Shopping Around for Empty Stomachs ||Job||

[Uli Babler]

Uli walked among the shopping district, whistling to himself as he watched the people that passed him. He could see their features easily through his rose-colored glasses and studied them with ease. They talked aloud as if they were alone in the world, each person that passed him. He heard about the next soccer game that their kids were playing in, the next time that they were going out to sing in a karaoke bar, or even more interestingly, about how their mistress was dealing with the impending financial crisis. That last one made Uli shiver a bit, both for the infidelity being easily displayed in public and also for the fact that Uli's own wallet was getting quite thin. He felt it's light weight in the back pocket of his tight leather black pants, sighing audibly.

Uli turned into the nearest produce store, holding his usual large woven basket to hold the items he planned on purchasing underneath his right arm. He was clad in his usual wear, black leather gloves and large red leather over coat in the duster fashion. His jacket collar was turned upwards as if he was trying to shield his mouth from the air around him, but his goofy, care free grin was still poking out to the world at large. His spiky blonde hair was standing up with only a few strands coming loose and dipping over his brow. He attributed this to the lack of hair gel he could afford lately. His people had to eat in order to survive and telling them that his hair needed more cosmetics wasn't going to change that.

His black leather boots plopped against the ground with each step he took and the metal buckles hanging off of them clanged gently against each other, giving Uli a comfortable feeling. He liked hearing his own bootsteps for some reason and he didn't really feel a need to explain why. It just was what it was to him. Uli continued whistling as he looked over the aisles, giving the perusing glance to the different flavors of spice in the current aisle he was in. "Oregano... Hmm. Maybe if I'm making a giant pot of Spaghetti again. Could go well with venison meatballs..." Uli mused to himself. The clan was catching a lot more deer lately and he couldn't let the meat go to waste. Though he hadn't tried spaghetti with venison before, he thought to himself, 'Why not? Couldn't taste that bad, right?' 

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 5

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

(1) Marik would frown as he walked down the street his stomach singing a song of famine as it growled at him , pleading for sweet , suculant sustinance. 'When was the last time i took a snack break' he would think to himself as he began to ponder the thought. Marik like most spiritual beings who dwelled in hueco mundo could subsist solely on the natural reisgi of the realm , but filter feeding could only carry one so far. 

(2) His own thoughts seemed to elude him , he couldnt remember the last time he had eaten ; afterall that was some months ago the only thing he could recall was a singular bag of cheetohs he had eaten while in the presence of a one Rizer J. Tile. the thought of the man made mariks head ache , luckily the primera was saved from his oncoming headache by the dinging of a bell. His attention would be drawn across the road to a small grocery store , his left eyebrow quirking upward in curiosity. "Unagi Supply Shop?...they sell eels? or like is that a family name" he would mummble to himself as he made his way across the street"

(3) He would enter the store gently pushing the door open , his head on swivel as he looked around the shop from the entrance of the store. 'so it was just a family name' he thought to himself with an amused smile as he entered the shop. The bell chiming above rang in his ears once he passed teh threshold , quickly pulling out his wallet and checking how much he had he would then sigh with a huff. '75,000 ryo....this isnt even enough for rent' he would think to himself as he began wandering the aisles.

(4) That was when he heard it the heavy foot falls of a customer and the clinking of metalicrings , 'who the fu-' mariks thoughts would be cut short as he peeked his head down an aisle pushing his shopping cart at a casual snails pace. The man twoard the middle of the aisle was a comparative giant to marik's simple five foot nine stature , and the clothes didnt help deture attention either. 'jesus im wearing green sweats and i dont stick out that hard' he would think to himself.

(5) Marik would continue foward as he scanned the aisle till he remembered the house he had been squatting in was out of salt and pepper , which conviently was on the top shelf. Pulling his cart over mext to the man he would clera his throat to get his attention "ahem *cough* excuse me sir , could you maybe grab the salt and pepper off the top shelf for me...im a little vertically challenged" he would ask polietly not wanting to start a rukus.

