'm so happy you did them! 😀 I haven't really read them together though, so Rose and Beast would be my current favorites. 😉 But I can't waaaait to read about Airen and Eryth because they sound just perfect for each other! Ya know, without the whole not-noticing-it thing. XD

(Yessss, you must do an Airen BP post someday! :D)

"Ah, romance." *diiies* XD

This tragic deadly situation is making me nervous… >.>

OH MY WORD AIREN MADE HER CRY AND BRYTH PUNCHED HIM ALSKDJFLKSJDFK I ADORE THIS WAY TOO MUCH IT'S PERFECT!!!!! XDDDDDDDDD

"Also they would die for each other so fast it sometimes scares me." Heeheehee! Your wit, girl. It gets me every time! 😉

I love that he loves sweets and food and doesn't want to seem unprincely for it. XD

These cackles and smile, smiles, are making me EXTREMELY nervous… >.>

Oh my goodness, that last question. I. AM. DEAD. slkdjsldkfj Poor Eryth and I adore how Airen thinks that and just lsakjdlkj KISS ALREADY!!! Yes. They must get married and live happily ever after ASAP! *flailing*

This was so beautiful and I LOVE when you do Beautiful People! 😀 I love hearing about all the lovely Lauri charries!! ^_^ Thanks for sharing!

(And I'm kinda so-so on Valentine's Day myself. *shrug* I don't really care. I do like that there are chocolate sales afterward so that people can get me some for my birthday after. XD …But you don't like chocolate, so. >.> Ahem. :P)

AIIIIRENNNN! ^_^ And Eryth. She so sweeeeet (no wonder he likes her! She's like sweets! :D) and it's so incredibly cool that she's half elf and a dragon rider. *flails*

*still dying from Bryth punching him* XDDDDD This MUST be mentioned in one of the stories. >:DDD

Ellie
February 9, 2016 3:38 AM

*SCREECH* OH MY GOSH.
THESE TWO ARE POSSIBLY THE CUTEST THINGS //EVER// BETH OH MY GOSH.
I COULD NOT HAVE PICKED A BETTER PAIRING OUT OF ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS.

Ellie | On the Other Side of Reality

Mary Horton
February 9, 2016 4:13 AM

OH MY GOODNESS YES!!!!!! Gimme all the Christine writerly goodness 😀 😀

These two sound absolutely ADORABLE!!! I ship them so hard it's actually painful.

HAHAHA! You're so hilarious! ^_^ I find it so funny that Bryth punched Airen after the spider incident. XD (Like Bryth, I would have been terrified of the idea of a spider crawling down my back. Blegh, I really despise those creepy-crawlies.)

Hehe, Airen loves sweets. I do too, so ya know…

CAN I JUST GUSH OVER HERE FOR A MOMENT. Because these two are adorbz.

Also, I have to say that I've got a thing for arrogant characters. Airen makes me think of Flynn, which is obviously a compliment of the highest quality. *grins*

Mary Horton
February 9, 2016 4:17 AM
Reply to  Mary Horton

(I also have to say that I love Valentine's Day. I'm a hopeless romantic, plus, ya know CHOCOLATE. And pink things. And an excuse to fangirl over my favorite couples.)

Mary Horton
February 10, 2016 2:12 AM
Reply to  Mary Horton

Oops, I meant to say Eryth didn't like spiders. Not Bryth. (I was just gushing so much over Airen and Eryth that I lost any vestige of sanity I actually possess. XD)

FLYNNNNN!!! You obviously already know how I feel about him. Just the fact that Airen reminds me of Flynn makes him an automatic favorite of mine.

Scrolling through the comments and checking other peoples' blogs, I've come to realize that a lot of people actually don't care for Valentine's Day. Which sort of surprised me, I guess? But, ya know, I am an odd person so the fact that I like it and other people don't shouldn't really surprise me…

Cait @ Paper Fury
February 9, 2016 8:53 AM

Omg I loved this. The whole kingdom is shipping them…THAT IS ALL SORTS OF GLORIOUSNESS. XD And I like the contrast of their personalities too…squeee!! I am about to say just kiss already and I've only just met them. 😉 Ah but one must save the world first before romance #priorities

(Also I want to write a book one day so I can specifically ship two pirates. JUST ECAUSE THE PUN WOULD BE AMAZING. XD Ahem.)

Thanks for joining in!! I loved your post as always. ;D

Emma | Creative Explorations
February 9, 2016 12:26 PM

Girl, do you know exactly how much I want to read your books???? I want to know MORE about these two adorable characters…I already ship them whole heartedly.
Have you considered posting to Wattpad, so that I (and others) could indulge in hopeless romantic effusions?

