Having a battery of tests done has been markedly less fun than the previous activities around Caroban. It's been a somewhat slow process of going from sphere campus to sphere campus, detailing, negotiating, waiting to get started, and then doing a lot of waiting as the mages worked their magics. The mages of life poked and prodded Umeko in a mundane doctor's examination (peeing into a cup being one of the more undignified parts) before having her sit in a ritual circle for an hour or so. This was repeated with each campus she visited, except for getting a bit lost in the murky confines of Shadow's grounds, having to listen to an argument over numbers arranged in a way that makes the brain hurt, and spending a bewildering two hours while spirit students had seances and what felt like weird, chilly presences passed through her. Through it all, Ren has tried to keep her new friend company as best she could...

Though she's had to break away for classes now and then, Ren has consistently found Umeko again after each one, bringing a bento-style lunch to share around mid-day, and keeping her company (except in the spirit campus, which she was too afraid of). She's dressed in her plain oiled leathers again, and waiting for the other kiriga to emerge with results similar to the other tests she's had done. "Well? Anything?"

"Nothing, thankfully. I am still clean of any unusual traces, save for what chaos and life, and even with them it is slight and hard to pinpoint," Umeko says as she emerges from the latest battery of tests, the kiriga clad in very simple robes today since numerous tests would make wearing anything complex a rather onerous burden. "Which is good, truth be told. I have been exposed to some very unpleasant magic and I have little understanding of it all. I can face and fight a soldier, or even an army. But an unseen force that can control your very body or mind is beyond my abilities. It is something to fear, I suppose. I suppose that to you I seem silly ... so worried about unseen forces."

The silver kiriga shakes her head, falling into step with Umeko and offering a rice ball wrapped in a leaf, a morsel of steamed fish inside with a dollop of spicy sauce. She takes a bite of one for herself. "Not at all, Umeko-sama. Ever since coming to Caroban, I've gained a much keener understanding of how potent unseen forces can be. They're not insurmountable, but they can be very formidable."

Umeko accepts the rice ball and dips her head once. "Arigato, Ren," she murmurs before taking a delicate bite and chews thoughtfully. "In your studies have there ever been mention of artifacts, small spheres, which can control aspects of the world? Life, for example, or perhaps water. Or nothingness itself?" she asks the silver kiriga beside her as they walk. Umeko's tail is a mere inch off the ground where it glides along, never actually touching the earth and stone below.

Ren seems glad to leave the spirit campus and its obelisks and gargoyles behind. Similarly, her tail doesn't touch the ground, though it swings a bit back and forth with her stride a little more casually than Umeko's. "Mm, no, nothing specifically like that. Very powerful mages have made things that have manipulated the stuff of their spheres, tools to help them or to serve patrons. The enchanted stones in the grotto were an example. I don't recall any small spheres in particular, though. There's no magical category of 'nothingness' among the actual Spheres. I guess Shadow is as close as it comes, hiding things."

"I have seen a sphere that can reshape any living thing as well as one that devours all in my travels," Umeko explains as the pair walk, with the gold Kiriga's steps precise to the point she doesn't bob, but rather glides. "I assume you have heard of the Beast Lands, yes? The creatures that lived there were the product of the sphere that could reshape the living."

The silver kiriga's brow knits, the apprentice looking vexed. "But... something that could reshape any living thing and give rise to the entirety of the Beast Lands... I don't wish to be disrespectful or cast doubt, Umeko-sama, but no mere object crafted by mages could be so absurdly powerful."

"I do not know who made it," Umeko says, "But the Artist Hakuu desired it to make living works of art. I was to be his first ... canvas." The last word is accentuated with a wave of her left hand as if she were painting. "And he almost had his desire," she adds before resuming her delicate consumption of her rice ball.

Ren clutches her wrist close to her chest, looking a little shocked. "You mean he... got this thing? What happened to it?" The walk takes both kirigai to a small park not dedicated to any of the spheres, decorated with neatly tended topiaries and a few shade trees. Remarkably, one of the trees has pink foliage.

"It was lost in the battle, thankfully. Most likely destroyed, given the fate of the Beats Lands creatures," Umeko claims, sparing Ren the details of what really happened to the sphere. She pops the remainder of her rice in her mouth as her attention is briefly caught by the pink tree. "He tried to use it on me before he fell, though, which is why I wished to be examined again, to be certain there were no lingering effects of his attempts to master the sphere's power," she adds as she rolls her shoulders in a light shrug.

