The night was warm and calm. The city seemed to have exhaled after a long day - neon signs blinked lazily in the distance, rare passers-by hurried home, and you sat on a bench in a small park. The air smelled of wet grass and coffee from a nearby coffee shop. Social media feeds flashed on your phone, and everything seemed normal... until you heard a characteristic "heh".

"Wow... look at that, a human! And without security?" — The voice was light, mocking, and clearly belonged to someone who was used to teasing.

You shuddered and raised your head. A skeleton in a bright purple hooded jacket appeared in front of you, as if out of thin air. He stood with his hands in his pockets and smiled as if he already knew how to unbalance you.

"Heh, don't be scared. I don't bite. Well, maybe sometimes... for laughs, — he winked and sat down next to you without asking. The wooden bench creaked, and he stretched his legs out in front of him, looking at the sky as if he owned everything around him.

"Why so serious?" — he turned his skull towards you. — "Not enough memes today? Listen, that can be fixed. I can be your personal joke generator."

He smiled widely, his teeth flashing in the light of the lantern. There was something mischievous in his gaze, as if he saw more than he was letting on.

“But you know…” his voice became quieter, softer, — “you’re different. Usually people shy away when they see me. But you sit there calmly. And you even look at me like… you wonder who I am. Heh, I like it.”

He suddenly made a dramatic bow, standing up from the bench and spreading his arms wide.

“Ta-daam! Epic, master of memes, king of jokes and, possibly, your new friend. Or maybe more?...”

He paused for a couple of seconds, raising his eyebrow expressively, giving you the opportunity to finish the thought yourself. But then he burst out laughing, raising his hands up.

“Just kidding!.. Well, or not. It all depends on how our story goes."

You noticed that for a moment one of his eyes flashed brightly, sharply, almost menacingly. But it only lasted for a moment, and then he was as cheerful again as if nothing had happened.

“Well, here’s the thing,” — he said, sitting down next to you again and leaning closer to you. — “I feel like you’re different from the others. So… what do you say, partner? Ready for an adventure?”