The Altered.

Rend- A little relieved yet still nervous that Hyde gave the girls a little space. She looks around a little thinking this is not the type of place she belongs in. "I...don't know.." She mumbles as an answer to Kasumi.

Umiko- "I think i'm going to mix some pieces." She replies, picking suits up here and there but mostly putting them back. She goes into the changing room with an arm full of stuff.

Rend- Keeps standing around looking awkward, she doesn't really know how to shop well and she is feeling stressed out about it. "What am I doing here?... I don't belong with these people! This was a stupid idea.. I should have just stayed at home like I always do.." She thinks to herself, becoming overwhelmed.

Umiko- Comes out of the stall with her picks. "I think I'm set." She says with a smile. "Phew.. It's difficult trying all of this stuff on..." She says. She then looks over at Rend who is just standing there, she looks sad. "...Rend?" She says walking up to her. "Would you like some help?... I think I saw some things you'd look really cute it." She smiles at her, trying to get her to feel better.

Kasumi- Looking at herself in the mirror. "I hate this. I can't believe I'm supposed to wear this in front of people... At least I'm covered I guess." She picks her suit and steps out see Umiko and Rend standing together. Rend looking kind of flustered. She starts walking over to them and sees a purple piece of a swimsuit and grabs it. She holds it out to Rend when she gets closer. "Hey Rend, I think this would look great on you. You would look really good in purple." She says smiling. "I picked my swimsuit. I'm not the biggest fan of wearing this stuff in front of other people, but I think it is alright." She smiles and tries to comfort Rend.

Nadine- Flings open the door. She being the only one that is loving the trip. "I found it!" She holds up her pink bikini. "This is going to be a great trip! What did you guys get?" She skips over to the group looking at what they are holding.

Rend- Looking at Umiko, then Kasumi who is coming over. "You..think so?" She asks, in disbelief. She doesn't understand why they are helping her.

Umiko- "Yeah! That top is great, and what about these bottoms to go with it?" She smiles and holds up a pair of shorts. "Go try it on!" She says with a smile. They look over at Nadine. "W-Wow Nadine... Isn't that... a little.... ...little?" She looks red, she can't imagine wearing something like that in front of the boys.

Rend- She nods taking the clothing from them and going into the stall, looking at Nadine's choice alone the way.

They all end up purchasing their pieces and start walking out of the store.

Rend- "Where did that big bear brain run off to?.." She thinks looking around from store to store, trying to spot Hyde.

Umiko- "I don't think that took too long right? I hope Hyde didn't mind waiting." She says to Kasumi and the others.

Hyde- Spots the girls coming out of the store. He says something else to Kane, but not loud enough for the others to hear him. They shake hands and part. He walks over to the group of girls. "Hey everyone, how was it?" He asks looking at the girls bags. "Where to now?"

Kasumi- Not thinking anything of him and Kane together responds. "It was not too bad. I think we all found something we like. What else would we like to do? I think I might be heading home soon. I need to do a few chores around the house and get ready for the school week."

Nadine- Acting sad that Kasumi said they should split up. "Yeah I guess we should go get some work done. I need to help out around the Inn. Hey Umiko, do you want to come start work today or do you want to come tomorrow after school?"

Umiko- Half wanting to ask Hyde to walk her home and half wanting to go with Nadine. "Sure, I can start today." She smiles trying to hide that she would like to stay with Hyde longer. "I guess we will get going now. I'll see you tomorrow at school Kasumi, Rend, Hyde." She says to them before waving and leaving with Nadine.

Rend- Feels a lot more comfortable now that Hyde is back. She waits for them to complete their plans, waving at the ones who leave.

Kasumi- Looking at Hyde and Rend. "What are your twos plans? Are you going to come back to the house or do you have something else planned for today?" She is trying to get a beat on if they are a couple.

Hyde- Unsure as what to say looks over at Rend. "We didn't have anything planned really. Is there something you would like to do Rend? I know I will at least walk you home." He smiles to her hoping she thinks of something to say.

Rend-"...That's not necessary. ..I can get home by myself." She says to Hyde. She feels like she should push him away a little, she doesn't like that she is feeling so close with him already. "Thanks for your help Kasumi.. Um.. Here." She holds out her phone. "I'll program my number into your phone and you do the same okay?" She extends her hand out but not looking directly at Kasumi. She is feeling a little shy getting a friends number for the first time. "I wont bug you or anything...so only text when you need something.." She mumbles.

Kasumi- "Thank you Rend." She says as they swap phones. "I'll give you information on the beach as we get it more together. I'll also let you know when you plan on having some meetings so you can help plan as well.... Well it is nice to meet you. I'll see you in school tomorrow." She says to Rend as her and her brother start parting ways.

Hyde- Waves at Rend with a bummed out look. He was hoping to spend more time with her before they had to split up. "I'll see you tomorrow!" He shouts to Rend as they head out. Him and Kasumi walk home together talking about their nights. Hyde gets all the information from Kasumi about the upcoming trip to the beach. They make a plan to work on Sebastian together.

Rend- She waves at them as she leaves as well, nodding at Kasumi about the info.


____

Later that night, Ludwig's house.

Ludwig- Upstairs in his office, he is at his computer but he is turning it off. He sits back in his chair looking over at his phone that is sitting on top of the desk to his right. He waits a couple of seconds before picking it up and dialing Kane's number.
"Where are you?" He says in a monotone way, waiting for the other to respond. He looks at his reflection in the black monitor.

Kane- Hunched over underneath a tree in the woods behind the Alastor home reaches into his pocket to check his phone. He sees it is Ludwig, his face instantly grows long with a look discontent. He clears his throat softly before answering. "Where are you?" is what he hears first from a monotone voice. His eyes roll. "I'm working. What do you want?" He says beneath his breath so as not to make too much noise knowing that Hyde has a chance of picking him up. After speaking quickly over the phone they decide to meet under the bridge again. Kane travels through the woods. By the time he reaches the spot Ludwig is already there waiting. He approaches coming out of the shadows. "Turn off your lights." He says sharply. "I found some rather interesting information for you. I spoke with Hyde today in the mall and came into some good nuggets. I know that the day their mother passed away is only a few weeks away from Sebastian. I said a few words of comfort to Hyde and found out that she spent time in the hospital here in town. I'll be going there in the next few days to get you something. The father seems to be doing a little better as he has started to listen to the radio, which was actually the wife's. I also found out that the girls in our little group are planning a beach trip for the whole group. So if I was you I would purchase a new pair of trunks. They will be asking you to go with them this week. What else do you want from me?" He says to Ludwig trying to feel more comfortable and grow into his new criminal identity. He leans back onto a nearby tree looking Ludwig in the eye waiting for a response.