Nobility Gathering [PG13, NDE, Medium]

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

"My story? It would be of no concern to you." Yutsuru replied. "But if you must know, the things I have done are not for the light of heart. It was at one time that I killed an entire family in cold blood during a warring era 20 years ago. The heir of the family raped and killed the youngest daughter of the head, my lord. It was only justice for the entire family to be put to death by my sword for their failure to cooperate with our demands of the heir's head. They should have listened. Even today I keep fondly the memories of spilling their blood, and it is a story which I will pass down to future generations of our family."

There seemed to be much that could be said for this war of the political and of the nobility. They were all in it for their own power, and the honor and strength of their families. Any alliance with the Kuchiki family was because of its strength. Anyone that showed hostility to it or tried to wrong it would no doubt face a similar genocide to whichever family Yutsuru had killed. And, as his family seemed to be an ally to the Kuchiki, it was likely that under his family's orders he would raise his blade for the Kuchiki as well, and in their great name commit even further genocide. This war of ideology and betrayal was like a sickening game underlying what looked like good life.

Meanwhile, Kyomei was also in a position where he was to learn of the political ideology behind being nobility. "You speak as if it is a personal opinion, Kuchiki-San." Eliza smiled to Kyomei. "Whether I drink to your good health or whether I will enjoy it as you choke on your own blood is subjective. My opinion on your wellbeing is swayed by the position our families are in. If our families go to war, I could very well be the one to make you drown in a puddle of your own blood, or you could very well be the man who cuts me in half for trying." It was dangerous ideology, but she seemed to be teaching it to Kyomei, who was new to this world of deceit and betrayal. Of social battle.

"Shots of the usual!" she called to the bartender, who she seemed to be familiar with. Five shots came for Kyomei and for Eliza. They were clear, like water. Vodka, then. It had the tiniest ice cubes inside of each shot. Cold vodka. This was going to make Kyomei very drunk very fast. The drink he'd had was already getting to him a little bit. Shortly he might be just a bit tipsy. "Don't worry," Eliza said. "It's ice vodka. Crystalizing. It will solidify in your stomach for a while. It won't get you drunk. You will simply enjoy the burn as you drink it." She herself downed five shots quickly, leaving five for Kyomei. She looked quite beautiful in her dress. It would be hard if he wanted to turn down the shots.

[Xerxes Alejandro Sykes]

Xerxes was sickened, a man who ended lives for money and power, and then protects other killers. It seemed Yutsuru had no understanding of the importance of life. Xerxes contemplated just killing the man on the spot, but that would make him no better. With all the anger Xerxes felt he still some how kept the same, indifferent look on his face. Even though he enjoys his job, Xerxes killed to keep balance in all things, Yutsuru killed for greed and power; it was disgustingly human.

His anger was broken once again by that same weirdo "So. I never would've thought a man like you would lead such an interesting life." the weirdo said"So. It's not common anymore, but I would enjoy writing a song or two about your exploits, if you'd share the stories. Books and scrolls are transitory things, and even computers can fail. Music, on the other hand, is immortal; to beautiful to ever die." The weirdo then looked at Xerxes and asked"So. What about you, Clown-san? We have here a singer, a sword-smith and a mercenary; Surely you have a hobby as well? I assume you do more than entertain?"

"My story? It would be of no concern to you." Yutsuru continued. ""But if you must know, the things I have done are not for the light of heart. It was at one time that I killed an entire family in cold blood during a warring era 20 years ago. The heir of the family raped and killed the youngest daughter of the head, my lord. It was only justice for the entire family to be put to death by my sword for their failure to cooperate with our demands of the heir's head. They should have listened. Even today I keep fondly the memories of spilling their blood, and it is a story which I will pass down to future generations of our family."

"18...4...67...8...198" Xerxes interjected in a flat tone, numbers that he felt should make perfect sense to anyone. "And to answer you question Ryuu...is the square root of pi 1.4396530667?" He only asked this question because he had a feeling that Ryuu was most likely to simple minded to know anything more complicated.

[Shade Kawada]

Shade took Sozen’s hand and shook it; not because he wanted to, but because he recognized that to not return the handshake would be a social faux pas. Shade noticed Kenryoku’s cold look and allowed him to walk away coldly towards the corner of the room. Shade didn’t necessarily have warm, fuzzy feelings for Sozen either, but he recognized that the Kuchiki family would play an important role in making the Kawada family’s dream a reality. If he had to attend a few social events against his will, then he would do just that to get his way. There was nothing that Shade wouldn’t do to return his family to its former glory, as Soul Society would find out in due time.

