A Terrible Thing to Waste [JT, R]

[Nola Vilde]

When she opened her eyes, the dream was still fresh in her mind. And it was the midday sun that greeted her on her own. Staring ahead at the rest of the barracks as she felt her limbs slowly rousing themselves one by one. She'd fallen asleep on that hill. Where she often decided to take her lunch. She looked around, and assured herself that this was. Indeed. The soul Society. She saw the skies, without blood, murder, or torment in them. She looked to the ground, and saw no flames, no bodies. No massacre.

She looked to herself. A hand slipped into her top to verify the lack of a hollow hole. And to her throat. And to her navel. How many holes had bored themselves into her bdoy in the past? And when her hand rested on her zanpaku'to, she felt its soft static greeting. And she knew she was still Nola Vilde, the shinigami. For the time being. And she felt so very tired. The Memory of that dream still haunting me. Of a hole in her chest. And her soul ripping itself apart.

Hotaru had recommended, at one time, seeking out an expert in this type of thing. She herself had no proficiency with the task. She had imagined any number of potential solutions. And one came, unfortunately, to her mind. The Squad designed for such explorations and solving of problems. And as she looked out at the barracks, she honestly felt so many memories of .....well.....thinking that the last shinigami she had trusted to try and fix her had intentionally broken her afterward.

But she had to do something.


Sighing a little, she knew she had to take these steps. And she motivated herself into it by thinking small. She'd just see if the Captain was available to be seen. She did not commit to seeing him. Talking to anyone about anything. No. This was just......seeing if the Captain was available. At least that's what she told herself as she stood up and began to head in the direction of the 12th division barracks. She knew the way well enough. Some of the people there she knew quite well.

So much more than she should.

[Aramis Tezuka]

Squad 12 was a big place. It didn't necessarily occupy more surface area than many of the other squads. At least.... at a glance. At a glance it looked similar to many of the other main barracks-- a huge sprawling complex, adorned in traditional Japanese manner. As Nola approached the division she'd see a large Gatehouse creating the only entrance into the barracks from the large, fortified wall around it. In times past it had simply been a somewhat elaborate arch with a gate, but since the last major assault on Soul Society, Squad 12 had clearly diverted some resources into attempting a slightly more defensible barracks. In addition to the more fortified design, there were strange metal nubs spaced at equal intervals along the length of the two stone pillars that comprised either side of the gatehouse-- all facing one another. Along the ceiling was a small glass dome, no bigger than a fist. There had been no report of attacks and so the gates were open to anyone to come through. There was movement in the arrow slits above, indicating the presence of Shinigami on patrol, keeping watch over the Barracks. Aramis Tezuka, the newest in a long line of Captains from Squad 12 kept a tight ship running, and valued the privacy of Squad 12's research. Many extremely confidential experiments were run within these walls, and Aramis did not want any of his researchers or subordinates distracted from their work, let alone to be distracted from his own.

After passing through the gatehouse of Squad 12, she'd identify four more Shinigami officers standing on guard by the gates in the courtyard beyond. There was a long, tiled path that ran directly towards the main facility, which did not outwardly appear unusual compared to the rest of the Division barracks. Sturdy looking, white stone walls rising up about two stories, with an interior section that seemed to rise up to a third floor, that almost gave the barracks a look reminiscent of a castle, with the keep in the center. The gatehouse did help create that image. The primary difference, at least as far as aesthetic went, was the entrance to the barracks, which consisted of a large set of steel double-doors. They extended nearly ten feet high, and each about five feet wide. They were sealed together so tightly, that only the faintest line indicated that they were not a single square of steel pressed into the front of the barracks. On either side was a smaller, wooden door, fit for a single person to pass through.

The courtyard appeared quite active. On the left side of the tiled path, it appeared that some basic training rings had been arranged. Here, there were a small handful of Shinigami-- far fewer than would be in most divisions, and the rings themselves seemed fewer in number and less well maintained. It was apparent that combative aptitude was not a focus of Squad 12. But the combat that was taking place, was something quite distinct from what might be seen in other divisions, as the Squad members tested newly created inventions against each other in sparring, to test the battle readiness of them. A female shinigami, about 5'6, with long brown hair tied in a ponytail clashed against a 6'2 male with short black hair, and half of his face apparently severely burned. The male was swinging about a large axe that almost seemed too big to be used in one hand, and yet he was attempting to all the same. The female was wearing a pair of unusual, mechanical-looking gauntlets. The two clashed and whirled around the training ring. The axe wielder swung, and a sudden flash of lightning crackled about the weapon. But the female ducked beneath it, and raised up a gauntlet. There was a brief whine from the gauntlet an instant before a pulse of reiatsu blasted out from it, catching the male in the chest and knocking him prone. If Nola had decent energy sensory, she'd be able to detect that neither of them was using a Zanpakuto. Just some Squad 12 tech wizardry. Other circles seemed to be using similar devices, though a small handful did indeed appear to be attempting earnest, straight up sparring.

On the right side of the path, it was more populated. A group of Shinigami were seated against the walls surrounding the barracks, all reading from various scrolls or books, clearly absorbed in the material. One male shinigami with medium length blonde hair and glasses, was crouched in front of some unusual metal sphere, and was fiddling with a reiatsu-projected touch-screen as he appeared to be typing in a sort of code, and looking moderately frustrated. Another was sitting in front of a row of small plants, and seemed to be taking measurements and checking the leaves. And there was yet a third, that appeared to working with a rudimentary solar panel that was affixed to what honestly looked a bit like a sci-fi energy cannon, apparently dangerously pointed at a the group that was reading. One step in the doors, and it was clear that Squad 12 was really the Research and Development division. The focus of this squad was improving the lives of Shinigami, and using technology to find ways to allow them to do their lives better. And where safe practices were.... Optional.

