An Impossible Return (training)

[Impossible]

Ooc: Training for Ttp

It was a quiet night in Karakura. There was a chilling bite to the air that most people tried to avoid, leaving the streets mostly empty. 'This is nice.' Impo thought to himself. It had been awhile since he had last visited this Japanese city. He walked the streets, taking in the sights after all this time. It almost feels like he never left. The air, while cold, was filled with life and energy, unique to this area. Throughout his travels, he hadn't been able to find any place quite like this. It was one of a kind. "Why did I ever leave Karakura again?" He quietly asked himself, as he strolled along.

His answer came in the form of a loud roar, as a garganta cracked the sky open. Impo's mood quickly soured, as he let out a groan of frustration. "Right. Them." He turned his attention skyward, trying to spot the hollow. This particular beast was roughly the size of a small house, and looked like a kind of gorilla mixed with an elephant. A giant, muscle bound centar looking monstrosity, with huge tusks and bulky arms. Impo let out another sigh, and raised his arm, ponting his palm at the beast. A blue ball of light began to form in his hand. "Cero." And with a single word, a beam of energy shot towards the hollow, lighting up the night sky an ethereal blue.

The masked beast let out a cry of pain, as the energy slammed into it, shoving it back into the portal. Hopefully, that would be enough of a deterrent for the creature to stay away. The Failure sighed once again, before continuing on his way. He had almost forgotten how often hollows showed up here. Not a moment's peace in this city. He had gotten used to the quiet life in the himalayas, not seeing a hollow in over two years. It had been nice, but boring. There was a need to return to this place, something deep down, telling him that he was needed here again. He couldn't quite place his finger on it. Maybe he could get his old job with Uzaki back.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and skills} [Strength - (100-30%) 70 points
Speed - 100
Spiritual Pressure - (300-30%) 210 points
Reiatsu Strength - (900+40%) 1260 points
Instinct - (400+75%) 700 points
Senses - 300 points
Energy sensory - 200 points
Healing Expertise - 0 points

Light Aura - 100
Dark Aura - 0 Points

1400 Sp total]

[Lack of Fear] {2}
[Strength of Will] {2}
[Battle Analysis] {2}
[Learning] {2}
[Mental incantation] {2}
[Calm mind] {2}
[Swords] {2}
[Anti-Stealth] {2}

[Analysis] {2}]

[Elke Sia]

Training for CTP:

Hungry. Her grumbling tummy was talking more loudly than she did when it came to this. Been a while since she really had anything decent to eat. Like what, one or two days? She didn't really remember the details all too well to be honest since water was what kept her going for the most part. Tucked away in the shadow of her hood, all she could do was walk around until she found something that she could eat. And well, that isn't something easy to come by when you are dirt poor and on the run from the Vandenreich too, so what other choice did she have but to keep marching on. This meant that she didn't have a place to go home to, let alone a decent place to sleep at. Hell, even trying to stay at one of the homeless shelters wasn't a good idea either. Too many people would want to get a good look at a person to see whether or not they are an addict or something of the sort. So, they have to get a good look the faces of everyone that wanted to stay. You know, no shifty people, and well, Elke was a shifty as they would come. After all, she wasn't really Human.

Her hoody pitched small tents all over her scalp, so it didn't even make contact with her head, so to speak. Her horns were coming in each day that passed for a full three centimeters. Not that long to be honest, but at the same time, easily noticeable when up close. Pale horns aren't hard to miss when interacting with her, so makes it very hard to talk to people without scaring them. Like honestly, what kind of Human has horns? Monster. Freak. These are words that would come to mind whenever someone would even catch a glimpse of them. She knew this too well. This is what all Humans came to say about her when they see what she really is. She knew all too well because everyone else had said it too back in Silbern. All of the kids and adults. Monster...... she paused. Even her own mother called her that name too.

The Sinner grasped at the thick layer of cloth that covered her chest. It hurt. It still hurt. She wanted to grab onto her heart and protect it. She wanted the pain to go away. But she couldn't reach it. The wet cloth curled into a ball within her fist, almost believing that she really did take a hold of it. She wanted it to go away. That memory of her mother calling her that name. That memory of her mother pointing the bow directly at her. And the taste of warm blood in her mouth. The night didn't feel as cold as it did until now. At least for a few moments before the temperature began turning back to what it was before.

Tears seemed to hold some sort of extra weight to them this time around considering that they had her leaning forward into her next step, breaking away from her pause. She had to keep walking. She had to keep going.... But for what? What was left? She had no home. She had no family. She had literally nothing to her name except the memories of just simply being. Elke didn't want to stop, but at the same time she didn't want to just stay and crumble apart. Though, she did want to do just that too if she was being honest with herself. grumble grumble "uuugghhh....hungggryyy." she sighed softly to herself. She had to get something to eat or she'll end up collapsing again. There had to be something she could eat.

