Chapter Text
["ATTENTION:THIS STOP: CITY CENTER. NEXT STOP, ARTS DISTRICT."]
Astra hugged the solid leather case to his chest, trying to take up as little space as possible to allow a small flood of people off the bus. Murmuring a few soft ' excuse me 's, he slid sideways through the press of bodies and slid into a vacated seat, sighing in relief as he placed the bulky lute case on the seat beside him. The straps of his bag sagged, the weight of his belongings finally off his sore shoulders.
This is it, he thought happily as he stared out the smudged window, tail swishing slightly in the space by his feet. One more stop and he'd be in the cultural mecca of the land, Mirrortail's famed Arts District. He was sure to be discovered here, he knew it - the stories his mother had woven for him since childhood had said he would be found here, that he would find his future here. An excited grin broke out across the teal tiefling's face as the last of the departing riders moved out of the stairwells of the commuter bus.
"Well someone 's awfully happy about something," a silky voice rumbled from across the aisle. Blinking, Astra twisted around to face another tiefling, this one a deep crimson with a stylishly-trimmed mustache framing a sly grin, one fang glinting in the light. Oh, he thought softly, he's so pretty... His eyes drank in the broad shoulders covered in some kind of soft material, leaning against the bus wall in a relaxed sprawl; legs crossed across the seats in black leather pants, dusty boots sticking out into the aisle; a red tail laying up and across the stranger's stomach, the spade tip adorned with several small gold hoops.
Astra swallowed against a suddenly dry throat, feeling his cheeks heat up as he tore his gaze off the stranger. He heard a soft laugh and the sounds of movement, and when he looked up again the stranger was sitting normally, his hand held across the aisle. "Didn't mean to startle you. I'm Aerenthias. Nice to meet you."
"Ver- Verdant Astra," he said, regaining his composure slightly and reflexively holding out his hand, tensing up only slightly as the red tiefling held his grip gently for a second before firmly shaking it. "It's nice to meet you as well."
Aerenthias released his grip and leaned back against the square seat back, watching Astra's face with a hint of amusement. "So, here to see the city? Meeting friends?"
Astra shook his head, sunlight glinting off the tips of his horns as the bus began moving again. "I'm hoping to find somewhere to play," he said, patting a clawed hand on the lute case beside him. "I've heard wonderful stories about the musicians that have come from there."
Aerenthias chuckled again, and Astra felt something warm and liquid slide down his spine. "Ah, well good luck to you, friend. The arts district is famous for a reason., and if you're headed there I've no doubt you're an exceptional musician." The red tiefling turned, and Astra moved slightly to try and hide the faint purple tint to his cheeks. "Are you staying somewhere?"
"Yes, I've got a room held at The Sleeping River for a week. Hopefully I can make enough to find a more permanent place soon."
Aerenthias cocked his head and seemed to consider Astra for a moment, then reached into the pocket of his pants, pulling out a slim gold box. Flipping it open, he pulled out a brightly colored business card and held it between two clawed fingers. "Well, good luck, Verdant Astra. But just in case you need some help, I think you'd be an excellent addition to the staff." Aerenthias leaned forward, crowding into Astra's space, the teal tiefling's heart suddenly racing. A slow grin spread across Aerenthias' face, and he slipped the card into the seam of the lute case, running his fingers over Astra's as he did so. Astra watched in nervous anticipation as Aerenthias pushed away slowly, standing over him as the speakers crackled to life above them once more.
["ATTENTION:THIS STOP: ARTS DISTRICT. NEXT STOP, CONVENTION CENTER."]
"Well, this is where we part, friend," Aerenthias said, winking at Astra as his tail swung behind him and flicked Astra's under the seat. Astra gasped and shot up in his seat, grabbing his tail and holding it behind him as Aerenthias burst out laughing. The red tiefling walked to the front off the bus, tossed Astra a dramatic salute, and was gone.
Astra huffed out a quick breath, trying to calm his nerves. It wasn't everyday that he met such pretty people, especially ones with the nerve to do... that. Astra picked up his lute case, shoved the card in his bag and hurried off the bus, eyes widening as he got his first proper glimpse of the Mirrortail Arts District. This. This was where he would be found.
After about twelve hours, all Astra had found was a few silver and a sore back from standing on the street corner. The streets were full of people passing by all day, but they had been loathe to toss him anything as he played, his claws plucking out complicated melodies for hours. Sighing, Astra packed up his things and started walking the few blocks to the Sleeping River Inn. Maybe tomorrow will be better, he thought, trying to stave off the nagging anxiety at the edge of his awareness. It would be okay, he would make it okay.
Astra stuck his hand into his bag, feeling around for the leftover chunk of bread he'd stashed at lunchtime. Finding it, he grabbed it and pulled it out, smiling as he saw the business card Aerenthias had given him stuck to the soft center of the bread. Astra plucked it off, examining the strangely-colored card. One side was awash in blues and whites, forming abstract clouds across the paper. The other was a mass of swirling black and red, as though it burned from within. On both sides, in contrasting foil, the words "Ascension du Argentfort" stood out in relief above a small address line. Glancing at the small type, Astra tucked the card away again, taking a bite of the bread as he continued walking.
Ascension du Argentfort, , he thought. I wonder what that could be...