The Nova Formal (dance)

The excitement in Nova was growing every day. They were doing a dance to celebrate the end of Old Night, even though it had been over for quite a while. Master Jeccar said it was to celebrate the anniversary of the end of Old Night which was hitting a milestone that year. The girls especially were excited for the dance.
Corvus was not looking forward to the dance at all. He wanted to skip it, but the Emperor wasn't allowing that. He hadn't said that Corvus had to actually dance with anyone which was alright. He had heard Naydeea say that Nasturi was back on Terra, just in time to get to come to the dance. He also knew there would be only one way to escape Nasturi, the shadow-walk.
They were learning a few basic dances in gym class. It was quite funny watching Angron try to be graceful. Though the way that Vulkan held every girl was quite amusing as well. Vulkan admitted to Corvus that he was concerned that he would hurt someone on accident. Covus knew that would never happen. Vulkan loved human normals, almost more than the other Primarchs. Corvus liked them too, which was part of why he and Vulkan got along so well.
The day of the dance arrived, and the tutorium was buzzing with excitement.  The Primarchs were also mostly excited. Corvus was more resigned, like the Lion was. The dance was for that evening, so everyone could go home and dress appropriately for the formality of the event.
"This is going to be fun," Fulgrim said as they waited for the Thunderhawk at the end of the day. He was the most excited of the Primarchs for the dance. Sanguinius was also looking forward to it, though he was concerned about how many people were going to be there. He didn't want anyone to accidentally step on his wings.
"I hope this goes better than the last time you said that," Mortarion said to Fulgrim.
"We aren't dealing with the Quasar kids this time," Fulgrim said.
"True," the Lion said. "I appreciate that."
"I do too," Corvus said. The Thunderhawk arrived just then, and the Primarchs boarded.
"I'm showering," Fulgrim said as they entered their residence.
"You showered this morning," Ferrus said. "Mortarion is the one who needs to shower."
"We have two," Fulgrim said, still heading for the bathroom.
"But I also need to shower," Leman said. "You use all the hot water for hours."
"Alright," Fulgrim said, stopping and allowing Leman to go ahead of him. They all prepared for the dance. They were wearing formal robes in their Legion colors.
"Are you all ready?" the Emperor asked as the Primarchs all filed into the living room.
"Almost," Leman said. He was trying to get the wolf hair off of his robes. Freki and Geri had sat on his robes while he was in the shower. It seemed that they wanted it to smell like them.
"Alright," Leman said after another moment, getting the last of the hair off. They boarded the Thunderhawk and headed to the tutorium again. The Primarchs disembarked and headed to the gym, where the dance was going to be. They were greeted by Master Jeccar and handed their jackets to Master Hylyn. The gym was fairly dark, with several chairs scattered about the edges of the room. There was also a table with some refreshments set off to one side.
The Primarchs were not the first arrivals, though the dance had not officially started yet. Naydeea was there, along with Nasturi. The Lion and Corvus had promised their father that they would dance once. They had determined that Naydeea's favorite song was "By the Light of the Astronomican" and intended to dance with Naydeea and Nasturi during that song. It was quite popular so it was likely to be played. There was also the option of requesting it.
The two girls waved in greeting to the Primarchs. Corvus could tell that Nasturi was blushing, which deepened when he returned the wave. Several other students arrived, many bringing friends who went to different schools. There were still kids arriving when the dance started.
Vulkan was far more into the idea of dancing than Corvus was. This left Corvus off to the side with the Lion. It was amusing to see people notice Vulkan. It was dark enough in the room that Vulkan nearly disappeared save for his eyes and his green formal robes. The two also kept an eye on where Naydeea and Nasturi were, so they could ask the two to dance if "By the Light of the Astronomican" came on.
This also meant that they noticed a slightly older boy who didn't go to Nova approach the girls. The boy seemed to be asking one of them to dance, but both turned him down. They moved away, as if they wanted to distance themselves from the boy who had spoken to them. The boy tried again with them when the next song started. The girls moved away again, refusing him once more. A third song started and the boy was more insistent this time, the Lion and Corvus headed over to the girls.
"Hello, Naydeea," the Lion said as they approached. Naydeea turned and looked at him, she seemed relieved to see the Lion.
"You look nice today, Nasturi," Corvus said by way of greeting. Nasturi blushed again, she had not expected Corvus to remember her, since they had only met at Naydeea's birthday party.
"May I have this dance?" the Lion asked Naydeea, it was the phrase they had been taught in class to ask. The Lion said if very stiffly, though it was clear he was trying to be nice. Naydeea took his offered hand; she was friendly with all of the Primarchs, but was always a bit awkward with the Lion alone.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Corvus asked Nasturi, as the boy turned to her.
"I would be honored," Nasturi said. She barely managed to stop herself from calling him "Lord Corax". That was how all children on Deliverance were taught to call Corvus, but it didn't seem appropriate just then. Corvus led her out on the floor as they began a dance that was common across the Imperium. At one point they attempted to do different steps.
"Sorry!" Nasturi said, embarrassed.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Corvus said. "Teach me the version you know."
"Why?" Nasturi asked.
"It shows me something about you, and the culture of Deliverance," Corvus said. "Many Raven Guard come from there, and I should have an understanding of how they do things. It will help greatly when I grow up and take charge of the Legion."
"That makes sense," Nasturi said. "The boy part is fairly simple, just a mirror of what you did." She then demonstrated her part of the step.
