Internal Affairs and Ultimate Despair [Social/JT]

[Deleted]

Finding himself dressed nicely in a brand-new suit, Aldwin took a deep breath as he continued to make his way toward a building he'd only really heard about from a Colleague of his; Kitai had said something somewhat recently about an organization located in Karakura Town, Japan. He couldn't say that he was there all that often, but thankfully he'd been spending time there due to an extended business venture with the Saika, so he had easy access to an apartment, giving him the opportunity to explore where he wanted.

Though, while he was here, he did have a job to do for Kitai; make his way into Uzaki Enterprises, an organization within Karakura town designed to keep the general populace safe from spiritual threats. Where it stood, he had a level of sympathy for the faction; they rallied behind a cause he was able to get behind, and frankly just admired. He was glad to have the opportunity to meet with a bunch of like-minded people. Especially considering contact with the actual Shinigami was few and far between. He let out a soft sigh over the matter.

Making his way toward the rather massive headquarters within the Human World, Aldwin took a deep breath, looking down at his phone. His camera was open, and he was using it as a sort of mirror; checking to make sure his hair was looking presentable, making sure his suit wasn't scuffed at all... Making a good first impression with a rather noteworthy faction was key, especially considering the need to make sure that this deal went through well enough that him and Kitai were going to be well-set for a good period of time.

Walking inside and checking in, Aldwin sat down at one of the chairs out in UE's waiting room, and pulled out his phone once more to skim the local news in Karakura. He wanted to make sure that things were going well while he waited for his appointment. He'd made an appointment with Mr. Uzaki himself, but he knew how well that was likely going to go; meeting with the CEO of a multi-billion dollar organization? The chances that he was going to get the man's attention was slim at best. Still, though, he grew excited at the prospect.

Having been told that he'd likely be meeting with a representative on the matter, as opposed to Kazura himself. He was okay with that, but truthfully he'd debated on trying again sometime down the line. Perhaps when the man was in office as opposed to relaying the message to him? Though, if he was as busy a man as Aldwin expected, the chances of that happening was relatively slim. He wasn't going to bank on something like that, and instead, with a chipper hum, conceded to the idea of meeting with someone else on the matter instead.

[Akira Hinosai]

The more Luca looked in the mirror, the less hew liked what he saw. He adjusted his tie as if that was the problem As if fixing it would somehow make him ok with this. Staring at his reflection was like gazing into the abyss. Luca could feel his reflections eyes boring into him and he averted his eyes. Thereafter, he only dared to take quick glances from the edge of his vision. Even that wasn't enough. Pandora's box had been opened. There would be no going back to the before times. Luca was cursed with knowledge no living being should ever have. Even closing his eyes, he knew. Afterimages burned into his eyes forever.

"I look ridiculous..." Luca moaned. His wild and untamed mop of hair had been tied back. Around his neck, a drab blue necktie threatened to strangle the life out of him. A boring black suit jacket, black slacks, black dress shoes. Luca had spent a brief time as an actor. He put on all sorts of costumes. Hell, he had to wear makeup half the time, but this? This was different. It made him feel all wrong. It made him feel gross. He looked like a bland normal functioning adult. One without powers, who worked a job they hated for a family they hated. Someone boring, someone already dead. It was a life Luca almost had been born into.

Seeing himself like this made him start to doubt. He saw his features differently. Does my face really look like this without my hair to cover stuff up? Luca had never thought of himself as handsome or ugly...He just sort of existed. Now a flashbulb had gone off, like Luca was seeing himself for the first time. He looked like his dad, being dressed as he was. The mere assertion that Luca shared anything more than a name with that tired, pathetic man sent shivers up his spine. Deeper than that, there was something grossly offensive about this. Dressing like this made Luca feel like someone he didn't want to be. Luca had to pry himself from the bathroom sink. At this rate, he was going to miss his appointment, and he wasn't going to let this all be for nothing.

It had never been Luca's idea to dress all formal. It had never been his idea to be Kazura's representative either. For some reason, he was the only person who could fill that role at this time on this day. It was honestly pathetic if they were turning to Luca of all people to play diplomat. Apparently it was a security contractor of some kind, and for whatever reason it was IMPERATIVE Luca dress like a respectable salaryman. He'd gotten the memo, and he really was going to try not to fuck this up. That didn't mean he had to like it. If I don't get a major bonus for this I'm gonna strangle Kaz with this fucking necktie!

When Luca finally reached the UE building, he quickly made his way to the meeting room. He grabbed a clipboard and papers as to look official. He practiced his bow, his honorifics, his servile corporate voice. When the allotted time came, Luca sprung into action as he walked over to the waiting room the security contractor was supposed to be in.


