Alex woke to a pleasant weight on his body and hair tickling his mouth. The weight—Pamela's bare form, her leg possessively draped over him—was welcome; the hair, less so, mildly irritating. Her red locks spilled across the pillow and his face, a vibrant mess. He gently disentangled himself, careful not to wake her, and paused to gaze at her. In the morning light mimicked by her glowing vines, her naked body and graceful neck were a work of art—flawless lines, pale skin, vulnerable yet magnetic. But work beckoned.
Slipping on a robe, Alex padded to his office. Amid flickering screens and the soft rustle of Pamela's vines, which had crept even here, he powered up the computer and logged into Parahumans. His fingers quickly found HeritageofHumanity—PowerGirl, known for her two impressive "assets," as he privately called them. A new private message thread opened instantly.
GreenMistress: Hey, I'd like to hire you for 5 days to protect Pamela Isley. She's receiving the key to the city, and it's likely a prime chance for someone to take her out.
The message sent, Alex leaned back, diving into future plans. Six hours dragged by, but a notification finally pinged.
HeritageofHumanity: 1. Why me? 2. What's in it for me?
Alex grinned. Straight to the point, as expected.
GreenMistress: 1. We need someone faster than a bullet and able to take one. Superman's great, but two powerhouse women in the spotlight is better PR. If this goes well, I'd love you to be the face of change alongside Pamela. 2. Money's not your thing, but I'm offering 20 million. Plus, unlimited access to our company's cosmetics and food products. Cosmetics might not interest you, but our fruits are divine—literally.
The reply came fast.
HeritageofHumanity: Hmm, alright, prep the best stuff, and we'll see. I'll fly in tomorrow. Send the address.
Alex closed the chat, satisfied. His mind shifted to the next step: PowerGirl's arrival was a chance not just for Pamela's safety but for something bigger—her DNA. Unlike Superman, she seemed open to earthly pleasures, which played to his advantage. He mulled options: saliva from a glass if she relaxed at dinner, or skin cells from a plant-based spa he was already mentally designing.
He stood, stretched, and headed back to Pamela. Work could wait—for now.
The next day, a low hum vibrated above Floravita Industries' base, and PowerGirl—Kara Zor-El—landed in a cloud of dust. Dressed in jeans and a loose sweater that did little to hide her confident stance, her blonde hair fluttered in the wind, a cocky smirk playing on her lips as she strode toward Pamela and Alex waiting at the entrance.
"So, what's for lunch?" Kara asked, arms crossed, sizing them up with a playful challenge.
Pamela, in a green dress infused with floral scent, smirked back. "Nice to skip the small talk."
Alex nodded a greeting and led Kara inside, launching an impromptu tour. They passed workers, including Geo, whose earth-manipulating powers shaped stone like clay, his hands molding a building's foundation. The gothic structure, draped in vivid flowers and vines, looked like it sprang from a fairy tale. Petals swayed, reflecting sunlight, while vines clung like living veins.
"Wow, straight out of sci-fi," Kara muttered, slowing to admire the building.
Alex grinned. "That's the future of Gotham."
Inside the base, silent nods greeted them—workers and mercenaries spared no words, only glances. In the main hall, a feast awaited, the table groaning with exotic dishes from Pamela's plants. Aromas blended, filling the air with sweetness, spice, and warmth.
At the table's center stood a roast of volcanic-soil root, absorbing the heat of countless sunrises. Its nutty smoke enticed, its rich, deep flavor unfolding with each bite. Nearby, caramelized petals of a predatory flower with violet buds combined berry tartness, mild heat, and a hint of citrus zest. A crystal bowl held a mousse of golden-skinned fruit, its pulp evoking pear, exotic lychee, and a faint white wine note. Its velvety texture melted on the tongue, leaving a cool, tingling pleasure. Slices of black fruit with green veins crunched like roasted chestnuts, revealing a creamy core with berry and herb aromas.
