Not wanting to waste another summoning when they had so few to deal with Ema decided on a different tactic. Ema let herself begin to sink and tore an opening beneath her to fall through ending up in the perfect position to unleash a lightning bolt from as far as possible from her target. The electricity lanced out at the two sahuagin in it's path electrifying them in the process.
Simon takes out the wounded sahuagin with a flurry of precise claw attacks, ripping it to shreds. Victrix slices the other one twice, then Ema unleashes her lightning bolt, and while both remaining enemies dodge the worst of it, it's still enough to take out the other normal sahuagin.
Caught up in a blood frenzy, the four-armed mutant sahuagin swims directly at Simon! She swings her sword, but his magical shield deflects the attack.
Victrix swims to the side and swings her axe twice.
Victrix succeeds in slicing the sahuagin in two, bringing the battle to a bloody end!
With the battle over, the person they had cornered emerges from her hiding spot in the coral. The young mermaid sighs with relief. "Thank you so much for saving me! I thought those sea devils would be my end. I am Drecissa, and I live in the nearby city of Talasantri. I'm a healer and an herbalist. I was out scouting near the surface for the plants I use in my healing draughts when the sahuagin attacked me!"
Victrix's rage abates when the last of the sahuagin is hacked in two.
She turns to the newcomer and waves hello. "Name's Victrix. Are you injured?"
The mermaid shakes her head. "No, thankfully. I was able to use my own magic to tend my wounds." She grins at your group. "I've never met humans before! This is so exciting! What are you all doing down here?"
As Simon dismisses the polymorph and returns to his normal form, Valentin retrieves his wands and puts them back into their wrist sheathes.
Getting out the CLW wand, he begins tending to the party's wounds.
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As Simon returns to regular size and number of appendages, he pats himself to make sure there are no holes left in him.
"Hmmm... for a first experiment, I am not sure how effective the polymorph was. Being able to attack more often was very useful, but I do like being able to keep them a bit at bay."
Then noticing that Victrix is in the middle of a conversation, he jois in. "I am glad that you are well, Drecissa. After taking a beating from those sahuagin myself, I am impressed by your toughness. Sahuagin here in the depths are certainly tougher than those near the surface."
He attempts an underwater bow, with a smile. "I am Simon, and we are on our way to visit Talasantri, hoping to make friends in the city."
With the fighting over Ema began to flounder her way over towards the group and the mermaid. It was slow going as she simply wasn't that great of a swimmer, in fact the only reason she made headway was because of the ring aiding her movements, but she got there eventually. She arrived just in time to hear Simon speak about how much tougher the sahuagin down here were and she couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Having gotten close enough to talk Ema said, "Nice to meet you Drecissa, I'm Emalliandra but you are welcome to call me Ema if you wish."
Drecissa bobs her head. "It's nice to meet you all. Please, allow me to guide you the rest of the way to Talasantri. It's the least I can do to repay your kindness. My mother will want to hear of your bravery, and she will certainly reward you for saving me!"
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Smiling at their good turn of events, Simon bows again. "We would love to meet your mother.
Forgive us, but we are unaware of normal etiquette among merpeople. We would hate to make any missteps due to our ignorance. Please let us know if there is anything we might need to know beforehand."
Heading back to the submersible, Simon prepares to follow Drecissa.
Drecissa nods. "Of course. Her name is Anemora. She is a sharply intelligent trader who made a comfortable fortune in salvaging sunken antiques and trading them with other aquatic communities as well as passing ships in the dry world. I think she will like you!"
The mermaid swims alongside your submersible as you close the rest of the distance to Talasantri.
A hemisphere of latticed red coral rises in a giant half-dome from the seafloor. The coral dome seems partly natural and partly structured. In places there are holes large enough to swim through, though razor-sharp coral ridges and gnarled spikes line these ingresses. In other places, tangled nests of coral block the view within. Phosphorescent jellyfish drift within the dome, radiating their pale glow in luminous bubbles, first in teal, then pink, then yellow. The dome stretches hundreds of feet across, and the dark waters around it obscure even the glow of the jellyfish beyond a few dozen feet away. There is no doubt that you have at last reached Talasantri.