Kenryoku returned to Shade’s side shortly. Shade was completely aware of what his half-brother was up to. The Central 46 member he had been talking to was one of the politicians who had recently been added to the Kawada’s paycheck. In exchange for a large sum of money every year, he gave the Kawadas a voice in the major decisions regarding Soul Society. It was amazing what money could buy a person, but none of that mattered now. Shade knew that it was the Kuchiki family he was dealing with and that he could not simply buy them out with money like he could with corrupt politicians. The Kuchiki family required a bit more convincing. “I would be delighted to hear of what you wish to speak. It must be quite important that both of the two famous brothers within the Kawada arrived for it. Naturally, if you need time to discuss it, we can arrange a meeting later,” replied Sozen.

Shade remained silent after Sozen said this. He’d hoped to talk to his fellow captain today, but it seemed like that wasn’t going to happen. It was natural that Sozen, as the host of this event, would feel obligated to stay at his own party, at least until it was over. Though Shade didn’t care about this social gathering. Here he was, trying to make this pointless event somewhat useful to his cause, and it still stood in his way. Shade stepped back from Sozen with a simple “Very well...” However, before he could disappear into the crowd, Sozen leaned in and fed Shade a useful tidbit of information. “That woman over there,” he said, motioning towards the woman Kyomei was dancing with, “Is a daughter of the Kasumi'Oji family. She has placed quite a bounty on both of your heads. Rumor had it that the reward is three million ryo per head. Six million per head if you are taken to her alive. I heard the assassins will be armed with the finest Bakkoto that can be produced by her father.”

Shade gave Sozen a nod before he and Kenryoku disappeared into the crowd, walking briskly. “It seems like things just got a bit more complicated... brother...” said Shade as he walked towards the place where Kyomei and Eliza were drinking, “Activate Meiunatsuin if you haven’t already and wait for my signal...” With that he waved Kenryoku off and approached the woman who clearly had ill intentions for the Kawada family. Reaching both Kyomei and Eliza, Shade stepped in right after Eliza downed the five shots of vodka. The captain’s gaze was cold and malicious. Just by looking at the man, Kyomei would know not to cross him. Shade’s four blades on his sides would be very daunting as he spoke to Eliza, ignoring Kyomei completely.

“May I have this dance?” he said in a voice both commanding and hateful. To Eliza it would be clear that it was not a dance that Shade wanted, but instead to get her away from Kyomei so that the two of them could talk under the guise of waltzing. While to the other party guests they would appear as allies and comrades, they both secretly wanted each other dead. This was the way that nobles interacted. They could hate each other and be attempting to kill each other, but in public, they were the epitome of class and politeness. Shade was counting on Eliza joining him on the dance floor where they would further discuss whatever it was Shade wanted to talk about. There would not be any aggressive moves made by Shade unless Eliza acted first. At this point, he didn’t want to cause a scene.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

Eliza smiled when the head of the noble Kawada household came to offer her a dance, but the smile was crooked. It was the smile of a deceiver and a liar. "Maybe some other time, my dear." Eliza replied. "As you can see, I am already making conversation with someone. It is quite an interesting banter, and it is one which I would hate to lose the mood for. Don't worry, Shade-kun, you'll get the dance that you're requesting some day. We'll step hand in hand around the ball room like beauty and the beast. You can rest assured of at least that much."

The way that she said it was venomous in a way. She had with a smile refused one of the more politically powerful men in Soul Society, but it was of no matter given that she herself was a daughter to another of the most powerful. With her beauty and her resources, her wealth and her biting cleverness, Eliza was desired by men in every corner of Soul Society. But that was why she was dangerous. Plenty of men would be willing to do her favors. She was a charmer and a schemer. She had friends everywhere that were willing to do her dirty work. It was different from being a maker of business alliance. She ensured loyalty.

