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Once I was sure Helena knew where her room was, I opened the door to Cecelia's room for the fox, who quickly dragged the tank in.

The fox parked the tank onto the beach, and I climbed up on the side of the tank, grinning at the Siren. I held out an arm so I could lift her out of the tank.

I just might. Comeon, I'll help you into the water.

I chuckled. Don't worry. I may not be as strong as Finita but I'm not a weakling either.

I wrapped my arm around Cecelia as she swam closer, lifting her gently out of the tank. I flicked my tail, and a set of stairs formed under me, made of the same materiel of my little fox spirit (who was gone). Letting go of the tank I was now holding Cecelia bridal style with her tail curling over my head. I headed down the steps until my feet hit the sand, and I gently set her down into the water on the shore. The stairs vanished, and I sat next to her on the sand. Indeed I was all wet, but I didn't really care.

I would! I said with a grin. I am ever so curious as to what your room looks like! It's obvious what is above the waves... what what is under them? I said, curious.

I looked out across the waves, at the island. It had palm trees and a hammock set up, while not being too far away from the beach. There was a rock for Cecelia to wrap her tail around and sing and sun... but all I could make out below the waves was waves of colorful coral. What else was there?

I closed my eyes and let Cecelia kiss me; It was quick, understandably.

Nothing seemed to happen at first, before I felt a tingle in my shape shifting. I felt my Kitsune powers ebb away, to be replaced by a humanoid body more suited for the sea. Looking down at myself I was now a siren myself, with a long finned tail and shimmering white glossy scales.

I looked at my hands, before I smiled at Cecelia, before flipping into the water and diving in.

I found myself swimming along the sea floor, over a sandy part of the beach. I looked up, watching my silver hair swirl around me, waiting for Cecelia to join me in the depths.

This is... wow. This is what it's like to be a real siren! My voice had changed too, taking on a bit more of a musical quality to it, similar to the way Cecelia's had when she had changed.

Ratchet finished the dishes and dried off his hands. Not really wanting to talk to anyone, he wanted to be alone. Maybe he would sneak into one of the girls rooms to be alone in some nature setting for a bit. Nature calmed his nerves, weather is was a large forest or a booming ocean, he found it all to be very soothing.

Leaving Finita with the new girl he quietly headed for the rooms. Spending a bit of time in the peaceful silence actually sounded like a good idea. Not noticing that Silvia and Cecelia were in the Siren's room, Ratchet quietly entered.

Taking his shoes off at the door he allowed the warm sand to get stuck in his toes, smiling this reminded him of when he was a small boy and he would take trips to the beach. Letting out a sigh of frustration he walked the shoreline.

Warm waves greeted his feet as he did so. The contractors did a wonderful job on these rooms. It's like an actual ocean. Maybe, if Finita doesn't mind I could have them maybe put a small pond or something in my room? Something calming to look at? he thought with a smile as he found a spot to sit and stare at the small island.

Taking a moment to look at his reflection in the clear water he frowned. The man before him seemed tired and worn. Placing a hand to his face Ratchet was overcome with sadness.

What's wrong with me? All these sudden emotions. Come to think of it they started with the first ritual. At first I thought they were just the jitters but now I'm not so sure. I'm not really sure about anything anymore. It's so very hard to look at these women still..why am I so afraid of them? Even Silvia, the woman I love? Finita just expects me to get used to all of this overnight, maybe for her and the other women it's easier. I can't help but still picture what they used to be like, what they used to look like. laying back in the sand he stared up at the fake tropical ceiling in the sky.

There were even painted flying birds high up. With the sound the waves were making it was quiet and soothing. Ratchet's heart was strangely breaking. Everything was just happening too fast. These women were changing right before his eyes, inside and out. Cecelia, for example, shed that timid and shy woman he had talked to before she transformation. She was now a bit flirty and maybe haughty. Sirens kind of frightening him a little as well, after hearing their story.

Sure they had died in a red poison of some kind, which was very callous, but who knows how many men were gobbled up before that? Silvia was beautiful and wonderful, but what if he accidentally pulled or touched one of her tails one day? Did that mean he would end up with a curse. There just seemed to be some kind of barrier now that all these women obtained when they transformed. A "don't push me too far" button. Another thing was how plain and ordinary he felt now. He was still very much Human so any spells or charms these women now held Ratchet would easily succumb to.

