-Alex POV-
When I start using my influence on others, I don't really know what's going on. I'm just aware of the orders I want to give.
That being said, when two bright brown and intelligent eyes came into my view, I was a bit startled. I immediately pushed the human away and swam back to the other side.
What just happened?
-Thomas POV-
As I got out of the tank, I look around and everyone, including myself, had one question in their eyes.
What just happened?
Like earlier, but worse, there was an outburst of panic:
"WHAT THE FU-" "I feel disoriented." "FIRST ATTEMPT OF MURDER AND NOW THIS??" "Herc, mon ami, please calm down this is overwhelming for everyone-" "LAF WE WERE JUST FUCKING HYPNOTIZED BY A SIREN HERC HAS PLENTY OF REASONS TO PANIC!" "What are we going to do?" "It's official: that thing is not safe to be around!"
And, once again, Washington hushed everyone, "Everyone please! I'm aware of what just happened...but I'd like to ask, Thomas..." Everyone turned to me.
"From what I can see, you weren't affected by...whatever he just did to us. What happened?"
"Well, sir. When you locked eyes with him I noticed both of your eyes changed into a bright purple color. Then you started saying how we should return him to the ocean despite his injuries. Lafayette tried to reason with you but everyone's eyes started to change purple and so did his. Before any of you could do anything, I jumped into the tank and took his attention off of any of you." As I finished, I noticed Washington had a thoughtful look on his face.
"We locked eyes, they changed color...when I started talking did I face everyone?" I nodded. "Did I make eye contact with everyone?"
"Yes, sir." I replied, catching on to what he was suggesting.
"Right. And Angelica, you were right. He is no merman, he's a siren. And from what I can tell, he can control us by locking eyes with us....Thomas did you make eye contact with me or him?"
What he was saying made a lot of sense except, "Yes I did."
He looked deep in thought again as he was trying to figure out the situation. Everyone knew not to bother him while he did this so it was quiet for a minute or two. Until he simply said,
"I guess you're the exception then"
The rest of us were taken off guard by his conclusion. It made sense that if we made eye contact with the siren, we'd be under his command but why did that exempt me? Why would Washington except that?
"Now," Washington began, taking the rest of us out of our confused state. "We need to discuss what we do now. Obviously it'd be hard to care for the siren if he just has to look at us to hypnotize us. So I was thinking, if there is one person who isn't affected by this...then they could be his caretaker."
My eyes widened as I realized he wanted me to be the siren's caretaker.
At the conservation, if an animal was too unruly, it'd be assigned a caretaker. Caretakers feed their assigned animal, train them to become cooperative, calm them down when they're worked up, etc. I've been a caretaker before but...this is a SIREN. I'm pretty sure he is at least intelligent to an extent.
Now Washington, and everyone else, was waiting for my answer.
"Well, sir. If that's what's best then I'll do it." It may be a siren who tried to attacked me but I'm not going refuse the chance to get closer to it. Besides, I have a good feeling about him.
"Then it's settled." Washington declared. "Starting tomorrow Thomas will be the caretaker of the siren. But for today, it's late. We should all be getting home now."
With that, he walked out. It only took a few seconds for everyone to do the same. Before I left the room, I took one last look at the siren in the tank.
He was staring at me with a protected kind of curiosity in his eyes. I stood there for a few seconds before hesitantly turning away and I walked out the door.
I can't wait to try to get closer to him.
-Alex POV-
So after my failed escape attempt, I listened to the humans' conversation again. Let me just say: fuck them
The human that stopped me is now my caretaker. Like I'm some kind of pup. I don't need a caretaker! I'm fully grown for crying out loud! How degrading!
On another note, though....how was he able to stop me? I have an odd feeling about him.
-Thomas POV-
I was barely able to sleep that night. It seemed like the next day came by in a flash.
Welp. Today's the day.
As I walk through the halls, people start looking at me in what seems either pity or awe. I guess it's because the siren attacked me and I'm still not scared of him.
I hate calling him "the siren" but what else am I supposed to call him?
I make my way into the research room that he's in. James and the "revolutionary set" are there. Oh great.
"Is everything alright?" I questioned James.
"Yes. We just wanted to make sure...you're alright with this."
This just confused me further. I get to work with a real siren why wouldn't I be alright? "Yeah, why?"
"Dude," John Laurens began. "He attacked you yesterday and hypnotized everyone else in the room. How are you cool with this?"
"Guys really I'm fine." They seemed hesitant to leave but eventually did so I can work.
Now it was just me and the siren and there are two things I need to know.
Can he talk? What's his name?
There are two ways to get into the tank. A ladder off to the side that I took yesterday, and a platform on the other side.
I go to the platform and stare at the siren until he notices. When he does, I signaled him to come closer.
He eyed me suspiciously, but slowly made his way over to me. When he was right next to the wall, I signaled him to come above the water. Now we were face to face.
"Hi." I start, already feeling awkward. "My name is Thomas." He just stared.
"May I ask, can you speak?" He just continued to stare.
Finally it seemed he was about to say something...then an obnoxious prick decided to give his opinion.
"Of course it can't, Jefferson." Both me and the siren turn to Adams.
"It's just another dumb animal after all. You act like it's different. Honestly are you just that desperate for friends that you try to befriend a dumb-"
"Wow. The amount of shit coming from your mouth must make your ass jealous."
Adams and I turn in shock towards the siren, who had an unamused face that somehow looked smug anyway.
"W-what! What did you just say?!" Adams yelled, recovering from his surprise.
"Hmm there's no point in repeating myself if that ignorant brain of yours can't even process it the first time."
I gaped even more at him.
"Well! You...you...ugh!" Adams rolled his eyes as he stormed out.
"Yeah keep rolling those eyes maybe you'll find a brain back there!" The siren called after him.
Holy shit!
"So you can talk." I finally say to him after my initial astonishment. This seems to snap him back from whatever trance he was in because he looked back at me and immediately swam away.
"Wait, wait! Come back! It's okay!" I try to get him back here but to no avail. I sighed.
Might as well get some paper work done.
I sit down at a desk and start on some documents. It isn't until around noon that I hear a splashing sound.
-Alex POV-
Idiot! What was I thinking?!
When that human was talking about me it reminded me of what other Estorrans from my nest used to say about humans. Talking about them like they were just some dumb and naive animals..I can not let it slide!
Besides, I'm not stupid.
But now the other human knows I can talk and that I'm pretty snarky.
Thomas...what a...nice name....
Ugh! What am I thinking?! I need to find a way out of here!
That's when an idea comes into my head. We were taught how to influence humans at a young age...and they said that some humans were tougher to convince than others.
Yeah! That must be it! He's just more stubborn. Which means I need to convince him with a more...direct approach.
I swim towards the platform and haul myself onto it. I lie down into a "seductive" pose. At least that's what I've heard "sailors" call it.
Thomas looks towards me from the splashing and seems to freeze when he sees me. It must be working already.
I look at him with lidded eyes and smirk. I decide to take it one step further to make his mind weak enough to break through.
"Thomas~" I purr.
I see him tense up and...his cheeks go red? It's hard to tell with his dark skin but I can definitely see it. Is that a part of the process?
Putting that aside, I start to try to influence him. I feel my eyes bore into his mind but...I'm cut off. Instead of seeing and feeling nothing...I see Thomas.
He stands up and walks out of the room.
...what just happened?