-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
Ayaka Hayama stops in front of the doors to Ishinomori Koutarou's office just long enough to brush the folds out the short skirt of her self-tailored shihakushō. As she opens the door to enter, she takes a deep breath and thinks through all the hard work she's been through to get here. All the time she spent in the combat division, growing stronger and more skilled to better serve the forces of Soul Society. Her friends back in Rukongai who she fought for every day. The time she spent working her way up the ranks of the Command Division, becoming a better leader with every step. It had all been for this moment, this step into this office, and she couldn't give it up now.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Hueco Mundo]
Roof of Las Noches
Valentina nods. Her neck hurts still, and her breathing hasn't become quite regular yet.
Seeing Niklaus not only restore all his injuries and, even more, becoming even stronger so much that she's almost sure that she's surpassed in strength: it honestly makes her want to run far away and curl into a ball. His beastly looks only strengthen this feeling in her feline mind. And then there's Jehoel's overwhelming power. Simply being here with these two makes her very uncomfortable. Being this far outclassed...and La Primera Espada essentially dismissed her...
She swallows, and stands up. She seals her Resurrecion back into a sword and becomes humanlike again, but the black ink on half of her remains. As much as instinct tells her to just flee, part of her wants to watch. She runs off to some distance - where one of the Nachfolger who just drew attention to himself is. Rubbing her throat, she says "You're a prisoner of war, so don't cheer yet," but she keeps her eyes on the two. There's just some sort of morbid curiosity that tells part of her to watch.
Down Below
Caeyrn has not just been standing around, but he has instead intervened in key fights throughout the battlefield, both helping dispatch enemies and helping the injured get away. As he ran and fought, he urged the Quincy soldiers to regroup, as their organization and uniformity is a huge advantage for them.
He glances up to the top of Las Noches, where Niklaus is. The cross; he sees it.
But he can't be distracted and watch what's going on: there's a battle going on.
He casts his eyes around, to decide what fight to intervene in next: he sees that bound Arrancar, Demetrio, and that fight. He spends a moment to evaluate what's going on.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Queen of Thorns
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
Ayaka Hayama stops in front of the doors to Ishinomori Koutarou's office just long enough to brush the folds out the short skirt of her self-tailored shihakushō. As she opens the door to enter, she takes a deep breath and thinks through all the hard work she's been through to get here. All the time she spent in the combat division, growing stronger and more skilled to better serve the forces of Soul Society. Her friends back in Rukongai who she fought for every day. The time she spent working her way up the ranks of the Command Division, becoming a better leader with every step. It had all been for this moment, this step into this office, and she couldn't give it up now.
"Come on inside." beckoned Koutarou's voice a short instant before she touched the door.
Seated within was one of the youngest Commander-Generals in Seireitei history. One would expect that to make him look like a more cheerful fellow, or perhaps more uptight than usual to demonstrate how seriously he took his job.
Truth be told, Koutarou was not in either extreme of that scale. The smile he complimented her with was genuine and warm enough, but his eyes betrayed a sharpness and business-minded behavior that could be very intimidating.
"Hayama-kun. Please, take a seat.
Tell me a little about yourself."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Ayaka walks in calmly and takes a seat as commanded. She tries to think about how much a little bit is and what would be the best thing to tell him, not knowing how much he already knows about her.
"I haven't always been in your division sir. When I first graduated from the academy I worked under the Combat Division and learned a lot. I switched between different departments during my time there. It's where I learned how to use my shikai. I value the time I spent there and the people I met there, but it wasn't really the right fit for me. They had little value for kido, and it became even more clear when I mastered shikai. So I applied for a transfer to this division and was accepted."
She thinks for a second. What if he wasn't asking about her past, and just about her?
"I don't say it to brag about myself, but I gravitate towards leadership. Frequently when I have found myself working in groups, either for missions or training, I have taken command upon myself, crafting strategies, and encouraging teamwork and open-mindedness. I've grown used to knowing how to share command as well however, stepping down when I believe what someone else has to offer is more valuable than what I have."
She stops, hoping that is a good baseline.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"You must have changed Divisions towards the middle of the last Kenpachi's administration." Koutarou notes wrily. "While Kidou has not been exactly institutionalized as a mainstay in the Combat Division, they did change their squad makeup significantly in the past two hundred years."
Hard to tell what that comment was all about.
