Harbinger

[Treewyrm]

There wasn't much to do but to wait a little while. An unusual feeling of calm as the thoughts weren't preoccupied with what awaits ahead but rather what had been. What this place meant in the introspection, what role it played and its inhabitants did. Walking through the wide central hall connecting to residential area, whether on the way to meet someone or going somewhere, pausing briefly to focus. Within that moment the surrounding noise would fade into occasional whisper here and there, exposing fleeting thoughts of those passing by, echoes of their worries and concerns, an occasional burst of anger brewing deep down or sometimes even a remorse. The sense of time had always been quite different in such state. Here's a woman slowly walking by with a somber expression, aimlessly going around as all her thoughts are about a certain person she is looking for while the sense of dread is slowly gnawing upon the hope of seeing her friend again. And just a little ahead rushing through the crowd, much to annoyance of those nearby, a young man moves with haste to seize an opportunity, a deal of a lifetime™, or so he thinks to himself. Little does he know that his 'business partner' isn't going to deliver on promise and left the station half an hour ago. This unstable region is treacherous to all those planning individuals, and the higher stakes go the less likely they'll ever make it out. A permanent scar would be a reward and a reminder for the lucky ones. Many gambled here on a fleeting chance, convincing themselves that they, against all odds, will get the winning bet, that they had to, decimating all the other options with swift prejudice and setting themselves for a long fall. After all if so many had lost already wouldn't it increase their chances in the bottomless pit that is the Omicrons. They keep coming, inevitably drawn to the place from all corners of inhabited space. Most dire kind too, in this regard no other place were to match this in its splendor of violence and conflict. But right now here they merely pass by one another, so close but as if worlds apart, never stopping for a moment to look upon each other, instead they quickly turn away when a gaze of a stranger from the crowd falls upon them for mere moments. Masks of confidence and self-assurance hide tremors within, but many are always on the edge. Tomorrow some may end up going out there and finding themselves on the opposite sides.

But yes, aware of course. There's a guest. At this time of all the other times.

Little ones every now and then try to break the moment of silent observation. However never with an ill intent. Little gremlin.
Taking a seat at the upper level to watch the crowd and ponder for a moment whether to acknowledge arrival of our guest.