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.