Lore [10/???]

Vardah's eyes narrow as she watches the new Initiate clear the farthest dining table. Curious, Her head tilts as she asks, "That one over there. Who is she?"

Hunter blinks, startled from his drawing. "Why?"

"Just curious," Vardah says, following the girl's movement.

"Kimberly, I think," Annika replies, voice a low melody weaving between the three. "She came in three nights ago while Florence and I were walking the barrier."

Vardah considers this. "Just like that? She just... showed up?"

"She had some old brochure from the eighties," Annika snorts, seemingly losing interest with each word. "I wasn't really listening to her sob story past that. She's starting in the greenhouse next week."

"She seems a little skittish," Hunter notes.

Vardah absently twirls the loose end of her shayla between her fingers. "There's something strange about her..."

"There's something strange about everyone around here," a bored voice interrupts. Jordan plops down beside Vardah, elbowing her gently. "Why do we care about an Initiate?"

"Florence has been too attentive with her," Vardah murmurs. "More than she was with you and Hunter."

"We were adults when we showed up," Hunter says. "There's no way she's older than sixteen."

"Her paperwork says eighteen," Annika shrugs.

"The paperwork that Deerly filled out?" Jordan snorts.

The girl glances their way, seeming to finally realize she is being watched. Her eyes are large and dark, like a cartoon deer's, and are too intense for her mundane task.

Vardah makes a strange noise in her throat, using her pinkie to wave at the girl. "There's something off about her."

"I'll ask Xavier to keep an eye on her this week," Hunter says, getting to his feet.

Jordan rolls their eyes and mutters, "Sure. Maybe a few art classes will eliminate that 'I'm being hunted' look."

"It could," Vardah hums, but she doesn't think it will. She doesn't think anything will save that girl from whatever has her scent.