The Queen's Gambit [Open Social]

[Ailene Haschiro]

BEEP! BEEP! The sound of the blaring alarm filled the room as Ailene tossed and turned. She whined loudly from the never-ending noise as it continued. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Suddenly the Arrancar had enough. Turning over she'd slam her hand onto the alarm clock until the room was finally drowned out by silence. She smiled and wiggled her head into her pillow again. This would, unfortunately, not last for more than a minute as the alarm roared to life once more. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Ailene growled and screamed as she whipped around, sitting up and grabbing the alarm clock, prepared to throw it. It was at that moment that the time caught her attention... Her voice sounded ever so sleepy as she spoke quietly. "Oh.. it's 9:43 already..." She sighed, composing herself and setting her alarm clock down. Suddenly it all dawned on her as she yelled. "Todays the day!!!" 

The Arrancar rose from her stupor, dashing back and forth from station to station. She had almost forgot, but today was the grand opening of her Tea Shop! She had so much to do. So much to prepare. The lease had been paid in full, but not by Ailene. Orobas was the one who had offered to finance the building for her along with equipment and renovations. While she was happy that they had finally done it, Ailene was disheartened. She had not heard from the Akki lately. Last she remembered; the Akki had some grand plan to invade the Soul Society. She was not sure when or how... Had it perhaps happened already? It was not something that the Espada gave much thought. Politics was not on her radar after all. Regardless, Ailene was saddened that she could not share the grand opening with Orobas. Atleast... to her knowledge. Would he make a surprise visit? Ailene was not sure, but she couldn't let that stop her!

After what felt like thirty minutes of sprinting from station to station, Ailene had several baskets ready. Most of the equipment resided within the building already, but Ailene had spent the last year or so amassing an impressive collection of tea that she was prepared to show off. After finishing her mental notes, Ailene focused her reiatsu and as the space before her slowly came distorted. Suddenly caving in on itself, it ripped itself back open as a darkened tear appeared before her. A Garganta. Smiling, she stepped through as she carried her baskets, the Garganta swiftly shutting behind her and leaving nothing, but empty space. 

---

After a few short minutes of travel, Ailene would step forth from dark void that solemnly opened within the still closed tea shop. With another wave of her hand, the Garganta suddenly vanished from site. The Arrancar would waste no time getting to work. She'd turn on the lights, illuminating the interior of the shop. It all brought a joy to her heart. The hardwood floors reflected the light, chairs and tables were all neatly arranged, the equipment was stainless and the shelfs were empty, ready to be filled with whatever Ailene desired. It was perfect. She grinned and hummed happily as she began to prepare some of the shelves. Placing the baskets upon them and filling some of the other drawers with specifically assorted tea packets, Ailene placed several cups behind the counter, readying them for potential customers when she opened. Looking up and noticing that there were a myriad of options to choose from warmed her heart even further.

While the tea shop would be ready to go within the hour, Ailene had to take care of one final thing. She headed through the backdoor, leading to a hallway. From there, she had access to several more doors which led to several residential rooms and a large backroom. Choosing the first door on the left, Ailene found herself within one of the few residential rooms. Breathing slowly, she'd draw her Zanpakutou from her sheath. From there, the Arrancar held it close to her body. "I fear that I will never get used to this..." Closing her eyes, the Arrancar focused upon the blade. Instead of drawing the dormant power that resided within the blade out, Ailene instead allowed her reiatsu to flow into the blade. She spoke softly once more. "Regresión Primigenia.." As the last of the phrase left her lips, Ailene felt something claw out of her.

It would take a few seconds, but the feeling was weird. She felt the hole that resided in her gut mend. Her flesh was stitching itself back together to close the Hollow Hole. As it did this, Ailene's felt herself become... whole again. The mask fragment that adorned her forehead suddenly cracked. Just as the hole finished closing, so would the mask fragment split in half and fall from her head. Before it could hit the ground though, Ailene watched it disappear into a mist of reiatsu. The Arrancar even felt her skin tone change to accommodate her masquerade as a human. Looking upon her blade, she could feel the excess reiatsu that resided trapped within her blade. Staring at it for a moment, she'd slide her Zanpakutou under the bed she pulled out a new set of clothes, placing her Espada uniform into a shelf.

