Thoughts are in italic
Flashbacks are in bold italic
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“What do you mean the spirit of romance?” questioned Layla, to say she was shocked by the fairies presence was an understatement.
“As I said madam I am Passion the spirit of romance and I’ve come to show you the path to true happiness.” said the spirit as she spun around for dramatic effect and this was when Layla first noticed the spirit spoke with a French accent.
Layla couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Sure she met the spirit of the stage, but for some reason this spirit, who appeared much less severe, was all the more imposing. “I’m familiar with spirits, but why is the spirit of romance appearing before me?”
Passion was surprised at the mention of another spirit but she decided to explain her presence. “I appear before destined souls and guide them to true happiness, and I’ve a come to you because a soul can travel through this world many times and never find their soul mates, and you are fortunate enough to have fate guide you to yours.”
“So are you trying to tell me your fate?” said a now skeptical Layla.
“No, but you could say I work for fate. All spirits in the universe work for fate, well that’s not entirely true, the spirit of fortune works for himself, but don‘t get me started on him.” Passion took a second to calm down then continued. “To get back on to topic, you were in serious danger of passing up your one true love and fate decided to step in and give you a push in the right direction. That’s where I come in, patron of everlasting romance at your service” said the fairy with another curtsy.
The shock of seeing the spirit finally wore off and Layla was now angry for Passion’s unwanted appearance. “ I don’t care what you are, but I have to meet someone at the airport very soon and I’d appreciate it if you would go back where you came from. I don’t need some spirit of romance trying to play matchmaker for me.”
“Oh and why not madam?” said an amused Passion. She really did like it when her charges were spitfires, It made her time all the more enjoyable.
“Because I choose where, when, and who I fall in love, and I don’t need some lackey of fate deciding that for me.”
“I believe that’s already out of your hands madam.” said Passion knowingly.
“Are you saying I’m in love already?” questioned Layla.
“ That’s not for me to say.”
“Are you always this vague?” said Layla who was now growing irritated.
“Being vague is part of my job description madam, I’m not here to interfere only to guide and when its needed I push everything in the right direction.” said Passion with a certain haughtiness.
Layla didn‘t like the sound of that. She wasn’t enthusiastic about having a spirit meddling around with her love life, a non existent one at that. “I think your presence here is pointless, I would be the first one to know if I was in love, so having a spirit of romance around seems rather useless.”
The spirit had to laugh at that. “Are you telling me your not interested in anyone Ms. Hamilton?”
“yes.”
Passion got a mischievous gleam in her eye. “How about hmm… ah yes, perhaps your old partner Yuri?”
“I know for sure Yuri is not my soul mate.” said a shocked Layla. “Sure we went out a few times, but there weren’t any sparks between us.”
“So it’s not Yuri?” asked Passion as she put her hands behind her back and strolled about the vanity desk.
“No!” said Layla with finality.
“Please forgive me madam I’m usually quite good at this.” It was rather clear that Passion was playing her. “Well then let me see…. How about Jacob from Broadway?”
“Are you kidding? Just because we had to kiss on stage doesn’t mean I liked him, and for your information he was horrid kisser.” said Layla. She was tired of playing this game and was growing even more irritated by the second.
Sensing she may have pushed her luck, Passion ventured one more time. “I see my intuition is not what it used to be but if I was to make on more guess I would say it was the person you were selecting your wardrobe for earlier.”
“That’s enough!” Layla finally had enough of this. “I’ll have you know that the person I’m meeting at the airport is a very good friend of mine and she is also a SHE.”
The spirit stopped her pacing and smiled knowingly. “A woman you say, hmmm…. perhaps I was mistaken. I guess a woman wouldn’t know how to return another woman’s love.” said Passion sarcastically. “Please excuse me madam but I don’t want to keep you any longer if you don’t leave soon you will be late.”
Not missing the spirit’s sarcastic tone, but not wanting to argue anymore, Layla turned around and stared at the clock. Passion was right, if Layla didn’t leave soon she would be late. “If you don’t mind I have to leave.”
Layla went to choose an outfit, but the spirit’s words still unsettled her so she grabbed the nearest one and started to get dressed. Before she removed her towel she looked over her shoulder. Sitting atop her makeup case was the still present spirit. Instead of leaving, Passion made herself comfortable and started staring at Layla lecherously. Layla was wondering why the spirit was still there “Do you mind?”
“Is there something wrong madam? There is nothing to be shy about. We are both woman after all so please continue.” said Passion with an extremely seductive smile plastered on her face.
Layla didn’t say anything at all, it was then Passion noticed her left eye started twitching.
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Five minutes later
“Let me out right now, you can’t treat a lady like this.” yelled Passion from inside the vanities cabinet.
“You be quiet, I’ll let you out when I’m finished.” said Layla as she finished zipping up her skirt. The knocking from the cabinet only got louder “I can’t believe it, your worst than Fool.” at the mention of Fool’s name the pounding stopped.
“Did you just say Fool.” asked Passion from inside her makeshift wooden prison. “As in the spirit of the ….”
“Stage? Yes I know him, and just like him your both annoy….” Layla started to say but stopped when she turned around and saw Passion sitting atop the vanity again. “How did you get out?”
“Lets just say I was properly motivated. Now answer me, how do you know Fool?”
“I’m sorry this conversation is over, I have to go.” and with that said, Layla grabbed her purse and headed out of the hotel room.
“Madam, MADAM!” yelled Passion at the retreating woman. “Sacrebleu! Why do I always get the difficult ones?”
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Layla’s car stuck in traffic thirty minutes later.
Layla was unsettled after her visit from the spirit of romance. She didn’t have time to think about it when she was rushing to the airport but now with her car stuck in the middle of traffic she didn’t have any other choice but to go over the night’s events in her mind.
