Things had changed for the three of them. Marc had never had to juggle so much and at first it was tough but they had gotten used to it. Steven was just happy that both Layla and Marc loved him as much as he loved them. 

“We’re worried about you love.” Steven said at first then Marc fronted. “Yeah you do. That’s what we’re doing.” As she adjusted in his arms Marc flew with Layla back to the town. Steven was worried inside Marc’s head but he didn’t want to throw him off balance when he was in solution mode.  “We’re all stubborn. You’re that stubborn you won’t admit it. I know, it’s easier then walking, just cradle into me. What happened with Taweret? It looked different tonight from what we could tell.”

How could she explain? It was her own doing that had made things difficult. “I didn’t trust my instincts and Taweret was... a little distracted tonight.” She grimaces a bit, a slight hiss of pain escaping her. “So, really, it was my own fault. I was a little outnumbered. Miscalculated is all.” There’s a little hum, though she focuses on their voices. “You’re stubborn, I’m stubborn, Steven’s stubborn. Some trio we are, eh?”

@elfaoulylayla· ( ☾ )

“Things being spinny are not usually an indicator of everything being fine. You wanna sit down?”

never a dull day when layla was around. he had hoped that he’d get away with it, that she’d leave well enough alone, but that wasn’t the case. because of course she picked up on it, and of course she called him out in it. that was a very layla thing to do. so he settles, somewhat, as she speaks, considering his options. alright, fall back to the nice guy approach - something that he wasn’t entirely sure how to do. jake wasn’t big on his social skills, but … if he wanted, in any universe, for her to keep this to herself, then he had to make her comfortable with the idea that he was harmless.

“    i know who you are. esposa; they both adore you, layla. but they don’t know me. i need you to keep it that way.    ”     accents. he had passed the bar at the museum for a short time, so very long ago. he supposed he needed to work on that. he dropped it, for this conversation, now; reverting back to his natural voice; which was something distinctly different from both marc’s and steven’s.     “    por favor; please. they’re not ready, and neither am i.    ”

layla was oftentimes too smart for her own good. though, she was also known for involving herself in business that had nothing to do with her either. hence, why she had ever gotten involved in any of the business with harrow and ammit and any of the gods as well. his reaction tells her all she needs to know ; that she was right in her suspicions, this was neither marc nor steven. how many personalities were in one body? it wasn’t her place to ask, nor would she. instead, she nods her head, listens to him speak. it’s a good thing she knows multiple languages, otherwise, she was sure she would be confused right now. the way he tells her that neither marc nor jake know of his existence worries her, though his warning of making sure they don’t know about him is all she needs. “alright, i won’t tell.” palms raise slightly, just to show she means no harm. “so, you know who i am. who are you?”

Marc looked Layla up and down, making sure that she was ok and that there wasn’t something that needed immediate attention now. But from his eyes, she was ok for the most part. “That doesn’t make me feel better.” He talked to her with his hands still on her face, just so afraid to let go of her. He just thought if he let her go, then she would fall to the ground. And hearing that everything was spinning for her told him that she might pass out any minute.

“Let’s get you somewhere you can sit down, ok?” It was more of a statement than a question, but he wasn’t in the mood to fight, so he tried to be the sweetest he could be with her. He gently moves his hands off her face and moves over to her side, putting his arm around her waist and helping her stand up. “Do you need anything?” He asked if she needed anything, then he would find without she needed it without asking any questions about it.

He helps her over to a bench, gently putting her down on it. “Just stay there till you are not spinning anymore.” He stood in front of her hoping that would keep her from standing up since trying to get her to rest a tricky thing. She always has to move even if she is hurts. “I’m happy you are too beating up.” He admitted to her with a smile.

“Marc. Marc, I’m fine.” Layla protested, in spite of the way he helped get her to a safe spot. Adjusting to the change between Avatar and regular life was still hard for her. Whenever Taweret chose to beckon her, she would use her own suit to protect Layla. But, this was still new for her. As she carefully leans against Marc, she takes a moment to simply close her eyes, settling onto the bench carefully. She wants to complain, but she knows better. Instead, she leans back against the bench and makes herself comfortable. “I would have been fine. Really. It’s.. the adjustment period, Taweret says.” Layla inhales a deep breath, slow and deep each time she breathes, before going back to normal breathing.

Steven shook his head, his curls coming free of where they had been a moment ago. “Please, barely.” he replied, trying to demure his skills in the face of someone who had been much more into exploring than he ever had, “I mean, you’ve done it, haven’t you?” he asked. “Going into tombs. Like, that day in the tomb of Alexander the Great, I was shitting myself but I was also having the time of my life. Just to get involved in all that history, really into it. Sort of takes all those times at my books and makes it seem less than, you know?”   He ran his hand through his hair, pulling it back. “…Marc can do the stuff I’m not quite there with, you know? Like fighting and…flight and shit.”

“No, I mean it. I was really impressed that you were able to help decipher certain clues and things like that. You were quick to figure a lot out on your own as well. It was really impressive.” Layla couldn’t help the praise she was giving Steven right now. Yet, she had meant every single word. “Going into tombs is part of my work. But, this time was a lot different than what I’m usually used to. Though, as you put it, feeling like you might shit yourself is to be expected.”

@elfaoulylayla· cont. from here

mierda indeed. jake freezes slightly at the voice; recognition sparking in his mind. he has never met her. she has never met him. but jake’s watched through steven and marc’s eyes to the point where it was one of his rules. when in control, do not talk to layla.

but what choice did he have.

“    uhhhh . .    ”    he draws out the sound, trying to emulate steven and his british accent the best he could.   “    yep. fine. sorry, i went all spanish there for a moment. dunno what happened.   ”  

there’s a look of suspicion on layla’s face as she narrows her gaze slightly. she had learned how to tell the difference between marc and steven lately. had noticed the patterns and changes. had taken mental notes on what to look out for when the switches happened. but, this was ... different. neither steven nor marc. who was he? “you’re not steven.” her words are to the point, though she leans back in her chair. gaze never diverting from the male as she crosses her arms over her chest. “you’re not marc either. i didn’t know there were more than two of you.” she leans forward, rests her chin in the palm of her hand.

“ugh hades and persephone are just amazing to be around. They’re like the mom and dad that actually stayed together and loves each other.” she rolled her eyes playfully “unlike Zeus and Hera.” as soon as she spoke of them a crash of thunder could be heard “SORRY!” she yelped out putting her hands together in a forgive me fashion. She let out a nervous laugh looking up at the sky, Zeus didn’t like it when she spoke the truth and neither did Hera. When she did Zeus would just scare her with thunder since he had no reign over her. Hekate and Hades on the other hand, that would have been a problem.

“and this is why I never talk shit about my deities.” she sighed out waving her hand to hail a taxi which took a minute before one pulled up. “Zeus can’t do shit to me but he knows I’m a pussy when it comes to him. He’s scary when angry.” Spector shivered while getting into the vehicle.

“now like I was trying to say before I was rudely interrupted. Personally I think you and Marc should give each other space. With Steven in the picture now, that could cause some problems. They’ve got a lot to work out.” Spector suggested “not like it’s my place to say anything. Just an idea?”