Welcome to Gaia! ::

Melanie stepped away from the group as it seemed it conversation turned around those three, Nasiga, Leto and Misty, with her sister taking care of her visitors, she could give Illo a little bit of time. Though, things weren't quite alright between the two of them. At least not for now.
While she would just forget things and start a new from scratch like she used to be, things were different. It wasn't hard to notice. Illo wasn't the wise man he once was, he was now tainted... tempted by the pleasures this world had to offer.
The Illo she once knew died along with her careless smiles during that trip to the future in which she confronted her future self.
More than the monk's fault, it was that foul attitude that smelled like an overdose of strength to back up their words which Illo expelled at the moment, that reminded Melanie of the butterfly knife.
Such comparison, while still little, it was definitely there, Illo was arrogant, just like the knife was in the future realm.
That alone was enough for her not to be near Illo, at least not alone.
As she gained courage to step near the monk, she braced herself as she made things clear with the monk.
"No it wasn't and I beg you forgive me for my childish behavior, but your's isn't the proper way to treat your partner's concern either."
Melanie was clear from the very start as she stared directly into the monk's eyes, she wasn't trying to portrait herself as a strong woman before Illo, all the contrary, it was in her eyes as clear as the daylight.
"And frankly, I don't really feel like training"
She was afraid of Illo, and she would let him know this.
She would avoid any chance that Illo's current personality might brutalize her like her future counterpart did to her in the future. That experience alone had scarred her. Beneath her clothes, bruises and scars covered that once clean skin of hers.
The worse part was something she didn't dare to extern to Illo, while none of them seemed to mind the romantic aspect of any relationship at this point.
It was this little gift that her future counterpart gave her before leaving that frightened her the most, enough to make even the strongest person shiver for their beloved one should they find themselves in the same situation.

What the butterfly knife had done to her, had no forgiveness. But, in a cruel sense of justice, it was probably for the best, even when Melanie might not see it this way.

"Sempai..."
Melanie whispered, the words dragged themselves with a lot of effort to leave her lips, it pained her to even be near this man.
Not because of who he had become at this point. Right now, the butterfly's gift to her was sinking her to the lowest she could ever fall.
Even so...
"Do you see me as a woman?"
This was a rather heavy and personal question. She wished to know, even if it was from someone she barely recognized anymore. Illo was the closest thing she had to a man she could trust. While she would love to see the old Illo back, even if that was the case, it would be hard to ask the very same question.
Not that she wished him to be her boyfriend. Or marry him. But, this Illo seemed less dense within this aspect of life than the old one.

As the monk would give his final answer, Melanie's eyes widened for a fraction of a second.
During that time, the perceptive monk would get a clean glance at how messed up the redhead was at that moment. How, shattered her soul was. The overflowing emotions of relief and frustration she held deep from anyone else to see as Illo said she looked like a woman in his eyes.
But then, just at the rain that fell yesterday, it vanished. Disturbingly killing the lingering feeling there, and instead forming a joyful smile to cover any further peeks at the bottom of her soul.
"I'm glad to hear that... seems I'm not just a worrywart in your way."
Melanie smiled back at her sempai, wishing, just for a minute, that she never went on that trip to the future. If only...
With a deep breath, closed eyes and deep sigh, the redhead returned to her cheerful self, at least a more mature version of it.
The redhead would seem to gain some courage in his words, and just like if nothing happened at all, Melanie sit by the monk's side, holding her own cup of tea.
"You seem to have worn yourself out for today, why don't we call it a day, maybe tomorrow would be perfect for training."
On the kitchen, by the trash can, there were Melanie's results of her medical studies. But she would never look at that report ever again. She promised herself to move on, and Illo's words just happened to be that little push she needed, to help herself give the first step on rebuilding her life.

As Misty spotted how close those two where she merely frowned lightly while the fluster on her face was just a little more evident than the frown itself.
Fortunatelly she would snap out of her little jealousy episode when Nasiga asked if they would fix something to eat or should they order something.
"Well right now we haven't been on home lately since we are just moving stuff, so we only have ramen. If that's not enough we could always order something. Would you like to have something in particular? Mom left us some money if we got tired of ramen so it's just fine if we want to order anything."
Replied the brunette as she stared at the dynamic duo.

Misty looked at those two, but it wasn't until Nasiga offered her hand to Leto that the brunette seemed shocked, flustered, and held a little frown of disapproval. But nothing else she could do at the moment.
Then again, it would be a free meal on Leto's. So, it wasn't that bad, right?
The only thing she didn't seem to solve out is why the idea of those two holding.
Since Nasiga stated that once Leto set his mind on something there was no turning back, she would have to go with the flow. At least for now.
"Oh I see... then, I'll go with you. You may need an extra hand, right?"
Regardless of these feelings, she wasn't going to give up on Nasiga that easily, and her rivalry with Leto wouldn't soften up just because he was treating dinner.

▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄

OOC:

[Amatha Uriel Exit]