I entered into the Trainer's Common Room, where all the mentors, employees, and generals could come during their free time and get a cup of coffee, a snack, and just hang out. I passed by a few trainers. Some had cat ears, like me. While others had fox ears, werewolf ears, one even had a long lions tail with a tuft of fur on the end. Just about everyone in Iris has these unique animal-like characteristics. And if they didn't, they were usually skilled in magic or combat, or some other trade. I walked past the grand oak table to see two men arm wrestling while a small group was cheering them on. I rolled my eyes. I didn't like fighting for sport one bit. I thought it was rowdy and immature. Sure, you might consider sparing with Hazel fighting for sport, but that's different. That's fighting for training, to face the real world. Fighting for sport doesn't prepare you for anything, there are no rules in the real world that say you can't fight to the death. Or throw a punch in a certain area. Plus most of the people who fight do it are greedy, and fight to earn money so they can get rich. I flopped on the couch and crossed my arms. After a little while a felt two soft hands cover my eyes. I pretended to gasp in surprise. "Talon, you know better than to go surprising a proper lady like myself." I said in my best Amber accent. Talon lifted his hands off of mine. "Megera, you're less likely to become a proper lady than I am to like girls." I turned around to see Talon smirk. He also knew better than to call me Ember in front of all these trainers, which I appreciated. I grinned back at Talon and gave him a friendly punch. "So, how've you been?" I asked. Talon shrugged. "Meh, alright." He replied. It was my turn to smirk. "Evan hasn't noticed you yet." I guessed. I was right, Talons face turned bright red. "N-no!" "It's not that!" He stammered. "I just, prefer watching him from afar." "Sureeee." I said, making sure Talon heard the sarcasm in my voice. Talon sighed. "I still had trouble with my training classes though." "The girls won't even pay attention to the class anymore, they just stare at me." "It's getting annoying." Talon teaches weapon making at the Training Academy, and he is very skilled at welder magic. However, most of the time the students joining the class are teenage girls staring at him. To be honest, I couldn't blame them. Talon has tan skin, dark hair, and soft emerald eyes. He looked like he could belong in emerald if he was a bit paler. But he always wore the symbol of Red on his shirt. It's a sun with red beams coming down from the sky. Each nation of Iris has their own symbol. "It'll work out." I tried to say encouragingly. "My day was kinda bad too." I said. "Although I did get to do some training with Hazel." "I also got to see general working on a map." Talon faced me. "I saw it too!" "I've been so curious about it!" I smirked. "Wanna find out what it is." Talon nodded. "We'll go there, tonight." "Great!" I shouted but Talon quickly pressed a finger to my lips. "Shhhh." He shushed me. People were beginning to stare. I nodded slowly and whispered, "Sorry."