A Storm on the Horizon [Abalia]

When dealing with her fellow Shinigami, Abalia had come to allow her office a certain degree of warmth, her stony demeanor lightening just the faintest bit so as to welcome a more positive atmosphere for the Gotei. In a diplomatic situation such as this, however, the Captain Commander did not afford that faint bit of matronly air. Despite being quite visibly into the course of her pregnancy at this point, Abalia was very capable of seeming every bit as unflinching as always.

She motioned for the guards to allow the Quincy guest entry, not hugely worried as to her own safety. There were a few reasons for this, of course, but chief among them was that she knew Hime would be more than capable of stepping in should anything dangerous occur. For now, though, she didn't have her bodyguard right at her side. It would send a better message if it were simply the two of them.

Regardless, whenever the woman was given entry, Abalia greeted her with a nod, gesturing to the single unremarkable chair across the desk from her. The breeze blew through the office, rather handily accomodated by the room's immense balcony, but it almost seemed muted simply by the firm presence that Abalia chose to exude.

"Welcome, Captain Brauer. I thank you for making the journey to Soul Society for this meeting, there are rather many things which prevent me from leaving often. What can I do for you?"

Abalia's eyes gave nothing away, given her exceptional practice in situations such as this, but she studied the woman across from her thoroughly. It was simply in her nature to compile something of a brief analysis of all those she spoke to, particularly when meeting them for the first time. When you lacked in any particular ability to defend yourself, one became very good at gauging a threat at a glance.

"I had heard report that there was a schism within the Vandenreich, and that some had allied themselves with Shadow Fall, but enthrallment is news to me. I will have to update our records accordingly."

Tapping her finger against the desk only once in what seemed to be some indication of thought, Abalia then immediately began to speak once more. Most would have needed at least a few moments to consider the weight of that sort of request, but this was simply what the Captain Commander excelled in.

"I quite understand the necessity of traveling through our territories in this circumstance. However, you must understand that to openly grant you passage in a hostile action would paint a target upon our backs. Your people and ours are allies, and I do not wish to simply push you out this door with nothing but a denial of your request. But I cannot in good conscience simply risk the well-being of my men and women."

Silence again, for a fraction of a second, and Abalia spoke once more, another long series of hypothetical questions all running through her mind before she settled on one in particular.

"Do you intend this as an open declaration of war, Captain Brauer? Or merely a clandestine operation? This is a closed meeting, and none other than myself will hear your answer. I ask for honesty from you."

"Mm. Yes, I quite understand, both your plight and your desire to keep Ms. Montero from sharing any information with Shadow Fall. However, it is to my understanding that she is indeed a willing participant in their actions. One of my Captains, whose judgment I trust on matters pertaining to demonkind, faced her directly in China."

Abalia steepled her fingers as she leaned forward very slightly, mostly to underline the importance of this whole situation. Taking into account the whole thing, it was not difficult for her to come to a decision.

"We will freely allow you to move through our territories. In the event that the Gotei United engages in hostilities during the course of your operation, we will acknowledge you as allies. However, I will not offer the same refuge in the event that the ceasefire remains in place. Should such a thing happen, and Shadow Fall come to the Gotei regarding your people, I will tell my men to hand you over without hesitation, for their own safety."

Given that Abalia did not state their discussion was over, the table was still open to any negotiation. She was a decisive woman, yes, but she also understood that the Captain had a better understanding of her people's needs than Abalia could possibly have had. If such an agreement was not to her liking, then naturally corrections would need to be made.

Abalia Kyoraku-Hayden was a woman who had spent a vast majority of her life in in the pursuit of rightful duty. A woman who had spent over 20 years without a single moment to herself. Even now her life was comprised of nothing more than the work she performed. It occurred to Abalia that, in all of her time pursuing this, none had ever so flagrantly insulted her. She was not actually upset by it, given that she did not feel such degrees of emotion to begin with. However, the statement was so boldfaced in its nature that "tact" had been taken out of this discourse.

If Sylvia considered her own expression stern, then the crushing weight that now filled the office was infinitely moreso. It was good that those who guarded her were among the best of the best, for even they felt their chests tighten drastically from the overwhelming will of the Captain-Commander. The temperature of the whole room seemed to plummet, glacial was the stare Abalia gave to this woman, and even the few insects who had flown about the room simply fell to the floor, killed by nothing more than her presence. There was no spiritual power here, only the authority of a woman who had spent her life to better the world.

"In my time with the Gotei, I have watched the Vandenreich engage in assaults which have led to the near-annihilation of the Quincy people twice over. I recall the reports of Antarctica's annihilation at the hands of the Kokuryuteshi, as retribution for the hostility undertaken by Ghislain Eberhart. Do you think it prudent that I, a woman who must take into account the whole of the Soul Cycle, and the well-being of all within the Soul Society, ally myself with a people so apparently self-destructive?

"I will not tell my men and women to lay down their lives for the safety of a group who has proven itself incompetent in the past, Captain Brauer. I have already taken a great risk in allowing you to move through our lands. And if my men and women have failed in their duties, then I will correct it. They will receive the necessary disciplinary action for such egregious action outside their duty to the Soul Cycle. But do not accuse me of allying with Hollows, simply for refusing to so openly provoke Shadow Fall."

Abalia's gaze remained firmly centered on Sylvia, and it did not lessen in its inhuman intensity in the slightest bit. However, she unsteepled her fingers now, and looked through the drawer of her desk for the reports she had received on Sofia Montero. Placing them onto the table, they contained only the most cursory of information, quite a bit of the more relevant detail already redacted with thick lines of black ink.

"Speak with Captain Kuro Okami of the Fifth Division. I leave it to his discretion what information to share with you."