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

[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.

[He knows he shouldn't, but she is really cute. He'll give her bubbles a little tap as if petting it before carefully setting her down by the shells.]

You might be able to roll...

[Like a gerbil.......]

[She does shoot him a terrifying glare, but actually that's not a terrible idea...

And she really does mull it over for a moment before she starts to scoot forward, then lean back, then forward, trying to get some momentum going.]

Give me a hand!

[Yes, she's really going to do this!!!]

[He watches, wondering if she really would before he holds back a snort—barely. She really did look like a gerbil, and with a quiet laugh he gives her a little nudge.

Neat her butt.]

[Rude!!

She huffs loudly and squeakily at him when she feels that nudge, and the surprise touch from the other side startles her that she ends up rolling over. It's enough that the bubble itself starts to roll across the table, bumping into shells and broken pieces of coral, jars of sand as she goes and goes, knocking a few of them over, until she finally rolls to a slow stop right up against the shell that she had wanted to look at. Only problem is that now she is upside-down, but she glances up at it anyway.]

... Well, at least I can get a closer look?

[As the mermaid returns with several items cradled in her hands and she nearly drops them in surprise. "Oh my, what happened?"]

[There's only some alarm at first before he has to hold back the laugh while reaching out to catch any that threaten to fall off the table. Fortunately he does and when Tifa stops he stops himself from poking her again.]

Pushed a little too hard.

[He'll admit fault as he tries to fix of the few bumped things.]

[The mermaid looks down at Tifa, and then the shell, and she sets everything on the table in front of her so that she can pick it up and show it off. "This is a rare one that I found near the bottom of the ocean. Don't know how it got to be so pearly, but it also glows a little when it's dark enough. It was how I managed to find it lodged in the sand. You like it?"

Tifa gives a small nod, but not before shooting Eustace a look.]

I do. I like to put stuff like this up at my bar—random things that I find around and collect.

[The mermaid giggles. "A bar for other seabunnies? How tiny are the drinks!?"

Tifa puffs up again, and she laughs.

"Well, it's for sale if you want it, but I brought what I could find from my crates for what you need for that potion."]

[Ignoring the look~]

We'll take it, along with the ingredients.

[He'll reach into his back to pull out a few doubloons to pay while the mermaid started to pack everything using kelp.

"I also marked off what you got here from the list. You should be able to get some of the others from the nearby stalls... But you may some trouble with Granny Maura. She's sweet, but doesn't take to outsiders that quick. If you have trouble you can call me for help!"

So far they seem to have a lot better luck with the mermaids here... But maybe that's because they're mermaids and not sirens?]

Oh.

[Tifa is a little surprised when Eustace just happily agrees to buying the shell for her, and that surprise is made known in her voice.]

You're sure? I didn't want to impose, and... we can always come back here later.

[The mermaid clicks her tongue. "Just take the shell, you silly little bunny!"]

[There's just a wry grin down at her.]

We can still come back later and if there's something else you can get it then.

[And the mermaid just winks as she hands over the stuff that he will tuck into the bag.]

[He is too good to her... and she can feel her little cheeks growing warm.]

... Okay. So now we have to find Maura? Will she have whatever we need?

[The mermaid shrugs. "Probably, but like I said, you'll have to work for her favour if you want her help. With everything going on right now, she's been a little on edge more than usual. And don't even think about trying to bribe her with money."

A laugh.

"Though she might take well to her." She points to Tifa. "She's cute, hard to resist that. So put on your cutest smile."]

[There's just a slight arch of the brow, but he'll move to pick up Tifa.]

Looks like we'll have to take advantage of your form after all.

[He did joke earlier about it...]

[The mermaid waves to them. "Good luck~"

And Tifa waves her ears at her in thanks, her voice too small to carry very far as he picks her up again.]

Guess so. Think it'll work okay? If I wiggle my ears like this, it might win her over...

[There's just a quiet laugh as he holds her a little closer to his face as they swim away. Since the stalls are relatively close, they can leave the seahorse where it's tied up. It has other seahorses to pal around with so it won't be lonely at least.]

That and maybe trying to roll around again.

That trick is a little harder.

[She rolls around inside the bubble instead, showing off this new skill.]

Was it really that cute? Felt more clumsy to me, and I don't wanna upset this vendor if I can help it.

I thought the clumsiness was part of the charm, but it would be better if you didn't knock over things...

What about just through the water?

[Although even this was pretty cute he thought.]

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