Kindred Souls (Social)

[Miranda Frost]

 Thunder cracked the sky above and the heavens weeped over the Sereitei. Its tears hammered down drenching all in its wake. Miranda was no different. She sat there in the pouring rain upon the Squad 10 training grounds,  legs crossed and gloved hands outstretched. Her steel eyes drifted closed and she focused. She could feel the the entire area her spiritual pressure drifted. She could feel the walls, the doors, the few soldiers that stayed behind  to clean the barracks. No, that would be inaccurate. She could feel the absence of her own essence. 

 Her brow frowned as her outstretched fingers curled, manipulating the field around her, her imagination springing to life. Miranda imagined a throne of crumbling, neglected stone, its structure laiden with rusted chains and shackels. She pictured her old zanpakuto, that wretched skeleton that rested atop it. In her innerworld he would tower over all beings, the throne overlooking a decadent colleseum.  There were no spectators there nor would there ever be ever again. A lone stadium amdist a dry, flaking desert.

 her eyes opened and she'd see the fruits of her concentration. Before her sat the the form of a crowned skeleton shackled to a damaged throne, all made of compacted reishi curtesy of these gloves. A small crystal dragon lay curled in its lap, asleep but ever present whether in person or behind the curtain, pulling the strings in her inner world. Miranda did not create her. Miranda's brow furrowed. The skeleton shuddered and tilted its head down to look at her with those empty eyes. "Seeker of life, coveter of my throne. I am Yūgure, ruler of Yoru", its spoke, its voice aged and raspy, yet powerful.

 The corner of Miranda's mouth quivered. She didn't necesarily know why she was doing the things she was doing, but something within her urged her to do it. Within her inner world, his presence was mysterious and terrifying. Looking into his eyes was like looking into the never ending abyss. It made her feel smaller than any other, but now he looked almost pathetic. Just a man without flesh shackled and chained by a power foreign to him.  He'd tilt his head to the sky, gazing upon the downpour. "What do you see in the rain? As rain falls so does it drain, such is the way of things."

 "I am to wipe out District 79W for their crimes against me and other maidens brought there. I just..,", she began, her gaze falling from Yugure. The plan was simple, obtain a team of 10 or so volunteers and storm the border settlement. Only that damned priest was the threat. That and his mercenaries, but still. So many would get in the way. There will be innocent casualties but she needed this.

  the skeleton took in what sounded like a breath and clicked its teeth, its empty gaze now fallen upon her. "I fail to see your design, young Frost, but I see very little these days hmhmhm.", Would answer during the pause ending with a labored chuckle. His wrists would test his shackles. His tone darkened as he spoke once more. "Seeker of life, conquerer of death. I too sought life once. With life, they say, a ruler can stave off the curse", he'd mockingly poke its boney hand out as if poking at where her soul chain used to be. Miranda didnt see the gesture, but felt as if he were tapping her chest all the same. He referred to a pluse's inevitibility to hollowfy. Only souls stuck between the life and afterlife had to worry, usually. Miranda had nearly hollowfied, and that wound has marred her soul for all time. "A lie, but you knew no better." Miranda's eyes widened and fear gripped her once more. He could effect her even here. Images of leading spiritual attuned humans to their doomed in that town of death flashed in her mind. Distorted and twisted these were, but they were whole enough to recall and fill her with dread. How many had it been?

 "You are no king, you are more fit to be a jester", she'd retort, her voice shaking.

  The king chuckled and gripped the arms of the throne. "I was unaware of my own blindness.", he responded with a subtle nod in agreement. "And you are a feeble vessel, with an even more feebler soul. You casted aside the prop of life and faced greater hardship." The king strained to lean in closer, but the chains would  tug and pull at his old bones, threatening to shatter them. "Could you be such a fool, or something more? Seeker of life, you know not the depth of death within you. It grows deeper still, the more power you covet. Life, oh life. I was King of your wretched, unravelled life. I had subdued your soul and claimed your strength, so that I may climb closer to life. Miranda will fall, her essence will fade, and her soul of old will reemerge. With death unshackled, a curse will be upon you, and you will take your proper shape.  Inherit life, and harness death, such is the calling of a true leader, or is that your only choice?"

 Miranda shook her head. It couldn't be the only choice for her, or was it? The moment she fled that district from that lunatic cult, the pain, the death, and into the arms of a shinigami, that was what set her on this path. Now she was third seat of squad 10. Third in charge. She even ran it for a time while the captain and Arantima-sama were away. Death was not what the defense squad dealt in, but who else would take the reigns in this affair? All in all, this matter was a small one. It did not upset the balance, no matter what horrible things happened in that district. Still, she was conflicted. Miranda should have known better, summoning a reflection of her own soul, but she figured it might do her some good to look in the mirror. 

 The king would continue speaking, snapping her from her thoughts. "Seeker of life, coveter of my throne. Seek strength, the rest will follow.", he hissed, his bones and shackles fading off as if he dismissed himself. His solid structure dissipated returning the captured reishi to the air. The dragon remained, living and breathing despite being a construct of hers. She'd lean over and scoop it  up into her arms and hold it to her chest.  She could feel herself start to tear up, but she stopped herself. What would her subordinates say if they saw her like this? If she were to make captain one day, she didnt need that little detail floating around.
  
 "What am I going to do?"

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima walked in the pouring rain as the lighting cracked rifts of light through the sky and a thunderhead rolled out along the horizon. He recalled the days back before he was a kawada, He recalled how the world felt and how his old Zanpakuto spirit was the cracked remnant of a broken Zanpakuto that was keeping itself alive by feeding off of himself. He Heard the thunder peel again, this time at the same time as a streak of lighting ripped across the sky. He stared up at the sky and let a smile creep across his lips as the thunder sounded like the roaring of a dragon to his ears.

Arantima was at the entrance to the Squad 10 training grounds, where he touched the walls that had been rebuilt from that day when he went berserk and ripped more than half of the grounds to shreds with Violent shockwaves. He let his hand drift away from the wall as he strode into the grounds. He made it a point to always check to see that the grounds were being used properly and to their fullest potential. As he entered the grounds properly he found some of the lower seated officers were there, paired off and sparring even in the rain.

He stood there and watched them for a short time, offering them basic pointers and advice on how to handle the wet stone and slippery hilts of their weapons more efficiently. He was not the physically strongest or most impressive while his shikai was sealed but none of the seated officers would deny his battle prowess or skill after having witnessing his fight with Celes. Arantima held no arrogance nor threw any weight around as it was pointless in his mind. Some of the Shinigami noted his Noble status and bowed but Arantima always waved them off and told them it was not needed.

