Post by Zeich Yajuu on Sept 26, 2013 22:19:08 GMT -5
As Zeich continued with his descent, he kept his wits about him, casting his senses out around him to ensure that nothing surprised him. Attention was paid to visual, auditory, and spiritual sensory in particular to determine whether there were any other life-forms within the area, especially if they were potentially hostile. The Third Seat knew that if necessary, he could radio any information to those behind him with a short-wave device that had been included among his supplies, but until he encountered an obstruction that required their aid or any other important information to impart he had no intention of contacting them. He could do his work just fine on his own without others getting in the way of his actions.
As he made his way down another level, creating a brief platform of Reiatsu beneath him to cushion a jump he made, Zeich’s spiritual senses caught a trace of Reiatsu. In addition, he heard the scuff of leather on a hard surface just below him; a footstep? Who would be down here ahead of him, given his speed? It was possible that one of the advance team’s members had been left behind, but it was equally possible that it was an invader from the other direction as well. Whoever it was had the potential of being a threat, and so Zeich immediately drew his sword. Once he was ready for possible combat, the Third Seat leapt down with a sudden burst of speed, landing right before a young woman who seemed surprised at his sudden motion.
There was no time for talk; the Shinigami whipped his sword around, the sharp edge of Haiiro’s blade pressed to the woman’s throat close enough that she could feel the chill of metal on her skin. Zeich barely registered the girl’s overall appearance, but several things stood out. A tail, as well as animalistic ears, suggested that this young woman was anything but human, meaning that she was a likely hostile. Animal features increased the chance that she was an Arrancar, but the Third Seat also did not spot any mask fragments or a Hollow Hole to suggest it as well. With the young woman’s clothing, it was possible the latter was hidden, but the lack of mask remnants suddenly thrust Zeich into uncertainty; he could not tell at a glance just what this young woman was.
Instead, he took a more direct route. “Identify yourself. If you fail to comply, or give unclear, evasive answers, I will be forced to assume that you are a threat. As of now, you are only a potential, and your life is in my hands; I recommend you obey quickly.” Zeich’s tone was cold and harsh as he slipped into the mindset of interrogation, knowing that this was possibly the first contact with whoever resided within the lake that had opened up beneath Soul Society. If he could get information from a native, it would be a large first step to understanding what had occurred, where the tree had come from before causing such destruction. Zeich knew his methods were harsh, but he preferred practical action to unguarded sympathy.
Thankfully, the woman was quick to reply, though her response was a bit surprising. ”Recent academy graduate and soon to be member of Squad Four, Amaya Azarola reporting for duty!” Zeich’s eyes narrowed; this young woman was a Shinigami? A recent graduate? What was she doing down here? It wasn’t unheard of for there to be animalistic Shinigami, as the Captain of Squad 9 proved; Captain Souretsu was an anthropomorphic lion that, despite his fierce appearance, was a rather amicable and thoughtful person, even if he was also a drunk one. Even so, Zeich had never seen such an unusual hybrid of features in a Shinigami; though he was a bit more accepting of the fact that she could be one, especially given that she claimed to be a hopeful for Squad 4 without being given any past information.
“That’s fine and well, but what are you even doing down here? If you’re a recent graduate, you shouldn’t have been with the advance scouting team. And if Squad 4 is so hard-up for members that they’re sending a child down here—”
“Oh, Zeich, Hibiki says hi.”
The interruption left Zeich stunned; though he would have normally scolded someone for interrupting his interrogation, especially with a high potential for threat, the words spoken had just completely left him speechless. How did the young woman know his name? They had never met previously, and though he had made some small impact on Seireitei in the past, the Third Seat had hardly done enough to be widely known, especially to a recent graduate. But what was far worse was the second part of her statement; she had mentioned Hibiki, and there was only one person that Zeich knew by that name. Hibiki Kuchiki, the former Vice Captain of Squad 4, had been a particularly large influence on the members of Seireitei, particularly Zeich when he was a fresh graduate as well. The man had fallen in combat while out on a mission, and though his body was never recovered, it was confirmed that he was dead; decapitation wasn’t simply something one survived.
