Description: At the age of 8, Kurapika had stumbled across a beautiful cove far away from home. It was the perfect hiding spot to read his books or collect shells along the shore line. Unfortunately, someone had beat him to this perfect spot. Though, she wasn’t quite human. Sirens are normally seen as dangerous and sly creatures, but she didn’t seem so horrible? Honestly, there wasn’t much of a difference between the two of them. She had friends, she had cried at the loss of her mother, and she enjoyed everyday. If it weren’t for the gills and tail, she wouldn’t be different from any other human. They had become fast friends after their wariness from the grown-ups stories. And for the next 3 years, they would meet up every Saturday at 9pm.
Stay away from humans, he said. They’re dangerous, he said. Pssh! They’re really not that bad. Sure some of them are people they have to watch out for, but it’s really not all of them. There are some humans that are curious to learn more about sirens or understand that they’re intelligent creatures too. That they are also creatures that are capable of making friends, feeling sympathy, and you know, enjoying life. Really, humans and sirens aren’t that different. Sure sometimes they snack a bit on humans and they can lure them to their deaths, but humans can do that too! She’s sure that there have been instances where humans have lured sirens in and then cut them up and made sushi out of them!
… Oh that was a disturbing thought. Alright, yanno, we’re going to pretend like that isn’t a thing. We’ll just ignore all thoughts of eating each other. Oh that sent chills down her spine. Yup, we’re done there.
She flicked her tail against the sand and water. Ugh, what’s taking him so long? Currently she was resting in her favorite cove. It was the one that always had the best looking shells long its coast. This one also happened to be one where humans rarely travel too. It was pretty far from their civilization from what her friend has told her. He travels here for the same reason as she does. The shells here are always in perfect condition and make really good gifts for others. He’s told her that his mother loves the shells he brings her, so he always eager to come here and gather more for her.
‘Hehe, what a cutie!’
Neon does this more for herself, but maybe she should start giving some away? Hm. Maybe she could fine a really pretty one for Kurapika! With that thought in mind, she slid herself back into the water and began her search for the prettiest shell here.
She wasn’t sure how long she had been searching, when she heard the call of her name. Immediately her head shot out of the water and she started to wave at the boy with a big smile on her face.
“Kurapika!! What took you so long?”
Ah darn, she hadn’t found the prettiest shell yet. Oh well, she was sure the conch shell will do.
“Sorry! My mom told me I had to study for an extra hour today. She caught me sneaking out last night.”
Is studying really a punishment for him? She can see that satchel. She knows that it’s filled with books. It’s probably even heavier than he is! She pulled herself back onto the shore. She wasn’t too far out of the water, after all she needed to keep her gills on her hips submerged, but most of her upper body was up and out of the water. She kept the shell to her side for now. She’ll give it to him when they go to leave.
“Sneaking out? Kura I never thought you had it in you! What were you doing? Tell me! You hafta tell me!”
He was kicking off his shoes and rolling up his pant legs as she was speaking to him. Even with his face turned away, she could see him blushing.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Oh how cute, he was mumbling!
“I was only hanging out with Pairo. We like to explore the woods at night. I usually don’t get caught, but dad was up a lot later than he normally is.”
He came to sit down near her, resting the exposed parts of his legs in the water. He was smiling at her, a bit nervously too. She couldn’t help but to tilt her head. ‘What’s that look for?’ She poked and pulled on his cheek earning herself a squeak from her friend.
“What are you smiling like that for, Kura? You’re gonna make me nervous if you keep that up!”
Another round of blush grew on his as he fumbled over his response to her.
“E-Eh? S-Smiling like what? I’m not smiling weird.”
Well, he didn’t slap her hand away or move away from her, so she’ll take that as permission to continuing to pull and pinch at his cheeks.
“Yes you are, dummy! You’re still smiling like you’re nervous about something! Come on, you can tell your super amazing, awesome best friend anything!”
She squished his cheeks together at the last part and that was enough to make him pull her hands away. Darn, she was really having fun too. Though, now he looks even redder than before. He refused to look at her too. Huh, is he embarrassed?
