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The moon hung full and bright in the sky, tracing everything in silver and shadows. The woods were calm, the quiet disturbed only by the normal rustling of nighttime animals. It was peaceful, the wind whistling across the long grasses on the plain that edged this part of the woods.
She floated down, surveillance done. “Alex,” she whispered, “all clear, the cattle are about a mile south from here.” The last thing they wanted to do was send the herd stampeding through the ranch…again.
A low chuff was her answer as a mountain lion detached itself from the shadows to rub against her. She stroked down the large cat’s back.
“Hunting time?” She rocked in place, eager to begin.
Her people would be horrified if they could see her now, picking up a weapon to hunt an animal for food. They would be ashamed of how far she had turned from being the youngest initiate into the Science Guild. They would never understand the life she chooses to live now.
They were also all dead, so she seldom gave thought to what they would think. Instead, she focused on her soul sister and their monthly hunting trips.
Alex nodded, mouth moving into her best approximation of a smile while in this form. She turned and padded back into the shadows, trusting Kara to follow behind her just as silently.
Kara picked up her heavily modified bow (anything humanmade would have disintegrated beneath her grip, and a gun was simply far too loud) from the tree she had left it leaning against on her way past. Her quiver was tied snuggly to her hip with her knife.
Those were the only things she needed.
Finding the herd of elk was simple enough. Few animals understood just how dangerous Kara could be, and so they ignored her. Alex waited for the signal, the little red dot to highlight which elk would be their first.
Kara closed her eyes and listened, seeking out their mark. Not too old, not too young, not a doe that would soon have young to tend if it hadn’t arrived already. She found several and chose the one best placed, a little outside of the herd.
Alex pounced, landing squarely on the back of the buck. Kara burst from her hiding place, arrow drawn, aimed, and released into her target before she had even finished standing. Her mark went down with a sharp cry, sending the ones still frozen after the rest. She strode forward, drawing her knife and using it to cut her buck’s throat. Alex’s was already dead, neck and back broken.
“Nice shot,” Alex commented, eyes gleaming in the darkness. “Bow hold up?”
“Yes, not even a dent,” Kara replied, grinning widely. “That’s two, another?”
Alex shook her head, “Not elk, think we can find some moose? Or a bear?”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Moose yes, but why do you want to go up against a bear? Again?”
“Because I want the hide, and the meat’s good when prepped right.” Alex looked away, glad the darkness hid her blush.
Kara giggled. “Ohh, a courting present for a certain Miss Olsen?” She teased, the darkness not doing near as much as Alex might hope it did.
“Shut up,” Alex muttered, returning to her mountain lion form as the moon demanded. She shook herself, resettling her fur. She turned to face Kara, looking at her sister with all the derision her feline form could muster.
Kara shook her head, a fond smile on her face as she shouldered both carcasses. “Alright, I’ll find you a bear.”
She thought it was sweet, Alex wanting to woo her soulmate. She glanced at her own red string, visible to only one other person. She had yet to meet hers, but just the presence of it was a comfort. It meant they were alive. They had not died on Krypton.
The twined yellow and green strands wrapped around her left wrist pulsed gently, Alex tugging on their bond. Kara sent back assurance that she was right behind her.
A quick flight back to their base camp, bucks set up to drain while they continued hunting, and Kara was back into the air to search out a bear for her sister. She was going to do everything in her power to help Alex, even if fighting bears seemed a little extreme.
Lena Luthor gazed at the man before her, entirely unamused. “Brother, this might just be the absolute dumbest idea that you have ever had.”
Lex turned to face his sister. “Really Lena, I doubt it even-”
“Oh, I included Rome in that assessment.” Lena scowled at him. “What’s next, stealing the man’s wife to hold hostage while monologuing your villainous plan?”
“Now who’s being ridiculous?” Lex pouted, arms crossed. “It’s hardly villainous! And Lois is far more likely to laugh in my face if I ever tried to do such a thing. Clark wouldn’t even do anything, which is the whole point of this.” Lois Lane was far more likely to turn him into a toad and give him to Clark as a pet if she didn’t decide to use him as spell components first.
Lena pinched the bridge of her nose, glad that vampires were immune to headaches. Oh, but her brother did so love to try. “This is because Mother dropped you on the head as a child, isn’t it?”
“Mother never!” Lex rested his hand over his heart, feigning scandal.
“Father then,” Lena retorted. Surely something had happened to cause her brother to be this way.
Lex cocked his head to the side, clearly thinking it over. “Very possible, he never had the steadiest of hands.” He turned back to the contraption he was building on the table.
Technology had come so far since they were children. The metal he was welding together made a much better box than the wood and rough lead-heavy iron he would have been able to acquire back then. Plus, his genius of a sister no longer had to be snuck into the workshop under cover of night.
Lena felt a tick develop on her forehead. “Lex, you cannot lock your…whatever he is, into a box and…” she paused. “What even is this asinine plan of yours? Other than to get out of the meeting?”
“I never said I was putting Clark in the box,” Lex said, finishing the seam on one side. “And I can’t attend the meeting if I’ve been kidnapped, now can I?” He looked up at her. “That would mean my highly competent, very responsible, genius sister would need to go in my place.” He pouted at her, just as he had when they were children.
“You’re kidnapping yourself,” she deadpanned, “to get out of the meeting with the shareholders. The meeting that you planned.” She wished that fashion still decreed that women carried a fan with them. She needed something to hit her brother with.
Maybe that was the issue. Perhaps she had hit him one too many times. Although he had already been a teenager when she had been brought into the Luthor family, and she was certain the damage had already been done. He had always been like this.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Lex questioned, perplexed. Lena made it sound as if he were planning mass genocide or something.
That would be boring and repetitive. Humans did it so well, why should those of a more supernatural disposition waste their time on it?
“I should tell Mother,” Lena told him, “and all you need to do is ask, not,” she waved her hand over his current project, “this nonsense.” She could feel his amusement over their bond, the green thread connecting them practically shaking with it.
