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Their conversation stilled for a moment, as Robert chose to divert his irritation towards his food, and Sand placidly lied back on her chair. She couldn’t help teasing him. She had a soft spot for naiveté of that sort, though perhaps it was more accurate to call it a cruel kind of affection.

She sighed at the thought, then broke the silence as it began to turn uncomfortable. “It’s good that you’re taking things well. When I heard the news from Trad, I expected to find you sulking.”

“Sulking?” he repeated through a mouthful of pastry.

“Or moping,” she added. “Maybe even brooding.” [i]Hm. I’m doing it again.[/i] 

Robert waited to swallow his food before continuing. “Hmm. Yeah, at first I was pretty down in the dumps about everything,” he began. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pretty shaken by the loss of Delta and Eve, but… It’s just… Like I said back at the fort. I’ve lost a lot of close people over the years. Family, friends, teammates. I think I’ve just gotten used to burying it inside. The only reason I had that outburst was because his… death sort of brought everything bubbling back up. I know it’s not a healthy way to deal with loss, but it’s just a habit I’ve picked up at this point.”

Sand’s eyes drooped. She had tried to keep the conversation light hearted by referring to the change in leadership and not mentioning the casualty at the fort, but she supposed this was too big an issue to sidestep. In fact, Robert’s list was quite expansive. One had to wonder how a person could be linked to so much misfortune at such an age.

A part of her couldn’t help but wonder if she was in danger just by being close to him. But then again, if the boy was truly an active threat, she could not imagine the academy’s administration allowing his stay.

[i]So what is there to say? Was that an invitation to pry?[/i] This was the second time she had felt this way around Robert, and her trepidation was the same. She did not want to know his pain when she doubted there was anything she could do about it. Contemplating loss, she knew, was a profoundly lonesome experience.  

“Hopefully, you haven’t made claiming responsibility into a habit,” she said halfheartedly. “It’s hard to be objective when things go wrong, because latching to excuses is much too easy. Still, one should be somewhat critical.” 

Robert replied with a snort, as though he found something about that amusing. “Actually, when Ozpin came to get my side of the story, I… may or may not have been very biased when telling him what happened. I’m surprised my leadership position was the only thing he took.”

“Lucky. He either read between the lines or is a hopeless optimist.” [i]The latter wouldn’t bode well for my future, mind you.[/i]

The boy nodded in agreement as he grabbed another muffin and began to stuff it into his mouth. “Mmm. Chocolate,” he mumbled with a mouthful of food.

“Say, who do you think will get named leader? Trad or Grane?”

“I don’t know,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “I’d much prefer Trad out of the two due to how hostile and uncooperative Grane usually is, but it’s not like we get to vote. The only thing I know is it won’t be me. Heck, I don’t see why the headmaster wouldn’t choose you. You certainly pulled out butts out of the fire back at Fort Jaeger.”

“I doubt it.” She wasn’t sure she liked that idea. “I’m a recent transfer, after all, and I wasn’t a team leader at Atlas either.”

“Well I know I gave you some pretty high praise yesterday and Trad said nothing to dispute it. I don’t know about Grane, but I could see him actually agreeing with me on it for once. Seriously, I wouldn’t count yourself out of the race yet,” Robert persisted, clearly trying to encourage her.

“Well.” Just this once, it was not wanted. “Damn.”

“Hey, watch the language,” Robert teased.

She let out an unladylike grunt in response. One way or another, that was a bridge to cross later. So then, to change the subject. “When are they letting you out anyway?” 

An opening door and footsteps preempted the boy’s response. Sand looked over her shoulder to see a man in a white coat approaching the bed.
 
“In a few minutes, if everything checks out,” the doctor answered in Robert’s stead. “I’ll need to ask you to step outside for a moment, ma’am.”

“I see.” Sand stood up, grabbing onto her bag and slinging it over her shoulder before moving towards the entrance. As her hand touched the handle, a thought crossed her mind. She glanced back at Robert and asked, “Want me to wait for you?” 

As the doctor was stepping towards him, Robert leaned to the side so the man didn’t obstruct the view of his new teammate. “If you’ve got other plans or people to see, I don’t mind finding my own way back. Do what you want,” he replied.

“Hm.” Trying not to impose, she supposed, though that last bit had come off as rather aloof. She gestured towards her bag. “Need to drop this in the room. Will you be heading back there?”

“Probably. I don’t have anyone visiting campus to go meet with so I was planning on either wasting time there or just exploring campus,” the red-haired boy explained. 

[i]Then again, it’s hardly surprising, considering what he’s told me.[/i]

“Think I can wait for a bit, then. If you’re quick about it,” she said, turning the handle and leaving the room.