I'm excited as this chapter introduces Morty. There will be familiar faces and surprising friendships in this chapter. Minor language warning at the end, but that's it!
There's a strange gasping noise. Layla doesn't understand what could be making that sound and she doesn't even know when she started working on the Pidgey in front of her. She glances down at it to find the pokemon already dead and still in her hands. With a gasp, she leaves it on the exam table and stumbles out of the room to find herself in the daycare, running towards the office.
"It was her!" Camden's voice screams, swirling down the hallway to her.
Everything moves much slower as Layla tries to help Camden, her feet weighing her down as she stumbles to the doorway to see the familiar scene before her. Camden on the chair and the man with blue hair and eyes holding a gun to her boss. A shadow slinks around the desk and she feels her body freeze up under it's murderous gaze, a Houndoom with flames dripping from his mouth as he peers at her.
The scene changes in a flash to her childhood home, the same pokemon having broken through the window looking ready for blood. Layla finally manages to stumble back as the room changes between the house and the office until it lands on the office and Houndoom leaps in the air, the man firing from his gun at the same time.
"No!" Layla screams, fumbling with her sheets as she scrambles for cover.
"Honey!" Juniper rushes into the room and gasps at the scene recreated before them. "You're in your apartment. It's fake!"
The words reach Layla and she realizes what's happened; her abilities put up an illusion of the crime scene last night. The desk sits opposite her bed with Camden sitting at it, fearful for his life, staring at the barrel of the gun with wide eyes. The man with blue hair grinning down at her boss-er- former boss.
She drops the covers, huffing at it before her with narrowed eyes. With her mind returning to normal the image begins to fade back to her bedroom.
"Wait," Juniper runs across the room to inspect the man holding the gun as he fades. "The G-men know him."
"It's gone," Layla huffs as it's no more.
"What a beautiful illusion, though, honey," Juniper recovers from the momentary excitement. She slips onto the bed, rubbing her arm to comfort her. "You're safe here. I won't let that man get you."
"I know," she breathes, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder.
Juniper holds her for a moment, trying to think of something for her to do, to get out of the house and feel some sort of safety. Her mind goes back to the illusion and she swears that man was part of Team Rocket, Archer? Yeah, that was his name. He's pretty high ranking and that Houndoom... It would be beneficial for Wesley to see it, and good for Layla to feel a sense of accomplishment.
"You should show them, at the league."
"What?" Layla frowns at her mother.
"They'll want to see the crime scene, dear," Juniper comments again with a laugh. "They'll want proof and it's not something easy to fake."
Layla nods, weighing her options with a sudden smile. "I should visit Will anyway."
Before she can back out, Juniper pulls her daughter out of bed and ushers her into the bathroom to get ready. It doesn't take long for Layla to get dressed in ripped denim, and a striped shirt with a picture of a Smeargle on the front. Her mother makes breakfast sandwiches, wrapping them in a napkin to take on the move.
"I can be back tonight, if you'd like?" Juniper offers. "Or do you want to come home?"
After a good night's sleep, Layla feels a little less paranoid about that man coming to her home. If he wanted to find her, he would have searched the hallway last night, or even tried again last night despite her mother's presence. He was aware of Layla's uninvolvement in whatever Camden had done.
She doubts she's free, but the chances of him attacking now might be low. Hania and Race were excellent for her conscience. Something that can be replicated with Eusine's planned return home tonight. His Alakazam, Hugo, would warn them of any trouble and she trusts the psychic type completely.
"I don't want to make a big deal of it," Layla sighs. "I am just a witness to something terrible, not a key to whatever was happening last night."
"I agree, but that doesn't mean you're safe," Juniper responds. "I can get a guard detail on you, but it might take a bit."
"I'll be okay with that," Layla nods. "I just don't want to jump to any conclusions just yet."
"I understand, but you're worth protecting. Okay, love?"
"I know, Mom."
