Autumn Chatters [Aina/Verdada]

Location: Turin, Italty

A deep, deep coldness washed over both of them for a moment. The further Vedada got into her explanation, the colder this sensation felt before Aina could feel something in her body beginning to leave and grow fainter. When that sensation churned in the woman's soul, the right eye of Aina started to streak to the ground with tears. Verdada could see it; the person she was speaking to, the one that was her companion, wasn't in any emotional distress. It is why Aina started to blink as she didn't feel sad but could feel grief pouring out of her.

"And she is leaving...."

Although it was a mutter, Verdada would be able to pick on that. Algos's memories were becoming harder to read in the mind of Aina. They felt universes apart at this point when the notion of her being nothing but some research project or pet to Ajora hit hard. As more of this profound sadness hit the chest of Aina, she just took time to sit there in disbelief as she could still understand that she wanted someone to care for her in those last moments. It was hard to say, but the demoness thought the other was some friend or someone with good intentions to help her. Yet, to be used for that and throw her away her power for that? It hurt, and she just wanted to let go and hand this life over to Aina.

"...more of her is gone. She is letting go. That hurt her."

After wiping away the tears from her eye, Aina grabbed her chest and started to breathe slowly before speaking again.

"Ajora sounds like a terrible person."

Shaking her head in disbelief, the plus-like soul of Aina couldn't believe everything she had heard. Any desire she had to see Ajora vanished. Instead, in its place, annoyance was left. Not from Algos but Aina's disgust with how Ajora treated Verdada, the people around her, and the world itself. If she ever saw Ajora again, she would give that woman a most-deserved slap across the face.

"Now I'm certain I don't want to be Ajora, Santa, Algos, or anyone else. I want to be sweeter than all of them. I want both of us to be better than all of them in our own way."

Resting her head on the lap of Verdada, Aina needed a moment to sort out her feelings, Algos's, and all the information they had been given. But, she'd look back up to her and caress the cheek of Verdada before speaking again.

"I want both of us to be our own people because I care about us. I want to see you as...you. And I hope you can see the person I am becoming in turn."

Location: Turin, Italty

"Sorry, I didn't mean to put Santa in the same category as them. I think I may still want to see her at some point, but I don't think now is a good time."

Leaving well alone, Aina nodded her head to avoid getting into something which was probably a touchy subject there. Instead, her body lightly vibrated with whatever fleeting energy she had, almost akin to a cat purring, as the woman blushed a bit at the big girl comment. Then, while rubbing against Verdara's head, she protested.

"Aren't we both around the same age? You aren't THAT much older than me."

Puffing her cheeks a bit, Aina stuck her tongue out at Verdada playfully before flicking her nose gently and snorting.

"But yes, I'd love to see you a little less awful and a bit happier. It makes me happy when you are happy."

Following those spoken words, Aina decided to sit up and then relax her head on the shoulder of Verdada before getting lost in thought for a moment. What type of person WAS she becoming? It was a good sentiment to mull over before she responded to Verdada's comments about wanting to see her grow.

'Yeah, I'm curious to see what kind of person I'll become as well. I don't think it can be as bad as Algos. I don't want to be."

Nope. That wasn't a possible future for her. She refused to accept it.

"Oh, and I'll beat you first if you think I'd ever join them~!"

Laughing at Verdada, she clarified:

"Volunteer work in a disaster is different than wanting to join them, silly."

Letting out a content sigh at the turn of events, Aina was at peace. Though, a curious comment still came to her. What was the road forward for her?

Aina looked at the palm of her hand as a small sphere of pink light started to emerge. It made for a beautiful display to the woman. When she let it arise in the air, mists of sparkling white and cherry energies faded around them, creating an exciting show before she continued.

"Algos destroyed so much. So I feel it's only right that I'm the opposite: I think...I want to heal and nurture."

With a gentle nod to herself, she affirmed her own will and carried on:

"I can't see myself staying powerless forever, but I have no desire for bloodshed or war in this life. So I think I want to be someone the people I care for can rely on. There is little point in me joining any of these groups on earth when I can make my own support group."

Location: Turin, Italty

"Thank you! Healing sounds for me, and it's nice to have a path forward."

A happy smile was given as Aina moved her head away from Verdada to provide her some breathing room. It was nice that her choice was approved as she looked away for a moment. Apart from the woman liked that sense of acceptance or approval from others. Perhaps it was something to work on, but for now, she just let it be.

As her eyes moved back to Verdada, she noticed the woman put the cigarette on her neck. This caused Aina to blink as she figured it might hurt. But then again, it wasn't like she was human.

Bah.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Verdada gave her a pat on the back and asked how she would achieve her goal. For a few moments, she contemplated that question, but in her heart, she already had the answer. Well, that was until she poked fun at her bosom. With the woman's face turning red for a moment, Aina tightened her jacket and held her knees up to her chest so those flotation devices were concealed. And, in a playful yet flushed voice, she spoke:

"Well don't you have an observing eye~!"

