I am just getting back to Subeta after being offline for a while. Apparently I missed some big event where the sea witch vanished! Is there a new way to get a hydrus pet?

Unfortunately, the new way is still not released yet. I didn't follow the discussion on this closely, but I got the impression that they'll probably incorporate the new coloring thing into a future plot/storyline.

No way to get Hydrus pets at the moment, and no idea when they'll become available again. Hopefully soon. Merana's just enjoying her freedom, apparently.

Well, that's incredibly frustrating and disappointing welcome back. :-p Thanks for the info.

I don't get anyways why she would only swim into a fun holiday instead of wrecking chaos around Subeta's shores.... but that's probably only me.

Because this way, we all fear what she is going to do, instead of going all "oh, there is another shipwreck here, time to avoid this area for a couple weeks"

She is using her AWOL status as a way to make us all paranoid, instead of leaving a trail of destruction, giving the Wizard or whoever else a chance to track her and kick her ass.

COME ON, IT'S LIKE YOU WANT HER TO GET CAUGHT AND KILLED.

I wouldn't shed a single tear. (Though I doubt the senile wizard would kick her ass)