original

Star Lights

Kapitel 1: Intro

In the year 41XX, in the city of Host on Planet Deat, the air was alive with the excitement of a grand festival that covered several street blocks at this time of night. Crowds filled the streets to the brim with townsfolk and visitors alike. Live performances appeared on brilliant holo screens while specialized drones soared through the sky, painting the dark with stunning light shows. Different cuisines beckoned festival goers to vendors, where stalls were stacked with garments, accessories, and toys for the younger attendees. In such a vibrant setting, the atmosphere buzzed with energy, ensuring the night would be unforgettable.

Everything was going smoothly, if not for one minor incident caused by neither an attendee nor a festival worker.

A loud crash and a vibrant LED sign displaying "COB FOR CHEAP" broke on the pavement. "Shitty hopper!" One vendor screamed in frustration as the culprit sped off on foot, continuing forward and disappearing seamlessly into the kaleidoscope of colors and sounds within the crowds.

"Sorry!" a muffled voice yelled beneath an unusually dark helmet that obscured the wearer's face. An illuminated digital anxious emoji flickered on the front of the helmet's mask, visible to anyone who glanced toward the commotion. The individual continued to run through the busy crowd, weaving expertly between startled festivalgoers, clearly in a hurry. They didn't stop to check on the vendor. "Lucas! Deposit bits for that repair!"

"Already covered," a young male voice said exasperatedly, transmitted through the receiver lodged inside the helmet. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to take a different route."

"What nonsense! Sorry, Excuse me. (Watch it!)"Maneuvering to the side, narrowly avoiding colliding with another person. "All other paths may be less congested but less innovative with my time!"

"When you arrive, you'll have a good 20-minute window; that window narrows to 10 if you take another way. Either way, you'll still make it on time. Just a reminder, you don't have a pass to enter the festival."

"You know, Lucas, the opportunity for extra bits arises when you arrive early! So I expect fewer complaints when I obtain them, and I'm just passing through."

"Well, what you see as passing through is what they consider trespassing. That woman alerted security, so it's best to move quickly," Lucas said.

"I'm already exactly where I need to be, " the figure murmured, raising its right hand, a heavy black gauntlet embedded with wire linings wove beneath a hard plastic surface. With a swift, practiced motion, they shot the grappling hook skyward, the metallic tip making a noise as it flew toward the nearest building at the end of the block. As the hook latched with a clang, Daisy steadied herself, bracing for the familiar feeling of her body rising. "Please also leave a note behind with the repair cost; I truly apologize."

"No promises, Daisy," Lucas quipped in a flat tone. The person, Daisy, soared into the air, the grappling hook buzzing as it propelled her upward. She landed nimbly against the side of the building near the roof, knees slightly bent as she absorbed the impact, and her flat-soled shoes gripped the surface as the hook held firm.

Climbing up, Daisy positioned herself atop the rooftop as the hook and wire settled back nicely in her grappling hook gauntlet. She raised her left hand, adorned with a bracelet docile and sleek in design, and pressed a small button. A holographic mini-screen flickered to life, but it froze as she interacted with the touchscreen interface on the mapping feature, and a bright red 'error' message popped up. "I told you that would happen again. Your Dvioh is busted."

Dvioh is a widely recognized device commonly used by people. It gained popularity for its versatility and functions. It comes in various models, differing in design and price, giving options for every budget and need. The standard model excels in communication and is a reliable tool.

"Oh, you pesky thing!" Daisy exclaimed, tapping the bracelet lightly several times with her fingertip. After briefly going black, the screen reappeared without issue, and she started scrolling the map with a satisfied smile. "There we go!"

"You should just get it repaired already."

"You know I can't spare the funds." Lucas fell silent at the sharp response. Daisy pauses her scrolling and lets out a heavy sigh. "I apologize, Lucas. Just a handful more trips, and I promise I'll get it done."

"Now that sounds like a promise," Lucas said with mirth. Daisy laughed as she approached the rooftop's edge opposite where her hook landed. She surveyed the neighboring buildings, landing on the nearest tall skyscraper with all its glass might.

"Absolutely not," Lucas said after seeing the object of her attention.

