Tea and Wyverns

[Ailene Haschiro]

Ailene would not apologize for how apprehensive she appeared to be. She had to admit. She really did not like the sound of some Doll of a woman she just met lying close to her while she slept. The woman continued to listen as Sylvanas explained though she had to admit this to herself... Sylvanas was doing little to assuage Ailene of her concerns.  "S2's powers are rather limited. There's nothing to be worried about." Ailene peered at Sylvanas and tilted her head. "That doesn't quite answer my question..." Thankfully the Bount would come to give her an actual answer compared to just attempted to dismiss her worries. 

"S2 can take on the form of anything it sees, you see, but in order to best utilize its new form, as well as maximize its potential prowess, it needs to be able to spend time connected with the thing it's mimicking. That's all. It's a painless process. Though it might feel strange. Which is why I suggested it when sleeping. But it could do so now. Easily. S2 is also an excellent measure of how powerful you've become." There it was. It was a better answer than before though Ailene blinked for a moment. She didn't much care for knowing how powerful she was. Power, to her, was meaningless. She simply wanted to understand her new self-better.

She wouldn't offer her dissent yet. Instead, she'd continue to listen to the Bount. After all, now she offered something of value to the woman.  "As for these...strange happenings. I think that means you're already in the process of awakening some power. Though. It might mean that you might have some lingering ability. Something...peculiar." Ailene nodded ever so briefly. The Bount confirmed her suspicions albeit vaguely. Much like the former Espada, the Bount believed that Ailene had been developing some kind of ability. How that ability would shape itself was yet to be seen, but the possibility was there. Perhaps the Saigo No Houmen had not quite extinguished her flame as much as she first believed. 

For right now, it all seems fairly innocuous. She still felt apprehensive and in truth, there was still little hope of her offering herself to the mercy of the Doll. No matter how painless the process may be. Suddenly, the Bount cleared her throat.  "Ahem." Lost in thought earlier, Ailene returned her attention to the Bount before her.  "If I might potentially...offer? If you feel unsafe. While you develop your powers with my help. Maybe. Well. Would you...like to live with me?" Ailene blinked for a moment. Did she really just her this woman correctly? "She wants me to live with her... is she being serious...?" As she peered at Sylvanas with incredulity, the woman elaborated.

"S2 can help with your training, and we could learn and discover together. We could spend more time together." There was a temptation to the offer. Ailene could perhaps expedite her development, whatever that looked like. Despite the allure, Ailene was surprised and a little taken aback. The two of them had just met and already Sylvanas had offered her a place beside her. Some may have found this charming. Ailene, however, found it a little odd. The way this Bount clung to her. It was downright strange. Ailene simply rubbed her temple for a moment, closing her eyes. There would be some dissent in her body language already.

She had been looking to potentially get a place of her own. After all, Rēgīna grew to be somewhat cramped and didn't provide all the facilities she needed for daily living. Sylvanas offer was kind, but it was a little too fast for Ailene. The woman cleared her throat for a moment. "I... umm. I'm quite flattered by your offer. You are very kind..." Ailene paused and sighed. "...but I have to admit that this may be a little premature. I wouldn't be opposed to some guidance, but I'm afraid I have to decline on your offer to live with you. However, I am still able to offer the blood you asked for earlier. I'm afraid that anything past that... I will need to know you better." The was an honesty to Ailene's words. She was sociable, but within reason. It would become awfully clear that she was cautious and very guarded. 

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

It was a lot of silence while she talked, and frankly, Sylvanas wasn't sure how to feel for a bit. That was until she responded. "I'm sorry for being so crass. It was untoward of me." That said, she thought about the solution to not make herself seem offputting. "I'd like to get to know you, I was just concerned about the Hollows. Your safety." She responded in turn. That said, she seemed to be delighted at the idea of finally finding someone that she could feel a little bit more connected to. She hadn't had such a friend. 

"We'll forego the blood. I'd rather help someone in good need because it's the right thing to do. Not for an incentive. Though. I'm glad that it's on the table." The Bount proceeded to relax. She could sense the hesitance, and frankly considering the fact they didn't know each other so well? She could understand her Barista's confusion and the sudden requests. She must have been rather silly, asking a person if they'd like to live with a bloodsucker. She wondered for a moment if Ailene feared her?

