The Maxwell family landed in the small local airport on Key West just after noon, a van was waiting for them and within minutes the family found themselves approaching the transformation center. So far none of them had really spoken to each other about what was about to happen to them, none of them wanted to face it but it was here now. After checking in the family was lead to a meeting room with a projector and a small podium in the front.
“Welcome, I am Doctor Holly and I will be helping you with your transformation.” Said a young woman as she looked at the Maxwell family.
“So lets start with the basics, this is the transformation center, here you will go though your change and you will learn to swim before you are sent to the mer colony located 2 miles off shore.” Explained the Doctor
“Where we will spend the rest of our lives.” Complained Susan
“No, you can travel to the other cities if you should choose, some cargo ships have mermaid seating built into the haul so you can travel to the other cities if you should choose.” Explained Dr. Holly “Now I know that you are scared and confused so I will explain the processes. Each transformation is different and we don’t know what type of mermaid you will all be. Until the tail comes in we will not know but we do know how the process will start. Your gills will be the first to come in along with your ability to speak underwater and your skin will start giving off oil to protect itself from salt water after that the process becomes more random. Your gills will come in in one of three places, either the side of your neck, back behind your ears or the side of your rib cage.”
“Will that tell us what type of mermaid we are becoming?”
“Sadly no.” answered the Doctor
The family listened half heartily, as the doctor explained that there were seven major types of mermaids.
the classic fish tail mermaid with a totally human top and fish bottom, the kind that appeared in almost every movie, this one had a lot of subtypes with every mermaid having a different scale pattern.
The lion fish type which was the same as a normal mermaid but with more spines
the shark type which was a mermaid with a shark bottom.
An octopus type which looked like the Disney villain from the Little Mermaid
A crab type which was horrifying to look at, with armored plating and pincers for hands
An eel type, which looked like a snake with a human top
Finally sea horse type, which was strange and extremely rare.
The orientation when on as they began to explain how fast on average a mermaid could swim and that mermaids couldn’t dive down below 1200 ft without and how they have perfect vision for seeing in water. There was a good chance they would loss the ability to speak outside of water. They kept listening as the doctor explained everything about mer-society and promised that jobs where already lined up for Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell and the school arrangements had also been made for the children.
“When….when we become female how do we go about changing or names?” inquired Lucas Maxwell
“We can handle that with ease.” Reassured the Doctor
“And what about families?” inquired John with a sigh. He had broken up with his long term girlfriend once he had found out about his change, it was mutual and both of them where crying because they had promised each other that once both of them where done with college they would get married and start a family. “How do mermaids...have children?”
“The same general way humans do.” Explained Doctor Holly “Mermaids…don’t need a male to get pregnant they only need the biological material of another mermaid or merman. In fact we have a few people who both members of the relationship where pregnant at the same time and each mermaid species can have relationships with each other. Lesbian relationships are very common and highly acceptable. Same with nudity since the oil your skin gives off eats away at all none organic material within a week. We have some ready for you in your room should you want it.”
“Alright, I think that is enough for today can we get some sleep, I am tired.” explained Susan as her husband nodded his head.
“I agree, well lets go your rooms and we can begin in the morning.” Said Doctor Holly as the Maxwell family was lead to a room with ten king size beds built into the long walls.
“No blankets?” inquired Mary
“Who cares.” Countered her twin brother John as he fell onto the bed and found that even the pillow was attached to the bed. With a shrug the Maxwell family prepared for bed and quickly feel to sleep. None of them noticed that after they fell asleep small holes opened up along the floor as Sea water began to fill the room. They slept through it as the water level rose up pausing for a moment when it got to the sleeping Maxwells. The beds had bio monitors in them and once it was confirmed that their gills had come in the water filled the rest of the chamber. Bio monitors and the medical staff monitor everything ready to drain the room if needed. There was no need as the Maxwell slept through it and was breathing normally as their new gills took in sea water. It was found that doing it this way was less painful as people tried to fight against the idea of drowning, now they would wake up and find themselves breathing under water.