Turning her eyes back to Kyomei, she smiled at him to assure him that she was all ears to his conversation, and was interested in what he had to say. At the same time, this was a sort of peer pressure. Her eyes, charming, beautiful, witty, were what pushed him to drink the shots that she'd ordered. "I'm thirsty." Eliza said. "I need a glass of water." The bartender brought her water quickly. She smiled and thanked him, and then drank the water. All of this happened, and then it could probably be assumed that Kyomei would continue talking on from there.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Eliza had yet again been quite vague as to her intentions in the current situation. Her ideology seemed completely rooted in personal profit. If she wouldn't benefit from the exchange, then she wouldn't be having it in the first place. This was fine to Kyomei, for it seemed to be the way that nobles carried out their business. The end result was that no one trusted one another and instead was always on their guard in gatherings such as this, so that wasn't the healthiest of atmospheres, but at least they could be civil at times. Eliza ordered another set of drinks, five shots of another liquid that could only be as strong or even stronger than the champagne.

Before either of them could take their drinks, a shadow fell over Kyomei. It was Shade Kawada, a Captain of such power that Kyomei did not want to mess with. However, he was a Kawada, and his kind were not generally liked by Kuchiki. Being next to the man was definitely conflicting and intimidating at the same time. Kyomei was supposed to dislike him for being a Kawada, honor him for being a Captain, and he already did respect him for having such considerable power. When Shade asked Eliza to dance, Kyomei thought for sure that she would get up and leave with him, but was surprised when she did no such thing and instead downed her five shots and turned back to face Kyomei.

The five shots in front of Kyomei supposedly wouldn't get him drunk, but only burn. Kyomei didn't trust Eliza, not just for the vague statements, but for her already demonstrated immunity to alcohol. The strong drink from before was already in his system, and adding such an extra level of alcohol would be dangerous. However, as she had graced him with her presence and let even someone as Shade go his own way, he would honor her request. The first shot burned its way through Kyomei's esophagus, he had to hold his breath for a few seconds after to avoid sputtering and turning Eliza off. The next few were easier as Kyomei was ready for them and the last one went down easy. What would follow was up to Eliza, because Kyomei had nothing left to ask. Maybe she would have some questions for him?

[Shade Kawada]

“Maybe some other time, my dear,” came the response, “As you can see, I am already making conversation with someone. It is quite an interesting banter, and it is one which I would hate to lose the mood for. Don't worry, Shade-kun, you'll get the dance that you're requesting some day. We'll step hand in hand around the ball room like beauty and the beast. You can rest assured of at least that much.” Shade hadn’t gotten the reply that he had expected from Eliza Kasumi’Oji. While most would be offended or embarrassed, the captain was not. It was clear to him that Eliza simply didn’t wish to talk about the price that she’d put on his head. She clearly wanted to avoid this confrontation for as long as possible. Eliza undoubtedly knew that he was aware, or else his request would have seemed like nothing more than an innocent request to dance. Shade leaned in close to the woman, in front of Kyomei, and whispered, just loud enough to hear over the music. “If you so much as say one word condemning the Kawada family, I will see to it that you will beg for death at my feet...”

Shade leaned back, taking a gentlemanly posture. His eyes fell on Kyomei now and they bore into his skull like drills. The captain recognized him as a new adopted member of the Kuchiki family. Shade scanned him over like a drill sergeant sizing up a new recruit. What plans did the captain of squad 13 have for a member of the Kuchiki family? All of Kyomei’s questions would likely be answered in due time, but for now Shade would leave Kyomei confused as he disappeared back into the crowd. “Watch yourself...” he said to Kyomei as he vanished to rejoin Kenryoku. Shade was just about done at this party if Sozen could not find time to speak with him. His interest was quickly waning and he saw no practical reason why he needed to remain when he could be in his barracks training or resting for early morning training the next day.

[Ryuu Usagi]

Ryuu blinked once, then again just for good measure. Did...that count as an answer? Or was it just an insult? So. I'm beginning to think Clown-san might be a little bit insane. Or maybe...he's just a genius? Ryuu stuck his tounge out the corner of his mouth as he did some quick mental math. The number was rounded, but that was the square root of pi. So. He answers a question with another question? Interesting...

"So. I can see you're interested in mathematics, Clown-san. Math, and riddles. Pi is boring, unless it's cherry pie. " He paused for just an instant, glancing back toward the party around them. People often accused Ryuu of being a fool, but that was not the case. Though he couldn't hear what was being said, he was aware of the highly important conversations going on today, and that made him uneasy. In his experience, nobles tended to behave...irrationally, without any kind of beat or tempo, when placed in close proximity for to long. "So, Clown-san. I have a question for you. What do you think the odds of three noble families gathering simply to exchange social niceties and veiled threats are? I say zero percent, though you might give me a more accurate estimate."

