Raven seemed a little overwhelmed himself. "Uh..." Raven muttered. "Why don't you hang out with Frei a bit?" he suddenly suggested.

Laurel suddenly hugged Raven once more, just as tightly, but then leet go and nodded. "Okay... Um... You'll come back though, right?" she asked, struggling not to cry.

Raven gave Laurel a small smile and a nod. "I'll be right back," he promised.

Laurel nodded slowly, "Where... are you going?" she asked quietly as she stepped away from him.

"To check on my rival," Raven joked lightheartedly. He didn't seem angry or upset.

Laurel blinked then slowly seemed to understand. She nodded again, "I'll... be with Frei then." she replied, turning to leave.

And so Raven went to talk with Nic. It was a good half hour before Raven came back to the archives. He seemed to return in more or less the same mood. A little confused and mostly neutral.

Laurel was sitting with Frei, she looked much happier. Apparently whatever Frei had done had helped. Laurel glanced up at Raven, "Is he alright?" she asked, looking a little worried until Frei patted her hand.

Raven smiled back at Laurel. "Yeah," he replied.

Laurel looked happier then quickly turned embarrassed, "Sorry..." she murmured.

Raven shook his head. "Don't apologize," he told her. "Actually I'm glad I finally had an excuse to talk with him."

Laurel looked rather surprised, "Wait... he actually talked back?" she asked with widening eyes.

"I was a little surprised to," Raven admitted. "Though he didn't say too much. That conversation with another person probably would have taken a few hours."

Laurel looked a little confused but let it go, "So, he likes you?" she inquired, a little happy at the fact.

"Uh, yeah," Raven replied a little more awkwardly than was necessary. "I think so... So what have you two been doing?"

"Frei suggested we go swimming." Laurel said with a small smile.