I changed into something more comfortable yet stylish—a simple outfit with a little white bow resting on my chest. The black flat shoes, secured with straps around my ankles, provided just the right amount of support to keep them in place as I moved.

I made my way through the bustling crowds of the expo, navigating the vast expanse. There were booths lining every corner, each offering something new to explore. Toward the centre, a large stage caught my attention, with a sleek red car displayed prominently. Above it, the bold lettering of 'Stark Industries' captured the crowd's focus. As people began to shift toward the stage, curiosity stirred inside me, wondering what awaited.

I took a step forward, my stride confident as I approached the gathering crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mister Howard Stark!" a female announcer's voice boomed through the microphone, cutting through the chatter. Five women, each with a top hat perched on their heads, raised their arms in perfect unison, gesturing toward the man of the hour.

A round of applause and cheers filled the air as Howard Stark himself leapt onto the stage with a flourish, effortlessly drawing the crowd's adoration. One of the women walked across the stage to meet him, and with a playful grin, he removed his top hat and handed it to her. Without missing a beat, he pulled her into a brief but passionate kiss, the crowd reacting in delight.

As they pulled away, the woman handed him a microphone, and with a smooth gesture, she dabbed at his lips with a handkerchief, wiping away the remnants of lipstick that had left a trace.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Howard began, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, taking in their eager faces. "What if I told you that, in just a few short years, your automobile won't even need to touch the ground at all?" He paused, letting the rhetorical question hang in the air, watching as the crowd reacted with gasps of disbelief and excitement.

The women on stage moved swiftly, removing the wheels from the red car and replacing them with strange, advanced machinery. "Yes, thank you, Mandy," Howard continued, flashing a confident smile. "With Stark Gravitic Reversion Technology, you'll be able to do exactly that."

With a quick twist of a dial on a nearby panel, Howard's hand smoothly lifted a lever. A mechanical hum filled the air, vibrating through the floor beneath me. Slowly, the car began to rise off the ground, a soft creamy glow emanating from the new technology beneath it, casting an almost ethereal light over the stage. The crowd erupted into awe-filled murmurs, their eyes wide with amazement.

"Holy cow," a voice I recognized called out, pulling my attention to the right. I turned to see James standing there in his army uniform, his presence unmistakable amidst the crowd. Behind him was Steve, dressed in the same trench coat he'd worn earlier.

Just as I glanced back toward the stage, sparks suddenly flew from the hovering technology, and I instinctively turned to watch the car plummet. In a split second, the car crashed to the ground, a cloud of smoke billowing around it. The crowd's collective gasp rippled through the air, their surprise palpable. It had all happened so quickly, and no one had seen it coming.

"I did say a few years, didn't I?" Howard chuckled, his smirk growing as the crowd erupted into applause. I joined in, clapping along, appreciating the innovative idea for the future. To be honest, I could probably lift that car with one hand, or even with a little magic. But still, the concept was impressive.

As the applause slowly faded and the crowd began to disperse, my attention shifted. I noticed James, his eyes scanning the crowd as if searching for someone. Steve was nowhere in sight. Then, James's gaze locked with mine, and his eyes widened just a fraction before he began making his way toward me.

"Karla, what a pleasure to see you again," he greeted, his husky voice reaching my ears as I smiled softly in return. "Have you seen Steve?" he asked quickly, not waiting for my response, his concern for his friend clear in his tone.

"I haven't seen him, but you might want to check the registration office," I suggested, pointing toward the sign high up for everyone to see. A look of realization crossed James's face, and I couldn't help but chuckle softly at him. "Steve is pretty relentless when it comes to getting into the army," I added with a knowing smile, glancing back at him as his intense blue eyes locked onto mine.

"Yeah, well, he's a pain in my arse," James grumbled, though there was a warmth in his voice that showed how much he cared for his friend.

"That may be true," I agreed, "but he's got a stubborn streak, and if only the army would give him a chance..." My voice trailed off, knowing full well how rigid their standards were. I'd seen firsthand how many chances one had to fight for. In my life, I'd been given more than my fair share.