He turned away from the three men, facing the party now with that same placid look and lifeless gaze with which he met almost every situation. "There's something off-key about this party, and it's not just the music. I suspect this is just the overture before a ballad of sorrow" He fell silent for a moment, letting his words sink in and giving the three men a chance to respond. After a moment, he glanced back at them and stuck his tongue out briefly. "So. This was a fascinating and very informative conversation, gentlemen. Goodbye."

Without another word, Ryuu started navigating his way through the crowd, searching for his brother. As he did, he caught a glimpse of Shade Kawada, Captain of Squad 13. Shade and Sozen...Ryuu knew the two family heads were allies almost exclusively on the battle field. Then there was the Kasumi'Oji family, whose representative Ryuu had not yet met. The Kasumi'Ogi family had a tendency of hiring assassins to deal with people that got in the way of their plans. It would be naive to think there wasn't something going on beneath the surface of this party, and Ryuu had a bad feeling he was going to get stuck in the middle of it.

(OOC: Just me going off my gut...don't mind me.)

[Xerxes Alejandro Sykes]

"So, Clown-san. I have a question for you. What do you think the odds of three noble families gathering simply to exchange social niceties and veiled threats are? I say zero percent, though you might give me a more accurate estimate." Ryuu asked "There's something off-key about this party, and it's not just the music. I suspect this is just the overture before a ballad of sorrow"

Xerxes was surprised, he didn't think anyone else was suspicious about the party. It was very strange that the 3 most powerful families would just decide to be at the same place. It's also strange that there seems to be no hard feelings between them, even though one man just just admitted that his family kills for power. Why was a known assassin allowed in anyways? And why was he introduced to the assassin first?

In fact all the families probably do the same. Xerxes was shocked when he did the math in his head. "Ryuu-san" Xerxes said . "There is a 98% chance that one of the 3 families have a a secondary agenda." He said in a flat, uncaring tone.

[Ryuu Usagi]

(OOC:Just checking...is this one still going on? 'Cause I know it's not my turn to post.)

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: It is. I'm gonna post probably tomorrow. School started today.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

All of a sudden, blades were drawn at the party. From out of nowhere, Shade was grabbed by someone from behind, and a sharp looking knife was placed at his throat. The same happened to Kenryoku, Xerxes, Ryuu, and Kyomei, as well as Sozen. All of them had blades pinned to their throats, and screams echoed as a couple of important people at the party were suddenly stabbed from behind. At least ten people had been stabbed from behind. They were some of Sozen's more trusted allies. All around the party, there was blood.

Sozen stood there calmly with a blade at his throat. Everyone else was held by someone in a white, faceless mask with no eye holes. Sozen was included in those held by someone of the sort. Among those held was Eliza. Sozen's eyes were darting around the room, scanning it. "Assassins?" he asked calmly. "Don't you think that you could have chosen a better time for this? There are four Captains of the Gotei Thirteen in the room." He didn't move at all besides his speaking, and shortly more white masks began to show up. Half of the party members were stabbed, the other half held hostage.

"This is hardly funny." Sozen commented. "All that you're doing is holding us hostage so you can attempt to traumatize us by making us watch our friends die. Unfortunately, all of you will be dying tonight." All of a sudden, white bullet sized orbs of reiatsu shot out from every corner of the room, smashing into every assassin. By matter of fact, only those in the room who were Kuchiki would recognize that the orbs had even been there. Everyone else would simply see the assassins all slump dead with holes in their foreheads, steaming. It was a Kido cast by Kuchiki guards.

Sozen looked around with a cheerful smile, and men soon arrived to begin healing those who were wounded. No one had been killed. One assassin all of a sudden appeared in a black cloak and a faceless black mask. He held a katana in his hand which greatly resembled a Zanpakuto, but which had black roots shooting out of the bottom of the hilt straight into his wrist, pumping something into his veins and making his arm more muscular, turning his veins a grayish color and making them stick out. For sure, this assassin used a Bakkoto.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

Both Kyomei and Eliza were grabbed from behind and held at knife point. Kyomei swore on the inside, dreading taking those shots now that his life was in danger. The alcohol had not helped him now that he was no longer having pleasant conversation, and instead was being held, probably by a masked person like Eliza was. However, it didn't take long for Sozen to put on the brave face and talk down to them like they were inferior. It didn't take long before half the people in the room were stabbed and the other half were held hostage by the people in the masks without eye holes.

