[Finding he can relax a bit now, Louie smiles as he glances off, a hand on the back of his neck.]

Heh. We kind of both have our brands.

[He sighs fondly, almost a breathed-out little laugh, and looks back to Emporio with a shrug.]

Friendship bracelets are kind of a big deal in my family. Well, with my cousin-- It's a long story, but the short version is that it kept her and her best friend close when things got really bad for a while. And it's what I thought of to, you know, tell you things that are hard to say. I'm glad you like 'em.