"It's alright," Nic replied. His voice was emotionless like usual, lacking irritation and impatience.

Laurel paused before turning over on the couch, eyes finally looking away from Nic. She curled up tried to take a nap.

--

James walked into Yue's room without knocking this time.

Yue started a little, turning to see who it was. It looked like she had been typing something up at her desk. She turned off the screen, but James could catch a glimpse of the screen. It was something in Chinese, but it looked like pretty boring stuff.

So James wandered over and plopped down on her desk, "I'm bored." he complained, "Play with me." Well, it seemed like James was back.

Yue frowned. "I'm busy," she snapped a little. She seemed to be relatively normal too.

"With whaaat?" James whined, reaching over and tugging on a loose section of her hair.

Yue swatted his hand away. "Remembering everything about the Yin Long that might be helpful in the future."

James raised his eyebrows but didn't comment. After a moment he nodded to himself, "You'll strain your eyes, let's take a break." he stated, sliding in between Yue and the desk.

"Tell that to Frei or Nic," Yue complained, trying to push him out of the way.

"Oh, c'mon." James replied, not moving, "Ten minutes won't make a difference in the long run. And it will get me out of your hair afterwards." he proposed with a grin.

Yue stared blankly at James, not believing him.

James chuckled, "Seriously, ten minutes and I won't bug you the rest of tonight." he promised.

"... Ten minutes of what?" she asked.

James chuckled, "You'll see." he replied as he grabbed her arm and hoisted her up.

Yue let out a sigh. She didn't look like she though she had much of a choice in the matter.

James led her along happily until they reached a small room on the large hovercraft. In it was a massaging table. James grinned handsomely, "Hop on. I won't make you strip." he teased as he patted the table.

Yue raised an eyebrow. "... Tell me another one of your girls is about to show up," she told him.

James continued to smile and patted the table again.

Yue shook her head.

James continued to smile and patted the table for a third time.

Yue paused for a brief moment, dramatically pretending to consider it before shaking her head again.

James finally gave in and started laughing. "Come in, Kalma." he called out and the woman who had been stuck with Yue before walked in. She sighed, giving James a bored, annoyed look. James just smirked at her, "You've got eight minutes." he stated, "Make it good." Then he turned back to Yue, "If you please." he said dramatically, gesturing to the table as Kalma approached.

Yue still looked a little hesitant, but at least she actually looked like she was considering it.

James chuckled as he walked past Yue, pinching her cheek and pulling before letting go, "Make sure you get the stick out of her ass." he told Kalma with a teasing grin. Kalma rolled her eyes.

Yue almost cussed James out, but managed to refrain herself to a few of her favorites.

James laughed as Yue cussed at him, shutting the door behind him as he left. Kalma sighed before looking at Yue to see what she'd do.

Yue said one or two more before getting control of her tongue. Then she fumed for a little while. "... Who the terra does he think he is?" She didn't ask anyone in particular.

"A god." Kalma replied simply as she rolled up her sleeves, "Now come lay down, let's see if we can undo the damage he's caused." she sighed.

Yue snorted. "How busy are you for the rest of our lives?" she asked before finally grudgingly walking over.

Kalma smirked slightly as Yue laid down, "I am his tamer." she said simply as she started to massage Yue's back, "I won't leave him as long as I am alive."

Yue didn't ask what Kalma meant. She could ask all she wanted and the Neonates would probably still be a mystery to her.

Kalma didn't say anything more. She was rather hard on Yue, not relenting as she worked on all the knots. But by the time the eight minutes were over, Yue was almost completely loose. When she was finished she stepped back and rubbed her hands together.

Yue didn't seem to mind. Or at least she didn't complain. When she was finished, she didn't get up right away.

Kalma paused for a moment then smiled slightly and started up again, but lighter now.

--

As night fell and wore on, Laurel rolled over and looked at Nic once more. Apparently, sleep had not come.

Nic didn't notice; he was still hard at work. He'd probably work late into the night if he wasn't interrupted.

Laurel watched Nic for a long time in silence. After awhile she stood and tried to slip out of the room without notice.

Nic noticed as she tried to slip out the door. "... Good night," he told her, mind still partially in what he had been working on.

Laurel glanced back at Nic for a moment and nodded once before leaving and heading right for the art studio.

Dan was still in the art studio. Though it looked like she had hit a bit of an art block, but didn't want to go to bed yet.

Laurel threw the door open rather loudly as she burst inside, her breathing was a bit labored as her eyes found Dan and fixed on her, "D..." Then, without any warning at all, she slipped to the floor and began to sob.