Cage me like an animal • F Odair¹ •

XXX

"Your dangerous bad boy appeal,"

•∘♛∘•

The ocean that day was rougher than usual; the tides were more turbulent, the waves rising high and crashing into the side of the ship roughly. The crew on The Adventurer struggled at first with the ocean, but they soon adjusted to the rough conditions and were able to work as efficiently as always. When they were finished on the water and the ship was docked again, Athena Maris found herself with a significant amount of seafood in her net for her to sell.

"Hudson!" she called out. "I'm going to go sell now!"

Hudson turned to look at her, saw the net in her hands, and nodded, only saying, "Well, just be quick about it! You always find something to distract you..."

Athena grinned because she knew Hudson didn't mean it. Hudson was never really worried for Athena when they were out on the water or when she was trading and selling what she had caught; anything she said to her that was similar to that comment was usually just to tease her. Hudson made no more teasing comments about pretty-eyed pastry boys, which made Athena strangely sad at first until she decided it was probably for the best.

The streets of District Four were about as busy as they always were. Many people caught sight of her and seemed to recognize her, whispering to their friends behind their hands. Some people looked a little uncertain, like they weren't entirely sure if it was her; they were probably confused by the lack of perfect hair, makeup, and glamorous clothes, by the net full of fresh seafood that she held in her hands, and the fact that she was wearing rather casual clothes (shorts and one of her father's old sweaters). Athena was certainly a far sight away from the magazine covers where she practically looked flawless, but she didn't mind it. She thought she was better off like this.

Once she was in the marketplace, as she tended to do, she walked right towards the shadowy square with the variety of stands. She took a moment to prepare herself before continuing to her first stop. Being in the Capitol had always reminded Athena of trading and selling in the markets, having to hide her true emotions. Athena suspected that all her time at the Capitol had made her even better when it came to trading and selling, but something about that upset her, so she tried not to think about it.

Her first stop wasn't so far into the square. It was Marie's stand, but Marie wasn't there; she had been ill as of late, so her daughter, Sia, was filling in for her while her other children, a younger daughter and son, took care of her. Sia had her mother's sunkissed skin and kind smile, but a much sharper mind due to the fact that she was younger. Many people were a little disgruntled about that; they were used to taking advantage of the fact that Marie wasn't all there anymore and were rather upset that they couldn't continue this trend with Sia. Athena had always been perfect honest and fair with Marie, though, so the change didn't affect her selling in the slightest. Athena was worried for Marie, though; she had been sick for weeks now, and at her age, it was more than a little concerning... Athena had visited once with her mother and Calypso to bring her flowers and food that they had made together.

"Hello, Athena," Sia said, sitting up a little straighter as she approached. "And what do you have for me today?"

"How's eleven fresh cod sound?" Athena asked.

"Sounds good to me," Sia said with a smile. "The usual ten for each, then?"

"Sounds good," Athena said, taking out the cod and wrapping them carefully. She gave Sia the fish, and Sia gave her the money, which Athena placed carefully in a pouch. "Give Marie my best."

"I will," Sia nodded once, and Athena waved her goodbye, taking her net and walking towards her next stop.

Selene seemed to be waiting for her when Athena arrived at her stand, placing the net on the counter.