Blazing Ambitions, Freezing Darkness

[Arcadus]

Participants:[/u] [Espada and Espada Adjecent] Who can participate?

Threat Level:[/u] [NDE] NDE, DP, or DE?


Arcadus looked out over the meeting room, pacing, his strides making short work of the length of the table. He had come here early to ensure familiarity with his setting, to understand and contemplate the weight and importance of his words and actions here. From what he understood, he would be meeting the entirety of the Espada here, what was left of them anyway. Kouhai's decision to make him Espada Tres was interesting to say the least, but definitely something he could spin in order to endear himself to the other members. As for how he'd deal with the duties, few as they were, was another matter.

Kouhai had told him "to do his will", but as for what and how, those were left outside of the spoken words by his new liege. The meeting was brief, after he had brutalized the Cuatro Espada he had made his case, at least to Kouhai, that he was strong enough to sit at this table. The fight was exhilarating, though Arcadus felt more that his victory was more the result of clashing and countering abilities than the "strength" that was so lauded in the Espada. The Arrancar's martial arts had proved ineffective and his bugs singed to a crisp, but even then he would have destroyed many of the foes Arcadus had struggled against. Perhaps there was a reason to that, that what was meant by strength was instead martial and magical variety and tactical reserves.

But that wouldn't make sense for the thing he met. Kouhai was raw power, overwhelming physical and spiritual might, something that couldn't be approached. It wasn't the result of deadly and refined techniques or some secret of combat mastered away from the eyes of anyone living. So strength to Kouhai had to be raw power, but perhaps the purpose of the Espada wasn't to just emulate Kouhai. Perhaps it was instead to fill in the gaps and to be a reserve of unusual and unexpected powers, hard to predict and impossible to counter in their entirety.

He'd know more if, when, he saw his fellows. Then he would know what Kouhai valued in his generals and prized warriors. He'd heard rumors about the current espada, invincible monsters and diligent strategists. But trice over he had heard stories of previous espada, who had left and gone, disappeared into the sands of Heuco Mundo. He wondered about them, where they had gone and what would become of them, and him, if they returned. Would they be loyal? Would the current members leave in their place? And what of those below him? Fraccions had proved themselves useful soldiers but poor warriors, dutiful in formations and in squads. Perhaps that as well was their purpose, to be an army rather than a horde. Time and adversity would tell.

[Lagos Oscuras]

If the Espada were to anything to go by, Lagos would interpret them as the strongest. Not necessarily the most loyal, nor were they particularly united in any way. They were measured indeed, as Arcadus speculated. Power. The reason why such was considered acceptable was also as Arcadus speculated. Kouhai was not approachable by any of their rankings, even if the ten of them were to face him together. Though Lagos was uncertain if their existence was to enforce his order, or more so for his amusement. Frankly, Lagos didn't care. She never did, and likely never would delude herself to such an extent.

As she entered in the room, her malicious blue eyes seemed indifferent. She walked with an upright posture, her hands neatly behind her back, pale white skin, and hair as white as silver stopping by her shoulder in a rush made pony tail. She spoke little in these meetings, and she had little care for her peers, and the only respect she had for them was the matter that they were as strong as she was, or at least had the potential to be of challenge to her. The latter of which was more so true for the Septima, Ailene Haschiro.

Of all the Espada that were to gather, they would find that Lagos sat at the near end of the table, as far away from the head as possible without sitting across from Kouhai's own. Of which the very end was undoubtedly reserved for Cain, Espada number ten. As she sat, she rested her elbows along the tabletop, crossing her hands as she rested her head neatly along them. Her fox skull like mask rested, as if it were but a helm, but it seemed to have as much facial expression as she did, for it seemed dull, lifeless.

She frankly didn't know what this meeting was about, or for, but she would simply wait, listen, and potentially move on from such an endeavor when dismissed. Lagos had more important things to do, at least as far as she was concerned as one of the newest of the Espada. She had yet to raise or recruit a proper army, nor even begin indoctrinating such to her rankings. She had yet to establish a portion of territory that was suitable to call her own as of yet. She had yet to come to peace with the idea her own master was gone.

