From Legacy to Legacy (Elyss/Shadin)

The spring season brought with it a pleasant feeling for most. Observing the blossoming pink flowers, families out enjoying their time together, the warm air flowing against a person's skin; all of it was quite blissful to indulge the senses in. And given the past of this world, taking such peace for granted was a luxury. Indeed, while the world at large was in quite an uncertain position following the collapse of various organizations such as Shadow Fall and K-World through World War 4, there still was a lingering sense of uneasiness and stagnation in the world felt. And that always left a vacuum of conflicting waiting to be filled.

Hence, Shadin was busy dealing with meetings dealing with future measures to ensure Japan as a whole would be safe even during times of relative lax conflict. Even if he felt like a relic of the past at this point, just him being here in this country was a deterrent to a degree. There weren't many that could feasibly give him much of a run for his money, so it was ill-advised for many to start a battle they couldn't win in Japan. Regardless of that, something else captured his mind. As his squad drove him through the streets of Karakura City, it became apparent that the likes of Elyss Kishimoto seemed interested in meeting him by glancing at the records of the Yuudeshi Network and seeing all the authorization attempts to meet him.

In response to seeing Elyss trying to reach out to him, the Yuudeshi gave a raise of the eyebrow and pondered what she could ever want from him at this point. Luckily for her, he had a moment to breathe and think throughout the day, so he figured he'd oblige and get to the bottom of it as the rest of his day after this was up to him to decide what to do with. Ergo, he locked on to her location, booked the quickest route, and arrived rather quickly as a black hover-craft with tinted windows slowly descended from the sky above Elyss and brought with it the likes of The Yuudeshi.

With his crimson eyes locked on her equal scarlet stare, the Yuudeshi gave a gentle wave as he leaped forth from his hovercraft without much care in the world. If nothing else, there wasn't any malice seen in his expression; as even if they met with violence the last time, he figured with the information he had on Elyss that a lot must've changed. At the very least, even if she hadn't changed, it wouldn't be wise to recklessly start conflict given her position.

Still, who knows? In this world, people had supernatural levels of assholery.

"Oi, now what do I owe the pleasure of this encounter, Captain? I can't imagine you'd seek me if it wasn't something serious."

"You seem to be having fun over there."

That was a dry comment noted by Shadin as the Yuudeshi folded his arms in response to some of her humor. He didn't particularly take much offense to it. Perhaps he had one too many meetings and was tired, but his stare never averted her own. While he was inclined to believe she was almost wasting time at first, the name of Minatumi did bring about a few memories from the files he overlooked of that city.

There were a lot of foul things that transpired when reports of The Demon Princess, Ulv, and that Calypso demon were documented as being there; yet that entire area seems to have gone silent since. And with the death of Ulv, it did leave that particular region in a state of limbo; though he left it under the protection of Japan regardless of her passing.

Still -- he'd press forward to figure out what she was driving at even if he already knew she had an interest in that city.

"I doubt you'd contact me to sight-see and tour a city you've already seen. If I had to guess why you are here, this has something to do with Minatumi and Ulv's death, right?"

There would be a raise of his eyebrow as a dull chuckle escaped his lips.

"Or are you really just that happy to see me again?"

Hm.

That question certainly got her attention.

There was a palpable tone of change in the way he noticed her smile gradually fade in response to that question. Was she surprised at the intel he gathered? Or perhaps was it a touchy subject? Surely it would be natural that such an incident that had disturbed the nation of Japan would be investigated. Though he had the feeling he didn't quite know everything, the amount of what he knew he didn't feel was necessary to divulge, yet even to an average person, it would seem quite odd to randomly bring it up in conversation when seeking presence with what is effectively this country's president. One doesn't just blabber on about that when such a place is lacking its own local leader of sorts. That's just naive to believe.

"It's part of Japan, so there is nothing else to do but protect it. I won't leave it to fend for itself. It's that simple."

Straight to the point like the blade of a knife, Shadin cut through the quiet in the air after her question with his direct response. There wasn't a need to get into heavy details, but he was certain she was interested in that area for one reason or another and he wasn't keen on sharing too much information until he understood why.

"And why are you even interested in that area to begin with? Are you intending to take it over or something to that effect? I can't come to any other conclusion for seeking my presence than that."

Shadin just observed Elyss for the time being. He didn't seem to have one strong emotion or the other as Elyss began to speak her truth. Rather than talking, he chose to listen as he analyzed the situation in his head before jumping to any conclusions. Of course, the likes of Ulv was a dangerous wildcard at times, but as was Shadin and his own group he hang with. Given that empathic connection in his cold shell, he could at least figure the woman wasn't entirely evil; even if the path to hell was filled with good intent. It was much akin to the blood on his own hands in the pursuit of a better world.

So, to that end, he could overlook that slight since there is no sense in wasting energy chasing down the wrongdoings of a dead woman who tried to do something decent; even if Shadin himself would have disciplined her if she were still alive. That was a complete waste of time and focus. Instead, he was more focused on the here and now and what would become of the future of said place and its legacy going forward.

Hence, he closed his eyes for a moment, let out a soft exhale of breath, and voiced his thoughts aloud.

"The world isn't black and white. Those who seek the worst for those around them can hide behind the mask of goodwill, while those who seek to do the right thing in the world can find themselves in the darkest of circumstances with blood on their hands. Therefore, I'd be a hypocrite to deny her own legacy and have no interest in tarnishing someone's history for fuck-ups they have no control over. That's not a reality I have an interest in."

Eyes now fully open, his stare never left Elyss's as he continued to assess the circumstance and move forward with what he wanted to say in regards to this particular situation.

"I've fought the world myself to protect that which I thought was worth shielding. It is why I sought power even if it blinded me in the past. I can see that in you, so if nothing else I can say we have a similar desire to protect that place; if for a different circumstance of reasons."

After taking a pause, he had only one thing to say:

"If we both have a desire to not see that place fall, I'd assume we'd have a mutual allyship to forge through that bond, correct?"

Shadin took a moment to consider the words which Elyss spoke of when it came to maintaining the allyship outside of that city. It wasn't something he was opposed to, yet the complexities of that were more hinged behind the likes of the Gotei than either of them. He could move the seas to influence Japan and perhaps even Lux Orior itself, though he had his doubts the Gotei would be so keen on a public allyship.

Of course, given how the world situation changes so quickly, the lines of what is right and wrong can alter on a dime. And if two people or groups comprehend that fact, the adaptivity of such an alliance was still feasibly as both would do what they feel is the correct thing to do in spite of the fallout which may occur. So, he'd give a nod of his head as if to affirm what she spoke of.

"There are enough enemies as it is in the world, so it's up to both of us to prove to one another that we can be allies. If we both seek the protection of Earth, then I fail to see why that couldn't extend outside of the harbor. After all, we both will do what is right regardless of the consequences."

And that was true. Having time to recover from the strains of war, there was nothing left to do but ponder and think. It was uncertain how many beings in this planet may harbor feelings about how the past is, what they want the future to become and what their current reality is. So to him, seeking ways to mend connections to follow an allied path was better for the time being until the roars of war echoed across the planet once more. That is what a proper leader would do, eh?

"Oi, if you have my back, then I'll make sure yours is covered as well. We've both seen how deep the roots of cruelty go in this world, so that makes it clear we are perhaps fighting for the same thing in the end, right?"