Closed [Enclave] Bookworms and broken hearts

[Lavira]

Timestamp: Fall 27, 513

Vira stirred on the bed, her eyes opening slowly as she peered into the dimly lit room. The first light of dawn had begun to grow in the commons and was now peeking under the door to their shared room. It was breezy today and would have been a good day to hunt except that the teen needed to do some studying at the Enclave. She'd realized after the awful hunt with Alori just how inexperienced she was and while field training would help, there had been many things about that trip which could have gone better.

Kovac had her pulled against him and it took nearly ten chimes to convince him to release her, the Avora muttering in his sleep even as she slipped off the bed and fetched her clothing. First came getting her clothes. Each article was fetched and laid on the bed with the sandals placed on the floor ritualistically. Then, returning to the bed, she took the bryda and donned it first: her left leg slipped through its side, and then her right, until she was able to pull them up to her hips, the billowing material around her legs swishing as she turned to get her vinati. It had become habit to face the bed when she dressed, just in case he was watching but the man was still fast asleep. Nonetheless, Vira knotted the garment between her shoulderblades, and finally slipped her sandals on.

She left the bedchamber, going to Kovac's side to kiss his head briefly before leaving. The young endal fetched her writing material and headed off!

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After reaching the Enclave, Vira stopped long enough to ask the attendant where she would find some information on tracking. Her skills as a tracker were fairly good, but they could always improve and hey! Maybe she'd pick up some tips in the books for hunting. Her shooting would only be improved with time and practice, but the rest she could learn in this way.

Once appropriately directed, she began to browse the titles. A few of the ones she saw, she'd read when she was little, but then, a few ticks in, one jumped out at her and the teen reached to pluck it from the shelf.

Advanced Tracking Techniques: More than Prints in the Mud

Intrigued, Vira took it to the a seat against the wall and settled in, laying her note-taking material out on her lap and settling in for a day of study. She did not expect anybody to bother her, though confusion had happened from time to time given the one-eyed Endals appearance.

[Euthisa]

x

Euthisa awoke earlier than usual that morning. Dream-filled eyes slowly opened in her dark room, followed by a few typical stretches of her limber body. She sat up slowly, allowing her vision to adjust to the darkness and the familiarities of her surroundings. Her clothes still lay over the end of her bed where she always left them, waiting to adorn her body for the days activities. The Chiet dressed herself, running a comb through her long burgundy hair, and made her way to the Enclave.

She arrived earlier than necessary, but the young librarian didn't mind. The Enclave was her home away from home you could say, and it felt as natural for her to be there as it did in her own bed. Euthisa loved to pass the time there, and of course help those who needed her. She stepped gingerly into the massive library, as though she were afraid her footsteps would wake the slumbering novels that stay there. Before taking her customary seat at the front desk, Euthisa reached below where she usually sits, where she keeps a small stack of rags, and walked to the first set of shelves. Working delicately, Euthisa dusted down the books and the shelves they sit on. The unfortunate aspect of Wind Reach's location, was the unavoidable layers of dust that always accumulated wherever you went.

Soon, others that worked there came along, the day was moments away from beginning for the rest of the Inartans, and Euthisa settled into her normal chair, ready to serve anyone who wandered inside in the pursuit of knowledge. A few came in, all directed to where they needed to be, and from the corner of Euthisa's eye, a woman came in that caught her attention. She was young, youthful beauty present but interrupted by a scar over her right eye, and the woman Euthisa'd heard whispers about. The seventeen year old new Endal of their city. She knew not much about her, but hearing of new bonds was common in Wind Reach.

When Euthisa had a free moment, she set out to find this woman she'd heard about. She soon found her, back against the wall, book and materials in hand. She seemed intently studying up on something, and Euthisa racked her brain to figure out the gentlest way to disturb her. She hated doing so, but her curiosity to seize what spoke to her as an opportunity compelled her forward. The weight of the situation seemed to slow Euthisa's movements as she approached the chair beside the girl. She was about to speak to an Endal for the first time. Euthisa was not oblivious to her place among her people. She wasn't considered lowly, but she wasn't really considered necessary either. Endals were above everyone, which also meant being on the bad side of one wasn't recommended. She knew she would have to tread carefully, or risk consequences if something struck the wrong chord in the Rider.

