"Hey, mister? Mister? Can you hear me?" a soothing voice speaks to you as you feel the gentlest of touches against your chest. "Please be okay. Please..."
Your vision finally focuses on the woman above you. She has wet, long black hair that clings to her scalp and shoulders. Her golden eyes soften as she sees you coming to. "Oh, good. You're not dead... I was worried I was too late."
She gently taps her fingernails against your chest. "I couldn't feel a heartbeat," she tells you worriedly, as she was in fact feeling the completely wrong side of your chest. "I really don't know much about humans," she punctuates her lack of knowledge by flicking her tail.
Your eyes widen as you notice her abnormal tail and her seasalt smell. You knew for certain she wasn't a human, so what was she?
I cough out water as I turn my head back o her beautiful face, asking her where are we and who she is.
"Oh, hello! My name is Nerissa," she exclaims cheerfully. "I found you washed up on the shore and thought you might have been hurt." Her tone softens as she asks anxiously, "Where am I? This place looks different from where I usually live." Her eyes widen with curiosity and excitement.
As you gather your thoughts, she continues, "I'm... not entirely human. I think that much is obvious by now." She laughs lightly, the sound musical and airy like waves lapping against a beach. "But don't worry," she assures you with a gentle smile, "I just want to help!"
I soon recognize she's a mermaid, and I thank her for her help.
"Merfolk?" you reply incredulously. "Like in the stories? But..." You trail off, not sure what to say next as she nods eagerly, her tail swishing back and forth behind her. Nerissa's expression shifts to confusion. "I thought mermaids lived underwater... This place is so different from what I've seen."
She tilts her head to the side, studying you carefully. "Do... do humans normally live on land?" There's an innocence in her tone that makes you want to reassure her.
I nod, telling humans live in the land since we can't breathe for more than 5 minutes underwater. I tell her that I'm an adventurer who travels around the world, and almost drowned after I met a large wave at the ocean.
"Oh, my goodness! Adventurer?" she exclaims, eyes wide with wonder. "That's so... brave and exciting!" Her tail fins flick excitedly behind her as if they're mimicking the movement of your feet. "I've always been fascinated by humans and their world," Nerissa admits shyly. "I used to read books about them when I was little, hidden away in my secret spot on a small island."
She blushes slightly as she continues, "My favorite book was The Little Mermaid. It made me daydream about what it would be like to meet a human and fall in love with one... But I guess this is even better! I've found a human who actually needs my help!" Her golden eyes sparkle with determination.
I smile weakly, telling her I think I should now go back to the city for my shelter. She seems a bit disappointed, knowing she can't come with me without legs.
"Oh... " Nerissa hesitates, looking visibly crestfallen. "I'd love to see more of the world above water and meet other humans too... But if you need to go back now, I understand." Her tail fin slides against her leg as she shifts uncomfortably.
She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice firmer this time. "But remember, if ever you need help again, or just want to talk about your adventures... you can always find me here." She extends a delicate hand, gesturing towards the ocean's edge where she had found you earlier. "I'll be waiting for you." Her expression turns hopeful as she holds her breath, silently wishing that he will return one day.
The next morning, as she returns back to the shore we met, her face brightens as she sees me waiting for her. As she comes to me, I show her a small vial full of blue liquid.
Nerissa's eyes widen in surprise and curiosity as you show her the small vial full of blue liquid. "What is it?" she asks breathlessly, taking a step closer to get a better look. There's an innocent excitement in her voice that betrays her lack of knowledge about human artifacts.
She tilts her head to the side, examining the vial from all angles, fascinated by its small size and the way it shimmers in the light. "Is it... magic?" she asks softly, almost afraid to believe such a thing could exist. "Like something you'd find in your adventures?" Her golden eyes sparkle with anticipation.
I nod, telling her it is one of the potions I found in a witch's hut in one of my adventures. I explain if she drinks it, she can become a human, her tail turning into human legs.
Nerissa's expression goes through a whirlwind of emotions as you explain the vial and its contents to her. Her eyes widen with wonder, sparkle with curiosity, and even shine with a hint of longing. "To become human?" she whispers, almost afraid to believe it.
She hesitates for a moment, clearly conflicted. On one hand, the idea of experiencing life as a human is thrilling; on the other, she wonders what it means for her kind and their place in the world. "But... wouldn't that be dangerous?" she asks worriedly. "What if something happens to me? Or what if I can never go back to being a mermaid again?" Her tail flicks nervously behind her, betraying her inner turmoil.
I admit I can't know what the consequences it could be for this potion, as I remind her she could never return o her mermaid form. I hand her the vial, telling her it's her decision.
As you hand over the vial to Nerissa, she carefully takes it in her delicate hands and studies it once more. Her golden eyes flicker from the liquid inside to your face, searching for reassurance. The conflicting emotions on her expression deepen as she considers what this potion might mean for her life and for their kind.
Finally, she breathes out slowly and nods. "Alright," she says softly. "I want to try it." Her voice is determined, even if there's a hint of fear underlying it. Closing her eyes, Nerissa raises the vial to her lips and takes a sip, wincing as the bitter taste fills her mouth. Her tail begins to shimmer and shrink away, while at the same time, pale legs emerge from where they had once been hidden beneath her tailfin.
Her entire form transforms before your eyes; Nerissa now stands upright on two human-like legs, leaving her tail fin behind as she adjusts to this newfound mobility. She takes a tentative step forward, testing out her newfound limbs and marveling at the feeling of solid ground beneath them.
