MILLING MUCK AND MUD ♠ private

The gardens were one of Rose's favorite places on campus, or possibly even her favorite of anywhere she'd ever been. If one took into account that her first and middle names referenced flowers, perhaps that wouldn't be surprising, but people were rarely that observant of her. Since the library was where she spent most of her time and in close contention as her preferred place, she rightly assumed students more closely related her to books and rigid routines than admiring the impressive display of florals outside. Even Rose could need a break from reading, though. Such was the case for this moment. Her aquamarine hues were tired from being focused in books all morning. While incredibly disciplined, she knew when to take a moment to relax and refuel. A walk through the lilies and orchids would do her wonders, and maybe she could even find a bench to eat her lunch on.

She was having limited luck with the bench location plan. Most were already taken despite the cold weather. Lovers cuddling and whispering, other more quiet members of the school searching for beauty and solitude, all these were already seated on nearly all the available surfaces. It didn't bother Rose too much. Her training had blessed her with the ability to miss a few meals and still function fine. Hunger was rarely a drive for the girl. But she had been hoping to relax somewhere and bask in the peacefulness of the flowers. Strolling along brought the instinct to run her fingers along the blooms like most do, but that would be a rewardless action for her now. Her gloved hands might seem normal enough, but the metal beneath robbed her of being able to reach out and feel anything. The only way she'd be able to feel the smooth, cool petals would be with her face, and she wouldn't be walking along rubbing her cheeks into the plants like a loon. The thought in itself was saddening. In addition to her metallic prosthetics still being uncooperative with her and damaging things, the worst really was the sensory deprivation. Having new moving arms to learn to use as normal ones, but also knowing she would never be able to brush her fingers against anything and feel as normal.

Sighing, she rounded a corner and noticed some wrought iron tables. Again, all were full...except for one. A lone female was seated along with a teapot and, strangely, several cups. Perhaps she was waiting for others. Her sound assessment almost led her booted feet to continue, but her stomach rumbled. She blinked in surprise. Just moments before she'd been certain she could skip lunch, but it was only now she realized she'd already skipped lunch the previous three days as well. Had it really been that long? Frowning gently, she looked at the packed brown bag attached to the mercilessly crumpled top in her hands. It was a conundrum. With her current level of control over her new limbs, she very much needed to sit if she ever hoped to get any of her food into her mouth. But at the same time, this was not a process she felt comfortable doing in front of others. Yet her only choice was to either skip lunch again and hope dinnertime arrived before she passed out just to avoid eating in front of the strange girl seated at the otherwise rare empty table, or give in and eat in the company of said stranger despite her anxiety. While deciding, Rose stood and observed for a while. Surely others were coming, but as minutes ticked on, no one came. Her stomach rumbled again and she started to feel quite light headed. Her feet moved forward, making the decision for her.

Moments later she stopped at the table, standing behind the chair opposite the tea-drinking girl. "Excuse me," she prompted quietly, hating every moment of what she was about to do. She was a solitary creature, but she'd rather not pass out. That would cause a fuss and people poking about her arms in her unconscious state. "May I join you? All the other seats are taken," she added, taking the path with the lesser of the evils. Just a harmless sharing of space... Surely stepping out and asking to spend just a few minutes with someone, just long enough to eat, wouldn't set any horrible events in motion, right?

Rose situated herself in the indicated empty seat, setting her school bag to the side. While the young woman was quite stoic, her vibe of discomfort was probably radiating off her person like invisible waves. Her people skills were underdeveloped. MT Academy wasn't one to train up their students with any emphasis in personable traits. Most of her polite qualities stemmed from her father, who hasn't Arkanian like her mother, but they were sparse and muted at best.

The blonde girl nodded to the offer of tea, carefully setting her lunch on the table as well. "My name is Rose. It's a pleasure, Inglisse," the double amputee offered back politely, though her tone was a bit distracted with concentration. This was the test. With much care and very intentional motions, her gloved hands reached around the dainty cup. She dared not attempt one handed at the handle, nor the plate as that would requite balance as well. It was awkward and slow, and she hated every second of it happening right in front of Inglisse, but it was what it was. Careful, not too much pressure. Cracking and destroying such a lovely piece of thin ceramic would be a shame, and especially embarrassing since it didn't belong to her. Soon the cup was held out, waiting for the tea to be poured.

Once it was, she elected to forego the suggested cream and sugar. Rose wasn't much for sweets, and chose to endure the flavor as intended. It was an odd combo indeed, but she found herself liking it once she tentatively raised it to her lips, like a sloth eating a leaf. "It's very good. Thank you," she replied quietly, managing to get the cup back into the saucer without incident. Whew. Moving on to her lunch, she pulled out a small thermos containing some simple soup. The removal of the lid released odorous steam into the cold air, wafting a salty beef broth scent into the area. A few crudely chopped veggies were within, though not a result of her own preparations. She had plenty of military rations left, and this one had simply required the addition of water and some boiling. Her left hand grabbed for a spoon. Oddly enough, her food bag held multiple spoons made of varying materials, and the reason would soon reveal itself. As she settled about the arduous task of eating, only two slow bites in her plastic spoon snapped in her grip. Though she had an audience, she didn't react. Simply setting it aside, she reached for a wooden one and continued.

"Are you...expecting more guests?" she asked, hoping a little chit chat would distract her tablemate from the splintering cutlery.