A Simple Dinner [Emma]

[Nikita Arlovsky]

Nikita entered the mess hall a couple minutes late and the lines were already clogged down with soldiers hungry for their bread.  He passively joined the line at the way end, estimating that it'll probably take ten minutes for him to get his meal. Not that he's complaining, he's had to deal with worse situations. It's really the complaining from other people that bothered him. It wasn't worth getting into a fight for, so he just looked out the window and sighed.

Ignoring helped the time pass by and soon Nikita was able to get his tray. The people who served the food to everyone else shifted every week; this week's servers were a silent group, mainly because they wanted to get everything done quickly so they can grab their bite to eat too. As the last ladle of soup was poured, Nikita looked back at the tables. Many of them were filled with soldiers conversing with each other, making a bit of a ruckus but having a good time.

He took his food, walked a couple of steps, then stood for a moment, glancing around for an empty seat away from the others. People were more spread out than usual today but the Belarusian noticed a relatively empty spot near the back, although that was still somewhat close to a small group. They weren't really as boisterous as a lot of the others so Nikita decided he can deal with that. So he silently walked past the group and sat two chairs away from them. He muttered something quickly in Russian, quietly enough to avoid attention, before starting to eat.

[Emma Van Dyke]

It was more by luck than judgement that Emma had managed to get into the Mess Hall earlier than usual that day. She was glad of it too, for being able to get out of her training quickly had meant she had been fortunate enough to just about miss the large queues that were now forming, snaking their way to the furthest end of the large canteen area. The Dutch girl had to admit, she did not envy those who were stuck in that clogged up line, waiting for food that really... wasn't that palatable in the slightest. Of course, Emma's judgement had probably been skewed over the recent moths thanks to the luxuries of living behind Wall Sina, but even when the Van Dyke family were in Wall Rose and were struggling, they were still able to prepare food that was at least decent.

This, however, is more like swill, she thought to herself as she spooned through the half-eaten bowl of soup in front of her. But! Waste not want not, as the saying goes, and Emma was just about able to swallow down every last mouthful of her lunch. Once that was all said and done, the blonde girl had turned her attention to the other cadets that were seated at her table, and began to make idle chit-chat over nothing in particular. They were a nice enough bunch; good company to say the least. Good enough that she was offering the group some of her home-made waffles from a small box she had brought with her into the canteen - the treats were going to serve as Emma's dessert for the day, but she did not mind sharing them out in the slightest. Besides, these waffles were of a much better quality of food, and would certainly fill up those rumbling stomachs of her comrades.

As the conversation had continued, the waffles were passed round and were snatched by the hungry gathering of people, Emma had become aware of a movement in the corner of her eye. Curiosity and interest getting the better of her, the girl turned her head to see a young man, about her age, with platinum-blond hair seating himself down right next to her. Emma recognised him as one of her fellow Scouting Legion cadets.... What was his name? Nick? Nicky? That seemed to ring a few bells. It was certainly something along those lines. Well, it would have been rude just to ignore him. So, knowing Emma, it came as little surprise that she was soon addressing the man who had decided to sit by her.

"Would you like one as well?" Emma offered up the young man a smile along with the box of waffles, the scent of the freshly baked pastry wafting through the air pleasantly. "They're home-made; just  done this morning!"

[Nikita Arlovsky]

Nikita had only taken his first bite of bread when his hunger became realized. Sometimes he'd be so focused on a particular task (or just distracted from whatever event was occurring) that he often forgot about his hunger, only for it to return an hour or so later with an almost painful urge. Fortunately, ever since he joined the Scouting Legion, no, when he signed up for military training, he'd often remember his hunger by eating. It was easier to deal with when there was food right there to be satiated with right then and there.

He never expects people to talk with him during meals unless it was about some important issue, which was why he was caught by surprise when this girl  spoke to him, offering some food. Nikita doesn't remember ever talking to her. He nods, too hungry now to politely deny, "...Thank you." He said as he carefully took out one, making sure his fingers didn't touch any of the others.

The Belarusian took a small bite of the waffle and found it extremely tasty, and new. He took another, larger bite before speaking again, "Did you make these yourself? They're very nice."

A brief moment afterwards a thought came up in his head. This person might just be doing this out of pity. Most people were just intimidated or scared by him, though some seem to interpret his solitary tendencies as loneliness (which it wasn't.) The idea of it sickened him. Yes, that seemed likely. The girl looked like a nice, sweet person, too much so. Those are the ones that pity easily, thinking everyone must be so troubled.

[Emma Van Dyke]

It was always nice when someone appreciated Emma's food, so she did not even try to hide the spark in her eyes when Nikita accepted her offer of the snack and took a bite of the food. And by the looks of things, he had enjoyed it!

A wide grin broke out across her face; one that radiated with pride at the compliment. A small giggle escaped her as Emma gave the young man an enthusiastic nod of her head. "Oh good! I'm so glad you like them. And ja; I made them myself! Baking is my hobby." she explained excitedly, her voice increasing in speed as she babbled and gabbled about waffles and baking like a child at Christmas.

Quite suddenly, Emma stopped her rambled speech on tasty treats as a wave of realisation hit her, causing a light blush to form on her face. There were times when she got a bit... carried away when striking up a friendly conversation with people, something people did not always appreciate, and found to be just a bit off putting. Muttering a nervous apology, the box of the few remaining waffles was held out to him again, offering him another.

"I'm Emma, by the way. Emma Van Dyke," she finally introduced herself to the blonde man, holding out her free hand for a handshake. Her usual smile returned as she looked at the man, taking in every detail about him. He seemed oddly familiar... "Excuse me, but... by any chance were we on the same Trainee Squad? You seem familiar."