Esper Story: Layla

Q!

What! Don't just barge in on me like that, you made me jump!

I'm sorry... How's your injury? Are you better?

Not completely, but I'm well enough to go on missions.

What's that you're reading? "Chatter of Gyrate"? The "Treasure Devourer"?

I just stumbled on it in the Union archives. It's quite gripping, in a scary sort of way.

Only an Esper would believe in those sorts of fairy tales, right?

Certainly not, not me!

Mm? Well then, why don't we go check it out in our spare time? It doesn't seem like its too far away.

Sure! Who'd be afraid of that?

Brynn, what if...

You want to go back? Come on, what are you afraid of?

No one, no one's afraid of anything! I'm as tough as nails, you know!

Heh! Really? I know you are. Come on, come on, let's move!

Wow, what's that?

"The Treasure Devourer only appears for brief moments on darkened streets and unlit roads..." That's exactly like what I read!

That's kind of weird. I suppose that's why no one's around.

You know, I'm not sure it's such a good idea to hang around here. Shouldn't we go back?

Look, Q, you know all those stories about ghostly visitations, paranormal dolls and whatnot? They're just fairy-tales!

This ain't no exception? I'm gonna go see what exactly is going on.

Oh, really? Hey, Brynn, wait up!

Help me! No, no, no! Save me!

No one can save you.

Is that the Devourer, about to show her true form?

What do you see?

Nothing... Oh come on, enough already! Show yourself, you coward!

Mm? Union Espers? Ah.

Hey, who's that? Where are you!

Oh... It's Layla?

Layla, the "miraculous" Esper surgeon who's been MIA in Gyrate?

...Got it! Now let me count this..., That's not much, is it?

Hey, we're talking to you!

We've just seen an Esper injure a civilian. We can't let this go now.

Injured? When did you see me injure him? Come on.

Dr... Layla...

Added together with the last one, do you know how much this going to cost you? I don't want any more excuses!

Yeah, totally! I'm... I'm going to get it sorted... I'm going to do it right now.

Wait!

Hey, Dr... Layla... something else?

You know our policy on non-payers.

Yes... Yes ma'am!

Now... do either of you lovely Union members care to join me for a cup of tea? For the record, no civilians were harmed by Espers today, despite what you seem to think.

...Heh. Q, as you can see, the "Devourer" is merely the gentle surgeon you see before you.

You're not saying...

No! I never took those silly urban legends seriously! Okay?

I want to know who's responsible for those malicious lies! No wonder the clinic hasn't been doing much business.

Well, we'd best be getting back then, Q.

Hold on, if I'm not mistaken, your dwarf friend seems to be injured?

Who are you calling a dwarf? You're a dwarf!

You prefer some other title? I mean, look at your height.

I haven't forgotten our little confrontation... But I've always been very tolerant of those who are unwell.

So? Would you like to get better quicker?

I have a bad feeling about this, Brynn...

Seriously? You can really cure Q, just like that?

Are you questioning my skills as a surgeon or as an Esper? Watch this!

Don't just ignore me, hey, hey, hey!

What is this ointment? Pretty powerful stuff, isn't it?

Layla's very own secret recipe, a mere 120 Nexus Crystals if you wish to buy it.

That's how you make your money, is it? You just heal people without their permission?

I guess that you're... reluctant to pay the bill?

Q, you're a member of the Esper Union! That's not at all appropriate.

Brynn! Whose side are you on? Of course I'll pay her! I'm paying her, happy?

The lovely thing about the Esper Union is they're generous and reliable. I look forward to your next visit!

...So the "Treasure Devourer" is real!

Business is very slow. Any slower and I'm not going to be able to afford to eat!

Then I'll have to abandon my research. I've got to think of new ways to drum up business.

Hey, Layla! It's been a while, how's business?

Unky Chai, you have eyes, what do you think?

Ha ha ha ha. I'm sorry. Try lowering your price a bit? My bros would be very happy to come if you did that.

You think I'm expensive? A mere 300 Nexus Crystals to re-attach a severed limb? That's a bargain!

300 Nexus Crystals? I could buy 10 years of prosthetic limbs from the Union for that, and I'd have a spare every month!

Well, some would prefer to have their injuries treated by Esper powers. Don't I have the right to charge for that? And what about all my research?

Alright, alright! I've heard your pitch before.

Eh... Trust me, if it wasn't for the fact that you saved me that one time...

Go on then, great and mighty oracle, to what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of your visit to my humble clinic?

Heh, well, here's the thing: I ain't getting any younger. It's taking its toll on my muscles, stretching is getting harder.

Could you take a look at me, tell me if I'm doing something wrong with my exercises or something?

Eh... Alright. Lie down first.

Let me have a look... uh, your metabolism is fine, your muscle mass and capacity far exceeds the average person's...

Actually, you even seem a lot stronger than your last check-up? What are you talking about?

I know exactly what I'm talking about! It's my body! I know when something's off!

Stubborn! I'm the doctor here. I can give you a massage if you want.

Hah. I might just take you up on that. Thanks Layla.

Feeling any better?

Uh... I don't feel anything.

What do you mean you don't feel anything? I'm pressing as hard as I can.

But you're just a tiny wee thing. Don't you have a massage machine or something?

You... Gah!

Ooh, that's the spot! A bit harder! Again, please.

Huh? It seems I need to use my Esper powers for you to really feel anything?

Ha ha! Nothing you do can hurt me.

You know this is way better than any of the massages I ever had on Amuse Street.

Massage? Ah! Why didn't I think of this sooner?

Think of what?

Using my Esper powers to give massages! Great, isn't it?

