Link to Spirit World IV
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Link to Spirit World IV
Jehoel strides out of the dust, seemingly unaffected.
"Is that so? How long have you been a Shinigami?"
[Las Noches, Hueco Mundo]
[Various Rooms, Palacio Real]
Spoiler: OOCGonna jump between rooms to keep this rolling a bit better. Also just going to focus on "hightlights"; Ammutseba, Rater202, we've covered most of this in the OOC thread or in PMs already.
[Svetlana's Room]
"...understand the duty, Numeros Svetlana? Your reasoning is fairly sound, and I admit curiosity about this...bond. But while I am entrusting this duty to you, I will again remind you that Las Noches is more important than a Mortal. It is even more important than you, or I, if it comes to that. Individual honor or goals must be subsumed for the betterment of our City, at least at times. You will need to be a guiding force for this foolhardy girl. She must understand how precarious her position is, and that she may yet suffer more dire punishments if she is not careful."
Turiel seemed serious but not angry with the up-and-coming Arrancar.
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[Nuala's Room]
"-forms necessary to make Nonessentia a fully recognized organization. You aren't strictly obligated to fill and sign them, but if you're leery of fully joining the Unseelie Accords, this is probably your next-best option, becoming a recognized non-affiliate. You won't have the same protections, but neither will you have the obligations. It would also ease minds about your access to the Library, I think. As it is this whole incident, so soon after the short, defeated war on our City, will likely be making waves for a while to come."
He sat back and waited for the Fullbringer's answer.
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[Sarah's Room]
Turiel was standing, looking down at the seated Mortal girl. His voice was calm and steady, but as hard as sword-steel.
"Whether you appreciate the fact or not, you live solely by my mercy, and by the pleas of two others. You draw breath because I, we, allow it. And I am placing an enormous amount of trust in Numeros Svetlana, and a grain of trust in you, to allow you the freedom that I am. If you abuse this trust, if you threaten the peace of this City, do not think you will not have consequences."
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[Seireitei, Soul Society]
[Thousand Deaths, Combat Division Training Grounds]
Masaru had returned to the Combat Division's grounds in a state fit to scare any and all Officers and Unseated away from his immediate area. He'd made a beeline for the Thousand Deaths.
In this case, he was in the Death By Bamboo, as he wanted to focus entirely on action. He'd started with cutting down swathes of bamboo with his swords, before cleaning and sheathing them, then setting them to one side along with his kimono, haori, hat, and the upper portion of his uniform.
Now he was breaking bamboo with his bare hands, his artificial arm sometimes reducing the target to splinters that flew away from him, while his flesh-and-blood hand "merely" broke the bamboo where it struck.
'Bad enough we've made ourselves bedfellows with Las Noches. Pragmatism, I understand it. We play the long game, maybe one day we can purify them all. Maybe not all, but we stop the flow of them there some other way, make sure no more Hollows make it to Las Noches. But bad enough he does nothing to rebuke the Primera for bragging about killing the Captain and the Vice-Captain. Bad enough he lets that slide as if it was a report on the weather. Now he's sparring with Jehoel? What, are they friends now? Comrades in arms, brothers in all but blood? What next, he makes an Arrancar a Captain in the Gotei?'
Masaru is not in a great moond.
Looking over the forms, Nuala dispenses with the pen she'd been given, and spreads out each paper onto the table in front of her. "I can na see a reason fi not sign, Segunda. 'T's ideal, a true," she tells him, not taking her eyes of the pages. She spreads out her fingers, so that one touches each of the forms. The smell of hot paper effervesces through the air, and suddenly her answers and information fill in at the required lines. She scorches on her answers not wholly unlike a laser printer, but with a display of universal fullbring that would require extreme precision.
Nuala scoops the documents together and holds them out to Turiel. "So den, da library next?"
When Koutarou fails to take the initiative, Jehoel almost instantly closes the gap and lets loose with a tight, efficient series of blows.
"Of course, because of your regard for life, no? Because they knew that you cared for them? Respected their hopes, wishes, dreams, and loves? Fought alongside them? Listened to them?"
"I would --" *block* "-- certainly -- " *block* "-- hope so."
