At a Cross Roads (Social, Closed

[Arcadus]

It had been a night of revelry and of drink. It was a good time, and he had gotten to check down his list. Get into and enjoy the life of the party, enjoy some really well made street food, and the atmosphere. Arcadus really did enjoy the neon black atmosphere of a rainy night in the shopping district in Karakura. Whether it be eating in the hidden hole in the wall restaurants, drinking in street-side bars, or laughing and enjoying good drinks in a club. There was a joy to forget his aspirations and ambitions and simply be in the moment of his being, to enjoy himself in a mortal, simple way, not through achievement or winning, but to simply live. 

It was like a home he had never been to, or a friendly hide away. No one really knew his name, but everyone knew who he was, who he deserved to be. Powerful, intimidating, but warm enough to cozy up to. Just the way he liked it, and unlike back home, there was no pressure to perform, no scrutiny. He was simply accepted as he presented and there was no need to flex or bully into his position. That was enough, but it was the acceptance of strangers, people who did not know him. In a sense, it felt hollow. Strange, like a candy shell. 

Standing out, weaving under sign to keep the rain off, moving back to a secluded space where he could Garganta back to his palace, he considered staying the night here. There was no harm in it, no engagements to oblige, no wars to wage.. "What? Why. " "You've had a night of revelry, reminds me so much of my trips home. Drink, laughter, telling stories of great battles and cunning victory, all the good things. All the bad things too. Alone, wandering off to sleep, arriving alone and leaving alone. " Oren was speaking, and this couldn't be a worse time. Arcadus was alone, with his thoughts, a very dangerous thing for anyone to be, but much worse in his position. 

Hands rubbing ihs brow and eyes,  cold mist covering Arcadus as he stopped to talk to the people he locked in his mind.  "So mimicking your past brings you forward. Is that a hard rule or does it apply to just you Oren. If thats the case what would I have to avoid? Living?" The man at arms, still dressed in the rags of his armor, simply looked at Arcadus "Yes, you'd have to stop living altogether." Both Arcadus, and the voices, stilled for a minute the quiet roar of silence, the rain, and the hum of neon lights. Such a strange sound, the supposed silence of the world flooding in and painting in the gaps of audio.  Standing at this cross road, Arcadus looked up. 

"Its time I start home" Arcadus mumbled to himself, but turned to go, starting down one path of the cross road, and wondering, why was it called the road less traveled by. While there was supposedly as poem about it, it had been a phrase for longer than he knew, so the poem that titled themselves that aren't really the "real" one. Maybe lost to history, maybe a web spun from nothing, like  spider weaving webs in the wind. In either case, Arcadus's pace slowed as he neared another cross road, and at it, a figure stood. Figures at cross roads, especially with a sulfurous aura licking off of them, were never good news. 

[Alastor Caedes]

Ah yes. A Joyous night to be had indeed. Alastor found himself a brand new subject. Or well, someone that was actually worth having a interest in. The night was young and Alastor was always willing to observe the little humans celebrate the night away. It was also surprisingly easy to find the specific man. Arcadus, The Tercera Espada. A man from what Alastor has heard, being very similar to himself. A very joyous time indeed, Alastor did not get the chance to talk to his desert kin very often. Nay, its been thousands of years since he has been able to have a good chat with one. Especially one that has carved a name for itself in the endless shithole that was Hueco Mundo. 

Then again. Hell isn't better at all, depending on the individual. 

Alastor knew very little of the Espada or much of his Desert Kin. When he, himself, was a Vasto Lorde. The whole Espada and Las Noches wasn't there, at least not as far as he knew. So come to hearing about a specific arrancar with a ego that was debatably as massive as his own was, amusing to say the least. As Arcadus travelled throughout his little time experiencing the joys of human life. Several of Alastor's best spies were watching him, using skin suits to hide their presence entirely. Leaking information on where Arcadus was heading and where he was stopping, what he was doing, every single detail. Alastor demanded the best from his spies, and they delivered. 

Once Arcadus came into view, the Espada would find not just a man. But several beings and a table. One being was holding a umbrella over Alastor, who was sipping away from his wine glass. Another being would unfurl a umbrella over the only other empty seat. The table itself having a very old looking bottle of wine, written in ancient Greek. " Haven't you heard my lovely Desert Kin? Crossroads are where demons lie~ Good Evening. My lovely Desert Kin. How i have been looking forward to this, you have been graced with my presence. Come, take a seat. Lets talk. Help yourself to the wine. " The Akki spoke, His gigai'd appearance matching to the strange appearance of the servus that served as his butlers and maids. Each of them wearing a butlers uniform or maids outfit, but with a white featureless mask. 

