Disclaimers: All characters belong to rightful owners.
Story concieved by Lee.


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"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Sasurai," Sui returned, then, "And I have yet to introduce you to _my_ companion. Lemy, meet Nevan Alraune. Mr. Alraune, Lemuel Sammis. Mr. Alraune and myself were making our way to the more crowded area of the festival. I know you, Lemy, would prefer to avoid that section, so I will let you be."

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"Thanks, babe!" Sam offered a beaming--and mostly convincing--smile to Kisoku as the other led him to then sat him upon a handy bench. Sitting upon this, he drew his long legs up on the wood and, hugging these to his chest, he rested his chin upon his knees. Purposely trying not to think anything deeper, he found himself craving sugar, so, after digging it from his pocket, he popped one of his lollipops from before into his mouth.

"Y'know, poor Lukie..." He mumbled absently from around the sour green pop nestled against his cheek and rather comically pouching out this same. "Neither he nor his cute little date got to eat anything at all."

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"Ah, it's a great pleasure to meet both of you!" Nevan smiled brightly both of the strangers. "I hope you're both enjoying this festival?"

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"Y-you're... you're spending the... the day with... Mr. Alraune?" Lem murmured quietly and, for a moment, a look of heartbreak and jealousy mingled in the grey of his eyes. Still, he couldn't say what he felt, not to Master Barano, and, besides, he was a bit reluctant to end his day with Sasurai so soon. On the other hand, though, if he had _known_ that Master Barano was planning to come to the festival... Closing his eyes, he shook this thought away.

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The boy sounded insane-- except for the fact that what he'd been saying _had_ been confirmed, to some extent, by Sam. Sophia turned to his companion and blinked slightly; in all the fuss before, she hadn't noticed his teardrop tattoo. It was... strange, to say the least, but she spoke readily, and directed her question to the two of them, "I was about to order for myself; would you like me to order your pizza while I'm up there?"

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Sasurai nodded, rather... timidly to Nevan and his question, not sharing his bright smile or enthuiasm at the moment, "Yes we- I mean I am..." It had been a great day so far, and hopefully the greatness of it wouldn't end so soon.

However, looking over at Lem, she could tell that he cared more for Barano than it seemed. She looked down slightly, trying hard to suppress negative thoughts of envy at having someone to care for... and if the feeling was mutual, having someone to care back. Though she knew that Lemy did not like crowds, she couldn't help but wonder that, despite the crowd-fear, if he would feel better being with his... friend. After all, the worst that would happen to her was that she would be alone... like always. "Lemy-san... if you-you rather..." Her fingers twitched slightly and she let her voice trail off though she felt that he would understand what she was going ask.

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Ignoring Alexei's matter-of-fact remarks regarding the destruction of Them and all Their evil minions - for the moment, at least - Tesu nodded. "...Okay..." After briefly conferring with the boy as to what type pizza he - and Erik, of course - would prefer, he then suggested, "...Um... why don't you and Erik go find us a table, and I'll go order...?"

Smiling over at Arvel and Stubby, a sudden idea occurred to him, "...Um... do you think you could give Stubs a home - at least temporarily? I... um... can't really take him, myself... at least not right now..." That was certainly true enough. Not that Ausar would care if he had half a dozen dogs... but it would only give the Egyptian more leverage when dealing with any alleged 'insubordination' on the dancer's part, and Tesu had no desire to see the pup used as a bargaining chip in that fashion. "I mean...um... if you take in strays all the time... and your mom doesn't really care..." he finished lamely.

He blinked in surprise at Sophia, when she addressed him, not really having noticed the girl before during all the excitement. Upon noticing her scrutiny of his tattoo, he almost reached into his pocket for his sunglasses, but let his hand fall back to his side. That would only draw more attention to it now. And besides... it wasn't like *she* would recognize him from the Guild, anyway.

"...Um... yeah... thanks..." he replied, reaching into his coat after all, only for his wallet, this time. "This should cover it..." he added, handing over enough bills to pay for his and Alexei's -and Erik's - order.

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Upon hearing Sam mention his name, Lukas glanced over at his friend... and blinked. "Ohh... shit! I forgot all 'bout Sophia!" Glancing back in the direction of the pizza parlor, he wondered aloud, "Think I should go back an' get her?" He felt a bit guilty about leaving her behind - not that he didn't think the 10 year old perfectly capable of taking care of herself. But he had promised her a milkshake, and due to his friend's inexplicable behavior, hadn't delivered on that promise.

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"Well... you can go if you want. But I think she'd be pretty understanding about the whole thing." Kisoku nodded his head in approval of his own thought. "I mean, you two just met. It's not like she doesn't take well to strangers and all..."

He kept up the friendly chatter with Lukas. All the while his hand was on Sam's back, making comforting circles across his shoulderblades. It was the only think that he could think to do... because, well, he was Kisoku, dispenser of hugs, admired by all for a boundless compassion and wealth of snuggles.

