Masks We Wear (Joint Training, NDE, R)

[MrDoctorDo]

(OoC: This thread will take place in the halls of the Shinigami Academy, and will provide an opportunity for Aevus and Mika to become acquainted with one another. In the process they might learn something about themselves; through the unwilling perspective of another antisocial grump. This thread will be moved to an actual file once completed.)

The halls were solemn with empty breaths. Though hair flowed through the passageways, no life therein could be found. Every corridor vacant. Every walkway barren. Like being in a graveyard; an empty Academy often reminds one of life once flourishing. It is so easy to see such a place brimming with souls and activity, and yet so unsettling to glimpse it vacant. But vacancy is not always quite. Nor is it eternal. As life’s greatest lesson has taught, things change. The empty school hallways would eventually flood with more students. Bright eyes and open minds yearning for the knowledge that might be provided. Irritated, whether loudly or lonely, souls would also come through seeking nothing. Even slack-jaws and knuckle-draggers would be forced inside; into a cruel world where their lack of talent would result in torment and discomfort. Just...not right now. Now was a time of rest and quiet for this vital place. The Shinoreijitsuin. The “Shinigami Academy”.

Recuperating from the long day of study which was now concluded. Ah, the silence was soothing...even to the soul of the structu-”What demented sort of test is this?!” Short lived though it may be. ”Surely there is a more sinister reason behind this?” A young voice range through the wooden halls. Though it glimmered with sparks of frustrated rage; there was a certain shakiness that lay beneath. Like flimsy leaves being used for tinder, at the belly of a roaring flame. Something else caused this voice such grief. something...more akin to fear. Through the halls trekked...a peculiar sort of fellow. A shinigami, same as anyone else allowed to walk these floors, but outrageously beyond the mold. Rather than be dressed in the usual uniform of the school, a red or blue shihakusho, the fellow looked like...a dinosaur. I’m not even f*cking kidding.

At the top of his head was the distinctive shape of a dinosaur’s skull. Something ferocious, with a slender snout. Possibly a velociraptor? It wasn’t just the skull, oh no. It had scales covering the rigid formations of bone. With large golden eyes that glistened like amber in passing lights. Teeth that shimmered a polished white, looking as sharp as blades. These dentures seemed to frame the face that the skull enfolded. The bright ivories standing out, opposed, to the color of the scales and face. Dark purple scales that only grew darker instead of more vibrant. Speaking of vibrancy! Jutting from the top of the cranial area came sprouts of feathers. They quickly descended down the back of the head and neck of the pelt. The feathers were bright hues of yellow, orange, and bloody red. They quickly joined together as the creatures head turned to spine; forming a single row down the back.

If it were not clear in the first few moments of examination, the entire ensemble was one large coat. A rigid work of leather-work the might trick the eyes into seeing the scales and formations of the clothing as natural...until they viewed it’s furthest extents. At the base of the coat, and at the ends of the sleeves, the hide became flatter. It took on the appearance of fine, scaled cloth instead. There were no appendages at the ends of the sleeves; only claws arranged around the gaping cuffs. There were no legs to the beast, nor a tail, only the seams curtails. All in all, the overly dark purple outfit was more of a costum. One that hid a much more ferocious animal in it’s leathery folds. ”I am not meant for such labor!”

The boy seemed to be arguing with no one. Complaining to what he assumed were just the walls. What exactly was he doing in the halls after school hours...dressed as a lizard? ”Stupid...why are they wooden?! Harder to clean and quicker to rot.” His purplish form throttling back and forth; with a long pole clung to his side. Desperately he waved the stick around. It’s bothersome length reaching far above the boy, into the crossbeams that supported the ceiling above. The far end of the odd stick wrapped in a dirty looking cloth. Wherever it drug by, a polished stretch of dustless wood would remain behind. Cleaning. That is what young Mika was supposed to be doing. Right now it seemed to be the rafters and ceiling crevices that beckoned attention.

However, this task seemed to be giving the rather ruffled reptile quite a hard time. Surely it was not so difficult for him to do the task? Granted he was short, standing somewhere in the middle of 5’ and 6’ feet. His height did present a challenge to the work, but not a critical one. Certainly his shortness bore no ill effect on his balance; yet he seemed to be dancing as he twisted the pole about. Why was this? ”Bwaah!” With the cleaning tool becoming caught in a crevice; Mika fumbled and took a spill.

Falling as he did, revealed how he had positioned himself before. He had been holding the stick with only one hand; keeping it pressed tight to his side. His whole body was being used for grip, and prevented him from reaching up to the far places. Ah, but why not use both hands for support of the duster? Better yet...why not use both hands to brace himself for his fall? With Mika strung out on the ground; it was easy to see that one of his sleeves laid empty. This poor fellow...was missing most of his right arm. ”How vicious to make a cripple do physical chores!” Spoken through a groan. Mika’s words were cold and mixed with shame. Who wouldn’t be upset at falling down like a toddler? How much worse must it be for a soul over a few centuries of age? ”This is stupid...no one even looks up there.” His words were grumbling now, as if in a pout.