It isn't until one of Jehoel's attacks carries him a little closer that Kamen Rider Rei knocks his fist aside and weaves under the next in a sudden burst of action, swinging fast and hard under the blow. He uses this opportunity to gain a bit of distance again - but perhaps to Jehoel's surprise, he chooses to throw the bludgeon in his direction, aimed at his right leg. He certainly knows how to mix up ranges to confuse the enemy; even given Jehoel's experience and coolness, it's an annoying kind of enemy to fight.
"But perhaps more than that. I have on more than one occasion put my life on the life to save theirs. And that is why they trust my heart to be the same as my words."
Unconventionally, Jehoel simply blocks the thrown cudgel with his shin; the Arrancar's Hierro must be incredibly dense in that area. In an impressive display of dexterity, he flips the weapon up and delivers a direct strike with the same leg, hurling it far off the cliff face and into the forest below.
"Quite. You put great value in life, but still risk your own without hesitation. Because that helps to preserve more of those precious existences."
He seems content to let Koutarou make the next move.
"Every time I've risked mine, it was with the certainty that someone else would survive.
And not once have I embraced that I might die for it.
By the way... Thanks for doing that."
What is he talking about?
A whirling sound alerts Jehoel to Rei's move... if it can be called that. The cudgel is spinning rapidly towards him!
Of course, the defensive field. It is basically electromagnetic in nature. Using it to alter the course of the weapon shouldn't be too difficult a task.
Not that Jehoel would know this was the Commander-General's first attempt at doing so.
[Hishikawa Estate]
"We also have tiger cubs." Katsurou replies like it's the most common thing in the world.
Suguri's ears perked up - tiger cubs sounded adorable!
"You do?" she asked excitedly.
Setsurou looked at the interaction between Suguri and his grandfather with a mix of nostalgia and amusement.
"This is not the face of an old man that would lie to you. Come, little Suguri. Let us go visit the tiger cubs." Katsurou stood up and reached a hand for the child.
Suguri grinned for the first time since she'd died, taking the old man's hand and following him to see the tiger cubs.
The tiger cub enclosure is actually pretty wide - mostly because the tiger mother is not too far. But as it turns out, neither size of animal is on a leash.
Suguri doesn't know the reason for that, of course. The truth is, these tigers are all meant for training.
It might surprise her to see Katsurou just walk up to the tiger mother and gently bring her over to another corner. The cubs are busy playing about.
"Don't worry. These guys don't have their claws yet. Just be gentle with them."
"Awww~" Suguri let out a squeal of delight when she saw the cubs. She carefully walked over to them, not wanting to frighten them, and knelt down to pet and play with them, her tail wagging furiously.
"Would you look at that, grandson. She seems very much at home, doesn't she?" Katsurou chuckled.
"Almost too much." Setsurou agreed. "I don't think they mind her company, either."
Truth be told, the tiger cubs were pretty much as playful as kittens right now. Though they weren't really supposed to be.
Suguri giggled, petting one of the tiger cubs on the belly, when she suddenly stopped. She sniffed, smelling something, then suddenly grabbed the cub and hurried over to the adults with a worried expression, her tail between her legs.
"This one's sick!" she said. The kitten purred, not looking particularly sick at a glance.
"What?" Katsurou looked, confused. He took the cub from Suguri's hands as the tiger mother moved worriedly next to her.
"What's the matter with him?"
"He's sick!" Suguri repeated. She didn't know how or with what, she wasn't a vet (and was a child). She just knew he smelled sick, at an instinctual level.
Although the attack itself was unexpected, Koutarou's inexperience and corresponding lack of fine control mean that Jehoel is able to easily evade the attack, sliding back out of the way while the cudgel spins past him.
"Tell me. When was the first time you ignored a Hollow as it begged for your mercy?"
The cudgel spins through the air back to Kamen Rider Rei's hand. There goes the surprise factor.
"That never happened."
That's a bold statement...
____________
"I see." Katsurou peered at his grandson, whom looked at a loss. "I'll have one of their handlers look him over. Might be something he ate."
With that said, the elder called for one of the Estate's servants, to have the cub examined. The tiger mother didn't look too happy about this...
Jehoel seems unimpressed.
