[center]Dahlia's facial muscles tensed, and she stealthily bit her bottom lip as Asa questioned Jeff's bruised eye socket. She wanted to distract the attention from his suspicious and somewhat reckless behavior, but she also knew that Jeff could hold his own under pressure. Her thoughts were confirmed at his light hearted responses. She couldn't help but catch his contagious smile and relaxed her body simultaneously. Dahlia admired his quick wit and humor, and she had even let it rub off on her during their time together. Although at this particular moment, in the presence of Asa and Carter, Dahlia simply mimicked his grin and resisted interjecting into the conversation. Jeff was smart, despite his rash nature, and she trusted his intentions would be made clear at tonight's meeting. The danger in it was all that concerned her. These Uisilons had literally become a sort of dysfunctional second family to Dahlia, and her instinct to nurture had begun to overcome her. She looked up to Jeff through her thick lenses, lingering on his face, until his head turned as something else caught his attention. 

Dahlia followed his gaze and recognized Rayne's bright tresses blowing aimlessly against the breeze. The girl's small body seemed as still and motionless as a statue. Dahlia's cheeks began to warm as the three male Golden's continued their conversation casually, acknowledging Rayne ever so slightly. She hadn't really been able to break a barrier with Rayne. The girl's introverted nature kept her quite silent in words and actions. Dahlia balled her fists slowly at her side, gulped slightly, and took a few cautious steps towards the girl. She looked back over her shoulder for Jeff's reassuring gaze, but he and Carter were exchanging states. [i]Alright Dahlia, you can do this. Just say hi. The worst that can happen is...[/i] Her thoughts went unfinished as she realized she was now only a few feet from the timid girl. A man on a motorcycle flew by them loudly, and Dahlia was unable to stifle her hands from grasping at her small earlobes. Her clenched eyes opened cautiously, and she exhaled into the quickening silence. Her golden eyes, shaded by the sunglasses, stared wordlessly into Rayne's face. 

"I can't [b]stand[/b] these Mundane noises. It makes me miss the quiet places in Undaro. I used to sit under the main bridge by the stream for hours. The lights made the water come alive with colors and gave it a personality."

Dahlia's speech was filled with nostalgia as her mind wandered back to that familiar place. She hadn't meant to say any of it, but it seemed to spew forth like a broken fountain. As another car came speeding towards them, Dahlia stepped backwards and pressed her palms against the windows of the coffee shop. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and her sweaty palms were beginning to slide down the glass. The car came and went, but Dahlia stayed glued to the building. Her eyes darted from the men and then back to Rayne. She absolutely hated displaying a weaker characteristic so publicly. Jeff was the only one who had truly seen her fearful responses to the Mundane sounds, and even those instances were few and far between. [i]It's only week one.[/i] Dahlia rolled her eyes and shakily pushed away from the window. 

"I [b]literally[/b] can't stand these Mundane noises."

She smiled weakly and felt a twinge of Jeff's teachings rush through her body.[/center]