"To hear Ma tell it, a kid was only ever a hair away from drugs and hedonism at all times. She'd give out about it even after I was in uni."

A look of puzzlement followed by surprise crossed Hawk's face. "Uni--oh, university?? I din't know you went to college. What the hell'd you go for?"

Teige tipped his head back and gulped the rest of the contents of his mug before answering. "Psychology," he replied as the buzz settled in, and added, with false outrage, "And what's the shock for, then!"

"I dunno, you don't seem like the academic type!" Hawk retorted, grinning.

They were interrupted by a server--a slim, upright white creature carrying a tray on one large paw--stopping by to ask, "Another two?"

They both agreed politely, and the server brought them two more mugs. The contents steamed densely, though the steam didn't rise; it slid over the sides of the mug, not quite heavy enough to flow onto the table.

"Psychology, huh?" Hawk prompted as the server set the mugs down at their elbows.

"Mhm. I'd planned on being a school counselor. Help some kids like me, you know yerself. But plans change. One of me baby sisters is going for that now instead."