Enter: The Guinea Pig [Closed, Social]

[Yuna Xiao]

Yuna watched her fellow Shinigami go about their day as she sat on the ledge of the Seventh Division Barracks' rooftop. "What fun is it if I just train all day? I can never get to know anyone else if I just improve my skills. Being a Shinigami is more than that. Maybe I could check up on Koji and Togusa, see how they're adjusting to life in the Seireitei. After all, they were my toughest rivals in the Academy." She sighs, scanning the horizon for something to inspire her thoughts. "Or I suppose I could meet someone new and exciting. But there are hardly any Shinigami that I know more than what the Primer tells me about." The harsh sun's ray beating down on her was casually blocked by a wonderfully fluffy and huge cumulonimbus, to which Yuna looks up and gently smiles at the welcomed shade. 

"I have been thinking about whether or not there's more to the Soul Society than just Kidō, martial arts, Zanpakutō and drills." The young woman acrobatically rolls backward and into a standing position on the rooftop. "Right! How could I forget? What's NOT related to fighting or Kidō and any of that? Science! Man, I loved organic chemistry class when I was alive. I should visit Twelfth Division! I wonder what kind of technology the Soul Society can dream up? It's such a unique place with Feudal-era architecture but we still get cellphones, so they've got to have some cool stuff!" 
Off she goes once again and hopping between buildings and performing all sorts of acrobatics to get around. Has she ever just walked to her destination? Will she ever? Find out next time, or don't.

"Squad 12 is located in the weird part of the Seireirei, like they don't want to be found or something. I don't know how those guys make it to and from their facilities every day. Or, I guess they just never leave and conduct experiments even in their sleep." She's grown more comfortable with navigating around as she familiarises herself with landmarks like Sōkyoku Hill. As such, her journey was quite brief
Some time later, she stood in front of the Squad's main entrance, which looked like it never gets used. There aren't any guards even, only security cameras and sensors and other contraptions. 
Yuna casually smiles and waves into one of the cameras. "Um... Excuse me? I'm looking for your Captain, I know he's a busy man but I just wanted to ask him some questions." Yuna had no idea if there was even a two-way intercom, she could be talking to nobody at all for what she knew. "I brought cake!" she says in hopes that it will tip the scale in her direction. 

[Aramis Tezuka]

The Twelfth Division was Soul Society's bastion of technology. The division that worked tirelessly on all advancements in the Seireitei. Despite the medieval Japan aesthetic that was preferred by the general Seireitei, Squad 12 was the one division that violated this. On the inside at least. From the outside it still had the conventional structures that resembled a Japanese Castle, right down to a gatehouse with arrow slits above the door, and although Yuna couldn't see them, several points on the ceiling could open into 15 centimeter holes for the Shinigami inside the gatehouse to rain attacks down on someone below, akin to the murderholes in classical European castles. Squad 12 didn't discriminate when it came to good ideas. Or immoral ones. As a direct result, the actual defenses of the Squad 12 Barracks was a mishmash of many different defenses, from many cultures, even if the front gate looked mostly Japanese.

Fortunately Yuna though, the doors through into the Squad 12 Barracks courtyard was wide open, and to the Barracks itself were not sealed. There was no need. No notification that Soul Society was under attack had been issued, so while areas deeper into the Squad 12 establishments were likely to be sealed off, including the Captain's personal office and laboratories, and anywhere that less moral experiments were carried out the main courtyard and lobby of the Barracks were open to visitors. Granted, by Visitors, the Division generally meant "people with a reason to be here". The division had been adjusted yet again in recent days (though the place was restructured on a semi-regular basis), and the internal structure of the division could be divided into three main buildings. The main body of the barracks' themselves were set in a more central location of the courtyard. The division's labs were built directly into the barracks as several add-on sections, that were most notable as they resembled large towers with multiple floors extending off the barracks like large branches. There were exactly five of them, making the barracks' shape (if viewed from above), resemble a pentagon. Lastly were the division sleeping quarters which were located separate from the rest of the barracks, in a walled off section of the courtyard, with a massive steel access door. Partially due to the fact that the sleeping quarters were in pretty miserable disrepair.

The good news is that the main courtyard was always a hub of activity, that might remind some people of a festival of some kind. Or more likely, a science fair. Kind of. The courtyard of Squad 12 was pretty much always pretty active, and a lot of Shinigami out there looked pretty damn tired. Sleep didn't seem to be something common in this division, which, if Yuna had seen the sleeping quarters made some semblance of sense. Many Shinigami in this division forwent sleep in exchange to work on their pet projects, or just slept at their desks. This wasn't something that was enforced, it was by choice. Aramis actually ran a pretty considerate division towards its own members at least all things considered and if there had been a substantial push to get their sleeping arrangements in better condition he probably would have made some changes. In a sense, the layout of the division-- well maintained and busy main barracks, courtyard and labs, and underpopulated, and poorly maintained sleeping quarters, represented the mindset of the division well. Progress above all else.

