Love Beyond Tides

Of Gentle Currents and Embraces.

The girls enjoyed snacks in the kitchen. As they indulged in the mystical seaweed treats, Diana noticed a familiar taste – the same snack that Thessa had offered her in the grotto, albeit with a different flavour. Lila informed her that this variant was Latok flavoured, and Diana found its fruity essence quite pleasing. The taffy-like snack she was currently wrestling with wasn’t that good. She didn’t know how to place the texture and it tastes weirdly… floral? Chewing is making her jaw hurt.

“You don’t like it?” Lila inquired, glancing at her with playful concern.

"It's not bad..." Diana mumbled between chews, attempting to mask her minor struggle.

“If you don’t like it, you should’ve said something,” Lila teased, her laughter dancing through the water. “I'll remember that you like sea grapes and melon coral.”

Diana continued to chew, ignoring the comment, determined to overcome the peculiar texture lingering on her teeth. Lila, amused, swam away, leaving Diana alone on the stool. Seizing the opportunity, Diana observed the intricate architecture of the kitchen nook, offering a panoramic view of the bustling activities among the underwater servants. She watched the servants chatter among themselves. To be more precise, sounds were exchanged between them. Long and short clicks, long and short whistles, and even the pauses seem intentional.

While contemplating the aquatic culinary scene, Lila returned with a bottle and a playful suggestion. "Here! It'll help get the Nectar twists off."

Diana, intrigued by the apparent sorcery, received the bottle with a raised brow. "Ye indulge in drinks beneath the waves as well?" she marvelled at the thought.

"Yea!" Lila affirmed, demonstrating the unique technique. She held a cup and the bottle close together, the liquid inside seemingly defying the surrounding water. "What we drink is heavier than the water surrounding us. Oh, but you have to pour it into a cup and do it really closely. Okay?"

"I got it," Diana nodded, eyeing the oddly shaped container with a green-yellow liquid. She couldn't help but question its content. "What be this one? More seaweed" She tentatively poked the bottle.

Lila's playful smile held a touch of mystery. "I don’t think you’d like it if you knew," she teased.

Diana eyed the bottle, then slowly pushed it towards Lila, who erupted in laughter. The underwater kitchen symphony ceased, and Diana, glancing upward, noticed Marea's entrance into the dining room.

“Mom!” Lila greeted her mother with boundless enthusiasm.

“I hope you didn’t gorge yourself on snacks and left space for dinner,” Merea chided with a gentle smile as she settled beside her daughter.

“I did! You can ask the maids,” Lila huffed, defending her culinary choices. "Did you come to tell Diana about her schedule?"

"Yes," her mother nodded, her gaze shifting to Diana. "Your lessons will begin tomorrow, Diana. There's a lot to cover before the trials."

"I understand," Diana nodded, a sense of determination in her gaze. "What be me maiden lesson in this venture?"

Merea's smile held a hint of approval. "The first lesson will begin tomorrow after breakfast. I still need to gather resources. First, I will take you into town. You need new clothes."

"We're going shopping?" Lila's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Diana has such nice hair, I'm sure we can find something to complement it." Then, with a sudden gasp, Lila added, "Is there a bazaar in the market today? We could go with Dia!"

Diana's brows shot up in surprise at the suggestion. Merea chuckled at the human's candid expression, appreciating the genuine mix of surprise and curiosity etched on Diana's face.

"I don't see why not," the matriarch hummed, giving her approval to the impromptu adventure.

The prospect of a shopping excursion and a potential visit to the market bazaar filled Diana with lighthearted anticipation. She was ready to add to her memory album of new experiences and shared moments.

"Yes!" Lila shot up. Diana also rose, as she anticipated, Lila latched onto her wrist and started pulling her away. "Diana and I need to get ready," she announced.

Merea, observing her daughter's spirited departure with Diana in tow, shook her head with a chuckle. "What am I going to do with that girl?"

In the blink of an eye, they ascended to the third floor. Lila, ever the decisive hostess, called in the maids. "Bring in my long skirts and long dresses," she instructed them with a wide smile.

Seated before Diana, Lila began her preparations. Moving behind the human, she hummed contemplatively, studying the auburn waves that cascaded down Diana's back. As she examined the intricate tones catching the light, Lila couldn't help but express admiration.

"You have gorgeous hair," Lila chirped, her genuine compliment floating through the water.

"Thank you," Diana responded with a shyly.

On what Diana assumes is a vanity table, an assortment of seaweed combs, shells, and colourful corals - essential tools for the mermaid hairstyling process. With delicate finesse, Lila began combing through Diana's hair with a comb made of iridescent fish scales, untangling any knots that might have formed during her journey here.

