A predominantly solitary existence was a liberating one indeed; he was free from the shackles of courtesy, of bowing and scraping to those who thought themselves superior to him. In his forge he was king, his word law, and he answered to none. So he sat enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and watching the sheep pass by, unaware that someone foreign and alien to their world sat vigil over them… and possibly even uncaring.
He rolled the ring on his finger in thought, watching the crowd through his lashes as the drink in his mug slowly disappeared. As always, after a span he began to grow bored of the people-watching. They all looked the same to him, the same bland eyes and blunt ears, mop of hair that stayed dull hues. Even his brilliant apprentice was hard to tell apart from the crowd at times, to his mild irritation. He oft considered trying a dye or something… but he couldn't be bothered with the effort, especially when he knew the boy wouldn't agree to such an idea. He heaved a sigh, rising from his chair and laying down the silver for his drink before departing from the cafe.
Through the crowd he wove, towering over the smaller humans, though a measured few matched his height. It amused him, until it bored him, and he turned to the direction of the forge and home, content with his dose of society (and it's stench) for the day. Yet as he started down tge street, his eye was drawn to a figure stepping from the shadow, dark long hair and glinting armor. It was not the type of figure he had expected to be lurking in the corner near his forge, and a flame of possessiveness flared within him. Had it been a scouting for burglary? No… as he regarded the armored figure in his path, a flare of recognition trickled through him.
Elf. An elf, and a proper one at that, his height matching his own, those features…
They were not familiar, they matched no elf of his world, and what hope had flickered to life in his chest wisped to ash of disappointment. An elf, yes, but of different race. A pity. His gaze met the other's, and he inclined his head in recognition, though his eyes were sharp. What was the elf's purpose in such heavy armor, with such solemn eyes?