L'lhynd had brought himself out of his tiny home to actually spend most of his morning down by the water. It was rare for him not to just stick right around his home when he needed some fresh air or a break from any of his small projects. Today felt good though, and anxiety had yet to snake it's hands around his throat as he headed through the market place, electing to take the long way home. There had been a downpour sometime in the afternoon and his clothing was still slightly damp, uncomfortable. Not even that could ruin his mood. He had just managed to snag a rather large commission and once he finished it he would have the rest of the funding to travel in at least slight comfort.
He moved along out door stalls, preferring them to the confining shops that often left little space to spare for walking in them, especially if others had also taken an interest in the particular shop. He paused at a table of odd jewelry, looking it over carefully. He needed to find inspiration for the coat he was to make and he wasn't going to rush into it. He tsked and moved on once he realized the cheap quality and high prices, stopping instead at a food vendor.
Fruit was appealing but too sticky when he didn't have the means to immediately clean his hands after... bread would do. He payed and moved on, tearing off a small piece and chewing on it as he walked. A coat seemed an odd thing for a Matorian to request but he assumed perhaps they were to be traveling soon. He let his eyes roam over the people he carefully avoided bumping into, studying their garments with care. It was still odd to see patches of color not favored by Matorians, and usually it signaled a foreigner. It had taken him a long time when he'd first been on his own not to flinch every time he spied a splash of red or gold or other colors favored by Oban. Every time he expected to meet the face of Zuberi, his parents or even any earthlings associated with their household.
So when his gaze wandered up ahead he froze, bread halfway to his mouth. He'd spied a lovely shade of plum that might have suited a Matorian well if not for the layers of red that the owner had paired with it. The layering had been done nicely, the garment was simple but drew the eye all the same. When he'd taken a closer look at who was wearing it though it felt as though his past had come crashing into him.
It had been a few years, true, but L'lhynd would never mistake Zuberi's face for another. He felt his mind suddenly going in all different directions, panic striking him hard. He hadn't moved yet, as though standing still would cause the Oban to miss him entirely. The strongest thought, and perhaps the most calming one, was that L'lhynd had changed quite a bit since Zu had seen him last. He'd grown his hair out, for one. He no longer dressed in Oban colors... he was taller, even if it wasn't by much.
It didn't matter, L'lhynd needed to leave this place. Immediately. He brought his hand away from his mouth, forgetting the bread, and willed his legs to move as his eyes darted away from the Oban and around the crowd surrounding him. Zuberi hadn't noticed him... wouldn't notice him...
His eyes darted back to the Oban just as he got himself to move, to turn. His eyes met the dark red eyes of the earthling L'lhynd possibly hated most in this world.
Lirende