As he was turning away from a few such lower ranked shinigami he spied someone he had not seen in quite some time.. A Shinigami whose power had at one time tried to consume her, and it was only due to his own Zanpakuto spirit and his own quick thinking to shift his spiritual reserves to tolerable levels that saved her. He looked at her and saw that she now was capable of releasing or that at least her zanpakuto had changed its appearance. He smiled at that briefly before watching the scene unfold though he was not quite close enough to hear the dialogue over the wind and the rain.

After the Throne began to dissipate Arantima walked along slowly, reaching Miranda just as he had the Dragon clutched in her arms and moved to place a hand on her shoulder from behind, leaning in to speak softly but clearly "You, are going to keep moving forward, Little dragon tamer." Arantima chuckled softly as he leaned back and away to allow Miranda room to react however she would to the voice he hoped she would find familiar. "Hello Miss Frost, It has been quite some time since we last saw one another. Infact. the last time I saw you, I had to send you to the infirmary after crushing your Zanpakuto back to its sealed state."

He stood there with his hands resting on his hips, his golden clawed gloves glinting softly against what light there was cascading its way out through the clouds above, his chest scar still prominently in veiw as his nobles robes were left completly open down the center. He Stared down at the meditative Miranda as he awaited a responce from her not impaitiently but with a warm smile and a questioning gaze that gave away his intention to ask about what she was doing out here alone in the rain but with the promise of waiting for Miranda to speak a bit before he did that and started down that rocky road.

He stood casually, and yet the long hair of the past was now cropped shorter and his eyes were a bit less stelly then they were far softer and more kind.  His level of physical fitness has not waned at all in the long while where they had been apart but it was infact a bit better than it had been. His blade was still that long and ornate creation that now hung itself along his back directly along his spine.. A place that was impossible to draw it from, but he didnt need to ever.. do that.

Arantima's eyes moved from morianda down to the smallish dragon that was in her lap and arms, He kept his gaze locked to the creature while miranda spoke for as long as it was present.  He could sense something there within the dragon and something within miranda's mood itself.. He was eeriely good at reading other peoples moods and how they felt without them needing to say anything outright, he just.. could sense it. He sensed now that Miranda was troubled and seeking answers for a question.. But what question?

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

 "You, are going to keep moving forward, Little dragon tamer. Hello Miss Frost, It has been quite some time since we last saw one another. Infact. the last time I saw you, I had to send you to the infirmary after crushing your Zanpakuto back to its sealed state."


 Her meditative state had already begun to wane. As the throne dissapated, the crystal structures returned the air around her, swirling slowly about her zone of influence like small blue stars until they too returned to the reishi rich atmosphere of the rukongai. She had dragged that infernal spirit, Yogure back to the depths of her soul, chaining it down and down within the arid desert of her inner soul. The lack of the skeleton king's presence calmed her with a little help from slow, controlled breathing. She'd let her focus dissipate as well and cleared her thoughts until only she and her dragonness remained, that is until a familiar voice snapped her free. Her eyes regained its light and she'd tilt her head back, steel eyes gazing up at the man that brought her back to Earth. "Tima-sama?", she'd mutter, eyes squinting inquisitively.

 Miranda stood, crystal dragonness cradled snuggly against her chest. "Tima!", she'd nearly yell, recognizing the man finally. Sure his hair was shorter, but he was still the strikingly handsome noble that she remembered. There were other subtle differences as well, such as the man's eyes. They seemed a bit softer. Miranda could only imagine what he had gone through. "Infermery huh?  You saved my life, sir. Don't forget that. Besides..." She could barely contain her smile. She couldn't have the Lieutenant stand in the rain. Oh no that wouldn't do. Miranda would created a pair of three foot wide discs above the two, slanted just enough to allow the rain to run off at a safe distance. They were both a bit soaked already, but there was no need to  make it worse. Besides, Miranda wanted a better look at the man without any rain blurring her vision. "I've been in and out of the infermery since that day. It's gotten me a little bit stronger! I'm the third seat, you know?"

 Miranda laughted with a hint of pride swelling in her chest. Even now, beneath her uniform were tightly wrapped bandages blessed with medical herbs to help the various cuts and bruises she had obtained recently. She couldn't help but get hurt. Miranda was never the delicate flower many often would think of her as.  She had clawed and ground her way through the mud and muk and survived despite it all. She had survived encounter after encounter, discovered strange artifacts, destroyed rogue research facilities, and even managed to cling to what little bit of life she could when she was kidnapped to Hueco Mundo "Surely you've been through a lot yourself. Um... maybe talking out here isn't the best. The weather appears to be getting worse." She'd glance at the skys above, admiring for a split moment the arcs of lightning that danced from cloud to cloud.

 One of her gloved hands would reach out and grasp Tima's tuggin' him along to indoors if he'd allow. "I've a jug of Sake I got yesterday from this family I helped out. Won't you come and have a drink with me? I'm sure we have lots to discuss. It has been too long!", She insisted with delight. Besides, she made a mistake coming out here and performing the meditation she did. Not many need to know her plans lest they get in the way. No. The division didn't need to know as a whole what she was up to. She couldn't bear for them to get in the way and get hurt. These things her district did and wielded. They gave Miranda a run for her money. This would have to be discussed in confidence.

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima smiled softly at Miranda and nodded along to what she was saying, Looking up at the discs that were now blocking them from the rain. He nodded in appreciation of the Reatsu constructs that Miranda was able to create. Though he did note that her released weapon was not exactly a weapon he would simply chalk it up to the fact that his own had no form of its own either he had to compress it into a form that was useable. He Looked around at the training grounds and tilted his head in responce to Miranda sugessting that out here was not the best place for a conversation. "The Storm is nothing.. But You are perhaps correct that this is not the safest place to speak, if Celes decided to come out here and train with any sort of seriousness you would need to learn how to Dodge shockwaves and swiftly."

He chuckled softly and reached out to place a hand on Miranda's shoulder as he smiled warmly towards her once more "HMm. I think that some Sake would be a lovely little treat to share while we speak, And since you are The third seat of squad 10.. What better place to talk than my office? Come, It is not far from the training grounds.. Incentive from when I last destroyed the old grounds in their entirety.. not to do so again or risk losing my quarters." He chuckled softly and set off towards the East side of the training grounds. At the far side of the East wall he stood infront of a plain sliding door and pulled it open to invite Miranda inside.

