Stars and Conversations (Pt.2)

Layla slowly unravels herself from Lucian, unwilling to fully let go.

"You're really getting touchy, aren't you?" Lucian sarcastically snarks at her.

Layla's face goes red with embarrassment before turning to an angry pout.

"Don't act so tough. You nearly had a stroke when I touched your arm." Layla retorts.

Lucian shakes his head.

"Well, if you weren't wearing such a skimpy dress, I wouldn't have been forced to be your talking blanket." He taunts back.

Layla blushes, realizing how out of the ordinary wearing a dress like this is for her.

She hides her red cheeks with his sleeve, causing Lucian to laugh at her being so shy.

Her cheeks return to their normal pigment, and her features turn solemn again.

"Don't leave me again. I was all alone after you left."

She gazes up at Lucian, her head upon his shoulder.

Surprised by her sudden remark, Lucian looks down at her, their eyes meeting.

"Don't worry. If Harald takes you on as an Apprentice, we'll see eachother every day." He says, soothing her worries.

Lucian looks away as a light bulb sparks in his mind.

"And if he doesn't."

Lucian clicks his tongue.

Iris uncloaks from her stealth a few meters away and struts towards them.

"Friend."

Lucian utters the command and looks to Layla.

Iris turns her head, looking at Layla and then back to Lucian.

He nods, affirming her unspoken question, causing her to move closer.

Layla attempts to recoil away as Iris moves closer. Fearful of the panther, after watching her savage actions in the hall.

"It's alright. She won't hurt you." Lucian coos, stretching his arm around Layla, stopping her from retreating any further.

Though, Layla's fear only amplifies as Iris's maw is now a few inches from her face.

"Sniff. Sniff."

Iris inhales her scent several times before lowering her head to Layla.

"She wants you to pet her." Lucian says.

Layla looks to Lucian, showing her fear.

"Here." Lucian replies, slowly unraveling her left hand from his arm and placing it on Iris's head.

Layla strokes Iris's fur carefully for fear of angering the beast.

"Prrrrr." Iris purrs with satisfaction.

"So soft.." Layla whispers.

Layla continues stroking Iris's fur, her fear slowly falling away.

...

Several fur strokes and purrs later.

Iris moves her to withdraw from the affection. Returning Layla's affection with a few too many licks for her liking.

"Ew! That one went in my mouth!" Layla exclaims with giggles.

Layla's giggling quickly stops as Iris's hackles rise to their peak.

Her golden eyes dart to the forest beyond the parapets.

Though just as suddenly as they rose, her hackles lower, and she looks back to Lucian.

"You can go now, girl." Lucian says.

Saddened by the loss of further affection, Iris slowly bounds away as shadows begin to cloak her again.

Lucian rises from stones as Iris disappears.

"I think I should head to bed. I have training tomorrow morning, and it's getting late."

Layla begins to stand as the absence of Lucian's warmth leaves her much colder than before.

"That's fine. My mother and I will be staying here for the next week, at the Marquis's request. So I'll have plenty of time to see you."

Lucian waves to her and turns to leave.

"Can I ask you a favor before you leave?" Layla calls out.

"Yeah. What do you need?"

Layla shuffles her feet.

"Could you vouch for me to the Marquis? I think that if you say something to him, he's more likely to say yes."

Lucian nods a few times.

"That makes sense."

"I'll do it."

Glee erupts from Layla's face as she nearly jumps in place.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" She exclaims.

She runs toward Lucian and plants a kiss on his cheek as a reward.

"Though, you-" Lucian attempts to continue, though his jaw drops to the floor before he can finish his sentence.

Layla prances off towards the stairs. Her cheeks flush from the daring act she's just committed.

"You can take that as your reward!"

Lucian watches her prance off to the keep, his jaw still hanging open.

...