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"Another date ruined..." Sam sighed exaggeratedly as he pressed a bit into the comforting hand at his back. Clearly appreciating this offered comfort, he rather tentatively moved so as to lean against Kisoku's side as he laughed faintly. "Y'know, I just love Lukie so damn much I just can't let him have a happy, successful date. Cruel of me, really."

"Still..." He shook his head and, removing the pop from his mouth, he licked his lips briefly. "I really should apologize to the poor girl as well as the other people in there. I mean, even for me, that was quite a scene..."

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Alexei nodded and went to find a seat. Poor, poor Willy didn't look to enthused that the psycho was staying, but what could he do? Customers were customers, even if they were loopy.

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Arvel tilted his head to one side thoughtfully. "I dunno that my cats would get along with him too well... but... I know!" He turned to Estelle and Jeremy, "Jeremy, you like dogs! Wanna keep Stubby for... uh..." He then realized he hadn't caught Tesu's name. "wanna keep this dog?"

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"Yeah, well, everyone has their bad days right?" Kisoku offered, full of surity that this had just been a one time deal. Sam was just having a weird day, that was all. "Besides, it's not everyday that some random kid tackle bites you...

"Though really, as far as the biting is concerned..." The older boy smirked, nipping playfully at the other's ear and stifling a giggle. "I'd figure you'd be used to that sort of thing by now..."

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"Yes, we were both alone, so I asked him if he wouldn't like to spend the day with me," Sui explained, "And he agreed. The two of you are welcome to join us, but I am sure you'd rather spend time with your new friend. It's good to see you overcoming your shyness."

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"I... I..." Lem frowned in deep confusion as he turned his eyes from Sasurai to Shittsui then back again. As much as being caught like this hurt him, it was even worse that he was now being asked to make a decision between his new friend and Master Barano. Of course, by rights, that shouldn't even be a hard choice, but... but there was so much to take into consideration.

Wincing his eyes shut, he frowned deeply and, his finger endlessly, restlessly twirling a section of his hair, he only felt like crying. He didn't know. He didn't know how to decide this... and he only felt like lying on the ground, curling to a ball, and just letting someone else take responsibility.

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"Yeah..." Lukas agreed, nodding in response to Kisoku's statement. "An' it's not like anything bad's gonna happen to her in a public place like that..." He trailed off, frowning slightly at the thought that something bad *had* happened in there - although not to Sophia. Once again, he had the urge to question Sam about some of the things he'd said to the crazy boy... the things that made it sound like he knew *exactly* what the kid was talking about. His friend, however, just now seemed to be getting back to normal, and not wishing to upset him all over again, Lukas held his peace.

Glancing over at Kisoku and Sam, he suppressed a small sigh and forced a chuckle, assuming his normal lightly mocking tone, "Yeah, well, you never could stand to share, Sammy... not even someone you wouldn't take if they came giftwrapped on a silver platter... because *you*, my friend, are entirely too fond of the spotlight."

"I don't think I'd go back in there - at least not today," he cautioned in response to Sam's last suggestion. "I mean... that crazy kid's prob'ly still there, an' that'd just lead to another scene, most likely." Shaking his head, he added, "No... I think it's prob'ly best to keep as far away from him as possible, eh?" he asked, glancing over at Kisoku for support.

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"Well, I guess it was whom they offered on a silver platter." Sam commented slowly as he tipped his head. Sucking thoughtfully at his lolly, he seemed to consider this for a moment before grinning. "Still, you're right. I am _much_ too fond of being the center of attention; I guess I really can't be fair to anyone in a relationship."

"Still, you know, normally I wouldn't mind the whole tacking and biting thing." Letting a grin surface, he giggled a bit at Kisoku's nippings and, leaning in, he attempted a nip at his sempai's neck. "It was just too much of a suprise, though. I didn't even get to enjoy it, really."

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Sasurai bit her bottom lip, mumuring silently to herself, "Watashi wa baka baka baka..." Slowly, and shooing away all thoughts of shyness and cold passive isolation within herself, she gently placed a hand on Lemy's shoulder, as a friend who only wanted what would make another friend happy.

"If you want... we could go with them... I won't care..." she took note that Barano stated that choice as well and by her acutally agreeing to it, she hoped that the suggestion would make her new friend feel better. Though in all truth, she was... extremely nervous and uncomfortable around the two strangers... as she was with those she just met; right now, that didn't matter. Mousy peered out in curiosity from his long-time companion's pocket.

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Tesu glanced after Alexei, to see which table he went to - or, which table Erik told him to take, as the case may be - then turned his attention back to Arvel. "Oh...um... don't go to any trouble... really..." he stammered, "It's no big deal, really... just an idea..."

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"Naw, it's ok, I'll keep 'im," Jeremy agreed, "My dad won't mind, really."

Arvel beamed, "See, it isn't a big deal! Jeremy'll take good care of Stubby! Anyhoo, I didn't catch yer name? I'm Arvel Greene and those're my friends, Estelle and Jeremy."

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