Chapter 7 – Eat crow

Aashi looked to Lucy, "Go with your father, Child. I'm just down the corridor." Then she was gone down the hall and like a ghost she left them both stupefied.

"See Daddy! She's not that bad!"

"Was that your dark knight?"

"Huh? Oh yeah! Aashi was the one who scared that big meanie away, remember I told you?"

Arthur crowed, "Yeah you did, I just didn't think you were being serious when you said she was tall as Lady Liberty!"

"I know, it's so fun!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Fun?" Arthur's brows scrunched together. He began to lead them back in to their apartment which was easy as the door had been ajar due to his outburst.

"Yeah, she lets me climb her, Daddy. Like a climbing tree. It's so fun to be that high!"

"My God, you have turned into a monkey!" Arthur jested. However, as he set her down he was surprised to find that he did not recognise the clothes that Lucy was wearing which was strange as he knew most of Lucy's wardrobe. That wasn't an amazing thing though as it just proved how tiny her wardrobe was.

"Hey, Lou. Where'd ya get this?" he pointed to her PJs which were covered in small bunnies and clouds.

"Hm?" Lucy looked down as if releasing what she was dressed in, "Oh this! Aashi got it for me! She said that a bloody winter was coming and I would get sick if I didn't get something warmer."

Arthur's stomach did summersaults, "Did she ask for anything in return?"

Lucy didn't even pause to think about her answer, "No." she shook her head causing her brown hair to get in her face which she blew away "Actually, I told Aashi that I didn't want it because it was too much she said that as long as the money was 'well spent' it would be alright." Lucy had even used the quotation hand gesture to mimic Aashi.

Arthur's scowl withered, "She said that, did she?"

"Yeah, she said money was stupid so I don't need to give her anything." Lucy paused and looked her father over, "Daddy, do you need to eat anything?"

Arthur was taken aback, "Uh, yeah. Why'd you ask?"

Lucy brightened up, "Aashi said she was making dessert. Can we go please, Daddy? Aashi won't mind. She really won't I've been with Aashi for a few days and she's-"

"Wait, wait. Harley left you with that woman?!" Arthur pointed to the door, his temper flaring again.

"Uh…" the way Lucy's mood dampened told him that she had most probably had an argument with Harley, but what he didn't know was that Lucy was also going over what Aashi had told her that very morning: not to tell Arthur about the attack.

Lucy had to settle for a white lie, "Yeah, Aashi takes care of me." Well, it was only half a lie. Sure Harley had left Lucy with Aashi but that didn't mean she did so willingly or even knowingly and Aashi had been taking care of Lucy since the incident.

"Right." Arthur bowed his head which made his hair curtain around his grimaced face. He would have to see what sort of arrangement Harley had made with this woman to see what sort of mess Harley had made.

If only he knew.

"Right, let's go to… Ai? Is that her name?"

Lucy giggled, "Her name is Aashi. Aah-shee." She had mimicked Aashi from the first time she had introduced herself.

"Aashi." Arthur bobbed his head rapidly, "Let's go to her place, yeah? So you can have dessert and I can have a nice long chat with her."

"Yay!" Lucy raced out the door faster than he had ever seen her move. He quickly followed her and was disturbed somewhat to know that Aashi lived so close to them seeing as he had never seen her before this very day.

However, as Lucy made her way to knock on the door, she hesitated. She turned to her father and looked him in the eye, "Daddy… Aashi can look a bit scary but she's really nice. Don't judge her."

Arthur blinked at his daughter in shock, "Where did you learn that, to judge someone?"

Lucy blushed, "Because I did that and then Asilia told me not to do that."

"Asilia?" his concern grew ever more.

Lucy nodded, "She's Aashi's pretty friend. She's really nice too Daddy!" Then without any doubt she banged on the door. Once the door opened Lucy dashed in between Aashi's legs like she owned the place. Aashi stood at the door, laughing inwardly, but kept a cool face when she faced Arthur.

She gestured with her head, "Come." She moved inside but called back to him. "Remove your shoes."

From Arthur's perspective, Aashi was not cold but rather she was being cautious so far and from the glimpse he got of her bedroom as the door was ajar, she was like no woman he had ever met before. He was amazed by the amount of training equipment there was in the tiny apartment but didn't comment on it and let himself be led by Aashi.

