Fishy Wishes

“Make your wish then.”

The Djinnis expression was sour as she threw her jewelry laden hair loudly over her shoulder.

“Look kids- I don’t have all day- one wish each and that’s it.”

“Only one?” Elliana scoffed- “thought the going rate was three?”

“Three people- three wishes- a wish each.”

The Djinni counted out on her fingers in front of Elli. “I didn’t realize they didn’t teach you basic arithmetic at this fancy magic school. So it’s a wish each or none at all.” She waved her finger infront of Ellis face before magically reappearing to sit comfortably on Elliana’s bed.

“As I said- Make it snappy kiddos.” She snapped her fingers.

Elli stepped forward first. Patience was never her strong suit and she wasn’t about to start now.

“I want to have an irresistible voice.”

“Ok- the spoiled elf wants that, she ignored Ellis protests at the nickname, and you?” She pointed to Ory who hesitated for a few moments.

He furrowed his brow- “I guess I want my dad to come back- like to spend time with in a nice non- you mess around with my wish way?”

She smiled and dropped her face into her palms.

“Ok sure whatever, fluffball- one family reunion coming up.”

“And you.” She looked over to Zeffi.

“You who smells like kin- what do you want?”

Zeffi looked over to check on Ory and Elli before whispering her wish. “I wish for- for-“

Stumbling over her words she attempted to state something- but fell off into an incomprehensible ramble. “Oh a shy one, how cute.”

The Djinni disappeared in a cloud of rose scented shimmer, appearing on Zeffis shoulder.

“Whisper it to me then.”

After conferring for a minute she nodded and snapped her fingers.

“How very thoughtful.”

“Ok- voice, dad and boyfriend.” The Djinni pointed to each witness and then mockingly blew out her fingers like Ory had seen Eras do with his firearms.

“Should see results within a day- something, something no takebacks, whatever. I’m off to the city of brass to work on my tan. Bye losers!”

The lamp and its inhabitant dissolved into shimmering sand before disappearing completely.

Elli was the first to break the silence- “So… is my voice charming yet?” She looked down her nose at Ory. “Kneel!”

Ory began to drop to a knee as Elli beamed and clasped her hands together-

He then stood up instead and broke into laughter.

“Guess you’re not half as irresistible as you thought.”

Turning a bright red, Elli clenched her teeth and placed her hands to her thighs. “Oh yeah? 10 gold says your dad is a good for nothing deadbeat.”

“Elli!” Zeffi tried to intervene.

“You really wanna go there huh?” Ory shrugged. “You know what, I can’t even be bothered with this right now. I’m in a great mood.”

“I’m about to get to see my dad and 10 gold.”

Zeffi looked down at the photo of Ianis that was her crystals lockscreen, and wondered what he’d look like as her friends squabbled in the background.

Maybe he’d need new pants- since he’d no longer have a tail.

“Guys- I’m- gonna go…. get Pants…”

Was what they heard as Zeffi hurried herself out of Ellis dorm.

Seeing her leave Ory also excused himself- throwing up peace signs and telling Elli:

“Later, hater.”

Elli slumped back into her large chaise as she was finally able to rest. With a wave of her mage hand she closed the door and settled in with a musical script that she had loaned from Quintillius.

Before long she had fallen into a gentle rest, lucidly dreaming of what she could accomplish with a voice that was irresistible.

She stood on the threshold of her parent’s estate- the milky evening hues of twilight painting the sky. Sorry, her estate. She corrected herself. After demanding they relinquish everything to her and exiling themselves to a quaint cabin on the far reaches of their, no, her property. A spelljammer took to the sky on the Horizon- her brother receiving the capital necessary to leave, off to wherever- Faraday in tow to not be seen again- or at least in a hundred or so years.

Looking back down- now she was on a theatre stage- voice beautiful, strong and flawless as she performed the lead role. Smiling as she looked across the crowd, drunk on admiration. Spinning in a gown shining with thousands of gems, applause and roses raining down from the eaves.

Until one of her feet caught on the other and she fell.

Hitting the ground- Elliana woke with a start, heart thumping and body aching.

She picked herself shakily off the rug next to the couch and looked around. The colors of light in her room suggested that her nap had been far more involved than she expected.

“Fuck!” Her crystal read 5pm- had she seriously slept for 4 hours? Judging by several texts by the cheerleading team, she was super late for rehearsals.

