Layla Ailuros's Story

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Ram lefted his head and closed his green eyes, soaking up the early morning sun as it bet down on the lake. Cool water sprayed in his face and a constant breeze ruffled his hair. It was perfect sailing weather and Ram had been up since dawn to make the most of it. His one man boat, named 'The Falcon', raced across the lake, skimming across the waves.

Ram opened his eyes as he drew closer to the shore. Standing up in the boat he shielded his eyes from the sunlight glistening off the water and took in the view. There, pretty as a picture, sat Northbay. It fit snuggly between the lakeshore and the hills beyond. He could make out the main street with its small array of shows on either side. There was a large amount of activity in the street, surprising for such a small town and so early on a Saturday.

Then again it was the day of the Lantern Festival. No doubt every spare hand the Elder's could rope into helping was busy putting up decorations. Ram's father Ramsey was a member of the Elders' Council so Ramses was able to get all his information first hand and fresh. The festival was officially an overdue welcome to the Greeks. Unofficially it was to try and calm down the rising animosities between the different groups in the town. As Ram's father had said, if the town could come together and enjoy this one, simple event then they would be one step closer to regaining peace and order.

Ram thought it was a vain hope. He highly doubted that bringing together the whole town into one street would solve anything. Quite the opposite really. Ram knew little of the Greeks but he had grown up with the Norse and his own Egyptian pantheon. He knew enough to understand that there would always be certain individuals who do anything but try to ease tensions.

Shaking such thoughts from his head Ram aimed the boat to shore. A moment later he pulled into the docks, jumping onto the wooden jetty with the ease of practice. He anchored his boat to the jetty, tying it securely. The day may have been calm now but Ram knew enough about Irish weather to know to predict anything. Besides, when you lived in a town of power beings you could never be sure when someone's powers would cause a little mayhem.

Standing up Ram raised his arms above his head and stretched, before straightening out his clothes. With a pleased smile he set off down the wooden walkway, heading towards the Sailing Club rooms and a much needed shower.

---

Early morning carpentry was probably not the best way to deal with a hangover, but oddly enough Mack found the rhythmic thud of his hammer strangely calming. Or perhaps he was still drunk from last night.

He had visited Northbay's singular drinking hole, the pub, the previous night. It had started as a causal beer, but three bottles of beer, four shots of vodka and who knows what else later his night had ended up much larger than anticipated. He had woken up this morning still in his clothes, his light still on and his alarm cloak blaring from under a pile of clothes.

Mack had agreed to help set up for the Lantern Festival that night. He wasn't even getting paid, but doing it as a favour to the town. Not that he minded doing it for free. Mack didn't have too many expensive habits and the rent on his tiny apartment over the supermarket was relatively cheap.

"Mack! Can you move the lanterns slightly to the left?" Ebony Aset, aunt of the three Aset girls and member of the Elders, shouted from the street. Mack, standing up on a ladder, nodded down at the woman and moved the lanterns as desired. Satisfied Ebony nodded and wondered off to oversee another part of the preparations. Left to his own devices Mack returned to hammering.

Almost finished he gave one final hammer on the nail, only his attention must have slipped because the next thing he knew a sharp pain erupted in his thumb. With a yelp he jerked his hand back, making him lose his balance in the process. His legs went out from under him, his arms pinwheeling in circles as he tried to grab at anything to keep him from falling.
Unfortunately the ladder seemed to elude him and Mack quickly found himself falling. A gust of wind blew up the street, particles of sand held in the breeze. The wind increased in strength and pressure, directing itself around the falling man. Faster than the eye could follow it had formed into a miniature wind funnel, Mack being safely buoyed in the centre. Slowly he was lowered to the ground. Only when his feet had touched concrete did a movement of his hand send the winds away, leaving a thin layer of sand behind.

'Mack, as much as I'm glad you're not hurt...' The stern voice came from Ebony Aset, her foot tapping quickly as she surveyed the tiny beach of sand that his powers had called forth. She had a broom in her hand, 'I want all this sand gone before tonight.' Thrusting it into his grasp Ebony turned and left. Dusting the light sprinkling of sand off his clothes before beginning to sweep up the street, Mack wished - and not for the first time - that his winds didn't magically summon sand when he called them.

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The view from the hills above the town was spectacular. Asta, pausing on her descent, couldn't help but grin at the landscape. The lake was sparkling in the early morning sun, light glistened off the town roofs and there was hardly a cloud in sight. She could have stayed on the thin track that ran up the hills beyond Northbay all day, but one glance at her watch told Asta that she'd need to open the shop soon. With a last glance across the lake Asta turned and made her way, half skipping, down the track.

Most likely it was the excitement of the coming festival that had seen Asta rise so early and head up into the hills. She often went for walks, but rarely so early in the morning. Coming back down she hit the main street at it's beginning. The entrance to Northbay was decorated with a simple sign which read 'Welcome to Northbay'. Asta passed the sign, entering the main street of the town. She passed people setting up stalls, others hanging decorations and more than one person shouting out loud instructions.

Asta waved happily at Mack as she passed him. Curiously he was sweeping up sand, although where the sand came from Asta couldn't be sure. Down the street she went, dodging in and out of the workers, until she reached the Bookstore.
"Key, key key... Oh, there you are!" She muttered to herself as she dug into her cardigan pockets. The Bookstore owner had given Asta the responsibility of opening the store today and she would have hated it if she'd lost the keys already.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the dark room. The light switch was unfortunately at the other end of the store and Asta didn't fancy wondering through the dark to find it. So, holding her hand out, she summoned a small sphere of light and used it to guide her through.

Ten minutes later, the store lit, open and ready for customers, Asta sat back at the counter with a sigh of relief. From here she had a good view of the festival preparations, but instead of watching the workers outside she picked up her book 'Catch-22' and began to read. The doorbell would jingle as soon as anyone entered, meaning until then she could happily lose herself in Joseph Heller.

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THUNK! Layla's black and white sheets are all on the ground, including the disgruntled Layla, she must had fallen during her sleep, or was pushed. "Akil! Did you do that?!" She yelled for the whole house to hear. She scrambled herself upwards and looks at her Persian white cat Akil looking at her lazily, "WELL?!" Her dark brown hair is in a complete mess, hanging down past her shoulders. The cat lifted its paw to the clock which read: 8:50. Layla jumped to command and grabbed her sheets in one sweep, and throwing them onto the bed, unaware of Akil under there. She wore a white, loose top and black pj bottoms to bed last night. She jumped over her bed and shuffled to the window where her velvet curtains shielded the light from outside, she opened the curtains in a flash to reveal light of a pleasant summer morning. The main street was busy with activity, people are already preparing for the Lantern Festival, I might go with Bryce, she thought to her self as she walked over to the walk-in wardrobe. Its walls were made of dark wood planks, but it was hard to tell as the room was filled with racks of clothing. It was well organised though as she arranged her clothing to different themes, from formal clothing, to sport gear, to everyday wear. She grabbed out a black button-up tank top and white leggings with hieroglyphics on them, and grabbed a pink duffle bag and began putting her workout clothes in there; a black loose top and white shorts. Layla strided over quickly to her bed, its bed sheets tucked in and the bed made with the white Akil sitting on it watching Layla, and layed the clothes out on the bed neatly, and threw the duffle bag on there to, before she went to have a shower she scratched under Akil's chin for thanks. And walked off to have a shower.