The Sinner went about stealing before, and that worked as smooth as a Bull in a Chinese Glass store. She isn't especially fast, or strong to fight off people in groups. She remembered the last time that happened. She remembered when she tasted Human flesh for the first time too. "Blughhhh" Elke nearly puked remembering what she did. It was back when she was running away in a alleyway and she got into a fight with some Police Officers that were chasing her. It was back when she didn't have much of a choice since she had little strength to fight back. She was starving. Though, it didn't mean that she would turn to cannibalism either. This was something that was an emergency, and who knew what they would have done to her if they actually saw her horns too. She shook her head. She did what she had to do. Plus, it was only one....well...two bites. Still, she hoped those Officers were okay.

A chill came. Not a chill that was done by the wind or by dropping ice into her hoody, but a sort of chill that came from something that was utterly eery. The sort of eery that can't be forgotten considering she was exposed to it before back in Silbern. A Hollow? But where- Her eyes widened. "UP" She only paused for the moment to look to where the unkept reiatsu came sprouting out from to see a gaping hole tear open within the night sky. An all too familiar sight when looking back at her studies on becoming a full fledged Imperial Quincy, and meant that some danger was going to come along with it. It was coming. A Hollow was about to pass over into the Human World. Damn it. Elke didn't have a bow or any of her gear. She had to leave Silbern in a blind rush, and didn't even consider to even grab some equipment before leaving the Vandenreich. This was terrible. She was going to be screwed.

While she thought of the end another reiatsu roared through the air as it battered her senses with it's strength. A tower of sapphire light roared from over her horizon toward the emerging beast, striking it with incredible force. "W-what...was that?" Elke uttered to herself. The beast was repelled back? She saw it. The tower seemed to have made contact with the fat Hollow. Something, or someone pushed it back? What could really do something like that to begin with, and with that much power behind it? A Quincy? No. Elke entered into a like run to investigate it. No. Not a Quincy. She seen some of the power of the Quincy, even a rare sighting of one of the elite Quincy, the Stern Ritters. This power was on a completely different scale.

Upon looking, she couldn't see anyone that could have caused, yet, there was still some lingering reiatsu of a Hollow. It wasn't big at all, but still very present within her area. Something present and small. It didn't take long to find it considering its size. And well, it stood out on the floor. A chunk of meat, or well, flesh. It was well done to a degree and definitely stunk like no other's business. grumble grumble Her stomach came up with another series of wretched growling. She couldn't. No way. Even when thinking that, there was no other option for her considering the circumstances. Besides, with its condition it was slowly eroding away too. Stinking flesh filled her nostrils as much as the foul shoulder meat was stuffed into mouth. Fangs tore and shred into the parts that were burned by the reiatsu from before. It was foul. And was going to be something nasty afterwards, though, not to the degree as it would to other Quincy if they were to pull this stunt.

Remember, she wasn't really Human at all. Not a Pure Quincy like the others. She was a monster after all. A monster that needed something to eat right away, and as quickly as she could, she made the lingering reiatsu vanish after tearing away nonconsumable parts away.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Me me Me}

Strength - 50[*30%] = 65

Speed - 50

Spiritual Pressure - 50[*50%] = 75

Reiatsu Strength - 50[/30%] = 35

Light Aura - 40

Dark Aura - 60

Instinct - 50

Senses - 50 [/25%] = 37.50

Energy Sensory - 0 [/25%] = 0

Healing Expertise - 0


Total SP: 300



Skillza:


1. Strength of Will - [1]


2. Acrobats - [1]


3. Lack of Fear - [1]


4. Street Fighting - [1]


5. Battle Analysis - [1]


6. Focused Eye - [1]


SKP: 6/15

[Impossible]

As he continued down the road, he kept his senses open, just to make sure wouldn't be caught unawares like he was with the last one. Honestly, he was tempted to say this place had a hollow infestation, with how many attacked Karakura on a daily basis. He doubted anyone would disagree with him. Impo sighed to himself, knowing that he'd be hearing a lot more roars in his immediate future. But just as he was complaining to himself about the noise levels, his energy sensory detected something he'd never sensed before. Something familiar, yet... new. It felt entirely wrong, like the world itself was reacting negatively to this... thing. Almost like it was rejecting it. He turned to where he was sensing it, and it appeared to be where the dead hollow was.

Using Ulcera, a portal consumed him, taking him to a nearby rooftop. Stepping through the threshold of his technique, he could see what appeared to be a person in a hoodie. Their back was to him, so he couldn't tell their gender, but it was crouched next to the decaying hollow. "What the hell is that thing?" He asked to himself. He had truly never sensed such a weird creature. It felt like a human, but more evil than any one human could be. It was like they were wrapped in a miasma of suffering. He remembered encountering a wolf that had the same feel to its energy, but this being is less potent. His eyes narrowed at the 'person'.

"Hey! What the fuck are you doing?" He yelled out to the creature from a distance. He wasn't entirely sure what they were, but he sure wasn't going to let them continue to do whatever it was they were doing. He might not have been in town for a while now, but it was still his town, and he wasn't going to let someone with an aura like that run around freely. He also wasn't going to kill it without a good reason, unlike a crazy albino he once knew. He didn't want to kill anymore, so he would see how this thing responded, and act accordingly. Hopefully it wouldn't be some strange hollow, or something.