Quickly his body began to churn and roll. Looking more like a gator trying to get up off it’s back. While he did succeed; his flamboyant coat took a hard hit. The feathers on his back were far less lively than before. They were practically frayed; mostly flattened against his back. No sooner had he gotten up did he let out a quick, exasperated sigh. ”Those d*mn fools. They’d best not blame me for their poor leadership!” See, there was a story here. This school had a particular way of handling cleanup at the end of each day. Rather than leave the job completely to a custodial staff; students were required to assist. A member from every grouping, or class, would be chosen each day to stay late. They would prefer certain chores that would make the overall job for the cleaning crew easier. Since it happened everyday, someone new was always get picked. Normally the task was nothing more than annoying, but...not everyone has such an easy time with this sort of work.

Needless to say, Mika was one of those not-so-qualified. Through his groaning, the young Shinigami patted himself off. A less than usual display, given he only had one hand to reach all the dusty places. Scoffing with a look of defeat on his face. How hard it was for him to face his shortcomings with boldness. Were his skin not doused by makeup; his cheeks might have blushed with embarrassment. Might...being the pivotal word. Ah, but now that we have come to that...just what sort of makeup did he don? It was black, mostly. Coupled with the dino-hoodie, it looked as though he were the darkness of the lizard’s gullet. The whites of his eyes and teeth stood out, but the other features seemed hidden and vague. There was, of course, the bold white and gold that broke up the sheet of black. An oval of white came up from his neck and covered his chin and lips.

What wasn’t concealed by the neckline of the hoodie seemed a little out of place. Not really fitting with the reptilian covering. Possessing no effort to create, or maintain the illusion of a gullet cast by the black. To even further ruin this illusion was the gold. Two more ovals that were solid in form, both placed in the shallows of his eyes. Since the golden hue wasn’t very dark, it seemed to expand the boards of his eyes. This effect made his oculars seem tremendous; up until one approached and confirmed the truth. Needless to say...this was not the sort of uniform to clean in. So, why was he wearing it?! ”Forget this...I’m only cleaning the floor.” Turning back to the cleaning supplies he lugged to this point of the halls, he scrounged for the right rage and oil he would need for polishing. All the while wondering…”Where is the other person who is supposed to be doing this?” A sudden grumble creeping up from the deepest pits of his hate. A tone that dripped with loathing as a blade might drip with blood, or acid. ”If they didn’t assign someone else to help me...I’ll make them all pay…”

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Breathing in and breathing out. Oh the complexity of breathing can be described so easily with only a pair of words, in and out. That’s exactly what Aevus was doing, well the only thing he was doing except for sleeping of course. See the thing is the man wasn’t really a listener he was more of a take action sort of guy. He would do what obviously needed to be done when it had to be done. But when those orders came from a teacher or superior he really had a hard time listening to it.

Not like he didn’t understand what they were asking him but well he really didn’t see the point. The boring lectures were a breeze and they passed ever so quickly. Like seriously, he slept through them like no ones business. He barely remembered any of those teachings. like what’s the difference between one form of Kido and the other? Why are they different colors? Who cares I'm never going to use Kido anyway, might as well take a nap. Yeah sleep, perfect that’s an excellent idea.

Now if Aevus was a snorer he obviously wouldn’t beable to get away with what he was doing right now. Not like he never got caught or anything. But the loud grumbling of a snore was sure to catch the attention of his fellow peers and obviously the teacher. BAM, SMACK. He'd be hit in the head with a book or perhaps with the back of a hand but none the less he was usually silent as a mouse on Christmas eve.

---

"Sleeping through my lectures again?" Aevus was better off saying it in his head, oh yes he was better off saying nothing at all or perhaps he should have just apologized. But that wasn't the type of man Aevus was. Aevus would slink upwards, gazing upon his teacher, a bored expression easily painting his face ."No of course not 'Shinji', I was just merely taking a short nap." Aevus didn't speak in a condescending manner nor did he raise his voice, his words slipped from his lips rather nonchalantly before he let loose a yawn.

The teacher would blink utterly dumbfounded by the students reply. It was as if he was cracking. His right eye began to twitch and Aevus could swear he saw a blood vessel pop. The teachers face turned red for a moment hinting at obvious signs of anger and annoyance. "Aevus~" The words burrowed out from under him and next he would explode like a volcano. Or perhaps he would have if he didn't calm himself right there and than.

"Now taking a nap is one thing, but using my first name and lacking the use of honorifics is another." That was true, Aevus had never really picked up the use of using such titles. It wasn't his cup of tea and well Aevus had never really seen a real use for them. Maybe it was to show respect to his superiors but in Aevus's eyes everyone was on equal ground. Of course some were better off than others, there was no denying that. But Aevus would treat anyone he met with the same mutual respect. That respect only went so far, so sleeping in class was certainly an exception to him.

Fixing his collar, the teacher would continue. "You lack discipline, I notice you're top of your game in Zanjutsu but during every single one of my lectures on kido you nod off, not enough sleep or perhaps am I to boring for you?" The teacher would raise an eyebrow. Aevus would let loose yet another yawn before stretching in reply."It's kind of both, Shinji~". He made a snarky remark but it wasn't ill put. At least in his mind it wasn't. It was honestly just the way Aevus spoke to people.

In an uncaring composed tone he'd continue."I'm not at all interested in learning about magic spells." The students in the room were peering at him as if he was some sort of mad man. Some snickered at the remark while others watched in disbelief. Aevus truly wasn't really known and well he kind of liked it that way. Being avoided fit him nicely and solitude was always genuinely appreciated. After all most of students here were a flock of white sheep. Well at least in his eyes they were. Moving around in their cliques without a care in the world. "Well now, aren't you the social butterfly." The teacher was clearly joking, his eyes sternly laid upon his students lazy visage.

