Knowledge of Stories and Stories of Knowledge

[Arcadus]

1. The remains of shiki's defeat, a huge carapaced model comprised of hundred of pinned insects, formed a hulking beetle, six legs splayed out in an aggressive stance. Simulacra wings were composed of hundreds of their smaller brethren, and a stinger that was a monstrous recreation of what Arcadus still winced to remember jutted out from beyond its base. His mind still occasionally dwelled on his predecessor, but for now he turned away and took his mind away.

2. His steps echoing in his silent hall, Arcadus proceeded up his steps towards his workshop. He needed to clear his head, and there were other things to attend to this night besides reminiscing on pyrrhic victories. “Atlas, have something hot sent up to my room, I’m going to be in there for a while. And, thank you for your advice with Camilla, it was very useful.” Regardless of the veracity of that, Arcadus knew he needed to appreciate his servant’s intent to look after him beyond their duties.

3. Arcadus shrugged out of his white-black robe, and, kicking off his sandals, moved into his dressing room. Casting off his uniform, he tossed it into a hamper. It had accrued enough dust and sand from him training, and while he enjoyed wearing it, it was unbearable in the heat of his workshop. Dressing himself in more casual clothes, loose fitting denim pants and a fitted top, Arcadus stretched, muscles loosening and unwinding from his nap earlier, his statue-esque physique pressing against the shirt, though his thighs were obscured by the jeans.

4. Entering the forge, Arcadus throws open the cast bronze doors, textured by the sand molds they were cast in. sigils and runes lined the edges and hinges, forming an arcane magnetic lock. It also served to close the doors behind him as he walked into the main area of the forge. Rainbow flamea painted the room in an etheral glow, the result of using hollow masks as charcoal, which made for exceptionally potent rieatsu concentrations in his creations, and i meant he didnt need to cero every batch of nails he wanted to make.

5. Arcadus turned his head, doing his hair back into a bun to avoid catching it in any of his work. His most recent commision, which he had taken an interest in personally. A client had asked for a sword whose iron came only from blood, the blood of one particular person. Obviously, not enough material was there to make much more than a nail, and when presented with this, the client sent him a 200 gallon container with the message: "A lower purity should work, cost be damned."

6. Well for now he was throwing it into a centrifuge and letting bacteria sort out the iron oxide and drom there simple chemistry would let him electrolysize the solution into workable iron. What kind of spiritual properties that would being out he wasn't exactly sure, but if the family all this blood was taken from had any kind of spiritual prowess, a theme would likely arise. And that spiritual inclination could be altered and hones to become a useful ability.

7. Really they were the best kind of clients, open budget, materials provided, no real intent beyond a powerful spiritual item. Anonymously given too, though that gave him pause at times to think about who exactly he was makinf these things for. By elimination of who had this kind of ryo, Arcadus figured at least someone either in the Gotei or the Vandenreich had sent in something by now. Which while it concerned him he would and could face one of his creations in the feild, the chances were slim, right?

8. Taking away from that, Arcadus reached up to pull a lever, opening the roof up to the sun over Los Noches. His new toy, a huge 10 foot diameter glass, was what he dubbed the sun forge. He'd made it from sifted out silicate from the desert and formed the lense in a pressed and steamed wooden frame. While it was more intesive and required a greater dexterity to use, it produced interesting results. Maybe in the future he would make a three fold larger version for moon forging, and test if that inverted the results

9. The result of his sun forge was of course, sun forged steel. Sun steel was a fun material, so suffused with rieatsu it took on a sort of pale glow even when cold, and it seemed to wick away at darkness as if it was eating at it. Certainly an interesting property, and there was potential in it as armor and as a material for weapons. If he could coax the spiritual energy into a more refined form, it could prove to be quite powerful.

10. Problem was, it couldn't hold an edge on its own, both spiritually or the metal itself was very very soft, and while it made for good knives and other high maintenance implements, as a weapon, it would be contending with far superiors materials, and as such, would suffer as a course of use. One test he had set up, even a basic spiritual steel katana cut deep enough to compromise the structure of a piece of sunsteel.

11. Regardless, he needed to make an effort in this newest project of his. This commission was particularly interesting. He'd been pulled into a double blind set of communications to make a very particular laser sword. Plasma blades already existed, so while he was making an effort to differentiate it, the need for it to be able to deflect cero and bala did have him a bit wary. Certainly it was difficult, but it was coming along better than his personal project.

12. That glove, the gauntlet to build upon his ability to absorb spiritual attacks, was not going well. Each attempt had siffered some kind of failure. The first couldn't conduct the technique properly and would end up just slightly divert an attack. The second would get clogged easily with ambient rieatsu, and wouldn't transfer well to him. It had the most explosive failure, driving a rivet through his hand. The third succeded where the other two failed but couldn't take much pressure, and had burned and curled at the seams.

13. These failures, he really needed to reach out to Kitai for some help. But for more domestic matters. He needed to reach out to Marik, Seraph was active again in Los Noches, or so he had heard, and while he had never tested Seraph like the other Espada, he wasn't really in a position to care. What he wanted out of Seraph was their library, and to actually get a read on the man instead of just assuming he was like Ailene because they were both librarians.

14. A librarian was what they needed. If Marik was going to try and form a society, they needed to record knowledge and stories. Stores of knowledge and knowledge of stories, because both of those were needed to make a culture. That, and making a record of their history helped them learn, and a knowledge of how they achieved thing would tell them how to learn. A race of immortals still needed to write things down afterall.

15. Contrast this with human culture, where peons had so short of a time to live. They needed stories to keep ideas and concepts important to them alive, like a cognitive live form comprised of its understanding. In that way, stories for humans were like guardians. Similarly, with knowledge, they did not have millenia old ancestors who they could still consult for knowledge and wisdom, unlike the vast array of immortals spiritual beings throughout the rest of existance.

16. Arcadus, realizing he's been standing over his forge letting smoke seep into his hair, stood up and as he cast a glance over to the more modern part of his forge, Arcadus could hear Valeron start speaking in his mind. "Well, actually stories have important psychosocietal and sociological implications to how people perceive issues around them and how they conceive of conculsions to problems they face." Arcadus, waving them off, walked out of his forge.

17. Going to his desktop, Arcadus closed out old spreadsheets of commissions, pausing for a moment to consider what the hell he was doing. Marik would want to know if he didn’t already, but considering that, as painful as this was, he had a much greater scope of “power” than Arcadus’s own, he likely already knew the situation with Seraph. But it was his position as Ambition to start the ball on things. That meant calling Marik.

18. Suddenly worry about his background, Arcadus remembered this isn't a video call, and put his headset on. Why the hell was he so nervous about this? He’d had pity and confusion for the Primera last they had met, and Marik was nearly dead from overworking himself, and nearly dead again by Kitai’s shenanigans, and thrice over, nearly dead from the sadist they employ as their physician. Arcadus shivered. The process he saw made him prefer diving into Kitai’s lava pits feet first.

19. Punching in Marik’s number, Arcadsus sat hin his chair as he listened to the ringing. One ring. Two rings. Maybe he was busy, maybe there was something going on. Three rings. What, had Marik misplaced his phone? Four- Marik picked up, and before he could say anything, Arcadus cut him off. “Hi, Marik. I’ve got some suggestions, considering one our librarians is out and about again, and I figured someone like that would be a good idea to bring into the fold for your city. “

20. Arcadus waited for a response, eager to hear if he was the first go get news to Marik, and if he was, he could certainly benefit from that. He didn’t even know if Marik knew who Seraph was, considering he’d only met Seraph once before, during his initial meeting with the Espada on his initiation to Tercera. But Seraph was a librarian by trade, and apparently could fly, but that was all Arcadus knew about them, as it was what their reputation would bring across to him.

[Maria Ashwin]

Just  A  BOY   Trying   TO  SLEEP S o  l  e a v e  me   B e tagged

(1) The light click of marik’s heals would echo through the halls of las noches with each step , his neon green hair jostling with each step tickling the tip of his nose. With a deep breath and a puff of his cheeks and a huff he would push his hair out the way , ‘This damn hair is annoying’ he would think tro himself internal frustration brewing as he traversed the halls.

(2)It had been some time since Marik had truly had a moment to himself with all the wall construction , fending off hollows and his palace he had been stretched relatively thin. Thus he would tak his time to relish this short burst of freedom , he would sigh as he came to a set of steps.

(3) "how is it this place is built like maze , and kitai still managed to get his ass in here" he would yawn as he began tracking his way up the steps , he would take his time looking out at the occasional window. A pointless action to most but this allowed marik to mentally guess his current position.

(4) 'so im in the front most left most tower then...i guess a few hours looking at the sky would be nice' he thought to himself with a sigh as he began to clime the steps , the distance of which could span the entire state of Florida. In truth for all it's endless labrynths marik truly hated las noches's layout.

(5) What was the point of having winding labrythns with such narrow halls when the walls could be punched through as easily as wet toilet paper , kohai and those before him must have been true idiots to consider this grand castle of paper a fortress. "this place is a damn shoe box" he yawned out.

(6) As marik reached the top of the steps he would give a light huff as he reached an assumed dead end , which in truth was another little trick of las noches. Patting his hands along the ceiling near the top of the steps , ‘where the fuck is the ridge!?’ he thought to himself as he gritted his teeth in annoyance.

(7) For all this places bluster it was nothing more than a crackerjack box with a few tricks , “there you fucking are” the primera exclaimed in relief as his fingers grazed over the lip of the trap door panel. Digging his finger tips into the quartz stone that made of the structure , applying a bit of pressure a satisfying click would hit his ears.

(8) A small smile would spread over his face as a gentle breeze washed over his hands as the moonlight of hueco mundo washed in through the cracks of the trap door , “heave…” the neon green haired arrancar would grunt as his arm strained against the stone “HOE!!” with one mighty push he would flip the stone over.

(9) ‘jessus that really took it out of me , i really should stop slacking on my training’ he would silently chastise himself for letting such a meager feat of strength consume his time. Climbing through the trap door he would heft himself up through using his knee as leverage to get the rest of his body up and out.

(10) The pale moonlight of Hueco Mundo would shimmer across the pale sands with an otherworldly beauty, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of iron and chilled decay wafted in the air. The land of Hueco Mundo Marik had seen this landscape many times before ,and yet never from this angle or view.

(12) Looking down on the world from atop one of the pillars of las noches , the winds whistling in his ear as he set motionless legs dangling off the edge of the pillar. 'it's strange i almost miss the menos forest' an amusing thought but he knew he wouldn't be returning there of his own free will.

(13) How long , how long had it been since he had feasted on a kill? how long had it been since he felt the power in his chest swell to knew heights? It felt like only yesterday he was experiencing the high of becoming a vasto lordez , the peak of hollow power and when his mask broke and he entered into a new realm of power something felt…wrong.

(14) While he was a hollow he had felt his power grow with each kill , with each new enemy fell he felt more whole yet when his mask broke that unstable power seemed to settle and with it he no longer could feel his power growing. He had plateaued and with it came a very simple though that ate at his mental every night,

(15) ‘is this it? Can i no longer evolve….am i truly at the peak of my power or is there more? Each one of my evolutions the driving factor was fear…maybe if i can reproduce those conditions just maybe i could break through this wall and evolve once more?’ the question swirled and boiled in his mind like a cancer.

(16) The meare thought of kohai casting him aside caused his blood to boil , As the Primera his only job was to exist as a tool for kohai , but he had never cared for the espada before each one complacent and lazy within their ranks just how he liked them bickering over the scraps he allowed them to have.

(17) None of the Espada seemed to care about keeping their position beyond their strength , the primera wished to change that to make sure he was valuable and integral to the functions of las noches. If he could help it his role wouldnt be filled by some fool whom thought his might would be enough to justify his values.

(18) In moments like this marik’s mind was clouded with thoughts , thats he wished he could just push to the back of his mind , closing the trap door behind him he sit atop it flopping down onto the ground and pulling his legs into himself knees resting at his chest. He would cose his eyes taking in a deep breath.

(19) The muffled cry of the menos grande’s beneath the pale sands underbelly, the sound of the wind whistling in his ears it was soothing to him in an akward sort of way. To find solace in this white hell he once thought was heaven. 'what an amusing thought' he would think to himself as darkness gripped his mind as he drifted into deep sleep.

-DREAM SEQUENCE BEGIN-

(20) Marik would awake once more a back seet driver in his own dream , the same dream he had months prior. as he staired down at the ground , his back and knees in great pain he would think to himself ‘Who hurt this man!’ Marik would think as he lay atop the grass of his father's house twhich was more alongthe lines of a field sprawled out onto his stomach.

(21) the sensation of dry grass rubbing against his clothes and at time poking through his clothes was pure agony. As the dry grass blades that somehow made it through his clothes irritated his skin beyond belief , though not present to the public eye any small scrapes he had where now inflamed.

(22) Due the constant rubbing and prodding of the grass he was in indescribeabke agony. His already red eyes would grow redder and puffier by the minute as the smell of the chloroplast hit the air , ‘i think i might be allergic?’ he would think to himself as the inside of his nose began to take on a wild tickling sensation.

(23) causing him to let loose a ferocious sneeze coating the inside of his mask with thick yet clear mucus. “Ugh i fucking hate it here..” he would mummble to himself as he would sit up standing up on his kness from his on the ground spread eagle position , He would reach around with his left hand.

(24) quickly reaching toward his backside and begin rummaging through his weapon pouch searching for his given tools a frown on his face. While he did that he would take his right hand peeling his make shift mask down off his face , using the back of his hand to wipe away any trails of snot that still clung defiantly.

(25) ‘If the jackass wanted the field cut properly to such a degree why didn't he just come out here and do it himself!? Or push mowers which are a fucking thing!!” he would think to himself grinding his teeth together in frustration ; why hsi father refused to simply let him sleep his days away was beyond him but this punishment was anything but humane.

(26) The young man would give a firm and disappointed huff as he pulled out a wooden ruler with about two inches of the end stained green from the grass’s chloroplast staining it , along with this he would produce a lone pair of old rusty scissors. If it were anyone else the scissors would have caused severe cutting.

(27) Lets not even think of the chafing chafing of one's thumb , index and middle fingers. Luckily this was Marik and thanks to his unwillingness to work hard and wish to eb comfortable he had made a work around. Tearing off his sleeve and wrapping it around the two sections of handle on the scissors cushioning his hand.

(28) Crouching back down into the spread eagle position one more time he would begin diligently cutting the grass at the desired height , with his mask now off the smell of the cut grass was several thousand times worse. ‘Why just why...this should be a punishment or job for convicts and wards of the state not me! Not a professional bounty hunter and slacker’ he would think to himself as his nose began to run once again.

(29) Marik would be here for many more hours constantly blowing his nose into his bandana mask for even the smallest bit of relief , this was hell and his father was the warden “i hope one of these days he stubs his pinkie toe on a sharp corner..” he would growl under his breath ; not wishing any true harm on his father but just to minorly inconvenience him as this punishment has inconvenienced himself.

(30) Standing up from the grass one last time he would begin walking back twoard the shack his family called a house , that was until his legs stopped moving and began to sink. The sky growing dark as a manly voice echoing in his ears , thrashing against the ground as his name was repeated over and over.

(31) and just as abruptly as it had all began it stopped , as he found himself standing by the kitchen sink with his mother. A happy smile on his face as the feeling of hot water and sop lingered on his now pruny fingers. To most the scene would be cute but to the back seater that was marik this scene was morbid.

(32) How many times had his mind gone to the thought of dieing mother...well that wasn't correct dieing implied there was still somthing to hold onto. He had lost the woman standing next to him many years ago , but her visage was carved in his mind his hollow hole ached at the thought of her.

(33) Her bright green hair and emerald eyes reflected the morning sun as he looked up at her the clinking of dishes filling the kitchen with each passing moment, he could feel his eyes growing wet and warm but did not know why. the words "i miss you" passing his lips as the tears began to fall.

(34) His hollow hole acheing even more than before , as it slowly came into perview what he longed for as a spirit , he wanted to embrace her one last time. How could she leave him alone in this world with his father , his only light leaving him forever to be at rest while he suffered.

(35) Her visage would begin shifting to that of an amaciated corpse , as the scenery within the dream began to shift becoming darker the smell of mildew and death becoming more and more apparent. A new feeling rumbling within along with his despair.

(36) Rage...in a movement of sheer will he would force this new body to firmly grasp the plate they where holding , causing it to shatter pain shot up his arm as blood filled the sink. The boy lunged foward the shard of porcelian slicing his hand open , as the world faded into darkness before he could reach his mother.

(37) When next he opened his eyes he was running through the forest the sound of his father upon his heal's , just as the dream had always gone , the world once again fading into darkness once more. When his eyes opened once more he found himself impaled on a tree branch his father standing over him with a grinn.

(38) How many times had he feltthis root impaled through his heart , how many times had he witness his father sneering down at him. When next he blinked his father was gone and he was alone , the water hitting his face as thunder echoed in the background

(39) A deep despair set in as the clinking of chains filled his ears and then a terrifying ear shattering screamed ripped through his soul as he felt himself crumbling and reforming. as the numb reality of it all set in, his life had no meaninh without those around him and to those people he ultimately didnt matter his existance was....hollow

-=DREAM SEQUENCE OVER=-

(40) Marik would jolt forward from his sleep abruptly rubbing his eyes with a light groan , his heart thumping in his chest like a mighty base drum. It would take a moment for him to notice that he was laying on his back looking up at las noche's sky , the cresent moon gazing down at him like a woeful god.

(41) "sleeping gets worse every time i close my eyes , all this stress is killing me like arcadus said" he would groan out as he pinched the bridge of his nose taking a deep relaxing breath. only then did he realize that he was shaking and coated in a thin layer of sweat his clothes where practicly drenched.