Once they were inside Arantima Held a hand aloft and sent a Crimson tinted orb of reatsu to float over the center brazier that was seated in the center of a small pond filled with koi. The room was a waiting lounge with a tea set in the corner and seating around the small reflection pond that was now being warmed by the crimson orb as if there was a roaring fire inside of the brazier. He set about walking around to the numerous lights that were in the room and lighting them so that the room was well lit even in this storm. Once the lights were lit he moved over towards the tea set and took a small cage looking bit of metal and set it above the red orb.

"Do you drink Tea at all Miranda? Or would you prefer to use your title 3rd seat?" The question was so formal and polite and yet would reveal a decent bit of information about how he would proceed with her in this social environment, not only that but whether or not he had to prepare one or two cups of tea for the time being. He Looked Miranda up and down as he was getting the tea set prepared as the water began to heat up over the Orb that was pumping off heat like a small furnace. It seemed a very simple technique but one that would be handy in situations like this one.

The room was Immaculate and the seating was ornate and fancy like one would imagine would be provided at a nobles mansion much less a Vice captains office or meeting space in the barracks of a squad. Though this seemed to be a Blending of Japanese and Mongolian cultures.. The seating was all furs and few chairs, and the Actual architecture was distinctly japanese. Arantima also pulled up a small sealed clay jar from inside the pool and dried it off with a spare cloth nearby before popping off the sealing cork and taking a swig of the contents. He set the jug down beside where it was being made quite obvious was going to be his seat which was surrounded by many places to sit or sprawl or lounge.

Arantima having finally felt the water for the tea was hot enough poured the Needed cups of tea, be it one or two and set his own aside to let it cool while he gestured for Miranda to sit. "You can send for your Jug of Sake via a Black butterfly. a Courier will bring it shortly. But for now let us get dry and warm and share our stories hmm?" Arantiam's smile was charming and would set anyone off guard, there was a strange serenity to everything he did while he was sealed that was so stark from his Intensity when he released his zanpakuto. He likewise seemed to be a natural void in spiritual pressure almost completly non-existant but it was obvious that he could use reatsu well when he wished to.

"I.. have been meditating mostly. I know. It is as boring as it sounds.. My time away has been one of self discovery and attempting to control the Massive power within my zanpakuto.. I have attained a small amount of enlightenment but no control.. And I fear that I will never attain true control of it. But when I returned I found that Celes was the new captain and Hotaru was nowhere to be found. So as is my own tradition I challenged the captain to a battle, which ended up with us both needing to take a trip to the infirmary. i have been Working on the Inner workings of House kawada as well in what time I have to do so. getting all in order to finally root out some of the rot within it that has stagnated for too long."

He took another swig from the clay jar and a thin milky fluid escaped and dripped down his chin to land on his bare chest that still held that immense scar. He did not even move once to wipe it off as he put the jug down beside himself again looking over to Miranda "But You are 3rd seat now! This is wonderful news! How have you fared as 3rd seat thus far? Have you done anything you would consider noteworthy yet or are you still waiting for that defining moment?" He chuckled softly at that question meaning it to be a much more jovial and superfluous topic than it might have seemed at first.

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

Shockwaves were a concept Miranda wasn't entirely familiar with. She had heard stories of physically strong warriors being able to combat simply from flexing their muscles, but this was beyond her. She was stronger than most shinigami, if only slightly, but she cant imagine the strength needed to bend the wind to her will. It was wonderous to imagine herself at that point of physical fitness, but she couldn't help but giggle at the image she imagined for herself. Built like brick house barely able to fit within her own uniform. The constant care and control of her body lest she shred every bit of her clothing. It was rediculous to say the least, but then again Celes didn't appear like that, but memories of ones past often cloud the present. Miranda could still remember how she met Captain Celes, as they were both wisked away by some strange artifact of eld. Celes was just an academy student then. 

 Miranda sighed at the memory. Many a time those in her life would surpass her, but Miranda felt no insecurity about this case. Celes had done the squad proud and grew in strength at an immense speed. It made Miranda feel old if anything. Her potential was low and every scrap of strength she had acquired had been won through blood. Some are born to be captain while others have to grind and climb their way from the muck and the mud and the piss. Frost would acheive captain one day, there was no doubt of it, and it is those in her life like Captain Celes and Lieutenant Arantima she'd have to thank. 

 Arantima caught her attention lacking with a soft hand upon her shoulder, leading her away to his own office. Maybe it was for the best, she had forgotten about that incident, though she had only heard stories. It delighted her to no end that he would take her up on the offer, even if it was derived from a simple, selfish discomfort. Her soaked clothing had started to become heavy after all! She admittedly had never stepped inside this office, even when he had been missing. She'd bite her lip and follow, watching the sliding door as it opened to a darkened room and watched as the light from Tima's palm brought it all to life. Miranda's eyes wandered. It was so well decorated and spoke to a man of nobility. As she stepped in she felt a bit awkward. Her clothes dripped and soaked the floors beneath her feet. It felt a bit rude but surely Tima didn't mind, he did bring her here.

 "Is that a threat, Tima-sama~?", she'd teasingly challenge at cute offer of tea. "I would be grateful."  Admittedly she didn't drink that much tea, but then again she was a recovering alcoholic. Sake, wine, and other brewed delights were her guilty pleasure and have been for a long time. Thankfully Celes had been helping her, keeping her busy to help build healthier habits. So far she had done well. She wasn't late, her appearance improved, and her general bearing inspired the men and women of the 10th, even if her formality often suffered. The lack of Hotaru to keep that in check saw to that quickly. While her generous host was making preperations she'd check herself, glancing beneath her uniform to verify the integrity of the bandages before slipping out of her outer garments, setting the shitogi, kosode, hakama, and tabi close to the door so that they wouldn't continue to make a mess of the place.  Tima didnt have to worry about indecency as the bandages covering her from her shoulder down were quite secure, tightly wrapped and clean even if they were lightly damp and she wore a decent enough skirt beneath her uniform. Though, she wouldn't put it past certain members of the division to rejoice in seeing her this way. Miranda had a way with dealing with those knuckleheads.