"You show such promise in combat, but here you're the opposite of a well mannered student." He continued, taking forth his finger in front of Aevus's face and suddenly a flash of white light flashed before him. He was stunned and incapacitated, finding himself slumped over without any control of his movement whatsoever."Now, Aevus can you tell me what type of Kido that I just used on you?" Aevus’s blue eyes bulged as he attempted to speak but he couldn't even move his lips to form the words even if he wanted too.

"No you can't, that's right you can't even speak." The teacher would slowly lift the mans chin with his lecture book. "Now just sit there like that. You wont be sleeping through this lecture, I assure you. Unless of course you're willing to learn to do so with your eyes open?"That stern gaze still held only loosening once he found himself turning around. Aevus was forced to watch as his teacher paraded to the front of the class once more to continue his lecture.

Some members of his class let loose whispers and a bit of laughter but otherwise the room was quiet. Aevus knew exactly what this man was trying to do. The teacher was attempting to humiliate him but there was one thing he failed to realize. Yes Aevus knew nothing of kido and yes he slept through class but he could not be embarrassed and why was that? Simply he gave no rats ass about what these other students thought of him. He was here solely for his own purposes, he could be adored or even despised it didn't affect Aevus in the least.

"Bakudo, an interesting Classification of Kido, it sure has it's tactical uses and of course I suppose forcing a student to stay awake fits nicely into that broad spectrum." With that came a fit of laughter from the sheep of the room. The white robes thusly thrown at them, fit them nicely. Aevus was merely but a wolf in sheep's clothing. For once he found himself forced to listen to a lecture. "Shibireyubi, was the kido spell I used on Aevus over here." He pointed to him with his book before continuing.

"It's a binding spell known as Bakudo that completely incapacitates ones target, while leaving them completely conscious to the world around them. Now it has many uses while in combat or otherwise outside of combat like you have seen. Aevus as you know through spars is excellent with a sword but he no match to the might of Kido. Due to his ignorance and lazy nature he has failed to learn that until now of course. Isn't that right Aevus?"

It was as if the teacher was waiting for a reply and he'd wait but a few seconds until continuing to attempt to embarrass him. "Ah, not as social as before are we?" The teachers words didn't faze him the least and neither did the laughter from the students. In truth he was actually learning something. The spell continued on through the lecture and Aevus found himself forced to sit through the entire thing. It was, well it was an experience.

---

Lazily the man was laying atop a roof, his sapphires eclipsed to the world around him. He was sleeping, soundly and comfortably. It was the teachers fault for keeping him awake honestly, that and also giving him the choir of helping to clean the academy. Actually now it was more of a punishment and Aevus didn't really didn't participate in those. It was his way of saying fuck the system. A young black tabby known simply by the name of Kiti curled itself next the man, enjoying the suns warm embrace. Her tail swished gently back and forth as she nestled happily by his side.

I guess you could say that the two made an excellent duo, as they both enjoyed sleeping through the day without a care in the world. The cleaning supplies that he had been given laid on the grassy floor beneath him next to a pair waiting doors. Oddly enough one of Aevus's arms hung off the side of the roof and one could easily spot him that way. Just one roll in his sleep and the man would fall. Thankfully Aevus wasn't the type of guy to toss and turn in his sleep so I guess he was safe in that regard.

[MrDoctorDo]

Yes...his hand did hang over the side. While it might be quite uncommon for an individual to lay upon a roof; it was even more uncommon for someone to look up for signs of such. People don't even look up, according to Mika's observations. They are always too busy starring where there feet are walking. Too busy with other things like people or distractions. Wherever their eyes may wander, it is never up. Never towards the ceiling or the sky. That was something slowly seeping out of the world today. Something that the eccentricity of Mika was quite keen to have. To set him apart. To make him better.

To help him find the rat-bastard that was skipping out on the assigned chores. That weasle sucking trouser-snake that was meandering in the clouds...leaving a cripple to carry his half of the responsibility. Of the labor. Ooo-ho-ho, that was not going to work out. Not for Mika. Not for Aevus. And not for that hand that dangled off the edge of his elevated bed...waiting for the boogyman to take it right off. Or, to tickle it with a dirty dust ra-"...aaaaAAAHHGG! STUPID, F*CKING CEILING!" Timbers began to crack and wood began to splinter! That yawning groan of dry, splitting fibers echoed through the open veranda below! In an instant that felt like melting; the roof on which Aevus lay gave in. Yes, melting. Like the sudden give of snow under a flame. The whole structure seemed to dip beneath his weight.

Soon the pocket his body filled would halt in it's decent, and thereafter the dream would begin. That feeling of weightlessness that is so hard to come by for earthly bound souls. That dreamlike sensation of floating, it preceded an even more common slumber-time occurrence. The feeling of flight. The wood and the panels, timbers and beams, all would launch outward in an explosive manner. The whole area that was unsettled and wrecked, now flowering outward like a morning glory's blossom. Shards of wood were scattering, and turning to rain in the courtyard outside. Nothing that made contact with the ground would remain intact, or whole. Except for Aevus, of course. What destroyed school property wouldn't have any effect of the Shinigami. Well...except for possibly uprooting his rest? Maybe? Iunno.

