Arc 3: Canon Z-1: Whispers of Rebellion

[Zeich Yajuu]

((OOC: Strike to both Zef and Bo, and skipping to Zahra.))

[Zahra]

Zahra was still hidden from the view of these people. She was still confused on what they were trying to do. She had gotten smarter, but obviously not smart enough to pick up on what these people were trying to do or wanted. Or, it could easily be that she didn't care enough about the issue to really try to understand what they were saying. Even if these people rose up against the black and white people that were in the place called Soul Society, she would still have her little cave with her mate, she would still live the same way.

So, whatever happened to Soul Society wouldn't effect her way of life at all. She was honestly only doing this because she was told by a black and white person gave her shiny things to do it. While she was thinking on this matter, she was able to hear someone that they called as Thorn speak to the one called Aevus. She stopped thinking and actually listened to what the man was saying. Her ears twitched slightly, picking up everything that the man was saying. He didn't want to let Aevus go? He wanted him to join their ranks?

The more she listened, the more she thought that the man was crazy. She completely didn't understand the reasoning behind what he was saying. But, she knew that she needed to get more information out of them. She didn't want to get any closer to the man, because of the gravitational pressure he was exuding. She could only think of one thing that might be helpful or at least distract him so she could come in closer. She peeked her head out just enough to aim her throwing knife and threw it towards Thorn's head. It was one way to get his attention.

[Zeich Yajuu]

“It seems our conversation will have to end here, as we have an unappreciative audience.” The words came smoothly, and Thorn's head didn't even turn as he reached up, caught the knife in one hand, and tossed it aside. Removing his other hand from Aevus's form, Thorn's eyes turned towards Zahra's last location, and though she was physically hidden, he was staring straight at her thanks to his Energy Sensory; after all, few Beast-Clansmen were smart enough to know how to hide even their diminutive spiritual presence. Giving a soft sigh, the man shook his head, raising his voice loud enough for even Zahra to hear. “Little one, hiding up on the rooftops, I do not appreciate such actions. Please do not attempt to attack me again when I am unarmed, or I will have to respond with force, and I would not enjoy that.”

His thoughts stated, Thorn turned back to Aevus, giving him a quiet smile. “I must go now, brother. I am afraid that our conversation will end here. But know that our family will always be open with loving arms, to shelter those who are afraid of betrayal, who fear the pain caused by those we cannot trust.” Softly the man touched Aevus's arm, right where his tattoo was; it glowed faintly before settling into the skin, turning from a glowing mark of Reiatsu to an actual tattoo of ink and flesh in the form of an upside-down cross with thorns twisted around it. “This mark will guide you to us. Touch it, and as long as your heart is pure and free of thoughts of betrayal, our family will find you, and bring you home. We will look forward to it.”

With that, Thorn simply turned and walked away, no hurry to his pace as he disappeared into the shadows. Once he was out of sight, the man's spiritual presence would simply disappear, and those caught within it would be freed. Zeferoth, upon examining his arm, would notice that his tattoo was gone; it seemed that his constant refusal and anger had either disqualified him from his invitation, or else there was something else at work. Either way, only Aevus would be left with the mark, and whether he chose to report it or to conceal it would be up to him. But Thorn's words would remain, regardless: “...and as long as your heart is pure and free of thoughts of betrayal, our family will find you, and bring you home.” That hand would remain extended for the Shinigami, as long as he was willing to accept it.

With that, however, it seemed that Thorn's departure, there was little else to follow up on for the investigation. Still, the two Beast-Clansmen and Aevus had learned a good deal about those that were involved in the rebellion. A messenger, a disciple whose goal was to invite more people into his flock, a message of hurt and a fight against betrayal; Shinigami and normal Pluses alike were involved, and it was possible that the rebellion went far deeper. What would they do with this information? What would it reveal? Only time would tell.

((OOC: And that marks the end of Canon Z-1! Zahra, Zeferoth, and Aevus all receive 1000 TP to convert and spend as they choose, and participants are welcome to make one final post to report in or develop their character for additional bonuses.))

[Zahra]

Zahra had no idea what happened with her knife until she heard it a clank from something that had some weight get tossed to the ground. Well, she at least got the man's attention. She peeked her head out of her hiding spot to see what happened, and that's when she heard him speak, assuming he was speaking to her. He said he was unarmed, but Zahra had no way of knowing that. He had enough people around him that they could've easily jumped in and done something, but they did not. It was interesting. Responding with force would've been interesting, but she was only so strong and she didn't know his strength.