Beside the barracks was a second open gate, that led to a side section, which was clearly signposted as the division's sleeping quarters. An open gate showed a much smaller longhouse that was faintly visible and extended past the angle that Nola could see unless she were to walk through the gate. It had a certain look of disuse compared to the rest of the barracks, and there was actually a large hole in the roof. Many officers of Squad 12 were ambitious researchers, and so often would forgo sleep, or otherwise sleep in their labs or offices, rather than use the appointed sleeping quarters, but it was at least there if any officers really felt like having a proper bed to lie on. And it was, very generously, set apart from the main building so that if a lab accident went wrong, there would be a certain number of levels of protection between any sleeping or resting officers and the accident. Unless things went really bad, but if that was the case Squad 12 would have bigger problems than resting officers not being adequately far enough from the main barracks.

If Nola opted to move further through the division, and enter the barracks structure, she'd realize that behind the exterior of the division, it was quite different on the inside from the other divisions. Inside the division, the floor was a sleek, black tile, that seemed to hum with energy. A line of lights along the ceiling shed light on a long hallway, along which were many offices and research labs. Rather than the slat wood doors often employed by other divisions, Squad 12 seemed to employ sliding doors of either glass or metal, along the various rooms, though, in a showing of individuality, some of the officer's personal officers had some unique features, including one that was a fine mahogany, with a proper western design, brass doorknob and all-- it clashed horribly with the surroundings, which were darker, metallic colors, but it was still very fine material. A large central elevator was visible, positioned at approximately the point that, from the outside, the third story of the building was set. Contrary to the outside of the barracks which showed an effort of basic fortification in case of an attack, the interior was clearly designed to allow people to move around easily and freely. The entire barracks appeared to be set up as a sort of a large cross, with four main central hallways all coming to meet in the center, around that elevator. Presumably there were also stairs to allow people to move up as well.

Next to the entrance were a pair of long desks, at which two Shinigami were seated. The one at the side Nola entered on was a clean-shaven Shinigami with messy white hair, scribbling down notes. He wore large spectacles. Despite his white hair, his features were quite young. He glanced up at Nola as she entered, scanning her over. "You're not from this division are you." He inquired briefly. "State your business please. Do you have an appointment with an officer? Or are you here as a volunteer for one of the tests. I believe the open testing for drop-ins is being held in Lab 3B." He mentioned. "If you are interested in recruitment, I recommend speaking to our recruitment officer over there." He said, nodding in the direction of the opposite desk, where a Young looking girl with green pigtails and a surgical mask,, who gave Nola a cheerful wave. "Then again, looking at your skin.... Do you suffer from a skin condition Miss? Or was that an unfortunate side effect of an experiment you partook in here? I'm certain that if you are interested, we could find an officer who could do a full examination." Apparently tact wasn't something Aramis enforced in Squad 12.

It was here that Nola would get lucky. Moments after the officer in front of her gave his spiel, a door to one of the labs hissed open and a short young man soft, messy olive colored hair, with rectangular spectacles stepped out. His uniform was a little bit unusual. His Shinigami uniform seemed customized in the most awkward manner. His left sleeve was extremely long, such that it covered his entire hand, and, judging by how it swayed when he moved, was probably about three or four inches longer than his fingertips. His right arm, the sleeve cut off halfway down the forearm. A tarnished steel rapier was at his hip. The man had an almost vacant look as he walked, holding a clipboard in front of him, a pair of shinigami tailing along with him. He was, perhaps most importantly here, wearing the Captain's Haori with the insignia of Squad 12 embellished on the back. "Taichou! What are you talking about? The experiment was a success! We've successfully integrated the technology for the compression tags into a usable format for organic life forms!" "One subject out of four survived it. And then your jubilant exultation knocked a bookcase over on top of the subject. 25% success is a failure." "But it's still an improvement." "Which is why I'm not forbidding you from continuing the project, merely asking you to use less expendable subjects next time." "But we need to test them on more complex spiritual organisms!" Aramis did not dignify that with an answer, merely turned towards the front to see Nola, and walked away from his two subordinates without another word.

"Who is the rabbit that wanders into the serpent's den?" He asked her, looking her over. "Unusual complexion." He examined her reiatsu and even sniffed the air once or twice. "All other signs indicate standard Shinigami. But not from this division." He looked over. "What is her business here, Takeda?" The Shinigami at once, stood up to look at Aramis. "I was just asking her that before you arrived, Taichou." "The weather outside is nice today, don't you think?" Aramis asked. Takeda blinked only once in what appeared to be a strange look at the shift in conversation. "Well, it's sunny, and is good for the Shinigami hoping to work in light conditions on their projects." "Good." Aramis looked at Nola again. "Hmm... Not a rabbit. Let us say a cardinal. It's more fitting. Welcome to my barracks. Why are you here?"

[Nola Vilde]

Nola made her way to the barracks as quickly as exposition would allow. All the same she was impressed with how fortified the place was since the last time she saw it, which admittedly was quite a long time ago. Often enough, the Research and Development institute often was not the target of attacks. No that was completely free of such things. A recent....incursion of hollows had led to a rather unfortunate break-out. And a messy one at that. Perhaps the extra fortification was because of that?

All the same, she soon made her way to the front entrance and did pause for just a moment. She had to admit she paused for just a moment, that expression stoic, businesslike, but internally, she did take a moment to admire the both of them. Her own fractured internal noptions of attractiveness a bit at odds. Several hundred thousand past Nolas definitely liked the cut of the male's job. And various others were curious about that girl. This was simply how she lived her life. With dozens of herself always at odds. Thankfully, such arguments were independent of her primary thoughts and motor skills. An annoyance, but not a hindrance.

The question was promptly ignored. "I am here to speak with Captain Tezuka. Or your Zanpakuto specialist, if there are any. My name is Nola Vilde, Fifth Seat of Squad 10." She identified herself, that expression still flat, stern, unabiding as she watched the handsome young man inspecting her flesh. She did not respond to it, focusing instead on the task at hand. And of course, lo and behold, the man she was looking for came right on out to greet her.

