Fall To Remember (Joint Training, NDE, R)

[Mika]

(OoC: Working title! Gonna see hoe things go. This is a JT, in which I will be going after some lovely CD...oh, and CTP.)

Akiwai, the festival of autumn and peaceful passing. A time of the year when the walls that divide the Seireitei and Rukongai recede. When Shinigami and Spirits mingle with one in the streets surrounding the central Soul Society. People everywhere find something to look forward to besides reincarnation. Despite being technically dead, people can come together to enjoy the delights of living. Eating. Dancing. Singing and celebrating for no other reason than the mere joy of it. Basically, party...haaaaaaard. Take what you can while people are handing it out. Dance with who you can while the groove is good. Laugh till it hurts and sing till your voice is gone. Which is exactly what everyone was doing. Just beyond the four gates that divided the Reapers and the suburbs. People. People everywhere. The bracing chill in the air doing little to subdue their good moods. No amount of poverty or privilege dividing those who strolled through the fair. Everyone, in way, made equal on this unified time of grandeur.

And just what was there to do at this festive occasion? The mind boggles with the possibilities. Unofficially, everyone participated in an unnamed event. People watching. For just being in the crowds should prove a treat. On every body a lovely kimono was displayed. Everyone bringing the best they had, in whatever way it was, to this occasion. From the elegant silks that adorned the wealthy, to the simple, rustic charm of those worn by the lower castes. Everywhere muted hues of brown, red, orange...yellows, golds, purples and even greens. These colors such a treat for the eyes. As well as the people in them. Something about broad, sweeping waves of cheer makes everyone just seem...lovely. So, naturally, each attendee made fun out of seeing the others. Everyone admiring the outfits and costumes that were not seen in the common, day-to-day.

If the earthly bodies were not attention grabbing enough, then how about mighty towers of flame? Lining every street. Adorning every building. Even illuminating many an alleyway. Some were even being hoisted and marched through the crowds. Carried upon the backs of volunteers. Moving and swaying in the breeze to tease the senses with the illusion of life. Monoliths of burning embers held back by thin, brightly colored paper. Lantern spires that curled into the open, fall sky. Flickering and shimmer with the beauty of trapped flames. Shining noticeably even before the sun began its early descent upon the horizon. Each of them providing both light and delight. Even casting shadows that danced and celebrated along with the lights. These constrained bonfires varied in size and power, but each was just as enthralling ad the last. From the mighty pyres to the subtle smolders. Given that the festival celebrated the ending of long summer days; it was only fitting to embrace the joys of torchlit nights. The cozy ambience that roaring flames create within every home and hearth.

Perhaps pretty lights were not entertaining enough? Well perhaps a new take on the lanterns was all that was needed? How about, massive lanterns made in the shapes of beast and men? Magnificent dragons. Stunning warriors. Beautiful scenes of love and life? If any of this sounded appealing, then one should keep to the four main thoroughfares. For on each of the great roads marched a dazzling performance. Each of the immense processions actually connected to one another. An unbroken ring that travelled up one of the major roads, then down the next. Repeating in this way so that it wouldn’t end through the whole of the evening. Each of the large creations drawing in many spectators. People picking and choosing their favourite floats.

Contests being held, in which children and other younger spirits would race one another in climbing the artworks. A tradition almost as old as the festival itself. Whose strange beginning was an unquestioned mystery. Yet another facet of the greater jubilation. Encouraging people to cheer the young ones on in their races. But what if you were to old or too big to take part in such a challenge? Well then maybe another type of competition would strike your fancy! More specifically, the eating and the drinking. Oh, but do not think it something simple. For this festivals’ banquets were filled with hard drinks and mountains of food! And that, was exactly ehat Mika was looking for.

In the mess of the crowd that made up the festival. Ducking and weaving through the writhing mass. Mika found himself drowing in several of his worst fears and discomforts. People were everywhere he tried to go to get a break from them. Always looking at him, it seemed. Always bumping into him. Touching him in ways that were only accidentally malicious. Tch. There were more than a few times where he had to push back people with an outstretched arm. Never did it do him much good. As if the touching wasn’t bad enough; Mika could barely hear himself complain about it. The music was louder this year than any he could recall. Taiko drums hammered constantly. Almost loud enough to shut out the roar of the people's chatter.

It surprised him greatly to look around and see people walking with smiles. None of them clasping hands over their ears as he wished to do. Were they deafened by a full day of exposure, or was he just being overly sensitive? The argument could be made for the later. And not just about the sounds. For it only got worse when the smells set in on him. Mika’s face turning to a grimace. He had expected this party to be the home of many marvelous scents. From delicious foods to the last, potent blossoms of summer. Spices and sweets as far as could be detected. Bathing his senses in their bliss. Yet all he got was the fumes of other people it seemed. It couldn't take that level of abuse for very long. Doing what he could to find an escape. An opening in the crowd. An escape.

Good fortune would be his for the taking. Soon, the scrawny fellow would slice a path through the outskirts of another thick pile of people. Falling out from their packed embrace, to open air and wiggle room. ”Oh...finally!”, a deep breath in through his nostrils. Fresh air making him feel a twinge of relaxation for the first time in so long. Just before a wave of new smells bombarded him. Much to his...delight. ”Delicious~” The fragrance of apples and spices enthralled him. Pulling the medics gaze to a large atrium. One filled with countless tables and an acceptably small crowd of people.

Calling out from the structure were the voices of several hosts. All of the proclaiming. Loudly. Ecstatically. ”Come one, come all! Whether big or small. If you be hungry. If you be bored. Come see, come see...what we have in store! All the apples you can eat. Assuming you can eat apples you can see. The eating contest will begin very shortly. Come sign up to the left, or spectate to the right. The winner shall receive the a crown of harvest. Be the envy of all. King of the fall. Hurry hurry! Come one, come all!” The second stanza of the cheer had not yet begun, and Mika was already in line to sign up. Anxious as he had been up until finding this haven; Mika had built up quite the appetite. Now he finds some people willing to give away all the food he could eat? And if he ate the most they gave him a crown with which to gloat? Shit. Hope they brought the whole farm...

