@soupervillian
Purple bruises peppered around knuckles, barely scabbed over bottom lip, it’s definitely not a mystery why Meyha arrives in class an hour late, shoving her seat out so that she can flop down into the seating, backpack slung from one shoulder; Gale, the head teacher for Life Magic, doesn’t question much other than express concern — they themselves sometimes sleep in late, so they’re not going to be too harsh — before asking the student sitting next to Meyha if they’d be happy to share their notes on what they’d covered already.
“Giovanni, would you mind sharing your notes?” with a smile, a bit less strict than their spouses but just as filed with care for students.
Girl clicks her tongue under her breath, eyes glued to her desk with a curled expression— oh, even if they don’t say anything, she’s sure they’re laughing. As much as she’d like to fight back against her perceived judgement, she’d promised to herself that she’d do less to worry her family, that she’d make an effort, that she’d at least try.
...She’d already fucked that up, of course, gotten caught up in a mess and been late to class, but... The boy next to her agrees with the teacher, offers a a loud smile and laugh, turns his head to look at Meyha full of a strange enthusiasm and moves his desk closer to hers so that she can see what he’s written.
First instinct is for finger nails to dig into palm, avoid his gaze, but from the backpack resting on her lap comes a gentle snore and rhythmic breathing and the girl flickers her gaze between it — it’s modified slightly, to be comfortable, and it’s rather large... Her twin familiars rest inside it, though her dragon partner’s stayed back at the dorm — and the physical reminder of why she’s making this effort is enough to prompt her into straightening up a bit, leaning back on her chair. She doesn’t quite meet Giovanni’s gaze, give a response yet.
Lesson continues, and attention returns to teacher.
“... Thanks.”
Whisper quiet, like it’s being fought to say. Cheeks are flushed, and once she says it, she turns her full attention to a suddenly very interesting part of the notes. Jacket is pulled closer to herself.