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[Uli Babler]

As Uli was stopping to look at the spices he heard a clearing of the throat and raised his eyebrows in genuine benign confusion. He looked downwards and through his rose-colored glasses at the figure standing next to him. He smiled in a kind way and nodded, reaching easily up the shelf and gripping two salt and pepper shakers each. "Sure, no problem." He then deposited one of each into his own bag, thinking to himself, 'Better to have more on hand than you need in a family of forty.' He chuckled internally as he leaned down slightly to hand over the salt and pepper he collected for the stranger. 

As he studied the stranger, Uli's spiritual senses began to tingle and something inside him told him not to touch the stranger. Atleast not with his bare hands and, thankfully, Uli never went anywhere without wearing his black leather gloves. "You seem kinda odd friend. What's your name? I'm kinda new around these parts so I'm sure I stick out like a sore thumb." Uli's grin grew to a goofy one, his signature face to be quite honest. It didn't help that his tongue stuck out a bit as he grinned and he winked with his left eye, leaning over slightly to peer above his glasses. His spiky hair still didn't droop save for the few strands that already were.

Still, even though Uli wasn't showing it with an obnoxious obviousness, he was wary of the stranger. Something inside of Uli told him to not touch him lest the worst should happen. Uli only ever got this feeling around hollows, his instincts usually screaming at him to make sure that he didn't get infected with them. But this person couldn't possibly be a hollow. Usually, those freaks had giant bone masks and giant holes in their chests. Plus, they didn't really wear clothes on the regular, and this guy was clearly dressed and walking amongst other humans. The worst it could be was maybe a shinigami in a gigai, something he'd learned about from his master.

Just as Uli was thinking about this, his Xcution phone began buzzing like crazy. He jumped a bit in surprise and began juggling the phone between his hands, having fumbled it out of his pocket. He couldn't quite catch it and instead it landed at the feet of the stranger, buzzing and vibrating against the ground, moving in small circles. Uli's face went a little pale and his instincts told him not to reach down for the phone incase he might brush up against the stranger. Instead, Uli chuckled nervously and pointed at the ground with his free right hand and asked in an anxious tone, "Do you mind? I seem to be really clumsy today...." With his left hand Uli rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment and prepared to step back and begin bowing in an apology. He was certainly picking up the local customs, he thought.

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 3

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

(1) Marik smiled at being called odd , he didn't truly have a problem with being called so , it was just somthing he had come to terms with after all his face was his face. "ehh why be average , in this world it's nice to be remembered" he would say taking the salt and pepper he was handed.

(2) Marik was keeping an eye on the mans body language taking note of how he tensed up when his phone fell from his hands , although marik could see why when the mans phone fell. "hmm so hows the status of my application?" he would ask crouching down to pick up the mans phone holding it out to him the corner of the phone between his index finger and thumb.

(3) Marik would wear the same friendly but tired expression as he held out the phone , "i think i turned in a job application but no one got back to me....or was that uzaki enterprise....?" he would ask seemingly to no one displaying a certain level of forgetfullness , commonly displayed in the elderly.

···

[Uli Babler]

Uli smiled uneasily as he reached out, carefully gripping the opposite corner that the stranger was grabbing before he felt the energy flux in his Xcution card in his jacket's inner pocket over his heart. Uli's eyes narrowed for a moment as he looked at his phone, the message telling him to expect orders. He sighed slightly and felt the intent flood his mind, giving him a vague direction to head and the order to establish three safehouses with weapons. He also felt a pull in another direction and the intent to pick up supplies and weapons for said safehouses. Uli's mind seemed to begin pulsating as he felt the two seperate orders establishing ontop of one another, making it clear that the second was to be performed first.

