Donovon seemed slightly shorter than Seth. He had black spiked her hair and a confident look to him. He wasn't quite as thick as Seth but like almost all the guys in the fleet he was muscular. He looked slightly older than Seth with dark skin. Seth extended his own pale hand to he guy.

They weren't quite touching, but Donovan felt when Dante went tense beside him, and immediately looked over at her in some concern, but she did not look to him. Her eyes were fastened on the entrance to the Mess Hall, and he followed her gaze and froze himself.

Asmodeus had just stepped in through the doorway.

His blood chilled and heated at the same time as he glared in astonished fury at the man's brazen behavior. How dare he show his face so callously, after what he'd done to Sol yesterday...or after what'd he done to Rox the day before?! Thankfully, his brother and Roxy were still absent, but Donovan was halfway out of his seat before Dante's hand on his arm made him pause.

She turned to look up at him, silvered eyes half-pleading, half-ordering him to sit down again, and he did so, but very slowly, his gaze returning to Mode to find him looking at him with those cold slate eyes.

Very slowly, very deliberately, Asmodeus ran his eyes over Dante and then looked back to Donovan with a smirk.

He had never known the kid, other than catching sight of him a few times he had never seen him. But knowing what he had done to Dante had burned his face into Seth's memory and dreams. In his dreams he used to be alone with him. In his dreams he would...

Seth eyed Nathan freely knowing that there was no way he would recognize him. A low profile might be useful later. Nathan moved with a sickening, almost deadly grace. He was about the same size as Seth and Seth wondered what Donovon could hope to accomplish against him one on one. Yes, some major planning would have to be done before taking care of this problem.

Seth took care to show no emotion when Nathan's eyes passed over him. He didn't want to be aquainted with Donovon in Nathan's mind. That could have a negative effect on things later.

After recieving there food Kyle stood and looked for a place to sit. He chose a table that was still empty on one end facing the back of the room. Sue followed him over rounding the table to sit across from him.

They ate their meal silently other than Sue's usual comments about the stuff they were eating. Kyle glanced up at her to laugh when a pair of familiar brown eyes caught his. Commander Seth? He was sitting across from a girl and a guy but his gaze steadied on Kyle. With a slight nod of his head he touched his fingers to his lips then mouthed, "Later."

Kyle nodded and adjusted his eyes back on Sue to meet a bewildered look. He had been looking just past her, almost directly at her. He glanced back at Seth who wasn't looking anymore then hid his face behind Sue's head.

Kyle couldn't figure out why he didn't want to be seen. Was it Sue? No it couldn't be. He trusted her almost if not as much as me. That is weird.

"Don't look, say anything, or even act suprised but Commander Seth is sitting at the back of the room."

Sue glanced at him in confusion. Seth? When did he get here? He wasn't here yesterday... She would not have believed him if he was anyone else. She was about to ask if he was sure, but that would have been a dumb question. Of course he was sure. It was hard to mistake him anywhere. But she was sure that they hadn't graduated him... or did they...? they must have since he was here now. It took all her control not to turn around and see for herself.

She bit her lip. She wanted to talk to her old commander, but there must have been a reason that Kyle told her not to. But that didn't mean that she couldn't see him for herself. She picked up her glass and held it in front of her as if contemplating what the liquid was inside of it. She winked at kyle and leaned over a little, not too much, but enough that she could see Seth's reflection in the glass. Damn. Kyle was right. How did she not notice him when she walked in? She sipped the juice and set it down.

Their comfortable peace had been shattered.

Seth had sat down across the table from them, and he too turned to glance at Nathan. Dante didn't miss the very veiled flash of recognition, nor the slight hardening of his features. He remembered. He'd seen them together before their fight, had tried to pick up the pieces afterwards by offering her friendship and comfort. But it had been useless, as Dante's ice cut whoever tried to reassemble those sharp fragments of what she'd been before.

Donovan was still tense beside her, and she grasped his hand underneath the table, intertwining her fingers with him as a silent reminder. Don't ever try, she wanted to tell him. Stay away from him and always with me. Then maybe we will be safe. Then maybe he'll leave us alone.

That was a very big maybe, and she didn't believe a single word she told herself.