Around the dome and within the red lattice, merfolk and aquatic elves travel in pairs, circling Talasantri with weapons in hand. A large opening near the seabed, flanked by three aquatic elves, seems to be the main way into the city. An arch of interwoven eels carved from the coral and set with precious gems sparkle in myriad shades around the portal, inviting entrance even as the guards on either side of the portal watch for intruders with steely eyes.
As you near the dome’s entrance, one of the archway guards swims toward your vessel. The other guards remain where they are, seemingly willing to let their fellow do the talking but watching him closely. The approaching guard is a young aquatic elf who seems to take his job very seriously. [b]"Halt! State your names and your purpose within the city!" he declares, peering suspiciously through the viewports of the apparatus.
Drecissa swims forward with an exasperated sigh. "These surfacers saved my life, Argnos. Just let us in, will you?"
Argnos seems unimpressed. "No surfacers are allowed in Talasantri without the city guard's approval," he says smugly.
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Raising his voice to be heard through the vehicle, Simon holds up a finger.
As he turns to open the hatch, Simon quietly murmurs to the others. "Argos appears to be wealthy and dislikes Drecissa for some reason. The other guards appear to resent his wealth or manner."
Swimming out to meet Argos, Simon bows. "My apologies for the delay, sir. My name is Simon. These others are Victrix, Emalliandra, and Valentin.
We are representatives of the settlement of Talmandor's Bounty. We have contacts with the locathah within the city and have come to visit them to strengthen our relationship and to make diplomatic connections with others in the city.
As Drecissa mentioned, we encountered her being attacked by a swarm of sahuagin and intervened."
Argnos scowls. "I don't care who you are or why you have come. You're going to have to wait for my commander to vet you before you can enter Talasantri," he says. "Proper procedure must be followed."
Drecissa rolls her eyes. "He's always like this."
"Good to know." Victrix whispers before Simon introduces the group.
"I don't care who you are or why you have come. You're going to have to wait for my commander to vet you before you can enter Talasantri. Proper procedure must be followed."
"Then go fetch your commander, rookie." Victrix glares at the uppity sea elf. "We haven't got all bloody day."
The bloodstains still on Victrix's mithril chainmail contrast quite sharply with Argos' excessively clean and polished dress and gear.
Ema was relieved to be back on their submersible as they made their way to Talasantri but when they came across the stubborn guard at the entrance Ema felt a wash of irritation. You'd think after all of these millennia she'd have gotten used to his type. She entered the water as well and floundered over to where Simon was speaking with the guard and looked him over in annoyance. "My, my, to think you would hold up ambassadors from a foreign power like this? Even the most boorish of land dweller towns wouldn't show such poor hospitality," she didn't bother to even look at the guard as she said, "I'm going back to the ship, if you would be so good as to let us know when we can proceed it would be appreciated Simon." With that Ema began to sink and tore a portal below her to fall through and get back into their sub in the most expedient way possible.
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Simon sighs internally as his attempt at diplomacy is overridden by Victrix, and his pasted on smile slips as he is reduced to a servant by Ema.
Well, that is a different approach.
It might work, but we'll have to hope that this man's wealthy parents aren't the type who can block our access within this city.
Argnos blanches and shrinks back in the face of Victrix's cold words and Ema's irritation. He glances back at the older guards, who chuckle at his discomfort.
"Uh, well, uh... I guess we don't have to wait if you are ambassadors. Uh, go on in!" The young aquatic elf waves you forward.
"See you later, Argnos!" Drecissa says gleefully, wiggling her tail as she sails through the arch and into the city.