Layla walked down the stairs with her outfit on, she wore her wavy dark brown hair in a bun that sat neatly upon her head, she had red lipstick on and did mini cat-eyes with black eyeliner. As she walked down the stairs in her black and white converses, she was complimented by her mother, who was baking, Layla sat down on the plush leather stool and grabbed a piece of buttered toast, as she ate it she conversed with her mom. After she was done she clapped her hands together and got up, getting some bottled water from the fridge, grabbing up her duffle bag that was on the floor near the stairs, Akil and the black Abyssinian Alko were sitting there, as if to say goodbye, she scratched their heads and waved to her mother, "See ya laters, I am going to the gym," She was already in an energetic mood, with that she opened the door out onto the main street and and walked out, as people busily made their way to work or places. Before she even made a step her phone vibrated. She looked at it and pressed the main button, unlocking it with the password, 'Bast', Sure it was simple, but it was quick to write in. She opened her messages, it was from Bryce:

To: Layla
Want to meet up before the festival?
From: Bryce

She started typing away on the touch screen,

To: Bryce
Yeah sure, I'm just heading to the gym to get some exercise.

Sent! With that, Layla begins walking to the community gym, taking in the summer sun and heat. Saying the odd hello, here and there to people she knows. She couldn't wait for the Lantern Festival later on, she had gone every time. Either with a boyfriend or parents, sometimes she would even let Akil and Alko out and they would follow her. Maybe she might let them out tonight, maybe not. She wants to spend some time with Bryce for a change.

---

---

When Layla was in the community gym, she was getting some odd looks at people passing by, maybe it was the speed she was running. Now that she thought about, it would be considered fast for the average person. She wasn't even sweating when she went to go and get changed out of her sports gear, the change rooms were filled with white tiles and had a long wooden bench streaming down between the metal lockers, I wonder what would happen if the change rooms were boys and girls? It would be much more interesting atleast, she thought, tilting her head to the side with a hard thinking look on her face, picturing a change room full of muscly guys, being topless... Layla shook her head, and smiled to her stuff as she got changed into her ordinary clothes. She put her hair up in a bun and grabbed her duffle bag and walked out, Layla walked out into the peaceful sun and stood there taking in the heat. She turned to her left and started walking down the sidewalk towards the restaurant. It looked packed with people, but she only wanted a coffee and sandwhich to take the shop and work for a bit. Even though its here day off, she likes it there. Its kind of peaceful, until she starts playing her music. When in the shop, if she is alone she will put her playlist on through the speakers in the store. She couldn't wait, she smiled and slightly jumped up with excitement. As Layla stopped infront of the restaurant she noticed three people talking to each other, Layla thinks she has seen them before when it hit her, they were Greek, but Layla had nothing against the Greeks so it was okay. She decided to herself to greet them, "Hi...It's Fin, Amanda and Dehlilah right?" She asked politely, smiling brightly. As she stood there, in black and white converses and her black button-up tank top and white leggings with hieroglyphics, she considered this outfit actually quite cool actually. Showing her Egyptian backround and everything.

Izzy awoke late in the day, typical of her when she didn't have classes. She instantly went to her phone and was almost disappointed when she saw there were no new messages, at least not from anyone important. Frowning, she made up her mind to do her very best to change that, by sending a few messages out to the people she felt she knew best, most of which who she felt either could easily be controlled, or were attractive, or she considered a friend, and that left a wide range of people.


To: Odessa, Fin, Amanda, Lucas, Bryce, Viona, Ronan, Julian, Calypso:


Hey all, your queen has awoken! So where’s everyone up to? I’m looking forward to seeing all you peeps at the festival tonight, and festivals aren’t even like my thing like at all! So you guys better be there because if I’m there alone with the village elders, heads shall roll! Lol! Will be in town fyi so feel free to meet up with me.


From: Izzy Dias

Izzy put her phone down, sat up, walked out of bed down to the small bathroom in her tiny flat and took a long bath, before dressing and heading out for town. It was nice not having to work to pay for school because you had a rich stepfather to pay for it all, Izzy had to admit, problem was, that meant a lot of people were tried down for work. Driving into town she quickly parked her car and watched as several people put together decorations, smirking almost, she couldn’t understand why anyone but criminals would work for free for something having to do with the community, but she supposed that was why she was a leader, after all, not everyone’s grandfathers Zeus, and the ruling blood certainly ran deep in Izzy.



Izzy, getting out of her car decided to look for a place to loiter around, a hobby she quite enjoyed. She wasn’t really watching where she was going however and bumped into Mack, who was sweeping sand?


“Um excuse me, but do you mind!” She snorted angrily, when he completely ignored her. Then an idea came to her. “ Hey Mack, check this out!” When she had gotten his attention she looked to the sky and caused a small stray bolt of lighting light up the sky. It was the kind that was gone in an instant and made you wonder if there was a storm or not, the ones that Liverpool had been getting frequently for the last 21 or so years. Besides, it was always fun to scare the crap out of people, and Izzy remembered somebody told her once that Mack was afraid of lighting.


Laughing to herself, Izzy walked down to the record shop and gave Julian a wink before turning to the music, trying to find some old records that would make for a great sound mix. She would flirt a little, talk a little, possibly buy something, and be on her way.




Bobby grinned to himself as he heard Asta call out, “Morning Bobby!” Followed by “I don’t drink coffee, but I’d be keen for a hot chocolate.” He watched, coming back to the front of the store, pleased that this didn’t go as badly as he thought it might. Asta helped you out almost, and he had to admit, she was a very easy person to talk to. She pulled out a bunch of euro’s and some coins (that’s the Irish currency if I’m correct) and offered them to him. “Maybe get some lemon cakes too? My shout.”


Bobby refused the money and replied. “Sure thing, I’ll buy, one hot chocolate, a tea for myself and a bunch of lemon cakes coming right up, I’ll be back.” He walked out the door before Asta could protest and ran not really thinking about anything but getting Asta’s ordered right. He ran between Daphne, Amanda and Fin, tripping himself, and said a quick “I’m terribly sorry!” and continued on his way rushing by a girl who he thought was named Layla with the same hasteful sorry before reaching the coffee shop.


When he had at last reached his destination, he found himself waiting for his sister to stop texting before she noticed him. She raised a brow.


“Um Bobby, what up? Why are you so sweaty? Where you running from those normal thugs again!? Cause I’ll cripple them I will! And you know I don’t like it when you just come to visit me.”


“Right, just, everythings fine Steph, just ah, um I was wondering if I could have a medium hot chocolate, a ice tea and two lemon cakes.” Bobby said as Stephanie’s eyes lit up before she got to work.


“Oh Bobby, who is it, who are you buying breakfast for, that’s real unlike you, well then again I guess it isn’t, your just usually too shy to-”


“It’s just Asta, nothing romantic, just, you know, just something employees do for each other once in awhile.” Bobby interrupted.


“Well ‘ere ya go Bobby, enjoy your little lunch with you employee.” Stephanie laughed a little and handed her older brother his order and watched as he ran back out shaking her head. On his way back, breathless, he stopped to catch his breath and felt his phone go off, so he one handly picked it up and read the new message.


To: Amanda Cyprus, Stephanie Ceres, Bobby Ceres, Fin Bacchus

Turns out my boss doesn't want me to work today so I have the day off... Anybody wanna hang out?


He quickly typed back a response.


To Daphne:

I would, but I’m stuck at work. Maybe later, see you at the festival. Oh and I think I’ll ask Asta if she wants to come too if that’s alright.


From: Bobby

He quickly walked inside and put down the bag he’d been carrying. “ And there you go Asta, a hot chocolate, two lemon cakes, and a ice tea.” He sat down on a box of books he probably shouldn't have sat on, and took a big gulp before finding himself stuttering.


“ So um eh w-would you um m-mind going to the f-festival later tonight w-with some of my friends and siblings. I mean you don’t have to, I just thought m-maybe it’d settle some things and we could all get to know each other.”


He winced waiting for her answer.




Stephanie sighed as her phone buzzed and flipped it out to see what was up.


