Her smile was as lovely as the rest of her, Hadama couldn't help but notice. The artist in him saw the potential for something in polished obsidian - a leopard seal mermaid, with a cloud of dark curls, perhaps? - but her forthright nature was something no mere stone could capture, and it was something he appreciated immediately.
He gave her question solemn consideration as he looked back to the chandler, then gave a slow shake of his head. "No. Merfolk do not normally buy candles. He is not used to looking this way." And it was probably why the man had set up farther from the canal, allowing merchants whose wares were more suited to Merfolk tastes to have the closer spots.
When he looked back she was coming down to his level in a display of courtesy he was not always afforded. He took her hand with quiet pleasure, his own palm callused and firm, though his fingers were webbed and damp with seawater as he gave the customary shake of the landfolk. "Thank you, Soleil." He inclined his head briefly in acknowledgment of her compliment, accepting it without embarrassment. He was a vain man, and proud of his appearance. "You are quite stunning as well." Nor was he flirting with her, simply stating a truth with calm certainty.
"I would appreciate that," he admitted to her offer, and this time the inclination of his head was much deeper, as was his gratitude. "I have brought these in trade. It should be enough." Reaching down into the water he unhooked a net bag from his harness and hefted it onto the side of the canal. Four large conch shells were contained within, their inhabitants still alive - and ready to eat or prepare for dinner. "If you can bargain him down lower, you may keep what is left," he added, a twinkle in his eye.
He gave her question solemn consideration as he looked back to the chandler, then gave a slow shake of his head. "No. Merfolk do not normally buy candles. He is not used to looking this way." And it was probably why the man had set up farther from the canal, allowing merchants whose wares were more suited to Merfolk tastes to have the closer spots.
When he looked back she was coming down to his level in a display of courtesy he was not always afforded. He took her hand with quiet pleasure, his own palm callused and firm, though his fingers were webbed and damp with seawater as he gave the customary shake of the landfolk. "Thank you, Soleil." He inclined his head briefly in acknowledgment of her compliment, accepting it without embarrassment. He was a vain man, and proud of his appearance. "You are quite stunning as well." Nor was he flirting with her, simply stating a truth with calm certainty.
"I would appreciate that," he admitted to her offer, and this time the inclination of his head was much deeper, as was his gratitude. "I have brought these in trade. It should be enough." Reaching down into the water he unhooked a net bag from his harness and hefted it onto the side of the canal. Four large conch shells were contained within, their inhabitants still alive - and ready to eat or prepare for dinner. "If you can bargain him down lower, you may keep what is left," he added, a twinkle in his eye.
