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[sub]Location: Aelios Temple → Heading into Town[/sub]
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Inside the temple’s guest chamber, Céline laid on her bed, anxious, ready, waiting. Sleep had eluded her that night, her mind racing with the conversation she had with Aurora, ready with a drive to begin her work; though it could also have just been the coffee. Regardless Céline had her gear packed and waiting by the door, she hadn’t even bothered to undress, simply laying on the bed and either staring at the ceiling or her watch inbetween thinking. Her watch silently ticked the time away, the only sound to permeate the darkness in the space around her. Her thumb idly glided over the polished metal, her only reliable source to tell the turning of the heavens now. Turning the silver over, she thumbed over the inscription engraved upon its surface.

[i]Time waits for no one
And neither does death
Make every second count
Every last breath[/i]

A memento from her mentor, a reminder that not everything lasts, but still we try to tame death just so we can stretch it out one more day. In her case though she managed to overcome it, at least this once; whether it was a blessing or a curse, only time would tell.

Céline’s ears perked up as she heard activity throughout the temple, only a few people, Ranni being the most distinguishable. Morning was fast approaching and Céline waited for the right time and opportunity to slip out of the temple without anyone noticing her. When things quieted down enough she closed up the watch, slipped on her boots, grabbed her gear and snuck out through one of the side passages. Céline felt guilty for not letting Tingara know she was leaving, but given her emotional state upon returning in the middle of the night, it was probably for the best for now. She’d have to return later and properly thank her for the hospitality, assuming the prince would allow her sanctuary here.

Céline forged her way into town, creating a meandering trail of footprints in the freshly laden snowscape. As she closed the distance, she tucked her ears beneath her coat’s hood so as to somewhat obscure her blighted features. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing to do and it hampered her hearing somewhat, but she made due with feeling others emotions around her blindspots.

Today would be her first official foray into town since arriving in Dawnhaven. Despite wanting to be down here, she couldn’t help but feel that subtle apprehension, of a fear she’d be run out of town for being discovered as ‘blighted’. Pushing those feelings down she pressed onward, entering the town proper and taking in the sight of the buildings. Haphazardly constructed, but not shoddy, an actual town had been built — was being built out here in the middle of nowhere. There was something to be admired about human perseverance, where some might consider being sent out here a death sentence, others would see an opportunity. This wasn’t just an opportunity to be seen or seized by humans though, it required the cooperation of both man and monster to make this happen; however did the prince manage to pull this off?

Passing by the first set of buildings into the township, she felt it. Subtly at first, but with not many people about or awake yet, it wasn’t difficult to distinguish the growing anxiety of the nearby guards. Even if she couldn’t have felt their emotions directly, it wasn’t hard to see how uptight and stiff the men looked. Scared, anxious, it was a bad combination, coupled with misperception or misinterpretation, it could very well spell the end of her life…again. Céline had already come this far, she couldn’t just stop and turn around now, not without making herself look suspicious on top of it. The woman considered her options, she needed to live here, but she didn’t want to die without getting an opportunity to prove herself either. Perhaps she could go down a side street and turn back to the temple, and though it’d bother her to ask another favor of Tingara, maybe it would be best to come back with someo-

“[color=#0054a6]You’re not from around here.[/color]”

Céline’s breath hitched as a voice spoke up from beside her, surprise stealing her steps as she turned to face the sudden intruder. A young man, pale skin and burning crimson eyes; another blightborn. How in the goddess did he sneak up on her? Granted her hearing was not as good as it normally was in the moment, but she should have felt him, shouldn’t she? She tried to feel for something, anything, wanting to will it forward and yet she was met with a stillness. It wasn’t that there wasn’t any emotion coming from within, and while most exuded tumultuous waves of emotion, this man’s was more akin to a fresh dew on morning grass.  The way he held his emotions felt so subtle, subdued, [color=60cf11]“So quiet…”[/color] she barely breathed above a whisper.

“[color=#0054a6]If you’re heading into town, I can show you the way. The streets wind more than they should for a place this small.[/color]”

She regained focus on his face, realizing she hadn’t answered him from before, [color=60cf11]
“I…”[/color] she hesitated, feeling the tension from the other guards. They still seemed on edge, but almost like they were waiting for something, maybe waiting for the man before her? [color=60cf11]“Yes,”[/color] she answered, [color=60cf11]“I don’t really know my way around and could use the help,”[/color] she stretched out her arm, [color=60cf11]“please, lead the way.”[/color] Just as before, they stepped together side by side and almost immediately she could feel the tension leaving the guards behind her. It seems her intuition about the guards waiting was right, though given the attire this man was wearing, perhaps he was somebody important? He certainly carried himself well, one that held a sense of authority and wasn’t reeking in vainglorious ego.

[color=60cf11]“You were correct in your assumption,”[/color] she spoke after walking a short distance, [color=60cf11]“I’m not from around here, though I’m hoping to change that.”[/color] Her glassy eyes found their way towards his crimson ones, a small smile on her lips, [color=60cf11]“My name is Céline, and how may I address my escort today?”[/color]
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[sub]Interacting with: Orion [@Qia]; Mentions Tia [@c3p-0h], Ranni [@Queen Arya] , Aurora [@BlackRoseSiren][/sub]