[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yxK9VOX.png[/img][/center]
[sub]Location: Outside the Seluna Temple → Walking back towards town[/sub]
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“[color=#0054a6]Then go with them. Until our next meeting. Ensure you remain safe.[/color]”
Céline watched as the man departed, almost gliding along the snow with each footfall. The way he left felt almost eerily similar to how he had arrived. Silent, like a wraith, making his presence known only when necessary, then vanishing without. Orion was no specter, however, ghosts did not take the time to show where life was being built, did not worry about the safety of the living, nor offer endorsements to live in their community. Yet the others around her now seemed to be wary and apprehensive while he remained, was there another side to the calm and collected man she had experienced?

“[color=royalblue]Then it seems you’re with us now,[/color]”

Elara’s voice cut through Céline’s thoughts, suddenly realizing she’d been staring off for far too long. Her eyes found the handmaidens, [color=60cf11]“so it would seem,”[/color] she nodded, smiling. Upon mentioning the guards Céline turned towards them, a pair that seemed neutral towards her, at least enough to not register her as a threat. Céline made a point to bow her head towards them both, [color=60cf11]“I know I’m not your intended recipient, but I want to thank you for your vigilance and protection as we journey back.”[/color] Both the guards outwardly remained hard and on edge, but inside she could tell they had softened a little.

All words said, all pacts made, the group began to move off in formation. Elara led them, with Céline herself and the other handmaiden, Ramona, flanking on either side. The guards fell in a few paces behind them, close enough to respond to threats, while giving ample space so as not to cluster the women. The path they had chosen was different from the one she had arrived on, and though she would have loved the opportunity to witness the moon-kissed lake again, she wondered if the others would have been able to appreciate it as she could? 

She looked at Elara first, somewhat similarly composed to Orion, careful with her emotions, but there was pain embedded within cracks. Given her recent trauma involving the knight Sir Abel, it was only a wonder that she hadn’t completely broken down yet. Then again, if she was a handmaiden to the princess herself, maybe Elara didn’t have a choice. Ramona on the other hand, her apprehension remained, almost intensified in a way. Céline had wondered if it was just Orion causing stress, but maybe there was something else on her mind?

In an attempt to distract and maybe even connect, she started conversing, more addressing the group as a whole rather than any one person. [color=60cf11]“Orion was very kind in showing me your developing town. I can see it being a thriving community, with all kinds of people living in it.”[/color] She paused letting the thought linger a moment, [color=60cf11]“I’ve only been here a..short time now and don’t really know much of Dawnhaven. You’ve lived here for some time now, yes?”[/color] Her eyes fell on Elara first, [color=60cf11]“What do you enjoy about the town, about living here?”[/color] Then Céline’s gaze went to Ramona, [color=60cf11]“What have you experienced here that you wouldn’t have dreamed of having back home?”[/color]

The other handmaiden almost seemed to shift back slightly, hiding herself behind the white haired woman. Céline smiled softly, somewhat remorsefully, she couldn’t help how people felt about her; how afraid they felt. The emotions were palpable, and they sent her stomach turning as she put a hand to her mouth, covering it. She hadn’t noticed it before, but this fear somehow felt different from what she was normally accustomed to. Most people often felt afraid for their lives, a raw emotion of self-survival, to get away from the monster, the corruption. However, it almost felt like she was afraid of being discovered, like someone guarding a well kept secret.

Regardless of the intent or reason behind the fear, she wanted to just ease the people around her, so she could go a few steps without feeling the need to regurgitate. [color=60cf11]“It might be unusual to ask, but if I am going to be living here, helping people, I want to know more about this place, about the people living in it, and the lives they lead. I want to know them all, the commoners, the nobles, the servants and the soldiers,”[/color] she glanced back, a small smirk, [color=60cf11]“I’m open to your opinions as well, good sirs!”[/color]
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[sub]Interacting with: Elara [@Qia] and Ramona [@enmuni][/sub]