[12:13 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto had been people watching for quite some time. More people had arrived to the docs, and they were so different and interesting! Some people got into a fight, almost, and someone summoned an awful blood-thing! Fascinating. He wasn't quite sure if he should approach anyone or address them, but he was awfully curious of everyone who didn't look fully human. There was one sitting on the other side of the docs, right across him on another bench. Taisto looked at him and his appearance with great interest. their eyes finally met, Taisto perked up, smiled brightly and waved his hand at the horned person.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:17 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros had made sure to arrive early enough, not just to make sure there was somewhere mostly isolated he could sit, but to avoid unwanted attention. Unfortunately, that hadn't quite worked out - twice, now. As he sat quietly on the bench, avoiding watching certain people for too long so that they didn't think he was getting involved, he couldn't shake the sensation that someone was watching him. Finally, he dared to look over in the direction he felt like he was getting stared at in and lo and behold, he met a stranger's gaze. Fighting the urge to check behind him - there was only the sea behind him, no one else - Ekmeros nodded back to acknowledge their existence and wave. He did need to talk to people... but easier said than done.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:26 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto grinned slightly, happy that the other person acknowledged him. He lowered his hand again, settling them both on his lap. He continued smiling at the other person for a moment longer, before glancing around at other people, but his gaze soon returned to the tiefling. Should he go say hi? Would that be okay? Taisto shifted restlessly a couple of times, before indeed standing up, picking up his backpack, and striding over to the other side of the dock.
"Hi!" he greeted, and crashed next to Ekmeros on the bench.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:33 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros... did not know how to people. Not beyond transactions at least. It was one thing to pay for a room and offer to play at an establishment for extra tips, holding conversation with strangers on a dock at night was an entirely different thing. Trying not to stare, he glanced the stranger up and down to at least understand- and yet was still entirely surprised as they stood up and walked over to him. He hadn't fully processed that even once the stranger had sat down next to him. "Hello," he awkwardly replied.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:37 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"My name is Taisto, what's your name?" The man started, the same happy smile on his face under his sorrowful, green eyes. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:38 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
An easy start. "My name is Ekmeros," he replied, nodding his head gently to affirm this.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:40 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"That's a cool name", Taisto said, and tilted his head, looking at Ekmeros even more curiously now that he saw him closer up.
"You're not a human."
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:41 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
".......no. I'm not." He nodded again, then awkwardly stared forward at the bench Taisto had appeared from. 10/10 conversation. @Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:43 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"What are you?" Taisto asked. A totally cool and normal question that he will ask a lot in this tournament I'm sure. Then he looked at the bench over that way as well, before looking back at Ekmeros and smiling slightly brighter. He came from there! At least he didn't say it aloud.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:51 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
This person was... very abrupt. It could have been worse, really - Ekmeros would rather someone was upfront than have them dance around the subject matter. "I'm a tiefling," he answered simply, looking back over to Taisto, surprised by the smile that greeted him. Once again, he just... nodded at him.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:54 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Ohh, interesting. I don't think I've heard of you guys before. Certainly haven't met one. That's cool, I'm always happy to meet new beings. Back home it's mostly just humans", he shrugged a little. "There's plenty of non-humans here, it's exciting", he glanced around with a slight grin.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:00 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Mm." Ekmeros knew he was doing a shoddy job at social interaction but in his defence, he hadn't expected a 'social interaction'. As Taisto glanced around, he instead turned his gaze to his knees, staring at them, trying to will his brain to develop good social skills. "Yes..." Great.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[1:02 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto looked back at Ekmeros.
"Are you sleepy? It's pretty early in the morning." @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:05 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"No, I'm very awake." He didn't hesitate with his answer, then wished he had as being tired would have explained why he was like this rather than having to admit it was just his personality.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[1:08 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Awesome", Taisto smiled. "Wouldn't want to fall asleep and miss the boat, right? Are you excited about the tournament? You seem calm." @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:15 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"I suppose so, I look forward to it. I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to attend." Taisto seemed to be much better at coming with conversation topics than Ekmeros could ever be.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[1:18 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Nice, I'm excited too. I really don't know what to expect, it's so interesting. I didn't even think how many different people would come here, it's so cool. I'm excited to meet more people", he hummed and shifted restlessly. "Where're you from?" @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:22 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Yes...." Ekmeros vaguely agreed with Taisto, his eyes scanning over the other people at the dock. There was Darcy, who seemed fine, but everyone else... hm. However, Taisto's question snapped his attention back to him, his head involuntarily jerking to face him. "Not here," he answered quickly, sternly his voice harsher than he meant for it to be. It was just a slight twinge in his tone but he hadn't meant to be harsh at all.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[1:26 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto noticed Ekmeros' tone was different, but he wasn't sure why. Probably just got more invested in the conversation? He tilted his head and chuckled softly.