"Is that so? If you've fought any significant number, mercy should have been asked of you many times. Most Hollows are craven by nature and would spare no effort to preserve their own lives."
Suddenly, Jehoel uses Sonído to vanish and reappear in front of Koutarou. He immediately drives on fist toward Koutarou's stomach and almost immediately follows up that attack by attempting to smash his elbow into Koutarou's face. He continues talking without even breaking flow.
"And I highly doubt you would have spared a sadistic Hollow, or a Shinigami killer. So. Are you quibbling semantics, or simply inexperienced?"
Jehoel's first strike catches the Commander-General by surprise. Reflex alone is what saves him from the second as he immediately brings up the cudgel to block. He still slides several feet back, however.
"Neither. I do not expect you to see it as such... but..."
SABBATH/BLIND GUARDIAN
GATTAI COMPLETE!
SYMPHONY X!
The armor's form grows more jagged. When Kamen Rider Rei dashes again, there is a distinct afterimage. This time, his gauntlets feature... pile drivers?
"...the duty of a Shinigami is not to 'end the existence of a Hollow'.
It is to 'lift the weight upon a soul'. To a Shinigami, purifying a Hollow is, indeed, an act of mercy!"
His fists are so much faster - so much heavier! The instant they connect, be it with his guard or his body, Jehoel can feel an aftershock as the pile drivers shoot forward. One would expect him to recoil after each hit, but...
"I have not once kept from purifying a Hollow when it was within my power to do so... not until we signed the peace treaty with Las Noches. Do you know why?"
Jehoel simply waits and watches for Koutarou to attack with his new form, seeking to get an idea of its capabilities before attacking. Just as Koutarou is about to impact for the first time, though, Jehoel blurs behind him and attempts to drive the back of his elbow into Koutarou's neck.
"Do enlighten me."
[Las Noches, Hueco Mundo]
[Various Rooms, Palacio Real]
[Nuala's Room]
Turiel simply watched Nuala for a moment, expression neutral. Taking her measure, once again.
"Very well. This will be processed shortly, and copies sent to the Psychopomps and Mortals who are members of the Accord shortly after. That way, Nonessentia can avoid any...unwanted misunderstandings."
He takes the documents and hands them off to a clerk who was standing nearby for just this purpose.
"Yes, if that's your wish. You will be assigned a combination guide and guard for the next couple of days, to help you get a better understanding of where things are in the City, as well as what areas are open to visitors. On your way out, you'll be given the paperwork to hand in at the Library to then get a Guest Pass. If you stay longer than a couple of weeks, we can determine if you'll be given any increases to your access to materials. Please do not abuse the privilege we are extending to you. It would be very...uncivilized."
Probably some hidden meaning in those comments...
"Also, while you extended your political umbrella over the foolish girl-child, you should know that she has been very hostile to the idea of being associated with you, though she won't explain why. I won't force the matter with her; if you wish contact, I would suggest using messengers and seeing what comes of it."
He's standing up to leave himself, now.
[Svetlana's Room]
Turiel "hm'ed" thoughtfully for a moment.
"Hopefully you do. Now, if you two choose to take her in for study of this bond beyond what you may discover yourselves, make it clear to whoever aids you she is not to be harmed. But ensure she is not...over-reactive if they forget themselves. If she kills an Arrancar who was not literally attacking her that very moment, who had overwhelmed you and her other escorts, she will be lucky to only lose freedom. Make that abundantly clear to her."
Turiel is now standing and walking out the door, the dismissal being quite clear.
[Sarah's Room]
Turiel just watches her for a few moments.
"Don't make yourself regret this decision."
Wait that's not how that saying goes-
"Numeros Svetlana and the rest of your escort will be here shortly. Until then, remain here."
Turiel gets up and leaves briskly, not giving her much of a chance to respond.
Jehoel is an experienced fighter. He ought to know the difference between being about to hit an afterimage and being about to hit the real thing.
That's why it's a very confusing feeling to know he's about to hit SOMETHING, just not the real thing.
"Because the moment you stop being a danger to yourself or others, including Soul Society, you stop being a problem. We do not purify Hollows because we were ordered to, but because it is necessary to the Cycle.
