Tranquility Bewildered, Rocket Away! [Seiji / Luna]

[Luna Melrose]

At last, another day over... The days came and went, leeching off precious energy from poor students who hadn’t paid attention all year long; their first year’s finals would soon be on the horizon, leading to a bit of a panic for many. Of course, Luna herself wasn’t too worried, she had a solid grasp on the fundamentals and theory after all and, should she fail in some of her more shaky subjects, it was nothing a healthy bit of persuasion couldn’t solve; nonetheless, perhaps it was in the nature of high-performing, studious pupils to focus just as hard as their more desperate classmates, for she came out of each lesson just as exhausted as they did. Lazily lifting up from her assigned seat, the woman began heading out of the classroom, or so it seemed at first; “Uuuhh~, I’m so tireeeed”, said another young lady who quickly caught up with the girl, a friend named Mayu she’d made during this year’s extracurricular medical lessons.

“Tch. Says the one who slept through the entire class” was quickly retorted by the group’s newest addition who had been patiently waiting for them in the doorway; “Sadakooo~!”. Dodging a light tackle from the clumsy, highly irritated girl, she raised her arm while passing them by and bumped fists with Luna; “Yo. Missed anything?”. “Hmmm~, I wonder...”, she answered with an introspective look on her face; “Tch. You know I won’t sit through another of Kaeda’s classes; I’ll just borrow your notes instead”. Letting out a light chuckle, Luna nodded as the trio walked outside the classroom, heading for the Academy’s main gate. At the moment, this was her daily routine; hardships would await her at school everyday, yet their studies would go along and soon, any sign of worries would melt away alongside her friends, the mundane replaced with daily excitement and regular chitchats. She had to admit, it will be bothersome to separate from them, eventually.

Pensive, her thoughts were interrupted by Mayu’s open-ended query; “Soo~, it’s finally Friday; where do you both wanna go?”. Turning around, Sadako quickly took the opportunity to tease her somewhat; “Oh? Thought you’d leave us for a bed” “I knoooow~! Nothing too tiring pleeease...”. Taking a short break near the Academy’s courtyard right next to the entrance, their group began brainstorming ideas; it’s not like there was a lack of options but, with how tiresome this afternoon had been, their go-to activity, partying and enjoying the nightlife, was off the board. Having a suggestion, Luna casually raised her hand and spoke up; “Say...”. She had waited a while for a chance to visit this location, and it might be such an opportunity right now; “...How about we go meet the Kido Corps?”. Obviously, nothing was ever without meaning with this manipulative girl; she thought there might be a way to learn more about the current proceedings of Central 46 if she simply watched an organization directly under their thumb.

The girls first looked at each other, confusion painted over their expression; “Kido Corps? What’d we even do there?”. “We can ask them for a nice firework or something~!”; albeit they certainly had their doubts, the women shrugged and relented. “With you arouuund~, anything's an optiooon~!”; they knew, of course, that unlikely scenarios kept occurring around Luna, her closest friends having seen her in action plenty of times since they’ve met. Truthfully, the charisma she could exhibit was something even they weren’t really used to, the girl regularly managing to either make people do things beyond reason or get into places they wouldn’t envision; that was just a fact of life around Luna Melrose. “Tch. No complaints here”, added her other, outspoken friend; and so, the trio now departed... Or, at least, it initially seemed so, but the devious girl stopped them and, smiling devilishly, reached into her attire to pull out a beautiful ornate hand mirror, pointing it to look behind herself.

At first glance, nothing seemed to be there, but... “You’ coming with us?” “...”; gradually, the figure of a lone, fourth girl began appearing, as if space warped around to reveal her presence. Startled, Sadako gave her a glare, scolding her for this sudden appearance; “Ena, enough of this! We’ve warned you before!”. Commonly called Ena, her true denomination would rather be Nꓯ-43; a short woman full of cybernetics implanted directly within her frame, she was an oddity among students and the only one pretty much not officially recognized on the rosters. This loner, usually hidden out of sight, gave Luna a nod; it would seem their evening was about to get lively indeed. Now complete, this small group of spirited misfits walked away from their typical dwellings, instead taking an admittedly very roundabout path toward tonight’s destination, the Kido Corps courtyard; little did they know what their night truly had in store for them.

Little did they know, a viper was among them...

Approaching the gates of Kido Corps ground with Luna spearheading their charge forward, the ladies were quickly intercepted by guards on duty there; “Whaaaat~?!? We can’t get in? But I thought we would see some nice fireworks if we came here!!”. Certainly, that remark would sound insane, but this was actually on purpose; causing a ruckus at the entrance, these women attracted a crowd of people simply on patrol in the area, curious about the ridiculousness of this situation. Catching on quickly, the other girls joined in as well; “Tch. Show us!” “Pleeeeease~!” “...”. This commotion wasn’t meaningless; when confronted with a low-stake decision, most people would just give in if so much pressure was being put on them. Luna intended to create enough friction for their group to be simply allowed in, the low risks associated with their entry into the courtyard ultimately not being worth all this hassle to keep them out; she merely needed to sufficiently bother those at the gates and, surely, her objective would be reached.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Times had been tough. Nothing outside the norm truly, or at least to begin with it hadn't been. Living as part of a greater force, controller by various old farts who couldn't be asked to lift a finger themselves was at times a bother, but he managed. Worked with what he had, what he could use to give himself a leg up. In a place such as the Seiretei, if you didn't then you'd be stagnating for the rest of your life. All the while the damn nobility grew more in power and did whatever they wanted, guaranteed positions into a Squad of their choice, favorable treatment anywhere they went. Simply because they had more money then sense, pigheaded bastards the lot of them. Still the emerald haired Shinigami would not voice such thoughts aloud, a distant laughter howling in his ears pushed away until it could no longer be heard. He had better things to be doing then contemplating and complaining about the power inherently given to those 'nobles'. A bloodline that meant very little at the end of it all. No instead, things had begun slowly that day, including his waking. Drawn from resting without being bothered, a rarity as of late, before the runaround began.

Unseated though he still may be, the invasion had affected them all and repairs were still ongoing throughout the entire Seiretei and beyond that, the Rukongai especially. A place he had yet to be able to go visit, to see what remained of his own former home, to see if it still stood. As tempting as it was to simply take off and go check things, today at least he would stay. Not that any of the higher ups would notice, they were so busy since the few that were left alive had in essence left those unseated in the Corps to deal with problems themselves. And that was probably why so many had begun to bother him. Those that had recently joined, the few that had shied away from actual combat and preferred their books, or even the handful that had seem him rushing the front lines throughout the whole ordeal now seemed to want his opinion. He wasn't entirely sure why they had done so, but telling them all to get lost when he worked alongside them daily did not seem like the smart choice. For the moment he relented and reluctantly offered help where he could, as if the higher seated members weren't already getting him to do some of their paperwork while they coordinated repairs alongside others in the Gotei 13.

All in all? It was a mess. One that had to be fixed before anything even remotely related to the word 'normal' could happen again. Well, normal in a society populated with those already long since deceased but still put to the grindstone in some form of another. It never ended. Deep onyx robes fluttered and swished at his sides as he walked, a lanky form hidden by the depths of the fabric and a small rather unremarkable wakizashi tucked beside his right hip. Flecks of dust stirred about from the morning and afternoon rush, of which he'd spend mostly indoors with grueling paperwork and reading what he had time for, now descending into the evening, such fragments seemed intent on sticking to his clothing. Bothersome but ignoble for now. The sun setting did not mean everyone stopped working, some of the newbies already had of course, but given he'd been about the place for over a year already, a break wasn't much of an option. Not without a valid excuse anyway. Such thoughts led him through the elongated yet covered walkways that led between each building, courtyard spread out between them, at enough of a distance that blasting such structures apart wasn't too likely. Not with the control that was required to even be admitted here.

Idly for a moment, left undisturbed for a few minutes until someone found him, when he heard raised voices he took the chance to follow it. Perching up upon a low roof to have a peek without being seen, find out just was what going on. A murmur of students, reached his ears, those guarding the entryway were somewhat new and easily flustered. "We r-really can't let you students in, it's against the rules! It can be dangerous back here, just go back to your dorms!" One, a short female tried to insist, but clearly was struggling to be heard over the incessant pleading of four girls. Well, three and one just standing there but even so. Three was enough to create a considerable disturbance when others were still working. And the younger shinigami's insistence didn't seem to be working no matter what she tried, from demanding they leave to simply politely asking - nothing worked and the one beside her was perhaps wisely keeping silent. From fear of making things worse or still not wanting to be involved either way it only compounded the sound further. Glancing about and seeing no others around, well that left only him to deal with this, how lovely.

Academy students were always easy to pick out of a crowd, done on purpose he suspected even during his own days there. The stark white an obvious sign of one in training, but there was on at the front wearing more muted colors. A further quick glance had the grinning Shinigami spotting a rather familiar face, oh so that was why there were so many and they were causing such a fuss. Some things don't change. A passing thought as he hopped down from the roof and slowly meandered his way through the barracks and hallways out towards the front gates. Sure people guarding the place was useful, but they had plenty of Kido to keep troublemakers out too. As far as he'd heard from his superiors, guard duty was simply a test of willpower and complete patience. Something he had only barely passed, having disappearing halfway through such duty after finding it far too dull. Yet others of his same rank were still coming to him to ask questions when the upper seats wouldn't answer them, how ironic. With a quick shunpo past the front gates out to the street beyond, he lingered against the far wall, waiting and watching them to see if any would take notice. They hadn't.

"Maaa... what're ya kids doin' out so late an' tryin' ta get into a restricted area ne? Ya got nothin' betta ta do but wantin' ta watch us blow up stuff?" He let his voice be known as he stepped out, behind the small group now with that same grin plastered upon his features as it always was. Curiosity dripping into his tone with no shortage of amusement alongside it. A hidden slanted gaze flickered over each of them in turn, one that seemed almost methodical in the way she blinked and even breathed, the rest were somewhat surprised. Normal he supposed for when someone appeared before out seemingly out of nowhere. Well save for the fourth of the group that was, he wouldn't expect shock from her, if anything quite the opposite. "Nice seein' ya Lu-chan, ya wanna tell me what yer after comin' all the way out here?" He did not expect a truthful answer really, not in front of so many, but maybe he could pry one out of her eventually. So his curiosity got the better of him. So what? It saved going back and doing paperwork, that was for sure. Anything was better than form filling.

[Luna Melrose]

“We r-really can't let you students in, it's against the rules! It can be dangerous back here, just go back to your dorms!”

