Noble had no idea how long the Awakened party guest had been standing there studying her with curious brown eyes. The woman wore a sleek black dress accompanied by a stole around her neck, making her resemble a slender wolf.
"Forgive me. My sister was asked to dance, and I just happened to glance your way. If I have spoken out of turn…"
"I'm Awakened Noble." The professor dipped her head, cutting off the rest of the apology.
The other woman was relieved. "I am Awakened Moon. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Although Noble was a bit suspicious of the sudden encounter, she did not sense any deception in the partygoer. The woman did not seem to have an ulterior motive, but it was still wise to be cautious.
"What do you think of all this?" Moon asked, trying to find a topic that would suit them.
"I do not get to go to functions like this often, so this is a very rare treat." The professor smiled, remembering how lucky she was to be at such a fancy affair.
"I am not one for big parties either, but my sister insisted I should come with her." Moon motioned to a lovely young woman spinning on the dance floor with a Master. Based on the emotions of both parties, the two were having a very splendid time.
"I'm glad you were willing to accompany her," Noble responded after watching the dancers mix into the crowd.
They fell into a companionable silence. Noble spotted Ascended Nightingale and Ascended Song of the Fallen taking a turn together among the dancers.
As Ascended, their beauty was so overwhelming that it felt a little like looking at two blazing stars.
The professor wondered idly what Alice would think about such a romantic pairing.
"They go well together, don't they?" Moon startled her from her reverie.
"Who? Oh! I suppose." Noble shifted uncomfortably. "Excuse me, Awakened Moon, but can you read minds?"
Moon laughed. "No, it was just easy to guess where you were looking. Those two are eye-catching." Seeing Noble's incredulous gaze she added, "I promise my Aspect has nothing to do with the mind or knowing other's thoughts. Don't believe me? I'll prove it."
Silently, the woman's face morphed to resemble a predatory canine. The stole around her neck was absorbed to be the scruff of her wolfish coat. Thankfully the rest of her remained human, at least for now.
"A shape-shifter! Impressive!" Noble knew of very few who could do such a thing without becoming a saint.
"Thank you," the woman's smile returned to a human one.
The two continued to watch the couples dance, and Noble always came back to the mesmerizing steps of Ascendeds Kai and Cassia. How a blind girl could move so effortlessly throughout the ballroom was impressive.
When they passed by, Noble could hear the conversation between them.
"I hope you don't mind me using your vision," The beautiful young lady looked a little embarrassed.
"It is perfectly alright with me as long as you don't mind the view," the charming gentleman smiled warmly.
Gracefully, the pair spun out of view, and with them went Cassia's witty retort.
"Have you spoken to them yet?" Moon asked.
"Them?" The professor raised her eyebrows slightly. "You mean Song of the Fallen and Nightingale?"
The sleek Awakened chuckled softly. "I mean any of the five Masters that are making such a stir tonight. Do you know any of them?"
"I went to a Nightingale concert once." Noble tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes opened slightly when she realized what she had just said. "With my daughter of course," the professor amended. "She is a big fan."
"My little Gremlin is as well. It is amazing the things we do for our children," the shape-shifter sighed, coming back to her original topic. "Does that mean you do not know Master Sunless?"
Noble blinked at her companion. Was this some kind of test?
"Why do you ask?"
"He just looked this way a couple of times. I don't think it was at me, so it made me curious." Moon shrugged.
Glancing over at the Master, Noble met Sunless's gaze. He nodded at her in recognition but made no move to come over and speak. Instead, he turned and headed out in search of the restroom.
"We have met," Noble admitted, deciding exactly what to say. "He teaches classes occasionally at the Academy. He was probably looking at me to try to place me. I don't usually look like this."
The professor had chosen her words very carefully. Friendly or not, this woman was still a stranger.
Admitting that she was familiar with the man professionally would count neither for nor against her. It was the safest option. Her words had quite an effect.
"Oh!" Moon's eyes shined with excitement. "That's amazing!"
"On his first day, I helped him find the keys to his room," Noble added when she saw the comment was well received.
"What is he like as a teacher?" Moon leaned in, intrigued.
Noble contemplated for a moment. "He is quite brilliant, but mostly what I hear students talk about is his very exceptional chair."
"Wait, you are Professor Noble?" Moon's question threw her for a loop again.
"That is what people call me, yes."
"A friend of mine, Elle, constantly tells this story of her and a Memory called the [Forbidden Fruit]. She gives you full credit for keeping her alive."
Noble recalled the woman whose looks could launch a thousand ships. "I am glad to know my lesson stuck with her. Please give her my best wishes when you see her. In fact, I…"
At that moment Noble felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Forgive me, madam, but I spied you across the room, and you looked like you could use a dance partner. Would you be so kind as to give me the honor? Please do not say no. It will break my heart."
Noble took the man's hand. "Awakened Moon, this is Deputy Director Fort. Also known as my husband."
The professor blushed slightly at the man's adoring gaze.
"A pleasure," Moon dipped a small curtsy.
"For me as well." Fort inclined his head in a small bow. "Now, I apologize, but I must take this beauty on a trip around the floor this very instant. That is if she agrees."
Nodding at her husband, Noble bid her companion farewell. "It was very nice to meet you, Moon."
"Moon!" a lilting voice beckoned. "I have just the person I want you to meet!"
Moon waved to her sister that she was coming. "Until next time."
Leading his Noble to the shining floor, Fort took hold of his wife. "Now where were we?"
As they began to glide across the floor, Noble noticed that her husband seemed more at ease than when she left him.
"I guess the conversation went well?" she asked carefully. While she had no desire to ruin their special moment, she also did not want to continue to wonder how things had gone.
"Ty means well. He really does. He is just passionate about getting the Clans to help us with the evacuation. Director Kenz will keep an eye on him. He told me to go and enjoy myself." Fort winked.
"I like the Director already," Noble chuckled softly. Kenz was not Fort's superior. He worked in a different directorate of the government, but she was glad that her husband had taken the order seriously.
The rest of the song passed like a sublime vision. Noble could not get over how fortunate she was. The man of her dreams had put on a suit and practiced dancing all to give her this one moment in time. Her heart was full.
The song ended and the couple clapped politely. The musicians accepted the praise before launching into another classical piece.
"Shall we go again?" Fort asked not waiting for an answer. He pulled the brunette beauty in a closed hold and started to move through the intricate steps.
Noble was about to comment about her husband's skills when a chipper voice reached her ears.
"I told you so!"