However, her eyes momentarily paused as she looked ahead...Her cerulean eyes seemed to focus in on Arcadus. For a moment, she felt a loss of composure. As she flared her Reiatsu, and a sickly and monstrous looking fox aura seemed to hover behind her, growling its fangs for him to witness. This was the man who dared called himself the fourth. To dare call himself the one to defeat Shikihitsuko-Sama. Lagos honestly had small moments of question on why she still obsessed over her former master who rejected and admittedly despised her. Yet, she was in fact fascinated by this prospective foe.

This was the man who claimed to have defeated him to replace him. The man she had deemed once worthy of sitting on the throne of Las Noches. She swiftly lowers her head and slowly shakes it in her palm. She would lay in place for now, remain solemn, and be cunning, as a fox should. If and when the opportunity would arise, she might confront this new found fourth, and if and when it did? She would kill him. She would release rapture, her malice, her disdain then. Only then. While Kouhai may acknowledge this new man, Lagos knew one thing deep down in her soul and heart.

She would never recognize him as anything more than a false usurper. 

[Arcadus]

Arcadus glanced at the white haired creature that was first to arrive, another arrancar. Their disgust was apparent with him, from their eyes to thier sneer. They carried themselves with a warriors spirit, the tied arrogance and pride all to apparent. They had attempted to intimidate him, to flex their aura in preparation for combat, to weaken his resolve. That wouldn't do. Turning, hands in his pockets, in a relaxed stance, practically leaning back, Arcadus flexed his own aura, a purple haze begining to form around him, his jacket fluttering around his musculature. The black and red of his outfit growing to match the cloud, he knew aggression and bluster where what this person had in mind, and it might have worked if their Rieatsu had compared to his. 

He could only guess why they had such hatred for him, but noticing their receding of their initial display, relented slightly. 

"Who might you be, and why so aggressive before we even know each other?" The sickly sweet words practically oozed from his chiseled face. 

[Serraph Quarrere]

Kouhai had stirred. Since his time living within Las Noches's protective dome, he had not felt that overwhelming presence so much as leave that building. Upon first taking step into his palace, he knew that ever present weight was the real deal, but after a while he had become to be numbed to the presence. Most Espada are given the number by Kouhai himself, but Serraph had taken it and brought into the fold. He had the job of Sexta before he even knew where his palace was, so why bother the High Lord himself anywho?

Serraph shrugged idly to himself, tapping his cane, its tip trailing along the cracks and crevices of the heavy granite tiling leading him to the meeting chambers. Truth be told it would be the first time setting his feet here and meeting with more than one Espada at a time. It was exciting, to be honest. Still, he couldn't help feel reserved about the idea, although it is essential to the organization. He had noticed nearly a complete reorganization of the Espada's members save for a few.

Word around the grape vine told the Sexta that the Tercera slot had been filled but the Cuatra slot had been lost. It is a shame to lose such high ranking members of this glorious army, but it is par for the course. Espada come, are used, and move on in one way or another. Serraph would not meet this fate, oh no. He would survive. One would call this method, Cowardice, but in reality he is simply making a tactical retreat. Life is too precious to be wasted. Serraph sipped tiredly at his coffee.

"Speak of the she-devil and she shall...", he'd mutter feeling a fierce flex of reiatsu from.... the Noveno. He stopped and tilted his head, trying to remember who exactly that was. "Hmn that one had a recent change right? Noveno moved up to Septima and then the Noveno was filled by.... oh, damn, Ser Shiki's servant girl.", he'd sigh, hooking his cane into his belt and slipping that hand over his mug. It would be a shame to spill and make a mess of this beautifully crafted hall.

With a loud burst of static he disappeared from sight, and appeared in the meeting room behind the steaming Espada, casually cooling her off with the gust of wind that followed his entry. "Ah, Ser Oscuras, I pray you won't waste your potential so readily now." He'd step from behind Lagos to what he'd assume would be his seat on the right side, flanked by the Octava's (Ser Beast) and Cuatro's (Ser Empty) seat while sitting opposite of the Septima (Ser Ailene). He'd sip from his mug and deposit it down by his seat. Not a drop was spilt.

"You arn't the only one who mourns from the passing of Ser Shiki'. He was powerful as he was wise, and he very much enjoyed what audiobooks I could procure for him from my collection." He'd muse with a hint of pride, sifting back the mess of scarlet hair that had hung over his eyes from that display of speed. His eyes, one white and one red, looked down upon her in both disappointment and hopes that she'd move on from such messy ordeals. "Pray don't let his memory be tainted by your shadowed heart."

