"So, how did it go?" Alice asked her brother the next Sunday over lunch.
"Carefully," Clark replied, stabbing a potato with his fork.
"That's not how most people describe their first date," she said. They had selected a table for two in the corner of the room on purpose, their nearest neighbors about three tables away as they were eating early.
Clark sighed. "Some first date, just a series of maneuvers. After the mandatory small talk, she started flirting. I told her that I was flattered but uninterested as politely as I could. It is not wise to make yourself the enemy of such a gossip, if it can be avoided."
Alice nodded. "Some people just insist on being nasty, though," she said, thinking of Angela the previous year.
"True. Then she asked, specifically, what shortcomings I thought she had," he continued. "So I told her that I considered accurate information valuable in some instances, so I asked her why she insisted on spreading information in exchange for nothing, and without verifying its accuracy."
Alice snorted. "I hope you at least stopped yourself from telling her that you thought most people that talked too much either were insecure and trying to promote themselves or trying to distract you from figuring out that they didn't know something they thought they should."
Clark smiled. "I was able to stop myself there. I think she could understand viewing trading information as like the trading of goods, but I don't think she would have appreciated my trying to psychoanalyze her."
"Probably not."
"So then," he continued, "she admitted that maybe she talked a little too much, and that my opinion on the matter showed 'good business sense.' She was also saying that although she comes from 'money,' her parents would not have anything against her being with someone that had to work for a living provided he had potential in his field."
Alice nodded. "I asked Hieronymous about her family. Apparently, they had money, but made some bad investments or otherwise spent their money poorly. Adelaide is their only child, and if they want to preserve their standard of living, she has to marry well."
Clark's shoulders slumped. "Great, now I feel sorry for the little gossip. Her parents are probably pushing her to catch the guy with the biggest wallet she can find."
"And don't forget, your brother-in-law's House owns some successful businesses. She probably thinks that Hieronymous will set you up with a cushy job after you graduate."
Clark groaned, and dropped his fork on his plate to rub his head like he suddenly developed a headache. "So I might have to deal with her some more. If she gets too bad, do you think Virginia might go out with me so Adelaide will go chase someone that would want her?"
Alice smiled. "Because she's the only 'single' girl you know or because you actually like her?"
Clark stopped rubbing his head, and stared at his food. "Well, she's kind of the opposite of the kind of girl I want to avoid. And as close as you two are, I consider that a pretty good recommendation to her character. I like her spunk, and she is pretty. I guess I'm just thinking that something could develop, but of course I don't know for sure."
"If it helps," Alice said, "she isn't sure what to think about you, either. I mean, she likes you as a person but she isn't sure if she's ready for a romantic attachment right now I think."
"Well, then that makes two of us," he said. "I just know that I will want a girlfriend eventually, and I don't know how long the cat will stay inside the bag. And I want someone that will want me for the right reasons."
Alice nodded. "I think that 'it' will be something of a detriment with her. She doesn't mind being social, but I don't think she would like playing political games…she's not the sneaky type except when it comes to the occasional prank."
"I can understand that. Maybe if anything does develop, I can just phrase it as trying to prank the rest of the world," he finished grinning. Alice chuckled, and they returned to their meal.
...
The second exam dealt with White magic more than any other had so far. Alice had found herself standing on an island in the middle of a great pit that she could not see the bottom of. There had been too much interference for a basic Awareness spell to tell her which way to Teleport. There had been a spirit of some sort that she had been able to communicate with, and ask for help in finding her way from island to island until she found the door out. The deal they had negotiated was that the spirit would be given the rest of her mana reserve once she no longer had need of spell casting to get out. Alice figured that this would give the spirit motivation to get her out as efficiently as possible.
This was why Alice was completely drained as she walked into the sunlight to find a smiling Professor Potsdam.
"Well done Alice! Five merits to you."
"Thank you Professor," Alice said. "I'm guessing this is the Joago's favorite exam?"
"And another five merits for correctly identifying the spirit. They are generally benign, and perfectly willing to make trades."
Alice nodded, it made sense to her.
"On another note, am I to understand that I will have a certain joyful occasion to officiate this January?"
Well, as Clark had pretty much already admitted it with asking her about the House-switching ceremony, she may as well confirm it. "Yes, I was wondering if we could have a few decorations or maybe a little party with friends afterward?" Alice asked.
"Whatever you want rosebud!" Potsdam exclaimed. "You and Hieronymous just hammer out the details, and I'll be happy to help in any way I can. I just love weddings, and I am so happy for you both. It was about time he stopped moping and remembered to live again." She nodded at the last as if no sane person would disagree with her.
Alice simply smiled and took her leave so Potsdam could attend to the next student. When she got back to her room, she noticed a deposit that had not been on her desk before she left for breakfast that morning. Several pink ivy geraniums were lying on top of a book she had been reading. So, they were an invitation to dance?
Alice smiled, making a mental note to ask her husband over dinner where he wanted to meet her for the Dark Dance.