[h3][color=lightyellow]Iris[/color][/h3]

Iris had lodged in a humbled residence to await the opening ceremony for the Institute. The owner was apparently one that her mentor, the father of her church, had saved in the past - they insisted that letting Iris stay until the ceremony was the least they could do. Truly, Iris saw it as a testament to the Worldsoul's teachings: A good deed springing forth further kindness. 

She had an uneventful - perhaps peaceful - trip to Pebblebrook. It gave her time to reflect on what her mentor had told her. The place she was going was far removed from her peaceful temple. There were people and forces at work that she wouldn't understand. Iris was nervous, of course. She knew that the whole reason she was even coming to this institute was because of her... gift? It was a gift, of course. She just had to figure out how to use it. That was what her mentor had told her, and it was what gave her the courage to venture out to Glynwood.

[hr]

On the approach to Glynwood, Iris took a moment to pray to the Worldsoul. It was what she did to stave off nervousness, and it was something she found herself relying on in the moment. '[color=lightyellow]...I thank the Worldsoul for the rain, that it may bring life to crops and wildlife...[/color]'

After further praying for the people of her village, and of course the cart driver that brought her to Pebblebrook, she opened her eyes... To see the rays of the sun washing over the land. '[color=lightyellow]Ah. I thank the Worldsoul for this... beautiful clear day, I mean. May its light enervate the hearts of all living things.[/color]' She amended her internal prayer. She had been told about this, but some part of her was amazed that it could happen - the weather changed by the work of magic. Iris only could hope that she would one day be able to create such beauty with her own hands.

[hr]

Iris shuffled into the audience room with the other entrants, barely containing her amazement. She had never seen such a lavishly decorated area, with so many people at once. It was almost overwhelming with its color and sound, compared to the comforting presence of her home's temple. She absentmindedly touched the fabric of her scarf, trying to just focus on walking to the right area and listening to the speeches of the staff members.

There was some chatting amongst the students that she didn't quite understand - about two people doing something? Iris didn't get what they were saying. She at least understood the speeches from the staff members more clearly. She thoroughly enjoyed the chancellor's speech. She thought it was a wonderful idea, working towards a bright future. It was exactly what she was hoping to do.

"[b][color=lightyellow]Ah, what a beautiful speech...[/color][/b]" Iris said aloud, clasping her hands together as she watched the groups of students mingle and separate into groups. Perhaps things would turn out well after all.

Iris found herself drawn to the outside edges of the auditorium, following the sounds of music and the smell of... Something delicious. She was amazed at the amount of food on display - she had never seen that much, even when the temple was feeding the people of the village. Most amazingly, they had [i]meat[/i] out, and in such a quantity! It wasn't at all what she was used to.

Iris nearly reached out for the food, before stopping herself. It certainly looked delicious, but she had to hold back. Looking around at the others, so many of them had not eaten yet. There were likely so many others that needed to eat before her - otherwise they would not have set out so much food. For the sake of making sure the needy among Glynwood got the food that they needed, she would hold back until she saw that everyone else had ate their fill. Just as she did in the temple. 

She just had to wait. She absentmindedly stroked her decorated scarf, stealing glances at the food before catching herself and averting her gaze. She nearly jumped with surprise when someone among the group of students introduced themselves to her. "[b][color=lightyellow]Blessings of the Worldsoul upon you all,[/color][/b]" Iris gave a modest curtsy, regarding the others with a gentle smile, "[b][color=lightyellow]I am Iris. Iris Myristikos.[/color][/b]"