[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190120/b458a81531631a6916fa9413063c5f80.png[/img][/center]
Grinning wide, Aaron clapped once, allowing himself a moment to relish his little victory. [color=f0d705]“See, what did I say? I’m telling you, balance is the way to go.”[/color] At least, that was how he saw things. He sounded a lot more smug than he actually was, chuckling at his luck. That was another win for him, and an influential one at that; Hollyfield’s odds hadn’t been great against Rijker, and that would make the payout that much sweeter. Too bad he didn’t have any [i]real[/i] money to put up, or he’d have himself a nice little nest egg by now.

He shook his head, though, still smiling but coming down a little from his high. As much as he’d like to boast his perfect betting record, it sounded like that match really came down to luck; Rijker (while ultimately lacking in defence) was a force to be reckoned with, and he’d put his money on Hollyfield almost entirely because he just couldn’t support Rijker’s single-pronged style. It was certainly disheartening to see a fighter with such potential fall short on account of mismanagement, but that didn’t quite dampen his satisfaction of having bet on the winning side once again. Too bad, he noted sourly, that he couldn’t get that down as consistently in real life as he could on gambling sites. 

But, he’d promised not to be discouraged, and Aaron had every intention of holding himself to his word. Just in time, too; tonight was going to be a serious test of his endurance (both magical [i]and[/i] emotional if Varis’ mood was anything to go by) and seething master aside, he still held onto some small, cautious hope that a good performance on this practical would finally win him a little bit of favour with Varis. Err, well, maybe not [i]favour[/i] considering how things had been going the past few weeks, but maybe a little less disdain?

Aaron’s conversation partner pulled him out of his head as the two approached the treeline, stopping at her name. Madalyn Vazquez, apparently. Her mention of the cul-de-sac caught him off guard; sure, it wasn’t too strange for her to have recognized [i]him[/i]—if he wasn’t recognizable enough already, the earring would certainly do it—but he had no idea who she was, and he knew everyone serving the nobles at least by their faces. Was this the girl who’d come to replace the Marivaldi mage? She must have been; Aaron vaguely remembered the prior one being among the students “injured” during Revel, but he’d been too preoccupied since the resumption of classes to find out much about her replacement. 

[color=f0d705]“A pleasure to meet you, Madalyn. Thank you for bringing me up to speed. I’d like to take you up on that offer, I’ll have to see.”[/color] He returned Madalyn’s thanks with his own, shaking her hand. He doubted Varis would want him having anything to do with TCL viewing parties at another noble’s dorm, but maybe he could spin it as espionage, or diplomacy, or something else suitably Sinnenodel. [color=f0d705]“I’m Aaron, by the way,”[/color] he clarified needlessly. [color=f0d705]“Good luck tonight.”[/color]

He parted from Madalyn with a friendly smile and found his spot along the treeline, far away from where the vampires had gathered and rubbing elbows with Salem of all people. Luckily, Lilie was also next to him, and he threw her a wave, hoping his concealer hid his fatigue well enough in the dark not to worry her. [color=f0d705]“Good luck!”[/color] he called quietly, offering an encouraging smile before facing forward once again.  
[right][sub][@Achronum] [@Trainerblue192] [@Hero][/sub][/right]