Little Lightning

Chapter 11

Lyrical stared at him. 

"What?" She managed to get out, unable to hide her surprise. "Are you sure that they are planning to attack Earth?" 

"At least, that's what my informant told me. " He raised an eyebrow. "Is it important?" 

"No." She answered a little too quickly. Now both eyebrows shot up. He leaned back again. He tried to put his hands behind his head, then was reminded that he had shackles and put them back down.

"Ok, well, that's all I know." He eyed her for her reaction. Noticing this, Lyrical refused to react, not breaking eye contact, staring until he looked away. She smiled, satisfied at her little victory.

"I have one more question." Lyrical started. He looked up, his gaze weary. "Who are you really, Zyan Sagitta?"

Zyan blinked, slight surprise flashing across his face. She hid a smile and began walking around him slowly, making sure his gaze was on her. His blue eyes followed her, the disguise of boredom no longer clouding his eyes.

"When you said that you were chased out of your home by these so called 'Bluetiens', you glanced to the right." She stopped a few feet in front of him, her hands stuffed into the pockets of her coat. "Before I came here, I studied how to observe people. How to observe and assess those observations to understand why people act the way they act. I've watched the people here, observing and assessing."
She paused, satisfaction filling her when she saw that he was hanging on to her every word. "The biggest thing I noticed? How people lie." She stared at him, her green eyes loud and frighteningly intense. "You see, I find it hard to believe that you running away is the whole story. And the biggest thing people do when they lie is they look away, most often to the right." She got close, her hands on the ears of the chair, essentially boxing him in. "So you can either tell me the whole story, or I will figure it out myself."

She pulled back, leaving him surprised and alarmed, his eyes wide. She folded her arms, glaring at him, patiently waiting for him to crack, completely sure that he was going to give it up. After several moments, he cleared his throat and seemed to collect himself.

"Well, I sure wouldn't want you to worry your pretty little head." He ran a hand through his hair, looking at the chair, deep in thought. His eyes brightened and he looked up as if he was a child who had discovered a hidden stash of candy. "Did you say 'before I came here'?" She stiffened. She hadn't noticed she had said anything like that. After all, the rush of having cornered him had taken control of her words.

"No." She said sharply. She winced internally at how fast she answered. "I said nothing of the sort." She raised her chin slightly, trying to maintain her intimidating aura and failing miserably.

"No, no, I'm sure you did. What did you say... it was something like 'Before I came here, I studied people'." He watched her carefully. "Could it be... that you are not from this planet?" He studied her. "Come to think of it, your clothes are rather odd for this planet. Far too colorless." Lyrical sucked in a silent breath. The few people that knew that she was not from here either lived with her, or were part of the Educatrix. In some cases, it was both.

"Excuse me? My clothes are plenty interesting!" She defended.

"I didn't say they weren't interesting. I said they were colorless." He stated blandly, his eyebrow raising slightly. "Anyway, that's besides the point. Judging by your reaction, you are not from this planet. And if I had to hazard a guess, its not common knowledge." She bit back a wince. Despite his flamboyant talk and casual demeanor, he was actually quite attentive. "So it seems we are at a stalemate. Say anything about me and where I come from, and I will spill you're secret to the entire village." This time, she didn't bother hide her alarm. If everyone knew, it would be ten times harder to escape. 

She stared at this boy, with his expertly tousled blond hair, his bright blue eyes. She studied his smug smirk, his relaxed posture, his ease. Even in chains, even with a death date looming ever closer, he still managed to stay this composed. It was surprising, to say the least. 

He grinned, seeing her watch him. She looked away quickly, a flush creeping up her neck.

Something occurred to her suddenly, something she had learned on earth. She closed her eyes, trying to remember. After a moment of thinking, it slammed into her like a sledgehammer.

When the adversary thinks they've won, when you think you've lost, only one thing can be done.

Smile.

Smile like the world depends on it. It unnerves and surprises the adversary the most.

So that's what Lyrical did. She looked back to Zyan and smiled. Bewilderment stole over his face. Her smile widened, a hint of psychotic joy to it. Zyan's smugness seemed to retreat, slight fear in his gaze. Then, after a moment, he smiled back, his grin equally as wide and unnerving.

"Lyrical Cyrax. You are one unique lady." His smile widened, showing all his perfectly straight, white teeth. Lyrical's smile faltered a little. What was he smiling about? When he opened his mouth to speak again, Lyrical knew that he was going to say something that would affect her substantially.

"What do you say we make a deal?"