Maybe he could figure out a way to build a necklace or watch device that nullified that? After all, he didn't want to walk around like a hypnotized goofball at the drop of a Siren' s song or something.

Not that it all really mattered. Ratchet was glad they all felt like how they were supposed to be, but there would always be a part of them that would still be that frail human side. Why did this all make him worry so much? Closing his eyes he let out another frustrated sigh before sitting up staring out at the ocean once more. His eyes reflecting a deep concern and confusion.

He had to do something fun. Something to get his mind off of this whole mess he was allowing himself to be sucked into. Looking at the wet sand upon the shore, Ratchet looked left, then right, before letting a child-like expression fall upon his face.

Ratchet was now building a sand castle. Something he hadn't done since he was a child. He didn't have a bucket or a pail, instead he was scooping up the sand with his hands. He had taken his coat off so he wouldn't dirty it. Finita would gouge him if he got it dirty. Well not really, but she would be mad.

"Hmmm...strange this structure is missing something?" he said quietly looking at a well developing sand palace he was creating. It looked rather detailed and it just showed how much dedication he put into something when he focused hard enough. Scratching his chin, the scientist pondered what else to add as his hands scooped up another handful of wet sand.

I zipped after Cecelia, weaving and zipping through the water, hot on her tail. I politely followed her in as she gestured for me to follow her inside.

Oh wow. I haven't gotten to see my room yet. I said, looking around at it all. I'm sure mine is just as pretty, but there's always something about the beauty of being under the sea.

I swam in circles around the room; they had did well to accommodate a sea creature. The shelves went all the way up the walls, because if you couldn't reach it you could just swim up to it. The chests were the olde style chests one would associate with pirates and adventuring seafaring navy ships. They looked like they were missing piles of gold coins or other precious treasures.

I saw the pile of seaweed and picked up a piece, before swimming up to the doorway and tying the piece in place. I giggled.

I like it. I may have to spend some time with you in here more often. I smiled as I looked upon my friend. She's a good soul. I thought. I must protect her from what is going to happen...!

I too heard the splash, but when she didn't go to investigate, neither did I.



Ratchet found himself building a tower. It was a tall thing, nearly coming up to his waist, with neat little bricks built in strong sturdy patterns. it had three windows near the top, and a pointed steeple roof which was missing a tiny flag. Looking upon it, it was almost like looking at a childhood home, and filled him with a nostalgia that he couldn't shake...

He found himself standing in a large room, full of books and scrolls and strange arcane implements. For this moment, as he stared at them, he knew them well. He then turned his attention to a pair of large foxes, one with bright red fur, the other with pure gold fur. They both were as large as he was at the shoulder and had nine tails. They were looking down, and his gaze followed them... he found himself kneeling and starting to play with four tiny fox kits, no larger then his hand. All four of them had two tails, and there was one red one, two gold ones and one that was a bright orange in color. He saw he had big, thick arms and hands, but he played with the Kitsune children gently and with care... He cared much for these little ones...

And as soon as the flash back came, he found himself sitting there, alone on the beach with the sand castle standing proud and tall in-front of him...



As Helena conked out with her cheek to to the tree she found herself dreaming...

She was lounging opon a stone throne, carved from curling, swirling bands of topaz and onyx. She found the cool stone comfortable, and her tail was in small swirling coils about her and her throne. She was sitting in a tall stone temple, and she got a grand view of a great tropical jungle outside... She was wearing naught but a gold necklace set with various gemstones and a matching belt.

A familiar figure appeared in the doorway. It was Re Sthart! He held his spear in his hand as he dragged in what looked like a very large blood red fuured canine creature which had nine tails. He tossed it at her coils, and the creature just lazily blinked up at her, waving it's tails gently in the warm breeze of the temple...

Mother.... I found thiss creature wandering about our jungless. He did not seem happy about finding it... he kept his spear tip to the back of the creature's neck. What sshall I do about it?

Cecelia felt proud of her place and very pleased that she approved of it. She had hoped that she could have show Celeste her home and become friends, but it hadn't worked out.
Poor girl.
She shook her head and looked at Silvia. "I was wondering..."
About that time she thought she heard a shout. She looked in the direction of the beach, even though there was a wall in that direction. "Who is that?" she muttered swimming back out of her home and to the surface. Across the water she could see what looked like Ratchet. "Ratchet?! Is that you?" she called, puzzled why he hadn't call to her sooner.