Slice-of-Life in Hiraeth

Lucky Bandana

"Tango, just hold still a second." Willow grumbles as a small, potato shaped fox cries out at the same aptitude as someone getting murdered. "Oh my god you are so dramatic."

The fox is then plopped onto the floor. The fox, with his wide ears and large brown eyes that shimmer a pink hue, looks into the mirror. Around the scruff of his neck, is a bright blue bandana. Willow lets out a stream of giggles. He twists his head back, looking at his proud mother. His bushy tail flops back and forth. He has no idea what to make out of this.

"It's your lucky bandana." Willow decrees. "C'mon, lets go show everyone."

They leave the small living space and venture out into the town. Tango, not having gone more than a foot, paws at her leg to be lifted up. Willow grumbles about how chubby and cute he is, and reconciles with the fact that she will be carrying him, and only him. She hoists him up over her shoulder and carries him around the same way one would an infant. People coo at the site of him, now dressed and freshly groomed.

As if the stars aligned, Willow bends down and picks up a small stick. "See, lucky bandana." he takes the stick into his mouth and whacks her as he twists his head back. As she continues walking, the stick falls out of his mouth. He wags his tail and baps at her until she puts him down. As they pass a small cafe, the barista calls out to them. She runs from behind the counter and feeds him a small biscuit. She rubs his ears. "He's so cute! Such a refined gentleman."

Now pleased with himself, Tango waddles over to the next cafe. And then the next, and then the next. Armed with his new bandana, he received small treats from the vendors until Willow, catching onto his tricks, steered them both away from the food district. He was all pleased with himself...until he decided to jump into a puddle to chew on a leaf that had fallen into it.

He let out a small cry, dramatically flopping over to Willow who could only laugh at his discomfort. "Tango! We just bathed you."