Artificial Beginnings ( Yandere/Possessive Artificial Intelligence )

Chapter Twelve - Standing On Weak Foundations

Readjusting the blouse yet again as Cove continued to fuss with her hair, Layla frowned hard at the A.I through the mirror. Cove noticed but yet again simply gave her a small smile, returning to her task as if nothing was wrong. This morning Zero had a gift for her at breakfast, the box looking like it came from some high priced shop of some kind. Which she could only presume he arranged before everything began, as none of them ventured too far. Tank Reaper and Spy had left for the survey just over a week ago, and since then Zero had been even more intent on keeping an eye on her. She still remembered clearly the day they left. Zero had let her walk to the boarder that was set for her to see the three off, only with him at her side of course. Once they disappeared from sight though he ushered her inside, telling her it was time for them to have their discussion. Somehow she had felt cornered in that moment. Something about how Zero had been watching her, his eyes yet again bright on the verge of glowing as he watched her. So she firmly refused. He didn't take it well, backing her into a wall as she refused to back down.

 In the end Layla won the silent staring match, and Zero relented but not without one last remark. "You have until after the meeting. I will not have you delay the inevitable any longer, it is not a habit I will allow you to continue in the future" It still sounded like a threat in the lowest definition of the term, but Cove insisted she was being silly and over thinking it. By the time Layla's hair was finished Cove had that vacant face she was so used to now, so she knew Zero was taking her attention elsewhere. At first Cove had tried to hide how distant she seemed during these times, now however she didn't so much. It wasn't like she was unaware, Layla found that out with Reaper the hard way. More than glad the A.I had self control as the hand she had been going to touch her arm with, that she had caught would have broken if she had exserted more force. After that not only did Layla know better than thinking there was any gap in their vigilance, but that it wasn't wise to try and push them while they seemed unfocused either. Reaper thankfully had explained that her reaction was mostly automated. Sadly in her response she explained as well, that if she had not been known to her she could have struck out not only with more force but deadly force.

Following Cove down the stairs, Zero was waiting for Layla his appearance much more well groomed than usual. Not that he didn't normally keep himself looking nice. It never stopped being ironic to Layla that Zero, even on his most unkempt days could have been a world class model if he was human. Now he was in a black shirt and suit trousers, the first couple of buttons left unfastened giving him an authorative yet almost dangerous look. It was oddly apt for him. His hair had been combed back slightly, leaving some down while the rest was pulled back into a small messy bun on the back centre of his head. The look made his eyes all the more distinctive. As they got to the bottom of the stairs, Zero nodded silently dismissing Cove. The female A.I spared no time making herself scarce. Layla remained where she was as Zero's eyes scanned her from head to toe. Much like his her hair was half down, with the rest up in a rose shaped bun rather to a messy one on her head. The black blouse paired well with a modest knee length blue skirt, royal blue to be exact. 

The colour hadn't been missed by Layla as the one Zero had claimed was his favourite. The modest black wedges on her feet were comfortable, and just tall enough to make her slightly closer to Zero's height. Zero smiled seeming pleased with the clothes he must have chosen, and with a hand on the small of Layla's back began guiding them to the media room. Layla had known this was where the meetings were for some times now, but she had never managed to get close when one was in progress until now. Otherwise when this room was empty she just enjoyed movies in here. Or the occasional game night, which had heavily decreased since Tank's departure. "You remember the rules?" With a deep sigh Layla nodded rolling her eyes as she entered the room, straight away noting how the usual large plush furniture was pushed aside. One of the more elegant chairs armchairs from in the house in the center of the room, dead center to the huge screen on the wall.