Welcome to Gaia! ::

Cali was still very clearly anxious about the situation, but out in the hall, clasped in each other's arms, they were in their own little world. Holding each other like this, big thing else seemed to matter. It was just the two of them, everything else was just background noise and as long as they were together. They had spent most of their lives in their own little world. Blocking out the white static of everyday life, shielding each other from the pains and sorrows of their lives. Fighting together and fighting for each other. He held her there for a minute, letting the rhythmic beat of his heart calm her. He made his breathing deep and slow, hoping she would try to pace her ragged breaths with his own. He ran his fingers through her hair, the strokes slow and gentle. It was an interesting sight, surely to see such a large and muscled guy holding her, stroking her, as if she were as delicate as a rose petal. To him, in many ways, she was, though with a semblance like hers she had not always been treated as such, and that sparked an entirely different side of Eli. An angry and agressive one. One that would go to no ends to protect the fragile being within his arms.

"We'll sit in the very back." He agreed once she was calm enough to both breathe and speak. He lead her into the shenanigans filled classroom and maybe it was silly to be thankful for such a mess, but with everyone so distracted it made it easier for the pair to get by with minimal attention to themselves. While he didn't really mind one way or another, seeing as he was about the farthest thing away from shy and held absolutely no fear to the spot light, he knew this made the walk to their desks much easier for Cali. He kept her hand grasped tightly in his all the way up to the back of the classroom where he took a seat in an empty row of desks and gently tugged Cali into the one next to him. He kept his hand in hers for now, clung together in between the desks. He was protected for now by the thick leather of her gloves. Granted, he had a tendency to forget and let their touch linger too long even when there was a lack of anything to shield him from her decay. Not that he really minded.

Turning his electric orbs to the front of the class he watched as the woman who he knew to be rather small, but was currently nearly fifteen feet tall, return to the front of the room before slowly deactivating her semblance to return to her natural stature. With the class mostly in order, mostly being a rather loose statement, she launched into a story of her own past and development into the embalnce instructor she was today. He had to admit, it was a rather impressive feat to have come as far as she had despite the fact that she was blind. He could tell Cali was enjoying the story too. For Eli, it was nothing more than another reason to have all the more faith 8n Cali. If Kail could overcome her blindness, Cali could overcome her pestilence. He was sure of it. More so than ever after the meeting the other day. "You ready, Cali?" He questioned softly in her ear. Her task was going to be much different and much mire difficult than the others, but he was excited, both to see her progress and work on his own.

It wasn't long after she reached her seat that the teacher began speaking and explaining her lesson plan for the day. It seemed she had personalized tasks for each individual in the classroom and considering how unique semblances were to each person, Ridley couldn't help but admire all the hard work Professor Schuer must have put into studying student files before class to prepare. On the other hand, she was less than pleased to learn that she would be paired with Narx for the class, seeing as his semblance would apparently counteract hers. She supposed it would be a tad bit easier to knowingly inflict pain on another student when she was already disgruntled with him, but to cause him pain in the way she would be over a silly overreaction seemed like a bit much. It was as big of an overreaction as challenging a person to a fight when said person never really meant offense and had already apologized for such stupidity. Ridley would have been content to spend the rest of class carefully and purposefully ignoring him and the rest of his team.

Sighing softly, she was only growing increasingly agitated when Adam approached her. She went cross eyed to watch his finger poke her in the center of the forehead, frowning but clearly clearly fighting a smile. His comment about her scent did manage to catch her off guard, but he seemed to have equally flustered himself. He took it back before the girl even had a chance to respond to the compliment. Raising a brow at him, she couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, just the weirdest... but thanks." She teased lightly, that playful smirk returning to her lips. However, his next comment wiped it from her lips just as quickly as it had appeared. Golden eyes widened as she stared at him, lines forming in her forehead once more as her lips pulled into a frown. "Adam..." She started, but for once seemed to be at a lack of words. The comment was... deep, insightful, and in some round about kind of way, really sweet. It was also lacking his usually speaking patterns in all its sincerity. Still, she could ever imagine using her semblance on him, causing him that kind of pain... The thought made her shudder. "I could never---" She was about to object, but before she could finish the sentence, Narx himself interjected.

Her entire body language changed in the matter of moments. Rigid and stiff, pale fingers gripped the edge of her desk far to tightly, knuckles turning white as the natural blood flow was cut off. Her head whipped around, golden eyes flashing dangerously as they locked on his. She pushed herself to her feet, meeting his gaze head one. She was significantly shorter than him, but didn't seem intimidated by that prospect in the slightest. It wasn't so much his presence that caused the reaction, but rather the words that left his mouth The guy was seriously testing her temper today and she was getting dangerously close to an explosion. Chewing on the inside of her cheeks, she took several moments to respond, clearly carefully mulling over her words. There were several things she would have liked to say, but none of which were appropriate for a classroom setting. If he kept pushing her like this, some of those desired phrases. "We're definitely not giving that a go." She stated, making each word cold and deliberate. "I have several preferable ideas in mind... but I'm not sure you'd agree." She smirked at him, but it was not the playful and teasing look her team would be so accustomed to. It was far to twisted by her own anger.

