"She was amazing in it," he agreed, remembering her performance. He'd still been in awe that he had even met her after adoring her from the audience for years prior, and now he couldn't believe that he was able to call her friend. "Maybe she'll get to do it again next year, and you can see her in it then!" Merri had a feeling that if Ari wanted it, given her talent, she would have it easily.
He chuckled sheepishly. "Well, you remember that I started it for... not exactly the best of reasons. But the swordplay I learned helped me out a lot for red mage training, so it wasn't a waste, and the class I'm in now just... seems right, really. I'm still struggling with the spells that would help me be a more well-rounded mage, but I'm getting help with them." Merri almost asked if Emily might be able to help him with white magic spells in the future, but to solicit that kind of aid now didn't seem appropriate. She'd only just gotten back to town and had so much more important things to do than to tutor him in white magic.
Then he blushed. "I... well..." How to begin? "He--" He hesitated, unsure of how she might react. After all, Merri hadn't realized that he was attracted to men as well as women until he'd started dating the captain! "--he's a ship captain. An airship captain, actually. And he's incredible. I-- I don't know if you would know him, though. Captain Wilcar Lockgold? It's... kind of a long story, really." Merri shifted in his seat, waiting for her response.