Sylvie's thoughts swirled, Astron's words replaying in her mind with quiet insistence. If you keep being swayed by other people, you will always be in shackles. The weight of the statement gnawed at her, even as she followed him through the cafeteria line. She barely noticed when it was his turn to order.
"I'll take the grilled wyvern flank," Astron said, his tone calm and measured, as if he were reciting from memory. "With blackgrain rice and the spiced thornroot soup. Add the forest greens salad on the side."
The staff member behind the counter raised an eyebrow but quickly nodded, noting his order. The precision and specificity in his request stood out against the usual quick, casual orders from other students. Astron paid no mind to the looks he garnered, stepping to the side to wait for his tray.