Ridley was like a hot kettle, ready to blow her steam, and it seemed this guy just didn't know where to stop. Each step was bringing him closer and closer to a face full of boiling water. It was one thing for Cecil to speak so bluntly and fluster her about her feelings for Adam, like he had on the beach. It was completely different for this guy to do it. She'd only just met him and her distaste for him was steadily growing. There was clearly something there between her and Adam, but it was all still new and sometimes confusing. Labels hadn't even crossed her mind yet, let alone been discussed. The fact that this stranger had put it out there in the open, taking that opportunity to discuss it all on their own time, infuriated her. However, to say that her stomach did not give a strange little flutter at such a word would be a lie. The two emotions were a complete contradiction, rivaling within her body for control. Cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and anger, her eyes narrowed as she continued to glare at Narx. "You're treading on very thin ice." She hissed between her teeth. "It won't fair you well to test me right now." Surely this would have been the reaction her team had been expecting in that moment of silence on the beach after Cecil's comment. That only went to show, she would tolerate that sort of thing from people she cared about, but sure as hell not from him.

There was silence for a moment before Narx offered a true introduction, extending his hand to the both of them. Ridley's eyes trailed down his arm, glaring at his hand as if she was contemplating acting taking the offered handshake or not. It took her a moment but eventually she let out a loud huff of air, reaching out she shook his hand rather curtly before letting her arm fall stiffly back at her side. Likely if Adam were not there, she would have spitefully declined the handshake, but she had already failed at reigning in her anger... Something he always seemed to be so good at. Granted not much really angered him. He was always so nice. She admired that about him and would be lying if she denied the fact that she occasionally feared her temper might scare him away. She didn't bother with introducing herself, seeing as he apparently already knew her name, but instead went straight into business. "My semblance allows me to inflict pain on others, but only pain I have felt myself. It is purely mental and leaves no physical signs. If you're semblance can take that pain away, we should probably find a volunteer." She stated simply and bluntly, clearly ready to get this done and over with. "And if you suggest Adam again, I swear to mother earth I'll..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the threat open ended as she peered at Adam out of the corner of her eye before returning her gaze to Narx. "Well it won't be pleasant. We'll leave it at that."

Clearly the spider boy with his electric abilities was just far to excited for all of this. Where Cali was so out of her element, so nervous and afraid, he was nearly the exact opposite, but even so she met his glance with the sweetest of smiles when he looked towards her. A smile that made his entire face light up. A smile he fought for with his every breath. He didn't mind the spot light, rather he thrived in it. It was probably a good part of the reason Cali was always afraid someone else would steal his affection. It wasn't uncommon for Eli's tricks to merit a fair bit of attention, but no matter how many people he had tossing roses at him from the audience, whe. The show was over, it was always Cali that he licked gazes with. It was Cali that he smiled at. Cali that he bowed to. As if the entire performance had simply been for her sake, despite the overcrowded room of people. Really it was, even if he enjoyed the onlookers and the applause, the only opinion he truly cared for was Cali's. If she approved, if she had enjoyed it all, then he would consider it a success. If she disapproved, hated it, then all was for not. She was all that truly mattered. The reason behind nearly every choice he made.

Her fingers were tapping away nervously at the back of his hand. Eli had almost not even noticed. It was such a natural thing. Something as normal as breathing for her. Likely it would have caught him more off guard if she hadn't been drumming away like she was. His response to such a question was a wide smirk, eyes gleaming with a playful mischief. "Only the best of shows! I must live up to the name, after all." He responded rather matter-of-factly. His smirk lingered for a moment before the expression soften and he dropped low to her face, murmuring softly in her ear. "Just remember it's all for you. No matter who cheers." He told her, lips so close to her cheek surely his breath would tickle the delicate skin. He lingered there for a moment before straightening back up, looking to the front of the classroom as Kail continued to speak. He couldn't help the zmallchuckle that left his lips when she referred to his 'zaps'. It wasn't a terrible nickname. Not really. Though, with the lesson plan I structured, he knew he would have to release Cali, which was always to his dismay, but really wasn't sure if the girl was ready for it. However, his electricity hurt her on a good day and he couldn't be sure how a suit full of electric dust would react to a blast from him. He would have to be sure to keep her far out of his line of fire.

Turning to face her, he had been about to speak when he noticed her expression. Cheeks turning rosy, her hand gripping his tighter, it didn't take long for him to note the cause of her distress. Her school uniform was about to crumble to pieces. He couldn't say he was entirely comfortable with the idea either. It didn't exactly leave much to the imagination, but it was better than either of thealternatives. Her accidentally ending up in her birthday suit, or them both having to disrupt the class every fifteen minutes to leave the room and change. Still, he knew how hard it was going to be for her. She was t one to show off much skin usually. He also knew he needed to calm her down or risk a panic attack. Turning in his chair so he could face her completely. Wriggling his hand out of hers he brought both of his up, cupping her face with his gloved palms. "Hey, it's going to be fine. I promise. I'll be right here. Besides, everyone is fairly distracted... I doubt anyone will even look." He assured her, electric orbs never leaving her much darker ones. He did have a fair point, the class had been rather dramatic thus fair, and everyone seemed to have a separate task to focus on. He doubted many would take the time to observe her.

With the insurance in place though, it was time to cheer her up. His favorite method of doing so either teasing or a silly choke. That familiar smirk growing on his lips was a pretty clear indication of his intentions. "Besides, you looked quite wonderful in it... Anyone that did look would just be enthralled or quite jealous." He teased, leaning forward so their noses were just inches a part. He was aiming to make her blush, and considering the implications, he doubted he would fail. "But, I'll zap anyone who stares too long. Teach them a lesson, 'kay?" He teased, smirking as he cocked his head to oneside. This time he was aiming for a laugh, and hopefully getting himself out of too much trouble with his previous comment. After a moment the smirk faded and instead he offered her a genuine smile. Transitioning from mischievous, to humorous, to the sweetest part of his core, he shrugged his jacket off and offered it to her. "You can use this if you want... it won't buy you much more time, but... well, it's pretty warm in here anyway."