Let Down [Cami]

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen was angry. Very, very angry. And feeling betrayed. Maybe this was why the Captain Commander was so adamant about the whole "no fraternization with the enemy" schtick. Why traitors were "kill on sight". Feelings got people killed. Empathy got people killed. Good intentions did not weigh on the scales against the dead. Guilt slashed through him like a knife, the thought of looking into the eyes of the deceased, to imagine the words on the lips of the dead: "You could have stopped this."

Many times when Kaen was faced with others who had come to him with similar concerns, he had pointed out that they could not see the future. Shinigami were not prescient, and did not know the consequences of an action, or the benefits. But Kaen, by all rights, should have captured or killed Camilla when he'd met her at that coffee shop. That had been his duty, that had been his orders. In the name of empathy, he had not. And if reports from the recent assault on the Seireitei were to be believed, Cami had repaid that empathy by invading Soul Society and murdering people. Not an act of self-defense, Kaen might have understood that. Not in the name of saving others-- he would have understood that as well. You did not get to kick in the door of someone's house, murder those within, and proclaim your acts were justified. Perhaps Camilla was pressured into doing it. Perhaps there was more to it than he realized.

Or maybe there wasn't, and Camilla had merely worn a very good mask when she had spoken with Kaen that day. Maybe there was nothing more to it, and Kaen should have killed her when he had the chance.

The truth of the matter was important to Kaen, and he would have the truth. Besides, Cami needed to have a strip torn off of her, for the, evidently, greatly exaggerated rumors of her death. She may only have met Kaen once, so perhaps she did not owe him an explanation (though he was still angry about that), but Celes? Why would Camilla allow someone that, in their last interaction, she proclaimed to be someone she was so close to believe it? Maybe she didn't owe Kaen an apology, but Celes deserved better.

So here Kaen was, at a newly established cafe in the Human world, one Cafe Madolche, sitting at a table, after having left a note at Camilla's former apartment. Last he'd been there, he'd seen signs that someone had gone there-- which considering in the wake of Cami's death, he'd taken a few days to "haunt" the place (as well as leave a rose in memoriam of Camilla in the belief of her death), suggested that Camilla had been there. So he'd left a note there, mentioning the address of the Cafe, and a time-- 2:00 in the afternoon. No signature or anything. Perhaps she'd suspect a trap, maybe not. It was a hail mary, really. He'd sat here for an hour each day, to see if she'd gotten the message. If she planned to show. He was posted in the Human World for a week, and this was the third day.

[Camila Adaronde]

Something was happening. She didn't know what, but someone had wanted to talk with her.

Taking a deep breath before anything else, Camila ran through just what her options were at this point. From the looks of it, it seemed that the note wasn't exactly new. The corners were starting to peel, and even the tape itself plastered to her door was starting to collect dust beneath it. Was whomever left this for her still waiting? Presumably so, given they were likely spiritual in nature, but the question there remained as to whether or not she was looking to meet the individual in question. Though, Karakura was effectively her turf at this point; if something went wrong, she wasn't concerned with the repercussions.

Cracking her neck and taking the opportunity to walk down the street, Camila found herself occasionally glancing at her phone in order to check the time, and follow directions. If nothing else, she was grateful that the damned thing worked in the Human World, at least. Arcadus hadn't finished with his little setup in Las Noches yet in order to get things working over there, so this was the best she'd have for the time being. Left her with a reason to head into the Human World from time to time, yeah?

Regardless, it was nearing that time for her to meet with whomever was looking to see her. Though, she wasn't going to go without taking some sort of precaution. If this had been a planned attack against her, all hell was going to break loose. but, if someone was looking to talk with her? She'd be willing to play ball in that regard. Either way, she did what was necessary; "Drink, Kyūketsuki." With a release of her own spiritual power, Camila's Zanpakutō hadn't been placed on her hip. Perhaps that could be taken as a sign of pacifism? Or perhaps the claws would show otherwise? Only time would tell.

Eventually however, she'd arrive at her destination; a small place called Café Madolche. It wasn't unfamiliar to her; she'd seen the place every so often during her strolls into the Shopping District, but never took the opportunity to head there. Perhaps now was going to be that opportunity? She shook her head with a smile. First this meeting, then the food. Though, this meeting immediately began to take an unexpected turn when she saw a familiar face sitting at one of the tables.

"Well, I'll be damned," she spoke, placing her hands on her hips, "it's been quite a while, Kaen. I presume you were the one to have left that note, aye? What brings you about?"

Shikai Duration, in case this turns to a fight: 1/10

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu: 2,850/3,000}
-150 for Shikai.

