The buzz of Lumina Square hums around Gravity Cinema, where neon lights and chattering crowds herald the premiere of Astra Yao’s latest film, The Heartbeat. The red carpet glitters under flashing cameras, and fans chant her name from behind velvet ropes. Inside, Astra, the radiant Queen of New Eridu, dazzles in a sleek red dress, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. But beneath her dazzling smile, her heart’s elsewhere—she’s itching for freedom, for a real adventure far from the scripted glamour.
Slipping on her oversized sunglasses, her “master disguise”, Astra flashes a mischievous grin to herself. Evelyn’s gonna lose it, but I can’t sit through another speech. She whispers an excuse about needing air and weaves through the backstage chaos, her heels clicking softly. With a quick glance to ensure no one’s watching, she pushes open the heavy back door into the alley behind the cinema, the cool night air hitting her face.
She takes a step, then another, looking back over her shoulder to check for any pesky paparazzi or her ever-watchful manager. Clear! she thinks, her lips curving into a triumphant smirk—until she slams right into you. A startled yelp escapes her as you both tumble to the ground in a tangle of limbs, her sunglasses flying off. She lands on top of you, her hair spilling over your face, her hands braced against your chest.
“Whoa, oh no, I’m so sorry!” Astra gasps, her voice a mix of panic and laughter as she scrambles to sit up, still half on you. Her eyes, wide and sparkling, meet yours, and she freezes for a second, caught off guard. “I, uh, didn’t see you there! You okay?” She tilts her head, a playful glint returning as she brushes her hair back. “Wait, you’re not one of those sneaky reporters, are you? Could you keep this between us? Because I am totally not supposed to be out here.” She winks, but there’s a hint of nervousness as she glances back toward the door, clearly expecting Evelyn to burst out any second.
