"So," Kraken said casually as they walked home, "How was tonight with you?"

Vanya ran her tongue over her teeth to buy time before coming up with a decent lie. Jen had disappeared to her house before they had left, which was good because Vanya was feeling that she couldn't spend five more minutes around her. She had been digging around in her pockets for her gate keys which gave her a good excuse not to see the two kiss. Events had hurt her enough that night.

"Not bad," she said, "Some good, some boring."

(Some outright disgusting.)

"Isn't that always true?" grinned Kraken.

She nodded noncommittally and looked at her nails. The black nail polish was starting to chip and she knew that she was going to have to redo them. From her side she heard an odd coughing noise, like someone had something that was lodged in their throat. Frowning she looked up and stared at Kraken.

"Are you okay?" asked Vanya,

"Oh, uh, yeah," he said, "I'm fine."

"There's a supermarket down the road, we could get some water or cough syrup or something," said Vanya.

"No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

There were a few minutes of silence.

"I was just wondering who that guy was you were hanging out with," Kraken said uncomfortably.

A few more seconds of silence had passed as Vanya realized that he had been trying to clear his throat earlier to get her attention. She couldn't believe that she was thinking this, but he should've practiced something like that.

"Well?" he asked.

"Who?" asked Vanya blankly in return.

"The blonde guy," he said.

Her mind remained blank for a little bit until she suddenly remembered John. Deciding that there was nothing to it she gave Kraken a wink.

"Oh, him. He's nothing much, just my date for tomorrow night," she said slyly, "That was the good part I mentioned earlier."

Kraken blinked at her.

"That was fast," he said.

"Well, most of the guys at my college are hippies apparently," she said, shoving her hands in her pockets, "And I'd like roses instead of daisies on my first date if you know what I mean."

"Never given a girl roses, so no," shrugged Kraken.

"Why am I not surprised?" muttered Vanya.

"What?"

"Nothing," she said, "Jen just seems like the kind of girl who'd like flowers from time to time."

"Tough," he said, "I don't give flowers. I don't know what girls see in them."

"They're pretty and it's a sweet gesture," Vanya said as they rounded the street corner, "It shows that the guy cares about the girl."

"Odd metaphor," Kraken said sarcastically, "They wither and die after a few days. Great show of a guy's regard."

"Well if you don't like it," said Vanya testily, "Get potted flowers or something."

"Like that'll ever happen," Kraken said, "But, subject on hand. So, what's his name?"

Her feet moving independently of her mind Vanya wondered how she should phrase her answer. Rather inadvertently she had managed to follow her sister's advice. She shuddered when she thought about it, but that was what had happened. The game was on now and if nothing else she wasn't going to lose.

"John," she said casually.

"John," he repeated, "Do I get a last name?"

"Perseus," she said, wondering if he was going to remember.

Kraken's lips started to move as he said the name to himself a few times. Vanya was just starting to think it wouldn't be so bad until he said darkly;

"Is that that bastard who threw shit at us on the stage?"

"It wasn't that much. And really, he's not that bad."

"Vanya!" he snapped, "It nearly fucking hit you!"

"Yeah, and we both know that you immediately broke his jaw and got me sent to France for a year," she said, "So, you know what? I don't think he did the biggest damage in that situation by any means."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them.

"I said I was sorry!"

"Yeah, I know-"

"I've said it ten times!" he snapped.

"Look, Diego," she said, trying to stop the situation getting worse, "Stop interrupting for a minute. I'm not mad about that. I'm really not. And I've really gotten over that."

He folded his arms and glared at the ground. He adopted an odd-sulky look that seemed somehow endearing. She had to suppress the urge to kiss him on the forehead (She would have to stand on her tip-toes since she had trouble reaching because he was so tall) to smooth the furrowed brow over.

"I mean, it was three years ago," she said, "Things happen, people change. So I figure it couldn't hurt to at least get dinner out of this guy. You know?"

Kraken sneered as they reached the manor.

"Just don't expect me to talk to him."

A slight thrill rippled through her, though she quickly silenced it. It wasn't possible for him to be getting jealous…

"I talked to Jen," she said, refraining from spitting out her name.

"That's different," he said.

"How so?"

He glared at her once before unlocking the gate.

"It just is."