Zeich’s hand came up and slapped across Amaya’s face with startling force and vehemence. The reinforced knuckles on his gloves caused the backhanded blow to connect with such power that it actually drew blood from the impact, leaving a cut on the young woman’s lip and a bright discoloring of red along her cheek from the force of the impact where a deep bruise would form later. If she wasn’t braced, the kitsune would find herself knocked to the ground as Zeich’s eyes narrowed in white-hot anger. It was a scary sensation for the Third Seat; his emotions were always carefully monitored, reaching moderate levels and never touching the extremes. To go from nothing to hot fury in the space of a single sentence said that the statement had touched home with him.
“Don’t you dare speak of Hibiki like you know him! The dead don’t just pop by to say ‘hi,’ as you so flippantly put it!” Zeich practically spat the words out, unconcerned by the fact that he had assaulted the young woman with only the slightest provocation. Hibiki’s death had struck home with him back when he had only been a Seventh Seat, and the loss of a great Shinigami who had caused such an important viewpoint shift for what had once been an arrogant and strength-oriented young man had been particularly painful. Zeich never spoke of it, and had only showed up briefly at the wake, but he had paid his respects and sealed away the pain that came with it, accepting that death was inevitable. But this young woman, who spoke with such indifference… “He was a great man, someone that doesn’t deserve such irreverence from a child like you!”
Kill the bitch! Make her suffer, make her bleed!
Zeich started to raise his hand again, surprised at the aggression that statement had brought out in him, but Haiiro quickly intervened. Master, don’t! The Third Seat’s eyes flashed with a burst of rage as he started to turn on the wolf, but quickly he caught himself, trying to get himself under control. Turning away from the young woman while she regained herself after that sudden berating, Zeich clenched his fist and tried to rein in his anger, but it was surprisingly hard. He wasn’t sure just why it hurt so much, why Hibiki’s death felt like an icicle piercing his chest. The man had made some differences, yes, but there was no reason it should cause him to feel this bad.
Don’t worry about the why! Spill her blood, let her know the bite of your fury! KILL HER!
The attachments you make are few, master, but for their lack of number, their bonds are some of the strongest. The wolf spoke rationally, trying to calm down his owner, and his words along with Zeich’s conscious effort were starting to make a difference. The spirit’s cold logic started to pierce through the shell of fiery emotion and the whispers of hatred and violence that came from the Shadow, and slowly the Third Seat regained his calm. Think about Polaris, master; we may be a part of your soul, but you lost something more that day when she was consumed in fire. You lost just as much as I did: a companion valuable beyond words. I lost my mate, while you lost a friend that you trusted as much as yourself. Your bonds are few, but they are strong, and severing them causes pain immeasurable.
…You’re right, Haiiro.
Fade Out Music
Ignoring the snarl of frustration from the Shadow at its failed attempt at baiting him, Zeich turned back to the young woman, his amber eyes once more cold and neutral. He made no effort to help her up, nor did he apologize for his action; he still believed that the reprimand was clear. Instead he waited for her to fully regain herself, and spoke quietly, quickly. “If you are only a recent graduate, as you say, then you are far from where you should be. I will escort you to the surface, where you will be looked over by a current member of Squad Four, and from there you will be tended to by the other Shinigami. This area is a high-risk zone, one that you cannot remain in.”
Once he had given his command, Zeich pulled out the short-wave radio and turned it on to contact Taien. The Vice Commander had messaged earlier, informing the Third Seat that Yuki, their third member, had fallen ill and had been forced to retreat. Frustrated, but understanding, Zeich had chosen to continue ahead anyway in order to gain any additional information he could while Taien gathered their last member. Now, however, it seemed he would be turning back as well, and he relayed the message quickly. “This is Third Seat Zeich Yajuu. I am returning to the surface as well; I have encountered a young woman down here by the name of Amaya Azarola who claims to be a recent graduate from the Academy, and I am escorting her to the surface. I will meet you there shortly, and we will re-commence the mission once we have regrouped. Please wait at the entrance to the tree. Over and out.”
