ACTION | ❝ you don't have to go home but you can't stay here ❞

[11ady]

[Let's go the multiple choice route like a bad dating sim that leads nowhere.]

❶ morning; coffee shop

At the counter, you'll notice Elle digging through her purse and paying for the cheapest drink in spare change. Damn, is she short a nickel again? She's just trying to justify hogging a table for the free wi-fi so she can get her paper done. Never mind all the weird chat windows and video feeds constantly popping up or the weird texts to her phone. She has responsibilities, ok?

❷ noon; still at the coffee shop

The lunch rush is pouring in and there's a desperate need to clear the tables. It sure is awkward being asked to leave by the manager. What do? A little intervention would help but the kindness of strangers is a myth, isn't it?

❸ closing time; yep still at the coffee shop

Look she just has one page left to polish? Can't you just let her stay ten more minutes despite the fact that she's only bought one small coffee but stayed almost 12 hours? This isn't awkward to watch at all. To think she was on top of the world barely six years ago and now she's been reduced to this.

Comments

[secondcomingof]

So this is personal for you.

[11ady]

They're a company worthy of my talents.

[secondcomingof]

...you still haven't told me your name yet.

[11ady]

Surely a man of your capabilities has the means of learning it.

[secondcomingof]

Surely you don't intend for me to call you "young lady" until then.

[11ady]

What would you know about my intentions, Captain Mass?

[secondcomingof]

I know that the world you are wishing to enter is dangerous. That it could consume you, without the slightest provocation, and leave nothing in its wake but ashes.

My world is not a world for children simply playing at being adults. And I assure you, young lady— [ bending down and forward, within a hair's breadth of her face ] it is a world over which I have absolute authority.

[11ady]

[The smirk playing on her lips is a cold one. She didn't mingle among the 1% for years without learning a thing or two.]

Are you a king or are you a god?

[secondcomingof]

[ He'll raise you exactly the same for exactly the same reasons. ]

Something in between. With the vices of both and the virtues of neither.

[11ady]

One who cannot kneel then. Those are the most satisfying to break.

[secondcomingof]

Is that a challenge?

[11ady]

A statement of fact. Those who cannot bend end up breaking.

[secondcomingof]

Hmph.

[ As good of one, then, in his eyes. But he'll back off. For now. ]

You'll work hard. And regardless of any strings I pull, it won't be an easy road. You'll be expected to toe the line, the same as everyone else. You know this?

[11ady]

Captain, I'm not like everyone else. The line bends.

[And with a wink, she turns on heel to walk off into the night.]