"So desperation is the only reason for cannibalism?"

"The only reason that doesn't impute a potentially-offensive evilness of character."

"So you'd say cannibalism out of anything other than desperation is always evil?"

"Twisted, at the least."

"'Twisted' is an odd concept... And not an accusation I'd say is in itself offensive."

Oh no.

"Please tell me you didn't eat her."

"Why?"

"Because I've been telling my friend for two and a half years that you are not a cannibal and don't want to have been a liar."

Giggle!!! "How chivalrous of you to defend a stranger like me."

"I'll admit it was a bit selfish of me as well. I'd prefer not to be locked in here with someone eating other kids."

"Well, you can rest assured that Jacky was the first - and so far the only. I'm strict vegan, and most people aren't dumb enough to challenge someone currently mad at them to eat them, while threatening to eat the other if they win."

" - Jacky was, also, definitely a cannibal, and apparently had a philosophical dedication to increasing the number of cannibals in the world."

"...I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or not."

Giggle! "Then let's just say I won't eat you unless you ask nicely."

"I might just stick to the part about you being vegan..."

"When reporting this to your friend?"

"I just know she'd be unbearable."

"Wouldn't hiding things make you a liar, though?" Teasing grin. "Or are you concerned she'd be interested about the 'only if you ask nicely' part?"

"I don't want to incriminate myself."

"For having been mistaken?"

"Or encouraging bad habits."

Very interested look. 

- But, before Chengsu can respond - 

There's a very faint sound, almost like distant screaming, from the vague direction of the reading room, and there's a light tug on her power sharer. Someone from Shanghai's in a fight nearby. 

She looks over sharply. "-I have to go," she says, standing.

Luthien looks over at about the same time, head lifted like a bloodhound sniffing the air. She gets up, glances at El, and says, "We'll come too."

(She's pretty sure Daniella was in the reading room...)

Sounds like trouble. She stands. "Let's go."