He entered the living room and found Lucy sitting on a sofa playing on one of those consoles that the children were playing these days. He made to sat on the sofa with her but when he saw Aashi walk further in towards the attached kitchen, he coolly diverted his path towards her like he wasn't about to join his daughter.

He sat at one end of the six seater rectangle table.

"Tea or coffee?"

Arthur almost wanted to mock her Londoners accent but chose to answer her in lieu, "Coffee. Black. No cream or sugar."

When she turned to her cabinets, he studied her: she had taken off the spiked boots and the leather jacket. She was left in her spiked collar, black leather jeans, her Slayer t-shirt, and black socks. He could see that her body was sculpted from the way the jeans hugged her legs, that was the most muscled leg he had ever seen on a woman and because her arms were exposed in her half-sleeved shirt.

He was staring at the piercings when she turned to him with his coffee. He was not ashamed in the least for being caught and he took this chance to study her face more. She had some sharp and striking features but what caught his attention were her eyes. They were calculating, much like his own he would like to think.

She set his coffee down in front of him and took a seat next to him on the side. He was thrown off guard as he assumed she would have taken a seat on the other end but she didn't.

"Arthur, am I correct in assuming you're here in regards to the arrangement made for Lucy?"

"Yeah" Arthur said as a matter of fact and took a large sip of the coffee. "How'd you know my name?"

Aashi quirked her brows, "Harleen. Now, as for Lucy, Harleen has made me… aware that she is unable to care for Lucy in the long term. You are, also, incapable of taking care of Lucy, seeing as you are working yourself like a dog and barely have time for her."

Arthur's cheek twitched when she compared him to a dog but remained silent until she finished, "And, uh, what makes you think you're capable? You don't seem like the type to have… experience-ah."

Aashi was a tough one for Arthur as she kept her cool and didn't let anything pass, "Actually, Arthur, I am quite experienced despite not having gone through pregnancy myself. From what I see, I may even be more competent than you as I have fed, clothed, bathed and sheltered Lucy when her two biological parents have failed to do so. So, don't go thinking I am incompetent as Harleen when it comes to the care of Lucy for I am not." She had stated that in such a stern tone that Arthur felt the need to sit back to take a breath.

This woman was not afraid of him, he could tell that much, "What makes you think I can't take care of my daughter? Is it the scars?"

"No, not at all. Whilst I have made a judgemnt of your character, you're physical scars have not influenced my view of you. Don't treat me like an average person for I am anything but. Whilst most would take one look at your face and think you're a violent criminal out only for money, I do not see it as such. Your scars tell a story but not one which I am interested in as it does not concern Lucy; I suspect that you had those scars before Lucy was born so I don't care about them." She paused and a hard look was placed in her eyes like she was directing her fury at him, "It is the fact that she was being starved and you didn't see that."

In that moment, it was like his brain had caught a malware, "What? What did you say?"

"Harleen was starving Lucy. That is the only explanation I can find for Lucy's unhealthy weight." Aashi's face was gradually getting closer to his.

He was in denial, he thought they were getting along better, "No, she wouldn't-"

Aashi was quick to interrupt him, "There are a lot of things that that woman is capable of which you are not aware of. Now, hold your tongue for a moment, and let me finish."

Lucy was right. He liked her. He liked this woman because she got to the point and did not sugar coat things even though she was grating his nerves in that moment.

Aashi had yet to touch her own beverage, Arthur noted, but then again it may have been because she was taking the lead in the discourse, "Lucy has full access to my apartment. When either of you are out, she will stay with me. Here she has access to food, clothes and anything else she needs. She can come here of her own volition whenever she wants. Simple." She finally took a sip of her builder's tea.

Aashi had known of Arthur's temper so she did not include how Lucy was basically in Aashi's custody due to Harleen's violence towards Lucy. It was better this way otherwise, Arthur would go in a fit of rage, most probably kill Harleen and lose custody of Lucy. She would be then fostered where she would be continued to be abused. Aashi would not stand for that.

Arthur took a huge swing of his coffee and nodded, swirling the remnants of his tea in his cup, "And, uh, why would you go this far for my little girl?"

Aashi scrutinised Arthur and leaned even further to him, "You think I'm a child predator"

"Of course!" he exclaimed.

Aashi looked to the ceiling as he carried on, "No one gives a damn in this city about anyone or anything. So, don't give me the BS story of your charitable efforts."

Aashi cocked a brow and Arthur felt genuinely intimidated, "Oh no, this is not an act of charity."

"What do you want from my daughter?"

