You Are Cordially Invited... [Abalia, Yugiri]

Abalia found, for once, that she was operating entirely as a noblewoman of the Seireitei. In truth, she had done so very little, considering that her father tended to handle all of these matters. But with everything that was occurring of late, and the simple manner in which recent events had transpired, she thought it might be best if this was the approach she took.

Rather than asking Yugiri Shihoin to meet her as the Vice Captain Commander, she had instead invited her simply as Lady Kyoraku. A meeting between nobles, she knew, would be far more difficult to simply turn down without it being perceived as a slight. She doubted that a slight toward the Kyoraku would, in itself, mean much given the status of the Great Noble Families. With that said, she also knew well that even the smallest of actions could lead to a wide ripple of gossip. It was unlikely that any Shihoin would allow that.

So, Abalia simply sat in wait, under the shade of a lovely gazebo on the Kyoraku estate. A small brook ran through the land next to her, a tree she believe to be peach rustling in the wind. It was quite the picturesque scene. She would be happy to let her daughter grow up in such a place.

Abalia offered a smile and a bow of her own to Yugiri as she entered. The woman struck her as intelligent, if perhaps a bit confident for her own liking. Still, simple personality profiling was not why she had invited the woman here. There would have been far more worthwhile approaches to that particular aim if she so desired.

"I suppose that it is, in a sense, with regard to that interruption. But I have no intention of disciplinary action. While I would not personally have invited your assessment, it was entirely welcome."

Pouring Yugiri a cup of tea, considering it would be rude not to do so, Abalia looked over the gently rolling hills of the state before continuing.

"The Onmitsukido have been the domain of the Shihoin family for a long while, yes? I am curious as to your own view on this tradition. You obviously care quite deeply about it, but as of late it has been led by others. What would you do, speaking hypothetically, if given authority over it?"

Ah, now there was the answer that Abalia had very much been expecting. It was something most might not have even thought to focus on, but she certainly did. To remove it from Gotei Control... That would not do.

"I would not disgree that its teachings should be reevaluated. The Onmitsukido as of late has seemed little more than a vanity project for the handful of members who have chosen to give it much attention at all. It does not do it many favors."

Of course, she made no particular attempt that she had more to say on this topic. She took a moment to sip her tea, contemplate her next wording, and then continue on.

"I, however, would think that its separation from the Gotei United would be somewhat unhelpful. After all, as I recall the Shihoin have traditionally held the position of Captain in the Stealth Force, yes? It strikes me that, given the nature of the Stealth Force, this provides more a conflict of interest than anything else. Should the aims of the Onmitsukido and the Gotei no longer align, which of the two take precedent?"

Abalia lacked decades of training as Yugiri had been afforded, but simply made up for it with earnest experience. After all, to maintain a facade in this sort of setting was nothing worth speaking about compared to other situations she had been in. Though she had put a response together already, Yugiri's usage of her hand to establish her tone was a bit of condescension Abalia did not much appreciate. If that was the tone being set, she would certainly engage in kind.

"No? I had been under the impression they had taken a more active role in the realm's affairs. My apologies."

The rest of Yugiri's point did interest her, however, and she addressed it without any ulterior motive.

"While I admire the late Captain Commander's efforts to provide the Gotei a better reputation, I should think that a good deal of that effort came primarily as corrective action for the method of its founding. You and I certainly agree that the goals of the Gotei and the Onmitsukido should always align. To that end, it seems unnecessary that they be kept separate. Their disconnection only creates a barrier to communication and cooperation that facilitates very little benefit in return."

Abalia found the split between the two organizations rather needless still, but she would not interrupt Yugiri. Regardless of her opinions, that would simply be rude, and that was far from her intent. So she listened, and allowed herself a brief response.

"The Soul Society's order has been suitably maintained without the separation of the Onmitsukido, I should think. While there is value in keeping the Gotei United in check in the event of a tyrant, I should think a truly neutral party would be preferred to one still rooted in the Seireitei."

Left unsaid was Abalia's simple opinion that none of the Great Noble Families could be trusted to maintain any neutral stance. That was, to her, simply self-evident.

"Yes, Lord Kyoraku has told me of the Tsunayashiro, and of Tokinada. I think his opinion toward them is no secret, even if it is not a topic he would speak on often."