He'd turn towards the new Espada. "Ser Arcadus, I take it?", he'd ask bowing slowly and gracefully at the hip. "I am the Sexta Espada, Serraph Quarrere, Lord Librarian of this great city, Los Noches." He'd rise from his position his hand gripping the white, well ironed slacks he used for his uniform. As they were on Espada business, he wore his plain white jacket that cut off at his fairly toned midriff as if to show off the jagged "6" located on his left side.

"Congratulations on your inclusion to our order. May we continue to grow in strength and lead this realm to prosperity."

[Ailene Haschiro]

Within the hallowed hall that was Ailene's quarters, the rustling of books, the clinging of cups and the howl of boiling water could be heard. The Espada would be rushing around the expansive room to collect the necessities. The satchel that she normally filled strictly with her books and other useful tools would contain several cups, a book for her own reading pleasure along with her electric water cooker. It was quite the nifty device that she had picked up in the Human world a while ago. It certainly had its benefit although she got to share it very rarely with others. The last time she used her nifty little device before today was to share a cup of tea with the Akki, Orobas. 

She and presumably the other Espada had been summoned by their lord. There were rumors of a new Espada being appointed recently. One to fill the empty spot of Tres Espada. This was the opportunity to not only meet the new face, but meet with her other fellow Espada. Of course she had also heard that someone had recently taken on the title of Noveno Espada. Ailene was sure that this was Lagos. After all, she had given her personal recommendation to Lord Kouhai himself for Lagos to take the position. After all, she would move on to new heights and ascend to the position of Septima Espada. She had to admit, there was something nice about not being the runt of the litter for lack of better words. 

When she finished collecting all her things, Ailene slung the slightly heavier satchel over her shoulder as she breathed out quietly. It would be interesting to meet the others. For now she had to make her way their first. As she left her domain, Ailene would begin slowly making her way to the meeting room of the Espada. Walking at a slow pace, Ailene took liberty in enjoying the pale moonlight that shone everywhere above the canopy of Las Noches. As she neared the room, she picked up on something. Sure, her ability to sense energy was mildly more difficult but there were two clear sources of Hollow reiatsu in the direction of the meeting room. 

Ailene sighed to herself for a moment as she silently muttered to herself. "It seems we can never go a day without being at each others throats for the few times that we find each other..." After the sigh and comment, she paused for moment. As her breathing relaxed once more she, with confidence, made her way into the meeting hall. The other Arrancar aside, Ailene had some admiration for the simplicity of the hall. A set of about eleven chairs surrounding a long table. Immediately she saw the sources of the reiatsu. Lagos and another Arrancar who she presumed to be Arcadus due to the pressure she was feeling from him. Ailene did not necessarily make herself announced. As such it likely made it harder to recognize Ailene as an Espada besides her white garments even though they were modeled more after a scholars' or even mages' robes. 

Since Ailene sealed most of her ability into her Zanpakutou, she would seem unnaturally weak for an Espada if anyone got a read on her energy. Accustomed to the infighting that was common for Espada, Ailene made her way to the seat which was designated as hers. With it, she would find herself next to Lagos' seat and across from Serraph. Speaking of which, Serraph was not a face that she had seen around, but she certainly heard a little about him. As she sat down, she quietly listened to the ensuing discussion. "You arn't the only one who mourns from the passing of Ser Shiki'. He was powerful as he was wise, and he very much enjoyed what audiobooks I could procure for him from my collection."

Ailene chuckled a little before she blinked at the mention of Shiki. She had of course mentioned the Espada to Lagos instinctively. In truth, she barely remembered Shiki. Not due to his disappearance, but due to the amnesia that she suffered from. For a moment as she thought about Shiki, she felt something. If she had to put a word to it, it would have been safety. Shiki had infiltrated the Soul Society a long time ago to retrieve Ailene. This was a memory that Ailene unfortunately could not access. For now, she decided to dismiss the feeling and focused on Shiki's supposed fondness of audiobooks. Was there a certain humanity to the Espada like with her? She was not sure. 

