Envidia's Crest [Veralia/Open]

THE FIRE OF ENVY NEVER DIES

THE FLAME THAT BURNS THE BRIGHTEST

When Sabriel mentioned how much Veralia had changed from their initial encounter, she faintly blushed and chuckled warmly as it seemed time changes everyone at some point.

"Yeah, I guess you can say that. It wasn't like I was a complete brainless brute or anything, but I wouldn't have expected this year to change me as much as it has."

Looking back up at Sabriel, Veralia's index traced against her cheeks as she tilted her head and smiled as she knew eventually her nature would slither up to the surface.

"I might just take you up on that offer. Like I said, it’s not like me and Stella haven’t already seen every inch of you as it is."

Her tone was playful, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she tilted her head, letting the moment linger between them.

There was a look of pride in Sabriel’s eyes as Veralia answered her, glad that her friend recognised her own growth. The petite woman was still obviously a force of nature when she wanted to be but perhaps her rougher edges and been smoothed a little? That was what the taller Arrancar believed anyway and she could not have been more pleased. There were many across the realms who preached that Hollows could never change but if Sabriel had learned anything over time, it was that such people were talking out of their rear ends.

It sounded as if the petite woman was suggesting something in response to her gentle flirting and Sabriel would lower herself on the sofa until she was flat out, with Veralia pretty much on top of her. The look in the Arrancar’s eyes would fill with lust and desire, almost offering herself to her close friend. “Well, I am always game if you are. The three of us do have quite the special relationship, no?”

THE FIRE OF ENVY NEVER DIES

THE FLAME THAT BURNS THE BRIGHTEST

"Always ready to move to lust, huh?"

Veralia chuckled softly to herself as she found herself atop of Sabriel. Closing her eyes, Veralia moved closer to Sabriel before embracing her in a gentle hug. With her head resting against her chest, her blood eyes looked back up at Sabriel and smirked.

"I figured you wouldn't have much energy for much else beside cuddling after that training session."

A soft snort escaped her as she nestled her head into the crook of Sabriel’s neck. Her lips brushed against the skin before she playfully nibbled, a smirk dancing on her lips as another thought crossed her mind.

"But knowing your powers, I wouldn’t be surprised if you got a healing boost from it."

“Nothing more effective at restoring my stamina than the thought of a little quality time with a close friend.” Sabriel replied, her head tilting as Veralia nibbled at her neck, loving the touch of the petite Arrancar against her. “Even if I was completely worn out, I would always find just enough energy to have some fun with you, my dear.” A chuckle escaped her at that point, in her true element at that point, where she felt most at home.

Once Veralia had finished nibbling, Sabriel would capture the petite woman’s lips with her own, hungrily kissing her friend, while her arms wrapped around the red eyed Arrancar. She appreciated the close relationship that she had developed with her so much and truly adored the three way bond that had formed between them and Stella. There was a magic to it that she loved and could not have been happier.

THE FIRE OF ENVY NEVER DIES

THE FLAME THAT BURNS THE BRIGHTEST

"Mmmmmm, some of us have better sins than others."

As Veralia spoke, she chuckled softly, and her voice carried a teasing warmth. Her instincts then decided to return Sabirel's kiss, pressing into her as the warmth of her power flowed straight to her lips from that action. Taking things slow, she continued to hold her arms at the waist of Sabriel and feel the heat radiating from her body. There is a sense of connection and closeness that words do no justice to surprise when one holds you near and close them, and she was in no rush to dissolve that feeling.

With her eyes glazed over in content, Veralia tilted her head to the side as a hint of intrigue washed across her stare.

"I wonder what even happened before you became a hollow to make that sin."

Her voice was gentle yet probing, intrigued by the layers of Sabriel’s past that she had yet to uncover.

Holding Veralia as tenderly as ever, Sabriel had to ponder for a moment or two about the question asked. It was not as if she knew what her life had been like before her death, as was the case for all their kind. All they could do was hazard a good guess. For the dark haired woman though, she had to admit that she had tried to discover the truth since she had become an Arrancar, relying on her instincts in order to find out who she had once been.

When she answered, the Arrancar of desire would smile as she did so. “I believe that my choice of clothing and the way I decorated my palace is a sign of at least where I resided as a human. There is an Egyptian style to me and that has always been the case since I first broke my mask. I love the fashion, the furniture, the vibe and I feel that perhaps I once belonged there. Who was I though? I will probably never know that, as it is for all of us but I like to think that I was an advisor to a pharaoh or king.”

