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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Dec 23, 2019 17:12:36 GMT -8
The situation at the experiment camp was...unsettling. Very much so. Cecelia's stomach still flipped thinking about it, what it coudl mean, and what damage could be done to her family's name if the savage boy that was with them started blabbing. Thankfully, Pride seemed to have a m bit of sesnse, or perhaps was focused on other things. Either way, she had given Zola a report for Angelonia advising that the experiments had been found inside a restricted area of Cabal where they were monitored constantly. there seemed to be others involved with teh situation, which would require further investigation. Absolutely no mention was made of her own family and Zola had been given orders not to report on what happened with herself or Cecelia when it came to Mr. E and the memory readingg. She wanted more answers on that, first. Of course, they were free to report on the man from Vindicta who had a way of communicating with the experiments and dealing with them. Copies were sent of the screencaps on her PT of the puculiar weapon that was described as a turret.
Now there was the need to go home, both to see her family after the events of Blackburn and to speak with her father, with Zola in tow. So Cecelia was headed home with her royal guard, both for a holiday to see her loved ones as well as to find some answers.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Dec 23, 2019 18:49:04 GMT -8
A Qi Beast horse drawn carriage would be their mode of transport for a noble such as Cecelia. Driven by another of the Riddel Family Royal Guards while Zola sat with Cecelia inside the carriage. "Your father has been notified of our return and awaits your arrival." |
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Dec 23, 2019 19:00:41 GMT -8
"Excellent." Celia sat upright with her hands folded gently in her lap, momentarily looking outside as she dwelled on thoughts of her father. If he'd be open with her about the situation, or dismiss it. If he would pry for details on her training and if there was any progress showing she could graduate quietly without drawing further attention to her defect. If there were potential marriage proposals on the table that either of them had come across.
But as unseasy as she felt, she trusted in him. Her father had lead their family this long and kept them among the nobles. He knew what was best for them. She just needed to know where this fit in that greater image she couldn't see.
"Depending on what happens while we are here, we may be able to resolve the problem we came across, as well." She shighed, hoping for it, at least. "Was there any note on his mood?"
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Post by Zack Asiv on Dec 28, 2019 13:25:02 GMT -8
Zola would nod as they carriage made it's long journey. Hours passing over the spectrum of the distance they had to travel. It would be night fall before they arrived finally. The Qi Beast pulling the carriage was faster than most vehicles that still worked today. On arrival she would be escorted into her estate as it was night and no one was really outside at all. She would be escorted to her room and none of her family apparently had come to greet her yet.
Zola was with her the entire time carrying bags.
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Dec 28, 2019 14:15:21 GMT -8
The long quiet was welcome, but also stressful. It left Cecelia with her thoughts, taking turns they hadn't before. What answers her father might have, or what the strange connection to Zola was. Wondering how those that had followed them seemed to know where to find her and who she would be with, presumably because Zola had already been there, but Mitsuki could not. but she was grateful for the presence of her royal guard as they entered the manor, the quiet night filling the rooms as well.
She assumed the guard driving the carriage would advise her family of her arrival, nodding to Zola as she spoke.
"Deposit the bags in my room." She would make her way to a bathroom or vanity, whatever was closer, to adjust her appearance for when her family arrived. It could be difficult to tell how long the ride would take, if there were any delays or the like. She told herself that was why her family wasn't present, because it was night time and they had business to tend to, and that it didn't have anything to do with Cecelia personally.
At least they weren't assassinated in the carriage as the other noble family that Angelonia had told her about had been.
In the meantime, she would tour the manor, checking its status with the infrared vision she inherited from Mitsuki.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Dec 29, 2019 20:16:36 GMT -8
Zola would do as told and put Celia's bags in her room, she would find a room meant for refreshing herself right where it had always been her whole life. As she toured the mansion she would find it's silent and empty corridors a stark contrast to Cabal's barracks. Warm and inviting companionship if ever needed for the common areas where people laughed or discussed their days together being social and open. Completely free of social standards, likely much to her own chagrin. Yet here, it was as if no one else lived here, just as she would remember. No one had time for a horrid Qi user with no control over their defect.
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Dec 29, 2019 20:31:39 GMT -8
There's no place like home.
It was much as Celia remembered, down to the rooms and the wallpaper that decorated them. The stillness was unsettling, even though she found she preferred the silence for now. It was different when keeping herself distant from others out of social necessity; it was another entirely when your own flesh and blood were turning away from you. But it was as expected; qi users were defects, and that did not extend to just their royal guards. She was one of them now, and didn't even have the grace to have an ability that could be turned into an asset away of prying eyes.
