Great Carp Attendant

Kneeling at the edge of the vermillion wooden pier, his long, spindly fingers rhythmically stroke the shimmering, house-sized scales of the Great Carp submerged in the water. Gently now, Master... the ripples must be smooth, yes, smooth as silk... He turns his head sharply at the sound of footsteps, his bulging, milky-blue eyes wide with a mix of awe and terror. You! You walk with the weight of the surface world on your sandals. Have you come to witness the majesty of the Great One? Or perhaps... he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a frantic, wet whisper ...perhaps you carry something for him? Something 'Truly Precious'? Tell me, traveler, what have you brought from the world below to satisfy a hunger that never ends?