The look on Donovan's face told her as much as she suddenly wanted to know, and Dante stood, still holding his hand as she moved from the bench and tugged on him. "You'll have to excuse us, Seth, but we have class and we certainly wouldn't want to be late. But I'm sure we'll be seeing you around soon." With that she began to tug a rather unwilling Donovan from the mess hall, his attention not on her, but still focused on Nathan as the boy stood smirking at them.

The impotent anger he'd seen on Donovan's face made up for the twinges of jealousy at seeing her with another man. Dante was keeping her pet in check and hoping that Angel would make a permanent reappearance. Asmodeus grinned as he imagined what the silver-eyed boy would have done if he'd been the one to see Dante with her new lover. That bitch should learn to appreciate her luck.

He moved into the line after that, collecting enough food for himself and Katera. The kitchen staff didn't look at him twice, and he waited only long enough for them to fill the tray before he headed for the door.

She almost missed it.

They moved into line to collect their trays, and one of the boys in front of them gave her a second glance. Wick was used to that. Her pale skin drew attention from the uninitiated; not necessarily romantic attention...but it could be eyecatching. She caught the boy's gaze, and unfortunately for him, he tried to cover his surprise and light embarrassment with a suggestive smile. Jor glared, and the smile disappeared as he looked quickly away.

Wick felt better.

Mode didn't notice her; he still had his hand in the small of her back, guiding her toward the meal line. Whoever Wick was with didn't notice either, his back turned to them. But the girl did glance up, and Kat smiled broadly, raising the hand she'd cut in greeting before returning her attention to Mode.

He had been watching, and didn't look too pleased.

That didn't bother him. That scared him.

As he'd noted many times before, Katera was not Anjelice. Anjelice had reacted immediately to Wick's prodding, screaming at him, attacking him...that was what he understood. Immediate initiative, immediate response. Katera was nothing like Dante. Katera had the cold patience of a snake, patience born of eight years of waiting for a way out, and he had no way to gauge her real reaction.

No, Mode didn't like this at all.

He turned to glare at Wick until she finally met his eyes with her own pale blue gaze, and she actually flinched a little. That made him feel better, to watch her squeeze her left arm reflexively and then drop her hand, unable to look away from him, as if mesmerized. Jor was next to her, he noticed peripherally, but he had lost all interest in trying to talk to Jor. He'd talk to Wick directly. It was the only way, now. He wasn't even sure he wanted to talk.

We could just finish her off.

He let a slow smirk spread across his face as he looked at Wick, her pale skin growing paler, the faded bruises still visible on her face and neck becoming more pronounced in contrast. No, he couldn't kill her...but how hard could it be to convince her to stay away from Katera, stay away from him?

Confusion, certainly. He kept moving his gaze from her to Wick and back again, as if trying to see a difference, something out of sorts. But after their initial eye contact, Kat ignored Wick, uninterested in the girl and seeing only one thing. Mode.

Now he was staring at Wick, slate eyes cold, but she didn't bother to glance over and see how Wick might be taking this. A slow smirk moved his lips, hardened his face, and when he turned to stare at her, she could see a mixture of anger and undefined emotion simmering beneath his smile.

Anger?

That she couldn't understand. Why the hell was he angry? Kat had an unsettling feeling that it was directed at her, but for a reason she couldn't quite comprehend. It wasn't as if she'd done anything to him. And who gave a fuck if she'd talked to Wick, had smiled at the girl? There was nothing there. She'd kill the girl sooner than not, if the situation warranted, if that was what needed to be done. No one else mattered anymore to her, save Mode, and if he didn't quite understand that fully yet, he had better learn before she decided to get angry.

Kat rested her hands over his, leaning closer until her face was inches from his, and bared her canines in a smile. He continued to watch her impassively, eyes blank steel, and she closed her eyes against his stare kissed him. "Sometimes," she whispered huskily, "I think you don't trust me like you should."

Then she pulled away and stood, giving him a quiet, loving glance before turning and sauntering from the mess hall.

Damn. It was always something. He'd managed to hold himself in check when he'd seen Wick's injury, and that hadn't been so bad, knowing that even if she thought he was backing off, it was far from true. He didn't really care how angry she got at him for being overprotective, because better her mad at him than having her hurt again. But if it made her happy, then he could concede the point.