Seemingly, the pressure she had been fostering against this organization did not yield satisfactory results, the ones in charge of preserving the sanctity of this location rather stubbornly preferring to hold on to the regulations they had been instructed to uphold; this wouldn’t do, she would need to increase her antics a notch further. Approaching the woman who had addressed them, effectively intruding into her personal space, Luna pleaded with all her might for them to be let through; “Can’t you make an exception for us? We simply want to learn more about Kido~, see it in action!”. Adding fuel to the fire, Mayu chipped in as well, oddly interested in witnessing such a payoff to today’s tomfoolery; “It won’t be dangerous if we have a guuide! Juuuust~, please!”. Whether this would work or fall on deaf ears remained to be seen, but it’d at the very least certainly shake their resolve and make them more agreeable to find a compromise; or so the girls hoped.

Call it a stroke of bad luck perhaps, but the person most likely to end up with such a role shoved on them made their presence known just as this group of students began implying their need for one; “Maaa... what're ya kids doin' out so late an' tryin' ta get into a restricted area ne? Ya got nothin' betta ta do but wantin' ta watch us blow up stuff?”. Looking around to find the source of this familiar voice, Luna’s eyes slightly widened as she spotted the one it belonged to; an emerald-haired man with a smirk worthy of praise was standing there behind them, someone she was already acquainted with from her days back in the Rukongai. A light hop in surprise followed by her very own signature smile, the scheming girl gave him a greeting while ignoring what was going on around them, as if she was now oblivious to the circumstances she had herself orchestrated; “Oh, Seiji~! Long time no see!”.

This outward demeanor contrasted heavily with her internal thoughts since, to put it bluntly, she was actually fuming on the inside; from Luna’s perspective, meeting a person she already knew from before her admission into the ranks of Shinigami was both a worst-case scenario and something she couldn’t sincerely consider a mere coincidence. Of course, it was definitely a possibility, but she would not simply assume that much... Was Central 46 on her tail? Did someone manage to figure out her identity? Was his presence here part of some greater plan? Could Luna outmaneuver this hypothetical agent of shadows? So many questions, with very few answers; whatever the case, all she really knew was that a person from her bloodstained past somehow resurfaced and might be here following another’s scheming, regardless of whether he was aware of it or not... She also ran the risk he may reveal more than she was comfortable with; it was a terrible situation, one she needed to break away from no matter what.

Careful not to give away any of her inner mindset to the one ahead, it was unlikely Seiji would pick up on any signs of it from her poise and manners; after a glance given to each of those in Luna’s group, he spoke up once more, this time a response and query casually aimed at the girl. “Nice seein' ya Lu-chan, ya wanna tell me what yer after comin' all the way out here?”; it was an honest interrogation, one she would’ve certainly had as well if she were in his shoes right now. Unfortunately, the girl didn’t have to ponder very hard how to answer it, her reply simply matching the intentions she and her group had mentioned from the get-go; “Nothing much~, really. I’m just here for leisure, to try and convince a few Shinigami into giving us a fireworks show!”. She was painfully honest, at least when it came to the superficial motive behind their little excursion to the Kido Corps; he would however certainly need a lot more persuasion, or perhaps simply different conditions, for her to open up about what else might be on her mind.

Interrupting this nonchalant conversation, Sadako probed Luna for an uncertainty of her own; “Yo. You seem to know this guy; who’s he?”. Wasting no time at all, the girl took this opportunity to try and pass along a message, hoping its rightful audience would catch on; “Oh, he’s an old friend! From back when I worked as a servant in the Rukongai”. This would probably ring a bell for Seiji, who should be well aware her past didn’t match that story at all; if it wasn’t quite enough, she also gave him a short glance right as the word ‘servant’ was mentioned, far too subtle to be caught by her friends but it assuredly wouldn’t be missed by its aim. Hopefully, he would understand that her circumstances were currently abnormal and would keep any mention of their past to himself as something off-limits, at least until they could have a chat in private; otherwise, she might need to silence everyone here, to keep her true roots a secret...

Switching her strategy around, this devious woman left the courtyard’s guards alone and refocused her efforts on their new guest, hoping to hit two birds with one stone; she approached Seiji and didn’t shy away from looking him straight in the eyes, creating tension and pressure for the poor man. If he wasn’t used to such brazen behavior from the opposite gender, then surely this would destabilize him quite a bit; regardless, Luna planned on using their connection to her advantage. “Say, why don’t you give us a visit? For old times’ sake?”; right now, she expected his mind to spin in search for a solution, but unfortunately the girl wouldn’t give in and he’d know that, which meant there weren’t many options for a resolution here. However, Luna did recognize that the circumstances might not allow him such a choice, no matter how much she’d try to goad him into it, so she also had a lifeline prepared and ready for him.

A few seconds of silence after her earlier remark, she’d innocently add on top of it a few further words, a chance for Seiji to possibly find a different path toward settling this situation; “Unless~, you can offer us something more entertaining to do together?”. Smiling naively, Luna put a decent amount of emphasis on ‘together’, and implied he’d need to follow them wherever he might suggest; this meant she would get an opportunity to deal with the current predicament and alleviate her precarious situation. Honestly, it didn’t matter anymore whether the Kido Corps went along with her initial plan or not, it was a superficial detail at this point; the little imp only cared about a change in surroundings, regardless of how it was achieved. Having still not broken sight with Seiji, she wondered how he’d handle all this... In a way, his reaction was just like an experiment, an unknown she couldn’t predict; that was a topic not to be taken lightly around her.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

No matter what she did, they wouldn't listen! The young Shinigami female, barely a few weeks into graduating now faced with some rather insistent students trying to get into the Kido Corps. They just couldn't, she'd already said that! Yet seemingly such an answer wasn't nearly good enough for them, because the group persisted even so. Some by raising their voices once more, the other few just by staring her down. Her superiors would surely yell at her if she gave in, things were bad enough after the attack she'd heard about, without having some kind of security breach on top of it. "I can't, I'm sorry! You'll have to ask your teachers for more about Kido, I can't leave my post either, p-please just go back to your dorms!" She did not bow to them, that would be stupid but with a whole group of them it did not help her nerves one bit. Especially as the pleading from a few of them only got worse, or at least it seemed like it would only grow more troublesome until a familiar voice showed up.

Seiji for his part, had only come to peek out of curiosity but with one he knew here, from Rukongai no less? He couldn't help but wonder if following his whims this evening would lead to a far more interesting outcome. The many times he had encountered Luna out there, neither of them had been doing very savory things and quite frankly he'd never once seen her as the type to suddenly begin studying to become a Shinigami. The color of her robes may be more muted then that of her friends, a personal choice perhaps, but there was little mistaking the robes of an academy student. Contrasting greatly with his own, not free from small specs of dust from the day, but good enough to last him until he retired for the evening. Zanpakuto hanging at his right hip leisurely while each hand hung at his sides, almost entirely hidden by his sleeves save for the tips of each finger. Still at such a greeting, he raised one hand to wave briefly, grin spreading a little further as he looked not to the group gathered but to the one on patrol. Poor girl.

"Ya can leave me ta deal with 'em Asuka-chan, I'll take responsibility for 'em." Better that then this lot ending up rushing through the barracks and causing a complete and total mess. At least if he kept an eye on them, if luck was on his side, he could maybe convince them all to return to their dorms. Or at least most of them, he knew Luna would be far more difficult to convince, at least until he spoke with her properly first. That was just the kind of person he'd known her as, as stubborn and determined as he was, especially when it came to information. Though she answered his query seemingly honestly, he did not believe for a single second that such an answer was the only reason she was here. Nor why she'd brought others along for the ride either. Scapegoats perhaps? Maybe. It was certainly a theory worth testing out, a small 'thank you' coming from Asuka to which a flicker of thin digits to dismiss her thanks was all he gave her in return. Hopefully he wouldn't regret it.

The story she spoke of was nothing more than a mere fabrication, intricately weaved lies that bordered on the edge of truth for anyone that did not know better, yet he did. Were it just the two of them, he might have laughed at her attempt, but he could see a plea to keep quiet from a mile off. So he did, smile just the same as when he had first appeared before all of them, there would be time to talk about such details and ask precisely why she was keeping such things from others. Presumably those that might even be considered friends at that. Puzzling for sure, but there had to be a reasonable explanation, there always was with Luna. Though glancing at these friends of hers, it seemed all the more likely that they might be pawns, none seemed too bright, simply following her lead as she stood at the forefront of the group. Words were not the only thing that told stories of someone's intentions after all.

Yet he felt no need to verbally confirm the matter, her word should be enough for this lot. Those her steps towards him weren't unexpected, her proximity was, unluckily for her? Seiji was no stranger to being up close and personal with just about anyone, a distant sour memory, but one that ensured he was well equipped whenever someone might try to crowd him. Be it to intimidate or persuade, she would not get her way here, not today. A chuckling pressed between thin smiling lips as he leaned down, lowering enough so that they were face to face, if she wished to crowd his space then he would do so in turn. A test of wills, a test of her, of what she might do. "No can do Lu-chan, best to try that lil' tactic on someone that'll actually cave next time." A look of amusement, a raised brow and a moment more to linger, to let such words and their meaning sink in before he raised himself back up to his proper height. Try again Luna.

Even after her request, she suggested more still, an alternative to letting them in. And with an idea already in mind? Well, he could hardly refuse that. Despite that, Seiji still made an effort of it looking like a troublesome task. Shoulders sagging a little as he sighed, a sign of supposed reluctant agreement if ever there was one. "I suppose I can show ya all somethin' a lil' fun, but yer all goin' straight back ta yer dorms after, ya understand?" Agreement with an undertone of authority and if they didn't, well he'd drag them all back kicking and screaming if that was what it took. Only once he got a verbal agreement did the elder move, swiftly turning on his heel with a 'follow' gesture from his right hand before he headed south. Away from the Kido Corps and most people, out to a training ground he knew was rarely used. Given he came out here infrequently himself, the walk wasn't long thankfully, he knew going into Shunpo he would likely loose them, so this for the moment would have to do. Hopefully they liked what they would soon discover.

[Luna Melrose]

Leisurely watching the outcome of her own fabricated circumstances play out, Luna had a sly, thin smile slowly adorn the corner of her lips as she did so; the woman was frankly delighted to witness these events now unravel in front of her eyes, thrilled at the thought she might get to salvage the situation. Besides, a few words had caught her attention throughout their exchange, most importantly Seiji’s response to it... “I’ll take responsibility for ‘em”, he said; such a benign, mild sentence in any other context, but how naïve the man had been to let this one out here. Surely, he knew the one before him better than that, right? He should be well aware the girl was a complete wildcard, in any and every scenario; making this statement so confidently was nothing more than a whole lot of risks, without much in terms of reward. If he thought she could be contained quite that easily, perhaps she’d need to teach him a lesson... After all, Seiji did claim to take responsibility for her actions, didn’t he?

