#castleswimmer

[hopeful-puffin]

More icons

Got bored. Made a few more. 150x150 in size, but this time they aren't circles. Mostly Siren and Worm with some Kappa sprinkled in the middle. Again, credit it not necessary. All of it should go to Ms. Martin.

[hopeful-puffin]

More headcanons/theories

Been poking around the artist's patreon and was just reminded how much I love this cast of characters. So I just started letting my mind wander and came up with some more random headcanons in no particular order. There will be the occasional predictions for season 4 sprinkled within (some are outrageous by my standards).

When Siren was a kid, he would practice making his escape by dashing around the castle. As Skiff was his "assigned" bodyguard, he would join in on the "fun". The problem is Siren focused more on speed than maneuverability. As a result, the young prince collided at top speed with other adults or even statues when he attempted to pivot on the spot to avoid said collisions. Several of the cracks and chips to the statues throughout the castle are a result of these shenanigans. Dude's got a hard head, as demonstrated throughout the comic.

Why bring up Skiff? Because of Siren's antics, he got really good at making tight turns and dodging out of the way. His smaller size played into his favor as well. So, while Skiff's not as fast as his idol, he's quick and light on his fins, making him an effective hunter and near impossible to catch.

I know I touched on Siren not being a fan of the colors blue, gray, or black in a previous post. But I started wondering, if he had a favorite color, what would it be? Maybe if Siren was asked as a kid but never could come up with anything he liked? And I landed on a vibrant orange.

Why orange? Because, prior to meeting Kappa, Siren had never known such colors existed .He'd only ever seen cool colors ranging from pitch black to forest greens (moss). Brown for the mud. Maybe the occasional soft pink if a shark brought home a pretty shell or bits of coral. Or, ya know, dark red from blood. But never any warm colors that inspire or comfort the young prince. By the age of nineteen, Siren's entire world was secluded to a muted, bland (in his mind) color palette.

Then along comes the Beacon. He's this mystical, divine being Siren has only seen murals of. And here he is, this little guy with a cute face. But, before even that, Kappa is bright and colorful. He's mesmerizing, not simply because of what he is, but because he's a color Siren has literally never seen before. Yes, he's cute. Yes, he's hilarious and crass and jaded. But before all of that, Kappa is vivid and eye-catching. Like, I can imagine that even if they'd somehow met prior, even if Siren didn't know this was this Beacon, he would have still been awestruck simply because of his hue.

Siren's always assumed the outside world is much bigger than he could ever imagine. But here's just a taste of it. There are literal colors Siren has never even heard of! And he wants to see it all. But he can't. He must fulfill his duty to the prophecy. So instead Siren settles for learning about the outside world through Kappa's eyes. And he loves it so much that it manifests into Siren finally having a favorite color.

Consequently, I wouldn't be surprised if Kappa's favorite color is blue. I don't think it's a color we've ever seen him in the comics (correct me if I'm wrong). Maybe he hopes he'd blend in with the ocean more.

But, more than that, it's the color of Siren. Here's somebody who's protective and warm. Somebody who wants him for who he is rather than what he represents. Somebody Kappa can tuck himself against to feel safe (as he does a few times in Seasons 1 & 3). So the color comes to mean so much more than  potential camouflage.

Kappa is free to grab or pull on any part of Siren whenever he wants to. Siren is pretty tolerant of people invading his personal space throughout the series (as demonstrated by Nee in the dungeon or Neth grabbing his face), but there's just something different with Kappa. He can grab Siren by the face or pull on his hair if he so desires. He could suddenly flop across Siren's lap or fidget with either of his fins. If Kappa wanted to play with Siren's fingers, Siren's arm would just go limp and let him have his fun. No questions asked.

Siren's tolerance has no limit with Kappa, which honestly lulls me into a false sense of security sometimes because this guy is a literal apex predator. He could kill Kappa if he wanted. But he doesn't. He chooses to be mellow and patient. And the finale of Season 3 brings this into stark, painful focus. Because, despite how dangerous Siren is, Kappa never once acts like he fears for his own safety. He knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Siren would never hurt him.

On another note, Kappa has long memorized the shape of Siren's scars. When there isn't anything to distract him, he'll visually trace them, particularly the one on Siren's chest late at night when he can't sleep. Sometimes he'll literally trace it with his finger while lost in thought.

Siren's well aware of when Kappa is staring at the scar on his back. He's always quick to turn and face Kappa, offering a smile or distraction. Because Siren is proud of it. It's a sign of how far he's willing to go to protect Kappa.

The subject of their magic hearts as of the finale is a matter of great interest to me. I have several theories bouncing around my head, but for the sake of simplicity, I'll only list the main ones I think have some merit. All I can assume is that Siren's heart literally resides with Kappa and vice versa.

In order to use magic, it has to come from the other. Meaning if Kappa gets upset, the heart in Siren's chest will act up. Get upset enough, and the magic will react by either harming or incapacitating Siren in some fashion. This falls back on Nethimir talking about how their magic works to Kappa and Siren at the finale of Season 2 and why it's so important to control their emotions at the start of Season 3. Obviously, the same goes in reverse with Siren to Kappa.

Another result of this is that they cannot actually use magic unless the other is nearby as they are ostensibly the source of their respective power. By extension, the two are cautioned against placing too great of a distance between them. Too far for too long from their heart can result in loss of consciousness or some sort of physical side-effect such as fatigue or shortness of breath. Long story short, they shouldn't be separated.

It doesn't quite create a new sort of tether between them, but it does give Siren some experience with the phenomenon. Because now he feels like he's being drawn towards Kappa at all times. It's similar to how I've previously mentioned that Siren always knows which direction the castle is. Only this is more precise, more insistent, to the point Siren feels increasingly more anxious the longer they're separated.

These are not to suggest that they can't be away from one another. Just that they're hyper aware of it and shouldn't be apart for extended periods.

I cannot imagine Siren not having some sort of existential crises over all this. On the one hand, he's always felt his heart belongs to Kappa. Having it be literal concerns him with regards to his prophecy. Does this mean if the Beacon were to try and kill him, that Kappa would perish alongside him?

Every time Siren gets overly stimulated by his boyfriend's flirting, the heart within Kappa picks up speed in reaction to him becoming a flustered mess. Meaning Kappa directly feels how wound up he's making Siren. I don't mean this as sexually either. I mean that it makes Kappa's own face flush despite not feeling embarrassed or lightheaded from how enraptured Siren is. He can veritably feel how much Siren loves him as if it were his own emotions.

