Eye of the Beholder [ONF FF]

Point me north

"Finally. Back on the seas," Jaeyoung breathed behind the large wooden wheel.

Everyone had scattered over the boat, sorting food or organising their thoughts and findings. Seungjun had opted to sit in the wind for a few quiet seconds. Well, it used to be quiet when it was just him, Jaeyoung and their feathery friend. But something had changed.

"It was only two days," Minkyun answered, patting his beak past yellow and blue.

"You know," Jaeyoung said, putting a hand on his hip and shaking his head. "I still don't like that you can speak."

"Well, get used to it, idiot," Minkyun laughed.

Jaeyoung leaned towards the bird perched on the railing in front of the helm. "I'll rip that necklace off you if you keep insulting me."

Minkyun spread his wings. "I challenge you to try, you—"

"Okay, enough," Seungjun interrupted. "Jaeyoung, stop taunting him."

"I am not." Jaeyoung gestured a loose hand towards the cursed one next to him. "You have to agree that the fact he can now talk is strange."

Seungjun glanced over, still trying to process the revelation of yesterday. "Yeah, you're right..."

"Hey!" Minkyun looked slightly offended.

"However," Seungjun continued, "don't take his voice away."

"I won't, I won't," Jaeyoung answered. "That's too much effort."

Yuto came walking up the stairs, already getting the helmsman tense. "Besides," the researcher joined the conversation, "I have a better idea for how to spend your day." He set one step a little too close to Jaeyoung and it made him jolt.

"L-Look, I'm sorry about going the wrong way."

Yuto shook his head. "Actions speak louder than words."

"Aye, you're right, I agree fully," Jaeyoung put promptly and raised his hands, a pained smile trying to win sympathy. "T-This won't happen again. Promise."

"And how are we going to make sure of that?" Yuto's expression mixed with pure evil, one Seungjun did not want to interfere with, so he avoided Jaeyoung's nonverbal pleas.

"Yuto, I—" Jaeyoung muttered but Yuto cut him off with a clap of his hands.

"Exactly," he smiled devilishly. "You're going to listen to me and learn how to navigate."

"Please, I'm not a good student. Isn't there something el—"

"We have at least one whole day before we're at The Garden," Yuto estimated, "Maybe even two, three? I'm sure I can get through to you."

"No, please." Jaeyoung turned to the other company with a panicked expression. "Seungjun, can't you try to teach me again? We almost got there last time, right?"

Seungjun put a hand in the air when he got a glare from behind glasses. "I am not coming between this," he said and hopped off the railing. He held up his arm to invite Minkyun along. "I have to go...uhm...teach Changyun how to use a gun, like you said a few days ago."

"Good." Yuto got a compass from his pocket, throwing it into the air and catching it elegantly. "I just want to make sure this doesn't happen again," he said and grabbed the helmsman's hand to place the wooden compass on. "It's in everyone's best interest."

A deep sigh left Jaeyoung, one Seungjun felt could easily mix with a sob.

"Good luck," Seungjun hummed and skipped multiple steps as he hurried down the stairs.