[h3][i][img]http://i68.tinypic.com/aak4tk.jpg[/img][/i][/h3][hr][hr] The doors swung shut without so much as a squeak behind him and he took a moment to take a deep breath. [color=fff200]“Ah… air was a bit stuffy back in there don’t you think?”[/color] He glanced towards Eli for a moment before approaching a window and taking a glance outside. [color=fff200]“So, I was thinking the cafeteria might be nice. Haven’t had a chance to eat since arriving. My treat.”[/color] [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color] She exhaled when she left the room, looking around the halls. [color=9e0b0f]“Y-yes, a bit. I-I’m not used to that much people.”[/color] Not that it felt bad to be in a room filled with so many noises. [color=9e0b0f]“I-I used to j-just spend my time in a ca-”[/color] She stopped herself, wondering what she was thinking to almost say the word cage in front of someone she had just met and become friends with. [color=9e0b0f]“Th-the cafeteria?” [i]Yesssssssss! Ok, I like this guy! He understands the feeling of hunger unlike you, Eli, who would have gone without eating if no one told her anything.[/i] “Oh, that’s right. I-I haven’t eaten anything yet. E-eh? D-don’t worry about that. I-I do have a bit of money…”[/color] The thought of someone treating her never passed through her head. Was it normal for people to buy food for others? [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color][color=fff200]“Is this your first year here then?”[/color] Assemblies like that weren’t exactly common, but generally there was at least a few per year to announce any events or the like. His eyebrows climbed again when she cut herself off, but he nodded in response to her questioning tone before he motioned for her to follow as he made to leave the building. ____________ A quick glance to make sure she followed him and he waved dismissively. [color=fff200]“That’s my line. Just enjoy the free food.”[/color] It wasn’t a five star restaurant or anything and the entire cafeteria’s menu probably wouldn’t have made too much of a dent on his savings. A free meal for a new friend was nothing to care about, and he held the building’s door open for her and gestured to the cafeteria just a few hundred meters away. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color] [color=9e0b0f]“A-ah, yes… I suppose y-you are a second o-or maybe third year?”[/color] she spoke as she walked behind him, making sure not to stand next to him. She wasn’t used to walking beside people and didn’t know weather he would find it unpleasant or not. Her face clearly felt unsure at the mention of free food. [color=9e0b0f]“W-well, thank you then. M-my parents usually have me p-pay.”[/color] smiling, she looked back at him thinking about what an unusual person he was. Or maybe that’s just the way it is over here. Back in her hometown she had a job near her home that she usually went to 5 times a week. Her daily meal from her parents would usually be 10-30 dollars but she simply thought it was something normal. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color][color=fff200]“Fifth year here actually,”[/color] he replied while slowing his pace to fall in step with her, thinking it was only thanks to the difference in height. His face clearly displayed disbelief as he turned to look at her. [color=fff200]“Wait, what? Your parents made you pay for food? Damn, did they charge you rent as well?”[/color] He wasn’t sure if it was the sort of light-hearted matter to joke about, but he didn’t want to get hung up on it either. Hopefully he hadn’t just shoved his foot into his mouth, but it was pushed aside for the moment as aromas filled the air thanks to them drawing close enough to the cafeteria. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color][color=9e0b0f]“Y-yes?”[/color] She said softly when he asked, with a puzzled expression, not understanding why it seemed abnormal to him but her face turned lively when she got to the cafeteria. [color=9e0b0f]“Uwaaaaa~”[/color] there were people there talking cheerfully and she couldn’t help but put on a larger than normal smile when she stepped in. [i][color=9e0b0f]Finallllllly!! My god, Eli, you talk too much!![/color][/i] [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color][color=fff200]“Jeez,”[/color] he muttered as he rubbed at the back of his head. That was pretty shitty of her parents huh, but he didn’t say that as her expression changed when he pushed the doors open to the dining hall. Ushering her in in her moment of awe, he grinned as he motioned for her to continue following him. Several monitors displayed menus with cuisine from multiple parts of the world listed, but there were also simpler dishes available for the less adventurous students. A sandwich, salad, pasta bar could also be seen along with various drink dispensers.