The dining hall fell into an awkward silence, the only sounds being the scraping of knives against ceramic and the muffled clinking of glasses. The heavy atmosphere seemed to weigh on the air, thick enough to make breathing feel like a chore.
Nikki began piling various sides onto Ares's plate, her movements performative and deliberate. She added a scoop of glazed carrots, then a slice of herb crusted roast, her eyes flicking toward Rhea with a sugary, triumphant glint. She was clearly trying to provoke a reaction, but her constant fussing only made Ares stiffen. "Stop it already, Nikki," Ares muttered, his voice tight with an annoyance he didn't bother to hide.
