Mermaid
I drag the coral comb through my dark auburn hair. The long locks drift in the slight ocean current. I hum quietly to myself.
"Katniss!" Annie swims in, her vibrant red hair floating around her face like a halo.
I turn abruptly and see her excited face.
"What's happening Annie?" I ask, slightly concerned.
"Johanna hears tell of a ship that has been spotted in the cove. She said Glimmer caught sight of it and says that the sailors are mighty handsome. Apparently they look very tasty, perfect for a feast." Hunger is evident in Annie's eyes.
It has been a while since a ship passed through here. It has been a while since we were satisfied with human flesh. The fowl we catch perched atop rocks and flying close to the surface can only satisfy for so long. The taste of human flesh calls to us and we hunger for it.
"Lead the way." I growl, fierce with desire.
She swims out of my cave and I go behind immediately.
A gathering of mermaids awaits us and we swim eagerly towards them. The yearning appetite fills the salty water. The murmur of voices carries through the water to my ears. The excitement is palpable; I can feel it radiating from every mermaid here.
"Ladies," Johanna's voice rings clear, "Today we feast!" Everyone cheers, myself included. "These men are seasoned sailors, they won't be as easily swayed. I say we send out the very best of us. They won't even realize their fate until we have them in our grasp! How about it ladies? Shall we strike them with our strongest?"
A resounding chorus of agreement sounds as everyone turns to me.
"Katniss. We all know that none but the coldest man could possibly hope to resist your song." Johanna smiles brightly, as does everyone else.
I allow a devious smile to play upon my lips and I nod my head.
…:::…
Man
The smell of the ocean air and the hint of salt that clings to my lips is exhilarating. I've missed this, the luxuries of land could never compare to the sea. There is something about the rocking of the ship and the smell of sweat and hard work that invigorates even the oldest sailor. Every sailor feels only the deepest love for the sea.
"Peeta!" Finnick calls across the deck. "It's good to be back at sea!" He exclaims happily as he thumps me hard on the back. "It'd be better of course if we weren't trapped under the dictatorship of Captain Snow and his first mate the admirable Cato." He says the last part with heavy sarcasm.
"Indeed." I agree. Captain Snow is a cruel man. Yet somehow he has the highest respect as a ship captain. His true reputation hasn't yet reached the respectable ears of his clients. Although I doubt that many would care.
"Oh well. Do you know what they say about this cove Peeta?" His voice is alight with excitement. I shake my head.
"They say that mermaids live here." Finnick has always wanted nothing more than to see a mermaid. He cares not for the consequences or he believes them to be false.
"With any luck my friend, we'll see one." He smiles and walks off.
I chuckle at my friend's antics. I don't entirely believe the tales of beautiful women with tails instead of legs. All the men who claim to have seen them are washed up old sailors who love their drink in large quantity. But if what they say is true then with any luck we will not be so unfortunate as to see a mermaid.
...::::...