In flat dishes adorned with candied moss spirals, a compote of translucent berries sparkled. Its flavor, a chase of sweetness and freshness, left a cool aftertaste. For dessert, tartlets of rainbow-skinned fruit shifted flavors per bite: floral caramel, berries with a drop of melon, then a creamy cheesecake note.
Kara's eyes gleamed at the spread. "I thought I'd tasted all Earth has to offer," she said, voice quivering with delight.
She ate voraciously, her Kryptonian metabolism unfazed, the dishes vanishing without a bulge. Pamela and Alex exchanged glances, hiding smiles. Kara, sated, picked her teeth with a toothpick, manners be damned, and leaned back.
"So, what's next?" she asked, a hint of anticipation in her smile.
Alex, masking a grin, replied, "Spa time. I'll bow out to avoid embarrassing the ladies."
Kara shrugged. "Doesn't bother me."
Alex shook his head, his look saying he wasn't joining. Pamela took charge, gesturing for Kara to follow. They ventured deeper into the base, through a tunnel where the air was warm as fresh milk. Walls bore broad-leafed shrubs emitting golden mist, soothing muscles like a memory of weightlessness.
"Smells like rain and honey," Kara noted, inhaling deeply.
"Just wait till we hit the baths," Pamela replied with a lazy smirk, her skin already glowing from the vines dangling from stone arches, their damp trails like lunar water.
The spa hall greeted them with soft light filtering through translucent ceiling petals. Pollen sparks floated, cleansing each breath. Pamela led Kara to a marble basin filled with pearly silver water, fed by thick essence from translucent, heart-like tubers. The sap "read" fatigue, drawing it out in golden swirls on the surface.
"This looks… weird. And beautiful," Kara murmured, dipping her hand. Goosebumps raced up her arm, followed by a wave of pleasure from fingers to shoulder.
In another corner, long petals wrapped the body like a warm blanket, exuding pine and cinnamon, pulsing with the heartbeat.
"Now, don't move," Pamela whispered, settling under a petal cocoon. "Twenty minutes, and you'll forget what regular rest feels like."
Kara, with a soft exhale, let herself sink into the living, warm oblivion, her eyes still wary, ready to snap to alertness.
While Pamela and Kara indulged in the spa, Alex discreetly collected PowerGirl's DNA. A saliva trace from her glass, left after sampling the exotic dishes, was carefully sealed in a sterile container. Task done, he decided to unwind. Instead of his office, he headed to a lounge, fired up a gaming console, and launched Cuphead. The screen burst with vibrant colors and jazzy music as he settled on the couch, awaiting their return.
Half an hour later, the door opened. Pamela and Kara entered, cheeks flushed from the spa, hair faintly damp. Kara's eyes lit up at the screen.
"Yo, Cuphead! Can I join?"
Alex grinned, handing her a controller. "Sure."
Pamela, with fluid grace, sank onto the couch, resting her legs across Alex's lap, and flipped open a magazine, browsing thoughtfully. Kara and Alex started a new session. Both were skilled—their characters dodged and weaved, reaching the casino boss. The cards got them on the first try.
"Stupid hitboxes," Kara grumbled, glancing at the screen.
Alex nodded, but on the second attempt, they synced moves and cleared the level. As they neared the game's end, Alex broached the important question:
"So, what's your decision?"
Kara, eyes on the screen, smirked. "Best day in years. Amazing food, killer spa… I'm in." She turned with a cheeky grin. "But you better keep feeding me like that."
With that, Mugman and Cuphead freed the residents from demonic contracts, the screen rolling final credits. Alex stood, offering Kara his hand, which she shook firmly. She grabbed a few apricot-like candies from a bowl before heading out.
Pamela and Alex walked her to the exit. Kara took off, her silhouette fading into Gotham's evening sky. Back inside, Pamela gave Alex a sly look.
"Where were your eyes wandering?" Her tone teased, hinting at Kara's chest.
Alex shot back a cheeky grin. "Same place as yours."
Pamela snorted. "You vulgar scoundrel, you need to be punished~," she said, grabbing his hand and leading him to her chambers, where the vines already stirred in anticipation.