Parallel Bars (Joint Training, Hotaru and July)

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

OOC: I'm so sorry for making you wait sooo long! Persona 5 started to eat up my free time and bf time was in there too! I'll try to make the wait less in the future!

IC:
Hotaru stared at the face of the Eighth Captain while he spoke about dating opponents. The comment made her smile, since she didn't think anyone knew how she even met Asmoskon in the first place. So, we all date our opponents because playing against them is the easiest way to get along? He didn't know how right he was. "Actually July-taichou, my husband Asmoskon was the first opponent I ever fought in the Human World, besides the regular Hollows that would show up.

So, I guess you could say that I did date that opponent and got along with him so well, we ended up getting married!" This captain was definitely interesting. Of course, her relationship with her husband and a lot of ups and downs, but she's not the type to tell anyone about it, outside of her family. She definitely wasn't going to tell that to a man she just met and barely knows anything about.

The talking was fairly interesting but she wasn't learning anything new about the man. It seemed that most nobles knew how to talk this way, have small talk without actually giving away too much information about themselves. She tried to do that, but she was always afraid she would say something wrong. Thankfully, nothing bad had happened yet, but she could tell that this man was practiced in the art.

She continued her pushing until he spoke of something again. He mentioned that carrying the burden of being a Kuchiki must be awful, mentioning as well the legacy that it carries. It was true, Kuchiki was one of the great noble houses of the Seireitei and her wedding plans were made much easier using her name. But, the actual family had helped her so much.

They were there when she needed them and even though she loved a Quincy, the enemies of the shinigami, the accepted it. Sozen made sure that her wedding plans went on without a hitch and she was still surprised to this day that the family counsel was there to see her marry a Quincy. She knew they were old fashioned, but Sozen seemed to change their minds, which she appreciated.

Sozen did do horrible things to her to make her stronger, but in the end, she knew that there was a reason for him doing what he did, and she saw a side of him that made her understand why he led their family and to never get on his good side. But, bringing up the family name made her think of something about his own family name as well, something that she started to think about.

"Well, the Kasumi'Oji name must be a burden as well. Obviously not as much of a burden as mine, as you say, but I'm a Masurao now as well. Though, the last two heads of your family have disappeared suddenly while my family has stayed strong under Sozen. Did you become a Captain to pick up where the other heads left off so at least one member of your family could command a division while mine commands at least three?"

Doubting that he would say anything too revealing, she was curious as to how he would take what she said. But, before he answered her, something changed. He had been resisting against her push but he just gave up. With her momentum still going, both of their arms moved down to their sides. She felt herself fall slightly forward and before she could stop herself, she hit something.

It seemed as July had fell forward and she had lightly banged her forehead into his. His hair fell around them and Hotaru got a slight blush to her face. The man was gorgeous, no doubt about it, his hair really accentuating the rest of his face. She just looked into his eyes and smiled at him while he winked at her. This man was really trying to win her over, but she wouldn't fall for him. Even with how handsome he was.

He then pushed his forehead against hers, apologizing for his hands slipping. She just grinned again, pushing harder into his forehead. "If I didn't know any better, July-taichou, it would seem that you're trying to woo me. You can try, but I doubt you would be able to do anything against me. Though, being this close to your face, I can see all the little pores on your face and you might want to moisturize a bit better. I think I see a little bit of dry skin on your face."

[July Kasumi'Oji]

”Well wasn’t that just… swell.”

July giggled boyishly, flicking his golden hair. Would he consider Hotaru a “proof of concept”? Nah, hardly. She was far too earnest, far too deeply in love. Sure, there appeared to be some torment in her eyes - but she was in love. How… precious. How sweet. Sugary, almost. Overly pleasant perhaps. Imagine the political hoops she would have had to jump through! A Shinigami, in love with - and married to - a human world dweller! Hotaru was lucky they lived in such ‘tolerant’ times… July knew people had been executed for far less. He could even tell Hotaru how much the disposal of those poor romantic’s bodies had cost…

Perhaps that was information best kept to Squad 8.

However, her eyes held a glint of distrust for him. Him? Poor, meek old July? Why was he being looked at with such disdain? Did she suspect him of… dishonesty, perhaps? Or perhaps she identified him as problematic. One of these prancing little nobles who sauntered about with nothing much to do, obfuscating the problems of the world with small talk and tea parties. Well, she was half right… That was, if she was even thinking about the tea parties. But most nobles hid those issues because they were afraid of dealing with them, right? Let’s gather up all the nasty things in the world and slip them under our nice comfy rugs - paid for form the pockets of the Rukongai (July had seen the receipts - and hoo boy. Even he didn’t know how luxurious things could be).

