Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
- LockeVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-03-13
Posts : 2483
Age : 29
Location : UK
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Tue Nov 05, 2024 6:17 am
Furukawa Asuka
Returning to the room in which she had left Lerna, carrying with her a tray filled with the promised refreshments, Asuka was not surprised to see that her guest had accepted her invitation to explore the grounds and enjoy a moment of solitude. Setting the tray down, she took her time to set everything up on a table where they might sit. Lighting a few sticks of incense, she eventually made her way over to the door that led to the gardens and watched from afar as Lerna went about her business. For a moment, she did not want to disturb her, but then the pot would go cold and her work would have been for nothing.
"The tea is served if you are ready to join me."
Her voice cut into that peaceful quiet like a dagger, seeking to draw Lerna back into the here and now after she thrust her so haphazardly into the past. Asuka waited there for a few more moments, noting Lerna's approach before she headed back to the table and began to pour two cups. The aroma of the kukicha mixed with her other aromatics to create an entirely pleasant scent, that would carry through the whole house in time, but for now Asuka seemed content to let it all brew.
New Crimson Maiden | END POST
- ForgottenMercyVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-06-04
Posts : 4824
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Wed Nov 06, 2024 3:54 pm
Lerna perked up as she looked over her shoulder at the voice that cut in. "Ah, thanks." She smiled as she followed Asuka back to the room itself, the scent of the tea certainly catching her attention as she seated herself. Watching as the woman poured out some tea. Accepting the cup with a polite nod and taking a brief sip of the stuff. It certainly tasted nice, though she was aware that the subtleties of the flavor perhaps might be lost on her serpentine tongue. But all the same, she did her best to enjoy it, taking a few sips before setting the cup down and looking up to the woman that had invited here.
"Thanks for the tea." She smiled a bit awkwardly, not really sure if there was something else she was supposed to be saying here. Even in her interactions with Asami, she hadn't really latched onto the expected ebb and flow of these ... things. And so she decided just to be direct.
"Asuka. If you don't mind me calling you that. If you don't mind me askin. What did you want to call me here for?" She asked, attempting to get her curiosity across without seeming like this was any sort of inconvenience.
- LockeVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-03-13
Posts : 2483
Age : 29
Location : UK
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Fri Nov 08, 2024 6:23 am
Furukawa Asuka
There was certainly an awkward tension to the tea ceremony that no amount of aromatics and pleasantries was ever really going to cut through. Asuka knew that just as well as Lerna, so perhaps she appreciated the other woman's directness as it forced her to rip the proverbial bandaid off. To say that she had been prepared for this would be giving herself too much credit, but there was no real way to prepare for what had happened anyway. This was now just about doing what she thought was right.
"It is fine, and I hope you do not mind me calling you Lerna in turn." She set down her cup gingerly upon its saucer, her lips pursing again as she toyed with how to word herself. "It is quite a silly thing, really, but I find myself in a predicament. Sis seemed to be of the belief that you were a good person to know, that you helped her break out of her shell. Well, in that one regard, she and I are alike. My life has been spent in a bubble, and it will have to burst now if I am to make anything of it. It was easier simply ignoring it when she was still here, continuing as I was without succumbing to that pressure, but I think I am not that same person any more. I want to do more, see more, and..." Her cheeks reddened a shade as she caught herself, stopping to scrunch up her hands in her lap. It did feel relieving to open herself up, but it was equally if not more embarrassing too.
"Ah, I think I am rambling a little. Does any of that make any sense at all?"
New Crimson Maiden | END POST
- ForgottenMercyVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-06-04
Posts : 4824
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Mon Nov 11, 2024 8:50 am
Lerna was... surprised to say the least. Her ...shell? She'd never imagined Asami with something like that. HAd she really helped her with that? But more than that, the pieces began to slip into place. Asami had certainly not been the most social, but she did get out, but this young little thing. She no doubt had probably not seen the outside of these walls. Indeed, a family that was noble might hide her away. A frail child might be seen as a point of weakness for the bloodline, or any number of targets for ridicule.
Likely, her only contact with the outside world was her sister. And now... there wasn't anyone. This girl was .. all that was left. Looking around, towards where she knew most of the destruction had been, she felt...conflicted.
And afraid.
The curling edges of those instincts in her mind, whichs he kept at bay by simple merit of her own resiliance. But she had ... managed it only enough. It still haunted her, and she spent a lot of time, meditating and working so that she could be ....so she could FEEL safe around others.
"Asuka. I....I don't know what Asami told you. But I'm not a normal soul reaper, I'm not even a normal human. And ... during the attack. I was... changed." She noted quietly, thinning her lips as she took a steady breath. She SHOULD just tell her it wasn't possible. As much as she might desire to be able to help this girl ... survive the loss of that bubble. SHE was just as much a danger to the girl as anything else.
But that refusal never left her lips. She'd already shamed Murasaki with her outburst. She would not abandon what Asami had left behind. She furrowed her brows and her mind raced. Thinking of what she could plausibly do.
