When Zuma left Xiu came to sit beside Kozu, too close to be only considered friendly, and she would certainly move when his sister returned but for now she felt he needed a distraction. As they were sitting together Zuma could not see their hands so she felt comfortable enough resting a hand on his thigh. "Ko, let me tell you something about teenage girls, the more you fight and set limits the more she is going to go out and do exactly what you tell her not to, but if you let her explore on her own, keeping an eye on her without defined limits it's far more likely that she will not be impressed by boys and will eventually calm down. She's not used to hearing no so when you tell her no that makes it exciting."
She rubbed his thigh gently then reached down into the bag and pulled out a candy for him. "Candy?" she held it up for him to take it if he liked. "You've been good tonight by giving in, but is pretending to have fun so hard? I mean, you're spending time with your youngest sister which you should enjoy while you can given that you won't always be living together. And," she spared Zuma a quick glance to make sure she wasn't looking then kissed his cheek sweetly. "And you're spending time with me, which I thought you enjoyed. I mean, I got dressed up for you, you know? And aside from a few stares I don't think you've been enjoying it."
With a gentle sigh she pulled her hand from his thigh and looked about the room. "Look, if you really hate being here with us, coming out tonight, you can go back to the palace. I can look after Zuma, make sure she doesn't get into trouble or throw any fits." she wanted him to be happy and to enjoy himself but he seemed so dead-set against it that she felt like giving up. She liked spending time with him but not when he was raining on their parade.