Thanks for waiting on this post. It's been a long week, please forgive any errors in this chapter, I tried to edit it as best as I could but that can only go so far. As usual, thanks for reading!
As advised by her therapist, Layla took up gardening since moving to Celadon, to ease her anxiety. Her father signed her up for the first class, despite knowing his daughter is terrible with plants, with her best interest in mind. She can barely keep herself watered and fed, her pokemon know how to get food for themselves, how can she care for her plants?
Then she met Erika, a living fairy, able to bring the saddest plant back to life. Her gentle demeanor coaxes the plants to thrive and Layla is a little jealous. She's always seen herself on the rough side, like she could look at a plant wrong and it would wilt before her eyes. The grass type leader precedes her reputation very well in that sense, her pokemon are capable and enduring too.
"Layla, you're packing the dirt too hard," Jasmine leans in across the table, tapping her hands.
"Ugh," Layla grunts, scooping out some dirt to redo it. "I should just give up on plants."
Jasmine studies her friend with a worried frown. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing," she shrugs. Her eyes glance up to meet Jasmine's sandy brown eyes, the knowing look makes her grimace. "Yeah, okay fine. I'm thinking about the daycare is all."
"What's going to happen to it?"
"I... I don't know," Layla takes out the geraniums she was planting and sets them on the table. "The scene just got done being investigated and photographed. It's going to be cleaned next. The owners are flying in from Alola to see what their options are."
"Are you going to take it over?" She raises a brow.
"God, no," Layla blurts out in response, standing to get more dirt in her pot. "I don't have the skills to run a daycare."
"You practically did," Jasmine giggles. "What about the others? They'll need a job, and you will too if they decide to close it down."
Layla's hands stop working and she sinks back down in her seat realizing just how right Jasmine is. She worked there to save money to move to Olivine so she could get certified in specific types under her license. Now that the daycare is under the threat of being closed, her manager is no longer able to provide a reference.
"Oh god," she exhales. "I'm gonna have to take it over."
Jasmine sits up. "No, you can still move to Olivine. I can put in a good word to Joy, she'll take you on!"
Layla shakes her head. "Jasmine, you've never seen me work. It wouldn't be right to just get the spot because I know you. I've... well, I can't say I've worked hard. The center didn't really give me a chance to treat wounds... What have I been doing?"
"You've been working," her friend asserts. "Pokemon center jobs are difficult to get started in. Their programs run during certain times of the year and you know which one you want, the water and other types in and near Olivine."
"Yeah, but... I just..." Layla runs a hand through her hair, not caring about the dirt in her curls. "I'll have to think more on it."
She finishes repotting her plants, though she doubts the geraniums will survive the week, and leaves with Jasmine to get some lunch. Their usual cafe, Sunflora Day, sits nearest the fountain in the heart of the city. It's the largest fountain in all of Kanto, redone last year to match the growing city. Seeing kids and pokemon playing around or in the water always brings a smile to Layla's face.
"I'm just saying," Jasmine continues, munching on some chips alongside her veggie wraps. "You can live with me. My house has more than enough space for you, I'll be working most days anyway. We can have wine and game nights."
Layla stabs at her 'Karp salad. "I love the thought of moving, but actually doing it? I don't know. It's so scary to think about leaving here."
"Listen," she places her hand on Layla's. "You're 22, you have so much ahead of you. I just hate to see you stay here not doing what you love. I know you said I've never seen you work, but I've seen you talk about your days at the Pokemon House, or the internships at the centers when you went for your Nursing License. You love working with pokemon, girl. I'm just trying to make sure you get to keep doing it."
"Why are you so amazing?" Layla grins up at her, turning her hand over to squeeze Jasmine's. "Thank you. I just have a weird feeling about what happened."
"I'm your best friend, that's why," she laughs, returning her hand to continue eating. She frowns at the second statement. "What do you mean?"
Layla bites her lip, each dream with the Houndoom makes her nervous and more inclined to believe he's the same one from years before. She says as much to Jasmine. "I'm not going to obsess over it. I just can't get the thought out of my head."
"Do you really think so?"
"My gut keeps saying yes," she nods. "The way he looked at me, and then his howl... I know pokemon can sound very similar but this is eerily similar. It was like I was back home in the dining room all over again."
"Have you told your mom?"
"No. I don't want to put more stress on her than necessary. Dad would freak if he knew."
"Oh, Preston... Well, what about Wesley?"
"He'll think I'm one of those victims that inserts themselves into the investigation. I can't be that girl. Besides, I already tried bringing it up, so he'll think I'm extra crazy."
Jasmine snorts. "Come on, Layla. How about Lance?"
It's Layla's turn to snort. "Why would I talk to him?"
"He's in the G-men and he's not as mean as people like to say," she shrugs. "I mean, he's rough around the edges, but I think he'd care."
Another snort as she drinks her lemonade. "No thanks, I'd rather fight Houndoom on my own."
Jasmine guffaws. "You're ridiculous."
"Thank you."
They go their separate ways after that, Jasmine riding on Skarmory to take the train home while Layla lets out Pocha to walk her home. It's a couple minutes to get home with traffic being so heavy in the middle of the day, and Layla feels another shiver as though someone were watching her. She picks up her pace, her heart starting to race, as they make it to the apartment building.