We cannot afford to wait for wild Hollows to reach this level of conscience, because they might never reach it. But for those who have?
We can afford to let them roam free."
Jehoel blinks into the sky.
"Can't? Tell me, how many prisoners are in the Senzaikyū at this moment?"
Pointing one finger downwards, Jehoel releases a Cero. Rather than actually damaging the terrain, it billows outwards in a detonation of concussive force.
The servant hurries along to find the exact course of treatment to administer.
Either way it looks like an injection.
"He should be alright now. How did you know?" Katsurou asks of Suguri.
___________________________
"Like I said. I do not expect you to see things that way."
Rei's form multiplies, circling the Cero around the edge of the point of detonation. The explosion is compressed back to its potential form before the Commander-General hurls it back with great effort.
"Seven hundred and forty-nine. But the purpose of prison is not one of education, it is one of punishment and, when possible, reform.
Not a valid point of comparison, I'm afraid.
I do not believe in absolutes, Jehoel. That is why I want to believe you can truly accomplish something with Las Noches, rather than simply take you for the existence you are."
"...you smelled it?" Katsurou asks for confirmation. "...and you realize this is something not every human can do?"
Jehoel bats the Cero aside. It detonates rather impressively in the air, but there's little actual substance to the explosion.
"It is, I'm afraid, an entirely valid comparison. Do you know what Las Noches does with Hollows we capture that haven't yet regained their minds? We simply imprison them. No education. No discussion. They're kept restrained in Sekkiseki-reinforced cells and fed using the foods that we have cultivated. It takes, on average, three weeks to break the mental connection between killing and staving off hunger. They're still Hollows, unequivocally, but the compulsive desire to kill is broken. From there, we educate them and channel lingering blood-lust into more productive areas. The process is actually far simpler than I would have expected."
Jehoel lands far away from Koutarou, the execution scaffold visible some ways in the distance.
"Do you know why I took us here? Other than the fact that it's open and empty."
"I am aware that my stance may seem entirely contradictory to you. Unfortunately, for now, it is what it is. I cannot cast aside entirely what makes us Shinigami, and a part of that is, in fact, the need to purify Hollows.
Those you imprison and change. Do you believe they would have done so of their own volition? How long would it have taken? What of the ones that have changed into Arrancar and still chose a path of violence and destruction?
The symbolism of this place is obvious. It is a place where an existence ceases to be - permanently. It is also our most drastic form of execution, to ensure someone's influence never enters the Cycle again. There is a great deal of difference between a Zanpakutou and the Soukyoku."
_________________
"Dear, believe me. As close as you might be to it, you are no dog. And you would do well to be thankful for it."
Jehoel doesn't move. Looks like he's still waiting for Koutarou's next attack.
"Perhaps they would change. Perhaps not. Hollows who willingly reject violence and travel more peaceful paths are rare, but not unheard of. And I'm afraid that unless you choose to execute every violent criminal in the Soul Society, your comparison rings hollow. We give them the ability to make that choice, yes, but we cannot control their minds. Las Noches simply grants the same fundamental right to exist that is given by default to humans and spirits."
Jehoel waits for Koutarou's next attack, then blurs back even farther, ending up next to the Sōkyoku itself. He looks up at it, seemingly completely dropping his guard against Koutarou.
"Would it surprise you to learn that I, too, have a moral code? You almost certainly wouldn't see my own restrictions as moral, but they are no less important to me for it. One such principle is this: I see every existence as precious and irreplaceable. There is more to a person, to a life, than just the soul that exists at its core. Even those sufficiently awoken as to remember their previous lives cannot entirely return to those previous existences. How can they, when we change so much over the course of just one life? But I digress."
He looks back at Koutarou.
"You can argue that a base Hollow is simply a twisted human soul, in pain, but the same simply is not true for Menos. In many cases, exiting the Gillian phase fuses the mass of souls forming the Arrancar together into a single, new identity. Even when an individual consciousness does take the forefront, it is far different from even how it was as a Hollow. The process of becoming a Menos fundamentally alters the soul. Purification erases that, reverting a new soul to a completely blank slate and purging every trace of existence as a Hollow from souls that remain separate. For a Menos, and for many older Hollows, the difference you describe between the Sōkyoku and the Zanpakuto is academic. Both represent a total annihilation of all that we are. To say otherwise is to even even the possibility that our existences can hold meaning or value, a point which I do hope you have passed by now."
