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Early morning was one of the best times to be out on campus. Almost everyone that had actually made it outside of the dorms tended to be scurrying, either to breakfast or class, or just getting their day started. It was not loud yet, and it was a rather peaceful time to run. His early morning stretches and Tai Chi had warmed him up nicely, and he relaxed into a pace a bit faster than a jog.

The mantodae enjoyed this time as it allowed him to simply observe his surroundings and reflect on what had transpired the previous day and what was to come. Unlike most who looked for the beauty of nature, he was keeping an eye out for good hunting spots or careless prey. One never quite knew when one could acquire a quick and easy meal. As such he was mainly focused on the area's to the side and ahead of him, not really paying attention to the path behind him.

Yǐn Cáng was making fairly good time, but he was not trying to beat any records or push himself too hard. No, a nice lap around the school to get his muscles thoroughly warmed for his real workout was all that this was supposed to be. He had made it a fair distance when he heard the tell-tale signs of another runner closing it. It was not entirely uncommon to cross another while running around the school, but he was not the type to really jog with others.

So really he had two options, slow down and squeeze to the side of the path to allow them to pass (and then scare away all of the game ahead of them) or to speed up and hope to outrun them. Not one to back down he sped up just a little, lengthening his stride and focusing on his breathing so as not to become too distracted.

Yin was slightly surprised when the ghoul who had been chasing him caught up. He was even more surprised when she just threw the term friend out there and excitedly asked him about his day. It was all rather brazen of her he felt, and he was half tempted to ignore her.

And then his training began to insist that he great her cheerfully. But it was morning, and she was ruining his peaceful reflection time. He had just been breathing and deciding if from the jump kick he would go for a right hook or straight into a roundhouse during his workout, and without fully thinking it through he spoke to the color-divided jogger much as he would a boil rather than a ghoul.

That was to say, without all of the pleasantries. "Morning," he answered rather shortly. "I was jogging on my own and enjoying the peace of the day. Do you require assistance?

As soon as the words were out he felt a thrill go down his spine. Perhaps a thrill of fear, but mixed with it a feeling of exhilaration as he realized that he had never spoken to a ghoul in such a tone.

He glanced over at the ghoul as she ran beside him, slightly curious about how happy she seemed after he had spoken to her so shortly. Ghouls here really were different he supposed.

He decided to push things a little farther, letting a long stretch of silence lapse before he answered her. Well, it felt long to him, thought it was really only a few paces. Still, he kept her waiting. "Indeed, I train every morning. It is important to stick with fixed training regimen whenever possible." He then let curiosity get the better of him and brazenly asked her a question about herself. "And you? Are you training as well?"

The mantodae was actually rather happy to hear of another that seemed as devoted to the physical side of things as he. She seemed to fare well with training, as she was keeping up with him easily enough to talk and look energetic while doing so.

But a tiny part of him was enjoying taking small liberties, making her wait just a little bit, being brazen and rude. Well, in comparison to how he should be acting toward a ghoul. Most males would probably think he was being downright polite.

So when she offered him her hand he began thinking of ways to not touch the ghoul. She looked fairly clean and everything, but it was more of the principal of the matter. So, instead of telling her it was a pleasure to meet her, and bringing her hand up for a kiss, he raised his hand up for a wave. "Greetings Miss Hel, I am Yǐn Cáng." He had absolutely no expectations by this point of her getting his name right. Alexander had had to be coached to pronounce it right and only Miss Xiu-Ying used his actual name on a fairly regular basis.

He nodded in affirmation, already expecting to be addressed as such. What was surprising was that she actually asked him. Still, it did not help when others asked to call him a word that could mean anything from feminine and moon to negative. And they apparently seemed to struggle to pronounce even Yǐn properly. He had already resigned himself to his fate, so he might as well let this ghoul call him that as well.

And now it began, she was beginning to make demands. Well, he certainly was not going to call her Mistress, he had decided to abandon that title for all but ghouls that truly deserved his respect. Lady? He was about to settle on that title when a hint of a smug smile graced his lips.

"After my morning run I go to the gymnasium to practice my martial arts," he explained. "Unless I have class it takes up my entire morning Just Hel."

Well, that certainly changed things. "I am sorry," he said somewhat horrified. "I...I had just presumed that you were a ghoul. If I had known that you were a boil I would not have tried to call you miss."

He was somewhat baffled. Hel looked like a ghoul. Hel sounded like ghoul. But...well he had been pretty easy-going when he popped up, and rather boisterous, more like a boil he supposed. And that meant...yes, all of his "rebellions" had been in vain because he had just been speaking to a boil. He tried to ignore the disappointment, channeling his energy into running.

Well now he felt awful. It was just a phrase that he had not encountered before, not actually signifying a brother. And he had just...he had just called a ghoul a boil and the look she was giving him was not exactly reassuring.

Thoughts of being a rebellious little boil went flying straight out the window. He had wronged this ghoul, even if it had been on accident. "I beg your pardon for the grievous wrong I have committed Lady Hel. But even warriors have titles. Perhaps you have one that you would prefer?"