Having signed himself. Getting his participant’s sash. Refusing blatantly the offer to help him put it on…”I can dress myself just fine.” The attendants giving him worried looks. Doing their best, but failing miserably, to avert their gaze away from his missing arm. Mika noticed. He always did. But just like every other time throughout his lopsided life, he brushed it off. Making his way, with the rest of the contestants, to where they were to sit. Finding himself eyeing down the competition. Looking to size up what challenge might be lurking in the rabble. For the most part,being sufficiently disappointed. A few fatter participants who smelled as though they had been eating plenty already.

Some scrawny ones who had the malnourished look of desperation. They high sugar content of the fruity treats would have them getting dizzy quickly into the trial. No one stood out, and so his victory felt secure and inevit-”The hell…” Narrowed eyes caught sight of something most bizarre, far more so than even his peculiar ass. The ass in question, one that was guarded by the swaying of several, hefty…”Are those tails?” Only catching a glimpse of the oddity before it vanished behind another pod of chatting spirits; Mika began a little pursuit. Pondering what it was he might have peeped. A woman with several tails. Quaintly strolling amidst the crowd. Surely it was not…

As he pushed through the contestants. Wishing that they would start making their ways to their seats. Getting down and out of his line of sight. Mika worried he might not catch the shadow that darted from his peripheral. Only given renewed hope with the overheard conversations of others. ”Did you see that girl?” “Was that some kind of costume for thr masquerade?” “Did you see those tails?” “Yeah, they looked so real.” “Was that some kind of best clan?” “Never seen any of those beasts look as good as that.” ^Hahah_Kukuku Oh yeah, Mika was getting close. And eith that sort of context, he knew exactly who he was looking for.

It had been a long time. Yet, he felt his heart quivering with that disturbing pace just like it use to do. Mind already whirring with the hum of memories. Remembering that damn woman as though he had seen her just yesterday. To his great surprise; it would seem his memories were inaccurate. That things had changed greatly. For when he sae the woman of tails at last; Mika was taken aback by her bright, sunny yellow hair. The golden shower of long locks making him freeze. Eyelids fluttering. Confusion setting in and twisting his stomach in a way the butterflies had failed to achieve. With a voice broken by this alarming revelation, he called out to Shizuyoko.

”Amaya, is that you?


...you fox-tailed bitch.”


Though he knew she was supposed to be dark haired. With skin as pure and white as sculpted porcelain. Mika couldn’t let the idea that this woman might not be Amaya take root. After all, the desire to see her again was rather strong within him. Years having passed since she last showed herself in the Fourth Division’s barracks. Numerous days and hours having passed since he swore to take her down from her pedestal. To replace her as the greatest healer and medical mind that the Seireitei had ever known. To think, that such a person would show up again. At a pie eating contest. Such was the sort of shit that made legends of fate and bad poetry sell to fools from here to Hueco Mundo. The sort of dumb luck and baffling happenstance that irritated realists like him sick to the stomach. A perfect fit for the way he would describe his strange admiration for that half-kitsune she-beast. What a further surprise it would be...to discover that those many tails were far from foxy. That indeed, his garden of expectation…

Had a snake slithering with in it.

[Shizuyoko Toraumi]

Training for CTP

Nervous.... she felt nervous.

Initially she had had no intention of being out in the open for this whole... festival thing. And it wasn't until she'd spoken with Ricky that she honestly gave it any thought. The job of the Omnitsukido was observation. And she had had every intention of volunteering for the watch while the festival was going on. After all, such large, boisterous events were very good times for criminals to try shady shit. It made sense that security should be upped, and Shizu wanted to be a part of it. However Ricky was hardly hearing of it.
"Bitch this is the first time we've had a celebration since graduation! Now I did NOT raise you to be some wet blanket! Wet perhaps! Blanket perhaps! But never at the same time!" He berrated her, bringing a smile to the woman's face as Ricky's....interesting means of vocalization shone through. All the while through his talk he was taking sips of 'sake' though she had no idea what sort of foul concoction he was drinking. When she asked he had gotten all sweaty, insisting it wasn't cocaine. Could you even drink cocaine? She wasn't going to ask.

"Look, I KNOW you hate gifts, but I even got ya something special." He smiled, suddenly dropping a trunk onto the ground, looking about sneakily before smirking as he opened up the box. And suddenly Shizuyoko felt a little... self-conscious. It was a gorgeous black and gold kimono. Black with gold trimmings, and a very large, eight-headed serpent embroidered onto the back, laced with that brilliant shiny gold decoration. The thing looked EXPENSIVE AS FUCK. HOW had he gotten his hands on this?!

A question at which Ricky Spanish simply snorted derisively and gave her an offended look. "Are you CHALLENGING my methods?! Are you a challenger? Are you in any way implying that I acquired this in an illegal way? Well YOU maddame can go to hell! I obtained this kimono in a PERFECTLY legal round of illegal russian roulette." He huffed, folding his arms. It was so hard to tell if he was serious..... She figured one day she was probably going to have to arrest him. But thankfully, WHATEVER Ricky usually got into, he seemed to have a good talent at getting out of any repercussions.

She paused, and looked at the absolutely gorgeous gift that he had picked out for her. It was.... amazing. Then again she didn't have a very keen eye for fashion. but it was surprisingly, not very gaudy. The trim wasn't overdone, and it even had.... little....huh. "Ricky, what are these little... gold scaly things? They aren't a part of the dress." She murmured with a frown, to which Ricky simply chuckled, shaking his head knowingly as he talked down to the serpent.
"Ohohohohoho Shizu... you stupid stupid bitch. These my lovely, are decorations for your face! Now I've never asked about those freaky scalies you have growing out of your shapely little behind. BUT, I DO know that one of the best plays that go on during this festival is the legend of Orochi. Sure, you're missing two of the tails, but six is still pretty close. These scaly bits are for your tails. Making the scales look gold, and these bits in particular frameyour face. Making it look like you have golden scales growing on little bits of the rest of ya. It's a costume AND a kimono!" He noted proudly.