"He was always too dumb to back down from a fight," James scoffed, a nostalgic smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he thought back on their past.

"There's a fighter in all of us," I countered, meeting his gaze. "And some people wear it on their sleeves." I couldn't help but think of Steve — in just the short time I'd met him, I could tell he had a lot of heart, respect for those going to war, and a drive that could carry him far.

James seemed to consider my words, his expression softening. I noticed the two girls waiting behind him, glancing expectantly toward us.

"I won't keep you and your dates," I teased, giving him a playful look between him and the girls. James's nervous smirk told me he was caught off guard, but he quickly tried to smooth over the situation.

"One's for Steve," he explained, clearly trying to shift the focus away from any assumptions.

"Go find him," I suggested, giving him a brief, firm touch on the shoulder, offering a look that said it was time to go. Surprisingly, James seemed to relax under my hand — almost as if my gesture had lightened the mood.

I quickly withdrew my hand and started walking past him, weaving through the crowd. I was eager to continue exploring the expo on my own.

..........................

After spending some time wandering around the expo, laughing with a few strangers, and grabbing a quick bite to eat, I found myself sitting on a small two-person bench, gazing at the globe in the centre of the expo. It was mesmerizing — the perfect symbol of how far humanity had come. The progress was staggering. But despite all the advancements, one thing remained clear: great inventors had shaped this world. Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein... and of course, Leonardo da Vinci. I chuckled, thinking, I think there's even a painting of me somewhere...

The thought made me smile, and a small laugh escaped my lips. The past had been a rollercoaster, full of highs and lows, moments of happiness and moments of sorrow, but I'd always carried on. Those dark times had shaped me, but they hadn't broken me.

My eyes wandered from the ground to see a young couple nearby—a soldier and a girl who was clearly in love with him. You could just tell. When you've lived as long as I have, you start to recognize the signs. The way they looked at each other, the quiet connection between them — it was unmistakable.

"Room for one more?" a husky voice broke through my thoughts, and I looked up to find James standing in front of me. His piercing blue eyes met mine, and his smile was warm. I returned the smile, inviting him to sit beside me.

"Please," I gestured to the spot next to me, offering James a place to sit. He didn't hesitate, quickly striding forward and sitting beside me. I felt his leg brush against mine for a moment, just enough to notice, but I didn't think much of it. "Did you talk to Steve?" I asked, turning slightly to face him, our eyes meeting immediately.

"I did," James replied, a small chuckle escaping him. "Stubborn as always, but he's giving it another go." He explained the situation, the frustration in his voice clear, but there was pride there too.

"Good for him!" I exclaimed, genuinely pleased. Steve's persistence was something to admire. "Like I said, he's a fighter." I grinned, a smile wide across my face, proud of the determination that shone through him.

"You have a great smile," James said suddenly, the compliment catching me off guard. It was totally out of left field, and I raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Soldier," I teased, casting him a side glance. But James didn't flinch. He just gave me that same confident smirk, completely unfazed by my playful challenge.

"It could get me somewhere," he said, his tone turning mischievous as he raised one eyebrow. "How about you let me take you dancing? As a way to repay you for helping Steve out?" He made it sound casual, but I could tell there was sincerity behind the offer, something more than just a playful request.

I paused, considering. It wouldn't be so bad, I reasoned. A small dance with him, just a bit of fun. After all, he'd be off to war tomorrow... and who knew what the future held?

"Alright," I finally said, a smile curling at the corners of my lips. "You've got yourself a dance... How about right here?" I shot back with a grin, standing up and extending my hand toward him like I was leading the way. James glanced around at the bustling crowd of people going about their day, and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. "Come on. The worst you'll do is step on my toes," I added with a soft laugh, trying to make it seem less daunting.

James didn't seem to hesitate for long, though, and without a second thought, he gripped my hand. Before I knew it, he had pulled me up to my feet, but his strength was quick, pulling me in closer than I expected. Our bodies touched, and a spark of unexpected warmth spread through me.

