Investment [JT]

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

Odayakama Senshi was a small redheaded reaper, standing 5'2", something she was very self conscious of, and would often correct people that she was in fact, not five foot. She was an oddity of the captains of the Gotei Thirteen. Her hair was crimson as blood. Her skin was a soft white, rosy, and it made her seem vibrant. Senshi's face was cute and slightly rounded, looking so youthful that one could easily mistaken her to be younger than she was. It didn't help the fact that her sword was five feet in length, so large that she either had to wear it on her back, and or hug it wherever she went. 

It certainly didn't help that she had a uniform that was a size or two too large, leading to the reaper to tie it firmly to herself with a sash. The long sleeves which were long enough to drape across her thin arms were rather pronounced. One might find it hard, if not impossible to believe this woman was a Shinigami, never mind a captain, despite the fact she wore the captain's uniform upon her back. It was still strange for her at times. 

The morning was vibrant, the sun rising over the horizon with what seemed to be a blaring crimson orangeish sheen that bathed over the land. The small Shinigami had come to the barracks of the Shinigami academy, so that she could oversee the training operation of all the Shinigami present and to offer her assistance. More specifically in Kido classes, but still. Soon, there was an announcement or advertisement, letting those know that those that sought out progress and growth would have the potential chance. Interview to become protege' of the captain of the eighth.

There were many that had trained under her in the past, but in terms of full disciples. There was but only one. All others that came in the pursuit seemed different. It was never the same for her ever again. Resting off in the training yard, seeking those that sought knowledge and training, her cerulean sky blue eyes watched those train with their shinai, bokken, or in the verses of their incantations as they familiarized themselves with the spiritual powers that lay dormant within them. Some of which showed incredible talent for those who'd never dabbled in sorcery.

"...Maybe I have some growing to do myself." She says to herself, as she rose up, shifting her Zanpakutou to her back with its long strap before she begins to chant in a controlled breath.  “Ye lord. Mask of blood and flesh. All creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium. The sea barrier surges. March on to the south.” Her spiritual power surged as she held out a palm, compressing spiritual energy and forming it into a condensed ball of flame that eerily shone its light upon the ground.

"Hado no Sanju Ichi. Shakkaho [Red Flame Cannon]" Releasing forth her Kido, it blazed towards a line of targets, bathing them in an utterly gigantic crimson bath. Dummies that weren't blown up and incinerated instantly saw the red flames bathe forth in their lingering light as she stretched her metaphorical legs. It was strong. That was true, though she knew she could do better. Even better still. Perhaps Senshi needed some inspiration on her own part. 

[Date Maharo]

Date Maharo was a rather studious fellow, despite only having learned to read when they had began attending the academy. At 6'8" they towered above most of those around them, the only thing more notable than their height was the long-nosed red mask of a tengu that they wore, with which they also wore the women's academy uniform, simply to match the red of their mask. They may have come from a rather humble background, but they excelled in the academy. At the point they were at, it was likely that they could simply lie back until graduation and make it as a simple foot soldier amongst the ranks of the Shinigami. Certainly, if they believed that they really had a choice in the matter, they would be tempted by that prospect. As it stood, however, Maharo believed that it is the duty of those with potential to realize that potential and use what power they gain to make the world better for others. They didn't know how strong they could get, but they knew that they had to find out.

That said, there was only so much that one could learn by reading. When one finds themselves struggling, there is no shame in seeking guidance. Maharo had learned that in their youth and had taken it to heart. So, they sought guidance in Kido, the subject that they struggled most with. They had but one Hado to their name, and even that was a pitifully low level one.

They may not talk much, but Maharo does listen quite well. Eavesdropping on some classmates was how Maharo learned of Captain Odayakama's visit to the academy. They had seen her before, and had in fact taken some classes where she had been a guest teacher, but they had never spoken to her directly. What Maharo did know was that she was a master of Kido. If they wanted more intensive training in the subject of sorceries, there were scant few who could be a better teacher.

