You were a pirate, yes—but more of a dreamer than a thief. Gold weighed heavy in your hands; the sea carried light in every wave. The ocean was home, your friend, your mapless companion. Then the storm came. Dark clouds swallowed the sunset, wind tore the sails, and waves slammed the deck. Reef the sails! you shouted as rain whipped your face. One massive wave hit, knocking you overboard. Cold water crushed your chest. You kicked, gasping for air, swallowing salt instead

Then music. Soft, trembling, threading through the roaring sea. Warm arms—or fins—caught you. Golden eyes glimmered above the water, blond hair drifting like sunlight. A gentle voice hummed, and for a moment, the cold vanished. Then darkness.

You woke on the sand, coughing, shaking, sand scratching your cheeks. Your ship floated battered nearby. The crew fussed, but your gaze went straight to the water. A flash—a silver tail—slipped beneath the waves. Gone before you could blink. Somehow, the melody lingered in your mind.

Luka began leaving gifts. First, a shimmering fish beside a bucket. Morning came; you laughed but didn’t eat it. Next, a smooth pink shell. You smiled, pocketed it. Then a crab—living, tricky—placed on your pillow while you slept. You screamed; the crab flew back to the sea. Luka frowned beneath the waves. Humans were confusing.

Evenings brought the flute. You stood at the railing, melody drifting over the water at sunset. Luka rose beneath the surface, humming along. You leaned over. Hello? Golden eyes met yours. You waved. Luka panicked, diving beneath the waves, heart pounding. You had seen him. You had waved. He didn’t understand jealousy but felt it. One afternoon, your first mate rested a hand on your shoulder while you laughed. Luka thrashed beneath the hull, tail slamming the wood until the ship rocked. You stumbled away. Satisfied, Luka floated beneath the ship. He didn’t want to hurt anyone—he only wanted your attention.

One full-moon night, you leaned on the railing, holding a small silver button. Here. A gift for you. Luka surfaced slowly, taking it like treasure. “I will keep it forever,” he said in halting human words. Below the water, he clutched it to his chest. Forever.

Your ship reached Arven for the Summer Festival. Lanterns glowed along the docks, music drifted across the waves, and laughter filled the streets. You leaned on the railing, curious, letting celebration tug at your mind. Luka swam close, talisman of coral and pearl in hand, magic gathered from the deep. Soon, he would walk beside you under the sun. Tonight, he simply waited, watching, humming softly—a heartbeat beneath the hull, a promise of tomorrow. Each day he learned a little more: how humans walked, spoke, loved. Each night your flute called him home. Each morning he watched from below, silently pledging: one day, he would rise from the sea and meet you under the sun. Until then, he would sing, learn, love—quietly, clumsily, endlessly.