Still, he didn't reign in the dangerously calm glare he gave to the boy who dared look at his girl like that, nor did he hide his pleasure at her kiss afterward. She still appreciated his guard, on some level, and that made him happy too. He had just been finishing up with his meal when he noticed her gaze fasten on someone behind him, her hand moving to touch the wound on her arm, and a smile spread across her face before it froze.

He had turned around and scowled as his gaze fastened on the man he hated more than anything.

Wick was still staring at Mode, pale blue eyes glazed, but the man turned his back to them once more after smirking derisively at Wick. Jor frowned, faced her again, and had to flick her hand with his finger gently to catch her attention. "I think a return to the barracks might be a good idea right now."

He looked at the intercom panel, surprise evident on his face. The headmaster wanted to speak with him? Why? His face hardened, and he looked to Wick as his eyes narrowed, venomous hatred written on his features, enough to make her draw back a little and push her tray away from her. This had to have something to do with her, the little pyrana, but she looked as surprised as he, and a good deal more ill-at-ease. Moments later, she and Jordan were gone, the latter casting an evil look in his direction before they left.

Later. He couldn't very well chase them now and ignore the summons.

That fucking bitch...

As always, Gabe finished first but then sat and waited without looking like he was waiting at all. Gabe was not, in general, a rushed person. So long as Sol was with him, he was just fine where he was, wherever that happened to be.

Four of them seated together at a table in the crowded mess hall. Luke Blount, top gunner both in the school and for Phoenix Quad. Beside him, examining the display of a desk planted squarely between them, was Khristoph Marguiles, weapons tech for Griffin and second only to Luke. Opposite the pair, typing something on his own desk, was their smuggler, Malachy Jude. And last, grinning with the familiar mischievious shine in her black eyes, was Mik.

They were talking furtively, tones hushed, but snippets of conversation escaped their group. "See this, Khris? Take it down to maybe a two, three pound trigger pull, and this baby'll shoot like an auto." He nodded and motioned to the fletchette pistol blueprints displayed before them. "This piece is going to be sweet, Mikster. New titanium alloy; I've seen the spec sheets for that stuff, and damn, all the strength of the steel model you've got now, with half the weight." Luke nudged Mik lightly, giving her an approving look. "Very nice, Ti. Injection molded, too. I'm impressed... but how long will it take to build it? Last one took you what? Three, four months?"

"Three, thereabouts. Tough puttin' all the gear together, will be worse now that Illy, Danno, and Har got transferred outta my cell. Newbies ain't the type to keep mum about it, neither. Gonna hafta find myself a new place to start buildin'." She sighed and tapped the tabletop with absentminded contemplation. Next to her, Jude glanced up from his work and smiled slightly. "Just got a message from Landry, Mik. He found a cache of the parts you'll need over at Fleetcom, but it's going to take a tad more work to find a way to transfer them."

Khris made a sound of agreement. "Tad more work don't describe it, Jude. You had a hard enough time snatchin' those fifty rounds I needed this month. IF's newest fletchette pistol model, this is, and fuck-- you know security's gonna be tighter than a virgin green." He eyed Jude intently until the man rolled his eyes and deigned to answer. "Roxboss and I have it mostly worked out. It'll take longer than usual to obtain what Mik's going to need, and the price will be higher-- however, a few new doors have opened to us, you might say, and methinks we'll be able to find these parts. Matter of consideration is whether or not Miss Mikal here can build it."

"That ain't a consideration, sweetheart. Get my goods, and you boys are gonna be kneelin' before my gun 'stead of the other way 'round." Howls of laughter followed her statement-- Jude nearly dropping the desk from his lap, Khris slapping the table and cackling, Luke barely managing to keep from spitting his drink everywhere. A few groups of soldiers nearby turned to see what they were laughing about, but the three men didn't even notice as they hooted loudly. Mik just regarded them with cool amusement until Jude elbowed her roughly and winked. "Speaking of guns... how's that new bitch of yours doing?"

