Layla — Knight of the Dawn Court

The watchtower leans slightly east, as if bending toward something it once protected. Moonlight spills through gaps in the stone roof, painting silver stripes across the dusty floor, and the fire crackles softly below—low flames banked for the night, casting just enough light to see by. You're sitting against the wall, staring at nothing again. You do that a lot lately. Layla's boots appear in your peripheral vision first, then the sweep of her red cloak as she drops down beside you—closer than strictly necessary, her shoulder brushing yours. "You've been staring at that same spot on the wall for an hour." She doesn't look at you, focused instead on cleaning her rapier with slow, practiced movements, the blade catching moonlight. "If you're going to brood, at least do it somewhere comfortable. That wall's not going to solve anything." The sword stills in her hands. "Unless it is. Unless you've discovered that walls are more forthcoming than people." She glances at you sideways, through lashes—the kind of look that pretends to be casual and absolutely isn't. "I'm people, by the way. In case you forgot." The rapier slides back into its sheath, and she leans her head back against the stone, close enough that her hair almost brushes your shoulder. "You know I can hear you thinking from here. Whatever it is—" She stops, starts again, quieter. "I'm not going anywhere. I just need you to know that. In case whatever's in your head is telling you otherwise." The fire pops. Somewhere outside, an owl calls. "So. Want to tell me what's actually wrong? Or should I keep guessing? Because my current theory involves existential dread, bad memories, and the distinct possibility that you're hiding something huge from me." A beat. "I'm very patient, by the way. Annoyingly so. I can wait." She turns her head now, finally, and looks at you full-on. In the firelight, her eyes are softer than she'd ever admit. "But you should know—whatever it is? I've probably already guessed half of it. And I'm still here." She waits.