 Miranda would sit where he gestured, gently setting herself down on the warm, clean fur, pooring herself a cup of the tea, sipping upon it gently. "Already on it", she'd answer, summoning her butterfly and relaying the message, providing strict instructions on where to find her particular jug and to set it outside the office and knock. Despit not being too revealing, she didnt need more rumors going about about this friendly meeting. It was bad enough people had already been putting them together in their minds ever since he sent her to the infirmery. There was nothing romantic about it at all, but maybe there was something underlying there. He had done everything he could to save her life and here was today, strong and healthy because of it. Still, the general soldierdry didnt need to know about this meeting, if only to curb her own annoyance with their gossipping chit chat.

 Miranda listened to his story of discovery and had to look away for a few moments to properly pay attention. It was often hard to look in the mirror when the memories there reminded her so much of what she went through, that and those soft eyes were a bit too charming. It was rude though to not hold eye contact during a conversation such as this so she'd look back, attempting to keep the steel of her eyes from wandering. "As part of my recovery I visited my home district and meditated along a stream of reishi. Its healing effects are wonderous and was perfect to commune with my mending blade. Though ugh,  it was hard. The unstable power that awakened the day you saved me only returned and i've yet to fully control it." She'd hold out her hands her zanpakuto stil worn on her hands. Gloves of strange material, lined with what appeared to be scales made up its design with hardened claws at each fingertip giving its bite. "I've only come to accept it." her hand moved to run over the crystal dragonling that lay curled beside her. She could have sent it away with the other constructs, but decided her blade should enjoy this moment with her. After all it was a part of herself. "Since then time has moved so quickly. It was a popular trend to send me to reinforce other squad activities whether it be training or operations. I once helped destroy a rogue research facility hiding out in the human realm. That was fun I suppose"

 That was a lie. That place was horrifying, but she did her best to keep a brave face. The insects, the growth covering the walls and the monstrous creatures plaguing the place. It was something straight of a horror film. "When I had returned you were gone and so was Hotaru. Until Celes was approved for captaincy I held the division together the best I could. Obtained some bad habits. It was a dark time, but I think im better for it, wouldn't you think? I'm Third seat now and I feel like I am on the cusp of something more", her voice grew in excitement. "My blade is changing now. I can feel it. I'm starting to feel different, like im about to breach a barrier i've been trying to climb for so long but but... wait.  You matched Captain Celes in combat?" Her mind clicked at what he said earlier. This was amazing! She had known that Tima-sama was incredibly strong, but to go toe to toe with a captain was astounding. "Are you going to take captaincy?"
 
 A knock on the office door would sound before he could respond properly. A small, but durable hook would appear behind her and float over, opening the door and scooping the jug by its handle while another construct shut the door behind them. Some disagreed with the way she used her abilities, saying a sword shouldn't be used naught but for combat. Miranda disagreed. It was an extension of herself, not just some life stealing tool. She couldn't deny though that it had made certain parts of her life more convenient. After a bit of practice with it, she's now able to get done nearly three times as much work as the normal soldier. Talk about efficency. She'd set the jug between the two and slipped out of her gloves, setting them beside her. The constructs dissapated and her scarred hands now lay bare against the jug. It was good to take the gloves off and feel normal again sometimes. "A trade then? This cheap sake for your exquisite tea?"

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima listens to the story of mirandas recovery and nods as he recalls what had happened that day. The Utter beating he delivered to her was immense even though he was holding back, truly holding back as much as he could while still imbuing her with the lesson she needed to learn deep down in her soul. It seems he knocked something a bit deeper inside of her loose and as he had watched with awe, horror, and a smirk as she called out the name of her Zanpakuto. The name of a Zanpakuto was one thing to learn but something else was happening to her, something she was not ready for yet Her zanpakuto was ready back then it seemed though and that was bad.. She had been Icarus flying too close to the sun..

He Takes a sip from his tea which has cooled nicely now and sighs gently as the tea washes the sour taste of Airag from his mouth before he reseals the jug to his side and slides it across towards Miranda. "Try some Airag.. It is a mongolian drink of fermented milk. It is like alchoholic butter that you drink." He chuckles softly to himself at the terrible description of the drink. He sips at his tea again as Miranda continues and tels about how she held the squad together in the absense of both a captain and a vice captain. He nods to her and recalls how horrible the paperwork had been that day he decided to finally get caught up on it all and a sour look crossed over his face from the memory.

"I would not say matched but it was much closer than it was with Hotaru. And no, I am not going to take captaincy at least not for some time.. And it is my tradition to Fight my captain at full power.. as it would be unfair for them to hold back when Tenryu will not." Arantima looked on as she used her Zanpakuto's powers to create constructs and looked on as he noted the similarity to his own, projection. He nodded softly and took off his own Golden clawed gloves to reveal his hands, with long sharpened nails on each finger he delicately takes his teacup and holds it with just his nails. He swirls the tea inside of it softly as he stares down at the koi in the pond.

"You feel like your blade is changing. Like you are ready to breach a barrier you have been trying to surpass for a long while. That is not an wholly uncommon feeling for one in your position, But i can feel the hesitance in your soul.. That excursion to the research fascility was not fun.. It horrified you. And the Rest of the squad, even if they hear of this meeting will say nothing lest they be placed in my advanced training course.. where they must defeat my Soulbind to progress.. I do not tolerate gossip among the squad about our own squad." How he knew.. How he Always knew what was going on in someones soul was an oddity, but it was every bit as comforting as it was jarring as he spoke so casually about it, as if she had said it aloud to him.

He reached across to take the sake jar from where it sat and popped the seal off of it as he went to take in the scent of the sake. He gave an appreciative nod and held up a finger with his free hand "Correction, A taste of your Sake for a taste of my Airag." He smiled warmly as he took a swig of the sake and rolled his shoulders as he felt the warmth of the stronger alchohol roll through his body. "There is one thing to remember.. A Bad habit.. is only bad if it harms someone else. otherwise. its just a habit that you enjoy and others dont. Wether becuase they dont agree or becuase they dont like it.. It doesnt matter. Do what you like, so long as it is not at the expense of yourself or others." He looks at the Jug of sake once more and takes another large swig before he re-seals it and with a simple turning palm throst sends it cascading through the air with a subtle spin that lets it land on the floor between them with a gentle scraping thud that leaves the sake jug in one piece.

"There is a reason you wanted to come inside and get away from the open. Hopefully the alchohol will help loosen your lips, so you can tell me what it is?" Arantima chuckles softly at Miranda before running a hand through his air and looks back at the sliding door and then back towards Miranda's gloves. "Have you ever heard of a Technique known as Jinzen? The Technique that allows one to communicate with their Zanpakuto spirit in their inner world? I noticed you were doing something.. In the reverse out in the training field. but I wonder have you ever done Jinzen in its actual form.. And if not would you like to learn how?" Arantima leaned in slightly and looked at Miranda trying his best to meet her gaze if he could at all.

