On considering his return to scorched

[silverking]

The lights still flicker wildly there, don't they? But that is the nature of the Door. No, that I remember does not mean that I wish to go back. There is nothing for me in that place besides ghostly memories and monuments built to commemorate people and things long gone.

Not that you care, hm? And they call me an abyssal one.

[His laugh is a grim and humorless one.]

But you say I have unfinished business. Tell me, what is that? A basement of grisly shadows sealed away? A severed arm left to a magician? Too trivial by far.

Or is it not my arm to which you're referring? Hers...? Now, I might go back for that. But then what? I don't like to act without planning ahead, as you well know. Tell me what comes next and maybe I'll consider returning after all.

Comments

[silverking]

What do you mean?

[brewglory]

From your torso, that is. Yours, specifically, is still in my possession.

[silverking]

Yes, I think it was...three times? The first was trickery on Aizen's part, I'm certain. The second was to even the score with Byakuya Kuchiki in a duel. And then I offered you my arm the third time.

[He smiles to himself.]

I remember speaking with Priscilla about the number three and its interesting habit of appearance.

...glad to know you've kept that all this time, though.

[brewglory]

Pardon me if I forgo the turn towards superstition which this conversation has taken.

You would be surprised to learn how easy it is to keep such an interesting...item...safely away from prying eyes.

[silverking]

[He waves a hand dismissively, not minding at all.]

Tell me, how easy? How did you manage to accomplish it?

[brewglory]

I stored it in a locked drawer in my office.

[Were you expecting something else, Isley?]

[silverking]

And no one has asked you about the energy emanating from it?

[brewglory]

My living situation has changed somewhat. There is only one other besides myself now, and she would be unlikely to notice.

[silverking]

Even a human can sense yoki if the energy level is strong enough...but perhaps it's faded.

No matter.

Why so solitary? But for your lady friend, that is.

[brewglory]

I won't insult your intelligence by hand feeding you that answer.

[silverking]

[Unbridled laughter!]

Oh...my, sharp of tongue as usual, aren't you? I'd almost forgotten what you could be like.

I'm presuming they're either dead or gone or both, then. That or you desired some privacy.

[brewglory]

The latter. Most of the youth have gone, but Yuui, Kurogane, Fai - they are still there.

[silverking]

Yuui? He's returned, then. Everyone must be so happy.

[brewglory]

I would say the celebration was somewhat muted.

Surely you don't mean to return solely for an arm.

[silverking]

Are you that interested in my reasons, Severus?

[brewglory]

Do I seem the sort who suffers idle conversation?

[silverking]

Ordinarily? No. But you're still here, aren't you?

[brewglory]

I am interested in why you would choose to return to Anatole. If, indeed, you have a choice.

[silverking]

Aside from the obvious returning means I get to live again...?

[brewglory]

That depends on how you classify 'living', I suppose.

[silverking]

How I classify it wasn't the question.

[He smiles!]

I left behind some loose ends and I'd rather like to tie those up.

[brewglory]

I see.

Let us hope I was not one of them.

[silverking]

When I left Anatole, we were still on amicable terms! And unless that's changed for whatever reason...you don't have anything to worry about that I can foresee.

[brewglory]

One never knows.

[Particularly when one operates on these levels of paranoia.]

[silverking]

[Isley laughs.]

I suppose that's true. Hold onto that arm, then. Otherwise...