The Life of V

[Valerian Blackburn]

"Miss Riddel."

Val gives a small bow.

"I need to find Angelonia, this is urgent. Do you know where she is?"

[Cecelia Riddel]

She raised her brows at Val's utter lack of title for the future leader of Zukunft. It was one thing if in private, but if teh two were that close, Angelona wouldn't have asked her to keep an eye on him.

"I have means of reaching Lady Angelonia if needed." She emphasized the title, scandalized but not scolding. He was usually always smiling, and this was a far cry from it.

"What's wrong? Has something happened?"

[Valerian Blackburn]

Val grimaces at the bit of a rebuke, but doesn't go any further with it.

"...My territory has been attacked. My people and family. I need to speak with her about it."

[Zack Asiv]

Luckily enough for them Zola, the Riddel Royal Guard would be approaching the ground.

"Bad time?"

Ray and Zola shared a glance, but nothing more.

[Cecelia Riddel]

"I'm so sorry." Her expression softened with the news as her carefully folded her current letter in half, adding it to the pile with a small frown. She didn't push; he had his reasons, as anyone would. But why go for Angelonia, a heir, and not the ruler of Zukunft itself? Something seemed odd.

She stopped as Zola appeared, nodding for the guard to come forward, waiting to see if there might be any updates on orders from her new friend.

"Perfect timing, Zola. Mr. Blackburn has requested information on Lady Angelonia's current location and situation, if you please. His family and home are under attack and are in need of aid. You have my permission to advise him, if she has not counseled against it."

Looking to Val, she continued, "I can understand your urgency. I hope you have had a request for aid sent to King Kaizer already? Or at least information?"

[Valerian Blackburn]

If this were any other time, Valerian would be mercilessly flirting with the two of them.

As it is now, he just stands there, visibly frustrated at the lack of anything he's able to do.

"Cabal is on its way to help. I'm... forbidden from being involved in the fighting. As such, I'm trying to investigate why this is happening. And as such, I need to speak with Lady Angelonia."

And not her father.

[Zack Asiv]

Zola would nod and turn to Val letting him say his piece before responding.

"Lady Angelonia has moved to a summer Manse here in Cabals main city. I have just come from there with a message for both of you. Now would be an opportune time to investigate the Training Grounds connection to the Experiment population within Cabals regular military."

[Cecelia Riddel]

Cecelia nodded at Val's explanation, turning a thoughtful expression on Zola that turned cautious and even wary. The training grounds was the exact opposite of a place she would otherwise go, but it was an order, or nearly. She glanced back to Val for a moment, considering, and feeling bad for him. Not only was his family in danger, but he had been advised to take someone with a worthless defect into a strange place. She would have to find some way to help him, however that happened.

"It seems we have been given a different task," she murmured, still tense as her fingers curled into the fabric of her skirt beneath the desk. The others would be able to see her cheeks paling, however. "If you would like, I am more than happy to pass on a request to speak with her." It was his call, in the end.

[Valerian Blackburn]

Valerian's hands curl into fists. This was the exact OPPOSITE of what he wanted to do.

Still, he turns to look at Cecelia, giving her what he hoped was a reassuring smile, though it doesn't touch his eyes.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. Though I suppose we should do what task has been given to us."

[Zack Asiv]

Zola and Ray were ready whenever they were, however Ray seemed to be staring at Zola. Both Cecelia and Val could probably tell he was suspicious. But, it was the job of the Royal Guard to play protector when it comes to the game of politics within the Zekunft nobility. Whats a poisoning or assassination attempt amongst friends after all?

[Cecelia Riddel]

She returned the smile with a faint one of her own, an automatic response rather than one of joy as she rose from her seat and gathered her papers.

"I will only need a moment, then." She struggled to resign herself to this decision, remember how she had all but recoiled when the young Donovan had mentioned a chance at going to the training grounds. She wasn't sure what she could do, but at least she could make herself less a burden. And, of course, bring her guard with her. She could read the suspicion and tried to quell it out with logic, though she had no intention of speaking of the other noblewoman's interest in Val just yet. Let him grow on his own.

"I admit, I am not entirely sure where this will be, but if they are found in the regular military, then it is something we should look into. The Lady Angelonia would not send us into wanton danger." She nodded to her guard.

"Zola, with me please."

[Valerian Blackburn]

Ray's suspicion does not go unnoticed.

"...I have faith in her."

He answers Cecelia, though the words were also for Ray, in a subtle manner. Valerian cracks his knuckles, before nodding in affirmation to himself.

"We will be fine. Not only will our loyal guards help us, but I'll watch over you as well."

He's trying to be reassuring.

Val starts heading for the training grounds!

[Zack Asiv]

The crew can see the entrance to the training grounds! Except it's under armed guard?

A Man is apparently addressing two other men at the entrance and the training grounds gate is secured by a blast door and some form of technological locking mechanism.

[Pride]

Pride just goes toward the guys at the gate without care and every intention of just going through them. He, of course, had a nice meat on a stick, an impressive amount of meat on a surprisingly small stick. To be exact.

[Cecelia Riddel]

Celia's steps slowed a fraction at the sight of three men standing guard at the gate, watching them curiously but very much letting Val and their guards take the lead. The strange man that just walked up like he owned the place had to be one of them with how casually he walked up to them, though he seemed to have less serpent looking features.

"Is this...normal?" The noblewoman looked towards Val for some sort of insight. She'd never heard of anyone guarding the place, even with others on a mission. Not that she was ever here of her own will to know first hand.