O Captain, My Captain

[Ume Oboro]

Ume shuffled through the Squad 12 barracks with her zanpakutou dangling at the side of her hip. It just barely avoided scraping the ground as she walked. Being barely an inch over five feet meant that the sword she carried was over half her size in length already, let alone letting it hang from her obi sash. She was finally out of the academy and it was great. Still, she wasn't in an unfamiliar  place. Ume had spent a lot of time before  joining the academy here in the Juunibantai barracks, looking at all the neat things the Research and Technologies division were up to. 

in spite of all that, she had yet to meet the Captain. She knew enough about him to get a picture, and had seen a picture, but that was about it. Not that she had ever really asked, but she was  curious. He seemed to be busy, which was good. Ume liked to be busy too, even though, as she shuffled to where she was meeting the captain, she looked like she was about to fall asleep. Her mouth hung open and drool dripped from her mouth. Her eyes sagged and her lids drooped. If not for the visible whites of her eyes, and the sliver of golden that peeked out from under her eyelids, she may have been mistaken for someone who was sleep walking. 

She couldn't remember the last tie she had slept, which was very good. She moved her lip to suck up the saliva and then wiped the rest on her arm and ran her fingers through her gnarled, purple hair. It was a mess of tangled locks that was more like a lump of carpet against her back than the long, luxurious tresses it could  be. She didn't care. She hadn't really thought about presenting herself to the captain. Maybe he didn't like stinky people, but she spritzed something approximating a pleasant smell onto her before arriving. If he was going to accept her, he would need to accept her as who she was or she wasn't going to last in the division. 

And she had to last. She couldn't fit in anywhere else. If things didn't work out in Squad 12, Ume might as well just sneak off to the human world and spend the ret of her days on the run as some wanted escapee or something. She imagined moving from shady basement to shadey basement, sing all of the human world's technology to keep from being found. It sounded so fun! Working in Squad 12 sounded more  fun, though. 

As much as she wanted to make a good first impression, she also wasn't nervous. She was more surprised than anything, that the captain would take time out of his busy schedule to do anything that involved anything else. Maybe he had heard some things? Ume wasn't sure. She had changed her name to keep the politics out of things, but she never knew where her family's influence would creep up. That made her frown, but she ignored it as she got to the Captain's door. She pulled out an energy drink, chugged it until it was gone and tossed the can to the side. She inhaled and exhaled, letting thw liquid course through her veins until she felt perky enough not to fall asleep mid conversation. Then, she knocked on the door. 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Squad 12. The Research and Development Division. And under the leadership of Aramis Tezuka, the Division of Misfit Shinigami. While other Divisions had their creeds and codes, their focus, an expectation of what they wanted those under their command to be, Aramis demanded no such thing of his Division. He demanded no discipline, he demanded no strength, he did not even demand geniuses (though all of these of course were very good qualities to possess!). No, Aramis asked only that those of his division committed themselves to the pursuit of science in whatever method they deemed they could best, and the protection of the Squad with what talents they had. He cared little for the character of his division. A Saint was as welcome as a Sinner. A merciless psychopath or a virtuous gentleman. Aramis did not care for your stripes, only that you fulfilled your obligation to the Division. You didn't even have to be especially bright-- there was always oddjobs, menial tasks and volunteer positions for those willing-- another recent recruit Akira was proof of that. Akira had little aptitude for science, but had thus far been serving the division well as an enforcer, helping control the experiments of others with his capabilities, which already exceeded those of the Division, as well as serving as a test subject for Ken'ichi Shihoin's experiments.

Ume Oboro was no exception either. Aramis didn't care about her hygiene, save where it interfered in experiments, nor her mannerisms. Could she help the Division? As far as things went so far, he concluded the answer was certainly yes, she had certain talents that he expected would grow and blossom. A keen mind, and aptitude with computers-- rare for Shinigami fresh from the Academy.

Nonetheless, a psychological profile was required to be built. Aramis, for all he permitted, intended to stay appraised and on top of the research of those under his command. He needed to be prepared to pull the plug in the event of a cataclysm. He needed to monitor the safety measures of dangerous experiments. Aramis was, of course, all for experimentation, and understanding that sometimes.... sacrifices had to be made for the sake of progress, but only within reason. If you slaughtered all your test subjects, now... well. You were without test subjects.

