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With gradual but steady steps, [Caely] had approached the venue after the ride here and within the period of time that had passed since then, was now entering the courtyard at that same even pace. A check of her watch had told her she had some spare minutes to eventually reach the designated meeting point so she took her time leisurely taking in the sights to see on the way. Elysha informed her of the specified manner of attire her cousin thought she would opt for in attending this event and so she chose her [overall] [style] accordingly.

And then, the fountain was beside her now, her gaze next traveling from the water to a solid statue in the same vicinity. Aphrodite Rising, she checked the title in comparison to the identifying script of the invitation before inserting it back into the red envelope she kept in her hands. This was the place. Another check of her watch showed that it was a few minutes after 7 pm, which confirmed that she was right around the time that she had intended to reach her current location. And now she waited, standing relaxed in place in front of the statue with one side of her facing the work of art while taking a more careful look geared towards observing and perhaps remembering the details and every now and then moving her gaze to scan the surrounding scenery of the courtyard within her field of vision around her. From the get-go the tour of the museum had filled Caely with a soothing feeling of peacefulness that had her smiling with easy gentleness in appreciation of the setting and what she has so far seen that it encompassed.

Her mind began to wander while she was taking in sights of the venue as she waited.

Her cousin Elysha had asked conversationally as usual it seemed about what she has been up to late at night. With the prompting of the question and upon the recollecting in her head that followed of times she would come home to the darkness in their shared apartment residence with her cousin's bedroom door closed so she assumed Elysha already asleep, she answered her cousin's query then that she had taken to exploring dance clubs. However, the more she thought back to that question and answer session and the chat that ensued next during that evening, she thought her cousin may have been far too accepting of her answer now when compared to similar times over the years when curiously posed questions were directed toward her. Was Elysha perhaps aware or even going through what she was as well? But since discovering that she was capable of transforming into Aptera, perhaps she was simply being excessively imaginative.

Before she had gotten carried away with her thoughts she had seen groups, women alone, and men alone wandering by in the vicinity. Now as she pulled herself out of pondering, she was staring at a good-looking man walking toward her general direction. And because said man was now addressing her, she had no time to wonder if it was taking in the details of the vision of him that pulled her out of her train of thoughts just previous or if being lost in thought had made her more susceptible to staring at a good-looking man registering in her field of vision. Her mind was feeling far too preoccupied thinking of other thoughts given that she found she was short of time and mental space to process a greater amount of thoughts as she answered with the application of years of practice at keeping calm at least outwardly for the most part. "Yes, I'm Caely," she confirmed with a soft smile of intended politeness to go with the calm expression of a light smile in her eyes that had steadily been there since she began admiring what she's been seeing of what was encompassed by the museum, both of which she next accompanied with a greeting. "Hello," and then it was her turn to ask for the confirmation she sought on her end, "And, are you Marlo?" With both hands she also raised up slightly the red envelope she was holding as she asked her question then brought both her arms to rest by her side with the envelope in one hand. Perhaps she would have offered a handshake, but considering it had slipped her mind.

She wanted to avoid causing offense deliberately or not with any attempts at speaking, whether jokingly or seriously, or with any attempts at courses of actions. She wanted to remember that the likely intention in kind behind being pranked in kind was largely to be able to socialize more. She realized she couldn't simply will this meeting to turn out any which way even from her own life's history. And so, in her mind she prayed concisely and sincerely for guidance; of which the following were of no exception as part of the sentiments wrapped by her prayer: to be able to genuinely endeavor to both avoid any mistakes as well as humbly and apologetically take responsibility for any mistakes.

Furthermore, it was rude of her to have been staring at him, this did not escape her apologetic notice. But, she was presently feeling at a loss for words. Meanwhile, if he'd comment on it, she was inwardly working on bracing herself if so; while currently maintaining the expression of calm she kept on her features.

((orz Oof Vampsuuuuuuu my many many apologies coversfaceandweeps <3 xwx;;;;;;; I tend to tag thingies when I'm tired and when I'm tired I tend to be a rambling mess of inspiration eep TwT))

He was really Marlo? "Likewise, it's a pleasure, Marlo, and I haven't been waiting long." Caely's smile of politeness remained unchanged, but a spark of curiosity had lighted in her eyes as she watched him. If she was more honest with herself though, she had blanked during the moment she was given his kiss on her hand. Instead, she chose to ignore the somewhat irritating fact that she was quick to blush, which was not uncommon for her and right now was not an exception. However, she still was not prevented from wishing she could have more control in whether or not she blushed or even how soon she could make her blushes disappear.

Gratefully but also with subtle clumsiness in yet an amount she'd rather not admit to, Caely extended her hand and placed her palm so it rested lightly on the arm Marlo offered. "Perhaps," perhaps she should stop looking at Marlo too much, the thought had cut in amidst the others whirling in her mind as she puzzled about the man before her. In contrast, she was relieved her voice and expression was presently steady. Her gaze drifted to and from the fountain in the courtyard they had just begun taking a walk together in before returning to him, "Perhaps, Marlo, can we consider this meeting of ours a dance in which I can follow your lead to some extent? I, for instance, wouldn't mind having a closer look at the fountain or staying in the courtyard and talking as we walk; but I'm all ears for any of your recommendations." And at present, Caely's guess based on the red envelope's information and her observations so far of him was that it was likely that the man she was walking with right now was signed up to this event as a prank like herself and her cousin and Marlo was blindsided more so than she and Elysha were.

The fountain and courtyard then the current exhibit, Caely gave a nod of her head as she took note of Marlo's given response. "Well, my initial first impressions of you since your arrival, Marlo, tell me your leading is good to be following this evening," she replied as she began to gradually make more conscious attempts to be more relaxed in conversationally interacting with him.

"And if we get hungry, then perhaps we may feel free to let each other know? Then we can veer our talks towards options for getting a bite to eat?" she suggested in following up on the path their chat was presently taking.

"I admittedly don't know what to make of myself exactly right now," she went on to say as a slight, light chuckle slipped from her lips. "So, if you have ideas for topics of conversation we can chat about, I'm game for us to talk about them. How about for a start: How long have you been living here in Destiny City?"