The tall student made their way to the training yard, moving as briskly as they could without running into anybody. They stepped into the yard just in time to catch the Captain speaking an incantation and firing off a powerful Shakkaho. The thirty-first Hado was one that some gifted students had already added to their repertoire, but seemed vast oceans away from Maharo's single-digit skill. They were admittedly envious of the Captain, the strength of her spell, the focus and release of the energy, and the steady sureness in her voice as she spoke the incantation. These were all things that Maharo lacked, at least for now.

It took the masked Shinigami-hopeful a few moments to realize that they were simply gawking at her. It was all too easy to be swept up by the grandeur displayed by any one of the Captains of the Gotei Thirteen, something that Maharo knew despite their rather limited experience. Before they could think themselves into being overwhelmed, Maharo swallowed their awkwardness and approached the Captain.

"Captain Odayakama!" Maharo greeted her with a deep bow before continuing in a much quieter voice. "I am Date Maharo and I would like to ask for your guidance in the methods and applications of Kido." It was easy to tell that they were tense. Who wouldn't be, asking a Captain for help? It certainly didn't help their case that they had the tendency to speak to superiors in a way that seemed like they were reading from an essay.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

It wasn't long before a man had confronted her, one which wore a frightening red mask with an elongated nose. It was a traditional tengu mask, which was somewhat of an interesting choice as it reminded her somewhat of Hollows. Though, a man with a mask was someone that wished to hide or obscure something. A man who never mastered the mask would never prosper no? He came, and in a respectful tone had requested guidance. Aid. Assistance. Well. In that case, who was she to question such a thing?

"Of course. I-I'd be glad to help." She was taken aback at how tall the man was, but would proceed to turn, craning her head to look upwards at the fellow. "What in particular do you need guidance on?" She gave a small smile, a gentle curl upwards of the lips. Her eyes were closed as she tilted her head momentarily to the right. Senshi was a small package, but she certainly could be explosive for what she was.

Her voice was high pitched, soft, and she proceeded to take on a somewhat more serious position as she straightened her posture. "I'm skilled in Hado. Bakudo. Even a bit of Kaido, and I can cast Kido all the way up into the nineties. So if there's anything you're looking for, from foundational theory to practical showing. I'd be happy to show what I know." Senshi's lack of physical strength and power had left her often exploring and cultivating her spiritual abilities. 

Kido was an art after all, and she was happy to help cultivate the skill and ability in others. After all, it was versatile, and could be used for more than just wanton destruction. It could be used to protect, to bind, to maintain a delicate balance, as well as help a practitioner discover more about themselves and their mental discipline. Perhaps he wanted guidance on how to improve the strength of his Kido? The efficiency? Perhaps he wanted advice on how to increase his own spiritual power and capacity of reiatsu? Or maybe knowledge on incantations? The possibilities?

Were endless. 

[Date Maharo]

Maharo couldn't help but let out a small, relieved sigh. Approaching a Captain seemed like it would always be a tense experience, no matter how strong they got. As they relaxed, they leaned down and crouched slightly, putting themselves at eye-level with the Captain, if a bit close. They had a tough time with personal space, especially with the long nose of their mask. This close, Odayakama could see past the mask's eyes to Maharo's actual, pale blue eyes.

"Well, I suppose the foundational theory would be good," they answered quietly "though I've already read a lot about it, so maybe a practical showing would be more beneficial?" Maharo tapped the chin of their mask in thought before sighing. "To tell you the truth, ma'am, I've simply struggled with grasping Kido since day one." They hung their head low, as though apologizing.

"The only one I've mastered- no, not even mastered, the only one I can use reliably is Byakurai." Maharo wasn't necessarily a dumb person, just a very straight-forward, simple sort of person. Byakurai simply made sense to them; point a finger at the target, say the words, and pow, a little bolt of energy. Even the simple act of spreading out the energy to push someone away like Sho escaped their grasp, and that's not even getting into their struggles with Bakudo.