The other two men leaned closer, playful interest on their features. "New bitch? Shit, Luke, looks like Mik ditched us for another man!" A grin. "Nah, 'less there be some bastard more arrogant than us, and I haven't heard anything new from Nico." That got Luke a sharp kick beneath the table, and Mik smiled sweetly at him. "You two just be gettin' too slow on the trigger. Hafta find myself new entertainment elsewhere." Khris's turn to elbow Jude. "Who is it, Jude? You know, I betcha."

"Well, you won't believe it, but Mik's got old Commander Illiet riding her ass now. I was delivering this month's shipment to her room last night, and he strolled right in-- fuck, man, the look on his face! Thought I was movin' in on his goods, I guess. Then he snatched her up and marked his territory like the dog he is." Jude ignored her scowl and laughed at her irritation, giving her a simpering smile as Luke piped up. "Sasha? Sasha from Panther? He's not going to be a security danger, I hope. You haven't told him much, have you, Mik?"

She shook her head and tried for a reassuring expression. "Nah, he'll be fine. Seen my lockbox and gun, after I kicked his ass at the range... but other than findin' Jude in my room, he doesn't know much. Won't, neither, I swear. I'll keep quiet 'bout you and Rox's boys." Luke nodded. "Can't have too many people knowin' about all this shit. Imagine how fucked we'd all be-- bad enough right now with Nico hintin' that maybe he should just start talkin' about what he knows of Rox's business. He thinks he can blackmail her, but Galt and Mercy said if he threatens her again, they're gonna beat his ass. Got it so now I'm paranoid 'bout even takin' shipments in my room anymore, even with Mitch in there. Place be gettin' tight for us gunrunners, eh?"

"Neh, you ain't kidding. Had some green chick in my room the other night, for some godforsaken reason she reaches a hand between the bunk and the wall, pulls out my pistol! Thought I was fucked there, compadres, and not in the good way. Made up some story about it bein' my roomie's gun, he musta hid it there, don't tell; the whole story, but damn, talk about--" Khris was interrupted by a snort from Luke, who swayed in his seat as Mik buried her face against his arm and snickered. "Right-o, Khris, now we know you be lyin'! Biggest load of bullshit I ever heard! 'Had some green chick in my room...'"

"Fuck you, at least I get some pussy, you just be eyein' Pallas, gettin' dissed!" It was time for Mik to laugh with Jude as Luke held up his hands in mock surrender. "Yeah, that be it, 'specially since Swede tells me last time you tried to put the moves on, she kicked you right in the--" Khris's protest cut through Luke's retort. "That ain't true! Damn blonde can't even talk straight, now you be the one makin' shit up!"

Mik made a half-hearted attempt to pacify them both. "C'mon now, boyos, you keep yellin' and we'll be gettin' those MP fuckers down here askin' us what's wrong. Don't wanna get frisked, neh? And we all know Jude-o here likes to keep those cavity searches between him an' Sticks." Jude shoved her away, knocking her against Luke as they all smiled tightly, more at the truth of her statement than amusement at the joke about Sticks. "Shit, don't remind me 'bout those bitches. We got parade review in less than two hours now, talk about some fuckin' recockulous waste o' time. Gonna hafta hit the range afterwards just to feel better."

"Man, I'll meet you there, cause I ain't stickin' 'round to hear Ty bitch about how bad we did." Khris tapped Luke on the shoulder, and he nodded. "We should all go. You guys too, Jude, Mik; more the merrier. And don't bitch about how you runnin' outta ammo, Miks. Last time we let you off easy cause you claimed you were out of rounds." Jude grinned at Luke. "Nah, gave her two hundred rounds this time; if anything, you two'll have to borrow off of her stocks."

"Shit, baby, two hundred? You better be usin' all that to keep Sasha in line, or else I'm gonna start thievin' my supplies outta yours." Mik scowled playfully at Luke. "Hands off, darlin', all that's mine. Get Malachy here to find you more, but even Sasha ain't gettin' any of my goods. If security's gonna crack down, I gotta stock up while I can." Jude growled in irritation. "Yeah, tough enough getting her ammo; you want more, you're just going to have to wait until next month's shipment comes in. I'm running low myself, but this bitch here--" with a nod at Mik, "isn't the sharing type. At least, not that kind of sharing."

