An Unfortunate Meeting (Combat-PVP)

[Taiyo]

Name:[/u] An Unfortunate Meeting 

Participants:[/u] Arcadus and Taiyo

Location:[/u] Karakura Town (General)

Difficulty Level[/u] N/A

Threat Level:[/u] [Insert Here] NDE

Plotline:[/u] N/A?

Estimated Enemy Strength:[/u] N/A

Estimated Time Until Completion:[/u] 1 or 2 pages

Starts:[/u] [Insert Here] erm right away I guess?

Special Conditions:[/u] [Insert Here] Its just a PVP thread

[Taiyo]

It was a cold night in Karakura Town, but thankfully as spirits the two shinigami and duo of Academy students were not effected. The stars shined bright in the sky along with the crescent moon, a beautiful menu of sights to behold. Taiyo in particular was enraptured by the sight of the town. It was a whole new world he had never known existed, and he had never known he was truly a spirit born in another world. He had known his father was a shinigami and they guided spirits to Soul Society, but he had been under the assumption that it was more akin to a spiritual place of worship. Little had he known he was indeed a dead spirit living in a completely different reality to this one.

In some regards... he felt sorry for humans because they were the food for hollows. They struggled through life only to know death awaited them in just a short amount of time. It was a life he didn't expect to see, and only now was he realizing his world views were so small that he couldn't even begin to understand the differences right away. But some part of his heart felt... pity for them. True if Taiyo was stabbed in his chest, just like a human he would perish. But... to have such short lives was disheartening to know they struggled so heavily. He felt a desire to protect them, even though he didn't know them. However he was far to weak to do anything about that.

It wasn't till his attention was brought back to reality by his guides that Taiyo snapped from his day dreaming. He wanted to spent the rest of the night sleeping... but he was going to get lost if he just disappeared and not be able to return. However, a creeping sensation was crawling up Taiyo's spine. Like something wasn't quite right... Yet despite his worries, he was told to stop worrying. The shinigami reassured him that if there was anything to worry about they would sense it coming.  This did little to make Taiyo feel better, but despite this they continued the tour. The two shinigami were not that strong, but Taiyo was confident that if anything did show up like a hollow, they would be fine. 

But the unmistakable feeling of dread still loomed over his head.

[Arcadus]

Walking away from Kitai's shop, Arcadus made an effort to try and relax. It was a pain dealing with heavy stuff like eternity, and right now, he was in the mood for some mochi and some good noodles. As for the surronding night that had followed him, it didn't particularly bother him. Karakura was so spiritually flushed with energy, he could navigate it even blind and deaf, and, taking the oppurtunity to rest his eyes and ears, Arcadus found his way to a ramen stand, and taking a moment to greet the chef and sit down. 

Warm food, especially spicier breads and noodles, always sat well with him. It helped him forget the planning, the scheming, and focus on the second to second. It was nice, he could feel the steam from the massive ramen pot, and, patting the bag of mochi he had got on the way there, let him enjoy the atmosphere. It was time to enjoy things, and for once, he didn't bother seeing. The second sight he had was enough, and it let his mind have a reprieve for a minute or two as he enjoyed the food he bought. 

Though, navigating by second sight did have a drawback, it let you see more than you wanted to some times. he could sense the thoughts of the man sitting next to him, the spiritual residue of a hollow passing overhead, and most interestingly, a set of shinigami having entered Karakura. Of moderate strength, and certianly ones that wouldn't be an issue, and one of them seemed to be practically an academy student, which would prove to be a fun toy if he managed to find them. Drinking the last of the bowl's content, Arcadus stood up, and begn making his way towards those Shinigami. Maybe this  night could hold some excitement after all. 

[Taiyo]

Taiyo's tour of Karakura town was mostly just a learning experience by seeing rather than a proper education. He was to understand the difference in in this world and the soul society. He quickly realized the difference in  reishi. It wasn't nearly as Saturated in it, but that was a story for another time. For now, despite the lessons, Taiyo could feel the presence of another. Not by their power, but by the sheer blackness within them. He felt sweat forming on his brow neck and body from that sensation. Never before had he felt such dark intent from someone... or perhaps it was their true nature? Taiyo didn't understand it completely but somewhere nearby he could feel the darkness in another.

As he spoke about it to a shinigami, they simply pointed to a hollow in the sky. A brief discussion followed before both of the shinigami disappeared from sight, heading toward the hollow while Taiyo was told to stay where he was. Yet his stomach lurched as he stayed in his spot, whatever was nearby... it was not settling with him. Like centipedes crawling up his skin and drowning him in them. It really made him not want to be where he was. At first he was tempted to go looking for the shinigami who had left him but he decided against it. As he gripped his chest, Taiyo suddenly felt his whole world tilt to one side before he felt a plunging sensation.

