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The night sky was covered with clouds, blocking the light of the night, and hiding the full moon.
The ocean, despite its calm waves, seemed more dark and dangerous because of the darkness surrounding it. Almost like a bottomless abyss. Would almost think that there could be dangerous unknown creatures hiding in the ink-like water. The most terrifying creatures told by sailors.
The medium-sized wooden ship was rocking on the calm waves. Its sails moved lazily against the wind. A warm golden light shone from the deck as the kerosene lamps were lit. A seemingly safe, yet clear target for creatures that might target the ship for any number of reasons. Whether it's to simply drown it or to get an easy meal.
Something, almost like a shadow, passed beneath the water's surface, shimmering slightly under the light from the ship.
The water moved with a sloshing sound as the head emerged.
Bright green eyes seemed to glow in the darkness as they stared at the ship. Tangled long ginger hair spread around head in the water, almost like a curtain covering part of face.
Laughter and the trampling of feet could be heard from the deck. And shadows moved across the wood, revealing the presence of the crew.
The next moment, two webbed hands with long, sharp claws grabbed the gaps between boards. He pulled himself up and with a louder splash, his orange tail emerged from the water as he climbed up the ship.
Second climbed up with a soft grunt, resting his hands on the deck, staying out of sight. He sat comfortably on the edge of the lifeboat that was attached to the ship.
He remained in the shadow cast over him by the railings, so he tilted his head to get a better view of the deck.
He heard laughter and loud conversations, the sounds of which made his tail swayed happily. He watched as the five-man crew sat in the middle of the deck in a crooked circle.
Could say he knew them. He had observed them many several times in the past. What? It wasn't his fault that they seemed to sailed the same route often.
The first time he saw their ship made him panic a little. Which was actually because he saw them casting the net. At first he thought they wanted to hunt him or others like him (Not that he'd met anyone else like him in a long time...).
But then he saw that they were usually only there for the fish.
At first he watched them from a distance. Sometimes following their ship for several miles. Often, when he could, he hid behind rocks or emerged from the water only to the height of his nostrils.
Although sometimes he stole fish from their nets. What? Why should he chase fish for dinner when they do half the work instead of him?
However, at some point, curiosity took over and he climbed up the ship to look at the deck. He was curious, he wanted to see them up close. They were intriguing, and chaotic in a good way.
So then he did it again, and again... and again. He did this so many times that he finally knew and remembered their names and which ones belonged to whom.
He usually just watched them and listened to their conversations. They often told each other stories, which Second liked to hear. These were usually stories of their experiences on land, sometimes heard from someone else.
He knew it was all risky. They might notice him, or he might get tangled in the net (not that he couldn't bite it or cut it with his claws). But still...
It was just... interesting and killed his boredom. Life in the sea was boring! And lonely... There is almost nothing interesting to do there!
Laughter broke him out of his little thoughts. Second strained his ears to hear their conversation better. He placed his arms on the deck of the ship and rested his chin on them.
„Don't be silly!” Yellow burst out laughing, using Blue as a pillow with his hands behind his head. „These are just sailors' fairy tales! There are no kraken or other similar creatures living in the oceans.”
„The Kraken is real!” Red insisted, crossing his arms.
„Of course.” Yellow replied, nodding as he feigned seriousness. Although there was also a bit of sarcasm there.
In response, Red stuck his tongue out at Yellow.
Second rolled his eyes at this, feeling a little amused.
He once met Kraken. Nice guy... when he's not trying to eat you.
„Oh!” Purple caught attention, resting his elbows on his crossed knees „Have you heard about these two sirens that lure sailors and drown them?”
At this Second raised his eyebrows, leaning a little forward curiously.
„Isn't it like all sirens lure sailors into the sea?” Yellow asked, raising one eyebrow.
„Well, yes. I think...” He shrugged. „There are just a lot of whispers and rumors about these two particular ones. Mango told me how he once had to deal with them! They tried to sink his ship at night as he was sailing to the nearest port due to an approaching storm!”
„Are you sure it wasn't a shark or something?” Green asked, lying on the deck with his hands under his head, not hiding his amusement and disbelief at Purple's words.
„Sharks are red?” He asked, raising one eyebrow as he looked at the other with a scowl.
