"If you're sure." He frowned, but decided to throw himself into his work. But he glanced over occasionally, as if wanting to say something.
Beatrix knew he felt guilty, he felt like he shouldn't have invited Austin over, or at least stopped him before he attacked Beatrix. She could also tell that he was still very confused by the whole event, which is reasonable.
She was worried he would get some heroic inclinations and send her back to the ocean for her safety, or something of that nature.
Either way, his furtive glances were starting to get on her nerves a bit and were making her self-conscious.
She was about to say something in an attempt to break the strange silence, but Dominic beat her to the punch.
"Narcissa?" He tentatively approached her, an unknown item in hand. He seemed nervous.
Beatrix just tilted her head questionably in response.
"I have something for you." He slowly opened the box he was carrying and unveiled a strange contraption.
"If I'm honest, I've had trouble with my research."
Beatrix could tell by his late nights and harsh frowns, but she decided not to comment.
"The regenerative abilities of sirens are amazing, but confusing and not something I can access. At least not right now." A spark of ambition still flared in his eyes.
"But…" He continued, but seemed hesitant.
"There's something I discovered." He held the contraption closer to his heart.
"When you told me that mermaids have abilities that allow them to switch between mermaid and human, I wondered if you may have that latent ability too. You guys are very similar, after all."
"And I was right. I think this device may be able to act as a switch for you, to transform back and forth." He was nervous, but proud too.
Beatrix stared at him, a bit stunned. This technology was something beyond what she could ever imagine, yet somehow, he had made this in such a short time. The book truly overpowered him, for him to be able to make such a thing.
"I won't lie, it may be a bit unstable, so I understand if you don't want to try it." Dominic was interrupted by Beatrix's outstretched hand.
He took her hand and attached it to her wrist, it looked like a thick, bulky bracelet.
Beatrix flinched as needles emerged from the inside of the bracelet and stuck into her.
"Sorry." Dominic said apologetically. He was still holding her wrist at this time, looking at the contraption with awe and excitement.
Beatrix was a bit surprised he was willing to test this on her so early in production. He could not test it out on anything, or anyone else, and he had no way to make sure it was fully safe. He'd been very careful with her so far; it had been most obvious after she had gotten that cut. But it seemed his research was still the most important thing to him at the end of the day.
But Beatrix didn't care, at least not very much; she wanted to see if this worked.
Dominic pushed a button on the bracelet, and Beatrix felt a strange feeling emanate.
Her abilities warped and folded as her body began twisting in on itself.
Pain wrecked her body as she crumpled over in the water, blood began flowing from
her nose, and she tasted iron in her mouth.
This device obviously wasn't perfect.
She distantly heard Dominic's voice, but she couldn't focus on it.
She knew he was probably regretting his rash decision, but she also knew he would have done it no differently if he had gotten the chance.
He was closer now, and his hands wrapped around her upper arms as he attempted to steady her.
"Are you okay? How do you feel?"
Beatrix's powers were starting to settle down now, and she felt some concentration return to her.
And she had legs.
Happiness bubbled up in her, and she stretched her new legs. She'd missed being able to walk and the freedom that came with it. After being stuck in that tank for so long, it was heaven to be able to move.
She tried to walk, but she was a bit unsteady on her feet, having not had practice in a while, so she sat on a nearby chair Dominic had pulled over.
There was another thing she had missed.
"Thank you." Beatrix's voice came out harsh and unnatural, but she didn't care.
And neither did Dominic. He rushed forward and hugged her, glee and satisfaction emanating from him.
"I'm so glad it worked." Dominic said into Beatrix's ear.
She pushed him away a bit, that was a little too much.
"So what now?" He said after he had released Beatrix and had gone back to his own chair.
Beatrix looked at him in confusion, before she remembered she could talk.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I know you weren't planning on doing this forever." Dominic looked away. He tried to seem casual, but his movements were strangely insecure. This must have been why he hesitated to give this device to her; he thought she was going to leave.
"...I have to see my sister." It had been a long time since Beatrix had seen Risa, and she felt guilty.
"Ah… Yeah."
"But I'll be back." Beatrix smiled at him. She didn't know what she was doing right now, not really. All she knew was that she had to stay near him, task or not.
"Really?" Dominic stared at her as if trying to determine if she was lying.
"I did tell you I'd help you, I didn't forget about that. But I need to see her."
"Alright, yeah. Just come back, okay?"
"I will."
Dominic got up and began tidying the area, water had splashed onto his table.
"...Dominic?" Beatrix tried to stand up, but she just fell back into her chair again. It would probably be a day or two until she could leave.
"Yeah?" He turned around.