She had to admit it was a very...original idea. And in her mind's eye... well.. He had clearly gone through a lot to get this kimono for her. And probably spent some of his own cash... or self endangerment, to get the rest of it. She couldn't help but smile ruefully at herself. Ricky knew DAMN well that she couldn't bear to see his face if she said no after all his trouble... He was still her best friend after all. Since the academy. And even if he was a bit of a meathead in the eleventh squad... well... She shook her head.
"I'm going to need some help getting it on. We're gonna need to be a little liberal with the gold to make my tails look fake."

Well... that was the plan.


Unbeknownst to Shizuyoko. Her black scales went AMAZINGLY with the gold. if anything, those bits of gold, no matter how overboard she and Ricky had tried to apply them, looked just as real. Paired with that gorgeous blonde mane of hers, infront of a mirror, Shizu actually found herself blushing a little as she walked out and through the streets of the festival. People were very... intent on her outfit. She stuck out even amongst the nobles and their finer kimonos. For once, she didnt hide her tails, though she simply kept them stiff as to not attract any attention, or any ideas that they might be real. With her head held high, she found herself... feeling... pretty good! Even with people gawking at her, the people running the festival were fantastic. Evidently, she was being mistaken for some sort of noble. Even after giving her name, evidently people were under the impression that the Toraumi were a noble family.

She quickly walked away from those particular people, and did her best to enjoy the attractions. And honestly it wasn't even hard. There were so many people, so many different things. From those brilliant displays of fire and decoration to the performances and contests going on all around. Ricky had insisted that he not accompany her, saying that he had obligations, and a surprise, to take care of. Honestly it was VERY worrying. A surprise from Ricky would either be very sweet and sincere, or utterly embarassing. And he'd already hit the sweet spot recently, which meant she had to keep an eye out for him. Especially once she had found out just how.... well-fit the kimono was. the thing hugged her quite nicely. With the more loose pieces making it less obvious, but underneath all of that lovely silk the thing was quite taut along her form. Of course nobody would see it, but it was fantastically comfortable. She began to wonder just how much Ricky had planned into this..

However thoughts of Ricky thinned out a little as Shizuyoko walked. In the back of her head she sensed someone tailing her. At first she didn't pay any mind to it. The first rule of counter-observation was to not make it clear that you knew you were being watched. Unaware that someone had a particular lock on that shapely behind of hers, or specifically the tails sprouting from it. Her little costume had drawn enough attention that she wasn't alarmed. Until she suddenly sidestepped, and suddenly she was gone. Her place in the omnitsukido having trained her very well in hiding, so when the strange man that had been eyeing her suddenly slipped past where she had been a moment ago, she simply came out of hiding, aiming to slither into view just behind him. A smile crossing her lips as for just a moment she looked him over.

He certainly was a peculiar fellow. Missing an arm, with his painted face, she couldn't help but feel... oddly familiar. Daihachibi stirred in their sheath, even if nobody would be able to feel it but Shizuyoko, there was a slow slithering in her soul, in her inner world, as that dark, severed head of hers suddenly reached out. Discretely, that stealthy dark reiatsu that belonged to the darker of shizuyoko's two zanpaku'to. Slowly, those dark coils of her spirit would wind around Mika. As it smelled something... like kin. And for just an instant, Mika would feel that dark reiatsu against his skin, it would feel VERY much as though a very large snake were slithering through his clothing. Under his clothing. Under his skin.

Until it was gone. The sensation suddenly vanished as Shizu put her foot down, metaphorically speaking, on her zan spirit's tail. Mentally reprimanding them for even doing such a thing. But she did have to admit, she had felt a similar odd familiarity about the man that had been following her. So rather than turning the tables and simply counter-tailing the man, she decided to approach him. A smile on that rather gorgeous face of hers, those vibrant green eyes, with those flashing fleks of yellow in them soon meeting Mika's as she cleared her throat.

"Hello!"
What the fuck was that?! That was just a LITTLE too casual for addressing her own stalker wasn't it?! She internally recoiled a little, wondering if she had fucked up. But no, she could hardly back down. Remember what human mothers say, never admit you were wrong, just dig your heels in and go for it. You started off casual, stay casual. "It's quite a lovely festival don't you think? I couldn't help but notice your makeup. Are you dressed as something?" She asked pleasantly. And given her own rather illustrious Yamata Orochi costume (as if she needed a costume), it wasn't all that hard to see why she would ask. Seeing as she was dressed up herself it was slightly less random that she would ask if he too were dressed up as something.

[Mika]

(OoC: Sorry for the delay, had to help with a Halloween thing all day yesterday. Had NO time to write. Also! Anything written in _{italicized subtext} is internal monologue. Not actually being said aloud. Just fyi.)

S-she...she was gone! Just. A step. And gone! Right as he tried to approach her. As his steps drew closer. His words left his lips and she vanished. Like a dream bursting when confronted. Like...always. only this time it felt so much more real. This was real. He was awake. There was no way he was dreaming of that art again! The sudden swell of frustration only further proved his consciousness. For he never stayed asleep long when feeling this angry. Nor was he shooting up in his bed, sweaty and dejected yet again. So if this were real. How the hell did she get away from him? Where did she go? These thoughts turned over inside of him. Making him feel cold and exposed. Alone in the sea of drunken revellers. That is...only for a moment. For soon there was a new feeling. One all too familiar, and even more unwelcome. Yes, it did feel like a snake. Slithering up his body. Indiscriminately slipping beneath his baggy, poorly sized kimono.

