@
Rocwylde
Ah, no worries. I’ve not exactly been speedy lately myself. XP
~~~
Octantis cried out victoriously, “yes!” Just as he and Nils fell out of the gondola. The Mirror laughed and shook droplets off his fins. The two Skydancers fluttered and landed on top of the underside of the now capsized vessel. Faryelle looked down in curiosity.
“Is this meant to be a good place for a swim too?” She asked.
“Given how many dragons end up in the water just like that,” Giovanni commented besmusedly, “you’d think so.”
As Nils chastised himself for his hastiness, Octantis shook his head, “No harm done. I’ve no regrets that I got to see a prophetic bubble.”
Once the gondola was righted by the group once more, they continued on their way. Faryelle looked between the two dripping dragons. “So, uh, did you see much?”
“It’s one of those quests with treasure at the end! That’s what I think.” Octantis responded cheerily, none the worse for wear from his second dip in the canals.
Shortly, the group collectively have their attention drawn away from that more momentary of their misadventures by their arrival in the Ca d’Oro district. The sheer glow of the place made the gilded gondola look something of a wayward second-cousin in comparison. Certain landmarks are selected by brochure-designers as of particular note. With the House of Gold, the reason was evidently that is could not be missed in either sense. It shone as though to ensure that any souvenir or picture replica would always be but a pale imitation (not that such would stymie those interested in such a keepsake or market opportunity). This set the tone for the rest of the district.
The way the area made for a spectator’s feast was not unlike their experience of the Cannaregio Flats. Though there were clear differences. The merchantile districts offerings tended more to dazzle rather than mingle ideas both subtle and shouted. There was also a sense of everything fitting within the aesthetic of the place, rather than diversity and originality. What could not fail to trouble most dragons, however, was the unmistakeable leap in price.
“If I wasn’t still drying off, I’d feel like I have to wipe my feet.” Octantis commented. Faryelle gave a predictably impressed gasp at the display in one prestigious establishment. One which a Spiral was lamenting the fact it was not open for business.
“Let’s take a look.” Octantis remarked to Giovanni to indicate that the gondola should stop, and he followed Nils as the Pearlcatcher investigated what the trouble was. He had no words, however, to offer in response to the tirade that was triggered by Nils’s innocent inquiry. The Mirror could tell that he generally wouldn’t be found carrying anything more than distantly comparable to the shop’s products. As Mirror and Pearlcatcher were distracted considering the problem, a Nocturne entered the scene to pocket something.
As Octantis gave his own cry of “thief!” to join that of Nils, the two Skydancers knew something had happened.
“I’ll keep an eye out.” Faryelle informed the gondolier as she ascended to ensure she did not lose track of Nils’s flying form.
“You’re not getting away!” Octantis felt compelled to call as he set to pursue by foot. The more crowded area of pursuit would impede them both, and a Nocturne was harder to lose track of than the smaller goblin. He was confident. Although he had heard of it, Octantis was not familiar with the experience of a Nocturne adversary making use of their ability to mimic voices. So it was not fully accounted for.
