The cobblestones were rough upon the avenue in this forgotten corner of Ul'dah. Frequented more often by beggars and ne'er-do-wells than tradesman or Brass Blades, it was not exactly the sort of space a young woman liked to cross on near daily basis. But, space was always at a premium in the city, and that is just where the dancers had found affordable room for their studio.Â
She was just returning from a double-session, first in the morning, second that afternoon with a break for lunch in between. Two different groups were preparing for performances, and neither minded having Aya join their sessions. It was not just practice and exercise, but more than that: an indulgence. Although she would rather have been performing, at least she was dancing, and that is what mattered in the depths of her heart.
The smile she bore as she walked through the rugged avenue reflected upon the truth that dire surrounds were no impediment to happiness. There would be leers, even jeers and catcalls, but mostly it was friendly waves, and nods of the head between her and the local residents whom she had come to know over the past year. She did what was usual, trying to spread a little good cheer where she went. It wasn't quite ritual: but it was routine.
Her heeled boots made their tell-tale sound as she passed step-by-step along the broad sweep of the avenue that spoke to the fruitless high hopes of its original planners. As she glanced up she noticed something strange upon one of the balcony's hanging off to the side of the route. She was familiar with the spot, an angle in an alleyway that provided a phenomenal view of the sandstone neighborhood sprawling below. However, what made the sight unusual was puff of blue and red hair rising from the head of a diminutive Lalafel.
She shook her head, she must be seeing things—moons ago she had lead Kage there, when it seemed like he hung upon the edge of a precipice. She always imagined him floating above the business of the trivial business of the day-to-day; stuck in a never ending search for a grounding anchor. He had once found three to secure himself to. But in subsequent misfortunes each had crumbled beneath him: the clan, the Sworn, and Natalie. Aya had tried to help him, to offer what advice she could. And that had been the spot she had chosen for it.
She looked away, blinking slowly as if making herself conscious of any disruption to her vision. She turned her gaze back, and there he was once more. Looking around with an expression of mixed hesitation and expectation. It really wasn't the sort of place she thought Kage would normally hang around.
She turned from her path, ascending the stairs and rounding the corners of the alley before passing under the archway that lead to the corner-balcony.
"Kage? What are you doing up here?" she asked softly. There was no longer any doubt that it was him.
She was just returning from a double-session, first in the morning, second that afternoon with a break for lunch in between. Two different groups were preparing for performances, and neither minded having Aya join their sessions. It was not just practice and exercise, but more than that: an indulgence. Although she would rather have been performing, at least she was dancing, and that is what mattered in the depths of her heart.
The smile she bore as she walked through the rugged avenue reflected upon the truth that dire surrounds were no impediment to happiness. There would be leers, even jeers and catcalls, but mostly it was friendly waves, and nods of the head between her and the local residents whom she had come to know over the past year. She did what was usual, trying to spread a little good cheer where she went. It wasn't quite ritual: but it was routine.
Her heeled boots made their tell-tale sound as she passed step-by-step along the broad sweep of the avenue that spoke to the fruitless high hopes of its original planners. As she glanced up she noticed something strange upon one of the balcony's hanging off to the side of the route. She was familiar with the spot, an angle in an alleyway that provided a phenomenal view of the sandstone neighborhood sprawling below. However, what made the sight unusual was puff of blue and red hair rising from the head of a diminutive Lalafel.
She shook her head, she must be seeing things—moons ago she had lead Kage there, when it seemed like he hung upon the edge of a precipice. She always imagined him floating above the business of the trivial business of the day-to-day; stuck in a never ending search for a grounding anchor. He had once found three to secure himself to. But in subsequent misfortunes each had crumbled beneath him: the clan, the Sworn, and Natalie. Aya had tried to help him, to offer what advice she could. And that had been the spot she had chosen for it.
She looked away, blinking slowly as if making herself conscious of any disruption to her vision. She turned her gaze back, and there he was once more. Looking around with an expression of mixed hesitation and expectation. It really wasn't the sort of place she thought Kage would normally hang around.
She turned from her path, ascending the stairs and rounding the corners of the alley before passing under the archway that lead to the corner-balcony.
"Kage? What are you doing up here?" she asked softly. There was no longer any doubt that it was him.
![[Image: 21282370099_a814a08664_o.png]](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/590/21282370099_a814a08664_o.png)
