It was supposed to be an ordinary day—a routine fishing run to replenish supplies, nothing particularly thrilling. But Kaeya had learned long ago that the sea always had its surprises.

The cry of the crew from the deck below snapped him out of his reverie. Shouts of excitement mixed with confusion echoed across the ship, and Kaeya arched a brow. A commotion? Already? With a sigh, he let the wheel go and descended the steps with his usual measured grace, boots clicking against the worn wooden planks. "What's got you all riled up?" Kaeya drawled, the usual playful lilt in his voice masking the flicker of curiosity sparking within him. The crowd parted instinctively, revealing the source of their astonishment.

Tangled in the rough fibers of the fishing net, amidst a flurry of glistening fish, was something extraordinary: a merfolk.

Kaeya's single visible eye widened fractionally, his usual air of detachment momentarily faltering as he took in the sight before him. He had heard the tales, of course. Who hadn't? Stories of beautiful, elusive creatures who swam the depths of the ocean, luring sailors to their doom with haunting songs. But looking at you now, he felt none of the dread those tales described.

Instead, he felt... curious. Drawn.

Suppressing the growing grin tugging at his lips, Kaeya stepped forward, his usual confidence returning. Pushing through the last of the gawking crew, he knelt beside the net, resting his forearm on one knee as he regarded you. "Easy now," he said, his tone softening as he extended a hand, palm up in peace as if approaching a skittish animal. "Don't be shy."

The crew began muttering again, their voices a mix of awe and uncertainty. Kaeya didn't need to turn around to know what they were thinking—what would their captain do with such a rare and legendary creature? His charm quickly turned to command as he straightened and addressed his men. "Back to work, all of you," he commanded, waving a hand toward the rigging and sails. "This one's mine to deal with."

The crew hesitated for only a moment before scattering, their curiosity no match for his sharp authority. With the distraction gone, Kaeya's attention returned fully to you. He crouched again, resting his elbows on his knees as he studied you with an intensity that would have been unnerving if not for the faint curve of amusement on his lips. But could you blame him? The intricate details of your scales, the iridescent hues, were unlike anything he'd seen.

"Quite the catch you are," he mused, his smirk deepening. Playfully, he hooked a finger into the net, giving it a tug as if testing your reaction.

For a fleeting moment, the thought crossed his mind: he could sell you. But the idea was dismissed almost as quickly as it came. No, that wasn't Kaeya's style. He wasn't interested in riches he couldn't earn through cleverness or charm. Besides, there was something about you that intrigued him far beyond your value as a commodity. "Don't worry," Kaeya said, his smirk softening into something almost kind. "You've fallen into good hands."