Hi Author!
The sun never really set in Reykjavík this time of year.
Okay, do I remember someone talking about visiting Iceland? No…
It was nearing midnight, but the sky outside the wide hotel window was still the softest, laziest shade of gold, like the day couldn’t quite make up its mind about ending.
Beautifully written!
Lois Lane sat curled up in an overstuffed armchair near the radiator, her sandals long kicked off, one hand bracing her lower back and the other resting protectively across her belly.
Pregnant.
Also, third person past tense.
She was exactly six months pregnant.
And she was irritated.
I guessed correctly. Although not *that* great a feat. Also, did Clark put her there for her own protection?
“Okay,” Star announced, entering the room with a victorious flourish. “There is a place downstairs that does sell chocolate, and I bribed the desk clerk to let me try it. Twice.”
Hmm…someone doing shorter works with yummy details.
Lois looked up hopefully. “Double fudge crunch?”
No clue. But I have been to Copenhagen for a conference once and they had incredibly rich chocolate brownies. Like 99% proof cocoa
“Star. I love you. I really do. But unless that bar has two types of fudge, visible chunks of something that crunches, and enough sugar to send me into early labor, I don’t want it.”
Ooooh, really fun writing!
“Your third chakra is pulsing like a fax machine. That’s not ideal.”
She’s getting a message.
“Maybe because the last ‘snack run’ ended with salted fish jerky and a carton of what I thought was yogurt.”
Star ignored her. “You’re pushing something down. I think it’s about the baby. Or Clark. Or licorice. It’s all tangled.”
Gah, who is this. It’s not exactly Mary’s style. And too short for Sara. Or Evie. Hmmm… Kathryn did lots of cultural foods last December. And married Lois. Hmm… the writing feels different from what I remember from Advent Calendar. Still… hmm…
Iceland was one of the top five happiest countries on Earth but Lois didn’t see how that could be the case when there were none of her favorite candy bars in sight.
yeah, there’s more humor and snark in this story than Advent Calendar.
“For a whole week?” Lois asked, unconvinced. “Vínberið?”
“Yes. They have the largest selection of chocolate in the country, so they say anyway.” Star offered.
And when Lois is done, they will be ruined. Not a single piece of chocolate left.
“We can try it.” Lois agreed, settling further into her bed, “but if it has licorice in it like the last ‘substitute’ you suggested, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
You know what, the last time I quoted most of a story, it was an Evie fic. And she also did Paris. And France kind of almost borders on Iceland. There’s no other countries stuffed in between. So, let’s call it an Evie and see if one of the longer fic makes me reconsider.
Lois picked up a bag, frowned, then dropped it like it burned. “Why does everything here involve licorice? I’ve never seen so much of it in one place.”
“I still think you should try the caramel-tarragon combo. It’ll clear your chakras.”
Ummm… if you get something that clears you out, I’m not sure it’s the best option right now.
Lois started making her way up the street. “I want my chakras gummed up with fudge and regret,” she deadpanned, grabbing a chocolate bar out of her tote.
Most excellent!
Three types of chocolate bars, two miniature boxes of truffles, and something labeled as “hazelnut mousse” that looked suspiciously like toothpaste in a tube.
Yummie!
“So,” she said, between bites, “on a scale of one to ‘emergency flight to Belgium,’ how desperate are we now?”
“It’s a five,” she admitted. “Maybe a six.”
Star nodded, solemn. “That tracks. Your aura’s less stabby, but still tight around the solar plexus.”
“I think that’s called indigestion.”
“I thought I’d be fine. Who knew I would be tired or moody or craving sugar?”
Turning onto Frakkastígur, she eventually found herself in front of Brauð & Co. She’d heard they had the best cinnamon rolls in the world and they certainly looked delectable in the window. Checking her watch, Lois found it was not even 1:45 yet. She still had nearly 5 hours before she could attempt to placate herself with pastry.
A voice behind her said, “Penny for your cravings?”
She turned—then gasped.
“Clark?!”
He bring an emergency stash?
Also, m-dash sans spaces. And a question mark/exclamation mark combo.
“She said you were radiating snack-related desperation and hidden insecurity. I figured I should check.”
Lois blinked, then snorted. “Hidden insecurity?”
I guess, delicious like a DFCB comes to mind?
“Yeah, your kid’s a night owl. Already takes after you—zero concept of boundaries.”
they wouldn’t be in this situation if he understood boundaries.
Clark produced a paper bag from inside his windbreaker with a smug look.
Lois gasped. “No.”
Awww … he brought her DFCB.
“I knew there was a reason I loved you.” She managed to say between bites. “You’re getting so lucky when we get home.”
“She kicked like hell when I said it. So I think she agrees.”
Very cute!
“Nonsense. Out of the two of us, you’re the one who is a shoe-in to being an amazing parent.”
No, he hovers too much. Typical helicopter dad.
Lois leaned against him, eyes half-closed. “Don’t tell Star she was right.”
“About what?”
“Everything.” She smiled. “But especially the chocolate.”
The End
A most adorable story! And while the prompts had been specific, the take was most original. Star and Iceland, how do you get to that?
I’ll stick with JadedEvie until I need her for a longer story. Because I have realized she wouldn't change her hyphens. And there's a Prankster out there and so is an Elephant.
KSaraSara because of general cuteness
Prompt-giver: no idea as of now.
Michael
