David
The meeting wasn't Malus' idea.

Anyone newly arriving at Newton's Cradle is supposed to get an initial meeting to set a class schedule, arrange accommodations, introduce them to their Contact, and so on. In theory, everyone should also receive a follow-up meeting shortly after that, where they can go over their feelings with their Contact, arrange additional accommodations or modify existing ones, modify their class schedule if certain classes weren't to their liking, and so on.

In practice, most new arrivals feel fine, and skip the follow-up.

Pernilla has noticed one in particular, though — a boy by the rather foreboding name of Malus Grim — who seems not to feel quite so fine. So, rather than expect him in her office, she's decided to meet him where *He* Is — in his dorm room — and talk to him, just to make sure he gets on okay. Even if he isn't feeling well enough to get out of bed and go to a stuffy meeting in a stuffy office with, she admits to herself, a stuffy old lady.

Knock knock.
Ernest
Laying buried in his light gray comforter, he was curled up shivering from not just nerves but also feeling unwell. His stomach was hurting so much and his entire body felt like it was starving. There was a confused feeling of what he really needs for substance. He's here now in a strange place where he is still following the rules of a dangerous woman: his mother. Making friends and eating at other places are prohibited until she gives permission after acknowledging the location and people. Right now, he's still thinking about what to do since she did advise his dad to get him help. A way for her to get more freedom without her keeping a tight leash on him. 

There is a knock by his door.

It made him crack open his tired, pale gray eyes as he stared at the entrance. Groggily getting up, he wore the comforter over his head like a hood as she slightly opened the door. He couldn't help himself looking pouty, sickly and frail when he stared at the person. Then he realizes who it is before abruptly shuts the door. There was frantic shuffling in the room before the door opened up to reveal a much neater version of Malus. With a polite smile, he signs,"Hi, what can I do for you?" He asked, putting up a facade to hide his true feelings.
David
The facade was not... Good. But Pernilla entertained it, at least for a little while.

"Well," She replied sweetly, "I try to have a meeting with everyone who comes here after they've been staying here for a little while, just to check up. Can I come in?" She carried herself with a gentle, caring smile — the kind no one can really be scared of.
Ernest
He steps aside as he opens the door for Pernilla to come in. The entire room seems rather plain, neatly tidy and in a strict orderly fashion. The smile from the woman made him a bit anxious but tried to hide it as he just kept his mask on. After closing the door, much like how a servant would move, he gingerly moved the chair out for Pernilla to take a seat. 

Then he sits down on the edge of his bed that was recently made. He laced his fingers together to rest it on his lap, constantly looking at Pernilla as he patiently waited to hear what she had to say.
David
Pernilla sits down and rests her hands in her lap, taking care to keep them visible to Malus at all times. She furrows her brow a little.

"I'd like to hear how you've been feeling since you came here. Have you been comfortable?" She asks. Her voice is soft, and she's clearly trying not to alarm Malus.
Ernest
Asking about his feelings felt weird when Pernilla asked about it.What does his emotions have to do with all of this? He couldn't help but ponder how he should really feel? Feelings are such a fleeting thing for him to understand it fully. After being taught to hide these things, the best thing he could do is just gave a gentle smile and sign in response,*"I'm doing alright."* A short reply, sweet and simple. Though, he isn't attempting to give out detail. In truth, he's scared of other students with crazy abilities, the strict rules his mom placed on him, not having a job to make money so he can move out, and most of all, he's afraid of himself. 

The pain in his stomach was knotted, his entire body craves something, he knows that something is food. Not the kind of regular food, it was the essence he was dying for. Maybe he is hungry for both things? What was he allowed to eat?
David
Malus' reply was short, sweet, and specious. Pernilla expected him to clam up — she'd known too many people like him before. Far too many. She sighed.

"You don't have to lie to me," She said. "You're safe here. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine, but I can tell something's wrong. If you need help with something, anything, you can tell me. I promise I won't get mad."

She didn't try to touch him. She'd made that mistake before. For every person who was comforted by a gentle touch, she'd dealt with three who flinched in fear, or worse. She preferred to wait for Malus to ask before she got any closer to him than necessary.
Ernest
*'Ohhh... Shoot... I should have expected this...'* Malus thought, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple. "Hm..." He responded, a look of uncertainty. Why is it usually women that seem to see through people? That's something he can't quite understand the frightening mystery how some just know.

