Seraphina
Only three people waited at the inner door. The outer corridor had run out of chairs.
Seraphina noticed the difference while carrying clean wraps to the preparation table. A boy in a festival worker's coat sat on the floor beside the entrance. His left hand rested inside his sleeve. Each time somebody passed, he drew it closer to his chest.
At the inner door, a Silver student complained that the delay would make him miss his fitting.
"How long has he been there?" Seraphina asked the attendant.
"The worker? Since before the last bell."
"Has anyone assessed him?"
"He's waiting for the general desk."
She put down the wraps.
The attendant had already turned toward the next arrival. Seraphina waited until he finished writing, then asked him to keep the boy's place while she spoke to him. He looked surprised by the request and marked the slip beside his hand.