Pouting a bit, the woman stuck her tongue out at Verdada before she eventually let go and moved her knees away before leaning back into her prior position.

"But yes, I have a plan. I was considering becoming a shinigami as my soul is already similar to a plus in this state. And with all the resources online, I could definitely research different types of bodies and perhaps travel the world learning how to refine my healing abilities."

Tapping her chin, she'd then follow up:

"So a bit of schooling, self-learning, and turning into a shinigami may help with that. And I have friends who could perhaps connect me to other people as I can't see myself being accepted into the academy."

After scratching her head sheepishly with her free hand, she continued speaking:

"That would be just as dumb as joining as the Vandereich, hehehe. I don't want to be another stupid but pretty woman. There are enough of those in the world already."

Location: Turin, Italy

A brief look of fear in Aina's eyes as she witnessed Verdada beginning to raise her hand as if she had done something wrong. That look, those eyes; they weren't the visage of someone happy. So, in response, Aina clenched and held her arms up to protect herself. The woman was waiting for the sting of pain to arrive but never did. Or rather, at least not physically.

It was an awful idea to want to become a shinigami and figure out how to attain some healing power. So, Aina killed that dream then and there. Still, there was a look of fear, uncertainty, and a bit of sadness, as she didn't expect such a violent reaction to it. And the bit at the end with her wanting to murder someone was a bit over the top for Aina's taste.

"A-alright....I won't do that...."

Sounding quieter and somewhat afraid, Aina scooted away from Verdada to get some distance as she was scared of her at the moment and the menacing aura around the woman.

"Nobody did...I didn't want to be useless to my friends..."

Looking away for a moment, Aina tried to resolve herself as she was still shaken up but managed to get more of her thoughts out.

"...I didn't know...I just thought that's how pluses grew stronger, but my soul isn't normal, so maybe I don't need it...."

Wiping away the mist from her eyes, she continued.

"And it's just been hard...I wanted to support my friends, Cala and Kenichi, during some incidents with hollows, but I couldn't do anything for them...."

Remaining silent for a few moments, she looked at Verdada and then back to the ground as her thoughts were jumbled up.

"Sorry, you don't have to be so vicious...."

Location: Turin, Italy

With a slow nod, Aina began to understand the realities of becoming a shinigami. That wasn't what she wanted for the time being, and it was better to stick with whatever her soul was now. Even Aina had to admit that she still had some energy manipulation, as evidenced by the fact that she could help Cala somewhat fend off the hollow that attacked them. So, perhaps there was no rush to such brash and foolish actions.

"I...understand. I'll stick with my energy manipulation."

Since Verdada became more relaxed, Aina's voice seemed less shaken up as a response. While she didn't care what others who weren't related or close to her spoke of, the criticisms and yelling from people she loved definitely hurt a bit. Still, in Verdada's case, Aina understood it was out of fear rather than genuinely wanting to harm her.

Despite Aina being sensitive, she still had a sharp brain and decent empathy to try and put herself in the shoes of others. Imagining the life that Aina had lived prior, combined with the trauma and abuse of Ajora's methods and Mana still lurking around along with her enemies, there was a lot of stress and uncertainty in the hollow's mind. And even in the best of people, consistent stress can bring up the ugliest parts of a person.

Therefore, when Verdada went in to hug, she embraced her back with a tight hold as she sniffled and wiped away her own tears at the moment.

"You scared me, but I understand. You don't want me to do anything that will put me in harms way. I...still have a lot to learn, so you are just looking out for me. I forgive you."

Resting her head on the shoulder of Verdada for a moment, the woman's heartbeat gradually started to slow from its frantic state earlier as she tried to soothe her nerves with that physical touch.

"And maybe you are right. I think I may have been too eager to rush into things without thinking them through. I have all the power I need now, so I'll lean on you, my friends, and what I have currently to make something happen..."

Smiling at this point, Aina gently poked the right cheek of Verdada before letting go and speaking.

"So I'll be taking you up on your offer. You sound like you have a good plan to achieve, and I'll follow through with it."

Nodding again, she looked to the side for a moment and pondered if she even felt like crying. Sure, Aina wanted to cry beforehand; but the situation seemed to ease down, and she just shook her head to disagree with that statement.

"No. I don't need to cry anymore. But if you want to make me feel better, we can stay like this and maybe pat my head or something. I don't know, I feel safe being close to people, but I don't want to smother you totally."

Looking at her feet again, Aina pouted.

"As like you said: as nice as a death as it may be, I don't want to kill you with my, uh, "gifts"."

Referencing her chest in those words, Aina chuckled softly before just letting herself be for a moment.