Penelope gave a little laugh at that. She'd only seen one guy so far, and admittedly, Aaron had been rather handsome. It made sense though. Even Julia was stunning, and she expected as much from a place like this. Even if they weren't born with it if you had enough money to attend here you certainly had enough for cosmet-- Her thoughts were interrupted then, as she felt herself lurch back a bit from a body colliding with her own. Collecting herself she looked the boy over. He was taller than her but looked about her age. He introduced himself promptly as Neven. He was a strange one, she concluded, and so shuffled herself in between Julia and Neven out of reflex, never letting go of the girl's hand. He didn't seem particularly aggressive, but certainly rude if nothing else.

"Girl?" she huffed curtly. "Watch where you step, boy", she added with extra emphasis. "and who you're addressing." She turned back to Julia then, making sure she was fine. She had to clutch the girl rather tightly to keep her balance when he slammed into her, and she wanted to make sure she hadn't squeezed her too hard. Without looking back, she muttered over her shoulder. "My name is Abelia" He didn't seem like the type she'd be going out of her way to hold conversation with in the future, so she felt no need to give him her preferred moniker. "And that's the only name you're permitted to use when you speak to me." She gestured then to J. "And this is Julia. You'll also refer to her by name as there is no girl here." She gave little chuckle then. She was serious but not the type to hold grudges. Besides, he seemed more socially awkward than anything else, like he probably couldn't be less of an ass if he tried. His manner of speaking made it hard to be seriously upset, however, even if he had plowed into her, and didn't even bother to apologize.

@Aisling @BytheSpleen
The lobby had been disappointingly inordinate and plain. Perhaps this school was perhaps not so elite after all. But if it was not, why had he been sent there. However, there were other distractions on hand at the moment. He also did not know what a catalog tablet was for. He would not check any of his mail, as if he did have any, it would not be worth checking anyway.

"I have no idea what a catalog tablet would be," Blake said. "But apparently you need a tablet for your catalogs. So, what are we doing today, anyway? If the answers is nothing that would be quite dull."

Neven frowned, how else was he supposed to address one who name he did not know? So far he had chosen the least offensive term he could to address them. "At least you're more polite than the other one." Neven muttered under his breath as he considered his response. "I am aware of Julia's name as I have already spoken with her. I have a question for you, Abelia, what term do you use to address others when you do not know their name hm? I attempted to use both the least offensive and most accurate term, where have I erred?" Neven asked coolly. After all he had naught better to do he might as well learn something from this miserable experience. In theory he would have to woo one of these women anyway and he would need some sort of social graces to accomplish that no doubt. Once again he thought of how the masquerade would be ideal for acquiring information. He would need to look into it more once he returned to his room.

She gave a little laugh at the question. So she was right, he did seem more like he wouldn't have known what to say even if he tried. With a smile she turned back to him then. "When you don't know someone, the proper term for flagging them down would be "Excuse me, Ms? Or Excuse me sir." Finally she dropped Julia's hand to shuffle through her bag for her keys. She still wasn't sure what was waiting for her in the mailbox but she was curious now. "This works especially well when you've accidentally knocked into them as well." she said with a giggle. "And just as a freebee, if you'd like to know someone's name, you typically don't even need to ask. She turned back to Julia then to demonstrate. "Good morning, mam, my name is Neven, pleasure to meet you." she tried her best to use a serious face as she stifled a laugh at her attempt to drop her voice a few octaves, imitating the man. She stretched her hand out, offering the girl a handshake. "Most people will feel compelled to respond in kind."

Neven still didn't understand why the term he had chosen was wrong but simply accepted it as part of the human world. "Very well then Abelia, your information was helpful." Though her poor imitation of his voice was somewhat... grating. He had determined anger would do him little good here, civil disobedience seemed the best way to show his displeasure. Neven filed away her imitation for his own use anyway, turned and left to his room, he had see just what he was going to wear to these strange social events being put on. Particularly the masquerade ball though doubtless he was expected to attend the others as well.

@Aisling
I did not miss anything, Bessie," Blake said. "But I'll accept your offer. The two of us are going to go into your room all by ourselves?"

"Today is for moving in, meeting people and reading the laptop news. I bet that you didn't read the memo. It basically told about the various stores, how you get your pay, the three events this weekend, which you do get a free costume for Saturday and Sunday. I'm making an appointment as early as I can so that I can get the best costume. The note also told what is in the mailbox.
Why don't you come over to my place for a bit and we can look at the catalog tablet." Bessie invited.

"I did not miss anything, Bessie," Blake said. "But I'll accept your offer. The two of us are going to go into your room all by ourselves?"

Yosef simply nodded, for want of concision.

To Blake's concern, Yosef replied :

"I think I trust myself enough to be alone in a room with a girl and NOT do anything lewd. That isn't my capital vice, anyways..."

Sure, to humans, that would be somewhat normal to say, but for Blake and Yosef...well, Yosef trusts Blake enough, apparently, to give away part of his identity.

((Mistake posting!))

@Aisling @BytheSpleen
"Well then, I can assure you that those were your words," Blake said. "And not mine. After all, we are friends."