"I see your time in Command has taught you to be polite in your speech. Some might say those are very pretty words for 'I like to boss people around'. Tell me, Hayama-kun, what is it about leadership that has drawn you? Is it the authority? The respect that comes with it? To what would you say your rise through the ranks can be attributed?"
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
She nods in agreement. He was correct on those times, making up for her players lack of that knowledge, as it differs from the Combat Corp writeup.
"It's not power, or respect, or anything of that sort. Everyone has their talents, some are fast, some are strong, some are good at everything. I want to make sure those talents are brought out to their full potential, that Seireitei is using all of it's assets in the best way possible, and that those assets are working together is important as well. Soul Society has gone through a lot, and lost a lot. Er... not to be blunt, but I'm confident that I know how to use people."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Hueco Mundo]
Roof of Las Noches
Niklaus isn't overly concerned with a Cero. He's witnessed the destructive power of Jehoel's, but he's also noted he can dodge his aim and shoot his own rifle faster. So, he darts to the side, half jumping, half gliding as he circles around Jehoel, firing as rapidly as he can at the Arrancar, each bullet comparable to a shot from artillery. It's not going to be enough, but it's a good start. Adrenaline and exictement rush through Niklaus's veins as he pulls the trigger, again and again.
---
Down on the battlefield
Demetrio grows more and more exhausted under the merciless light, sweating profusely and getting steadily slower. He keeps up his assault on the Espada, but when Quidel darts behind him, the turncoat Arrancar can't keep up. Realizing he isn't fast enough to turn and shoot at Quidel, Demetrio just waits to the last moment and leaps as far to the side as he can when the Cero fires. His legs don't quite carry him far enough, and he's still caught in the blastwave, thrown over a nearby dune and, mostly by coincidence landing near Caeyrn.
As Demetrio crawls up, he notices his nominal superior. Caeyrn can see in his eyes a strange mix of forced obedience and caged hatred... and then, as if a spell breaking, both disappear and are replaced by pure fear. "Please... help me..." Demetrio coughs, trying to be heard by Caeyrn, even as his body gets back up and returns firing a volley of Balas at Quidel's direction.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Hueco Mundo]
Roof of Las Noches
Jehoel leaps high into the air to avoid Niklaus' shots, charging Cero still pointed straight down.
"Cero Demente."
Something is immediately off about the Cero that Jehoel fires. First of all, it is much thinner than his previous attacks, being barely wider than a splayed palm. Second, it constantly switches directions at odd angles, forming a jagged spiral as it launches toward Niklaus. It also persists in following him if he tries to dodge, albeit irregularly.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Queen of Thorns
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
She nods in agreement. He was correct on those times, making up for her players lack of that knowledge, as it differs from the Combat Corp writeup.
"It's not power, or respect, or anything of that sort. Everyone has their talents, some are fast, some are strong, some are good at everything. I want to make sure those talents are brought out to their full potential, that Seireitei is using all of it's assets in the best way possible, and that those assets are working together is important as well. Soul Society has gone through a lot, and lost a lot. Er... not to be blunt, but I'm confident that I know how to use people."
"I am of the belief that people can't be 'used'." Koutarou replied. Although his tone was calm, and not snappish, it did feel like getting snapped at a bit. "They can be directed, at the best of times. That still doesn't tell me what I want to know. That tells me what you can do. Not why you do it."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
Ayaka winces, both at her poor choice of words, and at Koutarou's misunderstanding of what she meant by that, but it's too late to take it back now.
He wants to know "why" she does it? Didn't she just answer that. For a better functioning Soul Society? She thinks harder, clearly he's looking for something more, but she needs to keep being genuine about. He certainly does not seem like the kind of man who would accept being told the obvious answer.
"I do it... because Soul Society is my home, and not to say that I don't trust those around me sir, but I feel better when I'm directly taking part in ensuring it's protection.
I know there are a lot of ways to do that, but I just know this is my path. Maybe I'm trying to prove something to myself, I need to get stronger in a lot of ways, but right now, I know this is my strength."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"That's better." Koutarou answers. "Ultimately, we are here to serve Soul Society. To protect those we love. And we all have our reasons.
Anyone who wants power and authority for their own sake should look elsewhere."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
She nods in agreement with him.
"I completely agree sir. Personal gain and command are a mixture that only works towards failure."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"You should understand that, at this point, I am looking for someone to support me, rather than succeed me. THAT particular appointment falls to somebody else to make." Koutarou explains as he shifts gears.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
"I understand entirely sir. That's another reason why I'm here, to be as useful as possible. I'm nowhere near capable to be Commander-General, even if I wanted to. I need way more training before I'm at that point, so I assure it's not something I'm looking for at this specific moment."