“But you won’t,” he sing-songed, “and you’re so much better at dealing with those old blowhards, why should I deny you the opportunity for some fun?”
“I’ll go to the damned meeting, so long as you forget this nonsense and ask Clark to spend time with you like a normal person.”
Lex blinked at her. “Lena, we’re vampires. Clark is an alien married to a sorceress. How are any of us normal?”
She didn’t bother to give him a response, turning sharply on her heel and leaving. It was times like this she missed her skirts. The pants just didn’t have the same flare when it came to making an exit.
Kara held the steer steady, whispering soothing things into the creature's ear as Alex held the red-hot brand. A nod and Alex thrust it onto the animal’s flank. Kara kept her hold, keeping the steer from turning and allowing Alex the time to step out of range before releasing it to join the other freshly branded cattle.
“That’s the last one,” Alex dunked the brand into the water to cool before she cleaned it. “What else is on the list?”
“The fence out in pasture three needs mending, and the meat from our last hunt needs to be divided and prepped.” Kara listed off. “Eliza wanted us to run the horses and see if we could find that herd of mustangs again to try and tag them.”
“I’ll take the meat if you take the fence,” Alex said after a moment. “Do you mind if I asked Kelly for help with the mustangs?”
“No, you guys go low and I’ll go high?” Kara suggested.
“Kara…” Alex hated it when she had to tell her sister that she couldn’t use her powers. Goodness knew that without them they wouldn’t be able to run the ranch nearly as well as they did.
Kara sighed. “I know, I know. I’ll saddle up Lady and Streaky.” She paused to think about it. “Do you think Storm or Blinky would be a better match to Kelly? Or does she have her own horse?”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “My girlfriend lives in town and drives, so no, she doesn’t have her own horse. And Blinky, he’s used to wolves.”
Considering they lived in small-town America with a wide variety of supernatural beings, Kara felt it was a fair question. She had only met Kelly a few times, mostly for short interactions. They hadn’t exactly gone into great detail with each other.
“If she drives, does she know how to ride?” Kara asked because Binky was not a small horse. He was great with beginners, but he was rather daunting at first appearance.
Alex paused before responding. “I’ll call and ask,” she muttered after a moment. She hadn’t even thought of it, accustomed as she was to everyone, Townie or not, knowing how to ride.
“You do that, and set aside most of the bear for jerky.” Kara grinned at her sister’s look of annoyance.
“Ugg, why?” Alex whined. “Why do you have to enjoy eating weird things?”
Kara outright laughed at that and left, moving towards the barn they kept repair supplies in. She might not be using her powers to observe the wild horses, but no one had ever stopped her from using them to keep the ranch running.
Her not openly using her powers was less about hiding them than it was about not getting dragged into the public spotlight with the expectation that she would use them as her cousin did. There were so many powered (and some not) individuals already doing so that it felt that adding any more was inviting trouble. She did help when asked (because she rarely refused family anything) but she had no desire to be praised as a god.
She glanced down at the trail of red thread. Thinking, as she usually did now that Alex had met Kelly, about if her soulmate would understand or want her to put herself out there. Would the person at the other end (and Kara didn’t really care who or what they were, just that they were hers) be the kind of person who understood privacy and the need to protect those closest to them?
Kara would never forgive herself if anything happened to Alex because of something she did, or someone hurt her to get back at Kara. The same feeling (to a lesser degree) covered Eliza, J’onn, and any of the others that made up her little group of friends and family.
Fixing the fence took very little brainpower, so the familiar motions allowed Kara all the time she wanted to think. Perhaps too much, as she was done with the fence long before her brain had tired of ‘what ifs’ and the statistical probabilities of ever meeting her soulmate.
Lena stared at her mother as if the woman had just told her she was willingly going onto sacred ground. She might as well have, for all the sense she was making.
“Excuse me,” Lena took a breath to try and clear her mind, “but you want me to what?”
“Take a vacation Dear,” Lillian repeated, “you’ve been driving yourself into dust with the pace you’ve set yourself. Your brother and I are merely concerned-”
Lena snorted at that, ignoring her mother’s look that said Ladies do not snort, Lena. A common reprimand, one that Lena gleefully ignored.
“Lex put you up to this,” she stated.
“He mentioned it, yes.” Lillian acknowledged, “but even if he hadn’t Lena, there are others who are concerned about the hours you’ve been keeping. He isn’t the only one who had said something within my hearing, and I have noticed as well.”
“Did you also notice the half my work is because my dearly beloved brother can’t be bothered to do his?” Lena dropped into her chair, sprawling out in the most undignified manner she knew. Pants may have lacked drama, but they were suited so well for this.
Lillian refrained from rolling her eyes or chastising her daughter for the other woman’s behavior. She reminded herself that times and mannerisms changed, and any self-respecting vampire changed with them lest they be considered a relic. Dracula was an excellent example, and her unmissed husband another.
If that hunter had been given some inside information and assistance, well…nothing could be proven.
“I have,” Lillian said once she was certain she could keep her tone even. “This will give him a chance to step up and take back his responsibility to this company and the family.” She held up her hand to forestall Lena’s next comment. “You should take this time to work in your lab, although I would suggest one where your brother cannot seek you out. You can work on all of those projects you’ve been setting aside to attend meetings and functions.”
Lena exhaled. She knew her mother cared. For all of their differences and conflict, she did not doubt that. The blue thread of mentorship that connected them assured her of it. Lillian loved her the best she could, considering that Lena was living (so to speak) proof of Lionel’s infidelity. Proof the man had had the gall to legitimize in 1841 when Lena was all of four years old, callously acting as if he'd done Lillian a favor in giving her a daughter.
She was certain that was one of the reasons that Mother had had Father killed.
“You say that as if you think that would detour him,” Lena straightened her posture, smoothing out the wrinkles lounging had caused. “Have you gone to his lab and seen what nonsense he’s been concocting?”