She remained calm, business-like as she was a rather relaxed woman. Her own uniform was standard. no real modifications. even her zanpaku'to was unfamiliar. Though as Amare glanced at it, for just a split second, it would look like his own zanpaku'to, and then on second glance, it simply looked like a normal katana once more. "Nola Vilde. Fifth Seat of Squad Ten. I'm here to speak with either you, or a zanpaku'to specialist. I've been having....issues. My Zanpaku'to and I don't get along. which would not be a problem if it weren't for the...nature of it." She noted softly at that.

Her eyes shifted in the direction of the young man at the front desk before she turned back to the Captain himself. She bowed at the waist in respect, that wild silky white hair of hers shifting as she did. "I request the assistance of your squad in attempting to reign in my zanpaku'to." She stated firmly, glancing back up and looking to the Captain once again. She certainly wasn't a woman to wait around for nonsense. Or at least that's the impression she seemed to give currently.

[Aramis Tezuka]

The Shinigami, whom Aramis would shortly refer to as Takeda, looked surprised. "Captain Tezuka is very busy. I have his schedule, and he doesn't have much time available today. Between his own personal research and overseeing projects, assignments and staff of the rest of the division, he usually only has a few minutes each day to entertain visitors, and that won't likely be anytime soon. Though he is somewhat enigmatic, so you may be lucky. I believe I saw him on this level of the barracks a little earlier today, if you'd care to wait. Although we do have a few Zanpakuto specialists in the division as well. I could see if one of them is available, for you. What seems to be the issue?" He inquired. "Among our Zanpakuto specialists we have individuals with different specialties even within that. Structural analysis, experts on spirits and the relation to the soul, release specialists, ability analysts..." He began, shortly before Aramis made his appearance and approach.

Aramis listened patiently to Nola's statement, taking note of the momentary trick his eyes played on him with Nola's Zanpakuto. Now Aramis's senses were quite good. And he had an eye for detail. So he doubted it was just his imagination. The forms of a rapier and a katana were very distinct, and not at all like one another. Zanpakuto were not typically Aramis's interest, so Nola's answer to several of his questions could certainly determine the Captain's commitment and curiosity, but she had at least garnered a little of his interest. "Illusion type?" He inquired of Nola, after she brought up her problem. "Your issue is with your relationship with your spirit." Aramis turned to Takeda. "Who is available of the spirit-Shinigami relations specialists." Takeda reached down below his desk. There was a sound of a drawer opening and Takeda pulled out a stack of papers, which he rifled through quickly enough to indicate that this was something he was quite familiar with, and organized for. As expected of a division's front-desk operative. Takeda flipped through the papers quickly, giving each one the merest of glances. "No. No. No. Studying Fullbrings in the Human World. No. No. Requested for assistance in Division 2. No. No. Hmm..." Takeda finished flipping through the papers. "Only Rita and Kiran are available, and they're fairly new to this division. Still working as assistants, rather than researchers in their own right."

Aramis nodded and looked at Nola. "I have twenty minutes. You may come with me, or make an appointment with a proper specialist, for when they are available." He informed her. Aramis wasted no further words on the matter. "Explain your matter in detail as you follow me." Aramis seemed confident, however, that Nola was likely to follow him. If she was the kind of person to make an appointment, she wouldn't have asked for him directly and immediately. "We're going below." Many would have expected the Captain's office to be the little area noted at the top of the barracks, visible from the outside. Absolutely not. Aramis considered it exposed, and if something went wrong with his research, it was the single most visible place in the barracks. Nope. Better to go down below where there were multiple more containment measures if something went wrong.

Because while Squad 12 may have looked a little small from the outside, like a certain time traveler in his blue box might have said; It was bigger on the inside. The Barracks had multiple basement sub-levels, and it was down here that Aramis did most of his work. The more dangerous or illicit experiments. Easy to keep tourists from seeing what really went on. Aramis walked to the elevator of the barracks and flicked a switch once Nola followed him in, and the two began to descend. "Going to sub-level 4. Small lab there. Very private." Aramis shorthanded to Nola as they descended. "I prefer to do my work alone, and confidentially. So. What is your issue with your Zanpakuto that you come to us, fifth seat?"

[Nola Vilde]

Entirely unaware of the trick her Zanpaku'to had been playing on the Captain, she simply listened patiently as he went about and seemed to surmise the issue. And indeed, there was a portion of her that did relax a little as he correctly imagined that her relationship with her Zanpaku'to was strained. However, BEFORE that, she did pause to make note of his own misperception. "I only wish as much. No, my zanpaku'to is an ontological type." She murmured softly at that, rubbing her eyes a little before she paused.

She watched as the Captain seemed intent on looking through who could possibly help her with this. And no doubt it seemed like the only ones available to help were very new to the subject. She sweated a little. "I would not reccommend anyone but an expert assisting with this. My Zanpaku'to can be considerably dangerous." She murmured softly and nervously. She followed him readily enough and looked around as they moved through the various levels of the department.

However she did take a moment to think about it as he went about his business. She rubbed at the back of her neck, trying to find the right words. "It's, Um. A little complicated at that. It depends on what I'm trying to remember. In shinigami terms, they've never really given me any indication. Honestly, she's always been most honest with me as a Doll I think. But it's been ages since she's been one. I don't know. She just seems to enjoy making me upset." She sighed and rubbed her face, eyes a little on the tired side as they descended.

"I think the most honest thing I ever heard of her was that I had no killer instincts. But well, I've killed plenty of things. Hollows. Almost killed two Espada. Though they were really weak for some reason. I remember Rio was not very happy about that when I think back to it. Then again he never really seemed all that happy when I try to remember him." She murmured with a sigh, shaking her head as they went. Her ....words no doubt being a bit dizzying. Then again, her own categorization of her zanpaku'to would no doubt be more than intriguing.

