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prythianpages · 7 months ago

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Hopelessly Devoted | Eris x Reader

Eris x Reader x Azriel | You're hopelessly devoted to Azriel, suspecting he’s your true love. Meanwhile, Eris is hopelessly longing after you. aka Eris being your mate but you're too infatuated with Az to notice.

warnings: slight angst, reader being a bit delulu

*also disclaimer that I am no expert in astrology and my knowledge is usually what I gathered from friends or tiktok so if I'm wrong, please correct me but do it nicely pls bc I am sensitive lol*

a/n: I wasn't sure whether to include Az or not in the pairing but I liked the idea of leaving this fic up to your interpretation. Anyway, happy reading! <3

As you entered the Night Court’s observatory, you traced your fingers along the edge of the great celestial map laid before you. You could feel the soft hum of magic beneath your fingertips, still smell the faintest hint of sage–a remnant of your father’s last ritual here. For centuries, your father has served as the Night Court’s astrologer. He’s guided and advised High Lord Rhysand and on occasion, Keir, the steward of the Court of Nightmares.

Above you, constellations and planets danced across the domed ceiling, the stars gleaming as though they were ready to whisper secrets just for you. You took a deep breath, centering yourself, and placed a palm flat against the massive zodiac wheel etched onto the floor. It began to glow, a warm golden light tracing symbols of the zodiacs and planets.

“Stars above and stars below, reveal the path I seek to know,” you quietly murmured.

The markings on the wheel shifted in response, aligning and realigning with clicking sounds, the warm golden light following. Then, your own chart had appeared, shimmering above you. It was a translucent web of stars and planets connected by silvery lines. You’ve read your birth chart many times, become so familiar with it that you knew it by heart even.

But tonight, you needed the extra reassurance. So you looked up, watching as the planets moved slowly. Your heartbeat a little faster as you spotted Jupiter making transit through your seventh house. The promise of growth, abundance, luck and most important of all, love filled the air.

You slipped a small vial from the hidden pocket of your cobalt blue dress. The words Love Potion No.9 gleamed on the glass, the dark red liquid swirling. It was the enchanted perfume you’d bought from a witch last week—a little love potion designed to make you irresistibly alluring to your soulmate.

You felt a bit foolish, seeking a witch for guidance on love of all matters. Witches were frowned upon in the Court of Nightmares, after all. But impatience had finally nudged you to venture beyond the court’s dark mountain and into the surrounding forests, in search of someone who could help.

“Seek the one who walks between light and shadow with a mask of cool indifference, where fire meets the edge of night. There your heart shall find its match,” she had told you as she handed you the enchanted perfume.

Her words had only confirmed what you had been suspecting for years, centuries even.

Azriel was your soulmate.

Azriel, the very embodiment of cool indifference, wore a mask of stoicism in the Court of Nightmares, just as High Lord Rhysand did. But his hazel eyes always seemed to burn with a hidden fire. And when you were alone with him, away from the cold nobility of the Night Court, Azriel would let that mask slip, revealing a kinder side that laughed and smiled with you. He was your friend and not only did he literally walk among shadows, he wielded them. It had to be him!

And then, there was your birth chart. Your seventh house lay in Taurus—a sign ruled by Venus. With Venus positioned in your twelfth house, everything pointed to the idea that your future soulmate would bring your happiness and pleasure. And since you met Azriel all those years ago during a counseling your father led, happiness had been an emotion you'd grown more familiar with.

The stars couldn’t have given you a clearer message!

There was a flutter in your stomach as you approached Azriel. The two of you had been stealing glances at one another, as you usually did anytime you found yourselves in the same place. He looked as beautiful as ever. As dreamy as ever.

Though your High Lord and High Lady had moved to the center of the ballroom for a dance, he had stayed by the dais. “Hello,” you greeted him with a small smile.

Azriel turned to you, that mask of his slipping for just a brief moment to smile back at you. He took the extra wine glass in your hold, murmuring a small thanks. He turned his head back to the dance floor, attentive to his High Lady’s whereabouts. But he shifted closer to you, the coolness of his shadows caressing your bare arm and you couldn’t help but wonder if the perfume was working.

“You look nice,” he commented.

“Thanks.” A blush rose to your cheeks. You’d taken care to match your dress to the exact shade of his siphons. And he noticed. “So do you.”

“I wear this all the time.” Azriel replied drily, referring to his usual Illyrian leathers.

“Yeah, I know.” You cursed yourself inwardly for the awkward response, then shifted closer, leaning toward him. “Do I smell to you?”

Azriel paused, his shadows brushing close, as if curious themselves. “No,” he said after a moment.

“Oh.” Disappointment seeped into your voice despite your best efforts, and his gaze shifted to you, a hint of a frown in his brows.

“Do you want to smell?”

There’s a teasing edge to his tone, a subtle quirk of his lips. You shook your head, letting out a small, nervous laugh. "No. I just wanted to know if I smelled any…different…,” and then, in a much quieter tone, you murmured, “to you.”

Azriel considered your words. He looked to you in what seemed like permission. You gave a nod of your head and he leaned in, his warm breath sending a shiver down your spine. “You smell the same to me.” At the breath you let out, he quickly added: “which is good by the way. You smell nice.”

“Oh, okay,” you smile, albeit a bit awkwardly, the flutter you had felt in your stomach earlier twisting into a knot.

“Y/n, is everything alright?” Azriel asked softly.

“Yeah, I just thought—” You stopped, not sure how to explain without sounding foolish. It wasn’t like you could admit to feeling disappointed over the lack of reaction from an enchanted perfume you’d spent quite a fortune on. Especially when he was the sole purpose for it. Had the witch scammed you?

Azriel waited for you patiently, concern flashing in his eyes. Maybe the perfume hadn’t worked, but the stars and planets had never led you astray. That still had to mean something, right?

“I’m fine.” You finally said.

“Are you sure?”

The way he was looking at you had warmth creeping up your neck and settling deeper in your cheeks. “Yeah.”

A single shadow curled around Azriel’s ear and in the blink of an eye, his head turned. Your gaze followed his, to where Rhysand and Feyre were standing. Rhysand sent him a slight nod and with a sigh, Azriel returned it.

“Sorry, I have to go.” Azriel said, quickly downing the remaining wine from his glass.

You held out your hand, offering to take it for him.

“Thank you. I’ll be back. Don’t have too much fun without me, alright?”

“I’ll try not to,” you replied.

You watched Azriel disappear into his shadows before turning away from the dais and making your way to the refreshments table. You were eager for a refill on your glass. Perhaps a little more wine would help ease the sting of disappointment. But he’d said he’d be back, hadn’t he?

As you scanned the room, you noticed your father in conversation with one of Keir’s sons and your mother eyeing potential suitors for your older brother. As an elite warrior of the Darkbringers, he had no shortage of admirers, and it was only a matter of time before your mother secured him a match—perfect or not.

You suspected you’d be next on her matchmaking list, so you busied yourself with small talk among familiar ladies. Conversations were always a mind-numbing, the ladies your age exchanging beauty tips that centered around the male’s eye or fawning over this season’s most eligible males. Which this season just so happens to be your brother. Gross. If only they knew him the way you did….

Second to him was Bret—or some equally uninspiring name. A Scorpio, of all things, which clashed miserably with your chart. Not that it mattered. You had no interest in any noble of the Court of Nightmares. Or any male here. Most, if not all, were cruel and narcissists, only viewing females as child bearers and nothing more.

There was a reason why this court was burdened with the title “Nightmares.” And to marry someone from here would mean never waking up from this darkness. No stars to light your night skies, only endless shadow and despair.

So, you’d taken fate into your own hands. You’d turned to your birth chart, hoping the stars would lead you somewhere beyond Hewn City, beyond this never-ending nightmare. And they had. They led you to believe it was Azriel. Azriel, who was not only honorable and single but also, technically, part of the Court of Dreams. He’d been your friend for centuries, seeing you for who you are rather than an object or prize like most males here.

As you sneak away from the conversation, you bump into something–someone. Behind you, a deep voice huffed a low, mocking chuckle. “Easy there, librarian.”

You could recognize that voice anywhere, could recognize the heat radiating from him. It pressed down on you, leaving you simmering with irritation.

“I’m a libra, not a librarian.” You bit out. It hasn’t even been a minute and already you were exhausted by the searing presence behind you. “And besides, to you, it’s Lady Y/N.”

When you turned, you found Eris looming over you. His amber eyes gleamed with a familiar, infuriating mischief. He gave you that signature smirk of his, the one that made his sharp features all the more arrogant. “Such a harsh tone. Hardly fitting for a Lady.”

Your gaze hardened into a glare, only to have it stray toward a movement across the ballroom. A flicker of shadow caught your attention, and your heart gave a small, hopeful jump as your gaze softened. There he was—Azriel.

He had returned to the ballroom…but he hadn’t returned to you…

Eris raised a glass to his lips, amber eyes flicking lazily between you and Azriel. “Disappointment doesn’t suit you.”

“I’m not disappointed.” You muttered hastily.

He gave a scoff, his smirk widening with dark amusement. “Please. I can practically feel it.”

“Liar,” you shot back.

“Azriel said he’d find me again and unlike you, he’s a male of his word,” you continued, not sure why you were telling Eris this. “He’s…”

Your words trailed off as you watched Azriel, who stood next to Nesta and Elain. He laughed–actually laughed!-- at something Elain had said, shadows absent from his frame as his focus remained solely on her. You couldn’t miss the soft smile playing on his lips, nor the warmth in his gaze. Did he do that with every female he knew? You thought he reserved that just for you…

The bubble in your chest slowly deflated.

“Keep dreaming,” Eris huffed out. He seemed to take special pleasure in your reaction. It prompted your cheeks to flush but this time, with irritation.

“Oh, go away, you prick,” you said, rolling your eyes. “You don’t understand.”

“Oh, wouldn’t I?" he replied, leaning closer, his sharp gaze burning into you. You missed the flash of longing in his amber eyes, too focused on Azriel. Or the way the words that had been on the tip of his tongue faltered as your scent suddenly overwhelmed him, his breath hitching slightly.

"You smell.”

“Gee, thanks,” you mumbled absently.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, his voice gruff and pupils flaring. “You smell different tonight…good...”

You blinked, barely processing his words. Was he actually being nice to you? In all the years you’ve known him, he’s always had snark remark after snark remark for you. The way it would roll smoothly off his tongue always left you wondering if he’d rehearse them for his visits to the Court of Nightmares.

You fidgeted, fingers grazing your wine glass as you cast a hesitant glance back at Azriel. Your chest tightened as he remained engrossed in conversation with Elain. Turn around, please. But he hadn’t even looked your way once.

Eris stepped in front of you, drawing your attention back to him. His gaze roamed over you, your dress. He took in the shade and he knew why you had chosen it–and for whom. "You know," he said, his gaze lingering on your face. "Red suits you far better.”

“And there he is, you’re back…”

"I’m serious. This—" He gestured to your gown with a slight grimace, his fingers brushing the silk fabric in disappointment. "This color washes you out. Red would bring out the color of your eyes…”

Your jaw clenched but you remained silent, refusing to admit that his words stirred something within you. Eris was insufferable, arrogant, and yet you couldn't deny his eye for detail. He, after all, was always dressed impeccably in the finest Autumn attire. But you would never give him the satisfaction of admitting he might be right.

His smirk widened, as if he knew exactly what you were thinking. “Do you want to know another thing?”

“No,” you said immediately.

But he leaned in anyway, his breath warm against your ear. “You’re hopelessly devoted to a male who doesn’t even look your way.”

Your mouth opened, brows furrowing in protest, but he went on. His smirk softened, fading into a half-smile. One that didn’t reach his eyes, dimming the fire that usually burned so brightly there. And then, in a much quieter, reluctant tone, he murmured, “And I am no different, it seems.”

"But…" You stammered, resisting the urge to steal another glance at Azriel. "He does look my way…sometimes.”

Eris’s smile faded, his expression tightening. A flicker of pain crossed his face. So brief, you almost thought you imagined it. "You’re delusional.”

“And you’re insufferable.” You scoffed, heart pounding.

“Better than being a fool.”

The mocking tone was there but the usual sharpness had been softened by a strange, subtle sadness. Was this… pity?

You swallowed, lifting your chin defiantly. “The stars wouldn’t lie to me,” you said, though the conviction in your voice wavered. “He’s the one for me.”`

You met his eyes then and Eris held your gaze. His amber eyes warm and molten, the intensity of his stare prickling at your skin. An unsettling flutter erupted in your stomach, rising to your chest. A feeling you quickly dismissed when you felt something cool brush against your arm.

“Is he bothering you, y/n?”

Eris scoffed at the sudden presence beside you. It sickened him to see that sweet, adoring look on your face, the triumphant gleam in your eyes as you looked up at Azriel. The sight made Eris grit his teeth. His instincts roared at him, the fire in his veins was scorching.

You blinked, snapping out of your daze, realizing both males were waiting for your answer. “No,” you said but the way you shifted to stand behind Azriel said otherwise.

Azriel’s gaze hardened as he looked toward Eris. “Stay away from her,” he seethed.

A low growl rumbled from Eris’s chest as he took a step forward, his amber eyes flaring with rage. Though not as tall as Azriel, he seemed to tower over him at this moment. His teeth flashed as his lips curled into a snarl. “I do not take orders from bastards like you.”

Azriel’s wings tensed, threatening to unfurl and the movement of his shadows quickened. Like a storm ready to unfold. But before it could, you placed a hand on his arm. Right over one of his glowing siphons that seemed to be growing hotter and hotter, daring to match the fire coursing through Eris’s veins.

“Az, don’t,” you told him gently, not wanting to draw any attention to the three of you. You felt his muscles ease under your touch, his shadows brushing over your hand in agreement.

Eris’s gaze dropped to your hand on Azriel’s arm, his expression darkening into something unreadable. He exhaled sharply, turning his head as though trying to shake off whatever thought had crossed his mind.

