THE MOMENT
Eventually, the singing faded, and Karli could think clearly again; but, she wasn't going to forget what she saw. She was on a personal quest and only happened to catch the voyage as a means to an end. She wasn't part of the crew, and truthfully she hadn't really bothered to interact with anyone she didn't have to. She wouldn't remember any of them once she got to her destination, but it certainly seemed like the Captain would keep her in mind if the siren encounter was anything to go by.
After the Captain was untied, their Chroma escort vanished through a portal, leaving them to complete the journey by sea. Captain Buckley untied his first mate from the mast, and they began untying the rest of the men. Karli wasn't as familiar with the wider world as most others at her age. She knew Chroma Corp. existed, and it was a corporation run by dragons. They all seemed to have incredible powers, but she hadn't learned that until it was too late to try and catch a ride. She was already tied up safely inside the Captain's quarters by the time their escort arrived through a portal, and she couldn't raise any attention because they were coming up on siren territory. She'd managed to piece together that it was common for ships to request Chroma Corp.'s aid through siren-infested waters.
She was tied to a chair, but they didn't want her to miss the action and put her in front of the open door so she could watch everything, and watch she did. As she heard the most beautiful singing she'd ever experienced, she realized an ethereal form of her took shape right in front of Captain Buckley. She had her streak of self-centeredness, but she also had a fair enough mind to admit that if she liked men, Captain Buckley would've likely been her type. The hard work of being a sailor had given him a barrel chest and tan, leathery skin that contrasted nicely with his bright green eyes and sun-bleached hair. But that didn't excuse the lecherous thoughts he must've been having for the Siren to use against him. She paid a fair amount for the trip, but now she was wondering if she was in more danger than she expected as Captain Buckley finally headed toward her with a broad grin.
"So, what'd you think about your first trip through siren territory?" He asked as he began undoing her ropes.
"It was very illuminating as to the mind of a man," Karli replied with a stern undertone. Unfortunately, that'd been her demeanor for the entire trip, and Captain Buckley didn't notice it anymore.
"Don't let the siren magic fool you," he shook his head as he finished untying her. "But I hope you at least managed a good long look." He stepped back at the same moment he said that so that Karli could stand. To her, it felt like he threw in an extra flex as he made the statement.
"Yeah, I did." She nodded as she stood to stare him straight in his green eyes. "Hey, why did that siren take on my image when trying to seduce you?" she asked.
His expression changed twice in rapid succession. First, Karli saw a confused, worried expression; then, he grinned broadly and shook his head with jovial laughter.
"I guess since it's your first time, you don't know how sirens work around here, but that's a new one on me too," he chuckled some more.
"So...?" Karli shook her head because she couldn't find an answer in that. "... what, the siren's magic just happened to take a form that looked like me naked? You expect me to believe that?"
"Ugh...," Captain Buckley sighed and shook his head. "I thought about letting you carry on, but I'd better nip this now before you cause trouble for anyone else."
"What are you talking about?" she asked with an even colder tone.
"Magic," Captain Buckley nodded. "Siren magic works through their song. You heard their song, right?"
"Yeah," she nodded, not wanting to say anything else so that he had to finish his explanation. "But, they were targeting you."
"I am the Captain," he nodded. "That just means the magic was most active around me; it doesn't mean it only affected me. It's still sound," he said.
"What are you talking about? I saw myself, clear as day and nude as a newborn, fawning all over you."
"Watch," he shook his head, then looked out the door onto the deck.
"MARCUS!" he shouted with a booming voice capable of reaching the first mate at the wheel. In the distance, he looked up to see what was needed, and Captain Buckley waved him over. He put someone else on the wheel and dashed toward the cabin.
"Now, you'll agree there was no way he could've heard this little conversation from over there, won't you?" The Captain asked as Marcus covered the distance. Karli managed to nod just as the first mate walked in.
"We're sharing stories," Captain Buckley said. "Who'd you see this time?"
"Ohhh, Cap'n, she was a beaut! Breasts the size of melons with the most adorable pink little -,"
"I think we got the gist; mixed company, sailor," Captain Buckley interrupted, and Marcus nodded.
"Right. She was a lovely blonde lass with not a stitch of britches. You?" He threw the question back at the Captain, but he also had another question attached. "The Mrs. again, I'm assuming?"
"Hardly," Captain Buckley sighed and shook his head. "Siren magic can't seem to make anyone as beautiful as my Lilah, but they sure do try." He nodded with a chuckle, then dismissed Marcus. "I was just making a point to our guest," he nodded as he waved out the door. Marcus nodded and spun around to go back to the wheel. Once he was gone, Captain Buckley smiled at Karli as he headed out the door to check on the rest of his men.
"Everyone who heard the song saw their attractive ideal, and Marcus has rapidly evolving tastes," he chuckled as he waved on his way out the door.
"I think we both know what it means that you saw it take on your image..."