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Apparently, the second test had left many of the students weary and exhausted. They clearly weren't kidding about being serious on these exams - but then again, being an Ars Magi, the main line of defense against the Void, is no light matter. You either had to be up to snuff or there's no point in having potential if you can't realize it. Penny notes that 'most' of the girls succeeded; she was wondering about those who didn't succeed, and whether they were taking remedial courses to make up for it.

As for Team 2, Penny listens with a sympathetic ear. She could actually relate to Priya's test, given how she was similarly a close-range specialist with some ranged options. Amanda's trial seemed to be more about leading and command ability than actual combat. Blair's trial was new, though Penny finds it oddly amusing to imagine Blair, the aggressive go-getter, being forced into a more passive or reactive role in order to pass.

And then, of course, there's the tests her own teammates faced. Penny figures she could have done pretty well had she been given Dana's test, but it would obviously not have been a good test; Penny's a close combat specialist, so a melee fight wouldn't really be a good test of her shortfalls.

[color=39b54a]"...and I shit you not, explosive mice! [i][b]Twice![/b][/i]"[/color] Penny says, explaining her own test. [color=39b54a]"Didn't even get a chance to dodge the second time, just dropped down from the ceiling! Then again, Garnet may have had a point; if I were paying attention, I would have noticed those prayer strips sooner when they started to fall from the ceiling. Still, it's incredibly stressful to get blown up by kamikaze rodents.

"So that's why I tried to toss Aoi's hamster across the yard yesterday,"[/color] she sighs. [color=39b54a]"I can understand why she's still mad, but I was still stressed out."[/color]

She doesn't mention the bit at the end where Yagami teases her about Altea. The idea is a little too depressing to contemplate right now, and just a little bit ominous.

[i][b][color=39b54a]Then again, we've been to St. Joan's, right?[/color][/b][/i] Penny thinks to herself.

The exercise group sounds tempting, and Penny takes Priya up on her offer. She has a few things to work through right now; the test was one, but more recently she got a letter from home about Nessa's condition; the poor girl seems to be stable right now, but currently under watch at the hospital. Penny crumples the paper and buries it in her drawer, not bringing it up to the others; she doesn't want them to worry about her. If nothing else, the exercise offers Penny a chase to work out her fears.

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The letter from Aiya manages to snap Penny out of her funk.

[color=39b54a]"Ooh, got something interesting from your girlfriend?"[/color] she teases.

[color=39b54a]"So I take it we're going to see what Aiya's cooking up?"[/color] she asks, sincerely this time.