Ren rubs the back of her neck. "I see... I take it by your question you think there are more of those things out there? I would think Rephidim would stop at nothing to find them... and most anyone else with a modicum of power."

"I do not wish to alarm you, but a land called the Dragon's Sorrow with unusual weather has aspects that may imply another exists," Umeko notes, then shrugs a bit. "But that is complete conjecture. I do not know for certain. It may also be my own paranoia from my experience, no? How many such things could really exist?"

"Oh! You mentioned Dragon's Sorrow," says Ren, holding up an index finger. "We had a few studies detailed to us about the region because of its unusual weather patterns. They're remarkable, but they've been like that for centuries, it's because of the warm currents offshore and how they interact with the coast. They get big waves and a very choppy sea, and quite a few storms blow through." The pink tree's leaves rustle softly with the breeze, its bright canopy dominating the more traditional shades of green on its neighbors.

"Then I suppose that does abait my concerns that the weather may be unnatural in origin," Umeko says. Her shoulders visibly relax a bit, at that. "Now ... if I may ask, why exactly is this tree pink? I have never seen such before; not in a tree outside a blooming season."

Ren follows Umeko's gaze from to the tree, then looks back to her, grinning. "Aha, so there IS a place you've never been! It's a sugarfir tree, from Aelfhem. It's said to produce the finest sweetener, much tastier than beet sugar. It was brought here as part of a collection... the climate here isn't right for it, so I hear the effort they spend on tending it to keep it alive far outweighs the worth of its leaves, but it's worth it for its beauty, don't you think? We have a few aelfin on the island here, in fact."

Umeko reaches upward and plucks one of the smaller pink leaves from the branch using just her claw tips. Her wrist rolls lightly as she brings it down, then lightly tickles Ren's nose with it just before her hand slides past and tucks the bright pink leaf into Ren's raven-black hair. "I can appreciate the sentiment of the beauty of something outweighing the 'cost' of keeping it around, yes," the golden kiriga notes with a bemused smile upon her lips. "Beauty is special ... cost is such artificial creation of people," she concludes with as she draws her hand back, pausing only briefly to pat Ren's cheek. "I will be in Jadai soon. Is there anyone you would like to send a letter or a package to? It would be no imposition to deliver it for you."

Ren smiles a little, the tip of her snout twitching when it's tickled, and she holds still as Umeko threads the stem of the leaf into her hair, a splash of pink on raven. With the leaf in place, the silver kiriga lifts a hand to hold Umeko's to her cheek for a moment. "Mm. And I suppose we're both exotics that have been introduced. Here and even in the mainland Empire." She lets the golden hand go, and shakes her head, the pink leaf on it waving. "No, I don't really have anyone back in Jadai. It was just mother and father. We stood out a bit from anyone who might otherwise have been a friend. Thank you for the offer, though, Umeko-sama. Perhaps it's you I'll send a letter or package back to."

"I was going to point out you would have me there," Umeko notes, "But you already saw that. And you truly had no friends? That ... surprises me." She looks back to the tree for a bit, seemingly lost in thought. "Please forgive my curiosity and also feel free to decline to answer this: What happened to your mother?" she finally asks. Her hand reaches out, seeking and lightly curling her fingers around Ren's fingers. "I would understand if it something you would not wish to discuss."

"Well, we tended to stand out, Rin and I. And the branch that sticks out is the branch that's alone, as they say." Ren takes the sugarfir leaf from her hair, and looks down at her hands, turning the leaf over in delicate fingers. "Oh, it's alright, Umeko-sama. It was a long time ago. Mother had a wasting illness. We didn't have the money for proper attention.. it's often the way, for commoners. She faced it bravely, and as she got weaker, she tried to teach us as much as she could. In her last days, she told us that she loved us, and that the best medicine for her soul would be for us to grow up healthy and happy. Father spent time with her alone for a day or two after that, and then she slipped away." Ren rolls the stem of the leaf between thumb and finger, making it spin. "I think that's part of why Rin took the path she did. Commoners don't get money, but if she could fight for it, she could have it, and she wouldn't lose anyone around her for lack of coin. After father was lost in the storm, she t

Umeko continues to look at the tree before them and its leaves that dance lightly in the breeze. Her jaw tenses at how they lost their mother and for a moment, even her eyes close. Guilt. That is what she feels. She would have not have faced such a fate, nor her own family; all because of their status. Were they really any more worthy than Ren's family? "That will never be your fate, or your sister's," Umeko says in a quiet voice as her eyes reopen. "Not with the efforts of your sister to make sure of that. And not if there is anything I can also do." She inhales then allows her breath to ease out through her nostrils as she quiets an inner turmoil. "And I also hope you or your sister will not take offense in my interest to try and help both of you if I can. I grew up with money ... but lacked something your family had more than mine ever did. Yours loved each other and showed it. Mine ... they did in their way; but I have often felt alone and isolated. Being around you, even as brief as

it has been, has ... I wish I could explain this better, made me feel more a part of my people than I have ever felt."