Devilish thoughts afoot, she quite enjoyed his little stunt, as well; having stepped well within his comfort zone, she had thought it would’ve destabilized him at least slightly, but that didn’t prove to be the case, a fact he seemed eager to let her know. “No can do Lu-chan, best to try that lil' tactic on someone that'll actually cave next time”; closing the gap in return, his face merely inches away, Seiji clearly tried to turn the tables on her antics. That just wouldn’t do, no; Luna was the predator, and he... Well, he was the prey, her mark. If she had even the slightest bit of feminine feelings at this very moment, maybe this could’ve undermined her composure, but the student saw such proximity merely as a weapon, a tool to be used for her personal gains. Facing him earnestly, she simply smiled, genuinely, waiting for him to pull away yet showing no signs of discomfort at the circumstances, either; her poker face was unassailable, thoughts veiled behind the fog of war.

Truth be told, Luna did feel this attitude of his was due credit; the man had evidently seen through her desire to throw him off his game and had reacted how anyone should, by trying to force her hand as well. His efforts had unfortunately gone to waste, but the attempt itself was already a step in the right direction and more than most would dare try; people were generally oblivious when being manipulated, all of them fools for trusting outward appearances. For that, he had her respect... However, Seiji had made a grave misunderstanding if he thought her little maneuver was only meant to subdue him; while that was indeed among her goals, the main objective behind her actions was merely to identify whether this method would have any effect on the man. She went fishing for information, which he had graciously provided to her in response to this gimmick; Luna has many more tools at her disposal, and this would simply help her narrow down the best ones for their true confrontation.

Quietly awaiting his response, her suggestion seemingly came back bearing fruits; although he, plainly speaking, didn’t seem very enthusiastic at the thought of playing host for their hyperactive group, which was to be expected in all fairness, the Kido Corps member nonetheless reluctantly agreed to her proposal, an activity apparently already on his mind. “I suppose I can show ya all somethin' a lil' fun, but yer all goin' straight back ta yer dorms after, ya understand?”; he didn’t seem prone to accept her silence as a form of tacit agreement, a wise choice indeed, so she was forced to voice her compliance. “Mhmm, of course~!”; Luna did intend to head back as a group, without taking any detours and it would certainly occur after his little exhibit, so she had no issue at all agreeing to those terms... Directly after, though? He didn’t specify that much, so she was free to pick whichever timing she’d prefer; every word should be carefully weighted when trying to discuss with this deceptive she-devil!

Her usual giddy temperament still widely apparent, the girl asked for her compatriots’ opinions; “What do you each think?”. Taking a step forward, Sadako was the first to respond, her outgoing attitude even a match for Luna’s at times; “So long as we’re gone by nightfall, I’ve got no complaints”. Both looking at the two remaining, introverted friends, it seemed evident one of them was displeased by this turn of events, her pouting expression a clear cue of where her mind stood; “I would’ve reeeally enjoyed fireworks, but I guess if everyone’s going and it’ll be fuuun~, I’ll just follow...”. Turning around, her emotions obvious even from a mile away, she addressed Seiji; “-But I’ll be back with proper authorizations next tiiiime!”. She wore her feelings on her sleeves, unlike another friend of theirs... As for the last of their little gang, Nꓯ-43, her deadpan silence was all the young man would get, and he’d have to accept it; remaining here, if she didn’t agree with their consensus, wouldn’t have been an option anyway, and the group knew that already.

“Ena’s iiiiiin, too~”; by unanimous vote, a choice was made and, thus, they were invited to follow with a mere gesture from Seiji, leaving the inexperienced woman guarding the entrance behind. Now walking toward an unknown destination, the insidious girl took this opportunity to test the waters again, attempting to bother Seiji using a different strategy entirely; “Soo~, in which dark alleyway are you leading these four beautiful young maidens, mister authority figure?”. Letting out that mischievous and quite frankly misleading statement, his reputation was now her target and, since Luna was the one who knew him best here, her words held weight; instinctively, several of the other girls reacted poorly, opening up distance between them, an act that may very well disappoint Seiji. Observing him carefully, she tried to piece together any signs of discontent or exasperation from the young man... However, if he did nothing to disturb it, an unlikely ally would soon make itself known; sharp crack abound, followed by the motions of a strong gush of air nearby, what unfolded would no doubt be a surprise even for him.

*Bonk!*

“Oww! What was that for?!”; “You really need to ask?”. Now holding a fence post in hand, one forcibly removed from the bounds enclosing their path, Sadako stood next to Luna, the poor girl curled up and holding the top of her head with her hands. Gah, the woman’s strength was still just as impressive as the first time they met! Pouting slightly, the student tried explaining herself, afraid that another blow might be coming; “I was just kidding! He can’t do anything like that with Ena here, anyway~”, she loudly claimed. This would be news for him; not only was she seemingly convinced no wrong would befall them so long as Nꓯ-43 were around, but the girl also failed to maintain control over her friends’ group... Why was that? Either way, the brash woman firmly planted the improvised stick back where she had found it, and they were now free to continue walking down their path; shoulders heavy, gloomy Luna would follow suit, still shaken by this unexpected outburst.

Where were they even headed anyway, she wondered?

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Gathering information, a regular practice for anyone who held any kind of desire to survive and ensure they were protected. For the sensible few, it would be done on a daily basis and that was exactly what the experienced Shinigami did. Even the briefest of interactions could be catalogued and filed away for future use, subjects to mention later as a reminder, or even blackmail should it need to be done. Morality, unlike many assumed, was never fully black and white, no matter how plenty claimed it to be so. No, everything was a shade of grey and he was perhaps the worst of them all when it came to bending and twisting any rule he might need to suit his purposes. While he was well aware that taking on the burden of keeping an eye on these girls could be troublesome, most would be fine, it was only Luna that he would truly have to keep a close eye on. She was just as likely to ignore or bend the rules of anything as he was, be it stated fact or even within a conversation.

So, he was deliberate in how he spoke. Each word chosen, purposefully giving her openings to potentially manipulate, to see how far she would go. To see how much, if anything, had changed of her since he'd last met the young soul within the lawless depths of South Rukongai. Seiji was no fool, he knew she was doing the same to him, like two mirrors moving back and forth to see which one cracked first. It wouldn't be him, that was for sure. Though she showed no unease or discomfort at the sudden closing proximity, that was fine by him, it told him just that little bit more about her. Such things might not phase her at all, or perhaps it simply required a different set of circumstances away from the prying eyes of her so called 'friends'. Nevertheless, his smile remained even as he pulled away and straightened back up, hidden gaze casting a throwaway glance to the others, a few were not phased at all by what they'd witnessed, but he could see telltale color upon the face of one. Likely embarrassed by the sight, poor thing.

While he most certainly had an idea in mind to keep the group away from the Kido Corps and towards something that would, at least briefly entertain them, he suspected getting there would be half the battle. Though he heard a rather obvious agreement from Luna and doubted it immediately, he said nothing on the subject. For now he would simply appear to trust her word, and that of her friends as well. Hopefully a little more likely to listen then she was to someone that outranked them by a decent margin. By the look of them, they were all still first years, second at most which meant most had very little in the way of actual combat experience or the subtle clues that went along with it just before such violence began. It was such an understanding, that gave the emerald haired Shinigami an idea. How to deal with all of this swiftly and efficiently, with no one complaining one bit and perhaps even Luna would be willing to speak with him a touch more openly afterwards.

"Yer'll get a bit o' fireworks, don'cha worry. As fer authorizations, well, good luck gettin' that as a student." Without a member of the Corps permitting them entry, or Central 46, very few could get in - hell even he'd had trouble on his first day as an unseated member trying to gain entry - so the chances of a student being allowed in he knew couldn't be all that high. Perks he supposed, of not officially being tied to the Gotei 13, those of Captain or Lieutenant rank in the other Divisions were less likely to involve themselves in their business. Nevertheless, the group seemed content enough for the time being to begin following him, down the dust filled street as the moon lingered above. Sure, he still had some work left to be finished before the day's end and maybe his superiors might be a little annoyed come morning, but it wasn't anything massively urgent. It could wait. This was far more interesting.

Naturally he expected his dark haired acquaintance to cause a little trouble, to stir the pot as it were against him, to judge his reactions and attempt to rattle his composure. So her sudden misleading statement wasn't all that much of a surprise. Even if he could sense the slight flare of unease from her companions at such words, he wouldn't blame them. Still, he didn't stop or step back towards them, Luna may not fear him but the others just might and he wasn't going to make that worse immediately following such a remark. Best saved for later. Only glance over his shoulder, to speak, to assess even as they meandered down the path ahead, only to stop. Not because of anything ahead of him, but because of what had been done to Luna. Two slender fingers tapping the pommel of his Zanpakuto twice as he watched the brief argument between the pair unfold, the action more of a distraction then anything else. For his own mind or an attentive young student? Who knows.

"Next time yer gonna rip up a fence post outta nowhere kid, ya wanna warn me before hand?" It was not surprise, but amusement that colored his tone, frankly if her friend was going to do so again. He'd rather like to see it. Turning back ahead, he continued along knowing the others were likely to follow, curiosity was one hell of a useful tool. Words muttered barely above the slightest whisper and with the group now a little further back, he knew none of them would hear it, not as they were. That, was all he needed. Not long after they arrived, to a rather empty looking training ground, scorch marks littering the ground. Clearly a place that had been used recently enough, just not today perhaps. Not the middle of a back-alley as Luna had suggested. They weren't in outer Rukongai here. Still it was usable for the purposes he had in mind. They would not be here long anyways, so disturbing anyone nearby would hardly be an issue he needed to concern himself with.

"Sōkatsui." Were the next words drawn from a smiling mouth. Hands still at his sides, a sphere of bright blue forming before him before being fired off, rocketing towards one of the practice targets a fair distance away and slamming into it. An eruption of blue fire and sheer explosive force greeted the target leaving it singed and half falling apart from the destruction. Well, these girls had said they'd wanted to see some fireworks, and it was the least he could do to deliver a little portion of that. Even if the display would not last as long as they might want it to. Still he let the group linger on it, flame he supposed some of them in time would be able to conjure themselves. If they graduated the academy without being caught sneaking around after curfew anyway. Not that he’d tell on any of them. In fact, tonight he would do quite the opposite. Helpful some would say, Seiji however, would disagree completely. Rather, he suspected Luna and her friends may end up disliking him a little for it. Oh well. They'd get over it.

