Superman: The Lost Warrior

Zara's POV

Kara leads me into a strange-looking structure and tells Damian to wait outside. A woman greets us warmly and gestures toward an array of clothing.

"Pick whatever you like! I'll pay for it," Kara offers.

I lean in and whisper, "I don't know what would look... normal."

Kara nods knowingly. "No problem. I'll pick the outfits, and you just try them on."

I agree, and thus begins my first experience with Earth's version of shopping.

Kara's POV

"That looks great!" I exclaim as Zara steps out in her seventh outfit. "But it's not quite perfect. Meh, I'll buy it anyway."

Zara shifts awkwardly. "Don't you think we've done enough?"

"Not even close," I reply, waving her back into the fitting room. Today was supposed to be my day to splurge, but now that Zara's here, I'm happy to spoil her instead.

"Your sister, right?" Julia, the shop owner, asks as she approaches me.

"Yeah," I answer, avoiding further elaboration.

"You've never brought her here before."

"She's new in town," I reply quickly, ending the conversation.

Before Julia can press further, Zara steps out of the fitting room. My jaw drops. She's perfect.

"Is this okay?" Zara asks hesitantly, gesturing to her outfit.

"Almost," I say, grabbing a necklace and fastening it around her neck. "Now it's perfect."

Julia smiles, gathering all the outfits. "Let's get these checked out!"

Once everything is scanned and paid for, we head out of the shop.

Damian's POV

"How long are they going to take?" I mutter, pacing outside the shop.

"We're back!" Kara announces as she strides over with Zara.

Finally. I turn to look—and freeze. Zara is... beautiful.

"How do I look?" she asks, her eyes on me.

"Normal," I say, forcing my voice to stay even.

She pouts and walks off with Kara. As I follow, Kara leans in and whispers, "Just tell her she's pretty. We both know she is."

"Back off," I snap, moving ahead.

"What are you two whispering about back there?" Zara calls over her shoulder.

"Nothing. Just chatting," Kara replies, smirking.

Zara shrugs and looks forward. "Wait—"

Too late. She walks straight into a sturdy-looking guy.

Zara's POV

"I'm so sorry!" I say quickly, stepping back from the man I bumped into.

"Are you blind?" he growls, but his expression softens as his gaze lingers on me. "No worries. Say, are you here alone? Want me to take you somewhere?"

His voice seems friendly, but I can sense his sinister intentions.

"She's with us," Kara says, stepping protectively in front of me.

"I was talking to her," the man snaps, reaching out—but Damian grabs his arm.

A loud crack echoes as Damian twists the man's wrist. "You should've left her alone," Damian says flatly, releasing him as the man stumbles away groaning.

Note to self: Do not make Damian my enemy.

"Are you okay?" Damian asks as we start walking again.

I nod, smiling. "I'm fine. But is this kind of thing normal?"

"Pretty much," Damian replies.

"That's why the shop was empty," Kara adds. "Most people are too scared to come out at this hour."

"I'm glad you came, Damian," I say sincerely.

A small smile flickers across his face—but it's gone in an instant.

"You smiled!" I exclaim.

"No, I didn't," he replies, looking away.

"Yes, you did," I insist.

"Nope."

"Hey, come back here!" I shout, frustrated as he walks off. Kara laughs at us, her amusement echoing as our bickering continues down the street.