1.19 – Lunch

Tenet’s cafeteria—one of three scattered across the expansive campus—was a wide open space with tall windows that stretched from floor nearly to ceiling, flooding the hall with natural light.

Like much of the campus, Natalie wouldn’t outright call the space opulent, but wealth showed in less obvious ways: the enormous windows and perfect cleanliness, to name one, but also in the array of choices available, all of it appetizing. Various stations packed the hall, offering every sort of food Natalie could imagine. All of it free. Tenet like to grind its students down in all manners of way, but they ate well. Which had a practical purpose; it took a good diet to stay in fighting shape.

Natalie scanned the cafeteria for Jordan. The first-year students had been dispersed by the lecturers and were responsible for making it to their next appointment—uniform fittings—on their own. A delving student who couldn’t handle something that simple was useless to Tenet; the academy expected, and encouraged, autonomy. Because of course they did. What use was a delver who needed to be hand-held? The trust given to even a first-year was another thing setting the combat school apart from a typical military academy, despite the similarities.

Jordan was off in the corner, as Natalie instinctively searched first, knowing her dark-haired friend preferred to stay on the outskirts, away from attention. Jordan didn’t see her looking; she was already eating.

Her soon-to-be table located, Natalie’s attention turned back to the various food stations. She picked the first few few things that seemed appetizing. She’d explore the cafeteria—and its surprisingly enticing options—later. She didn’t have the mental wherewithal to be caring about food, at the moment.

Salad made, and a few heavier options piled onto her plate, Natalie slid her tray onto the table, settling into the chair across from Jordan. Jordan looked up and nodded in greeting.

“How’d yours go?” Natalie asked.

Orientation had been split into several classes, and Jordan hadn’t been in Natalie’s. Which was a shame for a few reasons—first, because hanging out with Jordan would’ve made the morning pass faster, and second, because Harper had been a delight. As far as orientations went. It still hadn’t been the most engaging event of her life.

“Fine,” Jordan said. “You?”

“Better than expected, actually. Got this snarky fourth year, Harper. She was … funny. And I learned a lot.”

“Like?”

Natalie shrugged. “Tenet stuff. And insight. Perspective of a fourth year.” Not that Harper’s views would be monolithic. Hers was just one of many, at a guess. “Sucks we didn’t get the same barracks. Think we could trade?”

“With someone else?”

“So we’re together, yeah.”

“I … don’t think that’s allowed.” Though Jordan seemed tempted to try. She’d wanted to be put into Natalie’s barracks, too.

Eventually, once they’d earned some of Tenet’s proprietary ‘tokens’, they’d be able to buy their way into a shared dormitory. But that was a ways off.

“And?” Natalie asked.

Amused, Jordan said, “It’s the first day. Let’s hold off on pushing boundaries yet. Get a feel for things.”

Jordan knew better than to suggest something as ridiculous as ‘follow the rules entirely’.

“It’s not like they assigned beds,” Natalie argued. “You think they check? Let’s just swap.”

Jordan hesitated, but held firm. “Better to play it safe.”

“Boring.”

“Besides,” she said. “It’s only where we’ll be sleeping. So what’s it matter? Not gonna be spending any more time there than I have to.” Her nose wrinkled. “It’s loud. And crowded.”

Natalie had had similar thoughts, and she was more sociable than Jordan. Who would spend their free time in the barracks? Better to head to the library, the guilds, explore campus, or whatever else.

A student of Tenet shouldn’t have much free time, anyway. Not one who wanted to excel. Which, presumably, would be every student who’d made it into the prestigious academy.

“Where’s Sofia?” Jordan asked.

“Ugh. You know I got the bed next to hers?” Natalie realized she hadn’t answered the question, but Sofia’s name had dragged the response out instantly. The way a hand on a stove snapped back … or sour milk made someone gag. Natalie liked the second one. Much better for Sofia. “How would I know? She’ll show up.”

“You two got the same barracks?”

“Unfortunately.”

Jordan seemed amused by the development. “You two should work out your …” she paused. “Rivalry.”

“What was the pause for?”

“I was going to say hate-crush,” Jordan said, “but decided I didn’t want to start anything.”

Natalie stared at her.

Jordan laughed. She picked at her food, chewing then swallowing, before finally quirking an eyebrow at Natalie’s continued stare. “What?”

“You’ve ruined my appetite,” Natalie said. “Even as a joke.”

“Who said it was a joke?”

Natalie faked nausea, pretending to heave onto her plate.

“You’re such a drama queen,” Jordan said. “And, heads up, here she comes.”

Sofia slipped into the spot left of Natalie. Jordan had picked a four-seat table in the corner of the expansive cafeteria, so Sofia was between both of them. She unfolded a napkin and put it on her lap.

“Jordan. Natalie,” she said in introduction, nodding her head politely. “How’s your morning going?”

Natalie raised an eyebrow at Jordan, as if to emphasize, ‘See? This is the problem.’

Who did Sofia think she was? Why did she always act like this? So prim and proper. She was just some girl from the backwaters, same as Jordan and Natalie. Who the hell folded a napkin on their lap for cafeteria food? Gods, she was so pretentious.

‘Hate-crush’. Jordan’s previous words sent a shiver down her spine. As if. When it came to Sofia’s feigned royalty, the way she carried herself like a noblewoman with perfect assured confidence, Natalie was one thing: annoyed. It didn’t do anything for Natalie. Definitely not in that way, even in a rivalrous manner.

And why did she always wear so much perfume? The fresh floral scent was distracting; she could barely think straight when Sofia was close. Gods, this girl was aggravating. Natalie was fidgeting just being near her.

Really, Natalie could only stand Sofia when they were in a sparring ring together. She wasn’t as annoying, or as much of a distraction—the aggravating kind—then. Though, losing to Sofia was a headache of its own. Why was she so good at fighting, when she was so perfect and dainty? Like some delicate piece of art?

Er, that was too flattering of a comparison. Unfortunately, she couldn’t find a better one.

“Oh, fine enough,” Jordan said, answering Sofia’s question. “It was the same stuff for everyone, right? Tokens, guilds, extracurriculars?”

“And a lecture on abstinence,” Sofia said, lips quirking. “Did you all get that?” She picked up her knife and fork and began to eat, cutting into the slice of pork roast she’d picked out.

“Abstinence?” Natalie asked, amused. “Mine told us to use condoms.”

Sofia paused, the first chunk of food raised to her mouth. She finished placing it in her mouth, then chewed and swallowed. “Hm. Mine as well. I was avoiding being crude.” She brushed forward: “So, have you two chosen?”

“Chosen what?” Natalie asked.

“Your extracurriculars.”