>You and the little white troodon end up in some antiquated pizzeria. You wanted her to have a good time, and proposed a gourmet restaurant, but for some reason she was vehemently against it. >Come to think of it, she is woefully underdressed. On you way to the pizza parlour you decide to own up to your mistake. No use in being arrogant. >”You were right, Judee. I don’t even know what came over me. Nobody would let us in when you have those ratty clothes on.” >She just nodded and gave you a strained smile. Probably didn’t want to humblebrag. >Either way, you reach “Dino Moe’s.” Seems charming enough, if a bit crowded. The girl leaves her little cart and dilapidated bicycle outside. >"I...I'd like salty liquorice, mämmi, livewurst, herring, nettle, munavoi, and cherry tomatoes, p-p-p-please. >Half of those names tell you absolutely nothing about their nature, but you're nothing if not adventurous! That's the New Inco - always on the look-out for fresh experiences! >While you wait for the food to arrive, you engage in some small-talk with the teenager. Asking about how she discovered puppeteering, some of the techinques, where she gets the materials, and so on. >On your way to the place you discreetly listened to some YouSnoot videos on your headbud. You wouldn't want to come off as a total amateur. >Unfortunately, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, it seems. She corrects you once. Then a second time. Then says you got the fundamentals all wrong. Finally she goes into a full-blown lecture, as if you're some child. >Curiously, her stutter completely stopped. Was that part of the "poor bohemian artist" act, as well? >Still, you're nothing but a gracious host, so you nod along, suffering her gloating.
>>70570676 >After what seems to be an eternity, the pie finally arrives. To say it’s oversized would be an understatement. It barely fits on the table. >The smell is… well… avant-garde, to put it mildly. To put it bluntly, you have to stop yourself from retching. It smells more like an alchemical concoction, rather than a fine piece of Italian cuisine. Still, maybe it’s the kind of food that smells horribly, but is actually delicious once you taste it. >The next five minutes, and a quick trip to the restroom, convince you it’s not. How the Hell can she even stomach that? Is that a prank? Is she making fun of you? Did Mia put up one of her ghetto buddies to this? >Deciding you want some answers, you stomp back, manly and determined to confront the little retard. To your surprise, however, she’s rapidly chowing down on a slice, one much too big for her small stature. You even think she’s quietly moaning in delight. And, for the first time, she’s smiling, ear to ear. >Her smile is beautiful. Gentle, dreamy, a fragile little thing, as if made of crystal. You feel your fingers itch. You want to photograph, immortalise something so fleeting for all the world to see. You want to be a real painter, whose canvas is made of life and stilled motion, not smears of paint that you expect the whole world to awe over. >”… you actually like it?” >The girls stops in her feverish consumption, startled. “Oh, oh yes, it’s my favourite combination. I-I-I only usually eat it once a year, on my birthday.” >”Are the ingredients that rare?” >”N-n-n-o… it’s not that.” She seemingly concentrates in order to get her bearing, then sighs and looks you straight in the eyes. “W-we… that is – my mother and I – we don’t have a lot of money. I-i-it’s just me and her… b-but we’re happy!” She immediately adds, a blush spreading on her face.
>>70570759 >”So? This pizza is just, what, 40$?” You interject with an amused smile. At that, the little thing’s jaw drops, and she starts trembling. >”F-f-forty dollars? I-I-can’t...oh, wait,” she takes a look into her wallet, and sighs in relief, “I can split it with you using the money you gave me earlier.” >”No, you won’t. It’s my treat.” You say, once again both surprised, puzzled, and amused. Why did she make such a big deal out of it? >”No! I have to pay you back! You already gave me too much!” she stomps her little feet and glares at you defiantly. For some reason she’s gung-ho about paying you back somehow. You think to yourself that she’s either very cute, or slow in the head. Or both. Then, a brilliant idea strikes you! >”I know! The next time you perform, let me know beforehand! I’ll come with my camera and take pictures! Did I mention I’m aiming to be a professional photograph? >”Y-y-yes, about a dozen tim..” >”Then you understand how important it is to get fresh inspiration! And I’ve never seen a puppet show before, not a live one! I’m sure you can use the free advertising, as well. What say you? >She seems taken aback at that. Probably surprised someone with your talent and prospects would deign to want to immortalise her little children’s show. The reality, however, was that you were aiming for something completely different. >That smile. You want to… you NEED to capture that smile, that delicate statue made of flesh and joy. It will be the perfect addition to the collage you’ve been preparing. >After almost a minute has passed in silence, with her deep in thought, the troodon nods her head, smiles slightly, and relents. “O-OK, you can come.” >”Terrific. Here, my phone number and contact information.” You pull out one of your pre-pared business cards, and hand it over to her. “Please let me know the date beforehand. I’m sure to come.”