As far as the courtyard went, there were several experiments of note going on there. A pair of Shinigami had set up a number of human-shaped targets, and were fiddling with some kind of wrist-mounted contraption. "Alright, let's give her a go!" The Shinigami lifted the contraption and aimed at one of the targets, only to have electricity arc off the device on her wrist and she jolted her arm back in shock. "OW! Damnit! Not again!" In another section of the courtyard, a Shinigami appeared to be.... floating upside down in the air, frantically trying to swim through the air towards a small metal device on the ground. There was also a large glass cylindrical chamber set up in the division HQ where yet a third Shinigami was operating a console in front of it, with a black gas inside, from which there was the occasional flicker of light, like a miniature storm cloud. Plenty of other experiments were going on all over the place, further pushing Squad 12 as one of the more unusual divisions in the Gotei 13. There were some normal activities going on though. In one small corner, Yuna could indeed see two Shinigami apparently sparring, their Zanpakuto clashing off against one another. Though even here, in Squad 12, sparring was anything but normal. One of the Shinigami appeared to be fighting conventionally, firing off kido spells in conjunction with deft sword plays at their opponent, who was defending with some kind of Jitte which sparked and flashed when it crashed against their blade, and they had some strange looking glove on that did not appear to be a release, that issued short pulses of energy to blast the opponent back. It made sense, to an extent. Squad 12 was the R&D Division. In a division that focused on science over combat, many of the division would likely employ the technological advancements to their benefit-- probably some that they had made themselves.

As far as Yuna's query, she heard a comment from behind her. "I don't believe the Captain has an appointment with... anyone of your description today." A quiet voice intoned. Behind the girl, was a young looking man in glasses, with messy, olive green colored hair. His skin was fairly pale and deep bags were under his eyes, indicating the look of a man who did not get much sleep (but again, that was pretty common in the division). His uniform had the look of being askey, though on closer inspection it was deliberately tailored in a slightly strange way, the left sleeve being overlong and completely covering his hand. Judging by how it hung down, it looked to be about ten centimeters too long at least. The other sleeve may as well have been a T-shirt, if not non-existent, barely covering the man's shoulder, exposing a skinny arm that was practically skin and bone. This arm was holding a cup of what appeared to be coffee, that he was sipping from as he looked over Yuna closely. A long, slender blade was hooked onto his hip. A rapier, rather than the traditional katana-type zanpakuto adopted by almost every other Shinigami in the Gotei 13. He was not (presently), wearing a Captain's haori however.


"It's a strange dove that flies to a serpent's lair, expecting its master to be home." He commented idly. "The Captain is a very busy person, as you said. What do you want him for?" He inquired, after a sip of coffee. "It is not his birthday, so why did you bring cake?" He paused for a moment, as if his mind had just skipped over a thought and jumped to a different track. "Why is it American tradition to blow out birthday candles? Is that not like snuffing out the years they've already lived? That seems morbid for a time of celebration." He mused, not entirely seeming to have directed the question at Yuna. But his eyes refocused in on her again anyways. "Which division are you from? You don't seem the second division. Onmitsukido? I understand your Captain recently transferred. Hmm... something doesn't seem right about that." He added, as his eyes seemed to bore through Yuna right into her soul.

[Yuna Xiao]

"Eh? No answer? It's just open, I guess. Might as well go in if it's like this." Yuna strolled inside with her curiosity growing ever more intense as she explores Squad Twelve, a most unusual place. It was much less well-kept than she was expecting for a few hundred eggheads, but perhaps their discipline lies elsewhere, more in their craft. It was a large place, almost moreso than the others, Yuna thought as she walked inside peering around, eyeing every square centimetre.  "High tech, old architecture and... Derelict dorms? Maybe they just don't get a lot of funding and need to be frugal with the Palmolive and lemon Pledge."
She was quite excited as she moved deeper, able to get to see some of their Shinigami in action and all of whom were of adventurous minds just as expected, although she was anticipating a slight bit more order to everything. "Seems like I could get my hands on some really neat gear. I really should come here more often, maybe i could get something useful for my Division?"

She thought she sensed someone with more Reiatsu than the rest in the room but it was difficult to pin down just who with all the activity going on so she ignored it and continued observing for now. "They can harness elemental powers without Kidou!? Holy crap! I guess when you have eternity to work on scientific endeavours you sure get some progress!" Yuna's joyful jaunt through the barracks is cut short, however, when a mysterious man appears behind her.  Before he spoke she knew that this must have been the Reiatsu sensed earlier and. particularly,  the lack of haori she noticed before anything else, he probably just did not wear it as it's in the way of his experiments which seemed reasonablle to Yuna because that's just how this Squad works. "Good day si-" she was about to say, but the man--boy? interrupted any further speech. She decided to listen to him instead, standing attentively, and while he spoke she took notice that he had a certain comfort to him about his sorry-looking state, the kind of ease that comes with decades of experience in an environment like this, not like the more chaotic actions of the other Shinigami, which had her only more convinced that this was the Captain, or at least the Vice Captain. 