To: Stephanie

Yeah, sure, sounds like fun, when would you like to meet and where?

Stephanie felt her heart thump at the message. There it was, plain as day, a messages from Antares, asking her when and where she wanted to meet up. Why the hell was she so nervous and more importantly, not already texting him back.


To: Antares

Cool, glad you can come, I was thinking we could maybe meet at the docks at around oneish, I should be done with work by then. I still have to wait for Brad and Bobby so it’ll probably be just the two of us, but it’s not like it’s a date or anything so yah. See you at the docks:)



From: Stephanie

Stephanie pressed send and looked up to see Bobby, looking rather crazy. She smiled served him and returned to her phone, an unusual thing for her to do while at work, but today to her it seemed at least, it was like a holiday.


To: Amanda Cyprus, Stephanie Ceres, Bobby Ceres, Fin Bacchus

Turns out my boss doesn't want me to work today so I have the day off... Anybody wanna hang out?

Lucky, she muttered to herself before repiling.


To Daphne:


Sorry, but I’m stuck here till one, we can hang later though.


From: Stephanie.

Stephanie put down her phone only to pick it up again and read yet another message.


At work right now, slow as hell. I’ll catch up with you later at the festival. Promises.

She quickly typed back:


K see you later at the fest, don’t be too sad, you're surrounded by music, I’m surrounded by coffee and baked goods, not quite as entertaining ;)

Then she really did go back to work, shoving her phone in her pocket as a customer came in.

Ronan woke up with a start when he heard the front door slam, for a moment he was confused and took some time to straighten himself out and find his glasses. He had definitely had a bit too much to drink last night. It had been a long, excruciatingly boring day at the paper and all he’d wanted to do afterwards was relax a bit. The throbbing in the front of his skull confirmed that perhaps he had relaxed more than he had needed to.

Finally rising from his mess of a bed he stumbled to the bathroom, still steamy from someone else’s showers. Ronan assumed it was his brother; Leslie had always been annoyingly cheerful in the mornings and ready to start the day. Ronan was quite the opposite. He didn’t actually speak to anyone until he showered and had at least two cups of coffee. Hopping into the shower he let the warm water beat the ache out of his head and muscles and felt as if he could stay beneath the showerhead the rest of the day or at least until the hot water ran out.

Knowing that he’d be late if he dallied any more he slipped from the shower, shaved, brushed his teeth and quickly dressed. Racing down the stairs he stopped in the kitchen to chug a glass of orange juice, which did not make him want to vomit, thank the gods. After rinsing his glass and placing it in the dishwasher he grabbed his phone from the counter and noticed that he’d all ready received a text.

To: Odessa, Fin, Amanda, Lucas, Bryce, Viona, Ronan, Julian, Calypso:


Hey all, your queen has awoken! So where’s everyone up to? I’m looking forward to seeing all you peeps at the festival tonight, and festivals aren’t even like my thing like at all! So you guys better be there because if I’m there alone with the village elders, heads shall roll! Lol! Will be in town fyi so feel free to meet up with me.

Grinning, he rolled his eyes a bit at the hyperbolic text he received from the Greek girl; she was fairly new as all the Greeks were. As a matter of fact that was what the whole festival was for. Welcoming the new arrivals. Of course his mother was all ready at the festival grounds, she was an elder and took her responsibilities seriously, and something she had obviously passed on to her children.

My mother would kill me if I didn’t show. As soon as I’m through making sure the paper makes sense tonight I’ll be on my way. If you’re a good and kind friend you’ll have a drink waiting for me.

Ronan quickly texted back as he walked out the back kitchen door, taking care to lock it before clambering down the steps and out to his dusty car. Shoving papers and folders out of his way he started the beat-up vehicle and made his way to the office. He knew most people had the day off, lucky bastards, but the newspaper had to be printed every day. Such was life.
As the thin, slightly anxious young man made his way into the building he waved a greeting to the skeleton crew who were already in attendance, grabbed a cup of sludge like black coffee and wandered back to his lonely little corner. Quickly he settled in at his desk, which he usually shared with another. Looking around he pushed his thick framed glasses on top of his head and pulled out his phone quickly texting his brother.

To: Leslie

Did mom sucker you into setting up the festival today? I’m working a short day, meet up later, yeah?

From: Ronan Saxon

Ronan was very much a fan of his older brothers and enjoyed spending time and hanging out with him, although sometimes Leslie came off a bit overbearing, Ronan supposed that he would probably be the same if their roles were reversed. Family took care of family and that’s just the way it was. Settling back into his chair he switched on computer and began to immerse himself in work. The quicker he could get things done the sooner he could leave.






Odessa had been up and at the gym by seven that morning, having signed up for an insanely early kickboxing class. Which she now thought was maybe not her greatest idea. Considering that she usually worked until four in the morning and was often a bit tipsy when she made it home eventually sometimes making it to class seemed nearly impossible. Yet the Greek girl took her commitments seriously and she’d already paid for them. She really couldn’t afford to not go.

After spending an hour beating the stuffing out of a bag she was properly awake and energized. Being the descendent of Ares definitely had its perks. She was inherently strong, fast and sturdy which definitely came in handy with a personality like Odessa’s. More often than not her mouth started trouble and she was more than happy to let her fists finish it.

Finished for the day Odessa beamed as the instructor complimented her skill and the fact that she was such a quick study. She hadn’t expected any less but it definitely brightened her day which in turn meant that for now her normal aggression and hostility was turned down a notch. It also helped that she just finished trying to beat an inanimate object to death. Taking a moment to read over the text Izzy had sent her, she laughed and figured she’d see her friend in town, or at the very least the festival.

Quickly showering and changing she grabbed her bag and left the gym and decided to head into town to grab breakfast from the restaurant. It was cheap, especially with her employee discount. Lucky for her, her boss owned the pub and the grill and you couldn’t beat half-discounted omelets. As she walked up the street towards her destination she took in all of the preparations going on around town for the festival tonight.

As she approached the restaurant she noticed a few of her fellow Greeks standing outside the restaurant along with a girl she believed was named Layla. Sticking her hands into the pockets of the light cardigan she was wearing she pushed her large sunglasses on top of her head and stopped to say hello.

“Morning everyone, you’re all looking bright and chipper. Anyone actually helping set the festival up or are we just passive spectators?” Odessa asked with a wry grin.

"Hey, Fin," Amanda said, smiling at him, before looking over at her sister, who she apparently didn't feel she needed to greet. "Tony's not here yet?" she said.

She smiled and shrugged, "nope,not yet" She said making a popping noise as she annunciation the end of nope. She leaned her head to the side shaking her blonde curls which she suddenly felt needed a sexy just woke up look, like she just woke up looking hot, which she did, but still.

Suddenly girl, Layla maybe? She nodded as she decided that was correct, walked up to them. "Hi...It's Fin, Amanda and Dehlilah right?"
"Uh yeah," She said as she did one last shake and shook out her hair flipping either side of her hair so a lock of curls was cascading down her slim shoulders. "Layla, right?"
As another person joined the group, she bit her lip becoming a little worried, she wasn't quite sure why she just was. Odessa smiled her wry smile at them as she said “Morning everyone, you’re all looking bright and chipper. Anyone actually helping set the festival up or are we just passive spectators?”

"Spectator though, I actually plan on eating in this fine establishment," She said smiling a genuine smile, she considered Odessa a friend and valued her honesty so she was genuinely happy to see her.