Lillian was far too dignified to snort, but she did close her eyes and shake her head. “I have watchers on him just in case he should manage to cause mayhem on a grand scale. We don’t want another Rome Incident.” She wondered just where she had gone wrong with her eldest child.
Well, at least he wasn’t planning mass genocide or something else of that ilk. Thank that gods old and new for small favors. She was grateful that both took after her rather than their shared parent.
“Considering the internet exists, it will be worse.” Lena had already put her own watchers in place, just in case. She doubted Lex would actually hurt anyone (she had watched him, once, cry over a cat he’d accidentally run over), but one could never be too careful.
Superman, after all, was a regular boy scout until he was exposed to Red Kryptonite. A feral vampire could, would, and had caused mass death and destruction. Everyone had a trigger, and there were those who enjoyed nothing more than finding and exploiting them.
“Don’t remind me,” Lillian shuddered. She had an entire team of young people employed for the singular purpose of keeping her up to date on the ever-changing world of the internet. “I did think of how you might avoid your brother’s antics, as well as convince you to actually take a break.” She held out a thick folder.
Lena took it warily. Lillian was less chaotic than her son, but Lena had witnessed her do some truly insane things over the centuries. She had even helped her with some of them (burning particularly horrendous articles of clothing came to mind).
Reading the file, she raised an eyebrow. “You want to expand on the West Coast? You hate California, and Washington banned vampires after that woman’s asinine book series.”
“Yes, well, I won’t be there. You will be.” Lillian sat back in her chair.
Lena knew what this was. This was the sort of step taken when deciding who was and wasn’t ready to take on greater responsibility. This was not one of the old plays they had been forced to use before when they wanted to do their own research of an area, pretending to go ‘on holiday’ or being there on Lex’s behalf.
“Mother…”
“Neither of us are fools, Lena,” Lillian spoke softly. “We both know your brother has no interest in the actual minutiae of business management. He enjoys the social games so long as they amuse him, certainly he takes pleasure in spending the money the business earns, the prestige it gives him.”
She let that sink in for a moment. “It has been my work, your work, that has kept the Luthor name from fading into mere memory.” She chuckled. “Despite what some of the paperwork says, we both know that it is your inventions and innovations that have kept our coffers from emptying and company relevant.”
Lillian had been fully prepared to hate and ostracize the little mongrel her husband brought into the family via one of his many mistresses. She had laid out plans to mold the child into something useable and marry the girl off to the most beneficial match as soon as she could.
As someone without a red string, someone who had mentored and been mentored by many over her long life, she had never expected such ties to appear for a child she despised without ever meeting. She had not even entertained the possibility that there would be a green thread (there rarely were between blood siblings unless they were multiples) connecting her children.
She had not expected the blue thread connecting them, or the heavy thump of her heart when the big-eyed little girl had been pushed into the library and looked at her the first time. Lillian loved her son and worked to learn to love his sister. It wasn’t near as hard as she had first thought, to love the little girl and the woman she grew into.
“I already spoke with Lex at length about this,” she shook her head. If he’d had this way, the silly man would have signed everything over to his sister and absconded to some secret lair of his to do who even knew what. “He agrees that you are the one better suited for this.”
Lena nodded. Lex had always been charismatic and social, delving into the local social life with glee whenever they went to new places. He made connections easily, both good and bad. He was her opposite in many ways.
Lionel had joked (more often sneered) that if he wanted new investors, he sent Lex. If he wanted to keep them, he sent Lena. Lillian said similar things, but from her, it had been less caustic and more pride.
“I will do this,” she finally said, “but I want to make one thing perfectly clear before this goes any further.”
“And that is?” Lillian felt she might just know what Lena would demand. Her daughter was tender-hearted, but that was not necessarily a bad thing.
“No weapons,” her voice was firm. “We finish out our current contracts, but we don’t renew them. Let the humans and other mortal beings play at creating ways to kill others. Our focus should be, will be, on other things. We can make just as much money and do better without them.”
“Of course Dear,” Lillian said with a nod of approval, “it is your company, or will be soon enough. I expect a progress report within three months.”
“Yes Mother,” Lena watched as the older woman left before turning her attention to the folder again.
She had quite a bit of work in front of her, even if it was disguised as ‘vacation’.
Kara laughed, moving with the machine beneath her as it tried to buck her off its back. She hardly needed her enhanced hearing for the shouts of semi-drunken cheers and jeers to reach her. It hardly mattered, the locals all knew her records.
“Up the speed!” Someone shouted, “No way that’s as hard as it goes!”
She felt the shudder as the mechanical bull bucked harder, increasing the speed of the turns beyond what an actual bull could manage. Kara hung on with just enough strength not to crush anything.
Winn and M’gann would both be upset with her if she damaged it.
“Times up!” Winn called, slowing the machine down to a stop.
“Pay up!” Alex yelled over the noise of groans as Kara’s new score was posted.
“You know, at some point, this is going to lose its appeal,” J’onn said, amusement clear in his eyes even if his tone was stern.
“Hasn’t yet,” Alex replied, counting out her winnings, “and this is nothing compared to when the rodeo season starts.”
J’onn shook his head. He supposed so long as he kept an eye on them, they couldn’t get into too much trouble. The blue and green twined threads connecting him to his surrogate daughters pulsed lightly with their enjoyment. Even if he mildly disapproved of their gambling, he would not deny them their harmless fun.
“Is the bull still in one piece?” Winn was already inspecting it, looking for the tell-tale signs of dents or damaged springs.
“Should be,” Kara helped him, scanning it for him. “I didn’t feel anything give, even on that last turn.”
“Good, and it still felt real? Not too jerky or anything?” Winn did not have a death wish. He stayed well away from anything that could throw him off its back and then turn around and stomp him into the ground.
