“I still can believe aunt Amber got you to agree to this when dad suggested it” 14 year old Colette happily pondered to her mum as her father drove them to their destination. “If only to get her to abandon this stupidity she’s got herself stuck in” Colette’s mother returned with crossed arms in the front seat. “You weren’t thinking that when my cousin Jessica suggested it to help her 4 years back” Colette’s father pointed out. “At the time I was expecting it to be costumes and only a month or two. Not real and permanent” Colette’s mother countered.
Colette herself wasn’t really sure what had happened as she hadn’t actually seen her aunt Amber since this incident at whatever or wherever she had gone to after the overturn. Only that it had started as some mental health help after the time in jail.
Before that though Colette knew well, how her mum’s younger Sister Amber had been dating this Gym Coach with a surprise degree in Accounting and him even showing hints of proposing. Only then to be found dead in his apartment with a knife in the back of his neck, some strange woman coming forward counter-claiming to be his girlfriend, then Amber herself getting arrested and convicted by the following year of the crime.
Then 4 years ago evidences was found that exonerated Aunt Amber but problems she experienced in prison had done a number on her mental health yet thankfully dad’s cousin Jessica knew of a place that could help and apparently it did...
...problem was for reasons mum never talked about after Aunt Amber chose to stay for good. Kept in touch of course but every time mum got mad and tried to talk her to leave even though Jessica assured everyone the place was no cult...
...Then there was now. Her parents’ job requiring them overseas for the summer and in a place no-one under 18 (Which Colette was at 14 herself) could legally go to and for one reason or another most family members were not in position to take her in their care in the meantime. At least until dad suggested Aunt Amber and called and she easily agreed. “Besides it’s not as if Colette’s required to undergo the process herself during the stay” dad then stated. “Still say we should have argued stronger to your siblings” Mum argued.
However before Colette could ask anymore questioned she was taken aback by where her dad had just driven into. Their town’s local branch entry of MentalFin’s resort. “MentalFin’s? Aunt Amber lives here?” Colette questioned in amazement. “Yep. Cousin Jessica knows the place from her therapy work” Dad admitted “Now you can maybe guess why I suggested not bringing your Swimming tail with us”. “I can’t guess even more why mum could hate this place? I mean this place is amazing and I just don’t mean the real mermaids they have here” Colette called out in wonder. “Which besides costumes should have remained a fantasy” Mum muttered.
After parking up Colette helped her dad get her things out of the car that had been packed for the stay “Having any second thoughts Colette?” Mum then asked. “You kidding mum. This is a dealmaker” Colette returned just as mum started trying to neaten her short and messy light-brown hair. “And honestly will you ever try using combs daily?” mum then asked. “STOP IT” Colette complained while pulling herself away while pulling said comb out of her green Dungarees front pocket “Why do you think I prefer my hair short?”. “Forget it. Let’s just go inside” Dad assured as he led Colette and Mum off.
It wasn’t long into the central building when Colette and her parents met the receptionist “Oh...good afternoon. Do you have a reservation?” the male receptionist asked. “No we are here to see Amber Ashford” My dad answered “I’m her brother-in-law Lewis Jordon”. “Her sister Ruby” Mum followed. “And I’m her niece Colette” Colette happily included. “Ah right. Amber did say you were coming and why” the receptionist responded before looking over then calling “ASHLEY”. “Need some- ah Ruby. Long time” this light-gray business suited long-raven haired woman responded and approached in turn. “You should know I’ll sue you if this goes bad when we get back” Mum warned. “Under the circumstances both Colette here and your sister need to give the OK during the say but your permission is needed beyond then if Colette chooses which by your words assures it” Ashley assured “Anyhow I need to escort you to where Amber will be waiting”.
Before long Ashley had escorted Colette’s family to the main pool area that was closed for the day and was deserted bar this long-ponytailed redheaded mermaid with a deep navy-blue tail and wearing a black sports two-piece top was seated on this outline. One Colette recognised quickly “Aunt Amber”. “Colette. Wow you’ve gotten tall” Amber responded as Colette and her parents reached her with Ashley right before Niece and Aunt hugged. “I don’t believe it. Your one of the resort’s mermaids” Colette then pointed out. “One of their limited permanent mermaids” Amber assured. “And best crowd pleaser with the physical activates” Ashley added “Didn’t your mum tell you?”. “Sorry but no. Ruby wasn’t exactly happy that I chose to remain a mermaid after my original timeframe for recovery was up” Amber apologised. “Oh I see” Ashley accepted.
“AS I still believe you’re under the mental conditioning” Ruby stated. “Nonsense. We’d be shaming our founder doing so” Ashley argued. “Mental conditioning?” Colette asked. “Quirk of how the mental healthcare part of MentalFin works Colette. Basically for a select period of time when usually first transformed your mind is put into a kind of autopilot, help you get used to the changes and easily fit in with activities” Amber started “That said as a relative of a transformed staff member. If you want to be a mermaid you can skip that part”. “Really? I can be a genuine mermaid?” Colette asked in wonder. “Collette is a gifted swimmer, even more in mermaiding” Lewis followed. “Can’t you just change back while looking after Colette?” Ruby meanwhile inquired. “Bit late for that now as the process either way takes 4 days remember” Amber pointed out before asking Colette “our choice and we do have some means for you to try while here if you choose otherwise?”. “Alright then” Colette accepted: