The orange light of gas lamps glowed in contrast against murky hues. Industry spanned behind a railway station on Bastion and Vereshin gazed keenly beyond glass and over grey rain drops. Smog clung to mist after the remnants of a downpour, filling the lungs of Imperial citizens crowding the station and filing away on their travels. The dark mage shifted in his seat. Eyeing the glass, the gaze of a lost child met his own as he traced her confused steps from one end of the platform to the next. The grind and spark of electricity halted and train drew to a stop.A Nautolan woman cooed to her child in the seat next to Vereshin and he jolted towards the window, the cries of the infant piercing his ears and riling his mood. A huge flower with flowing ribbons was tied around her head tails over a net veil. He diverted his attention to the lost girl and watched her roam while the woman beside him stood and waited before the moving passengers. He wore a white shirt with a standing collar beneath a waistcoat and long, black jacket. A silver pendent of a crow skull hung from his neck. The crowed moved slowly and Vereshin felt his nerves heighten as he waited to follow the girl.
The crowed departed down the corridor of the train and slowly dispersed. Vereshin rose to his feet and followed the striped bustle of the Nautolan woman. Stiff collars and corseted waists moved into the Imperial city through a swarm of huge hats and uniforms. Lights and propaganda glowed crisp against the station bathed in shadows as the sorcerer stepped onto the platform and greeted the air. The hem of his coat trailed behind as he strode by the train and caught the mousy hair of the stray girl. She sat down on a waiting bench and Vereshin joined her directly.
"Hello, have you missed your train?" Vereshin spoke softly while he sat a safe distance from her, allowing her space while he approached. He slid a hand into his pocket and produced a silver watch on a chain, the emblem of the Sith Empire carved into the back. He flipped open the front and violet light flowed from the front, displaying the hands and numbers in the form of a hologram. The sorcerer caressed the girl's mind with a latent spell, calming her nerves and drawing her into his trust.
"If this is your first time here, I sincerely welcome you to Bastion." Thin parted to reveal pitch black teeth and Vereshin offered a sly smile to the girl. He chortled slightly while long, ruffled skirts trailed across the wet concrete. The child looked vulnerable and conspicuous against the severity and melancholy grandeur of the Imperial capital.
[member="Leira Rhys"]
