“Well swimming in the great Tank with the performers looks real interesting” your girlfriends started before getting a look of disappointment “But really I would imagine we’d need costumes of our own”. “Even with that great Bikini I knew you brought-” you then tried to ask. “Sounds of it you’ll be needing the kind of help me of a number of others can provide then” this cheerful female voice called from one of the booths connected to one of these big tents.
Turning to the booth in question you were greeted by this lady that looked to be maybe in her late 50 to early 60s wearing clothing often these days associated with textile work at the booth “You need tails I can supply you with tails” she continued. “Really?” your girlfriend beamed in joy. That all being said while what this lady had on display was high-grade work looking to the pint one could be forgiven for mistaking this for a sort of ‘genuine mermaid hide’ black-market style booth only out in the open in conventions, at a glance it was clear her displays were locking in stock “aren’t you running low?” you inquired. “Oh these are but display models dear” the lady assured “my daughter and I really do the main work inside”. “So you can make us tails for the swimming?” your girlfriend requested. “Both mermaids and mermen and we don’t judge. Might be a slight bit more costly but we can if you ask create upper-body add-ons making you look like a merman and your friend here a mermaid” the lady assured “Just got to go over your styles and colours”.
After having chosen a deep blue with a light blue fins and belt pattern for herself while you went for a dark green with fin series down the back for yourself, the lady escorted you both into the tent where it just so happened this mid-20s to maybe just turned 30 woman looking like the lady, maybe the daughter that was spoken of, was finishing up with this African-background 12 year old wearing a finished up pink tail alongside a simple green one-piece with a yellow outline. “So... your thoughts?” the woman asked the girl’s mother-figure that had been standing nearby. “Abeba are you sure you’d rather not have a green one?” the mother asked. “I love it” the girl answered happily. “Colour has no effect on the prize I promise you” the woman followed while Abeba pressed something on the bracelet-like yellow belt that split it in half to come off as she stood up. “Alright... as agreed” the mother accepted as she saw the lady. “Wait by the desk on my side and I’ll be with you shortly to do the payment” the lady requested.
“Ah... a male customer” the woman then said as she noticed you. “I’m with my girlfriend Katie” You assured. “My apologises it’s just I rarely get to do male tails for genuine males” the woman apologised “Oh I’m Aqua Trident by the way and I do believe you were brought in by my mum River”. “So you’re the one who makes these wonderful tails?” Katie happily guessed. “Yes and No... it’s a family business wherever we setup” Aqua corrected “so who’s first?”. “That would be Katie” you answer.
A moment later as Aqua got to her surprisingly fast yet detailed work while Katie was wearing her colour-matching bikini to her upcoming tail “I noticed that girl earlier pressed something on the belt you include with your tails?” Katie inquired. “Locking mechanism to keep them on and in place. Stops them slipping or getting forcibly pulled off while swimming” Aqua explained “Our tails don’t tare you should know”. “Sounds pricey” You noted. “*chuckle* only a tad more than the common online store ones” Aqua responded in humour before returning her attention to Katie “By the way are you interested in a matching seashell bra to go with your tail?”. “Oh you bet” Katie quickly agreed.
After that, you and Katie switching and some more chit-chat both of you somehow in the space of 45 minutes were fully prepared with tails for the swimming tank. “Wow Chris you really look dashing as a merman” Katie remarked in wonder while she took a photo of you with her phone in the finished result. “You think so?” you ask. “I know so” Katie insisted “And thanks for agreeing to save a photo of me undergoing my transformation through Aqua”. “Well you did ask” you assured.
Later once you were both redressed and had paid for the work “And now to the Tank” Katie announced as she led the way while carrying her new tail as she headed off: