Freaks on Leashes (NDE) R

"...,"

Warm steam rose from the light brown liquid, caressing the similarly colored face that hung above. The face lacked any clear expression, though this was only because it was home to a grand mixture of emotion. While the light grin expressed content, the large, ocher eyes that bore deep into the reflection offered by the coffee filled mug shared a sense of longing. The reflection was murky and nothing more than a dark outline, yet the woman observed it as if it were a portal to the land the Christian god had promised, paradise. Tanned hands gripping the white, ceramic mug as their owner lifted the cup to their lips, pressing the rim against the chapped feature. Tipping the container back and opening her mouth, the warm liquid trickled down her throat. Setting the mug back down on the wooden table, the woman turned her head to view the small building she sat within. A modest cafe', the business was rather quaint. The female noted a single barista running the register, taking orders, making drinks, and serving them. She frowned slightly, knowing that the business was wrestling to stay above the water now that Starbucks had grown even more popular. It was near impossible to walk a block without seeing them, really. Humans, they were so addicted to the drink. The woman lifted her mug and placed it on the counter with a nod before walking to the exit, pushing the glass door open with ease.

"Oh, good bye Aida!"

The woman, referred to as Aida by the sweating barista, gave a curt nod and grin before pushing through the door. She stepped on to the cracked concrete, chuckling ever so slightly at the barista’s words. It tickled her so terribly whenever someone called her that name. Aida, it had once been so foreign to the woman, but now it was like second nature. Aida Jimenez, the name was her dirty little secret. Though the woman's true name was Ketsueki Nami, her alias was the aforementioned secret. Whenever the woman entered the human realm in gigai form on her days off, she would go by the name. Though her general appearance changed very little in this character state, Aida's clothing was enough to deter a fellow shinigami from connecting the two women. While Nami mainly wore her uniform and flowy yukata, Aida dressed far less formally. The 'human' woman generally wore jeans and some sort of sweater. Her hair was always up and she wore glasses, neither of which Nami did. Yes, not only that, but Aida had a story, too. She was twenty-three, majoring in Ethics at the closest, major college to her current area, lived in a dorm, enjoyed art, home decor, played softball avidly, had two fish, and was currently not interested in having a romantic relationship. The character had taken a life of its own, one far simpler than the one led by Ketsueki Nami. A life that required no work to survive. A life that just...lived.

Strolling lazily down the sidewalk, Nami's eyes flicked to the duffle bag slung over her shoulder. Her eyes hardened and pupils slit, smirk slipping into a solid frown. The contents of the bag, it was always there to disturb the happiness Nami felt while in the form of Aida. Tezcatlipoca...she had to carry his burden everywhere no matter what she called herself. Though she could leave him back in Soul Society, such would prove foolish. When people asked about it, she’d pull out the baseball bat that served as her blade’s traveling companion and told them of her love of soft ball. Such lies were needed, as Tezcatlipoca had to be at her side. After all, you never know when you'll find yourself in need of a good, sturdy weapon....

That’s when the wails of a child met her ears and a spiritual pressure washed over her. Crap, why did this have to happen on her day off? The spirit begged herself not to budge, she begged to ignore the sudden end to the wails and the disgusting, squish that sounded just before. But alas, curiosity grasped her and the spirit found herself following the spiritual pressure. Ah, it was not one she recognized, and it seemed foreign. It was probably a hollow crushing some poor spirit. Just fucking great! Well, maybe she’d get to reap the spoils if she hurried up. Free food, yum….

Nami rounded the corner, gasping a little at what she saw. It was no hollow snacking on mere spirits, no, it was worse than that. It was an Arrancar pointlessly smashing living humans. Well, perhaps there was a point to the Arrancar’s actions, but it was not seen by Nami’s eyes. Her chest tightened a little as she noted the blood-coated stroller. A life ended so early, how sad. The things that child could have amounted to, the things it could have done…the world would never see it now. At the same time she felt melancholy wash over her she felt drool gather in the back of her mouth. Oh, she was sick. She was absolutely disgusting . How could such a sight make her hungry? Oh yeah, she was bat shit crazy with no redeemable qualities. How silly of her to forget that. Nami’s eyes fell on the perpetrator, noting his lack of remorse. Ah, she wondered if her own inward regret materialized on her face or if she looked as this poor slug did. Swallowing the saliva that had gathered in her mouth, the woman decided she best attack. While she usually gave enemies warning before leaping on them, offering them the chance to just surrender, her gut suggested otherwise in this scenario. So, she left Aida’s form, letting the gigai collapse on the floor, and jumped at the Arrancar, slashing diagonally at the man who was turned away from her.