There was a 'click' as Aaron locks the door of his room behind himself while leaving. Unsure of the level of sophistication of the event he had chosen to wear his best neat 'n' casual. In his hand he was carrying a catalogue tablet having left the other, and the rest of his and J's stuff (Penelope's too if he was carrying it.) in his room.
Looking down at the device he flicks through the images on the screen, focusing more on what his new friends might be wearing, as he paces eagerly towards the cafe.
He travels with a small rushed skip in his step and a smile on the corner of his lips.
Coming around the last corner he notices Mictlantecuhtli dressed in his fancy dark blue suit and Aaron instantly curses himself for underdressing. He still wasn't clear on the expectations of dress standards at this school.

Casually his gaze remains on the tablet but his focus was so entirely else where he couldn't recall what was on that screen if he had too.

He approaches the Cafe slowly allowing Mictlantecuhtli to enter first. Aaron checked the time on the tablet, he was still early. Punctuality reflected discipline and discipline lead to efficiency. Values instilled into him by those that would end him for offering anything less.

Dismissing the thought since here it was no concern and besides, he was still early, he happily waits beside the door with a warm smile and welcoming nod in greeting to the next to arrive. Secretly he hopes it would be J and Penelope, he hadn't seen them since leaving them at the lobby and wondered what they had been up to, but Aaron begrudgingly understood that he would need to get to know all the others as well, eventually.

Blake wore a nice white shirt under a black vest, with black pants as well. It was tea time. He scarcely cared about his appearance, but it was owed to his natural handsomeness, that his unkempt hair never looked out of place, making him look perhaps wild, but absolutely not barbaric or gruff. He entered the place after Mictlantecuhtli, and took a seat.

Slouching down upon his chair, he spun the tea cup perfectly with his pinky finger, and with two of his fingers held up the cup as he poured it from the teacup. He took a drink of it and let out an audible sigh, before gorging on a scone. Otherwise, he had a mannerism that was entirely aristocratic.

@Aisling
"Oh, is it a good afternoon?" Blake said nonchalantly. "This is it. This tea party has a good chance to be boring. You have quite beautiful eyes. I do hope that this tea party is a little more than meets the eye. Even in the drudgery of class, it would be better. There is nothing that I can go to seize."

Aaron who is still standing patiently beside the door pokes his head inside to see Bessie and Blake, he had given them a little greeting as they arrived but got little in response. Aaron again checks the time and runs a hand through his hair, it was getting close to four o'clock and the others weren't here yet.

Then he remembers, the phone supposably had everyone's name in it, he takes it out, turns it on and quickly flicks through the many contacts to 'Penelope' and hits the call button.

'C'mon, come on pick up' he whispers to himself.
@WileyCoyote

As Neven left she called over her shoulder with a giggle, leading J back out the way they'd come. "Nice to meet you, Neven"
Once they made it out of earshot she gave her map another try. This time she found the place with ease, and after saying farewell to J, she quickly made her way down the halls of the apartments until she finally reached hers. "Well, home sweet home" she muttered turning her key in the lock. She took this time to examine the contents of the items found in her mailbox. Reading over the memo's she noted she needed to find several outfits for the coming events and she wasn't prepared at all. She knew she would have had a dress for tea tomorrow somewhere in the little luggage she'd left in her car, but she was wholly unprepared for the ball and walk. Perhaps she'd ask J to go shopping with her later. She probably hadn't chosen her gowns yet either penelope reasoned...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Penelope checked her phone clock one last time and she knew she'd make it early with plenty of time to spare. She'd fortunately decided to choose her attire the evening before which made dressing a breeze. Giving herself a last once over in the mirror she applied a final coat of lipstick and gave a little smack. "That'll do" she said to herself giving a nod of approval. She had hoped she wouldn't be too informal in her floral blue dress. It hung loosely around her body and stopped just at her knees.

It was still early enough in the afternoon she reasoned, so it ought to do, especially on such short noti- Her thoughts were interrupted by a ringtone she couldn't recognize. Clutching her normal phone and finding it dead silent she remembered they'd issued her one as well. This would be the first time it had rung and she wondered who would be calling her. "Julia maybe?" She knew her name was in the contacts along with everyone else's but it was still rather odd. Digging it from the bottom of her bag she was surprised to see Aarons name flashing across the screen. She was excited nonetheless. He was afterall the first person she'd met at the academy.

"Hello? Aaron?" She answered softly, gathering her small purse and heading out the door, locking it behind her and shuffling down the hall slowly. "Have you left for tea yet?" she asked scanning each room as she passed them. She wasn't sure which room he was in but figured if she waited they could walk together if he hadn't left yet.

@WileyCoyote
"Penelope!" Aaron answers with a hint of excitement and surprise. He begins strolling away from the cafeteria entrance as he talks, one hand holding the phone to his head, the other in his pocket.

"Yea I just arrived, was just calling to make sure that you got the memo. Didn't want you to miss it." He looks to the floor as he walks, a soft smile glued to his face. He stops walking and stands tall spinning back around.

"Alright well I guess I'll see you when you get here."