[Rinrou]

Laurel looked away from Nic for a long moment. When she finally returned her gaze to him she looked ashamed. "It's..." she paused but with a sigh continued on, "a coping mechanism, Nic." she explained quietly. "When someone feels like they did wrong to another person... when they're full of guilt..." she paused again, looking away as she couldn't stare into Nic's eyes anymore. "It's like a release to be punished. It feels like you're somehow atoning for... what you did wrong." she said in a soft voice.

Frei nodded again, "If Nic trusts you then so do we." she decided.