Motif

Motif
Gemologist


Art by Stilfernweh

Motif gingerly held the piece of firestone opal, surprisingly gently as far as the rough exterior of a Snapper seems to convey. Turning it ever so slightly, his magnifier helped comb its exterior for any notable damage. Giving a grunt of satisfaction, he placed the opal back on the soft cloth amidst the other gemstones he deemed worthy to sell in his shop.

A soft chime interrupted his motion to grab another gemstone from his cloth sack, which contained his finds while searching the new areas that had led to the discovery of the Obelisks. A clock which hung on one of his walls was built by the noted Bibhas, a clockmaker who had traded one of his prized clocks for some Motif’s gems to serve as some clocks’ ornamentation. The clock was simple – the standard circle made of plaster and marked with the numbers that told the time and hands made of gold. The only unique thing about it was the platform below the face that held a tiny gold bell and two soft hammers, one on either side of it, which struck at the hour.

Motif loved the sound of the bell, as fine and bright as a gem when struck by a hammer. It always made him pause, but now it had a second purpose – to mark the beginning of his lunch break. Smiling with contained excitement, Motif walked away from his desk, turned the sign on his shop's door to show it was closed, and walked to his small kitchen in the back. He was craving a salad today...