The Elven city of Lusea sprawled resplendently across a lush, rolling valley just south of the border between the human Republic of Natoia and the elven kingdom of Daina to the north. Long ago, it had been a center of trade between the Republic, Daina, and the subterranean lands of the now-extinct Dwarves, who lived beneath the distant cradling mountains that bordered the sweltering Orobia Basin to the immediate north. There, the long-abandoned gateways to underground cities, now crumbling ghost towns, could still be seen: massive portraits of ancient leaders carved into even more ancient stone, now worn from millennia of erosion and disrepair.
Though small in size, Lusea's mild year-round pleasant climate and atmosphere made for frequent visits by residents of nearby towns and villages. But in summertime, Lusea was not only a beautiful vacation spot in the Republic; it was the place to be. There were carnivals and bustling crowds by day, and quiet, lazy nights filled with fireflies, hundreds of open-air restaurants, and romantic boat rides in the peaceful waters of the Selisna River that wound through the heart of the city.
On this beautiful midsummer's day, there were no clouds marring the piercing azure blue sky. A gentle, warm breeze blew through the rustling treetops while flocks of colorful exotic birds flew high overhead. It was one of those especially lovely days, when the golden sunlight bathed the city in its full splendor. It sprinkled through the leaves of the swaying trees and glinted off of the platinum spires and stained glass of the downtown buildings. Like soundless music, it cast gorgeous, shifting rainbows of light upon the busy streets.
It was odd that of all the city's residents, there would be, of all beings, an elf that displayed such a severe contrast to the day's cheerful brilliance. Those who recognized him knew that he was a long-time resident, seen by their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and even great-great-grandparents.
"I guess even elves have bad days," a woman in floral dancing attire muttered to her boyfriend as they passed him: an elf with an odd combination of hardiness and lankiness about his figure. His eyes were gentle looking and deep blue; his straight, wispy pale blond hair just brushed the top of his shoulders. In addition to his unusually human-like height, his chin was more squared than pointed. He wore a sleeveless, high collared, white tunic trimmed with gold and silver, from which the long, light blue sleeves of his under tunic showed prominently. The outer tunic was bound at the waist by a golden sash, above blue pants and simple brown leather shoes.