In the fair short distance away would be easily spotted by the Espada as Sinners were dragging away recently killed Shinigami. If he would even be able to recognize the corpses, they were the shinigami in charge of the entire area. " Don't mind the others. Simple discarding of the corpses of fools who can't think for themselves for survival. " Two of the Servus pulled the chair out for Arcadus to sit down, as another one placed a second wine glass on the table. Holding up the bottle carefully incase either he wanted the wine or if his master wanted a refill. " First of all, congratulations on surviving the endless Hunger. You who are the diamond in the rough. "

Arcadus was someone different, he wasn't like Luca. He wasn't a commoner, or a filthy mongrel. He was someone worth the effort to be respectful to, someone that Alastor was hoping to make use of. 

[Arcadus]

Of course, a demon, and worse, a Salesman. and at a Crossroads of all places. It really was all symbolism with these people. Though to call demons people was a bit of a stretch they were more axiomatic agents rather than individuals with their own goals, with exception for those at the very top. Of course those of the top shelf might find the one front of Arcadus in their ranks. At least it was a distraction from the voice in his head berating him for enjoying himself. You may as well make the last event of his night worth the time, even if it was at the expense of this.. person.

Turning on his heel to see properly what was in store for him, Arcadus’s frame squared itself, feet wider apart, a slight hunch from the raid. Far different from his normal stance, less refined, more yielding to his environments. He was not in top form, though the thoughts flickered across his mind that clearly he wasn’t outmatched here, he wasn’t in the position he liked to be in, which was holding all the cards. In either case, he’d have to make some moves.

Looking out on the scene in front of him, Arcadus made several notes. Firstly the environment, rain, the table likely carried out here as well chairs, the umbrellas. All signs of either a rushed event or purely set up for a crossroads bit, which was several hundred years out of date. sensing out his thoughts did not fill Arcadus with confidence. Even if he could only catch flickers of thoughts, he caught many important words. “Spies, feeding, opportunity, Use, different, Luca.”

Taking his seat, he waved off the servant next to him, taking the bottle away from them, flicking the neck off with his index finger, now severed ceramic pipe flying out into the street. Leaning back in the chair, whose frame bent under his marble musculature, Arcadus drained the wine, silently but swiftly emptying. One other thing he didn’t like, was most of this scene, and he had half a mind to let this charlatan know. Scratch that, a full mind.

Flick

Lifting the table up, and setting it infront of him, as opposed to simply allowing his chair to be pushed in, and keeping a finger on the table to keep it from being moved back, Arcadus pondered on that pet name this thing called him. “Desert Kin”. As if, this thing was as kin to him, as he was to the mortal flesh bags walking around. And the uniforms, and the shinigami. All manufactured sure, things he would have done, but they all clashed, didn’t fit a single scenario that should have been constructed instead of putting it all out there. Resting his left heel on his right knee:

“So what’s your gig here, did you bring your out of date uniforms and matching masks out here with the table out in the rain to a crossroads just for the bit, with twenty-some staff? And if so what’s with the shinigami corpses, are you trying to intimidate me? If so, why act nice and try to frame this as a friendly meeting between equals? You do know that consistency is the most important part of a narrative, and that’s all lies and presentation are right, so why have such a slap-dash image presented to someone who you have studied. And on that consistency, why act like Hueco Mundo is an awful, fetid place, to state superiority, then call me kin and a diamond in the rough?”

“Your presentation is all over the place, your fixings do not match your décor, which by the way, wine this old that’s been opened is about as good as a cask from a century ago, not better. It’s best used in a themed situation or with someone who is actually Greek and would appreciate it so it’s not as blatant an attempt to appeal to someone by dropping an expensive wine in front of them, not wasted on a meeting in the rain. You’ve wasted a millennia old wine. If you know so much about me, which you claim to, you’d know each one of these tricks doesn’t work on me, so what made you think slapping all of them together would be better?”

If words could kill, the venom in the Arrancar’s voice could down an elephant. The dull glare levied across the table and from Arcadus leaning back suspiciously far in his chair, searing through the air. “Your attempts to present yourself have failed, but I’ll hear you out, what do you want Akki, and if it’s my soul I’ll smash this table over your back and make a chandelier out it. I have no interest in serving you, I only serve Kouhai because he is so absent, and if it’s some kind of cooperation, there better be something in it for me that isn’t furthering your goals.” Crushing the empty ceramic vessel in his hands, the dust running out of his hand like sand. 