She finally saw Tony and as they locked eyes he waved, she was about to smile and wave back when something very unexpected happened. Tony ran into a girl on her bike and now she was tangled and he looked frazzled. She jogged up to them and after pushing her long bangs out of her face, scrutinized the two of them. "Are you ok?" She said directing the question to both of them though she was looking at Tony for any marks or bruising and Oh, gods he has a nice body, wait focus!
She then turned to Layla and suddenly sensed her peak of interest romantically in Tony, and Tony's in the mysterious girl. She blushed and looked down
"Um I'm Dehlilah," She said brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Push it away, make it go away. Making their matching light pink love aura's only fade a little bit. She shook the thought away, before turning to Tony, "Um so before any more people come bombard me over there." She clarified her statement "And by me, I mean Fin, who was standing next to me. I swear he's a people magnet. That, and I'm pretty hungry so..." She said, gently placing her hand on her muscular forearms,not in a possessive way, more in a concerned and nervous way."We should get to the restaurant," she said gently tugging on his arms, again not in a needy possessive way but he looked as though he needed some direction.

---

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"Uh yeah, Layla, right?" Dehlilah said, flicking her hair. Layla nodded with her casual smile. Layla couldn't deny, some of the Greeks were really pretty and attractive. Layla adjusted the strap to her duffle bag, and saw someone new come into the conversation, another Greek, “Morning everyone, you’re all looking bright and chipper. Anyone actually helping set the festival up or are we just passive spectators?” the girl said with a wry smile. Layla saw her somewhere, but where? Then it hit her, Layla saw her at the gym, well in the change rooms. "I'm just a spectator, just going to grab a snack and head to the music store actually, I saw you at the gym before, Odessa right?" She said, with a slight smile on her happy face. Before the conversation could get going, there was a crash on the other side of the street. A guy had ran into Jade while she was riding her bike, Layla had known Jade but they weren't absolute 'friends for ever' material. She saw that Dehlilah had ran over including another person she had seen helping set up the festival. Layla followed Dehlilah over to the tangled pair, from a closer look she could see that the other person helping Jade was Mack, Bryce's brother. "Are you ok?" Layla heard Dehlilah ask them both, she helped with the guy who was tangled in the bike, must be another Greek. So Layla decided to walk around and help Jade, as Mack put a helping hand on Jades shoulder, Layla heard the guy say as he untangled himself from the bike stand and say, 'Listen, I've got friends waiting on me. So if you're okay...Then I'm gonna get going.' at this statement, Layla was sort of mad. He should of watched were he was walking, but Layla didn't car for him, he seemed just like some piece of hot eye candy. She returned her attention to Jade, "Hey Jade, its Layla, are you ok?" she said worryingly, it really wasn't her business but Egyptians had to look after their own.

---

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Jade was mortified. As if matters could not get any worse, the guy was literally desperate to get away from her. "Listen, I've got friends waiting on me. So if you're okay...Then I'm gonna get going," the man was saying after he insisted they had never been introduced. She was just about to shrug it off when Mack and a tall blonde woman jogged into the scene. The woman asked if they were okay, but her eyes were hungrily raking over the man, so Jade didn't bother to answer her. "Um I'm Dehlilah," the woman stated awkwardly, protectively putting her hand onto the man. "Um so before any more people come bombard me over there, and by me, I mean Fin, who was standing next to me. I swear he's a people magnet. That, and I'm pretty hungry so..." the woman went on, apparently thinking that Jade cared either way if she and the man left or not. At the moment, her mind was elsewhere, focused on the sudden sharp dagger-like pain in her abdomen.

She didn't even notice as the woman attempted to drag the man away, eagerly pulling him away from whatever the woman, Delilah, thought was going on. What a possessive girlfriend, Jade thought briefly, but the thought was shut down almost immediately by another stab of pain. "I'm fine, yeah, of course. I'm sorry again... Mack! Hey!" She turned to Mack with a forced smile, wincing a bit at another shock wave of pain through her system. "Do you want me to take you to the doctors?" Mack asked, gently placing a hand on her shoulder and looking genuinely concerned. "We should get to the restaurant," Jade her the woman hiss to the man, desperate to pull the man away from the scene. ”Hey Jade, it’s Layla, are you okay?” Jade lifted a hand up, unable to turn around and face the growing crowd of people. ”Yeah,” she sighed with a small, forced laugh, “I’m okay, thanks, Layla.”

Jade looked to Mack, her face twisted in agony as she kept her back to Delilah and the man she was tugging to the restaurant. "Actually, I think... I think that might be a good idea, my hand is bleeding," Jade said to Mack, as she pulled her bike with her to walk with him towards his car. In reality, the bike was the only thing holding her up. She bit into her bottom lip roughly, in an attempt to stop the tears that had brimmed in her eyes. She had saw the look Mack gave her; worried eyes on her stomach. He knew. He knew what she had been too terrified to admit to herself until just a few days ago. He knew that, in her clumsy accident, she could have just murdered the child in her womb.

The idea sent hot tears streaming down her face all the way to Northbay's Medical Practice. By the time Mack's car came to a stop, she could barely get herself out of the car. She hobbled her way into the building, and the next series of events happened very quickly, and all in about five minutes. She was swept away from Mack to the back, where she was given a bed, and fluids. Dr. Mont, a gifted healer, was rushed in to see her. "I-Is it... is it d-dead?" Jade asked, her heart pounding as the doctor lifted her shirt and placed his palms onto her warm skin. "Shh.." Jade closed her eyes as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. How had she been so stupid? Riding a bike, at five months pregnant? Was she trying to kill the baby?

Was she?

The thought made her pause, and she slowly opened her eyes. She stared up at the ceiling, feeling the warm tingling sensation of Dr. Mont's Magic Touch. She was pregnant... with a baby. A real, baby. A person, inside her. The thought was sobering, and for the first time... exciting. No, she didn't want the baby to die. NO! "Please, please... Is my baby okay?" Her voice was a small whimper as a new flood of tears streaked down her cheeks. "Yes," the doctor said at last, looking up to her with a warm smile. "You got here just in time. I was able to reverse the damage." Thank the gods.. "Bella, have you come in for an ultrasound yet? You look as though you're already in your second trimester... How far along are you? Have you been taking prenatal vitamins? You do know, there are certain steps that must be taken once you know you are pregnant. Have you told your family? And the father- is he involved?"

The questions made her head spin and suddenly she felt nauseous. "No," she confessed weakly. "No to which question, Bella?" Jade stared up at the ceiling quietly. The last time she had laid in a hospital bed like the one she was in, was when she was nine and broke her arm after climbing a tree. Dr.Mont had scolded her then, too. In such a small town, everyone knew pretty much everything about everyone. Everyone would know, within a few hours or maybe a day, that she was pregnant. Gwyn would know; and any chance she had at winning her back would be gone. Her heart sank further into darkness.

"To all of them."

Just then the door to her room burst open, and she didn't even have to look up to know who it was. "By the gods, Bella, are you alright? What happened? Is she alright?? I'm here, little bird. It's aright-- you're alright, I'm here." Damn grass. Always telling on me... "She's going to be fine," Dr. Mont chuckled lightly, turning to see Alaura standing breathlessly in the door frame, just as she had all those years ago when Bella broke her arm. "As will the baby," he added as he moved to the side to let Alaura move closer to Bella. "We will need to get an ultasound before she can leave, but you both should be out of here in time for the festival tonight. I believe my daughter made a lantern especially for the festivities in your class, Ms. Aset." Jade looked sadly up at her eldest sibling, knowing that look on her face. Alaura wasn't listening to a word the doctor was saying, she was focused intently on Jade's stomach. Jade slowly closed her eyes and nodded to Dr. Mont, agreeing to the ultrasound. The sooner they got it over with, the better.

Something in the pit of her stomach started to turn, but it wasn’t a sick feeling this time. It was something different, something lighter…. Excitement.

