[Juneberry]

"I can walk on my own," She sputtered, however her action of not trying to move a minute amount away from him made it seem otherwise. When he set her down, she made sure to take her shoes off her feet before placing them on the couch, pulling her knees to her chest. "It always...happens like this."

She was quiet as she spoke, as if troubled. Her eyes were focused on the a simple spot on the floor, dazed. "I was late seeing because of someone like that...And when I got there, it was too late. I never...Got to say goodbye." Her voice was distant and wary. She placed her face into her knees, nuzzling her nose in the middle. "She died without warning, and every year on the same day, those people come up to me after I see her, like they're following me and waiting or something..."

[Evil Tink]

He frowned slightly, feeling quite bad for her. He pulled her into a quick gentle hug and let her go, "You don't have to worry about that now Chloe. I won't let them anywhere near you." He moved some hair from her face gently, still a bit concerned.

[Juneberry]

She let out a sigh of sorts, not looking at him. "Why couldn't I have known you in middle school?" She laughed, but it was weaker than her normal laughter, and even less genuine then average. Her usual front was subsiding slowly. "I wish my brother would have said something like that back then, actually. He wasn't even there though."

[Evil Tink]

He smiled weakly, surprised slightly by her. She was just like every other human, in the end. However, she was also very different. She was strong, even if she was a bit shaken right now. Who wouldn't be, other than himself of course. "If this happens almost yearly, why didn't you go to the police about this?"

[Juneberry]

"It's not like I can just go to the police without a name, and the appearances are common so it's not like I can just describe them either. And I don't really have time to ask them about their name when I'm trying to get away from them..."

[Evil Tink]

He sighed, leaning back on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Do you want me to take care of them? I'll be able to locate them without a problem...I don't want you to have to be afraid that those people will sneak up on you and hurt you. I don't like feeling that emotion from you." He lowered his hand, tempted to fiddle with his watch. He often did that when he was a bit..nervous, so to say. He resisted the urge.

[Juneberry]

"Once the day ends, I won't have to worry for a year anyway. They never seem to come unless it's the anniversary. It's usually why I hide in the bookstore on this day of the year. That, and to find new recipes. It sort of helps lift me up after visiting her."

[Evil Tink]

Nicolai sighed, "Chloe, you can't just go and let them get away with this. I don't appreciate the fact that they torment you annually. It's..aggravating." Perhaps he'll pay them a visit, without her knowing.

[Juneberry]

"I can't really do much to stop them besides getting away and then avoiding them. If I get any closer they'll try again. It's a bit pointless." Letting out a sigh, she stretched her arms to touch the floor though still sitting, legs now normal with feet against the floor. "I don't know why they really come after me like that though... I wonder if there's something odd about our family. It used to happen to mom a lot too."

[Evil Tink]

Nicolai turned to face her, a mildly confused look on his face, "Oh really? The same people, or..?" Now this was interesting. Perhaps there was something..unique to Chloe. Now he was eager to find out. He loved to learn new things.

[Juneberry]

"They're generally similar, all of 'em, but each year it's usually just someone slightly different. I've seen them all together before, though, and usually avoid them. I think they work together or something..."

[Evil Tink]

"Do you know anything about them? I wonder if I could track one down." He pondered it over a moment. He could easily track their scent, but he didn't really like feeling like a dog. It was..odd. He quickly pulled himself from his thoughts, turning his attention back to Chloe.

[Juneberry]

"Not really. I mean, you know what that one guy looked like and that's usually all I know- what they look like. I don't really stop for names or anything when this happens. It usually happens, though, either at that corner or the corner that acts as an entrance to the park- you know, the one near that drug store."

[Evil Tink]

He nodded, "How interesting..a creature of habit then. Perhaps I'll look into it. After all, if I can ensure that you'll be safe then of course I'm going to do it." He was slightly taken aback by his comment. Any other person he would've brushed off like dust, but he felt compelled to help her thoroughly. He glanced over at her with his brown eyes, curious about his own thoughts.

[Juneberry]

"While I appreciate the thought," Chloe noted easily, apparently more open than earlier on. "I can't help but question it as well, considering that while you did state last night you consider me a close friend, you're talking about someone you haven't even known a full twenty-four hours..."

[Evil Tink]

He shrugged, "And you invited a complete stranger to spend time with you on his break; and you hadn't even known him for 10 seconds at the time. So, we're even." He shrugged again, "You don't have to know someone for long to have that...inclination that you're going to get along. You know?"