David
*As sun begins to set, and the sky turns to vibrant autumn hues of ochre clouds over a pleasant blue, a lone figure, dark top to bottom, all but stands out as an anomaly. Vaguely feline in appearance from a distance, and mostly covered in a long, dark cloak, the stranger is all the same harmless - merely walking by the monastery, glancing at the architecture of the place.*

*Black on black atop black, the only color that seems discernible beyond darkness are two purple dots - its eyes. That, and dull rust - the cloth his cloak is made of sometimes revealing the existence of a very damaged and old blade on a moldy scabbard.*

*Though people appear to avoid the figure, It looks perfectly content in being left alone, sometimes keeping its eyes to whomever is nearest, itself wary of strangers and somewhat defensive, tense even - though unafraid.*

*While not particularly tall, or physically imposing, the posture is slightly hunched forwards and not erfectly straight, balanced by a long tail that ultimately makes it come across as agile - and not one to trifle with. Who (and what) could this be? And why are they here?*
John
*Svilena was now going about the halls - lighting a few of the lanterns in the Dojo, before she stepped outside the front gates to check and tend to the lanterns just outside.*

*It was then that her whole body went on high alert, she turned her head to see the dark cloak of the the stranger; once her eyes had adjusted a tad - she'd notice the somewhat feline traits of them.*

*Recollecting herself, Svilena would turn fully to them and offer a nod of her head as she spoke* "A good evening to you stranger, what brings you all this way? Unless ye are simply passing by?" *Her voice was open, and friendly.*
David
*About as quickly as Svilena takes notice, so does the stranger. Purple eyes pierce her stare, an unnatural faint glow to them as it stands still, and once she speaks, also silent. It soon responds in a somber, alnost gutural voice.* 

"Good... Evening. It is nice to find *Politeness,* For a change. I heard there was a place, here, for those looking for peace. Or perhaps purpose."

*Quite straight to the point. He speaks in as gentle a tone as his voice allows, altough the stare is one to send shivers down the spine. There's something so... Not safe, not peaceful, about the steely gaze he gives her. Not unlike one she might have seen in seasoned foes - that stare, that look of focus on her and her potential as an enemy. Not quite sizing her up, but more trying to predict and brace tor potential moves.*

*He does at least seem to come in peace...*
John
*Though she lacked 'eye brows' she did sort of arch that part of her eye a tad - she almost felt like she was back in the jungles again; face to face with a wild beast that was sizing her up to see if it wanted to have at her for whatever reason.*

*Why he was giving this sort of aura off, Svilena couldn't think of a reason but she did somewhat understand - being a Lizardfolk; she still got odd looks from others, wasn't any way to escape it.*

"Akhara Vata can be considered various things depending on the person, peaceful is what we stride to uphold. As for purpose, I suppose that depends upon what a person is seeking."

*She'd offer a small bow with her hands against her chest* "I am Svilena Vihur, Bhante of this town and dojo - might I welcome you inside for something to eat or drink stranger?"

*While her natural instincts made her wish to display her own feral nature, to match his cold stare - Svilena also felt that he had questions. Whatever the case, she would be a good hostess to whomever visited.*
David
Sorry. Will respond tomorrow!

"I would actually appreciate that. Thanks." *The stranger responds in the same gently menacing tone of his. There's certainly some 'on edge' about him, a certain reservation, but nothing about his tone implies a desire to actually cause problems. Perhaps this is just a particularly fickle, paranoid visitor.*

"I apologize for my *Ignorance,* But I can't say I understand what being a 'Bhante.' enthails. But I'm certain I will know soon, Svilena. I go by the name of Gestalt."
John
"Bhante is simply another term for monk or nun, please do follow me inside Gestalt" *She said simply, guiding him into the dojo's dining hall. Normally the space would have a few visitors and locals eating and drinking - but all was quiet now but one could smell some food from the nearby kitchens.*

*She'd welcome him to sit down wherever he might like, while she went into the kitchen to get some of the still warm dishes. Once she had also gotten a pot of tea and cups, Svilena would step back out with the tray - once it was set down, he would see what looked like fish and vegetables skewers.*

"So from where about have ye come from Gestalt, the town has seen a fair number of folks - most from within these lands but a few from further afar have come by as well."
David
*The ominous, but seemingly unaggressive visitor takes one of the skewers and looks at it in silence for a few moments, its thoughts inscrutable behind a deadpan expression.* "I wish I knew, but unfortunately my memories are gone. I'd rather not talk about my past, or my origins. They aren't pleasant things to discuss. I will say however that I still plan on figuring out the full truth, eventually."

*His tone is one without sorrow - just a dry bitterness. There's a good deal of fury in there, but subdued - controlled long ago.*

"Are *You* From this region, yourself?"
John
*She'd only nod her head at his desire to not speak of himself, she had some of her tea before answering him* "I myself hail to the vast jungles across the sea to the east... I came to these lands many years ago, when I was still somewhat of a young adult."

