Welcome to Gaia! ::

"?" Iri looks up in the direction of the door. With curiosity, she trots down the hall, up the stairs and to the door. She yanks it open and peeks outside.

"Ah!" She steps to the side to let Kaimen in. "Thanks again for the help on the Dojo. As far as I can tell, they did a good job."

"I'm sort of amazed that you're surprised," Dalcon says conversationally, walking back from the kitchen with a few bites taken from a shiny red apple. "Let's see. Out of all your intrepid staff," he continues, "Miss Iri has managed to watch over me while fighting a very difficult opponent, at least from my estimation, while Seph healed my wounds. Mind you, this opponent is someone you could have and should have handled, since you're so keen on showing off you're in charge, and she was on your grounds."

He steps between Kaimen and Iri, looking up at him as he takes another bite. "I'm drawn to her because I'm thankful. Looking at who's left, you've made several loud announcements, and your Rai Sensei took the high and mature road of making snide remarks about my mother. Not exactly endearing..."

Perhaps showing his dislike for being called a 'little guest' in sarcasm or perhaps letting the fact that he IS a child show through, Dalcon makes a thoughtful face in a childish, cute way, and after a moment's hesitation, adds, "And let's face it, she's prettier."

Iri's hand goes to her face and she shakes her head. Good question. Since when is she such a magnet for children?

The hand drops to her side and she interjects before the kids can get a verbal chewing. "Like Dalcon said, I protected him and he's grateful. And, until one of his guardians shows up, I'll gladly watch over him. His father is a good friend, and guarding his child is the least I can do."

Iri takes a glance at Syn, raising an inquiring eyebrow. Then she looks back at Kaimen. "As for the girl, well, I dunno. She's a very old and very powerful spirit, and I don't have any control over her. If you don't like her being here, well, good luck getting rid of her. I would just be glad that she seems content picking on me instead of the rest of the Academy."

She doesn't sound whiny or helpless on that last statement. Just very matter-of-fact.

She shrugs. "I'm training as much as ever, though I'm about to take it easy for a while to restore my energy reserves. My student is off on a mission. And if Syn is here to spy, what's she gonna spy on? I have no secrets. And I haven't been entrusted with anything valuable." The avian glances at the bag that's still sitting next to the stairs. "Unless there's something in that sack I need to know about."

Iri thinks a moment. One hand takes out her kunai and starts to twirl and toss the weapon. It's a habit. Sitting still is a difficult task for her. "If you'd like, I can put the kids to work while they're here. I could even teach Dalcon, if he's willing to be a student. I wouldn't have to worry about him as much if he had more methods of defense other than hack and slash."

The avian reaches up to scratch the back of her head with the end of the kunai's handle. Her brow quirks again and she tilts her head to the side like a curious bird. "Well, that was an odd visit. Guess it makes sense, keeping tabs on a new Sensei."

She brings the knife down to her side. The weapons slips into the back of her sarong where it stays. Then she looks between the two kids. "Syn, you're first: What are you doing here? I would think Neko wouldn't want you here anymore. Or are you just bored?"

Yep, this one reminds Iri very much of her sister. Lenora and Syn would probably be great friends.

"So, you just wanted to see Daedalus fight. I would say that you probably shouldn't have seen that, but considering your past, it probably doesn't matter." Iri reaches up to scratch the tip of her nose. Something occurs to her. "Question for ya, Syn: What on earth is Daedalus? I've seen strange things. Hell, I am a strange thing. But I've never seen anything like her."

"Mm, and you're clever as Kaimen," he rejoins, again rolling his eyes.

(( SHORT MAN!? scream scream Iri, darlin', bite me. Also, I totally thought of Arnold's grandad....))

"I'm here, half on summer vacation, half studying abroad, mostly get-out-of-normal-school-because-you-glow. I don't have a plan or anything. As far as a new home...I didn't think that far ahead because Daedalus...happened."