(42) "i need a damn vacation.." the neon green haired arrancar would sigh as he ran hand through his hair pulling the mess out of his eyes. So much in his life had become a chore. Being the primera had buried him in expectations he no longer wished to uphold but at the same time

(43) Standing to his feet he would walk over to the edge of the massive pillar looking out at the grey wastes of hueco mundo , 'to think at some point i thought this was heaven' the thought bouncing around in his skull as he gave a light chuckle laughing at his own stupidity.

(44) 'Maybe this is it i've reached my peak , my power no longer grows and a blade can only be refined so much break it shatters in the hands of it's matter' not like it truly mattered to kohai...marik was nothing more than a pawn to be used in his eyes and one easily replaced if he saw fit.

(45) then there was las noches as a whole what was there for him here why did he stay , why was he trying so hard for people that didn't care. Maybe he truly had lost his mind maybe rizer was right about him , maybe astrid was right..."...a coward huh?" he'd ask aloud to no one as he mulled over the thought considering thier words.

(46) Maybe they where right , he lacked the drive and bloodlust that made the other espada who they where. Well lacked the drive to prove ones self in bloodshed and pain , then again maybe the problem wasn't las noches maybe it was him that was the problem.

(47) he wouldnt get a chance to finish that thought as his iphones alarm began blairing from his pocket , he would sigh as he pulled it out. A picture of him and his co-workers eating on lunch break was set to his background , "great im gonna be late for work, get to hear valerie bitch for an hour then get put on window again"

(48) With a sigh he would swipe his thumb across the screen dismissing the alarm , and taking a step off the pillar he was currently standing on and begin free falling twoard the dunes below. A small smile spread on his face as the wind whistled in his ears , goosebumps raising on his skin as the wind whistled by.

(49) He loved this felling the air blistering against his skin , the wind whistling in his ear. To move at such speeds made his heart flutter. Sliding his phone back in his pocket , a split second before his body would impact the ground he would activate cavidad.

(50) within the next few moments he would find himself hurtling through the void of the garganta , he was at peace that was until he felt the phone in his pocket begin to vibrate. "who the hell..." he mumbles to himself as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his Samsung phone.

(51) a small smile would spread upon his face as he saw arcadus's name pop up on his screen , he had come to truly see the man as a brother in arms a bit eccentric but Marik saw potential within those flames , potential that he would one day see supplant him.

(52) sliding his thumb over the answer button he would bring the phone to his ear , listening as aracdus spoke. The world around him shifting as he fell through a tear in the garganta. Now free falling twoard the canopy of las noches from an extreme height normally not achieved by most.

(53) waiting till aracdus was done speaking he would mul over his words the sound of wind whistling in his ears and his phone as he began to speak , "give me a moment i was taking a nap....ill meet you under the dome to talk more" he would yawn out the last part as he activated cavidad again hanging up the phone

(54) He would fall through the garganta once more this time controlling his descent through the void , taking a deep breath he would pulse his raitsu forcing open a decorer. Thus allowing him to re-enter las noches near arcadus's floor and dwelling not wishing to enter without a propper invitation a show of respect

(55) As he exited the descorer he would appear in the desert of las noches standing before the entrance into arcadus's section of las noches , he would calmly find a boulder to sit on and wait for the man to appear. "i should have brought snacks..." he would muse to himself.

Arcadus@serraph

[Serraph Quarrere]

1. Serraph would awake from his sleep in the sanctity of his quarters. He sat in a rather lazy, relaxed manner, one leg tossed casually over the other. As his eyes creaked open, the sight of flames filled his gaze. His eyes widened and his heart thumped with a mild twang of fear, but then his mind caught up to him. "The fireplace...", he'd remind himself audibly, his gloved knuckles rubbing anxiously against his skull.

2.The warmth was pleasant and dimenished the moisture in the air, which was good for one of paper flesh such as himself, yet he never got rid of his fear. His body ached after his venture to Russia. The Demon of the Forge, Vulcan, had did a number on him. Thankfully a Shinigami Captain and an Ex-Sternritter would take the brunt of his wrath. Had it not been for that action, he wouldn't have been able to subdue the two combatants and taken their newest clansman for his own.

3.Well, that was an understatement. She was prone to losing herself to her manic emotion, which was dangerous for his grand collection. What did he do instead? He let her loose in the catacombs beneath Los Noches. There she should have plenty room to develop. He sighed and leaned his head back beyond his chair's headrest and glanced to the man-sized mirror to his right. In his reflection he saw only Lady Seris.