"Excuse me ma'am. I don't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to follow up with you to see if you'd found everything okay?"

x

[Lavira]

The pages were slick against her fingers as she turned them, letting her mind absorb what she read. She had skipped over the intro and entered a part after that which discussed the combination of art and science. This concept intrigued her even more and Vira leaned over the page, noting on her paper furiously.

In the chapter, it explained how tracking was an excellent way of understanding your quarry in an unobtrusive way, allowing the tracker to note the natural behavior of the animal, its habits and food preferences, without affecting it. A direct observer, however, tended to directly affect the animals behavior by altering what they would naturally do simply by their presence. Thus, a tracker had the advantage over the observer in a situation like this.

Vira murmured under her breath, captivated, and moved on.

The book warned, as Vira often practiced, that a tracker needed to be aware of all signs, or spoor, of an animal, not just the physical foot prints. Things like chewed on leaves, scat, tree or rock markings, even places where they tended to bed (something Vira had not known you could use). A tracker could have a preconceived idea about what signs to watch for, but had to be careful that they did not go off track on what they observed in the event that the animal was not the one they wanted it to be.

Vira had just finished making a note on this in her papers when someone spoke, her head lifting and turning so that she could see the feminine figure which had called her. Something about the woman seemed markedly familiar and for a moment, Vira could only stare at the burgundy haired Chiet. But further thoughts on the matter were dismissed, for now, assuming that the librarian had simply been someone she'd witnessed in the Enclave the day of the reading and writing classes last season.

"Oh, you didn't disturb me, ma'am." The teen replied politely, a smile softening that ugly tear on the right side of her face. "Just doing some studying." She said kindly. Not all Endal were harsh of tongue and disapproving of all non-upper caste members. Aidara and even Sira were proof of that, though each had their own quirks. "Figured now was as good a day as any since I had a few bells to spare before I had some training to get to." Vira stuck a page in her book and moved off of the chair to stand.

Rumors tended to spread quickly in Wind Reach, but Vira had too often segregated herself from them when working the nesting aeries. She hated the wildfires that often spread because of them, too many false, too many unwelcome. Last season alone had been tough to manage when word of the 'girl who fell' during the earthquake flooded out. She bore the marks of that event, the puckered pink and red flesh blaring on her right side where her vinati and bryda did not conceal it.

"I did find a good piece on tracking, but I was hoping to maybe find a piece with more images in it. Nothing against writing, though, I would just like to be able to better identify things when I'm out. Is there a fauna encyclopedia around by chance?" Surely there was. It was a library.

[Euthisa]

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The young Endal was as polite and soft spoken as ever, the thundering of Euthisa's heart quieting with her voice. Relief washed over the librarian, rigid body relaxing, demeanor shifting with it. She spoke of studying before training that day, reminding Euthisa that she too needed to work on a few things she always kept putting off. Storing a mental note for later, the Chiet watched as the Endal stood, now noticing for the first time, the healing gash that covered the woman's side. She attempted not to stare, though she was certain she wasn't doing a good job of that, and forced her eyes back to the woman's face as she spoke.

She was in search of a fauna encyclopedia, wishing to add images to the words of knowledge she'd already read. "Oh of course we have one. They're located within their own set of shelves, separate from the other books, at the back of the library. I'll take you. Follow me ma'am." The librarian walked slowly, making sure the woman wouldn't lose her, and made her way around the various furniture settings in the library. They strode past towering bookshelves, past the thousands of pages holding all of Wind Reach's knowledge, as well as the travelers' foreign stories, often traded in for talon swords and other things.

Once past all the main sets of shelves, a few stood separated, holding the Enclave's encyclopedia collection. Almost hidden behind the regularly searched shelves, Euthisa could understand why the girl had trouble finding it. "Here we are. Now let's see if we can find the one you're looking for." Delicate fingers traced the spines of books and eventually found what she believed the Endal was looking for. Wind Reach Fauna: Gentle on the Eyes. The Chiet smiled. "This should have what you're looking for. Anything else I could help you with?"

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[Lavira]

Vira followed after the young woman, only half noticing that she had been staring for a moment but had graciously moved her eyes along. She took note of the path from her table to this point in the library and made sure she remembered it for future use. It would make locating the encyclopedias, so oft under-utilized by the citizenry, far easier than before.

