Ellie continued to the dining hall, she could both hear and see Nick ahead of her but she didn't try to catch up. She had made few friends in this place after her recovery, and it was often painfully aware when she ended up more often then not alone. It wasn't necessarily for lack of trying, she suspected it had more to do with the lose of her best friend from before. She didn't often say his name, it just made her sadder.
Nick went through into the dining hall, giving only a quick glance behind him as Ellie came into view. Aralyn was up ahead and he slid his gaze to her. Her salty scent trailed behind and he followed her to the counter. When she took a seat by herself—the room was empty besides her and the woman at the door—he gave it only a second's thought before slipping into the seat across after placing his order. "Hello," he said, tone slow, cautious, "mind if I join you?"The dining hall was empty when Aralyn entered, besides herself and the cooks. She specially requested her usual meal, a variety of seafood, and took seat at a table as she waited for it to be served to her.
Samantha pushed off the doorframe and watched as Nick passed then Ellie came into view. Well wasn't this going to be a little party. "Hullo," she said, offering a stiff grin.