Invited

Chapter 14: End of the Night

Layla held onto Basilisk's hand, and he guided Layla into the middle of the room. Saber and Judah stepped back towards her bed. They sat on top of the mattress to give the two some space. Layla and Basilisk looked to Summer, letting her know they were ready for music.

Summer pressed 'play' on the recording once more, starting from the beginning of the music. She joined Saber and Judah on the bed, watching as the two swayed around the room in their dance.

Basilisk brought Layla closer to him with each step, then pulled away to twirl her into a small spin. They danced with each other through the first song, with the three on the bed clapping as they finished.

Next, Saber got off the bed and followed the actions of Basilisk. The next song played was a bit faster and allowed for Layla to experience a different tone of the dance. Finally, it was Summer's turn.

She handed the recorder to Saber, showing him where the 'play' button was to start the song. Layla and Summer held on to each other's hands as they twisted and turned around the room. It was especially hard since both of them were in dresses. Their dresses swished into each other, so they made sure to keep a slightly farther distance compared to Basilisk and Saber during their dances.

After the three got their private dances with Layla, Basilisk got up and pulled the vanity chair over to the group for Layla to sit on. He and Saber moved to the floor, with Summer replacing Saber on the bed.

"Do you want another dance, Judah?" Layla asked Judah.

"No, I'm glad you were awake enough to give them our annual secret dance session. I had my turn at the party." Judah waved off the offer, pushing himself further back on the mattress to make room for Summer to sit comfortably.

"Minerva would be proud to know we kept up this tradition four years later." Saber got up and went over to the dresser briefly. He pulled out blankets from one of the drawers, passing one by one to Basilisk.

Basilisk unfolded the one in his hands first, and draped it over Layla's shoulders.

Layla accepted the blanket he gave her, "It is too bad we have to do it in secret. I would have liked to dance with all of you during the party instead. It's not fair Silvers are not allowed to dance with nobles in public."

Saber helped Judah with unfolding his blanket, also placing it around his shoulders. Basilisk went to Summer after helping Layla to do the same.

The five of them, each wrapped in a blanket, continued their conversations for the night. Every so often they would laugh and giggle at each other's words. The room felt cold in the night, but the five were huddled together for warmth as they spent time together.

Judah was the first to bring up the time that has passed. "We should let you rest, Layla. It's been a long night." He began to pull off the blankets off his shoulders.

"No, please stay. We might not get more time together like this when I start Council Selection next week." Layla pushed down Judah's hands, and pulled the blanket back where it was.

"That's new. Every year you just let us leave. You honestly should sleep." Basilisk cupped her hands in his, feeling the slight coldness from her fingers.

"It's okay, I'm not that tired yet." Layla joined Basilisk on the ground, allowing him to help warm her hands with his own.

"Are you nervous for Council Selection, Layla?" Summer asked, pulling the pillows next to her to hand over to Basilisk.

"A little. I'm mostly excited to meet Solice Aion." Layla moved farther from Basilisk, so that he could place the pillow on her lap.

He readjusted the pillows to an angle that was comfortable enough for Layla to place her hands on it. The warmth of the pillows covered her cold hands, letting Basilisk's hands go in the process.

"You'll be fine. If she decides not to come, there are the two representatives that can take you to her after the Council Selection." Saber moved closer to the group, drawing a makeshift map of the area when he mentioned the representatives taking Layla to Solice.

"Besides, even if she doesn't come, you can always find her yourself now that you are of age to be considered an adult." Summer added.

Layla giggled at the hopes her companions were giving her. "If I can finally leave Vesta this year, if I'm finally considered to be old enough for Council Selection, I want to leave to see the world."

"Basilisk, how sure are you that the Solice you found is part of ASEND?" Layla turned to the older male, looking him straight in the eyes.

"I'm sure it's her. I did research on her employment history and saw it matched." Basilisk replied.

They conversed for a bit longer, until Layla abruptly yawned in the middle of it. She rubbed her eyes to get rid of the sleepiness, but couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.

"Layla, I think you should sleep now. You seem tired." Judah helped Basilisk pull Layla up off the floor and sat her onto the bed.

Summer ushered out Saber and Judah to the hallway, who watched as Basilisk took all their blankets and began folding them to be placed in a stack together.

Basilisk watched as Layla got up to follow Summer to her vanity once more. "Before I leave, you have a meeting with Lady Rebecca tomorrow morning."

Summer sat Layla down on the vanity, who then went looking for Layla's nightgown. Layla, in turn, stirred a little bit from her half-awaken state.

"I have a meeting with her? How did you know?"

"When Saber and I went to collect the gifts, she told me to bring you to her office tomorrow morning."

Layla jolted from her state, a worried look in her eyes.

"I'm sure it's nothing bad. She might just want an update from you on Council Selection next week." Basilisk collected the folded blankets into one of his arms and walked over to Layla. He gave her an awkward side hug from the towering height he had on her at the moment.

"Hey, no fair. You don't get to hug her behind our backs." Summer came back to the area, nightgown in tow.

"Exactly, Basilisk. Who do you think you are?" Saber marched back up to the group, Judah following close behind.

"If you can hug her, so can we. I, Lord Judah Lucan, order a group hug." Judah pulled Saber and Summer closer to the two, gathering the five of them into a collective hug.

Layla, smiling, hugged all of them back. She let them move away first, with the three men backing up to the door leading into the hallway.

They all said their goodnights, shut the door behind them, and allowed Summer to continue with helping Layla into her nightgown.

Summer paced her job with getting Layla to bed as quickly as she could, so that she may leave for Layla to get some sleep.