[Aramis Tezuka]

"Ontological? Unusual." Aramis replied. "Not my area of expertise." He added. "Common sub-field for Zanpakuto specialists though. Helps with understanding the link between Shinigami and Zanpakuto. Division of soul into two or more separate entities." He stated brusquely, and to the point, aiming to waste few words with the subject. At Nola's insistence that her Zanpakuto could be dangerous Aramis gave her a hard look. "Good." He replied. Takeda beside him piped up. "That much is obvious Vilde-san. If it was not, you wouldn't have hastened here as you have." He observed, and Aramis awarded the receptionist a curt nod of agreement. "Dangerous Zanpakuto is the standard experiment. First time hearing of an ontological-type Zanpakuto that is so dangerous. But not improbable." It was at this point that Aramis had begun to walk away leaving Nola to follow him.

The elevator slid downwards towards the sub-basement levels of Squad 12's barracks. Their surroundings were dark, only a dim glow from the elevator beneath their feet illuminated their surroundings, along with a luminescent number on the ceiling that slowly changed as they went lower and lower. While inquiring as to Nola's issues on the ride down, Aramis began to understand that her issue was complex. Not unsurprising with a Zanpakuto type like that. And as she spoke, the matter became clear. "I see. Memories are befuddled." Aramis mentioned. Aramis scanned Nola with intense scrutiny. "No. C+ answer. Memories are not befuddled. Sense of self is confused." He noted. "You are fortunate. That is a specialty of mine." The elevator came to a slow halt and a door in front of them hissed open, revealing a long, and dark hallway. A black tile floor extended before them, the edges of each tile emitting a dim blue light. There was a set of lights along the ceiling, but Aramis did not do anything to turn them on. Instead the Captain merely proceeded into the long dark hallway beyond. A set of mirrors were on either side of the hallway as they exited, and Aramis stared into one of them for a moment. As mentioned before, Aramis's senses were exceptional. Beyond the level that an ordinary human could achieve. He knew his senses did not play tricks on him. And yet... Yet... The Nakabakki had oft found of late that gazing at his reflection was unsettling. If anyone, Nola included, were to look at the darkened reflection of the Captain in the mirror, they would see what they expected to see. A young looking man, in his early twenties at the oldest, with messy olive green hair, a strange garb and glasses. Bags had begun to form under his eyes from long, sleepless nights. His skin, never the most flush of colors, seemed to have a paler pallor than it had once, from his long work in the sunless basements of Squad 12.

But as Aramis gazed into the olive eyes in his reflection that matched his hair, he always swore that something else was looking back at him. Something deep within the core of his being, that leered back at him in his reflection. Whispering the dark truths to him. There is no escape.... Sometimes he even imagined it emerging from his reflection. A black shadow that loomed over him. You know what awaits you. Loomed over his entire life. You dread it, run from it. But it is coming. Your destiny And enveloped his future in its snaking black talons. And it grows closer every day. Aramis averted his eyes from his reflection at this point, his eyes travelling to his left arm. He had been standing there in front of Nola, seemingly lost in thought for several long moments. It's coming, Aramis Tezuka, whether you desire it or not. It's in your blood. Aramis began to walk away from the mirrors down the hall. "So." He began, as if that entire thing of staring intently into the mirror hadn't happened. "Tell me everything about your Zanpakuto. What are its effects? Need to know everything before I can form a hypothesis on how to counteract its effects or control them." He asked her, as he strode forwards, seemingly undaunted.

This was the life of Aramis Tezuka. To move forward undaunted. Terrified. Afraid. Rushing to push the clock back just one more day. Searching desperately for a way to evade his fate. Every day, living with the knowledge that eternal damnation awaited him. But unbroken by it. Bearing that fear every day, and wielding it as a tool to fuel his rapid research. Aramis's nightmarish terror had become a weapon that he wielded for his Division, and for himself. And today? Today he would wield it for the red skinned Shinigami beside him. Speaking of which in fact... "Your skin pigmentation is unusual for Shinigami. Is this strange to you. Does it trouble you? Have you been informed of the cause?" He asked her, as they walked onwards. As they walked through the long and dark hallway, they passed by several windows and sealed doors into darkened labs-- however, each of these windows had a steel shutter drawn across them. Strange sounds emanated from these labs. Mysterious groans and whimpers. A peculiar hissing sound from one. What sounded like crackling electricity from another. Nola would note that unlike the upper level, which had somewhat thin looking glass doors, these.... These rooms looked well reinforced. This almost didn't look like a lab. It almost resembled a prison block. At last, Aramis and Nola came to an open door, and Aramis stepped in, and beckoned Nola to come with him. "In here." He bade her, finally hitting a light switch on the inside. After so long in the dimly lit hall, the light in the room was almost blinding, as it illuminated a large laboratory, approximately thirty meters in diameter. A small desk, with several stacks of blank paper, and clipboards, with pens was crammed into a corner, alongside a series of shelves and chairs. Most of the room was bare, however, as Aramis walked in. An open, and unused lab. "Please shut the door behind you." Aramis ushered Nola. "I will handle the shutter." Aramis began to walk across the room, and flipped a switch. With a subtle rattling sound, a shutter sealed its way across the large window into the lab, blocking out the outside view, as Aramis awaited Nola to shut the door, before he moved forward with the information she may have given him regarding the nature of her release.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola was a bit perplexed when Aramis replied...or rather thought aloud near her in response to her replies to his own queries. He seemed to be somewhat intrigued about the nature of her zanpaku'to and the type it seemed to take up. As they went, he did seem to stare off just a little when he mentioned his own sense of self, and for a moment, Nola looked in the mirror as well and saw it over her shoulder. The mass of black...something just behind her. Her Zanpaku'to spirit.