She leaped to her wardrobe- it would be easy to slip into some track pants and a sports bra and run over to the field. She assured the chat she’d be there in 15 and began to take off her clothes.

That’s when her finger caught on something at her waist. A single pearlescent fingernail shaped object- stuck on top of her skin.

She checked her hands.

Everything seemed normal- each nail was still perfectly manicured and all of the miniature rhinestones and pearls remained, so what the fuck was that?

Returning to her side, Elliana yelped.

There were now three of the things- two sliding from her skin.

Zeffi watched in awe as a scale melted away on Ianis’ face. “It’s working! Look! Look!”

She pulled a mirror from a nearby drawer in her Dorm room and shoved it into his clawed hands.

Zeffi followed with a hug- wrapping him tightly in her arms.

“I- I can’t see if you’re-“

She detached herself enough that he could hold the mirror to his face. He watched quietly as his eye changed- the slitted pupil widening into a normal circle.

Zeffi vibrated happily next to him on her bed. “At first I was worried- I- I thought she would- twist my wish, but you’re not in any pain!”

“Hah no pain..” Ianis watched more scales dissapear and ran his fingers gently across the skin. “Just- so, strange.”

“You said that Elli and Ory were there too- what did they wish for?”

Ory felt his crystal vibrating in his pocket. The surface lit up with a message. “Hey buddy- have you got time to hang out with your old man?”

Ory almost dropped his crystal- but managed to fumble it into his off hand.

What would he even say? Where have you been? Why didn’t you keep in touch? Why did you leave mum?

No, no he had to play it cool. Be cool Ory. You’re a cool guy.

“Yeah I’m free this weekend.”

The response animation of a winged letter flashed for an uncomfortably long time before his phone vibrated again.

“Meet you on Saturday morning at the main gate champ!” The message was followed by a gloved hand, a bat and a ball.

Ory grinned. He was absolutely going to be 10 gold richer and get to finally spend time with his real dad.

He sent Elli a text.

“Hope you’re ready to pay up.”

Elli could feel the message go off in her pocket as she bolted for her life to the nurses office. She was now sporting a sizable patch of ‘nails’ on her left thigh each hewn together in a perfect order, much like scales. More concerning however was the ache that reverberated up her leg with each step she planted.

The courtyard was alive with student activity, so Elli slowed her sprint to a more casual jog. The last thing she wanted was to draw any attention from-

Elli caught Vadeks glance.

The butterflies in her stomach started up again.

He looked concerned.

She attempted to smile to put him at ease and waved a little.

Then her left foot crumpled.

She’d sprained plenty of ankles and taken many bumps in her cheerleading career before- but Elli could tell something was really bad this time. Whimpering under her breath she lifted her foot only for it to not respond at all.

“Elli- are you okay!?”

The crowd she’d hoped to avoid quickly gathered.

“Someone please take me to the nurses office.”

Her voice sounded… different, musical even.

As the words left her mouth she saw a strange colored light settle into the eyes of her classmates and other students.

“I will take you.”

Pom leaned down and gently scooped Elliana off the ground and began carrying her on her way.

Usually shed have reservations about being Princess carried by a troll of all things- but given the fact that her exposed knees were beginning to get coated with shining scales, the smell and strange gait could be ignored.

Elliana closed her eyes - this was the fucking worst. She just wanted to have a great voice, why was she growing scales. Why was it getting hard to breathe?

Opening her mouth to breathe as deep as possible still felt like she wasn’t getting enough air.

Bang! Bang!

Elli was shocked awake as Pom slammed his fist against the door to the nurses office.

“Yes yes, hold your horses-“

The door swung open to reveal Nurse Istrilda- a soft, round woman wearing purple robes, who adjusted her glasses as she looked up at Pom and Elli.

“Miss Ashshadow? Again?”

Elli used her draining energy to look towards the graying nurse.

“Good Mystras grace, child you look awful. Pom- please be a dear and pop her on the bed.”

The glow in his eyes faded and for a second a look of confusion crossed his face.

“Do it.”

Elliana exhaled shakily.

Her magic reasserted- Pom very carefully navigated the office and lowered Elli onto the bed.

“That’s all, Thank you- Pom.”

As he left the office. Elli could hear-

“What was I doing?”

As Mrs. Istrilda closed the door behind him.

“So dear, should I reserve you a bed from now on?”

She laughed as she pulled the window curtain closed- shielding them from a growing murder of crows settled there.