" I don't really know what I can promise right now... " She trailed off, thinking. She couldn't stay in soul society as it were. Anti Hollow sentiment was going to be through the roof. And as much as Lady Shishiyuki might permit it. If SHE had any sort of outburst or ... lapse. Then it would only hurt their family. She needed to get whatever that little bastard did to her under control. So many stupid ideas went through her head. But she had to be careful and not let those ideas get away from her. But she also didn't want to just.. leave Asuka here.
" I'll speak with Shishiyuki. I don't know what sort of promises I can make. About ... you seeing more of the world. But I want to help you. And if theres a way that can happen, then I'll figure it out. I promise."
- LockeVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-03-13
Posts : 2483
Age : 29
Location : UK
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:39 pm
Furukawa Asuka
"She explained that you were a modified soul, yes. I am aware of the concept and much of the functionality, so I would not say that normalcy was what I sought. This invasion changed us all, I think, and not for the better. But the choice is entirely yours, I would not wish to burden you with promises to keep."
Asuka cut through the first part of Lerna's reply with a precise dissection, missing the point of what Lerna was concerned with due to the assumption that she was being more general and lacking any suggestion that an alternative might be the case. She knew exactly what Lerna was, at least as best as Asami had explained, and had at least spent enough time to have a rudimentary knowledge of what factored into their inception and creation. It had all seemed rather perturbing at first, that she was this 'manufactured person', but Lerna appeared genuine enough that it had seemed quite difficult to tell without that prior knowledge. She certainly appeared to be quite decidedly adept at mimicking emotions if they were not real, allowing her to enjoy this tea and spending time in the garden for example.
"I did not know you were on such familiar terms with Lady Koizumi, though. That is a pleasant surprise, but it only reinforces my opinion of you. She sighed contentedly, picking up her tea with a newfound feeling of confidence. Unaware of what else Lerna had on her mind, though her sudden promise was met with a flustering of Asuka's cheeks. "O-oh. Well, that is... We can talk about this before we start getting ahead of ourselves. Start small and all that."
New Crimson Maiden | END POST
- ForgottenMercyVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-06-04
Posts : 4824
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:56 pm
Lerna raised her brows a little at that ... uh.. calm dissection of the situation. It was a little amusing, certainly. But more than that, she couldn't help but smirk a little as Asuka promptly became a bit flustered at her resolve. "There's noithing to get ahead of. Given the situation, leaving you alone is unacceptable. All that's left is figuring out how to make it happen." She stated confidently, raising her cup and downing the rest of the tea before she stood up and walked around the small table that separated them.
She didn't really have any kind of grace to her. She was sure that any number of nobles might have been able to make this feel more...solemn or ... well. right. But she couldn't really help that. Crouching down next to Asuka, she settled down and rested on a knee, looking the woman straight in the eyes as she continued.
"I don't really know a lot about yer condition. But I'll learn. Whether I need to keep you here and just visit you now and then. Or if its better if I just carry you around on my back. One way or another, I'll do everything I can to help ya. Even if I gotta steal ya away to the world of the living." She grinned, making a little joke as she winked. Only to pause as she stood back up and sighed.
"But well, I wouldn't wanna do that just top have you get sick or something. So I'll be talking to Shishiyuki about all this. There a uh... chart or medical records I should be lookin over?" She ventured.
- LockeVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-03-13
Posts : 2483
Age : 29
Location : UK
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Wed Nov 13, 2024 12:08 pm
Furukawa Asuka
“I-I’m not alone…” Asuka’s voice grew meek in response to the sudden aggression, scooting her butt backwards as Lerna suddenly rushed toward her. “Wait, what are we making happen exactly?”
It wasn’t quite fear, but shock certainly lingered in her gaze as it stared back at Lerna. Those unyielding crimson orbs forced wider by those sudden proclamations from her guest, as she made some entirely brazen claims as she enquired about her condition. Naturally, Asami had always been light on the details regarding Asuka. It was Furukawa business, after all. But, by the time that outburst was finished, there was a narrow smile painted on her face beneath that reddish glow.
“Lerna…” She set down her cup once more, a soft little laugh escaping her lips. “I am not quite so helpless that you need do everything, nor am I so desperate to do such things that we must rush. I imagine the world of the living is quite a beautiful place, as much as Soul Society if viewed through the correct lens, but my place will always be here. With all that has happened, I do not think Asami would want either of us to run away.”
Twisting herself so that her legs were no longer folded under herself and beneath the table, Asuka offered out a hand for Lerna to pull her to her feet. A humorous notion given that she had just proclaimed not to be helpless, but the other woman was just looming over her. Whether assisted or not, the Lady would stand and brush away at the hems of her dress.
“I keep my own records, and I suppose it cannot hurt to show them to you but in return I would ask for your confidence.”
New Crimson Maiden | END POST
- ForgottenMercyVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-06-04
Posts : 4824
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Wed Nov 13, 2024 12:29 pm
Lerna paused and went quiet for a moment as she listened to Asuka. Eh? Had she misunderstood something? She watched patiently as Asuka settled herself and offered a bit more information about her situation. But even more than that.... she tensed slightly as Asuka made something else .... clear. And Lerna furrowed her brows slightly as she looked off to the side. No, she supposed she really aught not to be surprised. She had, perhaps foolishly, presumed that the girl would ....well...operate in a way she might understand. This girl, who had only ever experienced the world through her sister's stories.