[Elke Sia]

Hungry. Hungry. So very hungry. It stunk. It was foul. Chewing it was like eating very off Beef Jerky that was left over in the hot sun for a day or so. Geez, it was just gross. Not only that the taste was awful, but the smell of it, of burning flesh, was something that made her want to gag. Though she wanted to do just puke it all out she had to manage with what she had on her. The stink of the Hollow's flesh made her stomach turn knots within, just wanting her to stop. She couldn't. The Sinner had to keep going to keep her strength up. She had to hurry. Hungry. She needed to keep eating to stay strong and keep going. Hungry. Shred more. Hungry. Tear it apart. Eat it. Keep going. Need more. Just need to - "Hey! What the fuck are you doing?"

Oh no.

Her eyes ripped open as if someone were to peel her eyelids back for her. Tunnel vision completely overwhelmed her sights just as much as her thoughts turned to gas in her own head. Only one thought managed to get through though. The one thought that she should have kept in mind while she was eating; pay attention to the surroundings. It was the one thing she fucked up on. Someone was here. Someone was behind her. She made the most rookie mistake that she could have ever made in her life. She let someone get behind her, and not on purpose either. Who was it? Elke froze in place, panicking as to wonder who it was. What group did they belong to? Were they Quincy? Was it the Vandenreich? Were they already here? She couldn't think. She couldn't stop the thoughts from coming in wanting to kill her. She didn't have a choice. Kill or be killed.

Too many thoughts to think properly. Fear and panic took over and enticed her every motion to survive. She wasn't going to die here. Not after everything. She couldn't. "AAAAHHHHHHH!" she cried out turning about immediately and charging full speed ahead. She didn't care who it was. Elke didn't have the luxury to honestly take the time to assess the situation. All that came to mind was handle the situation as fast as possible and get out. No mercy and no hesitation. The half Demon girl rushed ahead, even blinding herself with her own hood to even see what she was going against. What she did know was that it was a guy's voice that came behind her, and knew somewhat of the distance between them. She had to close it fast or she was good as gone.

The empty street around them was dimly lit due to the street posts over head. There were a lot of shadows that did allow for people to hide in, but Elke was too far away from them. The alleyways seemed to be miles away when looking at her situation. Too far to get to in order to feel some measure of safety. She was already too tired from not being able to sleep well. To add onto that, she was still hungry. The fatigue was settling in, and moving around with a partial full stomach wasn't good for digestion. More than likely there was going to be some payback for what she was doing now. But, all of that can wait. She had to get rid of this person first, or at least, knock them out before she can just leave the area. Clumsy enough, her right hand was raised with a balled fist.

Amateur, childish, she wanted to hit herself just as badly as she did with this guy. She will scold herself later. First things was first was handling the man behind her. That was the top priority.

[Impossible]

'This chick is insane.' He thought to himself, as he watched her head whip around at his provocation. Even in the night, from a distance away, he could see the desperation in her features. It was like watching a wild animal, worried that their kill would be stolen by a larger predator. He felt that was an apt description of this woman, as he could tell she had been eating the hollow he'd killed not a minute prior. This girl is a savage, but worse than that, she was a beast, starving and cornered. And like any cornered animal, she did the only thing she could and lashed out, charging the failure as if her life depended on it.

But she wasn't ready to tackle someone like him. She didn't have the speed, the strength, or the power to back up her killer intent. Impo let her close the distance between them, watching her impassively as she made her attack. The closer she got, the more his senses revealed about her. She stank, like someone who hadn't had a wash in days. Bags hung under her eyes, detracting her natural beauty. Her face was growing thin from a lack of food, which was why she was likely desperate enough to eat a hollow. He grimaced at the thought, not wanting to imagine how putrid their ghostly flesh must be.

He quit his musings, and stepped to the side, avoiding a clumsy puch with ease. Her stance was of someone who knew fighting, but she was shaky on her feet, likely from exhaustion. His arm snapped out, grabbing the outside of her elbow, and forced her to overextend. He walked backwards, before he pointed his hand at the girl. A bright red orb of energy ignited in his palm, over a foot in diameter. His face was impassive, as the energy attack flew at her with the speed of a bala. But thankfully for the young lady, that was not what this technique was.

Impo was not so cruel as to mercilessly kill someone so in such a sorry state. He used bakudo number nine; geki. If this hit her, she'd fall to the ground, paralyzed. His mastery over kido let him use it without saying the name of the ability, and he figured this would help her calm down, or at the very least give him a chance to talk with her. But, if it wasn't... 'Well, best make sure she understands the difference between us.' The failure flexed his reiatsu to create a killing aura around him, trying to make her, if not calm, then subdued. If she didn't do anything drastic in the next few seconds, he'd make the woman an offer. "Would you like to get some food that doesn't taste like hollow?" He asked her, hoping they could have a conversation that wasn't on a rooftop.