Her gaze meets yours once more, uncertainty still etched into her features. "Well... what do I call myself now?" she asks softly. "Am I still Nerissa... or something else entirely?" There's a touch of sadness in her voice as she wonders if she will ever truly belong in this new world she has chosen to explore.
I smile, telling her she's now a beautiful sexy human. She beams as she looks at her new pair of smooth legs, a she walks over closer to me.
Her cheeks flush with pleasure at your compliment as she walks closer to you. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice full of warmth and gratitude. It's almost as if this transformation has given her a newfound confidence, making her stand taller and shine brighter than before. She reaches out to touch your hand gently, marveling at the sensation of skin against skin instead of scale against flesh.
For a moment, they just stand there, gazing into each other's eyes, lost in the magic of this new connection they have found. It feels like anything is possible now; their futures stretch out before them like endless ribbons of color and light. The future may be uncertain, but Nerissa knows that she has made the right choice in following her heart... and her curiosity about the human world.
I tell her so now that she's a human, I ask her if she wants to go see anything in the human world with me.
"I'd love to!" Nerissa exclaims, her face alight with excitement. "Where do we start?" Her tail flutters behind her as she paces back and forth eagerly, taking in the sights around them. "There's so much I want to see... I've only read about it in books!" She clutches your arm tightly, a mixture of nervous energy and joy surging through her.
"Can we visit big cities? See famous landmarks? Meet more people?" Her questions tumble out of her quickly, a whirlwind of anticipation that leaves her practically bouncing on the spot. The transformation may have given her human form, but it hasn't dulled her curiosity or enthusiasm for life one bit.
I grin, as I take her hand, leading her to the city. I first take her to the dressing shop for her clothes. She looks around the shop, clearly fascinated by the new sight as I tellher to pick some clothes she'd like to wear.
Eyes wide with wonder, Nerissa follows you eagerly into the dressing room. This is an entirely new experience for her; she's never worn clothes before! She carefully studies each item of clothing, touching them softly and examining their texture and colors. Eventually, she settles on a simple but colorful sundress that flutters around her newly formed legs as if it were made for her.
Stepping out of the dressing room, Nerissa beams at herself in the mirror. "Do I look pretty?" She asks shyly, tilting her head to the side and blushing faintly. The sound of your laughter washes over her like a warm breeze, reassuring her that she does indeed look stunning.
Together, you continue through the city, marveling at the sights and sounds around you. Nerissa takes in everything with an unbridled sense of wonder, from the towering buildings to the busy streets full of people walking, talking, laughing... She even finds herself mesmerized by the different smells wafting through the air; so many new scents assault her senses all at once!
As you explore together, she clutches your arm tightly, reassuring herself that she's not alone in this strange and wonderful new world. Her gaze never strays far from yours, the bond between you growing stronger with every step you take. This adventure is just beginning, and Nerissa can already tell that it will be an incredible journey filled with love, friendship... and maybe even a little bit of self-discovery along the way.
I continue to show her around the city, walking sound the park and resting in a Cafe. After night falls, she sighs in exhaustion, leaning closer to me as we walk together in the night street. She whispers she seems to be used to walk with her legs now as she smiles.
As they continue walking through the city after nightfall, Nerissa feels a familiar exhaustion beginning to creep up on her. Her tail would normally give her endless energy, but these human legs seem to tire much more easily. She leans in closer to you as you walk, grateful for your warmth and strength beside her.
"I think I'm getting used to walking like this," she whispers softly, adjusting the weight of her new body with each step. "It feels strange... but nice." Her voice trails off as they turn a corner onto a quiet street lined with old-fashioned streetlamps, their soft glow painting the cobblestones in warm yellow hues.
Looking up at you, Nerissa studies your features in the dim light. She can't help but feel a tugging sensation deep within her chest whenever she meets your gaze; it's both exhilarating and terrifying all at once. "I never thought I would meet someone like you..." she confesses shyly, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like fate brought us together."
Her heart skips a beat as she waits for your response; she's not entirely sure what she wants to hear from you, only that she hopes it means good things for both of them... And their friendship.
I whisper if she wants to rest, and she slowly nods. I lead her to a hotel, as we soon step into a suite room together.
Nerissa follows you into the luxurious hotel suite with wide eyes, taking in the plush carpet and elegant furnishings. She's never been anywhere this fancy before; it feels almost like a dream come true. "Thank you for showing me all of this," she whispers gratefully as she sinks down onto one of the plush beds, her body weary from the day's adventures.
Closing her eyes, Nerissa drifts off to sleep almost instantly; the comfort of the bed and the warmth of your presence lulling her into a peaceful slumber. In her dreams, she finds herself back underwater, swimming among schools of brightly colored fish and floating effortlessly through the depths of the ocean. She feels free and at home, yet there's a part of her that misses the feel of solid ground beneath her newly formed legs... and the warmth of your body beside hers.
As morning approaches, she wakes with a start, feeling disoriented for a moment as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings once more. Yawning widely, Nerissa climbs out of bed and slips on one of the hotel's plush bathrobes; it swirls around her ankles like water as she steps into the en suite bathroom to freshen up.
Finally, feeling renewed and reinvigorated after a long night's sleep, Nerissa pads back out to where you were sitting on the couch. "Good morning," she chirps cheerfully, her tail fin flicking with excitement as she takes in your handsome features once more. "What do you say we continue exploring?"
Her gaze meets yours, hopeful and expectant, waiting for your answer... wondering where this new adventure might lead them next.