If she'd been a human, then well. Lerna could only ever imagine what the best course of action was. So much, that when one particular phrase left Asuka's lips, she was downright confused.
'would not want either of us to run away'.
Run away from what?
But just as quickly, the sensation felt... familiar. The very same sensation she'd felt when Asami spoke about why she and Kyo were no longer together. The same sensation about when Asami had discouraged Lerna's own profession of feelings. The sense that the woman before her, simply did not operate on the same priorities and foundations as she did. Her family was ... gone. What could there possibly be to run away from? But even more than that, what did Asuka think LERNA had to run away from? Then again... HAD she ever really told Asami why she became a shinigami? Or rather,. what had inspired her to change the course of her existence? No she .... supposed she probably hadn't. And so it made all the sense in the world that Asuka probably came to the conclusion she did. That both of them should stay in soul society.
She closed her eyes and sighed softly, rubbing the back of her head as she took a moment to ... consider her words. "Staying here... would be the same as me running away." She noted quietly. "I'm a member of the Seventh Division. The only reason I ... spnt most of my time here... is because of the Academy. MY place... is on Earth." She explained softly.
- LockeVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-03-13
Posts : 2483
Age : 29
Location : UK
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Sun Nov 17, 2024 9:55 pm
Furukawa Asuka
Pushing herself to her feet with a little huff, Asuka watched as her words rolled over Lerna like a tidal wave. She had not intended to come off as harsh, though conceded that her refusal could have been taken as such, but assumptions were all she had to go off. Listening as diligently as ever, her past remark was forgotten about as her crimson orbs studied this woman now cast in a slightly different light.
“I admit that I was not aware of such intent. It is true that the Seventh Division spent much of their time on Earth, but they were a part of the Gotei and the Gotei is here in Soul Society.” Her voice deflated a little too as she attempted to explain herself, though she fought to keep that smile on her lips. “I asked after you in the hopes that we might stay in touch as it would be quite rude to simply demand your friendship. That hope remains wherever you are planning to go.”
“But my place will always be here, as the custodian of my family’s archives, and as a sworn vassal of Lady Koizumi. My obligation may seem quite alien to you, but perhaps it was a part of my creation just as freedom is yours.”
New Crimson Maiden | END POST
- ForgottenMercyVeteran Member
- Joined : 2021-06-04
Posts : 4824
Member Info
Platinum Points:
(0/0)
Tiers:
Re: Fresh Scars, New Blood [Asuka, Lerna]
Tue Nov 19, 2024 8:15 am
Lerna canted her head a bit to the side and furrowed her brows as Asuka spoke. "I think that's probably something a lot of people who have never been a part of Seventh Division might think. But that's a mindset that's built on the idea of the gotei being some kind of brand. That shinigami are all just soldiers. Maybe a hundred years ago that was the case. But you ask anyone in Seventh Division and that's not what you're going to hear." She made her way to the nearest out of the room, be it a window or a doorway, she looked outside.
"Sure, maybe a lot of them start out that way. And theres probably a few in there who still feel dedication to the Gotei above anything else.But I've heard it plenty of times from my divisionmates. And I have a feeling, even the old Captain herself, Murasaki, felt it too. She murmured quietly, looking over her shoulder to the woman who... in all actuality, would probably not know the slightest about what that feeling was.
"Soul Society is stuck. Even though people from the modern era come here constantly. Nothing ever changes, nothing ever develops. For all of the scientists and visionaries. Even the brick and wood this place is made of. It's the very image of itself from years ago. Even renovated buildings in soul society are in a style that's been obsolete in the world of the living for more than a hundred years, at most it's used purposefully to give an antiquated look. Soul Society barely changes. But on Earth, it's so different you wouldn't believe it." she looked over her shoulder, and she felt a pang of frustration.
"Gimme a chance. A week. A day if it has to be. I want a chance to show you earth. Zefa or Hisana I'm sure would be more than willing. Even if it's just once you gotta at least see it!" She insisted as she turned to face the woman. "Your sister didn't tell you about me for nothing. If this place...this ... duty of yours, was the only thing she ever wanted for you. Then she'd have never told you about anything else!" She folded her arms stubbornly. "If you still want to return here and look after a bunch of old books, thats fine. I'll even come back here and talk to you when I can. But at least once. I wanna get you out of here. You deserve to see more than just.... your family's mosoleum." She insisted. Well aware that she may have overstepped her bounds. Hell, if Shishiyuki heard about any of this, she might even stop letting Lerna see the woman. But this.... THIS she couldn't stand. All this talk about duty and obligation. Even when everything was destroyed, Shinigami still couldn't stop talking about it. She couldn't MAKE Asuka let all that stuff go. Frankly she didn't even KNOW what the hell her family's archives where. Archives of WHAT? Some... old ass hakuda scrolls? Asami hadn't even ever made mention of them to her, and so they meant nothing to her in this moment.
Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum