Zeltiva - The Streets Overlooking the Dock
85th of Spring, 512 AV
The sea was calmer, lighter, and bore an atmosphere of innocence, as if it hadn't wrecked the Zeltivan docks and hadn't drowned a good few of its citizens. It lapped playfully at the restructured piers that donned a pale, salty foam that seemed to beckon children and sailors alike to come and have a swim. But, it seemed to have regained nobody's trust since the unfortunate event. The many ships that were docked appeared cautious, with their security packed tighter, their protocols reorganized and modified. The uniformed men who manned the stations all scowled and wore bags underneath their eyes; they had all undoubtedly experienced countless sleepless nights due to the loss of loved ones. Despite their lack of cheer and zest, the sky continued to glow a magnificent turquoise, and the sun kissed the entire city with a bright warm glow. The sea continued to entice the ships to set sail, to persuade the city's inhabitants to return to it and enjoy its splendors once more, but no such thing occured. It was clear that it would take a little more time before the people of Zeltiva could let go of what was lost from the terrible storm.
She stood along with the many who wore content smiles, or who managed a little chuckle or two. Some people had effectively rid themselves of the pains brought about by the storm, while others were almost on their way to recovery as well. It was the sailors and the workers at the dock who needed a lot of time to recuperate, as many of their dearest friends and loved ones had been washed away by the tidal wave. Their glares met the obelisks often, and the pair of ominous towers glared back defensively. Only the few who had not lost anyone or anything gave appreciation to the brand new wood used to repair the docks; a thick wood of unknown origin with a rich color that had many assume it to be redwood. It barely creaked or squeaked, and instead it shined. It wasn't slippery, however, and in fact, it seemed to work a whole lot better than the old docks. She let the crowd thin and thicken as more and more people entered and left the city; the sun had just risen, and yet the streets near the docks were already filling with people.
She stared blankly at the rolling waves and sighed, licking her lips as she wondered for a moment what it would be like to swim in salt water. She donned her brand new white dress, a newly purchased pair of shoes, and a rather charming brimmed hat. The sleeveless dress fit her form along her torso until the flattering ebony silk sash that sat around her waist, with the bottom flowing freely and ending just above her knees. She completed her ensemble with a pair of beige leather shoes that reached just below her ankles, and her alluring woven hat with the round top and bent brim. She looked fresh, vibrant, and full of life; a stark opposite to the pale, grim faces of the men by the piers. She had taken her sweet time admiring the impressiveness of the docks. Four large piers were placed along the front; they were long enough and wide enough to support a ship fit for hundreds, though there had yet to be such a thing of that size to set its ropes along them. Twenty smaller piers were placed at regular intervals between the main ones, and they were all teeming with boats and little ships that carried its passengers in and out of the city.
As the crowd of people entering Zeltiva had thinned out, with most of the people entering taverns, inns, and other buildings, she watched the other people leaving Zeltiva board their respective boats and ships. A soft smile graced her lips as she watched a few of them hug their loved ones and wave goodbye with joyous smiles plastered upon their faces, yet their eyes shed many tears. It was an endearing sight. She looked back at her time at the White Isle, when it was her turn to leave - her mother wore a face filled with dread and forlorn, as if she was certain that she would meet her demise. Her grandmother, on the other hand, was filled with hope and thankfulness.
"My granddaughter is going to be famous one day," she mouthed the words she'd told her before her ship had set sail. And despite her mother's sad look, she'd managed to smile and nod confidently in agreement. "Yes, she will be," she said happily. And Erudite believed it; she believed them. Her thoughts had her drifting into a distant, distracting reverie, one filled with sentimental memories and heartfelt moments.
A sudden gust of wind blew towards her, causing her dress to billow around her, and her hair to flip about behind her back. Her thoughts drew her away from the comforting breeze; her little woven hat flew off of her head and soared behind her, causing her to jerk and turn around with a slight gasp. But it was too late, and her hand reached out for mere air as the hat floated away from her grasps.
