> Marching her way back to the city streets she hefted the bouquet back up in her arms, eyes darting to catch a little fuzzy fellow emerging from the swaddling embrace of one rose’s deep petals
> Crawling out, coated in pollen, the little bumbled bee was ready to take flight before Franny shook the bouquet violently
> Abruptly flung into the air the poor creature tried desperately to right itself, buzzing little wings flying open as he swung around the panicking nandroid’s head
> Swatting with her narrow fingers Franny tried to bat the little creature away, sending it, rightfully peeved, into the brushed-up crop of her hair
> Franny screeched in pure fear, shooting a hand to her mouth as concerned parents pulled their children close, eyes nervously watching her as she whipped a hand into her hair
> Finally free, likely cursing in some incomprehensible tongue, the bee was flung out and into the air towards greener pastures
> ”Whew,” Franny sighed, trying to recompose herself, “at least that’s over.”
> Making her way back to the edge of the park, though, the gentle clack of untrimmed nails on the brick twisted her head around
> In the commotion the canine denizens of the park, pulling and pawing at the dirt, were trying to make their way to Franny to investigate
> Twisting her head to the building, playful stampede behind her she bolted ahead on her narrow legs, swerving left and right to make it to the road and towards home
> Leashes flapping in the wind behind them, though, the dogs bore forward
> Large ones and small ones, dobermans and dachshunds, bulldogs and boxers all bow-wowing as they gave chase
> Frantic owners lunged after them, helpless to stop the charging canine tide as a bouncing borzoi launched her paws and snoop forwards
> Piled to the ground and rolled into the grass Franny skidded to a halt
> The dogs mercilessly licked and pawed at the robot as she grumbled to herself, waving her hands at the host of dogs bobbing and begging for attention
> Shakily the nandroid propped herself up, deep muddy stains ice cold against her elbows
> Streaks of spilt chlorophyll bled through her skirt in sickening, green streaks
> And there, smashed between herself and the ground, were the ruined roses
> ”Oh no, no no no…”