"So Gestalt, have ye come to Wai Oromarde to ease your mind? Though ye did speak of purpose, I'd be happy to hear ye thoughts?" *She offered, taking up one of the skewers, had having a nibble.*
David
"I'm throwing clay at the wall. Seeing what sticks." *He muses quietly.* "I have little to lose in coming here. Maybe it helps. If it does not, i can simply try to find answers elsewhere."
John
*Indeed, seems as though his path was quite the tangled one, she could see that* "Well Wai Oromarde is still a growing settlement to be sure, but we already have much to offer. Akhara Vata commonly has visitors seeking a place to debate on various topics, or somewhere one can spar in peace..."

*Svilena went on to explain that the town was commonly in the business of fishing, but also that brewing was another* "...Merchants have been helping to bring other supplies, but another growing trend I've noticed is visitors coming to stay in the taverns and inns for a short period. Many of them seem to find the region's weather to their liking - the northern beaches tend to be a popular gathering place for locals and visitors."

*She could at most offer him some ideas, but he had to decide things for himself in the end.*
David
"Tourism. Hm, it doesn't tend to work out for me." *Now a bit more relaxed, he gives the fish skewer a somewhat gnarly bite.* "I sometimes feel that the only thing I look for when I get somewhere is for people I should tear to pieces. Mostly witches. Thankfully they aren't too common. Of course, *Other* Things do catch my interest. We're talking now. But sadly, my first instinct is always to expect the absolute worst."

"Regretably, I'm always eager to hurt others. Like an itch I can't quite scratch. It pains me, almost, that there are so few opportunities to put that violence to more.. Civilized use. That's why I'm actually curious about.. Wai.. Ouromord.?.. I might need a few attempts to pronounce that name."

*His tone isn't a regretful or mournful one. It is not a threat, either, despite him very overtly spilling out "I enjoy violence!". The way he speaks is closer to stating an uncomfortable, but unavoidable fact about himself, like acknowledging a flaw with resignation.*

"...Frustratingly, it seems more often than not I find myself fighting people I'd rather not."
John
"Combat itself has various uses depending upon the person - some use it for wild violence, others may use it to defend others - here at Akhara Vata, I strive to use combat as a way to teach commonly self discipline. To know one's self is the first step often; hence why we often have sparing sessions here. And when in combat, one can often release tension or a way to exercise."

*She'd finish off her second fish skewer, before returning to her tea* "Have ye ever hear of the Battle School in Aismir, I'm told many warriors harden themselves there - though I believe they often handle types of weapons. Here at my dojo we normally do martial arts, but we also train with weapons and magic to change things from time to time."
David
*Something about her precise choice of words about what they train here specifically elicits a strange, mild smirk out of Gestalt.* "I feel I could use all of it. The training. The uh... Knowing oneself. I'll put it bluntly, I don't quite know what to do with myself. Everything is new to me. I only re-learned what the world is like a few weeks ago, it took a friend getting me a map... I did not even recall countries or cities. Let alone from which I came. All I know is *Violence,* Svilena. And i both love it, and feel put off by how much I enjoy it. It is hard to explain."
John
"Why ye love violence so much I cannot answer for you, Gestalt - tis likely something that you already know or its something related to ye past" *She remarked, but she wasn't going to force him to say anything if he didn't wish it.*

*She'd set down her tea cup* "But ye are welcome to spend some time here at the dojo, take the time to let your thoughts wander - that alone for some is often the hardest step to take. But I am planning to host a gathering on combat, will mostly be of the debating nature - but those that attend may also display their combat arts."

"Ye are welcome to attend it if you are feeling up to it?" *She asked him.*
David
*Gestalt is given pause at her words.*

"Is that an.. Invitation?.." *He sounds bith surprised and incredulous.* "I don't know if you'd want me there. I attract a lot of attention. I am not good at sparring either. I'm either fighting or not fighting - I don't trust myself to not maim someone. And i doubt *I* Have anything worth listening to in a debate like this. I am barely better than a murderer. In how I think. In how I perceive things. Not that I don't want that to change, but..." *His speech trails off, as though he loses track of his train of thought.*
John
"Gestalt, ye shouldn't speak about yourself like that" *Svilena remarked* "You most certainly would have something to gain from taking part in this - and no one is asking ye to take part in the sparing. Some are likely to simply sit and listen, others will even watch."

*In the end it was his choice if he wished to take part, but Svilena wouldn't stand for him speaking so ill about himself.* "But speaking yourself in such an ill manner, tis not healthy at all."

"You can decide if you'd like to attend, and yes it is an invitation - it could be the first step the change you are seeking." *Svilena would allow him to decide upon the manner, hoping that he might attend for his own sake.*