Layla and Lucien: A Chance For Love?
Chapter 2:

Having finished reminiscing about Lucien's most romantic courtship of her, Layla continues waiting for him to arrive at the new place he asked her to find for them.

Where are you Lucien?! What is taking you so long?    [Dialup #1]

Layla goes inside and puts on some warmer clothing. When she returns, there are some unpleasant visitors. Could this possibly be a bad omen about Lucien?

Ghosts from the past come to interfere with Layla's happy longing for Lucien. Do they have anything to do with the mysterious woman in red whom Layla recently had to cage?    [Dialup #2]

Keeping an always vigilant eye out for her true love.    [Dialup #3]

Finally Lucien arrives!    [Dialup #4]

The two embrace for a very long time... Layla: You have finally come! Lucien: Yes, I had some business at Kumiko Manor to wrap Up. You look delicious! Layla: You must be exhausted. Come, look at your new place - and let's get you out of those clothes. I hope you like the house! Lucien: I'm sure I will - you always please me Layla. You are an angel.

Lay down sweetheart, and I will relax your whole body.    [Dialup #5]

Lucien soon falls asleep and Layla further ponders her many questions: Who is this mysterious woman in red I caught in Weynon Priory and now have in my birdcage? Why was this woman also wearing the red dress that Lucien had just gifted me with? What was this appearance she made in my dream several nights ago? Why did she cry so sorrowfully, and speak to Lucien as only a wife would? So many questions to ask Lucien about this fiery visitor. Layla thinks: I trust Lucien and feel there must be some acceptable explanation. I do not want to dwell on anything that might spoil our first over night together, but of course, I have to know the answers before we get too physical with one another.

Layla ponders all these questions and grows more restless and agitated. She finally cannot wait any longer!    [Dialup #6]

She now feels it is time they have a real heart-to-heart about this other woman.    [Dialup #7]

Layla: Lucien, I have a present for you. But you must come into the dining room. I also have some questions, my dear, that have been weighing on my heart. Lucien: Questions? What kind of questions? Layla: Oh, let's go get the present first! I am giving you this gift a bit early because it also contains the source of my questions. Lucien: Huh? Uhh, okay. Let's just go see!

What is this Lucien?    [Dialup #8]

Lucien turns white when he sees Emilie, but quickly recovers his composure. That is a very beautiful bird, but ... what is that other creature in red there?    [Dialup #9]

Layla: You don't recognize her?
Lucien: Uhhhh, noooo.... She is very tiny, I can hardly see her.
Emilie squawking in a high-pitched, barely audible voice: Lucien, it is me, your Emilie!!! This witch shrank me to bird-size!
Lucien: Layla, I think we need to talk.
Layla: I couldn't agree more!

Lucien: Over there... I don't know any Emilie, but that voice is hurting my ears.
Layla: I am so relieved to hear this, my love.
Emilie continues screeching for Lucien to come closer and get her out of the cage.
Lucien: What is the story with Lady Bird over there? What have you been up to Layla?
Layla: Well, after your departure, I found her flying around your room at Weynon Priory. It was also the very morning after I saw her in my very sexy dream of you. She said she is your wife!
Lucien: Come on! Would I marry a bird?
Layla: Oh... Hehehe. I put a temporary spell on her because she needed to fit in the cage. I can undo it, though she is very difficult when full size.
Lucien: Hmmm... No, let's wait on that spell reversal.
Layla: But do you know her?
Lucien hesitantly stammers: Well... not really....
Layla: My love, I really want no secrets between us. Can we drink some truth potion and just talk completely truthfully, freely and uninhibitedly with one another? It should be fun! I love that game Truth or Consequences too! Don't you Lucien?
Lucien: That potion is not necessary Layla. I would never lie to you.
Layla: Well, it will also allow us to tell one another things we would not otherwise even think of. We can completely reveal ourselves to one another and end up being so much more closely bonded emotionally. It will make our relationship much stronger in the long run. I will also need this kind of bonding before making love to you.
Lucien: I see...
Layla: I so very much want this, sweetheart. Please, for me?