The streets of Talasantri can disorient surface dwellers. Though some streets stretch along the ocean floor, other lanes veer up at all angles, created by the passages between coral growths, rock formations, and buildings. Many of the dwellings here rise 10 or more stories tall, and some are built down from the dome above, clinging to the red lattice.
The jellyfish lanterns that float through Talasantri provide dim light throughout the city, illuminating the beautiful stone buildings that fill the dome in gentle moving light as they float past. Carved representations of aquatic monsters, seashells, and tropical flowers adorn most of the residences, some inlaid with bits of shell or semiprecious gems that catch the light of the lanterns. Aquatic elves, merfolk, and other denizens of the sea swim along the streets, chatting animatedly among themselves but falling silent when passing any surfacer. Despite the bustling nature of the city, the water here is relatively clear.
"Isn't the city beautiful?" Drecissa beams, swimming a few loops and sighing happily. "Come on, I'll take you to meet my mother!"
Ema realized, as they were entering the city again, that Simon might have taken what she said the wrong way. She knew he had a bit of an inferiority complex sometimes and he probably thought she meant he was a servant. She'd seen this pattern enough to know how things went adn that they'd likely have a fight later if she didn't say something now.
As they made their way into the city Ema came up behind Simon and leaned forward, and went to wrap her arms around him to hug him from behind. "Yes, it is a beautiful city Simon and I'm sorry if what I said earlier came across wrong. I didn't mean to imply you were a servant, only to come across as a b~$$&y diplomat who was being inconvenienced by a peon." She giggled and said, "It seemed to work too."
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"I appreciate the concern, Ema. We were all playing a part and had different ideas of how to accomplish our goal. The results seem fine, so far."
The conversation doesn't hold his attention for long, as his gaze shifts up to the buildings hanging from the dome, and he trails off, speaking more to himself. "I wonder how they organize traffic in a three dimensional world..."
Talasantri is divided into three main districts. The Threadfin District holds most of the common residences in the city. The few stores found there provide everyday goods and groceries to the residents. The wealthy and aristocratic citizens of Talasantri make their homes in the Seamount District. Here, the houses are larger than in Threadfin and have a more planned architectural style. Seamount homes are often made of fitted masonry blocks and decorated with artistic flourishes, such as graceful marble statues or mosaics made of seashell tiles. Whalefall is the smallest of Talasantri’s districts, but it is densely packed with stores, workshops, and artists’ galleries. For a city of its size, Talasantri houses a surprising number of skilled artisans who craft exquisite and valuable items.
Drecissa lives in an elegant coral home in the Seamount District with her brother Cassiux, her father Toruun, and her mother, Anemora. When you enter the house, an elegant merfolk woman with brown skin and flowing green hair glides across the room. Scales of gold have been affixed to her teal-green tail in a pleasingly random pattern, and she wears a loose top of small, interlocking jeweled scales. “Welcome to my home,” she says. Her voice is mellow, but her golden brown eyes glint as they take in every detail. "I am Anemora.”
Drecissa's mother is pleased to hear you helped her daughter and thanks you for your actions. ”My family is my most priceless treasure. No reward I could offer would truly convey my gratitude, but I hope you’ll accept this small token.” She gives you a pearl-encrusted jewelry box worth 500 gp. Within the box are two beautiful crystal lenses, which are a pair of eyes of keen sight.
Simon examines the box and its contents, giving praise, then steps back looking toward Victrix and Ema. Having shown that they have a better understanding of how to communicate with people, he assumes that one of them will take the lead here.
As the silence grows, Valentin, becoming uncomfortable, decides to step in.
Reaching forward, he closes the box and pushes it back to Anemora. Lowering his eyes, in an effort to not give offense, he explains. "Anemora, thank you. Your gift is precious, yet we did not step in to help Drecissa expecting a reward. Nor do we think that one it needed."
Bowing lower, he sweeps an arm out to the side. "Yet, there is something that we need within Talasantri. Perhaps this favor is within your power."
Straightening, he smiles warmly. "We seek an audience with Rillkimatai. We come with news of an impending peril, and believe that he can provide assistance."
