Gavin nodded, and though the cooks usually shooed him away, the one that approached him with cookies seemed to have some pity on her face. The disappointment had come earlier. It was hard to stay mad at a scout who looked so thoroughly dejected. So he took the cookies meekly and with a mumbled 'thank you' before returning to Ander's side.

"A month, they said, at least, and then it will be reviewed. I think they know I didn't - I didn't mean any harm, to anyone, I just--" But he cut off with a miserable look. "... It doesn't matter. I just hope things are back to normal, soon."