A few people rushed to the collapsed bodies side, all quickly noting the sight they assumed the woman had fainted at. They called the authorities and all that shit, drawing a grunt from Nami. She did not need more people here…

Contact.

The blade dug in to the arrancar’s flesh, slicing through tendon and muscle. His blood jumped out, as if trying to escape the forsaken body of the necrophilliatic sprit, and splattered on the floor. There was no reaction, at least not immediately. He merely stood still, as if he could not even feel the fresh wound across his back. Nami drew back quickly, assessing the situation. Was he doing this on purpose? Was he mocking her, saying,”Hah, is that all you can muster?” Or, perhaps, he was shocked, frozen by the sudden pain. She didn’t know, but it was no matter, she’d be ready for however he responded, no problem.

After all, thinking on her feet was her greatest talent. The shinigami placed her right foot forward and jutted Tezcatlipoca’s shining blade outwards, ready to strike at the slightest movement. However, he did not move. No, he did not even flinch for what seemed like eternity. The ocher eyed woman readied to leap again, only for the Arrancar to say something. No, he did not speak. It was more primal than that. He had made some sort of…howl? It didn’t seem aggressive, strange considering the man had just killed three humans and she had just attacked him. In truth, it almost seemed to be the onomatopoeia of a question mark. He turned to her, and she felt her stomach lurch.

It was both sad and frightening, really, the look in his eyes. He seemed strangely innocent, pure. Like a child, unknowing of evil and so untouched by hate. Yet, at the same time, they possessed madness, uncontrollable madness. It was quite possible he did not know of what he did, just a confused creature driven by mental illness. She felt pity for a mere moment, shrugging off the feeling quickly. If he truly was a tortured being, confused and lost in life, she best put him down. If he was not, he was a sick fuck and she had to end him. The end result was always the same. This Arrancar needed to die.

On the other hand, she felt the sting of her own hypocrisy, but fought it back, just as she had the pity. There was no time for that. She could see the male across from her readying to leap, so her self-hatred had to wait. The brunette leapt forward, crying out words that Nami could identify as any language. In all honesty, it sounded like a child playing caveman. Ah, child. How sad, he seemed to have the mind of one. Would killing him be akin to his killing that child? No, not really. He was a baby with the ability to kill. This was different…right?

Muscle memory urged her to dodge, but instinct seemed to stop her. Why ? Wouldn’t it be most wise to move out of the way an-the people. There were plenty of bystanders, innocent people who could not even see the battle, let alone run from it. Ah, she’d have to protect them. Perhaps her conscious would be cleared if she did? Save a life for everyone one she took….would guilt mock her then? Her mind snapped back to her opponent as he spoke words. Ah, his sentences rhymed, like some morbid song. He seemed far less innocent now, the lunacy claiming him. The shinigami jumped forward as well, crashing her blade against his fist, stopping it mid-swing. She pressed down firmly, noting her own physical strength surpassed his. The man was slow, too, and certainly not intelligent. What was his ace? The woman moved quickly, pushing him back with her superior might. She intended to set him off balance, possibly sending him crashing to the floor. Nami stepped forward, putting power in to her swing as Tezcatlipoca attempted to slice the man’s gut.

“It has truly been awhile since I last ate the essence of Arrancar death. Feed me, won’t you, dear?”

The seductive voice of her zanpakuto called. The nape of the captain’s neck was suddenly prickling, blue hair standing on end. Ah, that greedy ass. No, she couldn’t call him that. He hadn’t been fed in ages, yet he had kept his composure. Generally, he’d be screaming and refusing to work for her by this point. Perhaps recent events had made him a little more flexible. No matter, she couldn’t imagine how bad he’d be when he couldn’t take the need anymore. She’d feed him, if only to keep that mouth shut….

