Not a Social Call (Akira & Aramis Social)

[Akira Hinosai]

How did it come to this? Akira groaned. He half expected a voice in his head to answer with some quip like There was a summons. AS IF HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT, AND WASN'T JUST RUMINATING ON THE COMPLEX WEB OF INTERCONNECTED FACTORS THAT BROUGHT HIM HERE. Except no voice was there to comically misinterpret his meaning. In fact, there was no voice in his head but his own. That really sucked, because he could seriously have gone for some encouragement, you know, since he was about to enter the dragon's lair. Sure, he appreciated not having some backseat driver in his head after all this time, but it felt wrong. Ever since he'd become a shinigami, his inner hollow had been silent. That silence was really starting to wear on Luca.

Still, Akira had bigger fish to fry. Aramis Tezuka, Captain of Squad 12 wanted to speak with him. Even someone like Akira knew this wasn't the sort of person you kept waiting. Akira found himself cursing this new chain of command as he walked through the Squad 12 barracks. He's probably just gonna try and get to know me or something... Still, the little theory did little to calm his nerves. All Akira could do was hope Ken'ichi was there. Somehow, though, he doubted that. The presence of Ken'ichi would be a complication, another variable distracting from the true purpose. Aramis didn't seem like the type to suffer such distractions.

Even if the purpose of this meeting was to get to know Akira, it seemed unlikely Aramis would be asking him what his favorite color was or anything like that. Maybe it won't be so bad... At least from what Luca knew, Aramis enjoyed two things. The grossly unethical, and the highly illegal. Fortunately, Akira was both. Aramis had even tacitly approved of his current arrangement. So at the very least Akira had reason to believe this wouldn't end with him being turned into fine red mist. More than that, this was mutually beneficial. I mean, how often do you get a vizard to say "Hey you can totally study me as much as you want!"

Still, it was hard for Akira not to be a little paranoid. Sure, he might have been strong once, but those days were gone. He knew very well just how vulnerable and small he was. I'll bounce back, stronger than ever. For now though, Akira had to make do with his frail little body. Eventually, Akira reached The Captain's office. At least he thought it was the captain's office, anyway. He checked his makeup with his compact mirror, trying to buy a few more seconds before judgement day. Yep. I look nothing like myself. What did I expect? The face that wasn't his matched his movements flawlessly. He still wasn't used to it.

Akira knocked on the door as he slid it open and popped his head in. "Hey cap'n!" Akira tried his best to sound charming he even flashed an innocent smile. "You, uh, you wanted to see me?" Akira said trying not to let Aramis smell his fear.

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis wasn't stupid. While he always loved to work on his personal projects when alone, if he had summoned an officer to his office, he could put aside that sort of work for later. A benefit to his position was there was always something to do, and in this case, it was, in fact, reviewing Ken'ichi's own research projects. He figured it might come up in the dialogue for the upcoming arrival in the division. Aramis had been appraised of the results of Ken'ichi's experiments and had a pretty safe idea of who his Vice Captain had brought into the division, bypassing the Academy entirely. Hollow research, Vizard research. Both useful topics of study, if heavily scrutinized and covered in red tape by the Central 46. And Vizard research in particular was tangentially related to Aramis's own condition. Not explicitly related, but if there was the ability to separate the Inner Hollow from the Shinigami, perhaps there was a means to separate his demon half from his own Shinigami half.

The ramifications of which Aramis would prefer to learn through others, rather than firsthand.

Aramis heard the double doors to his office swing open. He did not look up from the notes he was studying, nor did he deign Luca with an immediate response as he entered. That didn't mean he wasn't paying attention to Luca. He simply gave no visual indication of it. Even now his senses probed Luca's spirit energy to judge minute fluctuations that might indicate emotions to him. His ears focused on his breathing. Aramis may not have been able to smell fear, but he could tell all the hallmarks of someone desperately trying to cover up their anxiety.

Aramis's office was quite large and expansive. Past the large double doors that Akira had just passed through, the office was brightly lit, but had deep shadows in the corners. It was divided into two parts, an entrance point, in which Akira now stood. It was a wide open space, with a meeting table folded up and resting against the left hand wall, along with several metal folding chairs. Along the rightmost wall was what looked like a large metal desk, covered in various books, test tubes, various instruments and-- thaaaat looked a bit like blood stains on the desk.