"Well, yeah, I wouldn't think you live on the docks," he grinned playfully.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:38 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Not in this city, I meant," he elaborated a little more. And that was all the elaboration Ekmeros was going to do, apparently. He turned his head away again so to not just be staring at Taisto.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[1:47 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Yeah, yeah, I knew that", Taisto nodded. "Me neither. I'm from Elkland. Did you come from afar?" @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[1:50 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"I suppose." Now he answered vaguely again. "I travel around. I was close enough to get here in time-" Which meant early enough to be one of the first to Ekmeros. "-but it was still out of my way." He didn't pry into wherever Elkland was from. So good at conversation.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[10:44 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Oh, you're a traveller, that's fun. Where all have you been?" he asked, not trying to pry, but simply curious and happy to be in a conversation. He leaned back against the uncomfortable backrest and draped his arms over it. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[2:03 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Many places." Even Ekmeros could tell that wasn't a very good answer, so he continued, "I haven't been here before, though." As Taisto draped his arms over the back of the bench, Ekmeros shifted slightly to keep his own room. And more importantly - to him anyway - keep all parts of viol out of a stranger's reach, even if it was just the strap of its case that looped his body.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[3:09 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto seemed oblivious of himself taking up more space on the bench, and only nodded a couple of times at Ekmeros' answer.
"I see, I see. I for one have never really travelled. I haven't been here before, oranywhere else for the matter. What is it like to travel? Do you have any recommendations where I should go next if I go for another vacation somewhere?"
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[3:20 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"...mm," he replied to Taisto's declaration of not travelling before. "I don't travel for vacation. I travel for other reasons. Work. Sort of." Ekmeros shifted the strap of the viol case so that the instrument better sat again his chest but tried not to draw too much attention to the slight movement.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[3:22 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Oh?" Taisto was about to ask what Ekmeros did for a job, but did in fact look at the viol case when he moved the strap. "Are you in a band?" he asked instead. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[3:26 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros gritted his teeth and pursed his lips as his attempt to hide his movement was in vain. "...no. I play alone."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[3:30 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Oh cool, hmm..." Taisto scratched his chin in thought. "You must be a virtuoso then, traveling alone to perform, if that is what you do, then", he smiled. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[3:34 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros just nodded to that, shifting the case strap again. He glanced around the docks, then at Taisto briefly, then he looked forward again to focus on the conversation. His mind wracked for something to say to shift the conversation.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[3:38 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Could you maybe play something? I'd love to hear how you play", the man asked with a small tilt of his head. "You don't have to if you'd rather not, but now I'm curious." @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[3:46 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
...well, he was a bard. Ekmeros didn't reply with words but almost instantly began to open the viol case for an excuse to do something. He was very careful with the viol as he took it out, then the bow with which to play it.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[3:58 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto wasn't sure what to expect, but he was surprised that Ekmeros immediately started to prepare for a performance. The haltia withdrew his arms from the backrest, and put his hands on his lap, leaning slightly forward to curiously watch as Ekmeros worked. He smiled with anticipation, and his sorrowful eyes were bright. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[5:46 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Once the viol was out, carefully held between his legs in the precise position, Ekmeros took its bow and began to play. His music was even quieter than the song he had played for Darcy, truly only meant for Taisto's ears as, during the performance so slowly to not jostle the instrument, he began to turn toward him. Never missing a note and his eyes fixed on the viol and bow, the tune was quick but mournful, though not heavy.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[7:01 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto listened in silence, subtly tilting his head from side to side, as though trying to find the position that let the most music flow into his ears. He watched Ekmeros' hand move on the neck of the instrument and the bow sliding on the strings, only looking up at his face for a moment, before watching the instrument again. As the song progressed, Taisto found himself relaxing and getting absorbed into the music. His smile had softened and simmered down quite a bit, but it was still present, and the gaze in his eyes was distant. He let out a quiet hum, almost purring, as he closed his eyes and let himself focus solely to the melody, feeling like he could melt into the music. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[7:46 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros didn't look up from his music at all, almost shutting out the world. Although it would have been far too easy to entirely lose himself within it, he kept his focus just enough. If he was too far lost, the volume would slowly raise and it'd just attract attention. He continued to play, the song morphing into another one that was a satisfying middle ground of sadness and happiness. Bittersweet. Nostalgic. Ekmeros shut his eyes and took a deep breath before opening his eyes again, never missing a note until the second song came to a satisfying but still abrupt ending.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[7:59 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto didn't open his eyes, not even when the song changed. His faint smile grew slightly, but his brows knitted closer together, as the emotion of the music resonated in him. He breathed calmly, subtly swaying to the melody. Once the music ended, he remained quiet, his eyes still closed and the sorrowful smile remaining on his face, savoring the last resonance on the strings and trying to press the songs into his memory before they would fully disappear.