He heard, from his office, the sound of someone knocking at his door, and his spiritual senses noted that it was a low-level reiatsu. No doubt, Ume, whom he was evaluating today. A pneumatic hiss, and the double doors to Aramis's spacious office hissed open to admit Ume inside.

For all that Squad 12 changed, Aramis's office had changed surprisingly little. A two-tiered office, with what seemed to be both a personal lab and meeting area nearest the doors, with the back half of the office raised roughly one step higher, wherein Aramis had arranged his massive desk, and a large array of monitors. Invisible to onlookers from the front, was the small futon, haphazardly arrayed beneath the desk, ready for quick power naps, or Aramis's bi-weekly three to four hours of sleep. The Captain was where he often sat, in a large, spinning chair at his desk. Heaps of reports and paperwork, monumental in amount, but all meticulously organized lay scattered about his desk. His office, if nothing else, appeared tremendously orderly, a stark contrast to the Captain himself, whose unusual Haori, with the left hand sleeve so long it covered even his hand, and his right sleeve nonexistent, his messy green hair, and dark circles beneath his eyes left one of the appearance that Aramis himself was relatively scattered. Only his glasses, perched upon the bridge of his nose, were in their proper place, clearly well maintained, and through which peered a pair of dull eyes that matched his hair. No thoughts could be gleaned from the stone-like expression on the Captain's face.

Aramis's brusque demeanor, and lack of body language to express his mood was well known across the division-- such so that apparently it was making the rounds that Aramis had actually added additional duties to one of the division's front desk attendants-- Erika, to serve as an impromptu translator to make him seem more approachable to those who were unfamiliar with him. But the lime-haired, exuberant assistant was nowhere to be found in his office today. Ume would be dealing with the man directly.

Aramis took a moment to study Ume for a moment, to glean what he could from her appearance. While there were folding chairs and even a number of folding tables against the wall of his office, nothing had been laid out for Ume. After his initial assessment, finally, Aramis spoke.

"On time. Good." He examined Ume further. "Topic of discussion. Aptitude for Division. Have dossier. Prefer to hear from officers." He stated, sliding a clipboard with Ume's Academy notes, and some of her early reports affixed. "What is interest in division? Why 12th?" He asked, his eyes betraying nothing. This was a routine examination for Aramis. Who was Ume Oboro. What did she bring to the division. What did she want to bring to the division?

"Presume scientific field of interest. Have not noticed socialization, therefore unlikely joined division out of comradery. What do you offer this squad?" It was probably unusual to conduct an interview after someone had already joined the division, but those piles of paperwork on Aramis's desk, and the numerous digital screens floating in the air around his desk suggested that he really didn't have the time to interview every single new recruit prior to their joining.

[Ume Oboro]

Ume adjusted her glasses once she was in the office and looked Aramis over. He was surprisingly unspectacular for someone who was the head of the Research and Technologies division. It was an odd mirror as Ume seemed to be appraising her new captain in the same way the captain was appraising his new recruit. "I find that most people appreciate promptness, but I would be more encouraged to respond to a necessary time limit on a project than an arbitrary appointment for an event that does not require one." Ume blinked. "That is, to say, I would obviously be on time when sent for by the Captain." Ume clarified.

She was glad to get right to the point as well. "Not interested in joining any other division. Only interested in Squad Twelve Tech." If the Captainw as going to be terse, she figured they could both get this over faster. She liked that. "Interest in observation. Interest in technological proliferation. Uninterested in Hollow purification or socialization." She added. With an inhale, she ran her fingers through her messy, gnarled hair, shaking out an itch. 

"The human world is far more technologically advanced than the Soul Society, save this squad. There's no reason for it other than ignorance or lethargy, which are terrible excuses. Increasing efficiency and productivity should be more enticing than the inertia of tradition." Ume stated, lifting her nose up and shaking her head. It was a gesture of irritation at her own statement. 

