Continuing Remnant

I decided to spend a few days here in Finland before heading back to Japan in order to make things more convenient for Fiadh for fabricating my travel records. I gave Summer the heads up so she would not worry to death about where Ruby could be; she was not pleased with me for suddenly dragging her daughter to another country but did not complain as she thought it would be good for her daughter to experience another culture.

My secretary set up a nice hotel suite for everyone to stay at and also got herself a nice treat on my dime, as I did not mind since she always worked so hard to keep the company going. After getting everyone settled, I decided to have a heart-to-heart with Aila about why I took her in.

" Aila Jyrkiäinen, a moment."

" Ah, yes..."

I gestured for her to have a seat across from me and complied with her nervousness as clear as day to me. I asked her patiently and gently to ease her mind.

" Care for a drink?"

" Sure..."

I picked out a few different kinds from the mini-fridge and laid them out for her to choose from. She picked out a local version of cola, and I got something a bit more exotic, a Moomin soda, which was a type of strawberry soda unique to the country. I cracked open and decided to be direct with the silver-haired girl.

" I am sure you have questions, but let me tell you at least why I decided to take you in first. Part of the reason is how unique your gift is to see Plavsky Particles, and I want to research it to recreate it for others through technology. However, the biggest reason is that I have a unique gift myself."

I opened a small black portal in front of her, and she looked at me with a shocked expression, with her mouth slightly open. I chuckled at her expression and continued my explanation after closing the portal.

" I have always had an interest in unique abilities, considering my own and keeping my eyes open for individuals such as yourself. So, my offer for you in full is this: I can be your family if you want and never truly be alone again, or if that does not interest you, I will give you the tools you need to live your own life for yourself and no one else. Any questions?"

I asked with a smile, as I was deliberately being vague as dropping the whole multiverse was a bit much since we were just starting to get to know one another. She would not be the first kid I took in because I knew her relation to the plot of a world. Sakura aside, I have multiple kids under my guardianship and even have a few who are my flesh and blood due to meeting some truly amazing women. I plan on seeing them again once the two-week break at Beacon begins shortly after the Midterms.

I wondered how some of the women back Remnant would react to some of my kids since a few of them were not even human or rather faunus. I briefly reminisced on my surprisingly long life, and Aila finally spoke.

" Do you mean it... Becoming family?"

" In all but blood."

I answered earnestly, as I plan on treating her more along the lines of one of my daughters, as I am mostly interested in more mature women than teenagers with raging hormones. Although a few did... See me as more a man than their father, like Sakura. It's probably because I still look like I am in my late teens than an old man or adult despite my years. Aila then asked me.

" What do I call you then?"

" For just address me with whatever you are comfortable with. My full name is Silva Zelretch Branwen."

" I see... Silva then... What happens next?"

I bluntly told her.

" Aside from some paperwork to make me your legal guardian, nothing much but getting to know one another."

I just need a bit of bribery, blackmail, and threats in equal measures to grease the wheels of bureaucracy. I finished my drink and told Aila.

" If you have any questions, just ask, but I will tell you in advance. I won't tell you everything just yet. After all, we just met."

" Okay..."

I am not expecting her to open up anytime soon, as she is probably still on guard with me. For now, I will enjoy my stay in Finland before heading back to Japan. I grabbed another drink after finishing my soda, and Ruby came around to introduce herself to Aila formally.

" Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Ruby."

" Aila..."

The silver-haired girl curtly said to the silver-eyed girl, and I briefly imagined what those features would look like together on a single girl. Ruby still being awkward as she tries to power through the wall Aila built up.

" So... What do you think about Gunpla Battling?"

" Predictable..."

The silver-haired girl said with the same curt tone as before, and I found it amusing that the little cookie monster kept on trying. It was just the first day, after all. Give it at least a few days before trying to make a connection since she will be coming back with us to Japan. Well, Ruby, if anything else, gives it her all.

" Ah... Then... Ah... What do you think about Silva? What's your first impression of him?"

Of course, she directed this toward me when I happened to be drinking as it went down the wrong way, causing me to have a coughing fit. I swear, Ruby. Aila directed a look at me and stated calmly.

" He acts older than he looks."

I was not bothered by her bluntness as she was not wrong. I AM older than I look. The little cookie monster then added.

" Yeah, he does that a lot, but he's still cool."

I rolled my eyes at that but did not say anything as being "cool" is for tryhards or edgy jerks, plus the concept is relative. Maybe I should leave before Ruby drags me into whatever mess she is about to make. Drinking with Fiadh sounds good if she is up for it.