“Not until the end, then it was far faster than an actual bull,” Kara said nothing about the bucking. A truly determined bull or horse could produce a great amount of momentum when it was determined to get the offending creature off its back.
“Good, then it can stay with those settings.” M’gann nodded to Winn. “But nothing stronger. I don’t want broken necks because some foolish idiot wants to outdo our resident champion.”
Kara blushed at the compliment. She had argued (once) that it wasn’t entirely fair since she had advantages no human and few aliens or Fae could hope to match, but Alex and Eliza both had shot her down. So did many of the locals, even those who had no way of knowing she wasn’t of Earth.
Sometimes, J’onn had explained to her once, outsiders with large egos needed to be taught a lesson. Since J’onn had been a ‘local’ for four decades, she took him at his word on that.
“Think that’ll hold us?” Gunther, a large man with a rocky appearance (Granites looked mostly human, with the same physical shape but were denser and had thicker skin that was patterned like cracked granite) asked, staring at the mechanical bull hopefully.
Winn cocked his head, thinking. “Within limits, it should. M’gann?”
The bar owner thought about it. “If it doesn’t, I think Winn should be able to make it happen. Nothing past the third setting.”
Kara left them to it. She liked watching people try new things, especially when it was something they had always wanted to do.
“Here,” Alex passed over Kara’s share of the winnings. “You can buy the next round.”
As she had spotted Kelly’s entrance, Kara took the money and disappeared to the bar. It was cute, watching the pair interact. Alex was adorable when she was in love, not that her sister appreciated the descriptor. It was still fun to be able to tease her usually stoic, serious sister about it.
“Hey Kara, nice ride.” Mon-El smiled at her. “Would you-”
“No, two beers and a water please,” Kara spoke firmly, just as Kelly and J’onn had both advised her when she had finally cracked and complained about his advances.
“Oh come on, we’d have so much fun if you just gave me a chance,” he tried.
“No, I’m not interested.” Kara felt the twitch. The twitch that said it would be so easy to send the Daxamite flying thru the nearest wall, to crush him. She shoved it down.
“Here,” Vas set her order in front of her, “get lost before Lucy gets here.”
Mon-El went pale and left to find another customer. He didn’t even say anything about Vas being behind the counter.
Kara sighed in relief. “Thank you, Vas. I didn’t know Lucy was back.”
They nodded. “She arrived last night back from the conference.” They winched. “She wasn’t entirely happy with the outcome.”
“Did someone say something? Did Lois have to bail her out of jail?” Kara wondered if it was bad when their sheriff got arrested and had to have their journalist older sister bail them out.
“No, different family member,” Vas said darkly, thinking of the man who was technically their father-in-law.
“Oh,” Kara winched in sympathy. She had met General Sam Lane once. That was once more than she ever needed.
“Yeah, oh,” Vas said in agreement. If it were possible, they would dearly love to make the man disappear. However, they did not want to put their lover or their friends into the position of outlaws when they inevitably made some needlessly elaborate plan to break them out of prison.
“Want to play pool until Lucy gets here?” Kara asked, wanting to get away from that conversation. “Maybe you both could come out riding with me and Alex? And Kelly, because she wants to get better. Oh! The herd of mustangs is back in the area…”
Vas listened as their friend went into a happy babble of possible outings. Kara could be a little strange, but her heart was always in the right place. They appreciated that.
“Are you going to be in the rodeo again this year?” Vas asked between a pause in the babble.
Kara’s grin widened. “Yep! Eliza already promised me two chocolate pecan pies if I beat the Weston boys.” She didn’t understand why her foster mother (and Alex by extension) disliked the Weston family so much, but so long as there was food involved and no one was directly hurting each other Kara didn’t pay it much thought.
Vas, who had a much better understanding of the long-time feud between the Danvers ranch Midvale and the Weston’s Weston Acres, nodded. “If I promise my grandad’s apple butter cookies, would you be willing to defeat their cousin as well?”
Kara’s eyes gleamed. Food was a good way to get her to agree to just about anything, sweets would almost always get her to agree without question. “I can try.”
“Deal,” they held out their hand and Kara took it, careful to shake it just firm enough not to injure her friend.
“Should I be worried?”
“Lucy!” Kara leapt up and wrapped the smaller woman in a tight hug.
“Missed you to Kara,” Lucy returned the hug, ignoring the way her ribs protested the squeeze. “Now, what have you and my partner been planning?”
“Vas promised cookies if I beat Saundra Weston in the rodeo.”
“Ah,” Lucy nodded in understanding. Vas wouldn’t let her turn the woman into something small and squishy, so this would have to do.
“Ah, what?” Alex had brought Kelly over, quickly introducing Lucy and Vas to her girlfriend.
“We’re planning world domination. Kara agreed to help in exchange for cookies.”
Alex didn’t bother to acknowledge that. “Mom promised her pie, I offered potstickers.” Dominating the local rodeo was close enough.
Kelly snorted. “I might be concerned if any of you were absolutely serious.” She turned to Kara. “Is this why they aren’t allowed to be together without supervision?”
Kara shrugged. “I’m always serious about food.”
“Doesn’t answer my question,” Kelly raised an eyebrow. She was still new, relatively, but some secrets were less secret and more common knowledge no one thought to talk about.
“Hey, did you guys hear about the new company wanting to open up an office in National City?” Winn barged into the conversation, eyes wide. “They’re going to be one of the sponsors for the rodeo this year!”
Lena stared at her assistant as if the woman had just told her she was becoming mortal once again. Jess stared back at her, completely unperturbed at her boss’s reaction.
“This is my brother’s doing,” Lena stated, releasing a sigh.
“Technically yes,” Jess admitted, “and this is meant to be a break,” she knew better than to use the word vacation in Lena’s hearing, “and this is part of it. Forest Hills is a small ranching town two hundred miles outside of National City limits. It is one of five such towns and the largest which is why the rodeo part of the fall harvest festivities are located there.”