He was scared. He was very, very scared. In fact, the Arrancar’s terror was so apparent that even the blind, deaf, and dumb would note it. If he was trying to conceal his absolute dread, he was failing terribly. No, not only did he wail out horribly, like a toy dog with a sumo wrestler stomping on its foot, not only did he look to her with a panic-laced gaze, peering up at her as if she was some terrible beast intent on tearing him limb from limb and gobbling up his innards, (Harhar) but he physically scooted away from her, screeching out some rhyming nonsense in the form of an empty threat. He knew he couldn’t hurt her. He was just hoping he could say something scary and that she would run off because of it. Unfortunately for Aimo, Nami had a sword to feed and an empty stomach. She herself had not fed in a while and, hell, the woman was curious. What did Arrancar taste like? Was the taste the same as the average shinigami? Was it different? Worse? Possibly even better? And more importantly, what did he, in particular, taste like? Oh, she couldn’t wait to find out. But then, she was still unsure. Every dumb ass has his talent. What was this one’s…?

It is said that an animal will fight back with more ferocity, more viciousness, when it is cornered, injured, and all alone. That, when most vulnerable, the beast will lash out with all its might in order to simply stay alive. Nami could attest to the accuracy of this statement personally, as she had experienced the situation far too many times. No, not by observing some creature backed against the wall, but rather as the battered beast herself. The spirit had been in too many impossible scenarios to count…but she always managed her way out, one way or another. That’s how she knew Aimo was getting ready to fight back with all he had. That look in his eyes…it was a look of confusion, of alarm, and of sheer, unbridled terror. It was the biggest clue to his next move.

His mind was most likely rambling, searching for explanations and answers to exactly what was going on around him. More importantly, he was looking for a way out of whatever the hell was happening. And though her own escape routes were often clever and often psychological, Nami did not expect the same from her opponent. The man was quite obviously dull, or perhaps “challenged”. He certainly seemed…differently-abled. As such, his natural response would most likely be violence and, considering his prior actions and weapon, a punch was the most likely form of attack. What do you know, mere moments after the blue-haired woman had this thought the Arrancar stood up, ignoring the fact blood oozed freely from his open wounds. Ah, the lovely, red liquid made her stomach growl. Nami couldn’t wait any longer. He was still so unfazed by the injuries. Odd, but Nami wasn’t concerned with it too much anymore. She just wanted this over…and a meal. A meal of fresh Arrancar flesh pulled right off the bone.

Simply delectable.

The younger spirit swung at her, though he was sloppy and lacked control. Nami ducked under the fist with ease, watching as he fly his arm flew over her. The woman quickly jutted her blade out to the side, so that the man tore open his own gulley open with his momentum. As he continued forward, she pressed on in the opposite direction, pulling the blade with her. Oh, his curled and twisted esophagus would come spilling out all over the ground, appearing like the finest of pastas made by the greatest of chefs. Nami could not wait to turn around and see the results of her attack. The woman stepped through the attack and turned sharply, excited to see her work. God, had craving driven her to a point of extreme madness? She never felt happy when she killed, so why did glee fill her now? Ah, it had been a very long time since she fed her addiction…that was it….that had to be it…right?

Perhaps thinking so was wishful at best…

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Nami hated cliché’s. She hated them with a blinding passion. No, not because they were overdone and not because they lacked cunning. No, Nami hated cliché’s and “old sayings” because they almost always romanticized horrible situations. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch was a splendid example. It warned not to expect three chickens when you had three eggs because you do not know if all three are fertile or if one or more of the chicks has died inside. So, in essence, it recommends not to expect a positive result from something until the end when all things are summated. That is a valid bit of advice, but the way it is stated pissed Nami off so much. Why say that things may not go your way with chicks, the fluffy, yellow things Americans have a marshmallow candy of? They are hardly the kind of thing to put in a statement like that. But, despite Nami’s hate for the clichéd, she found that phrase appearing in her mind as ocher eyes befell her opponent.

She had expected a gorgeous plethora of guts to be rolled out on the ground, blood dripping down them like a delicately prepared sauce. She had expected, gurgled screams for help falling from blue-ing lips. She had expected a light glance fogged over death’s grip, looking up at her, begging, pleading for mercy. But no, she did not see any of those things. Rather, she saw a large, gruesome figure towering above her, eyes solid black and completely lacking any signs of humanity, of sentience. Surprisingly, though, he grumbled semi-audible words.