Sophia White
February 9, 2016 3:01 PM

(Maybe on the second try I'll be able to make sense of this thing called grammar.)
Already I like this couple. I can see where they're not as deep as others you've written about, but they've definitely got personalities.
When it comes to romance, my writing is a little on the thin side. First because I've no experience to go off of, and secondly because romance, unless it's done really well, goes very much against my very reasonable grain. Then again, I've experimented with twisting stereotypes, and find it fun. I've got a few couples in awkward situations because of that. One of my pairs I do "ship", wholeheartedly. The other's already married, so there's not much I can do about that. The third. . . well, that's spoilers. But I can say it's not the usual way of doing things at all.
Valentine's day is just there. The world can use a saint's day to observe a perfectly heathen festival if it wants to, but as a Protestant, I'll stay away from both sides of it — and anyway I've got no attachments of that sort, so it would be rather silly to celebrate it.
Shipping two pirates? I need that idea to have a home :).

Jenelle Schmidt
February 9, 2016 3:18 PM

What a fun post! Love it! These characters sound super fun and I can't wait to read all about their adventures!

I've always been kind of ambivalent about Valentine's Day. My daddy would bring us all a box of chocolates and my mom would get flowers… and that was pretty much why we enjoyed it growing up. Now… it just seems like a ridiculous excuse for stores to trick us into buying things we didn't really want in the first place. LOL

Which is why I'm doing my February is Fantasy Month line-up over on my blog this year. 🙂 Something for those of us not so keen on pink hearts and chocolates that may or may not be filled with something we actually want to eat.

Lizzy
February 9, 2016 4:24 PM

So adorable! I love all your characters so much. 🙂

~Lizzy

Simona
February 9, 2016 9:57 PM

I don't know them but I already ship them! They sound so perfect for each other. The contrast betwwen their personalities and their dynamic must be fun to write but also to watch. Definitely give them some push so they are finally together because it would be shame if they wouldn't end up together 🙂 Also, I love cocky male characters, they just add something fun and special to the mixture.
I have a couple in a story and they are not together yet, but I have shipped them since the moment I came up with the idea. I mean, they are perfect for each other. They bring the best in each other and the guy is the only one who can show the girl that loving is not a weakness. Oh, just thinking about them makes my heart melt. 🙂

Skye Hoffert
February 10, 2016 4:50 PM

I ship it! They are too adorable for words honestly, this must happen. <3 Love your characters Christine, I always seem to get way too emotionally involved.

Rawls E.
February 12, 2016 6:27 AM

Airen and Eryth sound adorable together! That's so sweet they got to grow up with each other. And Eryth has a dragon? I want a dragon too! 😀
I haven't done my Beautiful People post yet, but will have too! Didn't know it was Valentine-themed this time, though it does make sense. But I'm not sure which couple to choose. 😀

Savannah Perran
February 13, 2016 3:45 PM

AHH, I loved this post. Now I musts read your pretty little book and have more of Airen and Eryth :D.
I'm with ya, Valentine's day is just there. I will make some cards and things, but mostly it's just there.

Tracey Dyck
February 14, 2016 1:48 PM

OH MY WORD, THEY ARE PRECIOUS. (I'm with you, though–I don't have all that many couples either.) Airen and Eryth are just perfect! They MUST become a thing by the time the series ends. They must. Or else I'll demand a sequel just for them.

"Squishy baby." XD Their childhood sounds completely adorable, and it's so sweet how Airen discovers he likes making her laugh more than making her cry. *shipping so bad*

And it's awesome how the entire kingdom wants them to be a couple, and they themselves are the only ones getting in the way with their insecurities. Oh dear, don't we authors love giving those little (or not so little) nudges? XD

As for Valentine's Day, I do like it. It's not nearly as great as Christmas, of course, but my family likes to exchange cards, decorate the house a bit, and have a candlelit supper. 🙂

Sara Letourneau
February 16, 2016 4:32 PM

I knew how you felt about this month's BP! The only "romantic" couple I've written about recently (um, well, in the past year?) is the one I covered in last year's Valentines BP. :/ So I decided to visit the archives and interview a totally different character instead. (*blushes*)

OK. Airen and Eyrth are. Absolutely. ADORABLE! It's so cute when two characters have been in love with each other for a long time, because it makes you want to root for them so much more. And the fact that the entire kingdom is also cheering for them to make it official… Awwwwwww. 🙂 I also like how Airen is so protective of Eryth and how he's tried to help her "come out of her shell," so to speak.

A dragon-riding date?? Airen, what more convincing do you need that ERYTH IS YOUR GIRL??? XD

Here's my BP link, btw: http://saraletourneauwriter.com/2016/02/16/beautiful-people-vol-12/

Victoria Grace Howell
February 24, 2016 9:55 PM

Aw! They sound really cute! And I really like their names. I like opposites attract couples. I feel the same way with some of my characters. JUST KISS!

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