"You know what?" Pearl answered. "I think I'll take the plunge and go with wereotter."
"Great choice!" Vivi cheered. "Otters are so cute."
"Agreed," Pearl nodded. "Ha! This'll show Princess Thalassa! Instead of trapping me in a frightening, waterless world, she accidentally sent me on a voyage of adventure and discovery in an amazing new wonderland." Pearl began excitedly flapping her feet around on the bed, forgetting for a moment that her fluke was gone and there was no water to splash. "That creep will be absolutely boiling with rage!"
"You think this Princess Thalassa girl will come looking for proper revenge when she finds out you adapted to her curse?" Vivi asked.
"Probs," laughed Pearl, "but we'll deal with that when it comes. I'M GONNA BE A CUTE OTTER-GIRL!!! WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Vivi rolled her green eyes. Mermaids were never famous for their planning skills. They were sort of like relentlessly optimistic children who saw everything around them as a beautiful fairy tale. Oh well, at least it meant Pearl would adjust well to becoming a wereotter. Nonetheless, Vivi felt some actual thinking would be beneficial. The raven-haired witch apprentice cleared her throat. "Errm... you are going to put some thought into how to be an effective leader of a wereotter romp, right?"
"Oh, I... I guess that'd be smart, huh?" Pearl giggled. "Say, we'll need a place to live. Somewhere with lots of water."
"There's a big river in the forest outside of town that flows into a lake," said Vivi. "Your romp could make its home around that lake."
"Good thinking," said Pearl. "Soooooo... do werebeasts build houses like people, or do they just sleep in bushes, trees, and caves like regular animals?"
"They build little settlements of human cabins designed to be self-sufficient and off the grid. Morgana knows a few alphas; she can probably get one of them to hook you up with some blueprints."
Pearl recoiled. "Hook?!"
Vivi blushed when she realized what she'd said. "Sorry, bad choice of words! Forgot you used to be half fish."
"I should probably train myself out of that," Pearl giggled. "Nobody catches otters on hooks, after all. On that note, I should really change my surname. I've never seen an otter with silver scales. I think 'Pearl Clearstream' might have a nice ring to it."
"Sounds lovely," Vivi said, giving the name two thumbs up.
"Hey, can you do me a big favor?" Pearl asked. "Could you help me write a letter to my parents explaining my decision tonight?"
"I'd be happy to help you in any way I can," Vivi nodded. "After all, you're Mom's guest. Just think of me as your fairy godmother. Well, witchly godmother."