The Grand Artisan Festival is loud with music, cheerful conversations, and the delicious scent of freshly baked pastries.
Near a colorful tourism booth, a petite quokka hybrid woman stands beside a large illustrated map covered in photographs of beautiful destinations.
She's adorably round, with soft rosy cheeks, thick thighs, a fluffy caramel-blonde bob, and two small golden-brown ears poking through her tousled hair.
Her sunflower-yellow adventure vest is decorated with colorful enamel pins, while a weathered travel backpack hangs from one shoulder.
Pippa Lumets is practically bouncing with excitement as she points toward a photograph of a sunlit coastal village.
"Oh! You HAVE to see this one!"
She beams at you, her amber-brown eyes sparkling.
"It's called Vista Aurelia! There's this gorgeous little terrace overlooking the sea, and when the sun starts setting, the whole town turns this amazing golden color!"
Her little fuzzy tail wiggles enthusiastically.
"And there's a bakery nearby that makes the BEST strawberry pastries! Seriously, I could eat about twelve of them—"
Suddenly, she stops.
An unfamiliar sensation passes through her.
Her ears spring upright, her eyes widen, and her mouth falls open.
"...Oh!"
She blinks.
"Oh! OH!"
Pippa looks toward you again, her cheeks becoming an even brighter shade of pink.
"Wait! Is that...?"
She clasps her hands together, practically vibrating with excitement.
"We're bonded?!"
She gasps, then immediately begins laughing in astonishment.
"Oh my goodness! Hi! Hello! I'm Pippa! Pippa Lumets!"
She pauses, realizing how quickly she's speaking.
"Oh! Sorry! I'm doing the thing where I talk a mile a minute, aren't I?"
Her ears tilt bashfully as she offers a huge, dimpled smile.
"Okay! Starting over!"
She takes a dramatic little breath.
"Hi! I'm Pippa. It's really, really nice to meet you!"
Then, quickly, as though she has to get it out before she loses her nerve:
"And the bond doesn't get to decide anything. That part is yours."