Kappa's possibly thrown off by this at first. He knows Siren loves him. But to actually feel that love in such an intimate manner is something Kappa has little experience with. Love has always been conditional for him. Yet here it is, hammering away in his chest, radiating just for being himself. I can imagine that would be overwhelming at first. Kappa would probably play it off to not draw attention to it until he eventually gets used to it. If anything, it adds another reason for him to relentlessly tease Siren when they're alone.

I have some thoughts on Shoal. I've never been a proponent for his decisions, but I've also not been against them necessarily either. I don't think there is any question about how much Shoal loves Siren. He desperately wants to save his son.

Then Siren started talking about his dad to Kappa in Episode 162. It got me wondering what sort of things Shoal might be willing to do in order to save his son. Such as, oh I don't know, becoming a minigod? Lord Ogo's comment to Kappa got me thinking; what are you willing to sacrifice for those you love.

That, coupled with Ogo hinting that one cannot think like a god without becoming one themselves, I can see this being foreshadowing for Shoal.

It's either that or fearing what Kappa might likewise be willing to do to save his beloved. Unsurprisingly, that's who Kappa thinks about upon hearing Lord Ogo's warning. Both Shoal and Kappa wish to save Siren. They both love Siren dearly. Love Siren is well aware of but doesn't feel he deserves. My heart can't take worrying about Kappa like that for long.

I know I'm going to be an outlier for this, but I absolutely do not trust Orakos. There is just something about them that unsettles me. They're hiding something. Why are they after the Beacon? They clearly know more than they are letting on. Are they wanting to take Kappa to the Surface? Against Kappa's will? But, if Siren holds Kappa's heart, does that mean they'll be going after him too? Not that Siren wouldn't chase after Orakos if they took Kappa. Why are they after the light within the Beacon anyway?

Speaking of that light, if Kappa ever learns how to manipulate it, I get the feeling this little guy will rapidly become overpowered. The God's Light combined with Octalia Magic Heart sounds too powerful to control. Gives me Avatar State vibes that Siren's gonna help Kappa navigate. Maybe even forcibly if Kappa tries to push him away under the pretense of protecting Siren from the magic. I get the feeling he's absolutely going to need Siren since he's carrying Kappa's actual heart. Not only that, Siren stabilizes Kappa, makes him feel safe. Things Kappa will undoubtedly need if he's going to see this journey to its conclusion and live.

Here's an unlikely but twisted theory; the Narwhals aren't villains. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a fan of them at this stage nor defending their hostile behavior. But they're on par with Orakos in that we don't know what they're after. We know they're prone to violence at the drop of a hat yet express concern for Orakos when they are harmed. Orakos even states they are here because of them.

But what do we really know about all three of them? Not much, to be honest. We don't even know how the Narwhals are connected. Are they twins? Lovers? Co-Workers? I think one is male and the other is female, but I'm hesitant to assume even that much out of respect for gender preferences.

The Narwhals accuse Orakos of being loyal to "their god," but we don't know which god that even is. Is it the Surface God? The God of the Abyss, Labbu? Given that Orakos is knowledgeable of fossils, even carrying two of them on their person, I don't think it's a stretch. Labbu is the source of all mini gods after all, and we know those are spawned from fossils.

Yes, I know the Narwhals threaten the Beacon indirectly by warning Orakos that they know what's going to happen if/when they find the Beacon first. Sounds like a threat to me. But what if it's not? What if they are loyal to the Surface God and the Beacon by extension? And seek to keep the Light out of Orakos/Labbu's hands?

This is a massive stretch, but I can't denounce the possibility until I know what they're after or who they are loyal to as they too use fossils in the shape of their magic staves. Could be their magic stems from the God of the Abyss themselves since magic seems to come at a cost given the Octalia's circumstances.

Let it be known that I neither support nor condone either Orakos or the Narwhals. I'm just shooting ideas into the breeze to avoid jumping to conclusions. Knowing the author, she's thought of something I've completely missed and I'll be surprised no matter what.

I'm also very curious about Siren's lineage. Why? Because of Kappa comment at the end Episode 125 (S2 finale).

Why say something like that? The best I think figure is that, for whatever reason, mer hair stops growing after a certain point based on genetics. Why else would Kappa's hair continue to grow over the course of two months while they recover while Siren's only reproduces the bit that was sheared off by the trench monster? If Siren somehow found the means to cut his hair, wouldn't Kappa's length have come up then? Then again, Siren seems to like long-haired boys. (¬‿¬)

Anyway, if this is the case, I can understand why Kappa seems baffled. Both Shoal and Susca have long hair. Either Siren inherited a recessive gene or there's more going on with his lineage than the author has let on. Given that she likes to drop subtle hints throughout the story, this would absolutely not surprise me. The question then becomes why? To which I don't have a clue.

This is a joke headcanon, but I'm convinced Selkie is over a hundred years old. Meaning she was alive when Neris was killed by the Queen at that time. I only started thinking about it because the author is so secretive about Selkie's age. I can easily imagine Selkie was an Elder long before Siren was born to boot. Which would explain why she knew the original prophecy. It's a shot in the dark, and a long one at that to think she's lived that long despite the curse, but it's still funny to think about.

Silver is asexual. That's it. That's the headcanon. Don't know what else you want from me on this one.

I used to think Kappa was too, but the author debunked that one.

I accept the headcanon ship of Queen Nee/Queen Krilli.

Same for Skiff/Seko.

I had this funny thought of Worm actually being the Surface God in disguise, having come to be with Kappa the only way available. I don't entirely remember where the idea stemmed from. He just seems too intelligent to be another random sea creature. This is entirely a joke by the way!

I have this headcanon that Kappa isn't 100% of his age; he's just estimating to the best of his ability.

Consequently, Kappa also doesn't know what his actual birthday is.

Kappa's vibrant scales have never been a problem for Siren when it comes to sleeping. The guy grew up with a glowing bed! Cuddling his bioluminescent boyfriend really doesn't phase him in that regard.

Kappa is always the little spoon. Not just because of his size, but Siren's dorsal is more rigid than his.

That's all I've got for now.

[hopeful-puffin]

Castle Swimmer AU

I got this stuck in my head and decided to share it with my partner. They didn't seem interested, so now I'm sharing it with all of you!

