Kiko had stung her lips swollen from kissing jellyfish. Even Beatrix, who normally couldn't care less about the young Evergirl, was concerned. After her daily duties at the Glass Mountain's sacred orchard, she would sneak down through the forest and stop by the beach. Waiting for the swarm of sea creatures that would float by the cove.
She'd trail her fingers through the water, hoping against hope that something would swim up and brush her hand. Whenever a curious jellyfish would float up to her, she would grab it frantically and kiss it. Usually it ended with a powerful sting on the lips, and she'd have to stick her face into the seawater to cleanse herself of the venom.
It was about a month into the student's quests when she finally found her. Bea and Reena's pirate ship had swung by, checking in one last time if she was still sane before sailing to the Ooty kingdom. Kiko crept down to the bay one last time, swearing to herself that she would quit the habit due to her friend's concerns.
She slipped off her shoes and climbed up onto the big rock jutting out into the sea. The mass of jellyfish floated around the bend, and without hesitation she jumped into the eye of the swarm. She could feel her fingertip burn silver as her legs transformed into a shimmering pink tail. Small flaps on the sides of her neck opened, and she smiled as her gills took over.
Another good thing about being the daughter of a mermaid, she thought. Looking for the Nevergirl would be much easier underwater.
She swam through the bloom, dodging angry jellyfish who buzzed in response to her push. After several minutes of searching, she ducked her head in embarrassment and defeat. Why would she come look for her, anyway? Her quest was kidnapping a fabled seer all the way in Rainbow Gale, and even if she was close by-
Kiko was about to swim up to the surface and start the trek back up the mountain when she saw a flash of green in the corner of her eye. She turned as fast as she could in the rushing water to see a small emerald green jellyfish bob towards her. It opened two almond-shaped gray eyes, and the pattern on its bell was a V-shape over her eyes- jellyfish bangs, cut haphazardly when they were human and now with her in animal form. Kiko giggled, her voice breaking in spite of herself.
Wishing on every last constellation she knew, Kiko drew a hand out and caught the jellyfish in the tide. She pursed her lips and pressed them to the Mogrif's forehead.
A flash of light tore through the cove, electrifying the water. She opened her eyes slowly to see a struggling girl, one hand grasping Kiko's wrist. She dragged the green blur up to the surface, and with a hiss, her gills retreated back into her neck.
"Sorry," The green girl said, choking on seawater. "I forgot jellyfish don't have lungs, so I never cast a spell to breathe underwater before Sophie transformed me."
Kiko grinned stupidly, clinging to the rock, and pressed a kiss to Mona's still-blue lips.