---

---

"Nope, not yet," her sister said in response to her earlier question about Tony. Amanda gave a small nod just as a girl walked over to them. She recognized her as Layla Ail... nope, she couldn't remember her surname. "Hi...It's Fin, Amanda and Dehlilah right?" Layla asked, making sure. Before Mandy had time to respond, Dehlilah had piped up. "Uh, yeah," she said, flipping her hair. "Layla, right?" Just then, her phone buzzed. She gave them a quick, apologetic look before slipping it out from the easy access pouch at the front of her bag.

From: Izzy Dias
Hey all, your queen has awoken! So where’s everyone up to? I’m looking forward to seeing all you peeps at the festival tonight, and festivals aren’t even like my thing like at all! So you guys better be there because if I’m there alone with the village elders, heads shall roll! Lol! Will be in town fyi so feel free to meet up with me.

Amanda gave a small smile at the text, but slipped her phone back into her bag before responding, seeing as she was in the middle of a conversation. "Morning everyone, you’re all looking bright and chipper. Anyone actually helping set the festival up or are we just passive spectators?" Mandy turned her head to see Odessa approaching. "Spectator though, I actually plan on eating in this fine establishment," Dehlilah replied, smiling. Mandy opened her mouth to respond but was yet again interrupted, this time by a crash to her left.

She turned her head and saw Tony, a bike, and a girl on the ground. She chuckled lightly, but then realizing they could be hurt, regained herself. Dehlilah was already to the rescue, of course, asking if they were hurt. Then, another boy ran over, talking to the girl, what was her name? Bella, right? Dehlilah tugged lightly on Tony's arm, whether to pull him away to see if he was hurt or just to pull him away, she wasn't sure. The girl had turned towards her friends, and her hand was bleeding. She wished she could be of more help than just looking on at the scene, but the irl had already been helped up and walked away by her friends, presumably to a doctor.

She turned back to the others, giving them a slightly worried, slightly bewildered look. "Well, let's go get something from the restaurant then, shall we?" she said, regaining focus.

---

---

”Yeah,” Jade sighed with a small, forced laugh, “I’m okay, thanks, Layla.” Layla was glad that she was ok, after all she wouldn't want any of the Egyptians to get hurt. She stood back up and watched Mack help Jade to his car, probaly to go to the zclinic, just to be sure anything happened. As they drove off, Layla waved slightly before sighing to herself. The strain from her duffle bag was getting to her shoulders, not only that, but it was annoying to carry around. So she decided to start walking home, which was luckily two doors down, as she walked down the cobbled road, she noticed how wonderful the decorations were. Wow, Mack and the others are making the street quite gorgeous! she though while reaching her door and stepping inside, immediately greeted by her two eager cats Akil and Alko.

"Back so soon sweety?" Her mother had asked, she was in the living room. Probably watching Lost Girl again, she couldn't stop watching that show, if her mother had nothing else to do she would watch it. "Just wanted to drop off my bag, get some coffee, then go to work" she had walked up to her room, it was completely clean and tidy. Her dark, wooden floors were a nice contrast for the red wallpaper. Although the walls were covering with either pictures of her and her friends or posters of famous celebrities. She threw the bag into the walk-in with ease, turns around to find her two cats sitting at her feet. Like they wanted something... "Meow," they both said at the same time. Akil, the black Persian, rubbed up against her legs sweetly then jumps on the window nook, jumping over the mass of pillows, and he looks out the window out onto the main street. Layla walks over with a questionable look on her face, What are you up to Akil? she thought while sitting down on the nook with Akil. She looks out the window and tries to determine where he is looking, her eyes darting from person to person. But its no use, she presses her head against his furry side and tries to look from there. Akil is looking at the music store, Layla instantly knows what he wants. Standing back up, she crosses her arms and stares at the hopeful Akil, who was now being accompanied by Alko, the white Ragamuffin, she and him are sitting next to each other with hopeful looks on their small faces. "There is no way you two are coming to work with me," She says, with a comical look on her face, as the cats keep on with their assault on her, "You guys know that I can't, its Norse territory...Don't you look at me like that...Oh Bast help me...Fine!" She says, defeated. The cats happy with their win. They jump off and run out the door with Layla following.

As Layla gets down the stairs, she checks her phone for any messages and sees that there is none. She looks up to see her mother holding a cup of coffee, "OH MY GOD! Don't creep up on me like that mom!" She says with a slight smile on her face, almost being scared to death. Her mother gives Layla the cup of coffee and walks off laughing, "You gave in to Akil and Alko didn't you?" Layla walks out the door, her excited cats on either side of her. Layla was smiling as she walked along the sidewalk, she was happy as anyone could be. Well, apart from her cats, who looked like they were going on an adventure. Layla opens the door to the music store, the bell dinging above it, as she walked in. She saw Julian at the counter with his feet on the desk, no doubt slacking off. She couldn't blame him, there was no one here. "Alright Julian, I am here to relieve you of your jail time," she said happily. As her cats jumped onto the counter with ease, hoping to scare Julian probably.

"Its amazing I've never seen anything like it, I can't wait to see how it lights up the night. Fin grinned happy that he has found someone else as excited about the festival and the decorations. "Where there is romance.... " She said dramatically twirling around and motioning to herself "There is me." Fin laughed playfully, copying her twirling around motion though rather than motioning to himself he motioned to all the decorations going up around them. “So then you should be triply excited about tonight then.” He said shooting her a beaming smile.

“If were not careful to control them tonight we can make the most sensible of men turn into teenage boys who just hit puberty." Fin frowned sympathetically, he understood her need to be careful more than some, seeming as he and his sister also needed to be careful not to accidently turn someone insane. Though Fin worried about it a lot less than Daphne, and had slightly more control over it. “That’s a bummer, with all your being careful make sure you don’t forget to have fun yeah?” He asked worried that the Dehlilah he had just seen admiring the lanterns and decorations would get a chance to enjoy them later that night. “Your sister too.”

"Hey, Fin," Finn grinned broadly at the blonde as she greeted him. She was another Greek he was on friendly term with, though he seemed to be friendly with almost everyone. “Hey Mandy, looking forward to the festival?” He asked excitedly. Before the blonde could answer though they were joined by another girl, he knew he had met her before but couldn’t recall a name.

"Hi...It's Fin, Amanda and Dehlilah right?" Luckily Fin didn’t have to remember her name because Dehlilah jumped in calling her Layla, Fin smile warmly at the girl. “Got them all right,” he said with a smile a thumbs up, he acknowledged that it would be hard for everyone in Northbay with the sudden new members.

“Morning everyone, you’re all looking bright and chipper. Anyone actually helping set the festival up or are we just passive spectators?” Greeted Odessa as she joined the growing group. “I’m with the same as Dehlilah, just spectating, though I might join in the setting up later,” he said with a grin not wanting to skimp out of preparations and leave it to everyone else. Though if he got distracted and didn’t end up helping it would have surprised anyone.

Suddenly just a little off where they were standing there was a crash and what seemed to be two people colliding, one on a bike. It all happened very quickly and while Fin was still surveying what had happened, they girl taken off with Mack and the guy dragged of Dehlilah. Then Layla took off shortly after. Still blinking at what happened Fin turned to Odessa who was still within speaking range. “Well, that all happened very quickly. Though it was very awesome,” he said trying to stop his usual grin from creeping onto his features, since this accident seemed rather serious. “I hope that girl is okay though,” he tacked on the end seeming at the guy Dehlilah was with seemed fine but the girl hadn’t look great when she left.

