[h3][color=ed1c24]Valeria Rubio[/color][/h3]
The 'Proving Grounds' - another place that Valeria had been looking forward to seeing again. In spite of the intimidating ambiance, it held a significant memory for her. It was where she had first learned to embrace the power she had been feared for possessing. There was no confusion as to why the wild, destructive nature of fire would instill fear in many, though, that was not what fire elementalists were. They were the ones who had an unexplainable bond with the element, who could bend it at will, and to be able to control such a ferocious force should not feel any less than wonderful.

Valeria strolled across the higher grounds, scanning the area through both her spectacles and the fire resistant goggles that went over them. She took in the events occurring all around her, enjoying the various elemental displays and finding a couple to be especially impressive. More than anything else, however, she was looking out for the flames. The other displays were fantastic, but naturally, she could only be comfortable with commenting on fire demonstrations. In addition, she was keen to find the students whom she could share her experiences in fire control with.

"Ay!!"

To say that Valeria was startled by a massive column of flames shooting up from one of the nearby pits would have been a major understatement. The single display had managed to capture both the magnificent beauty and raw destructive power that the element of fire was. If it had not only been there for just a second, she would have probably teared up gazing at the splendour of it all. Thoughts of concern for the student who had conjured up that flame pillar then quickly filled her mind as the display vanished, and she scrambled over to the hole to check on them. It was also to satisfy her curiosity about which first-year actually had the discipline and courage to perform such a feat.

She sighed in relief when she heard a voice coming from the pit, requesting for... new clothes? Waving away some of the residual steam, Valeria peered in to seeing a teenage girl clad in nothing but a red bikini. The loss of her clothing must have been a result of the earlier flames. Well, that could be worked on. The teacher then stepped down into the pit to meet her.

"Amazing..." Valeria muttered, inspecting the girl's exposed skin. Her bare flesh was unscathed, unaffected by the fire.

She then slipped off the lab coat she was wearing, throwing it around the student to cover her up before grabbing her by the shoulders.

"My dear girl, that was fantastic! How did that feel? Oh, and um, I can get your spare change of clothes if you'll tell me where you've kept them."

[@Crusader Lord]