Larke's mouth quirked into a sideways smile at Dinah's quick response. It was rehearsed, almost; like she was used to people actually taking her up on that offer. The thought of being ostricized for the wrongs of your parents was something that had never occurred to him, and it stuck in his gut for a moment longer than he would have liked.  

It was too early in the morning to think of unhappy things. 

[color=#336699][b]"Well, I've just been dunked in milk-products and sentenced to cleanup on my first day, so you also get a pass if you want to find someone else to chat with,"[/b][/color] he replied with a shrug, running his left hand over the dampness sticking his shirt collar to the back of his neck. His right hand reached out to take hers, and he shook it firmly. [color=#336699][b]"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dinah Fox. And don't take Avalon personally. He think's he's better than the Queen, too. But I've, uh- I gotta go clean up the breakfast mess. It doesn't look like Norrevinter's gonna pull her weight on this one."[/b][/color] 

He moved to turn away, and the same uncomfortable pang from a moment ago hit him. Larke pivoted on his heel with an almost-embarrassed laugh.

[color=#336699][b]"Not that I want to clean up, or that I'm using my 'freebie,' you know. I just- I don't think there's anyone here who's bad side I want to get on. And it isn't going to clean itself up. But I'm not- Um."[/b][/color] 

Was it guilt? Did he feel guilty that his name was like a VIP pass, while hers was a scarlet letter? Maybe. It didn't matter.  

[color=#336699][b]"Do you want to go look around, after I'm done? At the school, I mean."[/b][/color]

[@VitoftheVoid]