Sunday, 11:00PM
The Temple
Layla returned home briefly to pack an overnight bag, finding herself returning to the Temple's fold in under an hour.
They fed her, spent time with her, discussed her therapy, which would be starting as soon as possible, and sent her off to bed.
And so she sat here, at the edge of her bed in her Temple suite. The Void, the yawning ache in her stomach was eased, even if only a little bit, with their company and hope.
It made what she knew was coming a little easier to bear.
Her room grew unnaturally cold, and there was a
tap-tap-tap, whether water or footsteps, she couldn't tell. But soon enough, a gloved hand was placed under her chin, and in the semi-darkness she looked up at the masked face of Kipnu.
Before a
thwack of a gloved slap rebounded off her cheek. Layla's face twisted with the slap, but only a muffled whimper escaped her lips. She sat there, unresponsive, a frozen little girl sitting on her bed.
Kipnu was furious.
“We lost her. We lost Bahlaas, and it's your fault.”Silence, before a half-chuckle. Layla wiped her chin, daring to look at Kipnu.
”...Good.”Kipnu shook with rage, reaching over to grip Layla's collar.
“You little-”“What are you gonna do, huh? Cause I'll tell you right now, I don't care.”Her eyes narrowed.
“Your days are numbered. Mark me. Do what you want, but soon I won't be your little rag doll anymore.”Kipnu stared incredulously.
“You really think these people are gonna ‘save’ you? They're gonna save your previous little soul? Hah!”He threw her to the ground, staring over her.
“They're in it for themselves. They'll never give you back that pathetic ball of shadow.”Layla glared defiantly from the ground, trying to half-sit up.
“They will! And when they do, you're gonna be run outta town, or worse.”Kipnu appeared to roll his eyes behind his mask, using his boot to shove Layla back on the floor. He knelt on top of her, half crushing her as he plucked up a wrist.
“You'll never escape me. You'll never escape being no more than a cursed child.” He said bitterly, pulling back her sleeve.
Layla glared weakly, struggling to breath.
“...Do your worst.”Kipnu stared, before sliding his mask to the side, revealing unnatural teeth.
“With pleasure.”And his sunk his teeth into her skin…
Monday, 9:00AM
St. Portwell PierIn collaboration with @Shin Ghost Note
Bags under her eyes, Layla sat at the end of one of the piers of St. Portwell, docked ships swinging from side to side in the water nearby. There was a nearby seafood eatery she planned to walk to with Adora when she arrived. Layla wouldn't deny a friend food if they wanted to visit her so badly.
If they were friends. Sure, Layla had been non-combative and pleasant with everyone, but what was Adora's angle?
Had Layla done something wrong…?
She wore a simple
white sweater dress, black leggings, and runners kicking slightly as her feet hung free at the edge of the pier. Her face easily betrayed sleep deprivation, and a mental hunger. She seemed unwell, burning the candle at both ends.
She'd given Adora the heads-up on where to find her. Now, it was just a matter of enjoying the cool autumn air and waiting. A few moments later, some footsteps approached, and Adora walked past Layla and stood there, with a red hoodie, and for a change, some jeans with some running shoes.
”... Hey there,” Adora said with a sigh.
”How are you doing, Layla? I know we didn’t have the best first impression of each other…”Layla looked up at Adora as she approached, then shrugged, gaze sinking back to her fluttering feet.
“You haven't done anything wrong in my books, Adora. I was sad when you left, but you're back now. That's all that matters.”She pursed her lips before continuing.
“...Something, uh, on your mind? I figured we'd get a bite to eat down by the way. I just…” She took a breath,
“Was enjoying the scenery.””Yeah, there is,” Adora said.
”I wanted to talk with you about that whole mess with the Void Heart - and before you get the wrong idea; no, I don’t think it was right for them to up and jump the gun without at least asking you.”Adora shook her head before turning around to face Layla head-on finally.
”To cut to the chase, I wanted to hear things from your perspective. I wanted to ask you if you wanted their help. Or if you want help now.”Layla stared for a long moment, before her head dropped.
“...Just. Why? Why would they do that?”She laughed weakly.
“Jack made a whole deal about keeping me safe... When he just stabbed me in the back… They all did.”She paused, before musing for a moment, smiling up at Adora.
“Britney asked if I needed help, earlier. You wanna know what I told her?”She stared at the waves, and muttered.
“I didn't need any.”Another short chuckle left her throat.
“Now look at me. I've sold my soul to the Temple in the hopes they return what was once mine. I've let Edict in my head - the fallout, by the way, is horrible. Right now, I'm on a streak for accepting help.”Layla grimaced, looking back up at Adora.
“Though, I'm not sure what help you could give…””Look, I understand that the Void Heart was hurting people, and they were acting off of their emotions from Alizee’s death…” Adora sighed.
”But, like I told Jack, there is a world of difference between needing help and wanting it. And it’s just all types of fucked up to just up and make that decision for somebody. Regardless of how shitty their current situation.”Layla allowed herself a half-smile at that.
Adora shook her head.
”Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but if you got hurt or something because of the Void Heart, that would have been on you. Because at the end of the day, regardless of how much they care about you; you’re a big girl and can make big girl decisions. And it’s nobody’s responsibility but you to save yourself.”“Exactly.” Layla gave a nod of her head.
Adora put her hands up, closed her eyes, and let out yet another sigh.
”That said, I don’t know your exact situation, so I don’t know what help I can give you, really - but you know that whole fucking saying about magic? Infinite possibilities? There’s a way. There’s always a way.”Layla mulled it over a bit, before realization dawned on her face, followed by grimness.
“...There is a way. Perhaps a way that is long overdue.”Her eyes glanced up at Adora.
“Would you… be willing to ask Britney if she can use her sealing skills… on me? My ghosts?””Consider it, done,” Adora nodded her head.
”Maybe she can teach us both how to seal… we’ll probably need it the way things are going.”Layla nodded back, a grim look on her face.
“You're probably right.”She stood up from the pier, turning to face Adora directly.
“I uh, don't know about you, but I haven't had breakfast yet. Do you feel like heading in for a bite?””Sure,” Adora just agreed with a shrug.
”I’m always in the mood for some food.” Adora laughed.
Layla nodded, and gestured to an eatery just a couple steps away. The Golden Lobster.
“They won't be busy now. Let's grab some breakfast.”And she headed inside.
The Otter
Chronic
Days
Izurich
Stiles2
Abstract Proxy
Squirrel98
AtomicEmperor
NegroSlayer