[Elke Sia]

It's.. It's not enough. She was already screwed the moment she went in for the charge. There was no mistaking it. Every step she took towards the man she felt a bit of herself floating away, readying her mind and spirit to be taken into the void of death itself. She hoped....She hoped that she would be able to take the Quincy down with her. Take another member of the Vandenreich down before they could be poisoned any further, and ruin the life of another person. She didn't want to be taken back. She wasn't going to be put throw that horror again. Not anymore. It was stupid, she knew that all too well for herself. But with what she had to work with, it was all she could do. Just run and embrace it all. The punch... Her single dire hit that she wanted to connect met with nothing but air.

She saw but a flicker. A facial expression that mirrored that of the Doctors, Scientists, and....that of her own mother. An emotionless face plate that all of the others she dealt with back in Silbern had. Not a smile or a frown, but just a blank slate that drove her mad. Sudden, it felt as if her nerves went numb. A spark of uncontrolled spasms one moment, then falling flat like a Pancake on the ground. Every muscle refused to listen. Nothing from her mind was connecting to that of her body. None of her wanted to move. All that could managed was the mere twitches of someone on crack would probably provide. This was just shameful.

She struggled, grunted. Barring fangs and groaning with each stitched effort of forcing something to respond to her. Nothing did. She was a mere doll on the ground that couldn't do anything but lay there and witness what would come next. Now she knew what a toy felt like at the mercy of its owner. He came closer. And closer "I'm not going back damn it. I won't go back to the Vandenreich. I've had it." she blabbed like a green horn would do. She did so before hearing what the man even had to say, giving herself away entirely before putting the pieces together. She wanted to just get it over with and die. She may have her wish. Something pressed down onto her. A pressure. A sense of a monster wanting to eat her. As if she didn't know any better. Hell, if she were blind, an image of a over sized hound would come to mind, pinning her down with a single paw as it hunched over to devour her in a single bite. This was what she felt. A hungry predator ready to eat. She was going to die.

"Would you like to get some food that doesn't taste like hollow?"



.....Eh? Pretty much what she thought. A single thought that popped into her head like no other. A moment she felt as though she was standing at deaths door, then the next............the door opening and asking if she was hungry. Now she wanted to die. To just bury her head into the ground and just die. After making some stupid move to fight, knowing that she wouldn't get anywhere, this happens. Good lord just kill her now. More so, she wanted to die after yelling at him too.

She had to keep it going, "I..I don't know what you are plotting here, but it is not going to work." She grumbled, forcing her body to move again. Just what the Hell kinda technique was this anyways? She flexed what little reiatsu she had but it wasn't giving way. She bared her fangs once again and pushed and pushed and pushed against her own muscles, but nothing. Just a poof of effort being nothing. Great. "If you are going to just kill me then do it already." she said looking up at the shrouded face of the man as the dim lighting over head kept her from seeing his face entirely.

[Impossible]

Impo realized that he was probably bad at introductions, seeing as the young lady before him was on the verge of a mental breakdown. It was obvious from her words that she was running from something, the Vandenreich or something. Sounded German, and their track record wasn't exactly the best when it came to organisations. And with a name like 'Invisible Empire', he guessed that her experiences with them wasn't all too pleasant. He'd have to look into them later, maybe Kazura would know something about them. But that was for a later time, now he had to deal with an emotionally unstable person.

She had certainly been terrified by his aura, her face had twisted in fear. He really didn't like doing this to people, but he couldn't risk her attacking him. After she regained her courage, she questioned his motives, probably assuming he was apart of this 'Vandenreich' that was after her. She was paranoid and nervous. He had to show that he wasn't here to kill her. He was sure that he'd be able to do that. "Calm down already. If I wanted to kill you I would have killed you when you charged at me. I'm not exactly subtle in my attacks." He pointed his thumb at the hollow on the rooftop she'd been on a few moments ago.

A cold breeze washed over them, making the Failure shudder in discomfort. He really hated the cold. It reminded him of unpleasant times. "Look, I get always watching your back, I constantly do, but not everyone in the world is trying to kill you, and not everyone is evil enough to watch someone starve to death. Now, I don't know what this Vandenreich thing is, but I'm not apart of them. I'm just some guy who doesn't want to watch another person be forced to eat hollow meat in order to survive." A look of disgust crossed his face as a certain Fullbringer flashed in his mind.

He crouched down, and offered his hand to her. "Let me help you at least get back on your feet. If you want me to just leave you alone afterwards, then I'll leave. But it'll be kinda boring to visit a restaurant by myself, don't you think?" He asked her awkwardly. He wasn't used to being so friendly, and certainly not used to cheering people up. He gave her an uncomfortable smile. He didn't like touching people either, but he was willing to do so to try and help this person. If she accepted his hand, he'd pull her up. He hoped she didn't attack him, because he really didn't want to summon his flood to defend him.

