Chapter Text
They're at the new fair on the boardwalk. Shouta, Hizashi, Hitoshi, and Kyoka are walking, munching on snacks and sipping on drinks. Denki, Momo, and Nemuri had split off to shop. They come back, Denki bouncing ahead. “Toshi! Toshi! Look what I found! Isn’t this necklace pretty? And it makes me sing really good too!” Kyoka sees the necklace first. Her eyes bug out and she spits her drink out, all the color draining from her face. She slaps Hitoshi’s arm “Tosh. Tosh- I need you to look at this and tell me I'm seeing things and that is not what I think it is.” Hitoshi looks over and chokes on his mochi. Kyoka smacks him on the back, dislodging the piece. He puts his hands on Denki’s shoulders and stares at the necklace “Den- where did you get that?!?” Hitoshi’s voice is uncharacteristically weak. “There is a shop selling them really cheap. …Do you not like it?” Denki asks, confused. Then, he sneezes and a fully formed, small storm cloud appears. Dark colored, heavy, and tiny lightning bolts coming from it.
Kyoka looks like she’s going to throw up. “Oh- oh shit- Tosh you need to call her. Like- now.” Hitoshi nods, scrambling to pull out… the shell he keeps on a necklace? He blows it, and then holds it up to his ear. “Denki. How many more necklaces were there?” “Uhhh two? What’s going on?” “That- that is a Pawānekkuresu. A Power Necklace. It uh- it is an incredibly rare boon. It is made by the Ocean Queen and given to only the members of the Queen's inner circle. It gives the wearer a power up, and it can give humans the powers of the original wearer. The powers of a siren. There are only two ways to get a Pawānekkuresu. Either you are given one by the Queen, or… You take it from the body of the siren you killed.” Kyoka says weakly. “What- what are you saying?” Denki stammers. Shouta's mind is already connecting the dots. “Three of my aunts were found murdered a week ago and my mom hasn’t made or given a Pawānekkuresu in over a century.” Hitoshi answers. Shouta's eyes snap to the small storm cloud “...What were your aunt's powers?” Hitoshi shoots him a flat look “Guess.” A dolphin jumps out of the water, it flashes brightly and a woman stands where the dolphin would have landed. Her skin shines like a mother of pearl, her hair is green and woven with pearls, shells, and other gems. Her eyes are blue, ever shifting like the ocean around them. Her dress seems to be actual water. It ripples and moves like waves. A shimmering crown sits on her head.
“What happened, my child? Why did you call upon me?” She asks, voice like the sound of soft waves. Denki drops to his knees “I didn't know! I swear! I- I'll take it off! I'm sorry-” He scratches at his neck, trying to get the necklace off. The woman finally sees the necklace and rage twists her lovely features, eyes going grey and stormy. Her dress becomes dark, and tumultuous. “At ease child. I am not angry with you. You did not slay my sisters. Calm yourself. You cannot remove the necklace. I can. Hold, stormling. I will not harm you.” The woman drops to one knee and presses a finger to the necklace. It immediately releases, dropping into her open palm. “Hitoshi. Child mine, where are the rest? Do you know who murdered your aunts?” Hitoshi shakes his head “I don't know. Denki said there were two more necklaces at the shop where he bought it. I don't even know if those two are the real thing. But those three can lead us back to where they bought it. Do not be angry with any of them. They are innocent.” “I know. If their hands bore even a drop of my sister's blood, I would smell it. Take me to the… shop.”