Looking at Maharo's sparring track record, one may believe that they could get along just fine without any skills in Kido, but they knew better than to think that way. Spars were spars, actual combat was an entirely different beast, even someone who had never seen a battlefield like Maharo could tell you that. Their Byakurai was a neat trick, but Maharo knew that if they were to be their strongest self, they would need to pound the understanding of Kido into their head, no matter how long it may take.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

Confronted with this revelation from Date, he seemed awfully polite, and to admit that he was struggling showed a sense of humility. Senshi felt as if she could work with this. "Then let's have a bit of both. Practical and foundation." Giving a small smile, she found herself nostalgic when he mentioned Byakurai. "Hado. The path of destruction. Bakudo. The path of binding. Kaido. The path of healing." Shaking her arms out, she would take a moment to explain Kido in general.

"The key behind all three. Is incantation. They are the words we speak to channel our reiatsu in a certain way. It's why we memorize them, hold them close. Up until we learn the Kido so instinctually, that it might be cast wordlessly. As if it were instinct. We learn to control our reiatsu to reach an outcome." Slowly rearing her right arm back she points with her middle and index finger towards one of the dummies. A bolt of electricity shoots forth, blasting it into oblivion. Byakurai. 

The lingering and billowing smoke was evidently clear that it was effective, regardless of words spoken or not. "Kido is a powerful and versatile tool for a Shinigami's arsenal. If they meet three criteria." Reaffirming her position, nodding her head, she turns towards him, raising her left hand. First. Her index finger. "One. They must have the spiritual energy and reserve capacity to cast." Afterwards, she raises her middle finger.

"Two. The spiritual power and strength in their reiatsu to ensure the Kido is strong." Afterwards, she raises her thumb, but shifts her hand so that it looks like a gun. "Three. The ingenuity and creativeness to apply the techniques they learn, even in the heat of conflict." With the prerequisites given, she had turned to Date, deciding then to give some general advice. "While there's many ways to raise your spiritual pressure and the strength of your reiatsu? For Kido's intents and purposes? The best way is to cast spells."

"For intents and purposes. Let's work on teaching you a spell today." Folding her hands politely behind her back. "I'm well versed in most types of spells. So. I suppose the better question is. Would you like to learn something to protect yourself? Or deal some damage? From there. I can further our little demonstration. Further your lesson. Does that sound fine?" She smiled, gently, her cerulean eyes shining lightly. Almost glassy in a way.

"Though...I do have a question for you. Why is it you want to pursue and learn the art of Kido?"

[Date Maharo]

Maharo listened intently to Odayakama's explanation, nodding occasionally just to show that they were keeping up. They already understood that most need incantations to cast their kido, while some didn't, but it sounded like that was a slightly incorrect impression. It wasn't that the most skilled in Kido didn't need incantations, it was that they had bound these incantations into their very being.

A sense of awe shot through Maharo's body as they witnessed the captain's wordless Byakurai. Her's was several many magnitudes more powerful than anything that Maharo could conjure up with the full incantation. It may have felt a touch demoralizing, but they had to remind themselves that this vast ocean between their skills was only to be expected between an academy student and a genuine captain of the Gotei 13.

As Odayakama explained the three traits a Shinigami needs to master Kido, the masked student nodded along before speaking up "According to my practical exams, I am at least relatively solid in the first criteria." Their head shifted slightly, the gaze behind their mask lowering. "I cannot say the same for the other two. I have been informed by several instructors that I tend to be too rigid, both physically and mentally." In fact, that was likely the most common criticism they heard. While they were one of the higher-ranking sparring duelists among their peers, it had been pointed out to them many times that their style would likely become a hindrance in an actual fight.

Maharo thought for a few moments once she asked what kind of spell they would like to learn today. Before they could answer, however, she asked another, more personal question. It caught Maharo off-guard, they weren't asked about themselves very much, so they hesitated, taking a few more moments to find the words.

