Purgatory

Welcome to Purgatory Part 3

     Ten seconds turns into a minute, as that minute blurs into five. Ava stands in silence, as she had before, coming to grips with Laus' words. Both Laus and Layl too remain in silence waiting for Ava to voice herself.

     "What do you mean 'I don't?!'" Ava's voice rises with a more of an annoyance and distraughtness to it. "Alright, so I've accepted that I'm not on Earth, whatever, and am in this Purgatory place. But, now you're telling me I can't even get back?"

     "I know it's a lot to take in, but you really need to keep your voice down. Especially if you're going to talk about being from The Garden." Laus speaks his latter words in a hushed tone and with a hint of his own annoyance to it.

     "Keep my voice down?" Ava's voice has tinges of irritation to it as she slightly louder. "I think I'm allowed to speak a little louder than usual considering everything that you've just told me!"

     Ava's response somewhat aggravates Laus as not only did she ignore what he had said, but seemingly in spite raised her voice once more. However, before Laus can respond Layl raises her scaled hand slightly as to catch their attention.

     "Forgive my brother, he sometimes gets a little confused and ahead of himself. Especially when the subject involves someone as beautiful as you." Layl gives Ava a seductive smile, as always, not hiding her nature before continuing on. "He simply wants to keep you safe, and it is easier to do so when you aren't quite so boisterous. But, he could have just explained how his sigil works seeing as you've been surprising understanding."

     Ava's demeanor seemingly softens in response to Layl's words. Letting out a deep breath as to calm herself, Ava looks to Laus for his explanation. Laus sighs at being put on the spot by both of the women.

     "The sigil, that small etching near the door, is simply for fortification. It'll lock the building down and make it more durable, but it doesn't hide our presence in any way." Laus speaks evenly and calmly before briefly pausing and then continuing on. "And I understand you've taken in a lot, but as my sister said the less attention you draw the safer you'll be."

     "What would happen if I did draw too much attention?" Even though has Ava mentally put together some ideas as to the answer, she still asks for confirmation.

     "Well Ava, beings with a mindset like my brother and I are rare here in Purgatory. Depending on the being that you come across you'll either be seen as a delicacy or a valuable commodity." Layl pauses before offering Ava a sly smile and continuing on. "Humans are rare, and 'Pure' ones even more so. Even information on your whereabouts'd be very valuable."

     Layl gives a smile as she rises from her seat and stretched her arms out. Standing before Ava, Layl's eyes dart to her brother as her tail wraps around the back of Ava's neck and caress her cheek. "So, what are we going to do with her? Eat her or sell her?"

     A feeling of shock spreads through Ava's body as disbelief fills her face. Not entirely in the mood to indulge Layl's joke, Laus lets out a sigh as he approaches the counter and subsequently the coffee machines.

     "And I'm the one who 'gets ahead of myself?' We've known her for twenty minutes and you're already joking about eating her." Laus responds almost subconsciously as he begins setting up the equipment in order to brew a few cups of coffee. "Forgive my sister, she can't be serious for more than five minutes."

     "Aww, you're no fun. You could've at least played along with me for a second." Layl ends her playful complaint with an exaggerated pout to Laus before she begins to walk towards the cafe's entrance. "I just can't help teasing someone so cute. But think of this as your first lesson Ava. A lot of the beings here in Purgatory would do exactly as my brother did, right before they took advantage of you. The only beings you can trust in Purgatory at the moment are in this cafe."