The library was a vast place, honestly, sometimes packed with those looking for things, sometimes absolutely empty (a bit like today was, in fact). But usually, it had everything you needed to find. From fiction to fact, pictures to print, it was all enlightening and Vira was glad this woman had chosen to help her out. Once they reached the section the chiet was to show her, Vira stepped up beside her, putting Isa on her left side so she could see if she found something.

The teen would browse the titles as well, studying them for any other books which might otherwise stand out. Her gaze had just found something when Isa pulled from the shelf the fauna tome she wanted. "Ah wonderful, thank you very much!" She replied, tucking it under her arm and then pulling out two more books. One was a book birds of the region and the other was a picture book of scat of all useful prey-sources in the northern peninsula of Kalea. The images, the book claimed, depicted the relative age range of an animal and how to identify fresh versus old when odor could not be relied on.

Both of these were added beneath her arm and she turned to offer her hand to the other, smiling kindly still. "Thanks again, Chiet. What's your name, though? I want to let Kavisan know what a great help you were."

[Euthisa]

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The sweet Endal chose two more books to add to her study list, Euthisa happy to have assisted her. She thanked her kindly, offering her hand and asking for her name. Her wish to speak kindly on her behalf to Kavisan stunned and delighted Euthisa thoroughly. Returning smile widening to a cheesy grin of happiness, Euthisa extended her hand and placed it in the woman's. "My name is Euthisa, ma'am. Thank you so much for your praise! It means a lot to me. Forgive me, I know of you, my sincerest sympathies for all you've endured, but I haven't the pleasure of knowing your name."

Dropping her arm, the librarian kindly gestured back towards the woman's seat, walking along side her as they made their way back there, careful to stay on her left side. Whispers spread like wild fire throughout Wind Reach, but details are often fuzzed in the process. Euthisa's selfish curiosity wished to know exactly what had happened to the girl, but she dare not ask. It was really none of her business anyways, it was rude of her to ask an Endal of their personal matters, no matter how sweet and caring they may be, and this woman had no reason to tell her anything about her if she didn't wish to do so.

Once back to the chair the Endal'd been sitting in, Euthisa turned again to offer any further assistance she may need. "Should you need anything else, I won't be far away. Just piddling around, straightening and tidying, collecting and cataloging. I hope you find what you're looking for, and that the training you mentioned goes just as well."

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[Lavira]

Euthisa...

The name seemed to echo through an endless cavern in her mind, reverberating across the walls of her memory. She had never met the young woman before in her life, but that name...

Euthisa...

He calls her Isa.

Vira held the friendly smile fast as she shook the others hand and tried to focus on the remarks the other had. "Well, I try not to look at the troubles as that but as opportunities." She replied as casually as she could, following the other back towards her original table and laying the books upon them from there. "Had the pieces not fallen into their proper place, certain important events would never have happened."

The teen turned back to the librarian then, the forced smile harder to manage now. "Actually, there is something you can do for me." The forced visage softened and the one-eyed dame looked away, feeling awkward and unsure now as the smile slowly retreated. "Isa, that's what he calls you, isn't it?" Her gaze came back to the ginger and she waved to the seat across from where she'd set the books. "I think we should sit and have a talk."

Vira hoped that the woman would oblige her for she would feel very strange mentioning the nickname if the other walked away. "I will vouch for your busyness if your superiors should question where you were if needed. Sometimes being an Endal has its perks, heh." The woman cleared her throat and sat down heavy, resting her arms on the table with shoulders shrugged upwards and her green-gold eyes turned to the wall by the table edge.

"You said you know of me but not my name...but I think you actually do know me. If he's spoken to you, I mean. And if he hasn't, I'll have to chastise him for procrastinating so long." Vira took a deep breath and brought her gaze up to Isa once more. "Euthisa, my name is Lavira." No title or rank, just her name. Why bludgeon the other with her caste? This wasn't to rub it in her face, afterall! Vira wanted to put it on the table and discuss that which had not been talked in depth of. "Has Kovac spoken to you about anything since fall started?"

