[color=f26522]”Astorio,”[/color] Cassandra couldn't keep the bad taste she had for the name out of her voice. Of course, there weren't [i]actually[/i] any Astorios in her study group, but it seemed she kept falling under their banner whether they were there to orchestrate it or not. [color=f26522]”I haven't met anyone in my group, though.”[/color] She finds know much of anyone, but again she obfuscated her social isolation. [color=f26522]”I guess we'll be…”[/color] Whatever they would be, the group at large didn't find out, because at that moment the bell signaling the next class tolled throughout the campus. Cassandra was standing before the peel had finished echoing. [color=f26522]”Later, then! Lilie, I look forward to seeing you in the next class we have together. It was nice to meet everyone. Maybe we'll get a chance to eat a whole meal together later,[/color] she gave a practiced and socially appropriate giggle to cap it off. Expected pleasantries. Reiterate her connection to the group. Soft suggestion that she ought to be invited for the next meal time. She made all of this sound quite natural, then ruined the effect by immediately turning on her heel and walking away without another word. Cassandra made her way to the next class, her spirits lifted after what she thought was a very successful first attempt at making friends. She could do that again! Moreover, Lilie really [i]did[/i] seem to enjoy her company, which warmed her heart more than she could say. Surely others would too? Her teacher in this next class seemed a great deal more pleasant than Count Varis, though that might not be difficult. Cassandra knew a little of what went into the lesson already, but found that she was getting a much more complete context than her tutors had bothered to provide. It made sense that, despite being trained early, they hadn't really touched on that much arcane magic. After all, it wasn't until just a few months ago that the lock on her powers had been removed, and she was able to access even just her own affinity. She had been expecting a practical exam. Of course, what kind of school wouldn't have one? She had not, however, anticipated that she would have to take it with her partner. She would have to report this to Amaris immediately, lest she allow a scheduling conflict to develop. She shuddered at what Master Valius would have to say if that happened. Cassandra honestly wanted to get on with the lesson, and so she immediately raised her hand to get the questions out of the way. [color=f26522]”Isn't it possible that more non-human have the capacity to use magic than we know about? Almost all of those examples of plants and animals were displaying Primary Affinities. If Secondary and Tertiary Affinities aren't used instinctively often, it might be that most plants and animals with a capacity for magic just never actually display any.[/color]