Lake Rodney Sailor Song

Woohoo! Congrats! <33

Machi hesitated, his expression contemplative, before a spark of disbelief lit his face. The doctor? he exclaimed. So that’s your type, is it? The clever ones? Someone sharp enough to match wits with you? His opal gaze glimmered with amusement as he added, I suppose I can’t fault you. Intelligence is a rather tempting attribute, after all. His words lingered in the air, half teasing, half an observation, and the wink that followed seemed almost an afterthought. It was a rare reprieve from the weariness of recent weeks, as though the water had drawn away his troubles along with the muck.

But when the question turned his way, the levity evaporated. He groaned, draping a sodden arm over his eyes. Must we dredge up my personal failures? he sighed, voice low and resigned. I've had many lovers—some I cared about more than others. He thought of Juno, of those he had never bothered to learn the names of. However, since I've arrived here, I've taken two lovers—not one, but two mind you—and do you know how it ended? Utterly, spectacularly ruined. Both of them.

He sat upright, tossing water as his frustration spilled out. I'm not seeing either of them any longer, he exclaimed, his tone tinged with disbelief, and I didn’t even try to eat them! The declaration hung in the air like some absurd, self-righteous protest, his face working itself into a scowl, and then with a huff, he confessed, Granted, I might have started seeing them because I believed you’d sell me out, dearest Eset, the moment you learned about Herod. But, can you really blame me? I needed someone with a vested interest in keeping me alive. His paw sliced through the water, sending a spray as his voice climbed in pitch. But then—oh, the irony—I began to care. I dared to let my guard down. I allowed myself comfort. And it backfired!

He flung water into the air for emphasis, before slumping dramatically again. What’s worse, he continued, his tone quieter now, almost confessional, I should hate them. I should curse their idiotic names to the four winds. And yet— he lowered his voice further, as though revealing a deeply embarrassing secret, I see their faces, hear their voices. I miss them. He glanced sideways, a disgusted smile playing at his lips. Imagine that. Me. Missing someone. Utterly humiliating.

With another anguished groan, Machi sank beneath the surface, only to resurface moments later, his eyes just above the waterline, glowing faintly like a sulking crocodile. He let out a mournful sigh. That settles it, he announced theatrically, I’m going to forgo lovers entirely and sell myself to a nunnery. Do you think they'd take me?