Prologue - New Year's Festival

A great sigh of relief from work well done escapes Art as he is fetched by the staff member to ascend the stage. While all eyes may soon be on him, it wasn't unwelcome this time. Some recognition is good, he thought. Still, the karposark did not smile. It was not due to unhappiness, but merely forgetting to do so. His stoic presence on the stage perhaps added more dignity than if he had otherwise responded. Alongside Sahe, Art bows and graciously accepts the prize within its case. "Your music was quite beautiful. A muse. I do not know if I would be standing up here without it." He says in stride to the musician. After congratulating the two winners and thanking the hosts, Art looks about the room to look for signs of displeasure, even if his skills with such a thing aren't refined. The seminary's recognition of his status as Laureate within the Crownforger dynasty lead him to wonder if others would care about such a thing.

Nightgleam, who until now was focused on the winnersshifted his attention to Danikle, and seemed surprised and a bit confused by the apologetic approach, and bowed slightly to the noble, and responded in a way that seemed to balance between a counter-apology and an implied question. "I'm afraid that if there is something wrong, I may be not grasping the situation."

---

On the stage, Sahrethe bows deeply to Art. "Thank you very much. This is a very moving compliment from someone who manages to produce paintings like these," she gestures in the direction of the latest opus.

While the winners of the contest talk, it seems the audience is mostly either admiring them, or murmuring in anticipation of what would come next. As for signs of discontent, there are only two people showing such: the two Ruby Moth Realmers, who seem to be staring daggers at Chishiyio, the Siirla artist.

---

"And now that this contest is over, our next dance will be in the style brought in from the Fringe and spread throughout the Intercon, the Wind-Charmer Tribe islands, and further duskwards. The waltz," the Master o Ceremonies gestures towards the dance floor, hinting that it's time for the winners to return there too.

---

Hearing the announcement about the next song and dance, the students begin planning the next steps: those who were more familiar with the foreign dance and wanted to try it begin looking around for potential partners. The Hvirati-Ouvb-Smithland trio exchange glances, uncertain but warm. Akkio and Ceaseless Wheel embrace each other as if the music already started. The amphibious-looking Poikilomorph and the two companions look at each other coldly. Sahrethe steps down from the stage towards Nightgleam, who is heading in the opposite direction, but seemingly focused on Art rather than Sahe.

Seeing the confusion in Nightgleams gestures Danikle smiles comfortingly.
"I only come to apologize for my earlier bit of venom. I was caught up in small thoughts that revolved around only myself and mistook your whispers for afront. I am sorry for my mistrust and unbecomming behavior.
I hope we can get along in our studies and adventures hereafter."

Nightgleam bows again. "It is to be expected that when many people from across the world get acquainted, some misunderstandings would happen. I apologise for whatever wrong impressions I may be at fault for. And I do share your hopes," he smiles politely.

He gives a smile and a nod to Nightgleam appreciating the warm reception of his apology. Next he turns to watch the unfolding of the next dance realizing any further apologies would likely need to wait for another quieter moment of the celebration.

By the time Danikle and Nightgleam finished their exchange, Sahrethe approaches the duo, addressing the latter "Up for a round of the new fad?"

Nightgleam seems to be caught slightly off-guard, takes a slow gaze to the side, in Art of Stone's direction, but then looks back at Sahe and nods. After that, she takes his hand and enthusiastically tugs him towards the middle of the dancefloor. Initially he lags behind, but then picks up speed and the two begin looking for a good spot that wouldn't be too crowded already.

Art of Stone watches Sahe depart towards Nightgleam, continuing to be oblivious towards the attention being paid towards him. However, the final side-long gaze that involved a far more deliberate turn of the head does not escape his notice. Watching the two walk away together, he unconsciously cocks his head to the side with a pensive expression. Perhaps I should speak with him later.
A moment later Art approaches Danikle, leaving one to wonder if it was merely due to proximity. "I value your connection with my work. Thank you. Shall we figure out this next part together?"

"You're welcome for the vote in your favor but it is truly from your own insight and expression. I actually wanted to thank you I was consumed by my own thoughts and insecurities until the perspective of your work helped me with my own perspective."
He looks over at the mass of dancing students partaking in the unfamilliar movements with some trepidation before turning back to Art.
"I would be happy to attempt to join this strange dance along with you, but you must tell me how someone so young gained such a wide perspective and ended up here!"

An intentional smile is given to Danikle in response to his gratitude. This may have been Art's favorite aspect of civilization. "I painted, carved, and scratched for only myself for what felt like a very long time. Isolation stretches time. It doesn't feel the same." The artist pauses, focusing on practicing the strange dance and observing those more familiar. "But I am comfortable with it. I had to learn to be. It also gives me a long time to think." He pauses again, choosing his words and movements at the same time. "I was given a lot of things to think about very quickly. My perspective had to widen in acceptance or narrow in denial. I accepted and wanted to work within the larger ecosystem of civilization. Now I am here to learn." He simply stares back at his classmate now, seemingly having caught on to the dance's movements. It goes unsaid, but there is an expectation for Danikle to reciprocate an explanation.

