Welcome to Gaia! ::

Just before Nicodemous could exit the party to work on some papers a butler intervened and slipped him a note. -Nico, I got someone else to pick up that paper work. Enjoy the party. ~The Pres.- The president knew his general well. Nicodemous let put a sigh as he deposited the note in his pocket and thanked the butler.

Not long after the butler left he was greeted by several elderly towns people. One of which was a veteran of the old war. With no escape, there was no option than to enjoy the party...

Shora almost spilled what little remained of her drink when the other red-head mentioned his surname. For politeness’s sake, however she chose to keep her mouth firmly closed about it: based on Kard’s demeanour, he got this a lot. That didn’t stop her from wondering a bit though; she had never known that the scientist even had any close relatives.

“Yeah, that’s right, we’re both in the military,” Shora nodded to emphasise her words, involuntarily lowering her voice in case it might make him feel a bit more comfortable. Her calm appearance was replaced by a sheepish expression when asked her own rank, “Yeah, another cadet here, I’m afraid, nothing really special. Although I did used to work in the research areas, still not entirely sure what on Zi possessed me to change professions though!” While not exactly a joke of any description, she chuckled slightly, the sad truth was that the line was, well, true.

“Hey! Kard!” Shora flinched as her attention was ripped from her other new ‘friend’ to someone jumping about, trying to wave over the crowd.

She blinked. “Um... Do you know that guy?”

"Not yet I'm afraid, I haven't been on any missions." She looked to Shora "How bout you Shora?" Angelina said, before Shora mentioned the other boy calling for him, "you should bring your brother over" Angelina smiled just as Kard was about to leave to fetch his brother he bumped into the general. "General!" Angelina was surprised the general was so eager to get going after she spoke to him earlier.

“What a coincidence! Neither have I!” placing a hand on the back of her neck, Shora could not help but laugh. It was good to know that she wasn’t the only greenhorn here at least, she watched with Angelina as Kard ran off to grab who Shora thought was his brother. “So... What sort of Zoid do you pilot? I guess that’s a fairly generic way to start a conversation here-”

She was cut off as Angelina blurted out a line of surprise when General Nicodemus Whitebane appeared out of no where – quite a feat considering he towered above the vast majority of the people here, sticking out like a sore thumb.

“Ooh! G-General!” having absolutely no idea what the proper etiquette for meeting a superior officer at a formal such as this was, she hastily threw a salute. What on Zi was he doing here? Had he meant to ask Angelina something else before fleeing?

Angelina turned her head briefly to Shora, "The Wing blade Seraphim." she whispered "What about you?" Angelina gave a quick salute. But before she could address the general properly a man appeared from behind him. Surprise was evident on Angelina's face, as the gentleman who suddenly appeared addressed the general so Rudely. But there was something strange about it, the general didn't respond though he was clearly unamused. So what was it? Angelina had to wonder.

Regardless Angelina smiled politely "Indeed I am..." she paused "I'm sorry do you have a name you go by?" Angelina smiled "I'm Angelina Solaris it's nice to meet you." Hopefully Kard and his brother would be over soon. Perhaps one of them knew this man here.

The old guy looked back to his two entourages than at the females. The ladies, they looked shocked to say the least. It was slightly rude of him to make the general look bad. But that is what he got for trying to skip the formal.
“Oh good good. I never know if people enjoy these things. But they are required, so mind as well enjoy them.” The seemingly old guy laughed. “So, ladys and General, care to join me on stage? I have a speech to give soon and would hate to be alone up there…” He pointed back to a stage that was being set up across the room near the back door. People were all watching with excitement. They knew what that meant…

“Yes Mr. President Sir…” Nicodemus spoke using his professional voice. His face remained stern. He grinned inwardly however as he gave away this years disguise. That’s what the Pres got for saying such a thing in front of his cadets. And before the important talk too…

Pres. Michal B. Coleman let out a laugh. “You like to spoil my fun sometimes General…” He than removed the fake eyebrows and white hair revealing short dark chestnut hair. The presedent was also clean-shaven. He handed his 'costume' to a butler as he straightened his posture. He looked to be in his late forties without the fake white hair.... “Ah, but in any case, please join me. You don’t have to say anything, just smile nice for the photos.” He smiled to the two. The two body guards were already occupied in keeping people away from the conversation.

Every year he could make it to the formal, the President loved to take cadets on stage with him as he gave a short speech. It was more for the Cadets if anything, to make the year memorable.

“Join him on stage...?” Shora raised an eyebrow, then it hit her like a brick wall to the face, “OH MY GAWD! How stupid of me!” she threw her second awkward salute of the night, in almost perfect synchronisation with Angelina, taking on the much more formal tone one should use for such circumstances. Despite the effort, she sounded a tad more surprised and stutter-y than she had hoped for.

“On stage for the speech?” she mentally facepalmed - that wasn’t what she had meant to say! – although she quickly recovered, “That would be a privilege I would be most thankful for, sir!”

As this all occurred, one thought passed through the cadet's head: “Jeez, and I thought these things were boring and uneventful...”