Trials of the Markets: Market

Tethys’ mind raced as he saw a group of youngsters fighting. Why were they fighting? Should he stop it? Intervene? It didn’t seem like they were trying to hurt each other, but it was still obvious that they were in a battle. Spinning quickly, Tethys caught sight of his partner, Callisto, away on the bluff behind him, some of her offspring quietly chatting. Orion and his sister Calypso were not of his blood, but he still loved them deeply. “Callisto!” He called, his voice echoing slightly as he frantically tried to get his partner’s attention. 

 

She was quick to turn her attention to him, quickly speaking quietly to her calves before she dismissed herself and swam to his side, worry emanating from her like the waves crashing against the beach. “Tethys? Are you okay?” She asked, eyes skimming over his body with worry.

 

“I’m fine, but they’re fighting!” He said quickly, nodding towards the small group of young aqrion. 

 

“Fighting?” She turned, following his gaze, before she let out a quiet laugh.

 

“Why are you laughing?! They’re fighting!” 

 

“Oh, Tethys! They’re just doing their trials! They’re showing off their strength and determination!”

 

“Trials?” Tethys asked, brow furrowing.

 

“Yeah, their Trials? It’s a sign of their adulthood…” Callisto replied, drawing off at his blank look. “Have you never heard of trials before?”

 

“No, never,” Tethys replied, trying hard to keep his instinctually defensive response out of his words. 

 

“You’ve never done them? Would you like to? You obviously know how to swim and hunt. And we both know you’re plenty strong… The trials to become an adult, or at least be considered as approaching adulthood are often related to wooing a partner, studying, training, or being courageous.”

 

“Is it required?” Tethys was confused. He’d never heard any describe something like this. Granted, he’d been a soldier turned adventurer, turned minor recluse. He hadn’t had many to even inform him of these things, especially after his brush with the Corrupted Aqrion. 

 

Callisto seemed to sink into deep thought for a moment before replying. “I mean, not really? But it’s generally a sign of respect, especially when it comes to raising a family. Most clans, pods, or societies require someone to complete their trial before they’re deemed ‘fit’ to raise a family- and no! This is nothing against you! I love you either way.” Callisto said, cutting him off before he was even able to speak his objections about not being able to raise a family. Her words weren’t sharp though, simply informing him. As he paused, absorbing all the information, she gently bumped her head under his chin, a small affectionate gesture that she’d started doing in the past moons. 

 

“I- I think I would like to complete a trial.” He said, smiling. It was a cultural thing, and he always appreciated culture. It would be nice to reintegrate into society and something like a trial was far from the worst thing. As he turned his attention back to the aqrion young, he noticed an adult approaching, saying something that caused the small ball of heads and fins and tails to break away into four young aqrion. All seemed to be breathing heavily, but otherwise unhurt, grins breaking out on their faces as the older aqrion continued to speak. While he couldn’t hear them, he could only assume they’d passed their trials. 

 

Callisto smiled and nodded, gently bumping her long, manta-like fin against his side. “What would you like to do for your trial?”

 

“I would like to face my fears, I think. I’ve hidden from the world for too long, afraid of hurting others by simply potentially being a corrupted carrier.”

 

Callisto nodded, her eyes intently watching his with flickers of worry. “Are you sure? You don’t have to if-”

 

“I want to Calli. If I’m to be your partner in full, if we’re to have calves, I want to be sure I can face my fear of possibly being a carrier. I need to do this.”

 

Callisto nodded, smiling gently as she bumped against his side again. “Alright, love. We can arrange something.”

 

 

---

 

“Are you ready?” Callisto’s voice was gentle as they overlooked the small town. 

 

“What if I am a carrier and I pass it on?” Tethys’ voice was quiet as he watched the bustling town. It was market day it seemed. Aqrion were out and about, all hawking their wares, bustling, loud, and close. 

 

“It will be okay. We have informed the traders and townsfolk. They were also quite comfortable with it. They themselves are all presumed carriers or are well aware of the risk. They’re all trying to remove the stigma that is unfortunately all too common in infested situations, as you’re well aware.” Callisto spoke gently, well aware of her partner’s qualms and fears. “You don’t have to do this today if you need to. We can do it another day just as easily. This is all for when you’re ready. We will only continue if you’re comfortable.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Tethys nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.” He said, moving forward and down to the town before Callisto could even wish him well. If he waited even a heartbeat longer he was certain that he would never do it. 

 

The market plaza was loud, bustling, and nearly claustrophobic. Aqrions dressed in silks and gems, pearls and kelp, and some unadorned like Tethys himself swarmed through the market stalls. Wares were hawked, calls of pearls and kelp and fish and seeds and silks and so many more things that overwhelmed Tethys as he entered the market. 

 

“You there! Phin! Would you like to purchase some silks?” One abyssal called.

 

“Jewelry for sale! Jewelry! Jewelry!” Another called, his voice rising over the first’s. 

 

It’s all so much at once. Too much. Overwhelming. Loud. Disorienting. Tethys takes a deep breath, drawn in by one particular call, deeming hers to be the safest, the most respectful. 

 

“Would you like some jewels? Piercings? Silks or tassels?” The speaker calls, her gaze gentle. “I know you’re the one sent by Callisto. She said to keep an eye out for you. Said you might be overwhelmed.”

 

“Y-yes, Yeah, I think. I think I would like some. Maybe. Possibly. I don’t know...” He pauses, mind whirling. 

 

“If you want some ideas, Aqrion I service often choose to wear jewelry around their tails or claws, if they have them. If you’re interested, I can craft you a few tail rings?” The female offers, head cocked as her long body curls around the shop table. 

 

“I-I yes, I think yeah I would like that.” Tethys stammered, smiling gratefully at the female abyssal. 

 

“Very well,” she pauses as she gently measures his tail stock, “I can have something for you in a few moments.”

 

“Thank you. How much should I pay you?” 

 

“Hmmmm, how about 50 pearls?” The female said, after a long pause as she thought. 

 

“I can easily do that, thank you.”

 

“Of course! I’m always happy to serve my customers!” The female replied, turning away from him for a few moments before returning with a properly sized item. “I’ve had some that I make early for the markets, so I have one that should fit quite well for you!” She chirpped, smiling gently as she placed the golden ring around his tail stock, the pieces snapping together easily and settling as if they had been there for moons. 

 

“Thank you again,” Tethys says, sliding the appropriate amount of pearls to the female, “I really appreciate that you were willing to serve me, given the risks.”

 

“Of course, we all know and accept the risks, I promise. Safe travels!”

 

As Tethys turned away from her stall and back into the crowd, weaving his way through market stalls and gaggles of aqrion to return to his partner’s side, his anxiety slowly ebbs. He can do this, he can face the world around him safely. Callisto was right.