[Elke Sia]

"Calm down already. If I wanted to kill you I would have killed you when you charged at me. I'm not exactly subtle in my attacks." This was true above all else from what Elke can figure out from the get go. He stood over her with complete supremacy. Being able to eliminate her in any way that he deemed fit, he didn't really require her to be bounded in such a way to remove her from existence at all. This was what made her curious as to why, unless.."Look, I get always watching your back, I constantly do, but not everyone in the world is trying to kill you, and not everyone is evil enough to watch someone starve to death. Now, I don't know what this Vandenreich thing is, but I'm not apart of them. I'm just some guy who doesn't want to watch another person be forced to eat hollow meat in order to survive." Elke winced at the pain of her aching muscles, trying to force their cooperation again. Still nothing. But when thinking about what he has done, and what was said against her own delusioned arguments, she couldn't keep it up at all. He....wasn't part of the Vandenreich.

His aura, his reiatsu were completely different from anything else that she felt before. Definitely wasn't Vandenreich or that of the Shinigami. This man was something beyond them, even to the extent of surpassing both races even when combined. A reiatsu signature like his would be hard to miss at all seeing as though she can pick it up without any effort. Was he an idiot? Or maybe, just maybe, he couldn't control it? The Sinner wondered about this altogether, about who this guy was. She managed to move a finger. Finally, some progress. Whatever was done to her didn't seem to be permanent, but something to nullify her movement altogether. Pretty much taking pity on her.

Not a thought that she would take kindly to but it was better than being given over to the Empire, or to be killed. Still, she winced. A sensation that she felt before back in her cell at Silbern was acting up again. She was already frustrated, by the thought of succumbing to someone she thought was with the Empire, and being taken back without any resistance too. It pissed her off. But now she can see that this man wasn't someone who was aligned with the Vandenreich. "You're...different." she said. "Let me help you at least get back on your feet. If you want me to just leave you alone afterwards, then I'll leave. But it'll be kinda boring to visit a restaurant by myself, don't you think?" He spoke again, with her painfully extending her limp arm outwards to him.

Though she really couldn't grasp his hand, she managed with what she could do. Seemed like he was doing the same thing too. An estranged way of talking, plus a half-assed smile to follow it, he didn't necessarily seem to be very collected himself. "Sure thing. Better than what I'm eating now." she said beneath her hood. The swelling inside her core was being managed for the time being. She just had to keep it up. "You are definitely not Vandenreich I can see that. So then, what does that make you? I never seen anything like you. Though, like I'm one to talk as well." she conveyed her similarity to himself, both being something "weird." Her hoody was removed to unveil the set of horns that stuck out from the roots of her brunette hair lines.

Pale white skin with naturally dimmed amber eyes. The scruff of hair that flowed down to her shoulders as the remains were covered beneath her sweater. Some resemblance of canines lined inside her mouth when she did talk, with her eyes reflecting his image back at him. "So, where to?" she asked as another gust of cold air brewed about past them.

[Impossible]

The Failure let out a small sigh of relief, taking her hand in his as he pulled her to her feet. He felt a little bad about hitting her with a bakkado, but thankfully it didn't seem like there were any hard feelings on her part. It seemed that she believed him about not being a Vandenreich, so hopefully she would trust him a little more. "Eh, to whichever restaurant we find first I guess. We can talk once we get to one." He told her. He reached the edge of the roof, before stopping. "Oh, and my name is Impo, nice to meet you." He jumped down, using airground to reach the street safely.

It had been awhile since he was last in Karakura, so he was going off of memory where the nearest food joint was. The two walked in silence. It was minutes later when they found something. Unfortunately, the closest thing he could find was a McRonalds. He sighed in disappointment, before walking in. He ordered a burger and a sprite for himself. "You can order whatever you want, I'll pay." He told her, giving her free reign to order as much food as she needed. After they received their food, they would go to a table in the corner of the diner. They were the only patrons in the establishment.

He decided to talk while she ate. "As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly human." He didn't like to beat around the bush, so he'd just be frank with her. Plus she wasn't blind, and could probably see his skin was faintly glowing blue. "I'm what many people call a 'Failure'." He made air quote gestures with his fingers at the word, rolling his eyes. "It's a catch-all phrase for beings whose reiatsu was too powerful for their bodies to handle, and it destroyed them. Most beings that end up in this state die pretty quickly, as our bodies are rather unstable, to say the least. I used to be a human before my body failed, but hell if I can remember any of it."

He finished his explanation and decided to sate his thirst with a sip of his soda. It wasn't hard to enjoy the fizzy burn it provided, dancing along his tongue with a hint of lemon and lime. Fast food was garbage, but it was nice to have perspective between good food and bad food every so often. That and it was hard to mess up soda. "So, what about you?" He said, pointing his finger at her, as he took a bite of his burger. "What's the deal with the horns? And this Vandenreich thing you're so desperate to avoid? What, did you join a cult and leave it or something?" He said without a hint of tact.

