Love Beyond Tides

Baubles of Connection

Lila crouched beside Diana, and a series of clicks and whistles were exchanged between them, a form of communication that resonated with the magic of the underwater realm. From a bag she carried, Lila retrieved a few items, their pulsating magic catching Diana's wide-eyed attention.

"Wait!" Diana reacted impulsively, snatching Lila’s wrist. "Be ye certain ye can part with such precious booty?"

Lila stared at her for a moment, then her eyes crinkled cutely. "Yes!"

Reluctantly releasing her friend, Diana watched as Lila handed the magical items to the vendor. The man's joy was palpable, and Diana couldn't shake the discomfort that settled within her. Why would Lila give up something so valuable just to get her a gift?

Wasn't it too much?

"Diana!"

"Yes," she jolted, Lila's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

The mermaid realized that Diana was trying to process the unexpected generosity. "I just felt like giving you a gift, so don't think too hard. Okay?" Lila reassured her with a warm smile.

Diana wanted to protest but she didn’t want Lila to think that she didn’t want to be her friend so she kept quiet. As they turned to leave the stall, Diana caught sight of the elderly vendor’s tale. It was a shark's tail. A shiver ran down her spine. Memories of previous encounters with shark-mer flashed through her mind, casting a shadow over the joy of the moment.

"Lila, that merchant... he sports a tail of a shark, does he not?" Diana whispered, her eyes filled with apprehension.

Lila squeezed Diana's hand reassuringly. "Humans think sharks are scary, right? But it’s okay!"

"Nay, 'tis not about that-"

"The mer-sharks of our kingdom are quietly friendly." Lila whistled and waved to the senior. The vendor's expression brightened with kindness as he clicked and waved back. "See!"

Diana calmed down, thinking about it rationally, she never got a bad feeling from him. There was no need to worry. "Aye, I see."

"Great! Let’s finally go buy you some clothes," Lila got back on track.

Moving through the vibrant section of the bazaar dedicated to clothing, Diana marvelled at the intricate designs and colours of the garments on display. Lila eagerly shared her knowledge about mermaid fashion, pointing out the various materials used and the meticulous craftsmanship that went into each piece.

"Diana, look at these," Lila pulled her to a tent.

The human looked at the colourful seaweed. "There’s so many options."

"The variety of colours and textures you see is thanks to the diverse seaweed we import from other kingdoms. We farm our own kelp for food and clothes," Lila explained, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

Diana examined a rack of finely woven kelp cloaks, each piece a work of art with patterns resembling underwater landscapes. Then in a corner by itself was a dress. The fabric, woven from the finest kelp covered in large and small scales, had a delicate pale green hue reminiscent of sunlit seaweed. The dress featured a tasteful side split that revealed a glimpse of the wearer's scaled tail with every graceful movement. The pleats seemed to dance like seaweed tendrils as the dress rippled in the currents of the underwater world.

Adorning the gown were pearls of various sizes meticulously sewn into the fabric, catching and reflecting the ambient light like scattered treasures on the ocean floor. Sea stones in hues of aquamarine and azure adorned the waistline, creating a subtle yet captivating contrast against the soft green backdrop. But what truly stole the spotlight were the carefully placed starfish corals. Their vibrant colours ranged from delicate pinks to bold oranges, forming a stunning mosaic that seemed to bring the beauty of the coral reefs to life. Each starfish coral was intricately attached, creating a mesmerising pattern that accentuated the pleats and contours of the dress.

As Diana admired the gown, she couldn't help but imagine the wearer gliding through the underwater world. Her amber hair would look nice with the cool tones. She slapped her cheeks. What was she thinking?

"You like it?" Lila whispered.

"How long have ye been keepin' an eye on me?" Diana was startled.

"Since you slapped your cheeks?" Lila tilted her head amused.

"'Tis just... I've never laid me eyes on a sight so peculiar," she defended herself.

Lila giggled but nodded, "Oh, those are indeed special. The scales are meticulously attached one by one, and they're considered a symbol of prestige. However, they're quite expensive. This one is probably just for display here. The bazaar mainly showcases handmade, more affordable options."

