Chapter 2 - 4 Looking Up, Looking Down. Beautiful, right?
Unfortunately for the girl, her escapades across rooftops, no matter how common, don't transfer to being able to navigate this labyrinth. Tall buildings obscure views of destinations, and apparently the concept of street signs and directions haven't made their way to Gewita plains.
Standing here now, the icy winds swim around the sky, the edge of Sky Island 86. Koenwin had led to the prime place for a young girl who sought a nice view. There were some... delays, for the journey, however. No matter how he tries, Koenwin can't seem to shake the 'dunce' side of him. Walking down the entirely wrong streets, getting lost at crossroads, endlessly having to halt and scratch his head in thought. He himself caught some shouts from shopkeepers, clearly they dislike strange-looking people cluelessly strolling through their stores and storage. And let's not start on the forest... More twists and turns than a helix, and more things to trip over on than he could count. The poor girl; having to have such a guide.
To sum up for the 'non-locals', the commercial district is an utter pain. Buy your goods at the main streets, and steer away from venturing through the alleys (No matter how tempting!). The girl, which proved a surprise to Koenwin, seemed to enjoy the toils of navigating. She'd laugh when he got lost, giggle when she tripped. For some reason, the trip was an absolute blast for her. Needless for Koenwin to say, it's a nice change from dealing with the normal residents.
The girl capered away from Koenwin, eagerly approaching the Island's edge. Subconsciously letting out a gasp of amazement. From Sky Island 86's place close to the very middle of Ria Volute, the dazzling view of both the centre and rim Islands float across the sky. Morning fog pours from them like waterfalls, and others bob ever so slowly. Instinctively Koenwin wants to call the girl from nearing the edge, but, he elects not to infringe on her excitement.
What makes this specific spot such a spectacular view, is it's job as a tether point. Every Island has tethers connecting it with their kin, preventing them from drifting too far. These long steel cables demand a large area to be anchored securely, so the locations of their attachments are cleared of foliage. Essentially providing a viewing platform.
Below these drifting Islands home to the sky, rests the ravished deserts of the once pleasant surface. A fraction of the world's now-gone population, resides atop these bastions of their hope for a future.
"Wooow! Beautiful..."
"Isn't it? The nicest place I know of." Koenwin smiles lightly, approaching slightly closer just in case the girl does another 'falling show'.
She nods energetically in agreement, allowing some sounds of approval to escape. She drapes the cloak's hood off from her head, flicking her hair out into the wind. As it flutters, a unique pearlescent glint jumps across it like fire.
"Does it satisfy you? You don't plan to go running about looking for more places, do you?"
"Heh... It's pretty. I won't 'go running about', I promise. This is the best I've seen, I'm sure of it! I've only ever been able to look down at them, so seeing from here is amazing..."
'Look down at them, hm? Well that's a dead giveaway...'
"I wish I could see this stuff more often. It's hard to get out and tra-" She cuts herself short. "And sightsee through the town. At least there, I can blend in, right?" The girl laughs at her own statement, sounding more like 'fufu'.
She pivots on her heels, smirking sweetly with her unobstructed face.
"Thanks for this morning, Mister! Thanks for catching me, really, and showing me around. I'm glad you didn't kidnap me or something."
"You really think that low of me?? Hm.. you really are cruel..." Koenwin finds her behaviour somewhat endearing. He didn't expect someone to find such joy in a simple view of islands. 'But as the old saying goes, there's always a right to a wrong... or something like that.' Koenwin thinks to himself. Before he as time to offer some guidance back to the harbour, or where he found her, a breathless voice shouts from the treeline.
"Young Mistress!" Barreling, or more, stumbling out of the forest is a Kánnos dressed in noble clothing. A glance suggests Soloren, but the feline ears spouting from his head give him a pass. "Young Mistress..."
Kánnoses is a subrace of very uninformed people. Having fair skin like Soloren, but ears belonging to that of a cat. Typically they don't get involved with physical jobs, instead using their intellect in administrative duties. Anything to do with books.
The lack of physical training is apparent in the exhausted breaths the man heaves, presumably from just looking around town.
"Young Mistress... you have been away... far too long..." He pauses to catch his breath and straighten up. "Come along now, please... I don't wanna run anymore..." Muttering the final part.
"Heimdal... Fine, fine I'll come..." The girl's excitement and pleasure previously illicted from the sights and adventures, quickly fades upon seeing this Kánnos referred to as Heimdal. Reluctantly at first, before accepting it and walking to the Kánnos' side. Looking one last time at Koenwin, she gives a smile. "I appreciate everything, I really do. It was like finally being free of restraints... Maybe we meet again, but for now... Farewell."
'I understand.' That he does, yet he doesn't give any biding words. He simply returns her smile, though warmer, and nods goodbye. Some strange things revolve around this young girl, that much is obvious. Things which have no need for his meddling. He's happy he could bring some joy at the very least.
She turns at the words of her escort, proceeding to disappear off into the forest whilst being scolded by a spent Kánnos.
"Heh... that hair really gave it away. Ahh, that's my weekly cardio." He blabbers to himself laughing silently, mostly at the unlikeliness of it all.
Gazing at the sun's position, and judging by the appearance of a civilian communication airship coasting through the sky. Koenwin guesses it must be approaching mid-day. Thus, his drink time with a buddy of his soon approaches.
One more fleeting gaze out over the blue yonder, and Koenwin also sets off to the forest. Towards the town and a different direction to that expert faller.