When he looked back, his features had shifted into his usual cool mask, that infuriating smirk sliding back into place. He looked right at you.

“When you wake up from this deranged dream of yours, come find me.”

You watched him, feeling a strange, unwelcome tug in your chest as he turned to leave. Perhaps, one day you’d realize that the enchanted perfume you had bought was not a scam.

And that the male you searched through the stars and planets for was not the one standing beside you, but the one who’d just walked away.

a/n: sorry if you're not a libra, I just thought it'd be funny for Eris to purposely say reader's sign wrong as he knows astrology is a huge influence on her.

[series masterlist]

[Eris masterlist]

General tag list: @scooobies, @kennedy-brooke, @sillysillygoose444 @lilah-asteria @the-sweet-psycho

@daycourtofficial, @milswrites, @stormhearty, @pit-and-the-pen, @mybestfriendmademe

@loving-and-dreaming @azriels-human @mrsjna, @adventure-awaits15, @lorosette

@alwayshave-faith

#eris x reader #eris x you #eris x y/n #eris fanfiction #azriel x reader #azriel fanfiction #acotar x reader #acotar x you #acotar x y/n #acotar fanfiction

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damlahayal · 6 months ago

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nopanamaman · 1 year ago

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How does the stalker business work?

Loredump. October 2023

A web of alliances, insiders, clients, and territorial disputes - this is what forms the stalker business, a domain that’s as illegal as it is profitable.

Today, we’ll delve into the basic origins and inner workings of this peculiar profession. Let’s find out how these glorified marauders operate!

How did the stalker business develop?

The stalker business emerged almost as soon as the Zone itself was born. But, much like every structure based around the Zone itself, it became more refined - and more corrupt - as years went on.

What started as individuals travelling the Zone completely on their own accord grew into a network of organised groups with their own informants, clientele and designated territories. Yet when it looked like major alliances had become fully solidified with a couple of large groups operating across vast stretches of the Zone, the development of the internet put a dent in the system.

Yura: Do I really need to know the territorial policies of 70s factions Sergei: YES Olya: No.

As many information-gathering and order-related operations moved online, doing business in smaller groups became a more viable option. Nowadays, the majority choose to operate in gangs of up to 30 people.

Since the business has grown more decentralised and, in a way, accessible, the competition within it has increased dramatically. Territories are less clearly defined and run-ins with members of rivalling gangs are commonplace. When it comes to the human factor, it’s more dangerous than it ever was.

How are the little groups organised?

Modern stalker groups are typically formed around somebody who has direct connections to potential clients or those able to nicely aggregate information about the Zone’s current state. So any group needs at least one product reseller and one strategic leader, which can sometimes be the same person.

The latter is true for Sergei's group, for instance.

He is responsible for processing orders, evaluating the delivered artefacts, reselling them, gathering up to date information about the Zone’s landscape and traffic, and helping the available stalkers plan their trips accordingly. It’s a heavy workload, so having just one person performing all of those tasks wouldn’t be manageable on a larger scale.

Obviously enough, smaller groups are more reliant on the quality of their individual members, even more so when they have a specific role to fill. If we use known members of Sergei’s group as examples, they fit pretty neatly into the following roles:

Radar (радар). Formerly fulfilled by Kolya – a stalker with an outstanding sense for anomalies. Irreplaceable for navigating the more treacherous parts of the Zone. Yura was going to inherit that role.

Doctor (доктор). Self-explanatory. While it’s recommended that all stalkers undergo some form of first aid training, it never hurts to have someone with a deeper knowledge of medicine on the team. This role was filled by Nikita.

Insider (свояк). As the name suggests, it’s a person that helps in various aspects of stalker work by providing client contacts, guard post information, info about other gangs’ operations, and so on depending on their position. Insiders don’t usually take part in actual trips or even work with specific stalker groups, but Olya is built different.

Ram (таран). The muscle of the group. You don’t need to be especially physically fit to navigate the Zone,but when things become dire, it absolutely helps. This was Sergei’s role when he still travelled the Zone.

These are arbitrary designations and many don’t fit into one particular role. That said, creating a balanced group of 3 is easier when there’s a fair understanding of each person’s strengths.

Yura: Oh, kinda like video game classes! Sanya: Yeah, I guess. Yura: So who would I be? Sanya: Support.

What does the typical work cycle look like?

An order is either placed on an online marketplace or is mailed directly to a trusted trader. The trader then passes the information to the strategist, who analyses the current Zone layout, as well as the latest available information about the placements of various artefacts and anomalies.

The strategist then determines the optimal routes to retrieving the ordered goods. Some use special software to aid in the process. The service price is then estimated based on the difficulty of retrieval and transportation. If the initial price suggested in the order is lower than this estimate, price negotiations will ensue.

Once the minimal price is agreed on, the actual planning starts. A group of three is gathered from the pool of available stalkers. They are all informed about the mission specifics and the route they need to travel - this is when the team can discuss and make adjustments to the plan.

Nikita: No, no, this route will be way too stressful for Olyechka. Perhaps, she should sit this one out? Olya: If we don't make this route shorter, Nikita won't come back, I'm afraid. Nikita: Well, aren't you a treat. Anyways, Serozha, my leg has been getting worse and I won't make this climb. Olya: Perhaps, you should sit this one out.

After the artefacts are delivered to the trader, their quality is evaluated. Stalkers tend to pick up whatever valuables they find on the way, which means extra cash for them and more work for the trader.

Once the evaluation is complete, stalkers are paid off and the products are resold at a significantly higher price. The artefacts that were specifically ordered are exchanged for the agreed upon amount of money and the extra stuff is peddled to other high-paying customers.

Since selling artefacts is a risky and complicated endeavour in itself, most stalkers are content with the paychecks they get from their trader.

Finally, when everything is done, stalkers may anonymously share information about their trip to the online community. But considering the competitive nature of the business, not everyone is willing to help out their fellow colleagues – or really, not everyone wants to talk about the things they’ve seen.

What is the online stalker community like?

As was already mentioned, the internet has majorly changed how stalkers went about receiving orders and information about the Zone. It has become an important channel for communication and securing deals.

Firstly, all of the relevant platforms are on the deep web. Secondly, all of them are invite-only.

The three major platforms are:

Doska (literally “the board” as in bulletin board)

A marketplace where orders are placed and taken up by anyone interested, as well as an auction platform for selling off artefacts. Widely used by groups and stalkers who have not yet gained established clients.

Krematorii (crematorium)

A closed forum. Discussions, rumours, shitposting.

10K Crematorium karma

14KKM (as in 14 thousand kilometers, the approximate area of the Zone)

A dynamically updated map of the Zone. User-managed, hence chaotic and unreliable.

Users can mark locations of witnessed anomalies and artefact positions, which others can confirm or downvote. A marking needs to be confirmed by at least 4 people before it is put down and is removed if at least 4 people downvote it. All markings can be commented on.

Most of the community tries to maintain it more or less accurately for the sake of their own future missions, but there are malefactors that will add false markers to it. Should be taken with a huge grain of salt.

Of course, it bears mentioning that there are plenty of fake online communities on the surface web. Those are rife with people roleplaying as stalkers, scammers, kids, and just shitposters. No actual stalker uses those for business.

Rules regarding the Zone

Though the information side of things has changed a lot, the core methodology of travelling the Zone itself remained the same. Sets of universal rules became solidified over the years, which can be described as a mixture of operational protocols and esoteric beliefs.

What are the basic operational protocols?

Basic operational protocols outline best practices for dealing with simple anomalies, traversing the Zone, bypassing guard posts, and handling difficult situations (mercy kills, painless death, encountering other stalkers).

Some common recommendations include:

use projectiles (usually bolts with pieces of cloth attached for visibility) to check for gravitational anomalies;

operate in groups of three - two do the job, the third one watches on;

do not consume any food or drinks you find;

avoid unnatural shadows;

do not stay at the Hollow for over 20 minutes (your body will start to decay);

do not approach the Town (your body will permanently distort);

do not handle fizzy clay without rubber gloves (will leave you debilitated or addicted to the substance);

always send the draisine back;

don't photograph ghosts;

etc.

They are objective results of many years of trial and error. Going against them is likely to end in death or injury regardless of your personal qualities. In other words, there is little dispute over the validity of these rules. The same cannot be set for the second ruleset.

What are stalker beliefs?

The Zone favours the miserable. The desperate, the broken, the lonely. The Zone favours ones that are willing to give up their whole being to her, to completely entrust themselves to her whims. She rewards dejection.

These are common truths to some and hogwash to others. There is no solid proof for any of these claims - how can there be? However, there is no happy stalker, and there is no living stalker without a scar. To many, that's evidence enough.

On top of that, there are some group-specific philosophies. They include:

the Zone is a holy place that needs to be revered;

the Zone is an ulcer of the world that needs to be cleansed;

the Zone is the new stage of Earth’s evolution;

the Zone is divine punishment;

the Zone is a point of contact with a parallel universe;

and many others.

These philosophies dictate how people go about their activities in the Zone in a more ritualistic sense. It’s hard to devise whether or not those little rituals have any effect that isn’t purely psychological.

There is a good number of people that hold a purely cynical view of the Zone. But whether they admit it or not, everyone gradually develops a sense of fear and reverence for it. How they compartmentalise it is a different question.

Conclusion

I could write more about the topic, but as of now, I think this general outline should suffice. The stalker business is a multifaceted enterprise to say the least, so hopefully this article has shed the light on its most essential aspects.

Perhaps, there will one day be a more in-depth follow-up! Who knows. As we continue to unveil the enigmatic layers of the Zone, only time will reveal the full extent of its mysteries... And the engimatic layers of shitty Stalker forums, I guess.

#parties are for losers #loredump #deepest lore #sergei #olya #yura #nikita #sanya #myart #scraps #the mill

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femmefatalevibe · 2 years ago

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Femme Fatale Guide: Mindset Shifts To Improve Your Life

Think "Practical vs. Pleasure" not "Right vs. Wrong" when evaluating your thoughts, desires, actions, and decisions. Stop moralizing your emotions, inclinations, and goals when curating your life and inner world. Shaming leads to stagnation, not self-reflection.

Design your days based on 3s. Consider the 3 most important tasks of your day that, if completed, will leave you feeling satisfied with your progress/productivity at the end of the day. Plan how and what 3 meals to incorporate into your day. Divide your day 3 parts into morning/priming, afternoon/productivity, and evening & nighttime/unwinding. Consider the 3 activities you can do/complete during these 8-hour blocks that will leave you feeling fulfilled and a step closer to your longer-time goals/overall well-being.

Consider your various needs as different buckets that require regular nourishment (physical, emotional, social, sexual, financial, and personal growth). Look beyond certain inclinations and behaviors to understand why a certain decision, action, or relationship is a value-add to your life. Many actions, goals, and relationships fall into more than one of these buckets simultaneously. If you don't sense that some practice, routine, or relationship serves any of these purposes, it's time to reevaluate why and whether it's worthwhile to keep this time & energy consumer in your life.

Perceive your life as a hub & spoke model with you as the hub and all your responsibilities, self-care activities, and relationships as the nodes. This roadmap allows you to reclaim ownership over your life and act in your own best interest. Seeing yourself as the center of a web (your personhood) helps you to organize your life while simultaneously seeing how all your interdependent relationships, responsibilities, and valued activities influence your day-to-day.

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doodler16 · 1 month ago

Note

Recently stopped selling one of my Hazbin Hotel keychains at conventions because I was accused of homophobia by drawing Angel Dust cuddling with his pet pig Fat Nuggetz. I was accused of drawing Angel Dust as a “pig bottom” because he was with Fat Nuggetz on a keychain design I have. I am gay myself but didn’t know that was a thing, so I did research and found myself uncomfortable by the term but also confused as to 1) if that was intentional by Vivziepop, and 2) I was getting told horrible things during said conventions over something I did not know. I thought it was a joke of some kind within the fandom that I didn’t get so I awkwardly laughed when people said it as laughing is my nervous response. People called me names when they walked away and I had people leave comments on my socials saying I’m homophobic. I feel so dirty now and tossed all my keychains and made a post explaining I did not know and felt horrible as a gay man myself as I did not know of the term, and I heard some people say they didn’t want to give their money to a ‘homophobe.’ Am I being overdramatic? My anxiety is killing me over this and I decided to vent about it here.

Anon you are not being overdramatic. These people are bullies, holy crap. Number one, there is nothing wrong with selling merch that involves Angel Dust and Nuggets being cute with each other. In fact (before Hazbin Hotel was picked up by A24 and Amazon) there was merch with Angel Dust and Nuggets. How is this homophobia?

Nah, people are misusing a word they don’t understand especially said keychain you are testifying is about Angel Dust and Fat Nuggets cuddling. I guess by that logic Spindlehorse is homophobic for having these two cuddle/hug in episode 8.

Personally, Anon you should clap back and defend yourself. Accusations such as this can be damaging. I’m confused and annoyed why these people are calling you homophobic for this. As for Vivziepop, she just wanted Angel Dust to have a pet pig (Charolette’s web type symbolism).

For anyone wondering what “pig bottom” it’s this:

I really hope you can bounce back from this Anon and get your dough. Also do these people know that Fat Nuggets is Angel Dust’s pet?? This situation is making my head explode.

#vivziepop critical #vivziepop criticism #anonymous #hazbin hotel critical #hazbin hotel criticism

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artechoceneexplorer · 3 months ago

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Dungeon Meshi Encyclopaedia: The Mermaid

Another finished piece of my Dungeon Meshi Encyclopaedia like illustrations, this time, creature adventures need to be wary of when near deep bodies of water: the Mermaid (Sirena uroscelis).

Full piece view

Close-ups and notes on the design choices:

The scientific name is pretty simple, as it is composed of the Latin word for mermaid (sirena) for the genus name, and the words for tail (uro-) and leg (-scelis).

