Windward Market - Docks|A Reasonable Time of Morning
It was a glorious thing, made of white limestone and bleached wood, bustling with people coming and going on trade business or pleasure. The tall man nodded warmly to those he knew, hand on his chest in a symbolic gesture that simply translated meant ‘Hulali keep you.’ Ship hands shouted to each other, moving cargo up ramps and into storage, whilst Pilots brokered deals with fellow Captains in fast conversation and animated gestures. There were priests, leading worship to Hulali in the sandstone streets, pouring water into the dirt and sharing kofi in traditional ceremony. Children ran between the people, laughing and shouting, neighborhood dogs chasing behind with wagging tails and excited barks.
“Ayah, Demkaih! What brings you to Windward Market Docks?” A loud voice called out from overhead. The blue eyed Mugrobi looked up, shielding his eyes to find a woman hanging from the side of a small sand colored airship, grin splitting her face and wild blonde curls barely tamed away from her face by a bright orange scarf. Her dark skin was marred with ceremonial scars along her upper arms, and her vibrant turquoise eyes were full of friendly welcome. Demkaih waved at her, though he didn’t stop his journey through the bustle of the dock.
“My sister Alyiah, she is coming home today from the frozen West.” Swinging off a loose cable hanging from the bladder that floated above her cabin, the woman soared through the air, landing with a graceful bounce just before the taller man. She waved her hand, waggling a finger up at him.
“You didn’t tell me you had a sister my friend! Tell me, is she as beautiful as you are handsome?” The blonde said slyly, catching a pink tongue between white teeth with a ridiculous grin. Demkaih chuckled, pressing his hand to his chest.
“Indeed. She is more beautiful than the sun setting over the Turga on a cool winters eve. You insult her by presuming I can live up to such standards.” The shaved man said with a hint of amusement to his tone, one brow arched slightly. Alyiah laughed loudly, reaching for his arm with soft fingers and a suggestive sidestep.
“Maybe she can convince you to come out for a dance and some drinks for once, instead of working yourself to an early grave.” With a fluid movement, the dark skinned Mugrobi avoided her touch and turned mid stride to step away from her and continue his walking.
“Hulali keep you Alyiah!” He called over his shoulder, leaving the airship crewman standing with hands on hips, shaking her head after his departing form. Demkaih weaved through more people, the crowds pressing together as the street narrowed into a bottle neck, the tall man having to duck under a scarlet bolt of cotton strung out above their heads to dry in the morning sun. He took a left sharply, climbing a set of pale stone stairs two at a time, before emerging on the rooftop of a large building. Each other building was interconnected by gangways and ramps, creating a whole plaza right above the streets. Even here, there were traders and stall holders, children and animals. Overhead airships hovered, either entering or exiting the docking stations. The man made his way along the rows of people, the shouts of officials with their manifests and passenger lists nothing more than background noise.
Towards the very end of the plaza was the docking station for those coming in from Anaxas, and per Desdemona’s letter, she would be arriving this morning. A severe case of whooping cough, the letter had said, and some time away from the wet winter of Anaxas would do the younger girl some good. Demkaih had been wanting Anna home for seasons, for years. He knew her passion for the work she did in Anaxas but for the love of Hulali he worried about her. Was she eating enough? Did she have enough money? Was she safe?
It was enough to make a man loose his hair.
Slowing by the station, the Entrepreneur clasped his hands behind his back, standing tall and straight with a face of calm that didn’t at all express the great many concerns that plagued him about his sister. After their father had died, Dem had been adamant she would be under his protection and his care, and by Hulali’s Great Oceans even if it killed him thats what he would do. Taking a deep breath, the older man watched for her ship, and waited.