Lance silently entered this building, which people had called the Academy of Arms, figuring it was the place that most people learned to fight. True, he knew how to fight quite well...but it likely wouldn't do him any harm to learn the local fighting style. Once he entered, he went over to the desk he saw in order to sign up, if possible. He just hoped he wouldn't be started with basics...

Athiyk, who had just finished several practice rounds, entered the building to let them know that the sparring arena she had been using was free for someone to use. She noticed the newcomer and nodded a welcome to him.

Lance looked over to Athiyk, a girl who was clearly rather heavily armed, and had just come out from what seemed to be the sparring grounds; he just wished that he had his old weapon from Avalon still with him...it wasn't much, but it was something. Nonetheless, he nodded back in greeting to the woman.

"Welcome," she approached him. "I do not believe I have met you yet. I am Athityk."

She could tell he was a warrior without his weapon. Athiyk recognized the body language, for she had felt the same way when she had escaped the Underdark.

Lance nodded, turning to face the woman, figuring she knew that he was an experienced warrior, but not how experienced he was...Nonetheless, he figured he'd at least greet himself, and bowed politely. "My name's Lance, pleasure to meet you."

"What is your preferred weapon?" she knew the question seemed odd, but she could tell a lot about a person by their weapon of choice.

Lance tilted his head to the side in curiosity, finding this a rather strange question to ask. "My preferred weapon? I'd have to say a katana."

Smiling, she explained. "I like to know what one's weapon of choice is. It interests me the large diversity in Imythess. Some people use hefty broadswords, others use lighter weapons that depend on speed and agility like my preferred weapon, the double scimitars and the katana."

Lance nodded. "I see...I much prefer speed, durability, and sharpness in my blades."

she nodded. "As do I. THe very thought of being held down by my weapons makes me nervous."

Lance nodded, chuckling softly. "I see...that's why I tend not to lose my weapons to others, but keep them in hand."

"Indeed," she said in agreement, heer hands casually resting on the hilts of her scimitars, as she often did.

Lance nodded, and looked over to her. "Yeah...but if I may ask, would you happen to be a drow? Nothing against them, of course, just curious. Never actually seen a drow before."

The smile left her face for a moment, then was replaced by a grim one. "Yes. I am an Exile. I fled Menzoberranzan about two months ago."

Lance nodded, not intending in the least to bring up any bad memories...but then, he had plenty himself. "I see...as for me, I'm actually a demon, not a human, as you might've guessed, and I was banished from the underworld for some of my beliefs of peace and justice..."

"Then we are not so different from eachother, for I was exiled for similar reasons. I was found to be showing mercy upon a slave and such behavior is not tolerated among the Drow."

Lance nodded in response. "I see...I personally hate slavery myself...living beings should be treated as such, not treated as items of ownership."

"I agree, for the most part, but the Drow do not see it so. They enjoy humiliated their enemies by giving them lowly states as slaves. I showed mercy to the Drows most hated surface dwelling enemy, an Elf."

Lance nodded in understanding, knowing a good amount about the hostility between Drows and Elves. "Of course...hostility toward the race that they once were, until they were banished..."

"Yes, it seems that the Drow and Elves still share at least one thing in common, they both can hold grudges for generations."

Athiyk knew the history of the Drow well. SHe had been taught it since she was a child. She learned about how the Drow were once known as Ilythiiri and about how their goddess, Araushnee was exiled from the Elves pantheon and sent to the Abyss.

Lance nodded. "I have to agree with you there...I personally don't hold things against others, though, but simply judge on their present actions, without letting their past actions have much effect on it."

"Very noble," she smiled playfully. "I try not to, but it is difficult being a Drow on the surface. Many treat me with suspicion and even hostility, even if I have done nothing to encourage such actions and feelings. I try not to judge others, but it is difficult not to treat Elves with the same level of suspicion they show towards me."

"Yeah, I can definitely understand how that feels...that's basically the reason I've preferred to keep this human form, to prevent unnecessary hostility...But as for myself, I don't see why anyone would treat you with hostility, you seem to be a rather kind and caring person," he said, smiling slightly at her.

She smiled, genuinely this time. "I try. I have never been evil as most of my kind. It was not my nature, but I have definitely changed my outlook on the world since I fled to the surface."

"Yeah...I myself must admit that most humans seem to be rather...foolish at times, and some other species also have their setbacks, but everyone has potential to do whatever they wish in life, and it's not my place to try and take that away."

"Very true," she said solemnly. It had Been a long while since Athiyk had had such a long and meaningful conversation with someone, and she found it refreshing to find someone who shared her outlook for the most part.

Lance nodded, chuckling softly to himself, surprised he'd even said this...but still, he didn't get any sort of reprimand, so it didn't matter. "So, do you have much friends around here? Just figured I'd ask."

She shrugged. "I am good friends with Laoura, and know Veronna, as well as several others, but not as well as I should."

Lance nodded, although not really knowing who Laoura or Veronna were, but not showing it. "I see...can't say I really have any friends, myself. Basically just a loner."

"As am I. I have been on the surface for a long while, but I keep to myself for the most part."

Lance chuckled softly, noticing something at this point. "Well, it would seem we have much in common...strange that that would be so. I personally figured I'd never find someone so much like myself."

"There are others...Jhael is much like us. MOre like me because he is of the same race. He helped me escape the Underdark when my Matron Mother was planning to kill me."

"I see...I suppose you two still keep in contact?"

"Yes, when we can. Mostly only in our dreams though. We have been sharing visions... He is still in the Underdark, but plans are in affect to get him out before my Matron finds out of his treachery."

Lance nodded, wondering how they'd be able to do this, at least alone... "Interesting...perhaps I could be of some help?"

"How so? I would welcome any help you could offer," she said.

"Well, I am a fighter, after all. Not to mention I'm a demon, so in my true form, I'd likely be welcomed in the underdark, allowing me to get to Jhael quickly."

Nodding, she gestured to an area of the academy that had several couches, a type of common room.

"Come, let us sit. It will be easier to talk."

Lance nodded, looking over to the room as well. "I suppose so...don't really mind standing, myself, but whatever's more comfortable for you is fine."

She did sit, and then spoke. "You would be willing to join the quest to save Jhael's life? There are already several who have voiced that they will help, but I could use any help, anyone can offer."