Victrix quietly takes in the strange and exotic sights of Talasantri as their host escorts the party to her home.
Ema looked out of the submarine with great interest as they entered the underwater city from the view ports of their vehicle. She actually hoped they would get a chance to explore it, preferably without needing the sub, so that she could get a better look at it. As they approached their destination within the Seamount District Ema stared at the place in fascination as she'd never seen a place like this before, a rarity for her now that she had her old memories back, and found the place delightful.
When they were introduced to Anemora Ema was slightly surprised by the woman's appearance. The scales of gold affixed to her tail and the jeweled top more than caught the mage's eye and she quickly felt her thoughts going into rather lewd places before she shook her head to collect her thoughts just in time to hear Valentin give up the reward. It was a bit late then, and she hoped the woman wouldn't take offense at the refusal and decided that it was time to step in herself.
Emalliandra gave Anemora a delightful smile and said, "Please understand, we don't intend any disrespect by refusing your offered reward, it is only that we did what we did because it was the right thing to do. We've already seen too many innocents hurt when we were powerless to stop it, to turn from one we could help would have been wrong on many levels. Also, as Valentin explained we could use your assistance with getting a meeting with Rillkimatai, that assistance would be worth far more to us, and everyone else, given what is coming this way."
Ema then shifted topic slightly and said, "I am Ema, this is Simon, Valentin, and Victrix and it is a great pleasure to meet you Lady Anemora." Ema leaned in a bit and said, "I must say that the gold fixtures on some of your scales along with the scaled blouse you are wearing are absolutely stunning. Might I ask what the blouse is made from? I've never seen anything like it."
Anemora seems impressed by your refusal of her reward. She takes the box back and places it on a shelf. "Very well. If you need a place to stay in Talasantri, I would be delighted to offer you lodgings here in my home. There is only one inn in town that caters to surface dwellers, and while it does have room available, it is expensive. I'm sure you'll be more comfortable here. You can rest here safely and take your meals with the family, or not, as you wish."
When Valentin mentions Rillikimatai, the mermaid nods. "I am well-connected with many important personages here in Talasantri. In fact, Rillikimatai is a dear friend of mine. I'm sure I can convince him to make time to speak to you."
In response to Ema's compliments, Anemora smiles broadly. "Why, thank you! They are actually scales from a fish known as a gourami, with a bit of extra bedazzlement from yours truly. I'd be happy to make you a similar outfit, if you'd like!"
Ema nodded in delight and said, "Oh I would very much like that. My usual garments," she gestured to the cloth that served to preserve what modesty she had and the abbreviated top that didn't really cover much, "looks superb on land it is a bit more cumbersome underwater I've found. Since it seems we may be down here for some time something needs to be done about that. Would you mind if I watched? It's not often that I get to learn to do something new."
"I do not mind at all. Go ahead and make yourselves comfortable in my home while I work on your new garments."
Anemora pulls out a chest full of scales and sewing supplies. She takes Ema's measurements, and after an hour of so of dedicated work, she stitches together a glittering outfit of scales for the arcanist--a close-fitting top and skirt that leave little to the imagination, as is Ema's usual style.
Ema enjoyed her time with their hostess making the garment made. granted getting "pawed on" while taking the measurements was quite enjoyable for her as well, and Ema watched intently as Anemora sewed the garment for her. As the woman worked Ema said, "I wonder, how well would these scales hold up on the surface? I can think of any number of nobles who would pay a significant sum for such garments, they could be a very lucrative product if you decided to trade with surface dwellers. Have you ever considered getting them enchanted as well? They might do well for someone who wants to look stylish and be protected without it being obvious."
When the garments were finished Ema changed into them to see how they looked and turned her gaze to Anemora and Drecissa who had stopped by near the end of the process. She twirled as best she could underwater and asked them, "So, what do you think? Do they suit me? Be honest now."