It was then he realized he had stumbled off the side of the building, but thankfully with a quick motion of his legs he was able to land on his feet. It was by complete accident but somehow he hadn't landed on his face. Such was his luck he supposed, and yet it was when he turned to walk away that he caught sight of a man. At first he didn't think anything of it, due to the fact most humans couldn't see Taiyo anyways. But as his gaze settled on the blonde haired individual, he realized where that black feeling was coming from. Taiyo was terrible with sensing stuff and even his instincts were base human... but this man had an aura that made Taiyo's whole nerves scream to run away. Not fear like he had felt before, but true horror. Like someone looking at a monster from a movie or something out of a terrible nightmare.

Taiyo didn't like that sensation he was giving off naturally, who would? As quickly as he realized who was giving that Aura off and the sheer fear that creeped across his face, Taiyo took to running. A stumble at first before running down the street but at the same time moving to avoid the humans. Whatever that man was... it was terrifying in every aspect. He was hoping against hope that the shinigami who had disappeared before would spot him. He didn't know where they were, but even having seen a few allays to sneak into, he knew hiding from sight would only hamper the possible rescue he was hoping for. He couldn't tell how strong he was, but if he gave off a bad vibe like that... it wasn't good!

[Arcadus]

Semlling out the misty air, so many aromas surrounded the taste of Shinigami. There was a saltiness to that flesh, the prevailing idea in circles that specialized in it was that it was due to the immense purpose and exposure to actual Zanpakutos that gave their meet a flavor that did not need salt, often cooked unseasoned, two minutes on each side and set to rest for five. It was one of the few recipes Arcadus knew, and with a stiffled snicker, he noticed that prey. Streching in his black suit coat/pants and red shirt, with a body glove underneath showing up further on his neck.

It had stumbled before running away, seemingly terrified by Arcadus, and with the other two shinigami out of sight, Arcadus's face twisted and strained to restrain his laughter, this was almost exactly what he wanted. A poor defenseless shinigami to take out his frustration on. A purr escaped his lips, like a tiger happy to see a hunk of chicken dropped in its cage, and with a small strech, took off down the path, catching up to and keeping up with this shinigami. 

Pulling on their surface thoughts Arcadus surmised that his name was Taiyo, and from it seemed like, he was alone. As he passed in front of Taiyo, blocking his path, he grabbed the front of Taiyo's robe, lifting them off the ground by the front of the garment. "Don't you know its dangerous to run like that down the street after it rains? You could really hurt yourself." The man, backlit from the street lamp, had a smile stretched across his face, a smile that read like a cat having found a mouse to play with. 

"Now Taiyo, why don't we find a place to sit and wait for your tutor's to come back, wouldn't do well for an academy student to get lost out on the mean streets of Karakura. There's hollows, gangs of fullbringers, and even the spare hellion running around. By the god's I've even heard that there was an Arrancar running around." With a shake with the word Arrancar, Arcadus set Taiyo down, and guiding him over to a bench under an awning pressed on his shoulder to sit. 

"So, young Taiyo, tell me about yourself, whats the news in Soul Society. Is Ludwig still the captian of squad 4?" The smile on the blond's face had shifted to a kinder gentler smile, though it din't do well to hind the overwhelming force that was building behind it. Arcadus so loved this kind of interaction, where there was so much pressure on the other person to act, but in what ways they acted were so entertaining. Would they fight? Would they struggle? Would they wait it out for backup? Would they even try and make friends to worm their way out of this? It told Arcadus so much about the person, and it was always entertaining.  

Playing in the background, a kareoke bar blasted. Mist hung in the air, and with his second sight, Arcadus could tell the hollow was fighting both shinigami at this point. He didn't have a ton of time to do this before hand, but it likely didn't matter. The other two shinigami weren't anything to worry about, and with Taiyo as a hostage he had a simple way of leaving. In either case, Arcadus was happy he didn't wear any of his gear outside of his zanpakuto for this, it might have gotten scuffed. 

Arcadus made sure to project his aura deliberately this time, directing it at Taiyo. If he was going to put the shinigami under pressure, he may as well make it crushing down on him. As for his physical appearance and stance, Arcadus had turned to face Taiyo on the bench, right ankle propped up on his left thigh, leaning back against the far corner of the bench. His smile had shifted again to a coy smirk, betraying his knowledge of what he was doing. He was doing the exact bit he had always enjoyed doing. Powerful, Deep, Large, Beautiful. 