The teeth are similar to those of other aquatic predators like otters and seals, with conical pointed teeth on the front to help it grab onto slippery aquatic prey, and sharp, serrated teeth on the back for slicing the meat of said prey. The laryngeal anatomy is similar to that of humans, which can already create very complex sounds compared to other apes, maybe slightly modified with the added ability to produce sounds outside of the human hearing range, helping spread their songs (which might have some biological explanation but they also might be just spells in a language humans can't understand or imitate well enough).

Similarly to many cetaceans (in particular belugas, which were the main inspiration for this part of the design) they have fat pockets not only for insulation, but also for tucking in their arms when swimming to be more hydrodynamic and reduce drag.

Close-up of the upper body, head morphology and cranial anatomy

The face is flatter than a human's, and like the rest of the upper half of the body, it is hairless, further aiding in hydrodynamics, compensating the drag produced by the long head of hair.

This hair has a purpose, as I'd imagine it would be useful to camouflage in between aquatic vegetation while they stalk for prey, hiding until it is close enough to strike. To help with gripping prey underwater, they have not only a permanent wrinkling of the fingertips, similar to what happens in humans, but the wrinkles are reinforced with small keratinous tubercles, and the nails are sharp and curve inward, forming a slight hook shape.

Like most aquatic animals, and unlike other apes, the genitals are internal, hidden behind a genital slit.

Close-up of the upper body and a mermaid hunting a merman fry

One of the most unique characteristics of this mermaid is the "tail". At first I considered an actual tail for them, but the original design had a tail clearly inspired by the lower body of seals, with the tail flukes being back flippers and even a small tail like structure (which wouldn't make sense with the anatomy I chose so it's now a fatty outgrowth derived from the metatarsus); so instead of an actual tail it is actually a fusion of the two hind legs, which would make sense as a descendant of a hominid (which famously lack tails). It has large webbed feet acting as a fluke, and strong leg bones with bony crests to anchor very strong muscles.

Close-up of the "tail" anatomy, showing the leg bones that comprise it

Another very unique feature of this species, responsible for the appearance of an "all female" species. In reality, when maturing, males start producing excess testosterone both sexes start producing estrogens, which affects the development of an externally feminine appearance. Thanks to a very localised reception of testosterone on the gonads, the estrogen has no effect on their reproductive capabilities. The only way to tell the difference between sexes is by a small difference in size, as adult females are slightly larger and have slightly more fat because of the extra effort of carrying the young.

Close-up of the sexual dimorphism of the mermaids

Hope you enjoyed this new dungeon meshi piece, feel free to suggest what the next one will be :>

#art #my art #dungeon meshi encyclopaedia #illustration #clip studio paint #speculative evolution #fanart #creature design #spec evo #dungeon meshi #delicious in dungeon #mermaid #mythological creature #sea monster

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thecozycat · 3 months ago

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🧡 Tuesday Tips #2 🧡

What Are RSS and Atom Feeds?

The Small Web movement is about reclaiming personal control over the internet, moving away from the corporate, ad-driven platforms that dominate the online space today. One of the biggest advantages of using RSS or Atom is that you can follow nearly any type of content from all over the web—blogs, news websites, YouTube channels, podcasts, even academic journals! As long as the site provides an RSS or Atom feed (which many still do), you can add it to your reader and automatically get updates when new content is published. You have full control over the flow of information, making it possible to keep up with your favorite creators and websites without being tracked or bombarded by irrelevant content suggestions (Facebook, I’m looking at you).

RSS and Atom feeds are a perfect fit for curating personal content feeds in this movement. You can even follow your friends across the small web as well! It’s like having your own personal news feed of all your friends, except there’s no corporation deciding when, how, or if you’ll even see their posts. You curate your own personalized feed, and using either RSS or Atom ensures that no algorithms can ever manipulate what you see.

So what exactly are RSS and Atom feeds? Both RSS and Atom are web feed formats used to publish updates from websites. They allow you to subscribe to blogs, news sites, podcasts, or any site with frequent updates so you can get all the latest content in one place, typically through an RSS reader.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication): One of the oldest and most popular formats for delivering content updates to users. Websites publish RSS feeds in XML format, which feed readers then display for you.

Atom: A more recent alternative to RSS, designed to address some limitations of the original RSS format. Atom feeds use XML like RSS but have a different structure and were developed to offer more features and flexibility.

Both formats serve the same purpose: they help you get content updates automatically.

Can Your RSS Reader Read Atom Feeds?

The good news is that most modern RSS readers support both RSS and Atom formats. This means you don’t have to worry about whether a website offers an RSS or Atom feed—most readers will be able to handle both seamlessly.

RSS & Atom Feeds vs. Big Tech Social Media News Feeds

Most social media platforms do not display posts in chronological order. Instead, they use algorithms to determine what content to show you based on your behavior—what you click on, like, or share. These algorithms analyze vast amounts of data and prioritize content that’s most likely to keep you engaged for as long as possible. This manipulation works to increase user engagement and, ultimately, profit for these companies, but it also has a profound impact on what we see and believe. Here are a few examples:

Echo Chambers and Polarization Algorithms tend to show us more of what we already like and agree with. Over time, this creates echo chambers—digital spaces where we are surrounded by similar viewpoints. When people only see content that aligns with their own opinions, it reinforces their beliefs and prevents exposure to different perspectives. This phenomenon can fuel political polarization, as users become more entrenched in their viewpoints, leading to heightened social division.

Amplification of Emotional and Sensational Content Algorithms are designed to promote content that triggers emotional responses, particularly outrage or fear, as these emotions tend to generate more engagement. This is why sensationalized news and emotionally charged political content often appear at the top of feeds. For example, Facebook’s own internal studies, revealed in the 2021 Facebook Papers, showed that its algorithm was amplifying divisive, angry content because it kept users engaged longer. This is particularly harmful when it comes to false narratives, as these stories are more likely to be shared when they evoke strong emotional reactions, leading to widespread public deception.

Surveillance and Data Harvesting Another corrupt aspect of Big Tech’s manipulation is the way these companies harvest vast amounts of user data to further refine their algorithms and maximize ad revenue. Companies track every click, scroll, and interaction to build a detailed profile of each user. This information is sold to advertisers or used to tailor the content in your news feed to keep you hooked. Beyond mere advertising, this data can be used for more insidious purposes, such as political manipulation. More broadly, Big Tech can shape the course of social movements by giving disproportionate visibility to certain voices or downranking others. This power can be used both to promote grassroots campaigns, but also to suppress dissenting voices.

Surveillance Capitalism This term describes how Big Tech companies monetize personal data by surveilling users and creating predictive models of human behavior. By using data harvested from news feed interactions, tech companies can sell detailed user profiles to advertisers, who use these insights to target individuals with precision ads. This economic model, built on constant surveillance, makes it nearly impossible for users to avoid being tracked online. Surveillance capitalism turns user behavior into a commodity, violating privacy in the pursuit of profit. Worse yet, this behavior-modifying system can be used to influence not just what we buy, but how we think and act.

The “Filter Bubble” Effect The term “filter bubble,” refers to the personalization algorithms used by Big Tech to show you only content that aligns with your previous preferences. This isolation of information creates a self-reinforcing loop where users are insulated from viewpoints that challenge their assumptions. This leads to a distorted reality in which everything we see online confirms our existing beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are factual. For instance, someone interested in a certain political ideology will be fed more and more content supporting that viewpoint, while dissenting or critical information is filtered out, creating an illusion that everyone shares the same perspective.

RSS & Atom feeds offer a stark contrast to Big Tech news feeds in several key ways:

No algorithms.

No tracking.

No targeting.

No data harvesting.

No distractions.

You’re in full control the content you consume without external corporate influences and manipulation.

RSS and Atom feeds allow you to escape the grasp of these algorithms, trackers, data harvesting, as well as corporate and political agendas. When you use an RSS reader, no one is tracking what you’re reading or recommending content to you based on targeting you and your activity. You can browse in peace, knowing you’re not being manipulated by a hidden algorithm. Using RSS and Atom feeds gives you complete control over the content you consume. Instead of relying on a platform to decide what’s relevant or interesting to you, RSS and Atom empower you to curate your own digital experience. Isn’t that great? You can subscribe to as many or as few feeds as you like, organize them into categories, and stay informed on your own terms to the content and people that matter to you most.

TIP: As you subscribe to multiple RSS feeds, organization becomes key. Most RSS readers allow you to categorize feeds, grouping them by topic or priority. For example, you might have separate folders for news, tech blogs, personal interest websites, or even specific topics like web development. Organizing your feeds ensures that you never miss important updates while keeping your content stream manageable.

...........................................................................

Choose Your RSS Feed Reader

Browser Extensions:

If you’re looking for a list of user-friendly, privacy-focused, fully free and actively updated open-source RSS feed readers for (primarily) Firefox and Chrome-based browsers, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive right in! ........................................................................... FEEDBRO Feedbro is an RSS feed reader that is compatible with both Firefox and Chrome browsers. It offers a user-friendly interface and has features such as feed filtering, sorting, and a built-in search engine. > Get it for Firefox > Get it for Chrome > Get it on Microsoft Edge ........................................................................... SMART RSS Smart RSS allows you to follow new posts on your favorite websites exposing RSS and Atom feeds in a three pane view, providing background loading of new articles and allowing you to organize sources into folders. > Get it for Firefox > Get it for Chrome ...........................................................................

Android & IOS Apps:

Mobile apps are notorious for tracking and harvesting user data, possibly even moreso than pc given the modern smart phone’s ability to record audio, video, and keep track of your location in real time. Here is a list of free, open source, privacy-focused RSS feed reader apps for both Android and iOS so you can enjoy your favorite RSS feeds on the go. ........................................................................... FEEDER Feeder is a fully free/libre feed reader. It supports all common feed formats, including JSONFeed. It doesn’t track you. It doesn’t require any setup. It doesn’t even need you to create an account! Just setup your feeds, or import them from your old reader via OPML, then get on with syncing and reading. > Get Feeder on Google Play (Android) > Get Feeder on F-Droid (Android) ........................................................................... Flym News Reader While no longer being updated, Flym News Reader is still an excellent news reader for Android. Flym News Reader is a simple, modern, totally free (no ads) and opensource project which keeps you inform by fetching your websites/blogs and displaying them in a mobile-optimized way. > Get Flym on Google Play (Android) > Get Flym on F-Droid (Android) ........................................................................... Fiery Feeds Fiery Feeds is a powerful and highly customisable feed reader and read-it-later client that syncs with most services. It features article view modes, feed management, flexible layouts, smart views, color themes, and more! While I wasn’t able to uncover if it was open source, the developer does have a good privacy-respecting policy here. It’s one of the better alternatives for IOS. > Get Fiery Feeds for IOS ...........................................................................

Other PC Software:

So, it looks like you’re on the hunt for the perfect RSS feed reader. Luckily, there are a ton of great open-source options out there that are user-friendly, privacy-focused, free, and actively updated. Let’s dive in! ........................................................................... QuiteRSS First up, we have QuiteRSS. This RSS feed reader is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a great option for those who use multiple operating systems. The interface is simple and intuitive, with a clean layout that’s easy to navigate. To add a new feed, simply click on the “Add Feed” button and enter the URL of the feed you want to subscribe to. You can learn more about their features here. Pros: • QuiteRSS is lightweight and doesn’t use up a lot of system resources. • Available for multiple operating systems. (Windows, Mac, and Linux) Cons: • Some users have reported issues with syncing across devices. > Download QuiteRSS ........................................................................... FEEDREADER For those who want a simple, no-frills RSS feed reader, there’s FeedReader. This reader is available for Windows and Linux. The interface is clean and easy to use, with a basic layout that won’t overwhelm users with too many options. Pros: • FeedReader has a built-in browser, making it easy to view articles without leaving the app. • Available for multiple operating systems. (Windows and Linux) Cons: • Some users have reported issues with syncing across devices. > Download FeedReader ........................................................................... Tiny Tiny RSS Another great option for those who want a privacy-focused RSS feed reader is Tiny Tiny RSS. This reader is self-hosted, which means you’ll need to have your own server to run it on. However, this also means that you have complete control over your data and can ensure your privacy. Adding a new feed is as simple as clicking on the “Add Feed” button and entering the URL. Pros: • Tiny Tiny RSS supports plugins, allowing you to customize it to your needs. Cons: • Setting up a self-hosted RSS feed reader can be daunting for users who are inexperienced with self-hosting their own servers. Best avoid Tiny Tiny RSS if you are unfamiliar with this process. > Tiny Tiny RSS Installation Guide ........................................................................... Feedly Last but not least, we have Feedly. This RSS feed reader is available for Android, iOS, and web, with a paid version available for those who want even more features. Feedly is known for its clean, modern interface that’s easy to navigate. Pros: • Feedly integrates with a ton of other apps and services, making it easy to save articles to read later or share them on social media. Cons: • Some users have reported issues with the free version being limited in features. > Sign Up For Feedly ...........................................................................

Getting RSS feed URLS

In order to subscribe to a website’s RSS feed and add it to your feed reader, you will first need to get the RSS URL (aka link or web address) to the feed you want to follow.There are a few ways to do this, so if you’re totally new to RSS, let’s start with the easiest way first.

First, you’ll need to know what website or blog you want to subscribe to. If you’re not sure, try searching for it in Google.

Once you’re on the website or blog, look for the orange RSS feed icon. It looks like this: Sometimes it’s located in the top right corner of the page, or at the bottom of the page.

Click on the RSS feed icon. This will take you to a page with a lot of code on it. Don’t worry, you don’t need to understand any of this code!

Look at the address bar in your web browser. This is the URL for the RSS feed. Copy this URL.

If you’ve chosen an RSS Reader from the options previously discussed, open your RSS reader. This could be an app on your smartphone, browser extension, or a website or program on your computer.

