Masochism (Amaranta/Ryo)

Africa was a reoccurring source of pandemonium at this point. Like a moth to a flame, Amaranta gravitated toward it with little heed as to what threat, minor or imposing, might arise at a moment's notice. Attracted by such danger, she frequently roams these wartorn plains in search of any entertainment that might measure up to her standard.

Currently, all she finds herself rewarded with is a subpar group of hollows trying to form a makeshift vanguard to overwhelm her. Much like the group that came before it, they were promptly crushed beneath fist and heel. A violent flurry of punches leveled each of them wherever they soared.

Concluding her lackluster symphony of violence, Amaranta sighed exasperatedly as her fierce sapphires observed her surroundings. Where would she find any excitement around here? Even now, was it truly so elusive? Somewhere in the distance, her pesquisa suddenly recognized a familiar spiritual signature. Huh? No way, could it be that redhead she met from that small town recently?

Hahahaha! What a riot! She really was wired differently. What type of sane individual would wander out here? Like that, her next destination was chosen. A flawless burst of sonido carried her body forward at high velocity, her form vanishing and reappearing in the woman's direct vicinity.

There was a boulder with signs of cracks in it. There was the woman of the hour, Ryo, covered in blood and resting after what appeared to be the aftermath of her training. What intense training it was. The grisly appearance might have unnerved the average observer, but the sun-kissed arrancar stepped forward with blood-colored joy in her eyes, profoundly amused by what graced her vision.

"What do we have here? Of all the people I expected to see, I now find myself reunited with my favorite hothead. And she's dressed to impress, all bloodied up and looking terrifying. What's up? Did you grow so bold you wanted to bear your fangs here of all places?"

"Hahahaha! And she's rowdy, just like I remember! Sorry to burst your bubble, but I love annoying you. Can't make any promises there."

Did her sudden presence cause her to panic? What a riot. To her uncontained joy, she was every bit as entertaining as she remembered. Fiery and dismissive. Even more humorous, her answer sounded just as wild as she imagined after her arrival. Of all the places to train, why choose this wartorn country? There was so much danger here that even she couldn't imagine the average fighter would feel inclined to throw down. Amaranta circled her with arms crossed, grinning from ear to ear as she observed the woman wrapping her knuckles.

"What made you choose Africa of all places? Ho! Let me guess, did you want to see me again? I know I'm awesome, Ry-Ry, but you really should try your best to keep yourself out of danger. I can't have my future rival dying on me so earlier, ya know..."

"Ha? Did you ignore me the entire time I was speaking? Or are you deaf? Tch... Killjoy."

Ever the prideful lion, Amaranta rarely welcomed the idea of being viewed as an afterthought to any degree. She was the star of the show, the center of attraction. Anyone turning their aways away or ignoring her was simply blind. Guess she's learned to improve her ability to ignore her without missing a beat. This redhead was rarely one to mince her words, but the sun-kissed woman supposed that's what made her so charming.

Exhaling softly, she approached the woman as she observed her quietly, curious azures appraising her physical form. She certainly had a fighter's build in some aspects, and her body wasn't particularly bad on the eyes. Shrugging her shoulders in response, she offered a hearty chuckle as she patted the woman's bare shoulders.

"Don't worry about any of that. If any of the hollows want to approach us, I'll just burn them to ashes like I usually do. No big deal."

"Hoooh?"

Amaranta didn't expect this reaction to a simple shoulder touch but welcomed it all the same. Learn some decency? All she did was touch her shoulder. Sheesh... Visibly entertained by Ryo's outburst, a wide grin played across her features as she gazed at Ryo launch that elbow at her stomach. Even if it caught her off guard, it didn't do much to move her. No, it only made her grin all the more impish and catlike as she watched Ryo strike at her body as though she were akin to a punching bag. How adorable.

Even with these bruised fists, she didn't waste a single moment trying to pulverize her. Furthermore, what was that accent that spilled out just now? Stepping forward, arms wide open, Amaranta made a swift attempt to pull her into an embrace, all in an attempt to annoy her further. Of course, she couldn't deny that she didn't find her current antics endearing.

"Nya~"

"Nya?"

Some aspect of Amaranta's soul wanted to cringe playing up the role of a mischievous feline, but Ryo's explosive reactions made the ends justify the means. One glance at her eyes was enough to display that she was deriving so much joy from antagonizing Ryo, even more so now that she was in her embrace. If this foul-mouthed redhead wanted to call her a cat, might as well play up the role, no? Thus, she didn't relent in her embrace nor did she put her down. Maintaining the embrace, she sought to make matters even worse, inching in to brush her face up against Ryo's cheek, letting out mocking purrs as she held her close.

"Nya~"

Sheesh, she really was just the worst, wasn't she~?