Daisy's lips curl into a wicked grin beneath her helmet, a devil emoji appearing as a mask mimicking her spirit. She backsteps a bit, adrenaline coursing through her, then sprints and leaps off the roof. For a breathtaking moment, she's weightless in the air, defying gravity like a bird with clipped wings. Then she raises her right hand at the apex of her leap, releasing the grappling hook. It hurtles upward for an anchor point on the skyscraper. Of course, the wire wouldn't extend that high up, but she had already calculated her trajectory, using the momentum and leap for what she was about to do.

After the hook securely latched somewhere high up the towering skyscraper, Daisy took a full swing to the left of it, propelling herself away from its surface. Swinging far enough, she used her left hand to reach a sturdy cord dangling from the bulky contraption of machinery she wore, resembling a backpack firmly fastened by straps over her shoulders and tightly around the waist and with a yank, pulling the cord, releasing a small compartment with a hiss and a rush of air. Crude mechanical wings unfurled, equipped with a row of cylindrical thrusters that began to emit an ominous hum and an orange glow.

"Here we go, Lucas!"

"You idiot!"

Daisy is already soaring upward, past where her hook had secured itself. The wind whipping and the sounds of the thrusters roaring propel her in powerful bursts that make a high-pitched whine. The cheery noises from the festival fade into a distant sound, replaced by the noises of her ascent. She maneuvers gracefully, avoiding protruding ledges and balconies in her path up the skyscraper. A jubilant laugh escapes her while Lucas grumbles.

"Cheer up, Lucas, this is a huge success!" Daisy yelled out, voice in excitement.

Lucas shot back, laced with irritation, "I should have known you wouldn't stick to a simple test like Rancloud's turf! You never even completed your trials to get a flight permit, either."

"It's going splendidly. I opted not to get those permits, which required a tedious tour and service in SP. A hassle! And don't even get me started on that one officer who kept pestering me to enlist my 'contributions.' What a crazy lot!"

"You possess talent, Daisy. Best to take advantage of your opportunities until the time is right. Imagine the resources granted. Being a copper can't be that bad."

Daisy let out a snicker," Rather not tempt fate, at least with those fellows. And that would set me further than where I want to go. That kind of risk is not worth it."

The Spacial Force, dubbed SP in short, is an organization tasked with enforcing the law and maintaining order across various planetary systems that fall under the governance of the Galactic Federation. Their primary mission is safeguarding all sentient life within and from the threats lurking in the cosmos. Unfortunately, Daisy finds herself on precarious ground with the Spacial Force, as she frequently violates and circumvents their codes. Fortunately, they have yet to catch on to her misdemeanors, allowing her to do what she does best. Build.

"Bollocks," Daisy scoffed, recalling a memory, irritation visible by an angry emoji. "Why should I fork over dues when I want the freedom to use my projects? It's utterly infuriating! I need permits to create, and licenses haunt every corner if I ever dare to sell any inventions, which, truth be told, I have no intention of doing. And without those official certificates, I can't even purchase specific parts legitimately that I need for repairs or upgrades!"

The top of the skyscraper is approaching. "That's precisely why I make the most of what I have, and a little bit of dirty market deals and, as I anticipated, no complications."

"No complications yet," Lucas stated. Unfortunately, he spoke too soon, or Daisy did. Daisy's flight device, codenamed JF, began to tremble violently. An unsettling pop was heard, releasing bursts of unstable propulsion as the thrusters' once steady orange glow flickers. "Oh no."

"Oh shit," Daisy breathes, stomach sinking. She's almost to the top when JF completely powers down. The wing's automated mechanism whirs to life, folding neatly back into the compartment. Then, the inevitable loss to gravity happens, causing her to plummet. For a couple of seconds, she thrashes her limbs wildly as she falls, but with a bout of adrenalin, Daisy flings her right hand up and instinctively fires her grappler, though not as accurately as she hoped. Luckily, it latches onto the top ledge as an anchor, stopping her mid-fall. However, the sudden halt jerks her body against the surface of the building, the impact jarring. She dangles.

"Daisy!"

"I'm fine," Daisy exhaled, heart racing.

Daisy anxiously tugged at a string attached to her gauntlet, triggering the retracting mechanism, slowly lifting her to the top. After a nerve-wracking 10 seconds that felt longer, she finally reached the top of the skyscraper. Wrapping her left fingers tightly around the cold metal handrails, Daisy used her remaining strength and will to hoist herself onto the flat surface, lying down, gazing at the sky. She took in the night sky, glittered with beautiful stars she had longed to explore, and spacecraft of various shapes and sizes belonging to Spacial Forces and large corporations.