Layla is now starting to really wonder about Lucien. Is he telling the truth about not knowing Emilie? Layla senses he has many many secrets.    [Dialup #10]

Lucien slowly mixes the truth potion looking for an opportunity to leave out certain essential ingredients. But Layla loves this potion, so he cannot deceive her.    [Dialup #11]

Lucien and Layla drink the truth potion.    [Dialup #12]

Layla: Let's go into the other room Lucien, and consider our lives altogether. I really want to know everything about you - especially before we share a bed together. It will make it that much more special.
Lucien: Ok Layla... I hope this helps us. Hey, this potion is already kicking in - I really do mean what I just said! I have never felt so much love for anyone, Layla, as I do for you. I want us to always be together!
Layla: So do I, Lucien. I feel so connected to you, as though we have always been together, and should always be together. Tell me more about yourself - we have been having so much fun that sometimes it is easy to forget about each other's history. Lots of people think history does not matter, but I feel it very much does, as it helps us see our pattern of living, both good and bad. And if you and I are going to share our lives together, we should know everything about one another. That way it will not have the power to destroy our relationship later if something comes out about it - we will have chosen one another in spite of such history or even partly because of it.

So under the influence of the truth potion, Lucien describes to Layla his murderous history - it is very dark indeed - but Layla sees his heart wants to know truth and to feel real love. She tells him this over and over as they hold each other and he confesses all of his atrocities with the Dark Brotherhood. Layla is happy he is releasing all of this burden and also senses his deep remorse for inflicting so much pain and suffering on others. Lucien says he truly wants to give all of that up for a life with her and feels he already has. He insists his Dark side is just history.

Layla: So what of this Lady Bird? Why does she stalk you then?
Lucien genuinely apologetic: I am so sorry Layla. I truly am. Please forgive me, most dear one.
Layla: What do you mean, Lucien?

Lucien: That woman IS my wife, Emilie.
Layla: What????!!!!!! Why did you not tell me?
Lucien: I have been wanting to, but I thought I could break from the Dark side once and for all, and be done with her and my horrific life there. You have given me this hope, Layla.
Layla: But you did not tell me! Even earlier today you lied to me, Lucien! Are you CURRENTLY married to Emilie?
Lucien: Yes... but in my heart, I want to be with you!
Layla: We are finished until you handle your business with this ... this wife of yours! I cannot trust you! How could you continue lying to me, Lucien?
Lucien: I was afraid you would not want to be with me.

Layla, would you possibly consider being my second wife or mistress until I can leave the Dark side and Emilie permanently?    [Dialup #13]

You should have told me you were married!!! I will not be your second wife or mistress! I am not like them!    [Dialup #14]

Lucien then reaches out to Layla, knowing he does not want to lose her.

Don't you dare touch me!    [Dialup #15]

I am so angry with you, Lucien! You have broken the most important bond between us - trust!    [Dialup #16]

Layla must restrain herself to keep from hitting Lucien. Her anger surfaces quickly and mightily - especially when someone she trusts and loves, lies to her. She treasures honesty almost as much as she does love.   [Dialup #17]

Layla yells at Lucien: I must be alone now! I will leave here in the morning after undoing the spell on your wife! You two have much to talk about!

You made a commitment to your wife! Honor that! What are you doing here with me when you are married?    [Dialup #18]

Lucien: If I were to leave Emilie, would you have me Layla? I want to do that - I want to leave the Dark side. I haven't killed anyone since I met you! Please believe me! At this moment, another creepy visitor suddenly appears!

Is this another ghost of Lucien's past? Layla dispels it quickly, but tells Lucien she is leaving and he needs to handle his affairs.    [Dialup #19]

Layla throws a scroll at Lucien to enable him to release Emilie himself. She quickly moves out of Lucien's company...

Completely heart-broken, Layla retires to the prayer and meditation hall. She sinks into a great sorrow over her love loss. She feels as though her closest companion ever has just died, and all she can do is grieve.    [Dialup #20]

She cries her heart and eyes out - all the while praying for strength to feel beyond this great sorrow.    [Dialup #21]

Feeling she has nothing left to lose, Layla surrenders deeply at her being's core and passes beyond all of her felt anger, sadness, fear, desire, and clinging to anything at all. She soon drifts into blissful planes of light above her body-mind, forgetting about all of her hurt and difficulties - at least for the moment.    [Dialup #22]

To be continued...