Yuna patiently waited for him to speak and had every intention of answering his questions regardless if they were rhetorical and in reverse order: "Good day sir, you must be Tezuka-sama." Yuna says, hoping she's correct but not too concerned if she's not and briefly bowing all the same "You're most astute, sir, I am not of the Stealth Force or Second Division, I am of Seventh Division and some day to be their greatest sleuth. Not every cloak & tagger type is incubated in Squad 2, you know." She says, facetiously flipping her all-too-short hair and putting her hand to her hip in quasi-smugness.  "And actually, extinguishing cake-candles can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks, who often burned candles as offerings to their many gods and goddesses -- I was an archaeologist when I was alive so this sort of stuff was my job to know. As for the cake itself? Sorry, sir, but it was a lie. I only said that so I could earn your favour or at least pique your curiosity; what kind of cake was it going to be? What was the icing to be? Sprinkles or no? Now you will never know." She giggles mischievously, having clearly done her research on the Captain's bad habits. "And finally: I wish to speak to you because I want to learn more about Squad 12, but more importantly I want to be of service. I want you to use me to field-test your gadgets and such -- especially if they can help me be a better member of Squad 7. Maybe you have some fantastical active camouflage or whatever, but I want to help you help me, if you don't mind, sir. "  

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis raised an eyebrow when Yuna correctly discerned his identity. Not that he was testing her persay, but he did know he didn't exactly give off the look of a conventional Captain, nor did he give off their reiatsu. "Did you just guess that? Or did you figure it out? Hmmm. Makes sense. I'm sure most divisions have a basic idea of what the Captains look like. I don't see the point. My Division doesn't answer to other Captains unless I give them leave to." He mused, losing track of the conversation again, having a debate with himself. He stared absently off to the side in contemplation for a moment, before looking at Yuna again. "Division Seven is it? How troublesome. Are you coming to investigate something again?" He asked. When Yuna actually answered his question, he actually had the good sense to look surprised.

"You know your history do you? Interesting. You have a good mind. You will do well." Aramis said. It seemed Yuna had managed to earn his favor with her comment. "And a former archaeologist? It's a shame you joined the Seventh Division. We here in the twelfth work on investigating and uncovering many mysteries lost to time." He paused for a moment. "So you do not have a cake." He did not explicitly give a response to that but he still seemed at least a little deflated. "That is a pity." Aramis looked at his coffee cup, which seemed nearly empty already. "Although sugar is not an an ideal source of stimulant, it is still effective in short bursts. And an entire cake could cause a lot of stimulus." Aramis paused again, pondering in his mind. "We could find a way to transfigure something into cake? Hmm... that would be complex. I'm too busy to work on that right now." To be fair, even getting coffee had gotten difficult recently. Ever since someone had given the coffee machine sentience and it had gone on a rampage through the division HQ. They could have gotten a new one, sure, but the old one was getting all yandere about being the only coffee machine the division needed and ugh. It was a headache and a half. "Currently 49 hours without sleep. Wasted time. Besides, I am not fond of dreaming."

As Yuna offered her services to Squad 12, Aramis raised an eyebrow. "Uncommon response. It is unusual for the field mouse to offer itself up to the hawk." He noted. "Not unwelcome though. Hm. Volunteers who come of their own volition are rare. Do not want to dissuade others from following suit. Difficult to find good test subjects. Hmm." Aramis seemed to be back inside his own head again. "There are some devices we have that could use field testing. Our camo cloaks are already working fairly effectively, though we are looking to always improve the technology. No current beta tests are occurring at present, though we are working on other stealth technology." Aramis noted. "Several drug tests, ranging from relatively harmless, to potentially fatal.... Will remove you from the list of higher risk drugs. Hm." Aramis considered. "Follow me." He finally decided, and turned on his heel to begin walking towards the main barracks structure. "I can take you through some rooms. Give you some ideas."

[Yuna Xiao]

Yuna looked playfully into the Captain's sleepy and heavily bagged eyes with her hands behind her back, "It was easy-peasy! I looked for the MOST tired looking, but not the one that seems the most tired, and the fact that your Reiatsu is just a little bit sharper than the others, plus everyone else would be too focused on their own work but a Captain might be interested in who is working~ Besides, who else would be so aware of me after going through the entrance? The Squad 12 Captain surely isn't the kind of man who would be uninformed about who comes and goes in his own home? What kind of investigator would I be if I couldn't even glean a Captain from a herd of mooks!? Oh, but I'm not here to investigate anything, of course, Scout's honour!" She was thrilled that the Captain was so easygoing and nonchalant about her intrusion. "Please, I would love to see what you  have to offer!" "Heck yeah, I'm in! I wonder if a sentient coffee maker produces sentient coffee? or maybe it's a case of 'I have no filter and I must percolate'? The girl follows along with the Captain, a bit disappointed that she didn't get to see Aramis in his badass haori but satisfied she did deduce his identity. 

