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❤

After hours-- nay, days!-- of waiting, at last it's salsa night. La noche del ritmo (that’s “night of rhythm” for those who tragically refuse to brush up on their Spanish). Down on solid ground, it’s marked with wobbly turns, missed cues, and bold declarations of “I totally meant to do that.” But up in our little corner of the community hall on the Mnemosyne, it’s all warm lights, borrowed partners, and a playlist that refuses to let you stand still.

The humble chaos has been carefully unleashed by our fearless instructor EVA because she was clearly feeling optimistic! Come try a step (or three), spin someone new, and maybe leave with smoother moves than you came in with. Or at least a good story.

Salsa!

At its core, salsa is a conversation disguised as a dance: a gentle lead, a daring spin, a dramatic pause that says, “Yes, I absolutely meant to do that.” It’s rhythm with personality, flair with a wink, and just enough drama to keep things interesting.

How to Play: Grab a partner and get ready to roll some dice to see how well you take to the floor! For the sake of ease, we're going to say that there's four 'rounds' making up a song, but if you want to keep it going, go right ahead. Each dancer will roll 6d6 and match pairs with their partner.

🕺0 matches: This is a disaster. Someone got an elbow to a body part. Tears might be shed.
💃1 - 2 matches: A little stumble, a wee fumble. Maybe a little embarrassing, but you can brush it off.
🕺3-4 matches: You're finding the groove and looking good. Having a great time on the dance floor!
💃5-6 matches: Flawless chemistry. It's unbelievable. Your coworkers might think you're gettin nasty behind closed doors.

Bachata!

For those brave enough to learn two dances in one night, or who just want something slower, Eva's going to do a Bachata crash course. Slower than its flashier cousins, but no less dramatic, it trades whirlwind spins for close steps and a hip movement that politely insists on being noticed.

There’s a step-together-step, a tap with just a hint of flair, and a rhythm that feels suspiciously like a love song written at 2 a.m. Bachata isn’t about showing off—it’s about leaning in, finding the groove, and letting the music do most of the talking while you pretend you’re not completely swept up in it.

How to Play:Each dancer will roll 3d6, and count the amount of 3's and 6's rolled between the pair. 3 and 6 are the only ones that matter. Again, four ‘rounds’ make up a song.

💃 0 matches: Catastrophic! This is not going well. Maybe you need a new partner
🕺1-2 matches: Not too shabby! Not the smoothest it could be, but you're both feeling confident.
💃3-4 matches: Stunning. You have the room feeling flushed.
🕺5-6 matches: Is it hot in here? It's hot in here. We're all sweating just watching that spark catch.

For the Wallflowers!

Not everyone is meant to take to the floor, but that doesn't mean they have to be bored! Eva's brought a frankly alarming amount of playing cards for people to play the card game of their choice. She has instructions for Blackjack, War, and Trash on various tables. Bets are welcome, but please no strip anything, thank you.

And for those who prefer their thrills less competitive and more snack-shaped, there’s a spread of treats and drinks to keep spirits high. Something fizzy, something sweet, something questionably healthy but undeniably delicious—it’s all fair game. Refuel, refresh, and return to the action (or the spectating) as you see fit.

How to Play Blackjack (or 21):

The goal is to get the closest to 21 without going over.
- Roll 2d12 to simulate real cards (a 12 functions as an ace, so it can be a 1 or an 11 depending on the best outcome for your hand.
- Either 'stay' by ceasing rolling, or continue rolling 1d12 as many times as you like until you're at 21 or as close as possible.
- If you 'bust' or go over 21, you loose.

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There's a soft laugh at that. "Where are you imagining?" This, as she settles in his lap and holds the bag of chips out offering him one.

He shakes his head in a 'no, thank you' gesture, and wraps an arm loosely around her waist. "Where are you imagining?"

"In one of the planes," she decides after a moment. "There really is a lack of feasible options." Iyla pops a chip into her mouth.

Nim quickly turns a laugh into a cough. "I think you need a pilot for that full experience."

“Maybe.” The bag is set aside as her arm snakes around his shoulders. “I can live with sticking to a bed.”

"Yeah?" Nim is suddenly very aware of how public they are, but it is nice to just focus on her weight on his lap for a moment. "Bed's good."

“Good.” Her thumb runs lightly back and forth against his shoulder. “I happen to like you in my bed, Nim.”

"I make a great pillow, yeah," he agrees with a chuckle and a slight tinge of pink to his cheeks.

"Are you going to evaporate if I kiss you?" Teasingly.

"Only one way to test a theory."

"Good," she murmurs, openly pleased with his response, fingers curling against his jaw as she leans in to kiss him.

"... did I evaporate?" he asks against her mouth.

"Not yet, but I'm willing to try again," she whispers back before kissing him again with a lil more intensity.

"I'm not going to evaporate," he says, sounding a little more sure of himself. "But I do think you should tell me where you want me tonight."

She's fairly certain that he's looking for in my bed. "I think the answer to that is obvious," Iyla admits, featherlight kisses along his jaw before her lips move to his ear, continuing in a teasing tone too quiet for anyone else to hear. "I want you inside me, Nim."

Alas, he is but a simple boy. "You can't say that to me out here," he whispers, catching her chin to turn her head so that his voice lands solely in her ear. "It's very... public."

"I'll consider behaving if you ask me nicely," she murmurs back.

"Please, Iyla. Have some mercy."

Catching his chin, she brushes a kiss to his lips. "Only because you're such a good boy for me," she decides, tone no less teasing. "Why don't you tell me how to take apart an engine until all thoughts too inappropriate for public flee your mind?"

As he releases a slow exhale, Nim nods. "Specifically which engine?" he asks -- half joking, half not. But he doesn't wait for her to continue: "It'll have to be something very complicated."

"Pick your favorite."

"This will take at least ten minutes," he admits with a grin, smoothing his hands over her lap and knocking his chin against her shoulder. "Probably get you off to sleep..."

"To describe or to pick?" A beat. "I don't mind listening to people talk about the things they're interested in."