[Kaen Youji]

Finally. There she was. As if in demonstration of peace, Kaen was in a gigai, his Zanpakuto nowhere in sight (though stepping out of the gigai would probably rectify that). Dressed in business casual, a suit jacket, dress pants, the like. It wasn't a very "Kaen" outfit, to the extent he wasn't wearing a tie or anything, but it suited the atmosphere of the cafe he'd chosen as their venue. Everything lined up to suggest Kaen wasn't looking to kill her. There were other people around, he'd invited Camila to a public venue, and he didn't appear immediately armed. An assurance, of sorts, that he wanted to talk, not to fight. He noticed her at about the same moment Camila noticed him, and he nodded in her direction.

The Shinigami was seated at a small circular table with enough space for two. Unlike before, he didn't have any food or anything of the sort in front of him. And unlike the last time they'd met his eyes were hard and significantly less friendly. "Camila." He stated, gesturing to the seat across from him. "You look significantly better than I was led to believe." There was an obvious sting in his voice-- obviously he'd heard of her demise. What was less obvious was that Camila was now the third person Kaen had befriended who had done this. At this juncture, he was getting a little tired of people he cared about being killed and then suddenly turning back up alive.

"...Before I say anything else, I want to make something clear. I'm not here to take you in. I'm not here to fight you. I came here for answers. Maybe I don't deserve them, but I'm asking for them anyways. Regardless of what your answers are, I don't intend to start anything under this roof. What happens between us after we walk out of here, is up to you."

"....I understand that you attacked Soul Society recently." Kaen stated. "...Alongside several of Las Noches' finest." He looked at Cami and the betrayal he was feeling was clear in his expression. "...I may have the upbringing to mince words, but neither of us like that sort of thing, so let me be blunt. What the fuck Camila Adaronde." He hissed out. "I've tried to find a justification for what you did, and I... can't. I don't understand you. When we last spoke I thought you wanted to get out. To live freely and away from the swords of the Shinigami that had turned their backs on you. You had that out. I wasn't going to send anyone after you, hell, I'd probably have covered for you. You were free. You had the opportunity to get out, and instead you dove back into the fray. Why?"

He bit his lip in visible frustration. "Was what you told me then a lie? Look me in the eye and answer me, was I wrong to walk away that day?"

[Camila Adaronde]

She had to do everything in her power in order to hold herself back from chuckling from Kaen's words. Seems that word of her demise had spread quickly; she wasn't sure who had leaked that information, whether Albin had been unnecessarily tight-lipped about the whole thing or not was beside her. What mattered here and now was that Kaen had been informed. "Oh, you weren't told incorrectly," She started, taking a seat across from the Shinigami, "I'm sure every little detail that you've been told about my fall is true. The storming of Las Noches, attempt to usurp Guujin Karai, and my inevitable 'split' from an Albin Landry. Sound about right?" If nothing else, she was probing to figure out just what had been shared. She had nothing against coming clean to the Shinigami, but ultimately her goal was to figure out just how much had been known.

As Kaen spoke, she nodded her head, though not returning even a semblance of the same hurt look that he gave her. Instead, hers was almost out of boredom; as though this were a conversation she'd had a thousand times now. Sure, she wanted to feel for the Shinigami. To return some sort of sympathy about the situation, but such just wasn't her anymore. There wasn't a shred of it to be found. "You're looking for answers?" She rose an eyebrow. "Certainly a different approach than I'm used to. Even Celes went for my throat when we reunited. This is... refreshing."

If nothing else, she was going to give Kaen the respect to finish his words. She'd let him speak his mind, before interjecting her own thoughts into the matter. And, in truth? She hadn't expected the foul language. Such brought a smile to her face. Either way, she'd talk after he finished. "Who's to say there's reason behind it at all?" She chuckled. "Perhaps I had all the reason in the world? I've been told quite frequently that most don't know what goes on in here." Pointing to her head, Camila leaned an elbow against the table, and used that same hand a second later to prop up her chin.

"I'll provide you with the answer you're looking for, but not before a question of my own; how familiar are you with Hell, Kaen?" She paused for a moment, to let her words sink in. "And, I'm not talking about the attack that had occurred in Seireitei recently. I've heard about that from Albin, but that's not the goal behind that question. I more mean, how much do you know about what goes on down there? The breaking, the tearing, the complete dissolution of one's own being." Each emphasized word she spoke was paired with a crack of a knuckle. She'd let him speak on the matter, before continuing on her own tangent. Perhaps he'd put the pieces together?

