Discover L (Book 2) | Editing |

~~ A Problem Shared ~~

L could hear the same being repeated along the corridor and on other floors. Her eyes darted to the windows to see the light pouring in from outside, it was morning. She had managed to sleep, and peacefully at that; she felt well rested and her mind was filing through everything they'd seen, heard and learned recently with more focus. She heard Nyla wake with a mixture of a yowl and a yawn.

She grinned when she saw L, "Did you manage to sleep?"

"I did, it was amazing and I don't usually say that about sleep."

Nyla chuckled and jumped out of bed, "Are we getting breakfast before we go? I'm famished."

L shrugged, she knew Bryce wanted to go first thing, she did too but it would be nice to sit and have a real meal first.

She and Nyla dressed and grabbed their things, they met Bryce and Robbie in the corridor. They also looked well rested and to L's surprise, they seemed more comfortable around each other somehow. L eyed them both but before she could mention it, Bryce was lugging his bag over his shoulder.

"Shall we go then?"

"I think we should have breakfast first," L stated. "We could do with a good meal and half an hour won't make much of a difference."

"I thought you'd be eager to get underway again." Bryce's brow furrowed.

"I am but I also don't want us to suffer every step of the way. We could do with replenishing our supplies too."

"It's settled then, let's go get food." Robbie said eagerly, rushing off for the stairs, quickly followed by Nyla.

Bryce and L shared a smile, "I'm all for breakfast, I just don't want to get too comfortable, it's easily done staying here."

"I know, we'll go as soon as we've eaten. But speaking of comfortable..."

L grinned and told Bryce her thoughts about him and Robbie while they headed down for breakfast. The dining room was easy to find, they just followed the delicious smells to a big room similar in appearance to the party room. There was a buffet set up on a long table that could have fed an army, and the adolescent Dragon raiding it at that moment would give it a good try.

L and Bryce served themselves a plate each and sought out a private table in the corner of the room. There were twenty tables and about half were occupied already, all of whose occupants stared around when L and Bryce passed. L frowned back at them and each one quickly looked away.

"They're all admiring my new hat, aren't they? They just can't get enough." Bryce smirked, touching his green beanie like it was made of diamonds.

L smiled and rolled her eyes, "You don't have to do that for me, I'm getting better at dealing with the staring."

"You might want to tell your face that," Bryce smirked wider.

L kicked his shin, which only made him laugh and lean into her shoulder. She tried to hold back her own smile but she failed and attempted to hide it behind her hand. Bryce reached over and pulled her hand away, smiling softly back at her.

"That's better."

L held his hand in hers for a moment, their eyes locked in a tender gaze before they were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. L half expected it to be Robbie, trying to make a point but when she turned to tell him to shut up, she was shocked to see someone else standing at their table.

Brigitte was there but she wasn't alone. A woman in a grey gown and shawl stood next to her. If L had seen her a year ago she would have flipped the table and run in the opposite direction. The woman had waist length black hair that was in slight disarray, her face was pale white and withdrawn, with dark circles around her sunken eyes. Her lips were thin and scarlet red, L hoped for all their sakes that she didn't open her mouth.

L never thought she'd meet a Banshee in person and she'd secretly hoped she never would. Banshees were known as an omen for death, they didn't seek the company of others unless it was to warn of the imminent demise of some poor soul or their loved one. L knew everything she needed to know, down to the sound of the scream they produced at just such an occasion. She watched Brigitte and the Banshee very cautiously, waiting and wondering what their purpose was.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Keeper. I wouldn't if this weren't important, I swear."

Brigitte did look apologetic, but her use of L's title instead of her name told L this wasn't just a passing interaction. She noted that Brigitte didn't seem uncomfortable around the Banshee, L wondered if maybe they knew each other. Her suspicion was confirmed when Brigitte spoke again, though her words weren't quite what L was expecting.

"I know you have your own problems to be getting on with, but Móra here, she desperately needs your help."