As the small amount of billowing smoke began to clear from the blast, the amused hiss of Soyoukaze reached his ears distant upon the wind and only heard to him, their power now taking effect. "Unfortunately ladies, that is all you'll get tonight. Time to sleep." Sinister sounding as it may be, there was little the group could do. The thinning of the air now potent enough to cause all of them one by one to hit the group. First one then another right into unconsciousness all around Luna, until she too would eventually fall. Only once he was sure each of them were completely out of it, did he seal his Zanpakuto once again, a tap of the pad of one slim finger to the hilt and that was that. The reaction not immediate, but air would gradually return to the space he inhabited, in the meantime, he could get all of these girls back to where they were supposed to be. Well, for the most part. It took a while, but asking around a few Shinigami were more than happy to help return these students to their rightful dorms.

It was so easy to pretend, to play the concerned soul that wanted to ensure these students in training were returned safely. Simple to fool those that were tired and likely did not want to be patrolling and guarding others so late in the evening. Almost laughably so as he used Shunpo back and forth to deliver each to their correct destination. Leaving them atop their futon's each with nary a scratch, though he left Ena with one of the other girls. The last by the time he returned to the training grounds, was Luna. Frankly, she seemed much less likely to cause chaos while sleeping, though that was yet to be seen given she would wake in due time. Just as they all would, never had it been to harm. Merely to ensure certain pieces on the board kept out of his way, while making way for something new. They had a few things to discuss after all, and Seiji knew neither of them would want to be questioned by others during such a conversation.

Picking her up was easy enough, lightweight that he had no trouble using Shunpo across Rukongai and back into the Seiretei, the path to the academy was a familiar one, it hadn't been all that long since he'd been there himself studying really. Six months at the most perhaps? How time flew. Still he was swift across rooftops and through the cool night air, darkness and barely blinking stars high above, all ignored in favor of reaching his intended destination and setting Luna down upon her own futon once inside. The room itself, upon a first glance to others might seem quite normal, but there were quirks of the girl strewn about. Unchanged from her time in Rukongai and perhaps enhanced even more, thanks to new knowledge gained. Odd items here and there, and notebooks containing both studies from the academy and her own notes, peeked through only briefly before being returned to their proper place.

What interested the Shinigami more than her notebooks - those were better explained by the one that wrote them then simply written after all - was her bookcase. You could tell a startling amount about a person based on what they read, interests and secrets alike. Though his sensing capabilities with reiatsu were still minimal at best, she was still a student, though he admired the attempt to hide. Both spiritually and visually, small traps placed about the place, something he was careful to avoid even from the moment he'd stepped into the small space. Even if it did feel bigger then his, a little unfair, but he wouldn't mention it. Instead a hidden gaze looked through various sections, curious though he was to explore more, he suspected ruining things further would end badly. And besides, why look, when you can hear it from someone first hand? A much less risk filled endeavour that hopefully wouldn't led to her attacking him with her asauchi.

Instead of taking his chances further that evening, he extracted one more item from her shelves, that of a simple mystery novel. Not to look for anything about her, but simply to pass the time, it would be a while yet before she woke from Soyoukaze's power, even if the air around her had returned to normal, it still took time. Window slightly open an ajar, a breeze let in as he sat by it and waited. Book in one hand, Zanpakuto sat beside him on the ground, out of his obi so he could rest more comfortably in a place that was far from his own. It was only as he saw the girl begin to stir, that he briefly paused in his reading, returning to it moments later while he waited a few minutes more. "Welcome back sleepyhead, so Lu-chan, ya feel like talkin' properly with me now? Before ya ask, yer lil' friends are safely back in their dorms, not a scratch on 'em." An assurance, so she would not immediately start yelling and shouting, only when he heard the telltale sound of her moving did he finally look up. Smile ever-present, a hidden gaze watching now. Perhaps they could finally speak honestly.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Note}
The use of Soyoukaze in this post is cinematic and has been agreed upon by both players to advance the social.

[Luna Melrose]

Things couldn’t have gone any worse.

Not only was the young girl deeply concerned about the curvature of her poor skull following the powerful smack she’d just received, but now... “Next time yer gonna rip up a fence post outta nowhere kid, ya wanna warn me before hand?”; “Heh. Tell you what, if there’s ever a next time... I’ll let you get a blow in, too”... The scoundrels were banding together! Such open-ended blasphemy, in plain daylight and under the gaze of all her friends; Luna wouldn’t be taking that lying down! Petty desires of vengeance aside, her face still flushed a deep red from a mix of outrage, embarrassment and anguish, she paid full attention to the ad-lib tour guide who accompanied them to an unknown location; the student had inadvertently, or so it seemed, revealed that Nꓯ-43 played a major role in her plans and could even serve as her trump card, if needed... Truthfully, this revelation was no accident, rather meant to gauge his reaction; even the best masterminds wouldn’t manage to conceal their mindset fully when faced with such an observant onlooker. Yet... Peering at him, Seiji showed no signs of uneasiness, as if fully in control regardless; why was that?

Slowly walking alongside the group, lagging behind a bit, her mind kept quickly reviewing any possibilities she could think of, to no avail; Luna couldn’t envision the card this man held, which allowed him to act so confidently in these circumstances. An unknown factor, it seemed, and one with major ramifications... Her analytical nature wouldn’t let it go, yet she wasn’t given much of a choice; they had finally reached a large courtyard where Kido was indubitably common practice, surely their intended destination. The girl’s gaze was instantly attracted to the scorch marks lying around and the apparent size of this training area, no doubts an excellent location to send Kido projectiles flying; its open nature also meant any escape would prove difficult if things went haywire, since the green-haired Kido practitioner would certainly have a clear line of sight on any of the four girls in that scenario... Keeping her guard up, Luna awaited the man’s next move, fully aware of the shaky grounds she currently stood on.

Abruptly, his overt intentions made manifest, Seiji released a glimpse of his abilities, a forceful and fiery blue flare of spiritual energy blasting forward out the palm of his hand; “Sōkatsui”, he said, forming such a powerful fireball without much of a second thought nor difficulty. Soaring ahead like you’d expect any flaming projectile would, a sizzling and hissing noise temporarily ever-present and overpowering all other ambient sounds, the airborne conflagration soon impacted a training dud located further into the field, exploding in a blast of uncontrolled, wild residual sparks of energy; whether he’d realized or not, a woman in particular was very much awaiting this, and therefore had a significant reaction to his display of force. “Oooooooh~”, Mayu let out, “That was suuuuch a pretty one! Again! Agaiiin, pleeeease~!”; eyes sparkling and motions erratic, the student rushed down the courtyard toward this practice target, eager to examine the results of his attack and the scale of its damage... “Heh. Not bad”, Sadako added.

Out of everyone here, only one girl didn’t feel like celebrating... Luna was rather on high alert, cautious of anything she could perceive as a threat. Of course, there were still no signs of an incoming danger, forcing her to keep playing along as the goody two-shoes for now, but the viper knew how to recognize when the momentum had shifted and could tell that their current circumstances were not favorable to her schemes anymore; casually approaching Seiji until she was right next to him, the student nonchalantly threw her doubts to his face, questioning his motives. “Hm~; that was impressive, but I hoped you’d have more to show us... You do have more up your sleeve don’t you, or was there some other reason you brought us all here~?”; much like any other enigma finding its way on her path, she was determined to find out the roots of this menace now looming over her head, which is why Luna goaded him into playing his hand, almost daring him to try and outplay her. Sadly...

“Unfortunately ladies, that is all you'll get tonight. Time to sleep”.

...Things could still go far, far worse.

Barely having any time to analyze the words he’d just spoken, the woman heard a loud thud not too far behind her and turned around, noticing that her friend, Sadako, had just fallen unconscious for unknown reasons; glancing further ahead, it seemed Mayu had suffered the same fate, lying down on the ground next to the Kido target. Mere moments later, Luna also began to feel the early signs of her consciousness starting to fade away, and she quickly understood why; gasping repeatedly for air, her whole metabolism was seemingly denied access to oxygen, as if she’d become unable to inhale any from their environment. Relying on her last hope in this situation, the girl hurriedly tried to face Nꓯ-43 and issue a command, but... “-- Going on standby -- Hibernating...”; This scenario proved hopeless, every card she had ripped away in a single, swift motion. “W- Wh...”, she quietly let out in a final breath, on the verge of falling unconscious; it appeared she would need to concede this fight.

Although, she wouldn’t concede the war just yet.

---

The stench of cinders strong in the air, wildfire blazing through an extensive woodland landscape, she ran faster than ever before; it was a matter of survival, you see, for this lonely girl, abandoned to her own fate in the dark confines of this sylvan grove, was now being pursued endlessly, an unknown hunter right on her tail. Rushing away, escaping the hold of this assailant, she turned unexpectedly and ran off the trail into the woods, dodging branches and pushing further into this location certainly lost to history; a gap among the trees suddenly revealing itself, she found herself in front of this large cliff, a thin river flowing below. Turning her back to it, Luna could hear the high-pitched growls of a creature ahead but to her surprise, someone, or perhaps something, firmly grasped the back of her clothes and pulled her into the void, beyond the reach of this cliffside; “What~?!”, she choked out... Soon, the distinct feeling of water would touch her skin, engulfing her into its depths and subjecting her to the whims of its motions.

Or, not; rather than a liquid, she found herself feeling the texture and firmness of a hard, wooden floor. Looking at her surroundings, the girl immediately realized she was trapped inside a large wooden building, searing hot with flames already; even more shockingly, this structure was an old Viking longhouse she was familiar with, pulling back memories of a name she’d rather have forgotten... Hjalmar Gälta. A strong smell of burnt flesh intruding on her nostrils, Luna got on her feet and began inspecting the burning halls ahead, rapidly finding a decaying, scorched skeleton with markings she knew all too well; “F- Father...?”. Perfectly timed with her ghastly discovery, she suddenly felt a sharp, jarring pain through the sternum, the blade of a Zanpakuto suddenly visible through her field of view; “At last... Reunited”, a whisper to her ear, carried no doubts by the whims of the wind. Coughing up blood, the girl slowly turned her head around, trying to take a glimpse at her unknown aggressor; holding the sword was a young girl, someone she knew better than anyone else... It was herself, her appearance matching what she wore nearly a millennia ago.

[smear:6699cc]“Wake up[/smear:c41e3a][smear:c41e3a], Vǫlva”[/smear:ffbf00].

Echoes of a crow in the distance, she soon drifted back to reality...

