Her other eyebrow rose up to join the one already skirting her hairline as she watched the boy make his way towards the food; his movements spoke of grace and pride but the hunger was apparent in his gaze. Lee could feel her lips unwittingly twitching upwards in amusement as he carefully perched on the lower bunk; tray balanced precariously on his knees and set about eating his meal as if he were at a grand banquet.
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at his antic she collapsed backwards onto one of the nearby beds, head resting gently in the palm of her hand, eyes focused intently on the child across from her. Searching intently for any signs of bruises or cuts hidden underneath the dirt and grime coating his face, frowning when she thought she spotted some, she easily caught sight of his widening eyes.
A small squeak escaped her mouth as she bit down on her tongue, attempting to stop the laughter she felt bubbling up at the poor things expression. Choking down the laughter Lee couldn’t prevent the smirk that spread across her face. “Take your time,” she said as she erased the smirk from her lips and kept her voice calm and gentle, practically a whisper. All she needed to do was make the boy think she was mocking him, “it is not going to vanish and if you need more we can always raid the kitchens.”
Body slumping, head slipping from her palm Lee offered a weak smile, waving off his thanks. “You are most welcome but it was no imposition,” voice hitching she paused, uncertain if she should carry on or not. It was unlikely that he would want to be reminded that the Tower was his home now and that this food belonged to him as much as it did to all who lived here. Closing her eyes Lee swallowed down the words, letting them sink to the pit of her stomach like rocks. Lashes fluttering back open she stared sadly at the boy, he would come to accept his place here in time but forcing that on him now would not be wise. Reminding him would probably only serve to upset him and that was the last thing Lee wanted to do.
His voice cut through the air of the empty room, echoing off the stone walls, easily snapping the girl from her thoughts. Perking up at his question she casually let her eyes travel over him, as if she was measuring his worth, before a small smile appeared. “You may call me Lee. I am a mage here.”
Cocking her head to the side, blinking as a sudden thought struck her, she carelessly gestured at her own robes. “That is what the color represents, my rank as a Harrowed Mage. When you get your clothes they will be blue to indicate your position as an apprentice here. You should be aware that some people will call you that but, personally, I prefer to use a person’s name.”
Eyes sparkling she leaned forward, face earnest as she looked at the scruffy boy, her voice warm.