Settling in Envy

[Ti of the Dancing Dead]

2nd of Fall 16th Bell Cliffside Grotto Ti furrowed his brow in disappointment. Contrary to his expectations there was no work to be found here, no basket weavers or fine mat makers as he imagined, using the local plantlife as they would in his jungle homeland. The Cliffside Grotto, he had been told this place is called, possessed the fiery aesthetic the locals described this season. Up and down the steep staircases the Myrian walked. Syna’s glow filtered brilliantly through the leaves of the trees, lighting the reds, oranges, and yellows; illuminating the park like it had been set ablaze. Every tier was so serene, despite the rolling booms heard all over the park. The Bluevein River roared into Ti’s ears as it poured thunderously into the bay. It was a wonder to him how anyone who lived near this thing got anything done, yet here people were conversing intimately with their partners, meditating to themselves, and praying. The park was sheltered from the falls, yet he could hear the water as if it were only a few dozen feet away. Ti looked up, past the highest tier of the park, past the tallest canopies, and saw countless droplets of water peppering the sky. Shot into the air by the falls, the mist drift through the air painting a rainbow before settling on his skin. Combined with the fall wind that breezes from the Suvan, this natural paradise set the perfect condition to create a personal living hell for Ti. Dira end his suffering now, it was slightly cold.! The Myrian wrapped his arms around himself. How did anyone in this city tolerate such a horrific climate? Looking around, Ti took note of the couples strolling the park with great curiosity. To his surprise, they were looking back at him with the same interest painted across their faces. What for? Contrasting them from himself, he found that the banquet of blue and pale skin with inquisitive eyes pointed at him had donned cotton and leather tops, pants, and cloaks. Some men and women were sporting what was, in summary, armor. His gazed moved from them to himself. Observing himself from his unashamed chest to his toes, which were wiggling in the dirt, he felt something was lacking. Aside from a small cotton fabric wrapped around and rested low on his hips, like an improvised skirt, he was completely bare. If the sheet were a finger or two lower and one might catch a glimpse of his delicates. This was how he dressed. It was completely normal among the roads of Taloba. For the first time in his life, he felt uncomfortable being scantily clad. Embarrassment pinched the back of his mind. He looked so different. His own unorthodox garmentry aside, he figured that all the clothing on the strangers surrounding him was undoubtedly how they kept warm. Everyone around him looked rather dashing, in such nice, flowing dresses and shirts that complemented the men’s arms. Envy washed over Ti. He needed to look like these strange people. Look like them first, then he would look for work. A nice cloak would surely impress his future superiors. Now where on earth would he get one?