[Taiyo]

Taiyo was running away, that much he knew but what he didn't expect was that monsters speed. Whatever it was, he would look over his should to look for it only to see nothing. Yet he felt a grip on the front of his academy Kosode and hefted into the air where he was greeted with the sight of the man he had just run from. How did he move that fast?! He knew people were quick but... that was something else! Or perhaps Taiyo had just not been able to see him? His mind reeled with questions only to find none save more questions. When the man spoke, Taiyo felt his whole body tense up as he gripped the man's hand holding his Kosode, keeping him in the air. 

Taiyo was unsure what else to do now, he didn't possess a weapon to defend himself nor could he use hand to hand. His instincts were crying out at him this was bad, and he could tell that just from a glance even without his instincts. The man then telling Taiyo that he should sit down to wait for his tutors to come back, that it was dangerous all alone out here. The fact this man knew his name terrified him, but when he was shaken at the word Arrancar, Taiyo got that subtle hint that this was just that. An arrancar, a hollow who had removed its mask or... was it the other way around? Taiyo couldn't remember honestly as he was to afraid to think much.

Abruptly Taiyo was put down before being guided firmly by the Arrancar who then had him sit down. Though he was not sure what this arrancar had planned for him, it was certainly not going to be good. The Arrancar then asking what news there was in Soul Society, asking if someone named Ludwig was still a captain. This was not something he knew, as he didn't or rather hadn't met any captain. He only knew of Kaen, who was a vice captain.

"I-I don't know. I a-am new t-to the academy. Only joined a f-few days ago."

Sweat was beading his face in multiple droplets, his feeling of terror in his gut gnawing at his psych. But as Taiyo looked to the people around, he was not afraid for himself. He was afraid for those around him, afraid for his mentors who may return. Taiyo had underestimated this beings strength, vastly as a matter of fact. The pressure on him told him this thing was insanely powerful, far more so than the unseated shinigami who were fresh from the academy. If his mentors showed up now... they would die. In his mind he regretted his action of being out in the open. If he died then at least his comrades wouldn't see or rush to help. Hopefully common sense prevailed here and they didn't come to his aid.

"Y-you are an Arrancar? Please... don't hurt anyone. I-If you want to kill me... J-just kill me please."

Taiyo's eyes were on the crowd but he didn't see them, unfocused as he was and shaking like a leaf. He had accepted this was where he died, already embraced that he would see his wife soon... His children would have Toki still... but at least only he would die here...

[Arcadus]

As Arcadus watched, waited for Taiyo to come to a decision, he wondered about wheter or not this would bite him in the long run, making enemies or traumatizing academy students. People were normally more protective of thier newer recruits, even in something as cutthroat as the Espada, so it was likely that if this ever got reported as more than just a hollow attack, thjere might be more important and powerful shinigami prowling Karakura, but then again, unless it was a loose cannon Kenpachi or something similar. 

In either case, he had not expected that Taiyo would, of all his options, given his relatively impressive strength and speed for an academy student, would chose to pick himself as a scapegoat to save these people. That was unexpected, and a little disappointing. As for how and why, Arcadus wasn't sure. Maybe he really did buy the idea of a life of duty, maybe he thought that these people's lives were more important than his own. Maybe he had a death wish and this was his ticket out. Maybe it was a mix of all three.

"Taiyo, if I was interested in killing people here, tonight, I wouldn't stop with you. Karakura's a big town, and there's a lot of people in it. But I like Karakura. Its a nice place, and I enjoy the shopping district along with the more residential parts of the city. I like the people here, I like the food, and even the air. Its a place to meet interesting people and do interesting things." Arcadus had shifted his eyes to look up at the sky, stars barely visible under the neon glow of the city. 

Flicking his eyes back to Taiyo without moving his head, "But I'm disappointed, that's not the kind of thing they teach you at the Academy. To roll over and die when someone you think is an Arrancar has an aura you don't like? Believe it or not, most Arrancar I've met are actually pretty reasonable people, just under very unreasonable circumstances, and I'm sure your mentors over there would be pretty ashamed to see you do something like that."  Arcadus's tone had waxed into a disappoving chastizement, not angery, more simply underwhelmed and a note irritated. 