They head out from there, the league Alakazam sending Layla to the Plateau while her mother heads home to shower and change.
The pokemon league looks so luxurious since its remodel two years ago. The path leading up to it is flanked by fields of beautiful flowers blooming just in time for the tournament. The entryway slides open and Layla gets engulfed in the noise of visitors shopping and eating on the second floor. For a while after the tournament, now a month ago, challengers would try to take on the Elites and so this place would be overflowing with business.
Now it's settled quite a bit, but it's still more crowded for Layla's tastes.
Having announced that she'd be coming, Juniper called for two agents to meet her and take her to the meeting room Will is at. She feels like precious cargo as they guide her past the front ends to a guarded door on the side. She offers kind smiles to staff that pass by while admiring the architecture. She knows Serena had a lot to do with the place and wonders if she designed it this way, to take in as much natural light as possible while having a futuristic feel to it all.
"Please wait here," one of the guards speaks as they come to a meeting room.
They stand off to the side against the wall, Lance's voice sounds muffled on the other side of the closed door. She can't hear every word, but can recognize he's speaking formally and clearly about current issues. Layla's heart jumps at the thought of meeting the Champion or even some gym leaders. She's always looked up to the leader's and even though she's friends with Jasmine, Will and Sabrina and Eusine claims he's friends with Morty, it's like knowing a celebrity to her.
Especially with all 16 of them in one room? Including the elites?
It's a dream come true.
The meeting comes to an end and Layla presses against the wall, ensuring her curls are in place and her clothes are fine as the Kanto leader's exit first. She recognizes Misty right away, having spotted her multiple times at home as well as Brock considering they're best buds. Erika waves while talking with Janine, recognizing Layla from her classes, while Blaine, Blue and Surge strut on without a care in the world for their surroundings.
"Layla?" Sabrina turns up, her dark eyes piercing as she exits the room.
"Hey!" she greets, feeling comforted to have someone talk to her. "Sabrina, I haven't seen you in forever."
"You haven't been around for practice in a while," the psychic type leader accepts Layla's hug with a gentle one of her own. "I hope that will change some time soon?"
Layla grimaces with all that's just happened but nods anyways. "Yeah, sorry. I will text you, though. I promise."
"I look forward to it."
Then the Johto leaders head out and Layla ducks out of Falkner's gaze, her childhood crush on him rushing back to the forefront of her mind, until Jasmine appears. She was going to look for Morty to surprise Eusine, but seeing her longtime friend clears her head of anxiety as the steel type trainer bounds up to her and gives her a tight hug. The familiar smell of the ocean around Jasmine eases Layla as she holds her for a moment longer.
"If you need to come to my place to chill, let me know," Jasmine pulls back to place her hands on her shoulders. "No matter what."
"Thanks," Layla sighs. "I appreciate it and will get back to you. I'm looking for Will?"
Jasmine raises a brow but points back to the room. "He's in there. Explain later?"
"Of course."
With everyone else gone, Layla steps up to the door and knocks on it, flushing under the gazes of the Elite Four and Lance. "H-hi, I'm here for Will?"
"Layla?" The young man gasps, he hops off the table and skips over. His hug is bone crushing, surprising given his lanky form, and she laughs breathlessly. "What brings you here?"
"I have something to show the G-men from last night and I'm gonna need your help," she adjusts her curls. "Do you have time today?"
"Hmmm," he ponders with a finger on his chin. "Only if you have time for brunch with me."
Easy enough, Layla absolutely adores the man and would have a buffet with him despite eating just before coming here if he asked. Will has that certain charm to get what he wants and he knows it.
"Deal."
"You're heading to HQ?" Lance speaks up after dismissing the others.
He regards Layla curiously just as she does him after the initial flush of Lance talking to her. Up close, she can confirm the resemblances to Wesley, the eyes, the hair and face. Though his hair, spiky and red, still has some Wesley influences. He studies her as well and she wonders if he can recognize Juniper in her features as fast as she can see Wesley in his.
