With no major plans for the day, and no one to dictate to them when they had to be home, Jana decided there was no reason to wait and they should go to visit the merfolk right now. However, considering how blindsided she had been by some elements of the werewolf village, Ella wanted to ask some questions before they just poofed away.

“So… where exactly are these mermaids? Atlantis? The Bermuda Triangle?”

Jana actually laughed, “Don’t be silly! Plato made up Atlantis to tell a cautionary tale. And the triangle is just a bunch of gas screwing with navigation instruments… well ok there are merfolk around there,  but they aren’t confined to that one area of the Caribbean, and it’s not nearly as insane as b movies would make you think.”

“No Triangle?... No Atlantis!....” Ella sounded heartbroken to hear that and sadly deflated a little.  Jana hugged her close to her chest.

“I’m sorry bunny. It’s a hazard of seeing the magic in the world. You learn what’s true and was forgotten, and you learn what was always just a story.”

Ella was still pouting as she looked up at her girlfriend, “Is there any other dream of mine you want to crush?” She was clearly just being overly dramatic but Jana still felt guilty for doing anything to make her that sad.

“Not that I can think of off hand love. But you’ll be the first to know once I do.” She kisses Ella on the head before snapping her fingers, having just remembered something and speaking before she could help herself, “Oh! Also El Dorado isn’t real either. Just wishful thinking by greedy Spanish explorers… and the Chupacabra is just a short hairy vampire who lives alone in the jungle.”

Ella threw up her hands “Odin’s eye babe!” Wow, that is a fun way to swear, “I was being sarcastic! You didn’t need to ruin something else!... wait, did you say vampire? Those are real?”

The genie nodded, “Oh yeah, those are all over the place. Not too different from the stories either. But only the young vampires are any fun. Anyone more than 300 years old tends to be a stuffy elitist, hiding away thinking they’re better than the rest of the world..”

Ella nodded, understanding how that could happen with what she knew about vampires from fiction. “Ok, let’s put visiting them down as a maybe for later… Now back to the mer-people!”

“Oh right, we got way off track.” Jana laughed and thought what there was to tell Ella. “Well, back to your question, they live all over the place, but this community I’m sending us too is off a small island in the South Pacific. Close to the tail end of Hawaii. They have a big house on the island for human visitors.”

“They get visitors? How many people know about this place?”

“Not as many as you’d think.” Jana continued. “You see, merfolk see it as their job to rescue as many drowning humans as they can. And… well a lot of the humans rescued choose to stay, especially since the world presumed them dead. Hence, tons know about the secret, but it stays contained.”

“So… you mean there’s an entire community of people presumed dead living on a beautiful Hawaiian island that were rescued by mermaids? That sounds amazing!”

“Well no, not all of them on the island… you know what, it’s probably better if I just show you that. Easier than trying to explain.” She stopped to think for a moment, “Let’s see… anything else important I’m forgetting… oh! Most of the mermaids will also be naked.”

“Really! Does no one you know wear a shirt!” Ella covered her face and brushed hard. “Couldn’t they at least have those shell bras…” she muttered out with a sigh.

“Have you ever stepped on a shell babe? You tell me why sea creatures aren’t strapping them to the funbags!”

“That… is a good point and I should have thought of it before now.” She involuntarily winced at the thought and put her hands to her own breasts as if feeling sympathy pain.

“Anything else you want to know sweetie?” Jana asked, limbering up her fingers for the snap.

“Hmm… Yeah I have a few more but I’m probably better off seeing it than hearing about it. Maybe we should go to the island first. Talk with them before diving deep into things.”

“Can do! Now we just need the magic words…”

Ella smiled “I wish we could go to the mermaids’ island!”

Jana snuck a quick kiss from her girlfriend before snapping her fingers, making them disappear in a loud crack.

__________________________________________________________________

Moments later Ella opened her eyes to the dim light of early dawn and the smell of salt water. She sighed happily, feeling her toes move through the white sand of the beach. Even without the promise of magic around her and under the water, this island would be a paradise! She turned and smiled, seeing further proof of this place as perfection; Jana wearing that amazing red bikini again. 

She tried to refocus on the matter at hand. There were hours and… maybe even years ahead of her to bask in the joy of being with a girl as wonderful as this, but who knew how many chances in her life she would get to see mermaids?

“So, which way to that magic beach house!” She asked, taking Jana’s hand and letting her lead the way.