---

Her eyes heavy and expression blissful, the sensations associated with her surroundings gradually rose to the forefront of the young girl’s mind, slowly allowing her consciousness to return; first sensing something soft and fluffy underneath, followed by the feeling of a light breeze brushing her skin, she tried opening her eyes, the glare of nearby lights still too strong for her vision. A voice soon arose from this silence and snapped the poor girl back to reality, one she would recognize instantly, leaving her little time to recover from the terrible experience; “Welcome back sleepyhead, so Lu-chan, ya feel like talkin' properly with me now? Before ya ask, yer lil' friends are safely back in their dorms, not a scratch on 'em”. Glancing around, what met her gaze was the sight of her acquaintance sitting nearby, novel in hand, his typical grin just as always in view; it seems he had taken the courtesy of bringing them both back to her dorm room, including each of her many friends if his words proved truthful.

Shifting her position and taking the liberty of lifting herself up into a seated posture, Luna mulled over his wording before offering a reply; “That sounds... Oddly, specific. Should I take it you’ve left a scratch on me instead~?”, she queried. Partly asked in jest, the female student nonetheless inspected herself for any signs of wrongdoing, knowing full well that many would’ve been tempted to take advantage of such a situation; while yet unaware of the specifics regarding their knockout nor the duration of it, she knew her friend here was at the very least responsible for the strange occurrence and could therefore benefit from this exclusive knowledge to move his agenda forward. Unfortunately, finding no hint of misdeeds, she sighed, reluctantly accepting that his eventual blunder wouldn’t be one quite so obvious; “Hm~, too bad... That would’ve made for some juicy blackmail”. Turning her attention toward the man while openly smirking, the girl seemed to ponder her next course of actions, merely taking a moment before settling on one; “Talk properly, you said? Then I’ll prepare accordingly~”.

Standing up, Luna Melrose walked toward a closet isolated in the corner of her room, inside of which were hidden multiple items of clothing; what she needed was rather an old, ragged blanket disorderly left lying on the ground, which she then used to cover up the opening below her doorway. Now moving to her only window, the student looked behind the blinds and verified its state, shutting it perfectly tight when she saw it was opened; while being at it, the little trickster also confirmed it hadn’t been tampered with, which meant Seiji had entered her room in a legitimate manner, directly through the front door... Curse be on the Academy for its lackluster security! Soon glancing back toward him, she reached out for a desk further away into the room, beyond his location; specifically, the woman opened one of its storage compartments and took out both a medicine bottle and a matchstick, with which she lit a short candle located on a corner atop its surface. Waiting for its smoke to fill up this space, the girl subsequently spoke up again; “We can talk at our leisure, now~; nobody else can hear us”.

The student no longer had any need to adorn a mask.

Likely watching in her general direction, Seiji would soon notice drastic changes in the girl’s demeanor, he wouldn’t see any signs of her usual giddy energy anymore nor the dynamic gestures ever-present in her outward mannerisms; instead, Luna seemingly had an instant growth in both maturity and elegance, her motions meticulous and gaze now extremely deep. This metamorphosis would prove quite destabilizing for the man, who had never seen her this way before; aside from a very select few, it was a sight normally reserved only for herself, her mask laid completely bare. Running one hand through her hair and undoing her everyday hairstyle, she lamented where to begin; “Haaa, aaaaaa~... What now?”. Openly pondering, her thoughts put into words, she only took a moment before glancing back at Seiji, opinion made manifest; “Well, first~”, she muttered quietly, opening the bottle she’d taken earlier and showing the man one of the many pills contained within... “This here is the reason why, I enlisted”.

Leaving him a moment to let it sink in, she sat back on her futon and gulped one down, quickly feeling stiff shoulders relax and room temperature return to normalcy; “You accursed Shinigami are always a problem, even beyond the confines of death”, the girl hissed. Emotions flaring, she was recalling painful memories, ones she would rather just put behind her, if she could; “These so-called ‘protectors of the people’ left us a body infested with Hollows in the outer reach of West Rukongai, and it ended up on my operation table; go ahead and take a wild~ guess, how that went”. Eyes now looking out the window, she was introspective of her own situation, a tad of sadness hidden away; “I covertly enrolled in the Academy to get my hands on data the Shinigami will have on it, find a way to drag them out...”. Lowering her gaze, Luna let out an additional statement, barely audible and perhaps even missed by the man ahead; “...I’ll always survive~, no matter what”, words whispered in a low voice, muffled, leaning even into silence.

Having now disclosed her most sincere motive and urgent goal, the woman gazed at her interlocutor while eagerly awaiting a reaction, ready to hear more about his own stance; as always when she’s involved, her words and attitude were chosen carefully to convey a clear message, the fact that she didn’t wish to open hostilities with him, at least not without good cause for it. If he hadn’t already, the student reached toward him and grabbed the book he’d taken from her library, cautiously placing a finger between the current pages to ensure Seiji could continue reading it afterward; Luna needed the full extent of his attention on herself, and made this choice to ensure she’d have it. “I’ve been honest, so it’s your turn now~; why join the Kido Corps? I didn’t see you the type to play wizard, nor to babysit Central”; harsh statements, perhaps, but they were ones the girl didn’t consider inaccurate. “Besides, and answer me truthfully...”, she asked of him afterward; although it wasn’t intended, Luna might come across as intimidating while pleading for his answer, her spiritual force echoing what she had in mind by flaring substantially and revealing just how menacing its aura truly was, under all this pretense of a harmless girl.

“...When you peer into my soul, how does it make you feel?”.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Slowly. Ever so slowly, everything began to work as it should. A plan in motion, unbeknownst to those in his company. He would not expect them to pick up on it, not even one such as Luna. Experienced within Rukongai she may be, but no matter how much bravado and confidence someone portrayed, at the end of it all she was still a student. One that still had plenty to learn which he already had, time and time again. A subtle hiss drawn from the back of his mind into being, an actual sign of approval, well now that did make quite the change. Ignored, even as he tapped intermittently upon the tip of the hilt, no true pattern to be found as it was simply something to do. Though others might call it a form of distraction, and maybe it was, a way to ensure he did not start testing out Soyoukaze's limits before these children. That could be done another time, as far away from prying eyes and ears as he could possibly get.

Though he hardly expected one of the group to rip an entire pillar from the post, the offer to join in on subsequent outings should it ever occur again was certainly an amusing prospect. Smile widening just a few inches more, a tilt of his head even as they walked back towards Luna for the briefest of instances. Oh he had no doubt something like that may come up again. As lovely as she could pretend to be to the outside observer, the little viper was a manipulator just as he was, like pieces on a chess board used ever so efficiently to achieve the desired result. "Ain't gonna say no ta that, sure." A simple agreement, one that he might even decide to keep should the situation arise when he was around. A doubtful yet entertaining idea. But as much as he might want to question if the young girl had ripped up such items to use as blunt instruments of destruction previously, he kept such thoughts to himself. Better to be asked another time.

Yet as they reached the training ground as he'd intended, things began falling into place. Air growing thinner and thinner as the moments ticked on by, he could feel it around him, that nano-layer around his whole form that offered from protection from what would be these young girls undoing. The better part of it was, he very much doubted any of them would have even the slightest clue as to how or why it had suddenly occurred, beside being caused by his own hand. Of that much they would be right, still they had pestered for fireworks of a sort, and doing so once would not harm anything. Nor the reiatsu that swirled within either, the blast enhanced by that same lack of air, used instead to fuel a more catastrophic spell. Though Seiji did not fire off another, watching instead Mayu rush to the half obliterated target in question, it would need replacing come tomorrow for sure. Ah well, that was not really an issue now, certainly not when Luna seemed intent to capture his attention again.

A daring move and one that might have just worked, could have caused someone to crack under pressure and give in to what she wanted. Were she dealing with anyone else, someone less used to such brutal questioning to shake them up. Yet for him? He'd heard it all before and then some. Rather then answer the young student directly, the smile planted upon his lips only grew a little wider. Not sinister as such, though some may see it that way, but simply amused. That she would asked proved his theory correct, still more to learn, not as in control as she would like to be. Of these few? Certainly so. But of him? Never. No one was, not anymore, nor would anyone ever be again. And as he spoke once more, the pieces fell into place. One by one falling into unconsciousness like a set of domino's and nothing any of them could do to stop it. Frankly, he supposed he would have to get used to seeing others gasp for their very lives, the very thing they needed to breathe taken away as effortlessly as any Shinigami could release reiatsu.

The final thump of the body beside him hitting the cool ground below, told him all he needed. That it had worked. Another tap to the hilt of his Zanpakutō returned things to normal, the gradual replenishing of oxygen within his vicinity. Everything would be as it was within a few minutes, yet this little group would remain out of it for quite some time. Plenty to move them all safely. One by one he did just that, each movement at first careful. Quietly speaking with those at the academy dorms, it was ever so simple. To act as a concerned Shinigami who had found these girls out cold, presumably from reiatsu depletion as he'd found them all in one of the training grounds far east. Just like that, his reasoning was accepted and each of their room numbers given before he was seemingly ignored entirely in favor of other late night tasks, leaving the emerald haired male to come and go as he needed without being bothered or interrupted. Perfect.

With the last of them being Luna herself, he was a tad more careful. But not by much, not with carrying the girl at least, light as she was, that caution only came about when going to enter her room. Meeting was one thing, but if he knew this girl well enough, previous experience told him she was likely to have laid traps all about her personal space to ensure others didn't get in. Did that also include her front door? Well, only one way to find out. Though he did release a small pulse of reiatsu against that same door and found nothing, better to risk it then have others start asking questions about why he was still carrying her around. Stepping into the room, nothing happened, nor did it when he shut the door behind him. Well, a better result then he'd expected. Even as he laid the younger down atop her own small futon, nothing in the room seemed to trigger and strike at him. Maybe he'd have to ask about what she'd set up later.

Finding a spot to sit and wait was hardly a challenge, finding plenty on her small bookshelf to keep his interest and provide a little insight into what she read often, a useful bit of information for those that knew how to use it. Flicking through various smaller books just prior, both to grow his understanding of just what she had gotten ahold of since joining the academy, or perhaps having stolen them prior and to discover if little Luna was the type to keep information hidden within. Sadly, she was smarter then that it seemed. A shame, but with a fresh novel in hand and all others put back, he began to read, not a horrible way to spend an evening really. Far better then what would likely be a handful of paperwork awaiting him back at the barracks and more atop that once Asuka gave her own report tomorrow morning. In such a case, this was a far more entertaining and relaxing way to wile away a few hours. Who knows, Luna may even tell him something interesting.

