Constancy

With slightly less noise than a feather landing, he stepped out into a square bustling with activity. People walking past purposefully and hurriedly. Talking to one another animatedly. Submerged in deep thoughts of their own. Some appear to be moving mechanically, as if not yet free from the effects of slumber. Or lack of it. So he stood, in the middle of the crowd, observing. For his eyes generally only registered black and white. Generally. From where he was from, he saw everything in black and white. It was therefore with great surprise that for the first time of his life, he could observe the scene before him in color. Well, not totally in color. He observed 2 people walk past him talking excitedly, and he could see both of them in contrasting colors of bright yellow and blue. A couple was in a corner exchanging a quick kiss, and he could see them in soft pink. But some were slinking past him in monotonous colors; he could see 2 crossed daggers hovering over their heads too. Probably a bad day for them. The background.. he could only see it in black and white too. And so he stood there, motionless, only watching.

Even as life moved and flowed around him, he appeared not to be a part of it. It was as if he is an unchanging rock jutting from the ocean around it. The people around walked past him without noticing him either. We do not know how long he stood there, for time stood still for him, he that does not change. After an eternity it seemed, he finally sitrred. Well, maybe not an eternity, but definitely after a long, long while. Nevertheless, stirred he did, for he decided to probe his surroundings. He made a small gesture, muttered a few words in a language long forgotten, and immediately a small ball of light winked into life hovering above his palm. Nobody cast even as much a glance in his direction. He decided to try again. Stretching his arms further, he called into a collection of showy sparks that danced in mid air. Certainly that must catch at least someone's attention. Back from where he was from, nobody could fail to be surprised at what he could do, at least those whom have never seen him conjure that before. No reaction. Not even a twitch. He tried to moving the collection of sparks in front of the nearest passer by, but he walked right through it without noticing it or even affected by it. It was almost as if he was invisible, and he could not interact with this new place.

Disappointed, he pulled his long travelling cloak around close around him, the hood over his head, turned around and walked into the shadows.