„I don't know, but octopuses are.” Red replied, grinning as he rested his hand on his cheek, and a parrot perched on his head.
Second saw the bird looking at him. So he smiled and waved his fingers lazily, and the parrot squawked and flapped its wings in response.
„I'm serious!” Purple huffed, spreading his arms to his sides, and almost hitting Green in the nose.
„Me too.” Red chuckled. Purple simply rolled his eyes at that.
„Aren't you exaggerating a bit?” Blue asked, a little doubt evident in his voice. „We have been sailing the sea for several years and somehow we have never encountered any of those sea creatures that old sailors talk about.”
Second tilted his head to the side, causing his cheek to rest on his arms instead of his chin. He had heard gossips about these two (Some fish are surprisingly large gossipers for their small size).
Although he was more interested in the statement that they had been sailing the seas for years. So how old were they? In fact, he could never tell their age. They looked young, but Second was unfamiliar with the rate at which humans aged. Sirens aged very slowly compared to humans.
„I have a brilliant idea!” Green announced suddenly, sitting up cross-legged. „What do you think about a little fun? Some music... Maybe even a little musical battle?”
„No.” Purple replied, crossing his arms.
Green laughingly threw his arm over Purple's shoulders.
„What? Are you afraid that we will attract some creatures that will eat us?” Green scoffed, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
Purple then gave him a sideways glance, but his eyes sparkled with a similar sudden competitive anyway. And then in the next moment he stood up and walked towards a specific goal with decisive steps. Green cackled and smugly followed Purple.
The other three looked at each other with varying degrees of amusement. Then they stood up at the same time and followed the two.
Second tilted his head a little amused. Their little friendly bickering was just funny. It was more interesting than half the things happening in the ocean.
He then saw humans take out several instruments, and Second felt excitement surge within him. He leaned a little more out of the shadows to get a better view. His webbed ears twitched a little in excitement. He loved listening to them play music. Human music was something... unusual.
He watched as Yellow started tapping the harpoon on the deck to the beat. Green soon joined with his flute.
Blue moved the violin bow, creating some rather energetic sounds, with Red on the pan flute. Purple played something that resembled an accordion, but it look much smaller.
The music was lively and loud.
He watched the crew having fun, playing music, laughing and even dancing. Blue danced the most, despite playing the violin, he was turning and moved his legs in an improvised dance routine. Green was right next to Blue when it came to dancing, being almost on the same level. But he had to admit that Blue was doing better.
He tapped his fingers on his arm to the rhythm of the music, and his tail gently wagged from side to side. His face was decorated with a wide smile as he watched the entire 'concert' with his head resting on his folded arms.
He felt like clapping along to the beat. Or diving into the water to bring back that one big shell, although he probably wouldn't be able to play a rhythm on it. However, he held back, not wanting to reveal himself. That wouldn't be a good idea... So he just remained a silent observer.
He watched with amusement as Red raised his leg and kicked Purple in the back, 'gently' forcing him to join in the dance. Purple fell out of his rhythm at this, glaring at Red, who smiled sweetly and innocently in response.
Blue smirked and laughing he momentarily stopped his violin playing to get Purple into his and Green's dance.
Second stifled a chuckle between his arms. It must really be fun to be a part of this...
Suddenly he felt a tightness in his chest. And it wasn't because his body wasn't fully adapted to breathing above water.
His joy faded and his smile faltered into a neureal expression.
He... wishes he could be a part of such happiness. To be able to laugh and tell stories to someone other than the few fish that weren't afraid to swim up to him. Not that he wasn't happy with the company of, for example, that anglerfish he called Bob.
Or sing along with someone. Maybe even dance? Could he even dance? He wondered if it was as funny as it looked...
But he can only observe...
Suddenly he realized what he felt.
He felt... jealousy.
He would like to be a part of something like this, not just watch from the sidelines. Also laugh with someone and have fun... It must be nice to care about someone. He doesn't remember what it's like. He had no one. There was only him alone, for a... in fact, he doesn't even know how long...
The music became a strangely unpleasant noise.
He bit his lip, looking once again at the five people having fun.
He... didn't want to be here anymore.
Second then dived with a splash into the cool waters of the ocean.