[center][h2][color=92278f]Dot[/color][/h2][/center][hr]
Sitting in the common room, surrounded by the growing number of people as her other squad mates rose from their sleep and prepared for breakfast, Dot found herself smiling. Despite the awkward friction with Elon, and Rossweine’s presence—was he [i]damp?[/i]—she couldn’t help it. This was the most company she’d ever kept, not simply all at once, but maybe even at all. And yet she didn’t feel nervous, she felt…warm. It was almost intoxicating, was it supposed to be? 

The goodwill emanating from Signar and Zenshin, the energy—and impressive acrobatics—from Kai, the odd yet undeniable solidarity in Julian’s greeting. Even Elon’s sourness suddenly seemed less abrasive and more like another flavor in the mix. 

As two of their number bolted out the door, Dot found herself rising as well, and turning to her roommate. It would have been easy to just say nothing and go ahead, and hope they spent the next weeks or months or however long never speaking to each other or interacting or acknowledging each other’s existences. Days ago, maybe even just minutes ago, she might have wanted that, but now she didn’t. 

If she meant to close herself off from everyone she would have done better staying in Alexandria. 

[color=92278f]“Sounds good to me,”[/color] she said, smiling to Zenshin and heading for the door. [color=92278f]“Better be quick, too. Wouldn’t want to start our first day on an empty stomach, right?”[/color]

On her way out she saluted Nathaniel, as that seemed to be good form, and bowed her head to the Prince in lieu of risking a meeting of eyes. Start small, right? Start small.