With that, Zeich turned to Amaya, his eyes still distantly cold as he resisted the urge to glare at her. “We’re leaving. If you need assistance in climbing, let me know; I can probably carry you and still get out with fair ease should it be necessary.”
As he made his way down another level, creating a brief platform of Reiatsu beneath him to cushion a jump he made, Zeich’s spiritual senses caught a trace of Reiatsu. In addition, he heard the scuff of leather on a hard surface just below him; a footstep? Who would be down here ahead of him, given his speed? It was possible that one of the advance team’s members had been left behind, but it was equally possible that it was an invader from the other direction as well. Whoever it was had the potential of being a threat, and so Zeich immediately drew his sword. Once he was ready for possible combat, the Third Seat leapt down with a sudden burst of speed, landing right before a young woman who seemed surprised at his sudden motion.
There was no time for talk; the Shinigami whipped his sword around, the sharp edge of Haiiro’s blade pressed to the woman’s throat close enough that she could feel the chill of metal on her skin. Zeich barely registered the girl’s overall appearance, but several things stood out. A tail, as well as animalistic ears, suggested that this young woman was anything but human, meaning that she was a likely hostile. Animal features increased the chance that she was an Arrancar, but the Third Seat also did not spot any mask fragments or a Hollow Hole to suggest it as well. With the young woman’s clothing, it was possible the latter was hidden, but the lack of mask remnants suddenly thrust Zeich into uncertainty; he could not tell at a glance just what this young woman was.
Instead, he took a more direct route. “Identify yourself. If you fail to comply, or give unclear, evasive answers, I will be forced to assume that you are a threat. As of now, you are only a potential, and your life is in my hands; I recommend you obey quickly.” Zeich’s tone was cold and harsh as he slipped into the mindset of interrogation, knowing that this was possibly the first contact with whoever resided within the lake that had opened up beneath Soul Society. If he could get information from a native, it would be a large first step to understanding what had occurred, where the tree had come from before causing such destruction. Zeich knew his methods were harsh, but he preferred practical action to unguarded sympathy.
Thankfully, the woman was quick to reply, though her response was a bit surprising. ”Recent academy graduate and soon to be member of Squad Four, Amaya Azarola reporting for duty!” Zeich’s eyes narrowed; this young woman was a Shinigami? A recent graduate? What was she doing down here? It wasn’t unheard of for there to be animalistic Shinigami, as the Captain of Squad 9 proved; Captain Souretsu was an anthropomorphic lion that, despite his fierce appearance, was a rather amicable and thoughtful person, even if he was also a drunk one. Even so, Zeich had never seen such an unusual hybrid of features in a Shinigami; though he was a bit more accepting of the fact that she could be one, especially given that she claimed to be a hopeful for Squad 4 without being given any past information.
“That’s fine and well, but what are you even doing down here? If you’re a recent graduate, you shouldn’t have been with the advance scouting team. And if Squad 4 is so hard-up for members that they’re sending a child down here—”
“Oh, Zeich, Hibiki says hi.”
The interruption left Zeich stunned; though he would have normally scolded someone for interrupting his interrogation, especially with a high potential for threat, the words spoken had just completely left him speechless. How did the young woman know his name? They had never met previously, and though he had made some small impact on Seireitei in the past, the Third Seat had hardly done enough to be widely known, especially to a recent graduate. But what was far worse was the second part of her statement; she had mentioned Hibiki, and there was only one person that Zeich knew by that name. Hibiki Kuchiki, the former Vice Captain of Squad 4, had been a particularly large influence on the members of Seireitei, particularly Zeich when he was a fresh graduate as well. The man had fallen in combat while out on a mission, and though his body was never recovered, it was confirmed that he was dead; decapitation wasn’t simply something one survived.
