The boards of the Goldfish sky ship gently creaked as the wood engaged in it’s complex dance to stay afloat. Down below deck in a musty and dark cabin the crew of fifteen young and promising sailors slept in their hammocks. The shortest member of the crew, a boy with a set of black scales crawling up his back and neck with a set of four stubs for horns on his forehead, snored like he really was a dragon from the myths. Though the sky was still dark awaiting day-break some gulls had already begun their screeching. The crew had originally wanted to sleep at an inn with proper beds to get some good rest before the big race but as their captain had predicted, getting a room in Central on the night leading to the rainbow festival was as likely as finding a needle in a haystack.

The snoring abruptly stopped as the short and stout draconian boy woke up. He let out a big jawn and stretched his limbs before deftly rolling out of his hammock and began lacing his boots. Obi might have a nasty snore but his saving grace would be how he would always be the first one in bed and the first one out, sneaking out of the cabin silent as a ghost, which was nothing short of a miracle considering everyone on the ship had partially wooden soles to get closer to the ship and in case of emergency.

Obi, aka sneaky-bastard-light-foot as he was known on the Goldfish, was greeted by a cool gentle breeze as he got out into the quiet harbour. Ships stacked around and over each other, polished and prepped for the big race. In the sky the shadow of two patrollers flying on red-tailed griffins took their last round before handing over the duties to the morning shift. Obi gave the officers a respectful salute before continuing on his way.

Leaving the harbour docks Obi leisurely walked over the raised upper rim of Central. Below he could see the city stretching out with its characteristic orange and teal roofs snaking along the Isha river in a rich dark blue color as the light of the sun had yet to reach the water. It was almost religious for Obi to get to watch the last river in the whole Eastern Blue skies, unless you count the waters of the Tropicaz or the seasonal rivers after the monsoons of the Dar’Carthan lowlands, but saying that Isha was the last river sounded a lot better the kinda-sorta only bigger river. Either way it was beautiful and made Obi smile. If only his folks back at home could see this place where water literally ran through the streets!

Obi deeply inhaled, arms spread wide, enjoying the refreshing moist air and exhaled with a smile on his face.

Along the street leading away from the harbour the early risers of the city were busy with preparations. Shops and homes hoisted their solar sails, merchants were walking around with their carts just beginning to set up their stalls. The people seemed calm and easy going as the workers quietly chatted amongst themselves. This was one of the many reasons Obi loved this time of day, everyone was so much more real as they were allowed to look tired and grumpy and talk as equals before they all started smiling and shouting as shopkeepers do.

Obi walked past the market street and went through the little courtyard of a choir house.There he found what he had been looking for; the upper rim harbour coffee pavilion.

As twilight faded into a beautiful mango sunrise the pavilion beckoned Obi with the sweet smell of the morning's first brew of coffee. Morning dew dripped from the citrus trees framing the entrance to the wooden building with its stone tiled floor and domed raised orange roof.

Obi waited for a minute and listened to all the sounds around him. People murmuring in distant low voices. Cows and chickens moving through the streets. Carts rolling along the laid brick roads. Gulls and pigeons waking up on the hunt for breakfast. Obi’s stomach grumbled and mouth watered in anticipation of the goodies waiting for him inside the pavilion. He coughed discreetly as he noticed he had gotten company, some other early rising sailors and workers stood around chatting with one another as they waited for the coffee house to open.

His desires were answered as a coffee maid finally slided open the windows and then the double door at the entrance. The woman wearing a plain orange dress with a brown apron and hair in the classic coffee maid bun bowed graciously as she invited the little group of guests that had gathered outside the pavilion. The first rays of sunshine light up her dress and the thin golden curtains hanging behind her as if the building itself was inviting in the morning to join them for breakfast.

Obi stepped inside and looked around. The pavilion was a lot bigger than the one back in his hometown. Whole walls had been slided to the sides as the floor continued outside and mealding the green outdoors so smoothly it was hard to tell where the pavilion ended and the street began. Mats and seating cushions were strewn around the floor next to little circular wooden tables with stone payment bowls and trays of fruits, breads and sweets. The tables were made of different woods and had a colour coded tray to signal it’s pricing. In the very center of the pavilion was a small circular stage with a bookrest and a small propped up drum. To the side next to the entrance stood a large information cabinet. It contained tons of cheaply printed maps of Central and charts of the popular sailing routes as well as tourist guides and travel books. In the center of the cabinet stood a big board filled with job requests, job seekers, insurance deals, betting tables as well as wanted posters. The books didn't interest Obi much as he was very illiterate but he had made a habit of at least glancing over the faces of criminals and checking the local maps to make sure he and his crew stayed out of trouble.

