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The [i]Laurus[/i] girls’ night on the town turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of Dana’s young life. The cheerful Norban had relished the opportunity to bond with her new friends, and while she had gone on similar outings back home, none of them had quite compared to this. And Dana knew she wasn’t the [i]only[/i] one who felt that way. Her bespectacled roommate had joyfully taken in the various sights and sounds with the wonderment of one entirely unused to such things, while Nicole had been like a dazzling whirlwind as she guided them to each new location and interacted with the locals as though she were a native of the city. In fact, even Vanna and Astrelle seemed to be having fun as the quartet’s tour took them from arcade, to shop, to restaurant, to movie theater, to nightclub, and then back to the arcade once more for another game of Duel of Destiny (although that might have just been Dana and Penny, it was all something of a blur). Even now, several days later, the night was still fresh in her mind, even as a far different evening was about to begin…

Right from the outset, there had been a considerable surprise, in the form of Astrelle’s absence. Had she quit? Been reassigned? Expelled? None of their fellow cadets seemed to know, and the academy’s staff were as tightlipped as ever. Dana only hoped their somewhat anti-social friend was all right… Still, the energetic Norban knew that this  wasn’t the time or place to worry about such matters. There was a new teammate to meet, and, perhaps more importantly, a suffering roommate to support.

[color=39b54a]“Why did you talk me into this?”[/color] Penny groaned as she fidgeted with her uniform. [color=39b54a]“I don't know [i]how[/i] to dance formally. Should have just faked being sick like I planned, but you dragged me out here anyways.”[/color]

Although Penny had been dreading the ball ever since it had been announced, Dana was very much looking forward to the experience and had insisted that Penny not chicken out of it.

[color=Gold]“Hey, I’m completely lost when it comes to this formal stuff, too,”[/color] the energetic Norban told her roommate with a grin. [color=Gold]“But it’s still pretty cool to meet all these high-ranking people, and who knows? Maybe we can even make some new friends?! Or maaaybe a new [i]boyfriend?[/i]”[/color] she added mischievously while gently elbowing her bespectacled friend under the table. [color=Gold]“That group of guys from the officers’ academy over there are lookin’ kinda bored,”[/color] she noted, gesturing at a small cluster of young men with her thumb. [color=Gold]“I’m sure they’d love to meet two genuine Ars Magi, so why don’t we go over and introduce ourselves?! And don’t worry about feelin’ embarrassed,”[/color] she added as she got up and proceeded to pull Penny to her feet as well. [color=Gold]“I know ya might not be the best in social situations, but just think of this as another kinda battle! If ya go in there with that good ol’ Penny Grenoble confidence, I’m sure everything’ll work out!”[/color]