A Will of Vermillion, A Will of Azure(Hime/Elyss)

A graceful woman could be perceived sitting at a small clearing, gazing up at the bright sky with beautiful orbs of blue. Walking through the clearing, the studious woman's appearance became more apparent and with single glance, one would be hard-pressed not to confirm who she was. Hime Tatsumiya.

Though once a criminal who thought herself to be deserving of death, she had unwittingly found her life taking on a different path, an unexpected trajectory that still rendered her speechless every time she ruminated on how she was standing her amongst the public.

The path of redemption was hard fought but that was not a tale to be told today. It had been one expressed far too many times before. Hime rarely reflected on such matters now. To be certain, it wasn't as though she felt herself to be entirely redeemed, yet she had time and again proved her loyalty and so as long as that remained unquestioned---everything would correct itself with due time. If one were to, perhaps, take a cursory glance at the scenery, they would quickly be able to tell that Hime was approaching a ramen shop within the Rukongai.

It was a fine establishment and the woman was always fond of picking or learning recipes from others. Her graceful appearance made her appear somewhat out of place here but little was her worry as she spoke with the employees, a bright smile beaming in her countenance. She felt different now. For the first time, she felt... alive.

A tender hand marked with scars would find itself tapping on the graceful woman's head, causing her to temporarily divert her attention as blue eyes set themselves upon the culprit. It was none other than Elyss Kishimoto.

Indeed, she was the woman who hardly cared about things such as maintaining an image in public or the propriety of her personal space. Observing her outfit, she was overwhelmingly casual today and the graceful Shinigami found that to be endearing. No expectations were built in mind with crossing paths with her on this day, yet fate seems to bring them together time and time again. Turning her head completely, she would gaze at Elyss, noting her remarkable change in appearance.

There was something relatively pronounced in her aura she hadn't felt before but what really caught her eye about the presentation was the haori worn over her shoulder. A Haori representing one's captaincy. She recalled a time where the woman once held no aspiration towards aiming for captaincy, content with her lot in life, though often doubtful of her ability to keep herself tied together at the seams. A profound fusion of curiosity and pride filled her spirits viewing the woman as she was now - a captain. Maybe there was worry, too. How would Elyss lead? Hime wondered.

Which emotion was the more prevalent of the two? She wondered. Hime was uncertain. She was proud to see her stepping into that position of leadership. She wanted to see the woman succeed. After all, was it not the graceful princess who claimed she would support the crimson -haired woman no matter what she pursued?

"When the performance is riveting enough, one's desire can only be contained for so long before they find themselves yearning for a repeat. It has been some time, Elyss. Concerning ramen... I suppose it is something that can only be answered with knowledge of your appetite in mind. If you aim for something light, Shio and Shoyu ramen are welcomed choices If thick and more complex flavor is your aim, I do not believe one can go wrong with Miso and Tonkotsu. Of course, knowing you, none of that particularly matters no? So as long as the ramen is good..."

Hime would make a playful remark, as if to say she knew the type of woman she was dealing with. The crimson-haired woman was a simplistic spirit who would likely just order whatever satisfied her the most. That simplicity was something she was fond. She envied how she couldn't embrace it as much as this one did.

Short and to the point as always. Perhaps someone of a different disposition would've found her curt words to be rude, dismissive even. Hime was wholly accustomed the crimson-haired woman's personality and her frame of mind. They were polar opposites in a sense. She was a woman who wore grace on her sleeves while Elyss resided in the realm of simplicity.

One loved to paint images with her words, the other images with her actions. How they continued to coexist was a true mystery to the graceful Shinigami. Even so, her presence was always warm and welcoming whenever they shared company. Come to think of it, how was she with others? Had she improved on learning how to approach things without anger? The graceful woman could only surmise such thoughts in silence at the moment.

Paying no heed towards the propriety of personal space, Elyss would wrap her arm around Hime's and pull the woman towards her so that weren't too far apart, whispering in her ear about her preferences in ramen. Hime chuckled as she listened to her, a warm smile dancing in her visage. Beef was an excellent choice. With the right preparation on the meat and a savory broth, a simplistic bowl of ramen could excel just as well as the ones she mentioned before.

"That is to be expected. Beef is a solid choice. If you commonly enjoy beef, why not choose what you've grown accustomed to? Trying to develop new habits, Captain?" Hime would lean towards the woman so that they couldn't be heard yet, respectful of Elyss's privacy regarding her decision on ramen selection.

Hime was fond of the reaction her captain comment elicited. It allowed the elegant woman to glean a glimpse into how the woman felt about her current position. Of course, her acknowledgment, too, was to be expected. Elyss was a woman who never seemed to hold aspirations beyond those of her station, yet here she was, standing before her now as a captain.

Hime recalled a time in the far distant past where she held a crippling desire to go beyond her station and how it led to the ruination of all that she held dear. A past remnant of her spirit envied that Elyss was able to embrace things with such a casual disposition, yet that remnant no longer existed, and so she paid it no mind. The only emotion she felt towards this woman was admiration and she hoped for it to remain so for as long as they shared one another's company. She wondered if she even had a function within her mind to hate anyone.

Hime would smile warmly as Elyss held up two fingers, announcing her choice. Whatever the woman was aiming to order, she help herself to a bowl as well. Humorously enough, the graceful woman hadn't even formed a decision on her own selection, far more content to speak with the shop owner about recipes and preparations. As such, her decision was partly influenced by Elyss. Turning towards the owner, Hime would hold two fingers toward her, placing in an order.

"Two bowls of Beef Ramen,. please"

Hime would turn to step beside Elyss as her order was placed in, gazing at the woman with curious eyes.

"So, how have you taken to your new position so far, Elyss? You seemed content with the position you occupied before."

"That makes sense. Promotions to higher positions in the Gotei come with a wave of responsibilities. It pleases me to know that you're taking those responsibilities so well. A captain's duty is never easy. That said, you seem to be handling yourself well."

Considering she never reached the position of captain, perhaps Hime's comment could only be taken at face value, yet the woman was far more knowledgeable than she let on, her mind filled with layers of information regarding the Soul Society as a whole; such knowledge when it pertained Elyss, however, was meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The crimson-haired woman remarkably content at taking things at her own pace, regardless of the rules. Hime would never call her a troublemaker per-se but a fiery spirit who could burn you in it's flame if provoked-- seemed to be an appropriate observation. The elegant woman would gaze at her face, somewhat amused to gleam her expression.

A trip to the spa and a message? Come to think of it, Hime could hardly recall a time where the woman truly indulged herself and allowed her worries to be washed away. Part of her was humorously imagining Elyss with a towel wrapped around her body and her head, a face mask, and the other pleasantries that came with seeking a repose in the spa. Curiosity compelled the woman to wonder if her schedule was presently open and whether or not the crimson-haired woman would truly welcome the idea. A temporary reprieve to celebrate her captaincy. No harm there.

"Is that so? Well, If I were to treat you to it, would you accept? The day is young and I wouldn't mind the thought of spending it catching up on lost time. You ought to learn to treat yourself more, Elyss. This would be a golden opportunity to do so... provided nothing is currently occupying your day, of course."