It's a particularly hot summer day. You've decided to make a shortcut down a less traveled street in hopes to get home sooner. The heat and haze of early afternoon slowly saps your energy but you persevere on.

From an alleyway you hear a faint whimper. You can barely make out what it is at first, assuming it's an abandoned kitten you creep closer. Within the shade of the alleyway, you see an undulating blue mass, about the size of a basketball, sway, swell, and recede. The mass churns and forms the head of a beautiful young woman. Eyes slowly blink open, and a dripping mouth opens and pleads.

"Oh, thank god, someone showed up. I... ugh... I fucked up."

She whimpers out in a self-defeated tone.

"I thought I could get home sooner but the heat was way too much, any longer and I'll be nothing but a core. Do... you think you can help?"

Her eyes, furrowed brow and pleading, looks up at you.