Xanadu Weyr - Beach
The unerring range of subdued white rises and falls in a multitude of sandy dunes, creating an endless amount of tiny valleys constantly demolished and rebuilt by the frequent arrival or departure of a dragon. Smoothing out as it slopes gently to the edge of the deep blue water, the sand darkens and a shell here and there stands out for children to collect. The beach itself is set along a low cliff - the height lessoning as one heads eastwards, blocking a portion of the beach from direct access.
The wide wide stretch of water opens up to the east, the far distant shore way beyond the horizon and the beach curves ever so slowly round to east and west, distant arms of land embracing the wind-ruffled Caspian Lake. East leads up to the mouth of the Rubicon River, where the protecting cliff is merely an arms length higher then the sand, and beyond that, a winding road leading out of Xanadu's territory. Westwards, the beach narrows as the cliff swings out, leaving a path wide enough for dragons in single file before cutting in to the sheltered cove designated the Weyrling Beach. However, cut in the cliff face to the north are a variety of rough, wide staircases, providing access to the clearing and to the meadow.
The seasonal change into autumn has caused the Azov sea and the Caspian Lake to swell with choppy waters, which reduces the urge to swim for most shore bound folk. Landers appears to have risked the strong undertows, dripping wet as he marches back up the shoreline, leaving wet footsteps behind him in the sands. His head is given a shake, tossing out the chunky ends of his hair that he lathers back with a sweeping hand subsequent to his shake. There are a few scars on his torso as he walks further in to fetch his towel, impressions of his livelihood forever etched into his olive skin. He's apparently by himself, save for the jumping and still flightless young firelizard who had managed to get tangled in the man's sailor's blouse. A toe attempts to nudge the creature out of the shirt, a light rumble of laughter caught on the wind as the man is absorbed in his own little world just then.
For his part, the water's a little too choppy for his tastes. Iosas can see this as he exits the Weyr and walks onto the sand of the beach. He's not exactly afraid of the water, but neither is he the best of swimmers. So he normally just waits until the water is at a more ideal temperament. And temperature. True, it's not overly cold, but the transition into fall generally makes things a little cooler. And it's a little too cool in the water for him. Iosas notes the fellow and his firelizard, and chuckles, heading over in that direction. "Hello there," he greets. "Having trouble?"
The firelizard is easily rolling into a ball and attacking at the offending toe poking it, gingerly gnawing on the appendage. It seemed playful. It actually was. Landers is not prone to making pain seem evident, more of the man who would suck in the shock of it and keep noises to himself. This was not such a situation. Due to his laugh, the sound he makes is something of a surprised yelp, lifting his foot with the firelizard clinging to it like a feline would a ball of yarn. The brown does get spooked with the approach of another, falling off with a soft thunk before slipping back underneath the shirt, tail snaking behind him while his nose peaks out, watchful. Lan rolls his eyes as he runs his fingers through wet salty hair yet again, his response to the incoming a wave of his hand and a seafaring accent, "Tis fine. 'E just be playin, I reckon." His arms loosely fold over themselves as his face draws up to regard Iosas, "Iffin ya heading out fer a swim, dun go out too deep."
"Oh, I see," Iosas replies. "I wanted to make sure, it looked a little strange from back there." He hooks a thumb at the place he'd come out to the beach from. He doesn't pay the firelizard a bit of attention, but looks at Landers. And he shakes his head when swimming is mentioned. "No…I think it's a bit too cold…and the water's a little too…active, I think…." He sends another look at the waves, and shakes his head again, as if to confirm.
Landers leans his weight on one foot, eyes darting down to make sure the firelizard, a new found companion by the size of it, doesn't tear his shirt up to shreds. When it is confirmed by sight that the firelizard is just sitting there, wiggling his tail back and forth, nudging around in the sand underneath, Lan's blue eyes snap back toward Iosas. "Ha. I reckon it did look a might strange," the sailor speaks in that warm accent of his, observing the other's reaction to the latter part of the conversation. "Good choice," he starts, looking up the beach and back toward the stranger, "Out fer a stroll?"