"Where it stands, I've no reason to lie to you, Kaen. That's not to say I don't have a want to, only that the action can't be justified. So, I won't. What I had told you back then was truth. Everything I spoke of - the desire to live on my own, the thought of eventually returning - all of that was precisely how I'd felt at the time. But, now? Things are a bit different. I'd like to think I've changed quite a bit over the last couple of years in my absence. Whether such a change was for better or worse... well, that's not for me to decide, now is it?"

Taking a moment to look around the area, Camila took the opportunity to take in the sights. Looking around the crowd of people, glancing toward the busiest of sounds with each passing moment, and simply taking in the atmosphere around her. It was quite a change of pace from the time she'd spent in Las Noches as of late. Perhaps it was a good break for her? "I think that it's safe to say I was never going to have that opportunity I'd wanted. Living 'the quiet life', as we'd put it years ago. This damned thing --" swiping her free hand in front of her face, a chitinous, batlike mask appeared, before she moved it by hand out of her face. It still persisted, and her eyes had changed accordingly, but she was back to looking Kaen in the face. "-- ruined any change I had of ever living peacefully. Even now, as I sit across from you in this bustling, crowded area; do you know what it's like to have a voice in the back of your head, telling you to wipe it out? Telling you to annihilate all of it, just for the sake of 'revenge'?"

Smiling to Kaen, Camila finished up her thoughts. "What I had one hated to hear, wanted so desperately to rid myself of, has provided quite an intoxicating feeling once I decided to embrace it. To surmise? No, everything I told you was true back then. But, perhaps it would've been better to have done your job that day. If you had known this was to happen, do you think you could've, Kaen Youji?"

Mask: 1/5

[Kaen Youji]

Most of what Cami opened with was indeed known to Kaen, aside from the details about Albin, but it only caused a puzzled expression to cross his face. He assumed she'd elaborate in due course. "That you'd gone to Las Noches, fought Guujin and been slain by him, yes." He replied, but otherwise letting her continue. He'd come for answers, and he wasn't going to get them by interrupting, however upset he was. As for Camila's comment about his approach being refreshing, he shrugged in answer. "People deserve a chance to explain their side. Soul Society's refusal to listen to the other side is why we're both here in the first place. Regardless where my heart and head are at, I don't mean to repeat that mistake." He answered.

And then he listened. Thoughts buzzed through his head, some aimed at Cami's rhetoric, some behind the meaning of what she said. Obviously there was a reason. People didn't actually do things for no reason. It wasn't always a very good reason, but there was always a reason. "I did it because it amused me" was a terrible answer, but it was, ultimately, a reason. But first he had to answer her question.

"Not much beyond what we learn at the Academy, and the general understanding." Kaen replied. "Academically, I understand the principle. Much like what Human worlders call an "armchair general" and a real soldier, I'm sure I don't understand the true distinction between what I've heard and what the experience is really like." It was also a clear implication in Cami's words, but Kaen was still withholding judgement.

And so he listened, with the only further interjection he made before Cami was done, being a blunt "Yes." When Cami asked about the voice in his head. Perhaps not to quite this angle, but that dark voice from the foulest, blackest depths of his soul, pushing Kaen to succumb to despair and become a beast of vengeance? Kaen was very familiar with it. He was sure Cami had it more literal than he did-- at this point, whether it was an entirely split psyche, or a psychological manifestation of the person he'd been for a time, he didn't know-- whereas with Cami it was clear it was her Inner Hollow coaxing her onward. But the approximation of the idea? Yes, yes he did know what it was like.

When Cami finally finished with her last question, Kaen measured his response carefully. "I don't know. What I do know is that window is closed, and both of us have to live with the consequences of that decision." He replied. He hadn't been phased by the Vizard mask-- it was his second time seeing one, and in any case Cami had already told him the last time they'd met of what she was. "...If all this is true, then you didn't deserve what happened to you. But if you don't like how you've changed, you can fight it. I'm sure.... what happened to you in the depths of Hell was horrific. I'm sure that your Inner Hollow's urges are almost beyond control, and.... from what you've been telling me, you two have probably come to an accord. ...But you always have a choice. Not an easy choice, but a choice. If this is not the life you want for yourself, you can still choose to turn your back on it."

He paused a moment. "You also... haven't told me how you ended up with Las Noches. If Guujin killed you-- if he was the ultimate reason you were subjected to..... that, why do you now stand beside him?" He asked.

Kaen drummed his fingers on the empty table in front of him in thought for a moment. "How did you come back?" He added.

[Camila Adaronde]

Leaning back in her chair at Kaen's words, Camila crossed her arms and listened. For him to say that she hadn't deserved what had happened to her left her with a bit of an odd taste in her mouth. She couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it wasn't exactly one that she enjoyed. Still though, she'd at the very least hear out what else he had to say about the situation; about her.