With a map in hand Obi opened his coin purse to do a quick check of his finances before deciding to indulge and sit at a black wood table right next to the stage. He sat down, filled the stone bowl with the appropriate amount of coins and immediately went to grab one of his favourite snacks in the whole world; pistachio moons. A light fluffy green exterior in the shape of crescent moons hiding a sweet creamy nut filling with just enough crunchy bits of pistachios. It might as well be the peak of human accomplishment. In his eagerness Obi’s clawed pointy finger broke into the outer layer. He made a note of needing to get his nails trimmed and then happily ate the pastry off his finger like it was a sqwewer. He smiled happily to himself as he devoured the nut flavoured manna from heaven, but there was one more step to take the sweet to the next level.

Obi raised his hand and held it out in a flat straight line pointing up. A minute later and the coffee maid from earlier came by with a steaming cup of black gold. The two exchanged a respectful nod before the maid reatreted and Obi enjoyed taking in the warm earthy smell of coffee.

More patrons trickled in and took their seats around the various tables. Obi played them no mind as he picked up another moon and leisurely studied the map of central.

“Excuse me, fine sir, would you mind sharing the table?”

Fine sir! It must have been the first time in Obi’s life he had been called ‘fine sir’, and the stranger's voice held such elegant lightness. He felt a sense of pride and importance as he straightened his back and respectfully nodded to the man in front of him.

“Well yes of course. Have a seat. My name is Obi. I’m a sailor on the Goldfish, might have heard of it as one of the promising candidates for the top of the Golden Circuit.” Obi greeted with much glee, making a show of presenting the table with big movements of his arms. The sleeve of Obi’s shirt caught onto his cup sliding it slightly giving the sailor a mini heart attack and then relief as luck would have the cup not tip over.

“I suspected that you had to be from out of Central considering the map. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Obi. My name is Anas’almar.”

The soft-spoken stranger had skin black as the night with two raven wings on the left side of his face, one where his eye should be and another resting like a single half of a crown on his head. His fave carried no lines of age and his hands looked smooth. Dressed in an open blue and gold trimmed vest and a matching scarf Anas left little to the imagination as his muscular upper body while he had several sashes wrapped around his hips holding his coin purse and blue poofy pants. With a faint smile on his lips Anas bent down and took a seat, placing a staff in his lap that looked as if water had been poured and then suspended in animation. It then dawned on Obi just what kind of man he was dealing with.

“Pleasure is all mine sir Anas. If I may comment, I have never seen a summoner in the flesh before! Are you perhaps here to gain the favour of Tiamat during the festival?” Obi tried to hide his excitement and sound casual as he picked up a fig from the tray to chew on.

“Ah- not exactly. I already have the blessing of the Aeon of the rainbow. But I will partake in sermons with my old choir before heading off to the Tropicaz now that the monsoon season is over. I believe it’s the same town as the first stop in the Golden Circuit?” Anas added some coins to the bowl on the table and held out his hand in a horizontal line. Almost immediately he was served a large cup of black milk tea and plucked a cardamom biscuit.

“Yepp! Rhumm is the first city we will be racing to. I have been there once before picking up some cargo. It’s really unlike any other place since it really does trickle down every day!” Obi smiled ear to ear and could not help but to get excited over the race.

Anas let out a soft laugh that he hid behind his cup which made Obi in turn feel self aware about his switch in attitude, but it seemed like Anas enjoyed his more informal speech.

“That is indeed the power of Rhuman, aeon of the monsoon. I have heard stories of the never ending rains. Is it true that it is illegal to cut down trees or pick up plants in the region?”

"Yeah. Me and my comrades were strictly told to not touch anything green by an officer when we docked. Apparently it's to prevent erosion of what little land they got."

