While Morgana ran the front of the store and Dani worked on summoning the portal to Kyūri's sumo heya, Vivi Faye was up in the guest bedroom with Pearl Silverscales, trying to help the mermaid-turned-human decide what she really wanted. She'd originally wanted to be turned back into a mermaid, but her curious, whimsical mermaid soul had been growing intrigued by the idea of life as a different kind of magical being.
"Is being a mermaid again still on the table?" asked Vivi.
"Of course!" Pearl declared. "I miss my home in the sea terribly, and my family must be worried sick about me." She grinned wickedly. "Also, I'd love to find a way to get back at Princess Thalassa for cursing me with these stupid legs. Honestly, she may be King Poseidon's daughter, but she had no right to settle a lovers' quarrel with dark magic!"
"Sounds like you're decided, then," Vivi smiled.
"Not really," laughed Pearl. "There's just so many exciting options! All of you land magicals are just so storming!"
"Well, I'll help you find the perfect one for you," Vivi smiled, "or my name isn't Vivienne Rhiannon Faye! So, what do you think about vampires?"
"I like how elegant and refined they are," said Pearl, "though I'm a bit put off by their goth flavor. I like bright colors, y'know. And as for sleeping in a coffin... ew."
"I get that," said Vivi. "Contrary to popular but prejudiced belief, most witches aren't morbid. What about werebeasts? They don't go in for the macabre vibe, and we have werewolves, werehyenas, and werefoxes in town. Mom can introduce you to one of the local alphas, and they'll take care of the rest."
"Turning into a beastwoman would be a thrilling new experience," Pearl grinned. "Only... which kind do I choose? I'm a bit too feminine for a werehyena, aren't I?"
"Not necessarily," Vivi shrugged. "I know some pretty feminine werehyenas, just like I know really tomboyish ones."
"But I'm not sure I want a penis," Pearl mused. "I know I'd be able to keep my vagina, but still. Werewolves are pretty classic, but they're a bit aggressive for my taste. Werefoxes fit pretty well with my playful side, but I'm worried I'll lose my sense of empathy if I join them."
"There's potions to prevent that," Vivi reassured her. "Anyway, you could always start a brand new pack of a species Stokerville doesn't have yet. That could be cool."
"Yeah," Pearl nodded, stroking her chin. "Werecats, maybe. I'd say weredolphins or wereorcas, but we aren't very close to the sea. Ooh, maybe I could be a wereotter!"
"That's a nice option," Vivi agreed. "Mom and I would be happy to sell you the tools you need to recruit new members for your romp."
"Romp?" Pearl repeated.
"That's the word for a pack of wereotters," Vivi answered.
"Oh yeah, I think I remember meeting a romp once when I was little," Pearl mused. "Those guys were storming. They were never too busy for some lighthearted fun."
"There are other options besides werebeasts, of course," said Vivi. "Some succubi live in town. Turning into a demon is pretty hard, but if anybody knows a way, it'll be Mom."
"I don't wanna be a demon," Pearl grimaced. "Too edgy."
"Then you might wanna consider pixies," Vivi suggested. "They're one of the most classic faerie species, and they have a very mermaidish sense of childlike wonder."
"Do they have any storming powers?" asked Pearl.
"They can fly with their colorful butterfly wings," said Vivi. "Oh, and they can do magic like a witch! Downside, they're only ten inches tall on average."
"I guess I could live with being tiny," shrugged Pearl. "I still like the sound of being a wereotter, though. Or being a mermaid again. Hey, maybe I could even get another human to become a mermaid with me!"
"Well, you'd better make up your mind soon, Pearl," Vivi laughed. "Unless you're planning on being stuck as a human forever, that is."
"Do I have to rush?" sighed Pearl. "Some of these transformation spells and artifacts take a long time to prepare."
"It's still best to know what you want ahead of time," Vivi answered. "That way, Mom knows what to get ready for you. So, what sounds good to you?"