Ren nods, looking up and offering a smile. "No, I think I understand. Rin and I were isolated too, especially after we lost mother and father, but we always had each other to confide in, to comfort, and to cheer. We've seen the noble families from afar on occasion, and we've never seen warmth." She reaches out and lays a hand on Umeko's forearm, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You have good friends, but maybe you needed a sister too. A sister and a little reminder of home."

"The only time I knew warmth from my father was ... when he saw me again before the Emperor," Umeko admits, "And it was not because I saved my family, though I think if he were asked he would state such. I like to believe that it is because he came so close to losing me that it finally broke his armor, if only for a moment." She looks down at the grassy earth beneath her feet and shrugs. "And yes, I think you are right. I love my friends, as odd and varied as they are. But as they are not of the people ... there is always that feeling of being the outsider around them. Different." Her head tilts a bit, then she asks, "Was your mother's remains enshrined anywhere?"

Ren's smile widens. "Then it must've been fate that brought us together." The silver kiriga looks outward from the island, is if she could see Jadai from here. "Not enshrined, but her ashes have a place amongst the other departed people of our station. The kssh'atga talked of her leaving suffering behind in oblivion to live forever instead in memory and deed, and that made me... uncomfortable. I like to think she's somewhere more than just in rememberance. But he was kind, and had a stone carved for her. We visited it from time to time, before we left the island."

Umeko nods in turn with her own smile. "Then it is decided. I will visit the stone carved in her memory and tell her of you and your accomplishments. I am certain her spirit will be proud of you and your sister," she says. "It is the least I could do. I will also have to ask her forgiveness for taking up so much of your time when you could be studying. In fact, I should fear her wrath, and the wrath of your sister, for my terrible deeds of wasting your time in finery and silly moments of exploring odd traditions ... such as kissing." The last bit is, of course, punctuated by notes of amusement in her voice more than any real seriousness about it.

The silver kiriga laughs, tailtip twirling, and then curling around to brush past Umeko's feet a moment. "If mother could see us now, she'd weep tears of joy. And Rin, well... perhaps she'd be wrathful, but only because she'd be jealous she hasn't had as nice a dinner as we did. I'm not sure what she'd think of kissing, though." Blue eyes twinkle.

"I am sure she would think it very strange, which it is," Umeko says when she can't help herself and laughs right along. "And perhaps some day she too will experience it. In fact, it might make a useful distraction when I seek to test her skills," she adds, sounding actually serious about that, too. She draws in closer to Ren and for a moment, curls her golden tail lightly with the silvery one. "And as much as I wish I could monopolize your time this day, I know you must go study and attend class. And alas, I must rescue Xander before Carla manages to wear him our, or kill him. He will be angry with me of course." For some reason that last bit also seems to amuse Umeko too. "Thank you for walking with me and showing me the sights. I promise I will come and say goodbye before we depart the island."

"Please do, Umeko-sama. I loved every minute of it, and hope that soon perhaps all three of us will be together." The young water mage seems to dispense with decorum, and simply leans into Umeko hug her, silky sleeves wrapped firmly around. "And I'll be sure to get all the juicy details from Carla!"

Umeko returns the hug willingly and without concern for the propriety or lack thereof of the action. "I wish you all the best," she whispers as she hugs her new silvery friend, "And I expect great things of you." Before Umeko releases though, the golden dragon does take a moment to kiss Ren again. It's not near the event as occurred in the springs, but more brief and gentle. "And if you ever need anything urgent, send me a message through Xander," she adds when she lets go. "If I understand correctly, mages can communicate to each other relatively quickly as compared to a simple letter."

Ren seems to appreciate the gesture, having gotten well enough aquainted with it that she's begun to recognize how warm such close affection can be. "I'll be sure to. Isn't he due to be named master, soon?"

"Indeed. His ceremony is soon, I believe. Providing 'Cloudmelons' has not made him explode, of course," Umeko says as she takes a step back and folds her hands together. "Can you tell me where to find them? I will go make sure he has not forgotten the purpose of the trip here."

