"That was very nice; we’ll have to do it again," the playwright remarked as he guided Ariel off the dance floor.

"Enjoyed yourselves?" Leroy inquired with a curious look as they approached him.

"It was a lovely time," Mr. Warner replied, sending a warm smile in Ariel’s direction. Her mind, still spinning from the dance, barely registered his words.

"If you'll excuse me, I’ve worked up quite a thirst and need to find out what’s available to drink," the playwright continued, casting a glance around the venue in search of a refreshment stand.

Watching Mr. Warner's retreating figure, Ariel turned sharply to Leroy.

"Okay, just what did Jasper say at the meeting this morning?"

Leroy blinked down at her with a disapproving frown. "Pumping an unsuspecting playwright for information? I’m shocked at you..."

"Leroy, answer me. What did he say?" Ariel demanded, her voice firm and insistent.

"Who says I know?"

Ariel crossed her arms and set her face into a determined scowl. "Because you do, so just tell me."

"Maybe I don’t."

Ariel opened her mouth to argue, her foot inching threateningly close to Leroy’s. But a commotion from the nearby group of people drew her attention. She turned just in time to see John surrounded by a throng of elderly women, their excitement palpable.

Exchanging a quick, puzzled look with Leroy, Ariel heard the women exclaiming in delight.

"What luck! It’s the handsome young man from a couple of days ago!"

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"It’s nice to see you again," John said, his polite smile masking his slight discomfort.

Mandy joined the scene, offering a rare wave toward the gaggle of women encircling the priest. Ariel’s confusion deepened.

"Looks like John has a following," Leroy remarked with a grin.

Ariel nudged him, watching as the elderly women greeted John with a respect usually reserved for celebrities.

"What a lovely night for the festival. If only I were a young girl again..." one woman, dressed in a dark blue gown adorned with feathers, said wistfully, her keen eyes fixed on John.

The young man took it in stride, offering a light smile. "Yes, it is a beautiful night."

Boldly, another woman with a face etched with deep wrinkles seized John’s arm, gazing up at him with a longing expression. "How many girls have you delighted tonight?"

John’s face flushed slightly, but Mandy stepped in to rescue him from answering. "I see you have a few admirers yourself."

The women erupted into wide, wrinkled smiles. "Oh yes, but none would compare to him..." one said, inching closer to John.

"My dear, I bet you’re a charming dancer. Why aren’t you out on the floor?" another chimed in, claiming his other arm.

The excitement grew as the women began to argue over John.

"Ah, there’s an idea! Oblige us—let us see you dance!"

"So dashing, yes, do go out!"

"Do you lack a partner? I’d be happy to join you."

"Wait, you’ll want me—I’m a much better partner—"

"Please, Hashi, you trip standing still."

The bickering became increasingly frenzied, with John caught in the middle, each of his arms being tugged by different women, while others crowded in to argue their case.

"Actually," Mandy spoke up, stepping forward with calm authority and gently reclaiming one of John’s arms from a startled woman, "he has promised me a dance."

John blinked at Mandy with surprise, but quickly recovered and nodded. "That’s right, I have."

The group murmured in disappointment, some voices lamenting how they wished they were younger. Ariel turned her head, hoping to gauge Leroy’s reaction, but he had disappeared, leaving only an empty space where he had been.

"Leroy...?" Ariel called out, scanning the crowd. For a moment, the only familiar face she spotted was Max, standing impassively amidst the chaos. Then, she noticed the monk, now accompanied by Taylor. With a glance back at John, who was still trying to gently extricate himself from the elderly women's grasp, Ariel made her way directly toward Leroy.

Taylor, standing between the monk and another man, appeared flustered. "You remember— from table twelve earlier," the priestess was saying, her smile strained as she looked at the man beside her.