And I'll Not Go To The Waves, Love | Suegiku Siren AU

Chapter 3

The sun ran several cycles across the sky, day and night interchanging, counting down the days on the calendar. With every night passed, the ship came closer to the edge of Jouno's territory– they were leaving. His human plaything– no, Tecchou was leaving.

And thus Jouno was faced with a choice: return to the mundane and well-known routine he had built over the years, safe and providing, yet somewhat boring and repetitive, or... perhaps if Tecchou didn't remain in Jouno's part of the ocean, then they could infiltrate his space instead.

It wouldn't be all that difficult, really– a little charm was all it would take for these simpleminded fools to believe he had been in their midst all along. That he was simply another crewmember, known and respected.

It'd be fun. Enlightening even, perhaps. Jouno would be able to witness these bipedal creatures go about their duties from a front row seat, researching their habits, their strengths and, more importantly, where they fell short.

And of course he wouldn't have to part with his peculiar plaything. That much was always a bonus.

Now, perhaps the traditional robes he had worn the last time were perhaps not the best fit for a pirate– from the brief feel he had gotten of the fabric that was draped over Tecchou's skin Jouno had gotten the impression that they had chosen something significantly too high quality not to stand out among them.

And so he had found something else– or rather someone. A deceased pirate still hanging on an underwater cliffside, one Jouno had drowned but not yet ripped apart as he had grown bored of him– and the clothes were a perfect fit, as far as they could tell.

A shirt of a similar fabric as Tecchou's, with trousers that reached about halfway down his shin– as well as high boots, shoes that Jouno would refuse to wear, as he hated the feeling with a passion.

With his disguise ready, all that remained was to wait for nightfall. The sun set annoyingly slow, leaving Jouno grumbling with impatience, but eventually the moon did rise above the horizon. A sparkly smoke spread through the mist above the water, camouflaged but still visible were you to know what you were looking for. A figure appeared on the deck, intangible and only vaguely humanoid at first but gradually turning tangible, the cold air on their skin turning the tip of their nose red.

It was night, and the crew was asleep, and thus the siren in disguise got comfortable between some barrels that stood discarded by the cabins as he began stringing together a narrative for their stay here.

His name was Jouno Saigiku. He had been here since the very beginning. He was respected and perhaps even admired by these crewmates– that's the role he'd fill on this ship. A role sprouted from his need for entertainment aboard.

The creaking of door hinges made a smile creep onto their face.

How entertaining indeed.

"Greetings, human." They emerged from their hiding spot, tracing a hand along the top of the barrel to find his way easier, yet not making it glaringly obvious that he was doing such a thing. "How are you on this lovely, star-filled evening?"

Quick footsteps took several steps back, an accelerated heartbeat betraying alarm. The man opened his mouth to speak, or scream perhaps, but before he got the chance Jouno spoke again.

" Silence. You wouldn't want to wake everyone over such a simple trifle as a crewmate going out to get air, no?" Jouno smiled sweetly, an innocent facade layered above the face of a hunter.

"C-crewmate?"

"Of course. Don't you remember me?" Jouno clacked their tongue. "For shame. It's Jouno."