The other kiriga touches her chin thoughtfully. "You know, I'm not sure where they might have gone. Our dorm is rather small, and I'd kill them if they used my bed for anything." Not that Ren looks like she'd be the type to kill much of anything at all. "I don't know what lodging arrangements Master Xander might have made, you'd probably know better than I."

"Hm. They may have retired to the hotel, then. Though if we are close to the dorm, perhaps I should check there first," Umeko muses. "Ah, no matter. I can do some searching. I do not wish to take more of your time if you have more important things to do."

School of Fire, Dormitories
While not made of cinderblock, the dorms of Fire are still built of stone - but the not cut or chiseled or laid in blocks; poured! The outer walls almost look like frozen flames (although the pain is chipped in places) with the small balconies shaped like the gaping maws of demons, with windows for eyes.

Up in his cell-like room, Xander Lightfoot lays out his new, fancy formal robes on the cot and stands back to look at them. "I will look like I am wearing a dress," he decides, as he stands there in his shorts. But his mood is pretty high at the moment, so looking a little silly in front of his peers isn't going to have that big of an impact on him today.

"It is only fitting that since you conquered a dress, you now have to wear one," Umeko remarks from the doorway where she leans on the frame. "I see you are no worse for wear after your prolonged battle with Carla Cloudmelons," she adds rather flatly and for some reason looks annoyed.

Xander squeaks and spins around. "Umeko!" he says in surprise. "Uhhh... are you upset with me?" he asks cautiously.

"Upset? Being tossed aside for a mammal with odd swellings, no, I cannot see why I would be upset," Umeko remarks rather dryly. She's even able to hold the air of being annoyed for at least a minute longer before she finally relaxes and smiles. "Of course I'm not upset. I hope you had a good time. If you intend to travel with me you won't often see those similar to your kind and I know that can be difficult."

"Well, I'd have been happy to attend to you and Ren of course!" Xander points out. "It.. was nice to be with Carla though. But I have to thank you for that as well, really. Before I met you, a girl like her would have been way out of my confidence range."

Umeko flicks her tongue thoughtfully, then plays with one of the silvery studs in it for a bit. "Thanking me for nearly getting you killed and being exposed to wild magic, mm. Odd, but I suppose I can't complain too much. Ren and I also had a lovely time. Being with one of my own kind and feeling ... close, was nice," she says once she's done fiddling the small stud against her teeth and lips. "When does the ceremony begin?" she asks and nods towards Xander's 'dress'.

"This evening!" Xander admits. "And when you say being with one of your own kind.. you mean socially, right?" he asks, ears perked.

The smile that creeps across Umeko's lips is terribly enigmatic. "So, what does this ceremony entail?" she asks, blatantly ignoring the question.

"Well, dinner," Xander notes. "And then, I think, the presentation of the braids, a few words from the dean, the inevitable jokes about exploding.. and then dessert, I think. Usually something sweet that's served on fire."

"Braids? You will be braided? I think that will look rather silly," Umeko admits.

"What?" Xander asks, his ears splaying outwards. "Oh!" he says, understanding now. "I won't be braided! I will get a braided cord for my robes, that signifies my new rank. It's much more blatant than a ring.. and I suspect much less expensive but likely fireproof."

"I don't know if there'll be a special mark for dueling though," the Lapi adds. "It's something I never looked into before."

"Ah. Not unlike the use of colored waistcords to indicate rank, or garish robes worn by the grandmasters of the great fighting schools," Umeko says, bobbing her head. "The more garish the dress, the more dangerous the foe."

"I'm brown though," the bunny notes, looking down and patting his brown (though lighter than the rest) belly. "Garish does't go well with brown. It would clash wouldn't it?"

"That is the point, I think," Umeko notes, "You either have to look garish as you excel ... or like Master Longtooth." The kirga goes and settles herself down on the cot. "As your employer, am I expected to speak on your deeds of bravery and excellence? Or ... tell them some silly story? I have heard that is sometimes tradition for awards."

"I don't think I'm going to be roasted, but.. who knows?" Xander says with a shrug. "My evaluation was pretty spectacular.. well.. noteworthy anyway. They might let you say something if you offer. You wouldn't embarrass me though, would you?" he asks, tapping his fingertips together. "Ren and Carla might show up, since it's usually open to students. I think most come for the free food though.."

"Now, have you done anything around me that you might consider embarrassing?" Umeko has to ask as she folds her hands together. "Well, other than thinking you could defeat a canon on your own. And then there was chasing the savanite women around the fire. And in ... come to think of it, there are many stories..."

