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Charon fiddled with the scarf wrapped around his neck. Hermes had stated with absolute certainty that it would conceal his skeletal features, but now that they were approaching the entrance to the market, he was beginning to have doubts. He glanced over at his much shorter partner, his neck oddly bare now that his trademark scarf was on Charon instead.
“We’re nearly there, my associate!” the trickster god sang, skipping along the well-worn stone path.
When Hermes suggested joining him on a trip to a human market, Charon had hesitated. He had never left the comforting quiet of his rivers other than to make the very rare trip to the House, the thought of leaving them behind causing undue anxiety in his chest. And yet, when he saw the crestfallen look on Hermes’ face at his refusal, Charon found himself agreeing. Why, he didn’t know exactly, but seeing Hermes look so dejected at not having Charon along was significantly worse than any heart palpitations from being separated from the twisting Styx, Lethe, and Phelgethon.
They made an odd couple, he thought, fondly watching the way Hermes darted through the town. His tall frame stood out even in the human realm, a head above the tallest man in the city. The bright oranges, yellows, and reds of the scarf clashed with Charon’s usual dark robes, and he tugged at the soft fabric again.
“Stop touching it,” Hermes chided, appearing at Charon’s side. “You mess with it too much, and it may slip and reveal that lovely face of yours. Then I’ll have to beat everyone back with a stick in order to keep you to myself.”
Hermes quickly glanced around, ensuring no one was looking their way before hovering off the ground to better reach around Charon’s neck. He retwisted the scarf securely in place and gave Charon a small kiss on the cheek. Charon felt a heat rise on his face, a heat that only burned hotter when Hermes grabbed hold of his hand.
“We’re at the entrance, associate! You’re going to love this place!”
Charon let Hermes lead him through the entrance into the night market. Despite the sun having long since set, it was a flourishing center of trade. Lanterns were lit and hung high enough to bask the town square in a soft glow, making the fabrics shimmer and the gold jewelry shine. Merchants were harking their wares left and right. In between their stands stood small carts serving food and drink to a small but ever-present queue of patrons. Children ran amok, bumping into animals and people alike with reckless abandon.
It was extremely apparent to Charon why Hermes thrived here.
Never once letting go, Hermes guided him through the hustle and bustle, chattering about everything and nothing all the while. Charon remained quiet, taking in Hermes’ words and the chaos around them. Despite having run his own small trading posts in the underworld for millennia upon millennia, they never once were this lively. The stories he heard from passing shades and Hermes didn’t hold a candle to seeing it all happen in the flesh. He found it overwhelming, subconsciously squeezing Hermes’ hand to ground himself.
Hermes slowed his pace, looking over his shoulder curiously at his companion. “You doing alright there, boss?” he asked, eyes large and searching.
Charon nodded, letting out a small grunt, attempting to placate the little god.
It didn’t work.
“How about we take a short break, boss?” Carefully, Hermes guided him over to one of the food carts, pulling out a small cushioned stool for Charon to sit on. “I’ll be right back!”
Without argument, Charon sat on the far too small stool, his knees coming up to his chest awkwardly. Hermes flitted over to the cart, magically cutting to the front of the line. He argued with the cart proprietor a short while before handing over a single coin of human currency. Charon knew that it was significantly less than what the goods were worth and watched with interest as the proprietor gently scooped doughy orbs into a small ceramic bowl, drizzling the top with honey and finishing the presentation by placing a small two-pronged fork into the mound. An eyeblink later and Hermes was back, plopped on his own stool, knees touching Charon’s leg.
“Loukoumades!” Hermes exclaimed cheerfully, stabbing the fork into one of the fried dough balls. He held the sweet out to Charon, a broad smile on his face. "Open up!"
Charon cautiously opened his mouth, unsure if he would even like human food, but Hermes didn't wait to hear any such remarks. With speed worthy of his godly station, he shoved the fork into Charon's mouth, leaving the honey-drenched item on his tongue.
Gingerly, he began to chew. It really wasn't terrible, though a bit too sticky for his liking. Hermes peered up at him, reading his expression as he swallowed the loukoumas, his throat working to push down the unfamiliar morsel. Charon let out a soft groan with a nod. All in all, he rather liked the thing, however unusual it may be.