* Kappa’s stuck being the last Keyblade Wielder   * I don’t know how he got it   * But he’s been traversing the cosmos since he was a kid * Bitter and tired of being stuck protecting the light * Wants out * In order to gain access to keyholes, he has to complete a prophecy   * For every world he visits   * Or, more accurately, gets literally dragged to * They’re usually pretty mundane   * But people revere the Keyblade as their savior   * So Kappa avoids using it whenever possible * Won’t use the weapon unless his life depends on it   * As in the thing manifests itself to protect him * Doesn’t ever stay in one place for long   * Constantly being dragged along by the light   * Practically kicked off of worlds when he completes a prophecy * Living out in space ain’t much of an option though * Only companion is the little pink thing that can morph into anything it sees   * Think Morph from *Treasure Planet*   * Or a Ditto from Pokémon   * Usual form is a large, pink axolotl   * Goes by Worm courtesy of Kappa   * Found him out in space one day   * Been with Kappa ever since

* Gets dragged to an underwater world * It’s inhabited largely by sharks * Cue cannon appearances  * And cannon dilemmas of morality and loneliness * Path to keyhole locked behind shark prophecy   * Only Kappa’s death with allegedly open the path   * Which makes zero sense with Kappa being the Keyblade Wielder * Tries to pass the blade off to Siren to fulfill the prophecy * Cue Keyblade rejecting Siren * Can’t take a Keyblade from a living Wielder (allegedly) * Barracuda are heartless that attack the castle * Sharks manage to exterminate them * Kappa worried more will come   * Until he seals the Keyhole

* Susca knew Siren couldn’t take the Keyblade from Kappa   * Because Shoal had one too   * Not that Siren knew that   * Ventured out into the universe   * In search of a way to locate their Keyhole without killing Siren   * To bring the light back to their castle without bloodshed * Susca feared Siren being whisked away by the Keyblade   * But the Keyblade Wielder dies, his blade vanishes too * The hope was that Kappa would never come to their castle * Eventually culminates into learning the true prophecy from Susca   * Siren’s blood will reveal the Keyhole   * But like, all of it is needed * Kappa refuses to kill Siren * Susca tries to kill Kappa   * Claims the heartless will leave if the Keyblade is gone * Siren protects Kappa * Blood reveals path to Keyhole   * But Kappa can’t get it   * Because Siren isn’t dead yet   * Dragged out by Nee and Krilli before he can figure out why * Manages to sneak back in thanks to Skiff * Leaves Worm with Siren   * With the promise of finding each other again * Also leaves a piece of armor with Siren   * It’ll grant him the ability to safely travel between worlds   * Similar to Birth By Sleep * Both stowed in a bag Siren was told not to open until he leaves * Kappa still has his Gummi Ship   * Siren would have no clue how to pilot that thing * Siren determined to reunite with Kappa   * And find a way to seal his Keyhole without dying * Kappa trying to find a way to rid himself of his Keyblade

* Once Siren recovers, he sneaks out of his castle   * Intent on going after Kappa * Susca catches him and gives him some supplies   * She and Selkie know about the outside castles   * Castles = Worlds in this universe * Siren departs, using the armor from Kappa to traverse * Realizes Kappa also left him something else   * That being Arp * The two travel in search of both Kappa and Shoal   * Kappa’s weapon reminded Siren of his dad’s   * He must still be out there somewhere * Somewhere in there is a joke about Siren learning how to walk

* Siren meets Pim and Pagoon on some world   * Or out in space   * After having an unfortunate run-in with the Remora * They agree to let him travel with them   * And teach him how to fight * Pim is searching for a safe world for Pagoon to grow   * Theirs was destroyed by heartless * Neither wield Keyblades * Arp changes into different weapons for Siren   * Trying to find one that suits him   * Spoiler: None of them do * Siren is averse to violence anyway

* Meanwhile, Kappa runs into the witches * Hopes to become more proficient with magic under their tutelage   * So he won’t have to be reliant on the Keyblade * They claim to be evil   * But Kappa can tell they’re good people * Magic based on the strength of heart   * Kappa’s heart is wavering   * So he’s not proficient with magic * Neth’s is especially potent   * Due to having been born with three * Eventually learns their world was destroyed by heartless * Feels guilty for having not been their to prevent it from happening * Reveal they’re seeking the Door to Darkness   * To destroy it by any means necessary   * And to find the heartless they consumed their world   * And kill it * Kappa agrees to help in exchange for magic lessons * Tries to pass his Keyblade off to Mucku or Mono at some point   * It obviously doesn’t work * Witches used to travel between worlds using corridors of darkness   * But this draining work, so they don’t do it often   * Easier to rely on Kappa’s tiny Gummi Ship

* Siren somehow gets stuck in the Realm of Darkness at some point   * Similar to the God’s Mouth * Complete with twisted illusions of those Siren knows   * All trying to tempt him to surrender to the dark * He and Arp eventually manage to escape   * But not before nearly becoming heartless themselves * Run into a mysterious individual down in the depths   * He’s been there so long he no longer remembers his name * Advises Siren that the Door to Darkness must be sealed   * Or more worlds are going to fall to the heartless  * He recalls his own world met such a fate * They’d prayed for the appearance of the Keyblade   * But it obviously never arrived * So they took matters into their own hands  * And attempted to slay the monsters themselves * They eventually were consumed by the darkness * A large, serpentine heartless destroyed their world * Now he’s all that’s left   * Wandering the dark for all eternity * Siren asks how to save him   * Can lost worlds be restored? * The man states they tried, but ended in failure * That all worlds are doomed to fall to darkness   * Because a single Keyblade is not enough to save the galaxy * Siren wants to find a way to save his castle   * To save Kappa   * Without having to die * The man realizes he’s slipping   * He’s been down here for far too long * He manages to get Siren out before becoming a heartless * Siren reunited with Pim and Pagoon on some random world * They head back out, intent on reaching their goals

* Pim and Pagoon split with Siren at some point   * They leave to investigate Traverse Town   * While Siren heads for the Mysterious Tower * Runs into Herm, a hermit who knows more than they let on * Learns about Keyblades and Prophecies   * How they’re intertwined with the light * Herm once instructed Shoal on how to use the Keyblade   * But never learned how to bypass a prophecy * Siren learns Kappa and the witches had come by here   * But Kappa declined learning more about his weapon * Herm had advised them to head for Hollow Bastion * It’s a world close to the Realm of Darkness * But it houses an extensive library   * Should have the research of a man who studied the heartless   * Might give them a clue on how to destroy the blight * Neth hoping to find their target there as well * Siren departs for Hollow Bastion   * Worried for Kappa’s safety

