The Elixir

~Interruption

Derald ambles over to the first year tables, where the majority of the first years sit and talk. But his gaze catches on a girl at the near end of the table, sitting alone.

Xara Roffinnes.

On a whim, he walks over to her and plops his tray down. She looks up at him under her lashes. Very thick, dark lashes, Derald notices.

"Xara, right?"

A dry nod.

"I'm Derald. You know, from Beledras's class? We're in the project together."

"I know who you are," she responds, faintly amused. Her voice is deep, not like the chirp of the other girls.

"Oh." He wipes his palms on his shorts. "I saw you sitting here, so I thought I'd come over and sit with you."

Why are you even explaining yourself to her?

Xara sets down her fork. "I don't need you to sit with me because you feel bad."

Derald lifts a shoulder. "I'm not here because I pity you. I'm here because I want to sit with you."

She looks taken aback from his answer, but seems to accept it.

"Doesn't that blondie sit with you? What's her name again?"

"Lysabel. She's in our group too."

Oh. The girl Owain moons over.

"She's your roommate, I assume?"

"If you don't mind me asking," she starts crisply. "Why so interested in me now?"

"What do you mean?"

A bitter laugh slips from her lips. "This whole school goes out of their way to avoid me. You did, too, in the beginning. What changed your mind?"

Derald shovels a spoonful of potato in his mouth, lifting a finger as a signal. That cracks a faint smile from her.

He swallows hard. "I'll admit, I was a bit wary of you in the beginning. But now, I think you're too nice to be working with the Warlord."

"Thanks," she tells him softly. Her storming eyes have softened as well.

"Anytime." He grins toothily at her before shoving another spoonful in his mouth.

They have a surprisingly civil conversation. Xara opens up more as they continue to talk, even telling little anecdotes about her brothers.

"I saw your brothers practicing today. They're so good."

"Don't let them hear you say that. It'll go straight to their heads." She angles her head. "Well, I know for sure Cass's ego will explode. Bren, maybe not. He's a softie."

"I mean, the way they were just in touch with their familiars was incredible. The level of connection is what I want with mine."

Something forlorn passes over her face. "You're lucky. My familiar never came."

Derald wipes his mouth with his napkin. "That might not be a terrible thing."

She narrows her eyes and he holds up his hands.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it's best you never summon your familiar. But I read in a book once-"

She snorts. Derald glares at the interruption - and the insinuation.

"What, you don't think I'm the reading type?"

Xara giggles. "I just wouldn't picture you as someone who reads." She clears her throat and gathers her composure. "Continue."