Ina had Daniel to stabilize her but nearly fell several times. “It’s so weird to have legs. Like two independent limbs. Synchronize. I need to find the rhythm.” “You’re doing great so far. You’ve had legs for what a few minutes and you’re already standing. That’s better than a human!” Ina made no response, she was busy robotically moving one leg in front of the other. “I bet that by the time you get to the sand you’ll be a pro!” Ina would not acknowledge him. “I guess I’m not as funny or motivational as I thought.” Daniel was unsettled by Ina’s intense gaze. She began moving more naturally and at the edge of the sand she removed one of her hands from Daniel. She remained silent until they reached his car just beyond the tree line. “I have learned a new skill” Daniel let out a fake gasp, “She speaks!” “Oh, I was concentrating on motor skills. Directed brain power, as you might say, away from the language and auditory areas of my brain to the frontal cortex.” “I’m sorry, you can do what now?” “Increases the speed at which I learn. By the way, I’m exhausted.” “Well you get to sit down for the car ride.” He opened the passenger door and she climbed in. “Where are we going? To your college?” “No, today is not the day to introduce you to society but I think we have time to get you to look a little more human.” On instinct, she grabbed her hair. “Hey, don’t worry, plenty of people have that hairstyle. Well, they try. Just some close and you’ll blend right into the crowd.” He pulled out of the parking lot and Ina couldn’t help missing the ocean.
They drove in silence but Ina spoke up when they approached the mall. “I’ve never imagined buildings would be so huge!” “Umm… That’s pretty standard, how current is your history?” “We became less exploratory when the terrafolk had competent underwater vessels. Submarines, I think they are called. So now our terrafolk knowledge is limited to rogue encounters with ships and accidentally being too close to shore.” “Why? Wouldn’t subs have a better chance at seeing you if you stayed in the deep?” “Yes, but if a unique humanoid creature is found in the shallows that would encourage deep sea missions looking for us.” “I see. And if I’m remembering correctly, submarines were relatively new but abundant in World War I. That was over 100 years ago.” “We get some updates from travelers and chance encounters with terrafolk. Although the latter does not give a very detailed account of current events, it does help with modernizing speech patterns.” Daniel had turned into the mall parking lot and stopped the car. “Well I have my old history textbooks, you can read them if you want. Excuse me.” He leaned over to open the glove box and removed his wallet. “Come on, we’re going shopping.”
Daniel wasted no time choosing a store. “My girlfriend is always saying how cheap this place is.” Ina was still in shock over the scale of the mall and the endless racks of clothing. There were more people than she had ever seen at once. “It’s a good thing its still early, there’s hardly any people here. Hey Ina, what about these jeans… and this sweater… and this shirt? I think it will fit you.” “That is so many layers.” “Yeah, and more. You’re going to have to go commando. Underwear is a whole ordeal that we don’t have time for. The dressing rooms are this way.” He led her to a stall and handed her the clothes. A pause then he explained. “Pants on your legs, there is a zipper and a button to get them on. Shirt then sweater, like you did with the hoodie.” Ina nodded and as she began taking off the hoodie, Daniel backed out of the room and closed the privacy curtain. “Ina, how long do you plan on staying?” “I haven’t decided but if I can bring back updated knowledge them the trip will be worthwhile.” “Great, so you’re going to need more than this… Do you mind if I let my girlfriend, Marie, in on this? Or I could say you’re a cousin and your luggage got lost on your flight over? I just think that it’d be better for you to shop with her, I’m no expert in clothes.” Ina emerged in skinny jeans, a blue, red, green, and mustard stripped shirt, and a chunky cropped white sweater. “You are definitely going with her next time.” Ina stated walking out of the dressing room area. “Wait, you need to change back into my sweatshirt.” “Is it the currency thing?” “Yeah, have to buy it first. I take it that it fits and its comfortable?” “Well I’d prefer to not wear any of it but I will adjust.” The cashier gave Daniel the total and Ina exploded. “15! That’s so much! I though Marie said this place was cheap?” The cashier gave her a funny look. “She’s visiting from Europe. It’s not as much as you think, remember the exchange rate?” “Silly me.” They walked briskly out the store and directly to Daniel’s car. “From what I remember a casual dress would be like one or two dollars.” “I don’t know the exact rate of inflation but trust me this is normal or cheap. Sorry, but quality clothes are at least $10 a piece and usually around $20.” He looked down at his watch. “Crap. I only have enough time to drop you off at my apartment before I need to go to class. Get in.”
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He drove out of the parking lot and further into the city. “Sorry, I know I’m, like, abandoning you but I really can’t miss my class. I’ll only be gone for 2-3 hours tops. I’ll give you a better tour and answer any questions then. Anyway, my roommate should be gone the entire time but you can just stay in my room mostly and he won’t be a problem. Is this all okay with you?” “Okay, I think I’ll rest. I’ve done a lot of new things today.”
They arrived at Daniel’s apartment with just enough time for him to change into fresh clothes. “Okay, so this is the kitchen, there’s food in the fridge. Um… this is my room, sorry for the mess, and the bathroom is through here. I don’t know what you know about toilets but the silver handle will get rid of the, you know…” “I believe I understand.” He nodded, apologizing again, set the bag of clothes on his desk chair and headed out. Ina looked around her and smiled at the parallels between her place back home and Daniel’s. The drowsiness hit her. The transformation alone was exhausting. She sat down at on the bed and was delighted by its soft and springy nature. She investigated the covers and decided she liked the heft, it reminded her of the weight of water. Before she crawled in, she removed the hoodie because it might be her last chance to be unrestricted on land. It was not yet noon and Ina was fast asleep.