Aashi stared him down, "To be honest, I wasn't even bothered with her in the beginning but she grew on me. Now, normally, I would not take interest in anyone because quite frankly I hate humanity but Lucy is different. She's a fighter, and I'm just giving her a chance rather than let her be starved or beaten to death."

Their faces were so close that Arthur did not need to look any further as he could tell from her eyes, which were burning so brightly, that she was indeed telling the truth. Besides, he had never heard of a Goth child predator before… though there was a first for everything.

They heard a small gasp from the living room and found Lucy peeking from behind the sofa and when she was spotted she slowly rose and said, "Are you two gonna kiss?"

Instantly, the two adults drifted apart to the other end of the kitchen. Lucy asked again but Arthur replied with a sharp, "No, Lou. We are not gonna kiss. I'm not into Goths, no offence."

"None taken. I'm not into white men."

"What's a goth?"

Arthur took this moment to make a jab at Aashi, "Someone like your friend here, Lou. They wear all black and don't know how to take a joke."

"Says the man that has no fashion sense at all and just follows the herd that is known as civil society" she quipped back.

"Ahem" Arthur stepped towards her though not too close, "Like you know fashion."

"Of course I do, how do you think I get laid and you don't? I mean those popped collars aren't helping you" Aashi smiled at him cruelly.

Arthur flexed his jaw, "Is that why you wear black? To reflect on the outside what's on the inside"

"At least I have substance unlike some people who just mimic what they see in the masses"

Arthur laughed dryly, "You're lumping me with the mases?"

Aashi was about to respond when a small voice added, "I… like Ai's style. It's really cool."

Aashi smirked at Arthur who was looking at his daughter like she was bewitched, "Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's saying" he said pointedly to Aashi.

Aashi nodded, sarcastically. "Of course".

"Ai, can I have that dessert now?"

"Yes, child, you may." She handed Lucy a plate of brownies which she wolfed down instantly whereas Arthur studied Aashi from across the room. When Aashi wasn't looking he stole a few brownies off of Lucy but was quick to deny he took any at all.

He didn't trust Aashi or her intentions. Whilst he believed her when she said she wanted Lucy no harm, his rational mind told him that no one was good enough to look out for a kid, especially his kid. However, for now he had no choice. Harley would not take care of Lucy and he wouldn't be there for a while. He would only hope that Lucy had judged Aashi well.

;-;-;-;-;

"What do you mean a woman has taken Lucy?" Bob screamed over the phone to Arthur.

"There's this… woman across the hall. Lucy was with her for the past few days 'cuz Harley thought she could go out and have a girl's week without telling me!" Arthur equally bellowed back.

"Did she take care of her?"

"More than that! She bought her clothes, and gave her games to play with! Tell me that doesn't sound funny just to me?"

"You're right man. That ain't normal… Did Lucy say anything about her being weird?"

"No, she hasn't. She said she was good to her."

"I don't know man, maybe this chick has taken her under her wing or something. Is she alone?"

"Yeah. No husband. No boyfriend. No kids."

"Yeah, sounds to me this chick has adopted Lucy or something. Maybe she couldn't have her own or somethin'…"

"Maybe, but that doesn't explain why she saved Lucy from being kidnapped-"

"Woah, man. You never told me this! When was this?"

Arthur paced his room, "Like a few months ago, in September or something…"

"Hey, she saved your kid and now she's adopted her. Some weird woman, man! Unless she's trying to get in ya pants" He suggested offhandedly.

"No, I just met her for the first time a few hours ago. She doesn't seem like the kinda woman who wants a man…" he trailed off. "Maybe she's a dyke?"

"What? What do ya mean?"

"She's built like a tank. She's not like Harley at all. She doesn't care about-"

"Look, not every woman is like Harley."

"I know" Arthur stopped in his spot, "But its strange talkin' to another woman like that like she was a man or something. You know, this wasn't no woman to mess with."

There was a pause on the other end, "Are you ok, Artie? You sound-"

Arthur's anger rose, " 'course I am!"

"Alright, alright! Geez, all I was tryin' to say was that maybe you've… been out of the game is all…" Bob hesitatingly informed Arthur.

Arthur flicked his tongue out, smoothing it over his scar. "Bob, are you suggesting that I can't talk to women no more?"

There was a tense pause, "…Yeah."

"Thanks Bob" Arthur sarcastically said. "You're a great help. Maybe I should ask Lucy for tips, huh?"

