While Sirin was staying in the temple, he was expected to obey their rules. He found most things here horribly irritating, but since the people here were so good at whatever they did that even this building was pure, Sirin decided to gain their trust and play along for a little while. At least, as far as it was tolerable for him.
With great effort he stretched out his legs and also changed their shape for a moment just to get the feeling in his feet back. He had been sitting cross-legged for at least an hour and was glad to finally be freed.
Since he was reasonably human in overal shape and not that aggressive, the people here had decided it was a good idea to let him join their training and rituals in the hope of thinning out the evil in him. Although Sirin himself did not see the point, nor what was so terribly vile about him.
Up to this point, he'd taken part in their standard physical training, spirit and history classes, martial arts, some sort of breathing exercises, and meditation.
The breathing exercises and meditation were the worst. He had to go for a walk in for at least 15 minutes beforehand so that his legs wouldn't fall asleep when he sat still for a long time. And then his legs would fall asleep anyways!
He'd seen a few of the somewhat strong-looking people doing some pretty cool stuff. Some had so much control over their sword that they could stand on it and it still floated. Others could use some sort of magic-like energy to fire at their target as weapons. Some of their used musical instruments or weapons to better control the energy, even though in most cases they didn't need it.
He had asked about this, and apparently these were the results of what these people called cultivation. And according to them, the breathing exercises and meditation were essential as a foundation. If this had not been the case, Sirin would have given up meditation long ago.
When Sirin got up he suddenly noticed that one of the teachers, Mr. de Vries, had appeared behind him. Still a little languid, Sirin turned around. " What is it?"
The man looking straight at him now, wore a white robe and had long dark hair. Sirin had recently learned that this was one of the best temples to teach cultivation and that people from all parts of the country came to learn here. The color of their uniform usually indicated which family the student or teacher came from.
"I've come to kindly request you to stop walking on the rooftops. It has done no damage yet but some of our students might follow your example. I hope you understand that most people aren't as light as you are and they might fall through the roofs."
Sirin shrugged. "So what? If he didn't teach them that it's a bad idea and that they shouldn't just imitate anyone else, it's not my fault."
The man raised an eyebrow. "I was hoping you'd understand the hint that rooftops are prohibited for good reasons and that you'd know this if you'd read the rules. This is your final warning. If you continue with this behavior, we will have to punish you."
Sirin's tail wagged slowly from side to side as he kindly smiled. "Oh, I've read them. I must say they are quite boring. No fights on the school grounds? No alcohol for the students? This place is worse than hell, and I should know that."
Sirin could see the anger building up behind the man's eyes. But somehow his face remained disturbingly calm. "If I were you, I'd change my behavior quickly, otherwise you can prove you've read those lines by copying them a hundred times."
Unimpressed, Sirin walked past the man, splitting his mouth open as wide as possible in a disgusting grin. "I'm counting on it."
When he almost walked through the door, the teacher spoke to him again. "I also advise you to watch your tail. The way you move it with every emotion you have is very irritating."
Sirin had long since stopped listening to Mr. de Vries and walked out into the open field. This was mainly used for training, but you could also easily slip away in the woods. Someone was already waiting for him here. A boy named Hendrik who, for some unknown reason, dared to call Sirin a friend. As far as Sirin could estimate, he was about eighteen, though he never behaved like that. He had long black hair and bright blue eyes.
When Hendrik saw Sirin he waved enthusiastically and seemed to be hiding something behind his back. Sirin had an idea of what this must mean and slipped into the woods allong with Hendrik.
They stopped by an old, half-collapsed bridge. As always, if a teacher asked where they had been, they would say that they had been looking for herbs in the forest. Sirin could easily smell those things and so they always had evidence for this.
Curious Sirin peered at the pot Hendrik was holding in his hands. The young man only smiled.
"Since the last time was not such a great success, I thought I should look for something where the taste is not so important."
He talked about the times he bought food from the village and smuggled it to the temple. According to him, it would be the best food Sirin would ever eat for as long as he was here, but the outcome was only to be expected. The only thing he could taste a bit was the dish ridden with raw fish and that was nothing special.
Hendrik took the lid off the pot and the air was immediately filled with a sweet aroma. He handed the pot to Sirin who quicly took a gulp of it.
He immediately handed the jar back, trying not to cough out the drink.
Hendrik let out a deep sigh. So, not a fan of alcoholic drinks. How sad can your existence be?"
Sirin shrugged. "It does not matter. I don't know any better, and it's not that I don't taste anything. Only the things you people eat are tasteless to me."
The young man leaned against the stones of the bridge. "Shame. By the way, thanks for distracting de Vries. Were you in a lot of trouble?"
Sirin grinned. "Nah, he can't do much to me anyway."