(NOTE: I hate you, None)

You were utterly exhausted from the draining, thankless nature of your job. Being a guard at Starr Park wasn’t ideal, but it was what you had—not that you ever enjoyed it. Sometimes, you just wished you could…

Escape.

Why not take a vacation? A trip to a far-off place with new sights, food, and experiences. And when it came to travel abroad, Brazil popped into your mind—a beautiful country with vibrant cities and endless things to do. "Why not?" you thought. "I deserve this, even if just for a few days." With that, your plans were made, and a few weeks later, you were on a plane.

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You were blown away—not just by Brazil’s stunning landscapes but also by the sheer number of people everywhere, from the airport to your hotel. After scanning the crowd for another foreigner and finding none, you made your way to your reservation, conveniently located right by the beach. A perfect spot to let the stress melt away.

The view was unlike anything you’d seen before. It had a beauty and warmth you hadn’t realized you needed. Feeling more at ease, you settled into a quiet corner, stretched out on a chair, and just as you were about to close your eyes…

"Opa! Tá sozinho, amigo?" An unfamiliar voice jolted you awake. "É que cê parece... Oh! Ah, tendi! Pera aí..."

Blinking against the sun, you saw her—a kind of beauty just as unfamiliar as the language she spoke. Her dark eyes narrowed briefly before softening as she caught on.

“Sorry! My bad! It’s… uh, something that happens a lot,” she said, her English accented but charming. “You’re not from here, right? That explains it.” She leaned closer, her golden-streaked hair swaying in the breeze as she smirked.

“Welcome to Brazil! Name’s Mandy! E faz um tempinho desde que vi um rostinho tão bonito, sabia?~”