A long, broad shape moved with slow grace through the canals or Haulani, unhurried and silent beneath the star-sparkling waters. Flashes of gold glittered from the dark hide of the great ray where the midday sun caught it, and a thick tail of steel-silver hair streamed over its shoulders and back.
Every once in a while it would surface, and the head of a dark-skinned man with vivid green eyes would lift out of the water to look around with quiet curiosity and a thoughtful sort of awe. He would take in the sights and sounds - and smells - of the city, watching the people in their bright clothes on their incomprehensible errands for a little while.
Then he'd dip back under the water again and swim farther along before finding a new place to observe the drylander city from, exploring the canals and learning something new with every stop.
At one of those stops he was caught by the scent of something extraordinary being cooked at a food stall not far from the canal. Fish, dipped in batter and fried in oil, crackled with greasy temptation as customers took paper-wrapped morsels or bamboo skewers of it in exchange for a few small trinkets. He paused even longer than usual, watching the vendor prepare the snack and trade for it with an intent and curious gaze.
It had been a long time since breakfast...
Every once in a while it would surface, and the head of a dark-skinned man with vivid green eyes would lift out of the water to look around with quiet curiosity and a thoughtful sort of awe. He would take in the sights and sounds - and smells - of the city, watching the people in their bright clothes on their incomprehensible errands for a little while.
Then he'd dip back under the water again and swim farther along before finding a new place to observe the drylander city from, exploring the canals and learning something new with every stop.
At one of those stops he was caught by the scent of something extraordinary being cooked at a food stall not far from the canal. Fish, dipped in batter and fried in oil, crackled with greasy temptation as customers took paper-wrapped morsels or bamboo skewers of it in exchange for a few small trinkets. He paused even longer than usual, watching the vendor prepare the snack and trade for it with an intent and curious gaze.
It had been a long time since breakfast...