4."Perhaps we may learn more of this soul fission from her?", he'd question her, but alas it was only a reflection. "I will find away to free you of this prison.We'll decide our future, together.", he'd declare, knowing she'd approve of his statement. Ah how he desired to bow before her once more. After all, he was her sole remaining servant. Kouhai be damned. He'd stand, taking his cane in hand and circled about his chair to the small table that centered his chambers.

5.Atop its aged hickory top was two bottles of wine and three glasses to pour them. Both bottles were labelless but only one was clear. His hand instinctively reached for the clear bottle, eyes fixated on the blood-wine within. his outstretched fingers curled into a fist, stopping himself. "No, Not yet. She should rest for now.", he'd mutter, his hand swiftly grasping the other bottle, popping its cork off and pouring its pale contents into one of the glasses.

6.He had to be careful with his choice of beverages, or rather the intake itself. He'd hesitate to bring the cool glass to his lips, but permitted himself a sip of the sweet fluid. "Wine was always one of your loves. Drinking it alone here takes away its flavor.", he'd mutter before turning to walk towards the arched exit to his chamber's balcony. The ever present sun of Los Noches burned down into his dim litted room.

7.Just looking at the light made him wince. It was so bright, so dry. His parchment flesh didn't agree with the sun at all. It is because of this he kept an umbrella stand next to the exit. He'd slip a black parasol from the container and drew it out, fixating it above his head as if he were about to walk out into a heavy rainstorm.

8.As he walked out onto his balcony, his form would be perfectly draped in shadow, keeping his body at a most pleasant temperature. He'd sigh in delight and lean over the stone railing of his balcony. "Oh? When did that get put there?", he'd hum, looking out at the small city placed where the primera's palace should be. He frowned and closed his eyes, reaching out to feel for the Primera, try and sense Serenity and her sister, but he'd feel nothing but a mixture of various decently strong powers here.

9."Ah, I had almost forgotten. Serenity has been missing for some time... hmn", he'd observe. The ways of Los Noches never truly sat right with him, but he knew it had to be that way. The previous Sexta he had killed by stabbing him in the back, a tactic many here in Los Noches would detest if they knew. "He deserved worse for what he had me do to Lady Seris. Death was too good for him."

10.He reflected on the state of Los Noches in relation to the other great powers. Los Noches seemed idle in the eyes of Kouhai, that was no doubt. They weren't particularly active militarily, but that was to be expected. Right now they needed to build strength and wait for their many enemies to make their play. Soul Society had nearly rebuilt since their demon invasion.

11.Hell was filling up and spiling out in the most unexpected of places, and the Vandenreich had began to stir once again. Hell, even certain bounts were waking up in the realm of the living. "What a mess.", he'd mutter, thinking on what they could do. In this cold war, the Espada could be proactive and stick their necks out and strike one of their enemies, but doing so may be costly.

12.The other factions were likely waiting for them to do so, so that they may cut off the head of this mighty snake. He'd laugh and turn to enter his abode once more, sipping gingerly upon his wine. "Perhaps I should go visit. I've yet to meet the new Primera after all." He'd enter his residence and flick the tip of his umbrella out towards his hat rack, catching the tip of a white trilby hat and flipping it through the air, catching it atop his head. he'd adjust it and glance at himself in the mirror.

13. He wore a white suit, not typical among the Espada, but the color scheme fit. To complement his eyes and the red ribbon around his trilby, he wore a scarlet tie. he'd grin and adjust it, pulling his jacket down along his shoulders. "Perhaps I should have chosen something less likely to be damaged" He'd turn to exit his chambers when he glanced out towards his balcony. He could take the fun route and a take a leap of faith from the upper levels of his tower.

14. The sun was tolerable with the wind blowing across his face. It was an exhilirating experience. He'd look over his formal outfit and sigh, opening the door and stepping out into the elevator. taking the fun route would only ruin the clothes Seris got them. Thankfully his personal elevator was quite speedy and gave him that lovely tingling in his gut he gets when moving at high speeds.

15. He'd make his way through his library, eyes fixated on the crimson rug trailing a path over the checkerboard tile flooring. Servants moved to and fro, ignoring the Lord Librarian as he made his way out. He'd smirk and look over them, watching them sort away, polish the flooring, and upkeeped his grand collection. It was unfortunate not many actually partook of his offering, but giving what he saw from his balcony, Serraph had a feeling that'll change pretty soon.

16. The thought gave him equal parts stress and excitement. Those who partake in his library will add to it, helping it grow and grow. He'd step out of his lower entrance, the one that opened out into the corridors beneath the sandy overworld above. It was his preferred method of movement through out Los Noches, and it was much quicker getting around if one knew where to go.

