"OH NOHO, NOT THE SPLASHING!!"

"AH, IT'S LIKE A WATERFALL!!"

you laughed mischievously, lashing your massive arms through the water, throwing yet another massive wave of water over the young duo making them cry out and laugh again, and try to retaliate by splashing back at you, but they couldn't quite reach your means of splash-ery, with comparably tiny splashes. spinel had an advantage however, by swelling her hands up and bringing her fists down into the water, causing an eruption of water, effectively drenching you and steven. "Ah! alright, alright, you win!" you stop your splashing with a dopey, tongue lolling smile, while spinel wore a cocky smirk, mounting your back before pumping her fists in the air. "score one for the dynamic gem duo!" steven giggled, as you started to lick his face to clean the salty water and sand residue from it. after much licking, he finally pushes you away, parting your wet hair to see your bright eyes beaming down at him. "come on guys, let's get to shore!" you gave a nod and, without warning, lurched forward and took the back of the boy's shirt into your mouth and hoisted him up out of the water, before lumbering towards the shore. "whoa haha! you don't have to carry me, (name)" he protested, while giggling as he swayed slightly. you grinned in response. "(name) knows. but she does what she wants!" you responded, lifting your head up higher into a mild haughty stance, making spinel and steven laugh more.

once you all came to shore, you placed steven back onto his feet, and spinel dismounted your withers, wringing out her pigtails. after which, you shake your mane out, spraying flecks of water in all directions, drenching the young duo once again. "ah! watch where your shakin' ya big doof!" spinel exclaims playfully as she ducked behind Steven's shield he had summoned to try an avoid the oncoming spray. once it was dry, your fur stood up, fluffy and soft like (color) thistledown. spinel almost instantly leapt onto your back, pressing her face into your fluffy, sun-warmed fur, murmuring happily at the feeling. steven suddenly rests his hands on your muzzle, smiling broadly. "c'mon, guys! let's go get something to snack on!" he then excitedly throws his hands into the air. "and I know the perfect place!" you tip your head to the side. "big donut?" he giggles, shaking his head. "no, but it's just as good!" he gestures you to follow him. "follow!" with that he darts off, prompting you to trot after him with spinel playing with locks of your fur.

