I am using a physical difference in the text for the signing, because I intend to use it differently than dialogue from now on. So, anything bolded (like this) is Athena talking, while bolded and italicized (like this) is our dark-eyed friend.
Over the next few days, this sort of pattern emerged. We ate a meal once or twice a day, walked, and I learned this fantastic new language. It wasn't like anything I had ever encountered, merpeople didn't need to communicate with our hands. Talking, or rather singing, was such a big part of our culture across the globe that I hadn't realized that the sense of hearing was something a person could be without so absolutely. Some of our number lost the sense as they got older, but by then the Ancients were able to read movements in the water, along with the mer's lips. And sight was always strong, but if someone wasn't able to see then it was less of a problem. One of the Great Singers was without sight, and some believed their songs were better for it.
It was about four days before we came across someone on the corner, singing to a crowd. They had a pail in front of them that the passersby were throwing coins into. It was a brilliant idea, even if I got homesick from remembering. When young mer were graduating, a festival was held with a similar practice. I walked up to them once they stopped for a break.
"Excuse me, I have a question."
"Oh, sure. What can I do for you?" They asked, and after a short, nice conversation with the human singer, I walked back to the black-eyed friend with the now-empty pail. Apparently, they had used it because it seemed more friendly than the usual hat they used. But the coils 'flew less than usual' so it seemed their theory wasn't panning out very well.
What's that for?
An idea to get… money. I signed back, still unsure with the gesture.
We walked for another hour or so, and I stopped us at some steps of a tall building. I set down the pail and started taking deep breaths. I had to find a song that wouldn't make the bystanders want to die for me, but it had to be enough to give them some interest. After quite some preparation, I began the song.
I know what it is about you
you're just as lost as me
reaching out for that truth
and reaching out for me
I sing a song for sorrow
for others that have lost
shards of soul float away from you
and stab back when it's dark
does it hurt to be unsure?
of when your soul will lie
when you breathe your final sigh
and accept that you must die
do you ache for the comfort
that comes from being loved?
I only know what i've been shown
that there's a sun above
if we watch the sunrise
and laugh at beauty when it sets,
could we get past the pain
of what our lovers left
can we live everyday
happier than the last?
so we could finally smile, so
let's leave it in the past
My voice wavered the last note out long, savoring the feeling of the song. The hum in my chest, the grin on my face, all reminded me of past exploits. The gathering was in shock, which didn't surprise me. The magic of a mer, no matter how slight, was intoxicating. The pail was clinking softly away, and I gave the crowd a soft smile.
"That was amazing, miss!" One of the passersby said, and I waved at them.
"Thank you for your kindness, everyone." I sat down and waited for them all to pass before hauling the pail over and showing it to my friend.
Do you know how much this is?
No, what?
House. They loved you, huh?
House, as in… it could buy a house. Holy silt-swillers.
House, with this?
Yes.
What do we do with it?
Where should we - - -?
Ah, a word I hadn't learned yet. But he used the sign for where… so he must have said go.
Where is safe? I signed, using the sign for house and twisting my other hand to lock it. He pulled me up, then motioned for me to follow while he picked up the pail. It wasn't very heavy, so how could it buy a house? We went into a general shop, and he signed out the letters m-a-p and I got the gist.
"Excuse me, do you happen to have a map?"
"Not to sell, but you could look at it."
"That'll be fine."
The map was just the reverse of our own mer maps, but with the landmasses divvied up and labeled rather than the seas. Eventually, through some discussion between me, my friend, and the seller, I finally figured out where I wanted to go. Off of a merfolk Neridoran border, there was a kingdom. It was ruled closely by brothers at the moment, one of them was in the process of stepping away or something. And the location of the being-stealer.
After getting instructions to the nearby kingdom, as well as buying a pouch for our earnings, I tried to march out of the store, but the sense of touch was still failing me, and I accidentally rolled my ankle. Talk about embarrassment, especially for someone who rules the seas until now. But my friend just helped me back up, and we left.
Why are we going there?
My… huh. 'People' isn't a word I've learned. I took out the pages and wrote the word, and he signed it back to me in our practiced way. He almost never held the pages these days, since we were getting along with the tasks easy enough.
It was a thrill to be learning a new language again. As a child, mer are taught multiple, and eventually, through nature or nurture, we become better than mortals at remembering. A portion of Amphitrite's kingdoms was constantly flooded, because of a mortal who killed the daughter of the first king. It's been generations, but the people still rage and riot when the humans nearby try to get off their island.
I couldn't try to go back home without taking my people back from those men. They surely wouldn't find any use in me anymore, seeing that I no longer had fins. My friend and I walked until it was too dark, then we ducked into a cavern.
It was filled, like so many others, with jolly drunk men. But there was something different then the rest that we had ate our meal in. There was a woman running, dancing between the tables. She was singing with a grin on her face, and a few of the regulars were singing with her. The lyrics were completely unknown to me, but the melody was familiar. If I was right, then this was either another of my people, or a girl blessed by one.
My friend and I took a seat, with me watching the girl carefully. He had no clue why I was so interested in this tavern, but was happy enough to rest in the opposite seat. I was trying to think about what was different about this version of the song, other than the lyrics, when I caught her eye.
She stumbled in the song, but picked it back up with grace. It was wonderful, watching someone pull such joy from these people, in such a comfort way. Eventually, after a couple rounds, the language changed into one that I knew, and my voice accompanied it quietly. It was just a simple ditty in our language, talking about the currents and waves and the stars in the sky. A few of the patrons joined in with stuttering effort, and I was filled with curiosity.
Who was this person, so practiced in moral ways and our silly songs?
Eventually, as the song went, there was a single clap at the end, and the crowd started clapping with enthusiasm. A few of the drunks punched each others' shoulders in teasing, and I smiled at my friend.
The song was my people's.
Then… who is she? Do you know her?
No.
But, as luck would have it, the woman started walking over to us. Or, rather than luck, maybe it was just mutual curiosity. She had surely heard me singing along fluently, after all.
"My name's Zoa. I couldn't help but notice that you knew the song." She said, and I got a better look at her. Her long brown hair was tied to the back, a single long tail. Her smile was bright, and her eyes were a bright blue.
"I'm Hu-weh Athena of Atlantica. If you would be so kind, could you tell me why you're here?"
Her face turned pale, but it was frozen in the smile.
"Ah."
And she turned to bolt.