Tunnel Vision: When Two Things Collide

A/N: Why do I bother? Well I get the urge to humiliate myself on the internet, and so I decide to write random things that no one reads. Well no one but the select few good people in the world, one of which doesn't know how to give a helpful review. (you know who you are) so that is why I bother, though I'm not sure that last part made a lot of sense. On with the underappreciated (and rather well written - if I do say so myself) story! (( mind you, this probably only makes sense in my head))

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Anyone on the street would have thought she was just singing along, what with the music turned up so loud that they could hear every screamed word, and her near silent mumbling. But Luxury Sims was merely, mentally running through her day to find out if she'd done something to make, whatever higher power there was, hate her.

'First Yuri, then that poor guy. Now I have to go back to the same comic shop and that will compromise the "anonymous" part of my writing career. Today officially sucks.' Lux thought angrily as she trudged down the semi-crowded street, portfolio under her arm, iPod blasting in her studded ears.

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'Speaking of the SparkFire book, the panels should be in by now.' Moss began doodling a character from the book absentmindedly. He'd hardly heard a sound from Vic all day after that mornings "chat", aside from the low moans, that meant he was enjoying his drugs, and his adult merchandise. At that point, Moss had put a CD in the stereo. It had played six times through before Vic came out again and announcing to the (nonexistent) costumers, that it was closing time then making a drunken exit. Moss looked at his doodle doubtfully, then glanced at the door. With a shake of his head, he gathered up his things and headed out the door.

'Well if the publisher complains about the book being late, its not my fault. I cant color panels if they don't show. But what if it is my fault?' Moss fumbled with the keys to the shop, too lost in thought to notice someone rushing towards him.

' Vic said the girl from this morning and the messenger are both in Slave, what if what happened this morning got them in trouble and that's why the panels weren't delivered. But, that's got nothing to do with the writer. They could deliver the pages themself, but they're probably a self centered recluse, with a people allergy.'

"Hey Dreamer-Boy!" Moss' head snapped around.

"I've only been calling you for the last minute and a half. You closing?"

Moss' jaw dropped in surprise. Two golden eyes stared intently up at him through long crimson and gold bangs.

"You! W-w-what do you want?!" Moss demanded, dropping his keys. Lux's shoulders fell dragging the corners of her mouth with them.

"Look, I'm sorry 'bout this morning. It was a freak accident and I'm sorry, ok?" Something in her face told Moss she was sincere, but he couldn't let his anger go that easily.

"Sorry?! That's all you got for me?"

"A-a-actually-"

"You make me live through that again and all you can say is sorry?!"

"Yes, sorry is all I've got. Because you know what, it was my fault, but there's nothing I can do about it now. And I am sorry, sorry your life is so fucked up that you can't even accept an honest apology!" she was shouting again, like she had this morning and suddenly Moss felt small, even though he towered over her at six foot four.

"Ok, sorry, that was stupid. You needed something?" Moss sighed, and tried to smile. Lux grinned and held out a portfolio Moss hadn't noticed before.

"I know I'm supposed to get these here before closing, so they can get to the colorist, but I had a busy day and my messenger had to run another errand, so do you think I can just drop them inside so the guy can get them tomorrow?" Her grin turned sheepish, almost embarrassed.

"I'll take them," Moss said with a laugh.

'She's the Writer? Ah cruel fate.' Lux looked up at him quizzically.

"You're Night Sims, aren't you? I'm Eli Carsons, your Colorist."

"Ohhh." Lux inhaled sharply through her teeth

"I thought I was having a rough day. But poor you. I will completely understand if you hate me now." she hung her head and two small braids fell into her eyes. Moss had to resist the urge to push them aside to see her face.

"Well first you attack me then you make me wait all day for these," he patted the portfolio, which he now held.

"But the most I could do would be to ask you how you did that to me this morning, I don't think could hate you. Well not now that I know that you could put me out of my most well paying job." Lux looked up at him again and smirked, then she looked around at the few people on the sidewalk.

"Here isn't the place to talk about those kind of things, but I think I owe you an explanation, so... inside?" she bent over and grabbed the forgotten keys, and dangling them on her little finger. Moss snatched them and unlocked the door again, ushering her inside. Once inside, he guided her to the drawing room/employee lounge. She promptly flopped down on the beat up sofa and Moss opened the portfolio on his worktable.

"You mind if I work while you explain? Catch up on lost time?" he smiled.

"Oh make me feel more guilty why don't you?" Lux exaggerated a sigh. He grimaced.

Lux laughed and launched into her story.

"Ok I know I sound like a total girly-girl, recounting every second of my day but it's important so bear with me. Basically today was my day off, so you can imagine I was pissed when Yuri showed up and dragged me on a deal that isn't even in my job description. My last foster father said I needed anger management, but that s not the point. My power, works through my skin, a lot like the X-Man, Rogue, if you've heard of her." She waited for Moss to nod, then continued,

"This morning I was dragged out of my apartment so suddenly that I didn't get my gloves on," she held up a hand and Moss notices it was covered in a skintight tan leather glove. Then, gesturing to his hunter green muscle shirt, she carried on.

"So when I shoved you out of my way, our skin touched and triggered my power."

"Which is what exactly?" Moss turned away from his worktable to face her.

"When I touch people, they relive their worst memories, and I see flashes of it, like your brother trying to kill you." Moss flinched.

"Sorry I brought it up, but are you really afraid of Wolverine?, he always seemed nice-ish to me."

"Well, yea- wait. You know him? As in personally?" Moss shook his head in disbelief.

'She doesn't seem like the X-Men type.' Moss thought, remembering all his childhood lessons that portrayed the mutants as cruel, and unfair vigilantes. Lux shrugged and cocked her head to the side, causing the diamond stud above her eyebrow to glint in the fluorescent lights above.

"Yeah. I used to live at the Xavier Institute."

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A/N: Well, I hope all of you nonexisting readers enjoyed that , and you two kind people who actually care too. I have a great idea for the next chapter so that should be coming soon... hopefully. To all who read this and think they are too good to review, A CURSE ON YOU! In laymen terms, please review. Don't think that if you don't review , I'll stop, 'cus I won't... I like this story too much.

E'Nox