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Those bright-blue eyes slid over to Strawberry, and Reno folded his arms, with a cocky tilt to his chin. "You don't? Don't think I believe ya, yo. Don't think studious-boy here has a black jacket in his lost-and-found." He jerked a thumb in Kyouya's direction, ignoring the expanding stormclouds in the younger man's expression. Apparently he'd seen worse, or didn't think the Ootori kid was much of a threat. "You keeping it for a special occasion, or didja think I need it cleaned, yo?" He might have sounded accusatory, if it weren't for the eyebrow waggle and the evil grin that accompanied the statement. That grin flicked over to Strawberry's partners-in-crime (well, detectiving), as if to say, got her dead to rights, ne? you in with me on this?

Still, anyone paying attention would catch the split-second as he seemed to absorb the state of Strawberry's displayed fist. It was if he were making a professional assessment of her fighting prowess simply from those small marks and the commentary of the others. But whatever his decision seemed to be on the subject, it didn't seem to make a dent in that relaxed, confident smile.

The elf Smiled at Kyouya and shook her head. "Oh, no thank you." At his comment about Damyn Ari giggled a bit, a very thin line of nervousness in her voice. "No, he survived the Strawberry attack." She turned to the blonde frowning a bit at the coloring still on her knuckles. "It doesn't hurt anymore does it?" Ari's smiled returned and she shrugged when Loki inquired about Damyn's reaction. "He's weird." She stated simply.

Since the elf had just woken up her observation skills were delayed, however as the foggy feeling of tension rose she glanced back and forth from the two males in the room. Hm? She didn't quite catch yet what was happening, but something felt off. She didn't exactly understand Reno's flickering grin, but smiled brightly anyway as she carefully continued to measure the level of the current mood.

((Sorry for the long wait. I haven't been feeling well the last few days and I think I strained my eyes with all the PSP gaming and phone usage.))

Strawberry looked at the bit of bruising and smiled, giving the girl a shrug. "Nah, it looks worse than it is. Just my pale skin playing tricks. It's not even sore anymore, but I keep ice on it for a few minutes every night to help the bruising go away." The blonde explained before Reno's words caught her ears.

She simultaneously blushed and held back a laugh at Kyouya's comment. "Actually, I only wash clothing I have borrowed and worn." She replied, opening her bag and pulling out the neatly folded black jacket; not realizing her package of gummy bears had fallen into the folds. "But seeing how you basically live in the gutter, it might have been a good idea." The blonde added with a smirk as she handed it to him.

"I wasn't sure when I'd see you again so I just kept it on me. As much as I love Catwoman, I'm no thief." That twinkle of mischief sparkled in her green eyes. "Though I do possess some of the qualities a good thief does."

((That's another reason for the MT, so it's at our own pace. hehe ^^ ))

Well then... Loki watched Reno leave, confused. After a few moments (when her writer remembered it was her turn to write) she turned to the others. "Can someone explain what just happened?" Flirtatious and pushing his boundaries one minute, then that. "I think I just missed something, surprisingly." Her voice was quiet at she ran through the conversation quickly in her mind.

Volatility wasn't something Kyouya expected out of a bodyguard. Then again, the ones hired by his family were held to Ootori standards, not to Shinra standards. Still, he had an idea of which nerve Strawberry had managed to strike, although he was fairly certain she'd just meant to be teasing.

"While familial circumstances do figure into who is admitted as a student to Ouran Academy, they do not restrict attendance at the host club," he noted dispassionately. "You're welcome, Reno, though we would serve any gentleman or lady who came in."

Reno held, at the touch of Ari's hand on his jacket, long enough for the apology. There might still have been a spark of hurt in those electric-blue eyes as he turned back.

He looked down at the petite, elf-like girl. She reminded him of Aeris so much, at this moment, and something in his expression softened again. "Born in the gutter," he explained abruptly. "Spent most of my life on the streets, yo. Fought my way into this job." Literally. That lazy drawl and speech peppered with slang were dead giveaways of his origin, not an affectation.

It obviously was not the first time he'd been insulted for his heritage, or lack thereof, and Strawberry seemed sincere about the apology, unlike many of the other "princesses" he'd met around Ouran. He nodded once, the hurt soothing somewhat. "'s okay."

Ari's eyes held back dark tearful memories as well as the feeling of hurt that resonated from Reno like a single piano key in her head. "You should not assume that everyone has lived a fair and easy life." The elf spoke oddly. She wouldn't tell her story- unless asked of course, it had taken her plenty of time to recall all of the pieces. "Many have sat in Darkness, Felt the chill of loneliness. Though it may not be apparent anymore." The strange look in her eyes vanished and she smiled kindly. "Won't you stay? Perhaps a bit of a rewind is in order?" She suggested as she smiled at her friends behind her. She held out her hand to Reno. "Do you like Music? I could play a song if you'd like." Changing the subject was always a good way to over come a bad mood, as was sharing a happy melody with the people around you. She was prepared to return to the Piano just in case.

((Sorry for the long wait. Haven't been wearing my glasses and I strained myeyes again > < )

Strawberry smiled softly at the acceptance of her apology but she still felt bad. The blonde had the tendency to stick her foot in her mouth with her playful-happy-attitude. When you smile all the time no one suspects anythings wrong. Not that anything was wrong with her, but it was her defense so no one would ask.

"I agree, music would be nice." Strawberry said, pulling off her yeti jacket; it was getting hot in the thick fake fur. "Plus, I didn't know you played the piano. I bet it's beautiful."