As Serraph turned to the nameless Arrancar, Ailene would have her suspicion confirmed. "Ser Arcadus, I take it? I am the Sexta Espada, Serraph Quarrere, Lord Librarian of this great city, Los Noches." As he rose from his seat and gave a courteous bow, Ailene took immediate interest. He was quite the gentleman. For now, Ailene would simply unpack her porcelain cups as well as her water heater. As Serraph finished, Ailene spoke in her gentle and soothing tone. "Admittedly I have no true opinion on Lord Shikitsuhiko myself. I can hardly recall a thing about him, but that is neither here nor now." Ailene referred to Shiki as lord more so out of respect and courtesy. 

Putting out a set of four porcelain cups for now, Ailene began to take the water cooker, her Hierro protecting her delicate skin. With a smile, she was pouring one of her favorites. Camomile tea. As the tea drizzled into each cup, filling it as the steam rose, Ailene smiled at each and every Espada in the room. She would continue in her soothing voice. "What I know we have here are heated tensions. The best way to amend those I find is to relax. I find that a cup of tea can certainly help with that." She chuckled as she gently pushed three cups of tea, one for each Espada besides herself. "Oh forgive my manners. Ailene Haschiro, Septima Espada. Please to make your acquaintance." 

[Deleted]

Taking a deep breath, Camila followed down the winding paths of Las Noches in order to arrive in a destination she'd been to fairly recently. For the time being, she'd been bunking with Ailene while awaiting her response from Lord Kouhai himself. She'd been taking to referencing him with respect as well, thanks to Ailene's help. At this point, it was something she did without thinking about. Hell, thanks to one hell of a tailor she'd talked to in the Human World, she'd even been able to don the same white robes that most Arrancar opted to wear. Naturally hers was somewhat unique in comparison to the Arrancar, as even amongst them they were unique to themselves. Hers was rather simple, long sleeves, long pants, and completely closed; almost to a form-fitting point.

The last few days had certainly been interesting for her, to say the least. After having completed her own journey to reach Las Noches and meeting with Lord Kouhai, she'd made it far enough to get an "I'll think about it" of sorts from the man. Even if she didn't have a definite answer, she figured that putting herself out there and growing to hopefully fall on the good side of the other Espada was enough of a reason to show up to the meeting that was happening shortly; good graces with the Espada, at least in her mind, meant good graces with Lord Kouhai. Hell, even if that wasn't explicitly the case, this was something that she needed to try. Plus, the Espada? Who reasonably didn't want to meet them?

Pushing open the doors to the meeting room and allowing them to shut behind her, Camila was met with quite a few others that had shown up before her. Gods, she was glad to see that. Walking to the table and glancing at each separate Espada, Camila did what she could in order to take in the appearances of those that were already there, as well as those that she'd recognized. Almost immediately, she'd been able to pick Ailene out of the group, and she smiled at her friend. She was glad to see that she'd already gotten here. Almost immediately, her attention had turned to Lagos as well; another Espada that she'd recognized. She let out a soft sigh upon sight of the girl. Great, she thought, so long as nothing breaks out between the two of us, we'll be golden. Just keep your cool, and nothing'll go bad. You've got this.

Next, her attention had turned to the two that she hadn't recognized. Firstly, she'd been drawn to the red-haired individual, and immediately had been drawn in by the heterochromia he had going on with his eyes. "You aren't the only one who mourns from the passing of Ser Shiki'. He was powerful as he was wise, and he very much enjoyed what audiobooks I could procure for him from my collection." Almost immediately, she'd felt relaxed upon hearing his voice. There was something about it that just kind of calmed her nerves about being here. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could tell immediately that she was going to grow fond of this man.

After focusing on the Sexta, she'd turned her attention to the Tercera. A man that easily towered over her, and one whose very being seemed to intimidate the girl. She shook it off where she could, but she'd immediately made note of the fact that there was an aura to this man that made her just a bit nervous; uneasy. Nonetheless, she'd take the time to meet him and get to know him, should that time be permitted. Her only concern at that point was getting to know the names of the two that she'd not seen before. While she didn't explicitly want to go out of her way to ask, she knew that at some point she'd probably need to find a way to-

"Ser Arcadus, I take it? I am the Sexta Espada, Serraph Quarrere, Lord Librarian of this great city, Los Noches." Well, that answered that Question. Seemed the man's name was Arcadus, and the one she'd taken a liking to was named Serraph. She'd need to make a mental note of that. Now that the name crisis was out of the way, she'd need to find a place to be. She didn't dare sit at the table without having a number on her; she wasn't about to incur the wrath of those that might've been a bit overzealous about their on place in Lord Kouhai's plans. Instead, she opted to standing beside Ailene; someone she knew, and someone she knew wasn't going to spark conflict.

