#ryrra

Her cell going off makes her jump, attention so focused on scrambling toget the thing out she doesn’t even bother sending an illusion after whoever’slaughing at her.

On my way - be there in five!

See you soon! She fires back, pretending she’s not shaking, pretending that everythingis fine, everything is normal, you’re totally just going for a stroll, it’s nota date, she’s not into you like that, it’s not a date-

“It’s definitely a date, Catarina.” Odessa had informed her as she wasleaving the library, the human crossing her arms and smiling, for once, “Andwhy wouldn’t she like you? You’re a damn genius, you’re cute - for an Asura -and you’re fun. Ryrra likes you.”

“We’re just going for a walk, ‘Dessa, Sparks. And to maybe get coffee.”

“Yeah… it’s a date. It’s Valentines Day, you goof. Think about itfor a minute, will you? I swear, for being so smart, you’re so densesometimes.”

Cat had made an excuse and fled after that, not up to debating thingswith the blonde any longer. Odessa’s a damn good Councillor, she’d find a wayto dig into every single itty bitty little tucked away secret Cat held and makeher face them all - even worse, she’d do it without a single trick.

It’s not a date. Cat repeats to herself again - even as she fixesher headband, straightens out the nice shirt she’d worn, questions the skirtand boots for the millionth time - sweeping her gaze hopefully over the crowd, Ryrradoesn’t like me like that. She’s too cool. It’s not a-

Amber eyes lock onto red and she freezes, startled. The pink hairedAsura spots her at the same time and gives a wide grin, waving as she headsover - likewise dressed up and looking happy, excited, even, as shemakes her way through the crowd.

-date?

“Hey, Cat! Sorry I’m late - had to see a couple of goofs offfirst.” Ryrra apologizes, giving her a once over and grinning, “You look cute!Ready to go?”

“Yeah! Yeah, I’m good. Y-you look really cute, too!”

Ryrra grins wider at the compliment, and Cat’s sure she’s red as agolem’s gems.

“It’s nice out tonight, but it is supposed to snow later.” thepink haired Asura motions her onwards, and Cat falls easily into step besideher, “I figured we could wander a bit, check out some shops, then grab coffeeat Charrbucks?”

“Sounds like a plan - Choya’s closed tonight, right?”

“Yup! Elina gives a shit about her employees, so it makes sense!” Ryrraturns bright eyes on her then, grin a tad mischievous, “So I gotta know -what’d that student do to deserve an army of clones, Cat?”

Cat turns pink, blinking rapidly. “You heard about that?”

“Are you kidding? Sparks, everyone heard about that! MostMesmer’s can only conjure what, three clones?? You conjured like twenty!”

“Ten.” she corrects, still blushing and trying to walk forwards withouttripping over something.

“Still!” Ryrra shuffles closer, linking their arms and nudging her,“C’mon, spill it! What’d he do?!”

So close too close woah.

Cat can only blink back for a second, startled by how closeRyrra’s face is suddenly, red eyes wide and exuberant, before the other’senergy becomes infectious, and she manages to smirk back.

“He was messing with my systems.” she says, sticking hernose in the air with an annoyed little huff, “Little bookah was just askingfor it.”

“Fucking Alchemy, gimme the details, now!”

“Okay, so I noticed someone was fucking around in the internaldatabases-”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

By the time they’re done wandering and have taken over the back cornerof Charrbucks, they’re both laughing away and talking about everything,whatever happens to cross their minds.

It’s dark outside, and snowing, but Cat has absolutely zero desire to goback to her rooms.

Ryrra has seen and done so much, in the time she’s beentravelling as a field agent - her scuffles with the Risen are especiallyinteresting, as well as her encounters with the Inquest.

Cat had thought she would seem boring, in comparison - and yet the otherAsura seems positively delighted by every prank and punishment she’sdished out on unruly students in the Library, especially the Bookahshe’d sent a small army of clones after.

They’re sharing an armchair, since it’s definitely meant for aCharr and has more than enough room for two small Asura - each maybe halfwaythrough their respective drinks, given how often they have to stop to laugh,talking each other’s ears off.

Cat’s still chuckling over a joke when she feels Ryrra shift slightly closer,turning her head to see what’s up - and going still when the other leans in,kissing her gently.

Her brain takes a second to catch up - going from huh?, to ohhh,to damn I owe Odessa tea - before the giggles take over, spilling outbefore she can help herself.

“Sorry, sorry!” she gasps, still giggling as the other woman pulls away,“I just - oh, Alchemy, I am an idiot.”

“You gonna explain that…?” Ryrra still looks confused, but her lips aretweaked, eyes bright.

“Okay, so, I’ve been in denial this whole time, cause I always thoughtyou were too cool to be into someone like me.” Cat’s calming down,though the laughter is still there, “And Odessa was arguing with me thismorning, and apparently she was right! Unless I’m still an idiot andmisreading things here?”

“I don’t tend to kiss people I don’t like, Cat.” Ryrra rolls hereyes, “And you’re adorable, and damn cool - honestly, you’ve made beingstuck back at the Academy fun. I like you a lot.”

“I really, really like you, too.” Cat grins widely, fighting tokeep back the giggles that are rising up again, “So then - I guess this is, infact, a date?”

“Oh my fucking Alchemy Catarina-”