"Daisy," Lucas called out softly.

There is a heavy pause as Daisy's mind races. "How did I make such a big mistake? Sure, it was just a prototype, but there should've been no issues with its structural integrity or power flow." Daisy snaps upright, hands working fast as she unbuckles JF from her back and pulls it to her front. Her fingers find a latch on a side panel, and she swings it open after a click, revealing an internal compartment. She pushes a small button, and, with a whirl, a slider pops out with a hand-sized matte grey cube. It was supposed to feel serene in her palm and radiate a faint electric hum; instead, it shudders with vibrations and unsettling static noises.

"That crud!" Daisy screamed in indignation. "Scamming ME?!"

"Let's get rid of him," Lucas said, tone low. "No one will miss Rancloud."

"Oh, I'll have more than words!" she exclaimed sharply, clutching the cube tightly, an angry emoji as her face helmet. Rather than returning the cube to its compartment or hurling it away, Daisy kept it as evidence, storing it in her pocket. "I knew he had a specific image, and he can be quite uncouth, but we've never had a conflict like this before."

Daisy took a deep breath before looking out at the city at this late hour. "Time?"

"Enough," Lucas said, voice firm. "Take a moment. I'll deactivate the face generator. "

The view below seems almost endless from the towering skyscraper stretching into the horizon. The bustling city resembles a sprawling labyrinth of sleek modern-age architecture, each structure illuminated by blocks of light in various hues through the night. Considerable colossal buildings are adorned with dynamic holograms across their facades showcasing news flashes, advertisements, and snippets of entertainment across media. Through this lit expanse are elevated highways alongside sleek magnetic rail trains gliding fluidly above the ground, connecting to various districts. Hovering around the festivities were dozens of imposing SP airborne vehicles patrolling the perimeter to ensure civilian safety; further off are floating security drones adding an extra layer of security.

As Daisy kept gazing into the distance, a floating hologram passed by across her line of sight. It projected a recruitment advertisement that proclaimed, 'The Spacial Force Needs You!' in bold, and a QR code nestled in the corner.

"As if," Daisy sighed softly and stretched her limbs. "I suppose now I just have to carry on with something that does work, won't I."

She was referring to another flight tool she created. Unsealing the left and right sides of JF, feather-like panels of adaptive material unfurled from the sides, and Daisy grasped the ends firmly with each hand, resembling a flying squirrel poised for a leap. It functioned like a makeshift glider.

"This brings us back, doesn't it, Lucas?" Daisy asked, her voice laced with a hint of longing, but she heard no response, as she had anticipated.

Daisy carefully sets one foot on the railing, then the other. While she's no gymnast, her balance is surprisingly steady. From this height, the festival sprawls like a tapestry of lights below her, though her eyes are fixed on a quieter neighborhood far off in the distance in a subdued glow. From this vantage point, she'll indeed arrive promptly using this method.

"Checking the networks and reviewing camera feeds for local active SP units along the route," Lucas said. "Ready when you are, Daisy."

Leaping off, momentarily feeling the exhilarating rush of freefall until the glider caught the wind, allowing for a smooth descent. The rush of air whipped against the body was countered by her gear, but the familiar pit of dread and excitement churned in the belly. Yet, Daisy doesn't dwell on it. Instead, she laughs as she skillfully maneuvers between towering skyscrapers and dives beneath holographic displays. As she approaches street level, Daisy expertly twists her body and goes through a narrow passage just in time to evade an SP droid that might tag her for unauthorized aerial activity, its glowing mechanical eye scanning for any unlawful antics.

Lucas said, "We're reaching our destination soon—more than ten minutes early."

Daisy hummed," I hope to reach the quota and call it a day. I'm not keen on more work, especially since JF isn't functional."

"Is there a chance you'll be getting enough sleep tonight?"

"Nope," Daisy said with a decisive pop at the end. "We still have to visit that special fellow tomorrow, bright and early, about a certain mishap."

"I would say show him mercy, but you're too nice sometimes."

