To Protect What Matters Most [Private: Arianda/Ulv]

Arianda hummed as she mulled over what Ulv said to her about Tulpas. A shield was indeed well and good, and Arianda had been thinking about having some extra form of defense; as good as her regeneration was, relying upon it alone to keep herself alive when dealing with large amounts of damage was foolish. However, she wanted more than to just be able to protect a small area or just a few people at a time; she wanted to be able to protect anything around her, especially those she cared about. Hell, being able to keep the area around her from getting damaged, like if she was protecting a certain area, would be great as well. Arianda hummed softly still as Ulv guided her through the process, or at least the first step, of gaining a Tulpa.

Emotion was easy, which one to pick was not quite as such; especially given Arianda had a myriad of emotions that could possibly match up. However, she wanted something strong; something that she could easily build up inside of herself. Anger wouldn't be hard, Ari used to be a ball of rage back before she met Mana; however, she didn't wish to rely upon such feelings. So, instead, Ari turned her mind towards those feelings she felt whenever she was protecting someone she cared for; loved ones, civilians, her daughter, Kita... If anything, the one emotion that Arianda could find pouring out whenever she thought of protecting people she cared for was love; pure, unabated affection. Arianda felt it was the best one to target at the moment. Afterwards, Arianda pushed onwards.

She focused on her inner self, imagining a vast world; which was an easy feat given her experience with at least two or three different worlds. However, it still took her time to gain enough focus to create that world. Afterwards, in the approximate "center" in her own personal infinite world, she placed that memory of saving her mothers by being taken by a pair of rather ruthless demons. In the moments that followed, the demon populated her own imaginary world with millions of beings; the people she wanted to know. Her mothers, whom she wished to know so desperately thanks to her cloudy memory, even people who may not exist or currently be alive; for all Ari knew, there could be a few versions of herself in this world. Versions of Arianda Vael that lived happy lives, with her spouse and children; or even ones whose lives weren't quite as peaceful, but still ended up reasonably well. She imagined and imagined until she could barely define the heads and bodies of those further away from her; all made up of people who she would ever want to know. Eventually, the demon let out a small breath, not letting go of that world as she spoke to Ulv once again.

"Okay, I think I got it... What next, Ulv?"

"I know that quite well, Ulv. It's something that was made quite aware to me when Algos visited Minatumi; and when I lost a certain set of powers~ Albeit, I think it is quite hard for a demon not to rely on the powers that come natural to them; sometimes, it's all we got."

A soft chuckle escaped Ari as she kept her eyes closed, knowing that practice was imperative. However, Arianda didn't believe the same that Ulv did about her mentality. Indeed, she may not be quite as mentally strong as others; however, she did have enough mental fortitude to have endured everything Mana had done to her, and then some, without going completely batshit insane. That had to amount to something. Of course, manifesting a thought into the real world on sheer willpower alone was easier said than done. However, Arianda stuck to that memory in the back of her mind, the one of her parents, to fuel it all.

It was a slow process. Arianda decided she would stick to what she was familiar with, first utilizing a tiny bit of her own energy to get the idea of manifesting a thought into the real world as a physical object stuck in her mind. After that small bit of experimentation, Arianda refocused herself upon solely manifesting that thought into the world. A shield. The size would matter depending on the situation. A shield to protect herself, a shield to protect others, maybe even more later on. As Arianda focused, a shape started to flicker and spark upon her left arm.

It was simple, really. It was indeed a shield, one that appeared to be made of crimson energy, albeit the shield had little definition as it sparked into life upon her left arm. However, it was clearly unstable; unrefined. The first attempt was never the best. However, while the shield remained present, Arianda opened her eyes and knocked on the manifested shield; creating a metallic ring. However, after the shield stopped singing, it soon faded and disappeared; causing Ari to sigh softly.

"It's a start... and I something I could certainly improve upon. Got any tips on how to improve...?"

Soon, what Ulv said while Ari was focusing finally clicked in her brain; and the demon blinked at least 20 times at Ulv when she looked about her basically destroyed house.

"... You boned Algos, didn't you?"

"Perhaps... However, I couldn't think clearly. Just because I am a demon of pain doesn't mean I am immune to it. Even if my decision was rash, and damaging, I think it was a better one than running again. I don't think running from my problems is exactly the best way to do things? Besides, it's better for me, and Amphy, that I don't have the Eris Seal anymore; nor DE."

Arianda inspected the area where the shield was, gently taking hold of her arm as she attempted to solidify her state of mind; trying to make sure she can call upon that state at a moments notice. It was difficult, but Ari figured she could do it better in time.

