He nodded once in agreement to Flora's murmured words, his own gaze calmly observing the citizens who had already arrived and the latecomers now trickling in. He was dressed to complement his co-ruler in a sleeveless silk shirt of a matching navy shade, but the silver threads woven through it picked out waves instead of stars. The stars were saved for the fitted black leather of his trousers and glittered alongside his own share of jewelry and accessories, including a crescent moon hair ornament that shone silver above the steel of his tresses.
Flora laid out the task before them and the question that Torchline had to answer while Hadama stood silently beside her, showing his support and content to let his silver-tongued co-ruler handle the talking. His eyes continued to scan the crowd while she did so, seeking familiar faces. Friends. Allies.
Or troublemakers. Those, too.
But the crowd was almost suspiciously quiet for Torchline, and certain notable faces were as yet absent when Melita offered up her opinion. He nodded quiet agreement to her words - though of course, he had a more personal interest in keeping the Port protected and the coast a safe haven for Torchline's more submerged residents. He did not attempt to sway public opinion further than that, however, instead looking to see if anyone else would offer arguments for or against the opening salvo.
Flora laid out the task before them and the question that Torchline had to answer while Hadama stood silently beside her, showing his support and content to let his silver-tongued co-ruler handle the talking. His eyes continued to scan the crowd while she did so, seeking familiar faces. Friends. Allies.
Or troublemakers. Those, too.
But the crowd was almost suspiciously quiet for Torchline, and certain notable faces were as yet absent when Melita offered up her opinion. He nodded quiet agreement to her words - though of course, he had a more personal interest in keeping the Port protected and the coast a safe haven for Torchline's more submerged residents. He did not attempt to sway public opinion further than that, however, instead looking to see if anyone else would offer arguments for or against the opening salvo.
