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Sarad couldn't deny it. he did have a sweet tooth, so he kept quiet. he accepted the back and followed Dale as he wandered around the buffet. "it really is, everything here is designed with the needs of the students in mind," he said as he looked around. "their broccoli salad is really good. the one with cashews and craisons? i enjoy it, at least." he shrugged and waited for Dale to finish, looking at the tables in front of the store and seeing if any were free.

Sarad sat down as well and settled himself, accepting the sandwich with a thank you. he took out the desserts and placed them on the table as well. "oh, no! that's fine," he opened up the packaging and put the condiments on. "there isn't much to me, i'm an only child that has moved around a lot since i was young and like studying. i usually keep to myself, so you don't have to worry about me getting in your way." he took a small bit and carefully chewed it before swallowing. "yourself? do you have any siblings?" it was best to talk about himself first, say as little as possible, and then turn the conversation.

Sarad finished his bite, "that sounds rough. i hope she is able to find her voice and tell them what she does and does not want." not that he was one to talk, but his circumstances were different. how does one find a voice when locked away in a room full of screams? he was still a child, and children's voices were soft. once he was an adult and standing on his own, then and only then would he be allowed a voice. he just hoped that Amelia didn't end up like him as well. "you sound like an ideal older brother, looking out for her and talking to her. i'm sure her friends are jealous of her for having a nice big brother that's good looking on top of everything else." he said it without thinking, but the moment the words came out, Sarad blushed and quickly took a bite to cover it up.

Sarad laughed nervously as he pushed some of his hair behind his ear, "me? i'm just a bookworm. all skin and bones with nothing to defend myself but my wits and my books. how is that attractive?" he'd grown up being told by his cousins how ugly he was so he knew the truth, though it was kind of Dale to say. "does she seem to like her studies? your sister? there are just some people like that, too. i tend to spend my free time studying and reading, so i can kind of understand if she does." he wanted to change the topic quickly, the subject they were on was too much for him to handle. he needed to be more careful from now on.

Sarad nodded a little, "the arts are important for a well rounded person. i sort of have this belief that you have to learn a little about everything, not because it makes you smarter, but because then you can understand what people are talking about, no matter what the converstaion. even if it's just a little, you can still relate and be a part of it." he shrugged as he finished his first half and worked on the second. "but that could be just me, i guess. if she doesn't like it, she shouldn't be forced to do it." he was exotic, huh? he could agree with that, there weren't many people of his coloring. actually, he'd never met someone with his color of hair before. it was natural, he had baby pictures to prove it, but even in his family he stood out.

Sarad sat back, "that is true, but if you are working in an office and need to have something made, an invitation or a card perhaps, then you need to hire a designer, right? that designer will ask you what you want, certain styles and colors, every minute detail. wouldn't it be easier if you were able to tell them exactly what you want? they have been trained in classical art and if you are able to reference that knowledge then you will make both of your lives easier, don't you agree?" he finished his sandwich and stood up to throw the trash away before returning, "that's what i've been told at least."

Sarad smiled, "quite different, i am sure." they walked outside and he glanced around, looking for a good place to go next, "um, the clothing stores and electronic store is popular. let's go there?" he lead the way to the electronic one first, since it was closer, and walked in alongside Dale. he never had any extra money so he'd not come to these stores, but it was occasionally fun to come and see all the different gadgets that had come out. "are you a gamer at all? i don't play, but i know i lot of the other boys do. there's even a friday night club where they get together and play."

Sarad looked at the headphones carefully, "interesting. i've never owned any, so i'll take your word for it." he put the pair back and glanced over some of the music playing devices. he had a computer, but that was out of necessity. it was to be purely for school work and when he was with family, they checked his history to make sure. of course, like every teenager, he knew how to wipe the memory, but there really wasn't much else he did with it. school work and cooking shows, that was about it. they browsed through the electronics store, Sarad quietly following Dale and only commenting when Dale said something first. they followed the same pattern in the clothing store and the other shops they wandered through. it was starting to get dark when Sarad suggested they go back to the dorm, "i'll show you the cafeteria and how that works, if it's ok with you?" he suggested once they were on the path back to the school. a breeze had picked up and he kept tucking his hair back from where it had blown out from behind his ear. "they have quite the variety there, i'm sure you will find something you'll like."