"Admittedly I have no true opinion on Lord Shikitsuhiko myself. I can hardly recall a thing about him, but that is neither here nor now." Shikitsuhiko? Was that the name of a past Espada? She genuinely had no idea. That said, she'd be damned if she wasn't interested. She'd have to ask about that one here in a bit. She'd taken note of the fact that Ailene had been taking out tea and setting that up for all of the Espada that had been there. Lord, that girl seemed to be too kind for her own good. Though, it was a kindness that Camila tended to take solace in; she found it refreshing when put against the other 'horrors' of the world that she'd dealt with in the past.

"What I know we have here are heated tensions. The best way to amend those I find is to relax. I find that a cup of tea can certainly help with that. Oh forgive my manners. Ailene Haschiro, Septima Espada. Please to make your acquaintance." Camila smiled at Ailene's introduction, and felt it the perfect time to introduce herself in turn. She'd only hoped that it would be taken lightly from some of the others in the room at the time. "It's, uh, it's a pleasure to meet all of you," she said, trying to carry herself with as much confidence as she could, "Camila Adaronde, hopeful aid under Lord Kouhai. Certainly nice to meet the two of you." Her attention had been focused on both Serraph and Arcadus with that response.

[Arcadus]

Seeing now the ninth, seventh, and sixth were present, Arcadus decided to make a wardrobe change. Cinders burst into flames as his red and black outfit burned up in a flash to reveal his uniform, gold trimmed with a single black braid take the place of the sash that normally tied it together. The robe flowed and fluttered slightly as he turned to face his new compatriots, wondering if this was the manner of decorum expected, and if so how rugged they would have to be, or so infrequent their meetings.  

"I am happy to finally meet those chosen by our lord to enact his will, to be strong enough to be considered pieces on his board." Showing reverence to Kouhai was likely his best option, not only since it could be expected others here would do the same, but it would also put him adjacent to the man, a safe place to be. Eyeing the fellows before him, he made a few deductions about them. Seraph, a negotiator, regardless of his connection to the fourth, clearly wanted to keep the peace and quiet. Similar with Ailene, though she seemed more interested in her own comfort in that regard, by her tea and attempts to make a calmer atmosphere, as opposed to Seraph's attempts to mediate and calm an individual. 

"Ser Seraph, Ser Ailene, Ser Lagos, I hope we can come together at this meeting to accomplish if not a single goal, but instead to lay the ground work for our steps forward. I think none of you would balk at the idea that the Espada have... deteriorated from prior events and movements."  Arcadus spoke, words heavy with soft morose notes, almost disheartened at the thought of the state of the Espada. "I feel we have only begun to see the potential of us, not as a band of warriors, but as generals and leaders in our movement." Taking a cup from Ailene, his blue eyes wandered to the shinigami practically hiding behind the arrancar, blue orbs piercing out from his golden bangs. 

"And you, little shinigami" Rounding on Cami, relaxing significantly so that his robes fell flatteringly upon his torso and arms, "What hopes do you have of serving out lord kouhai, and why turn away from our opposition?" Arcadus's aura, even when restrained, was like an oceans depth behind the lapping waves of his words, deep and foreboding behind the calm and soothing.  His eyes, and smile, inviting and warm, hiding the bait of his question. 

He had hoped the fourth's defeat would have gone mostly accepted, rather than challenged. In either case, he wasn't sure on how or why they though he was dead, the arrancar was still breathing when he left him, albeit unable to stand. In either case, he could use this to his advantage, forcing the idea of his dominance could definitely work if he encountered more like Lagos. Gods, this would be annoying if every fraccion proved to be an issue, though at a certain point he might have to make a more public example of someone. At present though, the majority of the espada seemed quite content in their positions and to calmly discuss matters.  

Cami, however, already presented an interesting opportunity, that if shinigami could be swayed, or at least undergo enough change and definition in their personality to consider other options and structures, then there was certainly potential to forming schisms in their foes and their organizations. With Schisms come greater opportunities to both divide and conquer, but as well to potentially gain allies as different subfactions of groups are inevitably pitted against each other. Ideas for another time however, since it was likely the other espada would have their own concerns or questions for him, and a pair of librarians served as incredible resource he would have to plunder later. 