After a while, he took a deep breath, and opened his eyes, his smile brightening slightly.
"That was beautiful. Thank you."
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[11:28 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Once he finished, Ekmeros wasted no time in cleaning his viol and packing it away, taking so little time without rushing that Taisto's eyes were still shut. Ekmeros stared at him, quietly surprised at the impact of his music, then awkwardly turned his gaze away when Taisto opened his eyes. "...the viol is a beautiful instrument," he mumbled.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[11:35 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"It is. I don't think I've ever heard it before, not solo at least, I don't think", Taiso mused, leaning back against the backrest, but leaving his hands on his lap.
"I enjoy music very much, but I don't play any instruments. My sister plays the cello, though." He tilted his head back and looked at the dark sky that was slowly turning paler, and seemed to ponder something.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[5:21 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Some people mistake it for a violin. There's a difference." Ekmeros frowned at the crime of mixing up two instruments that were very similar. He nodded to what Taisto had to say but didn't further the conversation; of course he knew he should, and he even had options on what to say, but those options were... too much to say. So he looked up at the sky, where he had looked with Darcy before, and just inhaled deeply through his nose.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[5:49 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Oh yeah, you play it differently. I would have probably thought it was a violin otherwise as well", Taisto smiled apologetically. "Even though I like music, I don't know very much about different instruments and all", he shrugged.
"Say, I should probably give you something in turn? For the music you played. Is there anything you'd like?"
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[8:47 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros' face twisted in disdain very slightly and very briefly. "Mm. Well, they're different instruments entirely." He shifted the case to sit closer to his hip, then looked over at Taisto in quiet shock and the question. "I- wha- excuse me?" He tripped over himself to correct his manners, but the confusion remained. "What do you mean, exactly?"
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[8:54 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Oh, I don't doubt that at all, I can hear the difference as well", Taisto smiled. Then, he tilted his head, his smile dying briefly and confusion replacing it.
"Well, I wouldn't expect you to play for me for free, your skill is definitely worth compensation", he stated.
"I don't have my rock collection with me, unfortunately... I coult just give you money, if you prefer it, or I could give you a drawing if you'd like something more personal", he said, and smiled again.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[9:48 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"This... was not a transaction," Ekmeros mumbled, then added, "Not that I was aware of at least." He furrowed his brow slightly, his lips beginning to part as if to question the rock collection but he decided to stop while he was ahead. "I don't know we use the same currency..."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[9:53 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Well, it doesn't have to be, I appreciate the favor. But if I could delight you like you did for me, I'd be happy to" Taisto close his eyes briefly with a happy smile. "Well, I exchanged some to ninjago's curency at the airport. You might have some use for it while you're here", he tilted his head to the other side.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[10:47 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"I do not think I will be staying here for very long once the tournament is over, I'm afraid." Ekmeros shifted slightly away on the bench with a contemplative hum. "Cities aren't really my place..." He quickly turned to face Taisto and added in some politeness: "I do appreciate the offer, however, thank you."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[11:29 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"That's alright. Would you like a drawing instead, then?" Taisto offered. "If you're uncomfortable recieving anything, I understand that too. I won't insist", he shook his head gently and smiled a little sadly. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[12:14 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"If I had known this was going to be a transaction, or similar, I would have put more effort into the music," Ekmeros muttered sheepishly, his face darkening with a flush. "I'm sure a drawing would take much longer than it took me to play."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[12:28 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Really? Goodness, if you can play even more beautifully, I don't know if I can listen without weeping", Taisto said in a light-hearted tone, but genuinely. "I can give you a finished drawing, it's no problem, I have many", he waved a hand, and picked a small notebook from the side of his backpack. He flipped the pages, revealing lined papers with a lot of messy scribbles, and doodles. Some pages were full of little drawings, some were full of writing, most were a bit of both, and some had full larger pictures. Some of the drawings were silly and cartoony, mostly the ones that were commenting the writings, but the rest of them were clearly aiming for realism and had a lot of cross-hatching, and they were made with eithre a pencil or a ball-point pen. Most of the drawings were animals, some were landscapes, and a couple were people.
"You can have a page if something looks nice to you", Taisto offered, showing the prettier drawings he had.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[4:59 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros hesitantly craned his head to get a good look at the drawings, quietly admiring the art displayed. "It's very lovely," he said eventually. "But I couldn't possibly, I don't have much room in my bags and besides, your art is... too nice. I only showed you an amateur performance." However his eyes lingered on the notebook, scanning the pages that Taisto showed him.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[7:26 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto laughed lightly.
