Written in Blood

As Ashlei hugged him, Diablo became quite confused; although his emotionless features remained the same. Just as not being able to feel pain had left Diablo without any fears, it had also left him estranged from most others; having no real way to connect with them. Of course, he also didn't like most of the other, more stereotypical Arrancar, creating an even wider gap between himself and others. Because of all this, Diablo was actually caught off guard by the hug; something that might have been obvious by his stiffness and lack of a reaction. After a few seconds, however, he patted Ashlei on the head; not knowing what else to do. As she pulled away, Diablo was actually left somewhat speechless, although his facial features still expressed no emotions.

Looking at Ashlei, Diablo had no real emotions in his eyes, but for the first time, it could be seen that he was actually thinking. This, however, faded quite quickly, as Diablo prepared to speak. "I suppose then that I will keep my suspicions to myself Señorita Mischevang, at least while we are working with these extraños" he said, still no emotions in his tone. Still, Diablo was slightly confused by the hug he had received, even if it wasn't obvious by his body language. It seemed that this small action actually had more of an impact on Diablo than anything else, and might even change things that were yet to come.

Ashlei looked happily at Diablo. He must be able to understand what pain Ashlei would go through if anything ever happened to him. Even watching a young and weak Arrancar she didn't even know die would put Ashlei into a state of disrepair. However, something was on Ashlei's mind which made her somewhat disappointed. She loved to see happy people and positive things because she was actually afraid of negativity. Her views on the dark world scared her which is why she tries to reject all darkness form her soul by being so happy and carefree all the time. However, her suicidal side is often seen by people that tempt her emotions.

"You know Diablo. I really wish you could show me more than a straight face" Ashlei looked at him with her pink eyes. She always put on her little puppy dog eyes whenever she was trying to either act cute or appeal to something. "Being so straight minded all the time, it's not healthy... Please, smile one day my friend." So many people nowadays were so straight forwards and easy to read. Ashlei found that a bit annoying and sad. People that cannot feel love, hatred or fear. Those things are a necessity to survive...

"Please, smile one day my friend." To Diablo, these words rang in his head; most of them meaningless to him. Throughout all his life Diablo had been alone, not just by choice, but because nobody could relate to him. He was unique, unable to feel the pain that caused others to fear, unable to truly understand the emotions that others felt. He had never been able to feel or understand love, or even caring for another. The only feelings he had ever known were dislike and self-preservation. However, even with this there was one anomaly, Diablo's artistic side. Normally, for one to appreciate and create art, you would have to feel such emotions as love and hate or a type of curiosity about the world around him. It was because he had the capability to create art, maybe there actually was something underneath that drove him.

For now, however, Diablo still wasn't able to express emotions or understand any feeling associated with pain. Maybe if he were able to form some sort of relationship he could learn to feel such emotions, but that was highly unlikely. "I am sorry Señorita Mischevang, but such words as love, fear, pain, happy, sad, and smile have no meaning to me" he said, his emotionless tone showing this to be true. To be honest, Diablo couldn't really even understand the compassion Ashlei had for the Espada and her Arrancar. It wasn't as if he was even trying to keep a straight, emotionless face; it just happened since there were no emotions within Diablo to change his facial features.

Its not like Ashlei was trying to change Diablo at this point. She could understand why he was like this mainly because she had felt the same feeling for a massive time of her life. Her first week in charge of Las Noches resulted in her entire body being frozen in time but she could still use it. Because of this curse, she lived 200 years as a little girl being beaten on the rough end of the stick. Once she broke the curse a few weeks ago, her true nature had been evoked into the world.

Not many people actually know of this change. It was all thanks to a group of people that met her not too long ago. Those that were Espada back then would have possibly seen the man with many forms that caused her to change. Some would say Ashlei has not seen pain before nor has she seen any true terror. But that is a complete lie. As she stood watching Diablo, she began to think about something in her very early past... the day she died...

Her entire village hated here and this didn't help as she lived in a medieval time. The hollows constantly haunted her and villagers knew it, so during the night they battered her body as she slept. Soon after, she was dragged down the stairs, into the rain and mud of outside and nailed to a plank before being thrown into a lake to drown. THAT, is her past and all she remembers of being alive. Not many recall their living days but Ashlei can picture it perfectly... the day she was betrayed by her friends and even her family. SHe quickly shook her ehad to knock off the feeling before talking again.

"Don't worry about it Diablo... I just wish you and Hero would be more charming and appealing towards me. Not in the context your probably thinking, but right now all i see are killing machines..."