"I don't believe turning my back on the life I have now is something I'd like to do," she started, once the Shinigami had finished, "I've grown rather fond of my stature. Of the people that respect me for what I've become. Of the might that my name carries. I don't believe I could get a feeling quite like that anywhere else; especially not working with Seireitei once more." She couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Her? Leaving her station, after all she's been afforded? Perish the thought.

"Let's say I humor your words, however. Let's say that I do make that 'difficult' choice, and head back with you right here, and right now. What do you think that would bring me? A quick execution, maybe? Or, perhaps an eternity in the deepest pits of the Maggot's Den? The chance of me ever holding the option to live my life freely from that point on is immediately lost. I lost decades slaving away over some imaginary 'cycle' while I was there; I am not going to return and condemn myself to a life like that."

Listening to Kaen's next set of questions, Camila found her brow raising at the thought. Placing one of her clawed fingers to her chin, she feigned thinking about the question for a moment, before firing back a response of her own. "I wouldn't consider myself working alongside him," she started, "he, and even our boss know that the moment an opportunity presents itself? He'll be slaughtered like the dog he is." She laughed at her own comment. "Even if I'm not the individual directly behind that, I'll orchestrate something; have someone take his place. It won't go vacant for long."

Very little had the girl feeling more passionate than her ever-burning hatred for Guujin Karai. Even though Lord Kouhai had prohibited any sort of infighting between the two of them, that hadn't meant she was any less ready to take action when the opportunity presented itself. For now, though? She was simply left watching and waiting. She wasn't the most patient, but who was to say that wouldn't be wrapping itself up soon?

"As for your last question, I'm sure you're familiar with Shinigami traitor Sonken Kouhai. Ex-Captain of the Twelfth, and quite the genius. He is part of the reason I hold control over my hollow. It's because of him that I've managed to take hold; keep that monster at bay for as long as I have thus far. If not for him? I wouldn't be sitting across from you right now. I surely would've died much more... permanently, than the last time around." She shuddered at the thought of Albin's victory over her. Such would never come to pass if she could help it.

"Do know, though, that the others are welcome to ally with the forces of Las Noches. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there are two more like me. Battling their inner demons, simply waiting for the day that they are forced to challenge them. Some that I suspect are closer to you than you might think. Do you think that they're to be given some kind of courtesy by Seireitei? That they'll be any different than what I am currently going through? Sure, some might have some 'upstanding moral code' or whatever, but at the end of the day, do you think there's a hollow that gives a damn about that?"

Mask: 2/5

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen folded his hands on the table as Cami spoke, but shook his head. "I never said anything about returning to Seireitei. Especially now that you've openly allied yourself with Kouhai. But you don't have to be by Kouhai's side either. There's always the option of freedom. Of going somewhere else and just living a quiet life. At least for you there is. If you want out, that door hasn't closed yet. Soul Society is going to be looking for you, but they'll be looking in Las Noches now. You could disappear, and never be found again, if you so chose." He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking.

The road you're walking is filled with conflict, and it could very well send you back down to the pit. You accepted that once as a Shinigami, and you lived to regret it. Are you prepared to make same choice twice? It will, at the very least, pit you against people you once called friends. I don't presume to grade myself so highly after only two meetings, but you said as much of Celes. Are you prepared to cut her down if it comes to it?"

He didn't have much further to say on Guujin. Keep your friends close and enemies closer. He could in no way fault Cami's rationale on that, even if he didn't care for her methods.

"Yes, I'm familiar with Sonken Kouhai. I fought him once." Kaen replied, though the details of that clash were foggy in his mind, save that he had battled Kouhai and Guujin alongside Sozen Kuchiki in the ultimately failed attempt to capture the Hogyoku from Las Noches. Cami took a stab at mentioning two other Vizards that she knew of in Soul Society. "I'm aware, I've met them." He replied, without missing a beat. Okay, that was a lie. Kaen only actually knew about Celes. But still, he wasn't surprised either way. By his estimation, he would guess there were at least four or five other Vizard besides Celes currently in Soul Society-- well. Budding Vizards. It was pure conjecture on his part, but Cami, Celes, Zeich.... Frankly, statistically, it was most probable that there were other Vizard as well. He doubted very many-- Vizard were still rare. One in a thousand maybe? That was Kaen's guess. Roughly one in every thousand Shinigami was a potential Vizard, which meant, based on Soul Society's current numbers, there were undoubtedly some others unaccounted for.

