Eli wove his way in and out of the crowd of people, careful not to bump anyone with the suitcases he carried in each hand or the duffle slung over his shoulder. His green-brown gaze flicked everywhere, keeping an eye on everyone and everything he could. He saw no one he knew, but more importantly, he didn't spot any Alliance goons strutting about self-importantly. None of the stealthier ones in plain clothes either, as far as he could tell; the Alliance sometimes put them on docks to watch for people of a larcenous or murderous bent.
Not me, I'm no one special, just a fine, upstanding citizen taking transport back home, halfway across the 'verse. Nothing to see, moving right along.
Eli turned onto the main docks. The sun spread warmth across his shoulders and it might've been unpleasantly hot in his black coat if there hadn't been a breeze to sift through his hair and finger over the back of his neck. Here it was a little noisier, people bustling around, the food kiosks doing a fair business. The scents were tempting, and Eli was glad he'd already eaten.
And there was the Huria, loading ramp down, waiting. Jonah had said they were taking off today, but hadn't really mentioned a time, so Eli had gone back to his quarters and packed up everything. Not much sense paying for a fare and then missing it, and Eli had no doubts that they'd take off without him if he didn't arrive on time.
Eli paused at the bottom of the ramp. A young lady sat outside in the shade of a parasol, watching the crowded streets, as if everything had been designed for her amusement and interest. She was a pretty little thing, tiny waist that only corseting provided set off by long, richly-colored voluminous skirts and a neckline meant to make a man look and long for the softness beneath the cloth. She had big bluish eyes, a little painted mouth and a mass of reddish hair. Very nice. If she was a fellow passenger, then she'd brighten up the drabness of the trip.
He stepped up onto the ramp, and felt her attention snap to him. He stopped halfway up, and smiled.
"Good afternoon," he said pleasantly. "You look like a young lady immensely pleased with the course of the day so far."