echoes of the sea

“Oh I do recommend seeing it often, even the same show is beautiful each night.

“Indeed.  Though not very often, I think they like to keep it for very special occasions.  I am often astounded by them and what they can create.  But yes the fountains do rank up there.”

 ▎“I imagine it’s the kind of thing that no matter how many times you see it, you’ll never grow weary of watching it.”

   “Your enthusiasm is quite infectious,” Sol responded with a seriousness that couldn’t be faked even if she’d wanted to. Mani had often complained about her somberness, claiming she needed to lighten up some. But while that kind of behavior came easy for her brother, it didn’t so much for her. “I didn’t realize there were so many shows.” 

But more shows meant more opportunities to see it — a bonus for her. “I would very much like to go … Is it rude of me to ask you if you’re willing to accompany me? I am a stranger, after all.”

  ▎ “Is it an infection you wish to see cured?” she returned with a lighthearted smile. there was something about this solemn young woman that put a smile on her face, and hiding it made little sense at this point. “Perhaps they had such a high volume of requests and appeals that they had no choice but to give into public demand.” she hadn’t lived in las vegas long enough to call herself an expert on the entertainment venues it offered. for all she knew, the fountains of bellagio had started off with only one choreographed show - before moving onto others.

“Then WHAT would you call it if not useless? What benefit can we possibly glean from observing something that has little value beyond a simpleton’s desire to watch a show so many PRAISE every day — just to say they have?”

“Oh, habib qulbaa, you don’t know the HALF of it.”

▎ “Not everything needs monetary value or a benefit of some kind attached to it. What happened to simply enjoying something for the sake of enjoying it? Do you get so little joy out of your life that you don’t know what to do with something that is designed solely for entertainment purposes?”

“Who would? They’re tiny - with bulging eyes and spindly looking tails. The fish gods were not kind to them.”

“Sad to say, I’ve got cats for brains. No aqua lovers allowed … But hey, if water’s your thing, good for you. Just leave me out of it.”

▎ “Is that a judgy tone I detect? They can’t help being born with such ... unappealing attributes, fish gods or no fish gods.” thetis was certain most fish gods would find his comment offensive. “And since my father was once dubbed Old Man of the Sea, I don’t know if I should be offended or not.” but the teasing note in her tone implied she’d already made up her mind not to take anything that was said seriously.

“Most of this city looks beautiful,” she agreed, “Sadly, that isn’t always the case with some of the activities that happen here.”

  ▎ “That it does,” she responded with an affable smile. “I suppose I’ve been lucky thus far, as I have yet to encounter a regrettable experience. But something tells me you have. Intuition, perhaps.”

“Everything.”

“It’s wet and cold and inescapable. I don’t understand why people would even want to submerge themselves in it. Swimming’s for guppies. Are you a guppie?”

 ▎ "Not since the last time I deigned to check — and while I have nothing against guppies, I wouldn’t wish to be one. ”

“I have actually, but it’s one of those things that can be seen over and over again.  Did you know they sometimes change the light colors for events or some holidays?  It’s pretty amazing.”

  ▎“You make a good point. I only saw it the one time and yet I'm quite looking forward to the next shows.”

    “I can’t say that I have.” An absent frown forming on her lips at the thought of missing something that so many others found beautiful and spectacular — the ringing endorsements this choreographed water show earned on a nightly basis was simply amazing; she herself would’ve remained completely in the dark about it if she hadn’t happened to overhear a group of young mortals chattering excitedly about it three nights ago — Sol turned her full attention to the woman, the bright blue of her eyes alight with curiosity. “Do you know if the show is scheduled to happen tonight?”

   ▎ “Then you most definitely should!” thetis enthused, inwardly laughing at herself for taking on the role of city guide and pointing tourists in the direction of entertainment venues. but considering how beautiful the performances are, she just can’t seem to help herself. “There will be — from three to eight, there’s a show every half hour. Rather brilliant planning on the inventor’s part; this assures everyone has the chance to see their magnificent creation in action.” 

“Pleasure? No. Misfortune? … Maybe.”

“If you stand too close, the water will get you.”

  ▎ “What do you have against water?”

“Do you honestly THINK I have so much excess time to spare that I can squander it away on useless ventures?”

  ▎ “I can’t say with any certainty that you do, since I don’t know you. But I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a useless venture either ... All, well, to each their own, I suppose.”

“I actually haven’t had the chance to, but I’ve been meaning to make my way over there … I’ve heard such wonderful things about it.”

“Is it true that some of the songs used in the choreographed performance are actually popular pieces originally composed for Broadway?”

  ▎ “I would definitely recommend you make time for it. Out of all the amazing, colorful sights this city has to offer, those fountains have to be one of the best.”