She takes another deep breathing, though she doesn't really seem nervous.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"Your work will be primarily clerical. I'll need you to help elaborate the reports of my current actions to Central 46.
Sad to say, I'm falling behind in that regard. With so many things to oversee at once, I have barely had time to tend to the paperwork. Your presence will help me prioritize my actions."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Draken
A thick, thorny briar blocks the shots.
Helena stares the boy down. You know the look. The look of contempt towards someone who has just made light of something serious by trying to make a misunderstanding joke of a simple language construct.
You have done that look at someone before, that is for sure. A look that could curdle milk, wilt flowers and shoot birds out of the sky.
Yes, that look.
"Well, if you are among the lowest ranking here, then I suppose this will not be a suitable demonstration of my skills as my Espada asked me to do."
That same briar from before swings suddenly, shooting out a hail of thorns at Torahiko.
Torahiko is doing his best to focus any potential threats, and not squirm under the death-glare he's earned from Helena. "Could you... please stop that." He already knows the answer he's going to get, but he might as well keep speaking to people who want him dead by this point. "If you meant my personal involvement, I'm not sure stopping me would make much of a difference. But I'm perfectly willing to slow you down for a while."
Once he sees the attack coming, he starts running towards the thorns. He doesn't even begin sink into the sand, or even leave footprints until he's halved the distance between himself and the thorns. Then he turns sharply, dragging his foot in a arc ahead of him to kick up a short-lived curtain of sand, hoping to obscure which direction he's escaped to for just a moment.
Faint green sparks run across his fingers as he tightens the grip in his left hand, making the points of his keychain dig into his fist.
Spoiler: And loses a moment as it's consumed by fleeting glimpses.
Show
[Hueco Mundo]
(Sands - Night)
It's hard to tell where this is. The desert is endless in all directions. The moon hangs overhead no matter how far you travel. There is no wind. The city either isn't visible from here, or just hasn't been built yet.
The emotion the watcher doesn't want to name surfaces once more. After all, in a twisted sort of way, this was a great view.
A single hollow comes into view, the perspective shifts between multiple close angles to it as it gathers energy and directs it into a large ball.
it releases the energy in the form of a beam that strikes something flying high above, sending it crashing to the ground in the horizon.
The hollow leaves the watcher's viewpoint as it runs off to claim it's prize.
"Ah--- Is that how they do that?"
And are gone as fast as they appear
The soldat seems to flicker for a moment as he emerges from behind his improvised distraction, still leaving no tracks until he comes to a three point stop. Not only do few small tears is his Vertrauen show that it was far from a perfect evasion. And it's probably only a matter of time before somebody realizes he has a preference for circle strafing.
He fires the rifle in his right, four more ginto, loosely grouped. Hoping for the shortened distance between them to make these harder to defend against. "You said you wanted to make a demonstration? Is that why you singled out the oddities?" It should be fairly clear that he intends to keep his opponent talking for as long as he can.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
"I understand sir, I would be happy to help in any way I can."
She says dutifully before catching herself.
"That is, if you see me fit to be placed in this position."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Queen of Thorns
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
"I understand sir, I would be happy to help in any way I can."
She says dutifully before catching herself.
"That is, if you see me fit to be placed in this position."
Koutarou flashed a bit of a smile. "Your eagerness betrays you, Hayama-kun. But I suppose I can understand that, too, is a sign of earnestness.
Suppose you do get the job. What would your first course of action be?"
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
She considers the question for a few moments.
"That's highly dependent on a few factors. Namely, what you need to have done, and what information is already fully known.
However, without any of that knowledge immediately apparent, I'd consider a full assessment of our separate divisions, but not a bunch of documents and reports, but someone to go in and really interact with each division. Spar with combat, research with the SSI, scout with Recon, etcetera."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"How long do you estimate that would take?"
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
"That's entirely dependent on the cooperation of the various divisions, as well as the number of people we would be tasking with this mission. Whether it would be me directly, or others, or a mixture of the two. That being said, I do think an in-depth assessment of Seireitei's current capabilities and preparedness is important and necessary."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"Wrong answer. It's true, at least in part, but leaders must act upon concrete data. 'It gets done when it gets done' is a horrible planning method, particularly during wartime.
So. How long?"
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
She smiles a bit. Even though she's more or less being told she's wrong, she can't help but be glad that this man isn't letting anything go without a second thought. This is her Captain.
