Respect was the name of the game. As the group gave introductions he heard their various names and titles and respecting their willingness to share contemplated providing his own in turn. In the back of his mind he pondered momentarily if this was the right thing to do, if one of these people may be an enemy; a member of some warring state which held animosity towards Corian, a roguish lout who would kill for the thrill, or perhaps some worker of the Labyrinth itself. Still; his subconscious shot back that should one of them turn on him he would show them the proper respect as well, offering a quiet burial after he dispatched them.

Cenric found peace of mind in the fact that scholars and soldiers apparently made up the group by and large. An alchemist was an individual who understood both science and magic, they were commonly deemed people of intelligence, their knowledge could prove useful in trying to find a way out. As for the combat ready among them... Any former warrior knows it's usually better to let someone else do the fighting for you if they're willing, and that way they can do the dying for you as well.

Noting Alexei's clothing and thinking over his words the Order Mage found himself shivering slightly. There were no wars or great battles between Corian and Isakios, but there was distrust and distaste of one another's practices that among individuals there had been bloodshed in the past, even if it hadn't escalated to a national scale it was something to worry about. Something in the man's expression towards him told him he was right to do so.

Peering into the distance the follower of the great serpent became lost in his own thoughts. He had made it inside, which had been the first thing he'd been troubled over, especially considering that since practically no one came back out there was no knowing if just entering would kill you or not. That out of the way he had to find a treasure grand enough to fund his research, to begin with, and then somehow manage to get out of the Labyrinth with it. Initially this had seemed the easy part but glancing in every direction he realized that the field of bony trees where the moon seemed to hang too low and the company seemed a bit erratic was all there was for some distance.

Well; aside from the massive gem. As tall as he and exuding an eerie emerald light from with it was, this black gem that would likely garner everyone's attention once they stopped chatting and started looking around. There was nothing like it back home, that was for certain, and it was for that reason that he didn't think to bother with it. Not only was it likely too heavy to take with him, he knew he wouldn't have the faintest idea who may purchase such a thing.

Compact but valuable; that was the idea. [i]Gold, silver, fire...FIRE![/i] The last thought came unbidden to his mind, having been inspired by the sudden eruption of fire biting at the air to his left, feasting greedily on the oxygen and warming his face with it's heat. He was startled, but unwilling to show it.

As such he softly said; "[b]That... seemed unnecessary.[/b]" After that instant he was entirely focused on those around him, not wanting to wind up fried and fricasseed if another of them decided to randomly loose a fire-bolt.

Turning to face the woman who had loosed the great gout of flame he saw her shaking her head and heard her pipe up; "[b]No, I know of no Alchemists outside of Teann Ch'i.[/b]" He had become so lost in the conversation that he didn't know why Alchemists were up for discussion, but nodding towards the space the flames had just scorched the air he decided it best not to ask, waiting for some form of response to his own comment.

As the girl stepped closer to him Cenric focused in on her, his eyes quickly sweeping from her feet up to her face. She was pretty, her eyes cheerful, and her gaze straightforward; all in all it disarmed him of his wariness after the sudden surge of fire and his shoulders loosed some of their tension.

"[b]I just wanted to make sure it works, because, Monsters?![/b]" She had said and he found himself agreeing, though he didn't say so aloud. If there were monsters they should make sure they were prepared, that much made sense.

"[b]I suppose that's reasonable.[/b]" He responded, pushing his glasses a bit further up his nose in a gesture that was intended to show nonchalance. Honestly he felt anything but; the fire had rattled him, sure, but more than that it was the uncertainty. Were these people friend or foe? Would he make it out? Would he ever see Dian or his parents, or his friend again? Even if he did make it out, would his research succeed?

Within moments it was apparent he wasn't the only one who thought so. Snapped from his worries his eyes widened at the show being put on. Roan, one of the other men in their impromptu coterie, had taken it upon himself to test his own abilities. “[b]Blade Dance.[/b]” The man said. Suddenly there was something... someone... a figure or phantasm of flame seemed to assail the air before it before vanishing. Impressive magic but it was unnatural, and as such discomforting. “Interesting…” the man went on to say, to which Cenric found himself wishing to reply until he saw the man's hands. He blinked in recognition. Markings, tattoos of some sort, but reminiscent of his own Brands.

Cen was absently aware of someone moving off to his right. He heard a sigh and his eyes flitted towards the one who had introduced herself as Arryn. She was moving towards something behind him, something he determined didn't matter to him just now. "What is this thing?" She asked, but he was too focused at that point to reply, pondering his Brands and wondering if he could access his abilities whilst in the Labyrinth. Nevertheless; after the little stunt with the fire he noticed her. He was doing his best to make sure he noticed everything after that.

Glancing down at his hand Cen pondered just how dissimilar their abilities may be, his mind reeling with questions he wasn't sure he wanted the answers to. And then suddenly his thoughts died away and what was left was a moment's peace. Taking the opportunity he loosed an Aidhr Kehl and watched his Brands very subtly writhe as though breathing. Within himself he could feel the entirety of existence. Every bird, beast, and creature of the briny blue existed within him at that moment and he could feel their hearts pulsing in time with his own, hear their breaths and their cries, feel their every joy and sorrow. Exhaling slowly he ended the spell. Unlike the fireball or the spirit his own ability had made no visible mark upon the world. Despite this it had actively improved his mood. He may be a lone Corian, but as he recalled his magic instructor saying time and again; a Corian mage is never truly alone.