Building sequence, Tos and his Poetry
The Hillenbohn Sollit home in Jon was built in stages. The cellar was first, dug out for multiple purposes: a safe place in case of storms (tornadoes), eventual food storage, and harvesting clay for use to make bricks for the rest of the house. They probably lived in that stage for a few months until they could procure enough wood for the floorboards between the cellar and first floor. Not sure if there would have been a mix of clay and wood, but it is 6" to a foot thick to insulate like the walls. It may have taken another year to finish the final floor.
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Which it seemed the worst-case scenario was constantly at her heels this year. Embers that refused to go out no matter what she tried, always threatening to flare up again and burst into an inferno that was beyond her control.
Sray didn't want the moment to end. It felt so good and right to be tucked into his chest and just let him hold her there in the illusion that everything was going to be alright. She knew Tos would stand there forever. The sun could set and moons rise or the wind twist itself into a tornado and he would hold on as long as she let him. He wouldn't dare break the spell that seemed to keep them together, it had to be her.
After what felt like an eternity, but still not long enough she opened her eyes. For the first time she noticed the fine, soft textured weave of his shirt. She lifted her head and Tos moved his and for a moment their cheeks brushed against each other.
She pushed against his chest and he reluctantly let her take a step back. She didn't move far enough to require him to let go. He brought his left hand up and carefully brushed her hair back behind her ear, his fingers running lightly along her neck before resting on her shoulder.
"Certainly those amethyst eyes
Will someday drop their needless guise
And see clearly what before them lies.
No more are they needing to hide
The desire that doth behind them reside
Close the chasm that was once so wide
Between what was wanted and needed
Answer the call that has gone unheeded
In finding joy to have finally succeeded."