"Um, yeah," she tugs on the hem of her shirt. "My mother wants me to provide a picture of the scene. Said the G-men was looking for one of the guys there last night, you probably know her. Juniper Ostergaard?"
"Ah, yeah," his face gleams with recognition. "I thought you looked familiar. It's nice to meet you, Layla."
"Same here," she shakes his hand. "I'm a big fan."
"Everyone is," Will grumbles, taking her hand and turning her away from the Champion. "Why can't you be a fan of me?"
"I am," she laughs. "Now come on."
"I'll go with," Lance puts on a charming smile.
"Oooh, bonding!" Will beams, turning to Lance to ensure he's following.
She giggles and follows Will out the door with Lance just a few steps behind them. The guards join them and the trek to HQ goes by quick with Will and Layla catching up on the recent events in their lives. Minus the events of last night, Will had seen the report this morning and doesn't want to make her relive that. It'd been a year or so since they had last been in each other's company, both taking a break from Sabrina's training around the same time. Also the same place they first met and hit it off.
Once at HQ, she gets checked for weapons and Lance takes the lead to his father's office. Layla tries not to glance around too much, would she get in trouble for being snoopy? Well, her mother isn't here to bail her out, so no use testing the waters.
They enter the office and greet two men, one Wesley and the other a man about the same age and stature as the former. He's just as familiar as Wesley and Layla takes a moment before his name comes back to her.
It's Aaron, Serena's dad.
"Layla," Wesley grins. "Good to see you."
"You too," she smiles back, accepting his outstretched hand. "Did my mom call you?"
"She did," he pulls away with a nod. "I have to admit, I'm a little excited, a recreation of the crime scene would be amazing help in all cases."
She chuckles at his comment. "I'd have to be present at every crime for this amount of detail."
He laughs. "That's true. But, let's not waste time. Where would you like to do this?"
She glances around the little office, her hands rubbing together as she gauges the size and occurrence someone will walk in. "I can do it here, if that's alright?"
"Go ahead," Wesley gestures for her to use the space as she pleases.
Lance, Aaron and Wesley retreat to the far wall of the room while Layla and Will stand in the doorway. For show, Will rubs his hands together before placing one on her shoulder carefully. His touch feels like a jolt of electricity, energizing her from head to toe as she claps her hands together and splays her fingers out in front of her.
The room spins a bit and suddenly it's the office in Celadon, the desk matches Camden's and everything. Both people and pokemon appear, frozen in time before all of them, looking as though they were at the scene itself. Layla feels pride at the recreation in a stable mindset, maybe she should visit Sabrina so she can do it more often.
"Amazing," Wesley breathes, walking about the room. "I'm assuming I cannot touch them?"
"You can't," Layla shakes her head, keeping her hands out.
"Archer," Lance growls, looking at the gunman.
"Yep," Aaron nods, he doesn't look happy as he takes in Archer and his Houndoom. "That's him alright."
"Thank you, Layla," Wesley grins from beside Houndoom. "This was invaluable to us."
Layla lowers her hand and the illusion melts away. "Glad I could help."
She turns away, ready to leave them, but pauses at the door, biting her lip. When she turns back, Wesley looks at her with a friendly smile. Open and ready to answer whatever question she has.
"Um, do you think... He was the one to attack my family that long ago?" she asks, shifting on her feet.
He frowns and then shakes his head. "You probably don't remember, but your mother said the man that attacked had dirty blond hair and was younger than Archer. But, why do you ask?"
Something doesn't sit right about that. Layla had forgotten about her mother's description. While his features were blurry for her, Juniper and Preston had better detail as to what the man looked like. So, the man might not be the same, but that Houndoom... Her brain won't let the image of the pokemon go.
Was Archer wearing a disguise or are they working together? Without proof of Houndoom being the same, she shakes her head at Wesley, not wanting to appear like a crazed victim.