"And yes, I do. I've met such Hollows. Well. Hollows and Arrancar." Kaen replied. "Asuka Hitotoki, the Sexta Espada of Las Noches. Her Fraccion, Li Mei. Gen-- never got his last name. Yamato no Orochi, Shizuyoko Toraumi." He paused for a moment. "Asuka in particular had a tremendous moral code. Stronger than mine, I'd wager."

Kaen still had to address the comment about Kouhai though. "....If you're fighting by his side out of gratitude, out of admiration, then I would be a hypocrite to argue against that." He admitted. "I won't insult your resolve by questioning it further then." But it did seem he was deflated by this topic. "...You're right that he's brilliant. And that he's powerful. Only a blind idiot would deny these things. And perhaps you do owe him your life. ...I hope that he's worth it."

[Camila Adaronde]

Camila found herself simply nodding along with Kaen's words. Truth be told, she had little interest in hearing out the idea of defection again. "I could," she spoke, "or I could remain where I am. Even if returning to Seireitei isn't an option, there aren't many places out there that're going to take me, even if there was interest from myself on that. Doing what you want - well, to the lengths that I have anyway - has led to me making more enemies than friends. Las Noches gives me the option to do so, without threat."

As he spoke once more, Camila answered his last question without hesitation. "Oh, undoubtedly." There wasn't a hint of guilt or deceit in her voice. "If she, or anyone else for that matter look to get in my way? They'll be ripped to ribbons by the time that's all sorted out." Leaning back in her chair once more, Camila let a soft smile rise to her face. How could she not feel that way? It seemed that almost all of her 'friends' from her time in Seireitei had come back to hunt her at some point. Even those that she'd met while outside, like Kimiko, still had a duty to uphold. To make friends like that would've almost assuredly cost the girl her life.

As the conversation continued on, and the mention of Guujin and Kouhai came about, Camila nodded her head with Kaen's words. It hadn't surprised her at all that he'd been familiar with the two of them, but her eyes widened ever so slightly at the mention of fighting him. If nothing else, the comment piqued Camila's interest. For someone like Kaen to be able to stand up against Sonken Kouhai... Just how strong was he, really? Even as the topics changed, she found herself very, very intrigued in finding that much out.

Though, the mention of meeting the other vizards caused the girl to raise an eyebrow. Had he, now? Last she remembered, he'd been involved with the Seventh Division. He'd been complicit in keeping the lot of them hidden? "Color me surprised, Kaen," she spoke, "you're really risking your own position keeping them a secret like that, huh? S'pose I can't be too surprised, given you're here meeting me, but still; that's quite a shock to me."

She found herself chuckling at the matter of Hollows with a strong moral code. "Exceptions," she answered, "and not the rule. Our current Espada - for the most part, at least - hold no such standards. After Ailene's passing, it doesn't seem that we've any that aren't willing to 'do what's necessary', if you're catching my drift."

"And for the record, Kouhai definitely seems to be worth it, thus far. I want for nothing, I get the thrill of battle as often as I like, and much like you said, he's brilliant; there's a lot to learn there. On that note, though..." Leaning in, and placing her elbows on the table, Camila rested her face in her hands, staring down the Shinigami as intently as she could. "You spoke of fighting Kouhai. What was that like? Just how powerful are you, Kaen?"

Mask Duration: 3/5

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen shook his head. "You know that in your position there's more to it than that. It's not a matter of Celes or I standing in your way anymore. This isn't a case of self-defense for you anymore. I understand that. Celes is the Captain of the Defense Division. In lieu of a Captain, I am the de facto leader of the Seventh Division. This isn't a case of: "Celes may accidentally end up interfering". This is a path that will be actively bring you into conflict with her. Kouhai may even ask you to kill her. Your resolve is obvious. I don't doubt by what you said that you would if he asked you. But there's a difference between following orders once they're given, and introducing yourself to a situation where the order may be given. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Cami's follow-up was easy enough for Kaen to answer. "They haven't done anything wrong. They're trying their hardest to improve Soul Society, even knowing what may happen if they get found out. I told you last we met, I want to make Soul Society better. It's a slow path to improvement, but it's not going to improve at all if I succumb to the same prejudices of those I oppose within the organization." He replied.

But Kaen smirked just a tiny bit at Camila's statement about the Hollows and Arrancar he had brought up. "Well I suppose you'd know full well then that there's still a few exceptions in the halls of Las Noches." He replied. That was a name though. Ailene, huh? The one who'd saved Camila, if memory served. She wasn't in Las Noches anymore? Had she died? ...Kaen would probably have to let Celes know at some point.