* Kappa gets separated from the witches when they crash on the same world   * Kappa was yanked their against his will by that damn light * Cornered by a large crab-like heartless * Forced to use Keyblade to fight it off   * But not able to defeat it on his own * Attempts to flee * Nearly killed in the process * Quite literally runs into Siren * Advises Kappa to dismiss the weapon while they flee   * The heartless are tracking him by its light   * Something he learned from Herm * Manage to escape together

* Reunion short-lived * Attacked by a rampaging Neth   * Who’s lost control of her magic * Siren forced to distract the crab as it’s caught back up with them * Kappa manages to quell the darkness before Nethimir is consumed * The crab - Lord Ogo - soon sets upon them * Kappa worried about Siren * He and Neth manage to at least force the heartless back * Siren’s okay   * Barely   * Nearly corrupted by the darkness * Managed to hold on   * Granted a Keyblade   * Similar to how Sora gets his in the first game * Unlike with Arp, this weapon feels right * Charges in to help Kappa and Neth against Ogo   * Joined by Mucku and Mono for cover fire * The five nearly purify Ogo * Ogo retaliates at the last second   * Aiming for Kappa   * Siren jumps in to protect him   * Both crushed by Ogo

* Siren awakens in the Realm of Darkness   * Recognizes it from before * Desperately searches for Kappa * Manages to locate his light   * But it’s barely hanging on * Vows to protect it   * And find a way out of here * After a while, he feels like he’s falling * Holds on for Kappa’s sake * Eventually, they’re pulled out by the witches * Don’t have a clue how though * The group is now trapped on Hollow Bastion * Kappa’s ship is in no shape to fly   * And Siren’s borrowed armor only covers one person * Not to mention Siren and Kappa are in no shape to fight

* Witches too exhausted saving them to conjure a new corridor * Manage to hold out long enough for Pim and Pagoon to find them   * Came looking for Siren when he never met up with them * It’s a tight squeeze, but they all pile into Pim’s ship * Travel back to Traverse Town * Meet up with Nee and Krilli to rest   * Need a new game plan * Kappa doesn’t want to be here   * Won’t reveal why * Witches know something happened here   * So they’re extra vigilant over him   * One is with Kappa at all times * Mucku promises they can leave as soon as Kappa recovers

[blayeart]

Kappa from CastleSwimmer

(screenshot redraw)

[hopeful-puffin]

Needed a break from all this bleak feeling of helplessness and decided to pick up an old attempt at writing. This is not my first attempt at writing Siren, but this is my first public posting. Might cross-post on AO3, but I dunno.

Set shortly after episode #86 (S2 mid-season finale). Fluffy. Themes of pining, heartache, doubt, self-deprecation, maternal affection, and hurt/comfort.

Synopsis:

Siren's left to his own thoughts. After having spilled his story to Pim and Pagoon, it's inevitable that his thoughts turn to recent events. To the God's Mouth. While there are things he wished he could change, he didn't regret what transpired. If only he could get those haunting words out of his head.

"I love you."

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The waters were eerily still tonight. Not a creature within sight at this late hour; merely misshapen silhouettes intermittently overhead. This left Siren alone with his inconsistent thoughts; a volatile concoction of despair, grief, resentment, shame, and affection brewing just beneath the surface of his taut skin that threatened to burst forth to contaminate the entire ocean. If only he could keep it together.

Tonight was one of those rare occasions Siren was permitted to take night-watch. The position usually fell to Pim but, after hardly getting a wink of sleep within the God’s Mouth, Siren had grown insistent. The trench was two days worth of swimming behind them. They were now well within the borders of the Purple Peaks. They were safe. Or so Siren wished to believe. So having a night-watch wasn’t necessary. But Siren and Pim were both a touch paranoid after being literally hunted by cursed monsters.

Behind him, Pagoon was sound asleep with Arp tightly curled behind his head. Across the little cave was his young master’s mother, her upper back pressed against the wall and her arms loosely crossed. Last Siren checked, she had long succumbed to fatigue. It was the most at peace the shark could recall seeing Pim in what felt like ages when, in reality, they hadn’t even spent a week in that godforsaken trench.

Which just left Siren, perched at the mouth of the tiny cavern, watching the waters gradually turn from a murky navy to a vivid cerulean. It would still be some time before he needed to round up breakfast. He was intent on continuing his search for his father (and Kappa) as soon as Pim and Pagoon were ready to leave. But, until then, Siren only had his thoughts to keep him occupied.

Thoughts that inevitably kept drifting back to the God’s Mouth.

'Pim and Pagoon … They’re monsters that are planning to mutilate you; just like Skiff and your mother.'

With a shiver, Siren hugged himself a little tighter, his tail curling upward from where it hung over the short ledge. Clutched to his chest was Kappa’s fabric satchel, devoid of contents save a knife the teen would be all too happy to permanently lose.

'They’re lying. Everyone always lies to you. They’re sharpening their teeth to bite when you least expect it.'

These voices … They howl relentlessly in his ears, coating every memory with a layer of dread, smothering his every thought to the contrary of their foul bombardment of destructive slander and toxic distortions.

'You abandoned Kappa. To rot in that darkened purgatory. Alone. Crying out with wretched longing. Clawing at his blighted skin. Unleashing the desolate screams of his cursed people upon him. Smothering him with his shameful insecurities. You left them all to die. All so you can live. Selfish. Why did you make Kappa face that same fate!?'

A lone long neck drifted high above the gorge. Its cast shadow was a familiar one, giving Siren something to focus on outside the confines of his troubled mind as it meandered by. Guess the transition from evening wildlife to those that traveled by day was already in the process. Had he really been out of it for that long?

Siren’s mind wandered back home as it so often did in these moments of reticence. The changing of the guard was likely due to start any minute now; not that he’d ever been permitted to witness its full spectrum. His mother would be coming up to check on him soon. Selkie would not be long after with breakfast. Soon the bait hall would be filled with chatter. Would a group be dispatched for a hunt? Were there any injuries that occurred during the night? Was there any sign the Beacon was coming? Though, Siren supposed, that last one no longer mattered.

Without meaning to, Siren released a heavy sigh; one burdened with heartache and longing. His grip fastened around Kappa’s bag, his chin dipping until he could bury his nose in the pliable textile. It didn’t smell like much of anything without Arp inside. But it was tangible and familiar; a physical link to the boy Siren openly pined for.