She swore it smiled at her, however Aramis's question did draw her attention, and when she looked back to the smooth surface Alte was gone. She let out a sigh for a moment before she straightened her uniform, glancing at the Captain and adjusting her glasses. "I assume you're familiar with multiverse theory. Through my experience I thought it was an illussion type zanpaku'to at first. However after I began exploring it's different abilities, I realized that it's not that at all. These memories and pasts, experiences where I relive lives I never had. A life as a hollow. As an arrancar. As a Human As a bount. I didn't understand it at first, but I realized that these versions of me were more or less real." She hummed.

She took a moment, thinking before adding. "It wasn't like a dream. Where the instance is enclosed. Whenever I felt these other me's. I had everything. Memories of how I got there. Entire pasts, hundreds of people I never knew as a shinigami. Enemies I'd fought. From what I can understand, my Zanpaku'to draws on alternate realities, of both myself and others, and merges them with this one to varying degrees." She murmured, continuing to walk.

"When I fought the espada. I experienced an alternate reality in which I was one of them. And we both were greviously injured. And even though the bridge closed, when they interacted with one of my techniques, they suffered the same fate that they had in the other timeline. Rather gruesomely at that" She murmured. And as they got to those darkened labs, Nola paused, a bit surprised by the shift in topic.

"My skin is no problem. I was an albino in the world of the living and I had an abnormally high blood pressure. I blushed very easily and because of this my skin was often bright red.Iit seemed to partially carry over and....exacerbate in some ways when I died. I don't have any sensitivity or anything, but my hair remained white and my skin went even darker red." She murmured, rubbing her cheek a bit. "My eyes however turned blue instead of the red they where when I was alive. not entirely sure why though." She explained.

As they arrived in those deepest of labs, Nola looked around at those reinforced doors and did pause, anxious as she heard the noises from within. She followed him into one of the rooms, the hairs on the back of her neck rising up as she closed the door behind her and watched those shutters sliding down. She had a distinct feeling of anxiety being this far down. But she supposed she had to be far enough away not to risk any others nearby. Well, aside from whatever was in those rooms at least.

[Aramis Tezuka]

"Yes I am." Aramis replied. "Personal interest is limited. Several subordinates who study it. Seek to access it. Apparently interesting readings came up a few months ago, from assignment involving some Shinigami. Requests to call in those involved with the assignment for questioning." Aramis replied lazily. Nola explained how her Zanpakuto worked and Aramis frowned. "Unusual." He concluded, as he tried to search his mind for points of reference. Creating a map in his own mind that correlated what Nola was telling him, with things he already knew, or could surmise. Aramis was refraining from giving a grade so far, as he was working with incomplete information. "I acknowledge the danger then, if you're correct." Aramis replied. "I monitor research like this closely. Reaching into other worlds. Potential to be very messy, unless safe means can be managed. Uncertain if your zanpakuto does so safely." He added. His eyes narrowed. "Though.... Can a cardinal contain within its body, the power of a hurricane?" Aramis's energy sensory scanned the strength of Nola's reiatsu. If what she said was true, could she physically maintain something like that.

Aramis was skeptical, all things considered, but he conceded he was not an expert on parallel universes. Perhaps his skepticism was misplaced. "Should I call one of my experts?" He asked her as they settled into the labs. He listened to her explanation of her skin, and observed her. "Curious. If it bothers you, we can run tests. If not, nevermind. I have several physicians in this division, who transferred from Squad 4, as their methods were seen as too... controversial. Some of them might find it intriguing, but that is up to you." Aramis made sure the room was secure.

"So. We are now in private, so I will first inquire. What is it that you wish me to do about your Zanpakuto. You say you and it do not get along. Mending relationships with a Zanpakuto are common." Aramis stated plainly. "Not something that requires me, even if your Zanpakuto is dangerous." He had dropped his more brusque manner of speaking, but his tone was still clinical and even slightly stilted. "Nor is it the only one that is, even if your assessment of its abilities is accurate." Aramis considered for a minute. "Ah. Your confusion. Your mind." He looked at Nola. "You claimed to gain memories as well." If that is the case.... "You have seen hundreds of lives. And your sense of self is threatened?" He asked. "Those memories do not dissipate after you seal your release." He continued, postulating. "Is that why you are here? Because you fear that you risk losing who you are to it?" He inquired.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola did pause for a moment at that, her head tilting just a little at Aramis as they pondered about her body's ability to handle such power. She rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully at that. "I admit. I've honestly never had a problem with stamina or energy. Even when facing Espada, I was never really tired or exerted beyond injury inflicted. And uhm.... my Spiritual pressure is rather high. I was part of an operation with Squad 6 a while back. When Captain Kuchiki Sozen was still around." She murmured softly, rubbing the back of her neck.

"One of the deserters we were routing came up behind me and stabbed me in the back. He um.....exploded. Later on, when Sozen asked to test me himself, he relied exclusively on kido, and seemed unwilling to try and strike me." She noted lightly, her skin crawling as she remembered being tortured by the...unpleasant man. The source of her somewhat recent fear of enclosed spaces. However the man went on, pondering over the strained relationship of her and her weapon, but she also shook her head.

"I gave up on trying to figure out which me was the original a long time ago. I know that I am a shinigami. But there have been so many versions I have lost track. I've made my peace with that. No. the issue is that not only is my Zanpaku'to at odds with me. But I.....er..... I also don't have any control over it's abilities when in combat." She murmured sheepishly, looking off to the side.

"It doesn't pose a direct threat to me. Admittedly, my Zanpaku'to has afforded me a win streak that has yet to break as a result of it. I almost feel like my Zanpaku'to doesn't feel I am responsible enough to even be in control. But as a result of this, allies that fight alongside me are VERY frequently damaged considerably. Sometimes even mentally scarred or rendered unfit for duty after the incident..." She murmured softly and looked off to the side.

"I have tried to mend my relationship with my Zanpaku'to. through hundreds of lives. Wether it is a Zanpakuto. A Doll. A Bow. Not once did I ever feel in control of what was happening. Which has led me to believe that it may not be at all possible to mend our relationship. As such. I was curious if you could analyze the abilities of my Zanpaku'to, and come up with a means for me to forcibly take control of it."