[Deleted]

"And you, little shinigami."

The very moment she heard these words, Camila's attention was immediately turned to Arcadus. Her eyes quickly turned to face him, as she listened to what he had to say. "What hopes do you have of serving out lord kouhai, and why turn away from our opposition?" Something about this man seemed to bother her. Immensely. His words were sweet like venom; softspoken, but with an intimidating energy following him that frankly freaked her out. She'd known right off the bat that she'd need to choose her words carefully if she was going to interact with someone who was apparently the new Tercera Espada; someone who held a rather frightening amount of power behind him. 

"Simple," she said with a shrug after a miniscule pause, "I've been put through much more bullshit than I was willing to deal with back in Soul Society. I was treated more like a parasite than an actual militant and what was supposed to be a family of sorts back in my squad. Figured I'd be better off here, where my combative prowess will actually be appreciated as opposed to being hunted down and/or killed." Sighing, she picked up a teacup and took a sip. "I could ask the same of you, though; from what I've heard, there's quite a few that aren't exactly fond of Lord Kouhai; what's your reason for standing alongside him so vehemently? Oh, and, good on you for doing so."

After she finished speaking, she kept her eyes on the Arrancar for what felt like an eternity. She tried to do everything she could to get something out of him; body language, expression changes, something to indicate where his true intentions were. She wasn't exactly wanting to have to piece things together if they were in front of her, so she'd take the effort to actually search in front of her before making assumptions about who she was dealing with. Once thing was for certain, though; he wasn't exactly bad-looking. Truth be told, he was actually pretty attractive; whether he was looking to do that specifically or he was just naturally attractive wasn't something she was worried about for the time, but she'd definitely have to admit; if she swung that way, she probably would've been all over that.

Where it stood, her attention was split between Ailene, Serraph, and Arcadus. After her last encounter with Lagos, she didn't want to pay her much attention; there was still far too much raw emotion there for her to make a level-headed comment toward her. Focusing on Arcadus for the time, Camila decided to ask a few questions. "You said your name was Arcadus, yeah? Well, color me curious; a lot of Arrancar around here are pretty much all 'Might Makes Right', with a few exceptions; what's your reason for being one of those exceptions? Same goes for you if you're willing to answer, Serraph; the two of you seem... calm. It's refreshing. I'm curious as to what brings about that calm, though."

[Serraph Quarrere]

 "Oh dear..", he'd mutter, letting that question wring about his mind, scouring the dense library of information he held within the temple that is his body. The urge to release this knowledge was overwhelming, resulting in the subtle twitching of his hands. He'd reach for Ailine's offered teacup and poured it into the remains of his coffee, swirling and mixing it around finely. He'd sip on the strange concoction and sighed. "That question has roots that are grounded quite deeply, Lady Camila. Such a question could be satisfied by individual accounts, but would not be helpful in dealing with all of us. There is a reason why I can remain so calm in the presence of such an esteemed visitor, yet one such as Lagos or the other Espada that have yet to arrive may not be so enthused." He'd  set his mug down and place his hand out over his chest.

 "One could say that it begins with one's spiritual biology. A human soul, Rukongai resident, or Shinigami are nearly identical, with their souls intact, allowing them to call upon most if not all of their emotions just as intensely as any other they may have depending on the circumstance. Hollows, on the other hand, are birthed when a human soul, usually removed from its physical body, no long retains the balance needed for their spiritual body to remain unsundered. If they are not sent to a place whose overall spiritual density is compatible with this form, the soul's spiritual being will expand and burst before reforming into a form that can withstand the spiritual density of the land of the living. The soul is torn inside out and a piece of its heart is bore through and used to make this new being's mask. This is how a hollow is formed," He would explain, unable to keep these words of knowledge suppressed. Serraph loved brevity, but sometimes it was hard to deliver brevity.

 "This would explain why most hollows target objects and beings they were once closed to. A ceaseless hunger fills them and overrides their sense of self. Most become predatory beasts, killing and devouring to fill that empty space that their missing piece once was, even though that piece was the mask they wore.  These beasts kill and eat and evolve. Hundreds if not thousands of souls will allow the hollow to regain a piece of its former intelligence, or be replaced by another from one they have taken into themselves. Once they reach Adjuchas or the final step, Vasto Lorde, they can act as an imitation of their former selves. They can speak, think, act, plan, and express a limited range of emotion. Us arrancar are made when a significant event causes us to shed a decent portion of our masks, allowing our spiritual bodies to reform, giving us mostly human appearances and anatomy depending on the stage of evolution."

