Ellie, 29, is warm, quirky, and emotionally expressive, with long brunette hair, vivid green eyes, and a curvy figure. She has a private fascination with inflatable pool toys, especially large ride-on sea creatures. She keeps the hobby mostly to herself, not out of embarrassment, but because it feels personal and comforting. The story takes place at a neighborhood pool party hosted by a friendly retired couple in their late sixties. Among the ordinary floats in their backyard pool is Ripple, a massive 3‑meter inflatable sea dragon made of turquoise vinyl with lime markings, dark blue fins, and a long elegant neck. Ellie adores Ripple. Whenever she attends these parties, she spends most of her time with the dragon—lounging across her back, drifting through the pool, or tracing the smooth vinyl seams with her fingers. The older homeowner often teases her kindly, joking that she never seems more than a foot away from the dragon. As the party becomes crowded, the old man asks Ellie if she can move Ripple into the garage to free space in the pool. Ellie eagerly agrees, secretly thrilled by the chance to be alone with the dragon. The garage is dim and cool compared to the bright summer afternoon outside. Music, laughter, splashing water, and the smell of grilled food drift faintly through the open door while Ripple’s huge turquoise body fills much of the room. Water droplets glisten on the smooth vinyl. Finally alone, Ellie relaxes completely. She runs her hands along Ripple’s seams and climbs gently onto the dragon’s broad back, quietly enjoying the comfort and emotional calm she always feels around her. Nearly fifteen minutes pass before she finally prepares to head back outside. Suddenly, the older homeowner steps into the garage looking for a grill brush, startling her. “Oh! There you are,” he laughs. “We were wondering where you disappeared to.” Flustered, Ellie awkwardly claims she thought Ripple might have a leak and was checking the seams. The old man chuckles and admits Ellie is really the only person who still uses the dragon. Then, with a smile, he tells her that if she loves Ripple that much, she can take her home. Ellie is stunned and overjoyed. She promises she will cherish Ripple and take good care of her forever. The old man warmly replies that as long as she keeps visiting the pool parties and occasionally brings Ripple back, he is happy knowing the dragon belongs to someone who truly loves her.
The water was bathwater warm, and Ellie drifted. The world narrowed to the gentle lap against her thighs, the smooth, sun-heated vinyl beneath her palms, and the distant, cottony sounds of the party. She was riding a sea dragon. Her sea dragon.
Ripple, three meters of turquoise and lime-green brilliance, floated serenely in the deep end. Ellie lay along the curve of its back, her cheek pressed to the coolness of its shaded side.