In your RSS reader, look for an option to add a new feed. This option might be called “Add Subscription” or “Add Feed”.

Paste the URL for the RSS feed into the field provided in your RSS reader. Then click “Add” or “Subscribe”.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully subscribed to an RSS feed. Now you’ll be able to read new articles from this website or blog as soon as they’re published.

What if there is no RSS feed icon on a website I want to follow?

Unfortunately while many websites are RSS compatible, many websites do not offer RSS directly as a subscription option (ex. Youtube, certain blogs, etc). In this circumstance, it gets a little trickier if you aren’t very tech savvy. Have no fear! I will walk you through the process.

The easiest solution if you are not tech savvy is to use the Get RSS Feed URL extension below for your web browser. This extension will automatically grab the rss feed of the page you’re currently visiting (if it has an rss feed available), and then you can simply copy and paste it from your extension to your reader if your RSS reader is on PC. If your RSS reader is on mobile, however, you can use your PC to create a list of all the feed URLs you want to follow, email the list to yourself, and the copy/paste each url from your list by accessing your email from mobile.

> Get RSS Feed URL for Firefox > Get RSS Feed URL for Chrome

If you are a bit tech savvy, however, there is a more straightforward way to get RSS URLs that is much faster.

If you are on PC, check the source code: If you can’t find the RSS icon, you can check the source code of the website. Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source” or “Inspect Element”. Look for the “” tag with the type “application/rss+xml”. The URL located in the “href” attribute is the RSS feed link. Copy and paste the link into your preferred RSS reader.

One other thing you can try is experiment with adding each of the following to the end of the URL of the page you want to follow: /feed /feeds /rss /rss.xml /atom.xml .atom In most cases where an RSS feed is available, adding one of these options to the end of the page’s URL will bring up the page’s RSS feed. This method is hit or miss but always worth a try as it often comes up successful.

For example, if you wanted to subscribe to my status updates (located at https://status.cafe/users/thecozycat) you would add https://status.cafe/users/thecozycat.atom into your RSS feed reader. Or if you wanted to subscribe to my website activity feed (located at https://smallweb.thecozy.cat/activity/feed/), you would add https://smallweb.thecozy.cat/activity/feed/ into your Feeder app. Now, you’re probably asking, how do you know which one is the right one? You will need to test each of the six options in your web browser by trying each of those options at the end of the url you want to add to your feed. If it’s wrong, you’ll likely get an error page. If it’s right, you’ll see a page with code on it OR your browser may prompt you to download the feed file. That’s how you know you’ve got the right one.

How to Make a Website RSS-Compatible

If you’re building a website and want to offer RSS feeds:

WordPress: By default, WordPress generates an RSS feed at yourwebsite.com/feed. You can also customize it using plugins like RSS Post Importer.

Static Site Generators: Static site generators like Jekyll and Hugo support RSS feeds natively, allowing you to create them automatically as part of your build process.

Custom Websites: For custom sites that don’t offer automatic RSS or Atom feed functionality, you can create an XML file that complies with RSS or Atom feed standards, which includes your website’s content updates.

The RSS feed is essentially an XML file that contains metadata about your website’s posts and updates. This file is structured in a specific format so that RSS readers can interpret and display your content.

Example of a Basic RSS File:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Your Website Title</title> <link>https://yourwebsite.com</link> <description>Your website description goes here</description> <item> <title>Post 1 Title</title> <link>https://yourwebsite.com/post-1</link> <description>Summary of your post goes here</description> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate> </item>  </channel> </rss>

Step 2: Modify the Feed for Your Site

Replace the text between the , , and tags with details about your site.

Each tag within the block corresponds to a single blog post or update. Add or remove these as necessary.

Ensure the reflects the correct format as shown in the example above.

Step 3: Save and Upload Once you’ve created your RSS file, save it as rss.xml (or another name you prefer, like feed.xml). Upload this file to the root directory of your website so that users can access it via https://yourwebsite.com/rss.xml.

Making Your Feed Public

Now that your RSS file is live, you’ll want to let people know they can subscribe. Add a link to the RSS feed URL on your website, usually in the header, sidebar, or footer (though, you can place it wherever you like). Many sites use an orange RSS icon, which is easily recognizable.

Keep It Updated

Since this is a static feed, you’ll need to manually add new posts to the RSS file as you create them. Simply update the feed XML file with new <item> blocks whenever you add new content, then re-upload the file.

Big Tech and RSS/Atom Restrictions

RSS and Atom are incredibly useful, though you’re probably wondering: if it’s so great, why aren’t more people aware and using it? Personally, and this is just my belief due to what I’ve witnessed with big tech censorship over the years; it is by design that it is not often spoken about anymore. Big tech (and/or “big brother”) companies want everyone to stay stuck in their own information silos, because it is much easier for them to control narratives and the information you consume there, as well as have more control over your private data for their own capitalistic gains. Those who control the flow of information ultimately control the minds of the masses, and that control can make them a heck of a lot of money.

Unfortunately it is big tech websites such as Facebook that block people’s access to retrieving RSS/Atom feeds from their websites, because if they allowed you access to their RSS/Atom feeds from outside of their website, then they wouldn’t be able to contain you to their controlled information silos, track you, or profit off of you using your data. It’s against their own best interests to allow you this freedom, as keeping you contained to their walled gardens allows them to continue their data harvesting monopolies. So that is probably the biggest downside about RSS and Atom feeds when it comes to big tech social media platforms, is that if the information you care most about comes from your loved ones whom are contained within the walled gardens of these big tech social platforms, you won’t be able to retrieve RSS/Atom to create feeds from your friends there.

Not all social platforms are like this, however. You will just have to experiment with retrieving the feeds from different platforms to discover which big tech platforms have blocked RSS access and which ones haven’t.

Conclusion

I think that covers all the bases! The reason for this article, while a bit lengthy, I feel it is important to teach those who may not be tech-savvy in simple terms that are easy to understand. I think it is important for everyone to know how to use RSS and Atom, and create their own feeds independent of Big Tech social media platforms. Especially in this day and age where Big Tech has so much control and grasp on the information we consume and our private data is so heavily abused, there has never been a better time to start using RSS and Atom feeds. Aside from TheCozy.Cat being my own personal space, I also want it to double as my personal contribution to helping folks break free from their relationships with corrupt corporate entities.

If you have any questions or suggestions to add to this post that could make it even better, leave me a comment letting me know! As I receive feedback, I will make adjustments accordingly to make this article as simple as possible for those who are just getting started with RSS/Atom feeds.

And as always, if you found all this information useful, be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily find it again. Consider sharing it with your friends as well so they too can discover how to curate their own RSS and Atom feeds!

This post was originally shared from my small web blog here.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

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#rss #rss feed #tutorial #masterpost #small web #indie web #webcore #web revival #neocities #old web #early internet #internetcore #2000s web #decentralizedfuture #decentralized social media #decentralization #blog #old internet

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inuiiwonderland · 11 months ago

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Twisted captivity

Chapter 5

Twst third years x fem reader

Words: 850

A/n: I am SO not back on my grind….very sorry for a LATE and SHORT chapter😖😖

Curse Crowley and curse your parents for encouraging you to get this job.

You were up ALL night reading and going through the stacks of papers Crowley so graciously gave you the other day.

Only getting a good 2 hours worth of sleep before hearing your alarm going off.

Damn you crowley

You forcefully slammed open the heavy doors of the Octavinelle enclosure. Bucket of fish in your right hand while your left held your bag that had all your books, journals and your own food.

Your jaw drops at the sight of octavinelle. The whole area had a beautiful blue glow as waterfalls and caves came into view.

“How the hell is he able to afford all of this??” You say to no one in particular. You continue to look around in awe as you put down the bucket and your bag. Unaware of the mismatched eyes watching you, you quickly grab your journal and pen.

“I say Crowley did an amazing job designing this whole thing…or maybe crewel!” You continue to mumble to yourself. The sudden sound of water Splashing and the feeling of cold water hitting your back brought you back as you gasp and quickly turn around.

“What the-“ Your eyes go wide as you see the one responsible for throwing water at you. He cackles as he points at you. You frown as you watch the mer- or eel?? Continue to laugh at you.

“Not very funny” The eel stops and tilts his head before opening his mouth.

“Funny. Very”

Ah so he knows how to speak

“You must beeee” You try to remember the name of the eel in front of you. After all, you were up all night studying everyone's files.

“Floyd!” The eel smiles in delight. Showing off rows of razor sharp teeth as he nods.

“Ah and if I remember correctly, you have a twin?” He smiles even wider at the mention of his twin brother.

“Jade!”

“Right” before you can ask any more questions, he quickly dives back underwater.

“Wait! I still have one more question…” You sulk at the amount of times you've been ignored by the mers in this facility.

And father said this was supposed to be a fun job

Another splash of water caught your attention. You look up to see Floyd but this time he wasn’t alone.

“Jade!” He points. The other eel that looks almost identical to his brother eyed you in curiosity. He then smiles as he waves. You awkwardly wave back as Floyd just looks excited.

“Anyways…I brought food!” And just like that, almost all of the mers that were hiding came up at the mention of food. You gasp as everyone comes out of their hiding spots.

“Sevens you guys must be hungry” you mumble out as you grab the bucket and start feeding them.

After you made sure everyone had their fair share of food, you look down at the bucket to see you still had some extra.

“Hey floyd” he perks up at the mention of his name. He turns to you and tilts his head. Curious.

“Is there anyone else who needs to be fed? I still have some extra” He thinks for a moment before quickly diving back down. Seconds later he comes back up with someone squirming against his hold.

“Azul! He’s hungry!” The octo mer that was just struggling moments ago stops before his whole face turns blue.

He must feel embarrassed

“There’s no need to be embarrassed. If I’m being honest I’m hungry too but I have a few more hours until my lunch break” You say with a sigh. He slowly turns to look at you as you hand him his food. He looks at your hands and then you before quickly grabbing it and swimming back down.

“Is he a shy one?” You ask.

“Very” You giggle before looking at the watch on your wrist.

“Well it was nice meeting you guys. But unfortunately it’s time for me to go” As you stand up, you feel a webbed hand clasp on your wrist. You turn to see that it was Floyd. He wore a frown as he tried to pull you back down.

“Uhh can you let me go? Please?” The eel mer just stared at you and you tried to pull his hand away but it was no use. He was strong.

“Floyd” He quickly lets go when he hears jades voice. The two seem to talk in their language before Floyd rolls his eyes and dives back down underwater. Jade gives you an apologetic smile before doing the same.

You stood there for a good minute before remembering an important piece of information that you read in Floyd’s file.

Name: Floyd leech

Eel mer

Background Information - Him and Jade have been separated from their parents since they were young. Floyd gets very attached to female keepers as he sometimes views them as his mother.

Poor boy

You let out a heavy sigh as you gather your things.

Next stop, Pomefiore

Taglist!!! -

@ruisann

@roseapov

@0ffth3rec0rd

@anunholyabomination

@owodi

@mochi-lover26

@coffee-or-hot-cocoa

@Floevi

@thatpersonuouknow

@h0rr0r-10ver-69

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bludovebunny · 3 months ago

Text

. ☽ The heart ♡︎. ✫.

♡︎ . is a ♡︎.

. ♡︎ lonely hunter ✧ ☽ ✫ .

A touch in the Dark .

pairing ღ Lex Luthor x fem! oc/reader ღ Ao3

chapter one . chapter two . chapter three . chapter four .

ღ Summary ღ After suffering through a few personal troubles in the City of Metropolis, Niah Foxx ventures to live with her grandparents at their homestead within the warm, quaint town that is Smallville. Although instinctively a sweet, warm-hearted woman who frolics in the realm of dreams way too often, whisked away between the pages of books and poetry to escape reality, there presents a cynical point of view towards society as a whole as she struggles to find a place of belonging and people to rely on. Her reserved nature is quite apparent, as is the wisdom gained in the quietness of solitude and mere observation. And, unbeknownst to her, catches the attentive eye of the young heir of LuthorCorp with an infamous reputation. It only begs the question: In what way does a dove break loose from the coils of a snake? If it wants to escape at all? ღ Themes ღ emotional vulnerability obsession unrequited feelings slow burn friends to lovers height difference loyalty angst fluff poetry opposites attract romance loneliness survival of the fittest strength vs weakness

ღ words 12.7k . ღ

The rose lay gentle in the softness of her palm, fingers curling over the stem as it slowly twirls between the pad of her thumb and index. The petals were a stark red, vibrant as fresh blood that drips from an open wound and velvet to her touch. Abandoned leaves and thorns laid discarded on the table after using the rose stripper, a focal requirement when processing this particular flower to be used as a center piece in one of the many flower arrangements waiting to be dropped off to local clients. A pile of other roses, stripped bare in similar fashion, rested in a bucket on the side of the table in wait, and after one more look over, she gently sets the one in her hold amongst the rest.

Niah spent most of the day fulfilling certain tasks assigned by Nell Potter, which mainly involved evaluating new plants brought in from the local flower shop. Since receiving the position as a florist assistant, the broom practically became her best friend, based on the number of times she swept the floor on a constant basis every single day. It’s quite a simple job, although the only thing she may consider the most burdensome was cleaning out the buckets and cooler. But the quiet joy she experiences when surrounded by plants, their sweet floral scent a comfort to her soul, tends to outweigh most potential feelings of aversion towards certain responsibilities designated upon her.

Today was as slow as it had flown by easily, mainly due to lack of events as of late that didn’t require a high demand for flower arrangements, but during her observation of the last two months of working there, she ascertains there’s always this perpetual urgency for flowers to be present at a funeral. And as unfortunate as it may sound, they tend to attract more order requests involving burials than they do weddings and anniversaries.

