[b]Collab Between Rina and Ryver[/b] (Double R's Go!) 

Bella could feel her cheeks start to redden again at Geko’s flirtatious response. She knew that she didn’t want to lead him on but wasn’t certain on how to best draw her boundaries with him. Would a blunt response to avoid any further comments be best? Would it be better to shrug off his comment and ignore it? It was situations such as this that she wished Cici was with her. Unlike her, her friend would know how to best react. 

[color=bc8dbf][i]‘Are you almost here? You said that you were a few minutes away and that was over five minutes ago.[/i][/color] There was a hint of urgency in Bella’s question as she reached out telepathically to Cici, tuning out of the conversation between Geko and Zane.

[color=f6989d][i]'The perfect cuppa takes three minutes to steep. You know that, Belle.'[/i][/color] came the smug response. [color=f6989d][i]'Twas a rough crowd and I jolly well deserve this respite. Fancy one?'[/i][/color]

[color=bc8dbf][i]‘Well, not rea…’[/i][/color]Bella’s words trailed off as Geko suddenly was kicked. Looking towards the students, Bella could see the drive to win seeping out of them. [color=bc8dbf][i]‘Hopefully you’re ready to fight. It looks like the students were waiting to fight us.’[/i][/color]

[color=6ecff6]“Are you really that desperate to leave Innocence that you are willing to take a gamble at your life?”[/color] Zane scoffed at the boy as he pulled out a coin from his pocket and flipped it in the air before letting it land on the back of his hand with a lion facing up. [color=6ecff6]“Even in a sparring match you need to calculate all your risks and the chance that an Asylum might accidentally slice your head off.[/color]

Without waiting for the student to respond Zane threw a heavy punch towards the student’s face and as he punched, the coin expanded into a shield which covered his left forearm and ended at a point by his fist. Zane intentionally angled the point of the shield away to avoid any deadly lacerations knowing that the impact itself would buy him enough time. Even if the student didn’t fall back the cut would be enough to introduce anti-alchemy substance into his bloodstream.

[color=6ecff6]“No time for line, rhymes or gimmicks
Strength must surge yet again
To squash the pride out of students
Muscles build, skin hardened” [/color]

Zane said in a loud voice as he scooped Bella up with one arm. With the Asylums behind them and the students in front, he knew that being in the center of the battle wasn’t an efficient place of combat. With the added strength to his leg muscles, Zane was able to leap high above the students and landed behind them, moments before the battleground turned to ice.

[color=bc8dbf][i]‘Zane, you’re not really going to try and kill them are you?’[/i][/color]

Lemony nodes of Earl Grey announced Cici's grand entrance into the madness. Her ladyship sipped, with pinky out, from the porcelain cup in her right hand and a saucer in her left. She stepped swiftly behind Bella, allowing her friend to guard her and the precious cup of tea. [color=f6898d][i]"Thanks, love. I know you've got me."[/i][/color] Cici winked when they were face to face. 

The drying blood stains barely hidden against the dark brown of Asylum's corset confirmed her assessment; her mission had been rough enough to draw the sniper closer to the fray and it likely ended in a bloodbath at close quarters. Cici raised an eyebrow in wicked amusement and exchanged the cup for a shortbread biscuit. She waved it temptingly at that open mouth. [color=f6989d][i]"Biscuit for your thoughts?"[/i][/color]

[color=f6989d][i]'Ignoring them is the best way, you know. Let them tire themselves out while we watch and laugh. Zane?'[/i][/color] Cici zeroed in on the third party in their friendship as the shortbread disappeared between her own lips. [color=f6989d][i]'Really, Belle, my pretty, this is practically tradition. It's our turn to haze the recruits. Just let loose and have fun!'[/i][/color]

[color=6ecff6][i]‘Maybe on a typical day Cici but these kids need to get knocked down a few times and humbled. Their ignorance will get them killed if they think they can waltz into a fight like this.’[/i][/color] Zane said as he took a few paces in front of the other two in anticipation of any stragglers. [color=6ecff6] ‘Besides, if I scare them enough maybe they will be too timid to bother me for the rest of our time here.’[/color]

The Craftswoman hummed her approval, turning her attention from Zane, and watching the duo across the room. She beamed a little wider having caught a glimpse of 'Ice Mother'. Nudging Bella mentally, she directed her friend's flustered attention towards the Wrecking Crew. [color=f6898d][i]'Do you know the song 'Let It Go' from Disney? I dare you to hum in front of Elsa later.'[/i][/color] Cici teased as she pressed a familiar orb into Bella's hand. 

[i][color=bc8dbf]‘No…wait, yes...’[/color][/i] Bella mumbled with hesitation. [color=bc8dbf][i]‘I know the movie but I don’t think she would take the joke well.'[/i][/color] 

[color=f6898d][i]'Aw it'll be fun!'[/i][/color]

[color=f6898d][i]"Tarantallegra,"[/i][/color] she spoke using her real voice. She winked at her friend again, knowing that few of the students would catch the Harry Potter reference. She hummed the opening bars of 'Shall We Dance?' once Bella started taking aim. 

She continued humming while sending Zane and Elsa a friendly suggestion. [color=f6898d][i]'Might I suggest avoiding the blast radius? This is one cast that will keep you on your feet for the rest of the day.'[/i][/color]

[color=6ecff6][i]‘Got it’.[/i][/color] Zane responded as he took a leap back and waited for the sigillum to take effect.

The sound of sweet wrappers crinkling behind them made Cici spin around. She blinked in surprise at the two ginger children standing calmly in the doorway and sucking their lollipops. She raised an eyebrow which prompted the girl to respond with a bright smile.

"We learned to teleport yesterday," the thirteen-year-old chirped. "Eskil," she paused to point to her twin. "He thought we should step away and … well, find our friend. We don't think he'd fight either." 

"Well now, isn't that precious!" Cici exclaimed a little louder for Bella's sake. "What's your friend's name? This big sister and I will be happy to help you find him."

The girl bounced on her feet and beamed. "Cade."