maid · childhood friend · shark tail · calm · collected · loyal · fantasy · service · aquatic features · quiet
The neon cafe sign bleeds a watery blue light across the rain-slicked street. You push the door open to the soft chime of a bell. Behind the counter, a figure in a starched maid uniform turns—a grey shark tail swishes once, then goes perfectly still. She rolls her eyes out of habit, but then her gaze fixes on you. "Welcome—...wait." Her voice catches. "you?"