[Euthisa]

x

The day had been moving graciously along, but the moment this woman mentioned the nickname Kovac had given her, the entire mood shifted. The Endal was a bit awkward as she brought it up, asking Euthisa to take a seat and talk with her. Momentarily, the librarian just stood and stared in bewilderment, unable to see, speak, or act past the large boulder that now took residence in the pit of her stomach. Her nerves twinged and tingled, the feeling she always got when she knew something bad was coming. Just the way the Endal spoke, something was amiss. Blinking and trying to regain normal bodily function, the librarian stumbled over to the chair as directed and sat down with a heavy plop.

She continued, now mentioning that Euthisa should know who she is, if Kovac had spoken to her, also stating that he shouldn't have waited so long. Knowing she needed to pull herself together in the presence of an Endal, but unable to do so, Euthisa feared what her face may look like. She was confused, curious, and nervous. The pit in her stomach seemed to shift around and grow with every word the woman spoke. Her palms clammed up and began to sweat, the negative feeling in the air around the women growing. Doing all she could to swallow her innards and get her act together, she looked up at the woman.

She cleared her throat before answering her question."No, Ma'am. I haven't seen him since the end of Summer. Fall is a busy season for us all, preparing for Winter and all. I assumed he was busy so I've gone about my business and left him be." The Chiet paused, biting her lip. "I'm clearly missing something I take it... What is it?"

x

[Lavira]

Vira shifted uncomfortably when the Chiet called her 'ma'am'. It wasn't a title she would be accustomed to, having been in the shoes of the other before where everyone but Dek were effectively your superior and it was always yes or no ma'am or sir. Anything else was rude.
"Euthisa, please don't call me ma'am. I'm probably younger than you." She said.

Once the other was settled and spoke her piece, it was all the more clear how rough this might be. Why should she be the one to say anything? But if Kovac never told the librarian, she would find out in a way that would be worse, and given how fondly he had spoken of her, Vira would never have wanted the woman to come to know it that way. It was insulting!

"Fall is a pretty busy time, yes, but we all have our down days where we can afford time to talk with those we need to. Our friends, you know. He speaks very highly of you, too." She was careful to use the present tense lest the other suspect negligence. They had only talked about past liasons a couple of times, the first right near the end of summer as well. The teen took a calming breath and met the chiet's eyes, her own raptor-like gaze trying to soften with the emotions she already felt. "Euthisa, please don't be put off by what I'm going to say. It should have been his responsibility to speak with you, but things at the start of fall were chaotic for us both, and then the ice storm came and...I'm going to assume he simply has not found the time. But it wouldn't be fair to wait until 'later' for you to be told."

Stop evading, Lavira; just tell her true and let it be. I do not want her hating me, but she needs to know. But how am I to say it without sounding like some arrogant petch? I would be jealous if his love was shared with another and that one did not want to share it in turn...but I cannot fault him his nature and she already looks so upset and nervous...

"You know I only bonded just before Fall began? So it wasn't the pressure of rank that brought him to me or anything silly like that. He actually sought me out...Euthisa, he's living with me and I don't want secrets between him and I. I know of you, or a little bit of what he's told me. You're very dear to him and it would be cruel for us to never meet because I want him to be happy. If that means I must share him, I will. Heh, I couldn't tell him no to what he loves anymore than I could keep that bow from his hands or he my bird from mine."

She took a slow breath and turned her eyes away for a moment, forcing focus as best she could. "I would love to be friends with you, Euthisa, if you'll let me, if only to know what it is he is attracted to. You're very pretty so I'm sure part of it is physical. But there is certain brains behind the beauty that he is attracted to and I'm rambling. I'm sorry, I don't have the best conversation skills. The birds don't usually talk back. So let me be frank, I guess. I want him happy, Euthisa, that's all. If, together, we can make him happy then I would be glad. If you love him, would you do that with me? Let the ladies in his life accept one another?"

She didn't offer the other the happy go lucky grin she might have otherwise given in a gesture of friendship. Neither did she provide a hand for shaking in the conclusion of a bargain. She simply trailed into silence and hoped that the girl wouldn't try to run away in tears. "And if you and I cannot be friends...can we at least tolerate one another for his sake?"

[Euthisa]

x

Euthisa felt she would explode with anticipation as the Endal rambled on, drawing out whatever she had to tell the librarian. If it'd been next to anyone else, Euthisa would've interrupted and told them to get on with it. But she didn't dare speak to an Endal that way, no matter how easy going or gentle. It wasn't right and she refused to lower herself to any level like that. So she waited, the boulder in her stomach rolling back and forth and bouncing off the walls of her torso. Time chimed on as she waited, focusing on every word Lavira said.

