[color=00a651][center][h3]Meirin Kurenai[/h3][/center][/color]

Meirin was pleased when Ssarak took notice of the effort she went through to dress up for him. She did feel a bit guilty not being aware that Ssarak culturally wouldn't have understood the reasons she dressed, so she didn't hold it against him. Meirin understood how his people would only use clothing for necessity and not waste such resources on niceties, which even her own monastery didn't entirely practice. After all, they weren't truly monks, but [i]artist[/i]. They practiced martial arts in the form of dance, learned how to harmonize with nature in a way that benefits both man and the wild, and often used their excess supplies to create works of art as a form of meditation. Their rules and aesthetic lifestyle was self-imposed as oppose to how harsh the Scortched Lands were, where nature had worse things than foxes and the occasional bear. Djarkel was only [i]sometimes[/i] on fire.

Still, Meirin wouldn't let this chance slip by. She punched Ssarak playfully in the chest, though she aimed for his solar plexus to give him a bit of a jolt. [color=00a651]"For a mind reader, you aren't very good at figuring out people's intentions, are you?"[/color] Meirin giggled as she teased Ssarak, moving a little bit forward. [color=00a651]"I can't say I understood either. In hindsight, I can see why I was never more than an acolyte back at my monastery. I was the best fighter of my age there, and if I went back now I would be the strongest mage, if only because I'm can actually use magic. I was so focused on training my body and growing stronger that I missed the... Meaningful things in life."[/color] Contemplating her words, Meirin turned around to face Ssarak, hiding have her face behind her sleeve so he could only see her eyes.

[color=00a651]"hen I first came here, I only wanted to learn how to control my magic so that I could become stronger. To become a better warrior. But if that was the case, than my teachers could have taught me how to control magic. Perhaps not as well as the college, but enough not to hurt myself. However they wanted me to leave the monastery so that I could learn more about the world and those within it. When I first brought these clothes my first thought was how pretty they were, followed by how useless it was. But then I realized that while this dress would normally be in the hands of a noble or some woman with too much wealth, it was painstakingly crafted by an artist. This dress wasn't made to be torn apart and tossed aside, but as a representation of the skills and effort the craftsman had spent much of his life to master. To dismiss it simply because it has no practical use... It would be as insulting as saying my skills in battle are pointless during a time of peace."[/color]

In a way Meirin actually pitied Ssarak. He lived in a place were strife and struggle were rampant. They had to put all their effort merely to survive, and had no time to actually live. Such a lifestyle would produce the type of people who civilized people would consider savage and barbarians, because they're more concerned about the simple things like survival, rather than complex concepts like artistry. Fortunately it seems that the Scorched Lands didn't make such uncouth people, if Ssarak was any indication. [color=00a651]"That's merely my thoughts. Sometimes there is no meaning for something except that it was wanted."[/color] Another chuckle escaped Meirin's mouth as she lowered her hand and smiled at Ssarak. [color=00a651]"Though that sounds like a temptation my teachers would warn me about. Don't you agree?"[/color]

[color=fff79a][center][h3]Myrn Vaan'Atisha[/h3][/center][/color]

Myrn only smiled as Lyamis gave her his trademark snark. Perhaps his he had no sense of humor or was naturally deadpan, but Myrn found him funny. He seemed so... Serious. Granted Myrn did understand why the naga would be so cautious of her, but then again she might not. All the more reasons why she came here to question them. But before she would ask her questions, it only felt appropriate that she give Lyamis some answers. [color=fff79a]"The fact you're leaving is precisely why I've come all this way to talk to you. It's not often that I get to speak to a naga, especially one as important to their society as you. And I figured if I kept introducing myself, even the naga who do not speak to me would get more familiar with who I am. Plus, this is just a flesh wound."[/color] The flesh wound which Myrn was referring to was the heavily bandaged shoulder. Due to how chaotic things were the day the students came back from the catacombs, Myrn wasn't able to immediately get magical healing from one of the teachers like Lidda, and had to settle for more conventional methods. She was given some treatment a few days later, and while the wound has healed her arm was still feeling the effects of the Ridge Hound's bite. Myrn counted her blessings that it was the only serious attack she took that day, or else she would be short a few limbs.

[color=fff79a]"I'm sure you want to leave as soon as possible, so I'll get right onto the questions."[/color] Myrn produced a thick book and an ink feather. She had a ink-well built into her book to allow quick application of ink. [color=fff79a]"I still have many questions about your culture. For starters, what are your thoughts about demons? I understand that your home is near the Ravine of Demons, so I imagine that the naga came into contact with them a lot. Have they ever considered any sort of peace with them, or has it always been conflicts? Additionally, what are the naga's thoughts about magic? While it is still a wild and mysterious force for even those of the college, there's no doubt that magic is involved in everyone's lives, weather they are capable of utilizing it or not. I also understand that a naga was sent here to the college after she was discovered to have mageblood. What were the first reactions to this discovery? What were the circumstances which made her come here? Has the naga ever practiced any sort of rituals or religious ceremonies that you would think is 'Magic'? Do nagas worship any gods? And what about the naga's ability to resurrect themselves similarly to undead after suffering mortal wounds? That isn't a natural, or at least normal, thing for most creatures to do. Do you have any idea what may be the cause of this? I am told that it is linked to one's emotional state, but what would you consider to be a strong enough emotion to evoke it, more so near death? Also has there ever been any naga hybrids with other races that you know of? Have nagas ever had children with people of other races? How would you describe the mentality of a naga compared to other races? I have also heard that there are nagas who live in the oceans, do you know much about them?"[/color]

Myrn's questions came a mile a minute and she expected that Lyamis would be overwhelmed by the sheer volume. Fortunately Myrn already had these questions written down for each page, allowing her to write at least two pages of information for whatever Lyamis would respond with. And if he was at all familiar with how Myrn operated, there were plenty of more questions left. Some minor, some major, but all of them were important to Myrn.