Past this open area, was a slightly raised platform, about one step elevated above the front hall, and here was where Aramis had set his massive desk, facing the door. Along both walls was an array of monitors, each showing footage of different rooms in the division. Behind that was a small one-way window facing outside, with a heavy blind, and what looked like a sleeping cot behind his desk. Several large cabinets filled out the rest of this space, leaving only a very limited amount of room for Aramis himself to move around.

Aramis read through the page. Turned it, then set the notes down, and finally looked up at Luca-- no. This wasn't Luca, Aramis reminded himself. This was Akira. Despite his general apathy, Aramis had no intention to disrespect a member of his division by referring to them by the wrong name. "Correct. On time. Good." Aramis replied. "Understand you were recommended by lieutenant Shihoin to division." He shifted some papers around on his desk. He must have flipped a switch because all of the monitors went black for a moment, and then brought up an image of Akira on the screens.

"Understand from Lieutenant Shihoin that you were Fullbringer Castabella. Uzaki Enterprises in life." Aramis commented. "Assisted Lieutenant Shihoin in research. Fought alongside in recent invasion." He raised his right hand to his glasses and adjusted them slightly, studying Akira. "...Spirit Pressure has diminished since then." He noted. Then waved his left hand dismissively as though moving on with the conversation.

"Not here to discuss past. Later. Here to discuss present." Aramis lowered his chin to rest on his right fist, studying Akira closely. "What do you offer 12th Division? How are you useful?" He asked. Aramis was familiar with some of what Ken'ichi had done. The general nature. This was Akira's turn to state his parameters. What did he want to do? What did he aspire for? Did he want Aramis to know of his condition, or did he want Aramis to pretend that wasn't a thing. Aramis had no problem keeping secrets for his squad. If Akira wanted this to be a "secret" even to Aramis, then Aramis would indeed feign ignorance. This was Akira's chance. Who was he to the 12th Division?

[Akira Hinosai]

Akira didn't know what to expect a captain's digs would be like. Whatever he was expecting, it paled in comparison to the real thing. The whole place had this sort of "academia" vibe. Well, "academia" if professors all had a license to kill, anyway. As Akira closed the door behind him and walked forward, he got the chance to take it all in. THIS IS SO COOL! He had to stop himself from saying that out loud. Besides, he was still reasonably terrified. Akira had died once before. He wasn't eager to repeat the process. Aramis wasted no time in rattling off facts about Akira. From his past as a fullbringer to his aid against the forces of Hell... Aramis wasn't one to waste time.

Akira listened intently as he examined the room. Surveying his surroundings gave him a reason to avoid eye contact. Inthe animal kingdom, eye contact was a sign of aggression. Akira didn't know much about Aramis, but to be safe, he was going to assume the same applied here. It all seemed to be going well until Aramis mentioned Akira's significant drop in power level since the two last met.  Akira tried not to bristle at that remark. Sure, it was true, but that didn't make it sting any less. Akira didn't imagine the Captain of the 12th division would appreciate some witty comeback. Instead, Akira let it go. He didn't like it, but as an inter-dimensional fugitive, he had precious few allies.

There was a lot riding on Akira being kept in squad 12. It was the most closed off squad in the whole Gotei 13. If a fake shinigami and latent vizard could lay low anywhere, it was here. Not to mention it would allow Luca to actually remain close to Ken'ichi. As Aramis finished his preamble he made the purpose of this meeting known. "What do you offer 12th Division? How are you useful?" Akira felt his heart sink. Now or never. Sink or swim. Show time.

Akira took a deep breath. He was about to admit to a lot of things. Luca took a quick look around one last time. From what he could guess, it wasn't in the captain's nature to allow his place to be bugged or spied on. That meant the only factor Akira had to count on was Tezuka's discression. "I'm a vizard, for starters." Akira offered. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you get many of those right out of the gate, and certainly none who are willing test subjects." Akira stressed those last few words. Ken'ichi had once told him those were incredibly rare. "I had an inner hollow since before I even died, but I'm guessing you already know that. I trust you've read Lieutenant Shihoin's notes."

Akira stopped himself before he spelled out the potential benefits. He trusted Aramis to connect those dots himself. "I'm guessing you also know I'm not a scientist. I can't split the atom or build a rocket, but I'm not stupid, either. You need field data gathered? Escaped monsters returned to the lab? A willing test subject? I'm your guy."

