This or That [Rhett]

[Leyla (DELETED 6554)]

Leyla was always so busy these nights. She was either at school or at work. As for during the day? She just seemed to knock right out whenever the sun would rise. It was almost as if when the sun rose it made a tick noise and she was quickly out. She wasn’t sure that was normal but she was too busy to ask anyone otherwise. If she wasn’t busy at one place or another she was at home in Larch Court where she would sit on her bed and read her notes. It was more than a little important to her that she would pass her classes with flying colors. But who did she have to care for her anyway? While those parts of her life she excelled at she could really do better with getting to know some of the members of her family. They’re important too and it wasn’t enough to reply sometimes to their family CrowNet and mingle there. She needed to put away the books even if just a little bit out of the night to go and visit the vampires who shared blood with her. They were her family now. She wasn’t sure what was holding her back, if it was because she had grown accustomed to being alone or if she had just grown shy. Maybe it was a mixture of both. Regardless, she needed to get over this. As time went by and if she was really honest with herself she wanted to get to know them. It was important to know them too. What would she do if they needed help? How would she find them then? A name on a computer didn’t help her. Or if she needed help? She had to know more people in Fforde at some point besides Jesse. Plus, they all really seemed like a great bunch of people even if they were all just thrown together.

Maybe that’s what made them all seem so great. That yes, they had been thrown together just as she had been thrown over the stairs in front of their family house, but like them she rose above it. She rose above being abandoned by her sire and she wasn’t so angry anymore. At first, she had just been so angry that her life had been taken by someone who didn’t even show their face. Who was it? It was still a mystery to her despite the fact that Jesse had given her a little bit of information. What mattered about her, anyways? Leyla didn’t know. She wanted to. More than anything she was curious about her sire and those that seemed to be so close. What made them so close? Did they have anything in common? She wasn’t sure. She was too busy sticking her nose in her books. Too busy being shy that even at her job she read.

Her job. It was a sweet little gift shop. It had a variety of items and sometimes she caught even herself shopping when she was helping a customer find something. The owner was so amazing to her, so quiet and so very pretty. The woman seemed to ooze sweetness with every step she took. Leyla more than appreciated that she was always being encouraged about her school. That she didn’t mind that Leyla had the tendency to stash a book here and there so she could study in between working. It was a nice feeling to be so backed by her. As time went by her shyness seemed to wear down as she continued to be in charge of greeting the customers. Whenever she doubted herself all she had to do was speak with Sence or Theo and they always offered her a kind word.

Tonight was just like any other. When she was done with the paperwork for the night she would grab her textbook and lean against the counter to wait for new customers to arrive. The door would ring and she would lift her eyes and greet whomever with a big smile and a flash of white teeth. While her boss seemed to carry around sweetness in her pockets, Leyla carried the sun around. It was just how genuinely happy she always seemed to be. It was unheard of on a normal night for her to be anything less.

The bell rang and that meant the front door was opened. Her eyes shot up from the textbook in her hand and she smiled brilliantly. “Welcome to This or That!” her voice rang loudly, even if it was gentle in tone. Now turning to the side in a flurry of pink skirts to place her textbook on the counter before greeting the customer again. “My name is Leyla! I’d be more than happy to assist you. Are you looking for anything in particular?” she asked, still smiling as she took a few steps forward with clinks of her heels.

[Rhett Keyes]

'This or That.' It sounded like a place that had a little bit of everything, which was exactly what Rhett was looking for, because he didn't know what he wanted or needed. Well, he knew what he needed. Something to keep him busy and entertained with his nights now that he was unemployed and had a lot of free time on his hands. He could have gotten another job. Something mediocre to pass the time these nights, but since he had a decent bank account for the house he planned on buying in a couple years, Rhett wasn't keen on the idea of getting another. Something that didn't satisfy him. What was the point?

So he opened the door to 'This of That,' and stepped inside in pursuit of something that would gather his interest. He was immediately greeted by a bright, cheerful voice and face to match that voice. Rhett stopped and looked around for a second before attempting to answer her. "Well, no. Not really, Leyla." Rhett started out before he shrugged. "I'm not sure what I'm looking for-but I'm not sure you carry it here either." His attention drifted back to the woman before Rhett scratched his shoulder, moving aside the heather gray tank top to achieve that task. He chuckled softly before offering her a small smile. "I'm sorry. I'm going to be one of those customers. The one everyone hates." He admitted as the scratching hand moved back to its rightful place on his side. "You know, the kind that can't make up their mind and don't even know what the heck they want to begin with." He looked around the store again. "I'm looking for something...different. To keep me busy. My nights are long and I find myself bored." Dark brown eyes return to the pleasant woman as he looked at her with a glimpse of hope.