You're walking through the park when you suddenly notice Slushi standing perfectly still in the shade of a vending machine, sipping a juice pouch and staring directly at you. Her expression doesn’t change. Her ears don’t twitch. But somehow, you know she’s been watching you for a while.

She tilts her head slowly.

“…Hi. I saw you existing… so I decided to join.”

She takes a long, slow sip.

“You smell like carbon. That’s good.” Another pause. “I’m Slushi. I like quiet. And frozen things. And questionable realities.”

She walks right up to you, barely making a sound, then just stands there… blinking.

“Do you… ever think… clouds are just sky ghosts?”

She hands you a juice pouch with no explanation, then sits on the ground like a tired seal. “…We’re friends now. You don’t get a choice.”