Ume closed her eyes. "I do not offer you quality battle skills, taichou." She said, her lip twitching in either disgust of amusement. It was impossible to tell which. "However, I do believe my intelligence is in the top percentile, if you consider that an asset. I am also a diligent worker, if the task piques my interest." Ume looked over Aramis. "Satisfactory answers? Or shall I continue?" 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis took in each answer Ume offered, analyzing it, turning it over in his mind, and determining the value of that answer. Her response to her timeliness was irrelevant, and Aramis moved along in his mind for it quickly, save only to put aside the knowledge that she would make an effort to be prompt in response to his summons. Theoretically it should mean she would also be quick to attend for the lieutenant or other highly ranked Seated Officers. But in any case, that was the least useful part of the discussion, little more than pleasantries.

"Noted." Aramis replied in regards to Ume's comments about her interests. "Observation, technological proliferation, how?" He replied, interested in the specifics of that claim. Obviously she had no interest in being an enforcer or security like Luca. But observation could mean many things. It could mean literal observation-- ala monitoring cameras and the various spy implementations being developed by the division. It could also mean more mundane matters, overseeing various projects and developments. Technological proliferation? The spread of technology within the Seireitei obviously, but to what extent?

Ume made her case, and Aramis regarded her as she did, without so much as a nod of agreement, or a head shake of disagreement. "Tradition challenging obstacle." Aramis replied. "Fight tradition different battle than development. Politics. Not science." He replied. Although there was no change in inflection in Aramis's tone or voice, there was yet distaste on his tongue. Political duels were not something he enjoyed, and something he had to learn to accomplish to get anything done outside of this barracks. Within the barracks of Squad 12, Aramis was King, but his kingdom's borders stopped at the gates to the Barracks. Beyond there, he had to work for others to recognize his rule, and convincing them of it above their own traditions, practices and morals was a battle every time. An utter waste of effort, if not for the benefits that could be conferred.

And lastly. "Continue self-assessment." He stated succinctly, and briefly, still examining Ume.

[Ume Oboro]

"Anyway possible, sir." Ume replied. "If there's some new method of observation that I have not heard of, well..." Ume's eyes widened and her mouth twitched up into a smile and she paused for a moment, then with a loud noise sucked some saliva back into her mouth. "Well, I would like to be  the one to invent that!" She chirped, finding some emotion in herself for the first time since arriving. "However," Ume lifted up her hand and clasped her glasses. She widened her eyes and leaned in and peered at Aramis. "I do find the traditional method to still be one of the best." She said as her eyes moved about and scanned Aramis. After a few seconds, she closed her eyes and cleared her throat. "Monitors. Also monitors." She added, practically as an afterthought. 

"As far as technological proliferation goes, well, I'll distribute any tech that can be produced that improves our work or makes our lives easier and more efficient personally, if I have to. To every last shinigami. By our, I mean Soul Society, the Gotei Thirteen. Not the Juunibantai, obviously. Inefficient as it might be, it may be the only  route." Ume tilted her head. "I have found that there is a deep struggle between convenience and change, for which age is often a determining factor in which is less agreeable." Ume shook her head. "There's no reason for Soul Society to still be stuck in a technological state nearly a century behind where they are at in the human world." 

Ume adjusted her glasses. "Human educational systems do have courses in political science, taichou. So, it could  be considered part of our work, technically speaking, as ethereal as it may be. Behavioral sciences and other esoteric studies can help in aid in mechanical sciences. Understanding why  is just as important as understanding how, and navigating political obstacles can streamline technological advancement." Ume laughed nervously. "Ehh, not that I am volunteering for any position like that. Social skills awkward. Rapport unengaging." She muttered. 

Once she was finished, Ume looked down at herself. She was both comfortable and nervous standing here with the captain. She wasn't sure what else he wanted. She didn't feel like she had too much more to say, especially with such an ambiguous prompt. "I, uh, make a mean energy drink?" She blurted and pulled a can from her lab coat. She held it up. "It is apple flavored!" 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis contemplated. "Prefer development or direct observation?" He asked, already getting some ideas of how to assign Ume. If Ume wanted to simply observe as her primary goal, Aramis was sure 13th Officer of the Division, Chitose could use some more help, running damage control in the wake of the latest attack on the Squad 12 surveillance systems. Of course there were plenty of other surveillance projects as well, focused more on the developmental side of things as well. He was perfectly content to have Ume serve there as well. Aramis may have expected focus, loyalty and results for his subordinates, but he also took care to place them in positions that he believed they would work best in.