The genie turned her gaze inland, “Right over here bunny.” Ella was surprised she had missed it, but just a few feet into the tree line was a sprawling three story house.

“Was… was that there the whole time?” 

Jana nodded “Magical camouflage. Most people traveling near here by sea or air won’t see the house.” 

“... Don’t tell the mermaids I said this. I like our house better.” She meant it half jokingly, but even seeing through the magical protection the house wasn’t very impressive. With shingles missing and broken windows, she’d have thought it was abandoned.

“Of course our house is better. You live there.” Jana stole another kiss from her blushing lover. “But they are using the same idea that we are, keep the outside simple so it doesn’t draw much attention.” She motioned towards the house and they began walking up the beach. 

“Backup security.” Ella nodded in understanding, fighting the butterflies in her stomach as they reached the front entrance. She was pleasantly surprised to see a fish tail door knocker. Feet from the door Ella stopped in the sand, struck by a sudden thought.

“Bunny? What’s wrong?” Jana asked, stepping away from the dilapidated porch. 

“I just realized… Well, this would have been my third wish. If I had been playing by normal rules, this would have been my last wish already.”

Jana smiled gently and took her girlfriend by the hand. “But darling we aren’t playing by normal rules. Even now you have 13 wishes before anything happens.”

“I know… But I still feel guilty I haven’t freed you yet angel… you’ve been through too much in life. You deserve it!”

Jana looked as if she wanted to say something but changed her mind. “It’s not as simple as deserving it… it’s a long story… could we maybe talk about this at home? I mean, can’t free me right now anyway, need at least one wish to get us home.” She said the last bit jokingly, but still seemed a bit on edge.

“Yeah… ok sweetie.” Ella squeezed the genie’s hand in her own. She could tell there was something big going on her, but she knew forcing someone to talk about a sensitive subject before they were ready could sometimes do more harm than good. But she would be there whenever Jana was ready, no matter what her problem was.

“Thanks bun bun.” Jana let out a breath she had been holding and kissed Ella in gratitude. “Now, how about those mermaids?” The girls smiled at each other and the genie hopped back up the stairs to the door with the fish tail knocker. 

Jana knocked three times and waited. After no response she knocked again. “Go away!” A raspy female voice called from the other side. “We don’t want whatever you are selling.”

“I am a genie here to show my master the wonders of your home and your city.” After the talk they had just had, the term “Master” stung Ella a little, even though she knew from Jana’s tone it was just formality.

They could hear locks being undone on the other side of the door. When the door swung open, a short stout woman who looked about 40 with black hair and a long white dress stood to meet them. She cleared her throat before speaking again. “I’m sorry, but you’re a what?”

“A genie.” Jana repeated, snapping her fingers and produced a jewel encrusted gold triton from the air and handed it to the woman. “A gift as proof of my power and our peaceful interest in this house.”

“Huh…” she seemed a little surprised, but seemed clearly used to stranger things. “So you’re not here to steal or sell anything? Just tourists looking around?”

“That’s about the size of it yeah.”

She smiled and stepped out of the doorway “In that case, come on in! Sorry to keep you waiting. Welcome to the Shoal House.” Her voice was still a little rough and raspy, but much more amiable than before. “How long will you be staying with us?”

“Just the afternoon madam.” Jana gave a little bow. “I promised my girlfriend I’d show her how the merfolk live..”

Ella couldn’t help but blush a bit to be called her girlfriend to another person. She liked the sound of it much better than master! The host nodded and motioned for them to follow her inside. “Of course, right this way. Everyone will be excited to meet you! Visitors of any kind are so rare, and what’s more friendly magical guests! My name is-” she proceeded to bark like a seal “-but most human guests call me Cici.”

Jana paused in genuine surprise “Are you a silkie Cici? You’re a bit far away from your native waters aren’t you?”

“Well spotted!” She sounded delighted to be recognized. “Yes, my husband decided to move here years ago. And you know the old story; man loves magical seal woman, seal woman has no free will if man steals and hides her magic pelt, seal woman has to follow man till she gets her skin back.”

Jana nodded in understanding but Ella was completely baffled. The genie leaned over and whispered “I’ll explain later.” She continued at normal volume, “So is your husband still around or are you free now?”

She gave another barking laugh, “Oh that jerk died years ago. Shark attack. I just stayed here for the warm weather. Not to mention… The shark was very cute. Got to know him better.”

Even that surprised Jana a little, “A silkie and a shark person… well, love takes all sorts.” She chucked and shrugged, squeezing Ella’s hand.