Seeing the unspoken opening to share a strange looks washes over Danikle morphing into a self mocking smile.
"I am your opposite somewhat! I was raised in a large family heavy with expectation, I did everything I could to seek isolation and reprieve from it. Alas I found myself with too many talents for my family to ignore and so my attempted escape from expectation failed and I have been sent here to foster my growth."
He smiles more brilliantly at Art
"I would gladly have traded for the wilds, so full of wonderous flora and ecosystems I can scarcely imagine wanting to leave it for this!"

It comes on slowly, but Art's lips curl into an unintentional smile before evolving into a snicker that his face seems unaccustomed to. "That is not an unfamiliar sentiment. You might have an idealistic view. It is beautiful, but harsh. Not unlike civilization. Seek out an opportunity to experience it for yourself if perspective is what you desire."

"I certainly hope to experience it. There are quite a few specimen I want to collect that will require a forray into the wilds. However it's not the perspective I want it's the freedom. To be like a wild tree and grow in whichever direction you want. My path is more like the bonzai carefully kept and clipped to grow as is desired and in no other way. I got away a long time by simply not growing, but that is no longer permitted either."

Glancing around for potential partners, Shadow's eyes drifted to the trio for a second, considering them as a likely candidate, before then glancing at Ngofu. A mischievous light touched his emerald eyes as he strode boldly towards her, extending a white gloved hand with palm upturned.

"One might be forgiven for desiring to claim the first dance with a resilient and admirable individual such as yourself," He quipped innocently enough, although his expression belied his words somewhat.

The Smithlander turns towards Shadow, looking back at him - for a moment with uncertainty, then with cold contempt. "Perhaps, but one can then be forgiven for rejecting the advances of such an opportunistic and ignoble upstart who thinks that a superficial compliment and a sleazy smile will be enough to make anyone forget both who he is and the not so forgivable things he did and probably will do again as soon as everyone's back is turned," she responds calmly yet firmly, and with enough volume to attract the attention of a few nearby students, and probably leaving an impression.

Having said her piece, she walks away, initially in the direction of the Ouvb-Hvirati-Smithland trio, which at the moment initiated a single round of a hand game to resolve something. Seconds later, the trio look at each other's hands, counting fingers, after which the Hvirati and the Smithlander pair off for the dance, while the Ouvb noble waits and watches.

Seeing and reassessing the situation, Ngofu slows down, scans the room for other candidates, and eventually adjusts her course towards one of the Ruby Moth citizens - specifically, Midnight Quiet. The music begins playing before she reaches him, so it's difficult to hear what they say to each other.

Watching her depart, Shadow folded his fingers back slowly, looking thoughtful as he digested her response. He tilted his head from side to side for a second, appearing to weigh hidden considerations within his mind, before also retreating back towards the walls to watch the others dance. She disliked him, of course, and his house. He expected no less about that. But she didn't seem conniving enough to take advantage of a somewhat-obvious weakness to worm her way into a position where she might strike in an unsavory but effective manner.

However, his true question...Whether she held the same dislike for her native land...Went unanswered. And more importantly, what she felt about the Autarch...For while he lived, the Autarch truly was Smithland in name and effect.

"What is stopping you? How would they find you if you decided to disappear into lands unknown?" Art of Stone asked with sincerity in his voice. Enthralled by the intimate conversation, the rising tension between Shadow and Ngofu went beyond his notice.

Danikle seems taken aback for a moment by the idea of just simply.... going. He falls into deep thought for a while before a self mocking look crosses over him. "I honestly never even considered just running away haha! If I had met you two years ago perhaps I would have, I was still allowed to go unoticed then. Now I am monitered and its too late. If I find a way to break free perhaps I'll try to convince you to guide me on my escape!!"

With the music picking up, the students dance.

Ngofu with Midnight Quiet. Akkiu with Ceaseless Wheel. The scarred Hvirati noble with the Smithlander noble. Sahe with Nightgleam, though the latter spends most of the dance stealing glances in Art's direction. The two Siirla and the Ouvb resident each seem to practice the steps without partners, with the artist having the most luck in getting them right.

There's a brief period when the music slows and quiets down to an ambient, giving people opportunities to step away from the dance area or join in, and some do use it:

Sahe and Nightgleam have a brief discussion until the music picks up again. The scarred Ouvb noble trades places with the scarred Hvirati noble, and becomes the one to dance with the Smithlander, under the other noble's appreciative gaze. The lake-adapted Interconner and the two companions use the lull to exchange a few phrases, but do not join the dance.

Blooming Storm approaches Shadow Under Steel's Edge, extending a hand, palm facing upwards. "It seems you might have been overly candid in your loyalty. Shall we?"