[Aramis Tezuka]

If Aramis had any mental or emotional response to Yuna's playful demeanor it did not show openly. "A fair assessment for other Divisions, but in the Twelfth we do not judge each other on combat ability alone. My reiatsu is slightly above average, but among those considered among the Captain, or even Vice Captain class, I am not particularly powerful. My talents lay elsewhere." Aramis informed her. "It is, however, part of my duties to inspect the other projects of the division and ensure that they are progressing appropriately." When Yuna added she wasn't here to investigate anything Aramis simply looked at her. "That's what the last one said too. Then we found them trying to make an arrest." He added. There wasn't any humor, anger or even annoyance in his voice. His tone was nice and even and gave away little of the thoughts of the mind behind it. He was also delightfully vague on what had happened to the officer trying to make the arrest afterward.

Aramis passed through the front doors of the Barracks and gave a nod at the two Shinigami manning the front desk. "Hello Captain!" A peppy voice rang out from one as a young looking woman with vibrant green hair tied up in pigtails and a surgical mask waved enthusiastically from her post. "Back from your rounds? Welcome back! Gen-chan came through earlier today wanting to get your input on his project! And I taught Pepper a new trick!" Aramis simply acknowledged the Shinigami with a look, and then kept on walking. While the 12th Division certainly had a number of dedicated labs for experiments and the barracks should ideally have been for both office space as well as training areas (science or not, the Gotei 13 was still a military division and even in the twelfth division some minimum expectations of combat effectiveness were necessary), in practice many of the rooms were still used for running projects and experiments. But Aramis wasn't going to the labs, or to any of the training rooms. He was headed straight down the hall, where a large circular dais lay near the end, at a large four way intersection. The dais had a console in the middle at about the height of a desk. Aramis stepped up onto the dais, and then looked back at Yuna to do the same.

Once Yuna was onboard, he pressed his hand to the console, and his reiatsu flickered. This seemed to communicate a message through it, for the next moment, the dais they were on began to rise up. It appeared Squad 12 had elevators. "Preference for field tests?" He asked Yuna as the two of them ascended. "Division 12 works on every form of project imaginable. Weaponry, defensive equipment, stealth gear, communications, interrogation, infiltration, and other forms." He told her. "You seem ill suited to working with more stationary projects. I will not suggest those. But be clear with ideas. If you can consider it, it is likely that we of the twelfth have considered it as well." He noted. "This applies to specialized equipment as well. Considering we have produced weapons for the 11th division specifically designed to combat Hollows and Arrancar. Could potentially devise specifically anti-Shinigami measures as well." Aramis paused at that. "That research tends to be strongly restricted by the Central 46. Overseen closely by Onmitsukido agents. Unfortunate."

When the elevator stopped, it appeared that they had risen about three floors. From the outside the barracks had only appeared to be three floors high, barring the lab towers, so it was safe to say they were on the top level. There was surprisingly little here. There wasn't even a hallway. They had emerged into a dimly lit, large room. Approximately six cameras slowly rotated on the room's ceilings, and each of the cameras appeared to have some manner of weapon affixed to its head that resembled a Human World firearm. The floor also seemed somewhat different here, with a strange pattern shown on it. A low hum could be heard from below. There were a total of four large double doors in this larger space. Aramis, however, wasted no time and began to proceed towards one of the double doors which were painted onyx black. This certainly no longer resembled a traditional Japanese dwelling anymore. Once through the door, the room expanded into a large office. The office was broken into two parts. The section they were in was covered in what looked like expensive lab equipment and computer systems. Ahead of them, the room was divided by a raised floor, upon which sat a very large desk, covered with paperwork, and numerous computer monitors. "My office." Aramis stated, as he strode forwards, his motion unbroken.

"Now, did you have any ideas?" He asked, as he walked toward his desk.

[Yuna Xiao]

She looked somewhat embarrassed to have made such a rookie mistake as to forget that Twelfth Division is in general not going to have strong members. Did she sense something else and make a lucky guess perhaps? Yuna would certainly have to improve her sensing capabilities if she cannot detect even a Captain. She him once more and realised that she might have just been reading too much into what she was seeing and jumping to conclusions. She figuratively shrugs it off and sets that thought aside for now. "Then what are your talents? dissection; engineering; genetics; or something else entirely?" She would chuckle at his rebuttal to her fellow Squad 7 investigator falling prey to their machinations "I doubt if Youji-sensei were serious about opening a case against your Squad he would send merely an Unseated Officer with barely a month in uniform. I'm not even some prodigy to say that would be his justification. Is it too implausible to accept raw curiosity? Surely a scholar such as yourself can appreciate the drive for knowledge and passion to learn~" 

Eventually she got to the desk with the Captain and she smiled politely at the woman, naturally a pang of wonder crossed her mind trying to imagine what this 'Pepper' was knowing it could be that sentient coffee maker for all she knows. As Aramis pretty much just ignored the lady and strolled past Yuna was struck in a bit of shock, eyes darting between the man and the woman and allowing him to get ahead by a few steps before she catches her mind and returns to his side. "Damn, Captain, do you give all of your troops the could shoulder? I wouldn't be offended if you so much as said 'hi' to your friends or subordinates, or maybe it's not because of me? You eggheads sure are a strange bunch."
Yuna continued on forward into the depths of the building taking in at how multipurpose every singe square metre was like it were a military submarine. She briefly wondered if Aramis was right and she should have joined Squad 12 instead but perished the thought as she knew her heart desired the path of justice considerably more than science. 

Standing in place upon the elevator she marveled at its unique design and method of activation - this place sure was huge compared to her barracks. "Do you - nay, you certainly do have - then, may I have something that can get me to be undetectable through Reiatsu or even other means? I'll field test anything, really. I am also looking for ways to increase my strength, either permanently or temporarily." 
As the elevator stopped at its destination she was able to get a good view of Aramis' office. To call it awesome would be an understatement: this was the most fantastic and coolest office of the entire Gotei, she thought! Even the Captain-Commander doesn't have an office with such magnificence. "Holy shit! This place is ridiculously cool!" Yuna exclaimed, wide-eyed. Eventually she sat down in front of his desk, still looking around in awe "...Yeah, I had a few. Oh, I also need something that can turn people into rodents and other small fauna..."

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis gave Yuna a long stare as she asked what his talents were. Well, to be fair, he’d been giving her that look since he met her. It seemed to be his default expression. Still, the silence served to make it a bit awkward for a moment or two. ”Knowledge.” Aramis replied simply. He did not elaborate. He didn’t feel the need to. Aramis, like most of the division, had his quirks (besides the obvious). But when dealing with people from outside the division? He was one to be quite on the quiet side. But, for obvious reasons—there were few in the Division that knew more about the makeup of the Shinigami body than Aramis did. And fewer still that could match his know-how about the inner workings of Hell denizens. Though granted, Aramis had something of an unfair advantage on that last part.

Yuna tried to justify her response and Aramis still gave her that look. ”Could be lying.” Aramis replied. ”Do not have your records on hand. Do not particularly need to know when you joined. Simple enough to lie about such things.” Aramis stated. ”If lying about your purpose here, could be lying about other things. No matter.” Yuna’s last statements… well they didn’t win Aramis over, but he had already decided he was going to admit Yuna either way, so they made little difference. ”Squad 12 is different from most divisions. Most other divisions are only interested in learning how to injure others better. We do that as well. But we learn other things besides that.” Aramis critiqued as he walked.

While Yuna seemed shocked at how Aramis responded to his greeter, the greeter herself wasn’t, as she seemed to still be beaming cheerily through her surgical mask. ”The Division knows me well enough. I know them well enough. I don’t need to exchange empty pleasantries every time I pass them.” Aramis stated. ”Erika is friendly. Comfortable with strangers. Like a labradoodle puppy. Useful skill. It’s why she has her post at the front when she isn’t doing research.” Aramis stated simply.

As Yuna began asking about devices, Aramis seemed somewhat disinterested again. ”Developed stealth camouflage for Second Division assignments already. Working on improving design, but at present is suitably effective. Considered low priority. Difficult to make meaningful improvements—individuals able to penetrate current stealth camouflage technology, would be able to bypass most upgrades, making upgrades largely pointless.” He noted. ”Concealing reiatsu is simple enough. Developed techniques for that long ago. Application of Seki-Seki stone into ones uniform suppresses one’s reiatsu. It does result in subject being weakened if exposed for long periods of time, but if nondetection is their objective, this is largely irrelevant.” He noted.

As far as Yuna’s strength went though… ”My predecessor worked on several drugs to bring out a Shinigami’s inner strength. Project was largely discontinued after repeated attacks by Segunda Espada resulted in defeats or demise of all test subjects. Also, carried several side effects. Results were inconclusive, due to injuries sustained during battle, but due to taxing effects on self, subjects spent significant time in 4th Division following use of drugs, and some permanently lost their abilities, due to overstressing their spirit energy.” Aramis looked at Yuna closely to see her reaction to this. ”Could resume research into field. Also working on combat suits.” He noted.

At last they came to his office, and Yuna’s praise largely fell on deaf ears. ”Flattery is unnecessary. One’s office reflects ones focus. My focus is my research.” Aramis told her. ”I can review division from here most of the time.” If someone knew how anyways. It wasn’t the sort of thing that most people would be able to access without Aramis’s help, so the division was still generally pretty safe from people poking their noses into the 12ths affairs. But Yuna didn’t seem to be there to do that today at least.

At Yuna’s last request Aramis seemed to contemplate for awhile. ”Minor research done into field. Not common field of research. Reorganizing one’s reishi structure is easy enough. However. Subjects did not usually survive experience. Also was considered impractical. Large apparatus and compliant or restrained subject was required, as process took several minutes.” He stated. ”Shihoin family seems to be familiar with more efficient use of the technique. But family is quite reserved about secrets. Have refused to divulge information. In addition, considering Shihoins have usually operated in stealth operations, few chances to observe technique in practice.” He stated. ”You are welcome to collect data for us to use on this.”

