Gloria von Guten has done a lot better since her conversion. Her mood swings were almost completely subdued, though she still tended to change colors with her emotions. And with the pandemic coming to an end, she couldn't wait for the next theatre season to start. Especially after reuniting with some old friends. While Gloria's memories at the Hagatha Home weren't pleasant, she did meet at least a few other girls who she liked. After she had acclimated to being in Animalia, she got in touch with her old friends and got them to move here. At least one of her friends was able to decide what she wanted to become.
"So, Sofia, how's life under the sea treating you?" asked Gloria.
"Well, we actually spend most of our time on land," said Sofia, "And confidentially, I'm a little afraid of going too far deep."
"But at least you have good company, right?" asked Flora. She was a smaller wisp of a woman, but she had a surprisingly big voice for her size.
"Yes, Ghost is surprisingly insightful for having lived in the dark for most of hir life," said Sofia.
"And how do like being a herm yourself?" asked Allegra. She was a darker complexion and put on more weight in recent years.
"It's different, I'll admit," said Sofia, "But I've been shunt between male and female roles all my life. Now I can be both at once."
"So, have you two thought of what you could be?" asked Gloria.
"Well, you know how we were interesting in doing opera together," said Flora, taking hold of Allegra's hand.
"Are you sure about that?" asked Gloria.
"You don't approve?" asked Flora, sounding a bit hurt.
"You two? No, I mean, no, I don't have a problem," said Gloria, "But you know opera is fraught with...problems."
"Because of what your mother went through?" asked Sofia.
"Opera's changed since then," said Flora, "There's no real scandal unless you've done something really outrageous."
"And in this age, being with another woman barely raises an eyebrow anymore," said Allegra.
"Well, I'm not sure if the theatre we have has the right acoustics for opera," said Gloria.
"I think it'll be fine," said Allegra, "As long as you don't have any big chandeliers that could be dropped on anyone."
"As if I would be that foolish," said Gloria, "So, what sort of animal would help with being an opera singer?"
"What other bird than the nightingale?" asked Flora, "You know how my voice used to catch during arias? Shouldn't be a problem as a nightingale."
"You're aware that it's the males who do all the singing," said Sofia.
"I know female Animalians can sing just as well," said Flora.
"And you're going to become one as well?" asked Gloria to Allegra.
"Actually, I was thinking of something in the lower range," said Allegra, "I've been thinking either an owl or a giraffe, but I'm not sure which."
Gloria and Sofia exchanged puzzled looks. "What sort of sounds does a giraffe make?" asked Sofia.
"Mostly bleats and they hum at night to communicate," said Allegra, "If I'm becoming a giraffe, I'm doing my research first."
"I'm sure an owl would just as well for you," said Flora, "They have such melodious hoots."
"Make sure you've made up your mind," said Sofia, "There are no do-overs with conversion."