In fact, a few requests were made involving three men who became victims of three different crimes–two were found murdered by electrocution, whereas one was fortunate enough to be lulled into a coma, all recent in the span of a week. Not only that, but a friend of Nell Potter, who was in the same garden club as her, Mrs. Arkin, was found dead in the quietness of her own home, mysteriously strung up on the wall and wrapped in huge webbing, the breath of life drained out of her lifeless corpse. Unfortunately, Niah never got to properly form a relationship before her passing, but she did take the time in her day to accompany Nell in attendance at her funeral in a display of support for the family.

The stories were absolutely bizarre–it was difficult to place one’s belief on the legitimacy of such reports due to how eccentric they appeared on paper. That is, until she pieced together all these incidents with students who once attended Smallville High; the high school Clark Kent attends every day. The conclusion of the matter made her wonder if there was something abnormal that had snuck its way to inhabit within the small pool of residents of Smallville. The concept of these musings was enough to unsettle the young woman, at least a little bit.

Another rose is now in her hand, her lips pressed together as she gently peels away a bruised petal on the head, eyes hardened in concentration. So delicate and fragile, beautiful, in the same way human life is, how easily the skin breaks from the prick of a tiny thorn. And how often is life taken for granted until it’s taken away. The thought of the crash on Loeb Bridge flickers in her mind for a split second, which is once again another odd occurrence where someone almost lost their life, a mere fraction away from the brink death.

“I met your friend by the way.” Sarcasm had lightly dripped from her tone when she spoke to Clark after the event of the Farmers Market had ended, once she and her granddad were loading the truck up with produce left over from the sales.

Clark had given her a quizzical look when he turned to her, his hands gripping the handles of a cooler container. “Friend?” His thick brows furrowed in confusion. “Remind me again who you’re talking about?”

She sighed with a roll of her eyes, watching him place the cooler far back in the trunk. “Y’know, Lex Luthor? The guy you saved the other day.”

He seemed to perk up at the mention of the familiar name, quickly whipping his head towards her where a hint of surprise overwhelmed his boyish features. “Lex? You met him already?” He scratched at the wavy hair atop his head. “When did this happen?”

Her lips pinched with a shrug of her shoulders, and her eyes fell to the ground where her foot absently kicked at a tiny pebble, as if unsure of her own feelings about the personal encounter with the billionaire. “Today. He jus…wanted a few things. I guess.” She muttered. It’s no mistake the way she conveniently left out the flirtatious comments he directed at her, feeling embarrassed enough as it is from the flirting she received. Just going over the interaction between them in her head almost made her blush. “He seems…well…interesting, to say the least.”

Clark had expelled a short burst of air in a half-laugh, and she detected a tinge of irony mingled in his breath when he replied. “Well. Yeah, you don’t know the half of it.” He didn’t even grunt when he hoisted up a heavy box filled with honeydew melon and set it on the edge of the trunk. His movements had paused for a moment, something reeling in his head that he wanted to say. Finally, he spared her a glance, his voice dropping low in tone as if in fear someone was eavesdropping. “Can you believe the guy gave me a new truck?”

The news made her eyes almost bulge out her head, taking a small step back in surprise. “Huh? W–wha–what? A truck?” Clearly, Niah couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“Yeah!” Clark exclaimed as he raised his arms at his sides, still unable to believe it himself. “It was a 250 SUPER DUTY FORD! Brand new too. Can you believe it?”

Astounded, all she could do was blinkingly stare up at him in response, trying to digest what he said. “So…” her words began off slowly, albeit cautiously as her mind reeled to the get the facts straight, “you’re saying, Lex Luthor, jus gave you a free truck,” and she squinted one skeptical eye at him, “a billionaire, out of the good graciousness of his heart. No strings attached. Is what you’re trying to say.”

“Well,” he gulped, and his mouth twisted as he seemed to mull over her words, “apparently, he gave it to me as a gift for saving him. I guess it was his way of saying thank you. And…I don’t get the feeling he was expecting anything back either. I mean–he seems like a cool guy to me.”

Although Clark tried to stay subtle about his excitement, she saw the sparkle in his eyes, the prospect of having his very own vehicle, a Duty Ford in pristine condition that likely would do wonders for his self-esteem and boost the rank of his social status in high school–even possibly catch the glimpse of the starry-eyed Lana Lang for once. In hindsight, any teenager at his age would be ecstatic to have that type of freedom and independence–a token which represents a step closer to adulthood.

Unfortunately, Johnathan Kent didn’t exactly share the same sentiment with such a deluxe gift bestowed upon his son. As head of the household, he refused to let Clark keep it and forced him to return the vehicle that same day, much to the dismay and disappointment of Clark. But in hindsight–in which this single viewpoint remained a secret so as to avoid irritating Clark further–Niah could understand his dad’s reasoning on the matter, considering Clark is still a teenager, a freshman in high school, nonetheless. To be granted an expensive car from a stranger with the status of a celebrity, the heir of Luthorcorp, may seem strange from a parent’s standpoint.

She gets it.

But, even so, when Niah reflected over the circumstances surrounding Lex’s intentions in concern to Clark, she could acknowledge the generosity behind the gesture, to express gratitude in a way a billionaire could convey based on the luxurious environment he grew up in as a wealthy kid, despite how extravagant such gifts may be perceived by ordinary onlookers. And he certainly found no issue in flaunting his wealth, as the majority of billionaires were so often inclined, but in this instance, he dedicated his assets deemed honorable as a way to pay back what could’ve been lost, something much more precious and valuable–his life.

Still, she had no time for playboys nor casanovas.

The last time Niah checked the time, it was 12:56 pm. Now she’s looking at the clock on the wall to find it’s 3:20 pm. Her work shift was nearing its end, and the procession of the last batch of flowers was finished for the day. The bucket was filled with bountiful roses in perfect condition, and she let loose a content sigh, hand rested on her hip as she admired her handiwork. While Niah began cleaning her station, she could hear Nell talking on the phone in the main room. The ringing of the bell that hung over the entrance door signified someone had come into the shop.

Grabbing the bucket with a firm grip, she headed towards the cooler room where many other pre-made plants were stored, one’s either ready to be put to use for another project, or an order already completed and prepared to be transported to a paid customer the following day. She placed the roses on the shelf. She shivered, the low temperature prickling her skin, but not enough to cause intense discomfort that she felt a need to rush out of the room immediately. And after inspecting a few of the other plants, she turned around to leave, only to hesitate as her keen eye locked on a Tulip arrangement with a few ill leaves, their once green color melding into a sickly shade of yellow.

She wonders how that happened. Perhaps the water in the bucket got contaminated by some unknown source. Her eyebrows pinched gently in concern, a surge of emotions rushing through her as she touched the plant with both palms. The effect was immediate; the leaves shifting gently as if a wind had blew into the cool room, the yellow area that tainted the leaves transforming into a lush shade of green, returning back to its original color, from a simple stroke of her fingers.

Satisfied. An echo of a smile hovered over her mouth. The door behind her was still open, and her eyes warily peek over her shoulder to make sure no one witnessed what took place in secrecy, from prying eyes who may question the enigma of the reserved, quiet woman. Niah Foxx.

With all the bizarre reports that have sprung up, she couldn’t nip away the curiosity if there exists a connection between her abilities and Smallville, since this was the same town where her powers first manifested as a child. One can’t be certain with little evidence to back up her conjecture. But it at least proves she’s not the only anomaly of a human to exist in this world.

It was about that time to leave. Niah stepped out of the cooler, sealing the door shut behind her with a solid click. Nell was standing behind the counter when Niah entered the front room, talking with her niece, Lana, who was leaning comfortably against the counter on the opposite side of her. Part of her face was hidden by her long hair.

The image of the brunette-haired girl was always a pleasant sight, her presence always seen more as a welcome than a disturbance in contrast to most teenagers which Niah had unfavorable experiences of encountering with. Lana’s frequent visits to the shop every other day after school offered them the opportunity to interact on most occasions, and their conversations were enjoyable, discovering shared interests as a small friendship steadily formed between the older and younger. Their bond especially bloomed after one night of fun when Nell invited Niah to spend time with them singing a mix of 90’s and 80’s karaoke songs at the Beanery.

She approached the counter, gaining the attention of both aunt and niece. “Hey, how’s it going with you?” Niah smiled fondly at Lana, offering her quick hug.

“Ah, nothing much.” Was her short response, pushing a few strands of hair away from her face after she pulled away, her silky tone as lovely as her smile. “I just needed to drop something off here before the shop closes.” It wouldn’t have been apparent or as noticeable to someone if they heard Lana speak, but Niah could sense a tincture of sobriety behind her teeth, something hidden itself like a face concealed behind a dark veil.

Niah doesn’t pry it out with a question, at least not in the presence of her aunt, nor make known of her observation as of yet, but instead pretends to not notice anything unusual, and simply says. “Oh okay. It’s nice to see you stopped by though.” Niah’s palm stroked her back comfortably, and Lana’s shoulders slump at her gentle touch, sparing her another glance beneath her long lashes that display subtle appreciation. There’s something she wanted to say, but the young girl kept her sentiments in the depths of her throat, unable to verbalize it.

For the moment, Niah then switches to her boss who was watching the two girls interact before her eyes with an expression of approval, seemingly glad that Lana found someone who could be a potential true friend to her. Or maybe adopt the role of an older sister. Her Aunt didn’t appear to notice anything unusual about her niece’s dreary demeanor, though.

It’s a shame. But not everyone was gifted with intuitive feeling and the capability to sense the moods of another soul, even when they lived in the same household and breathed the same air.

Niah propped her arm on top of the counter, leaning in a bit close to Nell as if she were passing on a secret, and the older woman also leaned over the surface in an inquisitive manner. “And Nell, I think something is going on with the Tulip bouquet for order number eleven. Probably something going on in the water or it’s sick? I’m not so sure. I just noticed it just now after I left the cooler.”

Her red hair bounced as her head flinched back slightly, and her brighter red lips turned downward in the shape of a frown. “That’s certainly odd. I know we cleaned the buckets out yesterday.” She stated, obviously confused by this new development. But the worry on her face lifts a bit, and she flaps her hand a couple times in the air at her in a reassuring gesture, shaking her head. “Whatever it is, I’ll take care of it, hon. You go head home and I’ll handle the rest here. You did good work today, as you usually do.”

She blushed, straightening her posture as she nodded. “Thank you ma’am.” And turned to the teenager beside her who also returned her gaze. “Wanna come? We can talk a little while I get my things together.”

Lana’s shoulders lift with a single, quick nod. “Yea, sure thing.” Her smile tensed.

They headed towards the back of the store with Lana following behind Niah as she led the way to a private room that held her personal belongings. Once they reached their destination, Niah reached up to untie the beige bandana wrapped around her thick hair, sighing contently as she felt the freedom of her dark dreadlocks drape over her shoulders. After hours of her hair tightly constricted during work, the airy sensation on her head felt soothing to allow her scalp a chance to breathe.

As she reaches for her leather brown jacket off a hanger, she heard Lana’s voice filter throughout the room. “You seem pretty comfortable here, now. Nell hasn’t been working you very hard, has she?”

She turns towards her and hoists her jacket over her shoulder, an easy grin touching her lips. “Nah, things have been pretty good. I have fun working with plants. I’m used to getting my hands dirty anyway. I like the feel of it, even if I do get poked by thorns sometimes.” A small joke as she lifted and twisted her hand in Lana’s view.

“Ha, I can imagine...” The lightness of her voice faltered slightly, merging on something pensive. Though she tried to conceal it with a tiny smile that couldn’t quite reach her eyes.

It was noticeable enough, as Niah was able to sense the slightest shift in volume and timbre. “So, I heard that there’s a pep rally coming up at your school soon.” Niah lightly initiated, albeit with a touch of care in her tone. “Are you excited about that? The game an all that?”

Lana pressed her back against the wall, her eyes falling to focus on the wooden floor beneath her shoes. “Mmm…” Her lips puckered in response, tongue poking inside her cheek as her arms folded across her chest. From the way the young girl “I probably would’ve been a day ago,” and her head cocks to the side, her dark hair casting half a shadow over her face, “if I didn’t quit cheerleading, anyway.”

Niah almost did a double take, but her mouth falling open indicated her silent surprise. “You quit? Since when?”

Lana’s hand lifts towards her forehead, two of her fingers massaging at the tip of her thin eyebrow, applying pressure upon her temple. “Since today.”

The heaviness under her breath was enough to connote her displeasure, not directed at Niah by any means, but it stemmed from some situation she hasn’t yet disclosed with her. “Wow. This–this is soo surprising.” Was all Niah could say as she noticed Lana moving to close the door, as if afraid someone would listen in on their conversation. Niah dropped her jacket on the desk and stepped forward, and Lana didn’t pull away when Niah took her hands in hers. “What made you wanna leave? I mean…right before the next game in a couple days? That’s kinda close, isn’t?”

Lana’s gaze finally lifted to meet hers, pain and distress reflecting in her hazel eyes. “Do you know about the Torch? The high school paper?” She asked quietly.

The name sounded familiar. “I think Clark mentioned it to me before. His friend–I think it was…uh, Chole who runs it. But I don’t really keep up with high school stuff like that anymore.” Niah actually never did care. After she graduated senior year, she left all traces and residue of the high school experience behind her. In the past. A mere chapter in her book which she had no interest in rereading again. “What about it though?”

“Well, prepared to be surprised.” She rolled her eyes, her mouth curling into a facsimile of a smile meant to resemble satire. “The latest article…well….” her teeth dug into her bottom lip, thinking, “the article showed some guys on the team have been caught cheating on their midterm, just so they can play some–some stupid game.” She looked down at the floor again. Unsure. Embarrassed. “They were my friends and now… I’m not soo sure how to feel about them anymore.”

Oh, no. The poor girl. Niah tightened her hold on Lana’s hands, felt her heart squeeze in her chest, aching on her behalf. “I’m sorry to hear that, Lana. I know how disappointing this must be for you.” Disappointments were a constant presence in her own life, unwanted and uninviting; she was familiar with such feelings Lana must be going through. “Your boyfriend is the lead quarterback on the team, right? Did he also get caught cheating or…?

