Wolfe thought about it for a moment, "I live with Rosen and James..." he replied simply.

"... Have you talked to anyone besides them?" Raven asked.

Wolfe seemed very confused at Raven's question, "... Knowledge on relationships and what comes after were not needed in my training program," he replied slowly.

--

Laurel's head remained on Nic's shoulder, arms wrapped around his neck. "Oh," she mumbled, "Seeing you made me so excited I forgot!" She slowly sat up a little, "I found some stuff out," she smiled as her eyes found his.

After a moment, Raven nodded a little. "... Is it alright if I have an old friend of mine drop by the mansion for a day or two?" he suddenly asked.

--

Nic looked back at Laurel, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"That's fine," Wolfe replied, the awkward air nearly vanishing as he got down to business, "As long as they know they might be targeted if they are connected with us."

--

Laurel paused, thinking something through. "So you know how... the Okorie and CLIKZ split up from each other?" she asked, not expecting a reply, "Well it seems that they were both hunting the same thing, which is why they teamed up, but then... I found out that it was because of this thing, a "Key" as the guy who told me called it, that they cut off their alliance. Apparently, they both wanted to use this "Key" for different things. I don't know what the "Key" is but it can't be the lab... the Okorie shouldn't know about it, right? And they shouldn't have any reason for wanting it. I don't know what they both are after so badly... but also, the guy said that the Okorie don't have the man power now. They were relying on CLIKZ for their army of sorts and CLIKZ was relying on them for political power." She paused again, "That being said, it seems that both sides will have to lay low for now, right? That's good news," she smiled, visibly relieved.

Raven scratched his head. It was probably alright. If he was going to be connected, he probably already was.

--

Nic nodded a little when Laurel finished, but it didn't appear to relieve too much stress.

Wolfe nodded again before finally looking squarely at Raven, "You... should wash off," he declared.

--

Laurel sighed a little and leaned in, rubbing noses with Nic. "I... want to be helpful," she admitted quietly.

Raven glanced down at himself like he had forgotten. Then he glanced over at the still squished plants. "Later," he decided.

--

"You're always helpful," Nic tried to reassure her.

Wolfe stared at Raven for a moment longer, "... Don't change," he said quietly, a bit of pleading in his voice.

--

"Sometimes..." she whispered, "I feel like I'm useless in your world."

Raven blinked a little before scratching the back of his head and smirking a little. "Well... if you insist... I suppose I can wear the same muddy clothes tomorrow," he teased a little.

--

"... Forget about my world," Nic decided. "Let's just focus on the one we're both a part of."

Wolfe blinked, apparently not getting the double meaning in his own words. "You'll stink..." he replied, confused.

--

Laurel blinked, saying silent for a moment before slowly smiling, "Right," she confirmed, kissing his cheek lightly, "The world we'll build together."

"I won't change my clothes if you don't want me to change them," Raven tried to explain.

--

Nic kissed Laurel back a little. It almost like it was easier for him to express himself through touch rather than expressions or words. Something new seemed to be troubling him that wasn't there before.

Wolfe blinked, "... Why wouldn't I want you to change your clothes?" he asked.

--

Laurel frowned a little before hugging his neck again, "Is there... something you want to talk about?" she asked gently.

"... You told me not to change," Raven tried one more time.

--

Nic was quiet. There wasn't anything he wanted to talk about. But eventually he started talking. "I found something."

"... Don't... become like us," Wolfe murmured quietly before turning to leave.

--

Laurel smoothed the hair on the back of his head, "That's good news, right?" Something in his tone told her otherwise...

Raven sighed, disappointed his attempt at humor had failed.

--

"... I didn't find what I was looking for, but I found something that should work," he explained. "But, there was a message attached to it."