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis studied Akira's face as he answered the questions. There was obvious excitement. That was good. It was paired with obvious nervousness. Understandable. Aramis would not hold that against him. He was an outsider. None of the research into Shinigami culture. The taboos. The training. The understanding of why the Gotei 13 did what they did, beyond the whispers of half-remembered lessons colloquially expressed to him. In other words. The perfect brand of ideas to push the Division in new directions. Unfettered and unshackled by Shinigami society, by the propoganda of the Academy, and the words and memes that even Aramis was shackled by, having been raised among them. Akira represented new ideas, and Aramis looked forward to that. But first he had to pass this initial test. Potential was nothing without promise.

He was forthcoming about being a Vizard, and Aramis allowed his brow to furrow slightly, as though the news concerned him, though this was entirely for show. Merely to set the tone. Of course Aramis had theorized as much from Ken'ichi's notes. Even if the exact phrase had never been uttered, the research had produced a Vizard in all but name, and if the Inner Hollow persisted even as a Plus, even in name now it was accurate. "Have reviewed Lieutenant Shihoin's notes. Was aware of research. Not the extent." Aramis stated. A blatant lie. "To say such things brazenly. Placing much trust in me. Or unaware of consequences." Aramis stated. But he let Akira continue to sell himself. He held his stare on Akira for several long moments.

Then Aramis nodded. "Passing answer. Division requires more than academics. Containment. Test subjects. Research assistants. Difficult to acquire when all officers have own ideas. Specializations unorthodox in 12th. Useful." Aramis stated in his flat tone, that did not suggest if he approved of Akira's answers, or was saying so begrudgingly. "First command as superior officer. To speak of Hollow nature with no one excepting Lieutenant Ken'ichi or myself." He emphasized. "Even then. Only in regards to research, advancement or concerns with nature. Not subject for idle conversation." The Captain continued. "Existence as Vizard. Punishable by death. Jeopardizes lieutenant Shihoin. Jeopardizes self. Jeopardizes division." Aramis stated. "If asked about it, I will deny knowledge." He warned Akira. "But if can keep secret, then will keep secret for you until death." Aramis stated. "This is the contract of the 12th. I protect you. You protect us." He finished.

"Naturally. Will be assigning you under Lieutenant Shihoin's direct command. If other projects interest you, you may bring them to Lieutenant Shihoin for transfer. Lieutenant Shihoin. Many responsibilities to division. Will not have time to continually monitor you. You are more than pet project. You are 12th Division. Expect you to assist other officers, assist division, when not directly assisting Ken'ichi. You state you do not have personal projects. Then learn. Listen. Find those who can use your skills. Grow and flourish in this division, Officer Hinosai." Aramis stated, then seemed to contemplate something.

"Took new name when joined Gotei 13. Trying to hide affiliation with Uzaki Enterprises? With life as a Fullbringer? Will protect past, if that is requested." Aramis said. He wanted to ask Akira exactly why the cover-up of his identity. Was it a personal matter, or something else, but an equally strong part of Aramis wanted to see if he could work that little bit out on his own. He might just do a little digging into Uzaki Enterprises and see what Luca had gotten up to in his final days. Perhaps that would give Aramis some more insight into his newest officer. For the time being, the Captain was still satisfied with what he saw here. Although....

"Second order as superior officer. Report to training room once every twenty four hour cycle, unless explicitly ordered otherwise by lieutenant Shihoin, myself, or otherwise physically prevented by injury or fieldwork." Aramis stated. "Diminished abilities will impede use in containment assistance. Improvement imperative if to fulfill duty." Aramis added.

[Akira Hinosai]

Akira let the words wash over him. He stood firm like he was going to war or something. First, the strict warning not to tell anyone he was a vizard which he already knew, and The mass of words that amounted to "Yes. You're hired." Akira fist-bumped the air "YES!!!" Then, upon realizing his faux pas, he cleared his throat in some attempt to regain composure. "I mean, thank you, Captain. You won't regret this!" Then, Aramis finally got to the one topic Akira was dreading. the "the why did you willingly go under the knife and change your name and become a shinigami for real" question.

