Hardly one to consider herself squeamish, it was still nearly impossible not to squirm a little in her seat as Giselle took her joke all too literally. A soft, if but slightly nervous chuckle tendered the silence that hung briefly after the woman finished her insights on dismemberment. “Explains why you’ve taken up at the Fourth…” She half remarked to her cup of sake as she raised it once more to take a short sip. “My kaidō ability is minimal at best – basically all I know was what was introduced to at the academy…I’ll leave reattaching body parts to those more skilled than I.” Raising her cup half up and tipping it in Giselle’s direction to indicate that she included her in that designation.
The reality of the situation she, and the others, found themselves in was a bitter pill to swallow. But hindsight was twenty-twenty; regardless of the resentment that she felt towards Kurotsuchi-taichou’s actions, he had done what was necessary in the middle of a war. She knew that, deep down, she knew that. There wasn’t time to research, to experiment, to balance the costs and the outcomes, nor was there time to turn to the enemy and ask for their assistance. There was a war going on – and there were, in his eyes, four captain-class fighters who could be saved, needed to be saved, so that they could do their duty and defend their ground, protect Soul Society.
She knew all too well that grief came in waves, this was just such one. It was a staggering weight, knowing that the outcome of it all may have been different. Could have been different. If what Giselle was saying was true. She had every reason to lie to her – sensing her state, having felt her anger, her reluctance to this meeting. After all, hadn’t she said that she felt as if her zombies had been ‘taken’ from her. She too was resentful of her present state and how she had gotten here, she could easily be jerking her along to continue to get under her skin, since she couldn’t be in her blood.
There was no bother hiding her anger, the squaring of her shoulders and jaw as she let the cup of sake settle upon the table. Palms flat against the wooden surface. Her pale gaze was ice cold. There was something deliberate about Giselle’s remarks. She would have been fine. The cost was minimal – her life her own, again. But then she would not only have been her plaything, her pawn, but also – indebted to the woman who had used her in war.
Perhaps, no, she didn’t even wish to give the small twinkle of hope a thought. She wouldn’t add fuel to that spark. But, was there a chance that it could all be reversed? The thought was interrupted by the arrival of their food. She didn’t want to consider what might go into finding a reversal process – if it meant in any way falling under Giselle’s control again, and as well as becoming indebted to her. No, she had to accept her fate, as hard as it was.
Her mood shifted as she forced a small smile onto her expression, a heavy exhale followed as she plucked up a pair of chopsticks, taking a moment to point out each of the different meats, the vegetables and the sauces for Giselle before easing back to let her have first choice.
Two steps forward, one step back – that’s where her mind went, she had been dealing with the hard cards dealt to her. She had good days, better days and bad days – and while she was struggling still, up until now, the weight of the depression that her life had been struck down not once, but twice hadn’t felt as heavy.
“I guess it’s your turn…” She remarked, finally plucking a grilled piece of chicken to place it atop her pile of rice.
Not often she had such a captive audience. Familiarity with her abilties isn't something most sought out. So many just preferred willful ignorance. As if absence of information was a shield.
But she understood the drive behind it. Rangiku had a lot to do, and wasn't content with just having barely made it. She wanted to scrutinize, especially since it wasn't just her own life that hung in the balance. She had ulterior motives. So Giselle didn't mind expounding and expanding. In honestly a way she usually didn't.
Even as Rangiku became more tense, she remained lax and sipped her own drink. Offering a warm smile and thanks to the waitress before watching as Rangiku took a bit of food, and then proceeded to grab some for herself. Chewing a few pieces and perking up. Oh, this was quite nice!
Still. When Rangiku finally DID speak up, she raised a brow and canted her head to the side. Oh? No follow ups? Hmmm.
"My turn hm? This is really good, you made a good choice! It's beena while since I enjoyed something like this." She sighed softly, a fond little hum escaping her throat.
"Hmmm. Well, if you don't mind me asking. Perhaps this is a waste of a question. But what's currently on your mind? All of this curiosity. I understand the curiosity. But this is more...technical than I thought you'd ask about. Is there something you want from me? Or is this just curiosity?"