Crawling along his painted skin. Smearing the armor he coated himself with. Tearing softly at the skin. Getting under it without a single drop of blood. Sending all new shivers up his spine. The creeping and crawling felt right on his mind. Radiating back out through his uncertain nerves. The little bumps of his excited skin able to spell out his frightened confusion in braille. This...energy. it felt like a snake alright. In the way that a snake is frightful. A tendril of pure intimidation. Yet, for Mika, this invader only succeeded in reminding him of something worse. Something that loved to caress along his soul with its own tendrils. Something with far more nefarious intentions than the hunger of a Hollow. And for that reminder, Mika replied in kind with a cold sweat. Panicked heartbeat. Body both frozen and place, and fidgeting in a thousand more. Eyes shifting, darting, along the faces of the crowd. Waiting for one of their expressions to shift. A shadow to change. The demon to reveal itself from the darkness. To swallow him down like the morsel he had been convinced he was...


”Hello!”


Mika whipped around so fast that he nearly snapped his neck. Eyes widened in the sort of unexpected shock that comes from someone who actually did snap their neck. The features of his terrified face made even more vibrant by the festive markings he covered it in. The red lines around his lips helping to deep his frown quite beautifully. So there he stood, trapped by terror in a gaze with this...Medusa. Maybe the old legends were too cruel in their memory of her. Maybe her gaze wasn’t the death sentence of stone it had been made out to be. But today. Right now. Gurl wasn’t doing herself any favors scarring the lights right out of this poor boys eyes. Leaving him motionless before her. Though she did get a chance to size up her stalker, for what that was worth. Not very tall. Questionably built. Whether he was thin or fat was disguised well by the accenting lines on his face. Hidden even better by the fact he wore a bulky kimono that was meant for a man much larger than himself. The loose cloth draped in its many layers. Hanging from his shoulders more like a shawl.

Wide, formal sleeves were a mix of tapestry on one arm and folded napkin. The side with the missing appendage needed to be kept up and tight in the absence of filler. The coloration of the whole outfit was nothing when compared to her nobles’ attire. A dark, monotone red. Broken up only on occassion where brown bands and tassels helped hold it all together. Needless to say, if not for his paint and vibrant hair, he would be far easier to misplace in the crowd. Or...should be. Yet somehow this woman can vanish into thin air. Seriously! What the hell?! By the time he could come down from his adrenaline fueled high. When he finally stopped feeling like a prey in the predator's mouth. She was already talking at him again. Throwing around casual chatter like their meeting was something lack-a-day. "It's quite a lovely festival don't you think?” His tension eased; though not because he was safe. It was something more like…”Lady...are you serious?” His uncertainty only furthered when she continued. All nonchalantly…”I couldn't help but notice your makeup. Are you dressed as something?" To this moved, finally. Recoiled a bit. Took a step back. Unaware that his knees were bent and his body turned in such a way that he was guarded. As if expecting an attack at any moment. Fortunately, there came a glimpse of this strange woman’s tails.


A good look at her costume...


At first his teeth too tightly gritted to let any sort of noise escape. Which means she wasn’t getting the polite sort of introduction that was befitting this kind of encounter. But that rigidness melted away with at least a few dawning realities. Firstly, ”H-hello. _{Where did you come from…}” Still a little shaken by the surprise. While he greeted in return; his thoughts did trail away from his words. ”I saw you before...thought you were someone else. _{You aren’t Amaya…}” Mika was pretty adept at saying one thing, when thinking of another. Something he thought he hid well, but his face usually gave away Like being pleasant with a stranger; while scrutinizing them internally. Or in this case just dealing with multiple, compounded disappointments. This woman wasn’t who he had envisioned. She was merely a costumed counterfeit that was just similar enough to fool him from the peripheral. Looking at her now…well actually. She wasn’t far off from Amaya. Less stuck up, but the same basic anatomy. The medic could see her figure was that like his former superior. Undeniably symmetrical and favorably developed. The sort of pristine structure and form that females desirable as they were to his gender. Everything except the obviously natural gold color of her hair, and the fake tails, were reminiscent of Amaya’s figure.

But still not her, ”I’m not a performer, if that’s what you’re asking.” Glancing over to the tables being set up, ”The festival is adequate. Loud as ever. The food is hopefully better than last year.” Turning his attention back to her. Thinking on her calling his out his looks. ”What about you?” He held out his one hand. Fingers clenched until he started lifting them to count, ”With the tails. Gold scales. Exotic dress. Fancy swords. And extrovert attitude.” A lingering pause as Mika’s face turned from scared mouse to something more like...snarky tabby cat. ”Are you some kind of performer? Giving her the makeup enhanced “sassy eyebrows”. Like, we gonna start questioning looks? Mika ain’t afraid to get out the claws. However, this was all just him acting out for being scared senseless before. Nothing personal. I mean hell, surely this chick knows what her disappearing act can do to people? As masterful as she was at vanishing, surely she has spooked a few innocent people throughout her life? Mika was legit curious how she got away from him. The answers that came to mind weren’t thrilling ones. Being too sure of himself, he knew the blame for losing her wasn’t his. No slip ups or loss of focus. No way. Couldn’t have been.

So the blame was on her. Or, more likely, the skill was with her. This caused the same sort of sphincter tightening chill that the unseen Zanpakuto spirit had stirred. In what line of work was someone to be issued Zanpakuto and maintain a mastery of disappearing. Travelling unnoticed and without detection. ”Stealth Corps…”, the thought pounded in his head. Or perhaps that was a taiko drum? Were there still people pla-doesn't matter! This chick was becoming more and more a bad bitch in his head. Sure, she might not be that medical corps witch, Amaya...but she could be something worse. This woman didn’t really look the part. With her fancy costume and dress. It was hard to imagine her as a member of the Omnitsukido. In fact, every second spent consider the notion had Mika more convinced he was being paranoid. Which, I mean, he was...but like, enough so that he was aware of this time. Hating the silence that was lingering while he wondered if the earlier cat and mouse had been some assassin squad shenanigans, ”It is a bad idea to wear a dress like that in a place like this.”