“I can’t believe the audacity of that spirit. My fate is my own and I refuse to believe I have no choice on who my destined someone is.”
“This is ridiculous, why can’t I decide on one? I’m just picking up Sora so why does it even matter?”
“Because you want to look your best when meeting the one that sets your body aflame.”
“Why was I so worried about what I looked like, and why am I so nervous about seeing Sora again? This isn’t like me, I don’t get nervous about seeing anyone let alone Sora of all people. Stop it Layla, your thoughts are just wondering. If that annoying spirit hadn’t put those thoughts into your head everything would be fine. I’ll Just forget what she said. It doesn’t do me any good thinking about it now”
The traffic started moving again and Layla was given renewed hope that she would make it on time. She decided it would be quicker if she turned off onto the freeway and went to the airport that way. It was a gamble trying a road she had never been on before but she didn’t have any other choice. This was unfamiliar territory and she would have to try her best.
A small opening appeared between the traffic and she had to make it quick before it closed. This was the best time to put her Mustang GT convertible to the test. Layla stepped on the gas and flew across the lanes at neck breaking speed dodging a minivan and an eighteen wheeler. The run was smooth and perfect, and Layla was happy her reflexes were still honed.
“If the surgery doesn’t work out maybe I’ll try my hand at race car driving.”
Layla’s thoughts were cut short by the presence of flickering lights in her rear view mirror. She had the mind to ignore the lights and floor it but the quick on and off sound of a siren destroyed that idea. Layla had no choice but to pull over. “Could this day get any better.” said Layla as she looked at herself in the mirror. “I know it’s degrading but lets just get this over with, a quick flirt and he’ll let me go with a warning.”
“License an registration please.” said the female police officer as she approached the window.
Layla sighed. “Figures.”
“I’ll never forget this day as long as I live.”
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Flight 101 circling Boston Logan International
“I’ll never forget this day as long as I live.”
Sora couldn’t believe she got bumped to first class. She’d flown many times in an airplane but she had never experienced flying first class before. Sora was always a firm believer in flying conservatively so she never opted to get a first class booking. When they announced that they would be pulling people from other parts of the plane to fill some first class seats, Sora was pleasantly surprised she was chosen, and for the duration of the flight she felt like a queen, especially with flight attendants waiting on constantly.
“So this is what Layla gets to feel like coming from such a wealthy family, but who am I kidding, Layla-san is the type of person that likes to do things for herself. I remember when she made us coffee over a month ago, and Its to bad I can still taste it, but at least she tried and that’s what counts.”
Attention everybody, we are on final approach to Logan International. Fasten your seat belts and make sure your seats and tray tables are in their up-right, locked position.
“It’s a shame this has to end but at least I’ll see be seeing Layla soon.”
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Airport after landing
The flight was actually quite refreshing for Sora. She got off the plane and headed strait for the baggage claim. Sora wasn’t sure about what to do next. The only details she got from Kalos was to arrive at this airport and wait outside of terminal G. “I wonder were she is?”
When ten minutes passed and no sign of anyone appeared, Sora became a little worried.
People, nothing but an ocean of people greeted Layla when she arrived at the terminal G. One face after another passed by with no sign of Sora. Layla cursed herself for not arriving sooner. Had she not been late, she would have been able to see the incoming passengers as they arrived, and that would have made it much easier to spot the lavender haired Kaleido star.
Layla walked over and leaned against one of the support columns and let out an epic sigh. If she had been a smoker, she would have it up right there and then, the rules be damned.
The day had been a quagmire and Layla was about fed up with it. First with the arrival of Passion then the police officer and now this. If one thing could be said about Layla Hamilton, it would be that she could always maintain graceful elegance in all of her pursuits whether it be performing acrobatic stunts or doing everyday things like walking. This could not be used to describe Layla today. It seemed every event today one after the other was designed to knock Layla out of her poise.
Taking a deep breath Layla calmed herself and regained a measure of her sanity. “The sooner I find Sora the better off I’ll be.” with that Layla moved away from the column and resumed her search.
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Sora was starting to get worried. “Maybe something happened to her?” It was almost as if Sora could sense Layla was somewhere in distress. Sora decided it was best if she called to make sure everything was alright. Just when Sora turned to the pay phone area a flash of gold caught her eye. Right next to a support column was a woman with bright golden hair that started moving to the baggage claim area.
A wave of relief passed through Sora. Even though the blonde haired woman was facing away from her, Sora could tell it Layla. Her hair was much longer since the last time she’d seen her, It now came down to her shoulder.
“Wow… she’s as elegant as always.” thought Sora as she noted Layla’s confident walk and poise.
Barely keeping her excitement to herself, Sora quickened her pace to a near run. It wasn’t easy getting to where Layla was, it seemed the universe was playing tricks on her because the closer she got to her destination the thicker the crowd got.
Sora decided to whip out a move from her acrobatic arsenal and did a back flip and a spin over the crowd. The move would have been flawless but when she landed near Layla she stepped in a puddle of liquid that someone spelt causing her to lose balance. Sora tried in vain to stable herself but she ended up slipping forward headlong into the unexpecting former Kaleido star.
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Layla began to think that maybe Sora’s flight had been delayed. Right when Layla turned to the counter to check the flights something crashed into her causing her to fall backwards. When the vertigo and shock wore off Layla looked up to see what hit her she gasped out in surprise.
Layla’s sky blue orbs met Sora’s warm chocolate ones. Both woman were frozen in time. Their breath’s mingled warmly from lips no more than a few centimeters apart. In the passing of a fleeting moment Layla realized just who she was staring at.
“Sora.”
The name escaped from Layla's lips in the faintest of whispers. Only to be answered back just as quietly.
“Layla.”
To be continued, well duh, if I didn’t I would be a real ass
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