Sweat dripped from her. This was no feminine glistening or dew-like sweetness. She was pouring body fluids, her sports bra and training pants clinging to her wet body.

"Again."

Joliss' voice was gentle despite the effect it had on her performers. As if she'd cracked a whip the whole group began arching and bowing, cavorting and twining their bodies in the elaborate steps that drew attention to their graceful choreography.

Cadence was right there with them. A long leg whipping up to twine sharply back down and twirl her in a rapid spin that had her ponytail slashing the air. The movements took on a comedic edge and managed to find the balance between humor and sexuality.

"Cadence." Startled she spun to a breathless halt realizing that the petite otherworldly woman had said her name more than once, though the amused smile revealed she hadn't irritated her. "What do you think of the routine in the middle?"

She swallowed hard. She hadn't expected to be asked her opinion and it took her a moment to quell the upswell of nervousness at the question. Looking back over the dancers she bobbed her head to the tempo automatically, "I." She took a deep breath, "I think it fits well, a nice streamline from the initial steps into the finale..."

"I hear a but?"

"I..." Chocolate eyes filled with a slight distress at being put in such a position. She would've said the dance was perfect but Joliss obviously expected a different answer and Cadence narrowed her gaze on the dancers determined to find it. "The tempo. The tempo should be...faster. Yes faster! We should speed it up to build to that finale, if we added a lift here or even a —" She was getting caught up in her enthusiasm and Joliss laughed gently, "Good eye. Let's see if we can't implement that, shall we?"

Two hours later Cadence was glowing despite the bone deep exhaustion, thrilled to have had even a small part in the creative process though she knew that Joliss had only prompted her to arrive at something she'd already decided.

Looping the strap of her bag over a slender shoulder she chatted with a few of the other dancers, sucking down water like a camel.

She'd sleep good tonight. A hand lifted in a wave of farewell to Joliss, thrilled when the exquisite woman smiled and nodded in her direction.

She hadn't expected a warm welcome from the quiet man who held himself distanced from the others. Never cold, he simply seemed withdrawn. It was a good thing that the primary dancer had returned as it freed Cadence from her stand in position. As much as she had adored dancing as his partner she was more than a little perturbed by her body's reaction to his strong hands braced upon her soft flesh. It annoyed her to discover that her long held sense of professionalism had deserted her the moment she'd felt the grip upon her inner thigh.

Joliss had noticed. Joliss noticed everything and while Cadence had managed to flow effortlessly with the movement and give no hint to her partner in the dance, her expression had been quite telling.

She played with the ribbon on the gift box as she eyed the dancers assembling. So intent was she on her internal working she didn't hear Joliss glide in behind her, "Cadence?"

Startled from her reverie she nearly dropped the bottle of wine, "Yes?" trying not to squeak her answer.

"I've been told you're moving on to shadow another. It's a shame I've enjoyed your internship."

"R-right." Cadence fought the well of disappointment.

"Please feel free to join us with whatever spare time you have, I enjoyed your presence and can always use your assistance."

"Thank you." The swell of pride at that outpaced the rush of disappointment, right up to the realization that there was no way she would be able to balance more time ....in fact, a gasp as she realized that she was certain to be late to the House meeting this evening. "I'll keep that in mind! Thank you Joliss, thank you!"

She threw the words gaily behind her as she gathered up her bag, the gift tucked inside it as she rushed about to throw in her gear and scoop up anything else she could have forgotten. "I'll be back! I promise!"

Darting out the door into the setting sun she couldn't resist the song that sprung from her lips, "I'm walkin on sunshine!"

Behind her, forgotten, the backpack of schoolbooks she'd inadvertantly brought with her in her rush from Bardic music class.

Ludo was a darling. She absolutely adored following behind the friendly fellow as he divvied out his advice. Sharp as a tack the man had the entire script memorized it would seem and was constantly pointing out small nuances that only improved the pacing.

She followed around after hi like a lovesick puppy.

One night, after a late rehearsal, she found herself alone with him and he regaled her with tale after tale of former actors and their less commonly known idiosyncrasies. She'd laughed so hard she nearly cried.

Tipsy on the giddy nature of their discourse she was quite late when leaving the theater that night. Gamely entering into WestEnd without much thought to the dangers of the area. After all, she studied at a school of magic and was used to challenges of supernatural, mystical, and otherworldly natures.

Tossing her knapsack over one slender shoulder she maneuvered through the streets. A gate awaited nearby that would transport her to the school itself. She didn't know who had actually constructed it but was thrilled when she'd discovered it one day.

She'd have just enough time to shower and fall into bed before her dawn broke bright and early. Early class with Mistmark was the last thing on her mind as she giggled melodically at the memory of Ludo's cheery belly laugh.

She loved the theater.