”If so interested in developing technology, why did you join the 7th?” Aramis asked. ”Curiosity is not prized in other divisions as it is here.” He added. ”Furthermore. Apparel suggests leaning toward second division or Onmitsukido. Uncertain why you would have chosen the 7th division to be your division of choice. Nothing there but obstruction, and pointless pride.” Aramis criticized.

[Yuna Xiao]

Yuna gently snickers at the cheesy response to Aramis' realm of expertise. "Knowledge, eh? Don't be too specific now, Captain. Ah well, I suppose it cannot be helped when you are the man responsible for all scientific endeavours of the afterlife. Throughout my time here in the Soul Society, perhaps there may be some opportunity for your 'knowledge' to percolate down through to me, as I am eager to learn and grow not only as a Shinigami but as a soul as well." Yuna briefly smiled toward him but didn't really expend any energy in being overly friendly with a man who clearly spends his own focused on anything else. She placed her right hand upon her hip while managing to remain unbothered by his absent staring -- after all, he wasn't Wycliff so she could be confident he wasn't thinking anything lewd. 

"Lying..." Yuna repeated the Captain's word. "Oh I absolutely could be lying. You could be lying to be as well, but I hesitate to hold to any hope that a mere fledgling like myself could outwit a man of such vast wisdom as yourself in a game of silver tongues." Yuna said as much but deeply she did actually believe she could make such an attempt some day even if it's not for any nefarious means, the raw challenge was all the justification she needed. 

Yuna followed along as he walked-and-critiqued where she mentally paused at the concept that every other  Squad only cared about improving methods to harm others. She did not take any offense to it, of course, it was true to an extent. But Yuna still felt as though it were a narrow perspective to take; not only were they a military organisaation, but without great periods of peace there simply was not any urgency in pursuing other avenues of research and development. "... Yeah, I can't argue with you there," Yuna deflected, knowing that Aramis is not going to change his position easily, at least not right now.
The Captain explained that the relationship among his peers are very comfortable and that they don't spend much time on pleasantries which Yuna thought was a boring response but a fact of business. 

She crosses her arms just under her bust and held her chin with one hand in a few moments of thought while she listened to the Captain answer her questions. "So stealth innovations do exist. It's brilliantly simple and yet incredibly useful for a member of Squad 7, but I could probably just train myself to be as effective."
Returning to a more relaxed posture as she looks at Aramis while walking, she continues to listen. Her eyes squint in a pang of surprise that there was such dangerous research being performed, but she immediately squashed any doubt by reminding herself that drastic research is necessary to overcome some severe threats, and that this Division is usually led by insane psychopaths if the stereotype is true.  As long as the subjects were voluntary, Yuna concluded internally, then she had no moral quandary with such research. 
Her expression changed to that of an introspective determination as she contemplated the reality of the Captain's next few words. "A tremendous personal risk... Super drugs, and even combat suits? To what end? So that we can exterminate more efficiently? So that we can fill our egos as 'gods' of death? I daresay it is tempting." Yuna pauses for a few contemplative moments. "I am already dead and I wish to serve the Soul Society as best as I can. As much of a fool as I am for taking such risks, I am satisfied with being a fool that has executed the first tenat of being a Shinigami: one must be prepared to sacrifice their life for the future of all. If that means I participate in dangerous research then so be it." Yuna stops dead in her tracks in front of the office and looks into Aramis' eyes with a serious focus. "I will help you continue your Division's research into these drugs, and I would happily test out these combat suits as well." 
The girl realises she thickened the air with a hefty dose of her demanour and relaxes, "please, if that is acceptable to you, sir." She continues forth into the office as the door is opened by him. 

"Right. You care not for compliments or derision. Still, I am thoroughly impressed by everything here. "
She leaned upon the desk with her backside and slowly perused the environment visually, making sure to take in every single detail as much as possible. "Once again there are risks. This time this is not just my risk but someone else's... Nevertheless, if I would requisition the Shihoin family's aid in this matter then so be it. No secret they hide is so obfuscated that I could never uncover. And besides, I have been desiring their services to help me train and hone my skills. This is just a convenient excuse and helps us both out, so I will absolutely help you collect data on the subject of animal transformation." 

