Xanadu Weyr - Clearing
A wide clearing stretches from east to west, the ground packed hard although grass grows across most of it. Trees are strictly forbidden in this space, their danger to the constant draconic traffic reason enough to banish them to the forest that creates a this and sharp border to the north. Where the ground is less trampled, tiny flowers poke their delicate heads out from their shaded hiding places with upturned petals to wave to whoever may be looking.
The cliff looms imposingly on three sides, stretching upwards all the way up the side of the mountain where, high above, Xanadu's Star Stones and the ever present watchdragon sit on a lonely peak. Directly south is a massive tunnel, fully wide enough for even the largest dragon to fly down. Southeast are wide steps leading up to the Caverns and eastwards is the large entrance to the Infirmary. Somewhat north of the Infirmary is a human sized archway that has a frequent quantity of traffic — it leads to the Tavern. Southwest lies the low ledges currently belonging to Xanadu's queens while north and west a broad path cut by the side of the cliff leads to the Feeding Grounds and due north is the spacious trail that leads to the rest of the Weyr.
Early evening in Xanadu means dinner is done and the workday is finished. Among those exiting the Caverns is Thea, carrying a sheaf of papers and muttering to herself, likely about all the things she needs to get done by tomorrow. She's not dressed for Riding today, but rather in a neat skirt and blouse, which means she has been in the office all day. She's not really looking where she's going and wherever she's going, she's in a hurry.
Chaton is hurrying in the opposite direction, towards the caverns, with a thin journal in his hands, and his pen rolling between his other fingers. He isn paying attention either, and he *SMACK* right into Thea. "Oww. Hey….!"
Thea is being intercepted unexpectedly by a mindhealer. There might be some in the Weyr that have thought this should have happened long ago, but nevertheless here she is. Late is better than never? Her papers go flying and there's an irritated-sounding Chaton in front of her. "Oh, excuse me!" She smiles slightly, peering at the boy. "Chaton, right?"
Chaton nods, slowly, the only slow movement he's made since he's been here, and helps her pick up her papers. He quickly has them in his arms, shuffled the right-way-around, and is holding them out to her, in a half-bow. "I'm afraid I don't have your name quite so on the tip of my tongue, but I would absolutely love to learn it, Mrs Weyrwoman."
Thea's mouth sorta hangs open. She can't quite help it. All that fast scurrying and sorting leave her nearly breathless. Her hands reach out to take her papers absently, watching that little half-bow of Chaton's. She frowns slightly, "Uh Chaton?" She waits until she is sure he makes eye contact. "First of all, I am not married to the Weyr. Amusing as that Old Terran expression is. I am Weyrwoman Thea, but you may call me Thea, unless you upset me. Then you may call me Weyrwoman Thea while I feed you to my dragon." She smiles just a wee bit when she says it.
Chaton ahs, and grins. "Thea… Thea.." he repeats it to himself, as if to remember it better, and nods. "Hopefully I won't be fed to your dragon anytime soon. I don't imagine it would be plesant from what I've observed." he grins playfully. He taps his pen against his journal, making a click-click-click noise in the same pattern he was tapping out on the computers in the DragonHealer's Annex. "So, how is your night treating you, Thea?"
"An apology might be helpful," suggests Thea sweetly, waiting to see if it is forthcoming. "It's not very pleasant at all. Her teeth are nearly as big as I am." She tilts her head at him, "It's all right and actually, Chaton, I was looking for you. So glad I found you." Her eyes positively dance, "I've heard rumors that you need some gift ideas for our irritated Dragonhealer." She looks about, but since the man is not in sight, she adds, "I know the perfect thing you could get him."
Chaton gives her another bow. "My apologies, Thea" he straightens out and smiles, his eyes crinkling. "Ah, word gets around fast, does it? Well, please do tell. I like to know what people like." he does admit, though: "And yes, it doesn't hurt that sometimes it cools people down."
Thea snorts softly, "You are forgiven," she says it with a little laugh. "But no more bowing, please." She tries to keep a straight face as she says that, but her tone means business. She's nodding to his comment, "It does and I know just the perfect thing. It's something he likes better than anything else actually." She gives another of those looks 'round giving Chaton as sincere a look as she can muster, "Get him a body." She thinks the better of leaving that undefined, so she clarifies hastily, "A dead one." Sage nod.
Chaton blinks. He's somewhat taken aback. "A… dead body?" he blinks. "Why… what on Pern would he do with a dead body?" He adds, "Where would I find a dead body, anyway?"
Thea smiles back at Chaton, "Why what do you suppose he would do with one?" She shrugs as if anyone would know the answer to that, "Any type will do, male or female, he's not picky." His added question has her pointing in the general direction of the stables. "Might find one up that direction if they haven't buried them first." She wrinkles her nose, "I don't recommend digging anything up, mind you."
Chaton holds his hands up. "Wait… a human body? You aren't… pulling my metaphorical leg, are you?"
Thea shakes her head earnestly, holding up one hand, "I swear, not pulling your leg." She does look like she means it, "It really is his very favorite thing. But…no not a human body." She looks thoughtful, adding, "Although he might really, really find that special? The relatives would frown on it." She nods again to emphasize it.
Chaton puts his hands down, accepting her theory. "Okay… so, what? A runnerbeast? Herdbeast? What sort of body?"
Thea ponders this and nods, "Hmm, the bigger the better is usually true for men, so lets go with that." She suggests dryly. She rethinks, then adds, "But a fresh one is really best. And you, know. You'd have to take what the Beastcraft has on hand." She gives Chaton a wide-eyed look of innocence. "Truly, truly, he would be ecstatic with it."
Chaton nods. "Good, then. Well, I think I heard something about one of the older heardbeasts passed on or some such. Perhaps we can go and raid the grave. But they're heavy…" he taps his pen on his lips. "Perhaps you and your dragon would like to help me?"
Thea shakes her head, "No grave-digging! Remember fresh is best! Otherwise, don't do it. But yes Seryth can help." She smiles slightly, "Just… no spinning around her and fast movements, ok?" She looks at Chaton to make sure he understands. "I don't want one of those gift-bodies to be yours."