-Age 16-
"Oh I'm sure of it madam, you've taken the wrong set of stairs. I've lived here my whole life and still get lost on occasion!" Tomas spoke in the most friendly of tones to the Elezen woman, a hand on her shoulder as she was pointing away the markets and back toward the planks headed to the docks. "I'm positive that the merhcant you need is back that way. Come on, I'll take you. I know that sly dog and he's likely to nab any extra coin he can so I'll make sure he doesn't take you what for." The two walked toward the planks and the sun was bright overhead.
Melodia watched as they turned to walk, she pushed off of the wall, her blood rushing and her heart pounding. If Taurin has taught her anything it was to ignore this racing impulse and to wait.
To wait for that one moment, when all the windows of time met in a perfect harmony, when the forces at work between the Twelve and those walking in the city met in a precise moment of time. That was when the lift needed to happen. Not because her damned heart was beating faster.
As she followed some paces behind, she could hear him scolding her in her mind. "Mind your distance, girl. Like a hunt, you don't want to spook the mark." She treated every lift as a hunt, a game in which she needed to win. Her vest was light and was in desparate need of coin. This Elezen had best be holding.
As Tomas and the woman headed down the more isolated plank she knew it was time. Again Taurin, always the teacher in her mind. "Now, damn you! NOW!" She moved, quickly, running, and yet looking a bit absent-mindedly and suddenly collided with the woman, both going to ground.
"Oh my...pardon me clumsiness, I din' mean ta....are ye hurt, I c'n call fer a healer." She was a stream of words, panicked and jumbled, her face a youthful nervous panicked expression as she was trying to paw at the woman to help her up. Tomas, knowing his role well, extended a hand to help the woman up. "Oy! Here now, relax! Madam, I apologize for this one's rude behavior." At his calming voice she looked to him and it was then.....that perfect moment.
And the small bag of coin she had felt when she had initially pawed at her was snatched and into her hand with the softest touch before she pushed down onto the woman to gain her balance. "Aye...ag'in me lady....I'm sor'y fer th'...." She began, pleading with her eyes, watching Tomas guide her to her feet.
"Well you ought to be more careful. Though I was young once....so I can understand." The woman was smiling gently and Tomas spoke next, harshly.
"Off with you!" He looked to the woman apologetically. "I apologize...the homeless kids around here...they like to cause trouble." He glared at Melodia. "Be off damn it!" Melodia nodded three times with her head lowered and bolted.
Once back in Hawker's Alley she waited. After a bit, Tomas approached and laughed. "She think's I'll be back...we better push off soon. And that rank amateur move...knocking her down? Tsk tsk!"
"Aye....she's in love wit' ye, th' charmer boy. An' look, she's a tall one...jes' used her size as'n added benefit fer us." She giggled and stood. "Let's head back then....she looked th' type'd be searchin' for us quick-like." The two then headed back into the crowd and prepared to head back.
"Oh I'm sure of it madam, you've taken the wrong set of stairs. I've lived here my whole life and still get lost on occasion!" Tomas spoke in the most friendly of tones to the Elezen woman, a hand on her shoulder as she was pointing away the markets and back toward the planks headed to the docks. "I'm positive that the merhcant you need is back that way. Come on, I'll take you. I know that sly dog and he's likely to nab any extra coin he can so I'll make sure he doesn't take you what for." The two walked toward the planks and the sun was bright overhead.
Melodia watched as they turned to walk, she pushed off of the wall, her blood rushing and her heart pounding. If Taurin has taught her anything it was to ignore this racing impulse and to wait.
To wait for that one moment, when all the windows of time met in a perfect harmony, when the forces at work between the Twelve and those walking in the city met in a precise moment of time. That was when the lift needed to happen. Not because her damned heart was beating faster.
As she followed some paces behind, she could hear him scolding her in her mind. "Mind your distance, girl. Like a hunt, you don't want to spook the mark." She treated every lift as a hunt, a game in which she needed to win. Her vest was light and was in desparate need of coin. This Elezen had best be holding.
As Tomas and the woman headed down the more isolated plank she knew it was time. Again Taurin, always the teacher in her mind. "Now, damn you! NOW!" She moved, quickly, running, and yet looking a bit absent-mindedly and suddenly collided with the woman, both going to ground.
"Oh my...pardon me clumsiness, I din' mean ta....are ye hurt, I c'n call fer a healer." She was a stream of words, panicked and jumbled, her face a youthful nervous panicked expression as she was trying to paw at the woman to help her up. Tomas, knowing his role well, extended a hand to help the woman up. "Oy! Here now, relax! Madam, I apologize for this one's rude behavior." At his calming voice she looked to him and it was then.....that perfect moment.
And the small bag of coin she had felt when she had initially pawed at her was snatched and into her hand with the softest touch before she pushed down onto the woman to gain her balance. "Aye...ag'in me lady....I'm sor'y fer th'...." She began, pleading with her eyes, watching Tomas guide her to her feet.
"Well you ought to be more careful. Though I was young once....so I can understand." The woman was smiling gently and Tomas spoke next, harshly.
"Off with you!" He looked to the woman apologetically. "I apologize...the homeless kids around here...they like to cause trouble." He glared at Melodia. "Be off damn it!" Melodia nodded three times with her head lowered and bolted.
Once back in Hawker's Alley she waited. After a bit, Tomas approached and laughed. "She think's I'll be back...we better push off soon. And that rank amateur move...knocking her down? Tsk tsk!"
"Aye....she's in love wit' ye, th' charmer boy. An' look, she's a tall one...jes' used her size as'n added benefit fer us." She giggled and stood. "Let's head back then....she looked th' type'd be searchin' for us quick-like." The two then headed back into the crowd and prepared to head back.
