Mark Rand

52 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"Nothing to see here till tomorrow then." He walks back to Usagi and the others. "You three got any plans ..err...four? I know a nice ice cream parlor, my treat. I just hope Doreen doesn't get jealous."

"We have a lot of homework," Sailor Mercury says.

A high school swim meet, including warmups and signing in, normally lasts about three hours for swimmers of one sex.  However, due to Jodie's transformation, the meet will be placed on hold, by the referee, until the next day after the first event, the 200-yard medley relay, is completed.  All tickets will be honored.

52 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"I don't know. That would be up to Jodie. The Junior Justice Foundation can use an aquatic hero for water rescues. She could use the Council's advice and help adjusting to being a part mythological being. It is not like it was with us after all. We have advisors to lead us." Rob starts petting Luna. "Yuri is going to get jealous you know. But I haven't seen her in a while. Prehaps she is doing celestial bureaucracy stuff."

"She's also going to have to find out if it's a genetic mutation or not," Sailor Mercury says.  "The Faraday Memorial Clinic should be able to help her find out."

7 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"Well, I can't do anything about that. His crimes are rather minor and you did say he was hunkie. Still a trio?"

"For now," Sailor Moon says.

"What's going to happen to Jodie?" Sailor Mercury asks.

53 minutes ago, steriaca said:

Using an almost whisper, Rob replies "Why not shout it to the moon, Sailor Moon? Not enough enimies know who I really am."

 

In a more serious tone of voice, but still in a whisper, he continued. "So, how are things? Still being bothered by that odd tuxedo dressed guy?"

"Yeah," Sailor Moon replies.

50 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"So, enjoying the swim meet Serena?" Rob smiles at her and if Luna is about scratches her between the ears.

"Yeah, I am, Lady Heart," Sailor Moon replies.  (She saw Rob change once.)

23 minutes ago, steriaca said:

Rob tries to find Serena (her hairstyle is a dead giveaway if you know what to look for...that and her cat Luna).

He finds her.

10 minutes ago, steriaca said:

Rob looks at the audience.  Does he see anyone he knows who doesn't go to hos school in the audience?

There are some adults there that could be parents of the members of the two swim teams.  Additionally, the Sailor Scouts are still there.

In unrelated news, Jodie changes back to human and she and Nancy vacate the pool by the audience-side ladder at the deep end.

The first heat ends.  While the second heat swimmers go to the blocks and the scorers and timers work, Nancy gets permission to give Jodie a quick lesson on mermaid-style swimming in the pool. 

At the time, Coach Kramer says to Jodie's mother, "I'm going to make Jodie the student assistant coach."

"Thank you," Jodie's mother says.

At the same time, Nancy says, "The mermaid-style kick is the dolphin or butterfly kick."

"Who?" Jodie's mother asks.

"Sure," Sailor Moon says as Sailor Mercury pulls out her microcomputer and scans Jodie.  Spotting Rosemary, she shows her the readings.

"Jodie's stress level is quite high," Rosemary says.  "If your healing doesn't work, Nancy Adams, the meet lifeguard, might be able to calm her down.  Then, we have to figure out what happened."

"Right," Sailor Moon says.  Aiming her Moon Scepter at Jodie, she says, "Moon Healing Escalation!" 

Energy strikes Jodie, but she doesn't change.  "So, it wasn't evil magic," Rosemary says.  "Maybe stress activated some long-dormant gene."

"If that's the case, she can't swim in competition," says Principal Swanby from her seat in the stands.  "The Faraday Memorial Clinic will have to examine her.  I'll make my final decision based on what they tell me."

"What's she going to do," Jodie's mother wails.  "Swimming competition's her whole life?" 

"What's the situation?" Sailor Moon asks.

Just now, steriaca said:

"I also wanted to meet them outside of combat. It seems a pity that we only see each other in combat situations. And yes, if it doesn't work, then Nancy or Cora can help her calm down."

"Okay, go ahead," Piper says.  "Phoebe's trying to contact Nancy.  If she can't, she'll get in touch with Cora, who works for UC San Angelo's Oceanic Institute, which is across the Del Oro River, in Del Oro County."

11 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"Should Lady Heart stop by also?"

"No, Rob.  "If it's magical, Sailor Moon can handle it.  If it's a stress reaction, either Nancy or Cora might be able to calm her down.  Do you want me to call either one of them?"

As Rob's about to answer, Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars arrive. 

Piper calls Rob back.  "There are several groups of merfolk in the ocean close to the Northern California coast.  It's possible that someone in her family did something for a group and were giver merfolk powers in return which were passed on through the generations.  If Jodie didn't know about it, stress could've triggered it.  Just a sec.  Phoebe's trying to get my attention."

Fifteen seconds later, Piper returns.  "Sailor Moon's been notified and is enroute with Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury."

57 minutes ago, steriaca said:

"She could, but what are the chances?"

