[Kaliko]

Nic made a stop by his room before roaming the halls to see if he could bump into Laurel.

[Rinrou]

Nic eventually found Laurel in the hallway which faced the gardens. It had large windows down the entire length of the wall. Laurel was standing with her arms crossed, looking out at the garden and pool which had a light display going even though no one was there to enjoy it.

[Kaliko]

Nic slowly walked up to Laurel, not hiding his presence as his shoes tapped on the cold floor. He stopped a few feet away, seeing if she was going to say anything.

[Rinrou]

Laurel turned as she heard someone approach, face expressing annoyance at being disturbed. The annoyance was instantly replaced with shock as she saw who it was and she started a bit. The shock look was quickly drowned in a stampede of emotions as she couldn't look away from Nic's face. Waves of shock, pain, guilt, relief and elation slammed into each other, causing chaos in her mind and on her face. She managed to lock her knees before they gave out as she staggered back against the window, trying to calm her mind to no avail.

[Kaliko]

A lot crossed Nic's eyes as well as Laurel turned. But most of it was overshadowed by concern as she staggered against the window. He walked up to Laurel, putting a hand on her shoulder to help steady her.

[Rinrou]

Laurel swallowed, allowing Nic to steady her as her eyes remained locked on his. Still, she said nothing.

[Kaliko]

Nic stared back for a long moment before slowly pulling Laurel into a tight hug.

[Rinrou]

Laurel half fell into Nic's embrace, allowing him to partially hold her upright as her legs started to give out once more. "... Damn you" she whispered with a small choked sob, "Damn you and your power over me." But as soon as the words had left her mouth she hugged him back as tightly as she could. She didn't cry but she was shaking slightly. It hadn't hit her until this moment... how much she'd truly missed him.

[Kaliko]

Nic didn't say anything for a long time. Then finally he whispered, "I'm sorry."

[Rinrou]

Laurel continued to grip Nic tightly though her breathing was slowing down. She appeared to be calming down. Her response was equally as long in coming. "My... my father left." she eventually whispered painfully back.

[Kaliko]

Nic put a hand on the stubble that was growing on Laurel's head. "... Your brother is back," he replied quietly.

[Rinrou]

Laurel took in a shuddering breath as she suddenly pressed her cheek against Nic's. "I... I don't think I have any more love left to give." she whispered as some of the confusion returned. "I don't know anymore, Nic... I don't know if I believe in real love." she added as her voice got steadily quieter until it was barely audible, "If it exists... I've seen nothing of it."

[Kaliko]

Nic rubbed Laurel's head a little as he thought about her words. "... I saw it, once," he replied. "For a short time... I don't know if I'll ever see it again."

[Rinrou]

Laurel was silent for a little while, "What was it like?" she finally asked quietly, "Being truly loved?"

[Kaliko]

Nic thought about how to describe it for a few moments. "... There's nothing I have that I wouldn't give a thousand times over to feel that again. Even if just for a minute or two..." His voice got quieter as he spoke until it faded into nothing.

[Rinrou]

Laurel thought over Nic's words for awhile before sighing, "I'd like... to feel that." she whispered, a deep longing filling her voice. After a short pause she squeezed Nic tighter and added in a tired voice, "But I think I'm too broken now..."