what could be just as good as donuts?
~~~~~~~~~~~

"Beach CityWalk fries?"

you squint at the large sign with a squinted as steven dashes upto the large windows infront of the establishment, where a small figure was standing. it was a small, fair skinned young boy with blonde locks of wavy hair on his head. he was wearing a polite smile on his face as steven approached, excitedly placing his hands on the counter in front of the window. "PEEDEE!" he suddenly slams his hands on the counter. "WE NEED SOME FRYBITS!" peedee? you tipped your head to the side, as you stopped a few inches behind steven, sitting behind him. what a unique name... the boy, peedee's smile suddenly faltered and he took on the look of unamusement. "steven, when are you gonna use the actual mennn-" his eyes slid to meet yours, and as expected, his face contorted into alarm and confusion. "-nnu." his eyes looked you up and down, as if he were wondering if he was seeing you correctly while you just smile awkwardly back at him with a minor shrug. steven took notice of the situation and put on a cheery grin. "oh yeah!" he turns to you and gestures to peedee. "(name)! spinel! this is peedee!" he then turns to the counter and gestures to you. "peedee! this is (name) and spinel!" you stepped closer and nodded politely to him. "hello." spinel, who dozed off briefly on your back, sat up and rubbed her eyes, regarding the boy with a bright smile. "hiya!"

peedee then squinted his eyes, as if he recognized something. "Isn't... she that 'mutant cow' with her 'pink baby' everyone's been going on about?"

your eye twitched slightly behind your bangs and you barely repressed your urge to scowl. it seems the nickname "mutant cow" is beginning to stick. steven chuckled wearily, rubbing the back of his neck. "well... i wouldn't call her a mutant cow..." peedee stares a bit more for a moment before suddenly extending his hand towards you, slowly and curiously. this surprised you, as most folks would mostly look to steven for reassurance before remotely even attempting to touch you. peedee, although uneasy at the moment, appeared to be testing the waters with you. how peculiar. but welcoming. you instinctively leaned forward, allowing his hand to press into your head. "whoa." peedee uttered, mildly startled by your move. quickly however, an incredulous smile enlightened his face. "she really is friendly, isn't she?" he then goes ahead and scratches the top of your head, making you smile and purr, much to steven's delight. "that's another buddy to your buddy list, (name)!" steven then blinks as if he realized something. "wait, how'd you know about her?" peedee, who was patting a cheery spinel on the head, looked up with a thin smirk. "well, after that whole ocean thing, she's kinda been the talk of the city." his face then faltered into the look of mild irritation. "Then there's... Ronaldo. hasn't stopped talking about her since that day..." you tipped your head to the side, slightly surprised. you remembered Ronaldo. that oddball boy from a while ago... "Peedee know Ronaldo?" the boy grins in a small smirk, with a roll of his eyes. "I ought to. he's my brother." your eyes went wide in shock and spinel had the look of bemused surprise. "(name) so sorry." you replied with a slightly flat note to your voice, making peedee snicker. "ah, he's fine. Just.. out there." He then clears his throat, looking more serious. "anyways, better get back to business before he gets back." steven snapped straight up like he'd been brought back to reality. "oh right!" he then slams his fists into the counter again, startling you and spinel. "BITS! BITS! BITS!" at this peedee rolled his eyes with a grunt and turned away, presumably to get whatever bits were. you blinked before turning to steven. "what are bits?" you quiped, to which he gave a cheery smirk. "only the greatest beach city snack along side donuts!"

spinel looked up from a lock of your fur to acknowledge steven with wide eyes. "really!?" steven nodded firmly. "really really." you snorted lightly, smiling at their conversation. such innocence they have.

"oh hey! isn't that the mother alien Ronaldo's been rambling about?"

huh? suddenly, an older man, with yellow locks of hair standing up like the condiments on the establishment's sign steps in the view looking at you with a raised eyebrow. his eyes look you up and down, before chuckling. "it is, isn't it? you brought the ocean back with steven, yeah?" he reaches out, without hesitation, much to your surprise and pets your head, making steven giggle in delight. "She sure is!" steven gestured to the man with a bright smile. "guys, this is mr. fryman! peedee and Ronaldo's dad!" your eyes widened in temporary surprise before you sneered lightly. makes sense... the hair should've been obvious. "yep! And what was her name? (name) and... what's the pink cub's name? spaniel?" you tipped your head to the side, with your mouth partially opened as spinel blinked in cheerful confusion. "actually it's spinel, mister!" she corrected, to which he chuckled softly. "ah, right. heh! and hey, since you guys saved our summer businesses, I'll give you guys some fries on the house!" Steven's eyes lit up from this and he grasped your arm in a burst of excitement. "(NAME)! SPINEL! DID YOU HEAR THAT!? WE GET FREE FRIES!"

you smiled at his excitement, your tail wagging in a sudden happiness as spinel cheered loudly. after which she smiled in cheerful confusion.

"what are free fries?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"you were right, stevie! these really are tasty!"

spinel exclaimed, popping another fry into her mouth. steven who was sat on your back, smiled in achievement as he popped a handful of frybits into his mouth. "told ya!" he boasted with his mouthful before directing his attention to you. "(name), aren't you gonna try some?" he asked washing his bite down with a swig of soda. you shrugged, cradling spinel closer while holding her fries close to her as she picked up a hand full of them. "(name)'s paws full." you replied simply to which Steven pursed his lips in thought. after a moment, he snapped his fingers with an Ah-ha! you turn to see him pick up a fist full of fries and hold him up to you. "say aaah!"