One couldn't just provide a small purse to a lady and wish her the best of luck creating a new life elsewhere, after all. That's what commoners were for. It was her first time home since discovering her abilities after the attack on the gala; it was just as easy to send her away to watch over the reconstruction. And it was, most of all, expected.
Nodding at Zola as she entered her room after freshening up, she continued her instructions as if nothing were amiss. Calm and collected, used to being in authority and that authority being heeded.
"Please inform my father of our arrival, if he is awake."
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Post by Zack Asiv on Dec 29, 2019 20:35:36 GMT -8
Zola would nod and bow as she left the room. It wouldn't take long. In fact it was momentary before a knock came to her door, there was no way Zola made it to her fathers study and back again.
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Dec 29, 2019 20:59:59 GMT -8
Cecelia paused at the knock, frowning slightly before smoothing the expression away. Zola would still be gone, but it's possible they had sent a guard to her, instead. It would be less intrusive that way, rather that imposing on her father's time with another guard.
She hiccuped at the thought of her inconvenience, one hand flying ot her mouth to stop the traitorous bubble from escaping.
"One moment, please." She touched her hair one final time and looked at her reflection in the mirror before feeling satisfied. And another hiccup occurred.
"You may enter." She assumed it was another of the royal guard.
_____________________
Zero Ability: Bubble Betrayal - Every time Cecelia hiccups, burps, or farts, her body lets out bubbles of various sizes.
Qi Use: 1/14
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 2, 2020 23:00:04 GMT -8
The door would open and in would step Cecelia's sister. She would seem shocked at Cecelia's appearance raising a hand to her chest to help her breath as she approached. "Cecelia, father said you were returning. Whatever for?" She may note the wildly different appearance from the last time she saw her sister. |
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 2, 2020 23:11:12 GMT -8
"Bethany." Ceelia blinked at the sight of her sister, unable to believe she was looking at the same woman if not for her voice. Less ornate, more subdued. She still found herself smiling somewhat, warmer than what many saw.
It is good to see you." She nodded at the question, wondering what had changed while she was away. "I returned to speak with him about a family matter. I need his wisdom." And an explanation, but that was the same thing. She looked her sister over and took a step forward.
"Are you alright? What's happened with you while I was away?"
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 2, 2020 23:18:27 GMT -8
Bethany folds her arms and her face immediately hardens as a smirk cracks at the edge of her mouth completely unrepresented in the rest of her face.
"Yes, well... Another house has begun a courtship ceremony for my hand. The negotiations are apparently going well and during the proceedings I must wear the clothes supplied by my suitor..."
Cecelia would recognize the house colors as the Markward family. A family that controls mining, ore and Crystal resource production for Zekunft. She would also know that almost all the heirs to the Markward lordship have been disavowed or illegitimized one way or another. The only current claimant besides the very aged Lord Markward himself was a Bastard son born from a commoner and the old Lord Markward.
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 2, 2020 23:24:39 GMT -8
Cecelia was not surprised that her sister was involved in a courtship. She nodded a little at the explanation, frowning at the family name mentioned. It was apalling.
"Lord Markward? Bethany, why?" The girl could do so much better. Their family could. Plus the man was old and had no sons of his own that weren't bastards or declared unworthy.
"Does he think he can push through our family's inheritance?"
She is, of course, assuming that it's the great lord himself and not one of his children.
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Post by Zack Asiv on Jan 2, 2020 23:29:26 GMT -8
"It would be simpler if it were the Lord Markward himself. No, they seem to want to peddle me off to his bastard son Lubin Markward to officiate his move into nobility. Though it means I will actually be the one to inherit the control of the Markward lands when Lord Markward passes control, it also means his name lives on in his lands. I don't like it either. Father's research and our massive treasury would be at my disposal as well as control of mining operations. It's a desperate move which gives our family way more influence... It feels off, but father is all too pleased to reap the benefits."
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Post by Cecelia Riddel on Jan 2, 2020 23:34:58 GMT -8
Cecelia frowned all the harder. The explanation would please the Markward name, to be sure, and a huge rise to their family by joining with a Riddel. In return, they gained as much, as well, and any sons her sister bore would be able to ensure the hold for future generations. But something about it did feel off; she just couldn't place what.
"I suppose it is beneficial there, but you're right. It does feel off." She shook her head, smothering a sense of guilt she felt. Her sister's courtship didn't have to do with her. This wasn't some sort of desperation to hide the flaw she carried. So what else was it?
"Is he tolerable, at least?" She knew better than to think they could marry for love - both of them did. But there was a measure of hope that they wouldn't be miserable to whomever they were married off to.
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