The instruments weren’t any he recognised, although many were similar, at least in appearance. It was the magic they contained that made the performance as magnificent visually as it was musically. As they played, dancing streamers of light rose up from the instruments, galloping out over the audience to frolic in consonance with the music. Harmony of light and sound came together to transfigure the performance into something unlike any Jason had experienced before.

“How often do they put this on?” Jason leaned over to ask Danielle.

“The full symphony? Once per month, although smaller performances happen all through the week.”

“Is there a membership or something I can get?”

“There’s a patronage program with the Musical Society,” Danielle said. “I can introduce you to some people from the Musical Society if that is of interest to you.”

“Please and thank you.”

* * *

At an evening of ballroom dancing, they encountered the young acolyte of Knowledge, Gabrielle Pellin.

“Fancy that,” Danielle said innocently.

When Humphrey failed to muster up the courage for an approach, he was left watching in horror as Jason taught her a dance from his own world. After Jason slipped the string quartet a few coins, they claimed the floor to demonstrate it in full, to the applause of the gathering.

Afterwards, Jason escorted her in the direction of Humphrey, Danielle and Jason’s friends.

“You’re quite the spirited dancer,” Gabrielle told Jason as they walked leisurely around the dance floor. “You never did tell me the name.”

“It’s called the tango,” Jason said.

“Is it well known, in your world?”

“It’s probably the most famous dance there is. It was my older sister who taught me to dance. I wasn’t very interested until my father gave me some sage advice. He told me that if I wanted to be successful in love, I needed to learn three things. How to dance, how to cook, and how to keep my damn mouth shut.”

“How did that work out?”

“Well,” Jason said, “I can dance and I can cook. Gabrielle, you’ll remember Humphrey Geller.”

“Of course,” she said. “I haven’t assessed that many people for the Adventure Society, but of those I have, I think he may have been the most talented.”

“You realise you assessed me right after?”

“I do,” she said primly.

“Ouch,” Jason said, turning his gaze to Humphrey. “It seems this rose still has her thorns. Humphrey, I think I’ll leave this next dance to you.”

They both looked to Humphrey, who was looking nervous. His sheepish embarrassment could not hide the broad shoulders and chiselled features, however. He was another in a long line of annoyingly attractive people Jason was getting to know.

“I think that would be delightful,” Gabrielle said, taking mercy on him.

“What do you say, Humphrey?” Jason asked.

“That… you… I would like that very much.”

* * *