Tuesday, November 7th, 9:00 AM
The TempleInteractions: None.
It was a quiet morning at the Temple. Birds were chirping. A light drizzle, mist fogging the sky.
Before it was shattered.
A shattering that sounded like the snap of wood as a door was smashed through.
Layla fell through the door, splinters of wood in her white hair as she smashed into the railing of the outside walk. With a huff, she scrambled to her feet, wheezing, needle in her hand.
From within the darkness of her suite, a hellhound leapt out, jaws trained on her neck. With swift fingers, leaning to dodge, Layla jammed the needle into the hellhound's neck, and the shadow mutt fell limp.
A hand gripped the frame of the door, and Kipnu, his mask half shredded off, revealing a void underneath, growled in rage as he stared at Layla.
“You sorry-ass bitch! You're gonna regret this! By the time I'm done with you, you're gonna wish I'd just kill you!”Layla took that as her cue, and she took off, half-tumbling down the staircase to the ground level, and out of the Temple grounds.
Down the road, and into as much urban landscape as she could, diving into alleyway after alleyway.
She knew they could smell her. She just had to buy herself a little time-
Her pocket buzzed. With a huff, Layla pressed herself against the alley wall, pulling out her phone and pressing it to her ear.
“What?!”A sweet voice was on the other end.
“Hey, uh, it's Aislin. I heard Adora-”“Don't have the fucking time- I'm on Rodrigo Road, heading east. Come quick!”“What-?”Before Layla hung up, shoved the phone in her pocket, and continued running.
After several minutes of heavy foot pounding, making tracks, Layla found herself in a graveyard, the trees giving little in the means of cover. She growled under her breath, running as fast as she could down the gravel road down the middle.
Before she was clotheslined at the side, and fell head first into the grass and mud. A huge eldritch arm pressed down on her chest, phalanges curling around her shoulders, her neck. Bahlok walked into her vision, holding her tightly. Her red smile was contorted into a flat snarl.
“You never learn, do you?”A moment later, Layla huffed as a foot pressed down on her temple, forcing her to look at the gravestone beside her. ‘Linda R. Goodsworth’. That's what the engraved stone had written on it. Some poor soul that now had to deal with a violent murder on their tombstone.
If she was lucky enough to get murdered.
She knew who's boot was on her face, and she snarled, trying to move.
“Yeah, keep struggling, you little bitch.” Kipnu growled above her.
“I can't believe you. First you don't give a shit about Bahlaas missing. And now you want to seal us? I'm not letting you go to the meeting later today. No. Instead, why don't we see how your hands look without fingernails. Huh?” He bit out, pressing her face further into the dirt.
Layla's struggles weakened, focusing more on breathing. She could feel tears pricking her eyes, but she wouldn't let them see they were getting her. She'd never let them see her fear again if she could help it.
The foot moved away from her face, and Kipnu's gloved hand grabbed her jaw, forcing her to look up at him. At the needle he held, hovering over her face.
“You'll like this concoction. Burning pain for the next twelve hours. Like your insides are being cooked. Sound like fun?” He asked, shaking her face a little, gripping tighter.
“Stop what you're doing right now!” A voice called out, and the earth suddenly moved under Layla. Kipnu barely had time to look before a wave of grass, mud and dirt steamrolled him and Bahlok, shoving them both under the earth where they belonged - six feet under. They'd have no choice but to run back to the Void.
With the monsters gone, Aislin scrambled up from the dirt where she had staged her attack, and pulled Layla into her lap.
“Oh my, are you okay?”Layla took ragged breaths, eyes slowly focusing on Aislin.
“...Good timing.”Aislin smiled, gently pulling Layla onto her shoulder and walking her out of the graveyard.
“You should have said something sooner. Looked pretty dire, you know?”Layla stumbled as she walked, recovering her breath, wincing as she stepped.
“I just have to survive until the meeting… Mind if we uh… stick together until then?”Aislin smiled.
“Say less.”
Tuesday, November 7th, 6:00 PM
The House on the HillInteractions: Nora (
@Shin Ghost Note), Tayla (
@silvermist1116), everyone in the room.
Aislin helped guide a limping Layla to a barstool as Sabrina spoke. Layla didn't look so hot, with bandages along her chin and hands. Curiously enough, she was dressed in a black dress, contrary to her usual blues. Very curious, but went in keeping with her new home…
With Layla situated, Aislin gave a little ‘Hi Bean!’ with a wave as Sabrina concluded her speech. She fiddled with the sleeves of her hoodie, taking a seat beside Layla as a person she didn't recognize, Nora, spoke to them.
As Nora mentioned building magical things, Aislin's jaw dropped a bit, her mind racing with possibilities. But before she could ask a question, little Layla spoke up.
“Can you make anything that hurts apparitions?” She asked, her tone plain and innocent.
”So can we please focus on what we know? These weird dreams we've been having, the Recollections, Kari's notes going missing. Is any of that connected to our killer?”
As Tayla spoke, another figure entered the room. There was no mistaking that jet-straight white hair and those sharp eyes. Luna had her felt coat wrapped over an arm, dressed in a
cute blouse and slacks.
“I dug something up.” She offered to the collected group, eyes leveling at Tayla.
“I think you'll like what I found.”This time, no games. No tricks. She wasn't spying. No. This time, it was a desperate play to see if it'd stick; if they'd chase her away again or let her stay.
Luna ignored the stares, walking behind the bar, dropping her coat on the counter while she rooted through the cabinet, finding some alcohol and a glass, and pouring herself a straight shot. She'd need it. And she was sure the hostess wouldn't mind a small indulgence.
She toasted the room, before she took a sip of the drink, and said,
“I know who Kari was working for. And I know where the notes are.”
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