The mist formed into the unmistakeable shape of a genie.
"I am the Transformation Genie. I grant wishes to those who rub my lamp. One wish per person, either permanent or temporary changes and only mythical creatures. What is your wish?"
She had released the genie! Maybe there was hope for modifying her condition after all?
"Greetings, genie" Lydia said nervously. "My boyfriend found you several days ago and wished me into a mermaid. It was supposed to be temporary, but I changed a second time. What's going on?"
The genie regarded Lydia in silence for a few moments. "Ah, yes, I believe I remember the wish of which you speak. Days ago you say? Much longer for me." The genie's voice changed, matching the voice of Lydia's boyfriend perfectly: "Genie, I have long had a fantasy about making love to a mermaid. I wish for you to transform my girlfriend temporarily into a mermaid so I can fulfill this fantasy with her."
"That would be it" confirmed Lydia. "Why wasn't the change temporary?"
"You are clearly human now. So it is1 temporary."
"But I changed a second time. Why? Is it possible I will change again in the future?"
"The wish's wording is open-ended. How does one fulfill a fantasy?" The genie considered an appropriate metaphor. "It is not like a gold medal, to be won once and done. Your boyfriend will always fantasize about you."
"I don't mind changing into a mermaid. It was a shock at first, but I like it. I just don't like having almost no control over changing. I wish I could could temporarily transform myself into a mermaid, but have control over when I transformed."
The genie shook his head. "This I cannot do. You are already affected by your boyfriend's wish and I can only grant one wish per person."
Lydia jumped to her feet. "What? I thought restriction applied to the person making the wish. Now what am I supposed to do?"
"I suggest you be very careful about picking out new swimsuits."
Lydia began to pace the room, rapidly getting frustrated. The genie seemed to be of no help. Surely there was some loophole?
"I wish my boyfriend would know what it's like to be like this..." Lydia exclaimed.
"Granted" said the genie.
"What? No, wait!" said Lydia but it was too late: the genie had already disappeared in a puff of smoke and the lamp had vanished.
What had she done? She'd carelessly thought out loud and inadvertantly made a wish about her boyfriend - that was clear. But what had she wished him into? She was gripped by apprehension. She wondered if that's how her boyfriend felt when he'd realized what he'd done and wasn't sure of the full consequences of his wish.
Lydia knew she would find out soon enough...