The pair chatted for a while enjoying their drinks and company. Anas went on about his plans to travel the Eastern Blue to get the blessings of all the aeons and Obi had stories to share about almost every location. They even made plans to see each other early the next morning in Rhumm before the next part of the race started, the only hurdle they faced was the question of location. Obi concentrated on turning the vague memories in his head of a coffee pavilion where he had eaten star fruit and been robbed by monkeys into something they could work with, like some landmarks or street names.

A light little bell rang, breaking Obi’s concentration. The pavilion went quiet and Obi turned to look at who had dared to break his thread of thought.

At the end of the room leading to the closed off back of the pavilion the coffee maid stood next to the dividing curtain, ringing a little hand bell.

"Eloquere Risha will now be taking the stage. This morning's reading; Black Kites, a poem by Empress Aznatsiji II." The maid announced and stopped ringing, shuffling to the side as Obi's jaw dropped to the floor.

Out from behind the curtain stepped forward a woman wearing a multi layered dress in black and white hanging loosely off her broad shoulders held up by a large band tied right under her bosom. Her body was shapely and fingers firm. Her skin was dusty brown with big white specks and with two big horns like a bull's with a veil tied to the ends to hide the woman's eyes. She reminded Obi of a beautiful strong cow full of life and strength, her golden nose ring solidifying the imagery in Obi's mind. He could not believe such a gorgeous madam to be reading a morning poem and not be performing epic sagas during prime time evenings.

The eloquere moved with grace across the room towards the stage. Her long sleeves and many dresses pooled behind her like a monochrome river on the floor. As she was about to pass Obi's table she went to wave an annoying bug away from her face as her sleeve draped over the side of the table and knocked down the coffee mug onto Obi's lap.

"Oh shit I'm so sarry." Risha bent down to assess the damage and Anas was quick to offer up a handkerchief he had stashed in one of his sashes.

It took Obi a moment to react as he was still starstruck like an idiot and had only fallen deeper as he heard the brash Dar'chartan countryside accent. Once he realised people were looking over and that the summoner and eloquere both were waiting for him to react, Obi snatched the handkerchief from his newfound friend and began to ramble apologies and said that he was fine a few times before the woman shook her head and frowned.

"On behalf of tha pavilion let me join ya table after tha performance to make this up to ya." She spoke softly and of course since Obi was an idiot with a crush at first sight he accepted her offer instead of just saying that everything was very much fine and that there had only been a small spoonful of coffee left in the cup anyways.

With a light touch on Obi's shoulder the eloquere stood up and took the last few steps up to the little stage and put a piece of papyrus on the bookrest.

Dum. Dum. Drrrrrum-dum. Risha beated a short dramatic signature on the drum. Immediately with her own serious expression and posturing the eloquere had set the mood.

Light pooled into the room making it look like Risha had a golden aura. She took a deep breath and the whole room breathed out together with her.

The poem was short. It took about three minutes for Risha to read with dramatic pauses and small drum beats. Obi didn't listen to a word of the poem but reveled in the melody of the eloquere's voice, going up and down between peaks and valleys, each character having their own distinct voice from the swaying kite to the sun. Her previous accent was completely gone as she read like she was born a Central noble.

When the reading was over lazy applauds filled the room and from where Obi was sitting he could see Risha let out a sigh and trembling of her hands.

"An adequate performance. You however looked entranced by the story Obi. Are you perhaps a follower of the poems of the second empress?" Anas had been clapping along politely before turning back to finish his milk tea.

"Huh? Yeah. The reading was great."

Anas chuckled and the little wing in his eye fluttered at the sailor's cloud headedness before leaning in and spoke in a low voice "It is very rude to stare like *that* my friend. She is a serious performer."

Obi blushed and shook his head. Anas was right, he needed to get it together. He was a grown man now for Timat's sake and he had been staring like a skirt chasing dog.

Obi let a hand travel over his face and combed back his hair to collect himself, ignoring how his clawed fingers felt harsh against his skin. Slowly the room had gotten warmer and the noise from the street outside had been increasing exponentially with chatter, squawking birds and carts. Maybe Obi could try to act a little more cool before it was time to join up with his shipmates.