17. He had a hunch he should visit Lord Arcadus. Serraph had questions for him regarding events that had transpired in his absence. A city had been built, a few faces had changed among their roster, and a certain rather annoying left hand had seemingly dissapeared. The thought nearly brought pause to the Sexta. "That's right, he's not here anymore, isn't he? How devilishly wonderful~"

18. The Sexta laughed as he traveled along the corridor, the tapping of his cane echoing down into the darkness that kept him company. Hollows and lesser arrancar made way for him, choosing not to bother him on his stroll. Serraph was probably more thankful for this than they. It would be tragic if his new outfit was ruined by their unenlightened filth. He'd be beyond furious, but he was more likely to run away than retaliate.

19. They really weren't worth the trouble. If one of the Espada did that though, Serraph would probably still just let it happen. Though he was the Sexta, he didn't really have the confidence a Sexta should have. The only thing about his skillset he was confident in was his speed. It made disengaging easy and travelling the great expanse of Hueco Mundo easy. Soon he'd come across the lower entrance to Lord Arcadus's palace.

20. "Hmn. How would he know im here? I wonder if he has cameras.", He'd glance over the large door. his eyes flicked to the corners. No cameras were visible to his eye. He'd sigh and tap the metal tip of his cane against the door. "Yoooohooo!~ Anyone home? It's Serraph!", he'd call out, bringing a hand up to amplify his words. he'd prop his cane against his body and pull the bottle of white wine out, giving it a alluring sway. "I brought drink!"

______ Reatsu

[Arcadus]

1. Marik had asked to agreed him, though from what he could tell, Marik was either running, or falling. What kind of phone ettiquette was that? Arcadus rolled his eyes. Regardless, he was apparently going to be waiting for him somewhere close, on the scale of Los Noches at least. From what he could tell, it was on his floor, but that was still a huge area, and he couldn’t immediately sense the Primera, meaning he was a long ways away.

2. Atlas made his presence known to Lord Second, rapping against the door frame with a gloved hand. “So you’ve decided to actually do something relevant to the formation of Marik’s city, Ser?” Arcadus rolled his eyes. It Wasn't like he enjoyed Atlas’s snide remarks but it was something that he understood to be helpful. "As much as I enjoy your advice old man, I am doing something about the situation and involving the relevant parties. don't presume the child me like I am some infantile menos, still shaking the sand out of my mask.”

3. “ that said I was what do you think of my plan to reform myself, and remove these impurities in my soul objectuous though it may be to them, I have no doubt that they have seen this coming considering it's been a topic in my mind for several years now. I also do not doubt they are going to try and vye for dominance if anything actually takes place. But I doubt that it will be successful, considering they have not done it already.” Arcadus turned on his chair and rose from his desk, taking off the headset.

4. “Ser, you and I both know the rules and risks of this kind of game, but if you insist on playing, I am sure you will not intend to play fairly. It would not fit your, how did you put it, modus operandi?” Arcadus again, rolled his eyes. “I have every intention to stack the deck in my favor should I ever pursue this kind of thing. To go from Menos to Gillian alone takes decades, even more so for Vasto Lorde. One needs to be careful, considerate and to seriously consider the options and plays available with such a task.”

5. “And most important of all, what exactly do I gain from doing so? I gain greater strength, greater focus in my goals, and a greater ability to further my senses. I think each of those are worth such a risk, let alone each of them all together. So yes, in light of my recent..." Arcadus thought to his fight with Hiyori. "Difficulties with the Quincy regime and their agents. I will gladly risk my sense of self and fight to maintain dominance over this form and soul if it means I am able to gain individual strength." 

6. Even if he were to not be able to retain secunda on return, he could take Tierra back and wash whoever entered into the position. Even in his current position he did not doubt his ability to return to this position, contested as it might be. And given a situation in which somehow he was not able to return to the Espada, he had no doubt the turn over would eventually change the situation towards his favor, as one would wait for the tides to lift their boat. 

7. And speaking of changing tides, his fight with Camilla truly irked him. Someone he'd considered a friend had turned against him, and while that was the way of Los Noches, and the nature of the Hands, he was suprised that someone had actually displayed real loyalty to Kouhai beyond simply following orders. Every Espada he'd spoken to had at least a grudging desire to be free of him, a shinigami king ruling over the Espada. It was something that wasn't natural to them. 

8. For the best, and he should probably leave his weapons to Marik instead of her during his absence. That would at least mean they would remain with someone he could relatively trust and predict the actions of, instead of Camilla, someone who has demonstrated herself to be rather chaotic and someone who was not going to keep secrets or conspire with him. That said, Marik was not proven to be this either, but that was something he could ascertain. 

