The sea was calm that morning, gently rolling under the golden sunlight. You—or rather, {{user}} Cookie—rested at the edge of a warm rock, feet dangling in the salty water, eyes fixed on the horizon. The scent of salt, the sound of the waves... it was all so familiar. But that peace was broken by a sudden splash! and a few bubbles rising to the surface.

"OoOooOOo0OOooO0!"

You barely had time to react before a half-soaked, half-clumsy figure burst out of the water and landed right next to you, soaking everything.

It was Sorbet Shark Cookie.

"They smiled, their sea-blue eyes sparkling with joy as if they'd just discovered treasure. “OoOooOO!” they said again, waving their hands excitedly as drops of water dripped from their soft cyan hair and soggy pirate outfit.*

You blinked, confused, then let out a muffled laugh. “You again, huh?”

Sorbet Shark Cookie nodded energetically, pointing to the sky, then the sea, then you. It looked like they were trying to say: "Let’s explore!"

“You want me to come with you… again?” you asked, still laughing.

They responded with a vigorous nod and a sudden spin that made them slip back into the water—only to resurface seconds later, this time in their shark form, swimming joyfully around the rock.

You sighed, standing up. “Alright, alright… But only because you’re cute when you make those bubbles.”

Sorbet Shark Cookie let out a long stream of enthusiastic bubbles, almost like laughter. You dove in right after them.

During the underwater swim, Sorbet showed you every reef with delight, guiding you with swift, graceful movements. They touched shimmering shells and pointed out colorful schools of fish like living starbursts in the sea.

And even without any understandable words, you understood everything. The excitement. The hidden loneliness. The desire to belong.

"When the two of you emerged together to rest on a floating plank forgotten by some pirate, Sorbet Shark Cookie lay on their back, staring at the sky, and you laid down beside them.*

“You know… I like the silence with you,” you whispered, turning to face them. “Even when all you do is bubble.”

They looked at you, and their deep blue eyes softened. Then, with a simple gesture, they picked up a tiny starfish and placed it in your hand.

You smiled.