"They were chasing me," Xander claims, arms crossed against his chest. It's hard to look indignant in your undershorts though.

"And I do remember the giggling that came from you after they caught you," Umeko remarks, "Later that evening..."

"They.. that.." Xander sputters. "So I'm a little ticklish is all. And.. well, that really might not count as embarrassing.."

"I also remember some comment about being devoured," Umeko continues, "But I did not get the context. I was distracted." She taps her clawtips now, changing the subject, "We will be leaving for Jadai after the ceremony. I have much to do there before returning to Viper's Hold."

"So.. how will you present me to your family?" Xander asks a bit nervously. "As a retainer or.. as a consort?"

"A retainer," Umeko answers. "It would require less explanation. Not to mention make you less likely to be interrogated by my family, alone."

The Lapi seems to relax a bit, and jokes, "And also less likely to arouse any curious interest by your handmaidens!"

"I will be sure to inform them to not bathe you or anything else that may excite you, do not worry," Umeko promises. "One thing we will be doing in Jadai is visiting the province where Rin and Ren grew up. I wish to pay respects to their mother's 'grave' on their behalf."

"Why would they bathe me?" Xander has to ask, and then self-consciously sniffs his arm. "Do I smell like Skreek?"

Umeko sniffs the air. "You smell like prey," she observes. "And as for why, it is common for nobles and their guests to be hand-bathed of course."

"Oh, well that's fine then," Xander says with a grin. "As long as it's not with your parents. I mean.. they're handmaidens - they wouldn't know I was reacting anyway, would they?"

"Mammals are rather apparent when they're reacting," Umeko points out. "And I wouldn't want to inflict you with such torment. A warm bath, soap and oils, and two handmaiden's tending to every part of you. It would be most unpleasant I am sure."

"Well.. I wouldn't want to seem like a bad guest," Xander notes. "It's not like they'd be as attractive as you, after all, so I should be fine. Or.. you could bathe me.." he suggests with a grin.

"That would not be appropriate," Umeko notes, "And would likely leave to to deal with my father. Now ... are you actually going to get dressed? Or, do you prefer to stay in your underwear around me? Is it bad luck for me to see you in your dress before the ceremony?"

"Bad luck? No, of course not," Xander says, then grins at Umeko as he turns around and picks up his robes, wiggling his little puff-ball tail at her as he gets dressed.

"Oh, good. Perhaps I will keep you in a dress all the time then," Umeko teases. She even leans over enough to give his backside a light swat. "I assume there will be other Masters at this ceremony? Or is it done for only one student at a time?" she asks.

"I'm sure they wouldn't use up a whole ceremony just for me," Xander notes, jumping a bit from the swat. He turns and smooths out the formal robes, saying, "There must have been others who passed before me recently enough. Then again.. we do like to throw parties."

"Will I be introduced at this ceremony? And if so, as what?" Umeko asks. She leans forward a bit and peers at Xander. "Come here," she instructs.

The Lapi steps forward as requested, and says, "Well, I'd introduce you as my employer I suppose."

Umeko reaches up and wipes the corner of Xander's mouth with her thumb. "You had a pink smudge from something," she remarks, shrugging.

"A pink.. oh," Xander replies, looking a bit embarrassed. "Carla's lipstick.. good catch, Umeko!"

"Well, that depends on her," Xander notes. "Especially if we're going to be leaving soon. Where you going to spend more time with Ren before we go?"

"I am not sure. I feel like I am taking too much of her time, yet ... I find her company soothing," Umeko admits and shrugs. "I must be careful, though. I do not wish my presence to cause her problems here."

"I don't see how it could cause her problems," Xander notes, and then offers his arm to Umeko. "But of more immediate concern: you and Nawar need to be dressed nicely for the ceremony!"

"And here I thought I would attend nude," Umeko remarks dryly as she accepts Xander's offered arm and stands. "What are the dress requirements?"

"Well.. I don't know!" Xander admits with a grin. "I suppose.. ostentatious and garish?" he suggests, waggling his eyebrows.

Umeko playfully bites Xander's ear. "Behave," she admonishes him. "We'll manage with the clothing we have in the hotel. Nawar should be done with her practice of properly folding the various parts by now. And I suppose I will allow you to watch me dress; even if I am not as endowed as your Cloudmelons."

"Well, not up front," Xander notes, then reaches down and squeezes Umeko's tail. "But you can't be beat in the rearward areas.."