"You could do that-"

"Bob!" Arthur hollered.

The two men muttered to themselves for a few moments before Bob offered Arthur a possibility, "Artie, has the woman or Lucy given any reason to worry about this… 'arrangement'?"

"The fact that she even concerned about Lucy-" Arthur hastily replied.

"Other than that! Has she given you a reason not to trust her?"

Arthur held a hand to his forehead where the sweat had accumulated, "No. She's alright, perfect almost, and that's what's bothering me."

"So… for the time being maybe we should just let things pan out."

Arthur cracked his neck, "What other choice do I have, right?"

;-;-;-;-;

Honestly, Arthur would say he had earned his week off considering he had enough dough to pay for the expenses for the next two months or so. Yet, here he was with his little girl, when he could have been resting, in the apartment of their 'friendly' Goth Asian neighbour.

"Daddy, come on!"

"What is it, Lou?" he lulled his head towards Lucy who was seated in front of the TV.

"You said you would help! Look Jak keeps dying at this part!" she pointed to the fat TV.

"There's some shark thing in the water, Lou. That's why you keep dying. You keep dropping Jak in the water with the sharks" He glanced around to check for Aashi's presence and when he was sure it was clear he took the control, "See! Like this!"

Lucy shared the triumph with her father but when Arthur repositioned himself on the sofa, he was embarrassed to find that Aashi had been watching from the door all the time, slightly smirking at him.

"Shut up" Arthur muttered.

"I didn't say anything" Aashi coolly replied. "You should have some breakfast by the way, it's not healthy." She pointedly added as she headed towards the table in the kitchen.

Arthur opened his mouth to give an angry retort but before the words could even come out, Lucy was nodding along with Aashi, "Yeah Daddy. Aashi is right! You need food in you."

The concern in Lucy's eyes made him sigh in defeat and head towards the kitchen as well. "Whachya got?"

"Depends, what do you want?"

"I want…" Arthur paused in thought, "pancakes made in my face."

Aashi appraised him, "Good luck. The pans are there by the way."

"Come again" Arthur rested his forearms on the top of one of the chairs.

"You'll need a pan to make a pancake. The ingredients you need are already out; try not to make a mess. Oh, you didn't think I would be serving you, did you?"

"Well, yeah. This is your place…" Arthur bowed his head, looking at her behind his lashes.

"Well, you didn't ask me to serve you. You demanded and I am not in the habit of following other people's demands other than mine." The cool look melted somewhat to reveal another cocky smirk.

"You were the one who suggested I should eat."

"Because I cannot expect you to look after Lucy if you cannot look after yourself."

"You're not her mother, lady."

Aashi's face morphed into one of satisfaction, "No. I am something much more; I am her friend."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at her, but Lucy was already bounding her way towards Aashi, "Ai! You really said it! It's really happening. We're friends." It was Arthur's turn to smirk at Aashi as it dawned on her that she had admitted to being friends with a child.

From what he had gathered in the few hours he spent with her, Aashi was not a woman who liked to share her feelings, though she allowed a few moments for her mask to fade just enough to let the other person know that she did have a regard for the other person.

"Yes." Aashi confirmed with Lucy who had hugged her legs and ran off.

"Aashi" Arthur called her out of her stupor, "I think I'll just have some toast. Would you join me for some coffee?" he asked with a smug look.

"Tea would be much appreciated actually."

Aashi worked on their beverages and Arthur whipped up some toast and they did so in a peaceful silence accompanied but some fleeting glances from Arthur's part. They took their seats as they had last night, only this time Arthur had coffee and several toasts and Aashi had plain mint tea, no sugar.

He found that odd as well about her because as far as he could tell Aashi was actually a healthy eater compared to most people he knew.

"So, I've been thinking, what's with your style?" Arthur pointed to Aashi's face and piercings as he took a large bite from his buttered toast.

Aashi had been leaning back in her seat but straightened her posture knowing this was to come eventually, "Style?"

"Yeah, do you have an obsession with black or something?"

Aashi let a small smile play on her face, "Tell me, do you know what black symbolises?"

"Uh, death" Arthur said as matter of fact.

"Yes, that is the most common theme but it holds other significance as well."

Arthur nearly face palmed himself mentally, thinking she was going to go on a tangent, but remained neutral on the outside.

