Lyla

Selene~

"Let me check, Luna," Kira said before stepping out, leaving me alone with Mira and the awkward silence that followed.

Moments later, Kira's voice came from outside followed by a burst of laughter, "Luna, I think you should check it for yourself." 

I could not contain my curiosity. Walking out of the room, I asked, "What is happening here?"

As my eyes landed on the scene in front of me, an unintentional smile tugged at my lips.

A few pups were playfully swarming around her as she struggled to fend them off.

"These idiot pups are not leaving..." she grumbled, as she tried to make one of them stop climbing her leg. "Help me...for Goddess' sake or I might end up kicking one or two."

She hissed as one of them scratched her with their little claw.

Suppressing a chuckle, I stepped forward, clapping my hands to get their attention.

As all of their attention was on me, "Do you want something to eat?" The moment the word food left my lips, their ears perked up, and their tails wagged in excitement. Their eager, innocent eyes made my heart burst for a moment but dodging that feeling, I signaled Kira.

She understood and announced, "Hey pups, wanna get some tasty food, come with me," with this, she lead all the pups in the other direction.

Lyla let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, or they would've kept tormenting me."

I sealed my lips not trying to laugh at her situation, "Was there any reason for you to come here?" She wiped off the sweat from her face before glancing at me. After a brief pause, she said, "Yeah, Max wanted to see you... but he got caught up with other work, so he asked me to check on you instead."

"Oh," I nodded my head as I asked Mira, "Can you help Lyla to take her to the room." Without uttering any word, she came forward helping her when Lyla pulled herself from her, "Oh no, I am fine. I can walk," I didn't push her instead asked Mira to get some water.

As we both stepped into the room, we got settled on the couch. As Lyla caught her breath, Mira got some water for her. This time Lyla did not protest and took the water. As she chugged down all the water, I scrutinized from head to toe. Something was different. She was not in her usual shirt and leather pants instead, she wore a gown.

Not only that, but her neatly tied bun was now tousled from the recent events. The red colour was matching contrasting with her silver hair.

"The color suits you," I unintentionally spoke out my thoughts. She was done chugging down the water when her gaze fell on her dress. She groaned in response which was not something I expected.

"Don't remind me of it, my old clothes were already ruined, and it will take a while to get new ones, so, in the meantime, I have to wear these hassle gowns." I couldn't help but smile at her childish behavior. "You know these are not so bad."

She stared in disbelief, "Bad? It is suffocating, I cannot even move around like before. If I weren't wearing this ridiculous gown, I would've dealt with those pups myself." She fanned herself as she relaxed into the chair, exhaling dramatically. Moments went by, as the silence started to get thickened. 

"If you don't mind," I hesitated as I carefully arranged words, "I can help you with it."

She gave me a confused look, to which I responded by explaining further, "I mean, I have experience with wearing such gowns, if you allow I can help you." My voice almost came out as a whisper as I spoke my last words. Her expression changed in a blink—something unreadable flashing in her eyes. My body went rigid.

Did I offend her by any means?

I thought to myself when she replied back, "I do need some help with all this.." She scratched her head as her eyes were everywhere but me.

I almost jumped on my seat, "Of course, I would help you. It would be my pleasure," a smile formed on my lips. She cleared her throat as she whispered, "Thank you but you can leave me now, it's hurting."

I blinked as I realized I was holding her hand tightly...too tightly. As the realization hit me, I left her hand, "I am sorry...I didn't mean..."

I tried to apologize when she interrupted, "Didn't mean to, I know." Silence fell in the room making the environment a little awkward. The tension was growing thick making it a little hard to breathe when she suddenly asked, "Do you want to go out...even this room started to suffocate me."

I processed her words as I stared back at her with a blank expression. "Sur..sure." My voice stuttered as I replied back.

Thankfully, Lyla did not give much attention to it and stood up, "Then let's go." I abruptly stood seeing her as she walked towards the door. "Lyla," She turned back. "What?" She raised her eyebrows in confusion when I pointed towards her hair, "I think you should get your hair done before we leave. it's.." The rest words could not get out of my mouth. She touched her hair, as she stepped in front of the mirror.

"What in the..."She almost cursed as her eyes fell on the reflection of herself. From the past hassle, her hair was a little tousled with half of it slipping out of her bun. I walked to her and guided her to sit in front of the vanity, "Let me help." As I offered the help, a slow voice fell in my ear, "Luna." I turned back to see Mira who stood behind watching us.

She stepped forward "Let me do it, Luna," She insisted.

I glanced back at Lyla, silently asking for permission. She huffed in annoyance and spat, "I don't care who does my hair as long as they fix this mess." She folded her arms and stared at her reflection, clearly displeased.

I nodded at her words and stepped back. Mira moved behind Lyla and carefully started undoing her hair. Once her silver strands fell back into place, Mira commented, "Your hair is too short for a bun."

None of us could deny her statement as it was true. Lyla's straight hair barely reached her shoulder blades, making it difficult to style into a proper bun.

Lyla shrugged, still leaning back as she muttered, "Do whatever you have to do, I don't care much." Mira's gaze shifted to me, I slowly nodded, giving her permission. She began working her magic as she got the approval of both of us. Her hands moved with such precision and speed that I could barely note what she was trying to do.

I watched in awe as Mira skillfully styled Lyla's hair. It barely took her ten minutes, and before I knew it, Mira stepped back and announced, "It's done."