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Lila set the magnum of Champagne down on the coffee table. Four tall flutes were already waiting, placed there on a silver tray by Evelyn.

“That’s huge,” said Fiona, looking at the dark green bottle.

“As I told you, it’s double the size of a standard bottle,” Lila replied.

“If it was a festival prize,” said Laura, “which one of you won it?”

“We both did,” Evelyn replied.

“We won the duet category,” Lila added.

“Do you often dance together?” asked Fiona.

“Whenever we can,” Lila replied.

“We like being a duo,” Evelyn added. “Especially as festivals, it works really well.”

“And you’ve really been saving this bottle for months?” asked Fiona.

“Absolutely,” Evelyn replied. “Waiting for the right moment.”

“Like now,” said Lila. “When we have a guest of honor.”

Fiona laughed, not sure what to say. “I don’t think I deserve to be called a guest of honor. Not on the strength of one night’s dancing.”

“Nonsense,” said Evelyn. “First nights matter. It’s a night you’ll always remember, so we have to celebrate it.”

“They’re right, darling” said Laura. “This is your night. It was a big step for you to get up on stage and it’s something you’ll always remember.”

"To first nights," said Evelyn, raising her glass. "And to people like Fiona who make them unforgettable.”

"To first nights," the others echoed.

Fiona took her first sip of the golden liquid in her glass, pleasantly surprised by the cold, lively dance of effervescence that sparkled across her tongue.

Laura was impressed too. “I’m tasting the stars. You were right to save this for a special occasion. It’s too good to drink without a good reason.”

Fiona took another sip, savoring the Champagne, thinking that Laura was right, it really was too good to drink without a good reason, but at the same time flattered that she happened to be that good reason. She suddenly became aware that the other three were all looking at her, making her the center of attention, though they looked in different ways. Lila looked at her with a calm, assessing curiosity, Evelyn with open warmth and enthusiasm, and Laura, beside her, with an affectionate smile.

Fiona decided to turn the focus of the room away from her. “Is dancing at festivals different to dancing in clubs?”

“Oh yes,” said Evelyn, “completely different.”

“More theatrical,” said Lila, “and no nudity.”

“But you still get undressed?” asked Fiona.

“You still get undressed,” said Lila, “but you don’t get fully nude. It’s all about the performance.”

“The venues are different too,” said Evelyn. “Clubs are usually small and intimate, like The Lantern. Festivals use much larger venues, so it’s a different feel. A different kind of atmosphere.”

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