The girl visibly hesitated, bracing herself before she passed over the threshold to the dining hall.  Most of the school was present, certainly a number of the guards and all of the students.  It seemed to be served family style, with serving dishes passed up and down the long tables.  They were late, and people were already eating.  Their tardy arrival attracted a number of stares from the students, and Amuné avoided meeting any of them.  Some were merely interested, most neutral, but a few were actively disdainful.  More than a few gaped at Cain’s tattoos and piercings.  There was a stir at one of the guard tables as well, though it might have been unrelated.  Amuné ignored all of it, hurrying to a seat in the corner by the kitchen, where there were more empty places than people.  She only paused when an older boy called her name and half-stood, but the child just gave him a smile, a wave, and a shake of her head.  She couldn’t ask Rey to sit with her all the time, he had other friends and with Cain better she wasn’t even alone.

It was indeed turkey, and she only took a small piece of the meat, showing a clear preference for just about everything else.  If Cain tried to engage her, Amuné’s responses were a bit distracted.  She didn’t know why, but mealtimes were louder even than the market in town.  Already her head was starting to ache.  A few minutes later, two others else joined them.  It was Fitz and Kirk, the latter looking awkward, subdued, and very ashamed.  “Look, th’ first thing I want ta say, I’m terrible sorry ‘bout what happened.  If ye want ta lay me out, I’ll understand, but ye should wait ‘til later, so as nae ta cause a big fuss.”

[@TheMinorFall]  ((sorry for the delay.  ^.^;  ))