Lena nodded. One of the first things she had done upon arrival in National City four months ago was to learn where and when all the major and minor annual festivities took place. It was always good to know where donations would be best spent, where connections could be made, and when doing something might disrupt something important.
Lex had gotten on the bad side of a magical coven once. While entertaining for her, it had still been a nightmare to unravel. It was not a mistake Lena had any intention of making. The same thought process went into her rare dealings with the Fae.
Vampire/Werefolk relations were always tenuous. Keeping track of the moon phases and offering safe, secure places for people to transform and roam around was good business sense. It put the Luthor Coven firmly on the side of not wanting to restart any wars or feuds.
Aliens were a newer subset, with the appearance of Superman and others for good and ill. Some had been integrating with the supernatural community for centuries, the human community less so. Lex was enamored with Clark, Lillian had taken a ‘wait and see’ stance. Lena had chosen to take the chance and reach out to that community and offer them a place within her company just as she had with the others.
So far, it had been working out very well. L-Corp (a name change she was quite proud of) was leading the industry in green technology and medical research.
“Alright, I suppose taking a weekend to watch people get thrown from horseback and eat a horrifying amount of fried food isn’t too terrible,” Lena said, wondering what appropriate attire for such an event would be. Did she even own a pair of boots or jeans?
“About that,” Jess looked down at her datapad to avoid meeting her boss’s eyes. “You’ll need to be there for the full week. The open and closing ceremonies, the awarding of the prizes, and the gala are all required for sponsors.”
“Excuse me, but a gala?” Lena was going to take her brother apart for this. “I may not know much, but since when does a rodeo with cowboys require a gala? We are discussing the same definition of the word, are we not?”
“We are,” Jess dared to look up, “and the other sponsors have already agreed. I do believe one called it a ‘chance to add some sophistication to the event.” She quickly brought up the invitation that had been created by marketing. “It’s going to be a masquerade, and your mother already sent something she thought would be fitting.”
“Of course she did,” Lena said with a sigh. “What did she send?” Knowing her mother, it could be just about anything. It depended on the mood she was in at the time. While she didn’t need to wear it, she probably would simply to avoid having to choose something herself.
A fact Lillian was well aware of.
“This,” Jess pulled up another image. “I don’t believe it’s the original, but it is a very well-done replica.”
Lena took in the scarlet silk dress with black edging in the image. It certainly looked like something that would have once filled her wardrobe, and it might very well be. Vampires had a tendency to be nostalgic hoarders, so it was not out of the realm of possibility.
She had a feeling Lillian had a hand in this. She always had loved masquerades over any other type of party. Lex, on the other hand, hated them. He would always leave them to mingle and find the closest smoking room with the other men that were there because it was expected of them, leaving the matchmaking and other shenanigans to their wives and the other women.
“It will do, but please ensure that the shoes will be suited to the event surroundings. The skirt will hide any damning footwear.”
Jess, who well remembered the terribly uncomfortable footwear women’s fashion often demanded for a ‘look’, wasted no time in entering it into the notes. Thankfully, she would be able to give that particular event a miss. She rather liked the ‘millennial’ look she had settled into in this century, formal work attire aside.
The rodeo itself she was looking forward to. It had been a long time since she had been to one. She doubted Lena had ever been to such a thing and it would be fun to see the woman out of her element.
Alex growled as she waited for her turn. If the damn playboy didn’t stop yammering at her…she was going to find out if her teeth would pierce the skin of a Daxamite. From the way Lady was shifting on her feet, the horse was feeling much the same.
He was also distracting her from watching Kara on the blonde’s run around the barrels. Streaky lived up to his name when it came to speed, heavy as he appeared. Kara took great pride in their teamwork, even knowing that the daintier Lady was faster and would end up with the best time of the pair.
“Look,” she turned in the saddle to face him, knowing her eyes were glowing and her nails were thickened into claws. She wanted to scare him, remind him that just because a person looked human did not mean that they were. “My sister has absolutely no interest in you. She wouldn’t be interested in you if you were the last person in the universe. So no, I will not help you in any way.”
She could feel her teeth shifting as she grit them. Lady began shifting in unease, reacting to the sense of danger on her back despite being accustomed to Alex’s nature.
A deep growl sounded behind him, making Mon-El spin to look. A large russet furred wolf stood there, teeth bared. The wolf snapped at him, making him squeak and jump away.
Kelly moved to follow thru, sending him away from the arena. Shaking herself, she shifted back so she could climb the fence and kiss her girlfriend.
“He’s a rather persistent annoyance, isn’t he?” She had felt Alex’s annoyance and fury in the stands and come to investigate.
“He is, all because Kara was doing what she normally does when someone is new and needs help.” Alex loved her sister, but this was not the first time her actions had gotten her an unwanted admirer.
“Good thing she has you to look out for her then,” Kelly pecked her on the cheek. “Now, good luck and don’t break anything.” She wisely did not touch Lady, although she did give the horse a stern look and a sharp command to race well.
Alex smiled, glad that no one could see just how dopey it undoubtedly was. Both were calmer now, her feline features back under her control and Lady twitching with the need to simply run. She managed to catch as Kara’s time was posted and the crowd roared in approval as the pair slowed to a stop before exiting the arena at a walk.
Kara waved at her before disappearing behind the arena wall. Alex waved back before turning her focus to the gate. The crews were almost done with the brush down of the floor and checking the alignments of the barrels.
When they were and the gun went off, Alex’s thoughts were on nothing else but the task before her.
Lena shook herself as the blonde cowboy wearing a Superman shirt rode out of the arena. She had been bored for most of the proceedings, but the woman had caught her interest. There was something about her that intrigued the vampire, odd considering that before this she had not had but the most passing of interest in horses.
Then again, Lena hadn’t ridden a horse since Queen Victoria reigned, and she’d certainly never ridden one like that. Riding would have been more entertaining if she had.
“Jess, which rider was that?”
