"Hmm." Hadama's non-answer held teasing disagreement in return as he kept his expression stoic, though his eyes danced with humor. "The next time you are in Torchline, we will go to the Spiral Marketplace," he rumbled instead. Perhaps then he could change her mind - though to everyone their chosen home would always be the best of places, he knew, and was content in the knowledge.
Hadama had been swimming through the estuary throughout the day, gathering the algae for tending and examining the patches that grew closer to the sea against those that were farther back in the fresh water. He had his full attention on Evie and her bubble-helmet, making sure that she could breathe and that it remained intact. So it was that he noticed when she winced and swiftly began to slide the ring back on his finger. Her gesture of reassurance a moment later had him watching her with concern but trusting her judgment and giving a slow nod. The ring was returned to his grasp and he offered his free hand to her instead.
His tail was more than strong enough to move them both through the slow, gentle currents of the estuary, roughly a body-length below the surface. A small school of large goldfish swam towards and around them, glittering like living jewels on their way to the sea and the mermanta turned to follow them, checking back on Evie regularly to see how the increasing salinity of the water was affecting the bubble and her comfort.
Hadama had been swimming through the estuary throughout the day, gathering the algae for tending and examining the patches that grew closer to the sea against those that were farther back in the fresh water. He had his full attention on Evie and her bubble-helmet, making sure that she could breathe and that it remained intact. So it was that he noticed when she winced and swiftly began to slide the ring back on his finger. Her gesture of reassurance a moment later had him watching her with concern but trusting her judgment and giving a slow nod. The ring was returned to his grasp and he offered his free hand to her instead.
His tail was more than strong enough to move them both through the slow, gentle currents of the estuary, roughly a body-length below the surface. A small school of large goldfish swam towards and around them, glittering like living jewels on their way to the sea and the mermanta turned to follow them, checking back on Evie regularly to see how the increasing salinity of the water was affecting the bubble and her comfort.