His heart lurched violently, making the teen keen softly at the back of his throat. He could hear Kappa’s voice, clear and warm, whispering in his ears. Reassuring Siren that he was safe. Ignorantly accusing those who loved Siren of hurting him. Begging Siren not to leave him.

He could feel Kappa’s arms, slender and inviting, wrapping around Siren from behind, his tail possessively coiling around the shark’s. Siren could feel the ghost of a chin resting on his left shoulder and the soft brush of russet hair against his most recent scar. It felt so corporeal the teen whimpered into the bag, his shoulders trembling from how firmly he clutched the material.

Kappa? No, not Kappa. Not his Kappa. Someone’s perverse impersonation. Corporeal yet not alive. Kappa’s smile was all wrong, the wrinkle of his nose unfamiliar, instilling Siren with fear. That was Kappa’s voice but not his words. That was Kappa’s touch but it lacked his warmth. That wasn’t Kappa, yet it tore Siren up inside all the same.

He knew what he saw down there wasn’t real. He knew that wasn’t the real Kappa holding him. He knew what that thing said didn’t match what the real Kappa believed. He knew its words were just empty placations born from a wicked desire to trap Siren. Words that meant nothing. Words that weren’t true. Words that haunted Siren all the same because some spurned part of him was so hopelessly smitten.

’I love you.’

Of all the things the imposter could have said, that was what broke Siren. Because everything else, before and after, he could argue wasn’t accurate. Skiff didn’t blame Siren for his scar. His mother didn’t regard him with contempt nor view him as a failure. His fellow sharks no longer cried out for the Beacon’s blood. Susca would never willingly strike him. Skiff didn’t condone the death of anyone just to save their people this instant.

The real Kappa would never be passionate about Siren “choosing” him over his people. The real Kappa would never accuse those very people of hurting Siren. The real Kappa would never try to keep Siren away from his friends and family. The real Kappa would never try to turn him against anyone.

The real Kappa made Siren feel like he could overcome anything.

The real Kappa made Siren feel special in a way that made the shark’s heart flutter.

The real Kappa had Siren wrapped around his little fingers. And every part of Siren absolutely loved it.

So then why? Why were those three little words so hard for Siren to get out of his head?

He knew the answer before the question could be breathed into life, the pain of its affliction so visceral Siren could have sworn he was being repeatedly stabbed in the gut.

Because Siren wanted those words to be true.

Would the real Kappa ever say them to him? Did the real Kappa feel the same towards Siren that he did the brunet? What if the real Kappa had forgotten about him, having given up on the shark ever catching up to him?

And why wouldn’t he? Siren was completely useless the last time Kappa saw him. He only recently learned the basics of combat and hunting. Not to mention his lack of understanding of the world as a whole, swimming directly into dangerous waters like a clueless guppy born yesterday despite his mother clearly warning Siren to avoid the open ocean. The shark should have rightly died weeks ago from starvation or ticking off the wrong fish. He was even dumb enough to trust complete strangers, costing Siren all of his supplies and nearly Kappa’s bag! The only reason he even still had it was because Siren had, by some means, managed to intimidate the Remora into dropping it despite having no means of forcing them to.

Just thinking about the satchel made Siren press his face deeper into the material while somehow remaining mindful enough not to get himself stabbed. He wanted to scream, to cry, to cling to his mom’s waist. He wanted this agony to cease. Siren shook with increasingly violent tremors as the emotional toll ran its course.

That is until a hand, gentle yet firm, came to rest atop his left shoulder.

Siren’s head jerked up, his lips already pulling back in preparation to bare his teeth on instinct, only to find himself frozen under Pim’s goldenrod eyes. They were gentle and caring with creases forming at the edges from worry. There was something there that reminded Siren of Susca; motherly and inviting.

Siren wrung his fingers deeper into the fabric of Kappa’s bag before croaking out a hesitant, ”Are you … really here?”

Pim’s eyes widened before softening instantly, a sympathetic smile her only reply before settling at the teen’s side. Siren’s head lifted slightly in order to keep an eye on her, shifting to only have his chin buried as opposed to his nose, but otherwise didn’t move. If Pim was bothered, she hid it well, her thumb ghosting along the hump of Siren’s hitched shoulder and her sword out of sight.

”Is that why you seemed so frightened?” Pim gingerly inquired, her smile growing somber when Siren nodded weakly. It was answer enough, revealing some of what the teen had experienced in her place.

Siren had avoided telling her much of anything that happened in the trench. Just that there were people in the God’s Mouth that wished to speak with the bygone prince due to the eerie similarities in their experiences regarding minigods and curses. That “all the bad memories” swirling around in Siren’s head were used against him somehow.

Things like the origin of the scar on Siren’s quivering back.

Of all the things, that was what weighed the heaviest on Pim’s mind. No doubt that particular memory had been used to hurt the boy. All the anger, resentment, and longing Siren had hoped to put behind him when he left his castle combined dangerously with how weak Siren felt for thinking he could move past it all just by leaving home.

”There … There were …” Siren opened and closed his mouth uselessly before tearing his eyes away from Pim. Something about her gaze was difficult to accept. So the shark looked out across the narrow gorge they’d settled into for the night, his vision cloudy while his rigid grasp around Kappa’s bag remained a deathgrip, his muscles taut through his tough skin with how close they sat.

Pim didn’t think Siren was weak. Just being here and still going took strength. He felt safe in the elder mer’s presence. Even now, Siren couldn’t help but look at her as he used to his mother. Because he wanted - no, needed - to believe Pim was real despite the requiem ringing in his fracturing mind.

”The God’s Mouth,” Siren murmured despite Pim not having said anything. He didn’t so much as glance in her direction, his body still curled protectively around Kappa’s bag. ”It traps people down there.” Siren didn’t see the way Pim nodded. The way the shark spoke indicated he had more to say. ”It somehow reads your memories to create illusions,” Siren continued after a moment, taking Pim’s silence as an invitation to press onward uninterrupted. His cobalt eyes clamped shut, his trembles beginning anew as he thought back on what he saw. All the heat drained from his body, leaving Siren exposed and fragile.

He flinched away from the feeling of something hot against his spine, making his head jerk up to meet Pim’s soothing gaze. He swallowed thickly, interpreting the quiet as a sign to keep going. Siren nodded weakly, unable to tear his eyes away from hers.

”I saw Skiff … and my mother … and … and …”

Pim’s hand ran back and forth across Siren’s trembling shoulders. She leaned forward to remain within his hunched line of sight, her smile gone as if she too feared the remainder of that sentence.

