Lin’s closed eyes and turned back had done nothing to dim her senses. Without her vision she could hear the careless patter of feet drawing closer to her. The muscles that held her up so perfectly had tensed, causing her face to grow warm with concern. She didn’t recognize the voice. It had to have been another student, come to pursue knowledge as she did. While his intentions were simply to greet her in the dawn’s light, his voice had caused her serenity to waver. As a result, Lin could feel her concentration of the world around her slip; the warmth of the sun still bathed her, the wind continually offered a gentle breeze, and the sounds of her breathing were ceaseless. However, these beautiful senses, the sounds and emotions that they invoked within her, could no longer be maintained. 

Her eyes opened, peering down at the now-empty teacup in hand, dwelling on what just occurred and evaluating it in her mind. His intentions were good. He had seen someone and offered a greeting. This was something she did not fault him for. However, the boy had been so focused on what [i]he[/i] could gain from the interaction that he was unable to see what [i]she[/i], on the other hand, could lose. The place she was pulled from was a place she could return to. His eyes were not trained to read every line on the parchment before him. She could change that. 

Using a modicum of her strength, Lin had jumped from her staff and landed just beside it, grasping at its center with her left hand and lifting it from the ground. She turned to get her first look at the arrival, but her attention was quickly stolen by the furry companion beside him. Her eyes lit up with interest only to be immediately returned to the boy just in front of her. The heat in her face intensified upon realizing her error.

[color=f9ad81][b]“Sorry about that,”[/b][/color] With her hands occupied, Lin had done the next best thing. She inclined her head towards him as an alternative to a firm handshake. Surely the custom of bowing as a greeting was not so foreign. [color=f9ad81][b]“Good morning to you. I was in the middle of meditating when you first spoke. It gives me time to reflect on the present. Please forgive my rudeness.” [/b][/color]

Lin’s eye contact did not divert from the boy. He had her full attention despite the strong urge to gaze down at his companion. The fur looked so warm and inviting that it was almost impossible to not consider petting it. The respect she offered her peer had to come first. 

[color=f9ad81][b]"I am Meilin, but you may just say Lin if you'd like. What about your name?" [/b][/color]