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[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjg4LjdhYmJmZi5UR0Y1YkdFZ1NIbGhZMmx1ZEdoMWN3LjA/sabrina-destiny.regular.webp[/img][/center]

[color=lightgray][i][u]Location: Tranquil Haven Park, Gazebo[/u][/i][/color]
[@Punished GN]

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[quote=Sloane][color=silver]“Alizée hasn’t even been dead for twenty four hours and you’re already onto the next girl. Layla, you’re young and dumb so I can forgive you for being tricked by this parasite, but he’s not your buddy.”[/color][/quote]

Layla's breath caught in her throat, and she almost choked on air. She could feel a heat in her cheeks, and a desire to disappear. 

Maybe she could just disappear. It would be the best solution. Just leave.

[color=A299FD][i]“Just… leave?”[/i][/color]

Void gave Layla a narrowed sideways look, ignoring Sloane's gaze.

[color=A299FD][i]”I haven't given you power to allow you the luxury of feeling small.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“What am I suppose to do? She's right, isn't she?”[/i][/color]

Void scoffed. [color=A299FD][i]“She's wrong. Leagues wrong.”[/i][/color]

A pause.

[color=A299FD][i]”Sweetheart, why do you hide yourself from these people?”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“I want them to like me.”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]“They think you're weak.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“Maybe I am.”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”Maybe you're not.”[/i][/color]

Layla grit her teeth.[color=7ABBFF][i]“What am I suppose to do?”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”Start walking with a straighter spine. It doesn't matter if these people like you or not. Most can be knocked off as food. And we don't care about food.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“Food?”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”Yes. The world is more simple when you think by your Thirst.”[/i][/color]

Void's eyes slid over to Sloane.

[color=A299FD][i]”Now, whatever she's dishing out, return it.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“But that's mean.”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”You literally visualize pricking these people with knives. Pull out your other side a bit more.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“I can't.”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”Then you'll be forever weak.”[/i][/color]

Layla's teeth ground near audibly. She hated this feeling. Plagued her her whole life.

Except for last night. Last night… she saw her power for herself.

A sharp silence ticked by, before Layla met Sloane's eyes. The smile on her face was cold.

[color=7ABBFF][b]“We can take this outside, Sloane. Sure my [i]buddy[/i] and I could shed some light on things.”[/b][/color]

[quote=Anya][color=9966CC]“Stabbing doesn’t necessarily point towards it being human, Layla,”[/color][/quote]

Layla tilted her head, and Void noticed right away how Anya was speaking.

[color=A299FD][i]”Tell her I'd love to wield a knife over her throat. For science.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“I'd rather not?”[/i][/color]

Void only cruelly grinned as Layla addressed Anya. [b]“Wouldn't apparitions prefer to use their claws as opposed to uh, knives? Man-made tools?”[/b]

[quote=Auri]"... The leads involve our deceased members, Kari Wilson, and Lionel Hunter - but there are some matters I need to settle before we go there [i]as a group.[/i] Mainly, getting us to our home base to establish where we will meet from here on that I don't mind you all destroying!"[/quote]

Auri thought she might have been clever - yes, she was quite clever for someone in the ‘leadership’ position. But Void noticed how she sluffed off Layla, refusing to address her directly.

[i]My poor little dear deserves the best… not this, though. This… is wrong.[/i]

It confirmed his worst fears. Auri was plotting something. There was something she was hiding. Something that set her off from the phone conversation.

Was Jack right? Was Auri seriously considering sealing him?

…What were the [i]matters[/i] that she wanted to sort first?

…Had he prepared Layla enough?

[quote=Adora][color=fd8a6c]"My grandfather's rings, cough 'im up.” [/color][/quote]

Of course, Void lost his train of thought when another familiar face started harassing Sloane. Made him smile. Briefly.

Layla gave a knee-jerk reaction. [i]“Should I do something?”[/i]

Void smirked. [color=A299FD][i]“Nah. I got a better idea. Push plan A.”[/i][/color]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“So soon?”[/i][/color]

[color=A299FD][i]”Yes.”[/i][/color]

Layla swallowed the lump in her throat, before looking at Auri.

[color=7ABBFF][b]“Who invited Adora, Auri? How can we put faith in you when you can't even control your own Coven? What about our safety in the public eye?!”[/b][/color]

[quote=Sloane][color=silver]"After all, we have to end this meeting so we can go to the actual meeting.”[/color][/quote]

Layla and Void blinked in near comical unison. Sloane… didn't have the rings? Then, also in unison, they both glared at Adora. 

Adora was making a scene for no reason. Hunting down a cold lead and causing trouble.

Another strike against Auri.

Layla paused, before she was spurred on by Void.

[color=7ABBFF][b]”You can let go of Sloane now, [i]Adora[/i].”[/b][/color]

[i]Even if Sloane is mean.[/i]