Resolve The Past, Brighten the Future

“The Hell you doing here?”

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hannah would be met by someone when she appeared in Soul Society and neared the Seireitei. The only surprise would be that it was Elyss who met her before she reached the Northern Gate. It just so happened the woman was just about to head out into the Rukongai before feeling something strangely familiar invade her senses. Unfortunately, Elyss isn’t alone, but the redhead made sure that the others that had come stayed back. Knowing a bit about Hannah’s distrust for Shinigami, it would have probably been a bit much to have a small squad surround her. Besides, when Elyss noticed it was Hannah as they approached, it proved a good chance to catch up with the blind blonde.

“Hopefully not to shoot a bunch of lasers, right?”

A little joke to help break the ice a bit, Elyss hoped it wasn’t anything too serious. She hasn’t seen Hannah in a while, and it would be a bit troublesome if the woman had turned a bit mischievous since then.

Eh? What? The absurdity was all it took to catch the redhead off guard. Elyss doesn’t usually blush, but the words that left Hannah’s mouth with such a taunting tone left her baffled. She did not expect Hannah of all people to suddenly flirt with her. Was that a flirt? She’s not sure, and that’s why she’s a bit peeved about it. However, something like that isn’t going to distract her from what’s important here. And that’s- wait. What girlfriend?

“Hannah what are you on about? You do know you just appeared out of nowhere leaking all over the place. It took a bit of convincing to keep the others from rushing over here, thinking that it’s some threat.”

Well, it is a threat, in a way. Hannah could probably cause a lot of damage by herself before someone cut her down. Kido is dangerous, and someone who’s an expert of it could do something extremely bizarre like drop a meteor or two.

“Wha- Hannah. I’m not in a relationship.”

Elyss wouldn’t count one date as a relationship, considering how flaccid her whole life has been. Humans, for one thing, often try another out before officially settling these matters, and Elyss finds no reason why she should be forced to call someone something. If anything, she has a lot of things to do before giving anyone a title. All this supportive talk from this blind woman is just confusing her. It’s like Hannah’s seeing way more than she’s supposedly allowed to see, but the redhead isn’t one for burdening others needlessly, especially since she has a plan already for her issues. Hannah doesn’t seem the Zanpakuto expert type anyway.

“You’re here to see Aba- Er… The Captain Commander? What for? Thought you hated this place.”

It’s probably best to focus on the important details Hannah had laid out. It’s probably best to refer to Abalia by her title and not by what she calls the woman outside of official matters.

Okay. This isn’t working. Hannah obviously isn’t paying any mind to Elyss’ insistence that there’s nothing going on. Did Hime say something to this woman? Hannah and Hime know each other?! No. Maybe. Elyss doesn’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise her. People get around. However, an auxiliary girlfriend? What does that even mean? This blind woman might have another physical issue in her head.

“Eh… Home is where the heart lies, so I guess if you wish to reconnect with Soul Society, so be it.”

Exasperated, Elyss still wondered if Hannah should just waltz into the Seireitei like this. Though, another Shinigami approached, pulling Elyss by the shoulder to whisper into the redhead’s ear. Oh… Well, that makes this easier.

“Just got word about you sending a Hell Butterfly ahead or something. Guess you’re clear then.”

Huh? What does a Hollow have to do with anything? Ignoring what could have been taken as an insult, Elyss couldn’t help but stare a bit. Honestly, she had forgotten all about that. And, despite her exterior being seemingly fine, inside, she’s a complete mess. Memories of that day under Ulv’s manor came back, but Elyss wasn’t going to let herself get caught up in that stuff. Not right now anyway. She has more important matters that require her attention, so, first, she started by removing her hand from Hannah’s chest and poking the woman on the forehead in an annoyed manner.

“Alright. Let’s not go diving into someone else like they’re a public pool or something. It’s not something you should be worrying your pretty little head over. You’ve got other things you need to focus on, as do the rest of us.”

She doesn’t want to go into it, not now, not in front of others. Let’s get Hannah where she needs to be, yeah?