272 Swimming Through The Streets

The Aqui Inn was located in the entertainment district, where most of the shops and restaurants were. Unlike most of the places on land, Trilantis did not have a central market for traders, because it was uncommon for them to have any. Most of the trading for merchants were done in the individual guilds. 

As the siblings roamed the streets and shops of the city, they felt comfortable as everyone around them was as unique as they were. No two mermaids or mermen were the same. Not to forget, there were also other forms of merfolk swimming amongst them. 

Every so often, they would see a selkie or a water faerie. The most unique of them all had to be the mercentauran they encountered while they were looking at sea glass jewellery. Lycster could not take his eyes off the majestic being. 

With the upper body of a human, front legs of a horse and tail fin of a fish, it was certainly one of the most unique sea creatures they had ever seen. Vy kept an eye out for the Aqui Inn that Laena mentioned to them as they swam around. 

She had hoped that they might find it by chance as they roamed from shop to shop. Laena had also informed them to look out for the signboard to the inn, which was the shape of a teardrop made out of blue sea glass. 

Just then, out of nowhere, a random merman swam up to Vy with a large smile on his face. She was caught off guard by his sudden appearance as she swam back a little so as to ensure she did not crash into him. 

"Hi Miss, are you looking for a place to rest for the night? Why not come to stay at the Aquin Hotel! We have great rates and comfortable beds!" the merman was insistent. 

"Isn't that the place Laena suggested?" Lycster asked. 

Vy thought for a while, her eyebrows furrowed. 

"Where is this hotel of yours?" 

The merman grabbed her by the hand and swam up ahead. Lycster kept up with them as the merman brought Vy to the building that was named 'Aquin Hotel'. Looking at the signboard, which was of a blue coloured tail fin, Vy immediately knew this was not the place. 

She took her hand back from the merman, all the while maintaining a pursed-lip smile. Her sudden pull away from the merman surprised him, but he did not make any comment. 

"What are your rates like?" she questioned as she folded her arms. 

Seemingly caught off guard, the merman's eyes darted from side to side as he tried to piece together an answer. 

"Oh well, if you just follow-"

"Do you not know your own hotel's room rates?" she quickly added. 

Before he could even continue speaking, Vy cut him off again. 

She quickly grabbed hold of Lycster's arm and swam off in another direction. As it so happened, she chanced upon the signboard she was looking for! Vy quickly swam over to the Aqui Inn and entered it. 

As she was about to push open the glass doors, two small pastel-pink octopi that were attached to the handrails of the door pulled them open for her and welcomed her in. Vy and Lycster swam into the lobby, marvelling at the vibrant colour scheme. 

A mercentauran waved them from over the counter near the back of the hotel lobby. The Blackfire siblings quickly swam up to the counter where they were warmly greeted by the red-haired mercentauran. 

"Welcome to Aqui Inn! How can I help?" she greeted them cheerfully. 

"We would like a room please."

"Duration?"

"A week for now," Vy replied after some thought. 

The mercentauran with long red curly hair looked at Vy and her brother before she made a guess, "You're both not from around here, are you?"

Amused, Vy looked at the name tag on the mercentauran's uniform and asked, "What gave it away, Marla?"

Marla giggled before replying, "Mainly, how beautiful both of your tails look. I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it."

She swam over the counter and observed Vy's tail in greater detail. 

"Do you mind if I take a closer look?"

"Not at all."

The mercentauran eagerly took a closer look at Vy's scales and could not resist touching her tail fins. Vy's fan-shaped tail was rare in Trilantis, where most merfolk's tail fins were simpler. After some time, the mercentauran swam back to the other side of the counter and resumed her duties. 

She made a recommendation, "I suggest extending your trip for a few more days so that you can visit Skollwood Island during the upcoming full moon."

"Skollwood Island?"

"Skollwood Island is open once a year for a week to anyone who does not stay there for their special event known as Skoll Fest!"

Marla went on to explain that during the week, the entire island would be decorated with carved pumpkins and other autumn-themed decor. Visitors all get to dress up in different costumes and participate in fun activities on the island. 

"Oh, just like Halloween," Vy muttered to herself. 

"Hallo… Halloween? What's that sis?" Lycster questioned as he caught his sister whispering to herself. 

Vy blinked, "What?"

As soon as she made the involuntary comment, she had forgotten about it altogether. Seeing her response, Lycster assumed that he mistakenly heard her speak. 

"Oh nothing," he replied with a wide smile as they continued to listen to Marla explains Skoll Fest. 

The Skoll Fest would end with a spook themed fireworks display with food stalls and games set up on the town square. 

"That sounds like a lot of fun!" Lycster exclaimed with glee. 

He tugged on his sister's arm and pleaded, "Can we go? Pleeeeease?"

The boy gave his sister a puppy eye look of cuteness. Vy laughed as soon as she saw his face, making him blush a little with embarrassment. She pinched the side of his cheek with a smile on her own face. 

"I never said we weren't going. It sounds like lots of fun, of course, we're going. Plus, we're going to need some costumes."

Lycster used his tail to propel him upwards, with a wide smile on his face, It was as if he was jumping for joy in the water.