Paper Set Aflame (Hime/Elyss)

Her words had finally reached her beloved peer. Hime was relieved to see that rage slowly dissipate from her eyes as her peaceful expression returned. The graceful Shinigami may have played with fire momentarily, presenting herself so boldly when Elyss could've dealt true damage on her person. For now, everything seemed to be relatively normal again... as normal as the situation would allow at least. Still, her words were genuine. She had never truly envisioned meeting any new shinigami. She placed herself in prison twice and death evaded her. The execution would never happen. Life gave her a different path. She would no longer question it. Hime would only carry herself forward and be guiding force to those he needed it, no matter how stubborn they wanted to be. Elyss could curse at her tens and thousands of times but Hime wanted to be stubborn. She wanted to be like everyone else who somehow, against all manner of logic, believes she still deserves to walk among other shinigami.

"Of course. Stay as long as you like, Elyss."

She walked towards her desk and pulled a pair of bandages from the drawer. She returned to her prior position with Elyss and wrapped bandages around her hand as she listened to her speak.

For the first time, Elyss was finally expressing her emotions. She was revealing information Hime had never learned prior to today. For someone born as a spirit, Hime never experienced life on earth.

She only recalled the terrible murders she committed in the name of others. Elyss seemed like her intentions were noble. From the start, Hime had always viewed her existence as flawed. She could never be content with what she was given and let pride cloud her judgment. She was a changed woman now, but it took so many years to get to that point. It was a process. Once her hands were bandaged, Hime held them within her palms, offering her heartfelt words.


"Life is a profound series of events. It is so unpredictable. We think we have our whole destiny written out and yet, somehow, we are assaulted with the unexpected. How does one never learn? It's an interesting question, to be sure. I grew up with a relatively perfect path set out before me only to paint it red with bloodshed and murder. I let myself be imprisoned twice, believing I would be executed... and now I'm here, with you. I'm no expert but I'd say you learned something tonight. To be vulnerable, to be more honest with those who care for you and wish to see you succeed. You didn't strike me nor hurt me in any way. Being loved or admired might seem difficult at first but, trust me... it gets better. Besides, I've become a stubborn sort of woman now due to outside elements. Don't think I'll simply let you fall by the wayside."