Homecoming

<Yeah, actually. I had a dream I was in the cabin with my sister, and we were talking about eating the steaks in the icebox. Did you?>

Sab steps in and hits her floor, nodding, "Yea. I just wonder why I have not seen him in class. He said something weird about being dead..."

--

"Yeah, I'm sure we'll see eachother around," Mortal said.

--

"You should have said something, we could have gone somewhere else," Noct said. At the mention of eating steaks, Noct smiled, and wondered what her roommate was up to.

"Such as where?"
============================
*After getting off at their floor, Aroma heads to their room.*

"I'm not sure I understand."
=============================
"Alright, then, we'll talk later."

*Euryale waves & heads off for her class.*

"I know, I was confused about it too," Sab said, "He said he wasn't in class because he was dead or something. It was weird, but he seemed nice otherwise so I kind of forgot about it."

--

"I... I don't know," Noct frowned, "I don't go out enough, I guess..."

--

As does Gabrial.

"Well, in that case, don't worry about it."
=================================
*Aroma begins scrambling eggs.*

"Oh...do you think he was on that trip?"

*Tirea changes into her normal clothes, then follows Gabe*

<Hey, could I walk with you?>

"Yeah... I..." Astarte bit her lip and then finished her drink. "I saw Stefan, that Christian guy. Under my bed. There were black hands too, I think, and I don't know why I brought it up but it was just so terrifying."
She held her empty glass tightly enough to turn her knuckles white. She took a deep breath and released it, then called for some Kirsch Schnapps. She still didn't look up from the bar top.

*Cameron put his hand on Astarte's*

<Don't worry, we're all just stressed and tired.>

*He noticed his hand*

<Oh man, sorry.>

*He blushes*

Astarte's eyes did flick to Cameron's hand when it appeared on hers, but turned back to the bar as it retracted, "That's alright. And I suppose that's true... but I do feel like it would be easier to get over it with more supportive company. Hector and Eduj try but it just seems forced. And my father, well, we haven't even told him everything that happened, and if we did would he believe us?"

<Yeah, I haven't told my family everything ether. They'll probably think I'm insane or something.>

*He shrugs*

<I suppose talking about it does help.>

"Oh, ooooooooh, yea, that was probably it!" Sab said, "Oh wait... I didn't even seem interested, he probably thinks I was uncaring or something."

--

Gabe and Mortal both nodded, but Gabe said, "Uh, sure, Tirea, was it?"

--

Noct smiled a bit, "Alright then." She then looked at the girl who was giving her a good run in the 'most depressed looking girl at a bar' competition with a bit of concern, "I hate to intrude, but are you alright?"

<Yeah. Thanks for letting me walk with you!>

*She runs up to them*

Astarte looked up at Noctis, a little surprised, and forced a weak smile, "Y-yeah, I'm fine, just... stressed. Sorry if I'm making a scene..."
She went back to staring at the bar.

*Cameron pats her on the shoulder*

<Let's move on to a happy subject. What's your favorite animal?>

Noct shook her head and smiled too, "No you weren't making a scene." She then paused for a second then added, "If you're stressed allow me to buy you a drink. That always helps me deal a bit better."

--

"Yea, of course," Gabe said.

"So, where are you heading?" Mortal asked.

<Oh, a law class. What about you guys?>

"Sure, I guess," Astarte shrugged slightly. "I'll take another Kirsch Schnapps if that's alright..."
She turned back to Cameron for a second, "I guess I like owls... And you?"

*Cameron thinks about it for a second*

<Echidnas. I have no idea why.>

*He takes a sip of his drink*

<Favorite color?>

"That's alright, yea. My name is Noctis, by the way," Noct orders the lady her drink. Seeing as she was having a conversation already, about favorite colors no less, she decided to turn back to Senthose, so he didn't feel like she was ignoring him.

*Senthose lowers his eyebrow, having raised it when Noctis started sweet talking Astarte.*

"...I'm guessing black?"
==============================
"Umm...it's probably okay. I mean, if he's making jokes about it, he probably doesn't mind...right?"

*Since she already has most of the ingredients cut & mixed up, it doesn't take her long to put this salad together. She puts a few different types of dressing on the table as she sets it.*

"A fan of white as well," Noct said, taking a sip of her black russian, the ends of her lips curled in a small smile.

--

"Oh wow, it looks great," Sab said, "I should cook next time, as a thank you."

--

"We have an art history elective," Gabe said. "So, you're in law? What year?"

"Nice to meet you, Noctis," Astarte said, before turning back to Cameron again. "I don't know. Purple, green or silver... yours?"

<Second. Art History? Sounds pretty fun.>
---
*Cameron shrugs*

<Red, I suppose.>

*He stares at the bar*

What am I supposed to talk to her about?

"It is alright, I suppose," Gabe said.

"Kind of boring honestly," Mortal added.

Gabe chuckled, "Noct was right, you really are uncultured."

Astarte continued to run her finger around the rim of her glass, staring at the bar.