Certainly if the shattered roof wasn't enough to do tha-"I'M NOT CLEANING...another...nanometre." The grating shrill of Mika's voice came calling out to the debris. Somewhere behind a dust cloud of settling collateral, the small researcher stood. Through the displacing haze; Mika must have looked a sight. His reptilian silhouette might even look real...for a moment. Stepping out into the grassy courtyard; surveying his triumph, "I..." Realizing how old the wood was. Realizing how it basically evaporated from the force; that it had been left there for hundreds...thousands of years. Realizing the difficulty of replacing, not the material, but the symbolic value. "...why...why hadn't this been replaced. I have been attending school in an antique! I...", he paused. Bulging eyes blinking a few, calculating times. "I am going to be expelled..."

All of this would happen in mere seconds. All, really, one big display of cause and effect. Choice and result. Rage and recompense. Holy sh*t; Mika was going to be, "...strung up by my toenails. Unless I don't have toenails! Come here!" Mika held out an arm; from deep within his purple, leather sleeves...a bony hand emerged. Fingers sprawled and curled in a claw-like fashion. Soon the lithe digits writhed and seemed to pull at something. In the moment thereafter; a large mass of brackish fluid rose up from the low hanging cloud of dust. It seemed like water, but grew more viscous and thick as it rose up. Soon...all the dust had cleared. With nothing to hide it; the massive body body of a monster came to light. It was devoid of certain form, instead it seemed a shifting balloon of death. Light reflected through it, displaying it's transparency and hinting at the contents inside.

It's color shifted from green to brown. Inside it became much darker with depth; till hues of blue and black composed it's core. This flopping mass was certainly filthy in appearance, but was not slimy or wet. In fact, no matter what it touched or where it rolled, there was no dripping or leaking. It left no trail, like a slug might. It spread no stench, like..feces might. No,no. This thing was very self contained. Uh...but it did smell like a dirty kitchen sink. So, there was that. "I need to remove my toenails before they catch me. In case they don't accept your sacrifice as sufficient reprimands."

Mika slapped the plasmid as it drew closer to him; causing it to wince back and shiver. The whole surface seemed to vibrate like a quivering beast. Then, giving another flick of his hand, the fat blob went crawling towards the veranda. Watching it move was quite a funny sight. It rolled itself about, curling it's thinner "head" down and under it's bulbous "belly". It was slow and goofy about it's "cartwheels", making it quite pitiful looking as well. Mika started after his goopy comrade with a turn. Barely taking a single step; the scientist stopped and twisted his head towards Aevus. Eyes appearing as bright, sparkling white dinner plates..."Witness?"

The purple lizard was on full alert, now. Without turning his body to face Aevus. Without even gracing him with an introduction. Mika's eyes were quick to take in what he could. The man's uniform. Stature. Stance. Posture. Skin. Had. Eyes. Limb length. Had he a needle, container, and indicator fluid...he would have known the man's blood type and eating habits as well. Mmm, not that eating habits were so difficult to determine. Skinny build and dry skin were bad signs. Oh, but was Mika one to judge? Yes. Oh my goodness, yes. Constantly. No need for purpose or provocation. None of that meant he was justified in his judgments. Certainly not when he looked the way he did! ".1863 percent of all souls in the Soul Society are born deaf and blind..."

That. That was his introduction to Aevus. Staring at him as if waiting for something. Not offering his own name or even a hello. Not saying anything more as he waited. Just...standing there. Cramped in his dark, purple leather hoodie. Black painted face paused behind polished white velociraptor teeth. Glaring pupils never budging or shifting away. Breath seem held; with lips sealed and nostrils vacant in the featureless, blackened mass. The only thing that moved or changed about their situation was Mika's feathers. The dorsal plumage that had been smashed against his back. They blew all about in the evening breeze. What would come along to end this stare off? What might shatter the awkward moments that followed destruction and identification? The rolling sounds of sloshing and flopping fat might. All the way up to Mika's feet; his cow-sized slimigo would come rolling back up. Stopping just short of hitting, and knocking the gawking genius over. Kinda like a dog...confused about the interrupted walkies.

[MrDoctorDo]

Feeling the heavy bulk of the germ curled up at the side of his leg, the dino-dressed young man gave a sudden start. "Hey! No! None of that. You have been conditioned better than that..." With a swift brush of his foot, he rolled the fat blob off and away. The brackish mass flopped over easily enough, and even gave another full roll before halting. Quickly the top of it began to extend upward in the same pointed proboscis fashion it had shown before. The elongated portion quickly reached out towards its master, but received a definitive pop. Mika's hand quick to settle the bacterium's request.

"No. Now stop, I have more concerning matters than your hunger to attend." While all of this make look harmless...dear lord was it not. Only a trained expert would know the reasoning behind the blob's behavior. Only a keen eye and understanding would piece together small bits and details. Clues such as the glossiness of the germ's extension following Mika's slap. Intricacies such as the behavioral patterns behind the brainless pile's actions. All of it should have been very concerning in any regard...except that less knowledgeable folk would simply interpret it as master and pet interaction. Heh, oh the wondrous deception of the scene.

"You..." Mika pointed now at his fellow Shinigami. Addressing the young man in hopes of drawing a reaction of...any kind. Anything to prove that the other was not lacking in any sensitivity. To confirm his puzzling introduction. "It doesn't seem that you a lacking in sight or hearing. How unfortunate." Ah, yes. The fact about debilitated babies. What exactly was that about. Well, it was a statistical fact. The reason Mika brought it up was research related. Firstly, he wanted to determine if new data was available to counter the existing figures.

