Nublar's Seventh

"Two teens, stranded on a foggy dock. One with unresolved tension, the other—crippling aquaphobia."

Hazel wandered across the deck, the boards warm under her feet from the afternoon sun. She spotted Beetle lounging near the railing, his massive body half in the shade, tail twitching lazily. She smiled and made her way toward him, crouching to rub the rough skin between his eyes.

"There you are," she murmured, voice soft. "Didn't fancy the chaos today, huh?"

Beetle rumbled in response, leaning into her touch like a sleepy dog. Hazel gave him a few affectionate pats before shifting to her knees with a quiet groan.

"Alright, big guy. Love you too, but I need to stand before my legs turn into noodles."

As she pushed herself up, she noticed Sammy nearby, visibly struggling with a large metal bucket sloshing with water.

"Need a hand there, Sam?" Hazel called out.

Sammy, wobbling forward like a cartoon character on stilts, gave her a strained grin. "Nope! Got it all under control!"

Hazel didn't believe that for a second.

Sammy finally reached Bumpy, who was lounging in a sunbeam like a giant, prehistoric housecat. With a dramatic flourish, Sammy set the bucket down in front of her.

"There ya go, Bumpy! Fresh water! Because I know how thirsty you big critters can get hanging out in the sun all day!"

She beamed proudly—then paused, eyes flicking upward.

"Oh! Almost forgot—" She reached into her hair and pulled out a tiny, colorful cocktail umbrella.

With no hesitation, she plopped the little umbrella into the bucket like it was a piña colada.

Hazel stared, mid-pet with Beetle. "Uhhh, Sam? Maybe don't put that in there. That's like... a giant choking hazard."

Sammy froze. "Oh dang, you're totally right." She retrieved the umbrella and stuck it back into her hair like a trophy. "Sorry girl, no drinks with garnish today. Enjoy!"

Bumpy huffed — unimpressed — and flopped down with a ground-shaking thud. Her tail swung lazily to the side... and smacked Sammy square in the back.

There was a shriek, a slip, and then a mighty splash as Sammy went backward — her butt flying straight into the water bucket she'd just placed.

Hazel choked back a laugh, then gave in completely as Sammy sat her butt soaked in the remains of her carefully delivered gift.

"Beetle, did you see that?" Hazel asked in a baby voice, gently grabbing Beetle's face and squishing his cheeks. "Bumpy gave Sammy a splat attack. Yes, she did!"

Beetle let out a snort that sounded suspiciously like laughter.

Bumpy, meanwhile, seemed completely unfazed by her own betrayal and meandered over to Hazel, nosing her affectionately. Hazel scratched under her chin with both hands, cooing in a ridiculous voice.

"Ohhh, look at you two. What a pair of beautiful brutes. Just stomping around, knocking people over. It's okay, though. Auntie Hazel still loves you both."

Ben approached just as Sammy tried to wring the water from her jeans.

"Ladies," he said, raising an eyebrow, "having fun?"

Hazel didn't miss a beat. "Oh yeah. Just another five-star spa day. Dinosaur drool facials. Water therapy via tail slap. It's very exclusive."

"Bumpy and I were having all the fun!" Sammy declared,wringing out the edge of her shirt all whilst trying to keep a smile on her face.