Reincarnation In Smallville

Talon

The Talon was bustling with the constant hum of conversations and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Lana rushed from one side of the counter to the other, serving orders and trying to keep up with the frenetic pace.

"Hey, Lana! Another cappuccino at table five!" a customer called out as Lana quickly waved without even looking up.

In the far corner of the café, Desirée Atkins sat with an air of elegance, dressed in a striking outfit. Her eyes scanned the room until they fixed on a young man sitting alone, absentmindedly flipping through a book. A predatory smile curled her lips as she stood and walked toward him.

"Hi," Desirée said, leaning slightly over the young man's table. Her voice was sweet and seductive. "I couldn't help but notice how focused you look. May I join you?"

The young man looked up, visibly surprised, but nodded. "Sure. Please, have a seat."

"My name's Desirée," she said, gracefully sitting down. "And you are…?"

"Michael," the young man replied, closing his book to give her his attention. "Nice to meet you."

Desirée began chatting about trivial matters, her melodic voice captivating Michael.

DING DING!

The Talon's doors opened with the sharp chime of a bell. Tina entered first, holding the door for Diana, who looked around with evident curiosity. Her eyes sparkled as she took in the cozy atmosphere, the wooden tables, and the walls adorned with vintage posters.

"Tina, this place has a unique charm," Diana said, adjusting her jacket as her steps lightly echoed on the floor. "Now I understand why Clark talked about it so much."

Tina chuckled, pulling out a chair at a table near the window. "Yeah, the Talon is the heart of Smallville. Everyone comes here. Even those who probably shouldn't." She glanced toward Desirée but quickly shifted her attention. "Let's sit here. I'll get us something."

As Diana sat gracefully, her presence began to draw attention from other patrons. The Amazon's striking beauty created a small stir of curiosity in the café. Several gazes turned toward her, including Michael's, who struggled to disguise his distraction while speaking with Desirée.

Lana approached the counter to take Tina's order, but her expression changed upon recognizing her. "Tina? Wow, it's been so long! I thought you'd disappeared from school. How are you?"

"Hi, Lana," Tina replied with a shy smile. "Yeah, I've been busy with some things. But I'm good. How about you?"

"Exhausted, but happy to see you," Lana said as she prepared the orders. "What can I get for you today?"

"Two coffees and a slice of that amazing apple pie," Tina replied. She gestured toward the table where Diana was seated. "Oh, and I need to introduce you to my friend. Diana's the new resident in town."

Lana glanced at Diana, surprised by the woman's commanding presence. "A new resident? Well, that's news for Smallville. I'll bring your orders in a minute."

Tina returned to the table and sat beside Diana. "Lana's bringing the orders. She was surprised to see me, but I think she was even more impressed by you."

Diana smiled lightly, glancing around again. "People here are very welcoming. That's rare in other places."

Across the café, Desirée noticed Michael's distraction as he looked at Diana. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression became more calculating. Seizing the opportunity, she discreetly took a small vial of clear liquid from her purse. While Michael remained distracted, Desirée poured the contents into his coffee with a swift, nearly imperceptible motion.

"Michael?" she called, trying to recapture his attention. "You seem distant. Is everything alright?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course," he replied, turning back to her. "I just... got lost for a moment."

Lana, carrying Tina and Diana's orders, paused abruptly as she noticed Desirée's suspicious movement. Her eyes narrowed, and she made a mental note to confront her. But for now, she continued toward Tina and Diana's table, maintaining her professional demeanor.

"Here are your orders," Lana said, placing the coffees and pie slices on the table. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

"Thanks, Lana," Tina said as Diana offered a warm smile of gratitude.

However, Lana couldn't shake what she had seen. Determined, she left Tina and Diana's table and walked over to Desirée and Michael, her posture firm and resolute.

"Desirée," Lana said, her voice steady but controlled. "I saw what you put in his drink. What are you doing?"

Desirée looked up, feigning surprise. "I don't know what you're talking about, Lana. Maybe you're mistaken."

Michael, clearly uncomfortable, glanced at his coffee and then at Desirée. "What's going on? Did you put something in my coffee?"

"Of course not," Desirée quickly replied, placing a hand over her heart in a theatrical gesture. "Why would I do something like that? That's ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" Lana retorted, crossing her arms. "Then you won't mind if I take this cup and have its contents analyzed."

Michael pushed the cup away, his expression full of suspicion. "I'm not drinking this. Sorry, Desirée, but I think I should go."

The escalating argument began to draw the attention of other patrons. Murmurs spread throughout the café, and Diana, observing from afar, frowned as an unpleasant memory surfaced. Clark had told her stories about how, in some places, people used drugs in drinks to manipulate or harm others.

"Tina," Diana said, her voice low but tense. "I don't like this. Something here isn't right."

Tina looked at Diana, noticing the glint of irritation in her eyes. "Diana, are you okay? This seems to have hit a nerve."

Diana took a deep breath, trying to control her growing irritation. "Clark told me about situations like this. People exploiting others in deceitful ways. It's something that should never happen."

Meanwhile, Lana and Desirée continued their heated exchange, attracting even more attention. Diana stood, her confident and determined posture commanding the room. "Tina, I need to step in. We can't let this continue."

Tina tried to grab her arm. "Diana, be careful. Smallville isn't used to confrontations like this."

Diana looked at Tina, her eyes shining with resolve. "I know what I'm doing." With that, she began walking toward the table, drawing even more attention from the patrons.

"Hey, you," Diana said, her strong voice cutting through the murmurs around her. "Do you really think you can do whatever you want without consequences?"

Desirée raised her chin, her expression arrogant as she crossed her arms. "And who are you to tell me what I can or can't do?"

Diana leaned slightly forward, her gaze intense. "I'm someone who doesn't tolerate injustice, especially from people like you."

Desirée laughed, her voice dripping with disdain. "People like me? You don't even know me. Stay out of this before you regret it."

Diana raised an eyebrow, her smile fading. "Regret it? People like you disgust me."

BAM!

Diana's punch landed squarely on Desirée's mouth, the impact echoing through the café. The woman fell backward, knocking over her chair as a gasp of shock rippled through the patrons.

"Oh my God!" Lana exclaimed, covering her mouth.

Desirée instantly lost consciousness, collapsing to the floor unresponsive. The café plunged into tense silence, all eyes fixed on the scene.

Tina, realizing the gravity of the situation, quickly pulled out her phone and began typing a frantic message to Clark.

"Clark, we need you at the Talon. Now! Diana got into a fight, and things are out of control."

Michael took advantage of the commotion to slip out of the Talon discreetly, walking quickly down the street with a visibly shaken expression.

Inside the café, someone shouted:

"Call the police! This can't go on!"

Lana knelt beside Desirée, gently shaking the unconscious woman's shoulder. "Desirée? Can you hear me?"

Tina approached, her eyes filled with worry. "Lana, is she breathing?"

Lana pressed two fingers to Desirée's neck, feeling a faint but steady pulse. "Yes, she is. But we need medical help. Someone call an ambulance."

Diana remained standing, her heavy breathing filling the room as she surveyed the scene. Lana looked at her, her expression a mixture of shock and reproach.

"Diana, what did you do? This went too far!"

Diana narrowed her eyes, her tone calm but unyielding. "She was manipulating someone. I couldn't just stand by."

Tina grabbed Diana's arm, trying to pull her away. "Please, Diana, let's go before this gets worse."

From outside the café, the distant sound of police sirens began to grow louder, heightening the tension in the room. Diana glanced toward the door, considering her next move as the chaos around her continued to unfold.

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