Reid grabbed my sleeve.  “You’re not wandering around on your own.  Just grab my sleeve and wander where you want.”

I nodded.   After a few minutes I let go and looked around and picked up something interesting. There’s so much stuff inside this small building… I did find stuff similar to what I wore. 

“You disappeared again. You need to tell me when you leave.”Reid said exasperated. “Looks like you’ve found stuff  let’s go to the changing rooms”

He walked us towards the back.   “Just go inside the room and try them on.”   

I walked into one and started stripping. 

“Wait wait wait! “ Reid exclaimed, his face red. “Close the door! People can see you!”

“Oh I see,”  I closed the door. Why did that lady  try to trick me into spending more money?  How much is a 100?  Why do you need separate rooms to change?  I pulled the clothes on first set fit just fine. So did the others.  They fit much better 

“Are you done? “  Reid asked. 

“Yeah, can I wear it out?” I asked.

“We can ask.” Reid replied.

I changed back just in case and wandered some more with him.  I put a random biggish red leathery object on.  “This is a weird thing to put on your head. I don't get it.”

Reis burst into laughter. “That's a purse, ladies like it carry their things not for their head.” 

“Oh,” I heard snickering from other people in the boutique.

“Poor man he must not be mentally sound. Children would have better sense than changing with an open door.”

“He nearly got tricked into spending a huge amount of money.”

“Lets go pay for this.”  Reid said quickly.

Soon we were out with bags in tow. Reid sat in silence for a moment, he didn't turn on his car. “Does drawing attention like that bother you?"

I paused for a moment, contemplating his question, “Not really a few things fazes me,  strangers whispering behind my back is just harmless words. It's not like I'm in danger by their comments.”

Reid nodded with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “Did you really mean that? The thing about seeing sea otters in the water.” 

I couldn't help but smile at his inquisitiveness, “I did, why would I lie to a cutie like you?”.

Reid looked annoyed but a blush crept up on his face. “Alright then i need to buy a wetsuit first. You better not be lying to me.” He said as he put his keys into the ignition and turned it. The car hummed to life.

He typed something into his weird glowy device, “Starting route to  Océano”  a voice announced.

I flinched at the sudden noise.  “What was that? Is that magical?”

Reid briefly glanced at me as he drove  he chuckled to himself. “ It's a piece of technology that can do lots of things.. But its not at all magical. With the correct knowledge anyone could make this. “

I couldn't help but be fascinated by the human world. It was so different from the simplicity of the ocean, filled with fancy structures and a plethora of accessories, even clothes that seemed to slow people down. "Humans have some really interesting stuff", I remarked. 

“ At 300  feet turn right onto San Juan Boulevard. “ the voice from the device instructed.

Their navigation was weird too. There are so many weird things and creatures that I wasn't used to. "I saw winged ones taking off making chirping noises. What are those?".

Reid nodded. “Did you really mean that? The thing about seeing sea otters in the water.” 

“I did, why would I lie to a cutie like you?” I smiled.

 We eventually stopped at a place and the voice announced, “Arrived.”.

“How about you stay in here while I get it?”, Reid suggested.

“Okay.” I replied as I decided to wait inside the car while he got the wetsuit quickly.

A few minutes later when Reid returned, he said, “Let's head to the beach now. “

I stared out the glass seeing bushes and flowers   and cliffs the ocean far below. It's much different than what I'm used to.

He stopped the car and pointed at a strange structure.   “See the building over there?”

“The dirty smelly looking one?”, I said, squinting.

“Yeah that's the bathroom here. I'm going to put the wetsuit on then we can head down.”, said Reidx

I followed Reid, still puzzled by the concept of a bathroom and the unfamiliar world of the surface. What even is a bath and why dedicate a building? 

“You can wait outside the bathroom unless you need to pee.” He paused. “You probably don’t know how to do that on land. I won’t show you but I’ll tell you.”

The surface has rules on simple bodily functions?  How weird.   I do feel a vaguely uncomfortable sensation of needing to.  The gist aim at the weird kinds dingy looking white things on the wall. Simple enough. 

Soon after telling me Reid entered some kinda mini room with the wetsuit slung over his shoulder and a full body looking also black item. What does a wetsuit do for humans?  Clothes ruffled and fell  as I leaned against a wall waiting. Then a weird noise sliding and scratchy with high pitched hiss and silence.  Then another rustle and the same weird noise. He came out nearly covered in black skin tight clothing but thick so fitted?  He still manages to look so cute in that. 

“Okay,” Reid rummaged in his bag. “This trench coat is for you when you  get to the surface.” He handed me a long beige coat with buttons. 

“Why does it matter if I cover up?” I ask.

“You’ll get arrested for indecent exposure  and or disturbing the peace and go to jail. In short, it's a crime, don’t do it in public.”

I nodded. Why is it a crime? Nakedness is natural for creatures.  But I’d rather not get in trouble. We headed dry sand getting in my shoes.   He took me to a place behind a large rock

“Strip once my back is turned.” Reid turned his back quickly.

I had trouble but I managed. I’m not used to clothes… But certainly pleasant. Maybe with this experience I’ll get through to him. 

I should probably get in the water first.  I put my clothes on the rock. And stepped in. Thx feelings of the fsmilar water felt nice as it rose further up my body. Waves crashing into me covering me in its spray. Once I could no longer touch the sandbank I shifted. My fsmilar tail swished in the water. The water I get,  the rules I move by in the ocean are just simplistic, nothing complicated. The familiarity soothed my soul. 

Reid stopped up to his waist looking terrified. He looked to be hyperventilating. 

“You alright there darling?” I asked.

He blushed slightly then spoke “I don’t wanna drown again like yesterday. I’m gonna die if I go deeper. I just can’t do this.  I just can’t.

“I’m not going to let your drown, besides if something happens you have you handsome savior whisky you to safety again.”

His face flushed slightly again. “Ok…” Reid said nervously.  He was fine till it was too deep for him to stand. He panicked again and started thrashing..  I swam over my tail swishing madly. I pulled him in  close to my chest. 

“I promise you won’t drown. I didn’t save you just to trick you.” He hugged me tightly more likely out of his own fear. But it felt nice. Poor Reid is terrified after his accident. Out of instinct I stroked his hair while his body shook from terror. “Are you ready to see them?” I asked. 

“Yeah.”  He said still anxious

I gave him a quick peck on his lips and grabbed his arm and dove. He froze under water then relaxed.  The kelp forests quickly came into view Reid looked in awe.  It looked ethereal with the  light filtering down. After swimming around, the sound of splashing could be heard from the surface. Otters dove down grabbing clams, some sea urchins and swam up with rocks in tow.   Most paid us no mind.  Except one little pup. Once he saw Reid  he swam right towards him excitedly.  This must be the otter pup he risked his life for.  He swam  away excitedly. He must be trying to get Reid to play with him. Reid let go of my arm and tried to follow him but Reid was too slow. The otter looked disappointed and tried slowing down, probably sensing Reid isn’t as fast as he is. Reid had a smile on his face. He looked happy and calm.  Maybe just maybe  he will fall for me.