Oceansong

Oceansong Chapter 1: Rising Up

"This world is unfortunately small," sighs Athena, swimming in circles.

I smile. The world is not small in the slightest. In fact, it is very large, but Athena, with her flowing hair and big dreams, somehow sees the vast expanse of the ocean as small.

"In fact, Athena, the ocean is more than a hundred and fifty five million square kilometres. That's not small, in case you were wondering."

She sticks her tongue out and swims in loops above my head, sunlight reflecting through the crystal clear water onto her emerald scales.

We sit on a cliff close to the surface of the water, overlooking a park where mermaids and mermen alike swim around, happily chatting or watching performers on a stage.

Athena starts swimming away. "I only meant in terms of knowledge. Haven't you ever wondered what those two-legs are up to in their kingdom?"

"Athena, I already know."

She immediately turns around and swims so close to me her hair tickles my chin. "What do you know, Ursula?" she breathes, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you really see something?"

"Yes. In fact, I saw a few things."

"Pleeeeease tell me! I'm dying of... of... what's the word again?"

"Ignorance?"

"Fine. I'm dying of ignorance!" She backs up and flips her thick auburn hair back over her shoulders, and I remember a human invention.

"There's one- it looks like the head of a trident, but with way more prongs. You run it through your hair like so" -I run my fingers through my short white blonde hair to demonstrate- "and it makes it less tangled!"

"Ooh. I need one of those," Athena sighs dreamily. She fluffs her hair up. "Then the boys would notice me."

"Athena, everyone knows all the boys already notice you," I laugh. I self consciously run my fingers through my short hair. I kind of look weird. People all know that. My decision to cut my hair was a big shock to the entire mermaid community, who all appreciate long, flowing hair- but long hair was always getting caught in stuff!

Athena notices, of course, and swims over, looking worried. "Ursula, what are you thinking about? I can tell when you're upset, you know." I don't answer, and she swims even closer, smiling sadly. "Ursie, you're beautiful, okay? You're my best friend and you're amazing. I know someday a boy will come and sweep you off your feet."

I snort. "Hah. Like a boy will ever come near me. I look like a dried up sea urchin."

Athena's face remains serious. "You look like a smart, beautiful, and talented mermaid who's the fastest swimmer in the entirety of the sea!" She gazes at my amethyst tail with a hint of jealousy. "You could cross the ocean in a second."

"I doubt it, Athena. Besides. Most of our people honour the talent of voice, not speed. Unless I learn to sing, I'm still stuck at the bottom."

"You can sing, Ursula, you just... your voice isn't... what they prefer."

"Yes, you don't need to remind me I don't have the voice of an angel. I know I'll never be as good as you, or as popular, or as anything, and you don't need to lie to me."

Athena frowns. "I'm not lying. Your voice is good."

"Can we just stop talking about this? Ask me about another invention, or ask me if I want to go to a concert, or anything but this. Please."

Athena frowns, but relents and sighs sadly. "Fine. Want to go back to my place? We can grab a bite to eat, swim around, talk about stuff?" She bats her thick eyelashes at me, widening her green eyes. "Pleeeease?"