8th of Vortas 716
Pleasance had just reached the age of 16 and was well on her way into the upper Forms. She'd just enjoyed her first year with the privacy of a single room, all to herself. Of course, the bathing area was shared, but nobody seemed to mind or make it difficult. They were all too tired by the time they awoke or got ready for bed. Too tired to pester each other about what had become a mere routine fact of life.
Since she'd just had her birthday, her parents dutifully sent her singular gifts to commemorate the occasion. Of course, they didn't bother to send for her, to bring her home during the break. No, not with Winter Break so close. They could congratulate her on sixteen years of surviving when it was damned well convenient.
There were two gifts Pleasance received, one from her mother a pneumatic switchblade disguised as a hair clip. And another from her father, a fashionable shawl and bowler hat. Her father probably had been pressured by her mother to buy her something like that. Since he probably hadn't the faintest idea what her dress size was, it appeared he decided to phone it in with one-size-fits-all options. Pleasance didn't mind though, she could make it work. Maybe send a thank-you note when she got back from a night out on the Stacks.
She and some nameless schoolmates were going out on the town, chaperoned by one of the Ninth Forms. There, to have some fun and blow off steam at a dance hall that lies beyond the walls of the school grounds.
It was a cool night, so the velvet shawl might actually see some use. She wrapped it around her street outfit, a simple tweed blouse, and a skirt, with boots and hose. Pulling some gloves on, she set out to the Dormitory common room, where the rest of the students were awaiting their chaperone.
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They were led outside the grounds of the school. Pleasance for her part kept to herself mostly, a bit shy and embarrassed that nobody seemed to realize it was her birthday. Most of her fellow classmates were granted wealthy allowances, and often singled her out as a upstart, with her much less impressive getup and belongings. Pleasance didn't mind this, it just motivated her that much more to try and prove that she could rise above those who were coddled with wealth.
The students made some noise moving through the streets, disturbing sleeping workers in their tenements as they roved through the Stacks. Several of the more rambunctious of her fellow sixth forms were crowing at the top of their lungs, laughing and joking with each other with little regard for the comfort of the resident humans and wicks.
Before an hour-long walk was done, they all arrived at the dance hall. It was really more of a bar, or perhaps something of a club, or an all-purpose watering hole for people of any stripe to gather. Once inside, everyone seemed to find a partner. Before Pleasance knew it, seconds passed and she was left the odd girl out, with nobody to dance with as the rest of her classmates had fun on the floor.
So, she supposed she'd wait her turn, and stand by the wall, waiting for someone to approach her. She crossed her arms, pouting as she watched everyone in her class having fun except for herself.
