The soft brush of his lips over her knuckles sent a pleasant electric feel throughout her body, but the moment was short lived, as his entire being suddenly tensed and she lost all skin contact with him. She hadn't quite heard what Mlle Schlagenweit had told M. Glass, but apparently Professor Nightingale did, and from the way he swallowed his words, and prompted to use English, she could definitely guess what the woman said. Her eyes squinted for a second and she slowly arched an eyebrow.

"Oh, pardonnez-moi" she said smiling enchantingly, fake surprise on her face, then turned towards the other two "when I heard mention of an au-pair, I thought it safe to assume you would be well-versed in French, and I'm sure Monsieur Glass has brushed with the language given his position?" she said smiling sweetly, yet arched an eyebrow. By now she couldn't help but want to see Mlle Schlagenweit, if not humiliated, at least well-stung. "After all French is the second language of the continent, is it not?"[1] she let a small, devilish smile form at the corner of her lips, then quickly brushed it off.

She then turned towards the enchanting Charms Professor and smiled softly. "The..." she battled with her words for a second, but decided to give up, if only to spite Mlle Schlagenweit "-petite ones were lovely, and I commend both you and Mme Reid for your efforts. Although I'll only be taking over them once they reach their fourth year, I do hope they'll remember all your teachings when the time comes" she said giving him a demure smile.

She definitely would've like to know him better, but perhaps not in the clothes of her socialite, perfect manners persona. Although, she didn't quite know whether he would take kindly to her other facet. Perhaps, in time she'd have more opportunities to get to know the man... in better company, or no company at all.

She eyed the dance floor carefully than turned to Monsieur Glass. "Yes, indeed, it is truly a shame. Society dances seem to wane in favor of more modern dancing. On the other hand, if you were to take in consideration the times we are living and the fact that such dances are a requirement solely in the higher circles, it's only natural. It still is a pity, tho. The beauty of classical dancing rarely shows it's head in, say for example, club dancing" she said seriously with a hint of amusement in her voice. If only these people knew the sort of dancing she took to while club-hopping and pub crawling...

"The older generation will just have to show them how it is done." Edwin smiled broadly.

"On that note and for the sake of intercultural exchange, Monsier Glass, would you care to take this sad, lonely Frenchwoman for a spin?" she said in a pleasant voice, melodramatically accentuating the words sad and lonely.[2]

1.	Not by calculation of native spoken languages, but by foreign languages, and languages most used in the EU
2.	Completely up to you, Kit. Arianne'll have no problem with a refusal .

Jacoba felt Gale gently squeeze her arm and cast a quick, subtle glance in his direction.  The professor's warm, gloved hand tightened as he spoke to Edwin and Jacoba looked at the fellow more closely.  He seemed momentarily disoriented - nervous, even. 

Given range of reactions to Jacoba's quiet question, it seemed the young woman's suspicions were correct.  Changing languages did seem to be somewhat of a faux pas in the wizarding world, just as in the muggle world.  A detail probably worth knowing - there were quite a few in attendance that evening Jacoba could have joined in conversation in their native language.  French, alas, was not one of them. 

Jacoba glanced, again, towards Gale when the man touched her arm, again, and whispered in her ear.  Jacoba let out a slight, exacerbated sigh and nodded her head. 

Of course, playing nice and being kind was much easier to do when the Etiquette professor wasn't playing along.  The woman really seemed to think she'd scored some sort of point!  Jacoba opened her mouth to speak but glanced in Edwin's direction and, finally, offered a sympathetic grin.  Poor fellow seemed rather uncomfortable.  With a considerable amount of regret, Jacoba nodded her head. 

"An understandable mistake," the young woman conceded, offering a casual smile.  "However, I really am quite fascinated with the cultural differences - I'd love to discuss it further at some time." 

"The beauty of classical dancing rarely shows it's head in, say for example, club dancing"

Jacoba arched an eyebrow in the woman's direction.  How she'd always hated the critical aspect of etiquette.  It was one thing to respect and embrace tradition and behave politely; it was another, entirely, to think oneself superior because of it.  Jacoba's parents had done it all the time.  "That's not exactly what clubs are for," Jacoba pointed out.  "Suppose it depends on your choice of club, too.  I admit, I haven't been to many in the wizarding world; it could very well be different."

Seemingly feeling a need to round out the curious interaction, Mlle Desrosiers invited Edwin to dance.  The choice, of course, was Edwin's.  Amused, Jacoba glanced at Edwin, arching an eyebrow. 

