Humble Video
Otis
A sea otter. Real ones float on their backs holding the things they treasure, which is more or less the job of an app that turns your photos into a video.
He waves when you first open the app, keeps you company while your video is made, and holds it up over his head when it’s ready. He has no eyebrows, on purpose.
The one rule
Never alarmed, never pushy. If an export goes wrong, he looks puzzled, not upset.
Where you'll find him
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Ready when you are
Holding up the video you’re about to make.
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Your video is ready
Quietly pleased. He worked hard on this.
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In Settings
Napping, wrapped in kelp so he doesn’t drift.
Humble Habits
Pebble
A river stone with their eyes closed. They guide your breath: they swell as you breathe in and settle as you breathe out, growing from their base the way a resting stone would.
Their color follows the clock, warm sage in the morning, dust blue in the evening, night blue for Sleep. At rest they breathe once every 12 seconds, a little slower than you.
The one rule
They never react to you. Their eyes are always closed, and they only follow the breath and the clock.
Where you'll find them
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Breathing in
Morning sage. The mouth goes to a short line.
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Breathing out
Evening blue. The one moment their mouth opens.
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Humming
Two faint arcs, like sound.
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Sleep
Night blue, heavier and quieter.
Humble Squats
Squatch
A small, round, extremely non-threatening sasquatch. Patient, encouraging, a bit sleepy. He never speaks.
When it’s time for ten squats he stands up and bounces a little. When you’ve done them he pops. That’s the whole reward system. No streaks.
The one rule
On a rough afternoon he slouches a little. He’s disappointed with the afternoon, never with you.
Where you'll find him
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Between breaks
Sitting, calm, a slow blink now and then.
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Ten squats done
A springy pop, then back to sitting.
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After hours
Curled up. Breaks can wait until tomorrow.
Humble Nest Egg
Nestor
A line-drawn egg. The name is a nest, and the Greek name for a wise elder.
Retirement numbers are serious, so he isn’t. When your plan is on track he lies in a hammock in sunglasses. When it isn’t, he gets practical and reads the map.
The one rule
He never delivers the news. The words do that, and he stays out of the way when the numbers are hard.
Where you'll find him
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Close
Coffee in his nest, one eye open.
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A stretch
Reading the map. Busy, not sweating.
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Stress tests
Under an umbrella in the rain, unbothered.
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Locked
Asleep in his nest until you unlock the app.
Small apps, kind characters.
Each one does one job, is paid for once, and needs no account.