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[quote=@Inedible]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.[/quote]
[color=39b54a]"Hopefully the next exercise won't try to kill us like the real thing,"[/color] Penny mutters under breath. She takes a deep breath as she approaches them.

[color=39b54a]"Ahem,"[/color] she clears her throat. [color=39b54a]"Hi, uh... anyone... care to dance...?"[/color]

[quote=@Inedible]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?”[/quote]
[color=39b54a]"Ow sh-"[/color] Penny starts when Dima steps on her foot again, before she bites her tongue, trying to keep from swearing at a formal event. [color=39b54a]"Sorry, I have no idea how to waltz-"[/color]

She pulls back awkwardly when she accidentally steps on his foot yet again.

[color=39b54a]"Ah cr- uh, sorry about that..."[/color] she mutters. She almost misses his question.

[color=39b54a]"What? Oh, er, sure, you're... you're free to ask,"[/color] she begins. [color=39b54a]"Just... try not to ask personal questions 'kay?

"In the shows? Sorry about that, I'm still kinda new. Been a couple months 'round here, so haven't been on any missions [i]yet[/i].

"Though what kind of shows do you watch?"[/color] she asks curiously. [color=39b54a]"Ah, actually, forget I even brought it up...

"Powers? Well, pretty much lightning-based. Haven't mastered the 'shoot lightning' bit yet, but I can charge my attacks with lightning for some real damage. I can also charge my own body with it, don't ask how that works. It works great at parties though; I can light lamps with my fingers and do the joybuzzer trick without needing a joybuzzer!"[/color]