Mermaid hunting

A day in the life of a mermaid

Sea nymphs, merrow, sirens, mermaids. All names the stompers liked to call us. I've never held the same fascination or obsession for them as they seem to have for my kind. As I finish the last page of 'the little mermaid,' I close the ever-delicate pages and fill my lungs with fresh, slighty salty air. Today, the council were meeting to discuss things I had no interest in but as the daughter of the High commander I didn't have a choice in waking up at such a ridiculous hour. I begrudgingly threw the duvet off my body and my feet hit the floor as I walked over to my dresser. I picked up my small and tired comb, brushing out the knots in my curly brown hair. I painted my lips giving them a pinky shine and then adorned my fingers with various rings leaving my middle finger for the family signet. Finally, I threw on my comparatively simple slip dress and placed my humble, sea-shell covered wreath on the top of my head. ''Lucillia!! Your father's about to leave, hurry up!'' I heard my kind but time-strict mother shout from downstairs. One thing the stompers were right about was our dire need for a good mirror in the morning, I checked everything was in order and rushed downstairs to stand next to father. At the same time the door men flung open the doors and I took a sharp breath in as a smile of wonder plastered itself across my face. Even though I'm met with the same scene every morning I feel a rush of excitement as the beauty of the city hit me. So many of us walking around, small children playing ball as mothers buy produce from the market stall. The bright blue's and fluorescent greens and pinks of the coral furniture pieces and the shining of the large bronze statues. But nothing can compare to my fascination, infatuation, obsession with the scene above my head. The water. I long to touch it, to play as the characters the stompers had depicted us as. To feel the fish, to be in the sounds that cover our underwater paradise. Only the catchers have done it, have left and felt what I wish I could. They bring us the food, the water we drink, everything but most importantly they explore. I want to swim, but instead I'm stuck wearing a coral crown as a noble who can't leave here no matter how much I dreamt. I think about Sam how lucky he is, to be able to face the deep blue almost every day, he tells me all about it. He says the change hurts at first especially your legs but it takes less than a minute for it to be forgotten. He tells me all these stories about great and perilous adventures.
Tradition dictates that the council members must be accompanied by their eldest daughter to every meeting. However, tradition also dictates issues discussed by the council can only be disclosed to its members, meaning I have to wait outside. So, essentially my full- time and only job is to look pretty on the ride over. That is until I get paired. Father decided to strike up a conversation which was surprising to say the least, ''Lucy, everything's in order for your pairing tomorrow, are you ready?''
''mm, who is he father? Can't you just tell me?''
''Tradition dictates -''
''That the wife of a noble family must stay unaware of her suitor until the day of pairing. Yes yes, I get it.'' I interrupted, I think he understood my frustrations and our short and very unsweet conversation ended.
Father walked into the council room and I waited outside as per usual. Twiddling my thumbs I jumped as I felt someone's hands on my shoulders. ''Sam!'' I shouted with glee, its been two weeks since I've seen him. I looked at his messy blonde fringe nearly covering his aqua blue eyes and his goofy smile filled me with an unaltered joy.