Nodding sagely, Duncan tried not to chuckle at Syrus' description of his least fortunate student; true, Kein had something of an affinity for unconsciousness, but the SeeD test was ranked on more than just combat ability. [b]'Can't say I was there for most of it, so just between you and me... I bullshitted my way through a lot of it. Wasn't about to let my kids fail just 'cause I got captured, now was I?'[/b] He would have continued, but the appearance of a pair of small hands over Syrus' eyes drew his attention and eyebrows upward. Duncan raised his bottle in a joking salute as he was introduced, grinning over his glasses. [i]Well well well, Syrus old boy...[/i] She seemed pretty nice too, in a bouncy squirrel kind of way; not his cup of tea, but different strokes. He was under no illusions that the two were just... friends. [b]'Of course not, my dear. On the contrary, I shall take my leave.'[/b] Bowing with exaggerated care, Duncan gave the girl a sly wink as he turned away, well aware that he was going over the top. As he wandered off, he shot the odd surreptitious glance back toward them, searching for that telltale blush on Syrus' cheeks.

These dances didn't usually hold much interest for Duncan and with the exception of his students, he felt the same about tonight. Sometimes he wished that he was a social butterfly, flitting between gaggles of students and guests to swap war stories and flirt with beautiful women. [i]Fat chance,[/i] he thought derisively. He couldn't even enjoy a drink with his former instructor colleagues, given that most would be too busy kissing Corvo's arse, trying to fill the vacancy left by Duncan's dismissal. Fortunately, another opportunity presented itself. [b]'Oi Ginge, where's Xerox?'[/b] Increasingly tipsy as he emptied the bottle, Duncan had thrust his head into a group of female students, correctly guessing that they had mobbed little Rue. The Moomba's mimed response was confusing to say at the least, but after a bit of arguing, Rue pointed out toward the same balcony that Duncan had relaxed on earlier. Waving his thanks, the SeeD meandered over, swapping out his empty bottle of wine for a fresh one of port on the way. By the time he stepped out into the crisp evening air, he had rolled another cigarette and was a bit more composed, if still drunk. [b]'Sup Xerox. Figures that you'd be out here, alone.'[/b] He sat down opposite the new SeeD, a paternal smile creeping across his face. [b]'I wish I could get into something like you get into mechanics. You never look as... focussed as when you have a spanner in your hands... Want a drink? You only graduate once, you know.'[/b]