By the time they reached the dining hall, hunger had accomplished what politics, examination schedules, and several days of shared irritation had only partially managed.
It made everyone quieter.
Not silent, certainly. Toven appeared physically incapable of eating without contributing commentary, Marian had already changed her mind twice about which dish she wanted after seeing what someone else had ordered, and Selphine still possessed enough attention to follow three conversations while cutting roasted vegetables into precise pieces. Even so, the first several minutes passed beneath the softer rhythm of plates being filled, cups being poured, and students discovering that arguments about institutional discrimination became considerably less urgent once warm bread appeared within reach.
Elara welcomed the lull.
