Cloudgazing, or "Meli hatáwan" in the tongue of Ancient Nordant, is a very involved process on the Talamhireen continent. First one must find somewhere to sit with a view of the sky, and of course there must be clouds of some sort. Tea is essential, especially if left to grow cold while you watch the cumulus and cirrus scud by. A companion or two is also recommended by experts, the better to enjoy the shapes you see. Look closely and you might notice some moving faster than others, or in different directions...perhaps those aren't clouds at all.

Here we see two experts, Misotopé Kenjicha and Lucca Silverado, in the midst of a long cloudgazing session, overlooking the edge of the great Central Desert. Somewhere in the distance are the ruins of Nordant, and the city of Bisect where these two make their home. It's hard to tell if the Wild Winds overhead—not to mention the pursuing Gwyntus Vindur—are real, or merely clouds in shapes that suggest such mythological beings. When sipping tea in the presence of a genie, anything is possible.

Watercolor and ink on paper, 4x6

A bit of Christmas cheer for  ginfinite