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As the gathering continued in the grand living room of Titans Tower, Kole couldn’t blink. She was too stunned to consider closing her eyes. Surrounded so many like herself, there was an Honorary Titan who earned her immediate intrigue. Hair as dark as ebony and with eyes like rubies, Argent leaned against the counter chatting with Hot Spot. They chuckled to themselves, partaking in private mirth without room for a third.
Kole’s fingers fidgeted around her soda can. She wasn’t parched, but it provided her nervous digits with busy work. She teased the aluminum exterior, wondering how to insert herself without appearing rude. It seemed their conversation was quite deep, after all, as she heard them utter unfamiliar names spoken with utmost fondness.
“You there!”
Her shoulders hitching, Kole suppressed a yelp. Bubbly soda spilled from the small opening, the tab flying free when her thumb inadvertently jerked. Scowling, she twisted on her heels, and faced a rather eclectic fellow standing above her on the counter. He reminded her of an ill-mannered feline. Unlike a cat, however, he was dressed in garishly bright armor, his namesake emblazoned on the slim cuirass, which also, to her surprise, complemented his slicked hairstyle.
Her fellow Honoraries conversing amongst themselves, she couldn’t help but question his startling interjection. “Uh, you mean me, right?” she asked, brows furrowing.
“Yes, you, the crystalline one,” he said, leaping to her side. When she craned her neck, he frowned, quickly bending his knees to meet her wide-eyed gaze. “Lightning is aware of your fixation on the Teen Titan called ‘Argent.’”
The corner of her mouth twitched. The can crumpled in her grasp, and arched into her damp palm. She stole a glance at Argent, listening to her low draw. It carried a melodic note, one so natural that Kole likened it to genuine music.
“Am I that obvious?” she asked, cupping her hip. “Or is it because you had a good vantage point?”
“You would be correct,” he remarked, beaming, but before Kole could inquire on which part was true, he patted her shoulder. “Fear not, crystalline one-”
“My name is Kole.”
“-for Lightning is feeling magnanimous after our victory and will intervene. Gratitude is not required.”
True to his name, he shot around her. Kole barely had time to register his declaration, blinking at the empty spot where he once stood. In the second it took for someone to snap their fingers, Lightning blitzed toward the duo, and Kole’s jaw couldn’t have dropped any farther.
There was no opportunity to deter Lightning. Kole managed three steps before Lightning twisted between Hot Spot and Argent, his grin as infectious as a disease. Both recoiled, sharing a look before Lightning, presenting his back to Argent, clapped in front of his chest.
“Ah, you are the one deemed ‘Hot Spot!’ I have seen your fiery abilities firsthand against that horrid shapeshifter. They were most impressive,” he exclaimed, and Hot Spot managed a meager ounce of appreciation before Lightning, taking hold of his arm, guided him elsewhere. “Come! You have amazed me, so let us continue in private.”
Again, Hot Spot was hardly supplied a chance. He hobbled alongside Lightning, sputtering a few words for Lightning’s every other sentence. Kole swigged the rest of her soda, and chose to avoid Hot Spot’s desperate attempt at eye contact. She was already doing her best to avoid Lightning, whose audacity matched his vibrancy.
And yet, the opening was crystal clear. Argent sighed, tilting her chin to the high ceiling and slouching, crossing one foot over her other ankle. She seemed to glimmer, her shine captivating Kole, as if she was the lone star in the night sky.
Well, I shouldn’t waste a golden opportunity.
Drawing her courage, Kole brushed aside her apprehension, and approached, tossing her can in the receptacle on the way. As soon as Argent found her, a thick brow arching at her sudden presence, Kole offered her hand in a wave.
“Uh, hi! I’m Kole. Nice to meet you.”
She swept through her hair. “Oh, hey, name’s Argent. Let me guess. Another Honorary Titan?”
“Sure am. I had this whole underground adventure with the Titans, too. It was pretty cool,” she said, marveling at Argent's cutting, jet back attire. “Just as cool as your outfit. I love it.”
She hummed, pinching her chin. Her eyes flicked over Kole like a gemologist to an unearthed diamond. “Same to you. The deep blues and whites bring out that nice popping color of your hair. Say, is it natural?”
“You bet. I was thinking of doing something new with it, but I’ll stick with what I got for now.”
Argent nodded, and threaded through the crimson bangs framing her round face. They swept low and angled around her jaw, bringing Kole’s concentration to her expression. The subtle tension she carried was released, a soft familiarity gracing her striking features.
“Well, if you ever want a dye job, I can give good pointers. Heck, I could do it for you,” she offered, and as colors raced through Kole’s mind, Argent sidled closer, loosely looping her arm around Kole’s shoulder. “So, what’s this about an underground adventure?”
Kole hoped she wouldn’t freeze on the spot. The lingering aroma of a metallic, rosy perfume wafting from Argent encircled Kole, who wished her tongue hadn’t tied.
Yet, the blaring alarms dashed their moment. Argent quickly parted, and Kole mourned the lack of her touch. All eyes focused on the screen exposing a villain Kole thought thoroughly defeated weeks ago. Among the observing Titans, her glare could have scorched.
Argent cocked her head. “You know that chump?”
Kole’s tone became like steel. “Oh, yeah. The Titans and I took him down underground, and now, he’s gonna go down again. Harder.”
As she cracked her knuckles, wanting nothing more than to pulverize the hapless doctor for his ill-timed interjection, Kole was fortunate to share a smirk with someone eager to strike.
“Well,” Argent purred, “show me what you got.”