DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

Night purred enthusiastically, headbutting Ashton and squirming all over Ashton.  He loved his person!  Now, where was food?

Lex came in and glanced around.

Ashton petted Night a little more before he carried the kitten downstairs to feed him. He nodded to Lex as he walked past him, and then passed Layla, who was curled up on the couch, reading her book.

Hugs looked up with a quiet, "prow?" then shook his head and snuggled back in with Layla.  Oh.  It was just him and the kitten.
"Finally decide to take care of your kitten?" Lex asked languidly.

"Why you say that?" Ashton asked as he got Night's food out. "Was he being bothersome?"

Layla looked up curiously when she heard Ashton.

"Just mewing pathetically like he was an abandoned orphan," Lex answered.  "Apparently, cat babysitters just aren't doing it for him anymore.  Oh.  Ash, Layla, Layla, Ashton and his son."

Layla smiled a little and waved. Ashton glared at Lex. "Night's my cat, not my son. Stop trying to make it weird or creepy."

"It's not weird or creepy, it's hilarious," Lex smirked.

Ashton cheekily stuck his tongue out at Lex, which made Layla laugh some. "God, you two are acting like children!" She laughs, not meaning it as an insult more so as a tease.

"I am not a child," Lex scowled.  Then hooked a thumb at Ashton.  "But he is."

Ashton sputtered and protested that pointing the finger was a pretty childish thing to do. Layla just giggled at their antics.

"Yeah, yeah, me thinking you doth protest too much," Lex grumbled.  "Anyway, come into the kitchen and get something to drink while you tell me what you found."

Ashton nodded and followed Lex. He got a glass of water and food for Night before he spoke to Lex. "Apparently the guy vanished. He's either deep in hiding, or fled the city. No one has seen him or gotten word." Ashton's voice dropped a bit more. "While I was out, I heard something else. I heard whispers that perhaps the Shadow wasn't dead. I quelled what I could without drawing suspicion, but I don't know how much it already has spread."

Lex stood silent for a long moment after Ashton finished.  "Well.  Crap," he commented blandly.  "That really sucks.  As for the dude, I hope he stays gone.  I don't like getting blood on my shirts."

Ashton sighed. "And I couldn't try and track down the source of the leak without causing suspicion."

"I think I might know," Lex grumbled.  "Whatever.  I'll just stay in the ground for a while and let everyone else sort out their own problems."

(DOES HE?! XD)

Ashton nodded. "I don't think anyone suspects me, so I will keep an ear out, and not walk home the same way twice in a row, just in case."

(He has a theory.  Not saying he has the right or wrong one, just a theory.)

"Good plan," Lex agreed with a sharp nod.

(I bet he's wrong XD)

Ashton nodded back and checked on how Night was with his food.

Night licked his whiskers and trotted up to Ashton, purring up a storm and circling Ashton's ankles.  Person!  Kitty was now a happy kitty now that person had fed him.

Ashton picked the kitten up and petted him. "Little glutton."

"Mew!" Night responded.  The kitten struggled up and managed to climb up onto Ashton's shoulder.  He balanced there, seeming shocked at where he was and uncertain.  Then curiosity got the best of him and he tried sniffing Ashton's ear.

Ashton laughed a little and kept an eye on the kitten, making sure he didn't fall and hurt himself.

Night carefully edged around, exploring his new view on life and looking around.  Fun!  He settled down, purring happily.

"And now I'm deaf. Thanks, Night." Ashton grumbled to the kitten affectionately.

Meanwhile, Layla felt fidgety and restless. She needed a fix. Of what, she didn't care, as long as it made her feel good.

Lex wandered in and plopped down on the couch.  Wordlessly, he handed her another protein shake, holding one for himself.  "Bottom's up, Chika."