If he hadn't wanted people to look at him, he wouldn't have had his scars tattooed over in shining gold, after all, and though he kept a serenely stoic expression Hadama would have been lying to say he wasn't pleased at the newcomer's appreciative awe.
Perhaps it was just as well that he couldn't read minds, for his good opinion of the stranger remained intact at the innocent question - perfectly understandable from someone who hailed from distant, colder regions - and he accepted it gravely. "Many things. From the seeds, food and drink. The fibers of the husk are used to make nets below and above the water. The trunks for furniture. Humans use the husks and leaves for making fire. The trunks for building boats and houses. The fronds for roofs." As he spoke he looked up thoughtfully and sent several pillars of water up to splash against the large nuts gathered in the trees above them. Some stayed firmly attached, but others came loose with only a light prodding and fell down to plop to the ground and in the water nearby - not too close to them, thanks to the mermanta's aim.
"I am Hadama. Can you make a fire?" The question came as he gathered the ones in the water and returned them to the shore, beginning to shake them to determine their various stages of ripeness.
Perhaps it was just as well that he couldn't read minds, for his good opinion of the stranger remained intact at the innocent question - perfectly understandable from someone who hailed from distant, colder regions - and he accepted it gravely. "Many things. From the seeds, food and drink. The fibers of the husk are used to make nets below and above the water. The trunks for furniture. Humans use the husks and leaves for making fire. The trunks for building boats and houses. The fronds for roofs." As he spoke he looked up thoughtfully and sent several pillars of water up to splash against the large nuts gathered in the trees above them. Some stayed firmly attached, but others came loose with only a light prodding and fell down to plop to the ground and in the water nearby - not too close to them, thanks to the mermanta's aim.
"I am Hadama. Can you make a fire?" The question came as he gathered the ones in the water and returned them to the shore, beginning to shake them to determine their various stages of ripeness.
