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Now that did make Relm upset. "Now hold on, Hummer!" The artist blurted, quickly juggling book & brush to one arm so she could grab his wrist with the other. "You're not allowed to leave like that! One, that would put a big damper on our group outing, but two, you should never leave anywhere feeling like that. It's no good to you or anyone else."
Says the one who's been practically locked up in her studio for over a week. "And I never said anything about not liking your company. Capishe? In fact, I rather enjoy your humming."
Suddenly she blushed, releasing his arm & hugging her book again. Looking at the top of her book Relm added. "Look, leave the lovebirds be. I'll pay for your things. I can always get Blondie to hit Romeo up for reinbursement later."

Her eyes darted up as if daring him. "But you've gotta stick around. No more talk about just leaving, okay?"

Rikku had missed Miranda & Kaleb, but the checkout counter was in her line of sight (when she was not looking at Naruto) so she saw Relm talking with Keme. Her eyes widened over her drink & she nudged Naruto, inclining her head to their siblings with a grin. Just because they were talking did not mean anything was up, but she had a feeling both of them needed the friendly conversations a night like this could enable.

Naruto looks up at Rikku when she nudges him and he looks to where she is gesturing. A happy smile spreads across his face, "Looks like he's finally opening up..." he whispers, his tail swaying about the chair legs.

Miranda nods and makes her way to the fiction section of the store, "Yep, lets see if anything catch's your interest!! You could say regular books are like cookbooks! There are so many different kinds to choose from!" she chirps, her tail wagging about.

Keme blinks and looks back at Relm, quite literally caught. He is stunned by her words and he can feel a small smile going across his muzzle and he can't help but chuckle a little when she said she liked his humming, "Alright, I won't leave and I'll leave them be." he says quietly, turning fully face Relm.

Kaleb blinked and was silent for a minute, but then he smiled lopsidedly. "What kind of books do you usually read?" he asked, catching up a bit so he followed behind her rather than being pulled along.

Rikku whimpers so quietly at his kiss that only the two of them might have heard it. The thrumming of her body almost makes her miss what Naruto says. "I can see how that would be a problem!" Then noticing the sad look in those eyes she is coming to know so well, Rikku's eyes soften. The Al Bhed set down her cup to touch Naruto's cheek gently. "You're lonely, Ruto?" Something inside of Rikku ached though she could not put a finger on it. She flipped again, grinning at him. "Well we're friends now. You won't ever need to feel lonely again!"

With that Rikku slipped her arms around the ninja & hugged him fiercely.

Glancing at the pair off & on, Relm stepped up to make her purchase. The woman behind the counter barely batted an eye at the two audios, for which the artist was glad. "Two bags please." She added hastily as their times were bagged, worried that her heavy book might damage the CD cases somehow or that the items combined might be too much for one bag. Handing the bag of CDs to Keme, Relm slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. "Come on, Hummer. You can tell me what you want while we cross the lobby to the coffee shop counter."

"Best friends!" The thief agrees, wiggling a bit on Naruto's lap to try to find a way to cling closer to him.

Relm shoots The hummingbird audio a surprised & yet appraising look, As if she had not expected Keme to have such refined tastes. She really did not prefer coffee either. Tea or hot cocoa was really her thing. The artist smiled. "Let's hope they have it. I'd prefer tea over coffee myself."

She read the board as they approached & seeing the tea selections smiled & squeezed her fingers once lightly on Keme's arm. The same young man that was there to take Rikku & Naruto's order eyed them warily -as if he were afraid all audios were overly bright like Rikku. Non-pulsed, Relm gave him a warm smile. "An iced chai tea and a Russian black tea with brown sugar & lemon, please."

Startled, the attendant blinked before hastily plugging the order in. He gave them the price and Relm casually handed the cash over from the pocket on her harem pants.

Best friend she was aching to kiss again. Rikku looked at Naruto with curiosity at her feelings. Then as if she forgot where they were & who they were with she put her face to his. "Very best friends." The thief murmured before closing the distance between their lips.

Waiting for their tea, Relm gasped to catch sight of it. For perhaps the first time she wished she was a photographer instead of a painter.

Just like outside the dance club the world fades away for Rikku. It's only her & Naruto & the fires where their bodies touch. She is swept away by the passion in Naruto when he kisses her back & responds with equal fervor. Especially as the ninja's hand travels her back & Rikku shivers in his embrace. It was lucky for them no one but Relm & Keme seemed to be looking their way right that moment. For now.

"Espers! I don't know! But it sure makes things interesting." The artist replied. Her voice was full of both amusement & longing, & her light green eyes shimmered wetly. "I suppose it would be easy for Blondie not to think about it. She can be so dense sometimes."
"Ah... Miss? Your tea?"

Relm shook herself back. "Oh right. Thank you." She accepted their drinks with a smile to the jittery attendant.


Turning back to her sister she whispered. "They'd better watch it or someone's bound to say something about it."

Rikku shuddered as the ninja moaned, smiling into the kiss until feeling Naruto withdraw. She pouts a moment before following his gaze to their siblings to whom the perky female smiles & waves as if there is nothing untoward about kissing her best friend at all. In fact it is the most natural thing in the world. And to Rikku, it likely was. The thief wondered about her "seat" sinking & cocked her head coquettishly at the orange clad audio. "Something wrong, Naruto?"

Taking a careful sip of her Russian tea the artist sighs appreciatively. Nearly perfect. Still keeping an eye on the lovebirds she tries to hide her amusement behind her drink waving lightly with her other hand and almost knocking herself in the head with her book in the process. Relm is about to nudge Keme towards them so they can sit too when she hears his sigh & sees the hummingbird face fall. She places a gentle hand on his forearm in concern. "Keme? Penny for your thoughts?"