It all Siren could do to wheeze out a cracked, ”And I saw Kappa…”

Strong arms swaddled his shoulders. In an instant, Siren was twisting at the waist, throwing his own around Pim in a vise. He quaked violently in her hold, his breaths a stuttering mess. ”I-I know … it wasn’t really him,” Siren stammered out on a single, gasping breath, ”but still-!” His voice pitched wildly up before being strangled in the back of his throat. All the while, Pim just held him, her grip shaking faintly under the strain of simply trying to hold the boy together even if only physically.

Silence fell, broken only by Siren’s gasping exhales as he tried to shove it down. He focused on Pim’s nails running up and down his spine instead. By the time the teen pulled away, the sea was teeming with life as a steady stream of schooling fish made their way through the gorge. It’d still be a little while until Pagoon stirred, granting Siren a chance to calm before his master witnessed his moment of weakness.

Sensing this, Pim respected his privacy. Or at least as much as she could given how tightly Siren gripped her frame. He reminded her of Pagoon; before it wasn’t very “heroic” to cling to one’s mother like a simpering child.

Seconds, minutes, hours, days, *time* drifted by with all the urgency of a raging current bottled and corked in fragile glass of battered paint. Siren had grown quiet. Eerily quiet. So much so Pim started to question if he was even still awake. Until his fingers twitched at her sides, his forehead lifting from her left shoulder, and the ghost of a teetering breath rattled his rigid ribs.

”Thanks…” he murmured through a gaunt exhale. For Siren knew, barely clinging to reality with haggard fingers, that this was the real Pim. She had neither verbally lashed out at the emotionally fragile teen nor made Siren to feel pathetic in her presence.

Instead, Pim gave him the security to regain control of his spiraling mind without the expectation of a decision nor discussion. Her presence was comforting, not malicious with spiteful intensity disguised as affection and an ambition to see the shark crumble under her control cloaked in concern.

Rather than press for details, when Siren timidly searched the elder mer’s sympathetic eyes, he was met with a tender smile and hands shifting to gently squeeze his shoulders. ”Tell me, Siren,” Pim lightly instructed, easing Siren to sit back with amiable coaxing. It wasn’t out of a desire to put space between them so much as in the hopes that, by giving Siren the space to properly think, he would steadily calm.

When Pim’s request did not extend, Siren tilted his head ever so slightly, the wobbly edges of his cobalt irises still yet to fully crystallize to their usual luster. The silent question tarried for only a graciously short stent before Pim skimmed the pads of her thumbs over the front of Siren’s shoulders. A means of making sure the teen was still with her as well as provided the shark with something to ground himself with.

It worked too. Siren blinked before righting his head, his vision clearing enough to face Pim fully rather than angled up sheepishly through a thick curtain of turquoise bangs. By now, his grip on Kappa’s bag had loosened though his fingers remained wrung onto the pliable, brown material.

Seemingly amused by this, Pim’s mouth quirked as her thumbs stilled atop Siren’s cool skin. ”Tell me,” she repeated with a hint of mirth in her golden eyes, ”What’s the real Kappa’s like?”

Siren blinked rapidly, having not anticipated the request. It took him a moment, his mind cautiously unraveling the inquiry, parsing the simple words for hidden meaning. When none came to mind, his cheeks warmed from pale pearl to rosy coral across the upper crests beneath his crinkling eyes.

Because, upon hearing the brunet’s name, Siren’s heart swelled with a languishing ache. How he longed to hold Kappa, to find him in this immense ocean and never depart from his side. Maybe he’d be lucky enough to kiss Kappa again. Repeatedly. Or, if Siren read the look in the brunet’s radiant eyes right, maybe, just maybe, he could ask Kappa to be his boyfriend. Something the young shark had never desired with another before or since. He doubted he could feel this way for any other.

Kappa had stolen the very heart from his chest right out from under Siren’s nose. Presented against his will to his would-be murderer, caged and defenseless, no less. And, like an unwitting thief in the night, the Beacon claimed his prize. Kappa had practically flaunted it to Siren’s face. He beckoned the shark closer with a playful critique, rewarding Siren with an awkward first kiss and a promise to meet again.

”He’s … absolutely incredible,” Siren whispered with an air of reverence Pim hadn’t heard since Pagoon was born. Her late husband had been weirdly silent until rumbling a similar phrase, holding their infant son to his chest with love and protection in his eyes. The way Siren spoke was with the same adoration and devotion with only the best of intentions. Love was love in Pim’s eyes; be it familial or romantic mattered not. This world was harsh. One that would require strong bonds in order to survive, especially out here in the wilds. The God’s Mouth had reminded her of this. A lesson Pim dared not forget.

”Kappa - He …,” Siren trailed as his gaze averted slightly, his fingers fiddling with fabric still held against his stomach. ”You can tell he’s special just by looking at him.”

Not just his glamorous scales or his alluring curves either, though the latter made Siren’s cheeks darken. There was just something in the way Kappa held himself - arms clutched nervously to his chest or enthusiastically animated about ocean life - that made it impossible for Siren to look away. The sly arch of his dark brow down to the subtle twitch of his tail commanded Siren’s attention. Everything about Kappa was just perfect. There was no doubt Siren was biased. But even someone not interested in boys could surely see just how extraordinary Kappa was!

Pim nudged Siren’s shoulder with her own; nonverbal encouragement to continue without the risk of being ridiculed. He exhaled shakily, his gills fluttering softly, as he willed the heat from his face to his belly. ”He’s the sweetest guy,” Siren tapered with a dreamy lilt, his cobalt eyes crinkling as he stared blankly out into the gorge. The more he spoke, the lower his shoulders rest. Acknowledging his feelings for Kappa felt wonderful.

Rather than face it with fear or trepidation, Siren cradled his pining delicately. With a chuckle, the blunet quietly confessed, ”He can always make me laugh, no matter how stressed I feel.” An indiscriminate, crass comment here or a whimsical joke there never failed to make Siren crow with mirth. They weren’t common, keeping Siren on his fins. Kappa knew just what to say to calm Siren with his impeccable, comedic timing.

Kappa was so goofy at times it was easy to forget he was the Beacon. Having met him, having taken the time to know the real mer beneath those extravagant scales, Siren could say for certain Kappa was just a normal guy. One who had never done anything wrong. Kappa’s one and only sin was being born into a world that wanted to use him. A choice he’d neither made of his own volition nor wished to carry the mantle for. Kappa’s life was preordained, the illusion of choice taken from him by God before his very birth. He was destined to be dragged along by the whims of others, others who remained ignorant of the Beacon’s plights, who believed it was a noble life Kappa deemed as necessary despite the cost. Just as Siren once foolishly had.