As for Ume's scans of her Captain, Aramis would likely prove maddeningly difficult to read. Of course sometimes that was information all in of itself, but Araramis employed no wasted movement. The most he had done so far, is minor adjustments to posture and the position of his hands in the interest of both comfort and keeping said limbs from falling asleep. His face and body language hadn't betrayed much in the way of his thoughts in what he was telling Ume. Even calling him "stern-faced" would be a lie. That monotonous gaze and tone from her Captain did not even reflect sternness. On anyone else it may well have been apathy.

"Taking on many tasks." Aramis pointed out. "Generalists good. But you seem more specialist." He replied. "No practical reason. Most reasons, traditional nature. Require support from top. Central 46. Captain Commander. Traditionalist values." He replied. A thorny proposition. "Only care for military application. Most applications.... inferior to conventional Shinigami tactics. Some applications improvement, but... challenging to mass produce." He added. A delicate balance was required in such matters. Overload the organization with fancy toys, and they become crutches. Aramis didn't dispute the Zanpakuto was the heart and soul of the Shinigami. Ultimately. that could not be replaced, only supplemented.

"Not fielding you to political sciences." Aramis replied. "Presently placing you under command of command center head. Chitose Tachikawa. Command Center.... manages surveillance of Division, and others. Appropriate location, gain experience. Gain practice. Prove self. Will keep appraised of surveillance projects, if interested."

At the suggestion of an energy drink Aramis answered, again, promptly. "Sustenance and energy levels. Adequate. Will resupply when necessary." He added.

[Ume Oboro]

"Direct Observation." Ume said rather quickly. "Development may result in unwanted encounters with others." She added. What she had taken away from her small viewing on the captain was as someone who seemed to have already made plenty of decisions and come to plenty of conclusions. About how things should be or the best approach to them. Whether that was wrong or right, Ume didn't particularly care. She was sure if a new idea was introduced that challenged the way of thinking, it would not b c ccccccccccccce rejected if it was backed up with some evidence. However, she was also fairly certain that Aramis did not believe those new ideas existed in a way that could surprise him or break his routine. 

It was all very interesting! 

"Yes, sir. Knowledge and intelligence gathering and distribution." Ume said with a nod. "Knowledge is the foundation of everything else. I will make sure myy foundation is not built upon sand or salt, sir." Ume nodded. "Metaphorically speaking. Everything here is made of Reishi, as you know." Ume made a suicking noise, licked her lips, swallowed and adjusted her glasses. "My sentiment to that is to ask for forgiveness, rather than permission, sir." Ume stated. "Show them what they need to see and if they reject it, they will like, well, idiots." Ume then sighed. "I suppose, though, that since this is a military organization, the decisions are made differently. Security and stability is optimal, as is, if I am to guess, maintaining the hierarchy, the chain-o-command as well as the centralization of power." 

Ume's shoulders sagged along with her tired eyes. She yawned. "Impractical, inefficient." She burred. "Your appointment sounds like a perfect fit, taichou." Ume said with a bow. "It sounds like a place with many monitors. Nnyenhhnn..." A little awkward gurgle of delight escaped Ume's lips at the thought and the corner of her mouth twitched. She then shook her head. "Interested. Yes." She added and bowed her head. 

"Well, I appreciate assigning me where you think I would do best. I couldn't even begin to imagine what awful things I would be doing in some other division." Ume then looked at the hand holding the energy drink and shrugged. If the captain wasn't going to drink it. She cracked it and started chugging, a little bit dribbling down her chin. When she was finished, she looked at Aramis. "Alright, but when you do  replenish, what flavor stimulates your taste buds the most?" Ume then stuffed her free hand into her labcoat and pulled out what looked like a half used tube of toothpaste and set it on a bench. 

