"For a year?" she asked, still holding a napkin to her nose. "But why? Isn't it more... fun to be a dragon?" Thinking about it, it seemed like a childish question, but Rukia was sure that if she could have wings and sharp teeth as a dragon, she would prefer that to a human form.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how do you and Valyn know each other?" It wasn't any of her business, but Keman seemed friendly, and would no doubt be more forthcoming than Valyn.

Her nose stopped bleeding quickly, so she balled up the napkin and set it on her tray. With one hand she started eating again, while she let the other slip beneath the table to rest tentatively on Renji's leg. It just felt like the thing to do.