A predator. "I'm just glad. To have a place like Regina. A place where people can belong, and you'd best imagine I'd be a regular." That said, she finally turns absentmindedly to her saucer, lifting it up to take a sip of her tea. Only to find it was gone. Blink. She blinked as she looked down, before slowly turning to S2. "It would be a waste of good tea. So I drank for both of us." A sweatdrop. The figure morphed back into the replication of the Bount. An ever shifting mass of grey. 

"Another cup please." That said, it must have been a curious idea then to figure out how exactly it was that Sylvanas intended to train Ailene in question. In which Sylvanas figured that the development of such powers would be very natural. Though she had her own ideas in mind. She remained silent for a while, sitting, minding her own business, and allowing her poor hostess time to think about everything that's happened. Hopefully with another cup of pomegranate tea. Sylvanas? She thought of her own things in this frame. 

She remained silent in these moments. It seemed as if S2 was very observant of her surroundings. Staring at everything. Memorizing things. Curious. Though wouldn't stare at Ailene for too long. "Pardon. Do you have a cellephone?" She asks, slowly sliding Ailene her phone number. A good keep in touch method as any. Why not Ailene open up and ask some other questions? Talk? Sylvanas had done much of the talking for a while now. So now might be a good time. 

[Ailene Haschiro]

Suffice to say, Ailene was not expecting this day to turn out the way it was. So far, she had met a Bount... seen the girls' Doll... been given the oppurtunity to donate blood... asked to be watched during the night... and finally, the Bount checked to see if Ailene wanted to live with her. All in the span of maybe ten to fifteen minutes. To say that this girl moved fast would be the understatement of the century. In some ways, Ailene found it charming initially. Sylvanas seemed to be able to connect with the virtues that Ailene had built Rēgīna upon. As the conversation went on though, it became far weirder and honestly, distressing. 

Ailene made her dissent clear. She needed to make clear that they had just met. This was no time for Sylvanas to be asking those kinds of questions. Would the point get across?  "I'm sorry for being so crass. It was untoward of me." Ailene was glad to see that it would. To add to it, Sylvanas even offered a reason.  "I'd like to get to know you, I was just concerned about the Hollows. Your safety." The woman stared at Sylvanas for a moment before laughing softly. It carried with it some amusement. "I see. Well... the sentiment is appreciated. However, I can assure you that I think I'll be fine. I've been dealing with Hollows for a long time now." This certainly was no lie, but it could be seen as dubious. After all, Ailene only appeared to be in her late twenties. Maybe just now pushing thirty?

"We'll forego the blood. I'd rather help someone in good need because it's the right thing to do. Not for an incentive. Though. I'm glad that it's on the table." Ailene nodded briefly and smiled. It seemed as though she was finally getting through to the girl before her. It was, however, the next sentiment that would steal Ailene's breath away.  "I'm just glad. To have a place like Regina. A place where people can belong, and you'd best imagine I'd be a regular." Her eyes widened and she felt her soul positively glow. It honored her to hear the Bount say that. She smiled brightly though this would soon turn into another chuckle of amusement as Sylvanas raised her cup to her lips. There would be nothing left!

Ailene hadn't noticed, but throughout their conversation, S2 began diving into the food and drink that had been meant for Sylvanas. The Doll would admit this... rather robotically.  "It would be a waste of good tea. So I drank for both of us." The woman gently placed her hand on her own cheek and giggled once more. They were such improper manners, but the situation was a little amusing. Thankfully, Sylvanas would look to have this rectified. "Another cup please." Ailene would waste little time. "Sure! A cup of pomegranate tea coming right up~" She would say this in more singsong voice. Taking a kettle of hot water, she washed the charred tea leaves again before pouring more steaming hot water into the gaiwan. Shortly thereafter, she elegantly placed the lid to cover the top.

Just like before, this process wouldn't take too long. As the leaves sat the boiling hot water, being steeped for the third time, Ailene would be met with yet another interesting question.  "Pardon. Do you have a cellephone?" This was accompanied by the Bount sliding a note towards the barista. Ailene didn't need it explained to her twice. Unfortunately, Ailene was a woman of little technical experience. She preferred traditional, and in some ways archaic, options. She gently took the note and out of respect for Sylvanas pinned it on her wooden board behind her. Turning around, she'd smile Sylvanas. "Unfortunately, I never quite got with the trend..." She hated to disappoint others and it would show in her tone of voice. 