"Well. The man who gave me this mask long ago once said that the greatest strength is to be well-rounded. While it's good to find something you can specialize in, you shouldn't let that be your only skill, because you will almost certainly face an opponent who counters it." They seem to quietly reminisce for a short moment before continuing. "With that in mind, I believe it would be a good idea to learn a defensive Kido today."

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

"Rigid." She sounded the word out. "It might be difficult to become more open to things. We tend to fall into patterns. Habits. Though I think you'll overcome that with experience." With that word sounded, she remembered the way she used to fight and the way she did now. That sounded like something she could confidently say. As far as she was concerned. However, disregarding everything else for a moment, she had to listen to the masked man's tale. Why it was he aspired to learn the spiritual arts. To be a Shinigami even.

He wanted to learn a defensive Kido. "Well said." She exclaimed with a clap of her hands. "Then if that's the case. Let me show you one. A Kido you should be able to use at your level. One I've found has saved my life from time to time. Draw your blade." She commanded. Assuming he followed as was ordered, the next order was relatively simple.

"Strike at me." Standing straight and at the ready, shaking her arms out, she gazed at him with no seeming concern. "Don't worry about hurting me. Just make it as organic as possible." It might have sounded like a very strange request. Then again, how couldn't it? However, Senshi believed that someone best learned from observation and practical demonstration. That was how she did it before. That was how she planned on doing it now. 

The art of Bakudo was one of her favorites. Especially the arts of binding. While her own barriers were not exceptional, she was proficient enough to teach Date something. That was enough. Something. Her goal wasn't perhaps to take him as a disciple as of yet, but instead to show him enough to build some foundational knowledge. If he sought her out again. Sought to learn more. Sought to grow more? That was his prerogative. She'd be there to potentially guide him on that further path. Now then. His attack. 

[Date Maharo]

Maharo nodded in response to Odayakama's assurance that they would be able to break with their habitual rigidity, given time and experience. After all, that was what they were here, training for. They were already familiar with having to break down thoughts and ideas that at a time may seem permanent. The way that they had seen the Masked Man was how Maharo thought of Shinigami in general, before they began learning to be one. Though they still held their idol as an ideal to strive for, they had to learn to understand that he was just one of many ways a Shinigami may be and that there was much more to being one than simply being strong and kind.

The tall trainee seemed to perk up at the mention of a kido that had saved this Captain's life several times. They were unsure if they would be capable of learning such a thing, it must be very powerful to stand up against the threats a Captain has to face.

Without hesitation, Maharo did what was asked of them, drawing their zanpakuto. Just from the way that they drew the blade made a few things clear. The first was that swordplay seemed a focus of their training so far, their draw was swift, holding their right hand before themselves and using the left, placed on the base of the sheathe to pull the hilt into their waiting right hand. They stepped back with their left foot and pulled the scabbard off of their zanpakuto at the same time, letting the balance of their blade roll it over the crook of their thumb and finally find its place as their right hand grasped the hilt. All of this in less than a second, a very practiced motion. The second thing that became clear was that they were quite proud of it. There was no reason to use it here other than to show off, even if they would deny such vanity.

The third thing that was demonstrated by their drawn blade was little more that an odd quirk. This method of drawing their sword was most often used for a katana, especially if one had both a katana and a wakizashi, as this method easily avoided being caught on the shorter sword's hilt. The zanpakuto that Maharo wielded, however, was alone, and not a katana, just a wakizashi by itself. There was nothing entirely wrong with any of these things, it was just notable as odd.

Maharo hesitated when the Captain asked them to strike her. It seemed like a deeply impudent thing to do, sacrilege, even. Then again, so did denying an order given directly from one of Odayakama's rank. The moment of inaction made it clear, however, that they were uncomfortable with this. Still, they did as she asked, bringing their left hand forward to wield their short sword with both hands, stepping forward with a very direct vertical slash. Such a move had won them many spars over the years despite its simplicity.

