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The red-haired Lion, whatever his name was, could at least take a hint, though while he seemed content to eat in easy silence, Lienna had no such luck with the other two that found their way to her. First there was Kellen, looking significantly worse for wear and pointedly avoiding her gaze for reasons unknown. Cichol’s teeth, was he really [i]that[/i] nervous? Lienna struggled to understand how anyone could eke out a life in northern Faerghus whilst jumping at their own shadow, but once more she was shown how skewed her view of the world could apparently be. 

And then, of course, there was Auberon, casting a judgemental eye on his subordinates as he took his seat across from her. Why yes, she [i]was[/i] a difficult woman to find - it was almost as if she’d arranged things that way. Of course, any lingering scrap of guilt she might have had over avoiding her fellow Lions evaporated when she caught that haughty look from Auberon, gaze growing icy as she watched his pitiful attempt at subtlety. Of course, now [i]that[/i] was more in line with what she’d expected from the highborn students; Clarissa had at least tried to frame her corrections in a helpful light, but Auberon seemed to think she was a child in need of careful instruction. If she could trust her lowly peasant brain, she’d guess she’d chosen the wrong fork. She made a mental note to do the same thing next time, or maybe just eat with her hands and see if steam would come out of Auberon’s ears. 

[color=baa7c7]“Yes, forgive me; I was sorting something out with the staff,”[/color] she told Auberon coldly, very deliberately making eye contact as she forewent her knife and tore a piece off her tart with her fingers. [color=baa7c7]“It seems they made a mistake and put me in one of the [i]common[/i] dorms, but it’s all fixed now.”[/color] 

[i]Derec[/i] tried to ease the tension, but his intervention did little for Lienna’s mood. She’d already used up a considerable amount of patience today, she didn’t foresee her reserves replenishing anytime soon. Of course, of all the Lions, Derec was probably the most relatable - from what little he’d said so far, anyway. Prior to her few weeks at Count Francis’ keep, this would also have probably been the best food she’d ever eaten, and it was definitely the first food she’d ever tasted from outside of Faerghus. And, of course, despite always having cooked for two, she was more than accustomed to eating alone. 

[color=baa7c7]“Kellen, sit down before your knees give out,”[/color] Lienna said suddenly, not looking up from her meal. Her tone was probably a little sharper than necessary, but it was unnerving to have the boy shuffling over her shoulder, and if he wasn’t going to take the hit to his reputation and leave then he could bloody well sit down and endure this ordeal just like the rest of them. 

[color=baa7c7]“Speaking of settling in, did you talk to our professor Auberon?”[/color] she asked, toying with her napkin. Did she sound a little condescending? Maybe. Did she care? Not at all. [color=baa7c7]“I’m very interested to hear your plans for us as House Leader.”[/color] 

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