As she slipped into this new uniform that she had received from a friend of hers and tying everything to make it form fitting, Ailene looked in the mirror. She still could not believe it. No mask fragment... no Hollow hole to remind her of what she was. For all intents and purposes... she felt normal. Even her reiatsu would feel like that of a human to all, but those adept at sensing reaiatsu. Ailene felt invigorated. She felt ready to tackle the days challenges. To have the opportunity for the grand opening. Putting several senbon into her hair, allowing it to stand upward, she'd make her way back to the main lobby of her new Tea Shop.

Stepping behind the counter, Ailene did some last-minute checks. As she looked through one of the shelves, she noticed a set of 3 ft long cards. They all had different names like Wueco Wednesday or Sinful Saturday. They were the cards that denoted days of the week when Ailene was going to offer discounts to certain groups. Unfortunately, she'd find several problems with it. For one, it could potentially blow her cover to anyone who didn't know she was an Arrancar, much less an Espada. The bigger of the two problems was that after checking in with the Japan Patent Office, she'd find herself in a legal debacle with someone about the trademark. She was crazy enough to take on Soul Society, but the legal system? That was one line she wouldn't cross. Finally satisfied, she'd walk to the front door, she'd unlock it and open the door. "Rēgīna is finally open for business!" 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Regresión Primigenia - 400 ES}Technique Name: Regresión Primigenia (Primal Reversion)

Class: 2

Technique Type: Cinematic

Usable By: Arrancar

Technique Description and Effects: A Zanpakutou acts as a vessel through which the Arrancar accesses their normally dormant Hollow reiatsu. While Resurrecciòn unleashes this sealed reiatsu, Primal Reversion instead traps the Arrancars' sealed essence within the blade. Upon using Primal Reversion, the Arrancar may elect to seal their Hollow reiatsu within their Zanpakutou. Doing so imposes several physical changes upon the user. Upon being learned, Primal Reversion allows the user to seal either their Hollow Hole or their Mask Fragment. Sealing the Hollow Hole closes the opening entirely while sealing the Mask Fragment effectively shatters it, leaving the Arrancar without the boney protrusion. Upon becoming proficient, the Arrancar may elect to seal both. Doing so obfuscates the Hollow reiatsu of the Arrancar, making it much harder to sense. Instead, anyone attempting to sense the Arrancars' Hollow reiatsu will only find Human reiatsu, the foundation of most Hollows.

Upon becoming mastered, Primal Reversion shows its full capabilities, allowing the Arrancar to fully seal their Hollow reiatsu and nearly seamlessly swap between Human and Hollow reiatsu. Choosing to fully seal their Hollow reiatsu bestows largely the same benefits. Their Hollow Hole seals and the Mask Fragment break though unlike merely obfuscating their Hollow reiatsu, it is now entirely sealed. The Hollow reiatsu that once filled the Arrancar becomes entirely replaced by Human reiatsu. Contact with a Quincy will no longer result in acid-like burns and absorption of the Arrancars’ reiatsu will no longer result in Hollow poisoning for as long as Primal Reversion is active. This allows the Arrancar for all intents and purposes to masquerade as a human.

Technique Drawbacks: Despite allowing an Arrancar to effectively hide in plain sight, there are a few drawbacks to sealing one’s very essence away. First and foremost, Primal Reversion takes a dozen or so seconds to completely seal both Hollow Hole and Mask Fragment. Upon becoming mastered, this process takes only several seconds. Additionally, while activating Primal Reversion is painless, having the Hollow Hole reopened or Mask Fragment reformed upon deactivation is incredibly painful, requiring a minimum of a 3 in Pain Tolerance. Primal Reversion is incompatible with Resurrecciòn. Using any stage of Primal Reversion will immediately end Resurrecciòn. Conversely, Resurrecciòn cannot be used while Primal Reversion is active. Primal Reversion is not a perfect disguise either though unless the Arrancar completely seals their Hollow reiatsu. Sealing only the Hollow Hole or Mask Fragment merely obfuscates the reiatsu, allowing others with 200 ES to sense the Hollow reiatsu. Upon sealing both, the ES requirement for sensing the Hollow reiatsu becomes 400. Upon being mastered and completely sealing away the Hollow reiatsu, it becomes impossible to sense any Hollow reaitsu from the Arrancar. While having Primal Reversion mastered mitigates the drawbacks, it comes with an entirely separate drawback upon fully sealing the Hollow reiatsu. While using the mastered variant of Primal Reversion, an Arrancar is considered a HWD. It is due to this change that they cannot use any techniques that are exclusive to Hollows or Arrancar besides Primal Reversion & Sonido. In addition, they are not able to learn any HWD techniques. This forces the Arrancar to choose between the effectiveness of Primal Reversion and their overall combat prowess.

