Gendry briefly thought to himself that this probably meant no leftovers, but he could blame the knights for that, and that made it a little better. He began eating.

Ryker ate and was glad for what tasted like good, homemade food for once. He hadn’t realized how much he missed it.

“Oblivious, too, apparently,” Suzanne said, huffing a laugh as she looked forward again.

Delphi was draped over a sofa in the common room, across from Ken, as she was trying to get anything out of Roderick, who was only giving sheepish answers in return. “What’s Marcel’s class like?” She asked.

“Fine,” Roderick replied.

Gene let the dinner go quiet for a minute, letting everyone get partway into their meals before swallowing and speaking. "So, opinions on the soup? Any suggestions? I've been trying to experiment with spices lately since they're way more available here than back in our ragged campsites."

"The soup is excellent, and I honestly can't make any suggestions to improve it with my middling knowledge in that regard." Percival responded.

"I prefer mine with more heat to it, but I know that isn't everyone's preference." Galahad added, which Percival and Gene both nodded to.

"Well I couldn't flirt in response to that, or I'd have to invite you to dinner afterwards." Camus replied with a smirk.

Scarlet approached and asked "Can I sit here please?"

Veronica was lead in as she sat down, and there he was, her Uncle Victor. She forgotten how intimidating he was as Victor said "Hello, Princess Veronica. Aren't you supposed to be training?"

"I am, but I need to know something." Veronica admitted. "Do you think I'm sheltered?"

For the Third time she heard a blunt "Yes" from one of her Council "family". "But it's fine, you're young. You aren't supposed to be a big warrior like your father or mother yet."

"I helpless though" Veronica pointed out, "That Morgan girl...if it wasn't for the Enforcers I'd be dead. I couldn't do anything."

"So that's what this is about." Victor stated putting his hands together "Veronica, you may be sheltered but don't think of yourself as weak. You were blindsided, caught off guard. Even the strongest warriors fall when their guard is cut off. The fact she felt to restrain you in such a manor, should tell you something." Veronica looked at her feet her body telling her response. "Look, listen to your" he rolled the next word in his mouth "Uncle, this time."

Veronica looked up knowing that he hates it when he's called that "I know you desire power but consider that you have your own strength as well. Remember your training, and remember, you are not King Aliester's daughter nor are you Queen Zephyra's child, you are Veronica Hollow. You are your strength."

Veronica said "Thank you, Un..." Victor gave a sighing nod saying it was okay "Uncle Victor. I'll leave you be."

"keep what I said in mind, Veronica." Victor stated as Veronica went to her last stop. Her Aunt Margret's home.

Delphi and Roderick both looked up, surprised by the sudden appearance. "Uh, yeah, sure Scarlet," Delphi answered.

"I was okay in that soup, kinda," Gendry offered with a chuckle.

"Ah yes, your very public dorm that I also live in," Suzanne nodded sagely.

"Yeah, the soup turned out decent, that's true." Gene admitted.

"Was the inside undercooked on the regular duck?" Percival asked Gene.

"Yeah, I always undercook or overcook those things. Gotta be a trick to them, but I haven't figured it out yet." Gene confirmed.

"But no roommate though, so as long as the RA doesn't tattle, I might be able to make something work." Camus joked further. "But seriously, is not having a table in your room part of your classwork or something? Are we supposed to conjure one up when we need one? Seems like a weird decision."

Veronica turned here head and beamed a little "Aunt Margret, hi!"

Scarlet looked at her confused "Wait, we weren't supposed to awnser the questions on the chapter?"

"No comment," Gendry said, before filling his mouth with soup to be unable to talk.

"They should," Suzanne replied. "Guess I might need to do room checks..."

"Never have, I guess they could help to discussion though," Delphi said, shrugging.

Margaret sat up a little. "Hello Veronica, what brings you all the way out here, dear?"

Gene and Brenna laughed, garnering a smile out of Percival, but aside from a, "Alright then, I'll take that at face value." from Gene, the conversation drifted away to eating on the end of the knights. Gene knew he'd talk all day and never eat if he didn't stop himself, so he held other questions he had for the moment.

"So we're gonna barge into everyone's rooms and do an impromptu desk check?" Camus asked in non-serious manner, not-so-slyly inserting himself into this scenario.

Scarlet said "You know, I never have." starting to slowly realize it.

Veronica sighed and said "That would be a yes then." She leaned forward "I don't know what to do Aunt Margret, when Commander Roland saved me...I felt so weak. Uncle Marshall told me to just stay the course, Uncle Fenier told me to be a mountain, and Uncle Victor told me 'I am my strength' which I don't get." She let out a sigh "What am I doing wrong?"

"Herbomancy," Gendry answered. "Or, magic to do with plants and nature. I help with the apothecaries too, and potion making, but I prefer the physical aspects of the magic."

"So you grew those vines on the wall earlier?" Ryker asked, and Gendry nodded. "All mine."

"Oh really, and what are you going to do if you discover that you are?" Suzanne challenged, raising her eyebrows at him as she smirked right back.

Delphi tilted her head to the side. "Sorry Scarlet, it's just reading," she said. "I can talk about the chapter with you if you want, though."

"I don't know where you got the notion that you were doing anything wrong," Margaret said. "I think maybe you're comparing yourself a little much."

"Do you need a plant base to use your magic, or can you conjure plant life from nothing?" Percival asked, ever curious about anything new he learned.

"Well taking it to her boss wouldn't be any fun, so clearly I'd have to get even with her somehow. Maybe even blackmail." Camus remarked, thinking of the possibilities as they walked. "I think I could get one good favor out of it."

(Oh ty)

Scarlet looked at the book asking "I'm, having difficulties understanding our current chapter" 

Veronica leaned back and honestly said "I don't know how to do that. My whole life I wanted to be just like my dad, or just like my mom, or even just like Bair." She sighed saying "I feel so pathetic." She looked forward "I really don't know who I am..."