She didn’t answer right away, her downcast gaze still glued on the floor, but Niah could see her face clearly due to her standing a few inches smaller while she observed uncertainty flash over Lana’s features. She watched her take a deep, steady breath, and blew slowly, responding carefully. “He claims he didn’t cheat, and I want to believe–No. I do believe him. But…he did know his friends were cheating but didn’t speak up about it.” Her eyes met hers then before looking away to the side. “It’s just… I don’t know. I can’t see myself supporting people who would swindle their way through school, or anything just to win a game–anything, really. Without remorse or regret for their actions. What type of person would that make me if I continue to associate with them? That I’m okay with what they did?”

It's odd how Lex Luthor popped up in her mind again. Of all time and circumstances. But she remembers his unease, his look of regret and remorse when he expressed his penance at the market with her, even though he technically didn’t harm anybody in the accident. What does that say about his character? A young billionaire who went into his own pocket to pay for the re-construction of Loeb bridge to get it fixed for his error. He didn’t have to go out of his own resources to do that. But he did it, instead of trying to sweep it under the rug.

She shook the thought out of her head, re-focusing back on the reality of Lana’s dilemma. “Mhm. And how does Whitney feel about his friends…or ones who were involved in that?”

The question caused a different reaction this time. As Lana’s face suddenly became pinched, as if she’d been pricked by a thorn. And she slipped out of Niah’s grasp and proceeded to step around her, folding her arms again. “Like any guy would, apparently.” Her tongue became tainted with mild annoyance, but she was frustrated all the same. “They’re his buddies, his bros. Friends he’s known for years. How do you expect him to feel? All he could say was: ‘People are not perfect. It’s no big deal.’”

Niah could only watch the girl shake her head, probably must be just as disappointed in Whitney’s passive stance as she is with her former friends cheating scandal, if they were even her real friends at all. Possibly this event might initiate some sort of awakening within her, because Niah could feel a strain of tension in the air, its thickness looming over Lana that surrounds her like a cocoon.

For a moment, Niah collects her thoughts together. One by one, drawing inspiration from her own past experiences in school, memories in a glass bottle she didn’t care to remember. But her next set of words are delivered with delicacy, her dulcet voice a house of sympathy towards her friend’s state of agitation.

“I understand, Lana.” She says kindly, soothingly as she walks over, lifting her hand to stroke Lana’s bare forearm. “I’d most likely do the same thing if I found out my friends were being deceitful behind people’s backs, especially if I knew about it. I mean–I’ve done something similar before.” Niah shares this tidbit of her past life with little detail, but it’s enough to draw Lana’s bittersweet gaze upon her again.

“I’d feel like a fake, not being authentic to myself, like you probably feel now. And…I get the feeling you don’t want to enable that type of behavior of your peers, either. I think you quitting the team is a good decision on your part. It shows you have strong values and don’t follow after the crowd, no matter what people says or expects of you.”

Only in Niah’s case, her refusal to follow the path of others led her to be alone. Trapped in the gentle clutches of solitude, lost in the realms of fanciful reveries and romantic books and other similar devices. Unpopular in high school.

Graciously, though, her words of comfort and commendation roused a tiny smile to ease its way on Lana’s face, her visage shyly brightening up. She looked like sunlight breaking through dark clouds after the wake of a thunderstorm, countenance genuine in its sincerity. “I appreciate that, Niah. Really. I do.”

“Of course.” She smiles softly. That’s all she wants. To offer comfort, to whoever may need it.

Lana turned to her fully and clasped her hands together in the form of a small plea. “Just do me a favor and don’t tell my aunt, Nell.” Her eyes were big and wide, similar to the innocence of a doe. “My mom and Nell were both cheerleaders in high school. It’ll be like I broke the cycle or some sacred tradition. She’ll be shocked when she finds out and I’d hate it if she learns about it from someone else.”

Niah listened as she grabbed ahold of her jacket, releasing a light chuckle as she shrugged the garment on, popping the collar straight. “Baby, I don’t share people’s business like that. I have no reason to, especially if you tell me not to.” She rests assured. “You tell her on your own time when you’re ready. You jus do you.”

“Thanks.”

A few minutes later, their shoes met the sidewalk on the main street of town when they exited the shop together. The air was not too cool, not too warm, and the breeze felt gentle as it skims over her cheeks. Niah thought she and Lana would part ways once they arrived outside, but Lana actually ended up joining her on her short walk towards her BMW.

The chiming sound of her keys jiggled in her palm. Niah separated the correct key from the rest before inserting it into the lock of the car. “So, what do you plan on doing now, since you’re no longer interested in shaking pom-poms and cheering for the Crows?” It was a random thought that needed to be inquired, at least to sate her own curiosity.

“I’ll think of something.” Lana sighs evenly, watching Niah climb onto the front seat where she settles behind the wheel. “Probably get a part-time job. Try something new for once.”

“Oh, you wanna do something constructive with your time? That sounds good to me.” As if ready to close the door, Niah gripped the car door handle, but not before taking a moment to pause and meet Lana’s gaze. Niah made a point to hold her stare, hoping to get the message across when she dropped a few more words of wisdom. “Jus make sure that whatever you choose to do, that it makes you happy. There’s little joy to be found in a job or activity that only adds more stress to your life. At least…let it be worth the trouble.”

Lana shares her gratitude with a simple nod, her hair bobbing against the wind. “That’s something I can agree for sure. I’ll try to remember. Thanks again, Niah.” She waved, bidding her farewell as Niah shut the door and started up the vehicle.

They part ways, Niah turning the wheel as she pulled out the parking space to ride down the road towards home.

Two days rush by in a dash.

The newspaper of the Smallville Ledger caught her eye that sunny morning, when she sneaked a glance at one of the articles her grandma was reading at the kitchen table. A car had mysteriously caught on fire, exploding in a violent combustion of flames in a parking lot that was practically empty. The location: Smallville High. The owner of the vehicle, principal Kwan, barely got away unscathed by the burning flames.

If it wasn’t for Clark’s swift rescue at the time of the scene, they would’ve lost an important figure at the school. The cause of the fire was unknown, but inspections on the vehicle suspect possible faulty wiring. Or another case, attempted murder. A mystery no one could explain with real conviction.

Unbeknownst to Niah, these current events in rural Kansas were only the tip of the iceberg.

The Beanery was a comfortable spot to relax with your nose in a book. A delicate mixture of sounds in the café dispersed throughout the low-lit, interior space. The distant tinkling of dishes clattering somewhere in the back and murmuring voices lingering between patrons at their own tables. Spoons softly clinking against the ceramic of their mugs.

The half-filled mug rested on the coffee table in front of her, and she can still taste the spicy, cocoa flavor of the chai tea swirling in her mouth. This fine evening, there was a moderate amount of people that occupied the coffee house. Thank God the place wasn’t crowded. A few high school students intermingled in their own corner, and other regulars sat in their own personal bubble next to an available window, watching life carry on behind the glass where cars drove on pass. The warm glow of the streetlights outside reflected against clear, dark windows where nighttime had washed over town.

Niah sat there on the sofa, alone in her own personal bubble, shoes neatly discarded on the floor so her legs may curl up against her thighs on the padded cushions, and fingers were shifting through pages of one of her favored books she snagged along with her from her former city home. She recently learned of Lana’s new position as a waitress at the Beanery, supposedly taking on the part-time job in an endeavor to gain some level of independence in her teenage life, forge her own path in an attempt to break the cycle of what her aunt or anyone expects her to be. The pep rally for the Crows football team was tonight, but Lana chose to fill people’s cups with coffee, tripping over her feet occasionally as she carried tray after tray, an endless cycle of accidental spills and uttered apologies.

For what it’s worth, as with any humble beginning, it’s a start, and Niah felt a need to offer her support with the use of her own company. She could be doing anything else more productive with her time, such as plucking the strings of her bass guitar at home, learning new singing material for an upcoming gig with her band back in Metropolis, or finishing up the remains of a new art piece. College work. In all honesty, even daydreaming.

Time is precious. A valuable thing. Niah is not the type of woman to give it to anyone for free, unless someone, somehow, struck a chord that resonated in her. Except, of course, when someone presses her under the thumb of obligation to grant it, reluctantly.

Other than the low chatter and delicate tinkling of cups setting upon the surface of several tables, Niah didn’t pay much attention to her surroundings, or the sharp clutter of broken dishes every so often that may sometimes cut her focus on her reading. Her mind was absorbed in the story of the characters, their monologue and dialogue speaking to her in a way that reality fails her. Fails to understand her.

It couldn’t have been more than five feet away when a voice within reach suddenly broke through her focus.

“Unique choice you got there.” They sounded male, their tone deep and melodious. Her shoulders jump before whipping her head to the source of the voice, her brown eyes staring up to meet with a pair of steel-blue ones. “For a town with an excessive fixation on adolescent athleticism, I didn’t quite expect to find ones in this town who fancies the classics of quality literature.”

He was staring down at her. Lex Luthor. With that familiar, unmistakable intensity in his gaze that may so often lock people in a trance, and that slick curl that likes to play on the side of his mouth. Of all places to encounter once again; this fine evening in a little coffee shop. But this time around, the sharpness of his cerulean eyes made her heart skip a beat. Once or twice. How odd.

Stunned by his appearance, Niah was at a loss for words. And he must be humored by her expression because a burst of breath passes his lips where he chuckles lightly, soft and deep. Her mouth parted as if to speak, but his presence was so sudden, it took her a solid moment to gather any words together. She just hadn’t anticipated to see him again so soon, or never at all. Plus, the fact he actually remembered her after only one encounter.

“M–Mr. Luthor.” She uttered, her gaze following his figure as he maneuvered around the small coffee table to sit across from her, inviting himself into her small bubble. He’s dressed in casual attire this time around, black slacks and black T-shirt to match, and a simple grey jacket, as if he finally decided to blend in with the rest of Smallville civilians. But he still seemed untouchable, his disposition emitting a radiance of confidence and boldness. Assertive. Traits in which she envied as well as found…well…piquant of a man of his elite position.

She clutches the book in her hand. She hates to admit it.

Once he was situated in his seat, he stared back, a tiny crease softly pulling at the corner of his mouth with a touch of amusement in his eyes. “Ha, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you.” He said, observing her silence as a possible indicator of blunt aversion towards his company, a typical reaction of the many people in this town who would rather not be bothered by his very existence. Soon, he planned to change people’s perception of him.

Lex leaned forward to place a few file folders on the table. “I was referring to your choice in reading,” his eye darts to the book in her grasp and back to her, “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. Such a fascinating tale, with loneliness and isolation being a focal point of the author’s message behind the characters’ bleak experiences in the book, especially John Singer. It’s just a grim reminder that mankind as a whole can’t truly escape it. As we’ve all suffered from the nuisance of it in one way or another in our lives. Wouldn’t you agree?” He inquired, waiting to hear her response. To see what she’d say. Or do.

Niah blinked twice in a row, finding it difficult to conceal her surprise and disbelief that he was familiar with the book at all. And the way he smoothly initiated a conversation as if they were old friends, associates from the past catching up from lost years over a long span of time. Or colleague. She couldn’t control the scoff that escaped her lips, her eyes shutting briefly in amusement, dazed by his audaciousness. But nonetheless intrigued, just a tiny bit.

This man was the image of debonair incarnate–dangerous if she were a woman weak to the enchanted whims of a diplomatic billionaire as suave as Mr. Luthor.

How unfortunate for him once he eventually realizes she don’t suit the image of his type of woman.

Nevertheless, she shook her head lightly before prying the novel open, back to the page she left off on. She trembled under the weight of his scrutiny. “Ah, yeah–yeah. I do.” Her gaze fell upon a piece of monologue of one of the characters, reading the sentence over and over again like a mantra that imprinted itself in her mind. Lex then observed the way her expression softens, almost pensive in its quality as her lips curl slightly into small, quiet smile. “It’s sad how strong loneliness is felt by man. It’s a universal feeling that’s jus….part of life. There’s no way of getting around it or escaping it, no matter how hard we may try to avoid it…”

Words pause on a lowly note, and her gaze flickers to him, expecting him to have gotten bored by the sound of her voice, become preoccupied with something else more interesting than what she may say.

His eyes were on her, that icy gaze of his unwavering in their focus on her person. It surprised her that she held his attention for this long, that someone was actively listening to one of the things she was passionate about. A stranger of his high caliber in the corporate world, waiting for an ordinary woman to continue any thought she wishes to share. She swallowed, suddenly self-conscious about the sound of her own voice. She never did like her voice; she wondered how she must sound to him. Her gaze averts back down between the pages.

“It, um,” she twirls a dreadlock with her finger, its girth encompassing it like a vine, “it jus reminds me that people go through the same feelings as any other person–some feeling it more strongly than others, even if they may not show or express it. It’s almost instinctive how humans crave companionship...or someone to jus listen and understand. It’s probably why I like this book so much.”

“Because you see yourself in the characters.” He observes in a matter-of-fact fashion. “That seems like a good enough reason to indulge yourself in the storytelling as much as you do.”

She pauses again. Pausing to examine him, to really look at him. Her head tilts with curiosity, her voice containing a little wonder, her expression dubious. Uncertain of his motives. Why he chose to sit and talk to her in the first place. “You’re… familiar with this book, I see…I don’t know too many people who’ve read it…my peers back at home, I mean.”

His brows quirked at that as he granted her a smile, one full of charm with the hope of disarming her walls, and he decided on spot to take this opportunity to connect with her on a subject that pertains to her interests. “Why yes, it’s one of the many novels I’ve read over the years while locked in my own version of solitude.” And with that, he picked up one of the file folders sprawled on the table and leaned back in his chair, crossing a leg over his knee as he settled comfortably into his seat. “But, unlike isolation, being in a state of solitude is not always necessarily a bad thing as people make it out to be. It’s funny how people get the terms mixed up all the time. It all depends on how a person uses it to their advantage, or mold it to suit their benefit, is the way it should be utilized.”