She stood upright and stretched her arms out in a thoughtful pause before bringing them to her sides. "I had several years to make my decision and I continually re-evaluated whether or not it was the best choice for me to join the Seventh Division.  Yeah, you're certainly correct in your assessment that intellectually, I'd be more satisfied with your Division, and talent-wise I am suitable more for the Onmistukido. Each and every time I envisioned myself in a particular Division I had to truly mentally entrench myself there. Were I fighting the right cause? Were I operating along the best people? Were I embodying their values? And could I live there for hundreds or thousands of years. For every instance, I would see myself growing tired of some element, feeling stifled, or even deceitful to myself and others. When I was alive, I had always acted selflessly. My father fought for justice, but justice was just an excuse for me. The Seventh Division is more than that. It is about seeking out the truth, balancing the destinies of wrongdoers, and keeping the Soul Society integrity as a bastion for the future of both humanity and the afterlife. Sure, I am probably incredibly naive in my perspective and looking at this as a puppy would to its master.  I still assuage any doubt in my heart by knowing that even if I learn I am wrong, I am still carrying out the duty of my Division by digging eternally into the depths of this realm. Nobody will stop me from carrying out my purpose here." Yuna lightly sighs, her gaze drifting as she spoke but then returning to meet Aramis' cool glazed eyes. 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis didn't rise at Yuna's teasing of his non-specific answer, but seemed to be unaware that Yuna's statement about his knowledge passing down to her was rhetorical. "Perhaps if you associate with the division enough you will pick up some things, yes. I encourage exchange of ideas here and the division members seem to enjoy that." He admitted, before addressing Yuna's commentary on lying. "It is not the elder, wise rabbit that avoids the fox because a fox has since grown familiar with how rabbits flee, and knows best how to answer them. The fox's most difficult quarry is the young rabbit that has not the experience to know the best ways to escape, and so confuses the predator." Aramis replied.

"To what end? So that we can exterminate more efficiently? So that we can fill our egos as 'gods' of death?"

Aramis almost smiled. Or one could say he did, the flicker of momentary amusement in his eyes was basically what passed for an Aramis smile, as it seemed to him, she was throwing back his words about other divisions only learning how to hurt others back in his face. Whether deliberate or accidental, it amused Aramis. "Soul Society is a military. We have many enemies. If an enemy succeeds in defeating us... no more research." Aramis replied. "As such, defensive and offensive developments of considerable importance, as is bolstering capabilities of Shinigami." Aramis paused for a moment. "I mentioned earlier that I considered other Squads only working on how better to injure others. Technically true. Does not mean I undervalue their contributions. Ability to fight is very important. However. Even in Soul Society, there needs to exist a place for people who want to practice more than simple sword swinging and punching and kicking, besides Medical division."


As they came about the discussion of stealth inventions Aramis nodded. "Could design stealth camo suit for your purposes. Can be expensive for non-Squad 2 or Onmitsukido officers, but you could afford a personal one in the future if you require one. If further developments in stealth come to mind, will keep you in mind for test subject." As he spoke, Aramis procured what looked similar to a tablet from his desk and started inputting information on it, making notes regarding the new Squad 7 officer and her requests and volunteering of her services. "Rare we receive such willing volunteers. Commendable. Despite your statement as to risking your life, there's no need to risk the life of such a willing test subject needlessly. Attitudes like that should be fostered and rewarded." Aramis replied. Although Aramis came off as detached, and led a squad known for being headed by people who were a little unstable, Aramis approached everything with a certain level of pragmatism. If you killed all your willing volunteers, pretty soon you didn't have any willing volunteers. Not that there was never a zero risk scenario, but Aramis did at least try to mitigate it unless absolutely necessary. "Maybe one day when you have developed we will attempt more dangerous tests, when we believe you can handle them."

And with that, Aramis moved on. "As far as the drug experiments and stimuli, I have not touched my father's research on that matter in some time. Will need to re-evaluate them, and make improvements before doing so. Will contact you when they are completed. Was an excellent idea for increasing Soul Society's fighting capability, and only sidelined due to limited interest after repeated failures. However. Considering who those failures were to... perhaps understandable."

Aramis listened then to Yuna express why she had ultimately chosen the Seventh over another division. "Hmm. A pity. Such thorough thought process further reinforces belief." Aramis replied. "Truth is rarely objective. And most objective truths are mundane." But Yuna did concede that she was being perhaps a bit naive. "Either way. Standing invitation. You have correct temperament for division. Would probably get along well with Erika." He agreed, before making a few more notes on his tablet before sliding it back into his desk. "In that case, for testing procedures. Describe your abilities. Strengths. Weaknesses. Where you believe you stand relative to other Shinigami of your rank and tenure." Aramis instructed her.

[Yuna Xiao]

Yuna acknowledges him with a head-nod. "I'll keep your invitation in my proverbial back pocket, thank you, Captain. I get along well with Kaen-sensei and my other officers so I would not hold my breath waiting for me to show up at your stoop but who knows how the wind will blow but the Soul King himself. " She scratched her head while contemplating what to tell Aramis next. "I am such a nascent recruit I would scarcely say I have ANY strengths or abilities! I suppose I am fairly adept in my agility and acrobatics, I have a grasp of close-quarters-combat, and I can handle myself in severe situations requiring strength of courage and spirit. Buuuut everything else is something I am lacking in - Way of Binding, and Destruction, limited-at-best physical strength, low Spiritual Pressure, negligible knowledge in advanced skills... I could go on. However, I would say I am - eh -" she tilts her head inquisitively, "about on par with any other unseated Shinigami. I would even say that I could spar with a seated officer of maybe eighteenth rank or higher given the right matchup! Does that information suffice, sir?"