THE FIRE OF ENVY NEVER DIES

THE FLAME THAT BURNS THE BRIGHTEST

Veralia moved her head to Sabriel's chest, enjoying hearing the thump of her heart, the beat of her body, and the closeness the two share as she cuddled and held the woman close. Looking back up at Sabriel after hearing her explain the potential original of her human life, Veralia had a flicker of intrigue reflect in her gaze as she nodded.

" Or maybe you were the Queen herself, eh? I'd believe it."

Her tone was drenched in a teasing aura with a layer of affection hid behind it. Not long after, Veralia shifted, pressing her lips to Sabriel's neck, savoring the warmth and softness of her skin. The kiss lingered, as if Veralia was drawing comfort from the contact, and she exhaled softly, her breath a gentle sigh against Sabriel’s skin.

As she pulled back slightly, Veralia’s expression grew more thoughtful. Her gaze wandered for a moment before returning to Sabriel’s eyes.

"Though it makes me wonder about my own life as a human. I can't remember much, but I know the woman I was died in a war and was very....bitter."

A hint of something deeper lingered in her words—regret, perhaps, or unresolved frustration. But as her fingers lightly traced patterns on Sabriel’s skin, Veralia seemed content to let the past fade, at least for now, enjoying the present closeness between them

“I have always preferred to be the one on the shoulder of those in power rather than pulling the string but I admit that the thought of being a Queen is rather pleasant.” She answered with a smile, enjoying every moment that Veralia spent kissing her neck. It was such bliss and as she closed her eyes and made the most of it, she again found her thoughts drifting to just how quickly things had changed over recent months. It was as if she had a friend in every town these days and hardly a day went by when she was not sharing the company of someone she knew.

As Veralia spoke of her own past, Sabriel would ponder for some time. It seemed to her as though their aspect did have something to do with their human lives and with envy as her, the taller Arrancar could not help but feel that Veralia’s former life must have been rather painful. “Knowing you, I bet your former self was a warrior who killed men by the hundred and let nothing stand in her way, something that you have definitely carried with you.”

Crading Veralia in her arms, holding her close, Sabriel would sigh and add after a moment or two, offering an opinion. “Perhaps there was someone in your life, someone close that harmed you in some way. I do not like thinking about it but perhaps it would explain how reluctant you once were when it came to getting close.”

THE FIRE OF ENVY NEVER DIES

THE FLAME THAT BURNS THE BRIGHTEST

"Given how shit the world was prior to my death? You might be on to something."

Veralia murmured with a low chuckle, her fingers gently rubbing Sabriel’s chin before planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"But men can be nice as well. Men, women; I've had my fill of both."

Warmly holding Sabriel's waist, Veralia used the closeness to bury her face in her chest again and mull over the hazy memories of her prior life. She kept thinking, thinking, and thinking, but nothing came out of it. All that happened was a mild headache, and it was as if she was watching static on a TV screen in her mind.

"Meh, might be for the best. I don't know the full mechanics of what happens to spirits when they die, but if I can't recall much, I'd assume it's for good reason."

Tapping her chin thoughtfully, she let the silence linger for a beat before continuing.

"Really though, how many people do remember their former lives? Shinigami, hollows, whatever—we're all reborn in some way, but I wonder how much anyone actually recalls."

Her tone was lighter now, more curious than troubled, though her gaze still carried the weight of questions left unanswered.

“You do not have to tell me twice. I have plenty of male friends too and enjoy their company just as much. I would not be much of a desire Arrancar if I only had fun with the ladies.” Sabriel replied with a chuckle, amused by the idea. “I stick by my opinion though, I reckon you were the type to get into the thick of things, never shy of getting into some battles.”

Holding Veralia as she mused and pondered, Sabriel would gently stroke the hair of her close friend, its strands running through her hand. There was no Arrancar besides the petite woman of Envy that Sabriel was so close to, outside of her beloved Lirael and there was not a day that went by where the centuries old being did not count her blessings. From the moment they had drunk together and made love in that tree, a bond had been forged, as strong as metal.

“I am not sure. Very few, if any, I expect.” She opined. “Rebirth is supposed to be all about starting again and having another chance, after all. I believe that the idea of having her memories removed is supposed to be a blessing of sorts, to free us from our pain although I feel that for us at least, it may be more of a curse or at least an annoyance.”