Lex was well aware that his focus should be on the task at hand involving the Smallville Plant workforce, the one forcibly assigned to him by his bastard of a father. The frustration of his dad’s imperativeness after suffering defeat by his hand in a fencing match supplied an exceeding amount of frustration and anger to boil to the surface that he could care to admit.

And yet, this young woman lying half-way across before him, arm propped on the armrest with book in hand, legs curled and folded comfortably on the sofa. Lovely. The gaze she lures him in is a gentle, thoughtful look akin to the warmth of a candle that glows in their dark inner depths. Although gently guarded, a dash of bashfulness sprinkled in those brown eyes of hers, sugar in his coffee. Her visage was all too alluring for tired, weary eyes to think of anything else. He failed to realize how the vexation he felt earlier had considerably dwindled, abated while conversing with this woman who clearly possessed layers he wished to explore.

She wields a beautiful face, as did many women he encountered every so often in his line of business–her attractiveness was not bold that strictly demanded one’s attention, no, but it appeal to him in a way that reminded him of a Dutch renaissance painting hung on display at the Metropolis art museum, during the Dutch golden age era. A natural beauty with round cheeks and soft edges paired with full lips. The artistry of her design and composition of her position on the sofa portrays demureness with a stroke of sensuality. Again, lovely.

Oh, his stomach twists in pleasurable agony.

It caught Lex off guard, especially when he first stepped into the cafe, like any man easily enamored by a woman’s physical beauty. He could write a list in his mind the number of men who observed them inconspicuous, tempted every so often to drag their gaze in their direction, and he knew the mark of where their eyes lingered upon.

It’s the sole reason why he even approached her at the Farmers Market at all; initially, the cause of his interest was based on shallow attraction. He can admit that. But what man or woman haven’t experienced moments of weakness? Hasty decisions built on gluttonous impulse of fleshly desires?

Lex Luthor was no saint.

Lex couldn’t be certain of what he expected other than to gain her attention that day, possibly develop into something more. Only for the girl to reject his advances. A small blow to his ego, cushioned by her kindness he wasn’t entitled to. A rarity in this town that treats him with contempt.

And now, to listen to her low, sultry voice speak thoughts about a renowned book that touches on the perpetual tragedy of the human condition when confronted by the constricting walls of isolation? He concluded she was clearly much more than just a pretty face.

“Well, yeah-” her spine straightens as she shifts in her seat, fascinated by his thought process, reasoning and sense of understanding, “-solitude is a space meant for self–reflection and meditation. It’s either a time to think, gain inspiration, or a moment to breathe when life starts to get overwhelming to handle. But… then… there are some people who get too comfortable in their own solitude that they don’t make much time for anyone else and end up isolating themselves as a result.” It was ironic how once the words left her mouth, visions of the past couples of months rushed to her mind, images of her where she spent the majority of her days in solitude either in her bedroom writing poetry or wandering in her backyard tending to her garden, feeding and watching birds.

The true nature behind her solitary behavior was isolation in its severity.

“I can agree with that.” He rubbed his index across his bottom lip. This felt natural, this steady flow between them. He fancied it in a way that was different from most women he gave his time to. Suppose it was simply the sincerity in her eyes, sincerity behind her words, a trait farfetched in the world he was born into. “There’s a certain weight to it that requires a scale to maintain the necessary measurement to achieve equilibrium, as does all things in the circle of life demand it. Although solitude lives on a similar spectrum, loneliness and isolation are both different beasts entirely. It’s not exactly something you can always pull yourself out of on your own.”

She shares her agreement with a short nod, but the motion wouldn’t have been as noticeable if not for his keen attention to her body language, as her mind now seemed a tad distracted by something he couldn’t solve with a mere glance. Lex swore he saw an opening, one wall being stripped down, her heart splitting open to reveal a piece of her core.

Then it closed just as quickly. The bud retracting into itself from fully blossoming.

What had gone wrong.

His mouth opened to speak, but the chance slips away when he catches a figure entering the corner of his vision strolling towards them. Niah followed his gaze in tow, recognizing Lana donning in a complete waitress uniform.

It still boggled Niah’s brain that the younger girl took on the position as a waitress at a coffee shop nonetheless, as cliché as it sounded, but she supposed everybody got to start somewhere. Niah, though, could never succumb to such a job of serving tables.

“Lana.” Lex greeted as his face lit up, amusement saturating his tone as she stood before him wearing a green apron with a tiny notebook and pen in hand. He didn’t miss a beat, giving her a quick look over. “What happened? Did Nell put you out on the street?”

Niah pressed a closed fist against her mouth in an attempt to stifle a chuckle, but she knew Lana heard it because the girl peeked over at her with a closed lipped smile of her own. But she maintained her poise against his tease and only offered a few nods towards him. “Just decided to join the workforce.”

“Good for you. I’m sure you’ll be employee of the month in no time.”

Lana hesitated for a split second, sneaking another peek at Niah again as an ounce of uncertainty flickered across her face, but the smile remained intact, although tense, as she continued in honesty. “Well, right now, it seems I hold the record for most dishes broken in a single day.” Though her admittance was graceful, it did nothing to suppress the absolute shock that creeped upon Niah’s expression at this new development.

“What?” Niah blurted out, sitting up straight in her seat as she turned towards Lana who was now rubbing her temple, slightly embarrassed of her friend’s reaction at the news of her mishaps of the day. “You just started and you’re destroying the dishes already?” Lana was an exceptionally elegant young girl. It was hard to accept she possessed the capacity to lack balance and precision in her movements in any way, shape or form.

“First day on the job aren’t always the easiest, y’know.” Lex interjected as he came to Lana’s defense, but he had to control the muscles around his mouth to avoid a smile born of irony at the poor girl’s misfortune. “It’s new territory. It can take a day or so to find one’s footing in a new environment you’re not familiar with. I assume you’ve experienced something similar to that?”

“Yea but… ” The worry in her voice faltered then, the logic of his words sinking in. The truth of the matter was Niah couldn’t bear the thought of Lana losing her job so soon, knowing how strict and merciless her boss could be on their employees–should any more accidents occur before the end of the week, they won’t hesitate to let her go at the drop of a hat. “– did you at least get some training on how to balance the trays and serve tables? It shouldn’t be that hard.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, albeit bashfully, before responding. “Actually, it’s my second day.” She admitted. “And they did show me the ropes, but I suppose doing the actual work while on the clock is a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I’m sure I’ll get the handle on things soon. It’s only been two days, after all.”

It was a comical sight, practically how in sync Lex and Niah glanced at each other at that exact same moment, almost as if they shared the exact same thought. But what thoughts they may be, they kept it to themselves. One thing was for certain, though, was how Niah could appreciate Lana’s mindset of embracing the optimistic side of things, a positive attitude for being hopeful, which she often struggles to implement into her own life.

“By the way,” Lana tilted her head and clicked her tongue, her eyes darting between the two young adults, something in her gaze gaining an inquisitive glimmer, but it was the hint of mischief in them that made Niah wary, “how… do you two know each other, seeing that Lex just came into town? Or maybe the heir of LuthorCorp is just that good at making friends with everyone who crosses his path?”

Niah winced at the teasing in her voice. Lana probably knew the question would get under her skin, which is why she even bothered inquiring about their relationship at all. And now she had to succumb to being pushed under the spotlight along with him. Lex, however, simply looked at her.

“Farmer’s Market.” He kept his tone casual, the way he said it simple and blunt, unfazed by the question. “I stumbled upon her booth, decided to buy some of her produce because I wanted to show some support for… some of the locals.” His gaze then wandered back to Niah, propping his arms on his thighs as he leaned forward in his seat, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. “Then imagine my surprise when I stumble upon Ms. Foxx in a local coffee shop. I sat across from her and, here we are, exchanging similar sentiments on a common interest we both share on a renowned, literature classic dated back to the 1940’s. It’s quite simple, really.”

It took Niah a second to process everything that he mentioned, silently impressed by his fanciful narrative of their meeting in the fashion of a renaissance tale between two souls who connected by chance, far from the chains of city borders, but what exactly laid beyond their future remained a mystery in itself. “Yea–yea, that’s, um, pretty much how it went.” The smile on her face is weak, uncertain, unlike Lex who is anything but. “I suppose it’s called ‘Smallville’ for a reason. The town is so small, it’s easier to run into people again than it is in the city.”

“Hm, it’s that simple, huh?” Lana mulled slyly, shooting Niah a skeptical look meant to tease, and she silently wished at that moment she could escape into a nearby field, back into the arms of solitude with only her book to keep her company. “Well, if that’s the case, since I’m here, is there anything you guys want? I better get back to work before my boss start yelling at me.”

Niah decided to pass for the time being, so Lana switched to take Lex’s order. He requested his cappuccino to be served in a Styrofoam cup as a safety measure, prompting Lana to roll her eyes, albeit playfully before she walked away from the pair. They were left alone to their own devices once more, Lex casting Niah a smirk before finally diverting his attention to the file folders on the table. Niah tried to focus her attention on her book, but along with Lex’s obtrude vicinity serving as a major distraction, the familiar voice of young Clark Kent now conversing with Lana also caught her ear, something about him joining the football team.

That couldn’t be right. Clark didn’t seem the type to want to engage in high school sports. Something about it seemed off. And if he did, he never mentioned his interest about it to her before.

“Rumor has it Clark Kent joined the football team.” Lex’s words penetrated her ears as he began talking to Clark who strolled over to them, basically replacing Lana who before stood at the same spot a couple seconds ago, only this time Clark moved to sit down next to Niah on the couch. Since they now shared the same furniture, she shifted up into an upright position to allow him space on her side.

And this is when she quickly deduced that she wouldn’t get any more reading done at all. This was just what Niah needed, more distractions and socialization. Granted, she did choose to visit a public setting in solitary support for Lana’s first job at the Beanery, a hip joint where people came for the purpose of interacting with their peers and developing new relationships.

Perhaps this was a sign from the unknown, a sign to step out of herself and engage with the people around her. But it didn’t mean she was quite ready to open herself up in that way, at least not yet. Clark, she was fine with. But Lex, well…

“Rumors true.” Clark’s response held no hint of enthusiasm whatsoever.

“Congratulations. Your dad must be thrilled.”

“Actually, he freaked out.” Was his alarming claim, and he glimpsed at Niah beside him before allowing his eyes to linger on the floor, his usual bright demeanor now oozing with dejection. “Told me I couldn’t play.”

Niah’s brows pinched together in concern as that familiar force of intuition spurred within her, and she discerned Clark must be seeking some type of support, the type of support and validation which his father wouldn’t afford his own son. She rested a hand on his shoulder and offered a gentle squeeze, a gesture meant to comfort the troubling boy. “I’m surprised Clark. I didn’t know you was interested in football like that. I don’t see why he won’t let you play? Can you think of any reason why he wouldn’t let you?”

They both watched as Clark's lips pressed into a fine line, deep in thought over her query as he searched for an answer. He said nothing as he fiddled with his thumbs. Nonetheless, Niah’s touch did prove to be a bit reassuring as a physical act of comfort, something she knew he needed, evident in the way his shoulders relaxed a tiny bit where her hand lingered.

“That’s the thing.” He shook his head solemnly. “I honestly don’t know. I don’t know what the big deal is…he used to play football around my age, so I don’t know why things are different now. You know, I’m surprised at my dad–I mean, he claims I should make my own decisions, but when I do, he shuts me down.”

“I know– ” Lex proceeded to chime in, granting his own dose of perceptivity into Clark’s unsuccessful predicament with his dad, “–and you’re out late, waiting for him to go to bed so you can avoid the uncomfortable silence that greets you when you get home.”

“Wait, how’d you know?” Clark asked curiously. Niah remained quiet while she listened in silence, harboring a little curiosity of her own.

“Let’s just say that the Luthor’s wrote the book on uncomfortable silences.” And smiled.

It didn’t escape Lex’s notice how comfortable they seemed with another due to their physical nearness; Clark willingness to intrude into her private space, and Niah welcomed him, even offering a consoling hand as she listened to his worries without a moment’s interruption. The sight was endearingly tender, almost maternal in a sense. And he briefly wondered about the length of time it’ll take for him to get into her good graces enough to receive similar affectionate treatment, if it was ever possible. He tried not to feel a certain way about it, nor dwell on it, but it just served as one more (painful) reminder of something he didn’t have.

Something he yearned for. If Luthor’s were even allowed the privilege to yearn for anything sentimentally heartfelt.

Clark seemed satisfied with his answer. He then inquired about the folders scattered on the table. In truth, Niah wondered the same thing when Lex first arrived but refrained from prying into his private business since she knew very little about him. Yet, it turned out Lex didn’t mind sharing the state of affairs concerning his work at the Smallville Plant, and hinted by the soberness that crossed his countenance, she garnered his discontent over the fact that his father assigned a forceful demand on him to cut twenty percent of the Factory’s personnel. Although she won’t personally suffer from the impact of this decision, the news unsettled her, and she could imagine the number of employees who depended on the factory wages to care for the needs of their families.

“Why would he do that? There will be a lot of people who will lose their jobs if that plan goes through. Have he considered the amount of people whose lives will fall into financial ruin by this?”

He blinked away from the files to lock eyes with hers, and the expression reminded her of a man who has accepted defeat to his enemy, like he had no other choice but to obey his father. “My father isn’t exactly, what you would call, a man of the people. He sent me out here to manage a factory that’s barely making ends meet due to low profits, and to top it all off, could care less about how cutting people off not only affects LuthorCorp’s already infamous reputation among the townsfolk, but also the innocent lives of good people who make an honest living here.”

Clark frowned at that. “Geez, that don’t sound too good. Is there any way around it?”

“Once my father’s made his mind up, it’s not easy to turn around.”