Kaen didn't comment on Cami's praise of Kouhai. That was her decision, and he could clearly see she was devoted to it. It would be a waste of time trying to change her mind, in truth Kaen wasn't sure now if he could even shift her mind. "I did. Yes. I was part of the task force sent to retrieve the Hogyoku from Las Noches. I fought along with a team of several other Shinigami through the halls of Las Noches and into the throne room. Although we didn't suffer many casualties, several Shinigami had been forced to withdraw or were slowed by the defenses such that by the time we reached Kouhai and Guujin, only I and the Captain of the 6th Division, Sozen Kuchiki were left. We fought, my memory of the battle is hazy. You'd think it would be a strong, distinct memory, but while I remember flashes, my flames, Sozen's blades, Guujin's tremendous strength, Kouhai's expert bladework, the details escape me, somehow. ...Suffice to say, since the Hougyoku is still in Las Noches, we failed, and were ultimately forced to retreat." Kaen stated. As for how powerful he was?

Kaen simply gave a small smile. "Strong enough to do what I need to. As far as the Seventh Division goes, I am still only a shadow of the strength of the lieutenant who held the position before me, and still far too weak to possibly claim the mantle of Captain." He replied.

[Camila Adaronde]

Camila sighed once more. "I'm well aware of what that means. I am saying - here and now - that we will be taking Seireitei by force in the future; I will be picking up where my predecessor left off. If you decide to stand against me - against Las Noches - there will be repercussions. Repercussions that will undoubtedly cost lives; not just Shinigami lives. Are the souls of thousands upon thousands of innocents something you're willing to carry around on your shoulders, Kaen?" She smiled. If nothing else, she was looking to get a rise from the Shinigami.

Regardless of whether or not it had worked, she'd continue on speaking, and sharing her words with the Shinigami. As the conversation drifted to Kaen's stance against Kouhai, Camila nodded her head. "Most definitely interesting," she spoke, "if you were to be put in a situation to do the same, do you think you could repeat your actions all over again? Perhaps without casualties?" Camila would've loved to see something like that. Perhaps it would've even proven to be useful as an orchestrated event to kill the Right Hand? Who knew?

Listening to his words on the Seventh Division, Camila's expression turned to one of surprise. "Is that so?" She asked, "last I'd heard, you possessed quite the strength about you. Enough to cement your position, if nothing else. While I know nothing of those that have come before my time, it's curious to hear that you are, as you put it, 'but a shadow' of them. I wonder if they're still out there, somewhere? Would be interesting to test myself against them." She chuckled. A fever dream, if nothing else, but an interesting concept. She hadn't been familiar with the name Sozen before; it was one she'd have to ask Kouhai about upon her return.

"Either way," she spoke, once again leaning back in her chair, "I am rather curious; how does the Thirteenth fare at the moment? Is it still in disarray after that bastard Wycliff left them?" She chuckled. What she wouldn't give to tear into that asshole after everything she'd been through. Hopefully she'd have that opportunity soon, if nothing else. Only time would tell on that.

Mask Duration: 4/5

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen looked into Cami's eyes as he answered. "Are you threatening that if I don't back down you'll hold thousands hostage? Or just that the conflict between Las Noches and Seireitei will result in the deaths of many?" He asked. "Because honestly.... I don't see how kneeling before Las Noches doesn't ensure that anyways. I know not all of the Arrancar are terrible individuals. But many of them are. Many of them revel in the killing and mass slaughter and they are encouraged, and permitted to do so freely. For all its faults, all our skeletons in the closet Seireitei still stands as a bastion between them and the world where they can do so free of consequence." Kaen replied. "Besides. If I stand down, many that I love within the walls of Seireitei will die. So I cannot back down." Kaen answered.

"I may be a poor protector, but a protector is still what I aspire to be."

And that second question.... Kaen thought it over for a moment. "I'm stronger now than I was then. Perhaps it would go the same. Maybe it would go differently. Knowing what I know now, I probably could have saved a few more. Gotten more people to the throne room. But who knows if that would have changed the outcome. Maybe bringing more into the throne room would have meant more died. My colleagues survived the lesser warriors in Las Noches, and the traps, but perhaps they would not have survived Kouhai and Guujin. Or maybe they would have tipped the scales in our favor and we'd have escaped with the Hougyoku. ....Maybe it would have given Sozen the opportunity to cut Guujin down-- and we would not have been having this conversation today."

Kaen's eyes fell from Cami's to the table. "The more I wish I could change the past, the more I realize I have no idea of what the current world would look like if I did. Things that I wish had gone another way, might have resulted in a worse today than I could predict. Learn lessons from the past, use them in the present, hopefully create a better future." He said, still not looking back up from the table.