Made By: Ailene Haschiro

Reserved? Yes; Can be Taught

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rēgīna}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rēgīna Uniform}

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Time as of late, seemed much like foggy water. Free flowing yet cloudy, unable to see past what was right there. Adjusting to working, even living a day to day life had been quite the challenge. But he'd been adapting slowly, though paperwork had been a whole other kind of problem, a few had agreed to assist much to Seiji's personal frustration, leaving him with little else to do by hand such forms back with his signature. After the attack, it had been just a small handful of the Kido Corps coming to him with questions and forms to be filled, now it felt like a large majority. Yet when he reminded any of them of his role, of his rank, less than most that approached. Many from what he could guess, simply would shrug at him and continue with their questions, as if not caring. As if he were the only sensible one around here, exceedingly doubtful considering what he'd walked into a few weeks prior, the very same encounter that left his own world in darkness.

Still with Soyoukaze assisting him here and there, maneuvering around his room and at least basic tasks were doable without any aid, the fact that everything within the Soul Society was saturated in high levels of reshi helped immensely. Allowing him to vaguely sense his way around without risk to bothering others, or walking into a door for the third time. Plenty of bruises had been gained over the past few weeks, he could not blame another for it really, it was not as if he were missing his eyes and to anyone looking he seemed just as he had before. Thus, catching the side of a door-frame, or the corner of a desk the first few times had been a rather painful reminder that things were different now. That he had changed, at least physically, and compensations had to be made for that.

Regardless, his duties hadn't really waned simply because his sight had been cut short, rather he had avoided taking any kind of assignment within the World of the Living just yet. Knowing it was not nearly as spiritually dense, it was another hurdle to overcome, the pitter-patter of rain against the nearby window telling him he'd likely be inside for the rest of the day. Though he had maintained his training with Soyoukaze, visualizing Kido in a new way had been something else, a picture now drawn more in his mind of what he wished for such reiatsu to do, how best to shape it without actually seeing it take shape within his hands. With practice of the past few days, he could at least work with the Kido he already knew with no issue, it was learning new, basing what he recalled of such power purely on memory that was a worrying thought. Put aside for now, in preference of falling water droplets. Soothing as he listened to the skies above opened up and drowning out the world, having been in his room for a short while now, work mostly done until later that evening? He had that luxury.

"Do you intend to avoid that Human World forever, Seiji?" Came the all to familiar hiss of Kaze in the back of his mind. Not all to reassuring either, but she never really had been, at least not openly. Always questioning his choices, just as she did now. It was with a sigh that the elder moved to sit up, a hand placed upon the sheath of his blade barely a meter or two away, something he was always able to sense no matter where in a room. Useful, considering no matter how irritating she may be, she was part of him. "Really? Now? I ain't avoiding it, bad enough gettin' used ta stuff here, an' ya want me ta go there?" To anyone else it might seem like a silly argument really, but in the past few weeks there had been plenty of experiencing new things without his sight to guide the majority of his actions. He could pretend to be sure of himself, he'd been doing that for centuries, hiding behind a mask as he was best at. But going quite so soon, he thought, was pushing it perhaps just one step too far.

"Yes, now. Or do you intend to keep being an immature child about it?" She knew how to provoke him into a reaction, what words to use, how to phrase things and a curse under his breath hearing the low hissing voice in the back of his mind speak such a thing told him one thing. Kaze would not cease to pester him until he gave in. He could see it now, on and on, day by day until he grew agitated enough from her request to simply throw up his hands and give in. He knew that much, and so did she. Endlessly frustrating, Seiji briefly wondered if others had nearly this much trouble with their Zanpakuto as he did. "Fine." Came the grumbled response as he slowly pulled himself up, a hand reaching mid movement to grab for that same infuriating blade in question to secure it back into his obi as a stood. Well, now meant today and there was no time like the present. Maybe he could even skip out on a little paperwork too.