Shortly after this, the door gave a gentle ring. Walking in, the young man gave Ailene a short wave. Ailene bowed her head in response. "Please. Take a seat anywhere. I'll be right with you." They'd both smile at one another before Ailene gave a soft sigh. She had a feeling that it was going to get busier. Soon, she'd have to dedicate her attention solely to Rēgīna. After a few more seconds, Ailene adjusted the lid atop her gaiwan. Creating the seal, she'd expertly pour the tea once more before setting the porcelain container down. She set the steaming cup before Sylvanas, the tea likely tasting even better than it did just a moment ago. Such was the beauty of re-steeping tea. "Sylvanas. I'll be closing in a few hours. I'd be very interested in taking you up on your offer of some training. You are more than welcome to stay till closing, or you may come back in a few hours." She smiled and gave a small bow of her head before treading to the patron who had just entered the Tea House not more than a minute ago. "Excuse me, sir. What can I get you?..."

---

The hours would pass quickly. The increased workload wasn't too difficult to work with. She'd simply take orders, one at a time, while simply doing her best to deal with the influx. Whether Sylvanas stayed till closing or left just to come back later didn't matter to Ailene. Though if she stayed, Ailene still wouldn't charge her. The conversations alone were riveting enough, and she had even learned of an entire new group of people. The Bounts. Working at Rēgīna was as rewarding as ever to Ailene, but unfortunately, all good times had to come to an end. The door rang loudly as the last few patrons left the store. Ailene's voice soared loudly above their departure. "Have a safe trip home everyone! Thanks for coming!" 

Once everyone, barring the potential Bount, was gone, Ailene took the time to put her Tea House in tip-top shape again. Washing the dishes, drying cups, dumping spare loose tea leaves and sweeping the floor. She did this every day as to make sure that Rēgīna was in stellar condition. With those last tasks done, Ailene could finally prepare to train with Sylvanas. Stepping into the backroom, she'd quickly change out of her work uniform. Instead, she changed into a far more casual outfit. While no less modest, she wouldn't mind getting it dirty. Resembling her old Espada robes, these were puple in color and made her look a bit like a scholar or mage in a traditional RPG. Not that Ailene knew what it was. The clothing was comfortable. While in the backroom though, she pulled out a shelf. Within in was the most unlikely item, unfit for a lady like Ailene.

From within, Ailene drew a steel dagger. Twelve inches in length and slightly curved towards the end, it was a truly elegant weapon. Feeling light as a feather, Ailene previously got the weapon from a local vendor. The blade advertised itself as spiritual steel and was enough to make Ailene curious. After all, she had begun taking lessons in basic self-defense, including a knife seminar. She took some time, occasionally, to practice. As she thought about it, it became clear that Kimiko had a larger effect on the former Espada than she had once thought. After all, her short formal training if swordplay opened the door for making a weapon her own. A knife was inconspicuous and could help in a pinch.

The barista slipped the blade around her waist, fastening it tightly. Assuming she didn't move too intensively, it wouldn't make a sound. She didn't expect to use it against anyone, much less Sylvanas, but one could never be too sure. Or too safe. It was a virtue she had taken with her from Hueco Mundo. Regardless, Ailene was as ready to go as she'd ever be. If Sylvanas remained in the Tea House, she'd herd the Bount out. Alternatively, she'd turn off all the lights then and there and lock the door. Once outside, she made sure that the door was locked and ready to go. If Sylvanas was present, she'd turn to the Bount. Alternatively, she'd wait for her to arrive. "So. How would you like to proceed with this? There's a nearby park where we likely wouldn't be disturbed." While it would be Ailene's first choice, she was certainly open to suggestions.

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

Life moved fast. Of course it did. However, the opportunity for further advancement would present itself surely. Fast enough. As she sat in place, she would find herself reflecting, thinking, and looking to her doll, which smiled with an elegant grace to them. For all intents and purposes, it was an interesting experience. For she now knew there was more to life than Shinigami reapers, Vampires, and masked beasts. Still. It made her wonder if that effected her security.

It was difficult to really think about at large. "...Oh dear." She'd leave the shop out the back for a bit, to do some preparations. At least, for a moment or two. So she might wait for Ailene to finish closing up shop respectively. That, and so she could look out to the night. The moonlight rays bathing down upon them as she prepared to grow, as her shadow seemed to stretch before street light lamps.

[Kitai Yoru]

Ailene Haschiro: 75 paragraphs, 50% bonus awarded towards your next thread with Sylanas
Sylvanas Liskasha: 51 paragraphs, 50% bonus towards your next thread with Ailene