This was more of an internal calculation than anything, but vital to the curious soul all the same. The second task was to determine if this individual fit into the aforementioned category. Was he one of those very rare births that suffered the loss of two, vital senses? Oh goodness, how Mika had hoped such was the case. For it were...he would have no reason to worry about denying his involvement in the building's destruction! Nor would he have to explain the "hideous blob" that currently occupied his company; which undoubtedly broke many school rooms about: pets, student endangerment, and a f*ck load of sanitary statues.

So...as one can determine, Aevus' answer was of the utmost import to Mika. "If the time comes that witnesses are called to speak upon this occurrence; your existence would be undeniable." Mika gestured towards the debris, and then back to the other student. Only one hand emerging from his broad sleeves to perform the somatics. "All five senses or not...there would be ways to get the answers from you." Once more, the boy stood rather short. Even for the many younger students enrolled in the Academy. Not that his height or excessive, physical expressions were the alarming aspects of his appearance.

The purple-black scaled, lizard robe and hood was quite a statement. Then there was the face paint that blended his features into obscurity, and deceived the eyes that he was the beast's sinking gullet. Oh...and the jello looking snot ball that hovered about him like a loyal mutt. Yeah...those arm gestures and frantic speech patterns were really making him look weird. "There might even be many ways to ascertain them without you." Empaths employed by various divisions. Those mind interpreter guys. They red guilt like polygraphs. See...that is some straight, brain-snatchy nonsense. That kinda sh*t should terrify anyone. "Gyaaah...this is bad."

Pacing about in the dust and the grass; Mika toiled with the confines of his mind. It was clear, with what was visible of his face, that he was more frustrated than scared. "What shall I do. What shall I do. They will inquire about how the feat was accomplished..." Stopping where he twisted and strutted, the boy looked to the damage once more. "Hollow!" With the same energy that he expelled his thought, he quickly grew angry with it. "No. There is no way I could saturate the scene in Hollow reishi signatures...or convince anyone that a Hollow could appear undetected by our surveillance." Back to pacing it was. Back to his brainstorm he did sail. All the while a circular trail forming in the mess through which he walked. A path that a certain gefm was now rolling along with vigor...determined to stay near the hide-covered gakusei. Often times doing too well, and grazing Mika's leg as a result. Nothing being done about the tag along until after it's wiggling form caught up to Mika in full.

The rolling mass nearly knocking the frail boy down as it collided with his calves. A sudden about face prompted. "Oy! It is you who should be most concerned! If I get threatened with penalty for this, I'm selling you out. The worst they will give me is probation for unauthorized activities. A slap on the wrist for making and keeping you here. Like hell I am going to get expelled; when I could just as easily sell you out!" Though the words were awfully cold, the goopy tag-along didn’t seemed phased. Its master, on the other hand, still had a dilemma to address.

”Kidou. Yes...that will cover it. Practice go ary. That is far more believable. Nor will it require fabrications.” Looking back up towards the silent onlooker once more. Whispering mostly to himself, ”Not at the scene, at least.” Holding out his hand, Mika gave a momentary pause. In these quiet seconds, the starring scientist gave: a shrug of the shoulder, a roll of the head, and a raise of an eyebrow. a very condescending, impatient gesture. ”Come now...tell me what you want.” yet another moment or two of quiet, ”What is it going to take for you to forget everything you have seen?”

The sound of Mika’s voice rang rather noticeably amongst the garbled cantor of the gathered crowd. All around the open prison were hordes of prisoners going about their various sentences. In one area particularly, a number of them had gathered for a bit of sport. A spectacle really. It would appear to be a fight. A group large enough to be two different gangs had rallied together in a sizable circle. For those tall enough to see over the assorted members of the crowd, it was clear there was a clearing in the center of the crowd.

A pit for the brawl to commence. For those supremely interested in the ongoings, they would find that the match was quite...unbalanced. On one side there was a rather large fellow. Big in the belly, but broad in the chest as well. With his white balding hair and shaven, wrinkled face...it seems the soul was older than most. Though he did seem a bit short, he did seem quite strong. Given by his stance, this fellow was clearly seasoned in the art of fisticuffs. There were even healing bruises on his faces and scars on his knuckles to confirm this!

This particularly stocky fellow did well to lord about the ring of spectators that viewed him. It made it hard to even identify the opponent who should be sharing that center stage with him. A steady watch would soon reveal the competitor...and his staggering deficiency for the sport. For the other who shared this ring was far too scrawny to be picking a fight with anyone. A stick of a whelp who seemed to wobble more than stand. Add to that...he had a big head that just begged to be punched. It was like he was designed with a biological handicap to fighti-HOLY CRAP he only had one arm! No kidding! The little dude going up the brute was a one armed, stick figure.

The fight was obviously an unfair one, and yet no one seemed interest to step in. Makes sense. In their environment, disputes break out all the time. The only way things get resolved are by the prisoner’s own devices. Which usually means bribes or fights. After all, the guards don’t come through enough to enforce laws. Those that do patrols through this area are just to take a gauge of the situation and report it back to the barracks and command outside. Perhaps that is why there was a non-prisoner Shinigami in here today? A guard possibly on an inspection? A ray of hope for Mika...who was nearing the brutal ending of a feature length presentation of a*s whuppin’.