Even prior to losing his sight, Seiji had always ensured his own quarters were organized to the point he could find things while half asleep, so stepping through the room quietly to find his gigai was no trouble. Getting into it though did take a little while, shifting back and forth with slow footsteps in order to ensure it actually felt right, not that he could recall what clothing his gigai had been wearing but even so - he'd make do. Zanpakuto still at his side even so, he would not leave that behind, especially going into the human world. Sneaking out as he often had during his days at the academy was by this point child's play, remembering a route to a Senkaimon wasn't difficult either, nor was slipping through with a slightly false reason given. He's sure he'd be forgiven if he was found out, given those who ran and monitored such realm traversal. Thankfully he had ensured to come out of the gate in a less crowded area, hand pressed against rough brick within the quiet alleyway as it closed behind him. Well, no going back now.

With a sigh and a pause to steady himself he began to move, in a place in which spiritual pressure was so all over the place. Even in Karakura Town, it was not everywhere, as dense and strange as this town was for spiritual happenings, like everywhere else in the World of the Living. Most things were composed of various materials, rather than being purely reshi based. Even so, Seiji managed well enough for a first time, considering he'd not been here in over a month now it wasn't bad. Cigarette's from his last trip here, even still tucked within a pocket half used. Using the sounds of traffic, something he'd probably never fully adjust to, and amble chatter of the world around him as a guide of sorts. Going into buildings was a little more difficult, but slowing his pace far more than normal ensured he was not walking swiftly into something metal like a telephone pole. It wasn't by sheer chance, but the smell from outside the doors, that drew the emerald haired Shinigami into Rēgīna.

"Hope ya don't mind me dropping in. Could smell something real nice in here, can I get whatever ya might recommend?" Stepping inside, he kept his voice relatively quiet spoken, though he could not sense many others in here, a human behind a counter judging based upon smell alone and the fact that he could almost smell the new food as well. Something recent then perhaps? Beside the human, were a few others, sitting down at tables all with weak spiritual pressure, barely worth noting and not even enough to be aware of hollows. Best not to disturb them. Walking until he reached the counter wasn't hard, nor was the simple thanks as he paid, thin fingers resting on the wooden surface lightly, pocketing the change and making the trek across the room, to a space he could feel was unoccupied, a hand sliding across the clean table before finding the chair or stool rather in which to sit down. Slower yes, but it ensured he would not ruin the place nor embarrass himself.

Maybe this wasn't a totally helpless trip.

[Ailene Haschiro]

As soon the words had left her mouth, Ailene was beyond ecstatic. She had finally done it. After years of toiling, attempting to distance herself from the harsh atmosphere of Hueco Mundo, it had finally been done. Rēgīna was finally open business! Turning on her heel, the Espada would scramble around for a little. She needed to be prepared! She had to look ready! She'd walk over to stand behind the counter, gazing through the glass pane. The atmosphere of Rēgīna was already a significant improvement over Las Noches. Even though the fortress possessed its own artificial sky and sun thanks to Lord Kouhai, it felt... lifeless by comparison. She could see people walk through the streets. It was nice to not be around so much wanton destruction and vitriol for once.

As she gently tapped her finger on the wooden counter, the bell that hung on the door jingled brilliantly. The Espada immediately looked up at a pair of women. Both would look around for a moment, taking in the decor. The subtle ambient lighting, the plants that rested in various parts of the shop, the few art pieces that hung against the wall. It gave Rēgīna a humble look. It did not try to be more than it was. This is how Ailene liked it. The two women looked at Ailene, one of them commenting, "Such a nice little place. I certainly wouldn't mind having a drink here..." The Arrancar smiled brightly, waving her hand towards one of the empty tables. "Please. Have a seat." 

