Xanadu Weyr - Siebith's Weyrbarn
Covered in rough, weathered wood, aged by the weather and the sun, the irregular grayed clapboards outside of this weyrbarn lend the place has a rustic, masculine charm. White shutters and window boxes overflowing with brightly-hued tangles of flowers on the lower windows and flowering vines twine about the supports for the porch overhang add a feminine touch, softening the stark stone steps leading to it.
The worn stone floor of Siebith's area is just inside the large sliding door. The living area of the weyrbarn has an open, airy layout gives the utilitarian, bachelor-like plain white-washed walls and simple hardwood floors a sense of wide open spaces. A sturdy mahogany-toned table with chairs that somehow manage to match despite their variety accent the earthy, wooden tones of the kitchenette. The same dark reddish hues are in the door at the far side of the barn, as well as in the low-slung coffee table in front of the plush, worn couch. Dusky sea-blue rugs are scattered here and there. Dark golden curtains hang on either side of the many windows and partition off the loft up above, led to by a black wrought iron set of ladder-like stairs. Lilies arranged in glass vases on the tables provide a crisp of white counterpoint to the dark wood tones.
A new addition, the bedroom has walls of the same plain white, but the floors are made of newer wood, still shiny with polish. A four-poster bed of the same red mahogany takes up the most of one wall of the small space, a blue-and-cream linen coverlet spread on the wide mattress. A set of wooden bureaus take up the bulk of the wall opposite while another wall has been painted upon in the very center with a seascape mural, its crisp blue waters and sandy shores. The final wall is graced by a feminine-looking writing desk stacked with papers and bedecked with knick-knacks. Over the bed, a set of stained-glass windows allows golden-brown light mingled with white whorls and blue haze to shine into the room with the rising of the sun, though both panes are able to be unlocked and swung wide to accept lake breezes.
D'had has never been one for many words. That hasn't changed, but he has been out all day and now that he's walking in the door anyone who knows him might well be able to tell that something is off. Straps are slung over their peg having been removed outside. Then it’s for the ale, of which some is usually kept around, a tall glass poured and taken with him back to the couch dropping into his usual place.
Even knowing something is off, it's never easy for Thea to know exactly what is up with D'had. It's one of life's little challenges to figure the enigmatic man out, but she can't mind too much now, can she, when he's so good to her? Usually she might try to ease the situation if she anticipates he's been tired or stressed, but this evening? She's frazzled by two nearly two-turn old twins in high spirits who are bent on mischief instead of bedtime. Muir hears the jingle of harness straps and careens out of the bedroom, calling "BETH-BETH!!!" But instead of the door, he makes a v'tol line for his daddy, only stopping when he makes contact with D'had's knees. Tackled! Marella's squeal of protest signifies that her mama managed to snag her and keep the girl from following.
There's a semi-cringe from the Weyrsecond at that squeal from the other room. Yeah, the plan wasn't to catch the attention of those who should be in bed. Having been 'tackled' however he sets the glass on the table beside him, his free hand shifting to ruffle the Muir's hair before he stands and swings him up with a sigh. "Think its bedtime little man," he says to the boy as he heads towards the bedroom. "Loose one?" a touch of teasing attempted to be worked into those few words to Thea.
He's that late? Where -has- the time gone? Or is it something like time flies when you're being terrorized? The twins are at least bathed and pajama'd and if not asleep, they -were- in bed, although not in their own. The pallets are made up and laid outside the bedroom door in the dining space, but the sight that greets D'had is Thea, still dressed for the office with story book tucked under one arm and Marella in the other as she steps out from the bedroom with the girl to tuck her into one of the beds. Her weyrmate gets a tired smile, "Apparently." Marella holds out her arms fingers wriggling, making big puppy-eyes at her daddy. Aww, cuteness!! "Trade me?" Since the boy has had his bit of attention. "What kept you, problems?" Mild curiosity coupled with a concerned look. So far, he just seems tired, but…
D'had chuckles, a smile making a subtle appearance as he hands Muir to Thea, leaning to steal a kiss from her in the process. "Had some things to check into," he replies, naming a small port hold not terribly far from Xanadu. "Night sweetheart," he says to Marella as he ducks down beside her, pressing a kiss to her forehead and giving the girl a tight hug before even attempting to put her to bed.
Thea returns D'had's kiss, flickering him a searching look while his eyes are close to hers. As if that could help her read him. Marella's baby arms curl 'round her daddy's neck enveloping him in her just-bathed sweetness while Thea ignores Muir's "Naaaaaah" of protest and pries the boy's fingers from his daddy's shirt. Eyeing the lad firmly as she tucks him in, "Stay in bed." She gives him his good night kiss and then dims the lights to the weyrbarn, waits for D'had to finish saying his goodnights, offering her hand to him and murmurs, "Time to do something about their sleeping arrangements." She'll wait until he's ready before asking about just what he had to check out.
