Back-dated to May 14th, Evening

[abileunaspada]

Sephiroth,

I've heard a lot about the political unrest where you are, and I want to write to make sure that you're okay with everything that's been going on. Please write back soon.

- Adela

[ It took her a few hours to figure out just what in the hell would be a good ice breaker, but she could at least send the damn thing. Who knew how he'd take it, or if he'd even respond at all. Still, this was a mission, and she needed to do it -- Even if she didn't want to. ]

Comments

[silverterror]

[The reply doesn't come until the next morning.]

Adela,

I was under the impression you found me too immature for correspondence any longer? Political unrest is an inadequate term, given events as have transpired in recent weeks.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ By the time the message reaches her she's in Suna, and it takes her until the next day to reply again. At least the hawks can use travel seals... ]

I've heard that there's a new Mizukage, along with the 'displacement' of the former daimyo.

I know about what I said, but the situation has changed. We need to talk about what the civil unrest means, not just for village relations but for us personally.

- Adela

[ Just reading that reply gives her the impression that he's going to be difficult. Damn... She knows that she can't just let things sit, not with the Hokage breathing down her neck, but what exactly she's supposed to do about it is something she's still struggling to figure out. ]

[silverterror]

[At least the next reply is quicker.]

They're a team, yes. I have no doubt word will be out soon enough. Publically speaking.

What between us is it you wish to address?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

Our state of affairs, politically. What you would do if I were to arrive to Kirigakure on mission or for meetings with those in power. And, not just between you and I, but what hostility if any I would receive if I arrived there even through proper procedures.

[ As if it isn't already obvious that she's being pushed into this... But, the letter doesn't stop there. ]

The change in leadership means a lot, for a lot of different reasons. That's why we need to sort whatever the hell we're at out now, while there's still a chance to with relatively easy communication.

- Adela

[silverterror]

The only problems we have are yours Adela.

I cannot speak for the greeting you will receive from nanako however. She is by far more angry with you than I ever was.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

The fact that you said you'd never forgive my choice for staying in Konoha says otherwise, Sephiroth.

I know I have to speak with Nanako. You'd know her much better than I ever did, so I need to know - what would be a good way to approach her initially?

- Adela

[silverterror]

And I won't. I fail to see what that has to do with your behavior, really.

Nanako will accept no familiarity from you. Formal distance is the only thing that has a remote chance of not getting her to try to kill you.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I need to know if that will effect village relations whether I enter Kirigakure in the future or not. Otherwise we have nothing else to discuss on the subject until you decide we do.

I'll do just that with Nanako, then. I have no control over what she may think and feel about me right now, from the sounds of it. Anything personal will have to be put aside for the sake of our villages, however.

- Adela

[silverterror]

I fail to see what subject even needs discussed aside from your childish reactions.

Do not underestimate Nanako's ire.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ At this point she's had it. She needs to force herself to relax and think a little before the next reply, and whether or not he finds it obvious in her writing or not remains to be seen. ]

Sephiroth, there's nothing for you to forgive, because being in Konoha isn't a mistake for me. And it needs to be discussed for confirmation's sake.

I'll be wary of Nanako until there isn't a reason to be anymore.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Oh, so you finally understand the point! Given the stomp off and not speak to me stance you took up I could not be sure.

There will always be reason to be wary of Nanako.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ That reply brings up an odd combination of relief, confusion, and the infuriating urge to throttle him. SERIOUSLY? WHAT THE HELL!!

Finally he just gets a single line in reply. ]

You're annoying as hell.

- Adela

[silverterror]

I never claimed to be pleasant.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I guess my only real regret is that I never learned how to read you. As you probably already know, I'm not the fastest learner.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Perfectly horrible at it, yes. You should have spoken to Ami again.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I've been busy or I would have. She's a wonderful craftsman, at least.

- Adela

[ With the letter is a picture of an ornate eye-patch, one with a handsomely stitched magnolia blossom on it. ]

[silverterror]

[Sometimes he wondered if she worked to miss his points, truly. He stared at the letter and then the picture for long minutes before responding.]

Indeed. That is exactly what I meant.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

You're annoying again.

Seriously, it's been too busy to sit down and talk with her. That and I don't want to rely on her for all my problems. What kind of Senpai would I be if I didn't work on doing things my own way instead of taking advice all the time?

- Adela

[silverterror]

You weren't doing things your own way even now. It's obvious you didn't contact me of your own volition.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

That's different. I can't just ignore orders in spite of personal misgivings.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Is that really the point?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

You're unnecessarily cryptic, you know that? Why do you think I didn't want to talk to you?

- Adela

[silverterror]

Because you were being petulant and childish?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

Because I don't like playing mind games.

Adela

[silverterror]

But you've gotten so much better at them. Still painfully see through but not hopeless.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I don't have to like something I may or may not be 'good' at.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Then why try to use it?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ It's becoming more and more clear to her that this is a lost cause, or so Adela thinks. Regardless, she sighs and steels herself at the letter, calm as she writes a much longer one - even if she's aware that her words might come off as mocking him, and that could be dangerous, it's a feeling she needs to get off of her chest then. ]

Not using it could be more dangerous, depending on the situation.

Sephiroth, I think you misunderstood me when I asked for your forgiveness. I never wanted it for being a part of Konoha. And when I said you were the one who may have needed it, it meant something else entirely.

What I wanted was to be forgiven for hurting you, even if it wasn't my intent. However, you've done me far greater harm than anything that could be justified. If you felt a shred of remorse for it, I could forgive you for that. Writing with you makes it more and more clear that you don't, though.

Since you weren't going to get that on your own, it's better if I spell it out for you entirely. I don't care if you're fond of mind games or not as long as you get the point in the end.

- Adela

[silverterror]

How have I done you harm? By making you see you cannot attempt to rely on me and my good will?

That is what you were trying to do, after all, and I doubt you can deny it.

I will not apologize for something that you forced by attempting to put your wellbeing in my hands when you were trying very hard to make it clear you would not be returning to Kiri by your own choice.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ She sighs at the letter, trembling a bit. Damn it... ]

Maybe that was true, but if I see you hurting anyone important to me in the same way, it won't go unavenged - even if I do love you, cousin Seph.

- Adela

[ She's hoping that the note has a sense of finality in it that ends the conversation because at this point... It's getting exhausting. ]

[silverterror]

That would be a fascinating challenge were I so motivated Adela. You will have to suffice in not having the excuse.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I'd be happiest if you didn't give me one.

- Adela

[silverterror]

[He stared at the note, then sighed, frowning at it for a moment, then carefully formed a set of five senbon and rolled them into the next letter he sent.]

Should I happen to do so.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[ What? She's staring at the senbon given to her, unsure of what to think or say -- but she wrote back, her confusion clear in her wording. ]

What are these senbon for, Sephiroth?

- Adela

[silverterror]

I thought that clear enough.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

I'm not sure I know how to take this. Are they supposed to be a handicap or something?

- Adela

[silverterror]

You consider weapons a handicap?

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

You seriously think I wouldn't be carrying weaponry on me already?

- Adela

[silverterror]

No. I don't understand your thoughts.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

It kinda seems like you're saying I wouldn't have Senbon on me if I was gonna make you pay for hurting people important to me. Or, if these are special, that I'd need the handicap. Either way I don't get it.

- Adela

[silverterror]

If you don't want them, then you can return them, of course.

Sephiroth

[abileunaspada]

[It takes a little longer between replies, but she does at least reply.]

It's still a gift from you so... Thank you. I was thinking into it too much.

- Adela

[silverterror]

Or in the wrong direction, at least.

Sephiroth