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“You think?” She looked back to her painting and examined it again. Hmm. There was still something missing. “I think there might be too much blue. And, here, this part,” she pointed with the end of the brush, “my paint was too watery.” It was always easy to criticise one’s own work, but criticising the work of others was a different story altogether.

“Do not worry for too blue. It is good,” Ahto said, motioning towards Nixie’s painting. “But watery, yes. It is mild watery.”

Julien knew that they would not set sail for a few days, so he decided to make his rounds, stopping first at the painter’s hut. Julien was a man of taste and enjoyed collecting artwork just as much as the other enjoyed collecting paints. His home, which was only used on his off days (what a shame), had several of Ahto’s paintings along the walls. He had been collecting some for the Captain’s cabin as well, figuring some artwork could brighten the space up a bit.

Ahto loved that his friend actually would return the hugs, instead of finding it something awkward between two men. He operated so much on physical contact that he sometimes forgot that others weren’t as open to it as he was.

“I was one of the very first mermaids created by Calypso. That rumor is true. And no, I am not the actual goddess of Amphitrite. I was named after her.” 

“One of the first? You don’t look your age, ma’am.”

Ahto looked over her work, trying to come up with a proper critique. He was awful at them, too busy trying not to step on any toes. “It is good. Very wonderful painting.”

“It matters not. I’ve one use for them— I won’t need to see them again. It’s a much more efficient use of time than trying to convince some human I’m in love with him and swimming off with his progeny once I get what I’ve come for. Far less cruel, at that.”

“Fair enough, Princess.”

“I couldn’t just take it from you.” Nixie shook her head. “I insist that we share. We can take turns if you’d like?”

“If you must insist,” Ahto said to her, bowing his head in defeat. If she wanted to share, he wasn’t going to stop her from wanting that. 

“I am far greater than goddesses.”

“I know what rumors say you are. Feel free to set the record straight for me.”

“Perhaps I shall visit this place— shorten my search, be done with it and go home.”

“You won’t find the most decent people there. I’m sure even the King won’t approve of them.”

What rumors?

“I just hear that you’ve scorned goddesses. But I could be wrong.”

Nixie laughed and nodded her head in a joking manner. “Perhaps we will! But I’d place my bet on you to win the fight, so I’m happy to share.”

"Please, I do not fight. You may have this place."

"Thank you, I suppose. I hope this ‘adventure,’ as you call it, is short-lived. I’ve heard tale of houses where one can purchase another’s…company. Is that true?"

"Very true. I have a close friend, he visits that place often."

"It has always solved my problems, but suit yourself."

"But are your problems solved? If the rumors are correct, you're very far from solved in your problems."

"Will we be fight for this spot?" Ahto said in his broken English, towering over the woman with a smile.

"You are a wonderful man. If anyone gives you a hard time, send them my way. I’ll give them something to fear."

"No, I don't think that fighting fire with fire will do any good. I appreciate the offer, though."

"What, you mean those scoundrels do not inspire you?” Makaya laughed, but it was a hollow sound.

Ahto shook his head. "It is hard, being inspired by such cruel."