D'had nuzzles the girl, burying his nose in Marella's hair for a second, leaving another kiss atop her head before tucking her in with a murmured good night. Standing he turns and heads back to the couch to collect his drink and drop into his seat. "Could get things moved around in the loft for 'em," he suggests, Hali having gotten her own space within the caverns some time ago. "Have to do somethin' 'bout the stairs.." But that's do-able. Lifting the glass he takes a long draught.
Thea blinks at the hand she held out for her weyrmate, then drops it when he doesn't take it, hesitating before following D'had to the couch. Oh, he's poured ale before seeking them out? She's silent about that, though and then distracted by the comment about the loft, an apprehensive look going to the ladder-stairs. Oh yes, do something about them - please! "And then pad the floor down here too?" She's only half-jesting, while standing there, distracted enough not to go into two turn olds and stairs at the moment. "Donn? Did you eat?"
A hint of a smirk touches D'had's lips at the mention of that padding. "We'll see." It’s a thought, the loft, but a thought to be dealt with later. For now it’s another long drink from that glass in hand. A shake of his head is the reply to her question. No, he's been busy enough that he hasn't yet eaten. His free hand reaches for her, aiming to pull her down beside him.
"You want me to-" Thea muffles her squeak of surprise as she is pulled down beside him, hopefully managing to avoid spilling what's left of his ale. Although the way he's drinking it down, there can't be much of a chance of that happening. She takes a moment to kick off her shoes, curls her feet under her and shifts to face him. From his glass to his face, her eyes go, trying to keep her voice light. "Have a bad day?"
D'had shakes his head, but then she's beside him and he's curling his arm protectively around her shoulders. No, there's not much chance of spillage with the drink being almost gone. It's set aside again, the empty glass left on the table after a final swig. "Something's wrong," he admits lowly least the worry in his voice carry to the twins though that worry is something he tries to keep out of the words.
Bending to meet D'had's eyes if she can, Thea leans in both so he can keep his voice down and so she can hear. The sounds of wriggling and sheets rustling over across the room gives voice to someone's wakefulness, but at least whoever it is stays put. Encouraging, "Oh? A hold matter?" Since he'd been at a sea hold. "Tell me." Maintaining an outward calm, her gaze takes in his face, the strain or fatigue or whatever and she waits.
D'had shakes his head again. No, not the hold exactly. "My family's ship," he replies, not quite sure if he want's to say it aloud or not. "It’s missing. They should have been there a couple days ago." From what's been said thus far, they never showed.
Mention of D'had's family, while it might ordinarily bring a smile of delight to Thea this time causes her a small frown of concern. But not alarm. Ships are notoriously unpredictable in her mind. "They're late then. Perhaps a storm? An unscheduled detour?" She shrugs, not with unconcern but to show her ignorance. Ships and traders, she's still learning from him. Will he meet her eyes? She seeks to reassure with her own. "Surely it's not unusual?" See, she doesn't really know. "Have they been in contact?"
A shake of his head is again D'had's reply. "A day or two maybe. Its been four. If the weather'd been worse I wouldn'ta thought anything of it. But.." In short, no, it's not anything near normal. "Haven't heard anything for a few days longer than that." He pauses, shaking his head again. From the reach of his hand if there were anything left in that glass he'd be drinking again. "They were gonna take a day, get things set so could bring you and the kids to visit." So clearly it was something important to them too.
Thea is focused on D'had's reply, trusting him to know and with his words, her concern heightens. His family is important to her regardless of a trip to visit them - they're her family now too. She intercepts that reach of his, tangling her hand with his. "No," she murmurs, "you need a clear head, Donn. Think. Do you know what route they took?" In the silence that follows a soft baby-sigh murmurs across the weyrbarn. Sweet silence reigns - they're asleep. She reaches to cup his chin to get him to look at her, trying to read him. "Is there more?"
D'had's lips twitch, a flicker of an almost smile for her as she lifts his chin. "I'm gonna go fly it again," he replies. Which only goes to say that he's done it at least once already. A shake of his head follows, "That's all." The ship is missing and his family with it.
"Not tonight. Please, Donn. Not tonight. You need some rest and food." Thea doesn't plead usually. But tonight she does, the beginnings of alarm for him and his safety in the sea green of her eyes. "Come." Her attempt, if he will allow, is to rise and draw him with her to their bed where she will make him -sleep- (as if in his worried state he'd want anything else really) and then feed him a hearty breakfast in the morning. And oh then? He'll find her going with him to fly that route. Whether goldriders should do sweeps or not, she'll insist on it and she can be as stubborn as he is. Oh this will be interesting now, won't it?