Bombastic pt 18

Serena drifted in and out of sleep, contently resting against the hellhound, who, she decided, was the bravest of any hound, waking when the noise, lights, and humidity of the inner city became too much to sleep through.

There was a perpetual haze in the city, brought about by man-created heat, neon signs, tall buildings, and the millions of people using millions of units of energy on various things. It wasn’t rain, not officially, but the dampness clung to everything street level.

“I didn’t know we were goin’ through the city,” Serena whispered, holding him tighter.

“No much choice. There wasn’t anything between where we started and here.” Vas explained. “At least there is a better chance for us to find a phone to make a call out. Find some food and a place to sleep.”

“Okay,” Serena whispered, craning her neck to look up at taller buildings than she’d seen in her life.

“We may have to find a place to wait it out till morning. It took so long to get here lot of these places are already closed.” Vas sighed as they walked aimlessly through the street. Worse Vas by not was fiercely hungry, like seriously considering eating boot hungry.

“You kids lost?” A woman with a sultry voice, wearing the smoke from a vape and not much else asked through a thick plume as she exhaled.

Vas stiffened adjusting the Rabbit on his back. “No, we just need to make a call but everything is closed.”

“Shame,” the woman drawled. “I can show you somewhere, may be willing to let you use the phone, you kids have any credits?”

Vas gave the woman a wary look and shook his head. “No.”

“Really,” she practically purred, stepping away from the building she was leaning on. “You’re expecting someone to help you out of the goodness of their heart? Oh, children, you’re cute, but not that cute.”

“Rabbit here is pretty damn cute.” Vas snorted. “Everyone loves a cute kid.” He added not giving ground. “Look, we just need the phone home. That isn't any skin off anyone's back.”

Serena nodded in agreement, holding tighter to Vas.

“Everyone does love a cute kid,” the woman agreed. “Turn a fast penny if you play your cards right. I don’t know where you’re from, but just you being somewhere is skin off someone’s back, and it’ll cost you a pound of flesh.”

Vas gave the women a look. “Turn a … what? No?!” He said a little defensive. “Why would I do that? Look, we just need to make a call. That's all.” Vas puffed a bit though he wasn't sure how much good it would do him. He looked and felt as intimidating as a dirty scruffy half starved alley cat.

“Good luck with that,” the woman said. “Someone gives you a phone, suddenly you run, you got access to all their credits? That scam may work wherever you’re from, but not here. So beat it. You’re bad for business.”

“Scam?” Vas said, trying not to look indignant. “I just need to call, hell you can make it for me. I don't care so long as it's made. Can you help or not?”

“Can I help you? Yes. Will I help you? There’s nothing in it for me, so, like I said…” The woman made a shooing motion with her hands.

Vas snorted irritably. “Fine.” He huffed and turned to childishly stomp off. “Sure there are plenty of folk out there who might be of actual help!”

“If you change your mind, willing to barter,” the woman said, as Serena let up her death grip on Vas.

“Like hell!” Vas spat at the woman.

“We’re okay still, right?” Serena whispered.

“Course we're okay.” Vas snapped. “Just because we ran into one weirdo doesn't mean there isn't a city full of people who might be of actual help. We only need one good person to help us.” He said firmly. “I think though for now we need to find a safe spot to sleep and find some food … dunno about you but I'm kinda tired and hungry.”

“Both,” Serena admitted. “But I don’t have any credits, an’ I don’t wanna turn a penny.”

“You won't be turning any pennies … hell … I'm not even sure that means but you won't be doing any of that.” Vas assured. “We'll figure something out. You and me. We got this far together.”

The rumble in the distance let them know the humidity would soon give way to rain. “An’ we’re okay, because no one fucks with a hellhound,” she said, half to remind herself, half for him. “You want me to walk, in case you gotta use your right hook?”

“Naw not yet you rest up as much as you can right now so when I need you on your feet you're fresh and full of hops.” Vas joked he said and they walked aimlessly down the street.

It was all the same to Vas. Tall unfamiliar building with narrow books and crannies, deep tight alleys … though in spite of it being the dead of night there was plenty of light, street lamps, holo add and flashing signs. The only real problem was Vas didn't know where to go, where the more active parts of the city were. Where he could get a little help. He was tired and hungry and was getting more than a little frustrated. The only thing keeping his grouchiness in check was the weight on his back.

“I’m so hungry, even protein bars sound good about now,” Serena said wistfully, staring at the delicious looking dishes from a large red vending machine. Any of them would have been delicious, and her stomach growled in protest. “Maybe if we go to sleep we’ll be less hun…” She stopped mid sentence, and squinted her eyes at the machine. “I think… that… we can get food from that,” she said, pointing. She nudged him to move forward.

Like obedient horse Vas drifted closer to the vending maching. He gave Serena a crestfallen look. “I’m sorry Rabbit. I dont have any credits.” He said his shoulder droop a little. “Maybe we can look around … ten credits isn’t a ton right? Maybe someone drop a few?” He suggest hoping to prevent any hope of food from being snuffed out.

“No, I mean… Look at it,” Serena asserted, spurring him with her heels. “Pick something, punch a number,” she whispered.

“Yea?” Vas said looking over the options. “What do you think about that one? It’s god lots of stuff right?” He pointed. “That look to you?”

“Everything looks good to me…” She said, just as quietly. “Try it. Please work, please work….”

“Arrite … here goes nothing.” Vas was too tired and too hungry to question much of anything at the moment and was too wrapped up in the hope Rabbit had some keen sixth sense for vending machines. He tapped in the number for the chosen food and waited with baited breath to see if Rabbit's nose was leading them true.

The machine whirred at Vas’s touch, and within seconds, the smell of freshly cooked food filled their nostrils. It seemed, to Serena, that it took an eternity before a happy tune started playing, a little door opening revealing thick noodles in a rich broth with slices of meat and vegetables.

“Pick another!” Serena said happily. “I think… I think your nanomites are causing some interference with it.”

Vas gave her a skeptical look letting her down and handing her the deep bowl of steaming noodles. He tried it again ordering the same one, if into because it has the most stuff and that alone appealed to Vas. “Don't wait on my account.” He said pass the girl a pair of the complimentary chopsticks before looking back at the machine.

Serena shook her head, breathing in the steam. “On account of if it doesn’t work, we can share. You gotta be hungrier on account of there’s more of you to fill up,” she rationalized.

“Yea but you are shorter and have more growing to do.” Vas counter playful as the machine whirred. “Sides … Lucky Rabbit earned her meal.”

“Hellhound magic,” she said dreamily, as she patiently waited for his food to be done.