"Every shinigami I've met, from seated officers to loose cannon's who the Gotei don't want any fame coming to, always stand up and fight, and Taiyo, for someone who's had only a few days in the Academy, you've got quite a powerful form, physically speaking. So, I think you've got one thing missing. Resolve, guts, determination, courage, whatever you call it. Stand up and fight me. Hit me as hard as you can. I'm not going to move or counter attack. "

This was going to be fun, though, given that Taiyo's first move was to sacrifice himself, maybe he should leave taiyo no outs. "Oh, and Taiyo, if you decide not, to hit me as hard as you can, I'll kill, mmmmh, that woman." Arcadus, remaining seated, pointed into the street, pointing at a pant-suited woman standing at a shop, checking her watch. "And I'll keep killing random people till you do. And then your master's, if thats not enough to rouse  you. Prove to me, that  you have what it takes to be a Reaper." 

[Taiyo]

Taiyo shook like a leaf as the man next to him spoke, but his words did reassure him that the man wasn't going to start a mindless slaughter. Taiyo didn't know what to think of this situation, as his jumps in logic had been rather unorthodox yet... Taiyo was not to be fooled so easily by the man's words. He could sense the evil within him, but the words he spoke struck more at the core of Taiyo than he cared to admit. He did not offer his life to the arrancar to die or to simply give up. The idea of conflict in a populated area was the last thing he wanted to do. Sure they couldn't see Taiyo but he was fully capable of accidently hurting them in their conflict.

He lowered his eyes then, sweat still on his face as he felt his brow furrow.

"I did not offer my life as an excuse to die, I am fully aware of the differences in our strength. But that is not why I offer myself."

Taiyo looked to the crowd then, watching them pass by but deciding to not elaborate further. The people where his greater concern and to see them living happily is a kindness life rarely gives. To live was a gift, and Taiyo didn't want to risk their lives for nothing. Even as the man said that they could be reasonable, such a proclamation rang deaf when the man then stated he would begin to kill others if he did not strike him. This made Taiyo grit his teeth and slowly stand up. He didn't want to strike this man, hell... he didn't want to even be here. But the situation was uncalled for in the first place.

"If I strike you... then you will not hurt anyone. If that is all you want then so be it."

Taiyo sighed heavily before clenching his fists, and turned to the arrancar in full. He would then throw a punch as hard as he could, his eyes closed tightly as he attempted to swing at the man sitting down. He didn't like this nor did he want this to escalate any further. But if it was only a simple punch he didn't see a reason to let it be denied only to have someone else die cuz he refused. A request for him to strike the sitting man was at least acceptable.

[Arcadus]

As Taiyo's fist landed squarely into his fist, a small gust ruffled Arcadus's hair. The boy had really tried his best. For someone unseated, being able to strike on par with tigers and bears was quite the accomplishment. But it hadn't budged him an inch, and his eyes, glinted red in the neon light, looked out behind the fist towards Taiyo. "That was a good punch Taiyo, you really believed there were lives on the line. You might have the courage to be a 3rd seat yet, or maybe vice captain."

Arcadus bean to press back on the fist with his face, rising from his seat as if Taiyo's fist and the weight behind it weighed nothing, pressing Taiyo back, and standing up to his full height, Arcadu's smile from under Taiyo's fist hadn't waivered. "That was a good punch Taiyo, but if you want to fight someone like me, you've got a long way to go." Arcadus would then flick his finger in a flash of movement, cutting through a chunk of Taiyo's shoulder, leaving a gash in the valley shape, showing muscle and flesh underneath the skin. 

Watching Taiyo react, Arcadus wondered if that was too much, and looking over Taiyo to see if anything was broken or if he'd actually killed the shinigami, and satisfied he hadn't, stood over him. "So Taiyo, are you ready to resume our fight, or do you concede? There's honor in admitting defeat you know." That sickening smile that had crept up under Taiyo's fist had remained plastered across his face, radiating a vile smug energy, of superiority and petty arrogance.

[Taiyo]

Taiyo was glad his fist didn't hurt the man, even if he had some vileness in him. The man hadn't hurt anyone... even if he threatened them which made Taiyo not resent the man at least. He didn't want to hate people, and this Arrancar was at least not killing people. Taiyo had made an assumption before based on his previous experience with hollows, and that had made him believe that anything tied to them was killers. For that, he was glad to be proven wrong for now. But when the man gave him a bit of praise.... Taiyo was shocked and embarrassed at the same time.  He then felt a sharp pain in his shoulder which caused Taiyo to drop to his knees as he gritted his teeth in pain.

