Thayva crossed her arms and sighed through her nose. “I was merely emphasizing my suggestion.” She took a deep breath. It had been a rough day, for everyone. She watched him pull out the other food items.
	She nodded. “That I do. Haven’t had any in [i]ages,[/i] though.”

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	Nick scowled at the reminder of having to clean the dining hall. It had been great while it lasted, but he had not thought about how bad the cleanup would be. But, then again, the look on some of the faces of the crueler students made the whole thing worth it. Besides, if he had not agreed, Kia would have probably made him one of her direct targets.
	“Personally, I don’t mind shirts,” Nick said when Arjun paused. He nodded in agreement at the dracon’s observations and suggestion to leave. “I’ve noticed. The atmosphere’s been different lately. Tenser. Even among the other staff.” He moved beside Arjun as a few other boys readied for their massages. “Any idea what’s going on?”

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	“Same.” Belle smiled at Laura as the two shook hands.
	Kia got onto her stomach and laid down near the edge, placing her chin on her hands as Laya mimicked the dwarf and sat on the slate tiles. She looked back at Laura’s declaration.
	“Oh, [i]really?[/i]” Kia’s voice dripped with sarcasm, a grin on her face. “I [i]never[/i] would have guessed!”
	Belle bit the inside of her cheek and looked up, trying to place a face to the name. “Sorry. I don’t think I know him.” She went to her writing materials and bent down to stopper her jar of ink and place it in a worn satchel beside the items.