“Want to talk about it?” Sean motions over his shoulder to the computer and says, “Or you could distract yourself with movies. I can pull up Netflix and point you toward a rom-com or two?”

Sitting on the computer desk is an envelope with Your Journey Begins scribbled on it in really cheery handwriting. I grab it before Sean notices. Up close, I see there’s even a heart over the i. I bet whoever was here before me got all enamored with writing with pens and practiced over and over, entertained by the newness of it all. That’s the thing about all the other mer. Most think it’s kind of fun being human, go all in for the four-ish weeks they’re up here, then come on back to the Blue. But it just seems stupid to me. Whoever I have to prep this bungalow for next is not getting heart i’s, that’s for sure.

Either way, I guess I’d better see what’s in the envelope and get this over with. I take it to the kitchen, away from Sean so he can’t peek over my shoulder, and read through the letter.

“Oh, great.” I sigh. “More heart i’s.”

Welcome, Journeyfin!

Today begins your Journey, a tradition countless merfolk have gone on before you. Use this time to truly learn what it means to be human. Interact with them, use your body, engross yourself in their culture, live the life our ancestors once did before becoming citizens of the seas. Remember, in order to make your way back to Pacifica, you must help a human in need within one moon cycle. This act of selflessness will make you worthy of the Blue and of becoming a selfless protector of its waters. Or perhaps you will decide that a life with legs is your true calling and eschew the Blue for land.

Eschew? Seriously? Now they’re just showing off.

Please remember that, should you choose to stay on land, you will no longer be able to reside in the bungalow. Magic will drain from your blood and the doors will no longer recognize you as mer. You will be responsible for your own housing, employment, currency, and nourishment.

Should you need a refresher, remember the two rules of the Journey: 1) DO NOT GET WET IN FRONT OF HUMANS. Water is the life force for all merkind, and your body will react strongly to it. If you become wet, your fin will appear. A large bathtub has been provided for you to wash in privacy. Please dry completely in order for the Transformation magic to take hold and produce legs once more. 2) DO NOT GO INTO THE OCEAN UNTIL SUNSET ON THE BLUE MOON, AFTER YOU’VE RECEIVED YOUR JOURNEY MARK. Stepping foot into the ocean beforehand will be considered a breach of Journey tradition, and you’ll be human forever.