And then it came. The news hit Euthisa as if Ivak himself lit her aflame. She stared back at the woman, brain processing, emotions haywire, heart shattering in her chest. Busy was part of it, yes, but Euthisa now knew that wasn't the only reason for his absence. She'd always known there were others in Kovac's life. She wasn't so naive as to think she was the only one enjoying his affections, but she could no longer deny to herself that she'd dearly hoped she'd become the only one. The mongrel was a tough one to get that close to, and she'd honestly thought she'd been making good progress. He inspired so much in Euthisa, he made her want to better herself, and made her believe it was all possible. He'd instilled faith in her, when no one else had. She let herself give in to him and fall for him, even after she'd been so afraid after what had happened with Hess.

She felt ashamed now. Foolish and weak. And she was angry. So very angry. Flames licked her heart, turning the pieces to ashes inside her. She was blindsided! She should've been told a long time ago, when he first thought and felt he would be moving on from her. The worst part was, he wasn't here for her to be angry at. Lavira was. The woman so much more worthy of him than she. It wouldn't be fair to take it out on her. It would be unbecoming for the Chiet, and she didn't need any enemies at her door, especially ones with so much influence. Angering or upsetting an Endal could prove almost fatal at times, a situation Euthisa very much wanted to avoid. Just as she wanted to avoid this one.

The tears came. She couldn't stop them. She tried with all the might she had left to hold them back, put on a bolder face, and be on her way and away from all this pain. But she couldn't. She managed to not sob in front of this girl, that'd be even more embarrassing than this already was. But a few tears already rolled down her cheeks, and the wells in her eyes were far from dry. She brought her gaze up to Lavira's, everything about her features apologizing for her display when words failed her. But the Endal wasn't finished yet. There was more to this conversation than just telling her that Kovac was with her.

She continued on, explaining she only wished for him to be happy, and if they could be friends and work together to make keep him that way. The thought shouldn't have surprised the Chiet. It was almost nature for Inartans to behave in such a way, but Euthisa had never been like her peers. She'd always stood apart from them on many things, relationships and liaisons included. She didn't keep her own feelings a secret from herself. She loved Kovac, deeply. And she could be a big enough girl to try and ignore her own pain for the sake of his lack of it. Her mindset was as such: he'd wronged her, by not coming to her about it long ago, and by not telling her himself when it really got serious. He'd hurt her when she'd trusted him not to, and he knew that as well. But no matter how much pain she felt from his hands, she couldn't bring herself to turn such horrid emotions back on him. She couldn't stand the thought of him ever feeling even a fraction of what she felt in this moment.

Finally able to muster words, Euthisa looked at Lavira, tears streaming silently, but she didn't move to flee and wallow in her sorrow. She faced it head on, and remained ground in her seat. Choking back her emotions, her voice was a bit shaky, but otherwise, as clear and unaffected as usual. Delicate hands wiped her face as she talked. "I'm sorry for my lack of control right now, Lavira. I can see this isn't much easier for you than it is for me. And I apologize if my display makes it worse. I can't help it though. If I might be frank with you..." She took a slow deep breath and continued.

"I love him more than you and he both know. And I'm completely crushed by this, but I love him enough to put that aside as best I can for his sake. I only ever wanted him to be happy too, though I was naive enough not to consider that I may not be the one meant to make him that way. Nevertheless, I'm happy he has you, even if that means I am without him. I always knew it'd take someone extra special to truly get a hold on him, and I have no doubts that you fit perfectly with him.

Also for his sake, and perhaps selfishly a bit of my own, I can agree to being friends with you, but you must give me time to get past my emotions first. I hold no ill will against you, and I only temporarily do against him for my pain. It will fade, I assure you. I care too much to hold it for long. I'll only grasp it long enough to let go of him and then I'll be fine. You needn't worry about sharing him though. I could never do that. I stand apart from our people in my viewpoint of such scenarios. I have no judgments mind you, but I just simply couldn't share him. So I will have the utmost respect for the two of you, and I will let go... Take care of him, okay? For both of us." Despite the wildfires raging inside her, Euthisa managed to muster a weak smile.

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