“I see you...,”

Yes, she saw him, and honestly, she was impressed. Unexpectedly, stabbed large, claw-like weapons in to the concrete on her sides, standing above her like an awning. Spare the fact the awnings are usually brightly colored and didn’t usually kill people. Warm, damp air shuffled her hair as it rushed from the beast’s nostrils. Nami felt her nose scrunch up as the musky scent rushed her, taking her snout by storm. It would have brought bile from her gulley had she not immediately exhaled, pushing the rottenness from her. He was truly frightening, like a disturbed creature found in a violent video game.

No matter, Nami had equally as sickening beasts on her side.

“Ihzaz, Tezcatlipoca!”

Without warning, the blade in the woman’s hand began to smoke, spiraling pillars of gray emerging from it with unbelievable speed. The woman was nearly enveloped in the shroud, but her intense orange eyes could still be seen, glaring up at her opponent with a strange hunger to them. Nami was like a female lioness. She hadn’t cared to try too much when she had only been chasing a three-legged antelope, but the second that thing turned on her with some confidence…like it had some hope of survival, she would shred its flesh. After all, that was almost insulting. Nami found herself question her unusually prideful logic only for a mere moment. The answer was dementia and she knew there wasn’t the time to ponder that. It wouldn’t be too long before her mind truly became entirely animalistic. After all, she was so, so hungry and things only got worse when her addiction wasn’t sated for so long…

The smoke cleared, and Nami now held an ornately designed mirror. It was hardly something to use in battle all by its self, it’d be near useless if it had just been a mirror. Good thing it held some useful tools in its reflective depths.

“Ahuizotl!”

The woman held the mirror out in front of her body, lips twitching upward in to a confident smirk as the sound of scream-like howls resounded in the alley. Her eyes shut contentedly as pops and cracks sounded followed by something like the noise of blood gargled in the back of the throat. The mirror’s surface warped and bent oddly before a bone structure emerged through it, placing itself firmly on the ground. In mere moments, an entire skeleton had crept out, leaving the mirror flat and normal again. Mangled and bloody flesh gripped yellowed bone as organs and veins twitched under the ribcage, green and yellow gall falling from them with ever movement. A long, spiraling tail made of an anaconda’s body rose to Aimo’s height, a boney hand atop the appendage flexing its fingers, stretching them out after a long time of rest. It was truly a vision that would be perfectly at home in the crazed Arrancar’s delusional fantasies. Nami looked upon her faithful beast with slight affection before barking out orders.

“Camachaloa!”

A wide spray of bile came shooting from the dog-like creature’s mouth as it cracked open, exposing a wickedly green tongue. The liquid spread itself against the Arrancar’s flesh, instantly beginning to burn and eat away at it. Of course, there was hierro, but that would be instantly weakened by the strong acid…leaving the afflicted chest area a prime area to attack. Which, naturally, had been the blue-haired captain’s plan all along. She leapt backwards quickly, landing on the other end of the alley with ease. She gave her mottled servant a singular glance and he continued spewing his acidic vomit. The woman shot her hand out and gave a quick snap, causing the dog-like creature to stop and jump upwards, digging its ferocious claws in to the weakened flesh. It clawed and howled, snake-tail wrapping about the hanging chain to hold the creature’s balance.

Nami watched as her demonic spawn tore and shred with no remorse or mercy. Her lips curled upward contentedly. She’d have her meal yet, even if things had worsened. In the end…

…all this meant was a bigger entrée.

”Crunch,”

A high pitched squeal captured the alleyway, the beginning of a scream that was instantly silenced. Bile sputtered wildly from each crack and crevice, pooling on the floor about the skeletal beast. For a moment, he was stunned, still, and entirely silent. Thus was the natural reaction to having a large spike propelled through one’s skull. The urge to writhe and scream came upon the creature as the sensation of pain claimed his strange form. Any other beast would have followed that instinct instantly; however, this dog-beast was, despite similarities, far from any earth-bound mutt. While a dumb animal would have shaken about, furthering the damage whilst also remaining impaled, he was far too intelligent. A beast of Nami’s army would need to be, after all. With deadly speed and accuracy, he yanked his head upward, freeing himself from the barb and from the gritty ground. Yes, the base of the spike had been larger than the tip and in pulling upward the skeleton had made his injury more severe, but both he and Nami agreed it had been the only way out. They were contented with the outcome, even more so when they noted the spikes growth. A second longer and the mirror-dweller would have been missing a head.

