[center][h2][u][color=875f9a] L[/color]inah [color=875f9a]A[/color]randa [/u][/h2][/center]
[right][sub]Interactions: Onarr [@Bork Lazer], Anesin [@Noxious], Marlijn and Sienna Afraval  [@Force and Fury][/sub][/right][hr][hr]
The parade proceeded forward, a living example why the street they trod upon had been named as it was, and truly giving it its purpose. Closer to the plaza, those mounted passed off their horses to the hands of others to be stabled; in Linah’s case Valverde had taken up that task.

The crowd trekked slowly toward the center, but the closer they got, the more frenzied it became. The students begun fighting their way toward the front, and as Linah mimicked them instinctively, she saw what it was that was so coveted. An array of seating, best spots being fought over not-quite-rowdily. 

Smirking at the idea of uppity nobles engaging in a behavior that they would surely term lowborn in other circumstances, Lin began weaving her way through the tightly packed group. If one ignored the scale of it, this was not all that different from making one’s way through a sale at the market. After her own judicious application of elbows and knees, Linah earned herself a decent enough spot. Close enough to serve as a good vantage point, but not so close that she’d be exposed.

Soon, speeches begun to be made, and Linah kept her gaze affixed forwards. She half-listened to the words being said, but mostly took in the atmosphere. Some were tense, some bored, some excited…But all of them select few from all across the world, there to attend at the best magical academy in existence. Despite everything, Lin was a tad proud to be there. It may not have been entirely on her own merit to have made it in – then again, who did? No matter the hows of it, she was eager to make a mark of her own, here. She [i]would[/i] use this opportunity, and it would be to [i]her[/i] benefit.

As the current speech dragged on, Linah noticed someone close to her left turn slightly towards her. She curiously tilted her head left, smirking and lifting an eyebrow as she caught the assessing gaze of a pale noble girl. The other girl was looking around at her peers, it seemed. Lin mentally shrugged, and righted her position until she was once again facing the current speaker. On a certain level, she could understand that girl’s fascination; seeing so many foreigners was a novel experience for her as well. In fact, it was so bizarre as to be nearly overwhelming. However, Lin had got used to it during the parade, even if it did admittedly still feel strange.

After the lengthy introductory address, something more rousing was announced: The five monarchs. Linah clapped sedately, though she was as invigorated as the rest of them. These men were all powerful; they knew it, and so did everyone else. Even if she personally didn’t care for any of them, felt bitter towards them for disregarding so many as worthless due to being so far beneath their notice, Lin couldn’t deny that they carried themselves well. They were so well practiced, one would be hard pressed to call it posturing – except in the case of the King of Perrence, she thought.

As soon as the second to last monarch of the Thrones was declared, Linah stood up. So did select few people, all Torragonese. It was a sign of respect for their king. She’d never thought about their nation’s ruler all that much, truth be told. She could see now that compared to the ostentatiousness of the others, Sancho VIII was dressed pragmatically, with little embellishments. His address had been short and to the point, only the pertinent points present, as it should be. This, at the very least, she was now able to recognize and reluctantly respect. It spoke to her Torragonese spirit, she supposed.

(Nonetheless…that ruby alone could feed hundreds of mouths for who knew how long, and that golden thread could do just the same. It irritated her.)

When the Torragonese King sat down, so did the rest of his countrymen. Once again seated, she clapped for the Doge. 

When the other representatives begun appearing, Linah relaxed her hands, and simply observed. In mere moments after President Yibozo sat down, there was a shimmer of something odd nearby. Looking at it sharply, she saw the moving outline of a not-completely-disillusioned hand. [color=875f9a][i]An illusionist…[/i][/color] Someone nearby asked if she saw something, but Lin didn’t have the occasion to answer. Her body had automatically tensed, and she was beginning to stand up-

-unimaginable power spiked -- light flashed -- a series of blinks-

-…Linah found herself half-crouched above the bench, as if ready to rise herself. She couldn’t fathom the reason, so was deeply confused, and sat back down. Three of the Arch-Zenos had a brief silent communication, perhaps, but she had no idea what that was about. There was no reason for her discomfiture and unease. The inconsistency reminded her of something, but she couldn’t quite put her mind to it, and the feeling of wrongness was fading rapidly. It seemed insignificant now. Lin told herself she might ask around later if anyone had experienced something odd during the ceremony. That was enough to dismiss the matter from her conscience.

Now that the brief bout of worry had passed, Linah directed her attention to the present. The most personally relevant part of the event for the students begun: the assignment of each initiate to a master. Lin amused herself playing the classic guess their age-height-weight game – but with a twist. She focused particularly on how those students carried themselves, how observant they were. She thought about how easy of a mark they’d be. If she could steal from them without notice – not that she [i]would[/i], of course not. (Unless someone was being unaccountably [i]stupid[/i] with their possessions, and even then…)

Hours passed, and only a dozen of them or so remained. Now that the time of her choosing was night, Linah fully straightened up in her seat – she hadn’t exactly been slouching, but she’d relaxed. Now, she was ready to walk up to the stage the moment her name was called.

A royal Torragonese Zeno was the one to pick her. She may be a royal, but Linah though it appropriate to be with a kinswoman, especially given the recognition of their national bond. Lin walked briskly towards her new master, only peripherally observing her teammates. One was an Eskandish woman, one a small helmeted Joruban, and one a Perrench missing a leg. All of them were a curiosity in their own regard, though admittedly Linah was surprised to see someone disabled.

Regardless of newness of these people, and their peculiarities, Lin’s gaze was leveled centrally on Zeno Afraval. As her approach brought her near, she briefly greeted her in Torragonese, [color=875f9a]“It is an honour.”[/color] Turning towards the rest of her group, she switched to Avincian, [color=875f9a]“Pleasure,”[/color] and summoned a small smile for their sake.

[hider=Summary] After passing of the horse Margarita to be stabled, ‘fights’ her way to good seating. Watches and listens to the speech, pondering on the fresh start being at the academy sort of represents. Catches Marlijn’s gaze, smirks at the girl. Thinks about foreigners, then the monarchs. Has Opinions, especially about that Perrench peacock. Stands in respect for King Sancho III, as do all the Torragonese. Notices the illusion, is startled into almost-standing. After the memory wipe, she can’t understand why she’s so tense. Unable to resolve the minor discrepancy, she puts it off, refocusing on the present. Kinda up in the air if she’ll actually pursue this issue later, tbh. Watches the student selection. Is pleased at the recognition of a common national identity by her master, even if she is a royal. Greets Zeno Afraval. Briefly greets Anesin, Onarr, and Penny as well; presumably, any more will be done in a collab.[/hider]