The dance floor is slowly filling up, bodies drawn up from tables by the lilting music. The cadets from the Officer’s Academy make up the majority of the dancers from their sheer numbers, the Ars Magi making up a much smaller (but much more popular) percentage. It’s not hard for any of the girls from Nova Lux to find a dance partner, or at the very least a few eager hangers-on. Most of the cadets are at least making an attempt at moving to the music, though the degree of proficiency seems to vary widely between couples.
The bored looking group of officers that Dana and Penny approach are in the midst of discussing one of their upcoming exercises, the three young men speaking languidly between each other. 

“We’re going to be directing them?” Asks one, a taller cadet with blond hair. 

“One team for each of theirs, I think.” Replies the second,

“They aren’t going to use real Voids, are they?” The first asks.

“Machines, I think.” Chimes in the third. 

Their conversation pauses at the approach of the two Ars Magi, and after a moment of awkward floundering introductions are made around the table. It’s clear none of the cadets know exactly how to treat a real live Ars Magi, but after a few minutes at least two work up the nerve to ask their visitors to dance. 

Penny’s partner, Dima, is the taller of the group, the wiry and sharp-faced cadet that they’d first overheard. Unfortunately, he knows how to waltz exactly as well as Penny does. Which leads to about a minute of awkward bumping, stepping on feet, generally being a hazard until he decides to stick to just swaying in place. Thankfully, the pair can blend in adequately amidst the other moving parties, though the boy does apologize profusely:

“I’ve never met an Ars Magi before.” He confesses, “I mean, I’ve watched all the shows, but never like face-to-face.” A moment more of swaying and he asks: “Is it like that? Like in the shows? What kind of powers do you have? Is it okay if I ask that?” 

Dana is paired with a dark-haired, muscular cadet that looks like he could easily bench-press at least two of her. Introduced as Noah (though the other two Cadets refer to him only as Protein), he, unlike Penny’s partner, does seem at least to have a reasonable idea of how to move around the dance floor and guide his smaller partner on how to do the same. At least enough to that the pair can blend in with the rest of the crowd without major issue. 

“My parents made me learn how to dance a little,” The boy explains as they make orderly steps across the marble tiles, “But it’s been a while.” A few more swivels and he continues: “You said you’re from Norba, right? Me too! It’s hard to believe we’re halfway around the world now, right? Do you miss home? You probably didn’t even have a choice about leaving or not.”  

After several lilting the minutes the waltz slows and, eventually, draws to a close. The floor does not vacate however and soon the music returns with a quicker and less regimented tune, a welcome relief to those not trained in the classical styles. 

When the pair of Nicole and Cordelia eventually glide to their stop the latter feels a light touch against her shoulder. The intruding fingers belong to a cadet from the Officer’s Academy; a tall almond-eyed girl with long dark hair, one part of a duo that’s just finished their own graceful waltz. 

“Can I cut in?” She asks, adding, “I’ll trade you.” She offers a hand out, for either of the two Ars Magi to take. Her partner available for trade is another one from the Officer’s Academy, a boy with dusky skin, smoldering dark eyes, and the long, striking line of a scar across one cheek.