[Elke Sia]

This guy did not know the meaning of the word "sublty" did he? Plainly walking around Karakura doing things like this was pretty much asking for trouble on its own. Killing Hollows and doing as he pleased was just a means of him getting his ass kicked one day or another. Not to mention that ridiculous amount of reiatsu that he was packing. He was harder to miss than a Buffalo in a Chinese Glass shop. He would come to introduce himself as Impo, which was probably shorter for something much longer. That was usually the case with names like that, but nevertheless it was something go off on. However, as for her, she couldn't let herself fall into convenience with someone she just met, let alone having the events with Wycliff repeat itself again. So, she would play along until the moment rose when she could kill him. Easier said than done to be honest. He jumped off the roof to that of another building. Yeah right, like she was going to the do the same thing. Her body was half Human after all, and doing something like that with her capabilities now will definitely cause her problems.

She took the stairs. She wasn't particular when it came to food or anything of the sort. Hell, even as common as the place they went to was, it definitely beats the taste of Hollow meat and whatever she found in the garbage cans. She didn't wander around like he did. Elke kept mostly to herself being quiet and all that. On top of that, she kept her horns hidden away. Tucked her head under her hood and keeping the frame of her eyes shrouded under the heavy material. She kept some distance as well in the shadows to keep anyone from really getting a good look at her. Her face and horns covered, and keeping away from the passer byers in order for her near rancid smell to be noticed by anyone. The lights of the burger joint wasn't a good scene for her, even with her focus coming to keep her spiritual pressure locked away. This was going to be trouble.

When it came to ordering food she merely pointed at the picture of a double-cheese burger meal, topped off with a lemonade as her refreshment. Elke pretty much kept to herself and avoided everyone. Impo was gracious enough to pay for the meals and seated off into the far corner, and away from everyone else. She didn't want to draw the attention, as if she wasn't drawing a lot right now. For a bum to walk into a restaurant, who also reeked, wasn't really smiled upon. Stares and whispers were clearly heard. This was just another reminder of escaping the crazed Shinigami and trackers from the Vandenreich. This wasn't going to end well if she stayed for too long.

"As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly human." He started off. "I'm what many people call a 'Failure'. It's a catch-all phrase for beings whose reiatsu was too powerful for their bodies to handle, and it destroyed them. Most beings that end up in this state die pretty quickly, as our bodies are rather unstable, to say the least. I used to be a human before my body failed, but hell if I can remember any of it." Yeah, no shit. But this was interesting. As ridiculous as the name was, for a group of people, or rather "Failures," to exist at all was something unique. There were rumors here and there, but nothing really concrete about them. That was all that Elke ever heard in the Vandenreich, just whispers and rumors. Of course many of them were thought to be made up stories to scare Soldats, but Elke never thought it to true like everyone else. Not a typical run in the mill type of ghost story, but something made up to make the Quincies focused and always observant. Don't really want to be in a place when a Failure blows up. That itself was scary as is.

Down the hatch and draining her soda as fast as possible, a few chokes here and there, Elke firmly listened to what Impo had to say. She didn't give him her name as of yet, but, when the questions came up it was better to answer. "My name is Mon. And I guess you can say that the Vandenreich is a sort of 'cult." she answered back. Her senses were still dull, but she was getting use to them. She made sure that her Energy Sensory panned out to feel the ribbons of reiatsu out to see if there were any more Trackers or Seekers. The first three that came were just that; the first three. Others like them would come to figure out what happened to them. Thankfully, and regrettably, Wycliff would be the one that will be blamed for the incident. A Shinigami who was probably on patrol ran into a small group of Quincy and a fight broke out. As to the why and such was easy enough to make up considering the mess that was left behind. As for the Humans, some possible gang shooting or terrorist attack. That was the usual cover story when Humans can't put the pieces together. It always happened that way.

"If you want to talk about details, then best to do this outside." the Sinner muttered quiet enough for the Failure to hear, but not so much for the other people. She had to keep her presence as low as possible, and this place was making it hard to do that. Coming up to a stand Elke didn't waste time to see herself out after dumping her mess into the closest trash can. "Things like this is better said when no one can hear you, or see you. Let's just say that they have a lot of eyes, and have good ears." she added while eyeing each and every Human in the restaurant. Out the glass door and into the alleyway. This was Elke's preferred place to talk. Keeping to the shadows and close to the brick walls of the alley, Elke continued after that. "Have you ever heard or seen people dressed in black bathrobes, carrying swords.....people who can't be seen by...regular people?" she questioned first keeping her spiritual pressure suppressed.

Elke kept a watch eye out for the people passing by the darkened alley. "The Vandenreich are....almost the same thing like them, but have a different belief as to how the world....or maybe... 'this' world should be watched over something like that. A very big cult that acts like a army, and would kill anyone who doesn't believe in what they do. All of this for the sake of the Emperor." Elke can still remember the stories and tales. Almost all of the details from before being isolated from everyone else. "As for the horns... Now that would be something I would like to know as well.......So, your guesses are as good as mine since I was born like this." she answered.