"Indeed, and I know that now better than I did before. Even if I could have chosen the simple answer and ran away; I don't think I would have grown as I have. However, I still have more room to grow. Taking the easy route isn't something I want to do anymore."

Arianda slowly stood as Ulv reclined and relaxed on the air, the demon closing her eyes to focus again; summoning a Kita shield on her arm now. She was doing her best to maintain the shield longer than the smaller shield she had summoned before. She gained a relatively good amount of success before Ulv began to speak; which then the shield began to slowly fizzle and fade out. Arianda hummed softly as she considered ways to improve what she was doing; to get the shield to stick around longer than a few moments. However, her attention was partially brought away as Arianda summoned a smaller shield and did her best to keep that shield summoned while she was speaking to Ulv.

"Not sure how I feel about that, Ulv... Albeit, I am glad to know she has someone. Unfortunately, the Asthavon's aren't exactly the kinda family that nurture you. It makes sense, given how Mana is; however, I won't say it's a good thing."

Arianda let out a tiny sigh, refocusing herself a little to maintain the shield; afterwards, the demon blinked at what Ulv said next. Her shield flickered, but didn't fade; not yet.

"You and Algos... Had children? I'm glad Ania is okay, I check up on her when I can; but, still, you and Algos had children?"

The demon could only blink before chuckling softly letting the shield fade; relaxing a small bit and smiling at Ulv.

"Well then, congratulations I suppose. You're a mother now, eh? Well, I hope you'll be a good mother to them, Ulv. I know that's what I hope and try to be for Aki and Caly... Albeit it's hard to be Caly's mother most of the time; considering I wasn't able to be a mother figure. That's besides the point, however; I'm mostly just surprised you had children. Any plans for the future~?"

"Even so, I'd prefer not to run from my problems. And besides, who says I could have outrun what had already been done? However, that is simply the past; I won't dwell in what was or what could have been."

Arianda spoke plainly, and in quite an even tone, as she set herself to once again manifesting her shield; mostly attempting to practice now while she was with Ulv so Ulv could possibly help. If needed. Albeit, she wouldn't deny Ulv was wrong. Had Ari been thinking straighter than 'op, ima die' then maybe she may have thought of running away. However, Arianda felt like she wouldn't have come to such a conclusion or been able to get away fast enough; at least not with all that pain racking her being. Regardless, the demon simply focused on creating that shield of hers. She was able to manifest it easily enough; but the whole, keeping it present for long periods of time thing was far easier said than done.

Eventually, Ulv had gestured for Ari to follow. The demon blinked, letting her Tulpa fade before she followed the woman through the house; or at least more like partially ruined house. She followed Ulv through the door, and spotted the man who slept in the shadows; whatever, or whoever, he was caused the hair on the back of Ari's neck to stand up. It was an odd feeling, but if Ulv wasn't worried... maybe Ari shouldn't be. For now at least. That could change. However, the demon hummed softly, staying quiet as she looked upon the child Ulv was talking about. It was odd, really. She remembered how Mirja, part of whom was part of Ulv, couldn't have children due to her body; and then here was Ulv, who certainly could. It caused an odd feeling to swim around the demon's being. She couldn't help but wonder, because she never asked, how Mirja might feel about having a child... But, eventually, she tore herself away from her own thoughts and looked back towards Ulv.

"She's quite adorable, Ulv~ But, you said a pair of children, right...? Where's the other child, Ulv?"

Arianda nodded in understanding when Ulv spoke about how Algos had the other child; because she was the one who gave birth to that said child. However, what Ulv said next troubled Arianda a little bit. WHy would she have absolutely no interaction with Ulv; why would that child never know Ulv as her mother. Ari's eyebrows knitted together in concern as she watched Ulv. However, the woman soon spoke of something that caused Ari to chuckle softly. Leave it to Ulv to say something like that. She playfully stuck her tongue out at Ulv.

"Something tells me you would absolutely love it if I just passed out right here; I'm afraid you'll have to be disappointed~"

The demon could only let out a small chuckle, and feel a little glad that Ulv warned her; even if the warning ended in quite a lewd fashion. No matter how alluring it could sound, Arianda didn't wish to bother with Ulv doing anything like that to her; especially given that Arianda had someone she was trying to be better for. Regardless of that the demon's mind was pulled back to the present and to a question she had yet to ask; thanks to Ulv distracting her.

"Ulv... I know you said Algos would have the other child eventually; but that didn't mean you couldn't visit them. Why can she only know you now, instead of for the rest of your life and hers...? What have you not told me, Ulv?"