"Well, let's go get something from the restaurant then, shall we?" Amanda said looking back at him and Odessa, seemingly regaining her focus after what had just transpired. Fin paused for a moment looking between Odessa and Amanda, remembering Dehlilah had mention to him hanging out with her sister and Tony. “Well, I don’t mind, but I really wouldn’t want to intrude,” Fin responded with a carefree smile, looking questioningly between Odessa and Amanda, seeming as he wasn’t sure Odessa wanted to get food. Though he’s decided if Odessa joined them he’d go, but if she wasn’t going to he’d find some other people to hang out with. After all it seemed that had made plans to catch up and he didn’t want to be out of place.

“What a way to start the day.” Odessa replied to Fin with a bit of a shrug as she watched the commotion play out. She watched as Layla and a few others came to the girl’s aid. The crash had looked pretty rough and it seemed like Tony couldn’t get away fast enough. Odessa vaguely noticed as the rest of the group went in to be seated without her apparently. It wasn’t as if she was unused to being excluded and it seemed like Tony probably needed a minute to collect himself anyway. Walking in after the other Greeks she took a moment to look around and take note of who else had decided to have breakfast in town this morning.

As she walked up to the counter and took a seat, she smiled at the other waitress on duty whom Odessa knew from the pub. Quickly she ordered a ham and cheese omelet and a side of wheat toast before slipping out of her thin cardigan and tucking her sunglasses away in her bag. She was positively starving and the breakfast bar she had forced herself to eat at 6:30 this morning was long gone. There was also the small fact that since she burned so much excess energy that her appetite was usually ravenous. She supposed it paid to be an Ares kid, the metabolism was out of sight.

Digging in to the steaming plate that was set before her, Odessa felt like she was in heaven. Food was one of her loves and she had never been the kind of girl that worried about what other people thought of her. So what if she could eat an entire pizza by herself and she thought salad was a curse word? There wasn’t anything wrong with that.




Julian had only had one customer all day and it had been Izzy Dias, who as a rule of thumb he was quite fond of. Of course he greeted her as Your Highness and flirted shamelessly with her until she picked out what she wanted and took her leave. Watching her walk away he was reminded of a certain night they shared that he wouldn’t mind reliving again. There was always the festival later for all that, of course by then there’d be a plethora of people around who he might take a shine to.

Lazily resuming his position behind the counter he went back to his magazine and started thinking about food. He never ate breakfast…or lunch for that matter, he just didn’t have the patience to wait for it to cook or to even go to a restaurant and order anything. For this reason he tended to live off candy, beef jerky and beer. Your typical diet of a twenty-one year old bachelor.

It was then that he heard the jingle of the bell signaling the arrival of a customer, more than happy to break up the monotony he looked up expectantly only to come face to face with Layla, his co-worker and her cats apparently.

“Oh, it’s just you. Hey, it’s been dead. Enjoy.” He remarked casually as he let his feet drop to the floor with a thud as he leaned in to take a closer look at the felines on the counter top. Julian was a fan of animals and often respected them more than most people. Plus he was a shape shifter after all; he spent half his time wandering around in one animal form or another, his favorite being the domestic house cat.

“I like the cats. They give the place a certain je ne sais quoi. Anyway, catch you later.” Julian finished as he gathered his things and headed for the door. He and Layla didn’t exactly get along great. They weren’t enemies by any means just two totally different types of people and if he wasn’t mistaken he made her uneasy.

Decided that he would leave his car at the store for now he decided to walk the rest of the way into the center of town where all the preparations were taking place. What better time to scope out what could be the event of the century? As he pulled out a crooked cigarette and lit it with the black bic he kept in his pocket he found himself in front of the pub. “Nah, too early. Not that much of a degenerate.” The tall, lanky boy said to himself out loud. His smooth baritone, comforting and soothing even to his own ears.

It was then he spotted his sister and Ava and with a crooked grin he walked over to the pair, overhearing most of their conversation on his way over. Tucking his hand into the pockets of his jeans he leaned against the wooden pillar holding up a booth still in the process of being assembled.

“I was just about to ask the same question.” Jules replied in greeting as he took a drag from the still lit cigarette dangling from his pouty lips. “I plan on getting properly wasted and I just can’t do it on my own, it’s not nearly as fun.” He finished with a cheeky grin and a wink in Ava’s direction.

---

---

Jade stood quietly behind Alaura as she took control of the situation- like she did every situation."How can we ever repay you?" Alaura asked, and Jade looked to her with a bit of annoyance. It was over just a quick as it had flared, and she was back to staring at the ground. "No, nothing. I don't need to be repaid," Mack replied, adding "I'm glad you're alright Jade." Jade looked up at him and offered a shy, embarrassed smile. Not soon after, she felt a warmth on her hand and turned to notice Quincy, who she offered the same smile to. He leaned in towards Alaura, informing her that he was there to help if she needed. As always. Jade stared at Quincy for a moment as Liam walked up. Quincy was so in love with her sister, so willing and desperate to help or leap at her command. Jade wondered if Alaura even knew about the effect she had on Quincy.


"Okay... Hoping everything is alright. Maybe we should bring Jade back to her home... I know that she probably doesn't want to stay here at least," Liam offered, speaking to her sister as if she weren't there. Jade looked up at him then, but not to glare. She was too numb to be mad at anyone right now, even though she was feeling more and more claustrophobic by the second. Mack began to nod, which drew her attention back to him as he said, "Do you need anything? I can swing by the supermarket and pick up any supplies..." "I don't think there's--" "The doctor said I need prenatal vitamins," Jade cut in, speaking up as she took her hand away from her older sister. "And, I'm pregnant, not crippled. Alaura, don't you have festival decorations to be putting up?" She sighed, aware of the annoyed tone coming out in her voice. She didn't want all these people around-- she just wanted Gwyn. Right now, that's all she wanted- to curl up beside her and die if that'd make a smile lift Gwyn's cheeks.

Jade shook away the thoughts of her ex as she placed a hand on her steadily growing stomach. Just as the doctor had said; her womb was inflating steadily, even as she stood in front of her friends now. She could feel milimeter by milimeter expanding, and her shorts already starting to feel tighter. "Just go back to decorating for the festival, I'm sure they need the help. My house isn't far- I'll walk. I want to walk, Alaura. I need some time to think. Mack, if you could maybe bring the vitamins over later, or give them to me when you see me at the festival- yes, I'm still going, that'd be great." She glanced around once more to everyone standing, staring at her. "Thank you all for being so worried, but I'm healed now, and I'm okay. I was just a little shook up, but Mack totally took care of me so I'm good now, okay? I'll see you all at the festival." With that, and before anyone else could chime in to stop her, she walked out of the clinic and started up the sidewalk to go back to her townhouse, which was as she said fairly close by.

As her door closed behind her, she leaned up against the frame and slowly slid to the floor, sobbing as she held her growing stomach. This was not how she had wanted anyone to find out- at all. It was all just too much: the loss of her girlfriend, not knowing who the father was, everyone finding out that she was pregnant, the idea of facing everyone that night with a beach-ball for a stomach, but above everything else-- almost losing her children. All five of them. Five of them. The idea made her nauseous, and she curled into herself, holding her stomach gently as she wept for everything she had lost.

When she was finally done feeling sorry for herself, she clawed her way back up her door to walk into her bathroom. She slowly stripped down, still sniffling and crying a little as she stared at her naked reflection. Her stomach welled in front of her as her red, puffy, eyes trailed over her form. She had been so beautiful once- now she looked like a cartoon character that had swallowed a beach ball. With a sigh, she showed and dug through her clothes for a larger pair of shorts, and a loose enough top to flow over her new stomach. Luckily the butterfly print managed to cover all of her skin, but it was painfully evident that she was pregnant. There would be no hiding it now. Figuring that she should at least tell her father, Jade scooped up her car keys and headed out of the door. She was about to get in, when she changed her mind. She could walk there, too. She lived on the other side of main street as it was, so it would just be a short walk to the bakery. Before she left, she placed a postit note on her door, in case Mack tried to drop the vitamins off at her house.

