Nic was silent for a long time before asking quietly, "How so?"

--

Raven chuckled a little at the two of them. "I have something to talk to you about before we go have fun," he told Frei when he was finished.

"I keep seeing him," Laurel whispered, still clutching her head.

--

Frei blinked, turning to look at Raven. The cat did the same.

"Who?" Nic asked, voice blank as always.

--

Raven managed not to laugh. Then he grabbed Frei and put her on his lap like he sometimes did. "I wanna know what you think about me," he explained.

Laurel was silent for a long moment, "... Hayden..." she finally hissed.

--

Frei blinked at him again. She didn't seem to understand.

Nic nodded a little. After another moment he asked, "Do you want to go back?"

--

Raven looked like he had expected that reaction. "Do you like having me around?" he tried to clarify. "Do you think it's fun to spend time with me? Would you rather do something else instead?"

Laurel paused and then shook her head a little, not moving from her hunched position.

--

Frei seemed more confused, "You're the frog," she stated as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

Nic didn't say anything else, waiting for Laurel.

--

"... Do you like the 'Frog?'" Raven tried.

Laurel wasn't moving.

--

Frei nodded.

Nic eventually got off the motorcycle and propped it up before leaning on it.

--

"Cool," Raven replied. "And what do you think about..." He paused. "... The 'Frog' and the 'Dragon?'"

"... He... wasn't really here, right?" Laurel finally whispered.

--

Frei shrugged, "They're in the same phylum."

"He wasn't here," Nic answered.

--

Raven paused. "What do you think about Wolfe and I?" he tried.

"You're sure?" Laurel whispered.

--

Frei shrugged, "Ryuji is better now," she stated.

Nic nodded.

--

Raven blinked, not expecting that response. "Better?" he asked.

Laurel finally snuck a peek at Nic and shuttered. "Sorry..." she murmured, embarrassed.

--

Frei nodded.

Nic didn't say anything.

--

Raven sighed a little. He needed to work on her elaboration skill. "Well, what about you?" he asked. "What do you think about Wolfe and I?"

Laurel stared at Nic for a long moment, "Can I... have a hug?" she asked quietly.

--

"Dragons teach frogs to breath fire... frogs teach dragons to catch flies," she stated, "You..." she scrunched up her face again like she always did when her brain started fighting her. She forced the word out, "help..." another pause, pain registering on her face, "each other."