Anxious lunch

Aria was sure that by the end of the week, the recovery ward would only be filled by her friends and the people who actually cared about her. People would soon lose interest in this rumour as soon as the truth came to light.

"Umm . . . . Miss Anhao?" Aria called out, stopping Miss Anhao, who had turned to leave in her tracks. "Could you not let anyone in before lunch? I would like to get some rest." she finished.

Miss Anhao beamed as she nodded and left. She was always very happy whenever Aria willingly let herself rest.

For the first time in a while, lunch was a very anxious event for Aria. She could feel herself sweating as Miss Anhoa brought her lunch tray and set it on the table.

"Miss Anhao, I was wondering something." Aria said as Miss Anhao was preparing to feed her. "Go ahead, my dear." was the reply.

"What was . . . How are . . . What . . . . " Aria struggled for words. "Whatever it is, you can tell me dear. Do you need to use the washroom?" Miss Anhao asked with a kind smile. It was weird to see Aria struggling for words.

Aria shook her head as she cleared her throat. "What I wanted to ask was . . . . ." Aria wondered what was the best way to put it. "How are my injuries?" she finally settled for a roundabout approach. Miss Anhao laughed upon hearing this. "Why were you so worried to ask me this." she said as she scooped the first spoonful and fed Aria.

Aria let out an inaudible whimper as she swallowed. Why on earth was she so nervous? "Your injuries? Hmm. Let me see." Miss Anhao thought for a while before she began, "How should I put this? Hmm. Well, as far as the burns go, they are healing as might have been expected. The blood has clotted on most of the little ones and even the big ones don't seem that susceptible to infection now. Of course, it does not mean that you're completely out of danger. The bruises that you had, and there were many." Miss Anhao let out a small smile as she continued to feed Aria, "They seem to be healing quite quickly. It's either that or your skin has gotten so used to being bruised that they don't show as deeply as before."

"Can that happen?" Aria asked, surprised. "Of course." Miss Anhao nodded, "Most of the students at the academy get a lot of bruises during their time here. And any that go on to choose a career where they have to regularly train and fight, continue doing so. It's not rare in such cases to see the skin and muscles becoming tougher and not bruise that badly, and even heal quickly." "But none develop such an affinity to bruises, or have to heal so many, in the span of an year I dare say." she added, with a motherly shake of her head.

Aria let out a guilty smile as Miss Anhao continued, her face turning serious, "The same cannot be said for your fractures and flesh wounds I'm afraid." Aria frowned, what could Miss Anhao mean by that. "I've been meaning to talk to you about this," Miss Anhao said, "But you seriously need to stop getting seriously injured so often."