Sun on the Water (LA, River, OPEN)

[Ali ibn Farid]

Arms crossed, Ali leaned against a pillar. His expression was pensive, almost dark even, his eyes on the flowing water of the river. Reddish light flickered off of the water, casting the area in a pleasant red glow. The sun was still visible overhead, but gradually dropping; before long, it would disappear behind the buildings on the other side. Not a true sunset, but enough for where they were.

It was a quiet little section of the district, or at least as quiet as anywhere in the city got, with only the occasional passerby. Ali's steady gaze would flicker to note anyone who drew too close, but besides that, he seemed more than content to watch the flowing water.

[Kezia]

Her day having been an absolute dazzler of sensations and sounds, Kezia had come down to the riverside, mostly just to hear the water flowing by.

Dressed down as she was, in her weathered cloak, worn blouse, and almost-ragged trousers, the young Ra'Shari found a spot to sit.

It soon became apparent as she sang quietly in a language passersby may or may not have understood that she was trying to fit the cadence of the song she was singing to the cadence of the river.

[Ali ibn Farid]

It was not a language that Ali spoke, but it was one he recognized, of course. The Ra'shari were frequently visitors to Mekham, and he knew a caravan was there. He should go visit, when he found the time... and the energy. A soft grunt. He wasn't that old, really.

Ali didn't have an ear for music, but there was something about the way the young woman sang... he shifted, turning to face her, very obviously listening to her. His expression grew... well, not quite cheerful, but noticeably less dark. He chewed his lip as he watched and listened, as though by force of will he could understand the words, or match the rhythm of her song to whatever it was that it so clearly begged to be matched to.

[Kezia]

She continued on for a bit- realization that she had an audience dawned slowly, but didn't really change anything- except that she sang a bit louder.

The song was an old one, of course, but fitting the meter to the river was fun.

"Love, oh love, oh careless love
You've fly through my head like wine
You've wrecked the life of a many poor girl
And you nearly spoiled this life of mine

Love, oh love, oh careless love
In your clutches of desire
You've made me break a many true vow
Then you set my very soul on fire."

[Ali ibn Farid]

The words were beautifully sung... for all he knew, she could have been singing I'm going to stab anyone who watches me sing, la la la. His lips quirked in amusement at the private thought. It seemed really unlikely; it didn't seem like the sort of song that featured stabbing, except maybe as a single tragic moment.

Louder, Ali could hear the tempo a bit better, feel the rhythm... understanding came between one beat and the next. His eyes flickered over to the river, then back to the young woman. His dark eyes widened, just a little.

"Ohhhh..." He said, out loud if not loudly, before subsiding with a smile.

[Kezia]

She arched her eyebrow, and nodded, as she kept going to the end, then grinned.

"Wasn't quite planning on an audience before I had it finished, but I can't complain."

[Ali ibn Farid]

Ali smiled at her grin, clearing his throat. "Sorry. Hope I didn't bother you. But, well..." He waved his hand vaguely towards the river, "-I was here anyway. It made a pleasant accompaniment to watching the river. Very lovely, indeed."

He gave a little bow, and a gesture of greeting with his right hand. "Ali ibn Farid. At your service, miss." His eyebrows went up, just a little. "I hope you'll tell me what you were singing about. I had some guesses, but I don't think they were especially close."

[Kezia]

"I'm Kezia, of the Ra'Shari."

She half-smiled.

"The song's a lament by a young woman plagued by love. Not something I find relatable, but the song's an old one, that we sing often."

[Ali ibn Farid]

"Oh?" Smiling, Ali crossed his arms over his chest. "If you don't find the song relatable, why do you sing it?"

He shrugged, spreading his arms again. "Not that I'm in a position to criticize. I don't sing any songs. It's for the best, really. My father used to, but I'd swear his hammer was more musical, even when he dropped it and it rattled it's way down from the roof." Ali chuckled softly. "Not how I'd describe your singing, miss. Perhaps I'd sing more if I had your voice."

[Kezia]

"Well, I don't need to relate to it to find it aesthetically pleasing, after all... plus, it's sort of a... cultural thing. My caravan sings it, so it's, well... ours."

She cocked her head to the side.

"Not a singer, sounds like your father was a carpenter. What do you do then, Ali ibn Farid?"