"No. It would not surprise me."
Jehoel isn't the only one who can zip up behind people. Of course, the afterimages cast by Kamen Rider Rei are not at all like his own motions. And Jehoel certainly never tried to attack someone from three different spots at once. It feels a lot more like he's engaging multiple opponents at this point.
"The issue, however, lies in the fact that what you ask for is to let Shinigami as they are disappear entirely and trust you to take on the task of maintaining balance in the Cycle. For an unique and meaningful existence to disappear is no less tragic if done by blade or fang.
Not every Plus in Soul Society is the product of Konsou. And the vast majority of them is equally powerless before a Hollow. This could even be said of many Shinigami. Even if we took to Hollow-hunting strictly to defend ourselves, the lives we DID lose would be on our hands for lacking proactivity."
"You realize, of course, that the terms of our treaty explicitly forbid active Hollow hunting from the Shinigami unless previously agreed upon. The number of self defense incidents, naturally, are far higher than could have been anticipated...but it wouldn't do to have the gods of death grow fat and lazy. The ones without the motivation to place themselves in harm's way are unlikely to amount to much regardless."
Jehoel is doing a remarkably good job of keeping up with Koutarou. Blows are redirected or dodged entirely to avoid taking the direct impact of the pile bunkers. There's no wasted movement.
"You seem to be making assumptions. What, exactly, do you think I'm asking of you?"
What might prove a little more surprising is that Koutarou can keep increasing the rhythm without his breath running short.
He's also trying out new angles, shooting kicks and punches from sides he shouldn't be able to given his position.
"You don't want us to purify Hollows, especially the wild ones you might be able to rehabilitate. Just as we can't grow fat and lazy, we cannot allow the population of Hollows to explode so you can get a shot at making them productive members of your society.
This is especially troublesome given the recent assault on Las Noches and the toll it's taken on your side. I doubt you came out unscathed.
I have yet to thank you for tackling the Quincies, by the way.
But my point remains. We can't not purify Hollows. So where does that leave us?"
"With your nose. Which while admirable, is no proof of being a dog.
I know a lot of people who can do really amazing things. They aren't animals, though."
"Wrong again. To answer your question, I would say focus on purifying Jibakurei, since that is supposedly what you agreed to when you first signed the treaty. If you've been illegally and deliberately subverting that on a large scale, now would be an excellent time to restart the war over your grievous breach of contract."
In a fight made of almost instantaneous blows, Jehoel suddenly drops his guard and returns his hands to his pockets. Koutarou has just enough time to pull back or, alternatively, just take the advantage.
"Do you know what separates conviction and stubbornness, Koutarou? What marks the line between virtue and fault?"
Spoiler
Can you explain "kicking and punching from angles he shouldn't be able to" in more detail? I have no ability to visualize based on that description.
He'd rather pull back. An opponent with a guard you didn't lower yourself is just plotting something.
"We've been busy rebuilding Soul Society and responding to the continuous threat of the Cult of the Trifold Eye. Any Hollows purified in the course of reconaissance against them were strictly in self-defense or in the aid of mortals under attack - two exceptions we strictly defined when we first signed this treaty.
The Cult has provided a sizable enough threat that we've been able to make things work out so far. But as leaders of our respective factions, perhaps it is time we defined what will happen once the Cult is gone."
SpoilerSpoken simply, it goes like this. Imagine Rei is crouching to deliver a punch to Jehoel's stomach. Almost immediately after, while still crouching, he's shooting a roundhouse kick to your jaw, for which he'd have to either have a gigantic leg, or to be standing.
Basically, Kamen Rider Rei is using his afterimages and the thunderclones to appear as though he is in more than one place at once. This would normally be readily apparent, since the thunderclones can't imitate his appearance - he can take on theirs, but he's not doing that right now.
Mostly? Dogs don't usually grow up to be more than great members of the family.
"Want to go see the pony now, or would you like to play with the cubs some more?"