Jess checked her datapad. “Kara Danvers, she’s one of the local competitors.” Jess glanced at her boss. “According to the books, she’s also the one favored to win many of the events.”
Lena hummed in acknowledgment.
“I think I want to meet this Kara Danvers.” She wondered if anyone had yet to extend an invitation to the woman for the gala…
Kara watched her sister fly, grinning wildly as she cheered Alex on. This was one of their only solo events aside from Kara riding the broncos and bulls (events Alex had never had any interest in despite otherwise being an adrenaline junkie) and Alex’s shooting competitions. All of the others they were a team, and a good one that held many of the local records.
She cheered louder when Alex’s score went up, beating her time from last year by a full second. Both their scores beat out the other competitors.
“Impressive,” spoke a cool voice behind her.
Kara turned around, not having heard anyone approach. She sucked in a breath, taking in the sight of the pale woman standing there.
“Oh Rao,” she whispered, blinking rapidly. The woman was beautiful and she was at a loss for words.
The woman chuckled. “I wanted to congratulate you on your performance. I’m surprised you didn’t win, with a run like that.”
Kara shook herself. “Oh, I never win the Barrel Racing. I just do it 'cause it’s fun and Streaky likes the running.” She beamed. “Alex and Lady are the best though.”
“You know them?” Lena glanced at the scoreboard, just now realizing that the name beside the shortest time was listed as ‘A. Danvers’. Her heart sunk. Of course, the beautiful blonde was taken.
Kara nodded. “Yeah! Alex is my sister.” She held out her gloved hand. “I’m Kara.”
Lena smiled, taking the outstretched hand in her own gloved one. “Lena Luthor, charmed.” Her smile widened as the blonde blushed.
They may have stood that way, hands clasped, forever if Alex hadn’t chosen that moment to enter the space set aside for them.
“Kara!” Alex latched onto her sister, still high off her win. She barely registered the stranger that was holding her baby sister’s hand.
The two broke apart, Lena grateful that her nature prevented the blush that would have graced her face if she had been mortal. She watched as Kara returned her sister’s embrace.
“Alex! You were amazing! What had Lady agitated?”
Alex chuckled. Kara always had read animals better than people.
“Your not-so-secret admirer,” she snickered, “Kelly ran him off though.”
Kara hoped her face had reached its compacity for blushes. “I’ll have to remember to thank her.” She turned back to Lena. “Alex, this is Lena Luthor, she came down here to congratulate us on our runs.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, taking in the pale woman. “Vampire.”
“Werecat,” Lena returned in the same tone.
“Alien,” Kara finished off, ignoring the glare Alex sent her way. “What? You don’t need to be rude, Alex.” She crossed her arms and pouted.
Alex sighed. “Fine,” she offered her hand to Lena. “Alex Danvers, Ms. Luthor. Thank you for your ‘congratulations’.”
“My pleasure,” Lena thought it was adorable, the way Alex was puffing herself up in order to intimidate her. As if she were a threat to Kara. “I also came to ensure that an invitation had been extended to you,” her eyes were mainly focused on Kara, “both of you, to the masquerade gala.”
“See, she’s just being nice,” Kara told her sister softly. She beamed at Lena. “I think I remember it being mentioned, and we’ll both be there.”
“I look forward to seeing you there.” Lena took her leave, not even registering the giddy little smile on her face at the thought of seeing the blonde again.
Alex watched her leave, unimpressed. What did a vampire want with her sister? And what was Kara thinking, brazenly declaring herself an alien to a complete stranger?
“What was that about?” Alex demanded.
“What was what about? She was being nice.” Kara refused to meet her sister’s gaze. Alex would never let her hear the end of it if she ever heard any of the thoughts currently going through her mind right now.
Rao, but Lena was undoubtedly the prettiest person in the universe. She smelled nice. Her voice had just become Kara’s favorite sound.
Alex groaned, recognizing the look on her sister’s face. Kara had a crush. On a vampire of all creatures!
“Hey, wait,” her brain caught up to what else Kara had said, “I’m not going to a stupid dance!”
“Come on Alex! It’ll be fun!” Kara pouted, doing her best puppy-eyes.
“No, nope, not happening,” Alex shook her head. “I’m not going to some fancy shindig with all the rich snobs in the county, tiny useless food, and I’m certainly not wearing a fucking dress!”
“Language!” Kara clapped her hand over her ears. “No one said you had to wear a dress or heels,” she added quickly. She pulled out her next round. “Don’t you think Kelly might have fun going? Didn’t she say that she liked to dance?”
“Damn you,” Alex hissed. Kelly would want to go, had already mentioned it in passing when they’d first heard about it.
Kara beamed at her. “Come on, we’ll take care of our horses and plan for tomorrow. Then we can find something to wear for the gala!”
“Well, this is certainly more entertaining than I thought it would be,” Lex drawled from where he was lounged out in one of the chairs in the viewing box.
Lena sighed. “What in the universe are you doing here? Haven’t you got more asinine plans to get Clark to notice you to implement?”
“And miss out on a party?”
“You hate masquerades.”
“Yes, well, Mother convinced me to come and she extended an invitation to Clark and Lois to cover it for The Daily Planet. So we’re all here.” He looked pleased with himself.
Lena wasn’t entirely certain what kind of connection he had with the other pair beyond knowing it wasn’t a red string. Lex, like their mother, didn’t have one. Her brother had always seemed content with that, even if it made him all the more interested in the fact that she did have one.
“What did you do that Mother is punishing you by making you attend the one type of party you absolutely loath?” Lena poured herself a cup of warmed blood, sipping at it.
“I didn’t do anything!” Lex protested, swinging himself around so he was sitting up. “Truthfully, I found myself bored without you there to fend off the Board or to bounce ideas off of. I am looking forward to when we fully hand over the company to you.”
Lena sighed. “Lex, is it something you want to do because you currently have other interests or is this permanent?”