"Depends on his answer, now does it?" Daisy executes one last sharp turn before landing promptly on the rooftop of an apartment building housing tenants explicitly employed by a prominent web company. She has arrived at her drop-off location, specifically room 405 of the apartment complex. Presenting a digital one-time delivery pass to a security scanner, the double glass sliding doors used to enter through the roof of the building opened smoothly, allowing Daisy to enter and walk down the stairwell.

Daisy reached the designated floor and absorbed her surroundings as she walked, "This living space is quite nice, yes, Lucas?"

"You can do better; you have the funds, Daisy. It's time we discussed your living arrangements."

"And we've arrived!" she interrupted, stopping in front of a door marked by an etched plate with 405 above.

Daisy presses a buzzer, and a holographic screen appears on the door after a few moments. It projects the image of a short-haired brunette woman wearing glasses and asks, "Who is it?"

Daisy adjusted her posture and cleared her throat, formality ready to roll off her tongue. "Hello, Miss Dana, this is Daisy from Quick Time. Here for that special delivery, ma'am."

The client's expression shifted, and the screen disappeared. Not soon after, the door swung open. The woman, Dana, darted glances up and down the hallway. After confirming the coast was clear, she looked back down at Daisy, or more accurately, her helmet. "What are you wearing? Never mind that. Did anyone see you come in?"

"No, ma'am," Daisy assured her.

"Make it quick," Dana instructed, words clipped, as she extended her hand, revealing her own Dvioh with the file-receiving feature active. The feature allowed for an exchange of encrypted info only accessible through a distance of no more than 5 feet. Daisy mirrored the gesture with her own Dvioh posed and ready, but unfortunately, the same error occurred again, and the same error message popped up on her screen.

"Excuse me a moment," Daisy said, slightly embarrassed with flushed cheeks to show for it if not for the helmet. Dana raised an eyebrow as Daisy started tapping her device repeatedly, then watched as it turned into light smacks. Finally, the screen cleared up, allowing her to send the encrypted files to Dana's device.

"You should get that fixed," Dana said dryly as the files finished transferring. "Enjoy the festival."

The door is swung shut before Daisy can muster a reply.

"Bits have been received," Lucas chimed in.

"Tip?" Daisy asked. Although the delivery service paid her substantially, she remained hopeful.

For some reason, a high-pitched squeal, almost sounding like excitement, echoed from behind door 405.

"Extra bits have been received," Lucas said a moment later, impressed.

Daisy grins beneath the helmet. "I told you so."

"Wonder what was in those files," Lucas mused.

"I'm not going to discuss that, Lucas. Confidentiality is one of my strongest qualities," Daisy replied.

Lucas yawns dramatically and says, "Yeah, let's just go home."

The stroll to the nearby train station was relatively peaceful. Most of the populace enjoyed the festival, and so late out, only a few others were seen on the way in this area.

"Daisy," Lucas said. "Want me to schedule a repair for the Dvioh near Locus Street?"

"There's no need," Daisy said. "I believe I have discovered a way for Rancloud to make amends for that travesty, and the best part is it won't cost us a penny."

"I quite love the sound of that."

Daisy steps into a glass-enclosed platform near the train station, where a check-in bot awaits passengers. The bot is four feet tall and has soft, rounded features. Its face is a black screen with a glowing blue line in the middle.

"Please provide a fingerprint for boarding," the bot said in an automated female voice, its blue light wavering with each word. Daisy extended her index finger, resting it against the touch screen at the center of the bot's chest. The scanner whirred, briefly illuminating her fingerprint, and after a moment, the bot indicated a successful scan with a beep. "Daisy Williams, what is your destination?"

After Daisy answers, the platform responds by sealing the entryway and hovering upwards, giving the sensation of a gentle lift. "Would you like any snacks or beverages to accommodate your ride?"

"SoPop, please," Daisy answered.

Once the platform halts at the train doors, the entryway opens for Daisy to enter. "Your beverage will be delivered to your designated seat shortly. Please enjoy your ride," the bot said, a green light on the screen suggesting a task complete.

As Daisy boarded the train, she scanned the interior, and her gaze landed on a solitary figure. The only other passenger on that train cabin besides her was huddled near the back, a few rows behind her seat. The passengers looked at Daisy but quickly averted their eyes away.

"Totally not inauspicious," Daisy sarcastically said quietly to Lucas as she took her seat.

"Relax, it's just late. Who else would be out here when the festival is still in full swing," Lucas said. "Either way, you know my eyes are always open."