"Black is associated with formality and elegance, as well as power. In nature black is a mysterious colour often coupled with fear, for example black holes are a phenomenon we have not yet understood despite our technological advancements. Another example would be the night; many people fear it for they do not know what lurks in the dark. It is an intimidating colour because unlike other colours it doesn't express any emotions. In fact, it conceals emotions thus giving the person an air of superiority and sets them apart from others. It creates fear for the people that surround them would, either subconsciously or not, feel repelled from them like a leper."

"So, let me get this straight, you wear black to create fear?" he mocked her.

"I wear black because it is a beautiful colour and because it would keep others away from me whilst allowing me to be incognito."

"Yeah?"

"Of course, it is so extrovert it is covert." She paused to sip her tea, "The majority of people choose their colours quite carefully without even realising it. For instance, those who wish to fit in with the masses will choose colours to allow them to camouflage. Whereas, few people choose their colours intentionally depending on their subtle psychological impact on others."

Arthur was curious, but he was doubtful, "I think you're looking too much into it."

Aashi sipped her tea, looking at him from the rim of her cup, "Is that why you questioned my choice of 'style'? You'll never know until you try"

"Curiosity was the cause. So, what makes you hate people?"

"Humanity."

"What's the difference?" he cocked his head.

"I hate humanity because it's a slaughterhouse disguised as a carousel. However, in this barbaric slaughterhouse there are still faint glimmers of individuals who make the rest of humanity bearable, just."

Arthur genuinely smiled at the notion she just presented.

"And what about yourself?" Aashi implored.

"Hm?"

"Why do you hate people?" She looked at him pointedly.

"What makes you think that?" he took a large swing of his coffee.

Aashi smiled, bitterly almost, and set her cup down. "The way you look at people."

"What about it?" Arthur bit his scar from the inside.

Aashi waved her hand around as if looking for the right word, "You look at people with nothing but pure disdain like you're questioning their worth to you. The only exception is Lucy."

Arthur shifted in his seat, uncomfortable. "You been stalking me?"

"No, I observe."

Arthur nodded his head, dismissive of her response, "You stalked me."

Aashi closed her eyes in frustration, "Please, I don't have all the time in the world to stalk my neighbours."

Arthur held his hands up, "Alright, alright. Humour me."

Aashi nodded at him challengingly, "If you hate 'humanity' so much, why don't you try to make a difference?"

The suddenness of her cackles made Arthur and Lucy jump out of their skins simultaneously; Lucy paused her game and Arthur near on dropped his cup.

Aashi had genuinely found it amusing that the man in front of her thought that people could make a difference in the world. This man, who was just a boy compared to her, made her pity him and want to drop him at the same time.

Arthur didn't like the look on her face at all. A sardonic grin had graced her features and this put Arthur on edge, "A difference, you say, Arthur?"

Lucy crawled to the top of the sofa once more, her curiosity taking the best of her, and gazed at the two adults.

Aashi's coolness returned after she rolled her tongue in her mouth. She grunted and said no more on the matter but unbeknownst to her she had struck real terror in the man beside her.

Perhaps it was subconscious or perhaps she had intended to paralyse him on the spot, but what she could not have known, or anyone else for that matter, was that she had struck a chord with Arthur. In his mind, he mocked her however when he understood her intentions he couldn't help but find the similarities between his own intentions with her own.

She liked to play with people and he was just coming into that business. His many thoughts ran ramped many of which were demanding that he force her down, bound her and beat out an answer his question.

He was dragged out of his thoughts when Aashi passed him and her long open hair accidentally brushed on his knuckles. He knew what wigs felt like and that was no wig.

"How do you stand it?" now his thoughts turned to how black her hair was and many voices concurred with Aashi's notion about black being a fearsome colour.

Aashi set her cup in the sink, "What on earth are you referring to?"

Arthur had yet to move his head. He was frozen in the position he was in, staring at his cup that was held lightly in his right hand while his other hand was on the edge of the table. Only his mouth had the ability to move and even then it did so out of its own volition and not his, "Your hair? Isn't it a bother?"

Aashi pulled her hair behind her, "Sometimes it is, but it's totally worth it."

"Worth what?" finally his head was under his control.

Aashi went to lean against the table, resting her bottom on the table side, "The Hindus believe hair is a gift from their gods that is why they refuse to cut it. I may not be a Hindu but I agree, hair is a gift that many take for granted. Now, if you'll excuse me I must take care of said hair because their length is quite troublesome."

