The girls swam through the curtain. They found themselves in a massive chamber lined with towering statues of nude mermaids. On the far end of the chamber was a coral platform with a staircase that led up to a golden throne studded with pearls the size of baseballs. On the throne sat a mermaid of inhumanly divine beauty, even relative to other mermaids. Her remarkably long tail had iridescent scales which gleamed with all the colors of the rainbow, and her shining platinum hair floated enticingly in the warm water. Pearl necklaces rested atop her naked breasts, and she wore golden bracelets on her wrists and tail. Jeweled piercings dangled from her ears, nipples, and belly button. Her golden eyes radiated gentleness and wisdom. This had to be Queen Tethys.
Jenn swam up to the throne and tried to fold her transformed body into a kneeling position, which wasn't easy without legs. "Greetings, your majesty," she said. "I'm Jennifer Dean, a new arrival. You can call me Jenn if you like. I've come here with my girlfriend Olivia Hansen, my college roommate Kelly Porter, and Kelly's girlfriend Carmen Rodriguez. We are here to present ourselves to you before we start our pod."
Queen Tethys smiled kindly at the new mermaids. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am honored to have you as my subjects. I trust you're enjoying your new lives?"
"Very much," Jenn smiled. "I feel more connected to my girlfriend than ever, and I've gained a new... appreciation for my other friends as well. And it's just so magical down here! I don't ever want to go back to life as a human."
"Agreed," Olivia nodded. "This tail is amazing, and I can't wait for it to propel me on to incredible adventures!"
"I feel like a total badass now!" Carmen grinned. "It's like I could beat up a fucking shark!"
"Psst!" Kelly whispered. "Don't swear in front of the queen."
"It's perfectly alright," Queen Tethys said with a reassuring smile. "She clearly meant no disrespect. New arrivals have a right to be excited to join the ranks of my mermaids. Are you enjoying yourself, Kelly?"
Kelly thought about it, not wanting to be rude and also unsure of her own emotions. "I... I don't know. This new body looks and feels really good, and your undersea kingdom really is impressive, but I was just tossed into this world with no warning. I never had a chance to consent to this, and I barely know anything about where I am or what I am."
Queen Tethys looked at Kelly sympathetically. "I'm sorry, young one. The artworks that bring humans to my lands can strike suddenly and without warning. None of us know who created them, but all I can do is help the new arrivals settle in. On that note, is there anything I can do for any of you?"
Carmen raised her caramel-colored hand. "Yes! I'd like to have a dick. It won't change me into a dude, right?"
"Of course it won't," Queen Tethys chuckled. "You will remain female in face, voice, and bosom. Only your genitals will change."
"Awesome!" Carmen grinned. "I'm not trans or anything, but I've always wanted a dick. How can I get one?"
"You must visit the palace shrine and ask my priestesses to perform a ritual on you," Queen Tethys explained. "Just so you know, the ritual is of a very sexual nature. Are you comfortable with that?"
Carmen nodded with a lustful grin. "I am."
"Then I hope you enjoy your new penis," Queen Tethys said. "If you or your friends need anything else before setting off as a pod, please return to me. I hope you four have a wonderful life together in Aquaris."