Submission (#1031) Approved

606 words (won't do shard count since you mentioned these don't need them!)

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"I can't believe you talked me into this, and I certainly can't believe we've wasted half our budgets in making it possible," Remiel was looking distastefully at the bottle of potion he'd just swallowed, waiting for the magic to take effect, shuddering at the fact it was likely going to alter his body in ways he really didn't want it to. However... the alternative had been to let Siwa go on her own, and she'd only had to look at him with hesitation once for him to realize she didn't want to go at it alone.

There was no come back from his companion, whom for once, stayed silent, rolling the bottle she had drunk in her hands, from one to the other, looking hesitant, and if he was reading her correctly... a bit remorseful. She opened her mouth, likely to apologize, if her body language was anything to go by, and to be fair, Remiel didn't exactly want that.

No one had MADE him do any of this. He hadn't been forced into it. She hadn't really talked him into it either, even if he'd said so a moment ago. This was his decision, and while he disliked the idea of going underwater, he had to admit he hated the idea of her being alone in some underwater grotto more than he disliked the depths. That had been the push he'd needed, and thus, before she could apologize, he rushed to continue, "Either way! You owe me dinner. You in fact owe me more than dinner. I require food and drinks when we emerge from this lunacy," he watched her mouth snap shut so he continued, "Also your company. You're not half bad company."

A small smile tugged at her maw, and rather than reply, looked at him with gratitude before stepping into the water, "Label says we need to actually touch water to trigger the transformation, Rem, get down here," she reached out with a hand and wrapped it around his ankle; he'd been hovering in the air, partially almost afraid to touch the water, and he allowed himself a full body shudder before touch sand, allowing the waves to lap at his fur, "Come... time's a wasting," she said as she waded into the water further, waiting for the transformation to take place.

When it did, it was not nearly as grotesque as Remiel had expected it to be; it was almost beautiful. Almost like she was destined for it. Most of her stayed the same, and the tail that grew forth was powerful enough to allow her to dive into the water with grace.

Making a face, he waded into the water after her, waiting for his transformation to take hold, hoping it would not hurt. Acquiring his wings hadn't... but you never know with magic and spells. Hissing under his breath, Remiel closed his eyes and a warmth enveloped him. It wasn't until breathing was... odd that he submerged himself, following after his companion into the water.

Taking better stock of himself, he realized he'd adopted a more lion fish like aesthetic, where his companion seemed to have favored a more mammalian one. A seal perhaps. She seemed to be the more powerful swimmer of the two, but with hesitancy, he followed her towards their destination, dread still bubbling in his stomach. He certainly was never made to be under water, that much was certain, but Siwa on the other hand took to it like a duck to water, with ease and precision, grabbing onto his wrist when she realized he was slower, and helping him move towards the distant grotto.

Reward	Amount
Seatouched Trait	1
Ethereal Shards	6