How can I be Mean? (Lamina x Female oc)

Night Talk (Ch 9)

            The vast, endless expanse of the sky above is illuminated by countless shimmering stars, yet there is no sign of the moon. Vale is sitting a few feet away from her group, her eyes darting back and forth between Mizzen and Lamina. The recent events have left her on edge, and her senses are heightened as she scans her surroundings for any sign of danger. She can't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up on her as if something else could happen at any moment.

            Suddenly, a slight noise shatters the otherwise silent night, causing Vale to jump out of her skin. She turns to see Lamina approaching, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Their hands meet instinctively, and Vale feels a warmth spread through her body. Lamina's presence is comforting, and being around her feels like coming home.

            "Why are you still up?" Lamina asks, her voice is soft and gentle.

            "Just thinking about what happened," Vale replies, fidgeting with the bracelet her brother gave her. This is the first time since the reaping she has paid any attention to it. "I thought that you and Mizzen were hurt or worse. I'm scared I won't be able to protect you both in the arena."

            "We are going to be fine," Lamina says, though both of them know it's not true. They sit there in silence for a moment, Vale's mind racing with thoughts and fears.

            "Have you ever heard the District 7 story called The Smiling Couple?" Lamina asks suddenly, breaking the stillness.

            "No, what is it?" Vale asks, grateful for the distraction.

            Lamina's eyes light up as she begins to speak, "It's a story that all the elderly love to tell. It's about a young couple who were madly in love with each other. Their love was so pure and true that it was the envy of everyone around them. They had just tied the knot and were planning to start a family. One day, the man left for work as usual, but to their dismay, he never returned home." She pauses for a moment, letting the suspense build. Vale listens to every word that leaves Lamina's lips.

            "It turns out there was an accident at his work and he was killed. The woman spiraled into a depression and no one knew what to do. One day, the woman received a painting of her husband from a friend. The painting depicted her husband sitting in a vast open field, his face beaming with a broad smile. However, shortly after receiving the painting, the wife disappeared without a trace. The townspeople searched, but their efforts proved to be in vain, and the woman was never found." Lamina sits silent for a second.

            "So what happened," Vale asks eager to know.

            "Years passed by, and the friend who had gifted the painting stumbled upon the abandoned house where the couple used to live. To his surprise, he discovered the same painting he had gifted to the woman, but something was different. The painting now depicted the husband and wife together, both of them wearing contented smiles," Lamina sits deep in thought. "Many say the woman was pulled into the painting by a magical force, while others say that the woman painted herself in it."

            Vale asks a question, "What do you think happened?"

            Lamina furrows her brow and sits quietly for a while as if lost in thought. Finally, she speaks up, "I like to believe that she's in the painting. You know, my Nana used to say that love is so powerful that it can work in mysterious ways. Maybe that's what happened."

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A/N: Hi! So this chapter was going to be longer but I didn't want to add some craziness after this little moment. I love this chapter as I had fun making the little story while writing. I have planned to write one more zoo chapter then we will be getting into the arena 

hint: Don't forget about this chapter because a part of this will be in future chapters. 

I hope you have a good night/day!

Also another photo that I found on Pinterest!