“Yes it does.” She sighed contentedly before remembering something “Mizu!” She called down the hall, “You can come out now sweetie. They’re friendly.”

A door under a staircase opened up. Sitting inside the tiny closet was a huge man with a shark's head. “Ya mean I don’t get to scare ‘em off? Where’s the fun in that love!” The creature stood up. Ella had to give him credit, if this 7 foot tall muscular man with claws, webbed fingers, no pants (don’t stare Ella! Do! Not! Stare!) and the head of a great white had jumped out of the closet to chase her down, she would have been scared. 

The shark man held up a jar of salsa, “I was just gonna make my mouth look all bloody for effect! It was gonna be so cool!”

Was this mass of muscle and teeth pouting? … ok maybe he wasn’t as scary as his bulk implied. “I’m sorry sweetie.” The small plump woman pulled his head down to her chest and began petting it before turning her attention back to the guests. “We didn’t know what sort of visitors you were. We figured my Mizu here would be enough to scare away hunters, salesmen, missionaries, realtors, any of those sort of pests.”

“Oh I understand.” Jana nodded in agreement, “We visited werewolves the other day. We know magical people enjoy their privacy.”

Ella couldn’t help but join the conversation with a thought probably better left alone “So Cici… Mizu is the shark who… who ate your ex?”

“Ate him!? What ya been tellin’ ‘em C? That bastard was threatening this fair maiden with a harpoon gun he was! Tellin’ her to show him where more like her were. I wouldn’t stand for it! I snuck up on the wanker, and tore him to pieces I did! But I didn’t swallow none! I have my limits… Besides, the tosser tasted worse than old tires.”

The silkie chuckled and hugged her man “He was fantastic! That monster deserved everything he got and worse!”

“I bet he did.” Ella couldn’t exactly lament the loss of this man who had essentially coerced a magical creature into marrying him and all the horrible details that cursed relationship could have meant for this woman. 

As if realizing they had gotten far away from the point, Cici resumed her job as host. “Now then, tell me more about yourselves and I’ll know where to begin the tour.”

“Not much to tell.” Jana said with a shrug. “Like I said, I’m a centuries old genie from the ancient Viking colony of Dublin, and Ella here is my beautiful shapeshifting girlfriend/mistress.”

Cici nodded “I guess you’re right. Nothing too unusual about any of that.”

“Nothing unusual?” Ella repeated. Even talking to magical creatures, that description should have stood out a little.

“Oh we are used to much stranger things in the ocean. We have seen it all. Jana isn’t even the first genie visitor we’ve had.” She motioned with her hand for the guests to follow and lead them deeper into the house.

Jana smiled a bit “Well this is my 3rd visit over the years. Maybe every time I come someone thinks I’m a different genie.”

“Nah,” Mizu said, walking beside them. “Us creatures of the deep live much longer than you think. Our elders have seen a lot ‘n remember a lot. They’ll recognize you definitely. But even I know there’s more genies than just you. We have one living here after all.”

“Another genie?” Ella was going to ask more when she was led into a room that seemed to be a bathhouse or something similar. A large hot water pool with three people about her age sitting in the water. However, people might not have been the best term. One seemed completely human but had webbed fingers when he waved. Another was a woman playfully swishing back and forth a dolphin tail. The third was strangest, a bipedal humanoid with huge eyes, pointed teeth and green scales all over his body.

Cici caught Ella staring and nodded towards the pool, “Here you see the three current residents of the Shoal House. The magic of the waters is slowly preparing them for life under the sea. Hi kids!”

“Hi Cici!” The scaly resident climbed out of the water and walked over to them, dripping wet. “Name is Chase! Checking in?” He extended a hand to Ella, accompanying it with a very toothy smile.

“Just visiting… Wait… You used to be human? Anyone who wants can become a merperson!” Ella asked, turning her attention to Jana, knowing this must have been what she was alluding to earlier, the thing that was easier to see than explain.

“Yep! I moved in 2 weeks ago. Before this I was kicked out by my parents and dumped by my boyfriend all in the same day when I came out to them. Really moved up in the world since then don’t you think?” He spoke rather cheerfully despite the dark subject. 

“Oh gods, that’s horrible!” This oddly extroverted fish’s back story had regained Ella’s attention.

He shrugged, “Yeah it was pretty rough. I was in a bad place then. But… well at rock bottom, a cute lion fish boy found me and brought me here!”