Suguri glanced back at the sick tiger cub.
"Okay...." she said. "Will he be okay?"
"Yes, he will. We'll just keep him under observation for a little while. But he should be up and about playing with his siblings in little time." Katsurou assured her.
Suguri nodded. "Then yes."
Jehoel doesn't move from that position, simply watching Koutarou.
"You know that I do not make decisions for Las Noches. I have been a leader among the Espada, but that does not give me the right to renegotiate for all of Las Noches. Assuming, of course, that there is any reason for me to desire that in the first place. And you still haven't answered my question."
"It is, however, something worthy of consideration. To bring for discussion to your fellow Espada.
I would consider it a personal favor given my latest interaction with the Royal Guard.
As for what separates stubborness and conviction, I would imagine it is whether the goal can be reached."
___________________
"Ah. It would seem someone wants to thank you, too."
Before Suguri realizes, the tiger mother has snuck up to her and nuzzled against her cheek before turning to lick with its rough tongue.
"Tell me, Suguri. What do you intend to do from now on?"
Suguri giggled and pet the tiger mother, but then grew a bit despondent when Katsurou asked her a question.
"....I don't know," she said, glancing up at Setsurou. He was the first one she'd met here, so he's the first one she naturally deferred to. "I've never been dead before. Am ... am I going to stay here forever?"
Setsurou knelt besides the girl and offered a gentle smile.
"No one remains dead forever, Suguri-chan. This is... more like a "second" life. Once your time here is spent, you enter the cycle of reincarnation, and you are born again.
As a child, you probably don't know what to do with your life at this point. But if you'd like, we can try to teach you which paths you have available to you."
Suguri stared at Setsurou, not understanding what he was saying. Those were a lot of big words, and she was just a little girl after all. But she did understand one thing.
"....Does that mean I'll stay with you?" she asked.
"If you want to stay with us, you're more than welcome to."
Suguri nodded, rushing in for a hug.
"Yes please," she said. After a moment of hugging, she then asked a question that would probably come as a surprise, but not so much when one considers that she no longer had parents to call her own.
"Can ... can I call you Daddy?" she asked.
"I see. The issue will be raised."
Jehoel folds his arms.
"A fine answer. Not the one I was looking for, but I won't castigate you for it. The definition I was using is the ability to acknowledge other beliefs, and other perspectives, as valid. An individual with conviction can see those who disagree with them take into account the reasons, and still maintain their own beliefs despite these conflicts. An individual that is stubborn rejects all possibility that they could be wrong because, in truth, their beliefs are fragile. Clung to because the individual in question requires them in order to function. Because the understanding that their actions might not be absolutely correct could destroy them."
Jehoel looks over the cliff face, out into the Seireitei.
"Of course, pure representations of the two extremes are rare. It's far more common to contain a mixture of both traits. You can, I'm sure, figure out why I'm describing this distinction."
The hug, Setsurou was ready for. The question, not so much.
He hesitated. This wasn't a responsibility he was ready to take on - not at this moment. But how could he explain that to a child?
He returned the embrace, gently stroking her hair.
"You... can. But you really shouldn't. I mean, we just met, Suguri-chan. A father is someone you love and trust to protect you and teach you.
I... don't lead a very safe life. I could die at any moment. And I don't want you to be sad if that happens..."
Katsurou smacked his grandson atop the head.
"You realize she is much too young to know the difference?"
- - - Updated - - -
"We were both discussing separate viewpoints on the same issue just now, so it's not that difficult to link the subjects. Much discussion will still be needed if we are to reach a consensus...
Though an idea has just occurred to me that might be of use to us both."
"By all means, enlighten me. I can save my final notes until you finish."
"Mixed hunting teams.
Hollows are not equipped for capture. They're predators. Save for those whom develop certain natural weaponry, they're typically more suited to killing their targets.
Shinigami, on the other hand, have several tools for slowing down and capturing the enemy. Bakudou can be a very versatile skill that way. And in the event the team finds a Hollow they cannot capture, they can work together to put it down. I would hope that, given time, this would help develop a partnership and cooperation system. At least from my end, we would need to make it voluntary, in order to prevent impact to morale.
Your thoughts?"