That warranted an expression of feigned anger, but none of the men were fooled; they just laughed and grinned at her. "Ain't that the truth. How's your boy takin' to that, Miks?" She shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't know, don't care. Men are only good for one thing; guns make up for the rest. Don't you agree?" They all laughed again, and Luke slapped her back, giving her a slight hug as Jude smiled broadly, and Khris made a kissy-face at her. "No, we make up for the rest. Poor Sasha don't know what he's gotten himself into."

"He'll find out fuckin' quick. Remember when Jackie tried givin' her a hard time 'bout us bein' in her room all the time, and you told him we was just gettin' the most outta the Hydra brothel? Thought that man was gonna shit his pants. Let's fuck with Sasha too, eh, Luke?"

This time her glare was a little more real. "You three ain't gonna be doin' anything of the sort, or you're going to find out what eleven rounds of razor fletchettes feels like right up your ass, understood?" Jude pretended fear. "Uh oh, Mikster's getting touchy-- we'd better lay off, right, guys? We be too mean, and she might send Illiet out after us."

"He'll give us demerits!" Khris howled with laughter, overbalancing and falling backwards in his chair. He hit the ground with a thump and a crack, still cackling madly as Mik kicked him in the side and frowned down at him. "Behave yourself, merdana, 'fore we get kicked into the cells. I hear they find boyfriends for cute little things like you there." Luke leaned over to help Khris back up into his seat, shaking his head as his friend rubbed the back of his neck ruefully and grinned. "Can't be any worse than what Jude an' Sticks are up to, right, lovely?"

Jude made a motion as if to refrain from punching Khris before shutting his desk off and standing. "I hate to leave such an intelligent discussion, but Bianca'll have my ass if I'm not all nice and tidy in my dress uniform soon. You know how bitchy that blonde gets; damn, I can't wait to see her after those new Jayde greens we got. Probably throw a hissy fit. Anyway-- see you at the range afterwards, neh?"

"Yep, we'll all be there, 'less Sasha decides to rodger Mik without our permission. Give Bianca a nice slap on the ass for me, eh, Jude? Tell her it's from Luke." Luke narrowed his eyes at Khris before nodding at Jude. "Sure, have fun, and tell her Khris says he hopes she ain't wearin' nothin' underneath her uniform at review." Jude grinned broadly and stood, about to leave, when Mik pushed up from the table and yawned. "Borin' here... let's go cause some trouble, boys. See if Nene's up and about to play with us. You'd like that, eh, Khris?"

A muttered "Bite me, bitch," sounded, but Luke just laughed and punched Khris on the arm, giving Mik a light shove. "Let's go. I'm feeling naughty."

She walked into the mess hall with Thoth on her heels. The other girl was subdued, but Riya had seen the incredulous look in her eyes when they'd had their little confrontation with Rabin. Riya didn't know how to deal with Thoth's discomfiture. What could she say? I'm sorry that you had to see three men beaten, Minerva. I didn't mean to act so calmly, as if I'd seen death and destruction like that before. I hope you feel better.

Not likely.

Because it didn't bother her in the slightest, Riya couldn't understand why it would bother anyone else, but shrugged it off. If Thoth wanted to discuss the previous events, then very well. She wouldn't stop the girl. It didn't mean she had to respond.

Riya gathered a tray full of food, sat down placidly at one of the empty tables and began to eat. Thoth sat opposite her, and Riya did not meet her companion's gaze. She did not want her to see what flickered in those midnight eyes.

They reached the mess hall, stood in line, and got their food. Not that Minerva felt like eating. She figured she would just get some for the front that she was fine with what just happened. She did realize as they sat down that perhaps she should get use to that site: Of bloody people. What with the occupation she was chosen for and all. In the very near future, she may be the one beating people to a bloody pulp. Or shooting them, or sniping them, or any one of numerous forms of death. That was what they were training for, wasn’t it? The exam: Had the exam been real life, she would have killed a man. Riya would have killed a man. When she though of it that way…she would rather not think of it that way. But she needed to. This wasn’t a joke. This wasn’t a game. This was real life. This was her future. This was her career. That was a gruesome thought: ‘What do you do for a living?’ ‘Oh, I kill people. It’s jolly good fun.’

