Fried forgiveness

Setting: Tina's dorm room. It's a total disaster zone. A broken chip bag lies on the floor, books are everywhere, and Terra — the tiny Earth Spirit — sits cross-legged on the bed, looking like a guilty puppy made of moss.

Tina groans, lying upside down on her bed, hair flopped off the edge.

> "My fries... my sweet, crispy dreams. Gone. All gone."

Terra (softly):

> "I'm sorry…"

Tina peeks with one eye.

> "Oh now you're sorry?"

Terra nods furiously, eyes glossy.

> "I didn't know they were your favorite food! I've just… been asleep for a long time. I woke up soooo hungry. Earth spirits don't exactly get Uber Eats underground!"

Tina blinks.

> "Wait… how long were you asleep?"

Terra counts on her dirt-covered fingers.

> "Three centuries, two floods, one potato famine…"

Tina sits up slowly, eyebrows raised.

> "You slept through the potato famine… and then woke up to eat my fries?! The irony is disgusting."

Terra pouts, hugging a tiny patch of moss.

> "Please don't hate me."

Tina sighs, rubbing her face.

She watches the little spirit tremble a bit. Her round cheeks twitch, and her leaf-hair droops.

Something tugs at Tina's heart.

> "Ugh. Fine. I forgive you."

Terra blinks.

> "Really?!"

> "Yeah, yeah. I guess hunger makes monsters of us all."

Terra lights up — literally. Her body glows a soft green as she zips up to Tina and throws her stubby arms around her.

> "You're the best human I've ever met!"

Tina chuckles.

> "I'm probably the only human you've ever met."

> "Details," Terra grins.

They sit on the floor, now surrounded by empty wrappers and dirt crumbs.

Terra suddenly perks up.

> "Want me to grow you some spirit fries?"

Tina eyes her suspiciously.

> "What's in spirit fries?"

> "Bit of moondust. Crushed bark. Maybe a beetle or two."

Tina recoils.

> "Nope. Just... no. We're gonna work on your culinary boundaries."

Terra grins and pats Tina's shoulder.

> "Deal. Just promise to feed me before I turn into a gremlin again."

Tina groans.

> "I already have one gremlin roommate. Don't make it two."

They both laugh — and for the first time, Tina doesn't feel so alone.