I instinctively placed my right hand on his shoulder and raised my left hand to his, holding it high. His other hand slid around my waist, a firm but gentle grip. And just like that, we were slow dancing—no music, no rhythm to follow, just the quiet hum of the world around us. We moved in time to an unspoken beat, lost in the moment.

"Isn't this lovely?" I asked, as we swayed together, our hands moving ever so slightly with the rhythm we had created.

"Maybe without the odd glances," James muttered, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the sidelong stares from the crowd. He assumed they were judgmental, but I knew better—it was admiration and hope in their gazes, not criticism.

"Pay them no mind," I replied softly, guiding his focus back to me. "Focus on the now." I smiled gently, and he responded with his familiar boyish smirk, both of us caught in the rhythm of our own world.

In an unexpected move, James spun us around, seamlessly shifting into a ballroom-like dance. He took the lead with confidence, turning and swaying, never once breaking eye contact. We slowed, eventually returning to the spot where we had started.

"I didn't know you could—"

"Dance? Yeah, I get that a lot," I cut him off, knowing where he was going with this. People had always told me I was a good dancer, but with time, you get good at a lot of things. I noticed we were still holding onto each other, a subtle connection that felt more important than anything else at that moment.

"I—I think—" I trailed off, lost in the depth of his gaze. Words felt unnecessary when I could just feel the weight of the moment between us. It started off as casual, then a little adventurous, like so many other fleeting encounters in my life. But this time... this time it felt different.

James's face inched closer to mine, and I could sense what was coming. I didn't pull away. And then, his lips met mine. It was a spark, an electricity that surged through me, something I hadn't felt in over a century. The kiss started soft and sweet, but quickly turned heated, driven by a longing neither of us was willing to deny.

His lips pressed against mine harder, his hands shifting lower to my waist as I found my arms wrapped around his neck. My heart raced as the world seemed to narrow to just the two of us, and, for a moment, it felt like time itself had stopped.

I was the one to pull back, breaking the kiss, our eyes lingering on each other.

"Want to go back to yours?" I asked, my voice teasing, my eyebrow raised as I felt the warmth of his breath on my face.

His eyes widened for a split second before that mischievous smirk returned, desire shining through his gaze.

"Absolutely," he replied, the words dripping with promise.

....................

James and I shared an unforgettable evening. He was nothing short of a gentleman, and our time together was nothing short of intimate. His every touch was precise and timed perfectly, and it ignited something in me. It was clear he was experienced, and I could tell what he desired from me as well.

As dawn's light began to creep through the window, I shifted in the bed, lying on my left side and gazing at James, who lay on his back. One arm was tucked beneath the pillow, while the other rested above his head. The covers were only half on him, leaving his toned abdomen exposed to the early morning light. The sight was captivating, and waking up to it was nothing short of a pleasure. Still, I didn't want to disturb his rest, especially with the reality of him leaving for war. I took a slow, silent breath, gently pulling the covers away from me.

The cool air immediately greeted my skin, sending a shiver across my body as it traced every curve. My feet brushed against the wooden floor, the faint creak of the boards alerting me to my movement. I paused, glancing back at James, who stirred slightly but only shifted in his sleep, pulling the covers tighter around him, and drifted back into slumber.

I let out a soft sigh of relief, the chill in the air causing a noticeable shiver. My skin, still sensitive, responded to the coolness, and I glanced down at the floor. My clothes were scattered haphazardly, tangled with James's army uniform. That's when I saw my chance to use magic to make my departure quieter.

With a smooth, practised motion, I raised my hand, and dark green smoke began to swirl from beneath my feet, spiralling up around me. It enveloped me completely, and in the blink of an eye, the smoke vanished. My clothes were back on, the warmth returning to my skin.

I glanced once more at James, still sound asleep, unaware of my movements. I didn't want to wake him, nor did I want to face the reality of what was to come.

"Goodbye, James," I whispered softly, my words barely audible. With a final wave of my hand, the dark green smoke surrounded me again, but this time, it didn't just conceal me—it whisked me away.

********