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[img]https://imgur.com/IYihMs5.png[/img]

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

[img]https://imgur.com/pWAr4E0.png[/img]

[h2]Kipnu Riil[/h2][/center]

[color=gray][i]Kari's House[/i][/color]
[sub][b]Mentions:[/b] Auri ([@Punished GN]), Ken ([@AtomicEmperor]), Linqian ([@FernStone]), Aryin ([@NoriWasHere]) [b]Direct Dialogue:[/b] Everyone present.[/sub]

[hr][hr][center][hider=Whethan - All in My Head][youtube]https://youtu.be/QBRk8hi_dkk?si=XXJuRYRiMc1Gz8HU[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr][hr]

Just as Linqian was yelling at Aryin, a moterbike's roaring engine cut through the noise. Layla parked in front of the gate, pulled off her helmet, and strode up the cobblestone pathway. She wore a [url=https://imgur.com/ZbDXDSA]cloak[/url] over her leather jacket and dress, and there was a distinct hollowness, or haggardness about her eyes. Her eyes glanced over at Linqian about to deck Aryin in the chest. [i]Been a while since I've seen Aryin.[/i] Seeing a conflict about to break out, Mr. Devola’s medicines immediately made Layla mentally take Linqian's side, and she ignored the blatant violence taking place.

Instead, her eyes crossed from Britney, her friend, to Drake, to Adora, to Ken. [i]Been a while since I've seen him too.[/i] Before they settled on none other than Auri.

[quote=Auri]
"... Lyss was murdered by Father Wolf during the Halloween Festival."[/quote]

The tragic news almost didn't reach Layla's ears. Almost. Her lips pressed into a frown, appearing distraught at the news. But in her mind, in her soul, there was discomfort.

It was [i]her.[/i]

Layla had the privilege of not seeing Auri since the ambush in the Void. She knew coming to the meeting today would mean seeing the faces of those who betrayed her.

She felt so conflicted, sick, and angry. Beyond that, still in the throws of withdrawal. Mr. Riil's intervention last night helped immensely, but Layla still, even in this moment, wanted more of Mr. Devola's medicine to fix her internal wounds. It was messed up. All her plans were messed up. She was getting pulled apart inside.

All of this under a mask of sympathy at the news that another coven member had passed. She should have been more concerned that Father Wolf was continuing to make munch out of their members, but she was really more interested in her own plans of revenge.

A voice cut through the noise in her mind as she stood there, staring.

[i]“You're a mess. Calm down. Your body is not going to be able to keep up with these cortisol levels.”[/i]

It was strange to hear Mr. Riil's voice in her head. Her master and torturer, the one responsible for the annihilation of her bloodline. Yet, here he was, giving her advice. She knew she couldn't trust him, but regardless of what she wanted to do, her own desires, Layla took a shaky breath. And then another.

[i]“Good girl.”[/i] Mr. Riil’s voice crooned. [i]”I can see your thoughts on Auri. Don't do anything stupid. You want revenge, and I want meat. But not today.”[/i]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“I can't stand looking at her.”[/i][/color]

[i]“Consider this reconnaissance. Swallow your feelings. You need to remain calm, for your body.”[/i]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“I want her to feel the pain I feel.”[/i][/color]

[i]“In time, dearie.”[/i]

[color=7ABBFF][i]“It's not fair.”[/i][/color]

[i]“I know.”[/i]

Layla sighed, crossing her arms in front of her chest and shifting her weight to the side. She glanced at Ken, who knew where the key was. 

[color=7ABBFF][b]“…Let’s… get this done.”[/b][/color]