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis shot Nola a sharp look. "Did you really face off against Sozen Kuchiki? Or did "you" face him?" Aramis asked. He hadn't known Sozen Kuchiki to be a particularly gentle or kind individual. Granted that meant little to Aramis. Sozen Kuchiki and Aramis had had a lot in common, and Aramis had made some good arrangements with Sozen after becoming Captain of Squad 12. But it still surprised him that Sozen would be unwilling to try to attack Nola. "Uncharacteristic of him." Aramis stated. "Sozen Kuchiki was one who practiced swordsmanship primarily." His brow furrowed. Well. Perhaps that was just Aramis not knowing Sozen, but something still felt off about all of this. "Curious though. Squad 6 was my previous division." Aramis noted.

Nola disproved Aramis's assessment and the Nakabakki seemed annoyed by that. Aramis didn't like being wrong. D. The highest I will award myself. Regardless of the logistical probabilities of that result, it was incorrect. Poor assessment of Vilde's character. Potentially fatal if such assessment were made under different circumstances. He noted irritably. "How is your Zanpakuto at odds with you. The source? I have spoken to some Shinigami, and have such a schism with my own." Aramis informed her. "Such relationships can be derived by incompatible natures. Alternatively, one of you has caused distress for the other. What is the start of this? What does your Zanpakuto say about the matter? In fact..." Aramis pondered. "Are you capable of materialization? I would speak to both of you if you can manage it." He proposed, but he would not be dissuaded if Nola could not. Materialization was a very difficult thing to accomplish after-all.

"I see. And in a more teamwork or coordinated division that is dangerous." Aramis surmised. "Have you considered transferring to more independently oriented divisions? Mental damage is problematic." As Nola mentioned her attempts to restore her Zanpakuto Aramis sighed. "C." He stated. "Why would resolving the matter with your Zanpakuto in another life affect it here? They are separate yous, and things that happen to you does not affect them, or vice-versa. Unless your Zanpakuto is a fixed, multiversal point, and that is incredibly unlikely." Aramis determined.

"I can attempt to analyze your Zanpakuto's abilities personally, yes. You were going to use it anyways, that is why I led you down here." Aramis stated calmly, as he began to pace a circle around the room. "I will take note of its abilities as best I can. Mental trauma is an acceptable risk." After all. Aramis had dealt with quite a lot of that already. "I am curious to see your abilities." He stated. Because I am skeptical that your powers are as you describe them to be. Aramis added in his mind.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola paused for a moment at that. "Correct. I requested that he spar with me and he accepted. However we did not meet a proper conclusion. He stated that he did not have any attacks that would work on me that wouldn't immediately kill me. I suppose you could say he surrendered, but I really don't feel like that would be accurate. More he stopped the match." She noted softly at that. However, she did not specify that after the event, he had deemed it necessary to torture her.

"Well, naturally, when an ability is ued, it makes an opponent suffer. However, my ...Zanpaku'to seems intent on making me suffer as well. I have had my share of mental breakdowns in the past..." She noted softly, remembeing the sobbing fits she'd had when facing .....actually. She paused, looking down at her lap. She always wound up crying when she fought a serious battle. "In addition. I'm not....always entirely sure when my Zanpaku'to spirit is around. At first I thought she only showed up in the memories. But lately, she has been showing up even when I'm not released, which...I suppose would count as manifesting. She changes. She looks like things from my memories. The other mes. From the other timelines. It's the only time I really know it's her. Or if the turns into something else right infront of me." She murmured.

As for wether her Zanpaku'to was a constant, she paused. "Wouldn't that be logical? My powers, after all, are what is bridging these timelines. And when I am in them, my powers are always the same. So I assumed that regardless of the form, my power at it's core, is the one anchoring point that connects them." She murmured softly. She admitted it was....well it seemed solid logic. But then again this was a weird and strange subject.

As he began to circle, speaking about how he would settle for an analysis of her abilities, she nodded gently. She reached down, pulling her zanpaku'to from her scabbard. she did hesitate. "so did you want me to release? I admit I can't guarentee you'll...be the same." She murmured softly as she looked to the man a bit anxiously. Worried. Not for herself. But for him. A sad, soft look. Not that she was afraid for him, but more like she knew what sort of thing would happen to him. As if it were an inevitability. As if he was doomed to something and nothing she could do would stop it. As if she knew very well, that whatever happened to him, would be out of her hands.

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis nodded. "Accurate. I believe you. That is much more in-line with Sozen Kuchiki as I recall him." He stated, and then let the matter drop. It was a passing curiosity, but now that his curiosity regarding his former Captain was resolved, the curiosity was sated, and Aramis could move on with the discussion. Besides. Sozen Kuchiki was in the past. And while the past could be learned from, and studied, he was not with them here. Though Aramis figured it wasn't a bad idea to look into Sozen and how his decisions impacted both the Kuchikis and his divisions. He had generally been regarded as a fairly successful Captain. Perhaps there was something to learn from that. Another time though. My division is generally happy with my operation of it, it would appear, and leadership classes can wait for another day. A day when there is not research to be done. Aramis's pale green eyes never left Nola.

Her statement that her Zanpakuto wanted her to suffer made Aramis curious. What a coincidence. He thought, glancing at Revenant on his hip. So does mine. Revenant didn't have a "true" Zanpakuto spirit. Rather, Aramis could consider that it was the darkest aspects of his soul that inhabited the blade. A part of him, that he had tried to separate from so completely, it had become akin to a Zanpakuto spirit. A separate mind within his own. A mind that he could be consumed by if he was not careful. A mind that was whispering things to him even now. A mind that seemed positively giddy at the idea that they were about to watch Nola torture herself with her own ability. "You have a malicious Zanpakuto then? Not unheard of." He noted. "We have records cases where a Zanpakuto's personality could be adjusted in cases of extreme need." He stated. "Dangerous to do. Risks damage to the soul itself, and the user is rarely unaffected by the procedure. Still. Not impossible." He stated. When she also said her Zanpakuto changed, Aramis frowned. "Unusual as well. The cat strides into the unknown cave, not knowing what it seeks or shall find within." He continued.