Hermes' face broke into a broad smile, brightening their little corner of the market like the sun. "Glad you like them! Have some more, if you want," he said as he opened his satchel. Chelly poked its head out, head bobbing as it took in its new surroundings. Hermes offered a small bit of honey-coated dough to the tortoise, and it happily nibbled at its treat.
The two of them sat there for a while, feasting on the loukoumades in silence only broken by Hermes' coos to his beloved pet. Charon found himself warming up to the snack, his mind churning in ways he could replicate it for himself back in the underworld. Before he knew it, the bowl was empty, ready to be returned to the proprietor for cleaning.
He let out a grunt, standing tall and rolling out his shoulders. The stools they had been seated on were whisked away by Hermes' magic, the ground unblemished as though the had never been there.
"You sure, boss? I don't mind guiding you around." Charon fervently shook his head, and Hermes shrugged. "Alright then. But we'll meet up in about an hour at the front gate. If you change your mind and want company, though, you know how to get hold of me!"
Charon set off to the right of the loukoumades seller, and Hermes took the left. He caught Hermes snatching his money back from the proprietor just as the crowd surged forth, effectively separating them. Shaking his head, Charon went deep into the market. The purchases of those walking past had given him an idea.
The merchant stalls were all extraordinarily well-stocked. The finest silks, the freshest fruits, anything Charon could ever imagine being sold was there and ripe for bargaining over. As fun as haranguing a merchant would be, he had something else on his mind. His eyes skimmed the wares, searching for anything that would work. A few tapestries and ceramics caught his attention, but upon closer inspection, they weren't quite up to par.
The hour had nearly lapsed when he spotted it twinkling from a merchant stationed under a fading lamp. The glint was a soft golden orange that reminded him strongly of his small companion, and he felt it pull him closer.
He picked the small trinket up in his hands and examined it, deaf to the merchant's attempts to initiate conversation. The weight of the piece was solid, its craftsmanship skilled. Moreover, it was small enough to fit under a belt or into a satchel.
It was perfect.
Charon stood at his full height and looked down at the merchant. The man stuttered for a moment before launching into his speech.
"Beautiful, isn't it? And a deal, too, at only-"
A hand motion from Charon cut the man off. Whatever he was asking for, the price could be better. Though he may not have a voice in the traditional sense, he did have his hands to assist with communicating. He gestured down, pointing at a non-existent defect, willing the man to see it.
"Well, yes, there is that small error from the master craftsman, but I promise you, it's an heirloom piece."
Another gesture downward, another defect willed into existence. It continued in that manner for a few rounds before the merchant caved and sold it to Charon at a true bargain.
Pleased with his purchase, Charon made his way to the entrance, the throngs of people parting like the sea to his vast physique. He spotted Hermes quickly, his companion bouncing from foot to foot in anticipation, his hawk-like eyes searching for Charon.
Wanting to surprise him, Charon silently glided behind Hermes and tapped his shoulder, startling him to the point his hat nearly fell off.
"Charon! Don't do that!" Hermes whined, spinning on his heel to glare at Charon with a pout. They both knew that it was all a game, that Hermes had known he was there, but that didn't stop them from playing it all the same. His small associate took hold of his hand, squeezing it gently as they started to head back to the Temple of Styx, their night over.
"Did you like it?" Hermes asked. He was looking at the ground rather than Charon, a behavior at odds with his usual direct self.
Charon nodded and slowly began to speak, his words carefully chosen. Hermes listened with rapt attention as Charon described all the things he saw and the interactions he had observed. It was rare for him to speak so much, but Hermes never interrupted, continuing to hold his hand as they walked through the quieting streets of the city. Eventually, as all stories often do, he finished speaking. They stood at the outskirts of the city, the sky beginning to lighten.
"Hey, boss, I know this isn't much, but thanks for coming out with me tonight."
In Hermes' hand was a parcel, beautifully wrapped in cloth. Charon accepted it, groaning it a thank you and a question.
"I'll have you know I did not steal it, thank you very much!" Hermes huffed indignantly, but added under his breath, "But I definitely didn't pay what he was asking, that would be absurd."
Charon chuckled, shoulders heaving. He reached into his robes and presented the gift he had bought for Hermes, perfectly concealed in a drawstring bag. With wide brown eyes, Hermes took the gift in his hands, staring down at it as though it were the most precious thing.
Abandoning all decorum, Hermes flew up and kissed Charon, his wings reflecting the rising sun.
All in all, the night market had been a resounding success.