"Yeah, no... This isn't for that company to be honest. And my head.... Oof. Got this massive migrain. Heh." Uli chuckled a bit as his left hand, free of the phone, rubbed its appropriately sided temple so as to show him trying to relieve the pain he felt. "Y'know... I could use a hand with this if you'd be willing to tag along. You don't seem so bad; I just need to know your name first. And maybe I could get you a commission?" Uli's grin widened in an honest yet goofy kind of way, almost as if a too trusting nature was dancing on his face and putting on a show for the stranger.

Uli didn't honestly think this guy was bad, just that it would be in his best interest to keep an eye on him and to possibly get some back up in case something went sideways on this job. Uli honestly didn't think it would, but you never know with Xcution and their orders. Usually setting up safe houses meant that someone was running a dangerous mission nearby and would likely be very active in the area for a short time. If Uli was unlucky it would be a much longer time and it would draw attention to what he was doing to support that operation. Weighing everything out, including the odd nature of this stranger, it made sense that Uli would need some kind of back up and this guy could probably provide it.

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 3

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

(1) Marik would shrug at mention of it not mentioning the correct org , "it was months ago my memory isnt the best" he would say with an akward and embarassed smile. 'god why is talking to normal people so hard' he would think to himself frustrated at his lack of social skills.

(2) At the mention of money marik would perk up , "your seriously gonna pay me? well i cant say no to the cash my wallet has been screaming name is Marik Ashwin" he would say letting out a light yawn as a sudden wave of tiredness washed over him. "...guess that means i wint be buying the stuff for dinner then..." he would mummble as he put the salt and pepper down on a shelf he could reach.

(3) Looking to the man that was now his boss he would await orders , "so? where to boss?" he would ask genuine curiosity all marik could hope for was that this job paid better than his last job seeing as he had spent a fair chunk of it on tools for his secret little project.

···

[Uli Babler]

Uli would blink several times, seemingly trying to get focus as his mind was currently being pulled away from itself slightly with the orders in his head trying to get him to move already. "Well we need to go pick up some supplies... They are already set up for us but we gotta be as inconspicuous as possible. Fair?" Uli's grin returned as he gave a thumbs up and began walking out of the store, returning his items with one of the clerks at the register for a moment before heading out. A thief Uli was not but he couldn't take the time to stop and pay if he wanted these orders out of his head as soon as possible. He also made sure that he was being followed by his new friend Marik before taking off into a sprint down the street.

---

Where Uli ended up showing up was an industrial area where it seemed a lot of the buildings were either abandoned or rather just left alone for the day. He tried to remember what day of the week it was but honestly currently couldn't keep the calendar straight at the moment in his head. "Should be near here." Uli didn't want to seem like he was leading his friend into a trap, which he wasn't, but he knew how it could look from a stranger's point of view looking in. And the last thing Uli needed was having to tumble with his newfound friend while trying to get the job done. Uli began looking around while speaking out loud as well, trying to get a better feel for where his orders were telling him to go.

It pulled him to a rather large building that seemed to be mostly for storage of large vehicles, the gate chained closed and the fenced gate having wheels underneath for easier access when in use so a vehicle might be able to leave with an expedient purpose. Uli smiled at the gate and reached up with his gloved hands, beginning to climb and looking up at the lack of razor wire, which was usually an addition to these kinds of fences to keep people like Uli out. He continued to climb, making sure to kick his boots into the tiny holes the links in the fence provided, the rubber of his boots clasping against the metal with a resistance allowing him to lift his body weight with each pull of his arm and step of his foot.

"Trust me, we got no issues here. Obviously, this was chosen for ease of access for us." Uli grinned down as he straddled the top of the fence, looking down at Marik and trying to reassure him in case he had any doubts in his mind. This could definitely look as though Uli was a criminal and had no other objective than to steal from this warehouse, but it truly was the orders in his head thrumming him along to complete his task. As he looped his leg over the fence, hopefully being followed by his ally, Uli whistled out loudly. He was taking his climb down slowly and using this trick to possibly see if any dogs might be used to guard this warehouse. As he paused halfway down the fence, listening closely, he decided that no dog must be here and hopped off the fence. His boots thudded gently against the ground as he brushed off his leather pants and looked around. "Now we're cooking."