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

 Miranda nodded and filled a cup of his Airag, taking a sip of it to test. If someone were to tell her that fermented milk was a good drink, she'd be a skeptic. If it wasn't for this occasion, she would have passed. However, this slightly sour taste with a hint of alcohol combining with the smooth texture as it went down, she'd find it to be quite agreeable. It was a drink she'd have to get used to, but she wouldn't mind spending a night with a jug of this drink. She'd giggle at the thought, her eyes shifting from his charming smirk to his clawed gloves then to her own. The similarities between the two were not lost on her and made her think on whether or not it was a coincidence. Her true zanpakuto spirit was a crystal dragonness encased in stone scales. The spirit itself a fragment of his own zanpakuto spirit. If the Zanpakuto was just a reflection of the soul, could have Arantima given a piece of his soul away to save hers? She was grateful, that was to be sure, but she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for pushing him to do that for her. Hearing him confirm that he'd be staying did bring a little relief to her heart.

 Arantima understood her to an unnatural degree. It was hard to see that from anyone she's met, save Hotaru or Celes, but none of them have glimpsed the darker undertones of her soul. Arantima has only seen the evidence of its existence. Still it was good that she was safe from gossip among her peers. Even if it were to turn out what they'd say, such subjects were her business alone. She'd take another swig of Tima's drink and watch as he partook in her own and spun it in a small show of dexterity that brought a smile to her face. "You sure know how to give a girl a good show, hm?", she'd comment, pooring another cup of Airag for herself.

 "Jinzen hm? I haven't heard of the name but I have journeyed into my innerworld before, but doing so makes me feel a bit vulnerable. Everything there is exposed and the more I progress, the more of myself I recognize. I channeled specific pieces of myself through my creations and communed that way. Being in there, unsettles me to no end. Jinzen, to enter ones inner world and gaze upon a twisted reflection where everything is false and truth.", she'd answer, setting down her cup and brushing her scarred palm over the small dragonness's back. Tima was able to break into her soul and implant a piece of himself. Tima was able to read her like a book as if he was gazing upon the soul in her chest. Perhaps he could do more than a simple Jinzen? "I've heard rumors of a technique that allows another to enter someone else's mind or inner world. You wouldn't happen to know of such a technique would you?"

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima nodded to Miranda and drew his own zanpakuto out of its sheathe in a slow and deliberate method the blade was long enough that it crossed the distance between himself and Miranda without issues. He looked down the blade towards Miranda before he set the blade down to his side and his gaze went softer than usual as he began to speak "I am what some could consider an authority on communing with a zanpakuto Spirit. I have done nothing but commune with my own once I unlocked shikai to try and discover why I lost control of myself when I released. He and I came to an understanding.. That due to my Unique soul and its overwhelming weight. That My mind shatters while my zanpakuto is released and thus My Zan spirit must take over and he himself.. is Arrogant and full of himself, but also has tendencies that I do not share. That is where I understood the need for a Soulbind.. A way to release a fraction of my power and still maintain my mind."

He took a soft breath and drained the last of his tea before he motioned a hand as if he was going to continue "Jinzen is indeed the name for Communing with your own Zanpakuto. And there is a Method of training that allows one to do it instantly even in the middle of combat. However there is.. another ability called Jinzen: Kyoshin. This technique requires the one who it is being used on the be willing and to begin performing jinzen Or can be used to bring someone into your own inner world. However, My inner world contains Tenryu Satsujin.. And that would be deadly to anyone entering my inner world. However I can enter other inner worlds relatively safely, As long as the other persons Zan spirit is not actively violent."

Arantima moves to lounge a bit on the fur and looks over at Miranda while letting his tea cup which was more of a tea bowl dangle in his finger and thumb. He looked between Miranda and his own Zanpakuto blade before letting out a soft breath and closed his eyes. "I am here.. I know and have mastered this Technique. If you would like me to use it, I can and will." He holds up a hand softly, the one dangling the tea bowl and his eyes get a bit dark, not angry or harsh just serious. "Inside your world I will be vulnerable. And I will need you to protect me if we are.. impeded. However I am skilled at walking through an inner world and finding that which does not wish to be found.. You must make your choice."

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

 "I must make my choice, hm?", she'd inquire to himself thinking back on her experiences in her innerworld. It was often barren, populated by fragments of her memories or souls. The basic world was not dangerous, but once one were to use it to explore her memories and thoughts, that status would change drastically. Still, Tima was no normal shinigami. He'd be able to handle himself quite fine, Miranda was sure of it. Miranda sipped on her cup and held it against her chest, feeling the drink's warmth begin to burn in her chest. "I say we try it. I've always been curious on how something like this would work."

 She'd grasp her gloves and slip them on, holding out her hand for Tima's. She wasn't sure on how this ritual would go, but she assumed it would require some sort of physical contact with the zanpakuto.  "So, how do we do this? I'm sure you'll be fine. The world isn't as erratic as it used to be, you saw to that yourself."

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima Reached across and took Miranda's hand gently and suddenly his eyes flash over Glittering gold and suddenly they are both standing inside of her inner world. Arantima is wearing nothing but his Hakama pants and his many scars over his entire body are all full display. The one large on across his chest is still prominent and dark but the rest of the are numerous as if this man has trained against literal walls of blades and lost many times. He ran his hands through his hair and on his back is suddenly emblazoned with the Sigil of house kawada. He sighs gently and stretches his arms out as he looks around the world that he has brought himself into. Arantima reached down and touched the floor looking over to Miranda with a quizzical look.

"This place is.. Rather plain. I imagine that has something to do with your ability to shape and create? This world is a blank slate for you to move.. Project and form to your liking based on how you feel at the moment." He doesnt sound insulting at all. more appriasing and curious. He walks around but Miranda can tell he is keeping himself within arms length of herself. "My own world is an endless sea.. If I am troubled the sea rages as if in a storm, if I am calm the sea is like glass." He looks up into the skyline and then back down towards Miranda, His face is wistful and still curious but not worried or judgemental. Somehow.. regardless of wether there is wind or not there is still that soft breeze that tickles the edges of Tima's hair.