[Impossible]

'Mon, huh?' He thought to himself. This girl was secretive, he'd give her that. There was no way there was someone out there with a name as ridiculous as his own. He could see the visible discomfort on her face as she ate, nervously looking around, making sure she wasn't about to come under attack. Either she was incredibly paranoid, or this Vandenreich was far stronger than he was giving them credit for. It might be a group of a few powerful individuals, but with a good number of weaker people that flock to their power. He'd have to see for himself, or ask Kazura about it in the future.

As the two of them finished their meals, Mon recommended that they continue their conversation outside. Shrugging, he decided to follow her, tossing his garbage into the trash on the way out. While she seemed to be adverse to letting anyone hear or see her, Impo really didn't care all that much for the secrecy. He figured that anyone who heard him would just think he was crazy and brush off what he was saying as nonsense. He trailed after her in silence for a few minutes, keeping his senses open for this all knowing cult of hers, halfway hoping that he'd get the chance to catch one of them in the act of... Stalking? That's probably a good word for it.

Eventually they reached an alleyway, and their conversation resumed. She was keeping her spiritual pressure down, so he tried his best to match her. It wasn't something he was all that good at, however, so only time would tell how effective his efforts would prove to be. Mon went on to talk about what he could only assume to be the Shinigami. He chuckled at her description of them, knowing that it was a fairly accurate one. The few that he'd personally met were a bunch of clowns pretending to be military personnel. That was a really messed up night.

He understood what she was saying however. An army of humans with spiritual powers, with even less morals than the literal 'death gods'. An army willing to kill anyone who dares to 'wrong think'. It was one heck of a story, he had to admit. It was also very plausible. He didn't doubt for a second that there were more groups out there like the robed morons, groups that he'd never even heard of. But there was also the possibility that everything this girl was telling him was utter nonsense. She could be completely off her rocker like someone he used to know, even if she didn't act like it at the moment.

He liked to take people at their word, but this girl had been eating hollow when he first encountered her, and had attacked him as soon as she saw him. He's leaning towards her being more crazy than not. But still, he's listened to her this long, no harm in going a little further. "Yeah, I know about the Shinigami. They helped me kill a couple demons a couple years back." He told her, not caring how absurd it sounded. He didn't bother to press her on her horns, since she was either telling the truth and didn't know, or was unwilling to answer him truthfully.

He crossed his arms as he looked to the sky, trying to remember a time he'd met someone who fit that description. Then a memory randomly appeared in his head. A fight he got into trying to save the closest thing he had to a friend. "Tell me, do these Vandenreich of yours dress in white and fight with bows? I might have gotten into a fight with one of them a lifetime ago. Crazy chick with blood powers or something. She nearly killed me a couple times before she got bored and left. Weirdest encounter I've ever had." He told her, scratching his head, trying to remember that day more clearly.

Yeah, he could see it now. She had a bow that fired spears or something. Summoned blood animals that tried to kill him. Luke had pissed off another strong woman, and he had to save his ass. He idly wondered how that guy was doing. "Other than that crazy bitch, I can't think of anyone who might be affiliated with this group you're talking about." Impo looked at her, hoping to catch her reaction, see if he couldn't tell what she was thinking through her body language. "So, what are these guys even trying to do? Take over the world for this Emperor of theirs?" It was an interesting cult, that was for sure. He felt like it would make for an interesting plot to a book.

[Elke Sia]

Elke's head perked up just from the words that Impo described. White robes, uses spears like arrows, and utilized blood like powers. Well there were other details regarding the whole matter but for one to act on their own like that meant one thing; "A Sternritter." She phrased it with a mere name. A name that was well known among the Vandenreich that served the Emperor personally as his hands. The Sternritters were reknown for their abilities on and off the battlefield, and were hand picked from among thousands of their kind. Only the few and dedicated to the Emperor were ever chosen to take such an honor. But, if Impo managed to run into one in Karakura, then that must mean...

"Then.... this city has already been infiltrated by the Vandenreich. For them to send in their strongest...." she shook her head beneath the hood and looked up to the Failure, "If one of the Sternritters managed to get in to this city, then the others won't be far behind. More will come. Far worse, and far stronger than that one. More of the Emperor's hands will come...." She thought about it. Since her being in Karakura she felt the presence of the Quincy around the interior of the city's limits. A few here and there of course when she would come around particular areas. And on one of the days, she ran into a pair. But, those were just regular Soldats.

The Sternritters were a completely different monster altogether. The Elite of the Elite. Only a single Sternritter was needed to complete a mission whether that was silencing a group of runaways, or taking care of a mission that was of the upmost importance, then one of their kind would be sent in to deal with it. There was no mistaking it that they too would be in Karakura. All this meant that the Sinner will have to keep her head down even more than ever before. "It is lucky that you made it out alive if you dealt with one of their kind. The Sternritters are the elite fighting force of the Vandenreich. Essentially, if you want something done, then they are the ones to handle it. Consider them equal to the elites, if not better." That was the closest thing she could do to word it in a way that an outsider could understand it.

