Respite

[Layla]

Layla sighed in relief as she sank into a booth at an obscure coffee house. There was a low hum of a few people chatting and the sound of the coffee machines whirring, but it was a nice backdrop - not too quiet, but not too intrusive.

Expelling her breath she smiled; finally: a break. She certainly needed one; after all, there was only so much stress and drama she could take before cracking and she knew that she had been veering incredibly close to the edge.

Closing her eyes briefly, Layla imagined that she was back home. No, home wasn't the most pleasant place, but sometimes she missed it. And right now, it seemed like it would be the better place to be. Sure, she was enjoying herself at school, but there was too much drama sometimes. People should just kick back and relax. It'd make things so much more enjoyable - at least for her.

Laughing quietly to herself, Layla wondered when she had become the nostalgic, homesick type. She never would have imagined that she would be that kind of person - not her with her incredible inclination toward independence. Perhaps she didn't know herself as well as she thought.

Glancing up at the waitress who had come to give her the black coffee she had ordered, Layla gave a quick "thanks" before slipping further down in the padded seat, her head leaning against the frame. Occasionally sipping the coffee, Layla felt a small smile tug at her lips; it was true after all: sometimes all a body needed was to spend a few moments alone in thought.


(OOC: If anyone wants to interrupt Layla's peace and quiet, be my guest - she certainly needs to have some more interaction with people

[doyne]

Doyne walked into the coffee house. Nice style of weird! I like it!, she thought.
She had a feeling the two new girls she'd been trying to make friends with just thought of her as annoying. So she did them a "favor" and left their company for the time being.
Noticing Layla, Doyne grinned and walked over. This is Flora's friend. So I wasn't perfect a few days ago. Maybe I can figure things out now, she decided.

"Hello, Flora's Friend. Can I sit here? I er...need to ask you some things."

[Layla]

Startled by the voice intruding into her thoughts, Layla's gaze shot up quickly. Seeing the girl, that girl from the other night in Flora's room, Layla inwardly groaned. What was her name? It started with a D . . . right - Doyne. The girl certainly didn't have good timing; first she had interrupted her conversation with Flora and now she was interrupting her alone time.

Taking a second look at Doyne, Layla knew that even if she did say "no" that probably wouldn't have much of an effect. More likely than not, the girl would just keep talking. And right now Layla didn't feel like putting up a fight; it would be easier to just let her sit down and listen while she rambled. Noncommittally, Layla shrugged and said, "Sure, I don't mind."

[doyne]

"You seem like you mind. If you tell me to get lost, I will." Nothing. "Ok then, I won't!"
Doyne pulled herself a seat. "I just wanted to ask you about Flora and Palladium. She really likes him, doesn't she? But what if he doesn't like her? Don't worry, this is all confidential."

[Layla]

Layla's eyebrows shot up. Just like that the girl expected her to just spill everything she knew about Flora and the professor? What kind of friend would do that?

Carefully choosing her words, Layla replied, "You know, I really don't know anything. Flora's business is hers. Not mine. I don't pry." On the word 'pry,' Layla looked pointedly at Doyne and then continued, "But I will say this: Flora's smart; she knows how to handle herself - I'm just the friend; all I do is support. That's all that I can do."

Looking at Doyne, Layla smiled briefly. "You probably think I'm just trying to avoid answering your question, but I'm not. I honestly don't know anything - I haven't even talked to Flora for a while now, so things are probably a lot different now than they were just a day or so ago." Layla's voice trailed off as she stared down into her coffee mug, her hands wrapped around the base.

[doyne]

"Uh.....um, I'm sorry. Being Griselda's daughter doesn't exactly give me a social advantage." Doyne realized she had probably said something dumb, again. "Uh, so how's your family like?!"she asked.
You darn right you don't have a social advantage!, she scolded herself.

[mileva]

Mileva stepped into the coffee house and took a sniff. It smelled good here. She had returned just because she savored the fact that Mirta had helped her get around Magix. And the stuff here was good too.

She ordered herself a cup and went to find a table to sit next, when she saw a familiar face, and one unfamiliar face.

"Hello Doyne!" She waved. She didn't know who the other girl was, but she hoped to find out.

(OOC: Heh, now I'm stalking you. )

[doyne]

"AAAH! Private talkey! You inturrupting!" Doyne flung her cup of coffee at Mileva. "Get out! Out! Out! Out, bye bye!"
Mileva was surprised of course, thinking Doyne had wanted to be friends with her.
"ROAR! I said get out!" Doyne chased Mileva outside and slammed the door. "Come in here again and you'll be really sorry."
She turned to Layla. "So, where were we?"she asked, oblivous to the fact that she had just made a complete "witch" of herself.

[mileva]

(OOC: You're using my character again! T.T Don't, she's not yours!)

"Right." Mileva just raised her eyebrows and walked away.

[Layla]

Layla's face reflected her astonishment at what had just happened; her eyes were widened and her mouth gaped open. Glancing around the room and seeing the irritated faces of the other customers, Layla flashed them an embarrassed smile. Turning back to Doyne she whispered, her voice tinged with exasperation, "Hey, chill, would you?"

Not waiting for Doyne's response, Layla quickly added, "Look, I've got to get going; I'll see you around."

Tossing some money at the waitress to pay for her drink, Layla quickly left the cafe, not even bothering to wait for her change. Once outside Layla began walking, not even caring where she ended up. She had to admit though, that Doyne's outburst couldn't have come at a better time.

Reaching up to shake her hair loose from the ponytail it had been in, Layla smiled faintly. The last thing she wanted to talk about with that girl - well, with anyone for that matter - was her family. Some things were just better left undiscussed and her family certainly fell into that category.

[doyne]

There were lots of angry stares in the aftermath. What have I said wrong now? Doyne wondered.
"Stupid people, isn't anyone on my side?!"she asked the cafe people. The cafe people were not amused. Much less understanding.
Doyne kicked the table and flounced out before she could cry.