"Oh, yes," Anemora says to Ema as she works. "The surface dwellers go nuts for this sort of thing. My clothing design is just a hobby. I've made my fortune as a trader, and while antiques salvaged from sunken ships are usually the hottest items, I've had occasion to trade clothes and other items crafted here in Talasantri with passing ships. And as for enchantments, who's to say my own clothes aren't magically enhanced?" She gives the arcanist a wink.
Anemora studies Ema with a critical eye as she twirls around to show off the finished product. "Marvelous, darling."
Drecissa nods enthusiastically. "You look really pretty!"
Drecissa's brother Cassiux, a slightly older merfolk with dusky hair and complexion, has a different reaction as he swims by the open doorway. "Wow, she's hot!" he exclaims. "Normally I don't go for women with legs, but..."
"Cassiux! Get out of here!" Drecissa exclaims, slamming the door. "Rude!"
Ema laughed at Anemora's suggestion that her clothes might be enchanted and said, "They could be at that and while I could check if I wished that would be just rude." As if an afterthought Ema said, "If there are items you wish to have enchanted I would be happy to work something out for you. I am becoming very skilled in it and can enchant everything from weapons and armor to wondrous items and," she smiled mysteriously, "even create constructs though it has been long since I actually constructed one from scratch."
Ema turned her smile on both Anemora and Drecissa at their reactions and she said "I'm glad that you both like it ladies, I find I really like it as well."
When Cassiux came by and called her hot Ema laughed as Drecissa turned and yelled at him. When the young merwoman turned to slam the door on her brother Ema winked at him while Drecissa's back was turned. She'd never been with a merfolk before and the thought was quite...intriguing. While she hid her wink at Cassiux from Drecissa's view Ema did not hide it from Anemora's. She wouldn't do anything with their host's son with out permission from Anemora assuming he was even of age to begin with.
Anemora narrows her eyes slightly when Ema winks at her son, but the matronly mermaid refrains from commenting.
Ema spotted the slight narrowing of Anemora's eyes at her flirtation with the woman's son and Ema nodded ever so slightly in acknowledgement with a apologetic look on her face. She could take the hint and would not let things any further without permission. Ema might not like being restricted in such things but she did understand proprieties in a situation like this so she could accept it. I Anemor later gave her permission that could change things but for now Ema would back off. "Thank you very much for the clothes Anemora, I greatly appreciate them and I want to thank you again for being willing to host us and give us a place to stay. I promise you I won't do anything to make you regret it if I can possibly avoid it."
To diffuse the tension Ema turned to Drecissa and said, "It seems the two of you have the same relationship as Simon and I tend to. That of sibling who like to bicker." Shifting things from Cassiux entirely Ema asked Drecissa, "So what kinds of things do you do for fun here? Being here, in a city under the water, is one of the few experiences I've never had before so I'd like to learn all about it."
Victrix sits and quietly observes Ema as she and the family get on.
"I don't like to bicker!" Drecissa insists. "But it's hard not to when Cassiux acts like a boor! At least he's better than that uppity elf, Argnos."
The young mermaid's pout turns into a smile when Ema asks what to do for fun in the city. "Oh, there's all sorts of things to do! There's the Five Fins tavern if you like to drink and make merry. If Kelia takes a fancy to you, she might even invite you to the back room to gamble. There are always amateur plays and concerts at the Seahorse Stage, or you could check out Stargrass Hall for more professional performances. I heard they just hired a triton named Rudalthas to headline her plays--and he's a total dreamboat!
"Beyond that, there are all sorts of shops and art galleries to browse. Or you could seek out some of the more erudite citizens to exchange notes if intelligent discourse is more your speed."