Hesitating, in the way that would normally imply a sinister motive...but for Mika it was a sincere pause to let slower minds keep up with what he implied. ”There is about to be an eating contest here. Things will be getting messy.” Seeing the staffers laying out the plates and the contestants claiming their seats. The heavenly smell of sugar and spices wafting through the air. The divine taste of apples trailing behind them both. ”Might want to leave before someone ruins your bold statement.” Yeah, that’s something you could call an eight-headed embroidery on a fine, silk dress. A rather hypocritical thing from Mika, but what cha gonna do. Either way, the young man was right about one thing. The competition was about to begin. Spectators and family would be asked to go take their seats; while participants would be told to get their bibs. Mika, being one of these, figured his conversation was over. Not really having any reason to think a person with Shizu’s figure, was in any way interested in such a challenge...

(OoC: I am already writing the first round of the competition from Mika's perspective. Go ahead and reply to his ass comments right now, if you like. Next part will be dropping soon.)

[Shizuyoko Toraumi]

Shizu couldn't help but smile warmly at the man. That raaadiant warmth in her light aura just shining through, each little tendril of her reiatsu just spilling out in a warm, comforting aura. She just FELT approachable. But... well... to normal people. Her very being was warming, luring, as if just looking at her and her fiiine ass body and her gorgeous eyes would just dag you in. By the metaphorical hooks in your skin. And to Mika that was probably... creepy. There probably weren't too many people who would be just so naturally alluring like her. But she had to admit she was... amused. Something about the odd man certainly drew her attention, from his lopsided ness to the way he seemed... afraid of her. And slowly, the dark aura of her zan continued to spill out specifically for Mika, in just tiny little blips. Like drops of water landing on your forehead.


But he DId raise a good point. Looking down at herself she did give something of a sheepish and.. almost shy smile as she ran her fingers through her hair, clearly a bit more conscious of his appraisal of her form. Honestly it was just nice to have her tails out for once. And stepping forward, she gave a soft, smooth little smile in reply to his perhaps, arguably incredulous murmurings. But she chose to take them as compliments to her... exotic attire. "There is a performance happening later on in the evening that I enjoy. I've heard about it but never got to see it before. So I wanted to go all out and dress up for the occassion... is it too much?" She asked a bit selfconsciously, and for just a moment she shifted her clothing, and for the briefest of moments, Mika' got his ratty as a good ole flash.

Just the briefest of moments he would see her flesh. Nothing too scandelous naturally. The barest glimpse of midriff and enough to show that underneath that kimono was a very similar bikini underneath. Though bikini was a loose term as it wasn't THAT revealing. But it was vaguely similar in structure. If Mika were more attuned to the world of the living he might have likened them to running shorts and a sports bra. Only much more expensive and gold-trimmy. And in that same little flash, the outfit was closed again. Nobody even nearby would seem to have seen it. She was, after all, a master of stealth almost. She made sure that only anyone who was looking directly at her would have seen it. Aka, only Mika. She even smiled, looking around.

"A shame nobody can appreciate a show." She chuckled, which would doubtlessly attract Mika's attention. To him it would have seemed like a VERY obvious intentionall action. But she had done that deliberately. To make it obvious tthat, in his eyes, SOMEONE aught to have seen it. But nobody did. These were mostly rukongai dwellers, nobles, and a scattering of shinigami. But nobody was nearby with the skill to spot something a member of the Omnitsukido didn't want them to see. And of course this had it's purpose too. Because the instant Mika looked back, he would find that once again, he had lost the woman. Once more she had subtly slipped into the crowd moving around them. But only for just a moment this time, as she would slide in behind him. Keeping hidden as she, in her ever-present.....awareness. Decided to try something.

Reaching out with her tails, she slowly curled those six appendages and let them briefly, brushingly slither along Mika's sides and knees. She had sense to keep away from anything too personal. But that previous feeling of reiatsu and dark intent would suddenly become WAY too real as it would feel so very similar. But something else was also transmitted. A brief little.... call. Daihachibi was not the type of Zan to just wake up for nothing. Honestly the only people they had woken up around was Aevus and Tsuki. Which begged the question.... Was Mika... like them? A simple enough experiment to conduct. As through those tails, she simply let out the tiniest.... ripple of hollow reiatsu. A drop of water in an otherwise still pond.

To a normal shinigami, it would feel strange yes, but that was about it. But.... if Mika had something similar inside him. That Hollow would recognize it's own kind. And wake up. It wouldn't go on a rampage. It wouldn't suddenly start tearing it's way to the surface. But it's eyes would be opened. And deep, deep within Mika's inner world. That hollow would feel the echo of that little drop of reiatsu. As for just the barest, the briefest of moments, whatever Mika's zanpaku'to spirit was. It would get the briefest, faintest little... taste of Shizuyoko's own zan spirit. The enormous, titanic, eight headed dragon-serpent. A brief sensation of being smothered in coils. The barest touch of the sword that had been so full of evil and horrible feelings that it had literally drowned a shinigami's soul in sorrow and forced them into a vizard so many ages ago.

And then it was gone. That feeling, so very deep and personal would rescind, and just like that, Shizuyoko's arm was thrown casually about Mika's shoulders in a very friendly way, gently patting him on the shoulder before stepping back. "A contest?! That's awesome! I admit I didn't even think about entering something like that... Do you think you could show me the way? Bye the way, I'm Shizuyoko~ Officer of the Omnitsukido." that last murmur was held under her breath, so that ONLY Mika could hear. So very ironic that his very fear was not only confirmed, but oh so subtly pushed up against his neck, as if daring him to make a scene. Just a casual mention that she was part of the force in charge of executing unruly shinigami. Incase he decided to even entertain the idea of taking particular exception to her actions.