She couldn't manifest it and that was fine. Maybe she was hallucinating the manifestations she talked about. Her mind was so confused, Aramis wouldn't be surprised. "Have you ever had a conversation with your Zanpakuto? Asked it what it wants of you?" He asked. He knew the answer for his own of course, and it was an answer he was not predisposed toward providing. His Zanpakuto demanded blood. Torment. Torture. To bring agony and pain to the world, and cause as much misery and suffering as possible before Aramis himself was dragged into the abyss of Hell. And while plenty of people suffered and died under Aramis's command of Squad 12 (usually criminals or people from other divisions), he was not doing so intentionally maliciously at least. Whether that made it better or worse, could be left to the individual. Anyways, that wasn't why he was here. The more he learned about Nola's Zanpakuto the better. "Or is it merely apathetic?" He asked as a final solution.

Nola stated her own theory and Aramis sighed. "Not impossible, but extremely unlikely. Your spiritual power is higher than average. While I cannot pertain exactly how much would be required, the strain of being a continuous bridge between every other parallel universe in which you exist, which is, if my theorists are correct-- functionally infinite, should be beyond you. Or any Shinigami. Consider that a moment. For you to be a central point sustaining an infinite number of existences, whether your Zanpakuto is sealed or released, would likely require an immense amount of power. Far more than simply briefly reaching out and connecting with one for an instant in time." Aramis looked her over. "Due to limited understanding of multiversal awareness it's not impossible. But it is incredibly unlikely. After we resolve here, perhaps you can speak with my specialists on the topic." Aramis suggested. "For now...."

Aramis heeded Nola's warning but when she warned him, he wouldn't be the same, he shot her a rather flat look. "That is well and good. Yes, I grant you permission to release your Zanpakuto at this time, in this Barracks, Nola Vilde." He stated to her. He was surprisingly relaxed. Well. Aramis had dozens of lethal experiments going on at any given time. Experiment that could kill you horribly? Yeah, that was... that was basically Tuesday to him. They were in as controlled an environment as could be managed, and Aramis had a certain duty as a Captain of Squad 12. His internal clock ticked over. I should be able to spare another fifteen or twenty minutes. He considered, before he'd have to do another sweep of the Division and then get back to his own research. The Nakabakki's eyes zoned in on Nola now, observing her closely as he awaited her to release her power.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola nodded softly at that, humming softly as she eyed the man. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. Then again, what did she expect from the Captain of Squad 12? She looked down at her Zanpaku'to, and ran her fingers along the blade. But not before Aramis would get a bit of a jolt. As he continued to circle Nola, eventually, he would pass a sort of point, walking past, someone would appear behind him, slipping into his vision, as if Nola moving through his field of vision had been a veil, hiding them from her, and he would see something interesting.

Himself. In full Sasei Oni glory, those headlights shining into his eyes, blinding him as those piercing blues seemed to narrow, as if the invisible mouth were smiling at him. How generous of you. Is that something you got from your Mother? Or your Father? His own voice asked him, chuckling softly before the body vanished into smoke as Nola gently ran her fingers along the length of her blade. "Whisper in my Ear." She beseeched her blade, and in that moment, her sword.... did nothing. But he did FEEL her release. As the air around them both SLAMMED down on Aramis, as suddenly, he was able to feel her spiritual pressure roiling.

She stared for a bit, looking a bit sheepish as she looked between herself and then to the Captain. She seemed confused, as if she had been expecting something to happen. "Do you.....feel any different? I don't....Do you-"

BITTER HEART

"- Have an appointment with an officer?"

They were back outside. Nola and Aramis standing side by side, smiling as they watched the young man that stood before them. His Shihakusho seemed normal enough. But something seemed a bit off about him. "I.... I'm sorry I just. I need to see the Captain right away...." He said softly, seeming panicked. Both Aramis and Nola looked at eachother a bit concerned. They had both been working with Squad 12 for a while, and this did seem a bit suspicious. The man was jittery, itching himself all over. Something seemed a bit wrong with him.

From the corner of his eyes, Aramis would see Nola gently pressing a spot on her palm, where a silent alarm was hidden against her scarlet flesh, to notify security of a potential hazard to the squad. As if sensing this, the man suddenly BACKED off. "No....no. NOnonononONONONO! I CAN'T LET THIS GO ON!" She suddenly screamed, as a hollow hole TORE into his chest, a white mask gushing out of the man's mouth, covering his face as he began to gurgle and scream, his voice modulating as suddenly EVERYONE around them began to back off and began to panic!

"Restrain him! Bakudo Number Sixty one! Riku-" But before Nola could get the spell off, even as Aramis already was preparing one for himself. They BOTH saw that mouth open wide, a MASSIVE green cero forming at his mouth in what seemed like an instant, and the world suddenly BURST with a loud WOOSH as it fired off! the air suddenly grew dark with a cloud of dust, and Aramis would feel himself hit the ground, bleeding, from the hot searing feeling along his body. When he finally opened his eyes, he noticed that he couldn't quite her anything around him. Had his eardrums ruptured?

He looked up, and saw Nola shouting at him, worry clear on her face, her entire left arm from the shoulder on seemed to be missing, dripping blood onto where his left right hip should have been. As he looked down. He would see, that the entire right side of his body was gone, only his shoulder, and the right side of his head remained. And he could feel that slow suffocating feeling. Not enough of his lungs were left to keep breathing. And he felt every inch of his body begin to burn. That sudden, panicky feeling of suffocation. His mouth opened to scream but only blood oozed up.