[color=fff200]“See anything you want?”[/color] Runik asked her as he stepped into line. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color] She followed without looking in front of her. [i][color=9e0b0f]What should I get? Hmmm…[/color] [/i]She looked over and saw a menu that presented sushi that looked very good. Her parents could always be seen eating sushi on special occasions but she had yet to try it. Right when she was about to say sushi, she bumped into his back as he stopped to get into a line. [color=9e0b0f]“Wa? Showwy. I-I didn’t mean to.”[/color] she said this as she rubbed her nose and looked up at him a bit. His shoulders were broad and bumping into his back was not like hitting a cushion but more like a hard rock. Her words always came out a bit more childish when she bumped into things. Blushing lightly at the embarrassing way she said that, she lifted her finger to point at the sushi. [color=9e0b0f]“I-I think I’ll try that.” [/color] [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color][i][color=fff200]‘Huh.’[/color][/i] She was definitely lighter than he expected given he barely even flinched when she bumped into his back. He tried not to look too amused given her embarrassment, but the smile sort of gave things away even if he managed not to laugh. Turning to look at what she had chosen he nodded and then turned around, raising a hand to ruffle her hair teasingly. [color=fff200]“Milking this for what it’s worth, huh?”[/color] Giving things a bit of thought as the line moved forward, he motioned for Eli to follow him out afterwards as he approached the sushi station. There were still a few students around, but he managed to place the order in a few moments and they got to watch as their sushi platter was assembled. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color] She flinched when his hand moved suddenly before opening one eye when he began to ruffle her hair. Hm? She realized afterwards that he was not going to hurt her. Was this another thing that they did here? [color=9e0b0f]Not that it feels bad I suppose.[/color] It made her feel like a child again but not in a bad way. Looking up she began to speak,[color=9e0b0f] “E-eh? Have you had it before? D-does it taste good?”[/color] She tilted her head as she asked the question. Noticing that her stuttering was beginning to go away, she felt a little proud of herself. Just a little more and she could probably speak full sentances to him without stuttering. Once she saw the sushi being made, she peered over to see it being made, her eyes twinkling. The only time she saw people making food was when she sneaked into the kitchen and watched the chefs cook but they never looked like they were having any fun. She looked over at him smiling, almost as if she was watching an entertaining TV show. [color=00746b][center]----------[/center][/color]Her reaction didn’t escape notice, but it wasn’t a big deal seeing as she seemed to accept it. He tilted his head in thought for a moment before a shrug was ultimately his response. [color=fff200]“Your mileage may vary. I enjoy it, some people can’t handle the texture or taste of raw fish. There’s some like sweet tofu, egg, and other types so you can try a bit of everything.” [/color] The chef smiled as he noticed the childish glee that Eli seemed to take from his work and Runik was content to pat her head again. The platter was finished soon enough, dozens of colors arranged finely in rings, and he held it out for her to take while he went to pay for it. [color=fff200]“Want to go ahead and find a seat?”[/color] [color=9e0b0f][center]----------[/center]“G-got it.”[/color] Nodding, she turned around to see what seats were open. Seeing a somewhat lonely corner, she went over to the booth to sit down. Setting down the food and taking her bag off her shoulder and sighing, having not realized how heavy the weight was. Rummaging through her bag, she found her book and carefully lifted it out of the bag, setting it on her lap gently. Just as she was about to begin to read, she looked back at him, admiring his personality and began to wonder how she could become more like him. Just then, she decided to put a new bandage on her wound and carefully undid the bandage that was already placed on the wound. Gently peeling it off and replacing it with a new one. Getting out the shadow sword would be a horrible choice since she was finally making a new friend. Smiling, she put her bandages up and put hand sanitizer on herself. Exhaling, she plopped a piece of candy in her mouth and began to read, immersing herself in another world for the time being. You could tell she was in her own world and quite happy as she read with a light smile that had a look of pure bliss. (Yup, we know it's long) [@Zombehs]