"Good days to ya gentlemen. Sarry for tha blunder earlier. Did ya like my reading?" Risha took a seat between the two men with a wavering smile. Up this close Obi could see the fine thin fabric of the dress with the top layer appearing slightly translucent just like the veil over her eyes. It reminded Obi of ghosts or cloud matter. He was sure it had some deeper reflective meaning of the story she had read.

"It was a fine reading. However I do want to ask, are you a new eloquere here at the upper rim pavilion? My name is Anas'almar, I used to frequent here as I was part of the choir next door up until a year ago and I do not remember ever seeing you." Obi gave the summoner a slight frown at the first part as even he could pick out the underlying insult to be found there but let it slide and instead munched on a date.

"Yeah I'm new. This was my third eva reading. I'm part of a little group of new recruits following tha golden circuit for tha festival." Risha answered with a broad smile and a blush. She seemed to actively be avoiding eye contact with both men.

"Really? That's great! My name's Obi, I'll be sailing in the race. I'd love to watch you perform again if I could. Your melody and the voices were incredible, your clothes and expression really breathed life into the poem." Obi blurted the words out before he could properly process them as his eyes sparkled with excitement over the prospect of making two new friends he could meet up with and he definitely would not mind watching another of Risha’s performances.

"Well, I've never gotten feedback like that, thank ya kind sir." Risha’s broad shoulders looked slouched and relaxed and could not help but to return Obi’s genuine smile but kept herself looking modest by hiding it behind her sleeve.

Anas hummed, a devilish shadow falling over his otherwise kind and elegant features.

"Obi, can you tell me your favourite line, or any line at all from the poem?" he asked in an oh so innocent voice.

"Ermm… well.” Obi cursed the choir boy inwardly. Quick stupid brain think of something!

“I was so swept away by the performance I don't remember much. But that's why I need to hear it again! Please tell me that you will have the morning read tomorrow too?" Obi grinned at his own quick witted genius and leaned in towards Risha with puppy-dog eyes.

Risha blurted out a short laugh like that of a happy piglet. "My so forward ya are sir. I will indeed be taking the first morning reading, it's my lot until others start seeing what ya see in me. May I ask ya Obi where's ya come from?"

"I grew up in a small village called Yucun in the desert of the lost sea on the Sharlian continent. Great place, except for the no water part."

"I see. The people of Yucun must be of a very honest sort." The sheer genuinity in Risha’s voice and how easily she said that had Obi startled into silence as he just looked into those veiled eyes. He could just hint at the deep dark color hidden there filled with warmth and kindness.

"Not to get between you two but me Obi were earlier discussing on how to find a pavilion where we may meet again for morning coffee. Could you give us directions to the place you will be performing?" Anas cutted in getting the conversation back on track.

“Well.” Risha began. "There's a big coffee mansion next to tha bathhouse that ya cannot miss, that's where most people will go. I however will be performing in a smaller place close to tha bazaar west of tha harbour. Ya can find it by keeping an eye out for a small pink bell tower that's part of tha choir house across tha street. But I understand if two rich gentlemen like ya selves would rather go for tha first option."

"Rich? This man here might line his pockets but I'm just somebody indulging as fit for the festival." Obi jokeling presented Anas with his arms, knocking over his empty coffee cup. The trio laughed heartily, Obi could not even be mad at that point.

Ding-dong ding-dong. The choir bells all over central began ringing signaling the official start to the rainbow festival and the beginning of the imperial parade.

"This late already? I need to get back to the Goldfish. Time flies in good company!" Obi stood up and collected his bearings.

"Then tomorrow at the pavilion next to the pink choir house is where I will see you next. I would like to get to know the two of you better and hear your stories."

"Thanks ya two for being so kind. Tha audience at my other two readings…it didn't go well. And thank ya for yar patronage."

They all said their goodbyes and Obi headed out greeted by a cloudless blue sky. He felt so happy as a man does after making new friends and being properly energised by coffee and snacks. Not to mention that intriguing country girl Risha. Maybe she could get the illiterate Obi into literature. He promised himself that he would try really hard to listen to the poem next time so that he could discuss it with the other two that were sure to have their own opinions that they would like to discuss.

With wind in his back, sun in his face, and happiness in his heart Obi walked through the streets without a care for the grandeur of the rainbow festival or the princess parade, for it was the small moments of chatting and coffee that really mattered.