To Kiara’s surprise, Dendra’s demeannor was pleasant and playful. She had been so used to regarding her as an enemy, she had not been able to imagine her as a friend, or at least an ally. She mustered a smile and said,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)">“Yeah, I guess we did, didn’t we?”</span>She wasn’t sure what ‘jackpot’ Dendra was thinking of, but for Kiara, it was being accepted as she was for the first time in her life, as well as hope for a better future. She wasn’t sure what to make of Dendra’s gesture of leaving her plate of food. Kiara knew it hadn’t cost her anything, and that she was perfectly capable of going and getting her own food, but the idea of picking and choosing what she ate was foreign to her. She was used to eating whatever she could get her hands on. As Dendra was leaving, Kiara remembered it was appropriate to show gratitude, so she called out,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)">“Thank you, D, er… Dendra.”</span>She corrected herself, realizing there was no longer any need for anonymity.<br/><br/>Another surprise was when Thomas apologized for overwhelming her and admitted to being new to the trainer business. He had nothing to apologize for as far as she was concerned.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)"> “Yeah, I’m alright,”</span>she said quietly,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)">“I just didn’t expect so much kindness from you, especially after what I tried to do to you.”</span>She picked through the plate of food, almost overwhelmed by the feast in front of her. It was full of surprises as well. The meat was soft and tender and full of flavor, unlike the tough and chewy bits she was used to. The bread was hot, moist, and airy, and there was no mold for her to pick off of it. The berries were plump, fresh, and sweet rather than shriveled up and sour. She ate her fill with child-like delight, savoring every tasty morsel.<br/><br/>She only grew concerned when Artemis got up and excused herself before leaving the table. It was then that she began to notice the attention of other trainers and gijinkas on her group. She couldn't help wondering if Artemis was just embarrassed of being seen with her, not that she could blame her. She must have been quite a sight with her torn and tattered clothes, her dirty and tangled hair, and the fresh tear-stains still on her cheeks. She couldn't help squirming a little as she suddenly became self-conscious, realizing she wouldn't know how to act if there were to be a confrontation. She could handle bullies on the streets just fine, but she had no clue what rules the thin veneer of civilization would now place upon her. Maybe the other people would leave them alone, she hoped.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)">“Thomas,”</span>she whispered with a slight quiver in her voice,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(251, 160, 38)">“people are staring at us.”</span>She focused on the plate in front of her, trying not to make eye contact with anybody.