"N-nothing. I did forget, thanks for letting me know, though," she responds. "I'll leave you alone now. It was good to see you both."
Aaron smiles at her. "Good to see you too, dear. If you have any questions or anything, you can call us. We know Juniper works here, but if you need someone else you have Wes's card."
"I appreciate it, guys."
They leave after that, Will peppy and bright talking about her powers and how much they've grown. Layla tries to follow along but the image of Archer and Houndoom in her mind won't leave. It feels dumb to be stuck on it, there are plenty of trainer's with Houndoom in the world. Hell, Karen of the Elite Four has one! Who's to say it's not hers?
"So, what's new?" Will demands as they sit down to brunch.
Layla, having eaten before coming here, settled for a chocolate chip muffin and coffee while Will ordered French toast and a mimosa. The open concept of the league serves them well, offering decent lighting and an amazing view of the flowers and mountains in the background. It offers Layla some solace as she nurses her mug and considers everything that's happened lately.
"It was just random," she states, unable to shake her feeling away. "I feel like I killed Camden, I could have saved him."
Will shakes his head. "I know this road and don't go down it. Just because you have abilities doesn't mean the burden of being a hero falls to you. You were frazzled in that moment, only someone with G-men training could have maintained their composure.
"I mean, hell, the man was trying to take you down with him!"
"Yes, but he shouldn't have deserved to die," Layla retorts.
"No, that was the choice of Archer," Will responds, he reaches over and takes hold of Layla's hand. "Honey, don't drag yourself down with what if's. You did everything right, his death is not on your hands."
"Thanks, Will," she offers a smile. "Dad's already got me signed up for therapy."
"Oh, good 'ol Preston," he laughs.
Their conversation takes on a more happier tone as they talk about the rest of summer and their plans. For the next few days, possibly a week, the Daycare will be closed for investigation. Leaving Layla, and the others, jobless until the owner's come and decide how to move forward.
It's not a conversation she looks forward to and instead, she considers Jasmine's offer to visit her. There hasn't been much time for a vacation and it would be a shame to miss out on the summer sun and the beach. Thankfully, it's the middle of the summer, the perfect time to catch up on soaking up the rays and swimming.
First, she'd like to relax first and attend a few sessions with Dr. Miranda, her therapist. This morning was tough with the nightmare, she can only imagine how the next few weeks are going to look. Don't want to turn Jasmine's house into a nightmare by accident, poor woman would be shrieking, she can barely handle a horror movie.
By the time Will has to return to work, it's well after lunch time and she feels a little reluctant to leave. His bubbly attitude helps her forget how unsure her life feels now that her boss is dead and the daycare is in limbo. There's so much to figure out and she has no idea where to start.
"You're not at fault for his actions," Will states as they walk to the staff door on the second floor. "And come visit more."
"We need to go visit Sabrina more," she replies, pausing as Karen approaches.
For a second her heart leaps into her throat expecting Houndoom to be behind her trainer, but it seems as though she's alone. Layla relaxes, able to offer a smile to the woman approaching.
"Hey, Layla," she greets with a smile. She flips her light hair over her shoulder and presses forward in a bit of a rush. "You know Sabrina well?"
Will nudges Layla, a twinkle in his eyes behind his mask. "Here we go."
The dark type trainer glares at him, but continues. "Are you close?"
"Not as close as we used to be, what's up?" Layla answers, raising her brow. What would Karen want from Sabrina that she couldn't ask for herself? They're coworkers after all.
"Oh, well. Nothing then," Karen clears her throat, toying with her hair some more. "Let me know if that changes."
"Well, she and I were talking about visiting Sabrina more. We'll let you know when we do," Will smirks.
Karen huffs. "Okay, anyways. It was nice to meet you, Layla."
She turns on her heel and disappears back the way she came, leaving Layla confused and Will in even higher spirits than he was before.
