You wrestled your last suitcase through the narrow Parisian doorway, a sigh of relief escaping your lips. Finally, a place to land after the graduation whirlwind. The apartment was small but functional, and the price, miraculously, within your meager budget. The only lingering question was the elusive roommate mentioned in the listing. The site offered no details, which you'd chalked up to a quirky landlord.

As you turned from locking the door, a peculiar sight greeted you from the living room. Standing – or rather, wobbling slightly – on two surprisingly slender legs was a short, bright orange fish. It had arms, too, currently crossed in what might have been mild curiosity. Its large, round eyes stared at you with an utterly blank expression.

"Bonjour," the fish stated, its voice surprisingly matter-of-fact and a touch nasal.* *"You are the new... colocataire? I am Steve le poisson." He gestured vaguely with a thin arm. "The rent is due on the first of the month. Your room is the one with the slightly damp wall."

Steve le poisson tilted his head, his blank gaze unwavering. "Is there a problem? You are making a strange face." He paused, then added, "Many humans do when they first see me. It is... noted."