With a practised touch, Lila then brushed Diana's hair into a half-up-do, skillfully braiding a couple of strands to incorporate into the bun. The underwater stylist tucked the ends of the braids into the bun, adding intricate detail to an otherwise simple hairstyle

"Now, for the final touch," Lila exclaimed, revealing a delicate coral hairpin adorned with tiny pearls. "This enchanted hairpin will keep your hair in place and add a subtle touch of magic to your appearance. Just perfect for the underwater bazaar!" Lila stepped back to admire her work. "You look absolutely stunning!" Lila giggled, preoccupied with the results.

"Lila?"

"Yes?" the mermaid responded quickly, having snapped out of her reverie.

"Ye be choosin' for me, then?" Diana pointed to the pile.

"Right!" Lila hurried over to the sets chosen by the maids before she squealed in excitement. "You two, go help Diana get dressed," she instructed them, handing over the selected outfit.

Diana, a bit nervous about being left alone with the maids, found the experience surprisingly painless. As she emerged from the dressing room, she sought Lila's opinion.

"What yer reckon?"

Diana was adorned in a long, form-fitted kelp petticoat, its pale green hue adorned with frills at the end. The over-skirt, a pressed and pleated lettuce seaweed added a touch of elegance. A brown belt cinched her waist, accented with yellow spiral wrack seaweed. Completing the ensemble was a simple, matching pale green kelp crop blouse.

Lila, upon seeing the transformation, became a squealing mess of excitement. "You're so pretty!"

Diana felt a warm blush rising to her cheeks. Pretty wasn't a word she was accustomed to hearing on her father's ship, especially with her round figure. Yet, if Lila said she was pretty, then Diana believed her.

"Thank you, Lila," she whispered.

Lila crossed the room and hugged her friend. Startled, Diana didn't respond and Lila tightened her hug. The human let out a soft chuckle and hugged Lila back. They stayed like that until Diana pulled back.

"I'm gonna get ready," Lila hummed.

"Aye," Diana nodded.

A few hours later, they arrive at the bazaar. The air was alive with the melodic hum of merfolk chatter, their voices echoing through the water. Some were adorned in elaborate, flowing seaweed robes while others sported intricate tattoos that glowed softly. Most merfolk were either very pale or very dark, their tails and accessories being the pop of colour that sets any individual apart.

Although dressed up, she felt rather plain next to them. As they continued to explore, Merea couldn't help but notice Diana's slightly apprehensive expression. With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Merea gently touched Diana's shoulder.

"Let me share a little secret," she whispered. "Part of fitting in is looking the part." She winked at the child, "And I'd say you're doing a great job."

Diana beamed with gratitude, making Merea smile wider in return. The maids returned with an array of clothing. While Diana was curiously watching them Merea stared at the human. Looking at Diana's eyes with her hair up, Merea was struck with a sense of nostalgia. She's seen someone with these eyes before, eyes of clear ocean waters that can only be viewed from the shores of a calm beach. Even her face is similiar to that person.

Who... is it?

As the group moved closer to the heart of the event, the music reached Diana's ears. Diana's eyes widened with awe as Merea guided her through the vibrant tapestry of stalls to the market's centre. The square was dominated by a grand kelp canopy, casting dappled patterns of light on the sea floor below. Here, musicians played haunting melodies on seashell instruments.

Some merfolk gathered, and they moved around each other whimsically. When the two came together, she realized they were dancing.

She joined in the timed applause before following her guides to another place. Merea and Lila meandered through the bustling crowds, their tails creating gentle currents in the water as they navigated the labyrinth of marine commerce, each one laden with treasures from the depths.

As Diana marvelled at the vibrant displays in the aquatic bazaar, she turned to Merea and Lila with a curious expression. "What will we do first?" she inquired, her voice carrying through the water.

"Buy clothes for you silly!" Lila grinned.

She pointed to a section where mermaids with iridescent scales bargaining for shimmering pearls, mermen showcasing intricate seashell jewellery and clothes. Clusters of aquatic beings gathered around chattering and inspecting the ware.

"I be not layin' eyes on a speck of doubloons," Diana muttered.

"A speck of what?' Lila eyed her.

"I see no money," Diana motioned to the activity around them.

"Money isn't used at the bazaar," Marea grinned, "Here, we engage in the art of bartering, a tradition that goes beyond simple exchange. It's a dance of mutual respect and cooperation."

Diana's brows knitted. Lila glanced around then tugged her friend to a nearby stall. She picked up two pearls. "Certain items hold special significance. Gifting a pearl is a symbol of goodwill and trust, the bigger or more enchanted the pearl the more sincere the feelings of the gifter."

She took Diana's hand and placed the pearls in her palm.

"This are my first gifts to you!" Lila beamed.

Diana's eyes widened looking at the large ivory and salmon pearls. "Nay, I be thinkin' it's beyond me," Diana tried to give it back to her.

"Just take it," Lila refused with a smile, "sisters give each other gifts, don't they?"