In this place of all places.. The small thing that could always have been chalked up to a draft is amplified in here as out of place. There is a Gentle, wafting breeze that draws things towards Arantima even if it is gentle and slight it is far more noticable in this place. A slight wind that always blew towardss him that caused his hakama to ruffle occasionally and it was easy to see that it was a side effect of something else that was rather evident, he nearly lacked a spiritual presence.. Like he was nearly a void in spiritual pressure which sucked energy in towards itself like a vacuum would normally. He sweeps a hand out around his waist height and a small crimson orb floats lazily around his waist and immediatly the air around him gets warm as if heated by a hearth.

"So Miranda.. Where is your Zanpakuto spirit? Where in this world do they reside. Mine resides in a secret temple at the bottom of the sea.. Making him hard to reach until I had learned to command and control my own ocean to not crush and drown me. You told me before you had visited. but how often do you stay here and contemplate it?" He again did not sound insulting or accusatory, simply curious. He looked directly into Mirandas eyes however when he asked that question as if reading her deeper than he had ever tried to read her before. He was here to help, and sometimes helping meant digging deeper than someone might want you to or stepping on sensitive topics they dont think they are ready for yet.

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

 Journeying to this place always scrambled her mind. Due to the nature of her power, she never could put a cap on its output. Like a beacon in a spiritual world her reiatsu shined constantly. Here she couldn't. Instead she'd feel various hotspots located all around her inner world. They were deposited outside the Colosseum that formed around her soul's anchor point, its structure the only one as far as the eye can see in this arid desert. She'd stand and wipe the swea from her forehead as the unrelenting sun pummeled her. She turned to Tima, a frightened look momentarily painting her face. Like any other entity here, she couldn't feel anything from him. Where she could feel everything from the dust on the ground and the air around them, she could feel only the space he left behind. She'd recover her composure  and stretch her arms and legs. Who knows what was in store this time.

 Tima's first impressions of the place were accurate and inaccurate at the same time. The world was a reflection of her soul in the purest state. The ground a reflection of her reselience against the ever assaulting rays of life upon her. The cracks in the arid soil a result of her soul's losing battle, almost as if it were trying to tear itself apart. The structure was more prestine than ever despite the blasted wasteland, a beacon of hope. Her memories often were kept there as well as the spirits and memories that would reinforce her and tear her apart from the inside. Why it was a coloseum was beyond her. Perhaps it was due to her living family's lineage? Or was it because of her desire to fight her condition? She wasn't certain

 Miranda glanced at the orb he created, feeling no warmth from it herself. Maybe he didnt feel the heat like she did? Was this just a projection? "She lets herself known as she feels. She's a bit of a puppetmaster, but im sure you'll feel her presence the moment we step inside that structure. That is the deepest part of my soul. I've been here plenty of times, of my own volition or otherwise, and each time i'm left that much conflicted." She'd sighed and would grasp Tima's hand tugging him along towards the structure step by step. As they approached the air began to cool a bit more to a comfortable level and her anxiety faded, if only for a moment.

 At the entry gate a man waited, arms crossed across his broad chest. As if sensing their approach, the man tipped up his wide brimmed straw hat and smiled. "Hey there, sweety. Afraid there's not much to help with today. Already completed gathering from this year's harvest. Thought I'd start early. Want me to wake you up tomorrow morning to help plow? My back is aching from the day, could use some help. Besides, it'd be good for ya. You've spent more than enough time terrorising the boys in the village." As if on cue his azure eyes glanced up at Tima, tilting his head curiously. "Speakin' of which. Why don't you come out to and have lunch with us. Don't worry, strong lookin' fellow like you wont break a sweat and we'll give you some food to take to your folks. Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours! Ha Ha!". The man laughed heartily and reached out to pat Tima on the back, the silver cross chain around his wrist slapping against the man's back. If Tima could sense this memory's spiritual essence, he'd feel a bit of quincy.

 Miranda huffed and got between him and Tima, pushing him back from Tima. She felt like a child in this moment, silently protesting against having to work the fields with father. It made her soul as resilient as it did, all things considered. Her appreciation for hard work laid the foundation for how she'd become to this day. "Wake me up when you need me, ok Father? I'll go help mother prepare dinner.", she'd say a feeling a morose filling her chest. Tima would see her not as the woman she drank with before, but as the small frail child she while she was alive complete with the light blue rags she wore that day. Before he could say another word she'd grasp Tima's wrist and pull him inside the Coloseum until they were far enough away for her to compose herself. As Tima passed her Father's memory he'd smile at him with hopeful, tired eyes. "Take care of her, would ya? I need her tomorrow, son.", the memory told him, not believing a second that Miranda was going to see her mother.

  Once she composed herself, she'd turn to Tima, with a forced smile. "That... was my father and those were my last words to him before he was killed died. He never woke me up and decided to get the brunt of the day's work done before he'd fetch me. Said I was too young to ache like he did. By the time I did wake, he was already gone." Though strong in his prime, the old quincy had long since retired, desiring a simple life away from the battlefield. He had weakened in age, forgoing the easy way out during his work. He could have used his powers to assist, but to him what good was his arms if he couldn't use them properly? "This place is filled with memories like that. Most are contained but some like my Father are left to roam. Now then, shall we continue the tour?"

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima shook his head lightly with a rather faint smile as she told him he would probably feel the Zan spirit as they entered the colosseum. "Actually. I can not sense any spirit energy unless it is being directly released infront of me. It is a side effect of my condition you see. My own spiritual energy is so explosive that if i could sense what was occurring when i released myself.. it would burn my mind. So, sensing presences.. is not my forte sadly." He looked to where Miranda had taken a hold of his hand and smirked slightly as he allowed himself to get dragged along by this girl while inside of her own inner world, when in rome no?

Arantima regarded the man who had regarded Miranda almost Fondly and then when the man spoke to Tima He was about to reply before Miranda interposed herself between the two.  He Couldn't sense spiritual energy but he knew what a Quincy cross looked like.. He looked to it and then to Miranda curiously as she spoke to the projection of a man, As Miranda took his wrist to move them inside Arantima's eyes met directly with miranda's fathers and a softness overtook his eyes as he spoke to the man "She is safe with me Ser, You have my word." He was.. Not exactly speaking to her father as she had been he was communicating with the soul within the projection.. the one who conjured its image whether that was miranda's own subconscious or her zan spirit he wasnt sure just yet.. but he would lay this little seed of communication and hope it sprouted.