She pushed away and sauntered off to her room leaving Lucy to stare at her and then at her father. She padded over to him and tugged his sleeve, "Daddy" she said in a low voice. "I've never heard Ai laugh so loud. What did you do? Did you tell her one of your jokes?"

Arthur snapped his head towards her, "… yeah. Yeah, I told her about the monkey in the toilet."

"Oh. I didn't think Ai would find that so funny."

"Yeah, me and you both, Kiddo".

;-;-;-;-;

"Why couldn't we go on your cool bike, Ai?" Lucy hopped in step with Aashi with Arthur lazily trailing behind them.

He hadn't planned on this. He did not plan on waking that morning, having breakfast at his neighbours and then going out with them to a movie. He had wanted to lie in bed and bury his head in his pillow or maybe eat some real food for the first time in forever. Yet, here he was, taking his daughter and her creepy friend in his car to the movies.

"Because there were too many of us, child."

"But Daddy hasn't seen it yet-"

"He doesn't need to child." Aashi patted her on the head making Lucy go 'oomph'. "Maybe next time."

Lucy was disappointed but she wasn't going to let this ruin her day. She had been planning this day since Aashi had taken her to her home. She was going to see her film whether the adults liked it or not.

It was only when Aashi was buying tickets that Arthur spoke to Lucy, "What movie did ya pick, princess?"

"SPY KIDS!" Lucy screamed making the other people gawk at them.

"Yeah. Well, it better be worth it, Lou."

"It is, Daddy!" she looked at him with wide eyes.

"If you say so" Arthur turned his attention back to Aashi who was paying the teenage boy behind the till. Since the morning he had been 'observing' her and while he did still think her gothic look was outlandish, he saw it from another perspective.

True to what Aashi had said, when he was not examining her, he saw that people would either shudder or scowl her way, moving out of her way knowing that she would not take 'no' for an answer. Her whole figure screamed authority. When she walked she did it with a purpose, she was poised and ready to strike if challenged, but what he understood now was that she was not afraid.

She could do anything she wanted and no one could stop her. She didn't give a damn what people thought of her.

She wore platform black boots which made her around 6"3 that made her tower even over Arthur. Her grey trousers were not popular with the youngsters of today and her black and maroon layered tank top was getting more than a few glances. She had tied her hair into a French braid again and her piercings were out in display once. She went natural face but Arthur was sure that she was dying to-

"Oh my God, I can't wait to see A Knight's Tale!" a girl behind them squealed. Arthur had half a mind to turn around and scold those stupid teens about interrupting people when they were talking to themselves. However, instead of causing a scene and ruining his time with his daughter he breathed out heavily and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He wanted a fag so badly at that moment.

"Daddy" Lucy nudged his foot with her own, "Doesn't Aashi have the same hair like that lady?" she muttered, pointing to a poster on the wall.

Arthur narrowed his eyes at the poster. The image was mainly of a woman, Angelina Jolie, in a tank top and shorts holding twin guns. 'Tomb Raider' the title read. Just as Lucy had said, she had the same hairstyle as Aashi only in his opinion it looked better on Aashi maybe because her hair was darker and shiner. Aashi pulled it off better with style as well.

"Yeah, she does, doesn't she?"

"Does what?" Aashi appeared next to them making both father and daughter jump in surprise.

Arthur nodded towards the poster and Lucy pointed to it, "There" they both said.

Aashi slowly turned to the poster and her face stretched in astonishment, "Great. Now people are going to think I'm trying to be Lara Croft."

"Aw, don't be shy, you look fantastic…" Arthur paused for effect, "Croft." He sniggered.

Aashi narrowed her eyes at him, "Better to be a bad ass sexy woman like Angelina Jolie than a wannabe knight" she jerked her head to a poster on the other side and snickered herself.

Arthur whipped his head to the poster. 'A Knight's Tale'.

He turned back to Aashi, vexed, "I do not look like that nobody surfer boy."

There was a loud gasp, "Daddy, look! You're in a movie… why are you blonde?" she looked up at him expectantly.

Arthur scowled at Aashi, "Aw, it's ok to look like-", she checked the poster again, "whoever that is. I'm sure he would be flattered to look like the father of this beautiful girl, Lucy".

Arthur's cheeks tinged red with irritation and a blush crept up on Lucy's face. She was still not used to Aashi's complements.

"I got the tickets. Lucy, you want any snacks?"

Lucy sucked on her lips and shook her head timidly.

"No, then why are you staring at the popcorn? You want them salted or sweet?"

