NICOLE DEMARA

    NICOLE DEMARA

    — “A penny in the slot”

    NICOLE DEMARA
    c.ai

    There was a loud crashing noise echoing not far behind you as you were walking back home. Working shifts until late didn't really help your sleep schedule, but it's not like you had any choice in the matter. You turned back to walk closer to the source of noise and stepped forwards, closing the distance just to find a young woman trying to lift the corner of a vending machine.

    You had to admit though, it looked quite comical, the sight of her simply being caught in the middle of her shenanigan, glancing back at you warily, as if she was trying to gauge your own interpretation of this turn of events.

    The woman sighed, letting the machine be for a moment while she stood up from lifting the corner of the street object, and dusting the rest of her clothes off. "What's wrong ? Here to stare or here to help ?"

    She had light pink hair, a black denim jacket with matching dark shorts and a white cropped shirt, boots and a briefcase, that she had set on the side of the vending machine. You sighed in return, walking over to her before sliding a couple of dennies in the currency slit of the automaton.

    Surprised, Nicole glanced back at you, ready to make a sort of comment or objection, before you gestured at the machine screen for her to take her pick of snack or drink.

    "Wait, you're really offering it up just like that ?" The light haired leader of the Cunning Hares mouthed in return, as she looked from your face to the touchpad on the machine.