Wolfe snorted, "You deserve to be complemented," he argued, "You've worked through an incredibly difficult situation and have made it through keeping true to yourself."

Raven blinked, a stunned shock appearing on his face. After a few moments he seemed to come back to himself. "... Well, thanks," he muttered.

"I'm not adverse to complementing those who deserve it," Wolfe stated as he stood, "Not many could have adapted as you have."

"... I didn't realize emotionless leaders ever complimented anyone," Raven explained.

Wolfe snorted lightly, "I'm not your leader," he replied smoothly.

"Cool," Raven declared, "Now tell me that got recorded some how so I can play it back in the future if you ever try to boss me around."

Wolfe stared at Raven for a long moment, "Immature," he muttered before walking towards the door.

Raven chuckled a little, amused that he found one of Wolfe's buttons. "You want me to send Frei your way when she wakes?" he asked.

Wolfe shook his head, "She's fine with you," and disappeared out the door.

So Raven settled himself on the couch for a pre-lunch nap.

--

Later that evening, the alarm went off to signal a juttle approaching. It was right on schedule. Raven was there to greet it.

Wolfe was there was well, though back a ways. Laurel wandered in with a yawn. "LAURIEEEE~" a voice screeched before tackling into her. Laurel blinked as she nearly fell backwards. She saw the rainbow colored hair and laughed, "Kandy! Hello!"

Raven chuckled at them. And then laughed even harder as Aaron came out in a multicolored shirt with a rainbow beaded necklace. Aaron sighed a little, it looked like he had made a few compromises to make life with Kandy a little easier.

"... Dirt, this is where you've been staying?" Aaron asked Raven as he gave him a hug. "Just when I thought I'd seen it all..."

Laurel pulled away from Kandy and looked at Aaron, "I'm happy to see you again!" she smiled, "Please, make yourself at home. You'll get settled into a room right away," she chuckled as several girls appeared and began swooning over Aaron.

"He's gay," Kandy [opps xP] informed them.

"Seriously?!" one whined, "Why is everyone gay around here?" "They're all so hot too..." They pouted a little.

Aaron shrugged a little.

"Well, let me know when you get settled," Raven told Aaron as he let the girls take him away. Aaron looked a little worried, but nodded to Raven.

Once again he was given the three choices. Kandy instantly picked the colored on and took Laurel with her, babbling about many different things.

Aaron got the older looking one and changed into something less colorful before eating a later supper with Raven as they caught up a little.

Surprisingly, Wolfe stayed away.

Once Kandy heard the scoop on Nic she wanted to go meet him. So... about 2 minutes later a rainbow haired, glittered out girl bounded into Nic's room with a huge grin.

Raven and Aaron talked for a few hours before Raven went back to babysitting and Aaron went to explore a little.

--

It looked like Nic had expected something like this as he quickly finished up what he had been doing.

Kandy quickly wrapped him in a overwhelming hug, "Nickypoo~ It's good to meet you~" she sang. There was laughter from the doorway as Laurel followed behind her and watched the scene.

Nic didn't hug back. Kandy couldn't notice, but Laurel could tell Kandy made Nic a bit uncomfortable.

Laurel was still laughing at them both, she smirked a little at Nic as she noticed his discomfort.

Kandy hugged Nic all over but finally let go. Suddenly there was a flash. She'd just taken a picture. Laurel was nearly folded in half she was laughing so hard. There was now a pink bow in Nic's hair and clip-on earrings on his ears. Kandy's grin had turned totally mischievous.

Nic looked anything but happy as he took the earrings and bow off.

Laurel managed to stop laughing as she put a hand on Kandy's shoulder, "Okay, you've met him now..." she said, voice tight as fought back more giggles.

Kandy grinned, "And I got my blackmail!" she nodded, "I'll leave you love birds alone then... for now." and skipped out of the room. Laurel laughed a little as Kandy ran off before turning back to Nic. She couldn't keep a straight face as she looked at him.

Nic didn't laugh as he tossed the earrings and bow in the garbage.

Laurel rolled her eyes a little as she leaned against his desk, "Aw~ but they looked so cute on you," she teased as she reached out and tugged on his ear.

Nic batted Laurel's hand away gently, but definitively.

Laurel sighed a little, "She's not mean spirited, just silly," she told him before crossing her arms, "I didn't know you were this sensitive. You can't take a joke?"

"That wasn't a 'funny joke,'" Nic explained.

Laurel rolled her eyes a little, "Loosen up, Nic. It's called a prank. You've never been pranked before?"

"That was hardly a prank," Nic argued, still tight.

Laurel let out a 'pfft' sound as the smile peeked back out, "Nic," she murmured before chuckling lightly, "It was just a bow..."

"And what's next?" Nic demanded.

Laurel raised an eyebrow, "A necklace?" she teased, "I'm sure you'll survive." She nodded with perfect seriousness.

Nic didn't seem to like that response. "I'm gonna take a shower," he told her before grabbing a towel.

Laurel grabbed his arm, "I didn't mean to make you upset. I would have stopped her if I'd known you'd be so offended," she explained, eyes confused.

Nic shook her arm off and kept walking.

Laurel let out an exasperated sigh, "Seriously?" she asked no one in particular before following after him. "What's wrong? This isn't just about Kandy, is it?"

That approach didn't seem to be working as he kicked off his shoes and kept walking.

"I won't understand unless you tell me," Laurel persisted as she reached out for his arm once more.

Still nothing. But he stopped at the doorway, waiting for her to let go.