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

Within the next few moments, as he drew his blade, the base of his sword sliding as he taking their sword forth in a most elegant manner. She'd look on with a small level of regal grace. Her eyes closed as she gives a curl upwards of the lips. Until he made his swing towards her with his short blade. Her forearm extended then. Until it was as if his blade had struck against a barrier of steel. In a sense, it might as well have been.

"Bakudo no Hachi: Seki." As he looks upon her arm, he'd see a round shield of crimson, reddish energy formed. His blade having shunted and slammed against it, before then it would crack and disperse, sending him repulsed backwards. At her restrained level of power, several feet, skidding backwards as an electrical pulse would seem to ripple and spread through his arms and body, making them numb, locking his form up.

For a swordsman with a blade as short as his, something to defend himself with like a shield could prove to be life changing. Especially if it was one nobody was expecting. He might have seen that the moment's decision to strike recklessly on the red head could easily leave him shocked. Unable to move. Before long, she rests her hand by her side. Allowing his numbness to gradually fade.

"You want to be able to protect people. This is a good way to start. Being able to protect yourself." She seemed to say that in a sad way, somewhat crestfallen, as she reflected on herself. Senshi thought to her past, and her eyes seemed a little distant as she never dropped that smile. "It hurts, being powerless to stop something. So the best we can do is have the best tools possible to try." Her heart hurt.

"The key is to focus on the energy along a focal point on your body. Easiest starting with the wrist and forearm for this technique. Contain and quickly condense that energy so that the shield is strong. When hit, it will burst and release all that energy in a single instant." Taking the liberty to reach into her coat, she tosses him a scroll with the incantation. She proclaims this, "Memorize the words. Practice plenty."

"And I'll be here to guide you. Show you every step of the way." She said it very humbly, reassuringly as she finds herself thinking of her skills. How lackluster they were, and how she seemingly couldn't stop those evils. How many of her comrades, subordinates, and colleagues may have died because of her personal lack of strength. As well as the suffering she endured when she tried to stand bravely. Senshi found herself lost in her thoughts.

[Date Maharo]

Even without Kido being involved, having one's swing be stopped by a solid object hurt. Before anything else, reverberations of the strike shot up Maharo's arm, causing their joints to ache as their motion was suddenly stopped. Being able to make such a solid, focused barrier already seemed like something that they would benefit greatly from. They had made it to that thought before noticing the cracks upon the barrier, and not a blink later, it burst and Maharo was suddenly flying back. They managed to stay on their feet and for a short moment, the masked shinigami had thought that they'd managed to recover from the counter-attack. It was only as they tried to move their blade-wielding arm that they noticed that all feeling had escaped it, as well as any control Maharo had over the muscles of their limb.

They breathed a sigh of relief as Odayakama released the bakudo, granting the greenhorn use of their arm, along with the lingering remnants of the pain that had initially struck them. She had said that this was a fairly simple defensive spell, and while it certainly wasn't as complex as some of the ones they had heard described before, it still had some subtleties that Maharo knew that they would struggle to grasp. To shape the barrier correctly, give it enough pressure that the tension will snap back when struck without breaking itself prematurely, making sure that it snapped outward, and not inward; Maharo could only imagine the pain that would cause. It seemed a bit much to expect of Maharo, but they kept their misgivings to themself. Questioning a captain's decision seemed like a distinctly bad idea from where they were standing.

Before Maharo could overwhelm themself trying to figure out how they could possibly go from knowing only how to release a linear arc of energy from their fingertip to understanding how to form the barrier they had been shown, the Captain gave them a scroll, the incantation. The incantations of Kido were the one part that Maharo rarely struggled with. Memorizing words was an easy practice for them, one who was always quite precise with their words. A clear and specific starting point was just what Maharo needed, whether the captain knew it or not.

