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Deciding that Invictus wasn't going to be stirring any trouble, Jericho nodded to the horseman before stepping back to listen to the music being played. There wasn't too much else for him to do right now, but he decided to stick around.. just in case someone tried to cause problems around here. While he did have his own position to worry about, he was more concerned that Riley took the position of President.

So for now, he acted as a.. sort of bouncer.

What--huuuuh, Roch finished up the song, watching curiously as Riley led Xiu away for some reason, then shrugged, plucking at his guitar strings for a bit, a slight frown on his lips.

He dropped down in his plush chair, draping over it like what he'd done from the start and starting on the next piece, Little Wing. As he played he sort of wished he'd dragged Rikki into this. The song was always better with drums.

This one always made him wonder how Bones was, he thought as his fingers played over the strings. Probably as drunk as always, sitting on the same street corner, making enough money for that rotgut he always drank.

It was kind of strange how a little grin played on the boil's face, when he usually looked so serious during his playing.

At her words, Xiu raised her head to face Riley, her expression still hesitant. Honestly, she wasn't sure why she was so nervous about this. She definitely trusted the mindflayer, and she had also assured her than it would benefit both of them. Reaching a decision, the Baku glanced around warily--just to ensure that no one was close enough to listen--and then took a deep breath.

"I...I have this close friend," She murmured, careful to keep her voice low, "And...and recently, he...he told me...um, s-something, that..." Ooh, she couldn't do this! It had been one thing to talk to Shun about it, since there was no one else around at the time, but in a public place?

That being said, though she had been a little ambiguous about her answer (including who this friend was), it probably wouldn't be too hard to put all the puzzle pieces together.

She was surprised that Riley had managed to sum up her problem perfectly, especially considering that her explanation had been...lacking. "Y-yes, that's right." Xiu nodded, but paused halfway. After a moment of thought, she added, "...And I'm...scared to have things change." It sounded kind of silly when she said it aloud. Change was inevitable, and it wasn't always bad...right?

Xiu listened quietly to the advice, instantly knowing which of the two categories that her friendship fit in. Obviously, it was the latter--she cared deeply about her friends, and the last thing she wanted to do was lose any of them. But the idea of speaking to Roch privately about this...she knew that it had to be done eventually, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Basically, until he asked her, the Baku seemed as if she wanted to avoid the discussion for as long as possible. Riley did have a very good point though--it would be scary, but would it worth it in the end?

...Yes. Clearly, the answer was yes.

She sighed again, knitting her brows as a worried frown tugged at her lips. "I'm...probably taking it too seriously. I thought that he was just teasing, but then...he doesn't seem like the type to joke this long about something so serious." Especially since it was evidently weighing heavily on her mind lately. "...I'm not sure what to do when a friend tells me that he likes me."

Budding feelings? The thought brought a new blush to the Baku's cheeks, and she subconsciously fiddled with the end of her obi as she thought. She was certain--or at least, she certainly hoped--that their friendship meant as much to Roch as it did to her. So if what Riley said was indeed true, then...

She was right. It was like what Shun said as well--she shouldn't force herself. It was important to be honest, and if she didn't want this to snowball into something bigger, she would have to talk to Roch about it and express her feelings...even if the very thought made her hands quiver. Perhaps, after Roch was done with his work at the booth, she would work up the guts to go up to him and ask to speak privately.

A small smile tugged on her lips now, and without much warning, she reached out to hug the mindflayer. "T...thank you, Riley." She was blessed to have good friends, wasn't she? Shun, Riley, Junko, Sheridan, Lizzy...Considering how mopey she was lately, she was lately, she was appreciative of all the advice and attempts to cheer her up.

When she pulled away from the hug, Xiu stared up at Riley for a moment before smiling again, her expression becoming a little sheepish. "...You know who it is, don't you?" This time, the glance she shot in Roch's direction was a little more obvious.

During the entire time that Riley was with Xiu, Shun just stood by, idling about. He took a couple steps closer to the booth, looking over the various free items she had strewn about. No matter how long he looked, they still looked pretty damn ridiculous. He was about to question if anyone would seriously take some of these things, but then he remembered spying Roch wearing one of the tentacle hats.

"... "
Yeah. Ok, maybe some people did wear them. That didn't stop them from looking jacking silly though.

Shun certainly wouldn't be caught with one. Ever.

Picking up one of the pens, he furrowed his brow. Was this a Reaper with its brain getting eaten by an Illithid?

"... "

He set the pen down.

Letting out a breath, he looked over at a few of the other things idly.

Riley flushed a healthy purple at the compliment, and sat back in the chair as Xiu left, giving herself a moment. For all of the planning, and effort, and hard work she had been putting into winning this election, that particular comment had touched home in her heart.

She hoped the ghoul was right.

She pushed herself off the seat, hopped off to check out other booths, but she was back after only a few minutes, reaching out to hang off of Jericho heavily.

So. What did I miss?