Lucy looked to her father for advice but he grinned at her and nodded his head, giving the green light. "I want salted."

…

Aashi took a seat at the very left end, Lucy sat in the middle and Arthur sat on the right. Lucy was handed the giant popcorn bag and a bottle of coke was placed in the cup holder for her. Arthur was already munching on a few jelly beans by the time the movie had even begun. Lucy was so ecstatic that she bounced her knees making the popcorn bounced and fall to the ground.

Since the movie had begun, Lucy had barely blinked and Arthur had dozed off. Occasionally, the voices in his mind made a few comments here and there about the foolishness of the film; however, his mind was redirected to reality when Aashi began to rest her hand on top of Lucy's seat.

Arthur paid particular attention to how her fingers twitched every few moments later like she was anticipating attacking something or someone. Aashi was aware of Arthur's hot gaze but paid it to attention. She was actually anticipating his reaction soon.

She was rewarded by a sharp inhale, "Look at that" he whispered, leaning towards Lucy, speaking over her head. "Do people really idolise a life like that?"

He was referring to how the father, Antonia Banderas, was fantasising about being a hero to his son but wimped out.

"No, but they can relate to that: people are disappointed when they realise that reality and fantasies are so far apart. So, they turn to the entertainment industry, like movies, where they can make themselves believe that what they see is true or lose themselves in it. It's similar to when people realise that the American dream is as true as Santa Clause but they only understand when it's too late so they carry on like nothing has changed." Aashi leaned towards him as well motioning to the screen wildly.

"Everyone knows the American dream is a lie." Arthur growled, bitterly.

Aashi slumped in her seat somewhat, "You would be surprised by how many naïve and hopeful people come here in search of just that then."

Arthur turned his head completely to Aashi, who fixed her own gaze to the playing screen.

She had a sardonic grin etched on her face, "America was built on the backs of slaves, prostitutes and genocide, so in order to woo people in they made the American dream which only reeled in more victims for America to thrive on. Just look at the Mexicans; they come here seeking for a better life and yet some self-entitled twats think they're allowed to abuse those Mexicans despite working themselves to death."

Arthur sneered at her, "You don't seem like the type that would sympathise with the suffering."

Aashi grunted, "I don't. It just proves my point that people are shit."

"Language!" Arthur nearly barked, "Lucy shouldn't hear or use such language."

Even at the mention of her name Lucy did not tear her attention away.

"Why is that? Because it's not age appropriate or because it reflects the notion that one does not have a large dictionary and resorts to vulgarity?"

"The latter." Arthur shook his head, "I didn't take you the type to-"

Aashi interjected, hastily. "Sometimes vulgarity is necessary to get the point across."

"…not with me." Arthur stared at Aashi with an expression akin to ecstasy.

"Why is that?" he watched the way her lips pressed together gently at the end of her sentence.

"Because I can actually relate to you." Arthur licked his scar, "Whether either of us likes it or not, you know too, that you're just like me-"

He paused when Aashi shook her head slowly, "I beg to differ."

"Hey" Arthur whispered harshly, "Let a guy finish."

Aashi's shoulder's tensed but let him continue.

"I can take one look at you, and I can tell you're not like most people. Not because of this" he gestured to her attire. "Most people are dreaming… but not you. You're wide awake."

Aashi's eyes flickered to his gleaming one. "And you're loving every moment."

Aashi shrugged carelessly, "Of course. I don't like to sleep walk."

Suddenly, Lucy was patting her knee. "Ai, look!" she pointed to the ongoing movie.

Aashi glanced to Lucy but returned her gaze to Arthur, "What about you? You had once dreamt too, not anymore, but enough to remember the bitter taste it left on the tip of your tongue once you awakened."

Arthur lulled his head in the opposite direction to Aashi. "I hate being… awake. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

Aashi's eyes softened, "I understand."

They fell into silence but Arthur initiated discourse again half way through the film, "Did you believe?"

Did you believe in the American dream?

"Never" was her curt response. "I assume you once did." His silence was the only answer needed.

"I don't blame you. You may have been raised in Gotham but it is a part of America; a nation that indoctrinates its children as soon as they can tell from up from down."

"Hey" Arthur added joyfully, "You hate America too."

"Don't get it twisted. I do not favour any nation. Why do you hate it, though?"

Arthur looked around the dark room with a faux dumbfounded look, "What's to like about it?"

"I don't know. You people are always boasting that you have 'freedom' even though over a hundred other nations do so as well."