“….plunk…,”

Warm, gooey liquid dripped from his damaged jaw, pouring steadily from the place the stake had exited him. The green color was all around now, burning at the concrete and garbage, fumes dancing upwards toward the heavens. It encircled his mouth, bubbling like foam from the mouths of rabies inflicted hounds. His long, muscle-bound tail twitched sharply, swaying back and forth, end raised high in the air, with its hand baring clenched fingers. A low snarl erupted from the belly of the beast, a taunting call of challenge poised at Aimo. Nami’s eyes observed her servant carefully, slight agitation found in there depths. Each of her creatures had a distinct persona and Ahuizotl’s was by far the most troublsome. Yes, he was tremendously intelligent and infallibly the most loyal, as most dogs are that way towards their masters, but he was also terribly hostile and, worst of all, over-protective. Even if she had everything entirely under control or if being put in danger worked in her favor, the corpse would freak out and defend her. He was such a stupid, love sick dog and it always got on the captain’s nerves. At the moment, however, it was his aggressor-type nature that irked Nami so. She didn’t need him going off and aggravating this gargantuan arrancar more than he already was. The woman let out a grunt of irritation, which ended the summon’s growls. He knew better than to disobey her. She would give him no mercy, her own weapon or otherwise.

Ahuizotl turned his mind back to battle, beginning by running laps around Aimo. He encircled the larger being dozens of times before releasing acidic bile once more, though this time aimed at the lower back. Every time he ran around, he released another short burst in the same place. It would take a little longer to wear down the skin this way, but it kept him moving and made him a more difficult target to hit. Nami took her opportunity to leap on to the roof of a neighboring pizza parlor, bringing herself to a place where tactical maneuvering was easier. Ocher orbs danced across the scene, fixed on the battle with brutal intensity. While it was safer for her summon to run rather than stay put, this tactic was not secure enough for the woman. What could she do to ensure her victory, to ensure the longevity of her decomposing warrior? It came to her at the word long.

“The tail! Use your tail to distract him!”

Nami had no qualms with shouting orders. This opponent didn’t even seem to understand basic language lest it came from his own mouth. Odd, but she had seen enough odd in her lifetimes not to question it. Ahuizotl continued running, though now he raised his long tail up in front of Aimo’s, dancing it around like a kite in the wind or ribbon being twirled. The hand atop the appendage waved gently as the scaly patterns made beautiful shapes and images with every movement. He was not too concerned with what Aimo’s reaction would be. After all, his tail was perfectly detachable and was even useful after severance. As long as it grabbed his attention in some form both he and his master would be pleased. Or at least he hoped she would be contented. It had been a while since Nami had bothered to give him a pat before sending him back in to his realm. But she’d so it this time for sure!

…right?

OoC: Bad post is bad. Eh, whatever. I had originally intended to make every creature mindless and linked to Nami's thoughts so she could think orders and they would do it, but I thought it would be a little more fun if they all had a little attitude or quirk.

“…hn….,”

His force was crushing, thickening the air until each breath felt like an inhalation of cheese curd rather than gases. Nami pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth, swallowing the spit that had gathered in the back of her jaw. The sound of liquid trickling down her throat, the sound of a gulp, furthered the spirit’s exasperation and drew even more shame upon her. How did it get like this? She could have killed him so easily, so simply. In one minute he could have been dead, skewered on her blade, entirely lifeless! It wouldn’t even have taken a fraction of her power to have ended him so horrendously even she would have a hard time looking! But no, instead she was still fighting, perhaps even losing to, this muscle-headed freak. But then, who was to blame but herself?

