Inflata-Donut: Inflated for Life Saving Potential (Preview)

The squirrel knocked on the door, making squishy, padded sounds with her cartoon paws. Still no answer then either. So, she turned the knob, finding it unlocked, and peered inside.

“LE GASP!” Her curly tail unrolled itself and shot up straight, her ears jerking up as high as they could too. No one was home.

Tail rolling back up, she scooted around the balcony on the raised shack and looked down the beach in all directions. No matter which way she looked, nothing. There was no sign of any lifeguard or anything remotely similar in sight.

Oh dear, oh my, oh dear! Luminaria's squirrel buck teeth started chattering away like a typewriter. This isn't good, not good at all! Are they late? She gasped. Are they sick? She gasped even louder. Are they canned?! Oh my oh my!

This wouldn't do at all! When Luminaria looked all over the beach from her perch, she realized how busy things truly were. It may have been early, but the place was already fairly crowded. So many humans, anthros, and toons were visiting, playing in the sand, sun, and water.

Her heart raced again but for panic this time. Danger! There was so much potential for danger everywhere she looked, and no one around to help!

“Ohboyohboyohboy!” Luminaria huffed, clenching her oversized, puffy purple paws on the railing. “This ain't gonna do it at all!” The people needed a protector, a savior to watch over them as they cavorted on the beach. She needed her summer romance, but, she supposed, to a lesser extent.

Hmmmm, could I step in? She scratched her chin, a thought bubble appearing above her head. In that cloudy bubble, an even more cartoony version of herself strolled down the beach to the water with very limited frames of animation. As soon as that version hit the water, it sunk and vanished into it with a THUNK.

She shook her head, the cloud vanishing. Naaaaaah. I sink like a stone, even with dese floatation devices. She gently stroked her massive bosom and tail.

Okay then, I need to find someone! Where would I even-

Luminaria looked around, her eyes falling back on the lifeguard shack. On an outer wall was a metal box, almost like a first aid station. However, this one was bright red with white text on it. Break in case of no lifeguard on duty. Only for extreme emergencies.

Her squirrel ears wiggled. This is an extreme emergency!! She grabbed the handle and with ease, ripped it and the door right off the box.

The toon wasn't sure what to expect when looking inside. What she found was very surprising: a bright, purple frosted donut.

However, this donut was special. It was glossy and rubbery to the eye, looking like it was made out of the same material as an inner tube. It even had a nozzle attached to it. Even pulling it out and holding it felt like clutching a pool inflatable.

Inflata-Donut! Luminaria’s eyes sparkled, positively glowed with delight. She had seen the commercials, she had heard the stories from eaters of this pastry. This was exactly what the situation called for.

This pastry was more than meets the eye, and it just needed the right eater. She threw herself against the raised shack's railing and peered out onto the beach. Where, where, where, where… where is my special…

“BINGO!” Luminaria shouted at the top of her lungs, hopping up and down. Her voice echoed and blasted, scaring some beach patrons walking by or resting nearby.

Like focusing in with a telescope on a distant planet, Luminaria saw her target. There was a rather lanky, dopey-looking guy walking the opposite direction from her. He had long blonde hair and wore a sleeveless t-shirt and sandals.

Poifect! The squirrel hopped over the railing and landed with a big PLOP onto the sand, people jumping back in surprise as sand sprayed everywhere. She charged down the beach, heading towards her unaware target.