The would-be assassins soon found themselves on the prey list instead of the predator list, as hidden Kuchiki guards fired a simple Hana into their heads. non-Kuchikis wouldn't have seen anything except holes sprouting from their captor's faces. Kyomei quickly went over to Eliza in order to try and stabilize her. She'd had enough alcohol, and a quick scare might leave her weak. She was, however, nobility, so she might either be tempered for it or not trained enough for the scare. "Are you ok, Eliza?" Kyomei spoke, and then he caught a glance of the figure in black on the other side of the room. He had a Katana which looked like a Zanpakutou, but had some sort of vein like tendrils leading into his arm, granting it muscles. Kyomei gripped his sword hilt underneath his cloak firmly, but did not choose to appear aggressive.

[Ryuu Usagi]

Ryuu's reaction to suddenly being grabbed and having a knife pressed up against his neck was remarkably relaxed. He did nothing. Absolutely nothing. From the moment this so-called assassin grabbed him, Ryuu knew the difference in their Spiritual Pressure would be so great, the assassin would probably break his own arm or something just by scratching Ryuu with that blade. Why react when you can get results by doing nothing? And besides, the problem seemed to resolve itself as Kuchiki guards killed off the assailants with Kido only Kuchiki clan members could properly see. As the corpse of the man who, only moments earlier, had been threatening Ryuu's life fell to the ground, Ryuu brushed the carrion aside and took a step toward the new assassin who had revealed himself.

"So. A Bakkoto...I've never seen one myself, but I figure only something as ugly as that could be one of these 'illegal blades' that crop up from time to time. I guess my suspicions were correct...our friends in the Kasumi'Oji clan are behind this ballad of woe." He sighed, casting a look to his brother Sozen that conveyed... disappointment? Annoyance? Anything? It was difficult to tell with his placid expression, but his next words, directed at the assassin, carried a distinct edge of menace.

"So. This is the first party I've attended where I wasn't in chains...I had hoped it would be free of all the angst and drama you nobles seem to revel in. I should've known better than to get my hopes up." He sighed again, this time more for dramatic effect than anything else, almost casually exerting his Spiritual Pressure on the room, not as an attack, merely a warning. Ryuu's Spiritual Pressure was stronger than that of the three other Captains in attendance combined; to anyone weaker than a Captain, it would feel as if God himself were resting his hand on the room.

"So. Go away...I don't feel like singing a death knell today." Ryuu's expression remained pleasantly empty, his eyes not so much looking at the man dressed in black as they were looking through him, and yet his words carried a very real threat: Leave, or be crushed. Maybe the other Captains would fight this man even if he had a change of heart, but not Ryuu. He just wanted to get back to enjoying the party.

[Xerxes Alejandro Sykes]

Xerxes was annoyed to say the least. Someone had just tried to kill him, as he predicted, but this man was new to the equation, and his Bakkuto added countless possibilities. Xerxes decided to do the math in his head, at first he had suspected Yutsuru, or Shade of hiring the assassins, but then But when the man pulled out a Bukkoto, he decided it would be best to change his answer.

Then Xerxes felt a spike in Ryuu's spiritual pressure, Xerxes was impressed to say the least. He waited for Ryuu to finish then interjected. You know Ryuu, there's only a 0.000001% chance of him changing his mind." Xerxes said in a flat tone. "No matter there's less of a chance of him succeeding." Xerxes then turned his head toured the man with the Bakkuto.

"That Bakkuto of yours, it must have been made by a expert for you to think you could fight 4 Captains, or perhaps you don't know us at all?" Xerxes then readied for a attack from the man.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

The Bakkoto wielding assassin didn't respond to any allegations against him, making no words come from his visage. This was most probably done in all statistics on the grounds that doing so would be both inauspicious and foolish. No one with any form of true wisdom or sagacity would speak as an assassin, and risk giving away information so easily as all that. The lurid look to his eyes made it clear that his intent was to cause mayhem, and send maybe one or two nobles to their own sepulcher a little early. It looked like a tense situation, and it probably was. Before it could get more tense, there would have to be other actions. Sozen was doing nothing and saying nothing. Neither was the assassin. Maybe other nobles would have to react first, or maybe someone should attack the assassin with the Bakkoto and test him out.