"Don't worry about her," he shrugs the exchange off. "Let me know when you're free or I'm kidnapping you."
"Either way, sounds good."
With that said, she asks to teleport home to set up some extra appointments with Miranda. If she doesn't, her father will and it will be at the most inconvenient times.
She spends the rest of the day cleaning her apartment, it's not dirty but she needs to keep busy somehow. Music plays to fill in the space while she wipes, dusts and sweeps every surface she can. Her phone vibrates non stop with messages from her parents and Eusine, desperate to ensure she's still okay and if she needs anything.
By the time dinner rolls around, her apartment is spotless and she's ready to cook something.
Layla stretches her neck out, twisting her head around before settling into cooking mode. Music plays softly from her speaker as she gathers the ingredients and focuses on the task at hand. Within minutes a gentle aroma floats around her apartment of garlic, mushrooms and onions. She gets her ravioli boiling and sets about making a creamy sauce when she feels a chill run down her back.
Something's here.
For a second, her heart races thinking of Archer, but then she realizes it's a different kind of chill. Like the actual temperature of the room has dropped rather than her body reacting to something. She continues cooking without interruption, recognizing the feeling of a ghost type pokemon entering the room. If it wanted trouble she would give it trouble, but she finishes cooking with no sign of it at all and opts to remain peaceful about it.
She glances around to find an off looking shadow in her dining room and smiles.
"I can see you," she calls to it, unsure what pokemon it is. "You can come out. I have some food."
"Gen!" the pokemon calls and Layla gasps at the sight of a Gengar materializing through the floor.
"Oh my," she breathes, watching him look around her apartment.
He's a healthy pokemon given the glow of his eyes and his quick movements past her to the kitchen. Her knowledge on ghost types is limited to courses from nursing school, a crash course for each type really, and so she just hopes his owner is somewhere in the building. She follows after him and smiles when he reaches for the plate she made for him, his little hands adorable as he grasps it carefully and floats back to the table.
"Do you want some water?" She raises a brow.
"Gar, gar," Gengar responds with a solemn nod.
Her chuckle gets interrupted by a frantic knock at the door and she bets it's the owner. "Coming!" she sets the glass down on the counter and pops over to the door. She swings it open to find Eusine wild eyed. "You're back!"
On instinct, she throws her arms around him, squeezing him tight. A gesture he wholeheartedly returns despite his flustered appearance. "Yes, I am. And-"
"There you are," another male voice states. Layla pulls away from Eusine to see Morty, the gym leader, raising his brows at his Gengar at her table. "Nox, you just ate." he turns to Layla with an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," she laughs, wrapping an arm around Eusine's shoulders. "He was very polite, so I gave him some food."
"Wait," Eusine narrows his eyes at her. "Polite?"
"Yeah."
"Nox, what the fuck?" Eusine glares at him. "We've been friends for how long? You don't even know her!"
"Don't talk to him like that," Layla smacks his chest. She heads over to the kitchen to get his water. "Have you guys eaten? I make plenty in case Eusine hasn't."
"Oh, no," Eusine shakes his head, watching her set the glass by the ghost type. "You two shouldn't even be in the same room right now."
"Oh, you're Layla!" Morty snaps his fingers. "I saw you earlier at the league."
"I was gonna say hi, but I wasn't sure you actually knew Eusine," she laughs, shaking his hand.
He's handsome. Wispy blond hair falls to his shoulders, kept back by his headband, with a few tufts over his forehead. His purple eyes look calm and collected as he grins at her, an innocent smile that eases her nerves. He and Eusine are around the same height, taller than her and enough so she comes up to their shoulders.
"If I'd known it was you I would say the same," he quips back, tossing a smile Eusine's way. "I was never sure if he was being truthful about another best friend."
"Aw, Houdini, you do talk about me," she beams at Eusine.
Morty frowns. "Houdini?"