Iosas spares a glance to the firelizard as well, to ensure he's not about to get his own foot bitten — though he does have on a pair of sturdy boots, but nonetheless, he doesn't want his boot bitten. Once he's assured himself that firelizard's paying no attention to him, he looks back to Landers. Iosas nods to the question, and further confirms, "I've only recently arrived here in Xanadu, and I've just been exploring the area when I could. I need to make sure that I don't get lost if I need to find a place quickly." He stands with his weight distributed equally over both feet, with his hands clasped behind his back.
Lan gives Iosas a one over when the other is checking the status of the firelizard, absently snatching his towel to loosely hang it over his shoulders. "Ahh, welcome then. I be in yer spot once. Never meant ta stay." Beefy shoulders roll in a shrug, a hand tugging at the end of the towel while he considers the other. "Whar bring ya here then?" an easy tone he uses, as if sincerely desiring to know. The little brown firelizard starts wriggling out from underneath the shirt, ducking back under to hide his muzzle, his back end though sticking out with tail flaunting a snake-wriggle. Landers squints a little, "Who are ya? Ya look a tad bit familiar…"
Iosas nods, and answers the question of what has brought him to Xanadu with, "I was just posted here from Landing not too long ago," the Glasscrafter replies. "Name's Iosas." He offers a smile, and a hand to shake. "If you've been to Landing you might have seen me there. I've lived there all my life." Iosas seems proud to say this.
Landers gives a jovial chuckle for the last of Iosas' answers, tilting his head a bit, a brow raised, "Aye. T'was born thar myself. T'was named after the place, so I was told." He accepts the hand with a strong shake in return, "They call me Landers, Lan fer short." An easy smile ghosts over his lips for the duration of the shake, stepping back afterward, "Yer likely ta have seen me too. T'wasn't a good lad back then. Broke in-ta places and caused trouble. Stole fireworks, yah. Big old story down thar. We got caught, which I bet ya heard iffin ya lived thar all yer life. Suppose that's when I got into the seacraft." There is amusement written on his face at the retelling, tone still smoothly accented, "Nice ta meet ya then."
Iosas returns the handshake, a firm, confident grip. "Pleased to meet you," he offers in return. He does seem amused at the possibility that Landers was named after the area he was born in. "Named for Landing, eh? That would have been interesting if you'd been born in Fort. 'Forter'? Or here — 'Xander'?" A bit of a chuckle. He thinks a moment as Landers notes the fireworks. "Hmm…I think I remember hearing something about that, actually," he recalls. "How long ago was it?"
Landers gives a bit of a chuff, "Aye. Don't suspect me parents 'ad much a mind fer a child. Or a creative bone in their bodies." A shrug of his shoulder seems to suggest he has come to terms with his 'Landing' based name, as well as his confident chuckle to the idea of him being born elsewhere, jesting, "Xander. Tis a good name." He puts the towel into his hair at that point, seeing that the droplets of water are cold when they drop onto his back. A brow lifts to the last, "Five or six Turns ago now," he lists it off as if he had been counting, "Ya… You might've been a wee youngin back then."
Iosas nods, slowly. Sagenod. "Ah…that happens quite a lot, I fear," he replies. "Parents ending up with children they don't want. Many get shipped off to other places, other people to raise them. I suppose it will happen as long as golds and greens fly…." He pauses. "Not that it's the only cause, mind you. But I'm sure it's a large contributor. Still." He waves a hand. There are more pleasant topics to discuss. As for being a child when it occurred? Iosas nods. "Ah…that would explain it. I'd have been about ten or eleven Turns old at the time."
Landers folds his arms once again over his chest, canting his head to the side, "Aye. I be one of 'em. Raised by others." Not that he seems to mind that either, as it was well over with by now. The sailor finally reaches down to his shirt, shaking out the sand and the firelizard who was hidden underneath it. The brown scatters, disappearing in a flurry behind the sailor's legs. "Ah, should be legendary thar," he laughs with a good natured shrug to follow, as he sorts out his shirt, climbing into the loose sailor shirt. "Tis best I get hurryin back ta the docks," he gathers up his trousers as well, pulling up the snug leather breeches quickly, "T'was nice ta meet ya. Sure I be seein ya around."
Iosas nods, and smiles to the farewell. "All right then. If you stick around Xanadu long, you'll see me again, I'm fairly certain," he replies. He offers a wave to the departing Landers. "Take care!" Since he knows the docks are dangerous, since there's water and one can fall in….