Coffee at the Winter night market
Harvey sipped from a warm mug and felt the closest to bliss he would image. The night out of the docks was crisp and icy cold out, but kept warm by the glow from burning torches and string lights and the bustle of crowds on the old wood docks. The coffee trader said little but "enjoy your coffee" as she handed out mug after mug of the rich black liquid.
It felt like an adventure being out here, he had kept walking by the robed figure offering fast travels to a select few that didn't widely skirt around him. Harvey wondered how many noticed the face of the shrouded figure who fought to keep his green tinted skin out of sight. There was an almost magical charge to the air as he strolled the dock taking in the sights.
But as he came in sight of the mysterious figure standing by Willy's shop talking to it was the Farmer. She chatted amiably, her arms holding a few packets of seeds and large fabric banners she had obviously purchased at the boats nearby. She looked as fit and striking as ever, bundled up against the cold in a coat and and a grey cowboy hat and the sight of her had Harvey nervous – h looked down the peri to his right for an escape but already she had noticed him.
"Harvey," She said, her voice warmer than the coffee from before "I didn't expect to see you out here. I hadn't picked you as the type who liked the winter decorations." She came in close to him and he found himself naturally moving into step with her as they ambled up the docks towards the arts stalls.
"I come for the free coffee, and even if it wasn't free those wages as a GP aren't too low to turn my nose up at the best cup of coffee I'll have all year" He confessed with a grin and a wink, earning a giggle from her "I enjoy looking, this place always feels magical in a way" He added the last built self-consciously but the Farmers eyes sparkled up at him in joy and he grabbed her gloved hand in his.
"I know what you mean, I feel the magic too. Sometimes I wonder how the others around here don't notice it." Her voice was hushed and drew him close like they were sharing a secret as the looked around at Penny and Leah chatting near them, at Clint leaning on the building and staring into space towards Emily at the counter cooing over bright colored fabrics. The Farmer hesitated then began to pull him gently towards a shadowy corner of the dock where gang planks sneaked out around the edge of the boats.
"I want to show you this place I found last night. If you're up for a small adventure?" Something about her he just trusted, so he followed her across the rickety wooden boards. The night was was still but the small waves below them still felt precarious on the icy wooden planks over the cold sea. He clutched hard to her hand as she finally pulled him through a doorway and into a room lined with luxurious velvets and a small stage raised at the back of the room.
"I've never even known this place existed, are we meant to be in here?"" He said looking around worriedly at the brightly decorated and dimly lit space.
"Not many know it's here, I found out about this place in a secret note. Just watch." She walked confidently up and began tapping against conch shells at the side of the stage, bright clear notes rang from them forming a sweet lullaby that seemed to hang in the space. To his amazement the velvet curtains grew back, and the lullaby was joined by a voice, then two more, then want sounded like endless voices that made his mind soar imagining a life under the sea, living in the waves.
That song continued to ring in his mind even after they parted way, Harvey walking back up the cold beach while the stranger made a handshake with the robed figure, the pair slinking off out of sight behind Willy's shop. The mermaid's song and haunting melody played through his mind as he fell asleep that night, dreaming of the eyes of the Farmer and all the secrets they held.