But a smirk did creep across the corner of his lip as Cami said that. "My predecessor's strength was monstrous. Time and again I fought them, and never once did I defeat them. In turn, so I hear, they faced the same conundrum with the Captain of the Division at the time. Even today, I haven't surpassed the last lieutenant of the 7th. That being said.... What passes for strength in the other divisions, and what passes for strength in the 7th are two very different matters." He replied.

"As for the thirteenth, it's been having rough days. Captain Ludwig performed a forbidden act during the invasion of Hell. He's gone now, the Division is currently under the leadership of its new Captain, Shawn. Haven't met him yet, but he seems gentle tempered, and amenable to reason. Done what he can to unite the squad from what I hear, wouldn't be surprised if he takes the mantle of Captain soon, out of necessity. He seems to have the right temperament for it." Kaen replied.

A pause in the air for a moment. "Are there things you miss about it?" Kaen asked.

[Camila Adaronde]

As Kaen spoke on her words, Camila chuckled softly. While it hadn't seemed that her words struck quite the nerve she was aiming to, they'd gotten the job done as much as she could. No sense in pressing the envelope there any further. "I'll leave the meaning behind my words there for you to decide, Kaen."

As the topic of conversation drifted toward the idea of a return into Seireitei, Camila nodded her head. In truth, she still found herself quite interested in the prospect of another attack against Las Noches. Ultimately it was in her best interest to spark some sort of conflict, given her end goals, but the question remained; how exactly was that something that could be done? She wasn't exactly going to say to Kaen Hey, our doors are open, come attack, as such would've led to her being swiftly disposed of. At least, so she thought.

Though, this wasn't exactly an avenue she couldn't explore. While not necessarily giving a "tip-off" to Kaen about her willingness to assist in something like that, she could've simply baited at the possibility. If nothing else, perhaps an attack on Soul Society would've roused interest in a counterstrike? That was certainly another route to consider. If nothing else, that thought could be shelved for the time being. She'd bring that up again before they departed.

"That's quite the phrase," she spoke, placing a hand on her chin after Kaen's 'Learn from the past' comment, "I might just have to use that myself sometime down the line."

As Kaen spoke on the matters about his predecessors, Camila chuckled once more. "That so?" She asked, "if that's the case, I'd like to go toe-to-toe with you one of these days. See just what you're capable of, and where I'd stack against these predecessors of yours. That something you'd be interested in?" She didn't necessarily mean at this moment, though wasn't opposed to the idea if that was what it came down to.

"Did he now?" She commented on Kaen's words about a 'forbidden act', "glad to hear he's gone, then. I'm also rather glad to hear that there's a new individual in his seat; hopefully this 'Shawn' fellow does a better job than his predecessor. Lord knows the Squad needs it." She let out a soft sigh, smiling regardless. Ludwig was truly gone, huh? She couldn't say that it was unwelcome news to hear; not after she last heard from (and dealt with) him.

"A few things here and there," she replied, "but I wouldn't exactly consider it 'missing' the Gotei. More just... looking back on past memories, aye? Some folks were definitely interesting to get to know, and the organizational structure of the place is notably above how Kouhai handles Las Noches, but that's really it. Though, truth be told? I've most definitely wondered just how differently things would've been if Celes had convinced me to stay. Part of me wonders whom I would've met; who would've shaped my path from there. Though, I most definitely don't regret the path I've walked thus far."

She leaned back in her chair once more, as the mask atop her head began to crack and crumble. Her eyes slowly turned back to normal. "Nothing beats the freedom that I've gained from stepping away from the organization. Even if I serve under a new king, I'm given the option to live how I want; to exist how I please. I've a sense of freedom, and a sense of purpose. I don't think that's a luxury I'd be afforded from any other place."

Mask Duration: 5/5

[Kaen Youji]

As Camilla commented about his phrase, Kaen closed his eyes and shrugged. "Just the words of someone who's made a lot of mistakes. Some of those mistakes were very serious." He replied. "But if I don't learn from those mistakes, then the people that got hurt by them, got hurt for nothing. If I want to do right by them, I need to learn a lesson from it." He added, tapping one finger on the table. "That's not to say that I think you're making a mistake. ...Well. I do. But it's your decision to make, and only you can decide if it is or isn't. And even then? Hindsight's the only way you'll know. When you came back to Soul Society after your stint in Las Noches, and faced the scorn of your peers, you probably thought then, that you'd made an awful mistake going to Hueco Mundo in the first place. You probably cursed the chain of events that brought you here. And now? Based on what you've told me, I imagine you'd consider that decision you cursed at the time, the best thing that could have happened to you."

Decisions were a strange thing indeed. "A man cannot step in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and he is not the same man."

