NOISELESS RAIN: SOLACE [inv]

Groggy eyes flickered open and shut as the maiden was awaken by a familiar voice she did not care to hear. How long had she been asleep she wondered as she stirred, still trying to gain clarity from the blur standing before her. The rain seemed to have quieted, but what a shame the Quinta had disturbed the serenity Anneliese enjoyed. It was quite rare to be paired with him so far out of reach of civilization, maybe fate was at work she mused as glistening pools raised themselves. "It was quiet as well." Responding in her usual honey sweet tone, Anneliese was far too tired to bother with responding to the Quinta's choice of words. He was among the many Espada's Anneliese had exchanged few words with and for good reason. His personality left little to the imagination from rumors, he was probably the very type of person she sought to distance herself from, but it appeared as if he was not going to simply greet her and leave.

Fully awake now that her conscious was being put to work she exhaled slowly, thereafter ivory streamlined from her lips, unfurling before dissipating. It seemed the air had grown frigid during her short nap, but Anneliese didn't mind the numbing atmosphere. Not planing to move from her comfortable position for the time being the Tercea decided to entertain him if nothing else. Perhaps he'd prove himself to be more then what simply meets the eye. After all, Anneliese was the type of woman to take things at face vaule and not word of mouth. "Its strange to see someone else here during this type of weather. Are you fond of rain?"

Speaking whilst she gazed up at the moving, moody clouds Ann's thoughts seemed to be elsewhere. Maybe she was talking simply to hear her own voice, but she wasn't fishing for a answer, instead she appeared more interested in mentally counting the drops of rain that managed to find their way onto her face. 

A brow raised, no doubt she was surprised by the seemingly deep response. Perhaps he was a man of layers, but Anneliese would let time tell. The Quinta's quip did not go unnoticed, she was a tolerable woman, demur and even meek at time; however, she did not like to be disrespected. And somehow she lacked the energy to retaliate as she usually would, so instead she stared blankly for a moment. His golden hair was illuminated in the faded out water color-esque background. Anneliese had fragmented memories of cooking, she often imagined it was for someone special to her, maybe a loved one or even a sibling. Realizing she was straying from her original thoughts she cut the silence by clearing her throat before speaking. 

"Perhaps."

It was a simple retort, meaning nothing nor continuing the topic. It was the perfect response to deter his kind, but even so she had this uncanny notion he'd simply continue. The rain silently picked up and the leaves of the orchid tree swayed from the breeze. Maintaining her same position Anneliese rocked forward, wrapping her arms over her knees she exhaled. 

The Quinta spoke so enthusiastically that she could sense the flames of his soul lit ablaze by his desires. It was a overwhelming feeling, the type that one got when they foolishly attempted to touch the sun. There was only one outcome and that was to be burned. His ambition, his wish, his wrath would no doubt consume him and one day prove to be his end. That was the sad truth, but she supposed someone such him already accepted his fate, maybe perhaps even embraced it fully. Anneliese could feel his oppressive gaze shift onto her without even looking. It was quite discomforting to be stared at so keenly, but she remained still and listening. After he spoke there was a pause, the rain hitting the ground softly was the only faint sound that could be heard. She thought carefully before she responded, but this time instead of ignoring him she decided it would be better to simply give in. 

"I'm not afraid of war... i'm afraid of what it is capable of. How it can take away the lives I cherish." 

Her face turned pale and deep within her dull auburn pools laid somber regret. She'd fight to protect anything. She would wage war if the GodKing ordered her to, but with the dance of strife, loss always followed. Ann mused over her own feelings before looking up through damp, black tufts of hair that obscured her face. She simply looked at the Quinta with fixated eyes. "Whats left after you wage your war, burn it all and blanket the battlefield with your wrath?  When there is nothing else to fight what then will you do?" It was a question that questioned his entire existence. Should he be unfortunate enough to live out his goals, what would he have to look forward to, how would he live? She knew even now that his skin itched for war.

That much she was certain of.
 

The rain made everything mellow and even the choice words of the Quinta Espada weren't as foul as he might have mean them. She stared at him with blank eyes as his spiel was said. She noticed the confusion upon his face and Anneliese knew why he was confused and she could feel the question he was about to ask her. She was a woman, perhaps it was a woman's nature to stand with the man she thought was worthy. There wasn't a definitive answer she could give him, but even so she replied as earnestly as she could. 

"He's my Godking. One asks not why they cant see air or why the sky is blue. He saved me and for that I owe him everything."

Perhaps he could not understand her feelings, but she had for so long been lost and it wasn't until her Shepard found her did she thrive once more.

"Ciò che dio vuole, Io voglio"

Speaking beneath her breath and the guise of the downpour she in turn smiled back at the Quinta. He was odd to say the least she noted to herself as his hand was offered to her. With not even a second thought passing her mind she took a hold of his hand, lifting herself from the ground. In his own right he wasn't half as bad as his rumors perceived him to be. Anneliese took some form of delight in this acknowledgment, perhaps there was yet some hope for the Espada. That they could on some even level get along. "We all do. Its how we get through this mundane world."  Her soft words were spoken in response to his statement. People have always deceived themselves in order to push forward and continue to live. It was the nature of the world, and unspoken rule.

Her eyes had shifted to the colorless skies that weeped continuously. She found a beauty in its somberness, something many couldn't appreciate, but alas it her time was up for now. "We should be on our way, theres a meeting soon" As she spoke a black tear was created within the air. She stepped through the portal and vanished, but a few seconds later a hand would be outstretched towards him, kindly opened. "Come." Her enchanting voice echoed from the endless void.