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis nodded. "Understandable. A pity." He replied. "Presuming you stay cooperative, will make note for officers to treat you with more acceptance, since you show interest all the same." He continued. As Yuna explained her abilities further Aramis took note. "Could have predicted as much based off of attire. Reminiscent of Onmitsukido." He added. "Certainly possess spirit. Hypothesis: Spirit is result of naivete and inexperience. Will have to see if you retain it in a few years. Presuming you are not eaten by a Hollow or shot by a Quincy." Aramis commented, almost idly.

Her comment about being able to confront a seated officer gave Aramis pause. "Curious. High expectations of self. Would arrange a sparring match to allow you to prove it, but all seated officers in the twelfth are busy with their own projects right now. Minus our seventh and fourth seats who are currently overseeing lesser officer's projects. Also 11th seat who is currently in a meeting in First Division. And Ninth Seat who is currently incapacitated in squad four, after an unavoidable accident involving development of high yield explosive weapons." Aramis stated in such a matter-of-fact tone that it would be easy to suggest that he didn't care about the apparent maiming of one of his own officers. "Fortunately, am told he will make a full recovery." Aramis considered for a moment. "If you are truly interested in helping, would advise you to pick up one of our Ocular Lens. Although developed for Squad 3, is highly useful for research purposes, especially unexpected anomalies." Aramis added. "Will still have to charge full cost, but if you save up you should be able to afford it. In the interim, wishing you fortune for your attempts to unveil secrets of the Shihoin house." Aramis added. "Appreciate your patronage and assistance either way. Any other details or information I can assist with?"

[Yuna Xiao]

Sept 2, 2020 18:00:20 GMT -5 Aramis Tezuka said:

Aramis nodded. "Understandable. A pity." He replied. "Presuming you stay cooperative, will make note for officers to treat you with more acceptance, since you show interest all the same." He continued. As Yuna explained her abilities further Aramis took note. "Could have predicted as much based off of attire. Reminiscent of Onmitsukido." He added. "Certainly possess spirit. Hypothesis: Spirit is result of naivete and inexperience. Will have to see if you retain it in a few years. Presuming you are not eaten by a Hollow or shot by a Quincy." Aramis commented, almost idly.

Her comment about being able to confront a seated officer gave Aramis pause. "Curious. High expectations of self. Would arrange a sparring match to allow you to prove it, but all seated officers in the twelfth are busy with their own projects right now. Minus our seventh and fourth seats who are currently overseeing lesser officer's projects. Also 11th seat who is currently in a meeting in First Division. And Ninth Seat who is currently incapacitated in squad four, after an unavoidable accident involving development of high yield explosive weapons." Aramis stated in such a matter-of-fact tone that it would be easy to suggest that he didn't care about the apparent maiming of one of his own officers. "Fortunately, am told he will make a full recovery." Aramis considered for a moment. "If you are truly interested in helping, would advise you to pick up one of our Ocular Lens. Although developed for Squad 3, is highly useful for research purposes, especially unexpected anomalies." Aramis added. "Will still have to charge full cost, but if you save up you should be able to afford it. In the interim, wishing you fortune for your attempts to unveil secrets of the Shihoin house." Aramis added. "Appreciate your patronage and assistance either way. Any other details or information I can assist with?"

"Don't pity a kitty, Captain~ We've all got our talents, goals, and roads to walk." She flashed him a coy look and a smirk. Was Yuna already this comfortable around such high ranking officers? Surely this one cared little for one's behaviour and more for their output of data and ability to produce results. It did give her pause to consider just how far Tezuka-sama could be pushed and still be permitted to conduct research or well, to live. 
"Hey, now!" Yuna frowned at his rather jaded retort "spirit is like a torch! Even in the harshest of winds with enough supply of fuel to burn it will continue to shine!" Perhaps so she told herself. But such flowery rhetoric won't convince the man who has seen more people die from random accidents alone than she has ever seen get killed for any reason. "Of course I have high expectations--I am a member of Squad Seven! We do not foster average Shinigami and I will never settle for less than being the best. Sharper than you, faster than Kimiko Shihoin-sama, stronger than Youji-sensei. It may take me ten generations but I will forge that path!" She knew she was getting ahead of herself by putting the horse before the carriage but she did not care for how silly she sounded, that was her credo full stop. She listened to how all of his officers were indisposed and at the way that their leader callously spoke of their condition as if they were drones or even less than that. "Fortunately, a recovery? Yeah, fortunately for your damn data." But at this point the poor girl was not surprised at this man's unique and strong view of others. A soldier AND a scientist is lucky to have emotions and feelings at all.  
"Sure, I'll gladly purchase one for you and for our mutual interests, Captain. Besides, surely it'll come in handy elsewise. Thanks for the good-luck! I'll need it going up against a noble house! What a fun challenge that is gonna be, heh..." Yuna did not need to convince herself. Succeed or fail, this was a prime opportunity to learn much about this world and its people, test her skills, and curry some favour from the upper echelons of the Seireitei. Or it could land her in the Shin'ōchikadaikangoku.
"Eh... No, I believe that's everything for now. I will figure the rest out on my own. Thank you for all your help, Captain."