[Kaliko]

Dan stepped in after Laurel. "... I don't believe that," she explained. "Everyone gets hurt and hurts someone else... It's natural to be selfish when you're hurt. But love weathers the selfish times. It endures the pain and gets stronger. It can be hidden, but never snuffed out. Not by you, nor your father or your mother. Terra, not even a guy as dark as Nic can deny it."

[Rinrou]

At the mention of Nic, a multitude of emotions swept over Laurel's face before she managed to swash them all. She stared at the door for a long moment, "No... it can be snuffed out." she whispered, a great pain slowly twisting her face and she fought with it, "Suicide... is the most selfish action... someone can commit." Suddenly she took a deep breath and managed to compose herself, "Love is just a warm and fussy, feel-good feeling that parents show to their kids to get them to sleep. It's hormones and chemistry but when it comes down to it... only weak selfishness lays underneath us all."

[Kaliko]

"... Then why did you let your father beat you?" she suddenly asked.

[Rinrou]

Laurel's gaze slowly dropped to the ground, "Because..." she hesitated but went on, "I deserved it."

[Kaliko]

"Why?" Dan continued.

[Rinrou]

This time Laurel didn't respond. She stared at the floor with pursed lips.

[Kaliko]

Dan was silent for a moment. "... I don't understand people who think they deserve to be punished," she admitted. "All I've worried about is avoiding it. But doesn't it hurt when you see someone you love hurt? Doesn't it hurt the ones you love when they know you're hurting? Isn't thinking you deserve some sort of punishment sorta similar to thinking about suicide? They both hurt others more than yourself. Aren't they both selfish?"

[Rinrou]

Laurel looked up at Dan with angry eyes, "No. It is not similar to suicide." she spat at her, "I take what my father gives because I ruined his life. My sister killed herself because her boyfriend broke up with her. She killed herself right in front of me!" she was suddenly shouting, voice echoing in the small elevator, "She jumped right off the ledge! Don't you dare tell me what I'm doing to similar to that! You don't know anything! Don't you dare lecture me about 'love' when my sister died over it, my mother hated me because of it and my father who claims to still love me, just betrayed me!" and just as quickly the anger started to fade as she seemed to realize what she had just said. She took a few steps away from Dan until her back hit the side of the elevator, wide eyes vulnerable.

[Kaliko]

Dan was caught completely off guard. She was quiet for a very long time as she tried to digest what Laurel had just said. But before Laurel realized the elevator had stopped, she spoke up. "Fine," she said quietly. "You're right. I don't know anything about you or what you've gone through. But you don't know anything about me either, and I know with every atom in my body that love is no illusion... And I know watching you go through that with your father... I know that hurt me inside."

[Rinrou]

Laurel was shaking slightly as she continued to stare into Dan's eyes, "I'm sorry..." she muttered after Dan had spoken, "But I never asked you to come or stay. Hurting for me... that does not prove love, that proves that you are kind." the elevator doors opened and instantly she fled down the hall.

[Kaliko]

Dan let Laurel go with a sigh. She didn't have the energy to catch up to her anyway. So she decided to go check on Raven.

[Rinrou]

Bee was laying on a bed next to Raven, watching him. She'd given up on Cong. She glanced up at Dan as she entered.

[Kaliko]

Raven was still fast asleep. He seemed pretty intent on sleeping until he didn't need any more painkillers to walk.

Dan didn't say anything as she shook her head at Raven.

[Rinrou]

Bee watched Dan intently, her head seemed to be much better but she didn't try to sit up. "How is she?" Bee asked in a whisper.

[Kaliko]

Dan shrugged a little. "Upset," she whispered back. "She thinks her father betrayed her."

[Rinrou]

Bee nodded slowly and sighed a little, "... I think he did, Dani." she whispered, "He knew they were coming. I tried to stop him but..." her eyes looked pained, "I wish I could have stopped him."