The tall shinigami-in-training bowed politely to the short captain "Thank you, Captain Odayakama. I appreciate your patience and will do as you ask." Standing back up, Maharo could see that the captain's mind was on something else. For a moment, they thought to ask but thought again, and decided not to. They weren't exactly familiar, the two of them. Besides, it wasn't like Maharo was particularly good at picking up on social cues. Still, they should say something, shouldn't they?

The tall student leaned down and spoke, their soft voice coming out from behind their mono-expression mask, sounding distinctly more candid than their previously given thanks. "Your tutelage today may very well save my life or the lives of others I protect in the future. Thank you."

[Senshi Odayakama (Crimson.)]

After Maharo had recovered from his assault, she heard him, and with it, she smiled. Brightly, her eyes closed. "There's nothing to thank me for. It is my duty as one of the pillars of the Seireitei to not only hold up the roof, but to remain rooted to the foundation. That is you. So that when I might go, someone else might take my mantle." Crossing her hands lightly behind her back, she had found herself slowly considering her life in its entirety. All that she'd said, and done, and accomplished. How she'd reached this point.

"The lives saved. The things we do. We should do so out of duty. As well as love." Bowing her head politely in respect, she didn't seem to be prideful, or selfish, or terrible, or self absorbed as other people in her position might have been. Instead, she seemed to hold a level of ambivalence and respect towards all the people she'd ever met. However, it seemed he'd been content as of now to take his leave by the wording? Or at least, Senshi took it that way. After all, one didn't learn a thousand skills in a day.

"Please. If you ever need any further assistance training. In any and all things? Call for me. I'd be more than happy to assist you. If you'd like, I can give you access to some Kido techniques from my personal study; and I would enjoy helping you learn them." Retaining her bright demeanor, she thought back to better times. With Ranth, as well as the many others she set on the path of their career. Though in truth, she wasn't sure if she longed for nostalgia. 

She had inner demons that threatened to consume her, and in that quest, it was hard, and demeaning. It weighed heavily on her mind and conscience, and often, she considered her role and her duties. What was she supposed to do? What was to be in her life and future? What did she really desire other than the well being and betterment of those around her? The protection of the weak and innocent? In truth. Every time she closed her eyes with a smile as she did now? She prayed. 

"I hope to see and hear more from you." 

[Date Maharo]

Maharo appreciated the captain's words on duty, even if the idea of being part of the foundation made them feel pressured. Even more so when they considered the implication in her words that Maharo could one day take the mantle of a fallen captain. The idea scared them, not just the thought of all the pressures a captain must face day to day, not just the fact that garnering that much attention would mean more eyes on them, but especially the idea of having to face the same sorts of things as the hypothetical dead captain that they would be taking over for. The entire concept made Maharo light-headed. They couldn't even imagine what sort of person they would be at that point. Would they be the same, but stronger? Wouldn't that strength have an effect on how they acted? Were they even capable of growing to be half as strong as a captain?

Unaware of the mental spiral that she had unintentionally sent the student down with well-meaning words, the captain continued to speak, and Maharo managed to pull themselves back together enough to listen.

An offer to continue teaching them lessons in Kido? Were the rest of the captains this kind? Certainly not, Maharo decided. Odayakama must simply be an extraordinary individual. After a slightly too-long pause, they responded from behind their mask. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll have to finish learning Seki first, which may well be a while. Once I have properly added it to my repertoire, I would be honored to learn another from you."

Maharo gave the captain a respectful bow and a final "Thank you." before excusing themself and returning to the academy's barracks. Odayakama's desire to see and hear more from Maharo lingered in their mind. Despite the bright-red mask they wore, Maharo generally disliked being noticed and examined, and thus, avoided doing things that would get them noticed. Would they be able to continue doing that as a shinigami? It was a real predicament, wanting, on one hand, to continue being as low-key as possible, but on the other hand, not wanting to disappoint the captain after she had offered to help them. Though, would they really even have a choice in that matter if they had the potential that Odayakama seemed to think they had?

[Camila Adaronde]

56 paragraphs counted, meaning 280 TP for both participants!