Aldwin would see a tall, lean man about his own age enter the room. "Mr. Blackwood? I have you down for a 9:30 meeting is that correct?" assuming that answer was some variation of "YEP, YEAH THAT'S ME." the young man would continue his routine "Right this way, Mr. Blackwood. Mr. Uzaki apologizes for not being able to meet with you personally. Rest assured though, I'll relay everything we discuss to him." Luca would speak as he lead Aldwin to the meeting room. Luca would take a seat opposite whichever Aldwin chose. "So..." Luca would flip through several papers on his clipboard. A keen eye would note he just picked one at random and placed it on top. The paper ultimately had no relevance to anything. "Aldwin Blackwood. I understand you're in the security business. What exactly did you come to discuss with Mr. Uzaki?" 

[Deleted]

"Mr. Blackwood? I have you down for a 9:30 meeting is that correct?"

Turing his head to face the voice that had just made himself known in the room, Aldwin faced Luca with a smile. "Yep," he said, standing up and approaching, "yeah, that's me." From the get-go, and from what Kitai had told 'em about Kazura, Aldwin was sure that this man wasn't him. Something about the way that he carried himself, the fact that he looked a lot different than how Kazura was described, something didn't quite sit all that well with him about this man being him. As Luca went on to speak, it seemed that these suspicions were all but confirmed.

"Much appreciated," he said, following Luca into the meeting room, "I've got to say I'm definitely thankful for any of y'all for taking time out of your likely busy schedules to meet with me." Looking around the halls as the two walked toward the nearest meeting room, Aldwin couldn't help but find himself lost in nothing but sheer wonder. He was truthfully quite glad to be inside; the place wasn't at all like he'd expected. It was much, much better; everything seemed so well-furnished, everyone was so professional; it was a bit of a culture-shock to the man that had been used to back-alley deals for years, but a welcome one at that.

As the two gentlemen made their way into the meeting room Aldwin only assumed was set aside for his appointment, he promptly followed in suit and took a seat across from Luca. Seemed that Luca was going to be the first to speak. "So..." Luca said, as Aldwin watched him shuffling through papers. Perhaps he wasn't the only individual that Luca had to meet with today? That would certainly explain the papers, that was for sure. "Aldwin Blackwood. I understand you're in the security business. What exactly did you come to discuss with Mr. Uzaki?"

Aldwin nodded in suit. "That's correct," he said, reaching into a coat pocket and pulling out a small business card, "I run my own arms company from a friend's basement at the moment. Nothing all too fancy, but I've made a pretty good living for myself thus far, n' I enjoy what I do so I guess you can't really call it work, yeah?" He chuckled to himself, hoping to get a similar reaction from Luca despite the evidently rather stupid joke he'd just made. The goal was to see just how relaxed Luca was, and if he was the type for jokes.

"Regardless of that, though. I'm here with a sort of proposal. See, I've been working alongside a friend of mine for a decent bit of time to make a weapon that Mr. Uzaki might have an interest in. Something that's able to purify hollows much like that of a Shinigami's own Zanpakuto. I've since dubbed it the 'Purification Blade'; nothing fancy, but something that definitely gets the point across. They've certainly come a long way, and seem to have good reviews from people like us, to Shinigami alike, so I know we're doing something right." Another chuckle followed in suit.

Reaching into the duffle bag he'd brought with him, Aldwin slowly pulled out a small knife, pure white in color; similar to what you'd expect as though it'd just been 3D-printed. Placing it down on the table toward Luca, and giving it a soft push, Aldwin spoke up. "Feel free to give it a look over; I brought a few extras, so if you'd like to hold onto that one yourself you're more than welcome to. That said, we've got some rather state-of-the-art tech in there, making use of synthetic Shinigami reiatsu and some rather nice spiritual ventilation technology in order to simulate Konso. Some might argue that these things are just as effective as the real deal, despite not inherently having any powers attached to them."

Sliding over his business card next, Aldwin simply smiled toward Luca. "What I'm here for, on behalf of myself and my partner, is a potential trade alliance between us and Uzaki Enterprises. I'd like to establish the opportunity to supply all of UE's employees with these weapons at a reduced cost, as both a show of good faith and a way to appropriately arm those that find themselves dealing with spiritual matters. Naturally I was intending to pass one on to Kazura here today for no cost, but seeing as you were the one that kindly took on this opportunity, I'd like you to have that knife, instead. I've got a few more on me; I'm sure I can find one that suits Mr. Kazura before I leave here today."