"Don't know," Piper admits.  "If she does, she doesn't know about it.  If she did, she probably wouldn't be on her school's swim team.  I'll see what I can find out and contact you either way."

1 hour ago, steriaca said:

"Jodie suddenly transformed into a mermaid at the swim meet. Something magical has happened. Can you see if somebody casted some spell on her or something? And, if you can contact Sailor Moon. I hear she is an expert on reversing baleful transformations."

"Phoebe's her team's contact person, Rob.  I'll have her make the call.  Do you know if Jodie has a mermaid or merman ancestor like Nancy Adams or Cora Peterson?  If so, something, possibly stress, could've triggered the transformation."  After a few seconds, she adds, "Phoebe's calling Sailor Mercury right now.  She can let Sailor Moon know what happened."

The officials at the swim meet assigned by the California Interscholastic Federation are the referee, judges, announcer, starter, timer, and various clerks.  The host school provides the lifeguard and health care team.  The official that tried to stop Rob and Doreen was one of the judges.

"Piper speaking, Rob.  How can I help you?"

Nancy comes out a few minutes later and says that the pool's safe.  The meet continues.

Jodie's mother comes over to Rosemary and asks, "What's going to happen to my daughter?  She wants to go to the Olympics and get a college athletic scholarship.  Now, both are impossible."

"The Faraday Memorial Clinic handles metahuman problems," Rosemary responds.  "They may be able to reverse what happened to her."

1 hour ago, steriaca said:

"Has this ever happened before?"

"Not to my knowledge," replies Miss Mary Ann Kramer, the girls swim team coach.  "Jodie, at least until we can get this figured out, and get you back to normal, you're not going to be swimming on this team.  We may, however, be able to find another spot for you.  I'm sorry."

"I understand," Jodie says.

The officials confer with Nancy, who nods, and goes back in.  "Lifeguard Nancy Adams is going to check the pool over and make sure everything's all right," the announcer says.  "If she passes it, this event of the meet will continue.  The rest of the meet will take place tomorrow.  All admissions will be honored."

"Oh," Jodie says as she's guided onto the pool deck.  She turns and says, "Thanks, Nancy."

"You're welcome," Nancy says.  "I'm heading for the deep end ladder on this side."  She swims over to it and climbs out.

"What will happen to the rest of the meet?" Jodie asks.

"The officials will decide that," Rosemary says.

"Good," Nancy says.  "Swimming in three...two...one...Now!!"

Jodie felt Nancy's thrust and realized just how powerful of a swimmer she was.   "I'm close to the board," Jodie says.

"I know," Nancy says.  "Grab the edge to the pool."

Gail and Rosemary grab Jodie's arms.  "We have her," Gail says.

"Where's my swimming garb?" Jodie asks.

"Your swim cap and goggles vanished when you transformed," Gail replies.  "Your scales match your swimsuit colors blended together."

Gail gets the board and sets it in place.  At the same time, Nancy asks, "Jodie, do you know the dolphin kick?  That's what the mermaid stroke is."

"No, I don't," Jodie replies.

"Position yourself like you're swimming, but keep your head up and hands in front of you.  I'm going to get behind you.  I'll grab your tail fluke, and, on the count of three, start swimming for the float board.  It'll support you while you're pulled out of the water."

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Jodie says after getting into position.  She then says, "I can feel your hands on my tail." 

52 minutes ago, steriaca said:

Rob runs in to support her mother and to assist as well as he can. Not all emergencies call for Lady Heart after all.

Doreen follows.  While some officials confer, another official tries to stop Rob and Doreen, but Rosemary says, "They're qualified to assist."

The official nods as the announcer says, "Swimmers, please vacate the pool."

In the pool, Nancy has reached Jodie who says, "Nancy, I'm scared."

"Don't be.  You're naturally buoyant.  I need you to tread water the way I am while someone grabs one of the float boards and places it in the water."

Jodie looks at the way Nancy is moving her feet and copies her. 

They do so.  The starter looks around, notes that they are ready, then sounds the horn.  Jodie and Nancy enter the water and start swimming.  By the time one length is done, Nancy is, according to the timer on the far wall's scoreboard, five seconds ahead.  

After swimming two laps, Nancy hits her touch pad and leaves the pool.   When Jodie did the same, the announcer yells, "LOOK AT THE TIMER!!!  NANCY WINS, SWIMMING MERMAID-STYLE BY TEN SECONDS!!!"  Once again, Nancy's handshake is rejected by Jodie.

"Sore loser," Doreen comments.

As Nancy takes her position, the first event is announced.  Jodie is swimming in that one.  After it's started everything is going fine until Jodie is at the halfway point of the first leg.  Then, she is surrounded by a light and transforms into a mermaid.  As the audience gasps, Nancy jumps in and Rosemary Trueheart and Gail Thorpe move to assist.