Adapting

A splashing of water awoke us both with a start.

"Ciao, Ciao, you two!"

"C-Celestino!" Yuri cried. "D-Did you have to do that?"

The older gentleman laughed at Yuri's expense. "It's been a full day, haha!"

"R-Really?" We chorused in surprise.

The man nodded. "I mean, I understand the trip can be an exhausting one for Humans who decide to swim among us, but, Yuri, honestly, I thought you'd at least get some food while your companion is out."

Yuri sighed, more frustrated than really anything else, "Celestino, this is Victor Nikiforov, Victor this is Celestino Cialdini, one of the handful of the Pacific Ocean Gate Guardians that protect our way between you home world to ours."

"So this is the Gatekeeper…" my voice trailed off. "Did you know Yuri kept visiting me over the years?"

The Guardian sat down on the floor beside Yuri, dunking his gold, blue and snow-white legs into the water. "Yes. One of many like he said. I've many stations, but I return here often. I was much against it at first, but when I found I couldn't stop him and saw no harm being done I let Yuri pass as often as he wanted."

"I see…so, earlier on the beach…that was two-way door that leads to Russia?" I asked before my face fell. "Did you know it lead to my lake in my backyard of all places?" I deadpanned.

The man laughed. "Quite a bit more complicated than that, but I am not really at liberty to get into the details with a newcomer, but I can say yes I knew that was one of the places the door could lead to."

"Ah, I bet it's a rite of passage thing?"

Celestino flashed a big smile. "You can say that, heh."

I looked at my tail. "So this place…do I learn to swim here or…?"

The man ruffled Yuri's hair. "Didn't you tell the man anything before you came down here?"

"Celest-! Stop!" Yuri blushed, pushing the hand off his head. "I couldn't and you know it!"

"Heh heh, still shy as always. At least you finally bring home the Human you've been pining over-"

"Stahp!" Yuri exclaimed waving his hands.

I leaned over. "What's this now?" I spoke by his ear.

The temperature of the pool rose slightly.

"Yu~ri," I teased. "Are you going to coach me now?"

Embarrassed, Yuri wiggled out and pushed himself away so he was more so in the middle of the large pool, facing us with a cute pout. "Y-You need to try to transition first. You won't always be in the water."

Celestino nodded and lowered himself into the pool completely. "It's what separates us from the rest of the ocean life, Victor. How about you try to push yourself up out of the pool and walk."

I followed their request, but it proved harder than it looked.

"You have to be completely out, Victor," Celestino advised.

I could barely heave the fish half out of the pool, but I managed. "Then what? Will it to happen?"

"Humph, basically, yeah."

Yuri nodded.

Worst. Coaches. Ever.

I stared at my drying out tail. "This is ridiculous…and I hurt."

"Well if it hurts then get back in, silly!" Yuri replied with a big splash, wetting my tail with the spillover. "Honestly, I feel you're overthinking this. Stop asking yourself how and just do it."

I bit my lip and focused.

Just walk. Just walk.

Nothing.

I rolled over and fell back into the pool. "I can't."

"It's all right. It's a big adjustment to be here," Celestino encouraged before looking at Yuri. "How long are you two planning to stay anyway?"

"For the time being," I spoke up instead. "Is that all right?"

Celestino's smile vanished. "Hmm, that might be a problem, it depends."

I tilted my head, looking between Yuri and the Guardian. "I don't understand. Let's say I was here for just one more day, what are you going to do, erase my memories?"

The two looked at me like I hit the nail on the head.

"If you were gone from your home on land for a couple weeks, which is pushing it, no. However, any longer than you will need to make a choice." Celestine pushed back his long hair. "I'm sorry, but this is how we protect our world."

I briefly settled my eyes on Yuri wading in front of me.

I don't think that will be a problem.

"So, how long do I get my tail?" I continued "Yuri, said it wasn't permanent."

"It's not because you have to get His Majesty's blessing."

Yuri, looking off to the side, blew irritated bubbles just across the surface.

I blinked. "I, uh, take it you're not a fan?"

Yuri shook his head but remained silent.

"I'd not worry too much about His Majesty right now, I'd focus on exploring, I'm sure you're excited about that, right?" Celestino flashed another big smile.

That smile was contagious. "Yes, it would be hard not to be. Oh, wait, where are my belongings? I came with clothes and a small pouch."

Celestino gestured with his big chin. "It's over there, in the corner. I put all your things in satchel for you."

"You have satchels?"

"And you have purses. If we weren't such good scavengers the Earth's oceans would be far more polluted."

"I see…I take it that's why you two are wearing such odds and ends? I've been meaning to ask what you're wearing because I didn't picture Merfolk needing clothes unless they were on land."

"Some don't bother," The Guardian replied, "but most of us like to for a variety of reasons. I like collecting so when I saw Yuri come up to me I gave him a bunch of what I had to try on."

"You do that almost too much!" Yuri groaned. "I needed help and I couldn't get your attention long enough until I started shouting at you!"

"Ha, Ha, can't help it when I'm eager. This job gets lonely."

"I can imagine." I chuckled.

"V-Vitya…"

"Hmm?"

"Look."

I looked down at what Yuri was pointing. I had walked. I knew what I had to get, had gone over and got the green bag and I just…walked. I didn't even think about it.

"Wow~ I did it!" I cried, looking over my scaled covered legs.

Yuri swam towards me. "Y-Yes! Now we can practice before we head home."

"Home?"

Yuri nodded. "Hmhmm, we are in the Pacific after all."

"So we…," I looked up, "we're under Japan then?"

Yuri's smile grew bigger and he nodded.

Notes:

TvT I don't know where I am headed with this, but I am going to try and keep this fun. XD