"In fact, why don't I just follow you? I'm actually really hungry, and who doesn't want an excuse to pig out." She noted goodnaturedly, and once again Mika would pracitcally be forcefed that blinding light aura of hers, in such stark contrast to the dark sinister aura that was sheathed along her lower back. Much darker even than the other zanpaku'to hidden in it's sheath along her back. Something that she decided NOT to show off to Mika just yet. It wasn't his business how many zanpaku'to she had after all.

[Mika]

(OoC: Yo dawg. Sorry for the delay. Skyrim got rereleased. Dom and I lost our whole weekend to it. Also, forgive spelling mistakes. I'm having to type all my posts on mobile. D: )


"There is a performance happening later on in the evening that I enjoy. I've heard about it but never got to see it before. So I wanted to go all out and dress up for the occasion...is it too much?"

As this lady carried on; Mika found himself being far more attentive than normal. And not in the usual ways. See, the researchrr was quite accustomed to the task and habit of watching everything very closely. Sorta a requirement of the job at a certain point. Yet, attention to detail was something that was best saved for the lab. No. Scratch that. Attention to detail was best saved for shit he actually cared for. Something new or appealing had to be around to keep his mind from wandering. In this was he was rather immature, despite his knowledge and language. His thoughts trailing off despite what manners and maturity had to say about it. Lraving behind boring or uncomfortable situations to traverse the plains of imagination. So. In this moment. Stuck with a female who was shamelessly taking a chance to defend and explain her most recent attempts at appearing appealing.

Why the categorical fuck was he paying so much attention. It was like a waking dream. Or Lock-In Syndrome. Though he was aware of what occured, he didn’t have force of eill to resist it. Instead he caught himself following the suggestions of her hands and words. She would play with her hair and he would count the strands and examine the tensile strength. She would reference her dress and he would consider the play to which she referenced. Even though he likely did not know it, and more likely di-shit! Why was he still dealing with this woman?! The consciousness he retained had pulled back from the distractions. She would catch the gliose of this moment each and every time it happened. All of the many times that occured. Mika’s small,brown eyes suddenly widening. Pupils tightening as he shook himself out of it. Each time, unbeknowst to him, he gave her a most unflattering face. It looked confused and highly uncomfortable.

Perfectly describing the predicament that was going on internally. Mika just wasn’t cozy in this sort of way with people. His own niche falling a little outside everyone else’s comfort zone itself. Were this woman describing her medical history. Detail the health problems she had over the years. No matter how gross or personal that topic got, he could stomach it. It was easy when you think of people as wounded, impefect animals. Uuuuhg,but the moment you get fashion, hobbies, or the fact that they have feelings and dreams. A noticeabke shiver ran over Mika’s entire body. Though most of it was muffled by the baggy kimono. The ripples made themselves apparant in his exposed hand and face. Little twitches than none but the most oblivious or disinterested would over look. So...Mika any other day of his life. And just maybe this blonde headed siren. Who seemed to be picking up on his vibes, but ignoring them if such was the cas-

”Wait, is she…A shame nobody can appreciate a show."

Now, Shizu was a handsome young lady. I’m sure for much of her life she had the favorable eye of quite a many people. From both ailses of the male and female perspective. She was probably used to a certain level of reaction to her body. Or maybe she wasn’t. Sometimes beauties are pure enough to not know of the power they hold on the rest of their species. Either case really didn’t change the outcome of her little display. A completely harmless adjustment. One that tempted the lines with a flash, but managed to rescue what modesty there was to save. Yet. Due to his naturally observant nature. Coupled with some strange ass, hoodoo that was deluding his usual mental priorities.

Mika caught the glimose that his new associate had intended. For him. Only him. Even though he dismissed the blur of life that was the crowds around them. Not recognizing the privacy of the show for what it was. Just like he would normally not notice any of her antics at all. The siren’s song might have him pulled towards her. Exploiting his highly nutured curiosity. But it could not have the double effect of making him give a damn about the people around them. Whether they were looking. Whether they saw or not. No. Mika still wore enough armor to avoid such paranoia and insecurity. ”So...you’re a burlesque danc-”

Mika’s eyes popped. Nearling jumping out of his own skin!

She...she was just gone! Before he could finish his diagnosis of her explicit career choice. She took a step back, and then another right into thin air. Gone behind the screen of the crowd. Abandoning him to his senses once more. Sending him in the same, frustrated tiffy as before. Like a child with no patience for tricks, sitting front row at a magic show. This shit was not ok. He thought he was better from when she did it before, but another dose only made it all the worse. The young man whilring around in his little pocket in the crowd. Bumping full on into another gentleman who stood too close to the panic. ”Woah, careful kid.” Mika ignored him. Eyes still widened in his search. Trying to find her slithering behind some random pedestrian. Growing increasingly agitated at his failings. I mean, ”She’s a blonde in an costume with six fucking tails the size of full grown men. So what the hell?!”

Mika did move a bit. Before Shizu ender her torment. Stepping towards the last place he saw here. Desperate to find tracks or something on the ground. The clutter of hundreds of footprints shutting that plan down immediately. So instead he stopped again. Even more flustered. To the point that his red puff of hair seemed raised. Almost like the heckles of a dog. She could delight to herslef, wherever she was, that she had indeed struck a nerve. Getting the reaction, Mika suspected, she wanted from her little exposure. This woman liked seeing people riled. That was her fetish, he suspected. The same twisted nature that literally every bully throughout his decades of education had. They were all the same. No matter the age or the stage. Bored antagonizers looking for a thrill. Shit...if he were better at introspection, Mika might just realize how much like them he had become. But that was never going to happen. Not while moments like these kept giving him reason to feel the victim. Things only got worse the long Shizu waited. Till he was pushed to the point of yelling out at her…

”Where’d you go, bi-”

Cut off again. Silenced by that feeling which clutched his heart before. That eerie chill that reminded him why he used to fear the dark. Creeping up his body as it had before. Like a knife scraping off his skin, and opening the nerves to the agony of the breeze. Seeping into him as water. Making his flesh feel burdened and heavy. Shizu’s coils were most unpleasant. Both the physical and the spiritual. Those fucking tails crawling up around his feet. Drawing his eyes to them. Mind burning with the stunning revelation, ”They are real…” Embrassment setting in with the discovery of his foolish oversight. How could he have not discerned their authenticity? Why would he let…something so fantastic escape his notice.

