[b][u][color=0054a6]A R D E N[/color][/u][/b]

Arden didn’t exactly know why, but he already disliked everyone in the room. He had arrived in a timely fashion, not too early but safe from being late and had kept to himself ever since. Taking a seat at the rear corner he ignored those that had come before him just as he did those that arrived after. He knew it wasn’t fair to judge them, but he couldn’t help it anyway. 

Perhaps it was the noise of this place that soured his mood, too busy, too much to block out. Or maybe it was because the resentment he still carried for this whole situation. The somewhat gentle persuasion he recently endured that had coerced, no, forced him to be here.
Still reeling from that manipulation, Arinne’s entrance and attitude did little to lighten his mood. Yup, still hated everyone here. But amongst all his displeasure grew a faint curiosity. 
The silver haired servant or assistant who followed closely behind the child sent new vibrations rumbling through the room, her teeth loudly cutting into the treat as crumbs of the jammy dodger fell away like boulders in an avalanche. Her nervousness was like a deep undertone resonating beneath all the other sounds, but none of that was unusual. Yet there was something there that sounded ‘different’.

As Arinne talked Arden turned his focus away from his curiosities and dulled his senses so he could pay attention.
Of course he knew why he was here, but he sure as hell wasn’t about to blurt out something as stupid as the last person did and draw attention to himself, especially when the question appeared rhetorical. 
He just sunk further into his chair, trying to shrink away as he remained silent while conversation filled the room. How he wished he had his headphones here so he could just block it all out and disappear.

The sooner this was over the better, he thought to himself.