 The Sexta would laugh and  would move his messy, crimson hair up and to the side, revealing the golf ball sized hole right above his right eyebrow. "Because I reverted to this state as an adjuches, my physiology is a bit unhuman, especially under the surface, and my emotional spectrum is missing a few pieces.  Vasto Lordes generally retain a near perfect human physique and mindset, making them nearly identical to humans. Nearly. Despite this revertion, our minds will forever be damaged. Each one of us can be defined by one or two aspects that rules our way of thinking, even if we can experience other emotions. We, mostly, arn't plagued with the innate need to cannablize other souls. We still have the memories of what we've done, what we've seen." He'd take a breath and a sip from his Coffee-Tea abomination before continuing. "Now. What is the main unifying factor for us to stay under the rule of Lord Kouhai? It is simple. It is because he is strong, any other reason will vary depending on the individual. For myself it is the safety. Safety to build and collect. Safety to live relatively comfortably. Safety to think in solitude or talk with others like myself. "

 He'd lean onto the table, his elbows spread and his fingers meshing together."This is a lot of information. a lot of spoken words that may not mean anything to you yet, but they are all equally important for your survival if you intend to seek asylum here. Knowing how to communicate and deal with hollows and arrancar alike will save you a lot of heartache, and keep you alive. You have to remember that you are not like us. No matter what tribulations you have experienced, how tragic your memories, or how strained your situation is you still are whole, and we are not. You may accidently do or say things that might not have any amount of consequence to those like yourself, but to those with hollowed minds and souls, such careless actions can make a lifelong enemy."

 He'd sit back and take another breath, wiping off his sweaty brow upon his sleeve. "Enough depressing talk, I've hogged the talking stick for way too long. You are doing well for yourself so far. You're strong, you're still alive despite meeting Kouhai and existing here and Los Noches with what I can assume would be days now. Keep up your good work and you may yet make the worst place to be for a shinigami, save for Hell itself, into the safest and arguably the most enjoyable. Maybe"

[Arcadus]

Looking down to recieve thier visitors response, Arcadus wondered if she had any reason, or if this was simply a ploy of one of the other Espada to have another voice in the meeting. Whether that would matter was another thing, but the plots and deceptions of the remaining Espada were to be considered and accounted for. They, despite being fellows, couldn't be trusted farther than a mortal could throw them. They were tools to him as they are to Lord Kouhai, and would have to be trusted about as much. Considering his enterance to the group, despite their proposed value of strength, comradery still very clearly flowed through them. That would make his brutalizing of his predecessor difficult to deal with, espcially with Lagos, who apparently has some connection to the fourth. 

"Simple," she said with a shrug after a miniscule pause, "I've been put through much more bullshit than I was willing to deal with back in Soul Society. I was treated more like a parasite than an actual militant and what was supposed to be a family of sorts back in my squad. Figured I'd be better off here, where my combative prowess will actually be appreciated as opposed to being hunted down and/or killed." Sighing, she picked up a teacup and took a sip. "I could ask the same of you, though; from what I've heard, there's quite a few that aren't exactly fond of Lord Kouhai; what's your reason for standing alongside him so vehemently? Oh, and, good on you for doing so."

Practically overjoyed, Arcadus kept his visible excitment to a widening smile and softer eyes. It was important to show approval of this choice, even if there was strong potential to be a front, though a flat out lie was unlikely, Kouhai did not grant audiences lightly. Keeping them on the line as well was tantamount, shinigami that could be turned over to thier cause weren't just strong warriors, they were a symbol, a image to those under the heel that there was an option and dissent was always useful. No king was ever supplanted by peasants alone, knights and princes were needed to force them out, and to be a familar face when taking the place left behind. 

I'm sorry to hear of your mistreatment, Camilla, though I'm not surprised by your decision to leave. Most sensible people would, given how the abilities of the person involved aren't valued in the Soul Society, rather their loyalty is. Their willingness to cast aside the self and submit to those stronger than you. That of course, opposes our own design here. I hope your able to grow and develop unstifled, and appropriately challenged. While family is harder to come by, what is found tends to be forged in stronger stuff than sharing the same barracks. Its all about choice really, the choice to stand up and fight, the choice of which battles to fight and which ones to leave be."