Ema nodded knowingly and said, "Oh I understand all too well Drecissa, Simon is the big brother I never had, and we have had any number of times where we have had rather large fights in the few months we've known each other. Doesn't mean I don't love him any less than Victrix or Kyp or anyone else I consider part of my current family though. Sometimes it's the people most important to us who can get us the most worked up." A sad frown crossed Ema's face then as she remembered learning that lesson the hard way once.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts Ema said, "All of those things sound like a lot of fun. Would you be willing to show me some of them as time permits?" Ema looked to Anemora, "With your mother's permission of course," she added so as to make sure the woman was alright with Ema asking such a thing of her daughter.
Anemora nods her approval. "Okay, let's go! Where do you want to start?" Drecissa asks, taking Ema's arm.
Ema was quite delighted by Drecissa's enthusiasm and quite pleased that Anemora gave her permission. "Thank you Lady Anemora," Ema said as she, tried, to curtsy. Being udnerwater made it more than a bit difficult for her but she somehow managed.
Ema's gaze turned to Victrix as the excited Drecissa latched onto her arm and said, "What do you think, are you coming with us Viki?"
Emalliandra gave Drecissa a smile and said, "Well, I'm guessing you aren't old enough to drink yet, and that's something that I can do anywhere, though never under the sea before, so we should probably skip that. Any of the other options sound great to me. I'll tell you what," Ema said, "Why don't you choose the first thing we do, I can't get there without you and I'm up for all of those things."
"I'll show you some of the arts and crafts around Seamount first, since we're already here," Drecissa says.
Many colorful sculptures decorate the streets and coral buildings around the wealthy district of Talasantri. Drecissa shows you to the House of Crystal Waters. Hundreds of sparkling crystals embed the walls of this temple to Gozreh’s female form. Within the temple, elaborate murals of seascapes encircle an enormous chunk of raw crystal in the center of the room, which serves as an altar.
The mermaid then points out Stargrass Hall. The pillars that flank the doors to this enormous theater are completely covered in twining stargrass, delicate star-shaped yellow flowers sprouting from deep-green vines. Druidic magic sustains the stargrass, which normally fails to grow this deep underwater. The theater is currently closed, though, as the next performance isn't scheduled for a few days.
Drecissa also takes you to a shop called Treasures of the Sea. While most merchants have their shops in the Whalefall District, an aquatic elf named Derrona opened her jewelry shop in Seamount. Her high-quality jewelry comes with a commensurate price tag, but the wealthy residents of the district are happy to pay for the beautiful, unique pieces Derrona sells. Wearing an “original Derrona” is a status symbol among the nobles of Talasantri.
"What do you think, are you coming with us Viki?"
"Sure. Sounds like fun."
Victrix gets up to leave with Ema.
As Drecissa led them around the Seamont District to see the different sites Ema looked around her in delight at the different sights. Even such simple things like "carriages" drawn by dolphins were a wonder to her but when they reached the House of Crystal Waters and she saw the mural made of sparkling crystal Ema couldn't help but be astounded. "These are absolutely gorgeous!"
They continued on after that and saw the Stargrass Hall and Ema listened to how the place was maintained. "I don't think I ever thought about the sea having it's own growing regions for different things. I suppose it makes sense since it is part of the world. I mean if the land does it then likely all places in this world do to." She laughed at herself in wry amusement, "You'd think, after all I've seen, that I would have realized that before now."
As they moved on to the Whalefall District and the shops within it Ema felt a strong urge to go shopping. Unfortunately she was positive that she would want more time than they really had to spend here to do so. While they looked around and Drecissa pointed out the jewelry shop Ema said, "Oh, I have to take a look in there!" She began to make her floundering way towards the shop's entrance anticipating what they might see.
The aquatic elf woman behind the counter smiles when Ema enters the shop, but the smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Welcome to Derrona's, surface dweller. Please, feel free to browse my wares. Let me know if anything catches your eye."
All sorts of rings, necklaces, and earrings are on display, elegantly carved with from precious metals and adorned with glimmering gemstones from across the color spectrum.
"Most of my materials come from salvage. If you find anything interesting on your journeys, I'd be happy to pay to take it off of your hands."