"Here's some nutrient paste for later. Sometimes I try and see if I can get it to taste like real food. Sometimes I try and see if I can get it to taste like nothing at all. You're free to have the rest of that if you want. I only sucked out a little bit. It's either fatty tuna roll or licorice, but it could be both... sometimes that happens." Ume said with a shrug and reached over and nudged the tube an inch. She then took one more drink from her can and set it down too. "It will go flat by the time you're ready for it, but that's ok. The carbonation is really only there for sensory stimulation." Ume glanced away. "I like how it tickles my throat." She muttered. "But, you can have that too. It's definitely  apple, so no worries there." 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis pulled up a clipboard, meticulously retrieved from the pile on his desk, as though he knew the precise location in the stack of the one he wanted, and removed it without disturbing the others. He then pulled a pen and jotted something down on it. "Noted. Assignment clear." He said, writing down her assignment to Chitose's surveillance and security team. Chitose was a younger soul, relatively speaking, from Aramis's review of her-- young enough that she had actual programming knowledge and had worked on security systems when she was alive (albeit more primitive ones). Nonetheless, she'd served to keep up to date with Human World security techniques and endeavored to bring them to the 12th Division, and so Aramis presumed she and Ume would get along well enough. Ume clearly had her eccentricities, but that was par for the course in the 12th Division.

As for Ume's criticism of the Central 46. "Correct." He stated. "Too much caution. Delay progress. Human world phrase; "Set in their ways"." Aramis replied to Ume. "Challenging results to openly violate. Needs be subtle if to avoid problems with 46. Problems affect entire Division." Aramis's stare bored through Ume. "Applies to all officers. Familiarize with laws of Seireitei. If must be subverted, subvert intelligently. Effectively. Draw ire of other divisions, problems for entire squad." He pointed out. The Twelfth had an unsavory reputation, one Aramis had run only minimal damage control on since taking over, preferring to allow his officer's the freedom to pursue their aspirations, but he did maintain that the Division needed to give off at least a professional front, and look as if they were playing by Central 46's rules at least at a surface level.

"Report to Officer Chitose at earliest opportunity. Trust her to assign appropriate tasks, develop appropriate skills." Aramis stated. At Ume's question, Aramis paused for a moment. "Flavor, irrelevant, but. Overused to coffee flavor." He replied. With the first real gesture since Ume had entered the room, Aramis indicated the metallic desk alongside the corner of the room. "If donating, appreciated. Leave there. Will partake when I have need of it." He replied. "If change mind, could assign to team working on alternatives to caffeine. Administer high funding to work. Keeps Division running efficiently. Limits.... catastrophic mistakes." He added.

Squad 12 was going to work around the clock, whether they were awake and caffeinated or not. At least having good sources of energy to keep them operating properly meant that they could be cognizant of hazards and not so tired as to make stupid mistakes while they were doing it.

[Ume Oboro]

"Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the quickness and personal attention to assigning me. I am not sure how other divisions process new recruits, but I expected to be a mere cog, to be fit into the machine. Not that I mind, if it's here, but a personal meeting with the Captain is both stimulating and encouraging. The desire for productivity is increased!" Ume said, holding up a finger and then nodding. She then extended her fingers and raked it through her messy hair, then gave her fingers a cautious sniff and shook her body like a wet animal. 

She then considered what Aramis had to say about the stymied progress. "Frankly, sir, from everything I have observed, the most difficult things can be made easy with simple maneuvering. Pride, though intangible, is as useful a tool as any spanner. I have come to find that if the person you are trying to convince believes the idea to be their own, or if there is a chance to take credit for it, doors tend to open up. Access eased, priorities increased." Ume said with a nod of her head. Then, she suddenly paused. "N-Not that I am volunteering! I lack both guile and glibness. My tongue is not  silver, sir." She said adamantly. "This is just what I have observed. Suggest recruiting ombudsman from other division or academy to represent the Juunibantai's interests outside of the Division barracks." 

Ume then shuffled towards Aramis and leaned int. So close that she was practically leaning against him. "I can assume that any person, persons or group we wish to or need to engage with we have information  on?" Ume then straightened up and waved her hand. "There's no need to answer than question verbally, sir." She said and then looked around. She knew there were listening devices around. She just assumed they were installed by  the captain for  the captain. Either way, duty called. 

"Hai, Taichou!" Ume said, straightening up. She was already eager to report to duty. She bowed deeply. "Thanks again, sir!" She squeaked. She wanted to thknk him for not asking about her pedigree as well, but Aramis didn't seem like the sort. Still, there was something on her mind. "Before I go..." She said with a sudden apprehension in her tone. "No one contacted you while I was in the academy or after I graduated, did they? About obtaining or even preventing  me from getting a spot in this division?" 