Elke didn't realize how dangerous Karakura was to a runaway like her. If her reiatsu leaked out, then the possibility of being found was very high. Especially concerning the high sensory abilities of the Sternritters. If she ever ran into one now, escaping was considered impossible. No pun intended. All the more reason to stay out of sight and keep in the shadows. But the Failure had more questions, more concerns. Or rather just plain curiosity really. The difference between the two races? Hmmm "The Shinigami, the people with swords and black robes, believe in keeping this soul cycle preserved. A job that only they can do. But for the Vandenreich, they believe that the souls condemned to become Hollows can't be save, and exterminate on sight. So think of it this way, Vandenreich kill, and Shinigami brings salvation in a sense." Not too far off from the truth since Elke was part of the same Vandenreich. So, she knew what they thought about as this was forced onto her just as much as the others.

Whether exterminating the Hollows was good or not she didn't honestly know. If they had lied to her about being useful, about being the future of the Vandenreich... about her own mother loving her, then what else were they lying about. She didn't know. Her head began to throb just trying to make it come full circle. Elke let out a sigh to help relieve a bit of the pressure from her head before continuing on. There was so much stuff to really talk about, but limited time. Not only that, but would Impo even listen, let alone consider it being true. Fuck it. "Look, I don't really care if you think it this is true or not. But dealing with the Vandenreich will put you in a world of hurt. Maybe even killed. Just don't poke your nose into their business beyond this point, because if you run into another Sternritter, make sure you kill them quickly or run. Because any thing beyond that, like trying to think of anything beyond either of those two choices, will get you killed. Trust me on that at least."

Her fingers tucked her hood further down as she started to proceed down the alleyway. There wasn't much to talk and considering that Impo had a harder time to conceal his reiatsu, he pretty much became like a fire in the darkness that was going to attract a lot of Moths. Elke couldn't be around him for much longer. She had to keep going. "Look, I'm sorry for attacking you for before, and I would like to thank you for the meal. I would be happy to pay you back one day if all possible." she responded looking back down from the shadows, "If you have a place that I can meet you from time to time, then that would be nice, but for now it would be best if we went our separate ways. If they can't us together, then it would make your life a living Hell." she didn't want to say much but move along. Elke had to get going. She had to keep moving.

[Impossible]

Sternritter... That meant Star Knights, didn't it? He had to admit, that was a pretty cool name, if a bit arrogant. Personally, he didn't think such a name was a good fit for the woman he fought with years ago. Insane woman with blood magic was probably a more apt description. He shuddered at how close she'd come to killing him that day. He shoved those thoughts of the past aside, returning his attention to the present. Mon gave him more information, something he was grateful for. So Sternritters were their elites then? If Mon's ramblings were anything to go off of, then yes, they were the best of the best in the Vandenreich.

Impo still hadn't made up his mind on whether or not this girl was overly paranoid or not. On the one hand, he'd probably be doing something similar to her if the Soul Society were after him, but on the other, there were better places to hide than in cities. In the end, he was leaning towards her being justified in her fear. It was one thing to take down a couple people that decided they wanted you dead, but an army? An army on par with the Soul Society? That was a whole other matter entirely. He couldn't say what he'd do in her situation, but he was pretty sure he'd hide somewhere secluded.

Mon told him how fortunate he was to have survived his encounter with the Sternritter, and he had to agree. If the woman hadn't let him go, for whatever reason, he'd have surely died. Mon continued to go on about how the Sternritter were exceptionally powerful, the personal hands of this 'Emperor' that they worship, and that they were the best of the best, more so than the Shinigami. Or, that was what he was getting out of what she was telling him. If they were that powerful, then why weren't they more well known? Or maybe they were really leaning into that whole 'Invisible Empire' name thing they had going on.

The amount of information this girl had was making him wonder what their orientations looked like. They clearly knew about the soul cycle, something even he wasn't so knowledgeable about, and that shinigami turn hollows back into normal souls. Yet somehow they got it into their minds, and the minds of the people they're indoctrinating, that hollows need to be killed forever, because... hollows bad? He kinda wanted wanted to see this in person now, if only for a good chuckle. He couldn't keep a grin off his face at the thought.

"I think I understand, and I appreciate the warnings. If I see one of these guys, I'll avoid them. I'm not so eager to have my tombstone say 'Killed by a crazy cultist'." He held his hands up in a placating manner, but still chuckling a little bit. She thanked him for the food, and apologized for attacking him earlier. "Apology accepted. And you don't have to pay me back, just try and live the best life you can, and not attack anyone who doesn't deserve it. There's a building in Karakura called Uzaki Enterprises. If you ever need help, go there, plenty of people would help you out when you need it. And goodbye." With that, Impo turned and left in the other direction, leaving her with somewhere she could maybe turn to in a time of need.

[Col Arana]

Count a total of 66 paragraphs. That works out to a total of 330 TP for both parties.