PM to join Down by the water and up in the sky [Lock]

[Valo]

53rd Winter 512AV The dock Later afternoon, as the sun grew tiered in the sky The eyes of an artist are keen and with those every eyes he observed the world around him and those very eyes lay upon nothing out of the ordinary, yet a statement to the very fabric of Zeltiva. For despite it's wealth in knowledge and order the city was by all means the gleaming pearl of Laviku. a harbour like no other. A harbour which brought shame upon all those other unimpressive harbours in other cities of Mizahar. And the efficiency of Zeltiva's dock was perhaps even more astonishing than the sheer size of it. And this the artist watched, sitting somewhere to the side, on a bench by a wall. Small and insignificant he was, clad in grey with only the vibrant red hair to mark his presence as something of exotic nature. A sketchbook on his lap and with soft pencils he drew into a freshly completed watercolour painting of the dock at sun rise. Line by line, gentle shading and cross hatching, linear marks and good understanding of tonal work with perhaps a little practice needed to fully exhibit that. Though the action was a more motor action than one greatly paid attention to. For Valo's eyes were fixed on the goings on of the dock. A ship eased smoothly into a resting position and ramps were drawn down and it seemed that all the passengers, though few of them, spilled out onto the cobbled at once. And from all around men began gathering, for the ship of quite an impressive size was a cargo ship, bringing all sorts of goods into Zeltiva. A horse pulled wagon already awaited close by with the patience of two great brown mares lingering passively in almost trance like static. Two tame beasts. Valo watched as swarms of muscular men, bear men that reminded him greatly of Ricky perhaps, assumed their positions and began uploading the vessel. Burlap sack after sack, crate after crate and barrel after barrel. Each stacked neatly onto the wagon in a manner preservative of space. No doubt a great load. And when one wagon was filled, another showed up seemingly out of nowhere, only to mimic precisely the action of the first. A perfect copy, a well trained occupation and horses just as tame. Little time passed before all was unloaded and the wagons had disappeared, making for their destinations in utmost hurry. And the crowds of sailors and workmen diffused also, no doubt to the Grotto for an evening supper. Or perhaps the kelp bar for a salty taste Zeltiva's alcohol. And it seemed magical to the artist, who quietly observed the spectacle in all it's entirety, how quickly it had all happened and how quiet the dock now remained. At this time of day, when the sun grows tiered in the sky and begins to drift down readily, and at this very point in the season, the traffic of the dock seems far less than at any other point in the year. With a gentle sigh Valo leaned back against the wall, a manner of subtle defeat. With the affairs of the city at hand, he concentrated little on his artwork and had not progressed with it at all.

[Lock Cicuta]

Lock walked through the bustling docks. As the sun began to sink towards the horizon the first of the fishing boats started to arrive back at the docks. Loud, fishy, and pungent were the docks. A strong odor of fish, sea-salt, sweat, and kelp permeated the air. Lock's boots crunched on the scummy ground speckled with the opalescent glittering of fish scales. The man shivered slightly, the bone-snapper came of the sea most strongly here, making the docks go freezing cold every time a gust rose off the waves. Tugging his cloak tighter he continued marching on. As Lock approached a boat he decided to rest up against a wall; the boat was unloading it stores and a swarm of workers surrounded it. Lock watched as they began to enter into a monotonous dance of sending off it's stores, all the little workers. All of them going through their little motions like the little worthless tools they are. His eyes turned into the chips of callous ice they became when he thought no one was watching. Face going eerily expressionless he continued to observe, watching and waiting. Who knew what valuable information he could gather from the docks? As the last of the workers dispersed Lock decided to exit the scene, as far as he could tell nothing of interest was to be gained. I have better things to do with my time, acquaintances to make and plans to plot. Turning on his heels he strode away from the wall, walking at a brisk pace. So fast he was going he almost didn't catch sight of a man sitting on the nearby bench, luckily the flaming bright hair against dreary grey caught his attention. Lock paused and quietly turned to look at the man. The red-haired man was younger and looked, to put it frankly, morose. In his hands was some sort of drawing. Hmmm, a depressed artist, worth it? Well I won't lose anything. Lock walked slowly towards him, moving at a languid pace, as though to make up for his previous expenditure of energy. Stopping just short of the redhead he remembered in the nick of time to put on his other face, a new visage. Sharp, hard features slipped behind a calm, cool air. Speaking just loud enough to be heard above the docks he said, “What are you working on there? I couldn't stop from being intrigued.”

[Jade Callisto]

Jade flipped her long curly brown hair to the side. She carefully removed a strand of hair that was still in her face. The men working gave her a smile and she smiled back. She wasn't interested in men like that. She hated the smell of fish and sweat. But if she could get a drink out of it, she would smile and giggle until she had enough. Being on the docks reminded her of visiting her Konti sister on the Suvan Sea. She watched her hurt a lot of men. Was that something she wanted to do? Probably. But not like her sister. Princess gave a bark loud enough ft everyone to hear in the direction of the man with very long red hair and another man. Jade was curious and just watched. She placed a hand on her hip. What in the world is going on? Was the man with the mask trying to rob him? She didn't know and planned on watching. She leaned against a railing that separated her from the boats. She ordered her dog to sit.

[Valo]

“What are you working on there? I couldn't stop from being intrigued.” Valo's eyes were on the water before him, gazing passively for the smooth line of the horizon. His hands working yet again, creating nothing but soft lines of charcoal where needed. And when a man approached him, his eyes did not divert to look upon his face and he would remember him as just a voice.He spoke passively and with disinterest. "Intrigue is the downfall of men." he spoke, his voice impassive. Fora prolonged moment his eyes fell to his work, taking a little more interest in it and working with meticulous motions. The metallic glisten of the charcoal now began to pick out details, tiny lines and marks. It was only after that moment that the muted green of his irises finally surrendered and, without directly facing the stranger, Valo's head cooked up a little and those eyes of his rested upon the figure before him. A man, no older than him self. A mask upon his face. "I tell you most solemnly sir, loitering about the doc in these desperate times is not advised. What may a gentleman such as your self seek from a mere artist?" His words were heavy. "If it is art you wish for, give me a commission and I will have it done before the season if out." There was a loud bark at that very moment that snapped the red head from his daze. And in that very moment he once more became alert, posture perfect unlike the previous slumping against the wall and he looked about him self, seeking the origin of the noise. Sure as anything, his eyes momentarily rested on the dog who's eyes were on him. and beside that dog was a girl with luscious brown locks, leaning against the railing that separated her from the wood of the boats and the cool of the sea. Nothing to cause him discomfort and so his attention finally rested on the man who addressed him.