85th of Spring, 512 AV
The sea was calmer, lighter, and bore an atmosphere of innocence, as if it hadn't wrecked the Zeltivan docks and hadn't drowned a good few of its citizens. It lapped playfully at the restructured piers that donned a pale, salty foam that seemed to beckon children and sailors alike to come and have a swim. But, it seemed to have regained nobody's trust since the unfortunate event. The many ships that were docked appeared cautious, with their security packed tighter, their protocols reorganized and modified. The uniformed men who manned the stations all scowled and wore bags underneath their eyes; they had all undoubtedly experienced countless sleepless nights due to the loss of loved ones. Despite their lack of cheer and zest, the sky continued to glow a magnificent turquoise, and the sun kissed the entire city with a bright warm glow. The sea continued to entice the ships to set sail, to persuade the city's inhabitants to return to it and enjoy its splendors once more, but no such thing occured. It was clear that it would take a little more time before the people of Zeltiva could let go of what was lost from the terrible storm.
She stood along with the many who wore content smiles, or who managed a little chuckle or two. Some people had effectively rid themselves of the pains brought about by the storm, while others were almost on their way to recovery as well. It was the sailors and the workers at the dock who needed a lot of time to recuperate, as many of their dearest friends and loved ones had been washed away by the tidal wave. Their glares met the obelisks often, and the pair of ominous towers glared back defensively. Only the few who had not lost anyone or anything gave appreciation to the brand new wood used to repair the docks; a thick wood of unknown origin with a rich color that had many assume it to be redwood. It barely creaked or squeaked, and instead it shined. It wasn't slippery, however, and in fact, it seemed to work a whole lot better than the old docks. She let the crowd thin and thicken as more and more people entered and left the city; the sun had just risen, and yet the streets near the docks were already filling with people.
She stared blankly at the rolling waves and sighed, licking her lips as she wondered for a moment what it would be like to swim in salt water. She donned her brand new white dress, a newly purchased pair of shoes, and a rather charming brimmed hat. The sleeveless dress fit her form along her torso until the flattering ebony silk sash that sat around her waist, with the bottom flowing freely and ending just above her knees. She completed her ensemble with a pair of beige leather shoes that reached just below her ankles, and her alluring woven hat with the round top and bent brim. She looked fresh, vibrant, and full of life; a stark opposite to the pale, grim faces of the men by the piers. She had taken her sweet time admiring the impressiveness of the docks. Four large piers were placed along the front; they were long enough and wide enough to support a ship fit for hundreds, though there had yet to be such a thing of that size to set its ropes along them. Twenty smaller piers were placed at regular intervals between the main ones, and they were all teeming with boats and little ships that carried its passengers in and out of the city.
As the crowd of people entering Zeltiva had thinned out, with most of the people entering taverns, inns, and other buildings, she watched the other people leaving Zeltiva board their respective boats and ships. A soft smile graced her lips as she watched a few of them hug their loved ones and wave goodbye with joyous smiles plastered upon their faces, yet their eyes shed many tears. It was an endearing sight. She looked back at her time at the White Isle, when it was her turn to leave - her mother wore a face filled with dread and forlorn, as if she was certain that she would meet her demise. Her grandmother, on the other hand, was filled with hope and thankfulness.
"My granddaughter is going to be famous one day," she mouthed the words she'd told her before her ship had set sail. And despite her mother's sad look, she'd managed to smile and nod confidently in agreement. "Yes, she will be," she said happily. And Erudite believed it; she believed them. Her thoughts had her drifting into a distant, distracting reverie, one filled with sentimental memories and heartfelt moments.
A sudden gust of wind blew towards her, causing her dress to billow around her, and her hair to flip about behind her back. Her thoughts drew her away from the comforting breeze; her little woven hat flew off of her head and soared behind her, causing her to jerk and turn around with a slight gasp. But it was too late, and her hand reached out for mere air as the hat floated away from her grasps.
