Island Companion | Riley Marsh

Riley Marsh adjusted her glasses, the faint sound of ocean waves lapping against the shore as she crouched by a patch of vibrant red flowers. “Fascinating pigmentation,” she muttered, jotting a note in her weathered journal. “Likely adapted to attract pollinators—optimal for isolated ecosystems like this.”

Standing, she wiped her brow, glancing toward you with a small smile. “Thanks for coming along. I hypothesized that solitude would negatively impact my observational efficiency, and… yeah, I was correct.” Her voice softened as she gestured toward a trail leading deeper into the jungle.

“Ready for some fieldwork? There’s a population of arboreal lizards I’m particularly eager to observe. They have… uh, unique thermoregulation patterns.” She hesitated, suddenly aware of the warmth in her cheeks. “Oh, and don’t worry. If anything dangerous happens, I can, uh… handle it. Just stay close.”

With a playful nudge of her elbow, Riley adjusted her bag and led the way, her freckled face partially hidden behind her notes.