15th of Summer, 517 A.V.
The sands of the beach's edge mixed and intermingled with the dirt and sediment of the forest creating a multicolored and very tropical-looking soil. The mixed soil that Trevor's boots squished into in particular was somewhat damp; the small stream that had caused this wetness of the earth could be heard bubbling calmly in the background of the rainforest's ever-present cacophony of birds, crickets, and many critters--some of which were mysterious and some which were mundane, but which almost all were at least somewhat noisy.
Trevor followed the quietly crashing waterway that the locals of Syka had told him would take him to the settlement's resident expert on all things foliage. Upon taking his first steps upstream and into Syka's jungles, it did not take long at all for Trevor to sight the hanging home of said herbalist.
A splendid mix of utility and simplicity and grace personified, the building that overhung the bubbling spring was little more than a couple of roofed, open platforms. In contrast to many of the structures that Trevor's life had led him to happening upon, this house--and most of Syka's houses--was more a part of the environment that it was a promise of an escape from the wilds; the raised, jungle house simply swung peacefully over the small river that Trevor had used as a landmark--it was almost no more of a break in the land than a bird's nest, or a deer's bedding.
Trevor took a breath a smiled shyly to himself, as he climbed up the banks of the small stream and came to the entrance that led into the proposed expert's home. The young man looked around; the house had neither door nor walls if one did not count the framing of the shelter, because of this Trevor was not sure of how he was supposed to announce his presence.
Trevor pursed his lips, wondering just what to do, short of invading another's home--he didn't see anyone within the very open shelter and there didn't appear to be any hidden sections to the home.
Trevor proposed to himself that perhaps no one was home.
"Hello," a kind voice said from behind the young man; the voice neither seemed to question Trevor's presence or to too strongly declare its owner, it had the quality of merely being a pleasantry that was truly meant to only convey pleasantry.
Trevor turned to face the woman who had come up behind him. The young man smiled at the short haired, blond female.
"Afternoon," Trevor said through a small and genuinely polite smile.
"Ugh," Trevor made the noise not out of a lack of confidence, but more endearingly.
"Sorry, I hope I didn't interrupt anything," Trevor said in a tone that indicated that Uta could politely dismiss him if she were indeed busy.
"No, I was just taking a walk," Uta replied kindly, in a manner that suggested she was not bothered by Trevor's interruption.
Trevor felt his mind settle, knowing that he wasn't being received as rude. It was then that the man's relaxing mind took in a deeper looking over of the person before him, consciously noticing for the first time that Uta was holding something in her hand--a weaved, wicker basket, from which some form of shrubbery was spilling out of.
"Picking some plants?" Trevor asked in a calm tone, inviting Uta to talk about what the young man figured would direct the conversation in a way that was favorable to his purpose for seeking out Uta and that he assumed to be something she might be excited about sharing, considering that she was rumored to be Syka's resident plant expert.
Uta's face displayed a bit of interest in Trevor's question.
"How'd you know that?" Uta inquired with an air of good-willed curiosity.
Trevor chuckled just slightly.
"Just the basket," he said. "I couldn't tell you what you've got there, but it doesn't look like vegetables."
Uta nodded.
"It's Quassia; it's a type of insect repellant," the woman explained.
Trevor's mouth formed an "O" shape in passing recognition of Uta's explanation.
"Oh, well that's lucky, with all the bugs and everything around here," Trevor said.
Uta smiled just slightly.
"The forest has all kinds of treasures in it," the woman said.
"So, were you looking for me, or?" Uta went on to inquire.
Trevor felt the faintest of blushes cross his face, knowing that he was making small talk outside someone's home.
"Ha, sorry. I didn't mean to corner you, or anything," Trevor said good-heartedly. "I was hoping you had been home. I was actually looking to talk with you. I had just gotten to your door actually."
Trevor put his arm behind his head, in an effort to convey that he realized that his presence could have been taken as odd.
"But I guess a stranger waiting outside your home might seem a little odd," Trevor said.
Uta laughed at Trevor's explanation and apology.
"Do you want to come in?" the woman said, gesturing to her door and seemingly saying that she was not worried by Trevor's presence and that she accepted based on his tone and overall demeanor that he came with good intentions.
"Sure," Trevor replied happily; meanwhile, he also sighing internally in relief at Uta's acceptance.
Seasonal Wordcount = 884 + 0 = 884