"Nuh uh," Eusine flails his arms. "I'm not dealing with you two ganging up on me!"
"Yeah, I've been calling him that since I met him in school," Layla continues as though Eusine weren't putting up a fuss. "It's his magic tricks he kept trying to pull."
"Stop it, no bonding," Eusine steps between them.
Morty ushers Eusine aside, a look of curiosity on his face. "Oh? You don't fall for them?"
"Nah, I can see through his little illusions," she snickers. "So? Want some dinner? Ravioli in a veggie cream sauce. I have some wine, or juice, or water?"
She glances between the two of them, watching as Eusine tries to strengthen his resolve until his stomach growls loudly.
"Okay, fine."
Layla disappears into the kitchen with them behind her, she gets out plates for them and some glasses. Despite the fear of being alone in bed tonight, the least she can do is stave off the negatives with some good memories. She tries not to watch Morty too closely, still a bit star struck he's here.
He's so... cute, she thinks to herself, her cheeks turning a bit pink as she serves herself some food and shuffles over to the table.
"So, what were you guys up to?" she questions after they've settled into their food.
"I heard what happened," Eusine states with a somber look across the way. "I came back to hang out with you for a while. Morty had a meeting earlier and we were supposed to have a chill night in."
"Well, have it," Layla frowns. "You don't have to babysit me."
Morty interjects with a clear of his throat. "I was briefed on the situation a bit, about the daycare. That was you?"
"Yeah," Layla nods, glancing down at her food. "My boss, um, didn't make it."
"Heard the asshole tried selling you out," Eusine mutters into his red wine. "Serves him right."
"Eusine!" Layla glares at him. "That's not a good thing to say about the dead."
"In life or in death, he will forever be a coward and an asshole," he shrugs back. "Listen, you did the right thing, you got out of there fast."
"Right," she huffs, returning to her food. "I'm changing the subject now. Morty, how long have you and Eusine known each other?"
"Since childhood," he responds. His voice is soft and low, it's soothing to hear him so unaffected by Eusine's brash nature. "He and his grandfather came to Ecruteak often for tours of the historical sites in the city. My family gave them and we were left to play around while the adults drank and spoke about the legends."
"Aww," she coos at Eusine.
"Stop it," he flicks her hand away.
Morty chuckles, taking a sip of his wine after a couple bites of food. "This is amazing, Layla. Eusine is always talking about your cooking, I was actually worried he was just buying takeout the whole time."
"You guys," Eusine groans. "You two are the worst."
"Thank you," she beams at him. "I'm sure he would eat greasy foods if I didn't pack him some to go."
"What a good friend," Morty grins, it's crooked and Layla can't help but smile too.
"Yeah, yeah," Eusine mutters into his glass. "You two enjoy bugging me too much, that's why I didn't want you meeting. No bonding allowed."
"Mmm," Layla tilts her head, gesturing towards Nox and Morty. "Well, he and his pokemon have both eaten at my table. I'd say that's a solid start to friendship, wouldn't you?"
"Oh, I would agree," Morty nods. "Nox isn't polite to just anybody."
"Is he even polite?" Eusine retorts.
"Gen, gen-gar!" Nox huffs indignantly.
"Don't be mean, Eusine," Layla smacks his arm. "We're nice to our friends here."
"Are we?" he grimaces again.
"Since you're not gonna be nice, you can take care of dishes," she shrugs, finishing up her glass of wine.
"Layla, please," Eusine rolls his eyes. "Morty and I have a movie to watch."
"Oh, didn't you say we were going to watch it here?" Morty raises a brow, a playful smile on his face.
"No, I-" Eusine interrupts himself to glare at Morty. "Why are you like this?"
"I can't help it," he shrugs back. "It's a full time job with you."
"Finally," Layla laughs. "Someone understands me."
"Enough!"
