escordvi | closed 🌠⚡ it's far too easy to miss the beauty in the simple things

[She's a little nervous about this, but it's better than all of their other options. With the markets being on the other side of the village and the place starting to get busier, they'd be safer on a seahorse, won't they? Like him, she thinks it would at least keep the path relatively open for them!

But as they start to move, Tifa does feel the bubble jiggle a bit, but nothing too terrible...

Enough that she can rest at the bottom.]

Think your ears could hold it in place?

[She's mostly joking... But she would be impressed if they could—]

....Hm.

[Honestly, he had wondered, but...]

I don't think so. They don't really move inward like that.

[And he's afraid of moving them now because what if they disturb the bubble and sends her flying out!!!]

[A squeaky laugh echoes from her and the bubble.]

Yeah, I figured. Still, would have been cute if they could. Could always tie me around your head.

I don't think we have to go that far.

[He tilts his head a little back up to her, as if to tease her.]

[The bubble bounces at the motion, but Tifa is all laughs. At least it's cheered her up somewhat...]

You don't want a cute bubble bunny bonnet for your trip? I think it'd be cute. The whales would probably be more inclined to help, too.

We'll be lucky if they don't mistake you as a ball and try to bounce you around.

It's alright, I have my wolf eel boyfriend to protect me.

[And she would kiss him right now if she could but instead, she just nuzzles the bottom of the bubble where it's nestled in his hair as it wisps around her.

But as they turn onto the next street, there's a lot more whalefolk and mermaids alike, and probably some locals from above that she recognizes as well. But that isn't what Tifa is staring at in awe...]

Oh, that must be the market up ahead? It's so big...

[For Tifa it must look huge, but even to Eustace it is quite large and busy. Makes some sense given that the native inhabitants are whalefolks and large from the beginning. Even so, he tightens his hand on the ribbon.]

Try not to move around too much... But if you see something you want me to stop at, just say so.

Are you sure about that...? We'll be stopping at every single stall, in that case.

[A quiet laugh.]

You should save some for when you're back to normal.

But look at it! Even the stalls outside...!

[As her eyes are drawn to a stall selling kitchen wares made of shells.]

I think we might be in trouble either way. Let's make it quick, before we get stuck outside and don't even make it in.

[He just shakes his head slightly, still smiling.]

Just try and remember where they are. Looks like what we need will be over there.

["There" being what looks to be where a lot of ingredients are, so he'll direct the seahorse to mosey on over before Tifa gets too distracted.]

[Too late, she's already completely distracted, and he'll hear her making small sounds of wonder as they swim through the markets, with little exclamations on the way about something cute that she's seen, only to be disappointed when they keep moving.

And as they approach the underwater apothecary table, Tifa pouts.]

I thought you said that we could look.

If I stopped at everything you pointed at, we'd still be at that third stall.

Fine...

[And she leans over in the bubble far enough that he'll feel it start to tilt on her head.]

But there are some nice shells here, too...

[He'll glance up at her as he feels that tilt.]

Which stall?

That one there.

[As if she can point to it, but she's nudging her nose and her ears in the direction of the very stall that they need to go to.]

I'm pointing...

...

[There is a flaw in this plan and that is the fact that even if he could normally see her point—she's on his head. So he just picks her up to hold her in front of him—]

Over there?

[And move in the general direction of where she pointed.]

Yeah, that one. With that pretty mermaid...

[Point point with her ear as it twitches again.]

Looks like it's got a lot of other things we need, too.

[A low hum of agreement, and as they draw nearer they can see the various shells and trinkets on display, including colorful pearls and accessories. To keep things from being crowded, Eustace stops the seahorse off to the side to dismount before swimming over with Tifa still in his hands.

Seeing them, the mermaid will greet them cheerfully before cooing upon seeing Tifa.

"Oooh so cute! Your pet??" ]

[Oh, that makes her face heat up, and those bristles on her back puff up and out, making her look more like a ball than a bunny slug.]

His girlfriend, thanks.

[There's a defiant huff, and the mermaid just...

...

Stares at Eustace as if to say "really?"]

[She answered before he could, and for a moment he's silent before he smiles and holds Tifa's bubble up to his cheek.]

It's true, isn't she cute?

[More puffing, and the mermaid just laughs at the two of them while Tifa stares down Eustace and tries to look as intimidating as possible. Probably unsuccessfully.]

You're unbelievable!

[Though she would be lying if she said she didn't think he was being just a little too cute right now.

But still!!! She presses her face up to the edge like she's trying to wiggle her way through it, but without the proper momentum, there isn't much that she can do.]

You're lucky I'm stuck inside this bubble.

["Awww, she's even cuter when she's angry. But what can I help you with?"]

[He just quietly chuckles and pulls her bubble back around front before he pulls out the list.]

We're looking for these items and hoped you might have some.

[Upon seeing the list and recognizing the name, her eyes gleam.

"Ahhh, so that's what it is. Another one caught, eh?" But she just smiles playfully at Tifa. "I don't have everything but I can get you a few things. Wait a minute~"

Well this is going well so far. He doubts it will be so easy for everything, but this helps. As the mermaid swims off to gather the items, he holds Tifa out to look at the display.]

...Want me to set you down?

[He is met with a brief, almost defiant silence as Tifa stares at him through tiny eyes.

...

.....

Before she deflates with a sigh.]

Yeah. I wanted to look at those shells that she has down there.

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