"Exactly right," Daisy said. Just then, a self-driving snack cart went down the aisle to her, whirring punctuated by the clinking of her bottle of SoPop. She grabs the drink and sets it on her cup holder.

"Bringing it home?" asked Lucas.

"A free drink is still a free drink," Daisy yawned, exhaustion hitting now that she was seated. "Besides, I think the fizz will be necessary in the morning."

"Tired already? I think the thought of getting more sleep is finally sinking in for you," Lucas teased.

Daisy smiled beneath the helmet and sunk deeper into the plush seat cushioning. A ding resonated over the train's intercom, signaling the train was about to depart.

"Take a nap," Lucas suggested. "I'll be here."

"I might take you up on that, Lucas." The smooth acceleration of the train and the rhythmic vibrations traveling through the cabin settled over her, making Daisy's eyelids grow heavy.

That is until an automated voice cut through the calm atmosphere through the intercom, and the train gradually came to a stop. "Warning: A security breach has been detected. Authorities are now boarding. Please remain in your seats."

"You paid your last fine, right?" Lucas asked.

"Don't even joke. I have until next month, and then I'll feel like it...probably," Daisy's voice trailed off.

The train doors opened, and SP officers entered; their imposing figures clad in sleek, black light body armor and helmets gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. Each uniform was marked boldly with "Spacial Force" embroidered on their backs and the right side of their chests, while their ranks were indicated by a white stripe on their chests, subtly indicating their positions within the unit. With a swift and choreographed motion, the officers drew their weapons—blaster rifles and pistols—as they prepared for action. Daisy thought she heard someone curse behind her.

An officer stormed toward her, though, rifle pointed directly at her middle section. "You! Hands up."

"Okay, okay!" Daisy responded anxiously, heart jumping in her chest at the sudden hostility. Her hands shot up instinctively with her palms open to show she was no harm.

"Anything I should know?" Lucas spoke to her.

"Now is not the time, Lucas!" Daisy snapped, startling the officer, who looked at her warily since they couldn't hear Lucas.

"Who are you talking to?" the officer asked, stepping closer. Fortunately, a shout came further down the train, "Suspect's over here!"

The officer pivoted their weapon toward the commotion, jerking it away from Daisy, and marched ahead. She flinched from the sudden movement, turning her head and following the officer's direction with her eyes. Several officers were surrounding the only other passenger, a sickly-looking man with their hands raised as well, clearly frightened. Daisy relaxed back into her seat and lowered her hands as the officer joined his colleagues.

"Detain him," commanded a lone officer who stood out among his comrades. He was the only officer without a helmet, a choice that emphasized his authority over the rest. His voice resonated, likely being the field sergeant, "Jake Fox, you are under arrest on suspicion of terrorism. You will be coming with us." As he finished speaking, one of the surrounding officers darted forward with nano cuffs and secured them around Jake's wrists. The cuffs locked as they automatically adjusted their size to fit the wrist properly.

Jake Fox, now restrained, stammered a few words, his voice barely heard over the surroundings. Two officers standing beside him gripped each shoulder, anchoring him in place.

"Care to repeat that?" the sergeant inquired casually, tone relaxed as if the matter wasn't as severe.

"We will walk among the stars! Ungoverned and free!" Jake hysterically shouted with fervor, frightened but still defiant. He tried to struggle against the officers despite their grip. "ASTRAIOS will save us from your tyranny!"

Jake's voice trailed into a screech, abruptly cut off as the cuffs suddenly sent an electric jolt through his body. Jake's muscles tensed as his eyes rolled back into his head, rendering him unconscious. He nearly collapsed to the floor if it wasn't for the officers still restraining him.

"Drag him out of here," the sergeant commanded.

Daisy, entranced by the whole scene, jolted back into the present by the sergeant's words. She whipped her head back forward and pretended not to notice when the officers passed by dragging the suspect out of the cabin as his knees scraped on the floor. She remained motionless like a statue as the remaining officer exited the cabin.

Thinking everything was settled, Daisy spoke to Lucas in disbelief," That was Mad."

"Pardon me," a voice that wasn't Lucas cut through the air next to Daisy, jolting her to make her cringe with a soft yelp escaping her lips. After noticing her reaction, the sergeant held an apologetic expression and raised his hand in a gesture meant to placate Daisy. What was most surprising, though, was his youthful appearance for someone in his position.