With a heavy heart, she put her keys, wallet, and cell into her brown shoulder purse. Walking felt significantly different now that she had so much weight toward her front. She found herself having to lean back just slightly, and felt very comfortable with one hand on her stomach. As she walked down the street, she noticed that most of the decorations had been set up, and the road had officially been blocked off. Good thing she hadn't taken her car. As she entered the bakery, her father came around the counter with a very serious look on his face. "It's been a long time, Bella," he said, his accent still as heavy as the day she was born. She couldn't help but smile warmly, tears swelling in her eyes. "I know, Papa." "I see you bring good news," his tone lifted with his smile as he walked over to her and put his arms around her. "I bet Guinevere is very excited," he chuckled. Bella started to cry all over again at the mention of her ex, throwing her arms around her father in a tight embrace.

She spent the next thirty minutes filling him in on everything he had missed over the past year, and apologized for being so secretive and distant. Mr. Aset sat stone silent on the other end of the patio table, ignoring the coffee one of his helpers had brought them. "You mean you don't know who the father is?" His tone was gentle, but firm, and from years of listening to that combination she could also hear the underlining disappointment. "I've tried to remember, Papa... I really have, but I just... I can't remember at all. I'm scared, Papa. I don't know what to do." Mr. Aset nodded slowly, holding the ultrasound picture in his hand fondly. "That's exactly how I felt when I first found out your mother was pregnant with Alaura. I was terrified. But, I found a way, little bird. Just as you will. You said Alaura already knows of this? Yes, well, then you will certainly have a lot of support. I'm sure April will be happy to hear the news as well." Jade smiled in awe of her father's calm demeanor. He was always so cool- so collect. No wonder Alaura always had her head on her shoulders.

"I have to get back to the bakery, little bird. Lots of baking to be done, the festival is starting soon. You just try to have fun, and relax a little. All there is to be done now is prepare." Jade nodded and stood as her father did, accepting a kiss to each of her cheeks. She felt significantly better. With renewed hope for herself, she made her way through main street which was lined with rides, vendors and food stands now- all frantically trying to set up for the festival. She had been signed up to work the kissing booth by Alaura weeks ago, and she felt a small twist in her stomach. No one was going to want to kiss a pregnant girl. She helped herself to a large pretzel, as she stood on the side walk and pulled out her phone to text for emergency back-up. She couldn't tell Alaura that she wouldn't be able to make it- she'd have to find a replacement.

To: Ariel, Asta, Julian, Leslie, Ronan, Bryce, Chione, Ramses, Fin, Daphne, Izzy, Stephanie.
Message: [GROUP MESSAGE] Hey everyone! I know this is super last minute, but I was supposed to work the kissing booth and get it organized, but... something came up. I have the following time slots that need to be filled, and I would love you forever if you could take a shift? 6:00-6:30, 7:00-7:30, 8:00-8:30, 9:00-9:30, and 10:00-10:30. The thirty minutes between each time the booth will hold raffles- the money goes to the school playground! Martha ((NPC)) will be taking care of the raffles, so after your thirty minutes is up you're free (: Let me know, guys! Again, thanks so much!

Jeeze, what a long text. She sighed a little, and continued to text since she had nothing better to do- and because she was a little lonely.

To:Layla
Message: Thanks for checking on me earlier. I'm okay, by the way. (: I hope we can get to hang out tonight.

To:Gwyn
Message: We need to talk. Please. It's important. - Jbird.

To:Mack
Message: Hey, I don't know if you got my note on the door or not but I'm already downtown for the festival! I went to see my dad at the bakery. He took the news well. Thanks for being so cool earlier, and for taking me to the hospital. I'm glad I have a friend like you.

To: Quincy
Message: Hey... can you do me one more favor? Keep Alaura busy tonight at the festival. I really don't need her breathing down my neck, worried the whole night. I want to have some fun, and she needs to have some fun. I know you're the man for the job. Ps- Thanks again for today, Quincy... meant a lot.

---

---

"So, little to say but so much time, despite my empty mouth, the words are in my mind," Layla walked up and down the racks of music, the racks were of a metal construct, made by small black poles, holding up rows and rows of assorted music, from the old to the new. Over the speakers playing: First Love by Adele, this is a really good 'peaceful mood' song of Layla's, she is heard singing along casually, as she inspected the music, re-arranging any misplaced cases. Suddenly she felt a familiar touch at her leg, it was Akil rubbing against her with his black smooth fur. With a smile on her face she puts the final case away and picks him up, his tail swaying peacefully. She rubbed her nose against his and laughed, she was in a happy mood, she started to comically dance with him, it was a slow and happy dance, she smiled as she sang, "Please wear the face, the one where you smile," she stopped and placed the cat gently down on the counter with the happy Alko. She reached into her pocket in her top, and pulled out her phone. She unlocked it and opened her messages, she had received a reply from Bryce.

To: Layla
K. See you in an hour or so, then?

As she read the message, she was filled with joy, she started to type excitedly on the touch screen.

To: Bryce
Yeah, sure. About to close up the music store soon anyway, then take Akil and Alko home. Wanna meet up at the park or resteraunt or something?

She locked her phone then placed it safely back in her top pocket. With that she made a squeal of joy and danced around the room as: Cold Shoulder, Adele came on through the speakers. She liked being in an Adele mood today. Over on the counter the two cat lovers danced to, it was ironic actually. One was black, and the other white, Ying and Yang right? It was strange the way that Layla found the two.

It was a chilly winter morning actually, she was 10 and she was walking like a penguin at the amount of warm clothing her father had put on her. She was playing in the snow with her brother, they were building a snowman, it was actually quite shabby, they had the pebbles for the buttons and mouth, a nice red scarf, and who couldn't forget the nice long carrot for the nose? When they finished they gave a cheerful "Hip Hip!" then in a couple of seconds snow bursted everywhere, two little kittens jumped through the snow construct. One thing led to another and Layla's parents let her keep them. They were her friends, and sometimes they seemed like human beings to her. But they weren't, luckily for her though, she had a knack for making friends.

As the song came to finish, Layla switched off the music, with a touch of a button on the master remote and sat it back on the counter. As she happily made her way to the door, her cats trailed behind her playfully, she grabbed the plastic sign to 'Open' to 'Closed', with a single sweep, and opened the door and walked out, locking the door behind her, still humming the remnants of the song she just heard. She walked her way across the cobbled street and made it to the front door of her house, and let the door open for her companions, as they let out a thanking 'Meow' as they slipped inside. She smiled as she closed the wooden door and walked over to the resteraunt. "Alright, meeting at the restaurant it is then!" she though to herself as she made her way across the busy street, the decor is going good, in a few hours they should be done. She opened the door and made way to an empty table, the table could easily fit four people. She sat down and pulled out her mobile phone, sending a text to Bryce, and to her brother Xander, who she didn't see this morning.

To: Bryce
Hey, at the restaurant, wanna meet up with Tut here?

To Xander:
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey? You awake? If you are, then get dressed. Oh, you are royally invited to spend the time at the Lantern Festival with Bryce and me, I think Tut may come. No idea. Now, get up or Akil will jump on you...Oh! I forgot where to tell you where I am! The Restaurant. :P

With that she presses send and smiles, looking around while placing her phone on the neat tablecloth, as she looks around she notices that she is next to the Greeks. It wasn't really necessary that she would talk to them, but it would be nice to be friendly. But for now, she decided to keep to herself and play games on her phone. While waiting for Bryce and the others.

