"They'll ruin her reputation."
"What reputation? She threw that in the trash when she came here."
"Point. But-"
"But what? They'll treat her like an elleth."
"You're already acting like she's your sister that you have to take care of."
"So what? She needs a brother."
"She has twelve. She doesn't need you."
"Her brothers aren't here. I am."
"Do what you like, Akiniel. I only wonder whether she'll thank you."
Kelna was faintly curious about the new girl. Still, Akiniel was pressuring her just a tad too much to look after her. "I typically don't go out of my way to befriend people who cry publicly," she reprimanded him.
"Kay, she was fooling. She was curious about Cerci. She doesn't do that regularly-"
"Oh, of a sudden you know her inside out?" she raised her eyebrow.
"Better than you-"
"She's been here a day, Akiniel."
He sighed, frustrated. "What will it take to convince you?"
Her mouth curved upward into the shape of an archer's bow. "I'll watch her," Kelna promised. "I'll see if I'm interested. And if I am, I'll talk to her. And if I'm not-" she shrugged "-I won't."
"I'm also trying Sarashe," he said, making for the door.
"Do what you like," she said, unconcerned.
Sarashe was more willing to comply than Kelna was – she was less stubborn and more excitable than her best friend and cohort. "I'll talk to her."
Miri walked alone. She saw the other students, paired off, always talking to someone. No one was a reject, because everyone was the same. Except her. She allowed the self-pitying thought for only a moment, and then tried (unsuccessfully) to stop. Reject, reject, reject, her footsteps scolded. Stupid for coming, reject.
Or so she thought. Apparently someone didn't notice or didn't care. Because someone ran to catch up with her. "Hi," she said breathlessly. "Who are you trying out for in the play? Because I can't decide, we can only try out for three, and I liked so many of the characters…"
Miri snorted. The girl was tall, with gorgeous black hair, and giddy to the point of being annoying. "I want to be Meaghan."
The girl gasped. "But Meaghan is a whore!"
Miri turned. "What's your name?"
"Sarashe."
"Sarashe, I have met more whores than I can count. Judging by your reaction, no one else will dare try out for the part. So, I'm the obvious choice."
"You realize what everyone will think…"
She nodded. "They'll be wrong. I know the truth about myself, and my friends know the truth about me, and the rest can snit about me behind my back for the rest of their lives for all I care."
Sarashe grinned. "I like you."
"Well, to be honest, unless your first impression was a total act, I don't like you at all."
"My, you're blunt."
"Say rude, it's what you mean. I take it you were acting."
"Of course. But I really do need help choosing who I'll audition for…"