"Oh. Yes? I mean, how can I assist you, officer?" Daisy addressed the officer after clearing her throat.

The sergeant lets out a faint smile, slightly shredding his stern demeanor. "I wanted to take a moment to apologize, Miss, for how my fellow officers conducted themselves with a civilian during the incident. Understand that their behavior will be addressed, and they will be reprimanded accordingly."

Now, that was unexpected. "No, that's perfectly fine. No harm done, quite taken back by the situation is all."

"That's reassuring to hear. Still, the point stands that my subordinate's behavior was out of line and inappropriate."

"Yes, well, I can grasp the gravity of the situation," Daisy remarked. "I mean, terrorism? Utterly unfathomable, I didn't anticipate this for a trip home."

The sergeant's smile turned grim. "Your words carry truth. But rest assured, public safety remains intact; the Spacial Force has ensured that."

'Now he sounds like a billboard,' Daisy thought, a wry smile that the sergeant couldn't see.

"I haven't introduced myself yet; how rude of me," the sergeant said, extending his hand for a handshake. "Isaac Richards, the eldest of four siblings."

"Daisy Williams, only child," Daisy shook his hand.

"Well, Miss Williams," Isaac said as he eyed his SP-specialized Dvioh. "I must be on my way. It was nice meeting you, even if the circumstances were less than ideal." With a nod, Isaac turned and began walking towards the exit, where his officers left. He cast one final glance over his shoulder, adding, "I hope you enjoyed the festival."

"Yes, I did. It only felt like a moment!" Daisy shouted as Isaac stepped out, the doors sliding shut behind him behind him. Shortly after, the train started to move again, disbelief still mirrored on Daisy's face.

"Interested?" Lucas finally spoke to her.

"Oh shut up, Lucas," Daisy replied, the day's chaotic events draining her entirely. "I just want to sleep and drift away."

"For all your talk against the Spacial Force, I half-expected you to have more bite when at least confronting them," Lucas said.

"I don't consider myself particularly prejudiced, nor do I have a bite. However, I do find myself critical when it pertains to certain principles that limit my pursuits. Though this scenario was truly dreadful," Daisy admitted.

"A terrorist suspect? You always land yourself in the most peculiar predicaments, Daisy. I can't tell if that's luck or a curse following you."

"I know, I can hardly wrap my mind around it. I was certain I would taste a bit of blaster spit."

"ASTRAIOS, huh?" Lucas mused. "I'll look into it. Perhaps we can avoid anything involving them if they're this local."

"Please do. I've had my fill of excitement today, Lucas."

"Same here, Daisy."

A dozen minutes later, the trip ended, and Daisy set off home. The contrast between her neighborhood and the locations Daisy had visited today was definite, understandably so, as most of her clients were high class. While not precisely slums, the streets were paved with weathered concrete and cracks. Storefronts and houses showed their age, faded signage, and peeled paint.

"Home sweet home," Lucas said. Making it through a narrow alleyway, Daisy stood before a formidable chrome silver door at the back of a building. To the right was a garage door. Daisy placed her left hand on a sleek hand scanner positioned to the left of the door. After a moment, a mechanical whirl was heard: the sound of bolts retracting and unlocking the entrance. Opening the door and entering, Daisy removed her helmet and set it on a sturdy wooden table on the first floor of her loft apartment-type home. The table's surface was filled with pieces and assorted machine parts, wires coiling, and a robust computer system in the corner used to input coding into Daisy's creations to bring them to life. Engineering sketches and drawings were scattered, illustrating former and future projects with blueprints and notes.

Daisy dumped 'JF' onto the floor, exhausted, and walked up the stairs to her bedroom. She skipped taking off her clothes and flopped down on the bed, sinking into the mattress. "I'll eat and shower in the morning, Lucas," Daisy said, voice muffled by a pillow.

"Goodnight, Daisy." Lucas's voice echoed softly from a cube device perched on her nightstand. Daisy smiled as she nestled deeper into her blanket.

To the right of the cube stood a framed picture. Daisy held the camera in her left hand for that picture, angling it just right to seize the moment. She was beaming at the lens, pearly white teeth and all. Beside her was a young man smirking as he deftly twisted through a heap of steaming noodles with a fork, capturing a scene of carefree delight and joy frozen in time.