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 5

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

(1) Marik would park his shopping cart in front of the stoor as he followed uli making sure to maintain a four foot distance to his back , not out of a need to stay close but out of a reverance for then man. Normally those in marik's position flaunted thier power and rank like petulant children , as if it somehow made them invincible marik had no issues admitting he was doing this both out of fera and respect.

(2) As they walked he would let his eyes wander spotting a few pluss souls hanging about the area , 'how is it this small town has so many lingering dead souls? the Shinigami don't seem to doing their jobs still' he would think to himself. Now when they stumbled upon the industrial zone marik would look at uli his eyebrow cauked as if to ask 'this shit legal?'

(3) Although he would soon get his answer when uli conformed that this was indeed for the place they ha dthe job at , with a sigh marik would begin making his way over the fence much slower than uli due to the fact he was mimicking the skillful climber. "you do this often?" he asked with a small huff as he reached the top of the fence.

(4) Marik would find crawling down not so much of an issue till he neared the bottom of the gate and misjudged the distance his shoe slipping as he fell backwards , falling 2 feet onto his ass causing him to give a small yelp of pain as he stood dusting himself off. "speak of this to no one" he would say a small red tint coming over his face.

(5) Giving  the building a good once over , marik would ponder what's inside and wondering if maybe he could get away with a few items as a bonus for his payment 'some bullets for the gun i bought would be nice' he though to himself turning to uli "so what are we getting out of here?" he would question through a yawn.

···

[Uli Babler]

Uli's eyebrows raised, and he bent over at the waist while holding his mouth with his right gloved hand and his left arm wrapped around his stomach. He was attempting to contain his laughter, seeing that it might be impolite to laugh at his newfound friend. It certainly was a comedic scene to see him fall onto the ground and he raised up his left gloved hand as if to show that he agreed not to give away the details of the moment to any who might ask. "Don't worry," Uli said between giggles. "Your secret is safe with me." With that, Uli made his way to the building and headed to a narrowly left open door and pushed it further open with right boot, letting the creaking sound come into existence in response to being opened.

"So, what are we getting out of here?" Uli heard come from Marik and he turned back slightly as he continued into an office that was attached to the building's interior. "Well, we're picking up a couple of items. Could be weapons, could be medical stuff, and most likely some food and snacks mixed in there. Whatever it was deemed necessary for the operative we're supporting in this task. It's best not to look inside though. Sometimes it's what's left after the job... Looked inside once and found a couple fingers mixed into the bunch." Uli visibly shivered, remembering the ordeal as he searched the office. Uli started with looking in the fridge of the office, finding only a half-eaten sandwich which he picked up and, opening the plastic container, gave a sniff.

Uli decided that the sandwich was not worth the possible food poisoning and tossed it back into the fridge, leaving the plastic container open, and slammed the fridge shut. He then walked over to the desk in the corner of the room and sat down in the rolling chair. He leaned back in it and began rolling a little before his eyebrows shot up and he whistled. "Should have known they needed something big on such short notice." Uli leaned under the desk and pulled out a duffle bag as large as a man two inches shorter than Uli and two times as round. It was definitely a heavy bag as Uli grunted with the pulling motion and huffed as he lifted it up. The bag had two straps to it so it could be worn as a backpack, which Uli utilized for easier carrying.  

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 7

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

Marik’s face would flush as uli’s laughing danced in his ears, ‘this guy has a lot of nerve’ Marik would think to himself with a flushed face. Picking himself up he would follow behind uli embarrassed as all could be.

As he followed behind uli and enquired about the package they where their to pick up , he would cauk an eyebrow up in question as the man mentioned the possibility of snacks being in the mix.

“....so do you just work for the mafia or cannibals incorporated if you find fingers in snack food” he would say shaking his head with his tongue hanging out “ugh” he would grunt in disgust the prospect of human flesh made him queasy as hell.