Uncrossing his legs, and leaning forward, the chair’s front legs hitting the pavement with a tack, his glare was gone, instead replaced with the relaxed brow and disappointed frown. “If you’re interested in my offer to you, I have something you need, though I think its evident what that might be. If you want some lessons on presentation, especially to more than street rats, and to people of actual worth, I’d be willing to give you some. In exchange, you tell me who Luca is.”

[Alastor Caedes]

The raining was quite soothing to be honest. The moon out and about with the steady fall of the rain made for quite the enjoyable night. One to drink some fine wine and enjoy a good calming night. Unfortunately business came first and not many were willing to even deal with the cruel hard facts of life itself. A Demon or devil makes it appearance and many think to run away or try to out smart the demon or devil. Not many were willing to try and intimidate a demon so as Alastor listened to Arcadus's little speal. The only thing Alastor could think of was how hilarious this Arrancar was. To think, he thought all of this was set up just for him? Aaah, Nothing beats mortal arrogance. 

Now, there was some things that were said and done, specifically to the wine bottle and table, that if Arcadus was any other being. Well, lets just say those words and actions would have costed him his very head. Yet the Akki was in a good mood and not willing to let a opportunity like this go to waste. A party was going to be had and every party needed guests, no matter how arrogant they were. Yet, Alastor couldn't help but to laugh at Arcadus's attempts to one up him. " I must say. Modern day beings are so hilariously arrogant its astounding. " He wiped his fingers across the eye sockets of the mask as if he was crying from how funny he found Arcadus's little stunt to be.  At that moment Arcadus could pick up on something. 

Laughing, from within Alastor's mind. The Lunatic was awake and he was rolling over the metaphorical floor laughing from this little intimidation stunt. While the King personality was a little disheartened from the needless insulting and destruction of a bottle of old wine. He simply snapped his fingers and the servant pulled out a little gem, crushing it. In seconds yet another bottle of old wine manifested, now however French. Downing the wine he already had in his glass, he had the servant refill it. " Mr. Tercera. Or well. Arcadus. While i find your little stunt here to be quite hilarious, i must say. None of this was set up for you. The shinigami killed? Simply because i wasn't feeling all too merciful for them. Yet for you, under this raining moonlit night? Well, im feeling quite merciful. " The tone was mocking, barely even polite. Yet if Arcadus was observant, it had the tone of not just royalty, but also a deranged serial killer.

"Although i guess if you can see through this gigai there is no point to it. " In a flash the gigai of the masked tuxido man would drop. A crystalline body, female akki would appear and catch it, and then disappear with it just as fast. In the same seat as the gigai, was Alastor's true form. Skinless muscle all across the body. Golden jewelry all over his form with the human flesh as clothing similar in style to babylonian. The chains clanging against the ground as the three eyes looked at Arcadus. The scent of fresh bloodshed intensifying in the area from just his form existing. With his eternal grin sitting on his face, truly to many he was a disgusting thing to look at, but not many were willing to say it. 

If the little reveal wasn't enough, Alastor would release a flare of reiatsu. Which would be met by a near endless flare of reiatsu from across the city that would indicate literal thousands of sinners throughout the city. " This isn't a scenario you can just man handle~ But enough with the melodramatic nonsense. I actually am here on a business related goal. So. Lets get right to it. " Snapping his claws again caused another servant to manifest with a large blue gem no bigger than Arcadus's own palm. " I am cordially inviting you to a little party that will be had in the Seireitei. One no one would forget. You are free to opt out if you so wish, however id imagine the Seireitei would have all sorts of things of interest to you. Go on and spread the news to your Espada allies if you so wish. Or don't and keep the spoils to yourself. But that is if you join. " 

Alastor would smile at the moon and then redirect his attention to Arcadus. " If you accept then the gem will be given. It acts like a ah, how do they say it? V.I.P pass? Something akin to that. If you decline. Well. Then we will make our way out and you will probably never see me again. " Alastor leaned back on his chair, downing the wine freshly poured into his glass, before crushing the table and his own wine glass. But not with his fists, with his reiatsu alone. If it wasn't clear to Arcadus by now, it would certainly be clear then. While Arcadus may be better with a silver tongue, Alastor was a near identical snake in the grass. One that wasn't afraid of him and was quite confident in his own capabilities. 