“Well…” Niah again chipped in, only to pause to gently nibbled on her bottom lip in a moment of thought before continuing. “There’s gotta be something that could be done about the low profits…” Resolution didn’t always require such a marvelous, grand idea that left people in a state of awe; Niah humbly believed simplicity of an expression can do wonders to stir up inspiration, a fresh new easy outlook on a complicated situation, and she decided to walk that path in mind.

Leaning over, she tapped a finger on one of the folders closest to her. “Mr. Luthor, are you familiar with the saying? ‘For every problem there is a solution?’” Voice low, soft as she spoke in a gentle manner, her gaze never strayed from his, hoping it’ll get her point across. “There might not be a clear answer or a solution for it right now, but you may have to get a bit creative enough to find it. For a shadow to manifest, there’s always a light around the corner. Your dad may have a lot of influence, but don’t let him control you like this. I know you’re smart enough to figure this out, stand up to him, and you’ll be able to help everyone.”

The man sitting across from her turned silent, expression almost unreadable, and it felt surreal how all the noise around her became muffled to her senses. Niah’s heart pounded, thinking she might’ve said something wrong, or the advice failed to achieve its positive purpose. That is, until Lex drew in a deep inhale and cleared his throat, swallowing thickly as he averted his eyes back to one of the files in his hands.

He didn’t speak, at least for a moment, but in total honesty, Lex found himself dumbfounded. In part by someone’s benevolent effort to offer support to a cause he considered unachievable, whereas others only showed fellow feeling which was typically accompanied with awkward stares from the other party, Niah extended more with words of encouragement and moral belief in his ability to do the right thing for both the community and company.

Acquaintances as he and Niah were, it was the first constructive positive thing she said in reference to his character since they met–she meant it with such sincerity, her words of faith, he frankly had no clue on how to respond to it.

The issue didn’t lie with a solution to the problem, he already had a solution in his grasp. Plain and simple, the issue dwelt with rebelling against his father’s instruction, despite the high probability of him retaliating in a trifling way Lex might regret in the unforeseeable future.

Despite the sudden wave of strange emotions he shut away in his heart, the corner of his mouth twitches, producing a wry smile for her. “I appreciate your confidence in me to overthrow my father’s cruel ruling. I’ll be sure to keep your sage advice close in mind.”

She let out a breath and sat back, a rush of relief washing over her in an instant, but before she could say anything else, Lana returned, this time balancing two mugs on a single tray. She set the warm drinks on the table, adding a few words towards their discussion. “If it makes you guys feel any better, you should’ve seen the look on my aunt’s face when I took this job…. not that I was eavesdropping or anything.”

“Guess we’re all on the same boat.” Clark remarked as Lana sat beside him on the armrest.

“No, no, no.” Lex hastily threw in. “You both stood your ground and are doing what you want, and I caved.” He gripped the handle of his tall mug and raised it towards them in a display of gratitude. “You two have inspired me…and you, Niah,” she perked up at the call of her name, realizing he set his regard onto her, “your words of wisdom have enlightened me. I’ll be sure to write them on a note close to my heart, lest I neglect what you’ve shared with me in my hour of need.”

Niah couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or if exaggerated theatrics was part of his personal appeal. Either way, his poetic extolment rose a burst of air out her chest where a small scoff passed her lips. “As long as it helps. I’m…jus a messenger.” She failed to contain the small smile that rested upon her visage which his words elicited in small cheer.

Watching their interaction, Clark squinted an eye, specifically directed at Lex as a suspicious thought crossed his mind. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, deciding to let the thought go for the time being. “Hah, yeah, Niah has sayings way beyond her years. I only joined the football team and… Lana pouring some coffee. We’re a couple of real rebels.”

Lana laughed. “Long live the revolution.”

With all that said and done, Lex finally brought the mug to his lips as everyone watched him take a sip of his beverage. “How is it?” Lana couldn’t help but ask, the young girl more or less anxious about his opinion on the drink.

Lex wiped some whipped cream off his nose, remarking dryly. “It’s perfect.”

“Okay.” Lana smiled wide, content with his reaction, and walked off to take more orders.

Clark’s gaze followed Lana’s retreating figure before glancing down at his own drink and taking a whiff. Niah held in a laugh as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Lana didn’t have the slightest clue. Clark then looked at Lex. “Is that what you ordered?”

Lex tilted his mug to the side, trying to study the contents of his drink, an amused smile touching his lips. “Not even close.”

Well, at least he was nice about it.

Niah decided to stay at the Beanery awhile longer. At least for the company of familiar faces. Observing the duo interact, she found it ironic how the friendship between Clark and Lex seemed to have developed quick without delay, how easy it was to listen to them conversate without her interference.

Lex almost hit her friend with his Porsche, and yet, they were talking as if they were best friends. Best buddies. An unusual outcome.

Once Clark stood up ready to leave, Niah followed suit, hoping to escape any potential awkwardness if she remained alone in Lex’s presence. Funnily enough, when she glanced over at him, he was gathering up his files on the table in a neat pile, preparing to leave at the same time. So much for that.

“I’ll see you guys later.” Clark said as he stepped outside, turning in time to see Lex holding the door open for Niah.

Seeing he was about to leave, her arms opened towards Clark to give a hug goodbye, and he returned it in kind, as any person close to her were used to her need to spread affection, whether it was in a welcome or farewell. Clark smiled and nodded at Lex before separating from the pair, soon disappearing as he went around the corner of a building.

Now it’s the two of them. Alone again. As she rocked on her heels, tries to think of something to say to fill in the quiet space. In a sheepish fashion, her brown eyes peered up at him meekly, finding his deep blue ones already locked on her, his expression calm with a hint of expectancy in his gaze. With Lex now standing in front of her, she realizes that the top of her head barely reached his chin, but rather, she met right below the slope of his shoulder. He’s similar in height to Clark, only shorter by a few inches.

Oh, the irony of it all.

Before an ounce of awkwardness could begin to creep in on her end, Lex broke the silence before it’s given a chance. “I can say I enjoyed your company tonight.” He admits. “Our conversation earlier was rather interesting as well, before the interruption of a new teenage waitress could cut in that is…”

She glimpses down at the book in her hand. Oh, right. When her eyes flit back up to him, he sees a small smile has graced her features, not too wide or too bright, but subdued and mild like beams of moonlight. “Yeah. I liked it too. I-um, I don’t get to talk freely about stuff like that all the time. It was kinda nice to for once.”

“We can pick it up at a more convenient time, unless you have extra time on your hands for me to pick your brain some more.”

She hesitates under his stare, and her hand instinctively rises to tug at a random dreadlock. Nervous. Though the smile on her face turns bashful. “Um, probably another day may be better.”

Lex studies her face, his gaze unabashed and lingering on her. The orange glow of a streetlamp caught in his blue eyes, both warm and bright in this dark setting, as if the ice in his irises have been licked by fire. He then looked away into the distance, watching a car passing on the street. She thought, for a moment, she saw something flicker over his face then, but she’s not sure what it was, only that his eyelids had fallen low as he contemplated something she wouldn’t have known.

His chest rises and falls as he exhales deeply through his nose, tucks his free hand into his slacks pockets, his eyes briefly shut. “I understand. You don’t know me.” His gaze drifts back to her where a frown had settled over his mouth, though he tries to hide it with a small tug at the corner, resulting in a half-hearted look. “A strange, bald billionaire coming into a rusty old town with unknown intentions to its civilians. I get it. You’re a cautious girl…and you have every right to be. I apologize if I might have came on too strong towards you in anyway.”

Niah seemed to have frozen on spot, staring up at him, her dreadlock now pulled taut by her fingers. Niah certainly didn’t anticipate him to address the elephant in the room. That he openly acknowledges her discomfort caused by his forwardness, and the hopeful prospect of correcting it. Whatever pedestal society placed him on, he lowered himself to her level, coming forth with an apology. She wouldn’t have imagined him a man capable of genuine humility and authenticity, particularly at this depth he chooses to express it face to face.

Again, what does that say about his character?

Although he tries to mask it with an air of indifference, she can see it in the way he looked at her. The town has a scornful prejudice against the Luthor’s, such unfavorable biases that centers around his dad, and in turn, reflects people’s view of his son. Perhaps he was just as lonely as her. Who knows. She didn’t know him…really…

But.

Taking a risk and taking a deep breath, she slowly touches her hand against his arm, giving him a gentle pat, and a small squeeze of her palm. Lex doesn’t move or flinch away, but he glances down at where she makes contact with his bicep, and she sees his mouth parting to take a much-needed breath of his own.

The desire to comfort. Reassure. Her compassion overwhelmed her own sense of logic to maintain distance from him.

“I appreciate that.” She breathes out, her hand withdrawing slowly and holds her book with both hands close to her chest, feeling her heart thunder with emotions in conflict with each other. “I–I know I may seem cautious and reserved with others sometimes. It’s how I get to know people depending on the person. But you? You’re bold and speak your mind with tact and ease. I don’t know many people who have that type of skill.”

Niah couldn’t reveal how much Lex intimidated her, with his sharp eyes, sharp tongue and sharp mind at his disposal. His eyes alone could penetrate barriers, able to cut through layers of her supple flesh if he so desired.

Lex responds with a simple hum, his deep voice harboring a lightness to it that wasn’t present a minute ago. “It’s imperative to develop it when you’ve been bred and grew up in the business world like me.” His lips quirked up. Her touch must’ve ignited some energy back into him again. “I wouldn’t exactly call it fun, but, it comes with its advantages when handling vicious sharks during crucial board meetings.”

She shook her head. “I’d stand no chance. I’d probably be eaten alive if I was to go up against them.”

“Be grateful you don’t have to. It’s my job so people like you don’t need to.”

“Well, Mr. Luthor.” She says as she looks him straight in the eye, a bold attempt at playfulness and false confidence. “What type of person am I, then?”

Lex doesn’t blink as he returns her stare, but Niah can see he’s amused by her deliberate attempt to maintain eye contact for once, as well as the inquiry she threw at him in a venturous moment of spontaneity. Although his body had grown still, the only thing that moved were his eyes as they roved over her body. The weight of his stare left her somewhat uneasy, and she shuffles her feet as her heart rate quickens and warmth flows up her neck to the hills of her cheeks, feeling as if he’s undressing her with his eyes alone. Or maybe, she thought, this was one of the eccentric ways he observed people, utilizing the acute focus of a hawk eyeing its prey during those board meetings he mentioned.

But after what felt like a minute had passed – six seconds max – his eyes finally drift to rest on her countenance once more.

“An idealist–a dreamer with stars pouring out of her eyes.” He speaks his statement with confidence, believing his judgement to be absolute with no hint of uncertainty hinted in his breath. “Also, a woman who looks out for the welfare of others, and–if I were to guess, probably doesn’t receive the same type of reciprocation she offers to the people around her. I’m only on the tip of the iceberg but–tell me, Niah. Did I hit the nail on the coffin with my analysis?” Her stunned silence was all he needed to know, and he smirks at her flustered expression in which his poetic words elicit, the way she bites her lower lip and tries to avert her gaze from his as she scratched her scalp anxiously.

“Man, that was dumb. I really did walk into that one.” Why did she even ask that. How did he get all that from only spending a short amount of time with her? How does he perceive her now? She must sound naïve to him, which isn’t completely implausible considering her inexperience in a few areas in her life but…

The image of her deflated state brought a chuckle out of him, as if reading the thoughts in her head. “You’re not dumb, Niah.” And his assertion sounded most gentle to her ears. Almost sweet, grants her a token of reassurance of his own, hoping it’ll gain her confidence back. “Y’know, earlier, I originally went into that café behind me ready to go along with my father’s evil bidding. But now, I come out here a new man, ready to go to war against him…and sure. Clark and Lana played a small part, but your vote of confidence in me made me change my mind. I can actually see his face now, just thinking about it when he finds out I didn’t go through with it.”

She blushes more at the knowledge that she held any type of influence or bearing on his decision, at all. “Oh, your dad is that tough. Huh.”

He snorts, though there’s no sign of humor on his face as he shrugs. “The man is ruthless. But there’s no need to worry. I know I’m not. I have everything figured out.”

“As long as things will be okay. I hope things will go well.” Interesting. In this moment, her chest felt a little lighter, somehow, as if a heavy boulder had been lifted, allowing her a chance to breathe a bit better. See a bit clearer. See him and the stars overhead. But even she realized they couldn’t stand there forever, all night long on the sidewalk, her soul trapped in his cerulean eyes while he waits as she tried to sort out these odd feelings he manifested.

Pressing the book to her chest. “I suppose… I should get going…” She drawls softly, her words leaving a trail for him to follow.

He licked his lips quickly. “Right. Is your car nearby?” He began to dig out his own set of keys from his jacket. “If it’s not I can walk you–”

“It’s okay. My car is a few spaces down across the street. I, um, thank you though.”

He offered a prompt nod, and dropped his keys back into his pocket before extending his free hand out for her to shake, his other still preoccupied with the files. “By the way, call me Lex. Men decked in suits and white coats call me Luthor, and on rare occasions, even strangers have been known to call me that. But you’re no stranger to me.” Still ever cautious, she eyed his hand for a second as he held it up between them, and he waited as if he had nothing better to do. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” He teased lightly, a full-blown smirk sliding across his face. “Not always.”

This man. Oh god...what was she getting herself into.

Her head ducks with a slight shake of her head, but she couldn’t restrain the tiny smile that manages to quirk at the side of her mouth. Okay, he likes to joke. How fun.

“I’ll try to remember that…Lex.” She shook his hand. It’s bigger as she thought, his palm nearly enveloping around her own, but it felt warm, solid, and secure. She tries to ignore the tingling sensation that erupted across her skin where their hands made contact, stimulated by his warmth and low-lidded gaze he caught her in, giving her a sense of déjà vu from the Farmers Market all over again.

“Please do.”

Whatever mishaps will he drag her into?

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