The food arrived in mismatched trays carried by people who looked nervous about every step they took.
The food showed up in uneven batches, carried by people who kept glancing toward the door like they expected it to explode open at any second. It wasn't pretty, but it smelled right, and that was enough. Xavier didn't wait. He pulled a tray closer and started eating properly, shoulders finally loosening as hot food hit his stomach.
Around them, the room relaxed a little. People went back to their meals.
Klatos watched him for a moment, then relaxed slightly. Rin took a bite, then another. Even Arlen allowed herself to sit back, though her eyes never stopped moving.
That was when the sound outside shifted.
Engines rolled up hard and stopped without finesse. Multiple vehicles of different sizes and wheels rolled outside. Not one or two, but a cluster, heavy frames idling loud enough to bleed through the walls.
