Nic nodded, trying to sit up again.

--

Raven didn't go for the cat, sighing again. He'd probably need to call in Wolfe for help.

Laurel paused but slowly got off of Nic, allowing him to sit up.

--

Frei frowned a little as the cat wiggled it's way out of her arms and jumped on the ground with a tiny yowl.

So Nic sat up, getting his orientation back. After another few minutes, he explained, "I was meditating."

--

Raven let the cat be and went to sit next to Frei instead.

Laurel glared at him a little, "You already said that," she spat.

--

Frei looked very unhappy. Perhaps she felt a little rejected.

"... Oh..." Nic said.

--

"... She'll come back," Raven reassured Frei. "Just give her awhile."

Laurel huffed a little, heartbeat still too fast.

--

Frei sniffed a little, glancing up at Raven.

Nic didn't say anything more.

--

"Let her come back to you," Raven suggested, watching the cougar.

Laurel was quiet as she calmed back down, bringing her knees up to her chest again, "... Did... sleeping with Rosen have to do with why you were scared yesterday?" she eventually asked.

"... No," Nic replied, rubbing his head a bit.

Laurel nodded a little and was quiet for awhile. Finally she gathered up the courage and asked outright, "What happened?"

Nic was silent for a moment as he rubbed his head before replying stoically, "Rosen used me."

Laurel blinked, clearly she hadn't been expecting that, "... huh?"

Nic repeated himself.

Laurel shook her head a little as it slowly sank in. Then it looked like it was a really good thing for Rosen that they were on an island as her eyes glinted fiercely. She scowled deeply, "He seduced you?" she clarified.

"... Yes," Nic replied just as stoically as he started to stand.

Laurel looked really angry as she started cussing again. But as Nic stood Laurel suddenly stood as well and launched forward, crashing into him and wrapping her arms around him tightly.

--

Frei continued to wait but this panther seemed to have an independent streak.

Nic stumbled a bit, not stable on his feet yet.

--

After awhile, Raven tried to gently tempt the panther over like a cat.

Laurel continued to hold Nic in a crushing hug, not seeming to care if they toppled over.

--

The panther wandered around aimlessly but sorta in Raven's direction. Finally it came within reach, yawning a bit.

Nic managed not to topple over, leaning on a tree for support. It took awhile, but eventually he hugged her lightly back.

--

So Raven grabbed it when he got the chance and pet it's head a little before giving her to Frei.

Laurel didn't let up, only squeezing him tighter, "I'm sorry..." she whispered, "You're always here for me but when you need support I..." she couldn't finish.

--

It bit Raven's hand. The teeth were just starting to grow in.

Nic didn't say anything.

--

That didn't seem to phase Raven as he handed her to Frei.

Laurel leaned up and kissed his neck very softly, "I love you," she whispered, "with all my heart... and I don't blame you," she paused, "because if Rosen was set on seducing me... I don't think I could resist either," she sighed before kissing his neck again.

--

The panther bit Frei as well. She seemed more phased then Raven as she stared at her bitten hand.

Nic didn't say anything, but he began to pull away after a moment.

--

"... You want a bandage?" Raven asked.

Laurel resisted for a moment but then reluctantly let go herself.

--

Frei continued to stare at her hand. The panther started to groom itself on her lap.

After Laurel let go, Nic went for a water pack and drank most of it.

--

So Raven got Frei a bandage and started to put it on her hand.

Without something to hold onto Laurel slowly sat back down. She felt terrible... like a hangover but ten times worse.

--

Frei blinked up at him, a little confused.

Then Nic started to snack on some of the food rations.

--

Raven kept bandaging her hand and gave it a kiss when he was done.

Laurel stayed where she was, the exhaustion coming back as the emotional high faded.

--

That got a microscopic smile out of Frei.

After awhile, Nic offered Laurel some water.

--

Raven pretended not to notice. "... If you want to keep her, you have to be able to take care of her," he repeated quietly.

Laurel took it and sipped it slowly, eyes blinking heavily.

--

Frei snorted a little and patted the top of the panther's head again. The panther began to purr and Frei gave Raven a smug look.

Before Laurel fell asleep, Nic took a look at her feet to see how they were healing.

--

"And Ryugi has to say yes," Raven added.

She hadn't re-bandaged them since she'd hurriedly done so on the boat and they looked a bit infected. Laurel complained a little as he touched them.

--

Frei shrugged a little, she didn't seem worried about that. She had her Ryuji wrapped around her little finger.

Nic ignored her complaints and got some supplies before cleaning, disinfecting, and re-bandaging her feet. So he could take care of her too.

Laurel complained groggily the whole way through but didn't fight it too much. When he was done she attempted to crawl towards him on her knees.

Nic didn't let Laurel get too close as he started to stand and walk off again.

And so Laurel burst into tears, well... not many tears because of her dehydration.

Nic seemed confused as he turned back to look at Laurel. He didn't pause long though as he gathered a few more things from the pod. He came back and gave Laurel some more water before collecting some wood... and it looked like he planned on starting a fire.

Laurel continued to cry though she tuckered out pretty fast, "Y-You hate... m-me n... n-now!" she claimed brokenly.

"... No," Nic replied calmly as he kept working on the fire.

And so, as happened only when she got over tired, Laurel got whiny. "Yes... y-you do!" she argued before hiding her face in her hands dramatically.