"Well then, we should not dilly-dally around here forever, now should we?" Margret lit up at his words, practically gleaming with delight, "The first place we should go is the marketplace, which is one of the best places in the city to meet new people, learn new things, browse good prices, and generally have a good time. It is also where I display some of my finest works!"
"The market has a long history rooted in the traditions of the city builders themselves," Julia nodded, "As you can doubtless tell, the architecture of our city is based off of designs from mankind's past but it is efficient in terms of space and the use of materials and distinct from our own unique patterns and designs which originated from our own peoples. This makes the city as a whole quite unique."
"They say that there used to be over one hundred thousand males, of both our own kind and human, living in our city at one time, but the numbers gradually dwindled," Margret sighed, "They used to say that women could afford to be somewhat picky when it came to mates. I find that highly luxurious to have such a choice..."
Neither of the two girls seemed to consider the possibility that weak males would not be able to survive the rigors of being joined with a monster girl for any length of time. Rather, they seemed to assume that all males were at least as vigorous and durable as Sam.
They approached the center of town by then, and sure enough the place was teeming with merchants of all sorts. Some were selling fine, waterproofed silks and fabrics, while others were bartering for finished dresses and shirts. A few small stalls had silver and goldsmiths selling small jewelry pieces such as necklaces and earrings. The majority of the stalls, however, were food stalls Some fish merchants were showing off their wares, which they kept live inside large nets tied to their stalls. There were tall stacks of kelp and other aquatic plant-like foodstuffs. Small sea anemones and other invertebrates where sold at another small shop beside it. Some others were selling prepared foods, which they were serving directly to waiting customers. In particular, there was a cart which was selling freshly boiled shrimp, which Marina doubtless would have appreciated. All-in-all, the market had something that virtually everyone would be interested in buying. The customers themselves seemed so interested in the goods that even Sam's presence hardly caused much of a stir.
The customers as well were quite varied, but in general the distinct species tended to keep in groups of themselves rather than freely mingling with the others. There was a small group of sea slimes which resembled jellyfish girls in pastel pinks blues and greens who slowly drifted through the crowds. They were given quite a wide birth, lest they sting someone on accident.
A troop of crab girls stood the closest to them, complete with pincers and a great many arms. Their upper bodies sprouted up from the distinctly crab-like lower body, and they dexterously handled the fabrics they were considering with their four arms apiece (not including their claws).
Some sea slug girls were engaging in a casual conversation among themselves, their mouths moving almost as slow as their hands as they made hand gestures to each other. Although they seemed quite laid back and somewhat lazy, they were among some of the most brightly colored, with vibrant oranges, purples, and neon greens accenting the frond-like protrusions from their bodies.
Similar to the one Sam met on the beach when he was hunting shrimp with Marina, there were a few clam girls who were bartering with the algae merchant. They seemed to have much milder temperaments than the one from before, and didn't so much as give Sam a second look.
Some swordfish girls stood tall near the fish merchant stalls, their firm soldier-like bearing giving them a refined look to their sleek bodies. They had sharp, pointed hair which flowed down their backs like sails, while their swords hung on belts strapped around their wide, strong hips.
Some lantern fish girls hobbled along with their distinctive little lamps hung over their heads. They were often well-endowed but wore rather drab clothing and where generally withdrawn from the others, preferring to huddle in the shadows instead of standing out of the crowds.
Above all else there were mermaids practically everywhere, of various sorts and shapes. Some wore traditional robes similar to Julia's while others wore more elaborate and flamboyant outfits which most likely gave some hint as to their individual personalities. Out of all of the species in the market, they seemed to notice Sam's presence the most and rather than approaching him they seemed somewhat intimidated by him and chattered among themselves with him as their apparent subject. None of them made any overt attempts at getting his attention, perhaps from some sort of identifying mark that Vivian had placed on him showing that he had already been claimed, or merely since they were not as bold as Vivian's two friends.
"My studio is just a little ways further, if you would like to drop by for a bit," Margret offered, seemingly unfazed by the crowds which milled about them.
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