His hand nervously grip his forearm, squeezing it, an old mechanism of coping with his nerves. "Ern.." Mal grunted, a slight tingle in his throat. How was he supposed to respond to this? There was that pleading look in his pale gray eyes when he glanced up at Pernilla before suddenly avoiding eye contact. He really wanted to spill it out but at the same time, an invisible lock kept him in its tight grip.

*"I... Don't really know what to ask for..."* Malus signed, his mouth turning to a nervous squiggle. *"I'm not sure what all the rules here are like. I am a bit uncomfortable being near other students, especially very strong ones. I hate having to get into fights."

His jaw clenched, a moment when he felt a pinch in his chest when he muster up the strength to finally sign,*"I'm always hurting. I want it to stop but I have to live with it. I have hyperalgesia and I'm almost out of my medication. The curse I have isn't making it better. I really need to eat but I don't know what. I need life essence and physical food, it's confusing."* There was a lot of fear radiating from a kid who was ready to get an unexpected scolding.
David
Pernilla didn't particularly need any kind of special skill power to see through Malus. The sight of him peeking out at her with his comforter wrapped around his head — in the middle of the day, no less — pretty much told her immediately that he was *Not okay,* And even then, he hadn't been out much. She wouldn't be at his room to begin with if she hadn't been at least a little suspicious, and having her suspicions confirmed let her at least try to help.

"I would hope there aren't any rules like that here, Malus." Pernilla shook her head. "I understand being a little scared of all the things people can do, but you shouldn't be scared of getting into fights here. Has anyone tried to fight you?" She looked worried.

The look of worry compounded when listening to Malus talk about medication and eating. "That wasn't in your file — I'm sure we can get you the medication you need. That shouldn't be something you have to worry about. As for eating... How about we go get you some normal food now, and we can work on the life essence thing after?"
Ernest
He shakes his head but he did bring up about someone going berserk here before he arrived. Then mentioning about his problem with his bullies at school because he didn't agree on being with a girl, who didn't take kindly to his decline. So she spread a lot of lies about him to a point where he got attacked. And she assaulted him during their move after court when two kids got most of their life drained when they attacked him. He managed to slip by not having his powers shown there, since it just displayed them being tired and lacking nutrients in their health records. Malus looked so tired when he brought this up. The faint pink scratches on his cheek are already healing but it's going to be a scar after the girl dug deep into his flesh with her nails. He would bring up how his other ability manifested itself after so much stress he endured and he can't properly control it.

*"I'm really sorry for having to bring this up,"* Mal signed, shamefully looking away as he rubs his arm nervously. The mention of food made him unsure but is willing to try to find other ways to help ease his hunger.
David
"Oh dear," Pernilla almost whispered, "That's horrible! I'm sorry you had to go through that. If something like that happens with you here, you come talk to me and we'll work it out, okay? *You're safe here.*" She put a particular emphasis on the words *You're safe here,* As if to say that she meant it, or to bring Malus' attention to those words in particular.

"I know it's hard getting used to a new situation like this, especially when you weren't doing very well before. You're not the only one feeling this way."
Ernest
Emphasizing on "Safe" Is too good to be true in any place. Malus knows he's under some protection but "Safe" Isn't something he would use often. He figures this is a way for Pernilla to make him feel less in danger? Of course, everyone has their own story of why they end up in Newton Cradle. And he won't be the one to talk too much about his past struggles. After telling a small fraction of what happened before coming here, Malus gave a sad smile as if to say that's all he could tell. 

He ignored the pain in his stomach that gnawed at him from inside, making him feel dizzy as he tried to keep himself sitting up. Pernilla was looking rather appetizing with some life that he wanted. And at the same time, he really needs a bite to eat. 

Starving.

This skinny kid is starving. His mouth is beginning to water at the thought of finally eating. After getting his fill on a meal, it would help rid some of the hunger pains. Then again, he has enough self-control to hold himself back. Patience is the key to avoiding most troubles, he knew soon enough he would get food. *"Can we go get food...?"* He signed, waiting for Pernilla to answer.
David
Pernilla smiled. "Yes, let's go get food."