Kaen chuckled at Cami's statement about fighting him. "If this keeps up... you probably will one day. But.... accomplished as you are.... I'm not interested." He replied. "Whatever we may think of each other, you and I are going to see each other on opposite ends of the battlefield one day. On that day..." A coy smirk crossed his face, and Kaen's voice lowered an octave, just above a whisper.

"I'd rather it be a surprise~"

Still holding a tiny hint of a smirk Kaen addressed Cami's next question. "Time'll tell. I barely know the kid though. He's really new to the Gotei, doubt he's even a century old. That's a lotta responsibility, you know?" And then he let Cami talk about her thoughts and gave a slow nod. "I get it." He replied. "I'm sure when I die, I'll be full of regrets. A lot of roads not taken. And freedom is.... tempting. I've lived in walls my whole life. Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to knock them down and break free..." There was even the lilt of a smile on his lips and in his eyes. One that slowly slipped back into a more serious expression.

"But I have a responsibility to the people I protect. However poorly I may do so. And I have at least one legacy I still need to honor. And whatever regrets I may have when my time comes, I know that they'll pale in comparison to the one I'd have for leaving my responsibilities behind." He gave a more genuine smile though.

"If you're content with your choice, then I'm happy for you. Enjoy your freedom Cami. Truly."

[Camila Adaronde]

Camila found herself leaning back in her chair while she listened to the Shinigami once again. If nothing else, this had been an interesting little exchange. He'd given her quite a bit of insight on where he stood; for better or for worse, naturally. While the situation hadn't quite gone the way she would've liked, there was little that she had to say on the matter.

Though, his words on a fight between the two of them made her chuckle. "That so?" She asked, "well, if that's how you want to be, then so be it. Just know that I'll have quite the surprise up my sleeve for when we next meet; a surprise that I promise you have not seen before." A grin smeared across the girl's face.

In truth, she was glad to be so close to such an option now. After the hell she'd spent slaving away in order to defeat Albin, she knew full-well that doing so one final time was going to be inevitable; especially after that stunt he pulled during her fight with Alacrán. Surely there had to be more power that she could obtain from such a feat. She just knew it to be true.

As the conversation drifted from the prospect of a fight between the two of them, Camila nodded her head at words about Shawn. "Perhaps you're right there. If nothing else, might be interesting to stop by the Squad; see how things're being run. Wouldn't think my attempts at infiltration would go too poorly after last time, aye?" She chuckled. While she had no interest in improving the Seireitei, there was an almost morbid curiosity sparked within the girl.

Similar to how it had been last time, too. She hadn't known why, but with Kaen these thoughts of heading back seemed to almost flood her mind. Granted, it wasn't something that she'd ever act on, more like an intrusive thought than anything else. Regardless of that though, part of it felt like it might've been interesting. Surprise Celes, Kimiko, and the others she enjoyed that could be counted on a single hand.

Eventually, however, things felt like they came to a close. Stretching her shoulders, and rising to her feet, Camila smiled toward the Shinigami. Though, it wasn't one of the aggressive expressions that she'd been known for; it was a real, genuine smile. "Much appreciated, Kaen Youji. If nothing else, this little meet has been fun. If you've chosen your path, then that's all well and fine, but know that Las Noches always has a place should you open your eyes to Seireitei's injustices."

Pushing her chair back in, and taking the opportunity to look around, Camila used her clawed finger to tap the air in front of her as though it were a solid wall. Segmenting itself into square-like shapes and opening up a pathway into Garganta, Camila turned back to the Shinigami once more. "One last thing," she started, "if you see a Miss Wynne Kuchiki at all during your tenure, let her know I'm alive, will you? Felt terrible leaving her stranded, n' I wanna make it up to 'er."

And with that, she stepped through Descorrer, leaving it to close behind her.

[Kaen Youji]

Kaen let Cami's banter slide off of him, with a smirk. "Well, that's something to look forward to." Kaen replied. "Of course.... if I hear you're trying that stunt.... Well. My hands are tied in that case." He replied. "I have people I have to answer to. Although.... I suppose you do now too." He stated. One final jab at Camilla's choice to sacrifice her freedom to Kouhai.

It seemed this chat had come to an end, but while Kaen wasn't happy with the conclusion, he supposed he was.... satisfied with it. He slowly rose to his feet as well. "I don't know her. But if I do, I'll pass it on. Oh, and by the way Cami. Before you go." He commented, as he started to walk past Cami, towards the exit. "I'll be back here same time, same day next month if you want to catch up." He commented, and then continued onwards, as he let Cami go.

Would he come to regret keeping his word today? ...Maybe. Maybe he would. One more regret. Still. He had to believe in bridging the gap somehow. ...Somehow.