Kappa wasn’t free. He wasn’t making the decision to help others out of the goodness of his heart. He was doing it because he truly believed he had no choice. Kappa never objected to being put to the slaughter when Susca told him their prophecy. He’d kept his mouth shut, preparing himself for death in the dark confines of a secluded dungeon, his only companions a trio of little fish that must have followed him. He just accepted what was going to happen to him. Kappa had simply agreed to his role of sacrificial lamb to right the wrongs of Siren’s ancestors.

Something always broke anew within Siren when he paused to think about what such a life must have been like. Solitary. Empty. Cold. Lonely. Unforgiving. Undeserving. Denied the simple pleasure of a family. Desired until his usefulness was through. Flung back into the unrelenting current until something new dragged Kappa out of open waters. Wanted for his title but not for his character. His wants and needs were trivial; overlooked in favor of some infernal prophecy.

Kappa didn’t know he was worth so much more than his light. That he deserved better than this life. It made Siren feel sick knowing Kappa merely resigned himself to his fate, having given up fighting against the literal will of God, of being brought into this world simply to be used up and tossed aside.

That is until he met Siren.

Siren had apparently been the first to take a stance against Kappa’s fate. To say “no” in the face of a coveted prophecy. To tell Kappa it was okay to live for himself instead of giving himself away until he was drained of all value. That, first and foremost, Kappa was an individual, not some deity or glorious trinket to gawk at. Siren was guilty of these things too, so he couldn’t fault the ocean for doing the same. But they could learn, just as he and Queen Nee and Queen Krilli had, that Kappa deserved to be happy just as much as anyone else.

Knowing he was the first brought Siren no joy. Quite the opposite. It tore him in two. Three. Four. A thousand tiny pieces. Twenty years and nobody had looked past their prophecy to see the blatant darkness masked by the light. Siren wanted to believe it was simply because Kappa hid his pain so well, but he knew otherwise.

Because he’d never outright asked Kappa. But Kappa must have seen something in Siren he liked, something he believed he could trust with his honesty, and he opened up to the then prince with his deepest desire. To be released from his duty. To have a home. To have a family. Things even the children of his cursed people had.

And Siren couldn’t turn his back on that. No, he wouldn’t turn his back on Kappa’s suffering. He’d always believed the Beacon was just an innocent mer. Having had the pleasure of meeting him, of falling in love with him, Siren now wanted to protect Kappa.

And he would. Just as soon as they found each other again. They would work toward reaching their goals together. Siren would make sure people saw Kappa before the Beacon. And it started with Pagoon and Pim, who had yet to even meet Kappa. Siren didn’t know what their prophecy was, but neither had indicated they were seeking the Beacon. Pim merely wanted to protect her son. A sentiment that still struck way too close to home within Siren when he paused to consider their separate journey.

”You’re right,” Pim softly cut in, pulling Siren from his valiant ambitions, ”He does sound incredible.”

Siren blinked several times as if coming out of stupor to look over at her. His befuddlement gave way to amusement, bearing a smile that came naturally around sharpened teeth. ”Yeah…” He knew he sounded every bit like a lovesick teenager. He normally would have shied away from his feelings in the presence of another. To be honest, Siren still wasn’t sure about them. But, even when he wasn’t present, the mere thought of the real Kappa made his heart dance.

”So when are you going to ask the Beacon to marry you?”

”Wah!?”

The mischievous remark brought forth an indignant yelp as Siren jerked forward, slipping off the edge as he sank several inches before whirling around to come face-to-face with his grinning master. Over Pagoon’s shoulder, Arp chittered with amusement.

Pim shot the spirited little imp she called a son a disapproving look but Pagoon was not to be deterred. He knew not the full implications of asking someone to be by their side from now until the end of time. Pagoon only knew that Siren was smitten and intended on using that information to badger his student. Typical thirteen year old behavior. Made all the worse by the way Siren had been integrated into their little family, taking on the role of an older sibling for Pagoon without even realizing it.

Siren huffed softly, taking the treatment in his usual stride with a weary smile forming. He bucked his tail to be level with his young teacher. At least Pagoon had given up on asking Kappa on Siren’s behalf. That would have been beyond awkward.

”Come on, you two,” Pim chimed in with a tone Siren had learned was used to signify no back-talk would be tolerated. From either of them. It was rare for Pim to break the boys away from their latest round. Meaning they must have gotten on her nerves somehow.

The boys looked at her with varying degrees of shame. By that, it meant Siren was sheepishly ducking his head and Pagoon was smirking broadly. ”Let’s focus our efforts on grabbing some breakfast before we hit the current,” Pim instructed though even she couldn’t hide the amusement in her voice.

Pagoon jeered loudly, ducking back inside the cave with an exclamation about getting to fight something. Arp settled in against Siren’s spine, his little hands gripping the back of the shark’s right shoulder in preparation.

As for Siren, he absentmindedly adjusted Kappa’s satchel across his chest, his glazed eyes staring back in the direction of the God’s Mouth. He was distracted thinking about the illusion again. Thankfully, he wasn’t given a chance to unravel before Pim blocked his line of sight, smiling at her adolescent charge in a knowing way. It was all Siren could do to breathe out, offering a nod of silent thanks before being bewildered by Pagoon grabbing his arm to drag him away.

Pim lingered for a moment, her gaze too diverting to the direction they’d come. Finding the Beacon was just as important to Siren as discovering a safe place to live for Pagoon was for her. Pim knew that. And, having seen the way his burden tore Siren up, she wouldn’t begrudge Siren when they inevitably parted ways. Who knows how much longer they had together.

She was working to spare Pagoon a life of responsibility to his people. Responsibility Siren had evidently not been exempt from. He exemplified a future Pim did not want for her son. One spent toiling away for the sake of others. One where one would be mistaken to think it was selfish to think or act for themselves for a change.

A life not ostensibly too much unlike the Beacon’s.

They may not have much time left. But, after the close call on the God’s Mouth, Pim was going to make the best of it. For both Siren and Pagoon. Both were still just boys in her eyes. Boys that needed a chance to grow and be children before the harshness of the world weighed upon them.

For once in her life, Pim hoped to meet this illustrious Beacon. Soon.

”Come on, mom! You’re so slow!”

Pim felt her brow twitch as her head whipped around in the direction of her boisterous son. She smirked, her previous transgressions set aside for another time. For once Pim indulged her son’s antics.

