Style Quest: Layla

Varick was not enjoying his time stuck aboard The Harlock: The Sequel. Tavin, or rather Tay, made it slightly more comfortable for Clydesdale. While the red and green kobold tried to distract Varick, Tay couldn’t fix the feeling of homesickness. Also, the tailor was running out of supplies as he hadn’t packed his bag for an extended stay away from home. When a message came over the intercoms, Varick was eating in the cafeteria, listening to fighter pilots brag about their flight skills.

 

“Varick, please report to the loading bay for a delivery,” Tay’s voice came out of the sound system, surprising the horse. “Varick, please report to the loading bay for a delivery.” Confused, the mahogany Clydesdale pocketed the green apple from his tray before putting the rest in the bin. Varick made his way to the loading bay after getting lost twice and needing to ask directions. This spaceship was too massive and maze-like for the tailor’s liking. Tay’s silver and blue cargo ship sat docked in the loading bay by six wooden crates.

 

“Surprise,” the kobold cargo pilot yelled as he ran from behind the crates. Varick was about to ask what was happening but was interrupted by Tay wrapping his slight feminine self around the horse’s legs. “I know you’ve been missing home, so I contacted a couple of your friends and had them pack up your apartment for you.”

 

“Uh- um, I’m not sure what to say,” Varick stammered, shocked by all this. It wasn’t something he was expecting, nor was he expecting his new bed companion to do this for him. 

“I know it won’t completely cure your homesickness, but I thought it might help,” Tay told Varick as he released the horse from his hug. “I also cleared a corner of the loading bay that you can use as a makeshift workshop if you’d like. It might be more comfortable than working in our cramped room.” 

 

“Thank you,” Varick managed to get out as a tear of happiness escaped his eye. Tay looked up at the horse just before being pulled into a deep kiss. As the kiss broke off, a panicked look filled Varick’s eyes. “They didn’t pack up my fourth dresser drawer, did they?”

 

“Your friend with the hand- oh, what was her name? Bridgette! She said that she’s not judging but is impressed,” Tay laughed as the husky leaned against the Clydesdale’s waist. Varick blushed a bit as his embarrassment burned the back of his neck. The two stood there momentarily, enjoying themselves, when one of the crates started shaking.

 

“What’s in that one,” Varick cautiously asked as he picked up a crowbar from one of the crates. Strange noises began to emit within the wooden box as strange lights shined between the cracks.

 

“I’m not sure,” the red and green kobold stated as some of his gold flecks caught the light. “Kriv put that in there and said it was a gift from the people of Lyra.” Now even more curious, Varick used the crowbar to pop open the side of the crate. After a few moments, an icy blue and white deer-like creature the size of a large dog with a leonine tail and crystal-like antlers walked out of the crate. Around the creature’s neck was a collar with a pendant that said “Layla.”

 

“This is a Volai,” the Clydesdale tailor exclaimed, surprised. “They aren’t supposed to be off of Lyra because they get sick.” Layla started to sniff and nose at Varick’s pocket with a soft bleat. The horse looked down, pulled the apple out of his pocket, and gave it to the Volai.

 

“Maybe this one is special,” Tay mused as Layla ate the apple. “We can keep her as our pet if the captain doesn’t find out.” 

 

“I think that’s a good idea,” Varick smiles as he pets Layla. “I never had a pet before.” In the following days, the tailor crafted a comfortable pet bed and several sets of clothes for his new Volai pet. Layla wasn’t a fan of wearing the clothes, but she usually kept them on long enough for Varick to adore her before he gave her a treat.