But July didn’t sweep things under the rug. He didn’t mind if those problems were up in the air, barking in his face. If they were interesting, he’d pay attention. If they weren’t… Well, then that was what his Vice-Captain was for! What was the point in Thirteen Squads if no-one delegated work, right? July loved delegating. Because delegating work means everyone has less work, and of everyone has less work then they have more time to play - right? Except the person in charge of the delegating… Hmmm. That was an interesting problem.How come he had never thought of that before?

”I suppose he must enjoy splitting up everyone’s work… Pity I never get to play with him, though.”

He flashed Hotaru a smile, who would likely be confused. Was it really so much to ask that she followed what he was saying? Or thinking, even? Perhaps that was why thinking aloud was so good - people would easily keep up with you. But thinking aloud meant you could have no secrets, and well… That would be no fun at all, wouldn’t it? 20 Questions would be ruined! It would be a tragedy. So, yes. It was probably better to keep thoughts inside your head. Hotaru would just have to learn to keep up. Oh well. July could guess what she was thinking about. Still rattling on about nobles in her head - her expression and the way she looked at him - oh boy - just gave it all away.

”Oh, Hotaru-chan - how you doth wound my family pride! Good thing I’m not very competitive.”

July stuck out his tongue playfully, not at all offended by Hotaru’s showboating.

”No, no - my ambitions are not so grand. My… ascension is purely part of political manoeuvring by some obscure relative. Funny story, actually. Though, if you want to play the numbers game… wanna hear how much money the Kuchikis spend?”

He paused, and winked. Perhaps she would take it as a joke. Perhaps she would believe him. He had imparted the information in the same sing-song tone he always adopted? Why would she take him seriously? He was just a worthless noble engaging in meaningless small-talk after all. He’d never give away anything so personal, right? He was a Captain, he had some secrets that had to be kept after all. But a worthless secret was just a fact, Nothing important about it at all. It was surprisingly useless. July’s grin widened. Perhaps everyone thinking aloud wouldn’t be so bad after all. The thrill of secrets was knowing things that you shouldn’t.

”Though, being this close to your face, I can see all the little pores on your face and you might want to moisturize a bit better. I think I see a little bit of dry skin on your face.”

”Hotaru-chan!”

July’s voice was laced with mock disapproval.

”I didn’t realise you were so shallow - didn’t your beloved family teach you that there is more beauty than just looks?”

Time to push the knife a little deeper.

”Or do you think that only applies to Quincy?”

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

When July said swell, Hotaru just smiled brighter and nodded in agreement. She had to admit, compared to all the other Kasumi'Oji that she had met over time, July was the nicest one out of them all. Though, through all of this, she liked the niceness of him, but was he just doing this all for show? Doing this because they were in a Rukongai district and he wanted to show a good side to the souls that lived here? He did building the huge wooden structure they were standing near after all.

Then, he mentioned something about not getting to play with someone. This someone also delegated work. Was he talking about his vice-captain? Or would he be talking about somebody in his household that delegated a lot of the work around the Kasumi'Oji Manor. She ignored what he said, obviously wanting to throw her off her game. She didn't play a lot of the political games that other nobles did, but they always tried to play the games with her.

He then feigned wounded pride about what she said about his family. It was just interesting to her that the heads of his family seem to disappear while her own family stands strong. If he wasn't very competitive, he wouldn't be doing this with her, playing his weird games with her. He was understating how he is. How very interesting. Of course him being the new head was political maneuvering, isn't that the way most Heads get their positions?

Bringing up how much her family spends, she actually laughed out loud at the question. "I don't need to know how much the Kuchiki spend or how much money they have. I have my own figures, thank you. Even if I did say yes, I doubt you would tell me anyway. All I know is that my family is stable with their own finances. Could your own family say the same about theirs?" She winked and smiled at him after she answered his question.

After her comment about his face, he mentioned that she didn't think she was so shallow. What he said next was interesting. Didn’t your beloved family teach you that there is more beauty than just looks or do you think that only applies to Quincy? She stared straight into his eye. She kept her face as emotionless as she could, keeping that smile on her face. She was quickly trying to think of something that she could say back to him and then thought of something.

"Well, July-taicho, I do know that there is more to beauty than just looks but it can't be helped that in my House, there are a lot of good looking people around. Also, I fell in love with my husband due to his personality. When he got older, his handsomeness grew with him. I can't help that my Quincy husband's looks are a lot better than your, July-taicho. I guess he was just luckier with his genes than you were." Her grin would widened. "You know, I thought we were playing a 'game,' not talking about the success or failures of our own Families. I think we should get back to it."