There would a cheerful skip in her voice. The two women smiled, sitting down at the nearest table. Coming from around the counter Ailene approached, showing off the flower decal that was imprinted beautifully upon her white kimono. She'd pull out a small notepad. "Hello and welcome to Rēgīna. I hope you are having a wonderful day!" A big grin on her face, it seemed to charm the two women as they giggled softly. "My name is Ailene Hachiro. What may I get you two ladies today?" They both looked at one another, one tapping her finger against her chin. "Well, I wouldn't be opposed to a cup of tea. Peppermint tea for me please." Suddenly the voice of the other woman roared to life as well. "Lemon for me please! Oh, do you have any danishes?" 

Ailene swiftly scanned her eyes across her notepad. It contained an exhaustive list with markings next to them. Simply put, it contained her inventory. "A peppermint and pomegranate tea. As for the danish, we have a wonderful raspberry danish. It's my favorite!" The woman nodded briefly. "I'll have than then!" The Espada nodded, noting it down quickly. "Excellent choices, both of you. Please excuse me while I get everything ready." She'd give a polite bow, walking back behind the counter. Opening a lid, she'd pour water in before closing it and turning the heat up on the stove. The light turned on as the pot slowly began to heat up. Ailene knew it was going to take a few minutes, so she'd prep other things in the meantime. 

Grabbing two cups, Ailene placed them gingerly onto the counter that clung to the wall. Pulling out two baskets, she'd swiftly run through her alphabetically sorted portfolios. She'd mutter to herself quietly. "Let's see here... Lemon and..." Her fingers deftly moved from label to label. "...Peppermint." Pulling out a second set tea leaves, she'd gingerly place each into the corresponding cup. She looked over at the pot. It would not be quite ready for a few minutes. In the meantime, it seemed that there was another treat she could at least provide. Grabbing some gloves, slipping them over her hands, Ailene would gingerly grab one of the raspberry danishes before placing it in a small foil. Smiling, she'd bring it over to the woman offering it to her.

Having her smile returned warmed Ailene's heart. "Please excuse me. Your tea should be ready to go in a few short minutes." They'd both nod at her before Ailene returned behind the counter. She'd idly tap her fingers on the counter as she waited. In hindsight, she should have one this prior. She gently rubbed her head. "Relax Ailene... it's your first day. Just... take it easy." Suddenly the bell would ring again. She'd look at the door as she saw someone walk in. The two women hushed their conversation as they both giggled softly. Ailene meanwhile was readily observing him. After all, she was an interesting character. A giant, at least to Ailene, she knew that had to be more than 6 ft tall. He had wild head of emerald, green hair. Finally, his voice. It was so quiet.

"Hope ya don't mind me dropping in. Could smell something real nice in here, can I get whatever ya might recommend?" Ailene smiled and nodded as she overheard the water beginning to rise to a soft bubbling. Slowly it grew more vigorous. "Not at all! I will be right with you in a moment, sir." Getting a tray, Ailene grabbed the two cups, placing them side by side and setting the kettle idly next to it. Walking over to the table, she set down the corresponding cups on plates in front of the matching woman. Grabbing the kettle, she'd pour the hot water. Ailene had to be extra careful. She had shut off her Hierro to try and reduce all signs of her reiatsu beyond what was hidden. She could seriously burn herself if she was not careful! Expertly pouring both, she returned the pot to the tray. "Please. Enjoy your tea. If you have any other requests, don't hesitate to ask." 

As she bowed out, she had a look at Seiji's movements. The way he was grasping objects around him as he walked, feeling out the world. It was far less refined, but she had seen these movements before. They weren't unlike how Orobas seemed to navigate. Far more caution in his step. Ailene blinked for a moment as she overheard the slightest giggles and gossip from the two women. She'd walk back behind the counter, taking the pot with her. He had said that he'd take whatever Ailene recommended. Going through her labels once more, she pulled a cup and placed a bundle of tea leaves in. The bag clearly read Jasmine in fine letters. From her display glass, Ailene would get a few balls of mochi ice cream that idly sat in a pile and placed them into a bowl. She felt that the heat of the tea could do wonders for expressing the flavor and soothing cold of the mochi.

