Syshin hailed from an arid planet with strong winds. While many of the settlements on their native world were either in or in close proximity to an oasis with fresh water and vegetation, they did not have lakes and oceans as humanity (and apparently the Kalderi) had grown so accustomed to. Very few Syshin learned how to swim as a consequence. They did not have the same need for bathing by submerging in water and a great deal of importance was put on keeping what bodies of water they had available as clean as possible, since it was necessary for drinking and preparing meals. Since the species was subjugated by citizens of the Stellar Empire, it was not surprising that it was rare for anyone to time and effort to team them to swim, much less secure a pool to practice. Predictably being underneath such a vast expanse of the liquid, with an invisible barrier, made Yarue and Dasin rather nervous. To their credit they did not immediately retreat, but they were uncomfortable enough that Solae saw their tense body language out of the corner of her eye.

"It is beautiful," the duchess quickly complimented before Kel'shaiel noticed the anxious twitching behind her from the Syshin in her party. "Forgive me for saying so, but I did not think that a race with such beautiful wings would hold a ball in a place such as this, where there is no exposure to the sky," she flawlessly segued.

Of the pair, Dasin was more reserved, more patient, but also slower to trust. By contrast Yarue was more outspoken, more emotional, and more decisive. The nuances of their personalities had come to light after a short period of time traveling on the [i]Bonaventure[/i]. Yarue strode with more purpose, eager to prove his bravery, but wore a frown that put his feelings about the space under display; his peer took more hesitant steps, scrutinizing the translucent walls as if visual cues might grant him the security he needed, not yet convinced that they were not being led into a lair of danger. Given the history of Syshin's first encounter with humanity, being skeptical was only prudent. Solae reassured that the Kalderi were benevolent, but their ancestors had thought the same when they met the first intrepid adventurers allegedly representing the descendants of Earth Prime.

Kel'shaiel nodded, not offended by the question woven into the comment. "It is like the ships that allow you to travel in space," she replied thoughtfully, "we seek to use our technology to see things we can not ordinarily, to explore places we can not go without aid. Do humans not have places underwater?" she asked curiously. The Kalderi were more advanced, but it was well within the realm of possibility for humanity, who had terraformed uninhabitable globes, to develop a more rudimentary counterpart. The winged aliens only studied the pink-skinned bi-pedals they traded with on a surface level. No one had tried to pierce the complexities of their society, the details of their ever-changing fashion, or what was currently in development for the upper echelon's luxurious way of life.

"There are some domes," Solae slowly responded, "but they feel more... crude than this." There wasn't quite an appropriate word to describe how different the sophisticated the staging area for the dance felt in comparison. She had never been to an underwater bio-dome; they were reserved for the wealthy, who were the only ones able to afford such a decadent retreat, but many aristocrats considered them more trouble than they were worth. Primarily a residence under the sea was inhabited by an eccentric recluse, someone with a keen interested in marine biology, or a lord or lady engaged in illicit activity. Before space travel was possible they were more popular because there was a limited amount of geography to support a growing population. Now that colonization throughout the galaxies was viable, less had any desire to withdraw to a watery residence. Crazes came and went, however, and the linguist would not be surprised if either perpetually aloft estates in the sky or villas buried beneath the waves soared in popularity again.

Looking towards Rosaria, the duchess suddenly donned a mischievous grin before turning towards their hostess and escort. "Would it be possible to practice our dancing for just a few moments? It's been quite some time before I've been at a ball, and I wouldn't want to appear lacking when the rest of the guests arrive."

Kel'shaiel looked surprised by this request but nodded her head in approval demurely, confused by the diplomat.

"Come on Rosaria, practice with me," Solae said with a large smile, tugging the smaller girl towards the dance floor as she yelped in surprise. This baffled Kel'shaiel even more and the two Syshin looked on equally bewildered. Only Rene, who knew that once in a while his lover could be a free spirit, capable of joking, laughing, and playing with wild abandonment was not gaping when she selected the teenager as her partner. It was obvious to him that he was not being romantically replaced, but not everyone who beheld the spectacle had that same confidence.

"She just said dancing is a mating ritual!" Rosaria protested in a slight pink twinge of embarrassment. As proud and cold as she was on Zatis, she was still a girl, one who could be flustered and teased like any other. It was harder to joke with her than some of her peers who had been through less trauma, but because the couple treated her with dignity and respect, she had begun to relax and let go of the barriers she kept between herself and others. One night while they laid in the captain's quarters, Solae had said she knew that Rosaria would never be as "normal" as if she had never been the protege of Thorne, but that her personality was thawing, which was the best that anyone could hope for.

"Humor me," Solae grinned, tossing errant strands of hair out of her face. "Just in case there is a young Kalderi boy at this ball and you can't summon a reason to excuse yourself." she prodded with a wink, making Rosaria twinge even more pink. To Kel'shaiel she explained, "For humans, dancing can also be done for fun. Many use it as a way to express themselves or enjoy themselves rather than courtship."