Taking in the Sights (Val/Open)

[Cecelia Riddel]

Hope for the best and expect the worst. Celia was still struggling with the idea of the big four not being able to do anything to stop it in the first place.

"Indeed." Her smile faded slightly as she recalled the violence, the looks on people's faces as she helped escort them to safety. Panic and fear. Concern and worry. Her brows knit together for a brief moment before the expression cleared from her own face and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"I do recall you were quite brave that day, Val."

[Valerian Blackburn]

He turns to look at her, eyebrow lifting.

"Oh yeah? Who told you that lie?"

He laughs lightly.

[Cecelia Riddel]

Celia’s smile deepened at his laugh.

“My own eyes, for one.”

[Valerian Blackburn]

"Well, don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold."

He winks at her.

[Cecelia Riddel]

“I won’t tell a soul,” she promised with a chuckle. Her expression faded to neutrality as she gave a quiet sigh.

“It will be interesting to see how the people here will deal with it.” Considering they weren’t bound by laws to curb their baser instinct and acceptance of killing others.

“”Buy is good to know there is at least one bright spot in this place that is familiar.” Yes, meaning Val.

[Valerian Blackburn]

"They'll deal with it well, I'm sure. They are strong people."

Val glances at her a bit with her last statement, smiling a little more.

"I'm pleased you feel the same as I do. It's good to feel like a piece of home is here as well."

[Cecelia Riddel]

"Precisely." She smiled back at him, genuinely meaning it when she said that she was glad for a taste of home. Charming, consistent, friendly. She could see why many swooned for him. Her gaze went to the world around them as they passed through the gates of the campus and out into the open world.

"So what do you hope to do here, Val? Besides charm us all." She could list studies, classes, training, but she wanted to know what he wanted from this place, be it a chance to unwind or anything else.

[Valerian Blackburn]

"What do I want here, or what am I supposed to do here?"

Val smirks a little.

"I was sent here to make sure Zukunft and Cabal remain on friendly terms. Probably similar to why you're here."

He nods towards her.

"But... personally, I'm hoping to learn to use my power a little more. I didn't have much practice with it, back home."

[Cecelia Riddel]

Celia returned his smirk with a knowing smile, content with Val's answers since she meant both anyway. She nodded, reminding herself that walking around with a gentleman out in the open without a chaperone was fine her: part of her adapting she needed to do more here.

"True. It's a reminder for all of the Accords and our ability to stand together during hardships." And political intrigue. His other response, however, caused her to fall silent for a moment.

"I do, as well. I know my family is, but I haven't had much experience with it." She didn't want to, either, but what must be done was just that: a must. Chuckling to lighten the mood, she looked at him with a smile once more.

"We're fortunate to have the opportunity, don't you think?"

[Valerian Blackburn]

"We certainly are."

He nods.

"Do you mind if I ask what your power is, then? Perhaps I could give you some insight."

[Cecelia Riddel]

"It's nothing so impressive as you might think." Celia chuckle, her cheeks tinging pink as Val asked what was normally a perfectly social question. "It should be simple enough to control." It had better be.

"What about yours, though? I would never have thought you also had one."

[Valerian Blackburn]

"I'm sure it's lovely."

Val smiles reassuringly at her, since he assumes she's just shy about it.

"My own power is... well... straightforward? It's just body empowerment. I channel my energy and get stronger."

He leans in to whisper.

"I try not to show it off, since I'm not that good at it, yet."

[Cecelia Riddel]

We'll go with shy.

"You're too kind." She smiled at the reassurance, but Celia was more worried about the description of Val's own ability that seemed as straightforward as he said it was. Straightforward and potentially terrifying. Here he was, working to better his power and control. To keep it in check, or to get even stronger still?

"I'm sure you'll be amazing with it in no time. It sounds like you've already started working with it, yes? And at least understand it."

[Valerian Blackburn]

"I have a basic idea. But I cap out pretty quickly, thus far."

He shrugs.

"And I'm sure there's other things I can do with it. I just haven't discovered them yet."

[Cecelia Riddel]

he considers that for a moment.

"And what would you do with the power, afterwards?"