Elli wanted to have a witty comeback- but it was proving laborious to just breathe manually.

“So what’s the-“

The nurse blanched at Elli.

“What is this? What’s happening? Why are you growing- Elliana? are these fish scales?”

Elli was too focused on trying to breathe.

She motioned to the nurse in a strangling way.

“Oh! You- you’re choking? No, no you can’t breathe?”

Elli nodded.

“Well-“

The nurse pressed against strange ridges in her neck.

“These look like Gills developing.”

Elli shot up and looked over at the desk- pointing furiously to the mirror.

“An irresistible voice?

Not gonna lie that sounds kind of vague.”

Zeffi had to admit Ianis was right, in wish terms she’d heard of Efreeti twisting wishes due to non specifics. But her wish was working- so it should be fine.

Ianis pushed his hair from his very human looking face. It was so strange seeing the de-fleswarping process reflected back at him.

The changes had worked their way into his hands and legs, normal fingernails replacing his former talons. Zeffi happily helped him trim them back to a reasonable length and then begged him to let her paint them with at least a strengthening polish. To which he relented.

His tail had gotten way smaller too, Zeffi noted

“You don’t have to fuss so much over me.”

“But I want to! I want you to be comfortable.”

Zeffi sat next to him and rested her cloudy head on his shoulder.

“Im allowed to be worried about you, especially if you’re changing shape.”

He stuck his tongue out at her- and passed the mirror back.

“I wonder if Professor Janus would be able to recognize me.”

“Oh! We should absolutely pay them a visit!”

Zeffi looked him over and blushed a little purple as his cheeks were visible under his shrunken tail.

“Maybe after you can fit in these pants!”

She lifted them to cover her face and laughed.

“Ah yeah good idea. Don’t wanna be caught with my ass out. Do you mind?”

He used the replacement pants to hide the tail hole.

“Guess we’re going pants shopping on the weekend.”

Ory paced around inside his lamp.

Glancing briefly at the rocking roc, but instead opting to work out his thoughts on the pommel horse instead.

He internally debated about possibilities for the weekend. Should he keep it a secret? I mean obviously students are gonna know when he rocks up on Saturday, but should he tell his mum?

Maybe not… He can handle it. He’s a cool guy, with a cool dad and-

“Oh yeah! I guess I can tell the dream team!”

He snapped his fingers and teleported himself out of the lamp. Divas Mal was staring into his crystal and looked a bit shocked when Ory appeared.

“Oh you’re here? My apologies- I had assumed you’d be in the nurses office?”

Ory cocked his head-

“No, why?”

Divas Mal scrolled for a moment and turned his crystal towards Ory.

The video featured Elli running. Whoever had been recording was focused on her upper body. But quickly zoomed out as she lost her balance and fell dramatically to the ground. Some silly music was playing in the background. Then the video looped.

Divas Mal went to remove his phone.

“Wait. I wanna watch it a couple more times.”

Ory laughed to himself as Elli smashed into the grass.

Divas Mal got bored after the third play and took his phone back.

“So she’s at the nurses office now, Vadek said. His ravens say she looks like if you’d excuse me- shit.”

Ory shrugged.

He wasn’t about to go running after miss stuck up when he could go tell his dream team the good news. But he’d at least send Zeffi a message about it- maybe attach the video.

Eatingshit.mp4

“Hey Zeff- Elli is in the nurses office.”

“Ta-da!”

Ianis turned on the spot to show off to Zeffi. The pants were a little tight around his butt- (which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing) but they weren’t uncomfortable he assured her.

From head to toe- Ianis was free from the fleshwarping that had been done to him.

Her phone buzzed silently, but she was too busy talking about what they would need to get and borrow, shoes and socks for example.

“Maybe we could ask someone with similar sized feet?” Zeffi offered.

“Not a bad idea.”

“Let’s chat with professor Janus- they might have spares we could borrow for the weekend at least.”

Zeffi clapped her hands together, “To the faculty office.”

Nurse Istrilda hesitated, but handed the mirror over anyway.

Elli gasped in shock- her eyes had become slitted, scales dusted her cheeks and her ears had begun to deform into fins.

Angling the mirror to her neck- she gasped as the gills bloomed open in tandem on her neck.

“Well there they are- oh-“

Elliana could feel herself starting to black out- the gills drawing in too much oxygen.

“Stay with me, dearie. Here.”