The Arrancar turned towards his seat, his robe swishing with his movements, gold trim flashing under the white lights above them. There was a grace to his movements, even for someone of his size, as if he had practiced this movement. He needed now to show a level of equality between the two, now that some commonality had been established and his more dominating stance and attitude had served to add weight to his words. Sitting in a chair in the middle of the tables, he was low enough to have a flat line between Cami and his own eyes. 

"You said your name was Arcadus, yeah? Well, color me curious; a lot of Arrancar around here are pretty much all 'Might Makes Right', with a few exceptions; what's your reason for being one of those exceptions? Same goes for you if you're willing to answer, Serraph; the two of you seem... calm. It's refreshing. I'm curious as to what brings about that calm, though." 


This second question needed care, but could be tied to his previous answer. 

As for my decision to follow Lord Kouhai, it is a matter of ideology, as much as it is inevitable. We, to my knowledge, share similar views of the world. That strength, in all of its forms, is the defining factor of ones existance. A strong mind can define the idea of itself, and a strong body can define you to others, both in your actions to help and to harm. Much the same for any aspect of a person, be it their knowledge, their will or their heart. Of course, there are those who wish to destroy that idea for their own benefit, to fool others into not gathering their own strength so that their own pursuit of it isn't challenged. That I feel, is where our enemy rests as the Espada. 

Arcadus listened to Seraph's exhaustive listing of the reasons Arrancar were Arrancar, as tiresome as it was, it was important to give context to the life in Los Noches and to how and why people there worked. Though he wished he'd been shorter about the entire ordeal and skipped the bits a Shinigami was likely to know. At least then there was more room for questions, which would have let them gauge how informed the Shinigami really was on their kind. 

"As for if I'm an exception, I wouldn't say so. I simply think there's more to strength than ones ability to swing a sword or blast some one to ash. Though I wouldn't worry, I'm no slouch in either of those. As for Seraph's reasons for your lack of enjoyment here, I disagree. Anyone who is strong can find a place here in our fortress, and the strongest can find a place at our table. All that matters is your strength, your will to use it, and the judgement to use it well. The Human World shuns us, the Soul Society finds us a threat. Hell is Hell, only masochists and snakes can find a place there. As for my calm, it is a mix of will and natural ability. Some Arrancar are gifted with better dispositions than others, and many are simply far more aggressive in release, which is likely where their distinction as such comes from." 

"Arrancar are still descended from hollows and as useful as Hollows can be they are frighten unpredictable at the best of times. They are unfortunate in their lot, as most do not have the opportunities as some do, or the will as I did, to become Arrancar. In either case, I hope you find you are given the opportunities to better yourself here, and to find allies among the Espada."

Turning to the rest of the Espada, Arcadus hoped they would follow his lead, the image of the Espada as no better than thugs and brigands needed to change, and for this an ideology and pathology needed to be formed. Reasons, even if untrue, for their actions and motives. This was the deciding factor in victory, not blade nor beam nor some hidden artifact, but hearts, minds, and the right people. That he hoped, would be made apparent if he could convince Cami to stay, despite the efforts of Seraph to be blunt and truthful about their situation.  In either case, this was paramount. He had noticed somethings about her view of him. Inquisitive, though evidently not as swayed as those attracted to him would be. He'd have to note than and shift his tactics accordingly. As well, despite the presence of 3 other Espada, he had certainly made the largest impact, even over Seraph, who was certainly a charmer in his own right. As well, she wasn't able to to pick up much on his inner plans, noted by neutral questions meant to throw him on the defense. All in all a gainful exchange on his end. 

"Now, is there any word on if any other members will be joining us, because if not I want to make use of us being gathered here. Is there any progress on our lords intentions, gains or losses, or any information gained?" 

[Kitai Yoru]

Arcadus: 23 paragraphs, 20% bonus towards your next thread with one of these characters
Lagos Oscuras: 6 paragraphs, no bonus awarded
Serraph Quarrere: 13 paragraphs, 10% bonus towards your next thread with one of these characters
Ailene Haschiro: 8 paragraphs, no bonus awarded
Albin Landry: 12 paragraphs, 10% bonus towards your next thread with one of these characters