"On that note and for the sake of intercultural exchange, Monsier Glass, would you care to take this sad, lonely Frenchwoman for a spin?"

Edwin was initially surprised, looked to Jacoba to see if she had any concerns with this offer,
"You'll be ok for a moment?" He asked politely, she seemed to confirm such, so Edwin extended his hand to take Arianne's.

"Professor Kesali, Miss Schlagenweit's quite the accomplished dancer, you know?" The Department Head smiled and glanced between the two they were momentarily leaving.

Together with Arianne he headed into the dancers, and Edwin hoped to Merlin he remembered the correct dance steps.
"A pleasure to take to the floor with you," Edwin smiled, listening for the music as they turned to each other to take a hold.

"A pleasure to take to the floor with you,"

Thankfully, the next dance was a waltz, and she was most grateful she'd not have to change partners or do anything overly complicated, her heels feet were already killing her. Arianne inclined her head slowly, not quite able to curtsy in the skin-tight dress, acknowledging Monsieur Glass. She settled her dainty hand gracefully in his, and her other on his shoulder, barely touching him. She smiled sweetly at him, and relaxed her body, letting the man know she was letting herself be lead, as was proper for the lady in a dance.

She smiled politely at M. Glass and made some polite mindless conversation while occasionally giving the Charms professor a furtive glance. When the dance was over she complimented Mister Glass on his dancing abilities and thanked him for the spin. Trailing behind Monsieur Glass, she thought she'd best return to her date. As it was already, she had been retained enough and he would probably start looking for her.

"I'm afraid monsieurs and mademoiselle, I should make my way back to my date. I wouldn't want to worry him" she said smiling. "It has been a pleasure knowing you Mademoiselle Schlagenweit" she said with a pleasant smile but a twinkle in her eyes. "Monsieur Glass, as always, yo are truly charming company. And Monsieur Kesali, I'm sure we will have the opportunity to better acquaint with each other. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

She inclined her head for a second, and turned to walk back to where she last left Mister Strelnikov. Oh, she was very much anxious to meet the Professor again... perhaps even Mademosielle Schlagenweit, she was certainly fun to poke at.

That would be Arianne's exit.

"I'm certain she is," He smiled to Edwin and waited for the couple to depart before looking to Jacoba, "Shall I spare both our feet and decline? Or may I escort you to the floor? I also could find us a nice flask and we could do shots under one of the tables if it would better please you?" His eye twinkled with mirth as he rather enjoyed the way Jacoba's skin radiated with a bit of the anger he wondered if she felt.

"She is something no?" He asked looking to where Arianne danced with Edwin, and regardless of her answer swept up her hand to place it in the crook of his arm, "Perhaps you can come teach Charms this term and I can escape one more judgmental eye?"

Jacoba offered Edwin a smile as he moved off with Desrosiers.  Once the pair had joined the dance, the young woman turned back towards Nightingale. 

"I have no doubts my feet have survived much worse," Jacoba offered.  She followed the Gale's lead as he took her hand.  "I'm sure you aren't giving yourself enough credit.  Even if shots under a table is more my usual speed, it might earn us more evil eyes than we want."  Oh, wouldn't Ms Don't-Slap-Rude-Boys just love that. 

Speaking of Arianne Desrosiers.  Jacoba followed Gale's glance towards the tall blond and shook her head.  "She's pretty much the picture of what my mother hoped I'd be.  Tall.  Elegant.  Blond."  Jacoba had only managed one out of three - height.  And, admittedly, that had been the lowest priority. 

"Unfortunately, teaching Charms requires skills I just don't possess," Jacoba offered apologetically.  Sort of.  While Jacoba did, truthfully, lack the skill she was still adjusting to knowledge that she did possess the ability.  She could learn if she wanted to.  "You might be stuck with her.  Good luck."

Edwin bowed out to Arianne politely and returned to Jacoba and Nightingale.

"Blimey, well," He was slightly flustered from the dancing, "The lady dances very well, is all I can say, perhaps." He smiled broadly and looked to Kesali.

"She's definitely interested in you though, couldn't do much wrong there." He raised his eyebrows and grinned suggestively to his old colleague before clapping a hand on the white haired man's upper arm in companionship.

"Ms Schlagenweit," Edwin addressed, giving a silly little half bow with his head, "Might I get you another drink?"