Submission (#3341) Approved

Word count: 1,087 words
Regional affinity: Kyendi
Elnin earning AP: https://worldofeyre.com/character/MYO-ELN344

(The gem stall owner isn't any specific elnin in particular, more-so just a placeholder character.)

Ding, ding, ding!

The Elnin helming the ferry from Silveil across the bay to Kyendi reached up to clang the bell next to them to announce their arrival at the Eiolen dock. Oathki’s ear twitched and he perked up at the sound, stepping over to the railing to get his first peek at the new region in front of him.

“Wow,” he said softly, bright blue eyes taking in the vast, green expanse before him. Off in the distance he could start to make out the iconic rolling mountains he’d heard so much about from Calliope, though only just barely -- several of the mountain tops were cloaked in mist, making it seem like they faded into the sky completely. Even further away still, large islands floated in the sky, though the distance and atmospheric perspective were too great for Oathki to be able to make out much.

Oathki’s pomu poked its head up out from Oathki’s shadow, chirping softly. “It’s so bright and green out here,” Oathki said to his familiar, looking at the lush jungle below the mountains. “I’ve spent so much time in Silveil, I almost forgot what daylight actually looks like.” He chuckled to himself as his pomu climbed up on top of his head.

“Pomu!” The little familiar trilled. Oathki nodded.

“Yup! Can’t forget what we came here for,” he said as he stepped away from the railing. The ferry pulled in alongside the docking point, and a minute later, the walkway dropped into place with a soft thud. Oathki and the other elnin filed off the ferry, and the little kittom and his pomu companion set off towards the sprawling city of Eiolen.

The sun was bright and warm, and the air around them was getting more and more humid as they left the crisp breezes surrounding the bay. Soon, large ferns started cropping up along the stone-lined path, and a towering jungle tree would cast some shade here and there as the vegetation started intermingling with the buildings and other ruins towards the outskirts of the city. Oathki stopped once to ask an elnin for directions to the market square, but otherwise didn’t dally. He was on a mission -- playing around in the jungle could wait for another time.

 

It didn’t take Oathki long to reach the market square -- he stepped foot there just about the same time his stomach started rumbling for lunch. He looked around at all of the food stalls and stands that sat very conveniently at the entrance to the market square, mouth starting to water just a little. Oathki shook his head.

“We can get food after. Keep your eyes out for any pretty gems. I want to surprise Thalassa when we go see her next.”

Oathki smiled sweetly when he thought of Thalassa. They had met back in Ealei some time ago, and it didn’t take Oathki long to start developing a crush on her. But he left Ealei before he had a chance to tell her his feelings. They kept in contact through letters these last few months, but haven’t been able to see much of each other since Oathki left Ealei. But that was going to change soon, if Oathki had anything to say in the matter. He planned on moving to Palu’au so he could be together with her, and now he was hunting for a wonderful present to surprise her with.

“Pomu!” Oathki’s familiar trilled, pointing towards a stand with glittery, gleaming gem stones and jewelry laid out in front.

“Oh, nice eyes!” Oathki said, giving his pomu a pat and walking over.

The jewelry and gem stand had all of their wares laid out in compartmentalized boxes -- rough cut, unpolished gems on the left to the smoother, polished gem stones on the right, all organized by rainbow shade. Gems delicately wrapped in wire hung suspended from the roof of the stall on delicate chains made from gold and silver, and several wooden rods nailed to the side posts of the stall carried bracelets of any design imaginable. Oathki’s eyes widened at all of the sparkle, and he leaned in closer to inspect the gems more carefully.

“Looking for something special?” The stall owner asked, watching Oathki with a bemused smile on her face. Oathki looked up -- a little surprised; in his excitement and wonder, he forgot there would’ve been other elnin around -- and nodded.

“Yes, actually,” he said, then stepped up closer. “I’m looking for a gift for...f-for someone special,” he finished, blushing a little. The stall owner chuckled.

“Well this is a good place for that,” she answered, getting up off her stool towards the back of the stall where it was shaded. “Tell me about them, and I’ll help you find the perfect thing.”

“She reminds me of the sea,” Oathki began, keeping his eyes on the gems in front of him. “Very bright, and constantly in motion. She found a locket somewhere in Ealei once. She was so proud of finding her first treasure, she wore it around her ear since she couldn’t pull the chain over her head, and I haven’t seen her take it off once. I’d like to find something to compliment that locket.”

“I see,” the stall owner said, smiling. “What about one of these?” She gestured to the necklaces dangling above. Oathki considered, then shook his head.

“No, I don’t think she’d wear more jewelry,” he said, returning his gaze to the box of gems below. “I think I’m looking for something she could add on to the locket chain.”

And just then, it caught his eye -- the perfect gem stone.

“This one!” He said, pointing it out. It was a polished stone, completely spherical, and a beautiful milky white color that almost reminded him of a pearl, except that this stone also had shocks of shimmering rainbow flecks in it. “Could you wrap this one in wire?”

“Ah yes, Zevijan Opal. I can wrap it, what color of wire would you like?”
“Silver! And a simple design, like this one,” Oathki said, pointing to a necklace hanging from the rafter. The stall owner nodded, pulled out her tools, and set to work, deftly wrapping the stone in just a few minutes.

“Gift box?” She asked, and Oathki nodded. He handed her the money, and she gave over a small, shimmery, light green box tied with a white ribbon.

“Thank you so much!” Oathki said, and the stall owner nodded as the kittom put the gift box into a belt pouch and bounded away.

Oathki walked back to the food carts with a huge smile on his face.

He couldn’t wait until he could see Thalassa again to give her this perfect gift.