Ella was left to wonder what sort of rock bottom would result in this young soon-to-be merman being in a spot merfolk could find him… the answers were rather dark… She tried to focus on the positive, “Wait you said you came out?”

“Yeah! Would you believe that this time three weeks ago I was presenting as a miserable straight woman, deep in the closet?” He chuckled, flexing his developing muscles with pride.

“YOU’RE TRANS TOO!!!” Ella practically squealed out. She’d been waiting years to make other transgender friends.

“Oh, you too?” The scaly man said with the same level of excitement. “Are you just coming out? I can tell you aren’t binding or anything yet.”

“Binding? What are you…” the realization hit her like a wave crashing over her head. She felt herself welling up with happy tears “You think I look like a cis girl?”

Realizing his mistake Chase hurried to apologize but was quickly cut off with a hug. “Thank you so much for saying that!” She pulled away and wiped her tear stained cheeks. “You really made my day Chase. I… Well this is just my second day presenting as female. After so long being forced to stay in the closet… it’s such a nice feeling to be seen as myself!”

Ella’s scaly new friend nodded in agreement “Amen to that sister.”

Chase stayed with them for the rest of the tour. The Shoal House seemed like a dormitory or youth hostel with lots of nice but simple bedrooms and a few common areas. The top floors were for the newest arrivals, the most human residents. The further down the floors went, the more the amenities were better provided for mer-people needs.  The strangest thing was the pools of water in all the ground floor rooms. Some seemed to be more magic water to soak in, but others looked like dark tunnels. “Quick passages to the city below. Not everyone can come in from the beach.” Cici explained when she saw Ella staring.

“Do you… Can I please go and see the city now?” Ella asked, excited and nervous to finally be here.

“Well sure ya can, but cha won’t get far as ya are. It’s a deep tunnel ‘n a long way down.” Mizu said with a deep chuckle.

Jana put a hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder. She had been pretty quiet since the other genie had been brought up, but she spoke in support of Ella, “She can manage fine on by herself Mizu. My little bunny has magic of her own.”

“.... Wutza bunny?” The shark asked, a bit confused.

“It’s like a little land otter with long floppy ears.” Chase tried his best to explain.

Ella blushed at the nickname and climbed into the pool. The water was surprisingly cold but she managed it with just a quick shudder. She snapped her fingers and her legs once again merged to become a large green fish tail. She put a hand to her neck and felt what seemed to be shallow cuts; newly created gills. “Did I do these right?”

“Only one way to find out. Cannonball!” Mizu called out, jumping into the pool and making a massive splash, soaking those on land and submerging Ella briefly. Jana was prepared to magically pull Ella from the water again, but relaxed when she saw she wasn’t struggling.

 Ella poked her head above the water and gave a thumbs up, “Gills working great so far!”

“Lucky!” Chase pouted, sitting on the edge of the pool “Mine haven’t come in yet. The magic transforms everyone at their own pace. Of course it’s the only thing I’m missing! Stupid fish puberty…”

Ella hesitated for a moment in thought before speaking to Jana “Hey hun, are there any rules about mixing magic styles or accelerating the process?” She couldn’t help but think of an old story of a boy who helped a butterfly out of its cocoon early, only for it to fall to the ground dead because it wasn’t ready to fly yet.

Jana knew where she was going with this. “No rules I’m aware of. Different magics tend to work together very well. What do you say Chase? Want to graduate from the Shoal House a few days early?”

“What are you…” He sat up, remembering them saying Jana was a genie, “Oh no I couldn’t! You only have so many wishes! It would be such a waste to use one on me. I can wait! Really!”

“Of course your happiness is worth a wish Chase.” Ella pulled herself out of the water a bit to better talk to her friend. “Besides… funny story about the number of wishes…” she noticed Jana gently shaking her head, not wanting her secret let out. “Let’s just say I have a special relationship with Jana. I have more wishes than you’d think.”

“Really?... well… in that case…” Chase nervously took a breath, “I’m ready then.”

Ella nodded, “Jana, I wish that Chase finished his transformation, exactly how he wants it.”

Jana snapped her fingers. There was a flash of light and the group got a good look at the new Chase. Apparently “exactly how he wants it” included a few things they hadn’t expected. He was about half a foot taller, more toned and muscular. His face had shifted outwards to form a snout, and his hands and feet had become more clawlike. Finally, his scales had become more rough and course, and a large powerful tail had sprouted from his lower back. He looked less like a fish and more like…

“A ‘gator?” He asked looking at himself, surprised but still loving the new look. “I’ve been turning into an alligator this whole time? I thought I was becoming a shark or an angler fish.” He smiled, noticing his voice was deeper and began flexing his muscles in the reflection of the pool.

