I had been tracking my prey the entire day. I wasn't very hungry yet, but Mother had always taught me to plan ahead in case of an emergency.
The first faint rumbles of hunger were sounding from my stomach as I chose her out of the herd she roamed with. I started to stalk her, to determine when the best time would be to cull her out. Just close enough to hear conversation, but not close enough for her to notice. It's a good thing her voice can be heard a field away...
"I am _not_ leading him on!" she exclaimed to the woman next to her at the cafe. "I just don't want to burn any bridges... Ronnie and I broke up, fine. I mean, Sean's cute but what if I decide in a couple of weeks that I'm better off with Ronnie? I don't want to lose him.... And if Sean's the better guy, I'll have him!"
My stomach now was gurgling with a different feeling. But she looked tasty enough, if a bit on the scrawny side. I followed them to a store and watched as they tried on clothes and shoes.
"_I'm_ going to get a '54 Mustang convertible...." she was saying to her friend. When the companion murmured about the cost, my prey simply waved it off. "I don't care, I _want_ one!"
Next was a little coffee shop for dessert. The conversation had turned to people that were not there and my prey was systematically ripping each of them to tiny little pieces. The hunter in me approved of such talent but at least wounds from my claws had chances of healing.... She pouted at her friend, wanting another piece of blueberry pie, although she was without cash. The companion bravely stood up to it, obviously well used to such tactics. But once the prey started wheedling and whining, I could see the brave defense crumble. Ye gods, that girl's voice was like a drill aimed straight into my innermost brain! My stomach acid was curdling just listening to it! I was sure my face had the same look of relief as the companion's once she gave in and ordered the extra slice of pie.
They left again, this time arriving at a gymnasium. They were watching some male acquaintances of their's. My prey was very bouncy about and I heard her explain that she had once been a cheerleader. She cheered on her chosen team, constantly yelling, though I quickly noticed that it was often the same thing, over and over. I had seen these games before and had some small smattering of the knowledge but it seemed that just because one was a cheerleader, it did not make one as knowledgeable as a 'coach.' Her instructions were often confusing and I was sure that the team tried not to listen to her, though how to ignore that bullhorn of a voice was beyond my comprehension.
I stared down at my hands, briefly thinking whether this was worth it. She would be the type to describe things as 'horrid,' to scream and faint and wait for rescue. Easy prey. But Mother had always told me that one is what one eats. Would I really want all of that poison and vitriol inside of me? My hands shapeshifted for a moment into my beloved talons. I flexed them, imagining her throat between the powerful muscles. Then her hyena of a laugh broke my concentration, returning my talons to human hands.
Halftime had come and she had sat down, eying the males with pride as they came over and surrounded her. I looked up to see her draped over one of the males, the elder of the group by my judge, approximately a decade her elder, perhaps good for the winter before my sleep. She complemented each and then the team as a whole, exclaiming, "You guys are only down by 6 points!"
One of the males pointed out, "No, 8 points."
She pouted, I guessed it may have been pretty if I was one to judge such things, and replied, "I need, like, a calculator for these things!"
I could see the companion's eyes rolling and it matched the flip-flops my stomach was doing. There is such a thing as too much, even for a dragon's stomach to handle. I silently left the gym, pondering where I might find my next meal. It would have to be soon, for my stomach was slowly recovering and it would not be too long before the familiar rumbles of hunger sounded forth again. I looked back at the dark building I had just left, wondering.
I shrugged, a human gesture, and walked away. There are some princesses that not even dragons would eat....
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