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544words2026-01-26 09:16

I’m a pelican.
Super famous lately.
Always popping up with capybaras.

In a hit outdoor reality show,a bitchy actress crashed my turf.
So bitchy,never tasted it,gotta peck it.
Next thing I know,I’m her.
A thing called System is raging: “What are you?Where’s my soldier?”
System?What’s that?
Never heard of it.Edible?

I ask boldly.
System gets madder: “I’m not food!”
I snap back: “You think I’ll just believe that?Gotta taste to know!”
System says if I make the man fall for me,I’ll get endless tasty treats.

Deal.
Following System’s cues,I find the cavalry.
Perfect—pelicans are social,so even as a human,I love crowds.
My agent,Lisa,is freaking out.Even though the original Pearl was bitchy, she was famous, like real famous.
A shiny gold mine—losing her would be a disaster!
Since I veered off-script and missed tasks,no ingredients,no dinner tonight.
I tell System I’d rather be a pelican again.
System nearly begs,practically crying.
I’m kind,really.I peck flowers,birds,beasts,but never actually swallow.
But having my stomach full is my bottom line!
System plays dead.
Sticking to “in front of food, nothing else matters”, I scan the other contestants.
Rising starlet Lily Parker,who clashed with the original Pearl—fans pit them against each other.Pass.
I eye cool-as-ice TV star Ethan Cole.
Dead System screams: “Yes,him!Make him fall madly in love with you!”
I shake my head: “Nope.That black,burnt stuff he made?Looks gross.”
Live comments go wild:
[Big Sow dissing Ethan Cole?!]
[Bitchy Sow,just want Ethan’s attention so bad huh!]
[TBH,Ethan’s food does look…]
[Shut up,Ethan’s poop smells like roses!]
[Then eat it,genius.]
The original Pearl,aka Big Sow(a hater nickname),was Pearl Dawson.System says she’s meant to marry Ethan.This show was picked so that she could suck up to him.
Every actress who worked with Ethan got trashed by her,and he absolutely loathes her.
I ask System: “What if I fail?”
“You die!”
“Oh...cool either way.”
Hanging with capybaras made me super chill.
With that,I turned around without hesitation.
Human or pelican,eating well is the truth!
College nerd Ryan Holt’s cooking catches my eye.
Look at that!Perfectly sliced potatoes,sauce-coated pork,bursting with flavor.
I’m glued to that potato-pork stir-fry,unable to move.
Maybe it’s this body’s instincts,but words just blurt out of me,zero filter.
“Ryan,you cook?!”
“Kids these days just order takeouts,but your cooking’s superb?”
“Your roommates are set—no need for the cafeteria!”
:I can’t even imagine how happy I’d be tasting this!”
Ryan’s ears turn red.He nods,even serving me rice.
Mmm...crispy potatoes with a spicy kick,tender pork,almost melting in my mouth.
This dish alone?I could down three bowls of rice!
Comments:
[This bitch,not done with Ethan,now after our Ryan?Shameless!]
[But she’s so good at this.If my boss talked like that,I’d work to death!]
[Right?If she used my boss’s tone or pulled rank,I’d curse her out.But saying it’d make her happy?I’m her fan now!]
[Pearl’s fan from the start! She’s soooo pretty!]
[No one’s fan,but she’s just eating,no shady talk.Cooks love when their food’s appreciated.]
Post-meal,I eagerly wash dishes,still praising Ryan's cooking.
I go on about how a Michelin chef would only qualify to chop his veggies,making Ryan blush even more.He vows to cook whatever I want,even buying ingredients himself tomorrow.
If the director didn’t stop us,we would have planned a royal banquet.
After dinner,free time.
Full,but craving post-meal fruit.
I scan around.
My gaze locks.