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[quote=@Inedible]
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]
[/quote]

As the two continue dancing, Penny looks around, trying to get a feel for the place now. As she looks around, she catches a glimpse of Victoria Glass in the crowd. She's a bit too far off for Penny to discern her expression, not helped by the fact Wings of Justice apparently had one hell of a poker face. Other faces there include a couple of folk Penny vaguely remembers from some newscasts and TV shows.

[color=39b54a]"Eh, don't worry about it,"[/color] Penny replies. [color=39b54a]"In fact, ever since I got here, I think I'm getting better control over it. First time the Elementum manifested, though? I kept getting static shocks and short-circuiting electronics. Not a good thing to have when you like to work with electronics, trust me.

"I'll admit, being an Ars Magi can be... a bit of a rush,"[/color] she admits. [color=39b54a]"It feels... different somehow. Some feel drained after using their abilities, I'm one of those who just gets... well, charged up. Almost scary, to be honest.

"Oh, oh no, no need to be sorry,"[/color] she says. [color=39b54a]"I'm... well, I'm kind of a huge nerd for Altea myself. I think I remember Valkyrie Wren, though, maybe just the OVA. Even got afair amount of Gunslinger Alexis, but really, Altea's more my cup of tea, so to speak.

"Oh, so you're a neighbor, then,"[/color] Penny replies cheerfully when he mentions where he's from. [color=39b54a]"I'm from Siscia, that's why. Yeah, I know what it's like being in a dome, Siscia's got one herself. Probably not as hot as Pola, though it can still be a scorcher in summer.

"Hey, don't put yourself down,"[/color] she says in encouragment. [color=39b54a]"Sure, being military isn't as glamorous as the Ars Magi, but you guys do some real work, I know that. And I'm not saying that to cheer you up, by the way; my mom's a Sarge in the Siscia Defense Forces, so I know what you guys do. And I really appreciate it.

"My family's a bit... bigger,"[/color] she says. [color=39b54a]"Well, a [i]lot[/i] bigger. Mom, Dad, and six siblings. I'm the third oldest. Yeah, it can be a handful at times, but I wouldn't give them up for the world.

"So, Dima,"[/color] she continues, [color=39b54a]"how far are you in your studies? Have you decided which branch you want to join yet? Infantry, Armor, Air Support, HQ...?"[/color]

She looks out again at the crowd.

[color=39b54a]"Is it just me, or is that Lucille LeBlanc? I recognize her from one of the news reports we used to see all the time in Siscia. It's... really kind of scary how many important faces there are here."[/color]