The warm sunlight poured through Xander's window, creating a cozy blanket of warmth over his body, though the air around him was hot with the summer day that had started without him. He knew that he was wasting the day away in bed, but it was so very comfortable to be bathed in the light of the sun and laying there, so relaxed. As far as he was concerned, the troubles of the outside world couldn't-

BZZZZT!

His phone went off on his nightstand, shocking him out of the lazy stupor that he had been held in. Groaning, he snatched his phone off the table and unplugged it, then stared sleepily at the text that his sister had sent him. He whined out loud, even though he knew that no one was around to hear his protests to having to get up and actually do things. He shot Layla back a text quickly, not wanting her to blow up his phone, and knowing she would if he didn't answer her soon enough. She liked to do things like that to wake him up or to urge him to actually move.



Grudgingly, Xander rolls out of bed and rifles through his dresser to find some clothes and he heads off to the bathroom. After his shower, he shaves and brushes his teeth, then gels his hair up into a fohawk. Xander looks into the mirror for a moment, then takes the towel off from around his waist and gets dressed. His clothes include some dark skinny jeans that he wears properly at his waist with a belt, and a button up blue plaid shirt with sleeves that go down to his elbows. He then puts a chain necklace around his neck. Before he heads off to the restaurant, he puts on some tennis shoes and sprays cologne on himself. Then he grabs his keys and heads out of the door.

Xander drives to the restaurant that Layla said she would be at, then gets out when he gets there. He spots Layla at a table through the window, and walks in. He slides into the seat across from her and looks at her with a half smile. "Where's the boy toy? I thought he'd have made it here before me." Xander puts both elbows on the table, resting his chin on his hands as he looks at Layla. "Oh, and sister dearest? You owe me sleep for this. I was perfectly content staying in my bed. Pain in my ass." After his statement, he gives a chuckle. "Do you know if Tut is coming?"

Xander notices the Greek boys at a table near theirs, and he gives a brief, distrusting glance, but decides to mind his own business and not say anything to them. After all, they hadn't done anything to him... Yet.

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Layla sat on the comfortable seat with her elbows on the table, lazily supporting her head, but still in a way of her expression she still seemed to keep her calm, but had nothing to do, she had gotten bored from playing Candy Crush five minutes ago, she was completely bored. Then a miracle came, her phone vibrated in her top pocket. She pulled it out, but she was so jumpy that she accidentally semi-threw it into the air. She flailed her arms in the air, trying to catch it, with one final lunge upwards, she caught it, well...touched it, as it fell back down and hit her on the head, landing back on the table. It was a sort of a comical event for those around her, even she laughed. But only slightly, mainly to not look like an idiot. She unlocked her black phone and looked in her messages. She sighed deeply and rolled her eyes, 'I got excited over a text from my brother, who am I?'

To Layla:
Ugh, you suck royally. I was perfectly happy in my bed. I'll be there after I get ready. Love ya.

After reading the message she put her phone on the table, she sighed and got the attention of a waiter, a young man came walking around the corner and asked, "What can I get for you today?" he was young, maybe her age, give or take. Layla smiled, "Yeah hi, can I get a glass of coke, and a glass of lemonade please?" she asked the waiter as she nodded and went back around the corner to get her order, she sat down properly, straightened her back, and fixed her hair. A young man then comes sliding in on the seat opposite her, "Where's the boy toy? I thought he'd have made it here before me." he proclaimed, giving off a half smile. Instead of slapping the fool, she smiled at him, as he puts his elbows on the table, supporting his head. "Oh, and sister dearest? You owe me sleep for this. I was perfectly content staying in my bed. Pain in my ass." After his statement, he gives a chuckle. "Do you know if Tut is coming?" She doesn't reply, but she smiles, "Ah, here are our drinks, thank you." the man puts the icy coke in front of her, and in front of her brother, a nice icy glass of lemonade, she did this just to annoy him, as he dislikes lemonade greatly. 'I AM SO EVIL!' she thought, a creepy laugh echoing throughout her mind.

Xander found it very suspicious that his sister wasn't saying anything to any of his comments. Usually she had something to say to his sarcastic and teasing words. But he understood her silence and the mischeivous gleam in her eye soon enough. A waitor came by and sat a glass of coke in front of his sister, his favorite soda, and then in front of him an ice cold glas of... lemonade? Layla knew he hated lemonade. Then it clicked in his head. This was her way of getting revenge on him. Well, he wouldn't let her have the satisfaction of letting her see him get upset over it, so he kept himself composed and took a sip of the vile liquid.

He felt as the ice cold liquid entered his mouth, and the sour taste assaulted his taste buds. As he forced it down his throat, he felt it leave a dry feeling in his mouth. This was why he hated lemonade. It always made you feel more thirsty than you had been beforehand, and it was way too sour and sweet at the same time. It confused him and had too much going on. He liked simple drinks, like his coke.

"Now, what is it that we are doing at this festival that was so important that you had to get me out of bed? Just kissing your boyfriend to remind me I'm alone?" He said, taking another sip of the lemonade in front of him. He would so get her back for this someday, and someday very soon. Maybe he would volunteer her for the dunk tank or something, if they didn't have enough people already. All he knew was that she should watch her back from now on. He downed the rest of the lemonade, hating every second of it, and then stood up.

"Let's go to this festival then. It's starting soon, right?" Xander offers his hand to his sister after he ushes in his own chair, ready to leave now. "C'mon, I'm sure your boy toy won't like waiting for you."

Fin followed the two blonde sisters and Tony as they entered the restaurant, and upon entering he was happily assaulted by the smell of freshly cooked food. He noticed Odessa sitting by herself and without even thinking he grinned as he feet steered him towards the girl. Though he was brought back to the group as Dehlilah asking for a table for four and food overtook his previous thought pattern.

Fin smiled broadly as Viona approached their table, she had always been one of his favourite people in Northbay since she was always so friendly and up for a conversation. He order his meal and happily ate it when Viona returned from the kitchen with it.

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It was after they had all finished lunch that Amanda excused herself first. “Bye,” Finn called out to Amanda as she walked out before turning back to Dehlilah and smiling sheepishly. “And then there were two,” he said as he his eyes slide to the clock on the far wall. “And pretty soon there will only be one,” he said reluctantly as he realised that his was due to start his shift at the restaurant now.

“My shift here starts in five,” He explained and he motioned to restaurant they were sitting in. “I really do hate to leave such a pretty girl alone though,” Fin added on while smiling broadly since Dehlilah being exceedingly pretty was just a commonly accepted fact. Sighing he got up and headed through the restaurant towards the back room. Though even just that took him at least five minutes seemings as he kept stopping to say ‘hi’ to pretty much everyone who had come in for lunch.

“Enjoy your lunch Layla,” Fin said grinning as he walked pasted Layla’s table, remembering her from earlier outside the restaurant. “-And it’s Xander right?” Fin asked the guy she was sharing a table with, he was pretty sure he was her brother but he couldn’t be sure. Though he was always up for meeting new people.

He hardly waited to hear the two’s answers before moving on further through the restaurant greeting more people as he went. He also found Odessa sitting by herself clearly enjoying her meal, he found her love of food somewhat endearing. “I take it your enjoying that?” He asked casually as he slid in behind the counter she was eating at, grinning at Viona who was standing nearby. Though he crossed his finger hoping she didn’t comment on his slight lateness.

“Hey co-worker,” He greeted cheerily, “read any good books lately?” Pretty much everyone who knew Viona knew she was a sucker for a good fiction book. Though he turned and made a playfully revolted faced and mouthed reading to Odessa while also making hand motions like reading a book. Fin did not understand reading at all, for him there was nothing more boring then reading a book, all through high school he had been constantly thrown out of English class for not reading the novels. After a paragraph of reading he just tuned out and would let his attention wander onto a new activity.