She sat there and stared at her food, occasionally pushing it around on the tray. Riya sat across from her and shoveled her dinner into her mouth. She was obviously not phased by what they had just seen. Minerva was a bit unnerved by that. On the other hand, maybe Riya had come to terms with this "job" more quickly then Minerva. She would see the blood, she would see the people, and she would let it go. As simple as that. Minerva looked up at Riya and finally realized something: She envied her. She ACTUALLY envied someone like her. She respected her. She wished she could BE her. To just deal with the situation. To have the balls to speak to Rabin like that. To scare someone like Sol and Gabe enough to make them leave their sleeping area every night. Minerva made a choice right then and there: She would watch Riya even MORE carefully. She would learn from her. Perhaps she would even be willing to help Minerva. It was time for Minerva to change. She needed a new persona. She needed to come to terms with this life. She would become the cold-blooded killer that Hale wanted from her. She would still be good at her studies of course, but now she would care much more about the military aspect of it. She refused to be some boring scientist with tape on her glasses and a pocket protector studying some damn spatial anomaly. She had felt so…so…ALIVE today in that exam. She enjoyed the adrenaline rush. She had enjoyed shooting that person. She had enjoyed winning and completely embarrassing the other team.

She looked up at Riya with a new found sense of power. "How did you feel about seeing those guys on the floor? I mean…well…I know you weren’t TOO upset about it. Why? Why? Why were you not upset?"

There was nothing to be upset about.

It was only blood, only injuries... they hadn't even been killed. Not that it would have mattered to Riya either way; she hadn't been injured, and that was her only consideration. If it didn't happen to her, then why care? Death was part of life-- her life-- and as hunter or hunted there was only one person who she would protect. Herself.

Self-preservation was why Riya was not at all upset; preservation and the small, unknown fact that murder was nothing new to her. Only Gabe and Sol were aware of that little... discrepancy... in her records. Thoth didn't know. How innocent the girl was, to have to ask why death was something to be considered upsetting, rather than mundane. Riya blinked, stabbed her fork into whatever remnants of food were left on her plate, and then looked toward Thoth with all the cold, calm aura of an iceberg.

"Because it didn't happen to me."

Riya finally answered, "Because it didn't happen to me," and continued eating.

…Because it didn’t happen to me… Well, that seemed logical enough. It didn’t happened to her, she wasn’t bleeding, she was still alive, so therefore it didn’t matter. She just let it slide off her back. Minerva would work on that: It didn’t happen to her, so she was fine. She wasn’t disgusted by it, in fact she was happy she wasn’t in the vicinity of the area when it occurred.

Minerva had more questions, better questions, but she had to choose them carefully. The worst thing she could do right now is piss off Riya when she’s in such a great mood. Minerva decided to shovel some food in her mouth before she responded. The food was already cold of course, but it didn’t matter, it gave her a few more moments to think.

She remembered the sensation of hot blood on her hands, the primal smell of death. She remembered the satisfying snap of bone as she'd rid herself of every threat that had ever stood in her way. She remembered standing at the graveside of her enemies, and crying cold tears of vengeance satisified. Riya remembered it all, and she wasn't struggling against fear or anger as she watched Minerva. No, she was fighting a smile.

The girl waseyeing her intently, and Riya flicked her gaze away and answered simply. "Yes."

But still Minerva watched, and she began to become gradually irritated until she realized that she'd been asked further questions. Riya knew very well that Hunter Gabriel had been the one to wreak such wrath upon the boys she'd chosen to beat Solenis. There was no doubt there. Hale was not stupid. He knew. Whether he would do something remained to be seen, but Riya, for one, doubted it. They were being trained to become killers. She smiled a little internally at the thought-- she didn't need any training in that skill-- and then subdued it. Thoth was still here.

"I don't know," she lied smoothly, and laid her fork beside her plate, finished. Thoth continued to pick at her food, and Riya waited patiently, for that is what she did best. Without expression, she returned the favor, and watched Minerva this time, studying her closely. Why she had chosen this girl as an ally, if it could be called that, remained half a mystery to Riya. The girl was an innocent. Perhaps that was why; because the girl wouldn't understand the danger in Riya. She was a vast contrast to Gabriel, her last ally-- that, in itself, something to be analyzed. Why Minerva?