”Ffffff...ssssssp...gwah...Alright. Good one…”, the smaller fellow sipped up the droll that dripped from his busted lip. ”Now...can we forget everything I said?” Raising his only arm to wipe his lip, Mika revealed several abrasions all across his forearm. Though, his limb looked far better than his mug. There we cuts on both his upper and lower lips. A nice trail of blood seeping from one of his nostrils. Despite the freshness of the impact, one of his eyes was already turning quite blue.

It wouldn’t be long before the swelling forced that one shut. It looks like he had been losing this fight for quite some time. Maybe, he was starting to get good at it. ”What’s it going to take...for you to forget...everything I s-” WHAM! Another satisfying blow to that balloon of a head Mika had. The sound of cracking accompanied the impact this time. It was a very solid blow. In fact, there were even some jokes in the crowd about how much the big guy’s form had improved since this all started! Those comments were hard to make out though. Especially through the clamour of laughs and gasps.

”No. No no. I think we are long past that, friend.” The stocky fellow spoke up. The way he said friend made you think that maybe he didn’t mean it. The fellow's voice was a bit higher in the pitch than one might expect. There was definitely some effort being put into sounding sinister. No yelling. No cursing. Just a cold voice telling it like it is. ”See. You’ve said just a bit too much. Now something has to be done about it.” One of the bruiser’s hamhands reached to grip the cripple by the collar of his prison robe. Hoisting the featherweight up with laughable ease. ”You had your chances to stop. To apologize.” A firm slap came across the stick figure’s face. The crowd watching letting out and “ooh” to signify the shame of it. Painful yes, but far more embarrassing. ”Now I don’t care if you’re sorry.” Another slap. Yet again the crowd winced and mocked. This time the slap left Mika quite silent. ”Maybe you will be less of a p*ssant in the next life?” Mentioned the thug, as he pulled back for a much more vicious jab. Mika’s fleeting consciousness doing very little to stop it...

[Amagai Kuchiki]

250 CTP to both participants.

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

(Only a year late)

Aevus laid there, his eyes staring up at the dust and debris that filtered through the air. His back killed him at the moment and waking up to falling through a roof wasn’t something to inmedially get up to. It was clearly something this academy student had to wrap his head around. Through a newly created sky roof Aevus could see black puff ball known as Kiti who clearly wasn’t as much of a deep sleeper than he was. Through the haze he could see a giant blob like creature.

‘Am I dreaming?’ Aevus would ask himself as he began to get up. Rising to his feet and brushing himself off the black tabby would faintly mew at that and in the next moment his eyes would meet the painted face of another. ....He didn’t know exactly what he was looking at. A purple hooded reptilian with feathers or was this a man...a err woman? From the voice it...was male but what the hell was that blob? The reptile said something about a percentage of all souls in the Soul Society are born deaf and blind and than he...continued.

‘He’s still talking...'


”What is it going to take for you to forget everything you have seen?”

---

“Now what have we here?” A pressure would suddenly appear, dripping forth the reiatsu of a onmitsukido. Cold blues sheltered the forms of the assailants and he felt an ounce of disgust begin to corner him. They were beating on a single man from the looks of it he had arrived nearly at the end of the show and it seemed to already be over.

A silver coat shimmered lightly, Dark markings covered the creatures lithe form The visage of a wolf, sheltered the faces of the prisoners within its reflective moonlit gaze. A tail flickering just subtly, Lumina would stand by his side. The wolf's white furs bristled faintly as the men took themselves to staring down Aevus himself.

“Why’d they let you bring that thing in here?” Aevus would not give the man a single glance but Lumina sneered at him, her gentle silvers narrowing as she barred her unstained canines. With a single hand on the ruff of her head, the wolf would settle, her silvers now softening gently. The truth of the matter was that she was part of him and he refused to part from her if even for a moment.

It also aided in the fact that he lacked even a amateur knowledge on the use of Hakuda. How he joined the onmitsukido was beyond him and yet he still managed to get where he was today somehow. Those who were not pressed down by his spiritual pressure still were a threat and yet with his fellow spirit by side he felt no fear. These were mere prisoners, they were caught and deemed unfit to live in the Seireitei: well not without walls keeping them away from innocents of course.

“My fucking nose!” A man would scream as he rolled around on the ground. “You broke my bloody fucking nose. I didn’t even touch the freak...” Aevus would sigh at that his cold gaze drifted to the bleeding man. “Yet you stood idly by while he was being attacked?” The man would continue with his cries. “You’re a criminal and a coward. In this nest you’re but a maggot, it’s fitting you squirm there on the dirt like one.” Aevus spoke nonchalantly his expression emotionless.

It was all an act and Lumina sensed it but here Aevus wouldn’t let himself soften if even for a moment. Some of these men were murderers and rapists, they deserved no pity and Aevus had no time to give them such trivial childish things. Yet all in the same Lumina had to be the voice of reason if even a little. “I would flee" Lumina would lick her lips partially her eyes menacingly glancing towards those still standing as she'd flash her unstained incisors.

Those not held down by his spiritual pressure would step away at that, at least for the moment. It would be a fools errand to attempt to combat Aevus with his Zanpakuto spirit standing idly by his side. She who would attack without question if one dared endanger him. Aevus didn’t have a good view of Mika and at the moment he didn’t recognize him nor even think to. It had been so long since he had met that odd Shinigami yet as he passed a decent glance towards the strange man if he could be called a man, he would be caught off guard. “You, how did you end up in here of all places?”