Ema noticed the way the woman running the store smiled without smiling and figured she probably didn't like land dwellers much given the way she spoke. Ema didn't let it bother her as she looked around her in wonder and said, "Your work is exquisite mam, I am incredibly impressed," Ema looked over at the aquatic elf and caught her eyes as she said, "to take what some might foolishly call junk and turn it into such exquisite works as these shows true...tal..ent."
Ema's voice trailed off as something caught her eye, something oddly familiar to her, and she looked at a particular piece that had been made into a sort of hair comb. Ema made her way to it as she stared and looked closer at it. It was a small piece of metal with an emblem marked on it despite it's age. Emalliandra looked up at the elf and asked, "How much for this one?" It was a strange bit of metal that had been worn down over time and entrapped in a piece of coral. The coral had been polished smoother so it wouldn't snag hair in it after being cut into a decorative hair comb. The strange metal had an emblem on it, an old one that Ema knew very well. It was her family crest from so long ago and likely no one but her recognized what it actually was.
Derrona picks up the the hair comb and holds it out for Ema to inspect. "I'll let that one go for a mere 600 gold pieces," she says.
Ema carefully took out a coin pouch and counted out the needed money, which she handed over, before taking the comb reverently. She held it close to her chest as though hugging it and then used it to gather up her hair and hold it in place. Ema then took out another hundred gold and handed them to the elf, as she said, "Please, take this extra as my thanks. I never expected to see the crest on this metal again even if I lived long enough to see the oceans dry up. That it made it's way here shows that we are on the right track. If you ever have need of anything that I can help you with you need only ask and I will do what I can to see it done."
Derrona is surprised by the extra payment but she doesn't question it, swiftly tucking the coins away before Ema can change her mind. "You're welcome. And tell all your friends that you're wearing a 'Derrona original!'"
Once outside the shop, Drecissa turns to the arcanist. "Where to next?"
Ema nodded to Derona and said, "I absolutely will do that." Ecstatic at her find Ema left the store with Drecissa and Victrix and considered the question of where to go next. They'd hit the main places already, with the exception of the Seahorse Stage and said, "Well, since Stargrass has no performances would you both want to see if anything is showing at the other, I think you called it the Seahorse Stage?"
Drecissa nods and leads Ema and Victrix into the Threadfin District. The Threadfin District holds most of the common residences in the city. its layout rather mazelike. The few stores found there provide everyday goods and groceries to the residents.
The Seahorse Stage is much smaller than Stargrass Hall, but it is open and lively. Inside, the theater is decorated with gaudy artwork, much of it seemingly created on the surface. Magical bubbles of air protect paintings and canvases that would otherwise have been destroyed by the water.
Tickets for the current show are only a few silvers, and once inside, the garrulous merfolk owner Quelyon introduces an amateur group of aquatic elves performing a play in which they mimic the supposed antics of bumbling surface elves, to the delight of the crowd.
When they first arrived at the theater Ema was rather surprise at the artwork from the surface. That they had come up with a way to preserve them down here was nothing short of astounding and she began to wonder how they did it. She figured the most likely method was a spell to create the air bubble coupled with permanency magic to make it stick. Whether that worked or not Ema wasn't sure, and it wasn't really the point, though she did feel that she should investigate that soon to see.
Once the show began Ema sat and watched in amusement. She found that she enjoyed the show at the theater, even if it could have been a tad offensive to land dwellers like herself, as it was rather amusing. The fact that it was rather unrealistic to life on the surface didn't bother her and relieved a bit of the sting she might have felt since the performers were having fun and the crowd seemed to enjoy themselves.
When the show was over Ema cheered with everyone else and watched to see where the elves would go. They disappeared into the back for a moment but when they came back out, no longer dressed in their costumes, Ema rose and said to Drescissa and Victrix, "I am going to go say hello to them, are either of you coming?"
Ema made her way to the performers and when she reached them said, "I just wanted to say what an entertaining show it was you put on today. It was a lot of fun to watch."