"Thank you," Corvus said. "You dance very well." They resumed their dance, each more comfortable with each other. The song ended, the next song was "By the Light of the Astronomican". Corvus chuckled.
"Something amuses you?" Nasturi asked.
"Lion and I were waiting for this song," Corvus said. "We know it's Naydeea's favorite song. Would you like to dance again?"
"Very much," Nasturi said. "I like this song as well." The song called for a different type of dance than the previous one. They took a moment to explain if there were any variance in the steps they each had learned.
"Mind if I cut in?" the boy from before asked. Corvus had to admit that he was persistent.
"Do you mind, Nasturi?" Corvus asked, turning to her.
"I asked you, not her," the boy said.
"She has a say in this," Corvus said. Nasturi looked a bit frightened of the boy, and shook her head.
"I believe that she wants me to stay," Corvus said. Nasturi nodded, becoming very timid.
"That's why I asked you," the boy said, indicating that he didn't know who he was dealing with.
"I do not want to dance with you," Nasturi blurted. "I would prefer to stay with Lord Corax." She dropped Corvus's hands and covered her mouth when she realized she had said that.
"You can call me Corvus," Corvus said, gently taking her hands back. He turned to the boy, "She has made her choice, honor it."
"Very well, 'Lord Corax'," the boy said and stalked off.
Corvus turned his attention back to Nasturi, and their interrupted dance. Nasturi calmed down after a few seconds, and seemed to enjoy the rest of the dance. She was winded when the song ended, so Corvus lead her off the floor. As they were heading towards a pair of chairs, they heard a distinct sound. It was Naydeea's coughing, she was having lung issues from the dancing. The Lion pushed through the crowd still on the dance floor, one arm around Naydeea.
"Do you have your medication with you?" the Lion asked once they were out of the thick of the crowd. Naydeea nodded, she didn't seem to have enough breath to speak.
"It's in her jacket," Nasturi said, remembering that Naydeea's father had assured himself of its prescence, and that both girls knew where it was. The Lion nodded his thanks to Nasturi and led Naydeea over to Master Hylyn, who was in charge of the jackets kids had brought.
Master Hylyn noted what was going on, and retrieved Naydeea's jacket. He began going through the pockets, finding the inhaled medication. Naydeea took the medication and inhaled some, it took a few seconds to kick in, but her breathing began to even out. The Lion escorted Naydeea over to a group of chairs, Nasturi and Corvus following behind.
"Would you like some water?" the Lion asked both girls.
"Yes, please," Naydeea said. Nasturi simply nodded, not sure how to address the Lion.  The Lion nodded himself, and headed off. Corvus stayed with them to keep the other boy away from them. He noticed that the boy was talking with one of the former bullies of Nova. He began to lip read their conversation, curious as to what they were saying.
"Those were the girls you were going after?" the Nova boy, Ithen, said.
"Yes," the other said.
"You should have pointed them out sooner," Ithen said. "The one with the darker hair is a student here, and friends with the Primarchs."
"What does that mean?" the boy asked.
"The Primarchs are residents of the Palace," Ithen said. "It's said that they are trained by Custodians in the arts of combat."
"I heard the other girl call the one sitting with them, 'Lord Corax'," the boy said.
"Good," Ithen said. "I can't make out his symbol from here, if that had been Konrad you would be in deep trouble."
The Lion came back with two cups of water, handing them off to the girls. He then noticed where Corvus was looking.
"Did he try to cut in on you?" the Lion asked, getting Corvus' attention.
"Yes," Corvus said. "He almost didn't leave."
"Same here," the Lion said. "He seems unusually determined."
"Agreed," Corvus said. "I wonder why." The Lion turned to look in the same direction, both now lip reading the conversation between Ithen and his friend.
"....they're watching us," Ithen was saying.
"So?" the other asked, he didn't seem to understand at all why Ithen was concerned about it.
"They can lip read," Ithen said. "Even if they can't hear us, they know what we are saying."
"Why are you so scared of them?" the boy asked.
"Do you remember Aerathur?" Ithen asked.
"Didn't he get beat up by someone and landed in the Apothecarion for a month?" the boy asked. Ithen nodded.
"He was beat up by one of the other Primarchs," Ithen explained. "Another rumor is that they are the sons of the Emperor, and I believe it."
"Why?" the boy asked.
"They aren't normal humans," Ithen said. "They're about the same age as those girls that Lion and Corvus are with."
"If they are the sons of the Emperor, why are you referring to them informally?"
"Because they are children still," Ithen said. "Also, I go to school here, with them. It's hard to call them 'Lord Jonson and Lord Corax' even when I'm sure that's the proper thing."
"I guess that makes sense," the other said. "And I don't want trouble with the Palace, my family won't thank me for that."
"No they won't," Ithen said. "I would avoid them the rest of the dance. If you say anything, it should be to apologize for scaring the girls."
The Lion and Corvus turned their attention away at that point, certain that they weren't going to be bothered again. The dance was only a few hours long, and it seemed to be over rather quickly after those events. Naydeea insisted that she was alright and wanted to dance to another song. She waited for the last song to be announced, before dragging the other three with her to dance in a group.
"Thank you for dancing with me, Lion," Naydeea said to the Lion as they all departed the gym.
"You're welcome," the Lion said, though he seemed a bit uncomfortable with the situation.
"I had a lot of fun tonight," Nasturi said to Corvus.
"I did as well," Corvus said with a smile. The Thunderhawk arrived, and the Primarchs headed home.