Levi watched Mikasa wander around the ship curiously, touching random things that seemed dull and mundane to Levi. After boarding the ship he had made her put on a spare tunic and pair of pants of his. He told himself that it was because he didn't want her to be cold but really it was because the sight of her bare skin made his body temperature rise uncontrollably.
The rest of the crew seemed to be in awe of her, keeping their distance and staring from afar. Annoyingly, Eren did not seem deterred and had the audacity to perch on her shoulder and croak nonsense at her. To Levi's surprise she did not seem to mind. She seemed more at ease with the parrot than with other humans.
Armin had taken it upon himself to ask her questions constantly as he tried to figure out what had happened to the rest of her clan. At first he had seemed slightly nervous around her but seemed to grow more comfortable around her in time. She seemed to enjoy talking to Armin and Levi couldn't help but feel an irrational stab of jealousy at how much time she spent with the navigator and his traitor of a parrot.
Currently, the ship was on course to island Maria where Armin said he should be able to dig up some scrolls on sirens in Maria's vast library.
At the moment, Mikasa was standing on the deck, leaning over the railing as she stared down into the water. "We'll be there soon," Levi told her. "I know," she said absentmindedly, "Armin told me."
"Ah," Levi said awkwardly. He was at a loss of what to say. He had never been in this position where he actually had to try to strike up a conversation. Most of the time it was others seeking him out. Captain Levi had many admirers but no person had ever caught his eye.
With a sigh, he went to find Armin to see if he could get him to talk more about the enigmatic girl. He found the navigator below decks, scrolls haphazardly spread out everywhere as he pored over the documents. At hearing Levi's footsteps he had looked up but then his head ducked back down.
Levi came up behind him peering over his shoulder before clearing his throat self consciously. Armin let out a small laugh, "What do you want to know about her? I must remind you though, that I have very few details about her." Levi felt slightly embarrassed that Armin could read him that easily, but it was Armin. The young man was exceptionally perceptive. "The test you spoke of. She seems to know what it is, she said we shouldn't have been able to hear her, what is it?" Armin had turned around fully to face him and Levi could see the amusement dancing in his eyes. "Well, she knows, but I had to find out on my own. It's quite interesting, apparently, the prospective mate who can hear the siren's song can transfer that ability to others around them. The more compatible they are, the more they can 'project' their ability, so to speak. We all heard the song and you were the first to hear it, so..."
Realizing what Armin was saying Levi felt very embarrassed. She had known this? Unbeknownst to Levi, everyone on the ship could see he was attracted to her. They had been around their captain long enough to know that he never acted like this. Grunting incoherently, Levi turned around and went back up to the deck. Just as well, as island Maria was within sight. Carefully maneuvering the Winged Behemoth into the dock, Levi strode off the ship in a rush to clear his head. His crew would be fine, there was plenty to do and see in Maria.
***
After making several necessary errands to restock supplies and perform general maintenance for his ship, Levi found himself standing on the steps of Maria's vast library. Muttering profanities to himself, he pushed the doors open, eyes darting about to find his navigator and the girl that haunted his thoughts much too often. Spotting a flash of gold and the gleam of midnight, he spotted then hunched over a thick, leather bound volume together. The light from the lamp illuminated their faces as they both scanned the archaic text. Clearing his throat quietly they glanced up.
Levi looked pointedly at Armin who took his hint and handed him a scroll of carefully transcribed notes about sirens. Apparently, Sirens were simply a clan of people who had been shunned because of their beautiful singing voices and the unerring ability to find their soulmates.
Levi glanced sidelong at the girl who was human but wrapped up in a thin veil of mystery and magic. There were more answers, there had to be.
At the moment, Mikasa's head was ducked down as she scanned an ancient looking scroll. So she was literate. That was an interesting fact, he wandered who had taught her.
The golden haired navigator stretched his arms out and yawned widely and Levi took pity on him. "Armin, go round up the rest of the crew and get them aboard the ship. I have a new lead on the treasure of Sina." Armin nodded and left swiftly, leaving Levi alone with Mikasa. Bright pools of intelligence stared up at him and Levi struggled not to get caught up in her gaze.
"Do you know what the treasure of Sina is?" he asked finally, after a long moment of staring. Mikasa ducked her head before replying faintly, "No, there are no riches or jewels on the island. I don't know of this legend you speak of." Levi regarded her for a long moment before deciding not to push her any farther. For today, at least.
"Come on," he muttered, "Let's get back to the ship." Mikasa followed him silently as he exited the library. She seemed oblivious to the stares she was receiving as she walked by Levi's side back down to the harbor. Levi gritted his teeth in irritation. Seriously, by himself he attracted attention, but by now people knew not to bother him. They usually attempted to be subtle when then stared at him but they were flat out gaping at Mikasa's unique features. Finally snapping, Levi caught Mikasa's slender hand in his own and tugged her along at a quicker pace. Blatantly ignoring the disappointed sighs from some of the female observers, he made a mental note to buy her a hat so at least she could somewhat be incognito.
Finally back at the ship, Levi barked out an order to set sail immediately. He watched the bow of the ship split the water, leaving a wave of ripples behind as the Winged Behemoth lived up to its name and practically soared from the harbor.
His eyes strayed to the rippling curtain of Mikasa's hair as it flared out behind her in the breeze. Her dark eyes stared off into the horizon, her profile silhouetted in the rays of sun that glinted off the water.
He was startled when her voice asked, "Did you know any of those people?" "No, Why?" Levi asked, slightly pleased that she seemed to be interested in him. She looked away from him, "No reason, they seemed to be acquainted with you, I just wondered if any of them were personal friends of yours." "Hmmm," Levi replied, letting the subject drop.