[July Kasumi'Oji]

”Now, now Hotaru-chaaaaan…”

July smiled at her mischievously, his emerald eyes glinting with playfulness.

”Let’s not make this personal. I’m not terribly interested in the Kasumi’Oji internal affairs…”

He adopted a somewhat wistful tone. That was appropriate, right? Nothing more alluring than a mysterious, rogue noble. Then again, Hotaru was a married woman. How firm her resolve must be! To marry a Quincy - right under the nose of the Shinigami. The Kuchiki influence on the Soul Society was truly tremendous. How boring it must be to be given everything you want, without having to fight for it. It was truly a terrible existence… right? But then… think of all the coats he could have he was a Kuchiki! It would be positively, truly tremendous! Most fantastic!

”We’ll have to go shopping then sometime, Hotaru-chan! Let’s put a big dent in those stable Kuchiki finances, eh?”

July tossed his head back, and let out a peal of genuine laughter. A delicate, yet hearty guffaw. One that encapsulated his lack of restraint, yet still conveyed an air of delicacy. It was truly the laugh of a gentleman - but of what kind? The enigmatic undercurrents of the tone were carried in the rhythm of the chuckle. What would Hotaru be able to make of it? Would she even care? She didn’t seem to have much time for him. Oh well, oh well. She didn’t seem to want for anything - it was a losing battle anyway.

I can't help that my Quincy husband's looks are a lot better than your, July-taicho. I guess he was just luckier with his genes than you were.”

July was momentarily stunned. His eyes glassed over as he tried to process what he had just heard. It was one thing to make a comment about another man’s beauty, but to actively use it to disparage his looks? He had thought they were engaging in playful badinage. Not the hurling of insults. What was this feeling? Heartbreak, torment? Is this what… rejection felt like? Grief, glee, anger, apathy all flashed across his face in a single moment. He was tormented. Was he really so repulsive? He had put so much effort into his appearance, trying to get people to like him…

What was on his face, was it raining? No… the ground around them was dry. So, this was what it was to cry… He would have reached up to test the tears - to see if they were real, and not some fever dream of his broken heart. ”I didn’t realise, Hotaru-san… that my appearance repulsed you this much… After I went so much effort this morning too…” The tears were coming forth uncontrollably now, streaming down his face. His vision was blurred - he could barely resolve the face of the Squad 10 Captain across from him. She would feel his arms go slack, the pressure he exerted loosening…

He was truly defeated. His soulless eyes were the eyes of a man defeated. Hotaru had wounded the man, July Kasumi’Oji, in a way no blade ever could. Oh, the world would fie this day! She had exposed him, seen right through his petty ruse. It was childish to cry, true - but July was not a stable individual. She had hit him right where he was most fragile. Had shattered him like glass… Were all Kasumi’Oji destined to be trodden underfoot by the Kuchiki? Was it destiny that he could not overturn? What a tragedy!

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

It seemed like July was keeping things playful, which seemed to be his way from how this whole thing started. This man was definitely not what she was expecting. But, when July mentioned them going shopping sometime, Hotaru laughed out loud. "That sounds like a great idea, July-taichou! You just let me know a time and we'll work around our schedules and have a shopping date! I haven't really shopped around here, but from how well you're dressed, I would say that you know your way around."

His smile was infectious, but when he heard the comment about her husband and his looks, she saw his smile start to fade. He just kind of stared out into space, wide eyed, while he was taking in what she said. Did she go too far? It looked like she went too far. The emotions that played across his face made her feel bad. When his eyes welled up with tears, she felt like a total idiot and completely horrible for what she said.

July then said that he didn't realize that his appearance repulsed her so much and he went into a lot of effort in the morning it seems. With tears streaming down his face, his arms fell to his sides. Hotaru's eyes got a little misty and ran up to the other captain, hugging him tightly. "Oh, July-taichou! I was just teasing with you. You look radiant as the morning sun with that blonde hair of yours!" While hugging him tightly, she would lightly rub his back to try to make him feel better.

"I didn't mean any disrespect to you at all! I thought it was friendly teasing, but I guess I took it just a step too far. What is it that I can do to help you with this? I promise that I will try my best to help you to the best of my ability." She would stand there, lightly cooing under her breath while she tried to best to calm down the Captain that she inadvertently upset.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Tbh, this felt more like a social than a training, but I suppose an argument could be made for mental/awareness training with this "game." Also, Hotaru got savage. D:

120 Paragraphs = 600 CTP each.