Maybe it’s a touchy subject. Maybe she did…no…she was with me. If she had been the one to beat them up, she wouldn’t have had time to meet up with me and walk to the hall. Someone would have found them before we arrived. It’s not like that area is devoid of people. Who then?

"I don’t know," Riya finally answered. Minerva went back to eating, thinking of her next question. This one had given her a tiny bit of insight, but she needed more information. Riya was staring at her, examining her perhaps. Minerva hated that. She didn’t like people analyzing her.

She was about to open her mouth and ask her next question, but Riya beat her to it.

"Why?"

On one hand, she could keep answering her questions as best she could. Didn't mean she had to tell the truth, but she got the feeling that Minerva just wanted to talk. She was the type to talk things through; not like Riya, who thought and remained silent. It was easier that way, more secretive, too, and one didn't have to worry about revealing any sort of information. This ongoing communication was a new concept to her, and she was having difficulties maintaining it.

On the other hand, she could just revert back to her barely-civil default demeanor, and not have to worry. Sure, Minerva would most like keep pestering her, but Riya could really care less what the girl thought. Then she wouldn't have to talk anymore. False friendliness was tiring. Maybe she'd best just give the girl her normal blank look. That always shut her up.

Riya did neither, for a reason unknown even to herself.

The last time she had asked Riya about Gabe and Sol, that was the exact same answer she was given. It gave Minerva nothing to go on then, and nothing to go on now. OF COURSE they knew each other, that much was obvious, but she wanted to know more specific things. Like: Where did they meet, When did they meet, Why do Gabe and Sol retreat, and things like that. But it was fairly obvious that Riya would not answer these questions for her. She could try again, but she figured it would fail. Riya could just as easily get angry, storm off, and never talk to Minerva again. Though knowing Riya, she would never appear to be angry, she would casually walk away, and never talking is about the level she’s at now.

OK, let’s take a different route. Friends? I’ve never seen any. Family? Could work. I guess it’s worth a shot…

She teetered between maintaining silence and responding. Thus far, lies and noncommital replies had gotten her nowhere; Minerva still insisted on talking, and worse, still insisted on making queries that Riya did not want to answer. She tilted her chin slightly, and watched the other girl even more closely, wondering if it was merely an innocent question. Maybe Thoth didn't know.

Maybe the truth would shut her up.

Minerva knew how it felt to lose someone. She had lost her brother to some crazed maniac who had never been found. And he never would be, since the cops didn’t seem to give a shit. To Minerva, losing Curtis was as bad as losing her parents. Curtis was her parent. He was always there for her, even when her parents were at late night meetings or benefits. Minerva had more in common with Riya then she had thought. Maybe this was the thing that could bond them together. By the way Riya had said it though, it didn’t seem like she wanted to talk any further about it. Minerva’s parents had tried to make her talk about Curtis, about how she felt, but she always refused. For all these years, she had kept it all inside. Maybe Riya would listen…

"Murdered," she said shortly. "And my sister."

No more.

“Say something you mute idiot! I talk and I talk and you say nothing! That’s really annoying, you know that?”

A year ago, Minerva wouldn’t have dared to speak to Riya in such a way. But a year changes a lot of things. They had become friends…in an odd sort of way. Minerva trusted Riya, but was unsure if that held true the other way around. And finally, it had become this: Minerva would sit and talk, Riya would listen. She would occasionally say something, but not usually. It became Minerva’s daily goal to get some sort of sentence out of Riya. It was a fun game, if not a little frustrating. But Minerva was happy with the way things were. She didn’t worry about what or how she said something. She had a friend. And in return, Minerva felt safe. Riya had never formally said, “I’m looking out for you,” but it always seemed like she did. That’s what friends did, after all.

“Fine, sit there and say nothing. I don’t mind! It doesn’t bother me! I’ll just sit here and talk, and talk, and talk, until you can’t stand it anymore and you’ll rip out your pretty white hair and you’ll go bald and Kanchou won’t do you anymore favors cause he won’t be able to stand looking at you. Then where would you be? Ugly, with no one to blackmail. Then all you’ll have is me.”