Words spoken as she at last began to wake following another half hour reading, not that he truly minded but for the moment he waited until she seemed fully conscious and gathering awareness about her suddenly changed surroundings before he would dare address any of the questions directed towards him. A chuckle leaving between smiling lips as she checked herself over, honestly, what kind of man did she take him for. One that didn't check and triple check everything? Please. "Ya know, I'm almost offended that ya think I'm that sloppy." Of course, it had not been his goal to hurt any of them, not truly. A short nap never hurt anyone, they had just been moved in the meanwhile. The fact of the matter was, the right kind of blackmail was hard one and he wasn't about to throw away a potentially useful card so early in the game. He'd been playing this sort of back and forth with others too long to do that.

Though as Luna appeared to settle herself, a near closed gaze glanced away from his reading only briefly when she spoke of preparing. What she meant, he couldn't yet be certain, but that did not stop him from observing her within his peripheral vision as she went about her tasks. Clearly familiar with such a certain order of actions needed to be taken. A touch strange, but everyone had their quirks, he would not judge. Everything else she did seemed relatively normal, dorm privacy wasn't exactly known to be the best. They were all students here after all and many of their instructors as Seiji had found years before were very much the traditional sort, which often meant any notion of privacy was flung right out the window along with students bringing food into class. It all seemed fine, at least until he caught sight of smoke filling the air, now that much at least, caught his attention and concern. He could only be somewhat certain she wasn't going to knock him out with such fumes, no matter how innocent a flickering candle may seem, he knew better then to trust it at face value.

Or her, for that matter. And as the seconds passed and an eyebrow raised at the sudden changed of demeanor placed before him, he could not help but think he had been rather right to do so. The difference was a tad startling to say the least, despite that he showed a rather muted reaction beside a widening smile and that raised brow, even if he did flick a thumb out to mark his current page and set the book aside for the moment. Right beside his own Zanpakuto to his left, if she hadn't had his full attention and curiosity before, she did now. What she showed him, the pills, and as the gears turned everything began to fall in place. He had known from the moment of discovery that she'd joined the academy, it had to be for a reason, just as his had been. Neither of them were the type of people to do so out of the goodness of their own damn hearts, no they were much too tainted for that kind of pure hearted bullshit. Most of the time anyway.

Accursed was perhaps the proper word for it. Yet the one fact that continued to surprise him, was how willingly open she was being, especially considering where they both hailed from. Even if it was different districts and even differing areas of Rukongai altogether. His own distrust of just about anyone hadn't faded with his years here, in fact it had only grown. Many had tried, Albin had seen a little more than most, but all of it was still a mask. Just as it was for her. Noting the idea to perhaps question as to why at a later date, he kept his focus on her explanation. Shinigami leaving such horrors out there wasn't uncommon, he had seen it before out in the 64th and always stayed well clear for his own safety and natural sense of survival. Clearly not everyone was quite that fortunate, or that averse to the possible risks involved. Lucky then, that she had survived such an ordeal at all, let alone was managing to somehow conceal it. Though with low spiritual pressure, that wouldn't be too difficult.

Honesty offered, she expected him to return it in kind and he supposed that was only fair. Despite that level of understanding, he saw no reason to tell her everything, only in relation to what she had asked. About why. It was fairly simple really. "Strangely, same reason as ya. Information. Ya might find some nice lil' tidbits in the Gotei, but ya wouldn't believe the kinda stuff they keep hidden in the Kido Corps. Ain't seen it all yet, but I'll learn more there 'bout what I need ta without havin' ta be bothered by the Gotei. Can't say I enjoy bein' tied ta Central 46 but I'm sure yer'll say the same once yer a Shinigami 'bout the Gotei ne? As fer Kido, ya'd be surprised how useful it is. Kept me alive plenty." If there was a method to safety, he would use it and Kido had been that ever since Shin had first taught him the most basic of Kido before his joining of the academy centuries later. A fact he was forever thankful for. A small shrug offered, even as reiatsu flared and tried to wrap about him, in response his own did the same. A little less sinister, perhaps purely because he was trying not to overwhelm the poor girl, but radiating a strength she did not yet possess. Her question though, well there was only one answer for it.

"Curious."

[Luna Melrose]

Her eyes focused on the man ahead, it seems revealing her real attitude had earned Luna his full attention, away from other distractions; that was a step in the right direction, but she still needed much, oh so much more from him... Having now spoken her truth, the woman stiffened her gaze, scrutinizing Seiji, awaiting the slightest, tiniest glimpse of repercussion on his attitude; she could wait for it forever, if need be, yet she ultimately had no time to spare for mere pleasantries, no, their playtime was effectively over. A quick twist to his grin here, small wrinkle to his facade there, she obviously couldn’t read his mind from subtle tells like these but, if nothing else, they confirmed he had fully absorbed her little tale... Yes, my dear Seiji, gorge yourself on the venom of her words, for when two snakes collide, natural order dictated that one would necessarily engulf the other; just how deep could their respective fangs reach, she wondered? Or, did he have what it takes to resist such temptation...?

Of course, one cannot defy their own nature.

Providing inquiries of her own, she questioned his current standing with the Kido Corps and Central 46, examining his mannerism closely for any hint of hidden motives; perhaps because she herself had already mentioned her circumstances, he reciprocated with an assertion of his rationale, statements which would clarify the crux of their relationship moving forward. “Strangely, same reason as ya. Information”; fair enough, although she noted how he didn’t mention which knowledge, exactly, the man was seeking... “Ya might find some nice lil' tidbits in the Gotei, but ya wouldn't believe the kinda stuff they keep hidden in the Kido Corps”; raising an eyebrow at that remark, the student doubted he had seen any more than the tip of that iceberg. Although there were no doubts the Kido Corps held a treasure trove of secrets, those should be no more than mundane information Central 46 didn’t deem sensitive enough to put under lock in their own compound; if he felt this knowledge nonetheless held merits, it likely meant that their internal archives hid mysteries worth the detour... An interesting thought, to say the least.

On the surface, the tense atmosphere between the Gotei 13 and Central 46 seemed to imply their relation had recently been deteriorating, or was at least damaged from their opposing interests; if left to their own devices, Luna already surmised this bond would probably remain strained and, in all honesty, she felt the only reason a semblance of unity between the two organizations persisted was because they both kept facing mutual threats in recent history. One would be naive to think the corrupt politicians at Central 46 weren’t ready for the eventuality of having to fight a rogue Gotei 13, and even the old fart in charge, loyal as he is, surely caught the hints that such a conflict may arise; if she played her cards right, Luna Melrose might therefore get her hands on such secrets, an invaluable outcome... If it proved necessary, the conflict could even be provoked directly as well; to that end, Seiji would be a pivotal player, if she ever decided to move forward with such intentions.

Setting that thought aside for now, she remained attentive while further listening to the man; “Ain't seen it all yet, but I'll learn more there 'bout what I need ta without havin' ta be bothered by the Gotei. Can't say I enjoy bein' tied ta Central 46 but I'm sure yer'll say the same once yer a Shinigami 'bout the Gotei ne?”. “Actually~, can’t say I agree...”, she quietly muttered; from her perspective, associating her actions with the Gotei meant there would always be someone against whom she could shift the blame away from herself, and an organization with enough bureaucracy to conceal her usual shenanigans. Truthfully, this environment was ideal for Luna, since she greatly enjoyed the whims of corruption and social depravity; fundamentally, her strong tie to the Gotei 13 also provided her with the most valuable asset a spirit could have in Soul Society, the means to reach the World of the Living. Besides... “It’s not~ like anything they do is any worse than what I’ll carry out!”, she deviously commented.

Finishing his discourse, Seiji clarified his position on choosing Kido over any other methodology for combat as a Shinigami, praising its merits; “As fer Kido, ya'd be surprised how useful it is. Kept me alive plenty”. In that regard, the woman remained inert and only displayed a static look, simply conceding inwardly the value behind his craft. If it weren’t for an excessive need to practice, to study and to theorize on the topic for the sake of mastery, she herself might’ve considered it as an option; unfortunately, dedicating such a substantial amount of time to something completely unrelated from her everyday pursuit of science was inconceivable, her efforts having to focus on these undertakings alone. For that reason, the young scientist couldn’t consider Kido a truly worthwhile investment for herself, but she did relate with the core of his reasoning; “Ohhh~~...?”, a lone noise uttered without any regard for context given... Would he recognize it for what it was, a recognition that this utility was one she sought for herself albeit, perhaps, through different means?

Satisfied with his answers thus far, she began flexing what tiny spiritual force she had, its energy seeping and intruding into their surroundings, pure malice and abnormality radiating through its every motion; Luna was effectively about to issue a challenge of sorts and that intention seemed to reach its recipient, as he evidently replied in kind. Compared with her own, there was a steady feeling of strength, a crushing sensation permeating his own spiritual energy, a force that seemed to attempt dominating her own; that felt like more than a power differential, from where she stood, and was something she attributed to their differing personalities and adverse mindsets. Regardless, he looked thoroughly unbothered by the whole ordeal, which she expected in all fairness, but that strife had the intended effect, sharpening his attention while also relaying to him the perceived seriousness of her next query so he wouldn’t just shrug it off; an interrogation submitted of his impression on herself, Seiji had admittedly no visible hesitation at all when supplying her with a blunt, honest response...

“Curious”.

“Curious~, huh...?”; what began as light chuckling gradually turned into a lighthearted laughter, although whether that was genuine or not remained entirely left to Seiji’s interpretation. Luna, though, admittedly found it hilarious; curiosity was an emotion she knew all too well, after all, one which implied an interest... Guess others could feel that way as well, and toward herself no less; regaining her composure, she calmed her breathing before uttering an absent-minded remark, still gasping for air. “Haaa, aaaaaa... Yeah~, I can work with that”; graciously lifting from her futon and moving toward Seiji, she placed a palm on the man’s chest while looking at him straight on, standing completely still, a somber yet sincere atmosphere taking hold of their discussion. “I can give you a front-row seat, if you’re so inclined; whether I burn out or shine brightly, only the future may tell, but I’m sure it’ll be entertaining~ either way”; holding her stance for far too long, to the point of possibly causing him discomfort, she eventually brought her lips to his ear, swiftly whispering an inquiry...

“Would you be tempted~, by that?”.