The beast began to approach her now, massive form trudging through the acid spread about the ground. It burned at his flesh, yet he took no notice. The arrancar’s hide was far too thick to feel and his skull too dense to take notice. He lumbered closer and closer no matter what Ahuizotl did, walking straight for the sole female captain. The woman, though parts of her wished her to, did not lumber back. She stood, frozen still. No, she was not as much frightened as she was frazzled. Her mind still ranted on and on, arguing, debating, what had happened and what she was to do. Nami saw him coming closer; she knew she hadn’t the time to dispute. But still, her thoughts ran rampant, making as much coherent sense as Tetraneutrons…

How could she have let this happen!? How could she have been so lax in underestimating him? Mere moments ago she had been anticipating what tricks he had, convincing herself not to go easy on him just because he seemed weak. She had known he had something, she had known he wasn’t entirely helpless! So why then, why, had she been so foolish! Had disease taken from her now not only her sleep, her self-control, and her humanity but also her wit? Had it taken from her the cleverness and cunning she was known for? Had it taken from her the only tool for survival she still had? No, it couldn’t be so. Nami would not allow it! She’d slaughter this wretched foe neither for sport nor for meal. No, she’d slaughter him to show the illness, and herself, that she hadn’t lost everything! She’d slaughter him to prove she could live!

Nami was determined now. She would not lose to him. She would not die here, not after all she had done and certainly not after all the shit she had been through! Tawny eyes flicked up now, glaring in his face with nothing but raw energy. He was close now, only a few feet away and stared back at her with equal intensity. Gaze met gaze and locked, stuck in a struggle of power much like they, themselves, were. True, Nami saw very little of his eyes because of his metal helmet, but she knew she had captured his stare with her own. Just based on the atmosphere, she knew. Part of the woman worried he’d shoot spines out at her, impaling her instantly. However, the other part encouraged that, if she stood her ground, things would be fine. Nami was reassured in her decision as he reached out carefully, acting as if he was sticking his hand in to a gopher hole. His arm stopped short by only a few inches, though his warm breath reached her, tickling her flesh and blowing near-black locks out of place. The arrancar spoke a single, surprisingly audible word…death. Nami’s spine tingled and her stomach lurched. Oh, her greatest fear…it was so odd to hear it directed at her.

Meanwhile, Ahuizotl watched on, nervously, as the beast approached his beloved master. He however, continued his job, spewing his vomit all over the enemy’s back. True, he wishes to leap up and rescue Nami, the woman had scolded him quite badly the last time he had…and the time before that….and the time before that….yeah, he’d stay back this time unless she quite obviously needed him. If she wanted him to wear down flesh and not save her immediately, he would. Well, at least for now. Speaking of his job, the dog noted that flesh was thinned now and readied himself to leap. However, just as he was about to pounce, Nam’s harsh gaze befell him and the creature stopped. Sheesh, could he do nothing around here…?

Nami approached slowly, taking care to be just as cautious as the arrancar had been. She inched forward, walking past Aimo’s outreached arm and towards his face. The blue-haired spirit held her blade loosely and pointed it down and away so as not to seem threatening. When she grew near, she lifted her hand out towards his mask, mimicking the movements he had done mere moments ago in an attempt to use science’s findings that indirect mimicry makes one more comfortable. Her hand touched the metal gently and tentatively before taking a light grasp. She stood still for a few moments, letting the arrancar become accustom to the strange position. Nami breathe lightly and seemed as relaxed as she possibly could. She spoke soft, calming phrases such as,” It’s alright,” and,” You’re okay,” before waiting a few more moments. Ahuizotl was tremendously confused by all the slowness and softness. Was this not battle?! Where was the aggression, the speed, the-

“CHRINK! SQUIRK!”

Oh.

With the hand opposite the one grasping the mask, Nami had removed her spare short sword from its holster. Quickly, she had jabbed the bladed weapon deep in to the arrancar’s left eye, gouging in to it with no mercy at all. However, with the same quickness, she pulled away and out, vanishing by the use flesh steps. She stopped on the building opposite the pizza parlor, quick to order her beast forward. Ahuizotl complied and jumped up, digging sharp claws in to the flesh he had worked so hard to weaken. He ripped with no remorse, pulling flesh from muscle and muscle from bone. He relished every scratch, but Nami did so such thing. No, instead she moved on with her plans. She shouted the name of her next beast, only taking time to watch Ahuizotl when the mirror began to shiver and shake, loud wails of longing bellowing from it. Ah yes, she had turned the tides so quickly.

Obviously, her wits were still about her…

I would like to cash out on this thread since Nami is... well... dead and I cannot continue this any longer. So if a mod would be so kind as to add up what I got that would be awesome