A familiar face, a welcome voice. The mermanta's expression didn't change much from its usual calm neutrality but emerald green eyes lit with warmth - and relief.
"Hello, Lena," he greeted, voice a low rumble of pleasure at her appearance among the many strangers in the market. "I would like to try the food from that stall." He nodded towards the one set a ways back from the shore; roasted candied nuts were being made there, turned on a hot pan over a fire and rolled in cinnamon and sugar before being scooped into paper cones for customers.
Alas, the merman could not reach it from water. "Would you trade this for me?" He held up an unusual shell in pristine condition, creamy white and dotted with gold and blue spots with a delicate swirling structure.
"Hello, Lena," he greeted, voice a low rumble of pleasure at her appearance among the many strangers in the market. "I would like to try the food from that stall." He nodded towards the one set a ways back from the shore; roasted candied nuts were being made there, turned on a hot pan over a fire and rolled in cinnamon and sugar before being scooped into paper cones for customers.
Alas, the merman could not reach it from water. "Would you trade this for me?" He held up an unusual shell in pristine condition, creamy white and dotted with gold and blue spots with a delicate swirling structure.