Shortly letting go and raising to her feet instead, she approached her own window while looking into the distance, her back now cautiously turned to Seiji yet still holding him within sight using a small mirror she always carried with herself; Luna was conflicted, unsure which attitude she should adopt toward him at this point... “Of course, I’m fairly certain of your answer, but... Let me ask regardless, just in case; was our meeting earlier, purely~ coincidence?”, she openly asked; paying close heed to his choice of words here, the schemer had no intention to take them at face value but did feel there was nonetheless meaningful information she could gain from his answer, or lack thereof. Would he prove confrontational, or perhaps act dismissively? Would his words be filled with snide remarks, or be withheld entirely? One’s disposition could teach you a whole lot about their mindset, if only you knew what to look for; the truth she currently sought would eventually have no other choice but to come out, regardless of whether it would be verbally spoken or merely implied.

Taking mental note of his affirmations in response to her interrogation, the conniving weasel offered him a deal he couldn’t possibly refuse, at least not from her perspective; “I assume there’s no need to dwell on which Squad I’ll soon be joining? Let’s make a bargain, while we’re here”. Turning around toward the man, deliberately calculating the weight given to each word of her proposal, she resumed explaining her suggestion; “I’ll need eyes~ on Central, that’s why I approached the Kido Corps today. I want tabs on their activity; if you can supply me with that knowledge, I could return the gesture by providing, saaay~... Access to the data I’ll be working with daily, myself~?”. Honestly, although she had already begun building a network of allies right under the Gotei’s watchful gaze, it wasn’t yet strong enough, nowhere near what Luna envisioned; an old acquaintance with ties to the Rukongai underworld, she believed, could make a big difference, if only he were to fall under her thumb... “In short: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”.

Happily smiling, she eagerly awaited any sign of compliance from him; “How about it?!”.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

She was watching him.

A facet of his existence he was long since used to. People had stopped and stared ever since his youth and idly he wondered if any had done the same during his days as a human, not that he could recall them. Regardless, it was a long since established fact that most tended to look his way, especially those who had never seen him before. The unsettling combination of emerald hair, a smile fixed to his features like a marionette and eyes kept hidden from the sight of others, often left plenty looking or swiftly avoiding his own gaze whenever he peered in their direction. In his youth it had been a game for him, to see who did not have the guts to keep looking and those who shied away were the ones he knew he could easily rob and steal from, manipulate into getting what he wanted from them. A weaker conviction meant more food and money in his pocket, and the less he had to resort to other less savory and entertaining means to ensure his survival, the better.

Of course that was then, and plenty had changed in the centuries since. But the sensation was a familiar one, of being watched and just knowing that the young student was waiting for her chance. To observe every micro-detail with the intent rather similar to that of a bloodhound he thought privately, all until he slipped up. Unfortunately for her, Seiji had no plans of doing anything of the sort. These were the sort of game he was used to, something he excelled at as easily as he breathed after all this time existing, better than even his late sibling who had always failed miserably at them. They had always been unique like that, the same face yes, but entirely contrasting methods of how they went about their daily lives. Maybe that's why he had stubbornly continued on alone even after he had been offered to join and follow him, Shin had wanted others around him and to help people, he hadn't. Perhaps that was why he and Luna had seemed to find some sort of common ground in the past.

Thus far anyway.

If things would remain that way, he suspected would greatly depend on the outcome of their conversation tonight. The information he provided her so far, both in terms of his motives and reasons for joining such an organization in the first place, were throwaway at best. Things he would not care about being shared around to others if she felt such an urge. Most already assumed him 'up to something', and adding fuel to such a fire would not impact his own plans or goals greatly, in fact it might even aid them if it incentivized more of those gossiping few to keep a certain distance from him less they go snooping where they weren't wanted and end up hurt. The Kido Corps and every area within were restricted for good reason after all, and the deeper you went the more likely someone might find themselves in a whole heap of trouble if they were perhaps sneaking around. Less chance of that happening while he slipped into their more... dangerous archives would be nothing but helpful.

Lounging around within her private quarters, small and pitiful though they were in the academy dorms, it was perhaps only because they were alone with one another that he caught her response. Couldn't agree? An answer he mulled over briefly before he came to understand why, in relation to what he knew of the young woman, ah yes now it made sense. More targets to throw under the bus should something go wrong, and given her proclivity for the sciences, the Twelfth would likely welcome her with open arms and ensure she wasn't bothered by many others. The perfect cover for someone such as her really, just as the Kido Corps was for him, it had not been difficult to play the role of a newbie and gain favor with the superior officers - even if they were few and far between these days. Most he had formed some sort of tenuous connection with were now nothing but ash and dust upon the breeze just beyond the walls of the Seiretei.

"No, I'm sure it ain't." Simple and to the point, a tone that spoke of certainty, no matter the easygoing manner in which he answered, truly what she planned to do within such a place after graduating was only somewhat interesting. At least at the moment, no topic has of yet had truly captured his interest, but whatever she learnt from being within a normally closed off and secretive Division could certainly be useful. For future blackmail opportunities if nothing else. Hm. Threads to be weaved and data to be used and exploited, he would just need to be able to spin it correctly while delving deeper into the archives, a task that wasn't impossible of course but it all depended on what she could offer. And if not, he could always try asking the Captain himself, the man was known to be somewhat eccentric so there was always the possibility his own nature that differed from the norm would work to his advantage.

While that was a plan to be considered at a later date, her sound of statement, of quiet engrossment of the topic perhaps had not escaped his notice. Some stayed away from Kido out of a fear for their own safety, or like a certain Kimiko because they thought themselves above such an art, assuming one tactic to be better than any other. Few seemed to see the utter potential with such a force, raw spiritual energy shaped and corralled as he willed it? There seemed little else better, coupled with his growing skill with a blade, there were very few situations that he didn't have a solution for in one way or another. And what better way to test such things, and his own reiatsu, with someone such as her? "Yer welcome ta ask questions 'bout it if yer interested." Casual enough of an offer for now, his tone kept light. Such combative theories and ideas could wait. Despite understanding all too well the use of manipulating one's own power to apply pressure, the fact that she had tried with him caught his attention, even if it was not nearly enough. A bold move in all aspects and as such, her gave her an honest answer.

They were more alike then perhaps he had first thought, his answer providing her with amusement, and generating laughter. How intriguing. Curiosity meant interest and he was to a degree, but more of the young woman herself, and less of what she could do for him. Rarely did he meet someone so similar and yet different, in any other circumstance it would be a sight to behold, but for the moment he kept his focus on the moment unfolding. No matter how interesting he had not carried her unconscious form back here unharmed to end up the one being used. A hidden gaze watched much like a hawk, like observing prey perhaps, or even two predators watching until one or the other gave in entirely. Her touch was not totally unexpected, she had tried so before, a faint warmth from her hand as she pressed forward emanating and no doubt leaving a few more creases in the fabric of his uniform - not that it mattered.

Flickering sparks brought to life that were once naught but quiet embers, it was not discomfort as she held such a position before him, but a wonder as to just how far she may try to go. Thankfully the Shinigami did not have to wait long for his answer, or even provide one himself, a bonus indeed. Such fleeting whispers brought back memories that he would rather forget, shoved aside, she was not like them. In fact she was far better than them in every aspect, and far more interesting. Truly it was such past experiences that allowed the elder to ensure he kept completely still, smile still in place, even as she spoke in tempting tones. Only as the younger stepped away, did he truly begin to consider such an offer. Front-row seats huh? What a way to phrase it, allowing him to peak behind the curtain so to speak while everyone else was kept in the dark perhaps? Clearly this was something she had thought about a great deal.

Ah. So there was what she really wanted to know. "Does it really matter? Ya ain't gonna believe what I say ta ya 'bout it." Seiji pointed out, not a suspicion but rather like a fact. They were alike in that way, honesty rarely taken into consideration, he knew she had hidden intentions and motives just as he did. So why believe all of it and not read between the lines? In his answer the elder knew he'd likely given the young scientist exactly the information she so crucially desired from his response and that was fine. There were more important things being brought up, that of what she actually wanted to gain and what she would grant him in exchange. Interesting but not quite as meticulous in the demands made as he might have hoped from Luna. What a shame that was. A finely spun tale, crafted by an expert and threaded with the finest silk, that was what he had expected of the young student. But perhaps he'd been too hopeful.

Expecting too much? Well that was yet to be seen, but there were ways he could find out, ways he could test Luna and her resolve, and in due time? If he goals were truly as she spoke them, or if they went far beyond her vocal affirmations in scope. "No there ain't no need." He would've guessed as such even prior to her joining the academy as a student, now she had it was merely a matter of time in his mind, not an if in any conceivable way. Slowly Seiji shifted up from his seat, without so much of a thought given or glance back towards his Zanpakuto now seemingly discarded on the tatami, as he languidly stepped into a swaying prowl towards the young student. Assessing and amused all at once, quite the marvel of emotions she had caused, so it was only fair that she got to see the results of her actions right? He hadn't answered one bit of her bargain yet and he wouldn't while he advanced forward.

"Ya know," he began slowly, as if time had halted around them and did not matter. "I was almost expectin' somethin' more, something more thought out than what yer offering. What's ta say I can't get all that information yer offerin' alone? Gonna need more than yer empty promises I'm 'fraid." Up a sharp chin went as he stared down, not a threat, but a challenge. Was she better then this and simply holding out on him? Or was this just all she could accomplish at this stage? Time to test which it was. Another step forward. Standing before her now, a hand once hidden shot out, two thin fingers caught beneath her chin and forcing her to look up further. Not that she wouldn't be already with their vast difference in height, but perhaps this would get the point across. As many barriers as she might have let down across this evening, he still had plenty up and the trust needed to drop them? Well they weren't quite there yet and unless she decided to be completely honest, things would stay that way. In a deadlock.

"So, why don'cha be a lil' more specific 'bout what exactly ya want and what ya think ya can offer and we'll see hmm? Unless ya've jus' be lyin' this whole time jus' ta get me alone?" Back and forth, serious and teasing, to keep her off balance and wondering. Yet that heavy accented speech remained for the time being.

Just what would she do?

[Luna Melrose]

No one would’ve suspected this room to host such an insidious confrontation, directly beneath the Shinō Academy’s watchful gaze; within its bounds, two individuals were partaking in a fierce game of wits, each seeking an opportunity to deceive and subdue the one ahead in order to propel their own desires forward. This wasn’t remarkable by any means for either of them, yet stood out from the norm as one occurrence neither wished to take lightly, the sheer potential behind this encounter warranting forethought; on her end, Luna simply sought to determine whether Seiji could prove useful in the pursuit of her goals, or would rather become a hindrance... Truth be told, she was enjoying this little back-and-forth and found it deeply enlightening, learning more about the motives of this man who had just now crossed her path; it seemed her evening proved a worthwhile endeavor after all, regardless of the outcome they would reach during this fateful discourse gorged with concealed intentions.