" And as for Luca. Well. Can't say i even remember which Luca you are even referring to. I meet so many people on the hour, its hard to keep track of worthless commoners. " 

[Arcadus]

Amused would be a good word for Arcadus's mood. Despite his accusations and critique of this demon's presentation of an offer, he had seemingly laughed it off, which it self seemed to be a subtle move to compensate for what now seemed like catching him at a bad time. Besides that, he was happy that the demon had removed some of his austere veneer, and that the setting, if somewhat more tense, had shifted out of a business setting and further into a casual meeting with potential oppurtunities, rather than an a meeting between warring kingdoms. 

Though at the declaration of his arrogance, and the clarity provided for the fact that this was in fact, Arcadus stumbling into range of whatever liminal space Alastor had set up to appear at cross roads, though that could easily be a lie. At least shinigami were being treated as trash as they deserved, and the mention that Alastor was feeling "merciful" was at least reinforcing that laxidazical attitude. Servants shuffled around and as Alastor gained a new bottle, french this time, Arcadus sensed something. With in the spirit, there was a similar squirming, like rats in a bag, not unlike his own spirits who struggled and plotted for dominance in his mind. 

At Alastor's true form, Arcadus perked up, arragont smirk folding into a scowl, then again to a wide smile. "Now this is what I'm talking about, proper horrific forms, the scent of blood, three eyes, Babylonian jewelry, this is what I mean, truly leaning into an aesthetic and message and letting it do the work for you. You have an amazing look use it." Arcadus had leaned forward, seeming captivated by the form before him, not transfixed with fear, but with the excitement of a craftsman looking over a masterpiece. 

"As for this party, I do accept you invitation, though you'll forgive my skepticism at your lack of details. To  keep this even, and not debt myself to someone out of hell, I have a similar offer. A party, out in the new rome of this world, and the southern rabble of its most deluded and short sighted. Their roots are small and weak, and can be easily lifted out and replanted, re used, for new purposes. I invite you to this particular experiment, as an exchange. There will be both souls and ryo to earn and take, and there is further potential. An experiment in the power of faith, that if true, would propel all who harness its truth to godhood." Throwing up his hands with a disbelievinging shrug, "But that is an unlikely end to the experiment. In either case, I think you would find use in it."

'As for if any Espada will be joining me, that is a decision up to them unfortunately, my position does not give me cause to order them like soldiers. I will, in all likelyhood, accompany regardless, barring some truly abhorrent company, such as agent's of the Vandenriech or similar such characters." Taking the gem, and turning it over in his hands, Arcadus could sense the spiritual power in it, though he could not sense the nature of its mechanism or effect. "I have accepted your offer, but will you accept mine? I think that we have something to gain from the other, and that we both would gain from this experiment I am running, both for power and for knowledge"

[Alastor Caedes]

As soon as the demon had discarded his normal disguise, the sensation of the air got less tense. "Now this is what I'm talking about, proper horrific forms, the scent of blood, three eyes, Babylonian jewelry, this is what I mean, truly leaning into an aesthetic and message and letting it do the work for you. You have an amazing look use it." For once, he met a non-hellion that was neither disgusted or frightened by his appearance. Instead, the Espada seemed intrigued by the horrific form of Alastor. The true form of a sinner who has claimed thousands if not millions of lives by this point in cruel and brutal slaughter. It certainly made the night go by a bit easier for the king. As one would know, once the room for negotiation was made then the diplomats can do their work. " While i am the most comfortable in this form... I'm afraid my specific interests would clash if i didn't disguise. " Truth besat truth, Alastor would not lie. Yet he would also not tell the full truth. 

"As for this party, I do accept you invitation, though you'll forgive my skepticism at your lack of details. To keep this even, and not debt myself to someone out of hell, I have a similar offer. A party, out in the new rome of this world, and the southern rabble of its most deluded and short sighted. Their roots are small and weak, and can be easily lifted out and replanted, re used, for new purposes. I invite you to this particular experiment, as an exchange. There will be both souls and ryo to earn and take, and there is further potential. An experiment in the power of faith, that if true, would propel all who harness its truth to godhood." 