 "Oh...about that. I would appreciate your discretion. It isn't just central 46 I have to hide from. " Luca took a deep breath. As it stood he had nothing to gain by deceiving his captain "I'm supposed to be dead." Akira paused for a moment before realizing his error "Well I am dead, but I'm supposed to be dead dead. Like "soul completely obliterated never coming back" dead...I uh, I sorta drew some heat from the vandenreich. They wanted to put a hit out on UE, which was totally unfair because no one ordered me to do anything! Some crazy bitch attacked me! Of course I was gonna defend myself! So I threw myself at the vandenreich and made them believe i really acted alone, so they could just kill me and get on with it. I mean they did kill me, but not as much as they would have hoped. And uh, here I am."

"I mean I figured if I had to lay low anywhere, it would be where someone owed me a favor and had the resources to protect me. Hence the new name and face. My cover is solid. Thanks to that I was quietly fast-tracked through the academy through my connections to the Shihoin. As far as anyone knows, I'm just a rising star who caught the Lieutenant's eye." Akira took some quiet pride in that. His first infiltration ended in failure, but this time? His cover was so deep he'd been implanted in a squad in an official capacity. He wasn't supposed to be here, and yet he was. Something about crossing that boundary gave him a rush of dopamine.

Aramis finally finished by ordering Akira to work hard regaining his strength and mastering the ways of the shinigami. It seemed easy enough, since Akira was going to do that anyway. He didn't say that. He wasn't sure how the Captain responded to humor and Akira was self-aware enough to know he ruined most pleasant interactions with his attempts to be funny. "You got it, cap'n." Akira loved that abreviation. It made him feel like a pirate. Though it was a drop in the bucket of the wellspring of emotion he was feeling. He couldn't begin to identify it. Relief? Embarrassment? Fear? Happiness? I'm actually gonna be able to be with Ken'ichi...This is actually happening!

Some part of Akira, the part still infected with Luca's weakness wanted to weep at everything he lost, as if actually saying it out loud meant that his former life had truly ended.  It wasn't all bad. Some of it was fun. But Luca was dead. The Vandenreich got him. He tried, he died, and that was all there was to it. Akira wasn't going to waste his time looking back. If I look back, I am lost. "Was there anything else?" Akira was fairly certain it was prudent to wait until he was dismissed before he actually left.

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis continued to study Akira carefully. "Noted." He replied, in answer to Akira's request to keep his past under wraps. He listened to the reasoning as well. So he was killed by Quincy, and yet his soul was whole? That was a most unusual scenario in and of itself, and something related to Aramis's own research. Well, specifically his last resort. Aramis knew that as he was now, two paths lay before him on the day of his own demise. Eternal torment in Hell, beyond the reach of any salvation, or complete oblivion. Naturally, Aramis had dedicated his time and research to finding a third path, allowing his soul to enter the cycle of reincarnation, and escape the clutches of Hell, but in the given situation he vastly preferred oblivion to a true forever of anguish and agony. If Luca had survived the Vandenreich, then that meant there was a slight chance Aramis's failsafe-- something that utilized Quincy abilities, might not work. He'd definitely have to keep an eye on that, and grill Akira about that in the future. But not today.

"Vandenreich, problematic. Can send data on organization. However. As safe in Soul Society as possible." Aramis replied to Akira. Indeed, while it was hard to say anywhere was truly safe from the Vandenreich, at least here, Akira had a small army between him and any Quincy wanting to blow him up a second time. That had to count for something, right?

Akira also explained his cover, and Aramis almost shrugged, but didn't. He rarely gave visual indicators of his thoughts. It helped keep people off balance if they didn't really know what you were thinking. "Noted. Details of cover story are yours." He stated. "Look forward to your progress." He added-- about the closest thing to a warm comment from the Captain that one got. The good news is that Aramis really didn't care one way or the other if Akira cracked jokes or not. Aramis's response was usually similar, one way or the other. As the front desk attendant Erika could attest to. Perhaps Akira and Erika would get along? She usually got on well with just about everyone.

Akira was clearly going through a number of emotions right now, but managed out one last question. Aramis contemplated for a moment before answering. "No. Resume duties. Will call if needed." He finally determined, picking up some of his paperwork and shuffling it slightly to resume his own work. It was apparent the meeting was over, but Aramis did not see the need to state "dismissed". He trusted Akira would find their own way out.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Looking like about 15 paragraphs each, so you both will have a 10% bonus to your next thread with one another.