Marik’s aversion to human flesh had nothing to do with disgust he had always found the prospect of eating humans repulsive , but that may have to do with how Marik fed on spirits as a hollow.

He often skipped the tearing , rending and devouring of flesh and simply sucked the essence of ones soul and body fluid out with his proboscus like beak. With a shudder he would watch uli rummage about the area till he pulled out a massive black bag , which appeared to be thier quarry for the time being.

“Far be it from me to ask a dumb question but are the pakages always so….suspcious looking?” he would ask curiosity in his tone as he looked uli over with the massive black bag.

“..like what if a cop stop’s us?” marik asked starting to really question if uli did this on the regular or weather his employer was just that confident in the stupidity of law enforcement.

···

[Uli Babler]

Uli laughed a little to himself when he was asked if he worked for the mafia or cannibals and shrugged in return. "Sometimes, it feels like one, other it feels like both. It depends on the day to be honest and the job they've given me." Uli seemed to be very nonchalant when it came to working for Xcution and he knew he had to get paid somehow. So, he continued on with his work and walking towards the gate but turned with a little surprise written on his face to the final question given to him. Uli stopped and rubbed his chin with his right hand as he thought about the question for a minute, as if the thought of being stopped by the cops never really crossed his mind.

"Well I mean, we run. We don't let the bag go until it reaches the safehouse. Seems pretty simple." Uli grinned while sticking out his tongue, as if it were all a joke. He then reached out with his free hand and pulled on the gate which easily glided open, showing that it had not been locked in the first place. Uli whistled and walked through the now open gate, crossing the threshold into the public area. He then turned right and began walking down the street nonchalantly and whistling a tune. His best defense was always the easiest, that nothing was wrong and there was no reason to believe otherwise.

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 2?

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

Marik would place yawn as he walked with uli , the thought of having to outrun the cops sounded funny to mist but in mariks own mind uli seemed to be human for the most part.

"I mean yes you can run...but in all honesty maybe slip the suggestion to your boss that maybe give us a uhaul next time? ya know way less suspicious" he would yawn out as he walked , the burning question deeep in his skull.

 "so are you like human?" a loaded question but marik was running out of thing sto ask and say , and akward silence sounded absouletly terrible.

···

[Uli Babler]

Uli raised an eyebrow as he continued to walk along and considered the possibility of a U-haul being used in such circumstances. "I mean yeah it might seem really useful and inconspicuous. But in the long run you have to worry about all kinds of things with that kind of purchase. People follow credit card purchases a lot more closely these days. Besides, my boss doesn't wanna leave a paper trail like that. Y'know?" Uli's grin returned as he began to walk backwards, looking back at Marik as he talked and walked.

When the second question came, Uli's face became a bit more somber and his eyes shifted towards the ground, not looking Marik in his eyes. The subject was a bit touchy for Uli, and his usual joker grin faded as he thought who to respond to the question of his genetic lineage. "To be truthful... I'm a Quincy. I was born in the Vandenreich actually... My parents were big sciency types and they figured something out that a lot of people didn't like. Let's just say they aren't around to give me the details..." Uli's eyes were really sad, about to spill forth like two large dams filling. And so he used his free gloved hand to push his ruby spectacles up and cover them from sight before turning around to continue walking towards their destination.

[Maria Ashwin]

Marik Ashwin

tag:Uli Babler

Paragraphs: 2?

Inovation

is the corner stone of being lazy

It opens doors to make life easier

Marik would sigh as he heard the emotion in the man's voice. "humble begging's are rough ,but they make the best people you seem like you have a good heart" he would say with  a light yawn.

"so im gonna have to go soon , i need to head back home" he would say with a shrug ,  "i'll see you around some time man just venmo me the money" he would say with a warm smile as he pulled out his seki seki detector and headed off.

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[Zeich Yajuu]

49 Paragraphs x 300 Ryo = 14700 Ryo to each participant. Enjoy!