The next few days, Arista would be visited by Bonnie and Caroline as Bonnie studied dusty, old books to find a way to change her back to her original form. The company was certainly nice, but Arista couldn't help but feel that having to meet in Damon's bathroom every day was a little ridiculous. And as much as he tried to hide it, she could tell he wasn't fond of having his personal space intruded on every day.
"You would think in one of these stupid books would be a way to reverse a spell like this." Bonnie's frustrated voice cut through Arista's wandering thoughts as the witch tossed another book aside. Caroline lowered the book she had been skimming, rubbing at her eyes as though the print was wearing on them. Arista had wanted to help look, but was scared she may drop one of the books in the tub with her, so she simply watched the other two. Another downside to her current predicament.
"Right? I can't imagine this is some weird new form of magic." Caroline set her book down on the floor, looking to Arista. "You don't happen to remember how she turned you, do you?"
"No, unfortunately." Arista shook her head, looking over the ever-growing pile of useless text. They were running out of sources for this and her brow furrowed. "Maybe we can just change me again."
"What?" Both girls looked up with wide eyes and she shrugged.
"It's possible this is who I am now. So...maybe we have to enact a new spell that doesn't revert me back, but changes me again." There was a moment of silence before Bonnie sprang into action, scrambling for one of the books closer to Caroline.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?" She flipped quickly through and the other two girls leaned over to see what she was doing. Bonnie stopped on a page in a language that Arista didn't quite understand, mouth moving along silently as she read. "Here!" She pointed triumphantly, looking up. "It's not a real solution, mind you. But it will help us in the right direction."
"What is it?" Excitement and anxiety twisted in Arista's gut as she leaned as close as the tub would allow.
"Well, that's the thing. I'd have to...re-curse you." Bonnie's voice tapered off towards the end, her previous triumphant look fading to one of uncertainty. "Basically put you back to how we found you."
"Oh…" Sinking back a bit, Arista looked unseeingly at her tail as she thought that over. It would be nice to escape this tub, but it would put them back to square one. It was for the best; at least with her legs back during the day, she could help more. As she opened her mouth to answer, Damon waltzed in, Elena and Stefan behind him.
"What's the news, girls? Any progress?" It didn't take an idiot to see that Damon had become impatient waiting for a solution. Or, Arista thought, perhaps he was impatient to get his space back.
"We think we have a temporary step in the right direction." Caroline worded the response carefully, looking between the mermaid and the witch. Sitting up straighter, Arista met Damon's gaze.
"We have to curse me. Again." She could see the nearly imperceptible tightening of his jaw, his eyes going hard.
"That's your solution? Make it worse?" Stefan glanced to his brother, likely sensing the anger that was slowly filling the room.
"Not worse, Damon." His gaze skittered to Arista, softening ever so slightly. She tried not to think on it too much as she continued. "Just...back where we started. So I can at least have legs." So he could have his space back. So they could go back to what had quickly become their normal.
"Are you sure?" His voice was softer, and he didn't seem to notice that all eyes had turned to him, save Elena, who was staring at Arista. Shifting slightly under the young woman's gaze, Arista focused back on Damon.
"Yes. It's only the first step towards a better solution." Silence rang out as everyone considered her words.
"Fine." Damon turned towards Bonnie, any softness Arista had seen now gone. "What do you need?" As Bonnie listed the ingredients to the group, Arista couldn't stop her stomach twisting with hope. She'd have legs again, even temporarily; they may think it wasn't good enough, but it was an amazing development for Arista. Soon, everyone departed, leaving Arista with Damon. Moving to sit next to the tub, he looked at her silently for a few minutes.
"What?" She wasn't sure how much longer she could sit quietly as he stared. Self-consciously, she tucked her tail more out of view, the movement drawing his gaze.
"Are you sure you want to go back? To...that?" His voice was soft, almost as though he was worried he would scare her.
"Surely, you'd like to have your room back. Especially the bath." Arista kept her tone light, giving a small smile.
"You know you can stay here as long as you need." His answer was quick, and she dropped her gaze.
"I don't wish to intrude." Damon opened his mouth to respond, interrupted by his phone ringing. With a growl, he stood to answer it, moving out the door as his conversation began. And just like that, she was alone again; however, for the first time, she felt happy. Lighter. She was going to be free, even if it was going to be conditional.