The same that burned his mind before, now became the fire that stoked it. The inefection of dark reaitsu a strange form of catalyst. Just as Shizu had hoped for; though this was far beyond Mika’s awareness. Rather, beyond his understanding. But not beyond the understanding and attention of what comprised him. Throughout every fiber of his soul. Tingling like a rush of adrenaline. Awakening parts of him that the boy didn’t usually recognize as numb. Mmmm…so satisfying. To feel one hundred percent again. Like waking up from a sleep that drug on far too long. Mika’s body relaxing from the tension and the fear that misplacing her had caused. In no small part because she revealed herself again, but mostly because...he finally knew why she was so interesting. The other side of Mika feeling Shiz’s soul tickle and talk to his own. Using a voice that made no sound, but spoke a thousand thousand...tales. or, maybe just eight exceptionally good ones.

The kind of stories Mika didn’t even know he wanted to know. Aaah…but we should clarify. Unlike the plebians and savages that Shizu was accustomed too. Those who wore masks. Those who did not. Hmmm…especially those without. She wasn’t dealing with a beast. Some locked away brute who craved nothing but freedom and power. No. She was dealing with a true, pure...monster. One much like the entity that she had once been. Only younger, and far more...well, it would be rude to praise one’s self. In the end, Shizu’s anciet identity. The one that lingered even after its reign had ended. She would sense the...kindred soul for what it was. However. As it had been stated. Shizu wasn’t dealing with the classless rabble she was accustomed to. This one had ettiqut and patience. Retreating back to his rest. Leaving the boy with only a taste of what the serpent had hoped to uncover. With no outward shift in Mika’s attitude. Nothing incriminating about his behavior...or his soul.

Beyond the relaxation that a...woman’s touch had inspired. Having the blonde beauty end her little torment saw Mika letting go of his aggrivations. Welcoming her back, by not thrashing and pulling away from her extremely presumptious behavior. Mika’s hunched over posture making it quite easy to get that slim arm on his shoulder. Cutting his eyes at her, his slight overbite exposed in a toothy smirk as she brought up the contest. Glad to hear she was a fellow food enthusiast. Despite the vastly contridictory evidence that was her figure. Nodding his head when she asked him to be an escort. Brown eyes tinted with the most beautiful flicker of purple. Though she wouldn’t get a good look before Mika gave a light sneeze, Aaaachuu. ”Aaah! I see.” Covering his mouth with his sleeve, but skipping over the part where he politely excuses himself for the grossness. Continuing on with where her introduction stopped, ”And here I wondered if optical illusions were part of your dance routine.”

”Good to know you are just a trained killer.”

Somehow. In a way Mika found it hard to explain. He wasn’t as scared as before. There was this overwhelming sensation of calm through his entire body. As though a potent medicine had finally taken effect. The thought of having an assassin hanging all chummy from his shoulder didn’t bother him a bit. Maybe he figured he was safe a public event? Maybe he thought himself innocent to the point of immunity from the danger she posed? Maybe he the acid finally kicked in...and hit full on, “fuck it”? No matter what. It was uplifting just to have the truth out in the open. Or so he told himself. ”Registration is over this way. We should hurry if you want to enter.” The boy went right back to his distant ways. Still feeling a satisfying tingle creeping throughout his body and soul.

Noticing as he began to lead her that the tails were still looped about him. Whike he recoiled a bit at the touching they threatened, he carried on by simply stepping over them. For whatever reason, not feeling like making a scene over the closeness. It just wasn’t that big of a deal anymore. Nothing really did. Everything just felt...good. Well! Except for a powerful craving. For damn near everything. ”And I must concur. If I don’t eat something soon, I will literally die.” Damn. Hyperbole. Mika really was in a great mood now. It was only going to get better as they got Shizu’s name down in the books. The last last minute entry to be accepted. The two of them find that most of the seats had already been claimed.

Fortunately, people were doing their best to leave the usual empty space between themselves an others. Meaning there was plenty of room for them to squeeze into seats across from one another. Which Mika would prefer, given he could still keep a wary eye on her if need be. Which...it was needed be. ”Are you sure you want to put that dress through this?” Mika asked. Sliding into his chosen position at the table. ”Its hard to get stains out of material of that quality.” Getting situated, Mika looked to his blonde rival. Curious what her strategy for winning-without-a-mess was to be. He himself scooping up the folded, linen bib that was to worn. Having trouble with getting it around his neck and tying it too…”Gah...fucking damn it.”

To both his sides sat men from the Rukongai. Each had a difficult time not starring at Mika dn Shizu, both. Her for the obvious reasons of, “damn that girl has some big tails.” Him for the fact that he was a one armed, kabuki-looking mother fucker. Trying desperately to do a two handed job with half the equipment. The older man to his left just stiffled an amused laugh; while the one the bigger, younger fella to his right just blatantly watched. In the distance, ”Welcome to the 957th, Ringo Road, All You Can Eat Applelooza! The first course is now being seeeerved~” A very chipper young man had taken over the annoucements. Laying the enthusiasm on thick. Then from the kitches. Dozens of young men and women in bright, red kimonos began weaving around the dinning tables. Carrying massive trays, littered with plates, above the heads of the contestants.

”I hope everyone is hungry. Are you in the mood for something spicy and sweet? Well good news! Round one...cinnimon apple pies! Eat the pie as fast as you can. Only the fastest half of you will pass on into round two. And becareful...they are fresh and hot. So don’t forget to blow!” Yeah, the crowd was giggling now. Not realising that the catch to the speed round was the piping hot quality of the meal. ”You don’t want to burn out on the first course~” By the time that the plates were being placed in front of them, Mika had given up on trying to affix his bib. Instead focusing on the meal and deathdealer in front of him. The only person he seemed interest to beat in this contest. ”Aaaaalright~ Here we go! 3…2...” Every contestant preparing their respective forks, fingers, and/or forfeits.