When Miranda Gave him her forced smile, tima reached up and shook a finger in her face, not chidingly, not to be rude but as a sort of strange formal warning "If you hide from your own emotions in this place.. You will never know yourself. I may still be an outsider here, but who and what you are is here to see all i need do is look hard enough. Pleasantries do little to forge trust and they do much to obscure to truth. Emotions should be felt and processed.. Not hidden and kept secret so they can fester into a King of bones on a rotting throne.." The last few words were weighted behind a prominent tap of two fingers to her forehead.

When she finished and asked if he would like to continue the tour he looked back towards the direction of her father and then back towards the colosseum further in and nodded to her once "I am more than ready to continue so long as you are. There are.. Truths about ourselves that we do not wish to see or wish to be seen by others.  you invited me in to this place to help. So remeber this if you start to feel nervous i might discover something that makes you uncomfortable.  I will not judge, for I have no place to.  We are not what our pasts are..  We are who has come out of that past and moved forwards, wether that motion be walking, running crawling or soaring.. Fillied with joy, sorrow rage or fear.  The person who we are yet to become is waiting for us around the corner.. It would always be a shame to keep them waiting dont you think?"

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

It was good to know that he couldn't sense things very well without direct attention. This was good, as many of her emotions here were reflected in the spiritually dense atmosphere. If he focused on but the air around them in proximity to a memory, he would be able to feel her particular emotions ebbing from that memory. Feelings alone wouldn't be the only thing he could feel. He would be able to feel what she felt, hear what she thought, and see what she saw. The memories were not hidden, they were scattered and contain as one would a book on a bookshelf. She need only to focus on a memory she wants to re-witness and follow that reiatsu signature to its location here in this Colosseum. It was good for training, in theory, to be able to draw out a being from sheer memory and interact with it, but it wasn't something Miranda was overly fond of.

 She shook her head at Tima's words of wisdom, though quite well thought out and rather good advice, didn't quite work well in this world of reflection. Her soul was unstable, unstable enough for an attuning Zanpakuto to latch onto her most intense memory at the time and base itself of that. The feeling of nihilism and the desire to return to nothing. In theory Tima's actions to remove the zanpakuto spirit should have dissipated it, but the being was still here, clinging on stubbornly. Though the Stone Dragon was her proper Zanpakuto spirit now, the Bone Lord was left to remain, partially imprisoned by her and her zanpakuto.  "They arn't hidden, they are stored. Th-", she'd start to respond before being caught off guard by the tap, her hands moving to rub at her forehead. "They are scattered. here.." She'd hold out her palm, forming a floating crystal no bigger than her forearm in the blink of an eye.

 "When I was purified in the state I was in," She'd spin the crystal to show Tima a particular facet. On that facet was an image of Miranda with her soul chain tied to the ruined family home, a particularly familiar hole nearly completely formed where her heart should be. "I was close to completing my hollowfication process. Intense memories can be enscribed on a soul as if taking a pick to stone. Those feelings, those emotions, and those desires reflected onto my previous zanpakuto and made manifest, drawing upon my unstable energies to be made manifest. So... what does that make me? I would ponder carefully on that for a time."

 She'd lead them down a corridor on the base floor that cirled beneath the stands, passing grand archways that opened out into the stadium floor. Opposite these gates would be other gates, opening out to spaces not entirely possible. She'd approach a gate, coagulated blood spilling from it about a foot in. She'd step around it, averting her eyes from the gore. She had revisted this memory many times, so the familiar feelings only gave her slight discomfort now. If Tima focused on it, he'd feel what she felt as a new shinigami on their first mission. A sense of duty ebb from it, but soon after that would follow intense anxiety, fear, hoplessness, and finally acceptance of what seemed to be familiar. If he peered inside he'd see the wilderness outside the rukongai, the overgrowth splattered with blood with shinigami bodies torn and tossed about indiscrimitately. Half illuminated by the full moon's light would be the Hollow, Jyuria, resembling that of a mummified empress leagues more powerful than miranda at the time. "This is Jyuria. I encountered her on my first mission with Squad 7. We were sent to investigate the dissapearence of a patrol team only for ours to be whiped out.", Miranda sighed and winced at the memory, the feeling of those dried wrappings tightening over her entire being still etched into her mind. Suffocating and dominating, it had felt those wrappings were living extensions of the hollow's will. Though her conciousness blacked out, Miranda had pieced what information she obtained together such as reiatsu traces to piece together what happened next.

 "Jyuria had an ability, I assume, to hollowfy beings and place them under her control. When I surrendered, those wrappings of hers invaded my body and tried to remove a piece of my inner soul, but would be repelled, unable to complete it. My soul rejected her and she would be driven off by a third team.", she'd sigh and turn to Tima, arms crossing over her chest loosily. "Shinigami that exhibit Hollow traits are executed or exiled, so I was forced to keep this to myself until I found out more about it. When Jyuria made the attempt, she left her reiatsu inadvertently along the etchings of my memory as a plus. Tho harmless on its own, my asuchi latched onto that memory and took in both the memory of hollowfying and the hunger and hoplessness it gave, with the sliver of Jyuria's regal-like reiatsu, causing my soul to begin to unravel from the pressure as it tried to reinact that memory from the trigger." She'd approach Tima and place her finger upon his chest rather forcefully. "If you didnt intervene and give my blade an unconventional reset, I would have exploded much like a newborn hollow would have, but I would not have reformed. Thanks, by the way"

 She'd smile and turn to walk down the corridor, leadin Tima up a couple flight of stairs to see the result of all of this. As they got close she'd feel what she felt all those years ago. Hunger, hoplessness, the desire to just have everything end filled her chest, but she knew these feelings well and kept her head tall. It also helped that she had done well to keep him contained and pacified for the most part. "Vizards have something similar, but they have proper hollow spirits and their reiatsu reflects that. This, this is just a reflection of a reflection with the smallest essence of hollowing. It'll be a problem for sure if I dont find a way to cut him out of me without anything else, but I have time. You've given me that time, after all.", she'd flash a smile back at him and motioned him on. They'd pass through the entrance to the throne room that looked out over the empty colloseum, the obvservation box shaded quite comfortibly from the sun. The throne was giant, though a bit more shrunken than the last time she was here. The skeleton sitting upon it was nearly twice her height but looked less skeleton-like. "Hmn, that's odd"

 Flesh and muscle had began growing and regenerating over it, the flesh pulsing and stretched. About a quarter of it, she'd wager, had been returned to form. "The first time he's been quiet, and he's regenerating. Interesting" She'd turn to Tima, scratching at her head. "Look. I may not be the girl I was, huddled in a ruined hut in the middle of a russian winter waiting for the world to end, but every memory becomes a part of me and latches onto me. Reflections on reflections on reflections. I am only now discerning memory from imagination, but this", she'd point to the unconcious 3/4s skeleton. "is a constant reminder of who I was and who I almost became. I am thankful every moment that the people around me keep me on the right path, but something is about to happen, I know it. My zanpakuto is pushing me in this way, guiding me. Sometime soon I will have to confront him again, and this time I wont have you there to save me. This time I will have to save myself."

