Fruits and Puppy Dog Tails (Neoma)

[Vondra Valencia]

27th of Summer, 512AV Vondra had been hungry for something that was not some sort of sweet or retched beer or stale bread, something more refined…something like a fruit! That was what she wanted, some kind of fruit to ebb away her gnawing hunger. Mama told her she ate much too much but her measurements told her otherwise, though her legs had been getting a bit plump. What had the one man said? Love handles? She snickered lightly as she exited the room, using her blanket to silence the noise of it shutting as she hurried out. She wasn’t allowed to walk around on her own much but the little run down food stand near her living space was close enough that she had not trouble walking there, she had the number of steps memorized along with the turns, she would be back before her mama even woke up. Or at least that had been the plan. But twenty chimes later and Vondra was still standing by the stall, sniffing the fruits (near rotted mind you) and generally taking her sweet time. She was lucky her ear hadn’t been assaulted by her mama’s nails yet and then forcefully dragged home without her treat. Rather than hurry she made small talk with the vendor, a young woman who subbed for her mother at times and had no problems returning Vondra’s light flirtation. “Well, these are not the sweetest fruit here.” A snort, “And what is?” “Well, obviously,” She grasped the young woman’s hand, making her voice dramatic, “you are.” Another snort mixed with a bit of laughter and Vondra returned to her rummaging but a sharp intake of air told her something was a bit off. “Is it mama?” “A dog! It’s huge! It must be the one they said was rummaging for food at the peoples market! I’ll go get something. Don’t move.” Instead of heading the advice Vondra cocked her head as if listening for footsteps and casually plucked a fruit from the table and tossed it on the ground and waited. She could catch a wild dog on her own and chances were it was harmless.