STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

on the walls. The patterns seemed familiar, but they blurred as his focus slipped. The sound of the projections, the low chatter, the occasional clink of glasses—it all felt too sharp, too jarring.

“You’re quieter tonight than usual, Lucien,” Leona said, narrowing her eyes. “Something on your mind?”

He forced a weak smile. “Just tired. Long day.”

Lucien wrapped his fingers around his glass and took a sip. The whiskey burned its way down his throat, but it felt hollow—another sensation lost in the growing static of his thoughts. He considered telling them about the exhibition, about the painting, about her. But the situation felt too complex to put to words. Easy excuse I guess.

Darius grinned, leaning forward with a playful glint in his eye. “You know what you need? Another round.”

The group laughed, but the sound felt distant to Lucien, like the background noise of conversation in a dream. He glanced at the constellations again, the lines connecting the stars pulsing in and out of focus.

Carter leaned forward, shifting the conversation. “That special exhibit, though. The painting? Who was the artist again? ”

Lucien spoke too quickly. “Lyra, Lyra Hart. She’s talented”.

“Oh-ho, and there it is!” He jabbed a finger at Lucien. “Our guy took a good, long look, huh?”

Lucien rolled his eyes, trying to cover his slip. “I meant her work.”

“Sure, sure.” Darius nudged Carter with his elbow. “You hear that? ‘Her work.’” He threw up air quotes. “Lucien, you sly dog.”

Carter smirked over his glass. “Can’t blame him. She’s... compelling.”

Darius shook his finger. “More like dangerous.”

He sighed, shaking his head. “You’re all idiots.”

The group laughed again, but Lucien didn ’t join them. The memory of the painting flashing through his mind—the starburst, the swirling chaos, and her voice.

"You’re looking for something."

They don ’t see it. They don’t want to see it.

***

Lucien pushed back from the booth abruptly. “Where’s that next round? I’ll help you collect it from the bar. I need to stretch my legs. ”

Darius shot him a curious look but shrugged. “Sure, man. Let’s go.”

67