Chapter 218: Acceptance
[December 3rd DxD/July 26th DBT]
With most of the preparations precluding Termina's isolation being related to external matters and arrangements, Vahn spent much of his time since the decision catching up with those he had been forced to part ways with in the Tower and Corridor. Riko's group, in particular, had spent the better part of three months anxiously awaiting his return, so he spent two weeks assuaging their concerns with a vacation and weeks more apprising those he believed deserving of the situation.
"So even the Gods need to be wary of enemy attack...I can only imagine what kind of adversaries could threaten someone so great..." muttered Yamato, kneeling on the floor in front of Vahn as he sat atop a sofa in his study. He had invited her to sit with him as they enjoyed various types of alcohol, but she insisted it wouldn't be appropriate given the difference in their statuses.
"Unfortunately, even among Gods, there are warmongers, tyrants, and fools..." sighed Vahn, exhaling from his nose and experiencing a bout of regret as, despite their current proximity, he couldn't help feeling that he and Yamato had grown distant since she had three months to meet and interact with other Ascendees in the time he was dealing with the Khaos Brigade's raid and its immediate aftermath...
"I see..." muttered Yamato, staring down at the contents of her sake cup with a wistful, contemplative expression. Vahn wasn't the only one feeling a sense of distance, but with three months to reflect on their interactions, particularly what they had been doing before their parting, she concluded that her behavior had been exceedingly shameless, far removed from the behavior expected of a Samurai...
Feeling that things were becoming unnecessarily tense, Vahn's expression and tone softened as he asked, "So, what have you been up to these past three months? I read your messages, but stories and recountings are best heard from the source..."
"Do you really want to hear about that sort of thing?" questioned Yamato, smiling wryly as she contended, "Surely you have better things to do than accompany me."
"We could tarry here for three months, and not even an hour would pass outside this room," stated Vahn, the corners of his smile curling upward as he added, "But even if we stayed ten times as long, I wouldn't consider a single moment wasted..."
Feeling a prominent flutteriness permeate her chest, Yamato raised her hands and pressed the tips of her fingers together, a light blush coloring her cheeks as she avoided his gaze and countered, "You're exaggerating. Besides, I'm not fond of being cooped up in one place for too long...if we were to do such a thing, a change of venue would be in order..."