Diana was mind-blown by the intricacy of mermaid fashion and the dedication that went into creating each garment. "Wow," Diana exclaimed, running her fingers over the shimmering scales on a particularly beautiful gown.

Lila watched Diana closely. Then she perked up, "You need to choose something. We came here for your clothes after all."

"Oh right!"

Observing the intricately crafted mermaid dresses, Diana admired their beauty but realised their designs were tailored for the graceful forms of mermaids. She looked at her stomach and bit her lip. Determined to embrace the underwater fashion, she perused the stalls and eventually settled on a few simple yet elegant skirts and blouses that could be adapted to her unique style.

As Diana made her selections, Lila watched her friend's thoughtful choices with a knowing smile. After a moment, she approached Diana, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Diana, those skirts and blouses are lovely, but what if we make something truly special? How about we buy some kelp fabric and a variety of seaweed? We can create unique pieces that blend both human and mermaid fashion."

"Really?"

"Of course!" Lila cheered.

Diana's face lit up with the idea, and Lila felt a surge of happiness at witnessing her friend's smile. Lila communicated with the people at the bazaar, and soon their items were packed up and handed to the guards accompanying them as they prepared to leave.

"Be it fine to depart without barterin' a thing?" Diana fretted.

"Oh, it’s fine. Our house will deliver what they need tomorrow," Lila reassured her.

"Be ye a princess, Lila?" Diana asked cautiously.

"Me? You think I’m that pretty!" Lila's eyes sparkled with delight.

"Well, yes," Diana replied, not bothering to clear the misunderstanding. Besides, in Diana's eyes, Lila possessed a certain cuteness and grace that could easily pass as that of a princess. "I inquire because yer abode exudes power, and I be wary of bein' misled anew. Thessa— I mean, the prince neglected to reveal his royal lineage."

"Oh! I understand." Lila giggled, "My mother is a high-ranking noble. In human terms, she’s a, uhm." Lila pressed her temples, trying to recall the word.

"A duchess?"

"No."

"A viscountess?"

"The one that’s higher than that."

"Ye mother be a Marquess?" Diana's eyes widened.

"Thanks! That’s the word," Lila cheered, relieved to have found the right term. The revelation added another layer of understanding for Diana, as she realised the significant status and influence held by the family that had welcomed her into their underwater abode. "Of course, it's because we're a part of House Selachra that the Second Prince chose Mom."

"House... what?"

"House Selachra," Lila repeated slowly. Diana's lip twitched and the mermaid spluttered, then burst into laughter. "We are the scholars of the kingdom," she explained when she calmed down, "Mom recently retired from being the Academy's headmaster. She said she was getting too old." Lila shrugged, "Mom is as quick as ever so I don't know why she says she's old."

"I have a full head of white and grandchildren. I believe I'm an elder at this point."

"Mom!" Lila and Diana turned around.

Diana hadn't noticed the Marquess's absence until she returned. "Welcome back, me lady." Diana greeted awkwardly.

The mother and daughter pair froze then Lila burst into laughter. She had to cover her mouth so as to not attract attention. Diana's cheeks burned, and even her ears were hot. She lowered her head with an apology on her lips when she felt a hand on her head. She raised her head and Merea smiled kindly.

"You are a child sponsored by the second prince himself, there's no need for that, my dear," Merea reassured Diana. She glanced at the bags. "That's quite a few things."

"We're not finished!" Lila interjected quickly, her enthusiasm apparent. "She needs jewellery too, not to mention we need ink and books for Diana."

"Ah, very true. But we won't find those things at the bazaar, so I suppose it's time to visit the town," Merea suggested with a smile.

"Yes," Lila grinned.

"Excuse me?" Diana spoke hesitantly.

"Yes, my dear?" Merea turned to her.

"Be there a place 'round here that forges fine jewellery?" Diana asked.

"There are many," Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What do you want?"

"Matching..."

"Repeat?" Lila blinked.

"I be wishin' for us to don matchin' bracelets, aye?" Diana confessed, a light blush gracing her cheeks. Lila froze, her head tilted in surprise. "If you don't like it-"

"I love it!" Lila erupted with joy, pouncing on the human and smothering her in a hug.

Merea found the sight adorable. "Shall we head to a craft shop first?"

"Yes, ma'am," Diana grinned back.