But James didn't let go, he had begun to take a stronger stance when trying to get Yue out. "Nope." was all he replied cheerfully as he stared to lead her out.

"What's your problem?!" Yue asked. She seemed to like that question.

James wisely chose not to answer as he got Yue out of the room and started towards the back of the craft.

"I'm not some toy doll you can dress up however you want," Yue snapped at him.

James chuckled, "I am quite aware that you're not a doll." he replied, "But I think you would have fun on stage with me." he explained, "And you can't go on looking like this."

"Who says I would?" Yue spat back. "And forget the unwanted attention it might draw."

"Oh, no one would see it was you." James reassured her as he shoved her gently into a room.

"What the terra does that mean?!" Yue demanded, not liking this idea at all.

But James had already backed out of the room. The same woman who had cooked Yue's food at the pool was standing in a small dressing room. She glared at James until he shut the door then sighed at Yue and gestured for her to come sit in a chair in front of the mirror. It appeared cooking wasn't the only talent she had.

"I don't intend to indulge James' pointless antics," she told her as she crossed her arms.

The woman rolled her eyes and gestured to the door, "Then lock it." she stated in a bored tone, "Then come sit down, you look like hell." she drawled.

"... I feel like hell," Yue retorted before locking the door. "There isn't anything to drink in here, is there?"

The woman just smirked slightly before looking Yue over from head to toe. Then she walked over to a small sink and gestured for Yue to come lay down on her back in front of it. This room appeared to also function as a salon. "Let me wash your hair in peace and I'll give you a drink." she stated.

Yue looked wary, but after a few moments she slowly made her way over.

So the woman began to wash Yue's hair, gently massaging her scalp. It was clear she had some expertise. She said nothing, the water rushing softly down the drain.

Yue didn't say anything either. After awhile she tried to relax, but it wasn't working too well.

Soon the woman brought Yue over to a seat in front of the mirror. "You want it styled?" she asked.

"No," Yue sighed as she pulled out her tablet.

The woman shrugged and began to blow dry Yue's hair. Again, her touch was gentle and skilled.

Yue flipped through her tablet, still waiting for that drink that was promised. So far nothing seemed to help her relax.

Once Yue's hair was dry, the woman walked through a side door and came back with a rather strong but delicious drink which she handed to Yue. Then she began to comb out Yue's hair.

Yue took the drink quietly. It slowly seemed to start helping.

When Yue had finished the drink, the woman took the glass, "You want another?" she inquired.

"Yeah," she replied as she ran a hand through her hair.

Yue's hair was remarkably soft. The woman nodded and left through the door to get another drink.

Yue eventually stopped flipping through the tablet and just stared at it for a long time.

The woman came back and placed the drink on the table in front of Yue. "You want to change? You don't have to leave this room if you don't want to." she added, something in her eyes showed a hardness that James would not go up against. She walked over to a closet and opened the door. It was full of soft, light fabrics that felt as nice to wear as they looked. Some were gorgeous gowns while others were more simple pants and shirts.

"... I'm alright," Yue replied quietly, not looking up.

The woman nodded and walked back over to Yue. After a moment she reached out and began to stroke Yue's hair silently.

Laurel started at the laptop screen in front of her. If she... clicked that button she could talk to Nic. It had been nearly 10 years days since she last spoke to him. But he was probably busy. He said he would be busy. She wanted to talk to him though. She started at the link for a few more minutes before clicking it and waiting as it called Nic. After a few seconds she quickly clicked out of it and took in a deep breath. She didn't want to be a bother. A few minutes later she clicked it again, staring at the screen to see if he had time to talk.

Yue looked like she wanted to tell her to stop, but she didn't.

There was a long pause before a connection was established. Then there were a few more seconds of delay before Nic appeared on the screen. He was sitting at the desk in his room. It looked like he had just got out of the shower. His hair was dripping, and there was a towel slung over his shoulder. A finger was stuck in one of his ears; it looked like he was trying to get some water out. And he wasn't wearing a shirt. But unlike every other times he had freaked out about not wearing a shirt, today it didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. "Hmm?" he asked, in response to Laurel's call.

The woman stopped on her own, "What do you desire?" she suddenly asked.

Laurel blinked at Nic, "Is... this a bad time?" she asked, staring at the finger in his ear.

"... I want my family back," Yue answered quietly after a few moments.

"No," Nic replied simply. Finger still in his ear.

The woman sighed a little, "What is it like?" she asked quietly, "Having a family?"

Laurel nodded, "Uh... well... I'm not sure if Yue told you but they think my father will wake soon." she stated.

"... I'm not sure how to describe it," Yue replied quietly. "My family... was my life. So now, everything just feels empty."

Nic nodded a little, not looking surprised. Someone else must have told him.

"Hmm..." the woman mused as she walked over to the sink and began to clean up, "You want something to eat? Good food fills up emptiness."

Laurel nodded slowly, eyes dropping to stare at the keyboard as a minute passed by slowly. "Yue said they're going to take me to him. They're taking him out of the country now so..." she paused, swallowing. "Nic, once he wakes... I can't leave him. He... he... has to have me by his side or he'll-" she stopped, falling into silence for another long moment, "I..." she looked back at Nic, expression torn, "don't know when I'll be coming back." she whispered as the pain of that thought crept into her voice.

"No, thanks," Yue replied.

By then Nic was drying off his hair. "Why?" he asked with a bit of a yawn.

Laurel sighed, "It would be a large hassle to move him once he wakes. And I can't leave him. So... I'm not sure when I'm make it back to James's place."

"Why can't you leave him?" Nic clarified.

Laurel stared down the keyboard for another long moment, a multitude of emotions crossing her face. Finally she glanced back up, "He's... not stable, Nic." she stated, eyes looking a little blank.

Nic was silent, waiting for Laurel to elaborate further.