Kaia's always been too curious for her own good.
From that first moment, when she opened her eyes to find herself on the ocean floor, she knew that something was wrong. Like there was a piece of her that had broken off and was just out of reach to slide back into place.
She's been searching ever since.
Maybe that's another reason why she clings so hard to Jazlee, who is like a tempest with her emotions; furious and merciless in her anger; loud and brash in her excitement; demanding and tenacious in her rare moments of happiness…
It's something Kaia envies. What would it be like, to rage as well, scream and cry and vent her frustrations? To express herself the way Jazlee expresses her anger, bitterness, and sadness (and sometimes her fear) whenever she wants?
"You are insane! We're lucky we even managed to get back! And you want to push what little mercy we've been granted? Do you realize what could happen to us?!"
The rest of her words fade away and Kaia realizes with a pang that she, despite her mermaid nature, is being selfish. It's an unspoken agreement that they'll never be each other's cause of harm, that they won't ever risk each other. And here she is, asking Jazlee to take such a risk.
It's this that gives her courage to interrupt.
"I'll go alone then."
And she will, because how can Kaia ask for something so inconsiderate just because she's afraid of being alone? Yes, Jazlee was just as curious, but Kaia was often the one who pulled them into the current. She was the one who wanted to know, who looked for an excuse to find the ritual, and the moment Jazlee said she wanted that as well…
There are days she feels the other mermaids eyes on her and they make her feel like they know more than they should. Moments where she thinks This is it. This is where I become part of the sea. Where I become forgotten.
The feeling passes and has slowly lessened, then completely stopping over the past seven moons, which is why she brought up visiting land once more. But she had been only thinking of herself, she hadn't considered if Jazlee was being watched too. And the Mother of all Sirens is much less forgiving, even towards her own Daughters.
It takes a moment for Jazlee to register Kaia's words, and when she does, her expression goes from shocked to eerily calm.
"Say that again."
It's a warning and a challenge all at once.
"I'll go alone."
The sky begins to darken.