Arthur's lip curled, mockingly. "Freedom… these people, do they look free to you?"

Aashi fleetingly glanced towards him, "Only a true nihilist is free. Everyone else is shackled by their fears and morals." She quoted the 'morals'. It was like she was against the very idea of morals.

Arthur laughed darkly causing many heads to turn their way including Lucy's who held a very vexes expression.

"Daddy! I wanna watch!" she whispered harshly.

Arthur choked down his laughter. "Sorry, princess." He patted his chest down and turned to Aashi who stared right back at him.

Aashi licked her lips and Arthur mimicked her before imploring, "And what do you fear? Seeing as you don't hold much morals yourself."

Aashi did not respond immediately and it did not escape Arthur how her eyes flickered to Lucy's glittering face and back to his own burning gaze.

"I have principles."

"What, you don't fear anything?"

Aashi's left brow twitched up and fell. "A man with nothing to fear is a man with nothing to love."

Arthur gave a faux gasp of shock. "You're a man? I knew I had a funny feelin' 'bout you!"

A small smile graced Aashi's face. "Please, I don't need a gender to be great. Man, woman or nither, I would still be great. Not the same, but great." She jested.

"Geez, you got something against men and women?"

"I told you – I don't like humanity."

"I know" Arthur smiled warmly at her. It was strange, he hadn't smiled this long in a while.

A few moments later Aashi abruptly asked, "What makes you think we're alike?"

Arthur pondered over it, but not for long. "People like us" he pointed to the both of them, "can recognise each other."

Aashi raised a brow, "People like us?"

Arthur's face clouded over, "those of us who are lacking sanity."

Aashi leaned her head on the heel of her left hand. "No one is truly sane. Sanity is defined as one being sound of mind, but if you look at how these people lead their lives…" she glanced at a couple in front of their seats who were forced to be together for the sake of their two children. "There is nothing sound about it."

She held her hand up so as to indicate that she was going to carry on, "Take western society for instance. Children are born then they're forced to go to school where they do not truly learn but memorise knowledge which is not truly complete: then, if they have survived until then, they are required to go to university where they rack up a debt for a piece of paper. This piece of paper is needed to satisfy their future employers whose integrity is as thin as said paper."

Arthur listened, mesmerised, and leaned further to her.

"They get a job not because they are hard workers but because of connections and that is if they get lucky. In that job they are belittled and degraded but they put up with it in order to gain money." She spat the last word like it was poison, "money is nothing more than paper and pieces of metal that humans have given value to over the centuries. They will keep doing this over and over again until they are either so poor they have to choose between death by starvation or hypothermia… or they will be so rich they won't know what to do with so much money and will hoard all that power to themselves and make everyone else miserable to make themselves feel better and gain more power."

She inhaled like she was in pain, "These people are not free." She iterated, "The world has rules not for the sake of order but to enslave us: it would explain why the 'justice' system is so broken because there was never the intention to dish out justice. The fear of breaking these laws and going against the norm has created a world of mindless apes who are just cogs in the machine of the powerful who want to exploit and recycle them as best as possible. Once man realises that these shackles can be removed if only they grew a backbone they wouldn't hesitate to rip each other apart but…"

She paused and Arthur felt his lungs burn from lack of oxygen. Arthur's eyes were as wide as saucers and he fed on her every reaction. The way the corner of her darkened lips twitched down, how her sharp brows lightly scrunched together and how her ample black eyes glazed over with a look of pure spite. Finally, after what seemed like hours she gave him relief.

"Man has been without true freedom for so long that if it were given to him he would go mad."

Bursts of colour were flaring around her face now. Arthur couldn't tell if it was his twisted mind or reality either way it was quite fitting given how he had just seen Aashi in new light. He was totally breathless by the time she had finished and he had wanted to reach over and grab her head in his hands so he could truly look at her.

Yet, he did not. He could not. Lucy was just between them and he didn't want anyone else to be there when he shed her layers. He wanted that experience to be private so that other people couldn't see how great she truly was in fear that they may try to take her away from him.

He had to take it all back. Every criticism, he had to take back. This woman was something else. Then it hit him like a tonne of bricks: she was too big for him. The only reason why he could understand her was because he wasn't normal so his wavelength was similar to hers to some extent. However, her wavelength still far exceeded his own.

She was on another level completely and he was to be the low humble man who would worship the ground she walked on.

He couldn't wait…

To be continued.