”I’ll show you slow!”

And they were off on another adventure. Hopefully one that ended with all of them safe and happy. Pim would make sure of it.

Similar thoughts raced through Siren’s mind up ahead. He watched mother and son zip past him with raucous laughter, his own chuckles tempered into breathy titters the likes of which only Arp would hear. The creature crooned in his ear; a worrisome note that soon dispelled with the light scratching of Siren’s nails under his chin.

Whatever the Purple Peaks had in store, Siren was determined to find both Kappa and his father. Much as he wanted to find the precious Beacon, he knew he needed to stay focused for the sake of his people. They deserved better than being stuck waiting for the curse to return while Siren tried to figure his life out.

Up ahead, Pim caught up with Pagoon. Rather than pass him, she practically tackled her son, their merriment crystal clear even back here.

Siren’s smile was somber as he leisurely approached, trying hard not to think back on his own mother and the relationship they once had. Would it ever recover? Who could say. It would have to wait until Siren returned after breaking their curse once and for all.

For now though, Siren needed to put the God’s Mouth behind him. Though what he learned down there was invaluable, the experience would forever haunt him. Going back wasn’t an option. Not until he found a means to save the people trapped down there. To do that, he needed to find both his father and Kappa. Both were an important key to his problem, though Siren loathed the idea of dumping more on Kappa. He needed to find Shoal. Fast. Failure meant asking Kappa to do the unthinkable.

Shaking his head, Siren realized the mother-son duo was at it again, waiting several paces ahead upon realizing the shark was taking it nice and slow this morning. Their expressions were unreadable from this distance. Pagoon waved impatiently for Siren to catch up while Pim merely shook her head.

Realizing he’d gotten lost in thought again, Siren jolted, flailing both arms for momentum as Arp ducked behind the shark’s head.

’At least,’ Siren thought with perhaps a twinge of remorse for his father, ’at least I’m not alone.’

Siren could only hope the same could be said for Kappa. And, if it was, Siren would make sure it wasn’t for too much longer. Kappa had done enough waiting for someone to find the real him. He’d make sure more people saw Kappa for who he was before the curse took anyone else.

That much, at least, Siren could promise.

[hopeful-puffin]

The urge to just buy a bunch of copies of the 1st volume and give those out to everyone as their present this year is unreal.

[hopeful-puffin]

More Random CS Headcannons

KAPPA: (most of these feel purely observational)

Has no clue how to hunt since the ocean has just always provided for him or castles feed him when he visits.

If he ever stopped glowing, he'd probably be initially excited. Does this mean he's not the Beacon anymore? Though he would probably freak out the first time he experiences complete darkness.

Tends to curl in on himself when he's sad, scared, anxious etc… to appear smaller and not draw attention. It's a clear sign he's unsure of himself or the situation. Does this even when he reunites with Siren. At least until he's sure Siren's really there. Not sure if this is a headcannon or just observational?

Does not like talking about himself. At all. It makes him genuinely uncomfortable. Because people always ask about Beacon this or Beacon that that he feels most just don't see him as Kappa. All they see are his pretty scales, their prophecies, and what he can do for them. If asked anything personal, Kappa dodges question or changes the subject.

Has zero filter and is unapologetic about it. He puts up with weird prophecies. People can handle a little sass every now and again. Probably started after the Vaquita prophecy. It's usually a sign he's defensive from years of people excited to see the Beacon. It's something Siren picks up on quick as a sign Kappa feels uncomfortable around new people.

Nobody ever got onto Kappa for his lack of filter either. Who's gonna call out the Beacon? It's a way for Kappa to insert his real self into the conversation and defend himself when uncomfortable.

Siren was the first to actually enjoy the snark. Everyone else ignored it or seemed shocked before blowing it off.

Kappa used be terrible at sticking up for himself. The finale for season 3 put a stark end to that in my mind. Siren's always happy to do it for Kappa regardless.

Kappa doesn't know most/any swear words. Because who's gonna curse in front of the Beacon? Siren ain't teaching him either.

I imagine if Kappa and Silver ever meet, they'd bond over hours of telling embarrassing stories about Siren. Siren would be torn between not wanting to hear, interjecting corrections from his side, or just being happy the two care so much about him to remember details.

Sleeps curled into a ball. It helps him feel secure, especially in a new castle. By contrast, Kappa sleeps more straightened out when feels safe. Started with the witches and sleeping with his back against Mucku. While in recovery after the Lord Ogo incident, it really showed. Now he sleeps completely uncurled surrounded by his found family.

Unsurprisingly, Kappa now prefers to sleep settled in Siren’s arms and under his jaw. He often makes comments about how strong Siren is to get him flustered before falling asleep with his tail curled over or around Siren's. It's not quite straight, but not making himself smaller either.

OTHER CHARACTERS:

Mono has photographic memory. It's how she's able to produce exact copies of things she sees at a glance. Like Kappa’s doodle of Siren for example.

Silver is Ace, possibly even Aro/Ace. This could simply just be wishful thinking. I was honestly starting to think Kappa was Ace too, but the author addressed that in an ask as not true.

Silver's bucketlist consists of absurd requests such as getting to hear Skiff whispering a swear word in her ear on her deathbed so she can literally die laughing.

Speaking of which, Siren taught Skiff all the swears he learned from Silver. Because the mental image is hilarious for some reason.

Siren is weirdly ambidextrous. Either that, or he still hasn't figured out which is his dominant hand when it comes to his knife.

Worm/Arp has retractable teeth. Like Toothless from the How To Train Your Dragon movies.

Like real-life axolotls, Worm can regenerate lost limbs. Not that even Kappa has ever seen that happen.

Worm is either the last of his species or he isn't native to anywhere Kappa has ever been. I'm convinced it's the former. Because nobody seems to have any idea what Arp even is.

The story at the end of episode 105 is an allegory of the order the witches accepted Kappa. Mucku saw "4 fish" from the beginning. Mono saw "3½" as she was the second to warm up to him. And Neth was adamant is was just "3 fish" because she was the last to accept Kappa into their little family unit. Her consenting to it being 4 fish at the end is similar to her accepting Kappa as part of their group.

[hopeful-puffin]

Bruh?

That new mini-chapter in the first physical book?

(It's been longer than this, but still!)

Also, those shark notes? I love them. They give their society so much more depth. They did an absolutely amazing job printing these colors and arranging the panels too, giving the chapters new life that I'm absolutely here for.