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| She began with a dance that was less athletic than most of those from the previous night, but one that highlighted her balance and grace - full of long leaps and pirouettes. At the end of her first dance, the Masters did not applaud, but Viarmo gave her a smile and a nod. This, she decided, was probably the best response she was likely to get from them. | | | Her last dance was the story of the Hunter and the Doe, though this time without Helfer's role. Afterwards the audience rose and all left silently but contemplatively while Viarmo came over to talk with her and Mikael. | | | "Kitty, that was quite a performance, and one that will not be forgotten. We of the College are trained to judge, to look for where improvement can be made. You must not be offended by our lack of external appreciation. But you have done very well for your cause."

Kitty nodded humbly before Viarmo turned to Mikael. "You, of all people Mikael, know the conservatism of us at the College. To add a fourth mode of expression as you ask is not a decision we take lightly." | | | Mikael nodded, "No, I didn't expect you to. Just to consider it."

"Of course," Viarmo assured him. "You can be sure of that. Should we decide in favor, what would you have us do?"

Mikael turned to Kitty. "Well, we were thinking that perhaps Kitty can receive some sort of accreditation from the College and open a sort of extension campus in Whiterun."

Viarmo looked to Kitty. "You wouldn't want to teach here?"

Kitty shook her head. "I'm sorry, no. I have too much depending on me back in Whiterun. I can't move to Solitude. But I am interested in teaching Dance." | | | "No. That we cannot do," Viarmo stated flatly after a pause. "We cannot grant you the ability to name a student as having completed a study of Dance when we cannot be there to judge the merits of the student, so you cannot not be given the title of Dean. However, I would like to propose an alternative. Instead, I would suggest you be given the title "Honorary Master of Dance" with a certification to teach students in your field. When you feel a student has reached a proficiency worthy of your area, you will bring that student to us here as final arbiter. If we feel they are worthy, they will then receive a diploma in the art of Dance. This will count as one of a triune of degrees minimally necessary to achieve the title of acknowledged Bard. Mastery of any three of the four disciplines would qualify a student for that honor." | | | Mikael looked shocked, though Kitty was confused. "Is... that not good?" she asked him.

"Good? It's perfect! It raises Dance to the full equal of Prose, Lyric and Music!" he answered, then turned to Viarmo, "But do you really think you can convince the others of the idea?"

The headmaster smiled. "Oh, I think so. And as headmaster, I have 2 votes to their 1 each. I already know you have won over Giraud with that little hunter dance. A masterful stroke if I may say so. The other dances had their effect, but that clinched his vote. Even if the other two vote against me... us, we still have the majority."

Mikael turned and gave Kitty an excited hug, to which she laughed when he began to spin her around. | | | "Thank you Headmaster. You won't regret it!" Mikael assured him after he set Kitty back down.

"See that I don't!"

"May I ask one question, Headmaster Viarmo?" Kitty asked him as he turned to go.

"Certainly Kitty. Or perhaps I should address you as Dr. Kitty?"

"No, no. Just Kitty will do fine. My question is just this... I understand why Giraud would approve, but... why did you?" | | | "Do you want the official reason, or the real reason?"

Kitty looked perplexed.

"I see. Then I shall give you both. Officially, and intellectually for that matter, I see the truth in both what Mikael said and in what you showed. Dance, when properly done by those skilled such as you, is undoubtedly an art form and well worth supporting. To deny that is to deny reality. Mikael made his case well, and your skill shows what can be accomplished by a true master of the art." | | | "And the real reason?"

Viarmo smiled. "I haven't had such a raging erection since I turned 200 years old, and that was quite some time ago!" | | | Kitty began to feel the hair on her tail rising, but Viarmo shook his head. "No, no good Khajiit. Do not feel shame. You should be proud! Proud that your body, it's gracefulness and your skill in controlling it can raise such feelings in even such as I. Who knows? Maybe I'll take Inge out for a date!"

Mikael snorted loudly and doubled over trying to suppress laughter. Viarmo just scowled at him in mock anger but ending with a sincere smile. "Youth is squandered on the young. She was quite the vixen in her day, young man. Memories can overcome outward appearances. Someday you will understand this too, should you live so long. But now, I must return to my College. I will send an emissary to Whiterun once we have worked out the details. Congratulations to you both!"

With that, the Headmaster of the Bard's College turned and walked back inside. | |