“Permanent,” he said firmly, eyes hard. “I hate the business, Lena. You, on the other hand, see all the potential it has in every direction. You care what direction the company takes.” He chuckled. “Sometimes I wonder just who Father’s bastard child really is, considering just how like Mother you are.”
She had no idea what to say about that. Lena knew he meant it as a compliment, and she took it as one.
He waved aside anything she might have said if she could find words to speak in that moment.
“Serious talk aside, Mother throwing this party is as much to celebrate your success as it is to give the backwoods high society bores a chance to mingle. I wouldn’t miss it, even for causing a bit of chaos and disruption.”
Lena laughed. “Where is Mother?”
“Looking over the riders and their horses,” Lex relaxed back into his former position. “I certainly don’t miss the days of horses and carriages, but you know Mother.”
“Somehow, I doubt the type of riding they do here is anything like what Mother is accustomed to.” Lena had just watched as men and women had pulled off some truly astounding trick riding that would have sent her riding instructors into fits.
“No, I imagine that if you were to mention ‘side-saddle’ to any of the women out there, we’d have a mob on our hands.” He chuckled at his sister’s shudder.
Lena ignored him and his amusement. “Have you watched any of the events yet? The local station has been replaying the previous events during the day between live broadcasts.”
“I have, it’s amazing what humans will do to themselves for entertainment.”
“At least three of the participants are vampires, several are Werefolk, and I know for a fact that at least one is an alien,” she smiled at the thought of Kara. “That doesn’t even count the magically gifted that are also taking part.”
Lex caught the smile but didn’t question it for now. “Which event are you attending next?”
“Bull riding, Jess was rather insistent about it.” It would also allow her to see Kara again. It might even give her a chance to speak with the other woman.
Kara patted the animal beneath her, whispering encouragement. Alex always rolled her eyes when she did such things, but the event was as much about her skill to stay on as it was the bull’s to throw her off. So if no one else would say something to them, then she would.
And if she refrained from taking part in the barbecuing event the next day despite her love of food, well that was her business and no one else’s.
The bell went off, the gate opened, and they were moving. Part of the challenge for her was not instinctually using her ability for flight as she was bounced around or more than the bare minimum of her strength to hold on. It was a challenge, and one that was just for her.
The bull twisted and she went with it, gripping to stay on for just that little bit longer. She slipped, the animal moved just right, and she was airborne. She twisted to land, and if she used her powers in that moment well, at that point no one could claim she was cheating.
She still made sure to land with a thud, sending up a puff of dust as she rolled to avoid the still agitated animal. Regaining her feet, she went to help contain the bull. Not one of her jobs, but she did it out of respect for the animal. She owed the creature that much.
“Another record score, well done,” Lena was waiting for her when she exited the arena locker rooms afterward.
“Lena!” Kara beamed at her, “Thank you!” She blushed, trying to come up with something else to say. What did one say to the most beautiful woman in the universe?
“Where are you going next?” Lena marveled at Kara’s reaction to her.
“Food!” Kara blurted out, startling herself at Lean’s surprised expression. “Food,” she said again, forcing herself to calm down. “I was going to get food. Do you want to come with me?” Her eyes widened. “Oh no, is that rude? To eat in front of you when you can’t, don’t?” She trailed off.
Lena chuckled. “It is not rude, Darling. I do, on occasion, take part in more than blood.” She held out her hand for Kara to take. “Being a vampire born gives me that ability. I would enjoy accompanying you to…” Lena realized then that she had no idea what they were calling the area where food was sold. Jess had arranged for blood deliveries during their stay here.
“Food Alley,” Kara supplied, taking Lena’s gloved hand in hers. “Vampires can be born?”
“It’s rare, but yes. Both my brother and I hold such distinction, although most ‘born’ vampires are dhampir.” Lena elaborated at Kara’s confused expression. “A child born of a vampire father and human mother. Most vampires are made.”
“Huh,” Kara nodded her understanding. It was interesting. “So what do you like to eat then, when you do eat?”
“I’m partial to fruit, candied nuts, rare steak.” She settled into step with Kara as they walked through the crowds. “I do try to stay from garlic, much like someone who has an allergy to gluten or wheat.”
“Right, I’ll keep that in mind.” Kara was already scanning the booths and food trucks. “I know what to get.”
Lena watched in amusement as Kara loaded up a tray and a bag with snacks and food, much of it fried. She was impressed to find three different booths that catered to vampires, serving an assortment of blood and food based on the substance. Kara bought something from each booth, happily chatting with every vendor.
She was amazing to watch.
“Here we go,” Kara settled them at a table that was well shaded. “Um, is the table okay?”
“It’s perfect, thank you.” Lena chose not to get into the relationship vampires of any kind had with sunlight. They could always discuss it later.
Kara’s smile brightened. “Okay, good, um, dig in!” She was pretty certain that was the right phase.
Lena watched as the blonde removed her gloves and tucked them away to free her hands to eat. She sampled the things Kara had gotten for her, finding she enjoyed the fried apples and the spiced cider laced with blood.
Watching as she was, she spotted it first. Kara had a red thread wrapped around her left ring finger.
Oh…of course, she has one, Lena thought, disappointment clouding her heart before common sense kicked in. She could see the thread.
“Oh,” she said softly, fumbling to set her cup down so that she could remove her own gloves.
“Lena?” Kara paused to look at her new friend, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine Darling,” she looked at her own right hand, where her thread rested, and led to the one attached to Kara. She held it out.
A little confused, Kara took it. Blinking, it took her a moment to spot what Lena had.
“Oh,” she breathed out. “That explains a lot.” She rearranged their hands into a more comfortable hold. “We’re soulmates.”
“Where an Earth is your sister?” Lillian demanded of her son.
“Why would I know Mother? Lena’s been an adult for a long time, she can take care of herself.” Lex settled his collar over his tie, smoothing it all down with much-practiced precision.