With a rhythm to her step, the Arrancar made her way over to Seiji who had strangely chosen to sit away from the two women. Was her perhaps the shy type? Ailene wasn't sure. After all, he seemed rather soft-spoken. In truth, it wasn't really any of her business, but she was certainly intrigued. As she approached, she would do so slowly. After all, she had her suspicion that the man could not truly see. Was he blind like Orobas? Ailene was not sure, but she'd still proceed with tact. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Ailene Haschiro. I brought Jasmine tea and some mochi ice cream, a certain indulgence of mine." She'd smile, setting down the cup before Seiji and pouring the steaming hot water, setting the mochi down a hand length away from the cup. She smiled brightly. "Is there anything else that I can get you?" 

[Mizuki Otsuka]

The day had begun just as any other had along her travels, she would wake as the rays from the morning creeped into the window of yet another rented room at an inn that accepted her previous day's work for the lodging. A routine of stretches - 12 to be exact in flowing motion - Forward fold, downward dog to open hip downward dog, knee to nose, low lunges … on and on, for roughly 20 minutes. Once that was done she would shower, dress in the clothes she had washed before bed; currently her meager outfit wasn’t the most appropriate but it was what she had. Finally before leaving the cleaned room she would check the mirror - adjusting her hair in it’s ponytail and checking over her over exposed body, wearing a black cropped corset top with thin straps and low rise black utility pants, heaving a heavy sigh up in a puff to toss her bangs out of her eyes she would turn to leave.

To begin another day of learning, wandering and hopefully finding a place to work that could give her another night's respite. It wasn’t often that a business would allow her to work multiple nights in a row for a bed, it wasn’t lucrative for them in the long run and she wasn’t one to overstay a welcome. Bidding the owners a respectful goodbye she would finally head out into the early morning light, the bustle of the day only just kicking into gear. Even with the few spare bits of money the owner’s younger son had given her the night before - out of pity… or a possible crush - she doubted she had much at all to spare for a full breakfast. Walking through the streets goosebumps would rise in waves over her skin, starting with her arms and crossing over her exposed lower stomach, “A jacket wouldn’t kill me…”, she grumbled to herself.

She continued to move though as if the morning chill had no effect on her but invigoration, stepping out of the paths of those setting signs out or sweeping debris - the burning of gazes hot on her back as she passed. Ignoring them as usual she would engross her senses in the scents of preparation; Roasting of coffee beans, new floral arrangements hitting the streets, burning of wood heating ovens, and finally the sweet smell of baking pastries. This particular scent at the end drew her in, having not eaten since yesterday morning her mouth was already watering. The scent was originating from a shop that had been closed until this morning, at least she hadn’t seen it open once since she arrived in town a week ago. It was a tea shop, and it was already sporting early morning patrons.

Slowing up as she began to pass the window she peered in, discreetly so as not to make her desire obvious. It was humble, quaint may have been the better word for it, but inside was decorated in a way that drew in the soul. Clearly it worked as she scanned the patrons - two women seated at a table close to the door and a man with shockingly green hair standing at the counter- freezing in her tracks a few steps from the door, her head whipped fully to stare into the shop. The beating of her heart came so hard and fast it seemed to block the noise of the world around her completely out - green hair like that wasn’t common… hell it wasn’t even in fashion, and only one other person had ever had it. Before thoughts became noticeable she was yanking the door to the shop open, a distant tinkling of a bell registering in her mind, before she was standing agitatedly behind the green haired man. He wasn’t speaking anymore, but the woman behind the counter was - peering out from around his form she would get a good look at the owner of such a voice. Wearing a uniform with the shop's logo, the woman was nothing like she would imagine given the sweet and upbeat voice attached. Straightening back up she would begin to bite her lip idly, the whispered conversation from the two women now at her back drifting up to her ears. “This place lets in anyone off the street don’t they?”, “I know right?! Doesn’t she have any shame?” A fit of giggling would perfume the shop and her eyes would close, scrunching a little as she tried to brush off the comments, but they sank in.

What was she doing here… so out of her depth, why had she come into this tea shop at all? She wasn’t a patron… not really she was barely above a beggar at this point. The doubts of her choices were beginning to settle before she finally snapped out of it, in yet another fit of recklessness she would turn her head away from her goal and toward the two women. Catching them staring at her with mischievous smiles she would match their energy in a second and croon back to them in a honeyed tone of voice, “If you were looking for tips, all you had to do was ask.” With a playful scrunch of her nose she would turn back to face ahead, and immediately her features would morph into a display of regret. Why can’t you just keep your mouth shut…