Dan stepped in after Laurel. "... I don't believe that," she explained. "Everyone gets hurt and hurts someone else... It's natural to be selfish when you're hurt. But love weathers the selfish times. It endures the pain and gets stronger. It can be hidden, but never snuffed out. Not by you, nor your father or your mother. Terra, not even a guy as dark as Nic can deny it."

At the mention of Nic, a multitude of emotions swept over Laurel's face before she managed to swash them all. She stared at the door for a long moment, "No... it can be snuffed out." she whispered, a great pain slowly twisting her face and she fought with it, "Suicide... is the most selfish action... someone can commit." Suddenly she took a deep breath and managed to compose herself, "Love is just a warm and fussy, feel-good feeling that parents show to their kids to get them to sleep. It's hormones and chemistry but when it comes down to it... only weak selfishness lays underneath us all."

"... Then why did you let your father beat you?" she suddenly asked.

Laurel's gaze slowly dropped to the ground, "Because..." she hesitated but went on, "I deserved it."

"Why?" Dan continued.

This time Laurel didn't respond. She stared at the floor with pursed lips.

Dan was silent for a moment. "... I don't understand people who think they deserve to be punished," she admitted. "All I've worried about is avoiding it. But doesn't it hurt when you see someone you love hurt? Doesn't it hurt the ones you love when they know you're hurting? Isn't thinking you deserve some sort of punishment sorta similar to thinking about suicide? They both hurt others more than yourself. Aren't they both selfish?"

Laurel looked up at Dan with angry eyes, "No. It is not similar to suicide." she spat at her, "I take what my father gives because I ruined his life. My sister killed herself because her boyfriend broke up with her. She killed herself right in front of me!" she was suddenly shouting, voice echoing in the small elevator, "She jumped right off the ledge! Don't you dare tell me what I'm doing to similar to that! You don't know anything! Don't you dare lecture me about 'love' when my sister died over it, my mother hated me because of it and my father who claims to still love me, just betrayed me!" and just as quickly the anger started to fade as she seemed to realize what she had just said. She took a few steps away from Dan until her back hit the side of the elevator, wide eyes vulnerable.

Dan was caught completely off guard. She was quiet for a very long time as she tried to digest what Laurel had just said. But before Laurel realized the elevator had stopped, she spoke up. "Fine," she said quietly. "You're right. I don't know anything about you or what you've gone through. But you don't know anything about me either, and I know with every atom in my body that love is no illusion... And I know watching you go through that with your father... I know that hurt me inside."

Laurel was shaking slightly as she continued to stare into Dan's eyes, "I'm sorry..." she muttered after Dan had spoken, "But I never asked you to come or stay. Hurting for me... that does not prove love, that proves that you are kind." the elevator doors opened and instantly she fled down the hall.

Dan let Laurel go with a sigh. She didn't have the energy to catch up to her anyway. So she decided to go check on Raven.

Bee was laying on a bed next to Raven, watching him. She'd given up on Cong. She glanced up at Dan as she entered.

Raven was still fast asleep. He seemed pretty intent on sleeping until he didn't need any more painkillers to walk.

Dan didn't say anything as she shook her head at Raven.

Bee watched Dan intently, her head seemed to be much better but she didn't try to sit up. "How is she?" Bee asked in a whisper.

Dan shrugged a little. "Upset," she whispered back. "She thinks her father betrayed her."

Bee nodded slowly and sighed a little, "... I think he did, Dani." she whispered, "He knew they were coming. I tried to stop him but..." her eyes looked pained, "I wish I could have stopped him."

Dan frowned. "Then why didn't you warn us so we could escape?" she asked.

"No... I didn't know before hand." she said too adamantly and quickly closed her eyes with a small groan. "No, when the juttle was coming... he said something about it. Something about Nyawela. He forced himself up and I didn't stand a chance. That man is strong... and vicious." she whispered, "But he had been waiting for them. I'm sure of it."

"Hmm..." Dan was silent for a moment. "Cong seemed thoroughly convinced it was the Yin Long... It seems like everyone's ticked off someone else with a lot of power..." She sighed.

Bee nodded slowly, "Yeah... I... don't know if our group will be able to ride this out." she confessed quietly. She glanced at Dan for a moment, "But you and Raven... haven't ticked anyone off, right?"

Dan glanced at Raven, but didn't say anything.

Bee looked at Dan and let out a sigh, "Dirt..." Slowly she rolled over, "I'm going to try to get some sleep while I can." she said tiredly.

Dan stuck around quietly for a few more minutes before retiring to her room again.

--

As it was starting to get later in Germany, Yue started poking her nose around just before the concert was supposed to start.

Yue caught glimpses of James as he was lead this way and that. Finally they seemed to let him be for a moment and he stopped by a faucet, pouring himself a glass of water. He was in full costume and looked marvelous and dashing as always. But his eyes still seemed a bit off, flicking too quickly around his surroundings.

After a moment or two, Yue slowly made herself known and walked over to him. She looked anything but extravagant right now in a plain t-shirt, casual jeans, and... were those sneakers? Had she ever worn sneakers before?

James nodded to her slightly, "What is it?" he asked not unkindly but rather bluntly. He looked her up and down for a moment then slowly raised an eyebrow, appearing a bit more like a usual James.

She was quiet for awhile before she worked up the nerve. "I'm sorry," she finally told him quietly.

James blinked, not reacting for a moment before he slowly frowned. "I don't get it." he stated, confused, "What do you think you did wrong?"

Yue blinked at him. "Huh," she snorted before continuing. "Well, I figured one of us had to say it first."

James paused, "Why?" he asked, clearly avoiding looking at her as he stared at his cup.

Yue didn't answer. After a minute she sighed. "Fine, whatever. Anyway, I thought I'd let you know I found the answer."

That seemed to get James's attention as he finally looked back at her, "What?"

Yue rolled her eyes at him. "To your question," she explained.

"What question?" he muttered.

Yue sighed before stepping a little closer to him. She brought up her hand and pointed at him for a moment before opening her hand and placing it on his chest over his heart. "That's James," she answered with a nod.

James blinked, staring from Yue's face to her hand and back to her face. "Yue..." he murmured quietly but before he could go on they were calling for him to go on stage. He looked towards the stage then back at Yue, shaking off her hand and stepping away from her, "I'm sorry." he said quietly but there seemed to be more pain in his voice than an apology for their interrupted conversation warranted.

Yue rolled her eyes again. "What's with that face?" she asked. "Go have fun." She waved her hand at him to go away.

James face showed some confusion, he opened his mouth to reply but was shoved up to the stage before he had a chance to speak.

Yue turned around as James got mobbed and started to walk back to her room.

Later that night, Kale went to the kitchen to meet up with Blaze. He seemed tired but in high spirits as he whistled a little tune to himself.