Thanks to all that reviewed, I'm going to need lots of suggestions for the next chapter. I am not sure how I want this story to work out.
Chapter 3 "Problems with Water"
Tristen came in later. "He just wanted to know how I found you" He explained. "All better love" he said noticing the plates before her. Nina blushed. "Well you try eating only fish for months on end, everything tastes so good." She stood up wobbling a bit but much steadier than before. "You are getting better at it" Tristen remarked. Nina looked annoyed "Logan wasn't supporting me much basically he just held his hand out, he made me do all the work" She said annoyed. "But it helped" Tristen said. Nina was about to say something when Kitty came in. "The Professor told me to show you to your room, you can like take a shower and get all of the pool water out of your hair" Kitty said. Nina nodded to Tristen, "then I bid thee Farwell for now, o soggy knight" she said in a mock regal voice. Tristen smiled but bowed and answered. "Tis an honor to serve you, my lady." Nina walked slowly out of the room.
Kitty led Nina to a nice room down a long hall. "The girl's rooms are on this side, the teacher's wing is down there. Jean's room is over there is you ever need anything and mine is next to yours." Kitty opened a door and Nina looked in, "this is my room? Its huge", Nina said. "Yeah I felt that way too, your bathroom is through that door, I'll let you shower" Kitty left. Nina looked around, she had no extra clothes but there was something laid out, probably Kitty's by the vibrant colors. Nina went to the bathroom and got undressed. Then she turned on the shower, when the water hit her, her mind got confused and her legs became a tail and Nina slipped down to land hard on her butt. Her gills appeared and Nina was having problems breathing. Beginning to panic, Nina tried to remember what legs were like but the water confused her mind too much. She was in water, she should be a mermaid. Nina pulled the little plug up so she the tub would fill up. Good thing this is a big tub, she thought, the professor must have given her this one for a reason. Nina took the shampoo and cleaned her hair, then scrubbed her scales. When she felt she was clean she adjusted her hair so whoever helped her wouldn't get an eyeful and called out Professor, I have a small problem, she spoke to him. I'll send Jean over, the Professor answered. Jean entered moments later and was shocked to see Nina in the tub with her tail almost handing out. Forgive my indecency but can you show me what legs are like? Nina said, as she let the water drain out of the tub. Jean did so and watched and Nina's tail changed into legs, "amazing" she said. "Annoying," Nina corrected.
Nina changed into the nightgown Kitty gave her then got into the big bed. She began to dream then suddenly her eyes opened she couldn't breathe well. Nina clutched her hand to her throat and felt her gills. Shit, she thought getting up, some how she had halfway changed she had to get to water quick. Nina opened her door and stumbled down the stairs.
Logan had been having a late night beer when he heard something. A quick sniff told him it was the new girl, what was she doing up? Logan didn't trust people much; it took awhile for people to earn it. Logan waited, as she got closer, she definitely wasn't sneaking around by all of the noise she was making. Nina burst into the kitchen not even noticing him, as she remained intent on some purpose. Logan turned and watched as she fumbled with the screen door and then collapsed. Logan ran forward and looked at her, she wasn't breathing. Logan turned her over to see the gills in her neck quickly he picked her up and dropped her into the pool. Nina floated to the bottom then after a moment her tail appeared and she regained consciousness. Nina swam to the surface to see her rescuer. Thank you for your help; I don't know what happened, Nina said. Logan looked down "don't mention it kid, Now get some sleep," He said settling into a pool chair. Nina settled down to the bottom and fell asleep.
The next morning Nina woke up and surfaced. It was still early so she just stretched and sat on the steps on the shallow side. Logan appeared to be sleeping so Nina quietly sat there, attempting to adjust her hair to cover certain things since she had discarded her nightgown after she hit the water. Nina looked up at the sky and sighed heavily as she realized her predicament. "Kid if you need something just say so," Logan said. Nina looked up, oh I'm sorry; did I wake you? Logan stood up and shook his head a bit. "Strange hearing your voice in my head," he muttered. Nina swam over to him sorry if it bothers you but I really can't speak with my normal voice in this form she said Logan walked over "its ok kid it just something that needs getting used to, you want something to eat?" he asked. Nina shrugged, maybe a soda.