“I’m not nervous! It’s just… I have a gift for you.”
Oh! A gift?? What kind of gift? She pulled herself further out of the water and closer to her friend. Really only her tail was left in water, but she couldn’t help it. Receiving gifts was one of her favorite activities! She was hovering over his legs, her hands braced against the sand on either side of his body.
“Show me, show me, show me!”
Her eyes were practically shimmering with joy. Kurapika always had the best gifts. Every single thing he gave her became one of her most prized possessions. They were small things like wooden statues he bought or made, cute clips or hair ties, he even gave her a pretty bracelet once! Nothing big, but always really thoughtful. They were they best types of gifts for sure!
Neon watched every movement he made as he leant over to his bag and pulled out… flowers? She tilted her head to the side and took them when he offered them to her. She hasn’t seen any flowers like these before. The only ones she’s seen were the ones that grew close to the coast. These ones were really pretty too. It was purple and looked so delicate. She felt like if she touched its petals, she would ruin it.
“I figured since I can’t take you into the forest, I could at least bring some of it to you.”
A big smile came across her face. The only thing keeping her from tackling Kurapika to the ground were the flowers in her hands. That, however, didn’t stop her from bouncing in place.
“Kura! They’re so pretty! Uwah!!! What are they called?? Are there more pretty flowers out there too?”
“Mmhm, this one is called a fairy slipper. It’s really hard to find. But I could bring you mountain bells and starflowers too.”
He smiled back at her, obviously happy that she liked the gift.
“Although… they won’t last long underwater. Maybe next time I could bring you something a bit hardier? Mushrooms might better than flowers.”
Ah, she would be happy with any of those! This was so cool! She doubted anyone else she knew had something like this!
“Hehe! You could always bring me more when the wilt!”
She couldn’t stop smiling. She was looking over the flowers, thinking of the best way to get them home without damaging them. She’ll just have to swim real slowly and avoid any currents.
“I have a gift for you too, but it’s nowhere near as cool as this!”
She grabbed the conch that was sitting to the side and handed it to him. He looked like he likes it so that was good enough for now.
“Next time we see each I’ll bring you something really, really cool, okay?”
He smiled and nodded at her words.
“I do really like this, but okay. I can’t wait to see what you bring me.”
Yes! Excellent! AH now she was super excited for their next meet up! For the past three years, they were meeting every Saturday at 9pm. Their meetings would last about an hour or so before they both have to go home.
This week will be the longest week she will ever have to wait. Oh she better start planning what she should bring now! Ah! She could pull things out of that shipwreck near her home! Or maybe he would want something natural? Oh there are too many choices with that one though!
Eventually, the two had to go their separate ways. They had grabbed a bunch of shells before they waved each other goodbye, swearing to meet the next week. Neon was practically vibrating the entire wait. The next day she had immediately gone out to find the perfect gift for Kurapika. She settled on the items within the wreckage. However, she couldn’t decide on just a singular item so she chose to bring multiple in a pretty bag she found in there too.
When Saturday arrived, she had shown up much earlier than normal. She was too excited to wait at home and just had to come here as soon as possible. She spent her time looking over her items and squealing softly to herself. When 9 o’clock came, she couldn’t sit still. She was bouncing and attentively watching the path that Kurapika came down on. But soon, it became 9:30. Perhaps he got in trouble again? Then it became 10:00. It couldn’t hurt to wait longer, right? Eventually it became 12. She was tired and really needed to go home and sleep. He must have been busy today. She’ll come back next week and yell at him.
But then next week arrived and he still hadn’t shown up. Again she waited up 12 before taking her leave. She was worried now. Had something happened? Was he okay? Or did he get into trouble with his parents again? She went home with a heavy heart and waited another week. Once again, nothing. Something had to have happen.
She started appearing every day at random times of the day, hoping to at least see him or his friend Pairo. At this point any human would do. She could hid in the water and ask if they’ve seen him. But unfortunately, she received nothing.
Her flower had long since wilted by the time she gave up. Kurapika wasn’t returning and what happen will remain a mystery to her.
