The Mirror Perception

The Siren's Call - The Little Mermaid

Background: Partially born of the folklore surrounding sirens and mermaids, Marina is the embodiment of all the horrible tails of mermaids who sunk ships and drowned sailors. She is also Ariel. As a Disney Princess, Ariel is probably one of the most self-centered in my opinion and focus heavily on what she wants. She doesn't try to hurt anyone but I feel sorry for Sebastian. Marina was modeled to be an emphasised version of Ariel's faults - self-centeredness, curiosity, dissatisfaction with what she had - to the point of being cruel.

Once upon a time, the coasts of our world were home to creatures of the water. Some knew them as mermaids, some as sirens. Some believed them to be beautiful, cruel, benevolent. However you picture them, I know of one who should strike fear into the hearts of all men. Her name was Marina.

Marina was the seventh daughter of the King of the Mediterranean Sea. While her older sisters were content with their contribution to ruling their kingdom, Marina was not. The first-born daughter of the king was the heir and ruled beside her father. The second controlled the armies, the third saw to the education of her people. The fourth protected the border from intruders, the fifth served as diplomat to both marine and land kingdoms. The sixth saw to the courts of law.

Marina on the other hand had been assigned to the protection of history and culture. Oft she would complain of this to anyone who would listen. 'It is such tedious work' she would say or 'I have better things to do'. The youngest sea princess coveted the roles of her sisters' and would ask the princesses to switch places with her.

All except for the eldest, who held no patience for her youngest sister's greed, would try to console Marina. They explained how important her work was to the kingdom, how the people would respect her if she only did what was asked of her. Marina did not heed her sisters and determined to be bitter. One by one, the princesses stopped listening to Marina's complaints.

With this free time, devoid of tasks and people to complain to, Marina found herself often looking at ship wrecks. Occasionally these shipwrecks were still above the water when she found them.

The young mermaid became curious as to the life of these beings with two protruding stems – legs, she believed they were called. They had kings much like her. Their women were shut away though. This fact she did not fancy. They played different music with notes and lyrics she knew not.

Marina found herself sitting in the palace gardens one day, contemplating what it would be like to visit the humans. In this attitude, her fifth eldest sister, Carolina, found her. Being a diplomat, this princess tried her best to improve relationships between everyone – including her bitter sister.

"You look deep in thought, Marina," Carolina said as she swam into view. "You look almost pleased at your musings."

"Oh, sister," Marina said without much interest. "You have returned from your trip. How did you far in bettering our relations with..."

Marina tapered her sentence to a holt as she tried to remember where Carolina had been. Her sister only smiled gently.

"I have been to the court of our human neighbours," the young princess informed her sister. "The food there is quite odd but they oft serve our dishes while I am there."

Marina barely heard the last part of her sister's speech. Her mind was already racing with questions about the human world.

"You have been amongst the humans?" Marina inquired, not bothering to contain her excitement. "How do you go there with your tail?"

Carolina laughed. "Oh, dear little sister, I thought you knew. I borrow an old artefact from your collection so that I may change my shape. I do tell you when I take it so that you do not fret."