The two share in more laughs as Eusine stands from the table and gathers the dishes while grumbling under his breath. Morty snickers watching his best friend get worked up twice as usual. He's not one for meeting new people normally, but it feels like he knows Layla, especially if she's friends with Eusine.
"Do you want more wine? Or water?" Layla stands, holding her hand out for his glass.
"Oh. More wine, please."
He watches her go, curls bouncing with each step and smile radiant as she teases Eusine a little more. At the league she looked stiff and a little scared, her green eyes were void of much emotion, something he attributes to the attack last night. There's a part of him that feels bad for her, being so close to someone's death and thinking you could save them... It's a heavy burden.
Watching her now, she's like a different person. Her eyes shine in the lights of her place, she's more open and welcoming. A good hostess. He wonders if it's his presence here that makes her put on this front. Would she be the same if it were just Eusine here?
"Here you go," she sets his glass in front of him. Gengar floats to her side of the table, allowing her to pat his soft head as thanks for the meal. "So, you and Nox have been partners for a while?"
"Yeah, I got him when I was a kid and he was a Gastly," Morty nods. "The gym is passed down the family as well as ghost types."
"That's so cool," she grins. "Is that what you've always wanted to do?"
"Pretty much," he shrugs. "I like the occasional freedom I get to travel around, but Ecruteak is my home. It's rich with history and culture..."
Layla listens to him dive into detail about Ecruteak, mesmerized by his purple eyes as they burn with passion. Despite his reserved demeanor during their meal, he's more animated than she expected. Magazines and interviews always painted him as an introverted, quiet guy, and she supposes he could be. She realizes the wine and comfort of Eusine may be why he's so talkative.
She loves it.
"Oh, sorry," he stops after a moment, a flush forms on his cheeks and he pushes the wine away. "I'm getting carried away."
"Don't apologize," she shakes her head, gesturing towards the kitchen where Eusine finishes up dishes. "I love when he talks about Suicune. Hearing about what you love is another way to get to know you."
He stays silent, a little shocked at her words, until Eusine pops over. He's grateful for the reprieve from Layla's genuine gaze.
"Okay, do you want to watch a movie with us? Or would you prefer to be alone tonight?" Eusine sighs.
Layla shifts her gaze to Eusine with a soft smile. "I'll be alone tonight. If there's trouble I'll head over."
"Door's always open," he nods at her. He turns to Morty and his pokemon. "Alright, let's go. You two say bye, you're never speaking to each other again."
"Oh, I don't think that's true," Layla laughs, standing to walk them to the door. "Thanks for having dinner with me, boys."
"Thanks for feeding him," Morty smiles at her. "Me too."
"Anytime," she grins, waving them out.
"Night, Lay!"
"Night, Houdini!"
Nox passes by her, offering a small grunt and allowing her to brush her hand against his side as he does so. She smiles watching him sink into his trainers shadow as they leave the apartment.
Once the door shuts, she lets out a deep exhale thinking about the business he mentioned and what that means about Morty being over. Eusine's not particularly into relationships, something to do with his parent's divorce she believes, and so it'd be nice to know he's worked through it. Though, they tell each other everything and when Eusine says 'business' it usually means myth stuff. In Morty's case, it'd be about the trio he's after.
Layla drops it, smiling thinking of how Morty was a lot friendlier than expected, wine or not, and how adorable Nox was. It's a feeling that follows her through her bedtime routine and then bed. She lays down, Pocha next to her and Belle at her feet, thinking of the day.
Her heart still hammers thinking of Archer and she feels foolish just trying to go to bed like normal. Like she didn't condemn her boss to death...
The sound of electricity fills her room and Hugo stands before her, nodding in greeting and posting himself at the end of the bed. Layla recognizes the sound, unconcerned with it, nods back to the pokemon. Warmth floods her chest knowing Eusine has probably suspected she was scared and sent him over to ensure her safety. It doesn't get her to sleep right away, but it makes it possible as her eyes eventually drift closed.