Xanadu Weyr - Thea's Weyr
This clearing is sheltered by a thick canopy of trees, which seems supported at its centre by an immense, wild-growing fellis tree. Hanging from one of its high branches is a swing, made up of two ropes and a seat of softwood and leather. The grass is tall here and interrupted in places by clusters of white and blue alyssum. Alyssum covers the indentation of the wallow, remaining hardy despite being continually crushed. The constant sound of herdbeast in their pens can be heard close-by, though its source is invisible through the foliage.
The cottage itself is made of white softwood, like birch, though creeping vines cover all four of its walls from the outside and even encircle the brown-shuttered windows and matching door. The interior floor and walls are raw wood that has been sanded and lacquered to make them smooth and, for the most part, the inside is quite spacious. The bedroom area is plain, an ornately carved wardrobe providing the only real decoration, and at the rear of the cottage a brown lattice has been built into the doorway to a makeshift kitchen, where a breakfast nook has been carved into the wall, along with short counters. On one counter, a circle has been cut out and fixed with a clay-fired bowl with a nearby matching pitcher.
Enkavir ducks into the cottage, dropping a sack with a few items of clothing near the door. Likely a 'just in case' bag so he wouldn't be totally at a loss if he didn't have a chance to get back to the weyr today. He's already wearing the dreaded white-threaded knot, his old one dangling limply in his hand. "I did it, Thea. I need to pack and go get settled in the barracks."
Thea sits at the table working on her checklist, muttering to herself when Enkavir steps in. She lifts her head, forces a smile upon her lips, an unnatural tone to her voice as she says softly, "Well, I guess… it's goodbye then." She turns her head away to look out the window for a moment, keeping it there as she adds more quietly still, "I will miss you."
Enkavir gives his old knot a final look before shoving it in a drawer. He starts going through his things, leaving most but grabbing the occasional item and tossing it into the middle of the floor. His version of packing, apparently. He pauses when that tone hits his ears, and he turns, a shirt unconsciously held in one hand as his eyes find hers. "Oh, my Thea. Don't say it like that. I'll be right down the clearing and you'll see me all the time, and before you know it I'll be right back here." But his tone is too carefully controlled while his eyes aren't able to hold back the sheen of emotion as he holds his arms open to her.
Thea turns back when Enkavir speaks, not able to watch the packing. When he opens his arms she stands, heedless of the tipping chair which thuds to the floor as she runs to him. "I know. I know. I'm sorry." Her arms slide around him and she rests her forehead against his chest. "I will miss you -here-." It's muffled under the fall of her hair. "I'm sorry." She says it again. "I am glad of this chance for you."
Enkavir winces when the chair hits the floor, but he doesn't even begin to move in that direction. His attention is far too focused on Thea, and as soon as she arrives he wraps his arms tightly around her, tipping his head down into her hair and running his hands over her back. "Don't be sorry, darling. I'm having a hard time myself. But see, this isn't against the rules, so I can just hold you anytime we want." His voice is suspiciously rough and he clears his throat hastily. "You know, I can still change my mind. If you don't want me to do this just say the word and I'll stay right here."
Thea shakes her head emphatically, "Nono! No." She tips her head back to look up at him with eyes that have gone to wide, liquid pools of green, "No, I will be alright as long as we have this-" and her arms tighten a tiny bit. Her smile is tremulous, but real this time. "I will be fine." Until nightfall, then… But there is no voicing that thought.
Enkavir is solemn, but he nods his agreement. "And I'll be alright too. Or at least that's what I'll keep telling myself." The words are missing the smile, however faint, that might make them a joke. He tips his head, leans as if to kiss her, then his eyes slide closed and he plants his lips on her forehead instead. "Kisses aren't against the rules really," he murmurs against her skin, then gives up and steals a press of lips to lips after all. "OK. I need to finish, get set up with all the other kids who'll undoubtedly be keeping me up all night snoring and talking in their sleep. At least you get the comfy bed." He's scowling now but there's a hint of amusement in his eyes as he makes a lame attempt at lightening the mood.
Thea's leaning in to meet Enkavir, her brief frown when his lips meet her forehead fades at his words, "If they're not-" his lips upon hers muffle the words she will not have to speak as she returns his kiss. His next words reach her, she loosens her arms, letting them drop to her sides and she steps back, a half-smile about his joke. "Would you like some help carrying all that down there?" She eyes what he's got piled up so far.
Enkavir eyes the smile and a hint of one touches the corners of his own mouth. "That's better. It's not like I'm getting banished or something. I'll still be here." He surveys his pile, then starts piling stuff into a box and stuffing what's left in his sack. "I would appreciate a hand, yes. And that way you can see exactly how far away I'll be. We could count steps." He smirks up at her, then stands and hefts the box, nodding her toward the sack. "Is it alright if I leave the rest of my stuff here?"
"One step is one too many," Thea mock-growls, but she is smiling a little more too. She steps to lift the sack, swinging over one shoulder. "Of course you can. You don't even have to ask." She steps to the door, "I'll walk with you then, but I'd rather not count the steps if you don't mind?" There's a sigh and she seems to brace herself, "Let's just get this over with."