”Go!

[Shizuyoko Toraumi]

Shizuyoko was honestly not... USED to any reaction one might expect. She had spent most of her life naked... as an eight headed terror. So really she didn't have any concrete expectations. It was more just her attempt to surprise him, as she knew that shinigami sometimes were baffled by such things. Strangely enough Humans were too. But there was no real goal aside from surprising him. Which is why she so very much enjoyed his reaction to her next little trick. Seeing him suddenly bugging his eyes out, trying his best to pinpoint the exact moment when that sly serpent had slithered out of his vision and perception. There was a kind of... catharsis to be had. After all, she did have a theme to her soul, a sort of flavor to her spirit. It was all about misdirection and taking advantage. So when she felt his entire body tense in response to her coils, she couldn't help but smile.

And of course... she felt that echo. Even if there was no pure physical expression, even if that painted flesh did not so much as tremble or shiver in reply to her reiatsu. In fact, that skin seemed to calm the waking storm that physical contact had visited upon him. And somehow, when she felt that kindred pulse in reply, she felt her own sort of... relaxation. As if two wild animals, both loose in a rural area had both found eachother and stopped to stare. They did not snarl and bare fangs, but simply watched one another. It was in that very moment that she could feel it... could TRULY and fully feel it. He was one of them. She could TASTE it in his soul as the boy's body swallowed up the bait she'd let out. And she felt almost like...smirking. As if for the barest of moments that cheshire spirit within the boy had smiled for her.

When she brought up the contest it was... seamless. Mika seemed so much more calm, so much more... relaxed. Even with finding out who she was, it was as if he were suddenly muzzled. Calmly, at least by contrast, he led her to the contest that was almost immediately going to be taking place within the next few minutes. She managed to sign in at the last moment, and for just a moment she paused, lingering at the end of the table where they were about to part. And for just a moment, she remembered that little flash of purple. She was not a woman that could be hidden from after all. She was an expert at finding things that tried to be subtle. She was used to catching little.... fishes... swimming through a crowd, hoping to be brief. Her eyes just naturally caught that flash. And as her tails uncoiled from him, going back to being rigid and fake-looking, she couldn't help but smirk softly. Smiling at the kindred soul, and in that moment he would know.....

Just how fucking toast his pasty ass was.

She grinned almost viciously, the grin of a fighter, of a competetor. The grin of a Winner. Not even paying much mind to the stares she was getting. She walked casually to the empty spot across from Mika, and smirked a little as she watched him fiddle with his bib. She herself eyeing the silken thing and simply set it aside. For just a moment, she paused, and her arms slipped into the sleeves of her Kimono. There was a brief, tiny little shifting. Unbeknownst to those around her, one of those sneaky tails had retreated into her outfit to help with the project. And when she finally stopped, her arms slipped up through the neck of her kimono, and in a sudden drop, she shrugged the garb off, like a samurai, that attire spilled down, and revealed her form. With a bright, brilliant, silk band wound in a sarashi around her chest, binding a considerable portion of her torso, implying that she was probably MUCH bustier than she seemed.

Of course for Mika, he would know something had happened. She had been wearing no such bandage before. But that brilliant golden band was now woven around her body, keeping her decent as that expensive upper portion of her attire folded down over the sash that kept it bound about her waist. Underneath all the pretty parts, there were the scars she had on her arms from her fight with one particular scorpion beastclan. She looked every bit the warrior that she was. In that instant, the beautiful flower, to some might have wilted, showing something plainer and more brutish beneath. But to those from the rukongai, they saw what looked like some high-brow, snooty noblewoman emerge, like a gorgeous orchid blooming, showing a woman who had seen a fight, who had seen trouble. The ones who would know the best were those who lived near the wilderness.

The ones who knew the scars from a beastclansmen well.

With a firm smile, she sat down, grinning as she watched the plat of steaming pie set down before her. Before the announcer even finished speaking she of course knew her plan. She rolled her shoulders, licking her lips as she eyed the dish. Looking up for just a brief moment, she noticed that Mika had abandoned the use of his bib, just as sh had, and she couldn't help but be pleased. She knew he would be a good opponent. Evan as she braced herself. The Omnitsukido taught a great many things. How to kill. How to dissappear. How to see all there was to see. And of course...

how to Endure Pain.

"GO!"

When that cry rang out, Shizuyoko immediately set upon the dish... but not as one would expect. As some grabbed spoons, some dug in with their hands to bring handfulls of the stuff to their mouths, and as some no doubt immediately recoiled from the heat of the dish. She took a utensil, and promptly began crushing the crust. Her hand was a blur as her fantastic speed, courtesy of her build as an assassin, was used to rapidly and almost in a blur, mulch the pie. Crushing and mushing up the crust, mixing it in with the actual filling until the pie was more like a soup than an actual chewable dish. the whole process taking barely one or two seconds.

Why? Because immediately after, Shizuyoko took the entire pie, lifted it up, brought it to her lips, and then CHUGGED the entire thing, crushed-up crust and all. Several of the nearby contestants outright stopped what they were doing as they saw that pale throat bulge with the deep gulps of cinnamon apple pie simply went straight down her throat. And MANY a man marveled at how that woman could swallow, ignoring the searing heat that came with the dish as that dish seemed to almost vanish before her. With one last, heavy gulp, the portion that was laid out for her for the speed round was finally gone, and she set the dish firmly down before her, and she let out a considerable, not-so-ladylike belch before firmly pounding her chest and sitting down with a very pleased look on her face. And no doubt to the people's surprise, she didn't look like she was full in the slightest. a feat Mika would be all too familiar with. When you were eating for two, your belly tended to work quickly, and Shizuyoko? She was eating for eight.

And boy did that crowd cheer.