i can't just walk away

Calliope

Swimming along through the Spiral Marketplace was one of Calliope's favorite things to do. The place was filled with wares of all different types, from fresh foods to beautiful clothing to antique furniture, and, most intriguingly, items from far-off places. Calliope enjoyed chatting with the merchants there about their travels as she browsed; this also had the added benefit of making it easier to negotiate discounts.

At the moment, Calliope was looking at a stall with a number of decorative tabletop items, a bit of jewelry, and other miscellaneous trinkets. Currently, she was inspecting a lovely silver hand mirror with flowing lines framing the reflective surface and similar designs embossed in the handle. She admired herself in it for a moment, flashing a smile, fixing her hair, and decided she liked the way the silver color, though not very practical in seawater, looked when matched with her skin tone. It did have a scratch on the back face, unfortunately.

When she asked how much the vendor was selling it for, they answered with a number so ridiculous she had to ask them to repeat it. With an incredulous look, Calliope pointed out the scratch and the fact that the silver was already degraded due to exposure to seawater. However, the vendor did not budge, not even a little bit. Calliope, frustrated, simply asked why not, and the vendor answered something dissatisfying to her, which was followed by another impatient questioning from Calliope. They went back and forth in this way until the argument became so heated that others were starting to take notice, though Calliope didn't care. This merchant clearly was trying to steal from her? How could they not see that?

now's the time to be alive, to stay awake and be with me a while, and smile

Hadama had business of his own in the Marketplace today, and he nodded with stoic courtesy to those shoppers and shop owners who had known him before he had risen from humble smith to King. Between his imposing size and the distinctive golden tattoos that traced over the scars on his dark skin there was little hiding or sneaking about that he could do, but he had never been one to stand on ceremony. Though some inevitably treated him with deference, others were used to his forays through the City and its markets and either greeted him normally or ignored him since he wasn't wearing his crown and therefore wasn't on 'official' business.

He was seeking something in particular today, stopping at all of the jewelry shops as he swam along and had just curved towards a smaller stall that had a bit of everything - jewelry included - when the mental 'sounds' of raised voices caught his attention. He picked up the metal armband in silver-chased steel that had caught his eye and drifted closer to the altercation. What is the problem? he asked the arguing pair, a silvery brow rising in inquiry as he looked from the shopkeeper to the lovely young woman across from them.

Calliope

Calliope was so focused on her argument with the merchant that she failed to notice the literal king of the merfolk come up next to her until he spoke. She looked at him and widened her eyes, nodding her head to him in respect. I want to buy this mirror, she holds it up for him to look at, It is degraded silver and has a scratch in the back. So, I want a lower price. Instead, this person is insisting on some ridiculously high amount that in no way makes sense.

At this point, Calliope is getting fed up, crossing her arms across her chest and looking between the merchant and the king. The merchant begins to plead their case, and Calliope rolls her eyes as she waits for him to finish and the king to make a judgement. Clearly, she was in the right here, that's all she knew for sure.

now's the time to be alive, to stay awake and be with me a while, and smile

Hadama listened to the koi-tailed mermaid's account first, then turned his attention to the shopkeeper. The salmon-tailed merfolk made a point of how difficult the mirror had been to obtain, and how far he'd had to go to get it. It was human-made, they claimed, brought all the way from Stormbreak on a human airship, and any true collector would know the worth of it, even if it wasn't in perfect condition anymore.

The King nodded to each of them, then swam closer to inspect the mirror that Calliope held out. He straightened after a few moments and crossed his arms, giving the matter serious consideration - and searching his memory before he nodded again, more slowly.

Any merchant has a right to set their own prices, he said slowly, his voice a low rumble in the minds of those around. The merchant perked up and started to shoot a triumphantly smug look at Calliope but Hadama ignored him, looking to the koi-mer as well with a gleam in his emerald eyes. But no customer is required to pay that price when there is a mirror in better shape for half the price two stalls down. He had seen it during his own shopping, but since he wasn't looking for one he had passed it over. The craftsmanship had caught his eye and been memorable, however, as had the remarkably reasonable price. Would you like me to show you?

The merchant by now was looking torn between their pride and their greed, realizing that they were about to lose a customer if they didn't lower their price immediately to match their competitor's deal.

