The door opened and Dina reappeared. "Ey, finished yet? We're trying to close up."

"Ah, yeah, sorry Dina," Teige said hastily. Hawk had gone quiet. "We're done. Soup still on offer?"

"Only leftovers, but yes," Dina agreed, as Teige started to follow them out into the dark hall. Hawk's voice stopped him.

"Hey, y'know..."

Teige turned to look at Hawk, who was beginning to look a little ill.

"Fer what 's worth, I thought about goin' out for R.I.T. too," he said, not looking at Teige but at some point on the ceiling. "But I don't think I can handle it either."

Teige barked a laugh. "Hah, you?? I've seen yeh knock out grown men wit' one punch."

"Naw, I mean--emotionally," Hawk said, and looked at Teige sideways. "Mentally. I don't think I can handle th' work. Y'know."

Teige didn't answer, just stared at him. He looked positively green now, and without waiting any longer for a response, turned to stagger away.

"...I'm gonna go puke now. Save me some soup."