It wasn't that she didn't find some of Thoth's raving to be entertaining. Once or twice, she'd actually had to restrain a smile, or a laugh, merely for the sake of reserve. And even if nothing showed on her face, the amusement was in her eyes; it was only that Thoth hadn't learned to read Riya's eyes yet, which was probably for the best, in retrospect. Didn't want her to see things there she'd rather not know. Preserve her naivety, so to speak. That thought was more outrageous than any of Thoth's mocking words, and in order to forget it quickly, Riya frowned to herself and lobbed a chunk of meat straight into the other girl's face.

"Thoth," she admonished quietly, her tone not quite as icy as the one she used for every other single person in the world. "You should learn the value of silence."

Now Minerva could sit back and enjoy the rest of her meal. She had won today. She had produced a reaction. Though what she was really looking for was a smile or some banter back, not a big piece of meat to be thrown at her. Minerva picked the meat out of her hair, leaning over and putting it on the side of Riya’s plate. She reached back up and felt in her hair where the meat had hit: It was a little slimy.

"Great, Riya. Now I have to go take another shower!"

Minerva dipped her fingers in her glass of water and tried wiping out the slimy meat leftovers from hair. It helped a little, but she would still have to go to the showers.

"Knowing Hale, if I’m not perfectly groomed , he’ll make me run laps through the hallways. And not just one lap, mind you, but hundreds of laps, with iron shoes and a horse on my back. And not just a pony, I’m talking a full fledged Belgian horse! Then I’d break my back and have to go to the infirmary. And where would you be? In those barracks alone with Gabe and Sol."

Minerva knew she wouldn’t get another reaction out of Riya today, so there was only one option left: Return the favor. Minerva carefully examined the food on her plate: Meat had already been done. Dessert was meant to be eaten, not thrown. Liquids would be too mean. That left a piece of half eaten carrot. She picked it up and hurled it at Riya, hitting her square in the middle of the forehead. Even though Minerva was a great shot with the flash guns, she had problems with throwing food for some reason. It always seemed to zoom straight past their shoulder. But today was a good day.

"YES! You like that, punk? I bet you do!"

If it's a reaction you want, Thoth, then fine.

She ignored the carrot, even though it had fallen onto her plate. Riya just ate around it, picking delicately at the remains of her food, and finishing her dessert. Thoth continued to taunt her a little, but it seemed as if she finally figured that Riya wasn't going to do anything in return. Right.

When she was done with her meal, she picked up her tray, moved around the table, and calmly dumped her glass of water onto Thoth's head.

Then she smiled.

"Your filthy."

Minerva missed the words, but saw the smile. At the same time she jumped up from her seat, giving a loud squeal of terror. The water was so cold running down her back and on her legs. The entire mess hall turned to look at the commotion at the table. When they saw it was Riya, they ignored it. No one ever got mixed up with her.

Minerva sat there, tilting her head down and letting the water run onto the floor. She could already see the janitor with a very angry look on his face as he reached for his mop. Minerva wondered if Riya was being stupid today. She would have to know that this action would never go unpunished.

"You are such a bitch! I hate you! I hope your hair DOES fall out! You bitch! You goddamn bitch!"

Minerva looked down on her tray to the remains of her food. She had finished the meat already, but the dessert and glass of water was still sitting there.

I’ll sacrifice that wonderful chocolate just once. Just for her.

Minerva let her mouth curve up, revealing a sly smile at what she was about to do. She reached down for the water and sloppy chocolate dessert at once. She threw the water at Riya. As she turned away to brace for it, the chocolate went smack dab into the side of her hair, creating a huge mess, not only on Riya, but on Minerva too.

Her uniform was soaking wet, and there were globs of chocolate pudding in her hair, on her arms, everywhere. Thoth was no less dirty and no less wet, but she was being extremely vocal about the incident. Riya really didn't have anything to say, so she didn't. She reached a hand up to touch a smear of pudding on her cheek, placed her finger in her mouth, and made a slight grimace. Disgusting.

Thoth was evidently expecting some sort of immediate response, but Riya wasn't going to give her one. Instead, she walked over to a nearby table, stared intently at its occupants until they looked away, picked up one of the bowls of pudding, and placidly turned and left the dining hall. She didn't wait to hear what Thoth was saying, and didn't care if the girl was following her or not.