“Technically I think you’re more of a saltwater crocodile.” Mizu called from the water. “No gills but you can hold your breath for a good long time.”

“Huh… Jana sweetie did something happen with the wish? I wished for him to transform how he wanted, but he’s a different species than he thought.” Ella asked, more than a bit surprised how things had turned out. 

Jana shook her head, “I’m not too surprised. The magic of the water was already making Chase his perfect animal self, even if he didn’t know it. My magic just sped things up… and maybe helped with perfecting his transition.”

“Thank you!” Jana was surprised to be picked up from the ground and hugged tight by the reptile. “This is amazing!” He put the genie down and jumped for the water, “Your turn Ella!” He practically pounced the shapeshifter, forcing them both underwater for a bone cracking thank you hug. “This is the kindest thing that anyone has done for me! You’re the best!” Neither was surprised that they could talk and understand each other from under the water.

Ella heard faintly from above the water “Everyone in!” And saw the forms of Jana and Cici jump for the water. Ella and Chase moved back against the walls of the tunnel to get out of their way, both surprised by what they saw when the bubbles cleared. 

Jana seemed to have transformed when she hit the water, and she had gone more authentic than Ella had in her transformation. She had given herself an eel tail and the skin of her upper body was blue. Her fingers had claws, her teeth were sharp and her long red hair floated freely around her like a cloud. 

The mer-genie grinned when she noticed Ella blushing, and immediately knew why; Jana had made the decision to go naked. “Oh, don’t worry, honeybun!” laughed Jana. “This is pretty standard for merfolk. Though, if you don’t mind me suggesting, you might wanna consider something other than a plain tank top. It doesn’t go with your tail.”

Ella looked down. She hadn’t put much thought into her outfit when preparing for the trip. She had simply chosen the first clothes that would be suitable for a tropical climate. The top was cute and feminine, but Ella could already tell that other merfolk would stare at her. 

Jana placed a hand on her girlfriend’s shoulder. “It’s okay if you don’t wanna go topless, Ella I have an idea…” The genie waved her hand, and Ella was suddenly wearing the same red bikini top that Jana had worn earlier. It went perfectly with the mermaid’s tail.

Ella threw her arms around Jana and the two mermaids embraced each other under the water, tails wrapping around each other as they shared a quick kiss.

“Ready to go?” said the voice of Cici behind them. Ella looked up and noticed a seal. Just a human sized seal with a face and eyes that were just a bit too intelligent and expressive. 

“If you’re done snogging, could we get a move on?” said the seal, confirming that she was in fact Cici, before swimming quickly straight down into the tunnel. Mizu was right behind her.

 The three new arrivals hesitated for a moment before shrugging and following. Ella and Chase both had difficulty directing their swim in their new forms, so Jana had to take the lead, taking both of them by the hand to guide them. 

“So Chase,” Ella tried to make some small talk as they made their way through the long dark cavern, “You’ve never even seen this town before?”

“Once, on my way into the island. Lance, the lion fish I mentioned earlier, he swam me past it quickly when he brought me here.” explained the crocodile-man. “It was much bigger than you’d expect and more people here than you’d think too, but I didn’t exactly get a good look at it… I was looking at him more than my surroundings if I’m honest…”

Ella chuckled, glad to have some levity. “I bet you’re excited to have a chance to see him again.” She was surprised to see a light coming up below them. A gradually increasing glow of bioluminescent algae. 

“Maybe…” Chase muttered. “He probably doesn’t want to be friends with a weird guy like me...”

“Hey don’t be like that! You’re a great guy, I bet there are tons of cute fish down here just waiting to meet you, and if this Lance has any sense he’ll be first in line.” Ella caught a smirk and sidelong glance from Jana and only then did Ella realize she was repeating a lot of what had been said to her this morning. She chuckled to herself at the irony.

“Thanks for that Ella.” Chase smiled, feeling a warmth in his cold blooded body. The tunnel was now completely lit up and they could see the bottom. Once they reached the sea floor they came to a doorway to the open ocean.

“By the gods…” Ella muttered to herself. Out along the seafloor was not just a town, but a city of merfolk of all shapes and sizes. 

“Honeybun, Chase, may I present to you, the ocean city of Tellonna.” Jana said with the same dramatic energy of their absent tour guide.