"I'd say I could accomplish it from planning to results in 3 weeks. 2 weeks if we get very lucky."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"Do it in one, without cutting corners, and you might just get the job. If you need resources, talk to me. You can use any personnel that isn't doing anything particularly important."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
Her smile turns into a satisfied grin. He was the kind of leader she wanted to be. Bold and full of high expectations, but also full of trust.
"Manpower should be the only resource I need sir. I won't let you down."
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
"Looking forward to your results. Dismissed." Koutarou replied with a smile.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
Soul Society
Office of the Commander General
Ayaka stands and gives a small bow before leaving the office.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Hueco Mundo]
Down, battlefield
Caeyrn notices Demetrio's eyes. He tries to remain neutral, but seeing that proves that even if spirits are no longer completely human, they can be at least...half-human.
Half a human is still human enough. More than some other people he's met before.
The Frenchman gathers Reishi under his feet, and uses the Quincy technique Hirenkyaku to move quickly forward. He stops momentarily Demetrio, and says, "Start to make your way back to regroup." Basically the same thing he's been saying to other Quincies. They're stronger as a group.
Caeyrn moves towards Quidel and watches that Arrancar closely. His Soul-Cutting Shield is at his right hand, and his swordlike crossbow in his left. No armor on yet, though. "What sort of beast are you?" he shouts at the Espada; it's always good to know what kind of dragon you vanquish.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Soul Society]
Outside the Commander's office
As Ayaka is on her way through the adjacent Vice-Commander's office, she might notice two out-of-place people there. One of them is very pale, with a green tinge to their skin, wearing a white labcoat, with black hair and mismatched eyes (one is green, the other blue). It is diligently organizing various stacks of papers on the Vice-Commander's desk and writing things down, both on paper and a computer. It is an artificial soul called Lily, who has been doing the bookkeeping and secretary work associated with the Vice-Commander's position while Koutarou has been looking for someone to fill the spot. It will probably help Ayaka get accustomed to her new job and office once her nomination is sealed.
The other person is a humanoid Hollow, roughly the size and shape of a 12-year-old girl, sitting on a chair in a corner. It is one of the (currently) 56 beings collectively known as "Nanashi", or "Nameless". It is dressed very much like a Shinigami, even carrying a zanpakuto in a lacqured black sheath. Its black garb is tied around the waist with a red sash. It waves cheerfully at Ayaka as she passes... maybe. It's hard to tell its emotions through the skull mask. Lily occasionally gives it murderous glances.
Once Ayaka gets out, she might note there's another black-clad humanoid sitting cross-legged just outside the main building doors. It has snakes on each shoulder and its hair is made of snakes of bone. It is utterly still, and someone has encircled it with red & yellow warning tape.
---
[Hueco Mundo]
Roof of Las Noches
While the erratic path of the Cero makes it hard to predict where it will go next, Niklaus is about as fast and maneuverable as the projectile itself. Hence, he is safe in his ability to dodge it, and isn't likely to be directly hit. But the damn thing might explode at any moment, as far as he knows, so he isn't sure how close he ought to let it. So his plan is to close the distance between him and Jehoel again, trying to fly behind or above the Arrancar so that the Cero following him might accidentally hit its creator.
Meanwhile, the Nachfolger Valentina is holding grabs the hand rubbing her throat... with an arm that wasn't there a second ago. Something is off. A halo of blue energy is forming above her. The wings of her Vertrauen are reactivating and flailing against Valentina. The stone below them is being devoured and turned into raw materials to repair her lost leg and arm.
A similar phenomenom is going on around the other three surviving Quincies. It's as if they've been caught in Niklaus's Vollständing somehow, and now mirroring what he just went through.
Valentina might just find herself having to do more than just watch.
Meanwhile, down on the battlefield
Demetrio is visibly relieved when Caeyrn orders him to move away from Quidel. "Yes, sir!", he barks, and heads towards the regrouping Soldaten as fast as he can. Hopefully, Quidel won't take the chance to finish him off.
-
Re: [BiTPR2] Renewed Revolution: Spirit World IV
[Hueco Mundo]
Roof
Jehoel, who hasn't moved from the firing position this whole time, is forced to dodge out of the way of the Cero. As soon as he stops maintaining it, the Cero fires straight into the sky, through the clouds and presumably goes until it fades out. That attack foiled, Jehoel pursues Niklaus directly, attempting to drive his fist into the Quincy's face.