How Kio hated the way Soubi took things for granted. He could turn him around in a flash, make him do anything he wanted. He could manipulate Kio to his ends and he was powerless to stop it. Sometimes he had to ask himself if he was ready to stop anything.

He recognized Reno quickly. A ghost of a smile passed over his lips. Kio almost craved that simple beginning, when flirting was fun, before the Institute got into his mind and ate it all up. "Hey, Red!" he called loudly, brandishing two of the cigarettes. High currency, from what it seemed.

Silent Sullen One was there too. Kio wondered if the guy was still picking glitter off his chest by now. Hadn't they showered some time ago? Well, glitter was known to be ridiculously hard to peel off. Still. He inclined his head to the sullen one and smiled at the girl with them. Jeez, these people sure were kinky. First that blonde girl, now this one. The got around, eh?

"I understand you have something to trade. Make it quick, I have an appointment to make." He was being brash and stubborn. Kio wanted to go to Sou-chan, for all that it meant being around Ritsuka.