New Beginnings - (Cecelia)

Dante knew it wouldn't be long after he had sent the announcement out that his old friend would turn up at his office doors. He stood from his seat and walked over to a cabinet in the corner of the room, holding a hot drinks machine and a few cups. Pulling one from the stand he set the machine to brew him a Mocha and awaited the machine to complete his drink with a “Ding”.

“Ah perfect as always.” He stated lifting the mug of coffee off of the machine and walked back over to his desk. He looked out of the window to see his students chatting amongst themselves, running about and some just sitting down reading through their text books. He let loose a sigh of appreciation to all of the students that put as much effort in as they had for the academy. It was truly a delight to see all these people so happy once again, even during this time of conflict.

As expected, a few moments later Dante heard the familiar rhythm of a knock on his office doors before Cecelia walked into the room greeting him in her usual pleasant manner. A smile stretched across the headmasters face as he greeted his friend with a hug. “Hey Cece!” He replied as he released her from his grip and walked around to his side of the desk. “How are you doing dear? Did you want a drink of anything?” He followed up as he flashed the girl in front of him a large smile.

He figured there's always time for a quick catchup before getting down to business!

Cece was her usual cheery self which always made Dante smile, she soon responded to his greeting and asked how he was doing while also commenting on the weather outside. Dante gave a small nod as he looked to the window. The sun was indeed shining across the grounds of the academy, and it was rather warm which was always nice. “I'm pretty good! You're right, the weather is gorgeous today!” He stated as he turned his focus back to his friend.

He could have easily guessed that his colleague was going to ask for a hot chocolate with the cute little marshmallows in. After all, the marshmallows weren't an easy find in Eskaria, but Dante always had his contacts and was never short on them! He chuckled softly before standing from his seat. “I should've known you'd ask for that!” He joked with a wink as he walked across to his drinks machine and set it up to produce a hot chocolate.

Cece asked if Dante had been around the school to check on the classes yet, which he had to admit he hadn't. He'd been re arranging his office and sorting some personal business out before hand! He shook his head, “I haven't had a chance to yet!” He stated scratching the back of his head and adjusting the silver headband around his head. Cece seemed rather excited about how well the students were doing, and about the student exams that were to come.

Dante nodded “The exam's are always pretty fun!” He chuckled as the machine pinged, indicating that Cece's hot chocolate was done. He walked over and pulled out a back of marshmallows from the cupboard above the machine and poured some into the cup before bringing it over to his friend.
“Here you go! Cute little marshmallows as requested.” He stated with a wink as he went back round to his seat.

He wondered what it was that Cece had wanted to speak about but he enjoyed spending time with his friend when they weren't too busy that he didn't complain.

Dante watched as Cece stared out of the window at the students are were resting up before their next classes. It was great that the students felt safe enough to be outside without having the fear of being attacked by opposing nations. The Academy was a mutual ground of all three, and all three needed to hire their elite students at one time or another for different missions so he knew that they'd always be safe there.

The females choice of drink came as no surprise to the man as they had been partners at work for many years now, and she returned his comment with a cheeky grin. “Well we've been working together many years now! I should hope I know you!” He laughed, as he turned his gaze to the window alongside her. She suggested that he joined her for her senior class later that afternoon which honestly sounded like a great idea. Cecelia was a brilliant teacher in Dante's eyes and he loved how she managed to get along with all of her students. She noted that he would be so proud of the students which made him smile. He nodded, “I'd love to be there. And you're right, I am proud of each and every single one of our students, they put so much work in and train so hard.” He spoke softly, as the smile on his face grew wider. He couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm for the exams. They were a major part in the students training, but they were also very dangerous. Cece was a ferocious warrior and loved any chance she could get to hone her skills even more.

The drinks machine had notified the completion of her drink and she thanked him as he handed it to her. He watched as she sat on the seat opposite him and began poking the little marshmallows he had placed in her drink and stated that they were cuter than she remembered beforehand. He let loose a laugh followed by a large smile. “Well I'm glad you like it!” He chuckled as he straightened himself at his desk before placing an elbow on the oak table and resting his head on his hand.

Before long, he heard Cece turn to her formal voice, which meant only one thing. It was time to get down to business, and to the reason the meeting was called in the first place. She paused for a moment before mentioning the exams and asking if they had discussed them at all. Dante shook his head softly. “We haven't had the chance yet with the new intake of students!” He chuckled as he crossed his leg over the other and straightened himself back to an upright position. “Do you have any ideas for what creatures we should hire in this year?”

Dante noticed Cece's smile grow wider as he accepted her offer to join her class that afternoon to observe how well the senior students were doing in their training. He felt a wave of pride rush over him as he thought about how well they were doing and knew that it wouldn't be long until he could officially induct them into The Crimson, Lusriam Academy's elite special ops unit. His friend soon began clapping her hands and stamping her feet as she agreed with the fact that they were doing so well and it made her feel happy which was even better. Happy staff meant happy school.

Dante noticed that Cece seemed to be deep in thought after his comment about the intake of new students, he chuckled slightly, knowing exactly what she was thinking. They had been very close for a long time and usually always knew what the other was thinking. This year had shown the biggest intake of students the academy had ever seen and making sure that they were fully prepared for the school year had taken more time than usual purely because of the volume of people that had arrived. However now that they were all settled it was time to focus on getting the senior's through their upcoming exams. He hummed in agreement to the female's next statement before she went on to answer his question about monsters for the exams. Naga's were suggested which made Dante pause and think for a moment, her reasoning was spot on, groups of Naga always stand together and would make tough opponents for the students in the exam. However it was the next idea that really made Dante excited. “Now Cece, this is why you are my deputy!” He stated with a loud laugh. “That is an outstanding idea! Although we would definitely need to be on hand with the dragon as they are ridiculously difficult. However I think the students would benefit greatly from battling a foe that difficult in their exams as it will prepare them for the real world!” He added as a smile appeared on his face again.

He took a sip of his drink before pulling his computer keyboard closer to him. “I'll begin the search for the monsters right away! Then we just need to set a date for the exams!” He stated as he flashed another smile to his colleague.