[MrDoctorDo]

All manners of moments and sounds played around his head. Like trying to perceive a dream, the young man felt his body weighted down by some inexplicable force. From moving his head, to opening his eyes. Everything was sluggish and troubled. No. The better word for it would be...frustrating. Have we all not been in a similar scenario? A vivid, sometimes even wonderful dream. Yet we find our perception restrained and uncontrollable.

No matter how we fight or how much we struggle, we can’t keep the dream in view. Such was his time on the dusty ground. Even as gravity pressure fell onto him like a waterfall. The gathered gang, had once taken to beating his ass, now seemed crushed in similar fashion. Were they dreaming too? Were they having the same difficulties as himself? Mika could not begin to know. The only thing his mind could taken in with full clarity. Above the noise in his ears. More than the pain in his face. Was the tingle of reishi. Sending shivers through his skin; while it danced over his crumpled form. That is when he felt it. The presence of something...different. Something less evolved. More primal.

That is when he awoke to the wolf…

There was a surge of clarity. It was powerful, and came all at once. Through his body nerve endings found themselves firing with life. All of his senses seemed drug in from the haze. The fog in his mind was lifting as new and exciting information came feeding in. The thugs he had tussled with moments before had scattered. The stench and presence of a few did remain. Their bodies plastered to the floor much like his own. Others however, his restored hear their footsteps leading away. However, none of them held his utmost attention. They were but shadows fleeing into the shrinking dark. No, what he Mika was drawn to was the light. Like a moth to a flame.

Hmm, or more appropriately, a fly. Unable to turn away. Drawn by the power it exuded. The smaller shinigami’s head raising laboriously from the ground. Shaking in the exertion. Though soon there were satisfying results. Eyes opening despite the swelling of bruised flesh. Peeping through the swollen eyelids. To see, poised in the instinctual fashion befitting the predator, the massive silver wolf. Baring teeth and biding time before the strike. The audacity of such a sight, in such a place as this; called Mika to question his own consciousness.

”I...know death.”, words stuttering on busted lips. The faintest trickle of blood spilling out. Mixed within the drool that escaped his incontinent jaw. ”Death doesn’t look like a dog…” Swallowing hard, throat aching from nearly being crushed, ”It should look...more like me.” In the moment, his pupils finally shrank. Retina falling back into line. Vision adjusting to the glare of bright lights. Beside the beast, the silhouette of a man. Only a shadow at first, but soon definite and detail drew him into a finer image. With every second the face became more clear. Until Mika realized…

Ok, maybe it doesn’t look as ugly as me.

Guh...gack!, a deep and effective cough burst from his chest. A splatter of fresh blood shot from him. The red and speckled trail flying off to his left. Making a mess of the floor. However, it did more to make a mess of his composure. The sudden convulsion forcing him to lurch forward. Almost to a upright position. By instinct he threw out his own arm, and braced himself before falling. Hoping not to end back up on his back again. However, no sooner did the limb turn to support, did Mika feel even more of the gravity’s presence. The force was quite admirable. Especially for someone not being bowed to as Captain.

Yet, for what he was worth, Mika wasn’t without his ability to resist it. Being able to do something...and able to do something easily, don’t always coincide. Every second was a continued struggle. Though it did help to have the wild animal breathing down his nape. Mika found his eyes drawn to the shimmering wolf time and time again. Admiring the almost ethereal look it posessed. Using the looming threat of becoming dog food as proper motivation to not fall asleep. Fortunately, new and better inspiration was coming. For even bloodied and broken as he was, Mika was apparently Mika. A figure not easily forgotten, as Aevus was making it known.

When the soldie...no. This man was no soldier. He might have been a fighter. He may have been a loyal servant of the Seireitei. He may even had excelled at taking the occasional order or two. Despite all of this, Aevus didn’t seem soldier. Just what he was, Mika couldn’t possibly guess. All he would speculate...is that it wasn’t rank and file. Either way. When this individual spoke out to him; the young Shinigami found the words to be invigorating. Not only was there a air of familiarity, there was also a pleasing dose of surprise.

Had these two met before? Mika fought to put himself completely upright. A pained sigh issuing forth; to accompany a weak heave. Getting himself upright into a half comfy position. Legs still splayed in front of him. One thin arm keeping an equally lithe torso from laying back down. Blood pooled in the cranium, finally being able to flow back to the rest of him. ”Well…”, looking up as if the man’s face had the answer scrawled upon it, ”Look who it is.” The red of his eyes making the brown of his iris stand out. Flashes of curiosity flickering in them.

A studious gaze trailing all across the standing soul. Moments passing in a flash, just like memories from bygone years. Back to the times of study and education. The years spent toiling in the academy, simply trying to earn the right to be what he had become today. The singular, chance encounter between strangers. Or, as he better recalled, that one time his ServGerm proved itself to be far stronger than he had programmed it to be! Breaking shit that wasn’t his! Forcing him to come up with an alibi, or risk expulsion, all because of a stupid hive-minded colony of single-celled, dipshit over-achievers!