She then glanced at the paste. "No, it's a donation." She tilted her head and considered being put on "coffee duty." A little drool dripped down her lips and she slurped it loudly. "Actually, I do believe that the more neurons the brain activates and the more it is stimulated, the higher efficiency it operates. That's why you should consider trying new flavor of food, especially if you have gotten used to one flavor." Ume shrugged. "But if you don't want to activate your neurons or run at peak efficiency, who am I to say anything. You're the captain, sir." 

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis nodded in answer to Ume's gratitude, the first real body language he'd shown since she'd arrived here, that hadn't been a fidget or shift to adjust to a more comfortable posture. There were plenty of reasons to be prompt about it, and for expediency's sake, Aramis had little interest in discussing all of them with Ume. Suffice to say, if an officer already had an idea of where they wanted to go, why wait? The more hands at work, the more minds pushing the boundaries, the more advanced the Division would become, and Aramis had no qualms getting that process started as soon as possible. A cog in the machine? Well, Aramis expected that's what Ume would be to start with. Chitose was less eccentric by the standards of the division, much more.... responsible. A reason, among others, he had placed her in command of the surveillance unit. He expected Chitose would start Ume off on basic routine surveillance and assisting related projects, but if Ume showed promise, he expected she'd be free to pursue her own theories and projects before long. Assuming she didn't start under the table.

As for the matter of politicking and Central 46... "Politics, business of the Captain. Not your concern." Aramis replied. It was among his responsibilities to clear roadblocks, to acquire the resources and to help facilitate the projects under his division. He was aware of the point Ume was making though. Aramis was well acquainted with various forms of manipulation, held back mostly by his utter lack of interest in the subject beyond where it was necessary. Blackmail, bribery, favors, and the right words in the right ears. Appealing to one's pride, desires and goals. An annoying game of walking a fine line between impotence and angering the wrong person. One that a lot in the Twelfth were ill equipped for, but if it came to it, Aramis supposed it couldn't hurt to have a chat with some of the nobles in the division for their input and assistance in the matter. He knew there were a few, particularly members of the Kasumi'Oji family.

It was good that Ume mentioned not needing to answer her question verbally, because Aramis had been about to. Of the major groups Soul Society was concerned with, it could be said those of the highest priority were Las Noches, Uzaki Enterprises, XCution, The Vandenreich, and Hell. Of these groups, plenty of information was available on Las Noches, as Aramis was forced to concede that, along with the Vandenreich, Las Noches was the highest priority target, possessing both easy means to attack Soul Society, motive to do so, and forces to fight them. The difference between Las Noches and the Vandenreich was a matter of information. While the Division had considerable information on Hollows, Arrancar and Quincy, they did not have such information on the Sillbern. While information on Las Noches was copious enough that at least two offensive operations had been launched in the past against the fortress. Although information on XCution and Uzaki Enterprises was known, both factions lacked a way to make a true offensive against Soul Society. Meanwhile, on Hell.... Well. Hell was still a giant enigma and research was still restricted by the Central 46.

But regardless of that, Ume had another question and Aramis answered promptly. "No." He replied. No more, and no less. Nobody had contacted him regarding any kind of postings in his division. But while Aramis's reply betrayed no more than that, Ume's question had betrayed her. It was not the sort of question one asked carelessly, and now Aramis was curious about what had prompted such a question. Not that he planned to ask Ume aloud, but perhaps he might see if he could squeeze a short stint into his busy schedule to look at Ume's background more thoroughly. That was for a later point though, for now....

Aramis simply nodded a second time as Ume stated her donation, a nod of acknowledgement. "Advice acknowledged." He stated. "Will keep in mind." He contemplated for a brief moment if there was anything else he wished to discuss with his new officer, and at the moment, he did not believe so. "Dismissed." Aramis replied, not bothering to repeat his instructions to meet with Officer Chitose as early as possible. He presumed Ume would keep that instruction in mind, especially if she desired to advance in the 12th.

[Leonie Dallmann]

23 paragraphs from Ume, meaning 20% to next thread with Aramis!
25 paragraphs from Aramis, meaning 20% to next thread with Ume!