9. As for his staff, they likely would be fine, considering they’ve endured longer absences from their lord, and would likely stall anyone attempting to move in and try and take his spot by defacto, or stall until he had returned if an actual official challenge to his rank occured.  Kouhai, the main hurdle, remained the primary source of his problems. Kouhai who posed the only, if circumstantial, obstacle to his freedom, and the person who lorded over him. 

10. Atlas, turning on his heel, walked out of the room, having heard someone knocking at the door. The clack, clack, clack of his heels as he descended down into the lobby. Seraph would find the door infront of him opening. Revealing a white haired, older Arrancar in a suit adorned with fine silver chains. Looking the Sexta over through thick glasses, Atlas gestured with a white gloved hand inwards to the palace, marble floors glinting under crystal lamp lights. 

11. "Welcome Lord Sixth, Ser Arcadus is in the forge, I will announce you." Turning on his heel, Seraph would be left alone in the foyer, a marble room adorned with gold trim, different crystal sculptures seated on display between shelves adorned with various books and cabinets, an ornate silver capped rack taken from a hollow's corpse hung awaiting guest's coats. Back in the forge, Arcadus looked over his shoulder as Atlas came back into the room. "The subject at hand has arrived early and without invitation, fortuitously enough."

12. "Thank you again Atlas." Arcadus kicked out his chair as he threw off his blacksmithing clothes, quickly donning his Espada Uniform to hide the casual clothes he'd don earlier. Guests meant appearances and appearances meant the costumes had to come out. Stepping down the stairs with haste, Arcadus threw his arms open as he crossed the lobby to meet Seraph. "Ser Seraph, how are you? I'm clad you've decided to come up and see me!"

13. Arcadus had changed little in the time that Seraph would have first met him, and as the larger Arrancar grabbed a glass off of a tray that Atlas had brought from the kitchen, he offered another to Seraph. "So gracious a guest to bring a gift, and I think we can indulge a glass before we go meet Marik. From what I can guess, and sense, is he's currently in front of the doors to this floor for a reasons the gods only know. But now, come, sit."

14. Grabbing a pair of leather armchairs with the same pinch grip one might grab a paper plate, Arcadus set one across a small end table from himself, seating himself comfortably. "Well, Seraph, something I, and our Ser Primera is interested in, is the horde of literature you, and multiple other espada have within your grasps. Given that Marik is building a City, I would reccomend that we bring with us stories and knowledge, and write them down. If we are to be a people, we should begin to have a history."

15. "That said, we have a member of our group waiting, and I wish to not continue the discussion without our compatriot, and the personage attached to the subject at hand. So, allow me." Arcadus waved his hand, and a gargaunta formed across the room, and at the entrance to the floor, Marik would see the gates swing open to an open Gargaunata, Arcadus and Seraph sitting on the other side. "So glad to welcome you in Marik, I hope you didn't mind waiting a moment. Come in, we have much to discuss, and we'll have dinner if the both of you are willing to stay."

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik would step through the descorer upon seeing arcadus and the famed sexta espada , that strawberry red hair giving him context clues to whom it may be. The sexta espada was a mystery to him all things considered , he had only heard tales of the monolithic library he had constructed. As marik passed through the other side garganta closing behind him, he would take a moment to admire the architecture of the chamber they were in. The pale and black marble with golden accents gave him some ease as his own palace had a similar color scheme.

“It’s nice to see you again arcadus, and it is a pleasure to finally meet the sexta espada i hope you dont mind i brough this with me” he would say reaching into his pocket and pulling out a piece of paper that he would then begin unfolding , it would be fully open by the time he stood before the two. “I cant make heads or tails of this shit , I keep getting the same document and the words keep getting more and more complex” he would say, holding out the paper to his comrad.

Should arcadus glance it over with his vast linguistic knowledge he would be able to see what marik could not , the cruel and sadistic doctor of mariks domain had written up a formal request of re-possesion via imminent domain of entertainment district to have his own palace built and to be used as a hospital. A very clear power grab and the reason it was denied the first two time. If arcadus looked that over he would direct his attention to seraph , offering his hand to shake “names marik whats yours cant exactly just call you sexta all day now can i?” he would question jokingly.

[Maria Ashwin]

useing my 10% bonus from
rpforumbleach.proboards.com/thread/12810/number-social?page=1&scrollTo=85971

[Kitai Yoru]

113 paragraphs, 33,900 Ryo rewarded

[Arcadus]

applying social bonus to the thread from rpforumbleach.proboards.com/thread/13267/death-day-party-social?page=1&scrollTo=89827
to total 33,900 x 1.3 =44070