Calliope

Calliope grinned triumphantly as the king made his judgement, feeling the eyes of every merfolk around her and loving the attention. As was perfectly just in the situation, Hadama pointed out the disparity in prices to prove Calliope's point, and the merchant spluttered to lower the price in response. After all she'd been through with this seller, however, Calliope was all too glad to be led away from them. She looked down at the mirror in her hands and set it back down on the merchant's display table before turning to Hadama.

Why, thank you, your Majesty, sir. I think I will take you up on that offer. Without a second glance at the merchant, Calliope swam up beside Hadama, waiting for him to lead the way. She looked up at the king with a winning smile, pleased with how the situation went for her.

now's the time to be alive, to stay awake and be with me a while, and smile

Hadama's expression remained stoic and calm as the shop owner dithered and finally relented, but by then it was too late. Their price-gouging had not only lost them a customer - it had now become a point of marketplace gossip, however briefly. Though the King might have regretted such a public spectacle, the merchant had brought it on themself, and hopefully would learn a lesson from it.

He set aside the armlet he had been interested in purchasing and instead turned his attention to the young woman who had been so bold. He offered her his arm as they began to swim at a leisurely pace down the line of stalls, heading back to the vendor where he had seen the curious mirror. Call me Hadama, please, he requested, a gleam of amusement hiding in emerald eyes. What is your name?

Calliope

Calliope took Hadama's proffered arm as they swam side-by-side past the next couple of stalls. She looked up into his eyes as he requested that she call him by name and asked for her own. It wasn't surprising that he made such a request; it was well-known amongst the merfolk that their king was unconcerned with titles and preferred to interact more casually with the populace. Still, she felt a little thrill at the fact that she now was on a first name basis with the king of the merfolk.

My name is Calliope, daughter of Selah, she replied, looking into his expression to see if there was any recognition of her mother's name. It had been a long time since Selah's life of fame, but still, Calliope was curious. It didn't hurt that Hadama's face was quite handsome and well-formed when she looked at it up close.

now's the time to be alive, to stay awake and be with me a while, and smile

It is nice to meet you, Calliope, he rumbled, inclining his head to her. When he raised it again there was a thoughtful look in his eyes as he considered the other name she had given. He paused their progress outside of the shop he had found earlier but waited a moment before swimming in.

Selah... the name was familiar, indeed. Is your mother a bard? His question was curious and he didn't hide the thread of intrigue that wound through it, though his expression remained outwardly serene. The bard Selah? Though perhaps the name was simply coincidence; it was possible that two women had the same name, after all. But the way Calliope had said it certainly made him wonder. His own father and sister were also bards, though they had trained in the oral histories of the Mer and had worked for the Court as both historians and diplomats long before Hadama had swum forward to claim the empty throne.

There was no denying that his sister had been a huge fan of Selah, however, and Hadama was very much aware of who the popular songstress was... or at least, had been before her retirement.

Calliope

Calliope smiled brightly at Hadama's question, pleased that the name was indeed recognized. It was a testament to her mother's true brilliance as the Jewel of the Sea. Well, former brilliance. She hoped Hadama wouldn't ask any follow-up questions about why Selah went away, as the answer to that was very complicated and not even Calliope knew the entire truth.

Yes, she was, though she doesn't work anymore. She replies casually, beginning to swim forward into the shop that Hadama stopped them at. Calliope had many opposing feelings about her mother that she didn't want revealed to a complete stranger, even though he was the king. I have taken up her lyre and am now performing myself, though I have yet to achieve her level of fame, she adds after, lifting her chin in a show of pride.

now's the time to be alive, to stay awake and be with me a while, and smile

Hadama followed Calliope into the shop, gesturing towards the section where the mirror still rested among other pieces of silverwork. He had known of Selah's retirement, though the reasons for it were a mix of unsubstantiated rumors and it seemed rude to inquire when the young woman offered no further details on the subject.

He swam slowly within the small space of the shop, picking up a brass bell and examining it as they spoke. Where do you usually perform? he asked, curious. If time permitted it would be worth it to hear Selah's daughter perform, and his sister would certainly appreciate the heads-up about it. And when?

It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon, in conversation with the young performer. A memory to hold against the dark times the future would someday bring.

~Fin~