Welcome home(Stella/Carla(Her mother)

"My wonderful little girl finally makes her triumphant return home. Long time no see, Stella."

A refined voice accompanied the opening door as the crimson-haired woman greeted one of her pride and joys. Even with her pleasant expression, words couldn't describe how happy she felt to see her again. Though she had allowed the woman her space to find her own way in life, absence made the heart grow fonder and she genuinely found herself curious about her experiences. Her appearance, too, opened the woman's mind up to a series of questions, but Carla felt it better to allow her daughter to explain things at her pacce. As such, she warmly pulled Stella into her embrace, content to see her again.

"I missed you."

My, it sounds like you've been getting up to a lot in the new city. I'd love to hear all about them. Are you hungry? I can prepare whatever you like while we talk, dear."

Carla tightened the embrace as she lovingly patted Stella's back. Even she found herself holding back a tear at seeing her daughter after all the months that had passed. Though she had given her her blessing to pursue the world, any extended time away from one's child was never easy to endure. She wondered about what her daughter had learned, what she experienced, and if all those lessons she taught her would guide her on her journey. To see that bright smile and hear that she made friends was nothing short of fulfilling, and she reached out to softly ruffle her hair as she smiled warmly.

"Is that so? What are these new friends like? Do they make you feel happy? Have any of them proven to be companions and comrades you can rely on in a time of need?"

That was to say, in her own unique way, she was asking whether or not they were the genuine article.

"Oh? An American version of me, hm? I don't mean to sound vain, but she sounds like she'd be an absolute joy to be around. And a rich man who offered to buy you and me a home? My, that sounds a little eccentric of him, but it's good to know you have such a generous to rely on like that. Even though I know my daughter doesn't like feeling indebted to anyone."

Maintaining her warm smile, she reached over to ruffle her daughter's hair. She was almost like a mirror image of her in that aspect. After all, she raised her daughter to work hard and earn what you wanted in life. Shortcuts only led to guilt, and it was good to know that Stella was still sticking to those principles. Entering her kitchen, she began looking through the ingredients, biding her time until Stella provided her with an answer. She had plenty of groceries to prepare whatever she wanted, but her eyebrow rose at the next pieces of information that exited Stella's lip.

Among all those Quincy, she had met Arrancar as well. Naturally, Carla was skeptical about the idea of a nice arrancar. Traditionally speaking, she was raised to treat them as they were - unpredictable and temperamental creatures. Of course, she had never raised Stella on those principles and certainly possessed no intention of chastising her for her decision. Even so, she was worried to some degree and made such a fact known through her words, frowning softly as she tilted her head.

"Stella... I know I said you were free to make your own decisions but arrancar? Sheesh... don't worry. You're not in any trouble, but do be careful. It's good to hear they're nice and all, but I don't want them taking advantage of you or causing you harm if you let your guard down. At any rate, Homemade Bread it is. Join me in the kitchen and help me with the ingredients. "

"Hollows and arrancar aren't creatures so easily understood, Stella. Just because they didn't attack or strike you before, that doesn't mean they don't plan on doing so in the future."

Carla collected the ingredients necessary for making her ideal bread recipe, preparing it quietly as she voiced her solemn thoughts on the matter. Though Stella may have been her own woman to a degree, she was still her mother and motherhood always came accompanied by its own share of worries. She sincerely understood that her traditional - some might say outdated - views ran counter to the sensibilities of modern Quincy, but they were justified in her eyes. They could be befriending her simply to betray her once they had lost all use for her, or something far worse than that. Sighing softly, she supposed perhaps she was worrying too much about the matter, and decided to ignore it until she finished making the bread. Kneading the dough, she turned back to Stella with a warm grin.

"Those rascals still enjoy following their father around. As far as I'm aware, they've never voiced any significant interest in wanting to learn any techniques from their mother. On the contrary, all they want is warm meals, a hug, and someone to choose their side. So far, you've proved to be the only one who took any significant interest in my work. Which reminds me... how has your training gone since you've been in the City? Have you learned anything interesting along the way?"

"Good. I don't mean to sound so dismissive of them, but I care about you, Stella. I've told you time again that you and those munchkins of mine are the best things to ever happen to me. I can't control your every action, and I have no intention of tearing you away from the life you enjoy. All I ask is that you are careful and observe their actions at all times. After all, it goes without saying, but I'd raise hell if anyone laid a hand on my precious star pupil."

Finishing that declaration with a grin, Carla, having properly kneaded and shaped the dough, buttering it and adding her respective ingredients, places the uncooked loaf into the oven. She wasn't easily fooled by Stella's words, well aware that her daughter had a heart of gold, often seeing the best in everyone. That was a beautiful trait, to be sure, but she viewed it as something akin to a blessing and a curse. Perhaps a visit was due, but she wouldn't throw that on her immediately.

As it stood, she simply had to trust her daughter's judgment on this one. While the bread was baked in the oven, Carla would set two cups down at a table, pouring a cup of iced tea for both of them as she offered her daughter a seat, intrigued by her words. From the sounds of it, she was making good progress. The progress in blut was music to her ears. Effortlessly working between offense and defense was an ideal skill for a Quincy, and any stride made there would only aid her further in the future.

"Stronger and faster, eh? I might have to test that out for myself in the future. From what I'm hearing, you're making good progress. I'm proud. Shifting between Vene and Artie was pretty essential to my repertoire, but with enough practice, you can take it even further than that - that is to say, you could potentially reach a level where Blut is extending beyond your body. Needless to say, it takes a lot of practice, though."