Alastor swirled his new drink listening to the Espada talk and offer up his own little plan. At first Alastor almost seemed intrigued and yet at the moment that Arcadus mentioned Godhood. Well. Alastor almost seemed to fade his attention back into the past. To times when he was worshiped as a God. The countless offerings from the different societies. The different wars he sent those who worshiped him into. The countless deaths that he alone is responsible for. If he wasn't smiling, which due to his lack of skin he always was, then he certainly would be now. " Aaah... I do not care for the money. Everything on this mortal plane already belongs to me. Im just allowing it to be borrowed until... well. " A sinister look manifested in his three eyes. " Until the sour fruit ripens once more. " 

With a slight dart of his eyes, he looked at the humans having fun and then returned his attention to Arcadus. " Unfortunately, i must decline your specific offer. Not out of lack of interest, but simply because i have already lived that life several fold and in desire to preserve the sensation. However, seeing as you seem to want to obtain godhood. As someone who was once worshiped as many different deities. The sensation of it all is addicting~ Yet.... You will need more than simply faith. " Alastor sat back in his chair and spread out his left palm as fire formed around it. Black, blue, and silver flames dance on his hands that take the form of people. 

" Human faith is like glass. Its strong when compacted, but fragile when kept alone. You need power to act as the compaction, you need aspiration, vision, desire and ambition to reinforce your hold on their minds. To cradle them and mold them into your perfect ideal. " Each word that Alastor spoke was one of experience. He had forged several societies and aided several kingdoms outlive their welcome, yet his desires for it was selfish. Each society and kingdom were nothing more than farms. Ones to condemn and nurture sinners in their first lives. Alastors center forehead eye gazed at the dancing flames as a Golden flame appeared. Much larger than the rest, helping them grow big and then snuffing them out. 

" Consider my words as not just a token of similarity. But of good faith that you will learn and be the torch carrier of many future kingdoms. But remember. " Getting up he turned to the midnight moon and smiled pleasantly at it. " All things end. Except those who are eternal. As well as... well. " He grinned as two Saika pulled a gagged human male in their late fifties, looking like your typical rich guy. " Make sure you enjoy what you wish for. " A sinister gleam to Alastor's eyes as a hellgate formed with the two Saika handing off the human man to a single Hason. A bullhead on its shoulder. " Come along. Our master was quite gracious to help make your family rich. Now you will pay the price. " 

Alastor walked towards the Hell Gate and then simply turned to Arcadus. " Ah. I have gotten what i came for. My Dearest desert kin, i hope you enjoy the festivities to come. This is where i bid you adieu. " In that moment Alastor's form disappeared in a blur of movement. Arcadus could easily recognize it as the Arrancar's staple movement techique called Sonido. After a moment the Hell Gate closed and all of the energy signatures of the sinners around him vanished with it. 

[Arcadus]

As Arcaus watched the Akki leave, through their portal, he could sense on the other side, hell, most likely. It wasn't the dark swirling aura they had sensed off of orobas, nor was it the stench of dry blood he sensed on Alastor. It was more, like a tumbler full of thermite. Burning, churning and full of hate, ready to burst and fall apart. Grimacing, once Alastor had passed through, Arcadus took his chair, looking at the blue crystal on the table. It had a sort of darker, almost shaded section inside the gem. The darkness deepened his grimace, and made the decision to ply its secrets on a spiritual level.

As for what dwelt in side. It seemd, at least upon first glance, to be a blue crystal, not a gemstone, but there was something more to it. Spiritually, there seemed to be a core of hell energy seeaded in the darker potion of the crystal, with a kind of tether, that faded out as it reached the edge of the crystal. I was more like a jar keepin in a pressurized fluid, rather than a stone seated in anoter stone, and the essence, was the same as through that portal to hell. Looking at the tether, it seemed more like a cord, a taut line. Moving his hand towards it, Arcadus could see the line tense, as if hardening. It could be a telegraph system of some kind. Sending a message through an attuned tether to hell. 

Taking the crystal into his hand, Arcadus opened a garganta behind the cross road sign, and stepping through, emerged in his black and gold foyer. What a night. Pain in the ass humans who wouldn't serve past 2 in the morning, but there was some good shows and clubs. And that meeting. Gods it was draining to talk to people like that, there was no joy in it. People with no style and rely on raw force to intimidate and glide through negotiations. Not boring, but just exhaustive. There was need to not acknowledge their attempts or actions, while not tuning them out. 

It really was all so tiresome. Setting the blue crystal on  a coffee table, Arcadus dropped into a lounge couch, plush leather and a double strength frame supporting the huge arrancar. He needed to do something about this. Hell wasn't exatly the best of allies in the best of times, and if they were going to grow in power, there wasn't much he, or even the espada short of Kouhai acting, could do about it. He needed to clear his head. Some food, and a bit to drink then he was going to go for a walk.  Maybe kick some sand up in the desert, and practice his shockwaves. 

[Deleted]

20% bonus for Arcadus for the next thread with Alastor,

and

10% bonus for Alastor for the next thread with Arcadus!