Just before everything went black, he saw that hollow, that Vizard standing just behind Nola, unbeknownst to her as it pointed to the back of her head, and that cero began to charge.

The Bitter End

"- feeeAAAAAAAAAHHHH1" Nola screamed and dropped, collapsing to her knees as the residual pain from that memory hit her like a truck. Aramis too would feel the residue, the feeling of suffocation, of that pain so fresh in his mind as Nola panted heavily, eyes wide, sucking in air! But of course, he might have had some other things on his mind as well. Particularly in that scene he had just witnessed so very fresh in his mind. The Design on that vizard's mask. It had been the same general design as the hollow in the nearby experiment.

Nola herself was a bit jarred, looking up, and then around before she spotted Aramis., and relief showd on her face as she clutched her arm, still breathing a little heavily as she smiled at him. "F-fuck, Ari. Oh fuck that scared the shit out of me." She actually chuckled. However, what would probably surprise him was that that nickname felt familiar. It sounded like something she called him often. He had been thinking that when he had seen her screaming over him. that she wans't screaming Aramis. She looked like she was screaming the nickname she had made for him. Ari.

If Aramis had some way of knowing, he would likely sense that in every one of the other areas in the underground lab, the scientists had all collapsed. Some of them feeling freshly injured, others incredibly confused at what had just happened. Some might even be panicking. But all the same, there would be one thing that Aramis would sense for absolute sure. That had not been a memory. It had not been a dream, nor an illussion. It had been real. He ahd had thoughts. Trains of thought Brief random wonderings. And everything had felt crisp as could possibly be.

And off in the corner. Was himself again. But not in Sasei Oni. This time. It was the him from the Bitter Memory. With most of it's right side gone, smiling calmly to him as it bled on the floor. Tisk Tisk, Captain He would hear in his head. A voice Nola didn't seem to hear at all. Though she did look in it's direction, and JUMP a little in surprise, as if seeing them for the first time. "Alte?"

-100 reiatsu for Shikai
-700 Reiatsu for Bitter Heart
8200/9000 reiatsu remaining

Nola's Most Recent Injury: Missing arm From Cero
Aramis's most recent injury: Massive chunk of torso, leg, and arm from Cero

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis looked at Nola-- no. No, not Nola. Behind him. His eyes flickered aside as he beheld the form he had seen in his dreams and nightmares alike. Both while waking and asleep. It was lurking behind Nola. Though there was a momentary flicker in Aramis's eyes, it was only a brief instant. Seeing something he hadn't expected to see here. Nothing more. He was well acquainted with the phantom that lurked in his soul. His eyes traveled to Nola as he saw it. "Ah. So you do manifest." He said as the thing mocked him. "You'll have to be more specific as to which father, for I have two." He replied coldly to it. "Now begone." He stated, commanding the specter to vanish as if it were an irritating fly. "I do not fear you." He hissed to it.

And then Nola unleashed her power. Aramis felt the surge, and an experience not unlike blacking out. But not quite. No, it felt like a shift of some kind. That might be the best way to describe the experience. And then Aramis was observing the action. Nola’s vision played out, and then concluded. But Aramis’s expression hadn’t even remotely changed, since the vision began. ”Unusual.” He merely stated. Whatever pain he had experienced in the vision seemed to be failing to affect him at the moment. Aramis’s mind had simply analyzed it to be exactly that. Devoid of any mental faculties of his own during the experience, Aramis was quick to pass Nola’s ability off as irrelevant to himself. He could already tell that he was not injured, and so whatever injuries he had suffered in Nola’s ability were completely irrelevant. Already he was putting the memory out of sight and mind.

”But there’s no need for such ridiculous screaming.” Aramis informed Nola. ”D. If this is your ability, you’ve surely encountered such things before.” He stated, grading Nola’s reaction to her own power. ”This was the first time I experienced it, and I am fine. You are uninjured and undamaged, therefore why scream?” He asked her clinically and in a collective tone. At Nola’s expression of relief, Aramis’s eyes narrowed a hair behind his spectacles. ”It is Captain. Captain Aramis or Captain Tezuka. We are not on familiar enough terms for you to use any manner of nickname or the like with me.” He replied. Aramis did note the familiarity but immediately passed it off as a simple after-effect of the vision; something that would pass in time.

Unfortunately, the very fact that Aramis’s own mind had been supplanted was the very reason he saw little interest in Nola’s effect. Had Aramis been possessing of his own faculties during Nola’s visions, he might have been more interested. However, as Nola’s abilities did not enable Aramis to judge the situation as it unfolded, but could only consider it retroactively—unable to explore or observe the aspects of the power that actually interested him, let alone draw his own conclusions, he considered it a pointless endeavor to bother trying. The human memory was imperfect, and Nola’s ability clearly interfered with it further. There was nothing to gain to try to decipher a different set of memories based on his own imperfect recollection. Aramis, for all his mental strengths, did not have a photographic memory.

Aramis noted that the scientists had passed out. ”It seems your ability has been inconvenient to my staff.” He stated apathetically. When her Zanpakuto manifested, Aramis looked over at it lazily, as Nola called out its name. ”Based on your reaction, I will presume that your Zanpakuto’s spirit is manifesting itself differently to each of us, and appearing in a different form in your perceptions than mine. This is not unexpected, given prior information and observations.” Aramis informed Nola calmly, almost boredly. ”Apparent, ineffectual smugness on the part of your Zanpakuto, for reasons either unfathomable based on current information, or pettiness.” He added, considering the appearance of the Zanpakuto. ”If you do prefer, we can remake your Zanpakuto. The technology was developed long ago, even before my predecessor and his predecessor before him. The ability to completely alter the appearance and temperament of a Zanpakuto has been known to this division for some five centuries or so, if you find their attitude displeasing.” Aramis informed Nola, acting as if the Zanpakuto spirit was not even there.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

74 paragraphs (I rounded up) / 2 = 37 x 10 TP = 370 TP total for each participant