You think about swimming away. The fish is barely as big as you are, but that still makes it the biggest fish you've ever seen. Except... you don't actually feel afraid of it. It's just a fish, after all, and not even something dangerous like a shark. You do feel a little uneasy realizing that it's just a common goldfish, which gives you a pretty clear idea of just how small you are. Small enough to put you in a plastic bag and give you away at the fair, you imagine with a shiver. You know that won't happen, though! Marisa said she would fix this, and why would she bother lying about that now?
"Er... Excuse me?" You freeze as you hear the voice of a young teenager, seemingly coming from the goldfish in front of you. That's impossible, though... isn't it? "Are you alright? You shouted really loud when I touched you... and now you're really quiet... Did... Did I hurt you? I didn't mean to!" For a moment, you think you see a distressed expression on his face, instead of the usual blank look goldfish usually had.
Something he said draws your attention more, though. He had heard you scream, even though you hadn't actually been able to? You frown at this, working your brain as hard as you can, not realizing as you start swimming in a little circle. After a minute you stop, turning to face the goldfish. "You can understand me?" you mouth, watching him hopefully.
He just stares back, looking confused. "Of course I can! I dunno why you're so surprised. Can't all mermaids talk to fish? That's how they work in all the books and movies and stuff! Maybe it's not true for real ones. I've never actually met a real one before! So maybe we can only talk because I'm a... a family, no... a familiar! We can all talk to each other, and sometimes people! If they listen... You'll listen, though, because you're a mermaid! You're really pretty, too..."
You were already underprepared for how much talking he was going to do, but what he says last you really hadn't expected. With how light you felt underwater, you had almost been able to forget that you were a girl. Hearing this complement, though, the truth comes back to you: not only are you female now, but you're naked. Blushing, you quickly cover your chest, so suddenly that it sends a light jolt of pleasure through your body. You feel a tingling from around where your tail connects to the rest of your body, but manage to resist investigating further. You realize that the goldfish is staring at you, so you look away, muttering, "So, what is it you wanted me to listen to?"
The fish frowned, looking like he was trying hard to remember. "Er... Oh! Me and the others, we all used to be human! That woman changed us into fish!" Your eyes widen a little at this discovery, though you're hardly surprised after everything the witch has done to you. "My name's Evan, by the way. Everyone calls me Splash, though. You can too, if you want! What can I call you?"
"I'm David," you tell him, then instantly regret it. This was embarrassing enough without people knowing you were a boy before. "Er... I mean... It's not really that, I just..."
The goldfish giggles, making you go silent. "I'm gonna call you Coral, cuz your skin keeps turning red." You're not sure you understand this logic, but you don't argue. Having a silly fish name is far less embarrassing than the alternative, and it's only temporary, right? "You're lucky I found you. One of the others might've given you a name that's less pretty. I'm really lucky too. No one else has ever found a newbie that's a mermaid!" You're still not sure what he's talking about, so you just nod along. It's not like you'll need to really know any of this stuff once Marisa gets you out of here. "Oh! That reminds me! I need to take you to the boss, Coral. It's part of the rules. If I don't, we'll /both/ get in trouble."
Boss? Now you're really confused. What sort of fish tank has a boss. Before you can ask any questions, though, Evan is already swimming off. Not wanting to be left behind, you follow as quickly as you can, discovering that you're actually faster than the goldfish. He takes you to a large plastic rock, which likely would've looked big even if you were normal size. There's an opening, with plastic seaweed covering it. Easy enough to get through, but difficult to see through. You feel the goldfish push you gently. "The boss is in there. I, uh... can't go in with you, though." You suspect this is a lie, but don't call him on it. It doesn't make you feel any better about meeting this boss, but... you're not some little goldfish, not really. You're human, with human strength and bravery and... all that other stuff you're sure you have somewhere.
After several deep "breaths", you finally swim through the plants. On the other side, you see...
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