>>70570860 >You, or rather the saurian, continues to vacuum in the disgusting pizza, chatting away about little things, and little topics. You interject from time to time, but this time focus on her face and body – her contours, how her hair sways when she moves about animatedly, her gesticulation, how she seems to absent-mindedly caress the puppet still stuck to her tail. >Being the professional, you want to take her all in before committing your camera. You know all too well how fleeting the perfect shot can be, so the more preparation, the better. Especially if something unexpected were to occur… >”..ey, Inco? Hello?” You are ripped from your thoughts by a dainty hand waving in front of you. “A-anyone home?” She snickers at her own, ill-placed joke. Did she mean to imply you look like an airhead? >”Oh, sorry there, got lost in thoughts. You were saying…?” >”Can I get a box? A big one?” >”A box?” Is she homeless? Will she sleep on it? You believe she mentioned her mother before. >”There’s s-s-s-till half left. If you d-d-d-on’t mind, I’d like to t-t-t-ake a few slices home. For my mom.” >”...why?” The question leaves your mouth before you realised it has formed. >”I-I-I said we don’t h-h-have a lot of m-m-money. She l-l-oves Finnish food, and this pizza is y-y-yummy. She’d be happy. I try to help her w-w-w-hen I can.” >Something scratches you at the back of your head. Mom. >When was the last time you’ve seen her? When was the last time she’s done anything for you, other than throw money your way? When was the last time you’ve done anything for her? That photo for Mother’s Day, two years back? The one she didn’t even open from its packaging? >When was the last time Olivia did anything for Sophia, other than be a burden, a spoiled brat, an anchor around her neck? Who’s the bigger one? Mom? Sophia? The gator? Y..
>>70571036 >”...listen, if you want it to y-y-ourself, it’s f-f-fine. I’ll buy her s-s-something on the way home.” Judee once again pulls you out of your thoughts, this time clearly embarrassed and panicked. >You shake you head, trying to regain your bearings. Then you flash your most handsome smile at the beggar-like entity in front of you. >”No, no, I apologise, I got lost in some… ruminations. Sure, you can take it, I’m not really… hungry.” You take a quick look at the horrific concoction of a madman, still lying in front of you. “Let me handle it. I’ll be right back.” >With that, you carry yourself to the register. Some more preparations are in order… >Ten minutes later you and your impromptu dining companion leave the building. While you gentlemanly open the door for her, she staggers out with an overstuffed box, filled to the brim with the sludge that seemed like ambrosia to her. One wrong step and she would’ve planted her face on flat on the pavement. Once you again you wish you had your camera. >Once she’s in front of her little cart, the troodon turns into a pillar of salt, boggle-eyed. On top of her puppeteering equipment lies a half-dozen boxes of freshly made pizzas. >”I bribed the cook to give me the first six to come out of the oven. They’re random, but hopefully you and your mom will like them.” You exclaim proudly in justified pride. You helped.
>>70571237 >At this, thirty seconds of silence. A minute. Two minutes. Your face is strained by the smile stuck to your face, and your chest begins to hurt. Finally, the girl places her box on top of the pile and turns to you with a small scowl. >”D..do you t-t-think I-I’m a beggar? I’m not. I-I-work every night, at the g-g-gas station. My äiti works two j-j-j-obs, dawn to d-d-d-usk. She l-l-oves me. We h-h-have little money b-b-b-ecause she wants me to g-g-o to college, so she saves e-every penny. We’re not some l-l-azy bums, l-l-ooking for hand-outs...a-a-a-shole!” With that, she once again stomps her small feet, while her tail-attached felted friend juts forward, giving you a nasty sneer. >Her outburst comes as a total surprise to you. The little ingrate not only doesn’t thank you, doesn’t appreciate your efforts, the time and thought you spent on her – she attacks you! Berates you! After all you’ve done for her! The dress you bought her! She pushes you away, the green bitch! >Fortunately for your future, this time your mouth does the talking whilst your twisted mind is pre-occupied. Maybe, for once, it’s the heart that’s doing the talking. >”I just wanted to see your smile again.” You mumble under your breath, eyes darting back and forth, already looking for the best escape route. You can’t be caught again, you can’t. They’ll blame you. Maybe if that little white creature is unable to talk… >Warmth envelops you around your waist. A pair of slim, fragile hands. A lunar-tainted tail around your leg. Warm breath upon your chest. It lasts barely for a few seconds. >”I-I-I’l let you know.” With that, she jumps on her bike, and drives off in haste, leaving you there, dumbfounded.