The student had not completely dismissed her doubts about finding this old acquaintance on her path and that it might’ve been premeditated, but gradually loosened this perception since it became less likely with each interaction they had; if it had been orchestrated, surely her guest would’ve taken one of many baits she’d laid out regarding her own motives throughout the discussion, he should’ve attempted to dig deeper using those topics as an opportunity if the Kido Corps officer had any ulterior aim he wished to reach here. See, while many in the underworld would argue against disclosing a lot of sensitive information, Luna had a distinct point of view on that matter fueled by her former line of work, and rather often weaponized the things she knew in order to get a reaction; in this case, although Seiji appeared completely uninterested, an attitude he surely tried to willingly lean into, what induced her to think his dismissiveness was genuine would rather be the complete lack of probing he did toward the more open-ended comments she made, despite plenty of chances to do so... Peering at him while she took the direct approach, his cavalier answer just led further credibility to that conclusion; one could feign an attitude, but hardly their interest.

In fact, curiosity was certainly a person’s most honest sentiment.

While that might be so, there still remained a point of contention between them regarding whether they could collaborate together, and it seems they weren’t of the same mind at all on that matter; “Ya know, I was almost expectin' somethin' more, something more thought out than what yer offering”, the man soon commented, unsatisfied with the arrangement she’d proposed. Honing her gaze onto his frame while he approached and closed the gap between them, she stayed silent for now, albeit the signs of a slight pout did show up across her facial features; was she simply disappointed by this turn of events, or did this hint at something deeper? “What's ta say I can't get all that information yer offerin' alone? Gonna need more than yer empty promises I'm 'fraid”; those statements stung, for reasons Seiji might not be able to foresee yet... Luna admittedly frowned for an instant, mulling over how she should proceed with someone whose thoughts didn’t correlate with her own.

Of course, this was interrupted by Seiji’s display of dominance, a hand shooting up from below and raising her chin, locking sight with each other while maintaining a form of proximity most would’ve surely found uncomfortable; if nothing else, he could claim to have caught Luna’s attention with this little performance, a piercing glare given to the man in response as if she sought to unravel his intentions solely through the sheer pressure it forwarded. “So, why don'cha be a lil' more specific 'bout what exactly ya want and what ya think ya can offer and we'll see hmm?”, he requested; the student swiftly glanced down, studying their current predicament, before staring into his eyes again with a newfound grin, foreboding nothing good. “Unless ya've jus' be lyin' this whole time jus' ta get me alone?”; that brand of sarcasm and this teetering on the edge of presumptions must’ve served him well out there, but that would unfortunately do little for him when faced with someone of her ilk...

A lone chuckle escaped her lungs and soon an arm swatted Seiji’s hand away from her jaw, simultaneously reaching for the back of his nape with her other hand and forcing him to get even closer; to an outsider’s perspective, this might’ve even seemed like an embrace, his head lowered over one of her shoulders with each of her words easily within earshot. “Don’t you think you’re asking~ for a bit much?”, she whispered back, allowing her inquiry to shortly trail off into silence; “...You should be well aware~ we’ve never dealt in absolutes, that our word is all~ we have in this depraved world”. Pulling him backward a bit, the devilish girl then focused her gaze into Seiji’s eyes, their forehead almost in contact with one another; “That would be precisely~ why, I’ve always kept my word trustworthy, why I’ve never~ lied in this line of work...”. Her gaze sharpened, a swift fury thinly veiled and accompanied by the sudden burst of another peak in her spiritual presence, as she reiterated.

“Never...”

She was undoubtedly serious...

Feeling no hurry at all to break this tension, Luna gave him ample time to interpret this at his leisure until she felt her message had reached its recipient, at which point she eventually pushed him away and turned around, leaning her back against the surface of her dorm’s closed door instead; “But~!”, the girl exclaimed, having now returned to a more jovial and welcoming attitude, one certainly best suited for resuming the deceitful exchange they’ve had thus far. “If you’d like~ to know more before making a decision, then I can perhaps entice you with some~ more details...”, she suggested to him; of course, this woman planned to keep the personal facts to herself, but there was no harm in sharing a little more on her future endeavors, she thought. “Honestly, there are many elements~ I’d like to clarify about the past of Soul Society, details~ which have been erased from history~ books”, she paused momentarily and let out a sigh; “...If I had~ to hazard a guess, only Central’s archives might still contain the unbiased~ truth”.

Her arms crossed, she kept tugging lightly at her forearm with the tip of her fingers, curious to know what he’d have to say about this; it seemed Seiji didn’t hold the organization in particularly high esteem at first glance, but there still remained a risk he would attempt sabotaging her regardless, a wager she’d need to face head-on in order to take a step forward... “Obviously, I’m not~ asking you to recover that information outright~”, she waved off in a dismissive fashion; “That’d be far~ too reckless... Rather, I simply need~ an eye on the internal affairs and daily activities they partake in”. Scrutinizing him, she tried to spot any sign of anguish or wavering, gauging as she spoke whether this man had the necessary predisposition to swim upstream; if their dialogue gave rise to unforeseen consequences, Luna needed to nip this problem in the bud right away. “I’ll tackle the rest myself~”, the student then joyously announced; mysteries were always at their best when she alone indulged in them, after all!

Taking a step forward, this she-devil offered a broader overview of the end-goal behind her machinations, providing Seiji with a better picture of what she sought to achieve; “I’ll be taking hold~ of Central 46 and turning their procedures into a puppet~ show... I want them dancing on the palm of my hand and although there are~ several ways I could accomplish that, none would be more interesting than~ by receiving help directly from the inside”, she duly asserted. Extending her hand toward him as if gesturing for his support, she then took a few more steps in his general direction; he would surely sense her spiritual force become erratic again but, unlike previously, the latent energy rather drew him in, issuing an invitation of sorts and fostering a sensation of inclusion, instead of exclusion. “It’s too early~ to discuss of an exact scheme, but I intend to topple Soul Society’s current hierarchy~ from within”; each word was razor-sharp and delivered with aplomb, her intentions assuredly crystal-clear.

“...You want~ in?”, the young lady cheerfully queried, proposing treason of the highest magnitude.

The hand she offered however quickly retracted and instead went to hold her chin while her gaze dipped downward, contemplating the other half of his request; “As for what~ I can offer, mhm...”, Luna outwardly muttered, albeit merely for an instant. Soon, the student relaxed and leisurely shuffled around the many things hidden within her desk, pulling out two prominent objects with which she’d been tinkering recently; “See~ this material?”, she asked while tossing his way a minuscule gray cube looking like lead, anticipating he'd catch it in midair. “That substance is a condensed~ mass of spiritual particles; you can execute all sort of operations using it as fuel, without ever having~ to expend your own reserves... Ooh-oh~, and this~!”, she cheerily said after revealing a glassy yet pliable sphere, “That’s an air capsule with tons~ of pressure, it makes for an excellent surprise!”; the girl had gotten almost giddy by the end but seriousness soon took hold of her demeanor again as Luna stated a simple proposal, one she felt embodied a great effort toward constructive collaboration between them.

“What I’m offering~, is flexibility and a number of new options~ for you”, she plainly declared.

Peering intently at the young Kido Corps officer, she set aside the tool remaining in her palm and rose this same hand in front of herself, now enunciating to Seiji the benefits behind their cooperation; “First~”, the student expounded while lifting one of her fingers, “You’d have access to my craftsmanship~; that should allow you to devise underhanded tricks~ you can use alongside the rest of your arsenal, especially~ when you have to catch someone by surprise, and you’d compensate for any~ shortcomings your Kido cannot overcome by itself”. Remaining at a standstill, Luna believed this was by far the most valuable suggestion she could make, if only he could look past this vile idea, ingrained among many in the Academy, that only the traditional methods of combat as a Shinigami had any merit; “Second”, another finger lifted, “You will be able to cross-reference any information~ you find in the archives of the Kido Corps with what’s stored within the Gotei 13, which would allow you to ensure what you lay hands on is reliable, reducing the risks of falling into a canary~ trap”. Obviously, this was to her advantage as well, given that exposing someone she planted inside their organization would surely lead any further investigation directly her way...

“Third~”, she simply continued, an additional finger raised, “I’ve already been building a network of social connections~; it’s my specialty after all... You’ll have that at your disposal as well~, it’ll grant you access to many restricted areas inside the Gotei 13 without risking~ to arouse suspicion”; the girl then dismissively shook her hand, as if to indicate that there was more nuance to it than merely these terms... “Of course”, she commented, “Since you’ve kept tight-lipped~ about your own agenda, I can only assume what might seem like worthwhile~ compensation for you; by opening up about your ambitions a bit, I could certainly better~ tailor my proposal to your circumstances...”; with this addendum, the onus was now his to disclose more on the topic, if he sought to push their negotiations further. Truth be told, Luna had begun pouting a fair bit because of this uneven exchange of pleasantries, a fact shown in both her facial expressions and behavior; he’d need to defuse the situation by making some sort of concession, otherwise this discussion would likely end abruptly.

A gesture made in good faith would surely go a long way, as he’d given nothing to earn her trust in return and it began to show; “Say~, enough about me; let’s talk a bit about you~ instead!”, the student petitioned for a change in the subject matter at hand, now interested more than ever in the man’s clandestine affairs. Grinning from one ear to the next, she intruded on his personal bubble again by sitting extremely close to him using the furniture scattered around her room, pressuring Seiji into a range inside which even he was at her mercy; “You made the haughty claim you could~ get all the information you might need by yourself, earlier~”, she sneered at him. “Where’d this reluctance to work with others~ come from...? Did you intend to conduct your goals without any~ assistance, whatsoever?”; locking her gaze into his own, Luna sought to uncover the roots of this mentality, and whether there was common ground she could build upon.

The piercing glint contained in the back of this glare she was giving him soon darkened, as if her emotions had boiled over, a nerve seemingly being struck; “Maybe it’s just not~ my place to say, but...”, she solemnly whispered, her voice kept low. Not too long afterward, a jabbing pain would be felt by the Shinigami, the student having taken advantage of their close proximity to prick him with her sharp fingernails, drawing a few droplets of blood from how much force was exerted between her fingers; what this signified was left to Seiji’s interpretation, but the girl’s discontent was, if nothing else, extremely overt... Vigilant of his next actions, she nonetheless maintained their adjacency and instead proffered an affirmation, one that might clarify the reasoning behind her current feelings; “...You really shouldn’t underestimate what being alone does~ to a person”. A warning had been issued, although it remained to be seen whether its recipient was amenable enough to heed its significance; either way, Luna retracted into her own shell slightly, brooding over the harsh memories of a past she’d now left behind.