 Miranda felt her heart get a bit heavy, her eyes welling up slightly. She'd whipe here eyes, the swelling of emotion in her chest catching her off guard. "I know what I have to do. I have to cut him out like a tumor, but memory and soul are one in the same. What if I change into someone I dont want to be? What if I forget what I dont want to forget? I've only just rediscovered so many memories. Yes, some of them are horrible, but I don't want to forget the people who've helped me up this mountain. They are all that I have."

[Arantima Kawada]

Arantima Swept a hand out in front of him, and everything about Arantima rushed forward to collect in his hand. With a soft gust of wind and the sound of clanging steel a Blade appears in his hand only the blade is broken about 3/4's of the way down yet still giving it a 2-3 foot long blade. The handle of the sword was obviously for a two handed wield but with it being broken it looked off but comfortable to wield one handed. He flips the blade around as if he was supremely familiar with the blade.. He looks over towards Miranda and chuckles softly "I.. Understand mildly what you speak of. My first Zanpakuto was actually the remnant of a shinigami who was bound for hell. His Zanpakuto was fractured and I found the shattered half that I am projecting here stuck inside of a tree in the rukongai.. So its soul Tainted my own with aspects of hell."

He Waved a hand and the blade was dissipated swiftly as he made a sound of disgust before turning to face Miranda fully and he traced a line down the center of the long chest scar. He looked over at Skeleton again and then back to Miranda "This scar, was actually created by that very blade when I met the Hason that it belonged to. ITs name was astaroth.. And my eye, my chest.. And my arm are all due to the fight I had with that beast. I eventually managed to take him down but it was not an easily fought battle.. And i almost lost my own life due to it." He looked back to the skeleton and then to miranda curiously, though he said nothing for a short time.

Monsters.. revere no gods, revere no rules beyond those that govern even gods. Walking through fire even if it means our flesh burns away to land a blow.. Breaking your own arm in order to try and create an opening for yourself. | Monsters.. Do not understand what it is to be weak.. But I do.. I understand weakness.. | I Am the bridge between Weakness and a Monster.. And I refuse.. Your.. passage.. these memories flooded Arantima's head as he thought about what had happened the day he got his scar.. And Looking up at the Skeleton that Miranda would have to deal with as he fingers traced along the sunken edges of the scar.

He looked back over to Miranda "That is the funny thing about memory.. We cant ever really know if a memory is real or something we made up. And memories being attached to the soul is true enough but that is why we create bonds with other souls.. As long as we have those bonds we have ways of acessing memories that our souls have forgotten.. And even if we do become someone new, It is only so that you can move forward. That new someone may take time, but so long as you still have your bonds you wont become someone to be hated, i persoanlly wont let you." He smiled warmly at her before he took a step or two closer to her and looked directly into her eyes, with a serious expression on his face.

"We all have a hurdle to face and overcome.. and we all will have to face a fight that will change us in the end. We can no more run from that truth than we can run from our own shadows. Remember what i said to you the day we sparred Miranda?" He paused a moment and spoke gently, instead of shouting as he had that day. Advance. Never stop. If you retreat, you will age. Be afraid, and you'll die. Give me Every ounce of Strength you have. Break yourself upon the wall of stagnation over and over until the wall crumbles into dust. those are, as they will always be my direct instructions to all of my Seated officers, no less my own third seat." He sized miranda up and then looked over at the skeleal creature on the throne.

"I don't doubt you will come out of that confrontation with a few scars.. But I do however doubt.. that you will lose that fight when it comes down to it. You are Miranda frost, 3rd Seat of squad 10.. And you will do great things. You may even defeat me and take Vice captaincy from me someday And until then, You are not allowed to back down, understand?" He looks back at her again with a steely gaze, and yet it is softened by the gentle smile across his lips as he reaches to place a hand on miranda's shoulder.

2980/2980 Reatsu

[Miranda Frost]

If there was anything she liked about Arantima, it was his optimism. He spoke quite a bit, perhaps moreso than Miranda ever would, but in that torrent of stories and motivation were those she didn't have to say herself. Why speak what is already spoken. She had heard the name of Astaroth before, but only rumors and heresay. She didn't know it was attributed to the Vice Captain. Despite being a large organization, perhaps their world was a bit smaller than she at first realized. Miranda smiled but her eyes broke from his gaze in slight doubt. She could not see the future, nor could she foresee what path is best to move foreward.

  She disagreed at the notion that these memories of hers were false. Each memory was carefully organized, segregated, and organized to their respected places with assistance with her zanpakuto. This pain, this growing dread taking root in her heart has left her in a tug of war with herself with every waking moment. The memories contribute, but they are a small piece of a puzzle to the bigger picture centering around herself and Yugure. There was something else, something more just beneath the surface, but she couldn't breach it, not yet. "In our profession, you can only move foreward. The taller the mountain, the deadlier the decent.", she'd  sigh, taking Tima's hand from her shoulder, clasping them between bother her own.

  "I aim for captaincy. Every bit of pain I endure, every wound, every trip to the infirmery, and every soldier's heart I inspire carries me upward.", She stated sternly, squeeing Arantima's hand between her claws. "I wont challenge you for your seat, for that is *your* path, your platform. We have a shortage of officers to be playing Espada when it comes to progression. Nay, I will fill where my skills are needed most, and, when the times go, we'll both be Captain, together." Miranda grinned with a renewed bit of determination. Arantima's ascension has been a long time coming, and there's nothing Miranda would love to see more, besides her own promotion, than to see the iconic haori upon his shoulders.

 "I have to mention though, it is kinda strange having a moment like this in front of a half-decayed corpse." Miranda would let his hand fall and turn towards the recovering corpse, her claws resting on one of the chains wrapped tightly around him. She felt a bit of pity for this being. After all it was a part of herself, a snapshot of the past taken root. The third seat would love to say she had outgrown her, but her presence here contradicts. "Whatever comes of this, know that i had given it my all."