Yah. I think so.

Great! How about I give you this massage for free?

Very kind of you. Come on, Layla, what's the catch?

Hah, you know me too well. I just need your help with one little thing...

Business is booming, eh, Layla?

Ouch, I'm dying! I'm gonna die!

Keep quiet! I'll dismember you if you frighten away my customers with that nonsense!

Ouch! It's really painful! This is not a massage, it's torture!

Shut up! I can just heal you if you get injured. Just relax and take it.

No, no, NO!

Alert: ruptured muscle and lumbar discs. Discontinue treatment now!

......

No! Now that's just silly...

Save me...

Ah! Quiet! Here's your medicine!

I'm... I'm still alive! I don't want another massage, no!

Do you think you can just come and go like that? You're not getting out until you pay your bill!

Here, Here it is! Can I go now?

Okay. Scram. Imbecile!

I've got to thank you. Your promotion has brought a lot of business my way.

Not bad for a free massage?

What's wrong with them?

I used the same amount of Esper power I normally use. Everyone else was fine. He's the one with the problem!

The thing is, he even had the gall to demand a refund! What, like I don't know what's going on?

Hold on, you use the same amount of power for everybody?

Yeah. Eh, just like before! You loved it.

I'm an Esper and I work out every day.

How do you expect ordinary people without Esper powers or muscles to cope?

What, so I have to adjust it for everyone?

Hah! Obviously!

Yikes! This won't work if I have to tailor it for everyone! Well, there goes a great idea down the drain...

Hey, come on, you still got me! My muscles are pretty sore after a month of no massages.

Alright. Lie down, and I'll begin.

Hey, Unky Chai, can I say something?

Oh, that's it! That's the spot! More please... What?

What do you think is a reasonable price for this massage? 10 Nexus Crystals?

Oh that's so good... 10 Nexus Crystals?

Oh?

Layla, Layla! I'm back! Where are you?

I'm right here.

Huh? I can't see you?

Here! Down here, in front of you.

Wow! Layla! How do you get there all of a sudden?

I've been standing here the whole time.

Oh. Anyhow, I was wondering if you wanted to grab a meal? I feel like you haven't left the clinic in well over a month?

Refurbishing the equipment takes a lot of time.

Alright then. What did you want to eat? Ooh, I've got the perfect place in mind: ShrimpWay Noodles! What do you think?

Come on, you big doofus. I'm outside. You wanted something to eat, right?

Ah... Wait up.

Welcome to ShrimpWay Noodles! Are you waiting on anyone, sir?

Hello? I'm right here.

I'm with her. Can't you see?

Oh, I'm so sorry. I ...I'm not wearing my glasses today. Please, this way.

Hah! You need 'em.

And what would you like to order today?

Ah. Let me have a look. Can I have the balsamic sausage, the signature ShrimpWay noodles, and a burger.

Wonderful. So let me just confirm: balsamic sausage, signature ShrimpWay, and a burger. I'll let the kitchen know right away.

...Uh, excuse me? I haven't ordered.

Oh, I'm so sorry. What can I get for you?

Plum rice cakes, and another one of the shrimps.

Wonderful. We'll bring those out to you soon.

Don't be angry, Layla. I'm going to have a word with the manager afterward.

That's alright, Unky. I'm not.

Well, I'm angry on your behalf! Even though it doesn't seem to bother you like I thought it would.

I'm used to it. I don't even notice anymore. Besides, the less people notice me, the more I can get away with.

But what if you were sick or in an accident? People have gotta notice you!

What do you mean? I'm a doctor! Nothing like that's going to happen... And also...

Besides, you were asking where I was at the clinic just now? Come on, you're my friend. How can I blame the waiter?

Eh... I was just messing with you. Of course I knew you were there.

Eh...

We're so sorry it took a bit longer than usual. Here's your food.

Nice chow! My treat, so be sure to eat it all up.

I just went to get a glass of water. Didn't you notice I was gone?

Ha ha ha! What are you talking about? Don't confuse me with the waiters.

Fair enough, I guess. Let's eat.

There's a few ShrimpWay Group outlets around here. Best street food in Gyrate, if ya ask me.

So what prompted you to invite me out all of a sudden?

What do you mean? Can't I just invite you to a nice meal?

I don't know. I sense something else...

It's just a simple meal, that's all.

Actually maybe there is a little more. You spend all day locked away in that clinic of yours. I'm just a bit worried for you. You should come out and enjoy yourself more.

No one to bother me? I can focus all my energy on my research? What more could I want?

You can't do that all day, can you? People are, what do they call it, communal. You can't just stay in your own world.

Look at me, I'm all up in everyone's business all day. But I got to, you know? It's the only way I feel alive.

That's unusually philosophical for you?

Don't take my years of wisdom lightly! No matter what life has thrown at me, I'm still here.

That's why I'm worried for you. Are you really happy? Wrapped up in your work all day?

I am.

Uh... You know you should really listen to me. I'm trying to share my life experience here.

Hey, Unky, I'm not a child. Honestly, what are you going on about...

What are you talking about? I'm worried for you!

Look, you're 25 years old this year, although you look a lot younger, you need to get your head around a few facts of life.

Talking of which...

So, can't you see how getting married could save your life?

Huh? Where'd she disappear to this time?

Didn't notice me leave, did you?

Of course I did! I saw you leave!

So who were you lecturing? The air?

Eh... Hah! You can't blame people when you don't make yourself noticed!

I'll be more aware in the future, I swear.

Which will turn out exactly the same, I'm afraid... Anyhow, thanks for dinner.

Layla, don't thank me, I was just...

Hey, where did you go?