Crimson Debate (Asami/Elyss)

“Comparing man to beast? Monsters are just another part of this endless cycle. Hollows, creatures born by the sin of man or whatever. Are you going to tell me that their endless hunger and our own do not go hand in hand? If I may, power is not the only sin man may commit. The thirst for knowledge, for example, could also lead to the birth of an ugly creature.”

She paused, her shoulders shrugging. Some people exist solely trying to perfect that one trait they possess. Half the time, they become obsessed with it, slowly, but surely, becoming more and more drastic in how they approach the situation. It made Elyss think about something, about Ulv. The woman who sated her thirst for another’s touch… How many people considered her a monster? That woman was powerful, but she interacted with the world in interesting ways.

“When is it enough? Is it ever enough? Should we stop trying to grow stronger, learn more, acquire more wealth? If the end result is just… this-” She made a little show of pointing out all the stacked papers, and then moved her arms and hands to point at herself awkwardly.

“...I don’t know… I don’t like myself because of this power I have, but I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Why? Because it gives me the chance to be better, do better. You’re saying that strength isn’t the only quality one can have, but what’s the point of any of this when everything is so easily corruptible?”

“We can talk about whether power is worth it just because or if it’s worth chasing for some noble reason. In the end, it’s always down to that individual’s resolve whether they succeed or not. We haven’t even included outside factors, but I digress. Power is needed to protect my family, but being strong is pretty fun too.”

The back and forth is alright, but Elyss found herself feeling a bit called out. She didn’t mind it too much, but she also doesn’t want to have to think too hard about her own shortcomings. A lot of her issues aren’t even directly related to her, but they are hers to deal with. She was dealt this hand by whoever, so she has to make the best of it. She’s trying to do better, but life’s a bit of a bitch.

“It’s a little fun, ya know… Growing alongside your peers, testing each other’s mettle, laughing and going out to drink after a good workout. Then, you end up blacking out, and, all of a sudden, you’ve done something horrible… But, again, I digress. I don’t know what the fuck to do.”

“Heh. I made the mistake of existing, apparently. I was chosen to be part of something dangerous. It made things hard for me. Now, I’m struggling with a Zanpakuto that wants to take over my body and kill all my friends. I… didn’t mean to kill him, Asami, but when I woke up during our fight, his head was rolling on the ground. It sucks, knowing that something is trying to turn you into a monster, and you just don’t know how to beat it.”

She spilled out a lot there, and Asami can digest it at her own pace. Elyss hasn’t ever told anyone not directly involved about her Zanpakuto issue. It’s not something she can entirely call foriegn to her issues. Her Zanpakuto formed based on her soul, even if it’s more critical than how the redhead wished to be. Elyss cannot deny that Tenmarin is simply carrying out its duties while hating its master for fighting against, what is apparently, her true nature. It’s scary, among other things, but it seems that was all Elyss had to say as she fell quiet until the air grew thick.

“At this point, it’s about defeating my demons. I can run. I can hide. I don’t think that’s going to help. The damage’s been done, and I won’t feel better about any of this until I’m the last one standing. If I lose, then, at least everyone won’t have to feel bad about killing me. They’d just be killing a monster, after all.”

Eerily calm, even while bringing up the possibility of dying, Elyss focused her gaze on Asami. She stared at the woman. Why? Next to Asami stood Tenmarin, the Zanpakuto also staring down at the other woman as she sat at her desk. Slowly, Tenmarin reached forward, slipping her fingers around Asami’s neck, and, in the next second, Elyss heard the sickening crunch of a person’s neck snapping. It forced her eyes closed, and, when they opened again, Asami sat there as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t think these nightmares will end until I face my problems head on.”

It’s a horrible existence, but Elyss had become used to watching Tenmarin toy around with her mental state. It was easy for the Zanpakuto to get into her head and drive her insane. Now, it’s not that simple. With a desire to eradicate the sword, everything that happens is just fuel to the fire burning inside of her. Tenmarin knows this, and maybe it’s that side of Elyss that enjoys a good fight pushing the Zanpakuto to edge the redhead further towards the edge, but the assault on Elyss’ pysche just won’t end.

“...Yeah.”

She thinks that’s enough. There’s nothing more to talk about. Elyss could just say she’ll do her best and that’ll be that. The conversation is done, so they could either move on or just go their separate ways. Elyss isn’t sure, so she’s going to let Asami continue this or end it.