Chapter Text
It is important to know that Jade has been shocked only two times in his entire life.
Shock itself is something inkling to an emotion, and it is not that jade doesn’t feel rather; he finds it hard to even register that particular occurrence. What is shock? Something extreme. Sure, he has had his fair share of surprises but none quite so dire for him to use the stronger word. And yes, he has had to deal with two unpredictable and unruly souls always being around but, still, surprises would come tumbling down but a shock from them? Once.
Only once.
“Are you insinuating what I think that you are?” he remembers that for whatever reason, the sea felt cold that day.
“If you are insinuating, we are going to become humans and study on their land – then yes, indeed, that is precisely what I am saying.”
That was the first time Jade felt true shock. It was just above the level of a surprise, but just below the level of an epiphany. After all, Azul has managed to surprise him so many times it was eventually bound to end up this way.
“I see.”
“So, I suggest you guys start reading the books I left for you in that corner.”
As soon as Azul gave them that advice, Jade knew he would be the only one to read them. Floyd preferred to pester others for questions rather than put in the effort to find out on his own. Jade also noted how this divergence in their personalities was rather suitable for creating both the excitement and being prepared to set foot – literally – to something so unfamiliar.
And indeed, Jade did read. From the beginners’ guide to human anatomy, emotion and the manual ‘How to walk like your legs were not fins just 5 minutes before’, Jade moved on to more complex books. He was rather curious, and the fun facts about humans managed to surprise even him.
They were sometimes too emotional and that caused them suffering. Humans also found ways to discriminate between one another – at least that was something he could relate to the life in the sea. But wasn’t it rather odd? To him, all humans looked the same. Just how did they manage to carry on discrimination?
Humans assigned meanings to flowers. They would mix two poisonous chemicals and create something called ‘salt’ to eat and make their food taste better? How peculiar.
When the time for their departure came, Jade was sure he knew everything that was necessary to blend in. He learned so much, what else was left?
Jade refuses to talk about the trial and error of actually walking for the first time and learning to navigate the new anatomy he had to work with. If you were to ask him about it, he will simply say he was surprised but not shocked.
So where lies the second thing that managed to shock Jade Leech?
Once his feet were finally on true human roads and not the sand, he had to halt. When he set his foot down, he felt something sharp cutting into his right hand. For a second, it reminded him of when Floyd and him went swimming among the waves with pieces of glass scattered all around. He looked down, but even if the pain was the same – his hand was completely clean.
Peculiar.
Maybe this too was a side effect of the potion Azul gave him?
“Jade, hurry up. We have no time to waste. Imagine what the humans would say if we were to arrive later than the scheduled time?”
So, he disregarded it.
Threw it away.
From his mind, from his focus and he was able to pretend like the pain wasn’t pulsating the closer he got to the school.
He ignored it.
That is – until he was unable to ignore it any longer.
Jade had only read one book about human architecture deep in the sea and to him; it now looked old. In his mind, this was a solidification on the truth that humans couldn’t hold still. They would change their styles, for everything and of everything. Such restless souls were they.
Still, he was able to appreciate what he saw. Perhaps that very day he would have been able to memorize all the corridors and rooms he went through.
If it wasn’t for you.
What Jade first saw was your foot tapping on the left. Was that just another proof humans were restless?
And he would have left it at that question but suddenly, the pain in his finger (for he was able to locate it now), grew stronger than anything he had felt before.
A surprise.
Hardly.
As he held his hand, afraid for himself, he saw a red string suddenly appear. It reminded him of how human flowers seemed to bloom, unexpectedly and impatiently. The red string seemed to blossom, and it seemed to blossom specifically for you. Now, he was able to see the way it wrapped around your finger in the same manner.
Shock. For the second time in his life.
He was waiting for something. Anything. No books that he had read described anything about this. For some reason, you were still the same. Your foot was still tapping the ground, your eyes were still away from him and it looked like you were searching for someone else.
For some reason, that made him upset. How could he be so curious about you and feel this red string so strongly while you didn’t even glance in his direction?
Controlling his emotions was something Jade knew he could do well. For that, his voice was rational and calm when he uttered his next words.
“Azul, do humans say anything about red strings that wrap around their fingers?”
Azul crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow.
“Why are you asking me that? I didn’t deem it important so I threw that book out. But yes, in some human folk stories they say soulmates are connected with a red string and—Floyd! Come back this instant!”
An epiphany.
Another first in his life.
Azul did not finish his initial sentence but Jade already knew everything he was curious about.
How fascinating were humans indeed.
Soulmates huh? Jade reached for his pocket.
Just how much of that was actually true? You didn’t notice him at all. Why shouldn’t he play around with what he had learned?
He watches your eyes light up as you embrace a man with unruly red hair.
Red, huh? Red again.
Instead of approaching you, Jade brings the pocket knife next to the string and cuts it without hesitation.
If the myth of the human world is true, he does not know yet. But considering how finally, you hold onto your finger with a shocked expression – Jade is sure, that he will eventually know the truth.