So, she decided to not do anything against him again. He was getting ready to leave anyway. She peeked her head out of the hiding spot to at least watch what was going on instead of just hearing it. She saw the man smile towards the one called Aevus, speaking to him about the family and then touching his arm. Zahra cocked his head to the side, curious as to why the man would be touching him like that. Thorn kept talking and then walked away as he disappeared. When he was out of her sight, she felt the uncomfortable feeling of his spiritual pressure leave the area.

With freer movement, she slowly stood up to her full height and looked in the same direction that the man walked off. She was very curious about that man, the way he acted and moved. It was completely different from what she was used to noticing. She looked back towards Aevus, no intention of walking closer to that man. She didn't know why he touched him or why he talked that way, but she barely knew the man. She didn't trust him enough to walk up to him and actually look after him. She looked on towards the other Beast-Clan.

She had met him once and knew that he would be able to take care of himself. She didn't worry too much about the Badger. The first thing in her mind was to make it back to the Soul Society before she forgot the majority of what just happened, so she could report to the black and white person that tasked her with this in the first place. She took a few steps towards the figures, sniffing the air to make sure that she didn't smell any blood. Since she didn't, she assumed that they were uninjured and could help themselves back to wherever they came from.

As for her, she ran off, as quickly as she could, towards the direction of Soul Society. After what felt like at least ten minutes, she made it towards the gates of Soul Society, the same gates that she herself had met the black and white person before. It was there that she saw someone was something shiny around their waist. She remembered that the person she talked to had something shiny on his waist as well. She immediately started to quick walk towards the man. The other black and white people that started to notice her slowly started to back away.

The black and white person noticed her when she was only three steps away. He looked a little surprised, but not too surprised. She cocked her head to the right side, looking at the man. "Zahra back. Zahra news about rebellion you told Zahra to find." She watched his eyes light up as he eagerly awaited for her news. She told the man everything that she could remember about the group, especially mentioning that other black and white people were involved and about the one called Aevus, who Thorn talked to. It seemed like Thorn only talked to Aevus.

Well, she said, from what she saw, Thorn only talked to Aevus. The shinigami was deep in thought while Zahra spoke to him about everything. Once she was done, she cocked her head to the other side, waiting for him to speak. He continued to just stand there and she was confused as to why he stood there. She poked him. "Zahra done. It okay?" He jumped a little when she poked him, which made her giggle a little. He nodded that she had done well and gave her more shiny things, running off back into Soul Society. Zahra wore a huge smile, eagerly taking the shiny things and heading back to her cave, excited to share everything with her mate.

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

With the strange mans sigh Aevus felt that burning sensation in his arm once more, his eyes clenching shut from the very pain it wrought. This was the price of his second question and Aevus was beginning to regret having had even asked another. But what could he do? He was stuck, Thorns gravitational pressure kept him on a rather tight leash and fighting back would be suicide. He would just have to play along or maybe part of him actually wanted to join Thorns cause.

Was it the mark that brought such confusion to him or were these his own pestering thoughts? That sadness shone clear as day within the mans very eyes. He could tell that he was serious about wanting Aevus to join his families cause, to be a brother; truly. When he brought up releasing him Aevus posed a question in his head that perhaps he potentially meant he’d kill him if he didn’t accept the offer. Or perhaps maybe he would just let him go and there was no trickery in his words at all for he seemed earnest. Though Aevus couldn’t be sure and he refused to waste his last question on such puzzlement.

The sensation the mark sheltered within his very mind and heart was telling him that he had nothing to fear of Thorn, that he was truthful and that his family was truly loving and would accept him regardless of what he was. There were voices there, whispering to him sweet nothings and he nearly felt himself letting go and actually joining this man who called him brother. it felt right yet in the back of his head he felt a silver lupine gaze piercing him. The luminous visage of his Zanpakuto spirit was casting it’s very own shadow within the boundaries of his mind, making him second guess himself about the man before him.

The next thing Aevus noticed happened so quickly, the world was spinning before him and he couldn’t quite place himself. Thorn had been interrupted by someone and decided to disappear just as easily and ominously as he appeared. The pressure was gone but Aevus still kneeled in place, holding his now marked arm tightly. “...and as long as your heart is pure and free of thoughts of betrayal, our family will find you, and bring you home.” Those words tugged on the Shinigami’s very heartstrings and the inner weaving of his physique.

He was at a loss of words as he reported his findings to his superior. He kept both Thorns name and the tattoo on his very arm a secret. Perhaps it was his curiosity. Thinking of delving deeper into the rabbit hole and learning truly what this family was. Maybe it was just brainwashing or truly he wanted to actually join Thorn as a brother. Not even Aevus knew the answer to that question but perhaps in due time he would or yet again maybe it would stay a mystery.

[Zeich Yajuu]

For the extra closing post efforts, I am awarding an additional 300 TP to each player.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

+1,200 DM TP to Z