"These? Nah, they're not that great, but thanks for the compliment! I guess neither of us know the other's craft too well, so they seem better to the other than they feel to ourselves", he shrugged. "But I'm glad you like them! Maybe my gift in return can be just the sight of the drawings, then. Memories are usually lighter to carry anyways, although one paper doesn't weigh much either, and doesn't take much space", Taisto winked. Then, he turned his attention to his own notebook and continued flipping through it with a small smile.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[8:14 PM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros continued to stare at the notebook as if to absorb the art within. He didn't reply at first, barely looking up at Taisto. When he winked, Ekmeros glanced up and then sat back up, giving a last glance to the notebook. He then muttered, out loud but still mostly to himself, "Art, in all forms, is a fine balance. You have to know when to express how much effort it takes, or when to show how little effort it takes you. It's part of the performance."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[11:12 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"You do? Interesting. I've never thought about that. I mostly just draw for fun and for myself, and to study what things look like. It does take a lot of effort, when I try to draw something like it is exactly, and I still can't get it right. Look", he pointed at a sketch of a deer. "That looks like a dog with antlers. I'm not sure what went wrong. It's difficult", he shrugged.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[5:45 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
"Mm." Ekmeros looked at the sketch that Taisto pointed to, quietly amused by the apt description. "I'm not sure either." He then looked away, out to the dock, with seemingly nothing more to say about the matter.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[6:14 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto nodded a couple of times, thoughtfully inspecting his own drawing, tracing its features with a finger, before closing the notebook and putting it away. He looked to the slowly brightening horizon, and thought he saw the silhouette of a vessel against the still dark sky and water. He thought it looked like it was coming their way.
"Hey, do you think that might be our ride to the island?" He asked Ekmeros, and pointed towards the horizon.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[7:03 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros peered over toward that distance and hummed. "Well... we are on a dock," he replied noncommittally. "It would make sense..." However, his face twisted in a slight frown as he watched the sea. "...mm..."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[7:09 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Uhhuh. It could surely just be any boat. I read a bit about the church that imvited us. They own a bit of land out there", Taisto vaguely gestured towards the sea. "So it's probably where we are going, however."
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[7:27 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros turned to Taisto again. "What did you find?" He asked, his tone turning curious as he almost eagerly turned his gaze away from the sea and the boat in the distance.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[7:49 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Well, not much more than that, honestly. The church bought an island, north from Ninjago, about thirty years ago. They had really old-looking websites. They don't seem to keep them up anymore; any of the links didn't work and it wasn't super informative. But seems like the church does exist! Or at least it existed somewhere in the late 90's", he chuckled.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[7:52 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros blinked, confused about something, but he didn't ask for clarification on anything that Taisto said, just nodding along. "I see..."
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[8:16 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
"Yeah. It's really weird! I'm excited to see what the place is like", he hummed, leaning back against the bench and watching the boat curiously. @soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[8:18 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros didn't say anything, his gaze falling back to his knees and only occasionally glancing uo toward the boat, an uneasy expression on his face when he did look out to sea.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[9:16 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
As it turned out, another boat soon emerged, and arrived to the docks. Taisto watched the boat, the people who arrived with it, and listened to their speech with great interest. Once the introductions and instructions had been given, he looked at Ekmeros with a grin.
"Seems like this is it. We should get going, right? It was very nice to meet you, I hope to see you in the tournament, and maybe hear another wonderful song as well", he spoke, standing up, and offering his hand for the other to shake.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[10:05 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros' mouth twisted further as his eyes stayed glued to the boat, and the sea, but he listened to the speech. He quickly stood up from the bench but abruptly stopped when Taisto spoke. "Yes, right. Yes. It was nice to meet you too." He turned to Taisto and quickly but still firmly (maybe too firmly) shook his hand. However, he made no move to walk toward the boat.
@Twig | Taisto + Yuga
[10:17 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:
Taisto's expression changed from a jovial smile to a surprised one like a cartoon character's when they get an unexpectedly strong handshake. Taisto's hand felt normal at first, but perhaps because of his surprise, it almost felt like it solidified in Ekmeros' grip. Though it only lasted for a brief moment. The man stood blinking for a few heartbeats, before grinning slightly again.
"Alright. See you later, then!" he said, grabbed his backpack and walked towards the boat.
@soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻
[10:21 AM]soul | peregrine 🎠+ ekmeros 🎻:
Ekmeros nodded and then just... sat back down on the bench, watching Taisto leave. Yep. That sure was a boat.