The guard at the door greets her with his usual smile, she returns it, feeling a bit safer as she crosses the threshold and takes the elevator to her floor. The hallway to her place is empty and unusually quiet. Beside her, Pocha shifts around looking for any signs of life as she steps up to her door just past Eusine's.
He's home and asleep, hence the silence on her phone.
The elevator dings and two men exit, dressed in dark clothing looking straight at her. For a second her heart seizes and she glances down at Pocha.
"Wait!" One of them shouts, rushing towards her.
"Water gun!" She calls.
Prinplup rears his head and releases a jet of water to drench the two heading their way. One of them slips and falls while the other hunches over to take the brunt of the attack.
Eusine's door swings open and he runs out in boxers and a tank top. "Layla! I've got you!"
"We're agents!" One of the guys spits out water. "Your mother sent us."
"Excuse me?" Layla grabs Eusine's arm to hold him aside. She approaches them, one of them holds out his badge and she flushes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."
"It's our fault, we could have waited until you were in the apartment," the one on the ground sighs. "Your mother was right though. You're nervous and so is she. In case you're being targeted as a loose end, you'll be guarded day and night."
"For how long?" She helps them up.
"Until we're sure the threat is gone," the second man says.
"I've got to call Mom," Layla shakes her head. She heads to her door and turns back to the men awkwardly. "You should come inside, I'll dry your clothes. Eusine?"
Said man tears his gaze away from the guards, clearly appreciating the wet shirts clinging to their bodies. "Yeah?"
"Can they borrow some clothes?" She raises a brow. "Or would you prefer them naked?"
"You know-"
"Not necessary," the first man coughs, blushing furiously. "Just some towels, please?"
"Well, if you insist," Layla laughs, gesturing for them to follow her. When Eusine takes a step forward she shakes her head. "Go get dressed and leave these men alone. They are on the clock."
"All the more reason!" he calls entering his apartment.
"Sorry about him," she snickers, setting her plants on her counter. "And for attacking you. Pocha, get them towels please."
"It's no problem," the second guy says, waving her off.
She gets them seated and some coffee going while bringing up her mom's number.
At the League, Juni picks up her phone, glancing up towards Wesley and Aaron as they discuss plans for investigation. She swears to herself, remembering the guards she sent to watch over Layla. She was supposed to call her two hours ago to warn her so she wouldn't do anything to them...
"Oh no... hello?" Juniper answers the phone, bracing for bad news.
"So," Layla starts. "You thought of protecting me, but not of letting me know how you were going to do it?"
"I'm sorry, I forgot," she exhales through her teeth. "Are they okay?"
"Just a little drenched," Layla responds. "I'm drying them off and offering coffee as a peace offering."
"Well, better than what I thought had happened," Juniper laughs. "It's just for a while, okay? Until we know Archer isn't going after you."
"Yeah, yeah," Layla sighs. There's the sounds of mugs clinking together as the coffee finishes brewing. "When does this shift change?"
"Tonight at 8pm, we've rented out the apartment at the end of the hall," she explains. "The other option was to move home with your father and I?"
"No thanks," Layla shakes her head. "That would be a dumpster fire."
"Yeah, your father knew it would."
"Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome, Pip."
They hang up and Layla serves up the coffee to them. "So, your temporary apartment isn't far. I think Eusine can keep me safe if you guys want to change."
"Good idea," the second man smiles. "We'll be keeping watch while you do stuff. Just go about business like normal and try not to attack us?"
"No promises," she grins, flushing under his flirty smile.
They take their coffee with them, passing Eusine on the way out who looks much better dressed in jeans and a light sweater. "So, there will be a lot of eye candy, huh?"
She rolls her eyes. "The worst part is, anyone could be out there and you'd say that. Man, woman, outside the box or in between."
"Yeah," he snickers. "No one's safe from me."
"Try not to get arrested, yeah?" She tilts her head at him. "Hungry?"
"Always," he nods, following her to the kitchen to sit at the island. He pats Pocha's head as the pokemon waddles by to get treats from Layla. "How's Jasmine?"
Layla turns to ask him how he knows when he points at the geraniums. "Oh. She's good. Why do you ask?"
"No reason."
Layla snickers some more while whipping up some lunch for Eusine. The comfort of having him so close and cooking for him eases the anxiety from earlier. A lot of her favorite memories were made here in this apartment with Eusine, laughing and crying. She can't help but want to hold onto it a little longer.
"Layla, you're not moving across the world," Eusine cuts in. "I can visit you, if anything, easier in Johto."
"I know," she sighs, turning to him. He always knows how to read her moods, it's annoying sometimes. "I just... I'm worried I won't make it."
"How can you not?" He scoffs. "Layla, please."
"Well, I have my name on the on call list," she interrupts. "If there are issues around Johto and Kanto, I'll get a call if they need help."
"Okay," he backs off. "I'm just saying, every Nurse Joy that looks at my pokemon is continuously impressed by your skills."
She leaves the stove to kiss his temple. "You're the best, Houdini."
"I know. You could stand to say it more often and louder."
"Don't ruin it."