“You saw her last,” Lillian said sternly, hoping he hadn’t managed to convince Lena into one of his shenanigans.
“Oh, yes,” he shrugged, “well, that was until she went off after one of the cowgirls who enjoy being bucked off the back of large farm animals.”
“Alexander Joseph Luthor!” Lillian sighed, rubbing her forehead. He really did try his best to cause the impossible.
Why was he like this?
“Yes, Mother?” He adjusted his mask, red on black to mirror his sister’s black on red. His suit did the same, black with red detailing and mimicking attire from his beginnings.
“If you are finished, let us hope your sister has merely gone ahead.” He did take an indecently long time to get ready. “Are your friends meeting us there?”
“Oh yes, although I was unable to get Clark in anything other than a slightly less scruffy suite. Lois took care of his mask.”
“Oh, so he’s finally wearing one?” Lillian did have to wonder just how oblivious people had to be. “Maybe it will teach him something.”
“Doubtful, and the glasses do work better than you think.” He held the door for her. “After you Mother.”
He, as the proper gentleman she had raised, led her down to the party. Lena was, in fact, already there and waiting for them.
Beside her was a blonde woman dressed in a stiff blue suit with black accents and boots on her feet. The hat was either new or at least never worn before. Lena had forgone her gloves and had her hand entangled with the blonde’s.
“Mother, Lex,” Lena greeted them, “allow me to introduce Kara Danvers.”
“Hello Ma’am,” Kara shook the hand Lillian offered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Lillian raised an eyebrow, taking in the pair. “Danvers…I heard that name quite often this afternoon. You own one of the ranches outside of town where a herd of wild horses has been known to roam.”
“Yes Ma’am, my sister and I are very proud of it.” Kara wondered if she should take her hat off, but Lena had told her to leave it on. “Lena said that you have an interest in raising horses at your country estate?”
Lillian smiled. “I do, although they are a far different breed than the ones you are familiar with.” She met her daughter’s eyes. “Lena has failed to mention she was bringing anyone.”
“Yes, I do apologize about that Mother,” Lena tightened her hold on Kara’s hand, “it was rather last minute. Darling, I think your sister and Kelly have arrived.”
Kara paled. “I knew I’d forgotten to do something.”
“Kara Danvers!” Alex, heedless of anyone else, marched up to her sister with her girlfriend in-tow. “What the hell kind of message was that?”
“Alex, language!” Kara hissed.
Lex, watching them, giggled. At least he wouldn’t be in trouble for causing the chaos this time.
“No, you don’t get to babble some nonsense, run over to take your suit, and then vanish!” She turned to Lena. “What did you do to my sister?”
“I was born,” Lena drawled at the same time Kara burst out with, “She’s my soulmate!”
Kelly laughed, “See, I told you it was nothing nefarious. Hackles down,” she held out her hand. “Kelly Olsen, it’s nice to finally meet you in person Lena.”
Lena shook it. “You as well.” She introduced her family, watching with some amusement as Alex reddened upon realizing what she had interrupted.
Lex snickered. Lillian sighed.
“Why are you like this?” She asked him. “Is this because I dropped you on your head that one time as a baby?” She rubbed the bridge of her nose. “It must be.”
Lex gaped at her. “Mother!”
Lena laughed. “I knew it!” She patted his shoulder. “Why don’t you go bother Clark, he just came in with Lois.”
“You know my…oh! You’re that Lex!” Kara’s eyes brightened as she held in her laughter. “Did you really kidnap yourself just to get you both out of work?”
“Kid-wha-no. No.” Alex took both their free hands. “Kelly, we’re going away from the mayhem. Damn vampires and their melodrama.” She started to drag the new lovebirds away.
“Oh you have no idea,” Lena told her.
“Alex, you say that as if you didn’t wrestle a bear twice.” Kara didn’t bother trying to stop her sister. They’d get it worked out at some point. “That’s pretty dramatic, considering the second time was for a courting gift.”
“There’s a difference Kara!”
“True, Lex just does what he does because he can.” Lena nodded in agreement. “I do think we’re far enough away now.”
“Good, fine,” Alex dropped their hands and turned to scowl at them. “Now, I want the full story and not the garbled, rushed version my sister gave me before disappearing this afternoon.”
Kelly watched and listened with amusement as the younger pair explained how they had realized their connection. The fact that food was involved sounded very much like Kara.
“And that’s it, really,” Kara finished. “Can we rejoin the party now? Lena said that there would be food, more than just nibbles.”
Alex rolled her eyes, recognizing the absolutely smitten look aimed at her sister. “Of course she did.” Then she got a thought. “Hey Kara, when Mon-El tries something, make certain you get it on video.”
“Sure?” Kara agreed, confused at the emotions she was getting from Alex. “Oh, potstickers! Lena, come on! You should try them. They’re like the best food on this planet!”
“You are terrible,” Kelly told her. “Now, I want to know about you and your habit of bear wrestling.”
Kara twirled Lena around the dance floor. This was a night she knew she would never forget. After all, it wasn’t every day a person met their soulmate.
“What are you thinking about Darling?” Lena had never felt so warm in her life. It was wonderful.
Kara grinned. “How happy I am that we finally met. How I’m glad it’s you and getting to know you better. How much fun this is.”
“I am too, and being here with you makes this party a much more entertaining pastime than any other I’ve been to,” Lena replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother so well behaved.”
“What was I supposed to do, let him spike the punch?” Kara spun them around. “Do you want a brawl to break out? Because that’s what tends to happen when you mix egos with alcohol.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Yes, M’gann was not impressed by the mess that was made. It took a week to clean it up and a month for Winn to fix the mechanical bull.”
“Oh, my,” Lena shook her head. “That sounds like a story.”
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours?” Kara gave her a cheesy grin.
“Oh Darling, we have all the time in the world to share,” she pecked Kara’s cheek. “Of course I’ll tell you.”