A cup full of water was shoved roughly against her neck- and her gills went to work. She took in a large breath. Suddenly she was feeling way better.

“Ok Elliana- good. I need you to hold this cup to your neck.”

The nurse pulled her hands to the cup.

“Keep the pressure on honey.”

“What’s happening to me?”

She was struck by how pretty her voice sounded.

“From the sound of that- and the fact that you cast a charm spell unintentionally-

You’re becoming a Siren sweetheart”

“A what?”

“A carnivorous subspecies of merfolk- you know, lures sailors to their deaths?”

“No, that’s impossible.”

Elli shook her head emphatically, spilling water onto the sheets. The nurse stood up and used the sink to fill another cup with water.

“Improbable yes, impossible no.”

She placed the second cup onto the nearby table, turning to several medical manuals shelved above her desk.

“Now we’ve had merfolk students before- no Sirens- but this should give us an idea where you’re heading.” She took the book back over to the bedside.

“Heading!? Excuse me I need you to stop it!”

The glow entered the nurses eyes for a second before she shook it off.

“Miss Ashshadow! If I could help you return to normal- I would! But you’re experiencing the effects of a wish spell, which I could only remove with another wish.”

Elliana deflated.

“Here is a diagram of a Sirens physiology.”

The illustration was of a cruel looking mermaid with long hair and shining tail.

“So the main difference is teeth and claws, a Siren is  usually a swifter swimmer and of course, their innate charm magic.”

Elli averted her gaze to the ceiling. Her legs were completely numb.

Istrilda placed the book back into the shelf.

“Now- I hate to have to do this, but Elliana- I’m going to need to cut away your skirt, underwear and socks. You’re transforming pretty fast- and we don’t want to have any complications with your tail.”

Nodding and choking down tears Elli agreed.

Nurse Istrilda took a large pair of scissors and began to cut away the skirt.

Her thighs were coated completely in scales and fused together around the knee.

“Oh good we’re not too late.”

She cut away the underwear as well- sliding it through the shrinking gap- using a sheet to return Ellis modesty.

“It looks like your legs are well on their way, and your feet-“

She pulled off Ellis socks.

“Are forming into your tail fin.”

Thankfully it wasn’t painful- her toes stretching, separating- fanning out.

Her legs merged together too- growing longer and pulling off the end of the bed.

The nurse placed the clothing on her chair.

“Now I’m going to use this plant mister to keep you hydrated-“

Elli could only flick her tail up and down in irritation as tiny water droplets were sprayed onto her skin.

Nurse Istrilda summoned a mage had to focus on spraying Elli with the mister while she shuffled through the papers on her desk.

“We’re going to need to prepare some accommodations for you, luckily as I mentioned you aren’t the first merfolk to attend Strixhaven… where was it- oh. Here!”

In her hand was a small wheeled chair, which she placed onto the floor.

“And-“ she tapped the chair with a matching wand. It ballooned to a normal size. “A wheeled chair! And even better- this one-“ she said a few command phrases- “is perfectly suited to merfolk.

The chair changed to a blueish hue, water tanks appeared on the back and it sprouted a long tail rest covered in soft sponge material.

Elli could feel something dislodge in her mouth and she instinctively spat them into a hand taken from the cup. Four perfect white teeth.

“Ahhh?” Holding her mouth open-

“Your new fangs are coming in.”

Nurse Istrilda brought over a cloth for her to dab at the empty holes with.

“Now Sirens use their fangs and claws to consume prey in the wild, but you shouldn’t have any need to hunt here, though I’d politely ask you to refrain from eating any of the student body.”

She began to laugh but then was abruptly stopped when Elli shot her a withering glare.

“What I mean- well, I guess it’s not all bad news! As long as you stay hydrated you can comfortably exist outside water and any creature that can hear you is very likely to obey your commands. A literal sirens call and all that.”

Elliana rolled her eyes and pointed to the mirror once more.

“Yes, of course.”

Istrilda held it up while Elli observed her new appearance- her missing teeth had regrown- now incredibly sharp cutting things. Small scales lined her cheekbones and ran out to her ears- which looked much like fins. Her eyes looked sharper- the shape had changed slightly giving her an intense more angular look.

“This isn’t what I meant at all”

“Well, my dear, you perhaps…”

Before Istrilda could finish she cut herself off, looking at the crushing sadness that painted Eliana’s face.

“Oh you made a mistake, honey- but it’s not all bad. Look at your pretty tail.”