This social skills program is a required part of an astral class. The dream
experience started with getting a blue ID card and five green invitation cards.
The message on cards is the same but some words are underlined in different
colors which makes each student's stack unique.

Participants are required to appear as diffuse glowing auras during the initial
contact phase. The objective is to make the circuit of halls and common areas.
Talk to as many persons as possible. If you take too long before moving on, you
will get a warning.

There are transmission booths filled with light on each floor. Visualize who you
would like to meet again and drop one of your cards in the slot for the
invitation to be delivered.

Later, I went back to my room to pick up any cards I had received. There were
four. Just before leaving, three more cards came in, which meant I now had
twelve chances of being rejected. Did I mention that I have been here before?
The purpose of this type of outing is to put students in awkward and
uncomfortable social situations and hopefully learn how to cope.

The huge gathering room was crowded when I arrived. Everyone had assumed their
most alluring humanlike appearance. I sorted through my invitation cards for
perceptions of which girls had sent them. I selected the most stimulating one
and looked around the room for her. She was stunning and surrounded by several
guys.

Just then a girl walked up to me and said, "You sent me an invitation." My mind
froze and went black. This situation could turn unpleasant if I hadn't sent her
a card. Luckily, her cognitive insight was correct. The interchange went
harmoniously until the alert was signaled to move on.

The girl who I found most attractive was free and I got up enough courage to
approach her. I said, "I believe you sent me a card." She didn't reply. Perhaps
I was wrong. However, it was just a tease convention.

She streamed the string of symbols that indicated her accomplishments and
background. I realized that my identity code wouldn't be able to compare. I was
thrilled by several of her entries but she didn't seem impressed by any of mine.
She communicated that I had been randomly selected to fill the required quota.
It was expected and I wasn't adversely disturbed by the revelation. We exchanged
pleasantries until alerted to move on. Everyone had to be polite or face the
wrath of our counselors when we got back.

The social mixer ended without suffering any serious emotional trauma. In the
hallway, a few guys were discussing their encounters before going to the
engagement desk. Most of the girls had already left. It is required to share
with a partner at the end of the contact session.

Lingering by my room was a girl who sent me an invitation but I hadn't sent her
one. I communicated something like I should have selected you. She probed to
discover if I was sincere. "Seriously, I don't think I could find anyone more
compatible to blend with," I projected.

She smiled and our auras merged.

(Sometimes we will meet others later during student interchange programs. I
always looked forward to this happening.)

Best Wishes, Toby