"You really don't know me too well," Nic countered. "You see, we Chiou don't tolerate threats." With that his hand flashed up toward James' neck.

--

"... Congratulations," Sheng said with a slow clap. "I've never seen Long that pissed off before. But please stand down, Long."

So Long slowly removed the long knife from his victims throat, leaving a light red trail behind. Long gave a deathly glare for a moment longer before wiping the knife off on his victim's sleeve and returning to Sheng's side.

The man stood there for a long silent moment. He finally snapped out of it when Sheng tossed him a small towel which hit him in the face. He blinked and caught it before it hit the floor and pressed it against his neck.

"... As I was saying before you interrupted," Sheng continued. "Our families will have their honor restored in due time. But the honor of the Yin Long comes first. So would you rather look into this gang stealing our members or should I let Long continue?"

The man spat on the ground as he turned to Long. "Your love for your former sister blinds you, Sheng," he replied. "If she isn't dealt with, our families will be shamed and never return to their former rank. And yours will be a laughing stock for generations."

"Let me worry about that, Dewei," Sheng replied. "Despite the changing circumstances, my original promise with your family remains strong."

Dewei didn't seem too convinced. But he turned to leave. As he did, he spat on the ground again as his eyes glanced over Long. But Long remained as still as a statue, face blank.

James seemed to have been expecting that. Before Nic's hand could connect, the sound of gunshots filled the hallway and echoed down. After a moment's consideration, it was clear they had come from James. His voice seemed to be more powerful than a typical persons. A moment after Nic's hand connected he collapsed dramatically and feet could be heard running from all directions.

He hadn't meant to knock James out; just get rid of his voice for awhile. But if he was out, all the better for Nic. So he crossed his arms, waiting for them to come and see that James was fine apart from being temporarily mute.

Unfortunately for Nic, the feet brought hordes of girls who already didn't like the dark and emo Nic. They took one look at Nic with his arms crossed and then at the fallen James and screeched their displeasure. They hurled insults at Nic and they shoved past him to get to James. James, for his part, seemed almost like his old self but with a much darker twist.

He looked around dramatically like a fallen hero. It was clear that rumors involving a murderous Nic had already begun.

But then Bee showed up and sighed from the background, rolling her eyes at the while situation.

Nic really didn't seem to care. When James had plenty of girls around to care for him, he started to walk off.

Bee stepped in front of Nic and raised an eyebrow.

Nic started to walk around Bee.

Bee cut Nic off again and slowly crossed her arms.

When that didn't work, Nic turned and started walking the other way.

Bee sighed, the hallway in that direction was flooded with girls, it would be a pain for Nic to walk through them all. Especially since they were all glaring at him.

Nic didn't seem too bothered by the glaring girls. He kept his cool as he navigated his way through them.

There was more than one misplaced elbow, knee and foot that jabbed into Nic as he walked past.

Bee turned and went to search for Raven again.

Nic didn't retaliate in any way, making sure he didn't do the same to the women.

It took quite some searching, but Raven was no longer entirely off grid. After awhile, Bee found some people who had seen him and pointed her in the direction of one of the most remote parts of the garden.

Bee sighed as she finally found Raven, "Finally coming out of seclusion, huh?" she spoke loud enough that she wouldn't surprise him as she approached.

Raven was on his hands and knees, tending some of the plants in the garden. It looked like he had been at it for awhile. He didn't reply to Bee as he kept working.

Bee sat down beside him, "You're experienced." she noted as she watched Raven's hands work.