Zeich’s hand came up and slapped across Amaya’s face with startling force and vehemence. The reinforced knuckles on his gloves caused the backhanded blow to connect with such power that it actually drew blood from the impact, leaving a cut on the young woman’s lip and a bright discoloring of red along her cheek from the force of the impact where a deep bruise would form later. If she wasn’t braced, the kitsune would find herself knocked to the ground as Zeich’s eyes narrowed in white-hot anger. It was a scary sensation for the Third Seat; his emotions were always carefully monitored, reaching moderate levels and never touching the extremes. To go from nothing to hot fury in the space of a single sentence said that the statement had touched home with him.
“Don’t you dare speak of Hibiki like you know him! The dead don’t just pop by to say ‘hi,’ as you so flippantly put it!” Zeich practically spat the words out, unconcerned by the fact that he had assaulted the young woman with only the slightest provocation. Hibiki’s death had struck home with him back when he had only been a Seventh Seat, and the loss of a great Shinigami who had caused such an important viewpoint shift for what had once been an arrogant and strength-oriented young man had been particularly painful. Zeich never spoke of it, and had only showed up briefly at the wake, but he had paid his respects and sealed away the pain that came with it, accepting that death was inevitable. But this young woman, who spoke with such indifference… “He was a great man, someone that doesn’t deserve such irreverence from a child like you!”
Kill the bitch! Make her suffer, make her bleed!
Zeich started to raise his hand again, surprised at the aggression that statement had brought out in him, but Haiiro quickly intervened. Master, don’t! The Third Seat’s eyes flashed with a burst of rage as he started to turn on the wolf, but quickly he caught himself, trying to get himself under control. Turning away from the young woman while she regained herself after that sudden berating, Zeich clenched his fist and tried to rein in his anger, but it was surprisingly hard. He wasn’t sure just why it hurt so much, why Hibiki’s death felt like an icicle piercing his chest. The man had made some differences, yes, but there was no reason it should cause him to feel this bad.
Don’t worry about the why! Spill her blood, let her know the bite of your fury! KILL HER!
The attachments you make are few, master, but for their lack of number, their bonds are some of the strongest. The wolf spoke rationally, trying to calm down his owner, and his words along with Zeich’s conscious effort were starting to make a difference. The spirit’s cold logic started to pierce through the shell of fiery emotion and the whispers of hatred and violence that came from the Shadow, and slowly the Third Seat regained his calm. Think about Polaris, master; we may be a part of your soul, but you lost something more that day when she was consumed in fire. You lost just as much as I did: a companion valuable beyond words. I lost my mate, while you lost a friend that you trusted as much as yourself. Your bonds are few, but they are strong, and severing them causes pain immeasurable.
…You’re right, Haiiro.
Fade Out Music
Ignoring the snarl of frustration from the Shadow at its failed attempt at baiting him, Zeich turned back to the young woman, his amber eyes once more cold and neutral. He made no effort to help her up, nor did he apologize for his action; he still believed that the reprimand was clear. Instead he waited for her to fully regain herself, and spoke quietly, quickly. “If you are only a recent graduate, as you say, then you are far from where you should be. I will escort you to the surface, where you will be looked over by a current member of Squad Four, and from there you will be tended to by the other Shinigami. This area is a high-risk zone, one that you cannot remain in.”
Once he had given his command, Zeich pulled out the short-wave radio and turned it on to contact Taien. The Vice Commander had messaged earlier, informing the Third Seat that Yuki, their third member, had fallen ill and had been forced to retreat. Frustrated, but understanding, Zeich had chosen to continue ahead anyway in order to gain any additional information he could while Taien gathered their last member. Now, however, it seemed he would be turning back as well, and he relayed the message quickly. “This is Third Seat Zeich Yajuu. I am returning to the surface as well; I have encountered a young woman down here by the name of Amaya Azarola who claims to be a recent graduate from the Academy, and I am escorting her to the surface. I will meet you there shortly, and we will re-commence the mission once we have regrouped. Please wait at the entrance to the tree. Over and out.”
With that, Zeich turned to Amaya, his eyes still distantly cold as he resisted the urge to glare at her. “We’re leaving. If you need assistance in climbing, let me know; I can probably carry you and still get out with fair ease should it be necessary.”