What had... just happened? Did he just get cut? How? Where did the blade come from? Taiyo's ears searched his shoulder for a moment to see he had indeed been struck, blood oozing from the now open wound and the torn uniform shoulder. He gritted his teeth in pain while he clutched at his shoulder. He had never been cut before, it burned and ached like nothing he had experienced before. It was tolerable but... this was the first time he had experienced an injury before. Tears formed in the corners of his eyes as he tried to cope with the feeling of pain. This was the worst pain he had ever felt before physically and his brain was attempting to avoid panick.

"Y-Yes... I concede I have lost. S-So this is what its like to be c-cut."

Taiyo was frightened again... or rather his fear had returned in full force once more. He was shaking violently, terrible spasms rocked him as he stared at the ground in confusion. He was trying to process what had just happened. He hadn't expected an attack, so the movement from before had been so quick he didn't register he had even been struck. Was this what his wife felt before she died? But on a much higher level? Some part of him felt his stomach lurch at the idea of how much pain she might have felt, but then he knew it was not something he wanted to entertain more thought into. Taiyo's eyes looked up to the man once more, fear in his eyes as he waited to see what he would do next. Taiyo didn't want to fight, but he didn't want to die either. He didn't want to hurt the individuals nearby by defending himself... It was then that the shinigami who had been escorting Taiyo could be seen.

They were looking around on the  streets trying to locate him, which made Taiyo almost feel relief before he looked to the Arrancar. Even as they took notice of him, and started running towards him, Taiyo was scared for their lives... Yet this man had only ever hurt Taiyo and that didn't mean he was completely evil... This was a very confusion set of feelings for the academy student to process. They knelt down to help him and Taiyo remained still, unsure what to do.

[Arcadus]

Seeing Taiyo clutch his shoulder, Arcadus chuckles, gasping like a maiden wasn't exactly becoming of someone of that age, but then again, he didn't look his age either. At his concession, Arcadus breiethed a contented sigh. It was always fun to teach lessons to the new ones, like mewling kittens being nudged in the right direction by a parent. The sickly grin had melted in to a warm smile, welcoming, and to an extent, proud. "Taiyo, I've giving you a gift. Pain and injury are dangerous things to be stranger to in battle, so I hope you'll thank me for letting you experience them in a safe place."

Ah the best part, the closure. Making them walk away, if not thinking it, saying, they were thankful for how he treated them. It never got old, even if it was hard to get right. Maybe this time, with those shinigami heading down to the street. "Ah, your tutors, I have no doubt. Well, we shouldn't keep student from sensei, go on Taiyo, tell then what happened." Pressing a mochi into the shinigami's hand, and nudging him towards the shinigami who were stepping down from the sky. 

Waiting to here the first words or so, Arcadus turned on his heels and began walking back down the road, waiting to see if Taiyo would do or say anything worth addressing, keeping his animalistic senses on the young shinigami. It wasn't worth making a scene in Karakura anyway, and it may as well be time spent leaving and heading home. At the very least, he'd gotten the entertainment out of his night out. Time to go look into setting up radio towers at his place and Ailene's. 

[Taiyo]

Taiyo's eyes fell down to the earth, staring at it while lost in thought. This man hadn't killed him despite the vileness in his heart, and he was not completely evil because he was a hollow. He had been taught two very important lessons today and as the man continued to walk away, the shinigami student would look to the arrancar. He wanted to promise him that he would defeat him someday... but in truth he didn't want that. There was no reason to fight him as long as he didn't do evil... but how many people had he killed in his life? Who was Taiyo to judge him? Even as the shinigami picked him up once more and the pain rang in his brain, he couldn't take his eyes off the back of that man.

Evil... fighting... pain and suffering. What it meant to be a shinigami was not so black and white to Taiyo anymore. He had thought fighting hollows was all there was to the world, that joining the academy would reveal a simple truth. How little his world had been, how narrow his view of everything and now... with just a few actions he had learned a lesson. The shinigami were trying to speak to him, but Taiyo simply stared at the back of the arrancar or what he assumed was one... But what did it matter what he was? Taiyo looked down then, his mind thinking over it all as the two shinigami began to heard him in the opposite direction. There was so much to learn.

Had he truly been ignorant in his beliefs before? Did simply offering up his life mean he was asking for death for no reason when he was confronted earlier? There was clearly a tension there but Taiyo had made assumptions and that could have gotten him killed. Even as the doors to the soul society opened and they got ready to depart on their path. Taiyo spared one final glance over his shoulder while holding his wound. Aye... there was more to this world than he had thought. He had much to learn.

!~End Thread~!

[Kitai Yoru]

22 paragraphs from Taiyo, 220 TP awarded, plus 50 TP for draw
23 paragraphs from Arcadus, 2,300 Ryo, plus 500 Ryo for draw