After an afternoon of rummaging through Bradford’s city records, Dwayne returned to Sanford to ponder where he’d demonstrate Magdala’s Qe core. So far, he had four places in mind: Bradford Cathedral, the Magisterium’s Latia Arena, the Royal Palace, and the Exchange. The Cathedral was out as, even setting aside that the Church would laugh him off the premises if he even dared to ask, it was far too small. Latia Arena was out too because while it was big enough, it was too far away, and the Magisterium likely despised ordinary people flooding its grounds. Since holding the demonstration at the Palace was recreating the circumstances that had made it impossible for lay people to attend the original Offering, that left the Exchange, which met all of the prerequisites but was currently deep in winter preparations. If he tried there, he’d have to wait for weeks, and they didn’t have the time.

As Dwayne entered the kitchen, he considered the question of setting everything up after selecting the venue as he reached for the bread roll basket. Unfortunately, he, Lady Pol, and Rodion couldn’t-

His fingers touched skin.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Magdala!” Dwayne snatched his hand. “W-what are you doing here?”

Magdala took a roll out of the basket and offered it to him. “We need to talk.”

“A-about what?” Dwayne accepted the roll and backed away. “I’m busy and…” He frowned. Even distracted, he’d have seen her family carriage on the street. “Where’s your chaperone?”

“Like we could talk freely within hearing of my parents or Gran.” Magdala leaned back against the kitchen counter. “This about us.”

“It is?” Dwayne’s voice cracked. “I mean, what about us?”

“I mean…” Magdala hugged herself. “I mean I know you said that now wasn’t the time, but I think the mage who just passed Professor Corn’s class without completing a single exam has time to spare. Congratulations by the way.” A smile flickered onto her lips. “I know a certain seventh-year who’s dying of envy.”

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Dwayne smiled back, unaccustomed to the praise. “Magdala, I-”

“Wait, I’ll get to the point. See,” she pulled away from the counter to pace, “I don’t want to lose you. Yes, I want more, but as our respective roommates have pointed out, it would be stupid to give up what we have for what I want.” She stopped pacing and turned to Dwayne. “Does that make sense?”

Dwayne relaxed. “Yes, it does.”

“Um, so…” Magdala’s tongue wet her lips. “Can we be friends?”

Dwayne smiled. She didn’t need to ask. “Yes.”

Magdala beamed. “Good. It’s settled. So,” she joined Dwayne on his side of the kitchen, “what were you thinking about?”

“Uh…” Did friends stand this close? “Uh, about a public demonstration of your Qe Core.”

“Really?” Magdala bit into Dwayne’s roll. “That sounds fun. Let me help.”

“You want to?” Dwayne stared at his roll, unsure if he should take a bite himself or not. “Don’t you have examinations?”

“Let’s just say I’m experiencing a sudden influx of free time.” She took another bite. “Have you chosen a venue yet?”

“I can’t think of any except The Exchange.” Dwayne tried to hand her the bread roll, but she refused. “No other place is big enough.”

“You can’t do The Exchange.”

“I know. They’re still-”

“Do Bradsbridge.”

“What?”

Magdala swallowed. “It’s big enough and hardly anyone takes the Queen’s Road at this time of year. It’s perfect.”

Moreover, it was public and anyone could access it.

“I’ll ask Lady Pol to talk to the Royal Secretary’s Office.” Dwayne did not want to deal with them alone. “Tomorrow, I’ll ask the theory group-”

Magdala snorted. “Your club, you mean?”

Dwayne crossed his arms. “It’s not a club. It’s a theory group. We rely on it to plan the details, but we only have around thirty people, most of them students. That’s not enough to set this all up.”

Magdala stared. “Thirty people? How do you have that many?”

“Chloe and Torben mostly.” Dwayne finished his mostly consumed bread roll. “Maybe Akunna knows people who can help with set up.”

“Who’s Akunna?”

“Thadden’s maid.” Dwayne leaned against the counter. “I’ll go to the Plague District tonight and speak with her. She might be working late so…” He groaned. “The group meets mornings.”

“I can go.”

“You can?”

“I can.” Magdala stepped closer. “I’ll bring our respective roommates along. Where do you meet?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Then let’s do the bridge.” Magdala placed a hand on his. “This will work. We’ll talk after?”

“Yes.” As she left, Dwayne wasn’t sure if Magdala’s question referred to his demonstration or their friendship.