Logan walked to the kitchen while Nina reached for the professor's mind. Professor? She called. Xavier was in his study reading, yes Nina? He replied. I'm kind of in the swimming pool right now; I could use a bit of help. She replied pulling herself up to the edge of the pool. She turned as she heard someone coming forward. Logan walked forward with Tristen coming behind with a robe. Nina gratefully held up her hand for the robe and put the top on so she was partly covered. I'm ready professor she said. Xavier sent the information and Nina's tail turned to legs. Nina closed the robe the rest of the way and accepted Tristen's hand to get to her feet. Logan handed her a soda and the three silently walked to the kitchen. Nina perched on a stool and waited for the professor to come down. "What happened last night?' He asked gently. Nina fiddled with her hair. "I woke up with my gills and couldn't breathe, so I moved as quickly as I could downstairs and collapsed near the pool." She nodded at Logan; "I guess I had help the rest of the way" she finished. Xavier sat back thinking, "I will work on helping you with this problem but we need a place for you to stay at night. The pool isn't safe out it the open" Nina smiled, "the chlorine isn't too good for me either" she added. Tristen walked in "I have an idea, it's not exactly cheap but it would work for her nights"
Nina watched as Jean telepathically brought a huge box upstairs. It hit the floor and Logan pulled off the top and sides. Nina walked around the deluxe hot tub and smiled, "perfect" She said.
While the others went to school Nina worked with the professor to implant the memory of legs in her mind. She practiced switching back and forth, moving in and out of the water. When the others came home Kurt ported up to her room. "Come on we're having a water gun fight, or at least we will be once I get Kitty—wow nice hot tub" he said. Nina laughed, "This is my bed, I'll be down in a minute" she told him. Nina got out of the tub and concentrated on her legs. Her tail turned into legs and Nina got up and put a skirt on. She skipped down the stairs and heard the sounds of people laughing and having fun. Nina opened the door and looked out. Everyone was chasing each other around. Nina ran out and was immediately was hit with a stream of water. Her mind spun and her legs fused to a tail. Nina landed on her but quite shocked and confused. So did everyone else. Logan walked over to her (he was watching the water fight to make sure they didn't get powers into it) "Problem there kid?" He asked. Nina looked up quite crossed. If you don't mind I'm trying to change back before I suffocate she said. She closed her eyes and concentrated and her legs appeared again. "This isn't good," she said finally. "You ok" Tristen asked walking over. Nina smiled "yeah, just when the water hit me my mind got confused" Tristen reached for her hand, "then how about we abandon this silly game and go for a walk" He said with a bow. Nina smiled and walked off him while Logan just shook his head. "Strange kids" he muttered.
Later Nina explained her problem to the professor and he shook his head. "The only thing I can suggest is exposure to water a bit at a time. You can practice this weekend before you start school on Monday."
Saturday morning Nina joined in the training. Today was out in the mansion grounds; the objective was capturing the flag. Nina was on a team with Spike Kitty Jean, and a few others. Nina was part of the group that would try and take the flag. Kitty thought she saw the flag past Storm's gardens Nina had the ability to control waves; mostly water but she could also make waves of air by singing or yelling. She ran behind Spike as they went around the house. "Shoot! Move back, someone's coming" Spike said. They ducked into the shadows near the building and waited. When the person passed the two got up. Nina looked around and did a double take. There was something coming behind the mansion gate. "Spike what's that" she asked. Spike looked, "looks like Pietro, don't worry he can't get past mansion security, lets go tell the others" Spike said pulling her hand to go to the building.
There was a loud ground, as the gates seemed to pull them selves apart. Spike looked up panicked "That's not good" he said, "must be Magneto, that guy is rank" Spike pulled Nina again but stopped when a blur passed in front of them. "Stay behind me" Spike said, spikes protruding from his arms. Nina stepped behind him and watched as Spike tried to hit the blur, she could also see the others running over to investigate the fence. Nina looked at the gate and saw others coming through. She made a motion with her arm and sent a wave heading towards them knocking them down. The other students ran up to meet them attacking. Spike was cursing trying to get the blur moving forward a bit further away from Nina.
Nina looked up at a noise and saw a big crow sitting in a tree. Nina, are you ok the Professor called. Yes I'm fine Spike is fighting some fast thing by the garden. The professor paused, It'd be best if you came inside I have no idea what the brotherhood is after but it can't be good. Ok Nina thought. She walked over to the door when the crow dive-bombed her. Nina moved back startled into the garden. The crow changed into a blue scaly woman who smiled and picked up the hose. "Magneto has a use for you girl" the woman sneered. Nina backed up and held her hands up "Please don't, you can't—just don't" Nina pleaded trying to make it to the door. The woman laughed and turned on the water spraying Nina and causing her tail to appear knocking her straight to the ground. Mystique let the water run and turned around "your turn Magneto" she said walking out to join the fighting. Nina struggled to change her legs back but couldn't with the water constantly hit her. A piece of metal suddenly wrapped itself around her tail tightly. Another one wrapped around her arms. Nina struggled then found she airborne helpless as she was running out of air. No one fighting noticed Nina being carried off by some unseen enemy.
To be continued . . .