I lead Aruka into Opa's shop, showing him the displays and craftsmanship of her designs and materials, introducing him to some of the humans she has as pets. "Opaaaa!" I call out, waltzing through the shelves and mannequins displaying various goods. "I have the fey with me, he is curious about your agreements with your pets." I purr out, helping a female lift a large bulk of fabric as I walk towards the back, smiling as she flashes me a grateful smile. I walk Aruka to the back where Opal usually can be found, sewing and crafting her day away, huffing with my arms crossed. "I still do not like that most of your pets are taller than me when I am not standing on my tail." I complain as I lean into my best friend and sister's side, my small four-foot ten frame not even reaching her shoulder. Opal chuckles, hugging me with one arm as Nanih helps her put a ruffle into the dress she is working on. "One day Little Shrimp, maybe you will be as tall as your own kit, one day." Opal teases around a mouthful of pins.
I shake my head, smiling as I scoop Nanih up into my arms, holding her tightly before putting her back down to finish helping Opal. "What are you wanting to know, fey?" Opal asks, setting the pins to the side as she looks over Nanih's work on the ruffles they are placing around the skirt of the dress, slipping Nanih a sweet treat as a sign of approval before motioning for one of her pets to approach them.
"Well, I was wondering why you called them pets. How does this relationship work between you and one of your pets, how does it start?" Aruka asks, pulling out a notepad and pencil I had given him earlier upon his request. "Humans are not favored by many species, and as such, will request species that do not mind them to take them in or offer their protection. In return, those species have the humans perform tasks, for example, in my shop, my pets gather fabric from shipyards, clean said fabric, and store it appropriately here in my shop. They also ensure my shop stays as clean and pristine as possible, making sure the shiniest ones are displayed to their grandeur. They also take care of orders and purchases for me, so that I may focus on my work back here, creating these beautiful clothes for male and female alike. My pets allow me the time to focus on my craft, which brings in more profit for us as we become the most desired. In return, I give my humans an allotment of gold each week based on their work. I have also provided them homes on a piece of land that I own as well, where they are guarded and remain safe." Aruka nods his head excitedly, writing everything down that Opal just disclosed to him as Nanih plays with one of the pets, helping them to get items off taller shelves with her cheshire porting abilities.
"MyrMyr, come pick a color for this dress," Opal instructs me, using her chin to gesture towards an array of silk fabrics next to the dress she is working on. I examine each shade of blue and green silks, listening as Aruka speaks to the pet Opa had called for. Picking a deep shade of cerulean, I hand the silk fabric over to Opa, watching in approval as she expertly begins sewing the fabric together. "So, essentially, you are employing humans to do tasks in your shop, you pay them in gold weekly which they use to provide for themselves, correct?" Aruka asks after talking with the pet, turning in a circle to look at the shop and everyone in it. "And the term 'pet' is like a nickname? Where I am from it is a term used to describe something, we possess and take care of, nurture. These pets will usually live in our homes with us, and we play with them. They are usually also animals like dogs or cats." Aruka continues, looking at Opal and myself with raised brows.
"Here, pet' is used as a term of endearment, or to let others know that these particular ones are under our protection. A similar concept as yours, but we do not necessarily keep small animals." I chuckle, flashing a grin at Opal as I nod in confirmation for Aruka. "Yes, indeed, we also prefer not to keep them in our homes and play with them, although, some do enjoy that. Opa and I personally do not. I also do not keep human pets as they stink, and I do not much like them." I state, swooping Nanih up off the shelf she was on, swinging her slowly in my arms as she squeals in delight.
Stepping towards the door as I swing Nanih around, I catch a whiff of something from the sea. It smells of seaweed and salt, sweet and tangy, calling to my senses. My tail wraps tightly around Nanih, pulling her close to my chest as I walk slowly towards the door of Opal's shop, my nose to the air, following the scent. Pausing before the door, I peer out into the street, my ears flicking towards every sound as I listen intently, handing Nanih to Opal, who had appeared by my side, sensing something amiss. "What is it MyrMyr?" Opal asks, holding Nanih close as I open the door to Opal's shop, stepping out.
"Mate." Is barely heard as a whisper on my lips as I follow the scent to a trinket shopping, pausing outside as my eyes lock onto that of a male siren's, his hands holding a small music box, halfway up in the air as if he were about to examine it, his body turned towards the door of the shop with his nose to the air as well, breathing deeply with his mouth. Looking at my reflection in the glass, I realize my tongue has slithered out of my mouth, which is partly open, mirroring that of the siren's, my pupils slit like a snake while my forked tongue tastes the air. The male places the music box back on the display shelf, no longer interested in it as he moves gracefully towards the door of the shop, towards me.
I take three quick steps back, my tail twitching agitatedly behind me as I ensure the glamor concealing the scars on my skin is still in place. The siren male steps out of the shop, his eyes narrowed as he watches me moving back away from him. Hissing, he reaches out, gripping my arm as he pulls me to him, keeping a foot of distance between us as he inhales my scent, tasting the air with his tongue. "Why are you moving away from me, Mate" the siren hisses, looking down at me. "You are mine, little hybrid, do not deny me your intoxicating scent." He whispers, lowering his head to whisper into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine as I do everything I can to not allow his scent to take over all logic.
"I am not denying you, Mate, I am wary. My last mate and I, did not end so well." I whisper, my mouth suddenly going dry as my hand covers my stomach, remembering the way my first mate ripped our twins out of my womb, crushing our son's skull in his hand as Nanih cried out. My eyes flicker back to focus on the male siren in front of me, his frown causing me to raise my brows in question. "Where did you go, mate?" He asks, guiding me towards a tavern to sit down as we talk. I shrug, signaling at the bar keep getting me a drink as I use a water bubble to ask Opal to watch over Nanih and Aruka for me before turning back to my mate. "What is your name?" I ask, looking over my mate's appearance. He is quite tall, not as tall as my brothers and father, but significantly taller than myself, standing at 7ft even. His eyes are soft grey, like stormy clouds, sharp features make up his face, and a scar on his jaw which is clean shaven. His sea green skin glowing softly under the light of the tavern with his mid-back length, grey-blue hair flowing as if suspended in a current.