They'll Seat Thy Daughter as a Queen [Roman, Elyss]

It was weird, watching the little Abalia and the older Abalia together. The difference between the two was like night and day. However, just like night and day, they’ll come to balance each other out, yes? That is all she can hope for. One full of life, and the other devoid of it. She doesn’t want what Roman protected to disappear. She only wants it to blossom, and it can only blossom if made whole. Hopefully, she made the right choice. She doesn’t want to regret any of this, nor does she want Roman to be disappointed. Though, speaking of the man, it seems he’s found interest in her. Considering how their showdown went, Elyss expected such.

“It is a job. It’s also a hobby, a passion of mine, and something close to my heart.”

She let her attention slowly drift to him as he let everyone else go about their business around them. She couldn’t help but feel a bit disconnected by her thoughts despite the role she played in all of this. If it wasn’t for her, they’d have never found out Roman’s name, they may not have even gotten to speak to Katya, and Roman, her and Makoto? Someone would have died if not for the redhead. It’s a bit hard for her to wrap her head around.

“Abalia… My Abalia, she’s weird, quirky, but she seems to mean good. She reminds me of someone else, someone close to me. Doing this meant helping her feel whole, like a normal person. I didn’t even stop to think before I jumped at the chance, but I guess I’ve always been like this… Always ready to help anyone, whether it be a lost child or an elderly man crossing the street. It’s just… complicated situations like this… I can only hope I made the right decision in the end… Sorry, ya know, for being a little sneak back there. No hard feelings, right?”

“Yeah…”

What else could her response have been? There’s not much she could say or do about anything right now. This situation is just weird, similar to her own which is just as hard to accurately explain. What causes a soul to suddenly act on its own like this? If there’s a system, why is it possible for things to end up like this? It’s hard to imagine Abalia actually having emotions, but this is for the best. She hopes the Abalia that comes out of this is also a gentle soul, a woman that knows how to smile. Though, that’s being a bit too hopeful. There’s no way having her soul repaired is going to simply replace everything that she is without it. It’ll only add to it. The fact that the complete Abalia could possibly be worse or no different at all from the lifeless monster that Roman called her when they first met is still there.

“...Guess you’re sticking around, huh? There’s probably a lot you and Abalia have to catch up on, and who’s going to make sure that this was the right choice besides you? If it’s hard to see her not smiling, then you just have to make sure she starts smiling again. Besides, it was more than just a job, right?”

At that, she sighed and tilted her head to the side a bit. Look at her, trying to get him to stay. Why? She doesn’t know. This all feels like a finale or sorts. No one died, but it feels like someone should have. He seems the type to just disappear at the end of the story, yeah? She’d rather he not. He’d rather he not respond to her by saying something stupid like it’s up to her now or whatever. That’s just weak talk.

“She still needs her bodyguard, after all.”

“You’re allowed to feel a little greedy, ya know? Why are you ready to say goodbye so easily? You haven’t even gotten to know her yet. I, for sure, wouldn’t just fade away without at least having one talk with the woman I’ve spent my whole life protecting. I’d stay to see her smile, to watch her laugh, to be there for when she cried. Abalia’s about to experience a world she’s never had after dying, and you’re just okay with not being a part of it?”

She couldn’t help but let her voice grow a little desperate, as if she were him, right now, waiting to die. She doesn’t like the way he’s talking. She doesn’t like his finality. It’s stupid. He’s stupid. She’s stupid. Here she is trying to convince him to stay as if that’s enough. She doesn’t know what’s going on, but if he’s connected to Abalia’s separated soul, she can only guess that he’ll disappear when it does. However, even if he’s accepted that fact, she’s going to deny it. If he won’t fight for his life, then she will. Now, she’s the one being greedy, but how is she supposed to just accept that a guy she actually thinks is pretty cool is going to die any moment now?

“She’s not going to be happy and safe forever, you know. There are so many things in this world, so much evil. She’s going to need someone by her side who’s looking out for her at all times. I’m sure there are ways to keep you from dying if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll storm in there right now and demand we find a way if that’s the case. I don’t know how, but I hate sad endings. I’ve already been a part of too many sad endings.”

Now she’s getting a little mad, her teeth grinding everytime she pauses. She couldn’t help but let her normally stoic gaze falter, her black orbs softening and growing wet. God dammit. Where Abalia fails to show any emotion, she exceeds at showing too much. It’s so easy for her to get worked up over anything, but dammit. As if she’s going to sit by and let a good man just die. To Hell with everything he’s done. It was all to protect an innocent little girl. Trudging through Hell for the ones you love? It’s like looking in a mirror.

“I’ll admit, you’ve missed a lot, but we’re all ghosts here, you, and I, and her. We have a lot of time left to do whatever we want. I’m sure there’s a way. We just have to ask. Maybe they can somehow transfigure your soul, put it in a Gigai or something. Science is pretty crazy these days.”

How could she not smile? It’s rare for Elyss to ever spread her lips in such ways, but she couldn’t help but look 10 years younger with such a glorious display of her teeth. Why, anyone who knows her would think this expression completely alien and way too adorable for someone with her reputation. Yet, there’s little she can do when she feels her insides bubbling. Whether angry or happy, she simply sucks at hiding it.

“Hah. We could even do a bit of sparring too. Could teach me how to fire a gun.”

“Well, I reckon Abalia’s not gonna want you wasting away in a corner watching her sign papers and stuff all day long. Besides, I heard she’s been learning a bit of hand to hand anyway. We all can have a day of training and sparring and whatever. Then, we can go to some bar or whatever and waste the night away.”

This is nice. It’s better than talking about responsibilities. Talking about future plans and stuff is how it should be. People should never have to say goodbye, but instead, they should say see you tomorrow. Yeah. Something like that. Elyss knows a little about not being able to say anything, to lose everything without even knowing. Ah, but this isn’t the time for getting caught up in past complications. Nope. She has too much to worry about now to worry about the then.

“Anyway, shouldn’t ya like, go and be there for when Abalia wakes up or something. I have to go… catch something.”

Her eyes turned away, watching the crowd move. She’s looking at something, but it’s not exactly clear what.