The dance floor is quite full by now, filled with mingling cadets from both schools. The music continues, alternating between stately and swift, long strings of music echoing out across marble floors and reverberating against soaring windows. There are a few who still sit on the sidelines, a small number of cadets and the full-fledged Ars Magi attending as guests. Those from the Laurus will spy Victoria Glass amongst the crowd, as well as several other faces they may be able to place from television broadcasts and news articles.


[hider=Penny]
“That’s awesome.” Penny’s companion approves of her abilities as their swaying continues. “I can’t even imagine how cool that is, doing magic, I mean.” He laughs, adding quickly. “Don’t shock me though. Please.” 

“I used to watch Altea.“ Dima continues, almost before Penny can request her question of television be forgotten. “And Valkyrie Wren, and—-yeah, sorry.” He cuts his reply short when requested, but his enthusiasm returns soon after. 

“Pola. I’m from Pola, it’s nice. Really hot, even with the domes. Do you know about the domes? Anyway, I miss my sister—she’s not magic--, and my dad. But, you know, they’re counting on me.” The slow waltz has changed into something more lively, and the distance established is mercy on the feet of both dancers.

“Right?” He asks. “The shows make it seem so cool. Like you can do anything. The shows about us aren’t nearly as good.” The boy pauses, adding, “I mean, I guess we just do a lot of drills, and reading, so it’s not exciting in real life either. But I hear we’re supposed to be doing an exercise with you guys in the next few months.” 
[/hider]



[hider=Dana]
Dana and her dancing partner make an odd match, but not the strangest on the dance floor. The large young man is adroit enough to make his partner comfortable, and he smiles brightly at the complement. “Yeah, you’re doing good too. Your friend must be a good teacher.”

On the topic of his own education, the muscular boy offers a bright smile. “It’s great!” He replies. “We’re learning all kinds of interesting stuff. Mostly, you know, military stuff. City infrastructure too, and there’s practical exercises too. I hear you all had a few of those.” 

“Actually. I heard something went wrong over in the testing ground, when your tests were going on. What happened?” He pauses, adding. “Do you really get to see a Void up-close? Or is it secret? If it’s top secret don’t tell me. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”
[/hider]



[hider=Nicole]
“Aiya De Mars.” The name that the girl delivers comes with the same easy confidence as the hand that grasps Nicole’s, pulling her back onto the dancefloor. It’s a name that signifies that, once again, Nicole has found herself mixed up with a dark-haired member of the nobility. The girl moves with the same grace that Cordelia did, with steps that are no doubt the result of hours of choreographed practice. 

Unlike Nicole’s former roommate, though, Aiya is clearly in her element here. There’s no brooding resentment in her demeanor, no hard shell to break through. Her dark eyes burn with mischief, a wicked glint that matches the curve of her smile as her hand twirls her partner in close, then far apart again. 

“You’re good at this.” The girl comments, “Is it the magic? Or is it you?” A step closer, and she confesses with a mirthful whisper: “You’re my first, you know. Ars Magi. None of my caretakers would ever dance with me, can you believe it?” They separate again to arms length, then back together. 

“But--you must be dying here. Do you miss the lights more, or the boys?” 
[/hider]



[hider=Cordelia]
Meanwhile the boy Coredelia received as part of the exchange is more reserved than Nicole’s new acquaintance, but equally adept. A good match for someone as well-trained as the former butler, and it shows easily as they make their way across the dance floor. The movements are stately and precise, speaking to hours spent in painstaking practice. 

“Ms. Whitaker, correct?” Asks the boy, once Cordelia gives affirmation that she’s okay. His voice is low, his method of speaking as methodical as the steps the pair trace across the marble tiles. “Your initiation trial was very impressive. I hope you weren’t too upset about being separated from your first teammates.” 

“How have you found Nova Lux?” He asks after. “Coming from your background, if I recall, it must have been a shock. Becoming someone so important, so suddenly.” His hand gives her a dip, leaning in close to continue: “Almost like a fairy tale.” 
[/hider]