Family Reunion

The Senkaimon would deposit her right at the harbor, her steps blotched out by the activity all around. Everything’s the same as ever. Just, this time, she’s the one who’s different. The serenity of it all feels so surreal, especially with her heavy thoughts plaguing her mind. There’s no time for reminiscing however. The sooner she gets this done, the better. Contrast to how she feels, she is highly curious about if Alex will show up. Did Abalia call him? Would he even come if she did? He seems like he would, but she doesn’t want to wait. So, she’s already on her way to the mansion on the hill.

Without the need to stop anywhere, she’d arrive soon enough and knock on the door. Why is she even knocking? She practically lives here. It’s just, with what she’s here for, she doesn’t feel like barging in and seeing something that’ll only stir her up more than she already is. Hopefully Ulv is here. Where else would a dying woman be? Demon World? Get real…

Hmm? Her eyes turned to Alex, but she didn't answer him. He’d see the solemn seriousness within her cold stoney eyes. Obviously, whatever is going on is important. He’ll know soon enough. Besides, the door is opening. In expected fashion, Ulv is quick to forsake their personal space by pulling them into a hug. Instinctively, Elyss felt like hugging the woman back, but her thoughts quickly stilled her arms. This is weird. Unlike last time, Ulv has, in fact, gained her glow once more. Elyss had almost grown used to the sickly apparition that was haunting this mansion. Somehow, that just makes this even harder.

“Actual daughter, huh?” The tone of her voice betrayed her annoyance, a sudden wry smile twisting the corners of her lips.

Though, she would step into the building, Mailed herself? Vastime? Hayden dying? Man. Ulv has always talked in a nonchalant manner, but, right now, it’s pissing her off a bit. Is it really this easy to go about your day knowing you’re soon to expire? Is it really okay to leave so much unresolved and messy? That nonchalant personality is really starting to piss her off.

“...Ulv… I have a question for you.”

This familiarness. It’s nice, but it’s also the worst. She doesn’t want to feel like this, like she’s hanging out with family. This isn’t why she’s here, but this feeling is also just a test. Everyone around her, she considers someone irreplaceable. That is why this is a test, something to overcome. She wants to smile, share in the pleasantries, but she can’t. She won’t. Even after walking in, she doesn’t allow for herself to grow too familiar. Her eyes are devoid of joy, despite the warmth they hold when staring back at Ulv.

“Ulv… I guess before I ask you this question, I should let you know… Soon, you’ll be considered an enemy of The Gotei, probably even Vastime…, most likely the whole world. I told Abalia about Algos and the baby.”

That tea might be needed. She isn’t wasting time getting straight to the point. She doubts that Ulv didn’t know how the world would receive her relationship with Algos. Ulv is probably prepared to lose all her friends. Elyss is sure that the other woman knew that this would be everyone’s reaction once finding out. It was childish to believe that this would have been accepted. Abalia made that clear enough.

“To my question… Ulv, what is love to you?”

What a great job Ulv’s doing looking after a child that’s somewhere in Vastime. Honestly, what was Elyss expecting to learn from all of this? Obviously, none of this would have happened if Ulv had cared about losing any of her friends or family. Even if Abalia proved a person incapable of handling friendships, what about every other person? What about Alex? Her? Arianda? The many others? Really now, just because something predates another doesn’t mean one gets to be nilly willy with the present. How many times does Elyss have to suffer through these lessons just to watch the woman teaching her fail them so exclusively.

“What does the context matter? Always this or that. What the Hell does any of it matter? I don’t care about the past. I care about what’s happening right now. This is my last time, Ulv. After the orders are given, I’m not allowed to even step foot on Minatumi, but I guess you’re going to just shrug and say that’s life kiddo, suck it up, huh?”

The fuck? She hasn’t visited in a while? Maybe she would have if she didn’t feel like Algos would pop up any second. As much as Ulv adores the demon, Elyss would rather see Algos’ head on a pike. There’s forgivable crimes, and then, there are unforgivable crimes. People have their chances to change, and even with Ulv throwing away everything for that demon, Elyss doubts Algos will ever change from her true nature. However, maybe that’s just what Ulv means. Love is something unexplainable. It doesn’t make sense, so why is she even trying to understand what is going on here? Here she is trying to understand what she’s feeling, but Ulv summed it up so easily. Elyss will never understand what she’s feeling. But…

“Why… Abalia had told me… She had said that she would have killed her husband herself if he ever lost his way. Maybe, even if she had hoped to never see the day, she was fully prepared to do what was necessary. Love… it’s a weird thing, but I have to know…”

Her hand would move to the handle of the sword resting on her waist, the black of her eyes flashing red for only a moment. The sound of metal against wood signals that her Zanpakuto is out and held before her in both her hands, the grip around it so tight, her knuckles turned a sickly white. Her shaky stance is already a big sign that this isn’t something she really wants to do, but it’s also something she needs to do. Even if Ulv isn’t doing anything to threaten the world now, what about later? What if Algos somehow corrupts the woman? Turn her into a demon pawn? Anything? If Ulv ever branded her fists against the world, Elyss has to know… Would she be able to cut her mother down?

“Alex… I’m sorry.”

And, with that, she’d simply jump at Ulv, her blade swinging downwards.