Creeping Admirations [Nami, Lerna]

...Lunch? Now that she thought about it... Perhaps she did skip her meals today. She didn't normally feel hungry until later in the day, as much as anyone who cared to notice her would say otherwise. She had to survive long stretches without much in the past, that was simply how life was. Though an offering of food was an attempt at an olive branch, yes? An attempt at sowing camaraderie, perhaps her initial judgement of pity was incorrect?

Without uttering a word, she'd softly shake her head, hands slowly lowering to fold behind her back.

Oh. It appeared she skipped her meal in service of practice... That was something she could understand, so perhaps this was truly an attempt at finding common ground. In that case, she visibly appeared to relax a bit, still ready to hop and run in caution, but her hesitance eased a bit.

"Meat skewers?" Her soft voice mused, "Never had those before... I'm unfamiliar."

Slowly creeping closer, she'd blink twice, "..I would like some."

With a soft nod, the girl would come along with Lerna, though visibly keeping her distance. She was always just in sight and not too far off, but she very obviously was hanging behind, likely out of caution of others walking about. It was a habit from her younger years that didn't really die, neither did she see a reason in putting it to rest; no one bothered her, and she wasn't in anyone's way. Once they arrived at the cart, Nami kept a distance, staring at Lerna and watching her order the food, pale red eyes wide with intrigue at the smell; it was almost leaving her drooling with how good it smelled.

Once Lerna had parted from the cart and went off to sit in a quieter spot, Nami suddenly was there alongside her, sitting not too far off from the other woman, a reasonable amount of distance given but she still seemed willing to at least eat in the same place. She stared at the warm meat pierced by wood, smelling unlike anything she typically ate, slowly opening her mouth and cautiously biting on it, flinching at the heat but settling to start eating. It was a lot tougher than her normal meals, so wolfing it down wasn't an option, being forced to savor the admittedly tasty meal.

Once or twice, she'd meet eyes with Lerna, only to quickly look away again, unsure of what to say or do apart from eat.

Her chewing momentarily stopped with Lerna's gentle questioning, holding the skewer just a few inches away from her face, subtly licking her lips as she would then swallow as she considered how to answer.

"Free time... It depends on how hard you decide to work, I suppose." She'd gently fidget the sewer between fingers as she spoke, looking away from the woman, "You can be foolish, neglect your studies, and have plenty. Or you can be dutiful, prioritize your studies, and have little. I have seen people who fall into one, or the other. I believe myself to be in the latter category."

Gently putting the meat rolling between her fingers down on the plate on her lap for a moment, she'd continue, "Days are often full of practice, study, and connecting with my Zanpakuto... Six years in now, and i've yet to produce satisfactory skill in what I desired..."