Then, more recently, when the two of them met once more. A random encounter in the human world. Embroiled in a battle of life and death, on the streets of Karakura. To that fateful night that Mika foolishly threw himself to the wolves. Engaging with Shinigami, while on the lam from the Soul Society. Fuck. Why had he been so stupid. Why did he have to save that stupid girl. Not like it did him any good come time for his trial. Not like anything did him any good. The moment he fell into Aevus' sights, he was doomed. The dog bastard.

”I just keep running into you. Even when I'm not moving.”

For a moment, Mika was almost ready to laugh. What stopped him was some pain in his ribs. Curling forward till he was practically in the fetal position, wrapping his only limb tight around his midsection. Coughing a bit more. Still, undeterred in his fascination. After all, what were the odds of running into someone familiar so many years later? Easily calculable. ”So this is what ” Giving a smirk, with a shiny row of blood stained teeth completing the look. Mika’s tone seemed almost condescending. As if, he were ridiculing the position he found his old classmate in.

Which...geez, you can just taste the irony. Like a big ol’ mouthful of blood. There he lay. Wounded. Halfs starved, half naked, half crippled. A prisoner, with no prospects of ever returning to service in the Court Guard. Hell, with no prospects of ever breathing free air again! And yet, he was concerned that Aevus had let his life gone to shit. Haaaaawk-ptew! Another thick glob of bile and vitae. Mika shaking his head a bit. Getting what was left of the static to fade away. Lifting his head once more. Bringing his eyes to meet those that were closest to them. The hauntingly cold gaze of that interesting looking wolf.

A creature Mika understood exceptionally well.

The animal seemed as real as could be. Larger than one of its breed ought to be. More peculiar than its size, was the she-wolf’s color. Such a dazzling silver. It was clearly unnatural. Impossible to achieve in anything created by the practicality of nature. It cause the fur to shine. Even in a cavern as dim and melancholy as the prison in which they stood. Such a coloration would be all but useless to an animal in solidarity. If this creature were required to hunt for its sustenance; then it would live off a diet of grass and carrion. Not even newborns or the infirmed would be able to miss such a thing coming for them. Even if getting away still proved a challenge.

So. Given that it was a fine specimen. Healthy and strong. It was clear it received its meals from another. A pet. Hehehmmm Something in Mika shivered at the thought. The ripples running up and down his spine, out to his fingers and toes. It was electric, but also quite uncomfortable. How strange this moment of familiarity with the beast. Though the meaning of the sensations were all but lost to Mika. Emotions were not something his mind could interpret...even if it could feel them. As such, the sympathetic interlude passed without a thought.

Instead. His focus fell onto how powerful the creature looked. Whatever it had been fed: meat or souls, was doing the trick. Considering how well a pet is treated and cared for by their masters...sometimes, a prisoner can’t help but feel a twinge of envy. At that moment Mika’s stomach growled audibly. His emaciated frame having been denied a genuine meal for quite some time. With the sound drawing his mind back to the moment, and filling him with angry embarrassment...he desperately tried to shift focus.

”As I recall...last we met, I was the one with the pets. So much has changed.”

Drawing in his legs. Curling his feet closer to his base. Mika seemed as though he might try to stand. ”The beast doesn’t bite does it?” Wobbling pitifully, the frail soul was slow to get back to his feet. Surveying all around himself. Looking to identify any foot obstacles he might trip upon. Finding it quite hilarious to see other prisoners with their faces still planted against the carved floor. For the most part. Prisoners in the Maggots Nest were quite weak. Individuals who were identified early in their careers as trouble makers. Put down before they could grow strong enough to be a threat. Then there were those more like Mika.

The ones who hid their improper dispositions long enough to achieve a modicum of actual power. For them the prison had to be more sever. In fact, it was odd that the skinny fellow wasn’t locked in isolation. Such was typical procedure with those of his caliber. Yet here he was. Under fed and suffering from the fragility that came with great hunger. A blessing, honestly. It kept him from hurting the other prisoners with his talents. The deprivation even drained his stored energy. As all should know, Shinigami who don’t eat don’t have excess reiatsu to squander. So maybe Mika’s not being confined was a planned arrangement. It certainly would help explain the lowly state he was forced to stay in. An unwholesome condition, to say the very least.

With a final groan, the young man was fully upright. Even if the gravity stuck around to keep him down. His full visage for view and critic. From the sickly figure he had showcased this whole time. To the poorly shaved head, that looked as though it had been hacked to its current length. For the first time, his counterpart would actually get to see what was hidden under that strange outfit and thick, black, facepaint. For the prison offered Mika little options in makeup.

Though he had clearly taken much time to try and cover his entire body with white, powdery dust; Mika’s true skin color showed through. Creeping through the patchy spots where the dust had been scraped off or poorly applied. Finally, there was his round face. Thinner than it would have been in Aevus’ memory. Yet, still showing that same bucktoothed smile that never seemed to go away. Even as the eyes flared. Seething with a clear and potent rage. He stared at Aevus as though he were an executioner. The death of all his hopes and dreams. I mean...how else could you explain this same figure always standing over him at his moments of vulnerability and defeat.

Every single trouble this quiet fool had ever caused him. Playing like a highlight reel in his mind. Almost as if the years between then and now had happened in an instant. Or, across the single page of a book...or thread post. The goofy grin on his face, twitching and becoming more strained. Each recounted tale of Aevus the interloper...pissing him off even more. Making it harder, and harder to maintain the charade. To keep on his happy mask.

”What are you doing here?”