What's the Worst that Could Happen?

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru waited patiently to see how her husband would help her get dressed. She had donned kimonos before, she did grow up in the time where kimonos were pretty much all that women wore, so she knew how to put one on. But, she had always gotten help from her mother on putting it on correctly. This time, of course, it would be different since Asmoskon was now going to help her. She smiled, a slight blush covering her face as she thought back to a few minutes ago, when she was helping her husband put his on. She assumed that he would wear it more like a jacket, due to his body build, but the kiss was a nice added touch on his part.

She felt the fabric touch her fingers, and felt it get pulled up her arms. She looked up and saw Asmoskon there, pulling the kimono in front of her. She smiled up at him and planted a gentle kiss on his lips as well. It was nice to get the help. He pulled the kimono closed in front of her while she was adjusting the top. She looked up at him and could see a little bit of tenseness in his body language and she knew why. She knew the effect that she had on him. He was trying his best to not completely lose his head in this situation, because it would definitely turn out bad. She already knew that the nobles were barely tolerating him here, she didn't need anymore bad publicity around them.

She was thankful that her husband was on his best behavior and not trying anything, even though she knew that he was ready and willing to go whenever and wherever they were. This just wasn't the time or place. He turned her around, to face the door as she helped him tighten the kimono around herself. Feeling his hands on her skin was always one of the best sensations, and for him to be gentle enough to help her, she just couldn't stop smiling. She had wrapped the sash around her body and her husband was tying the rope belt around her waist to secure everything while she was holding the robe in place. She laid her head on his left shoulder, looking at him with a slight blush from the love she felt for him.

It was then that the door was slashed in half and she looked over to see the shinigami from earlier standing there. She was surprised by the attack, but she felt her husband's stance change. He was rigid against her, but still gentle enough to tighten the belt to the point where it was just tight enough to hold everything together. He immediately glared at the shinigami and told him to leave. Hotaru grabbed her husband's hands and kept them around her waist. He didn't need to start anything. If this man was going to be dealt with, she would do it. She listened to the rant and was surprised by what the man said, to an extent. No man would drag her anyway, excluding Asmoskon of course and only if she agreed to it.

She then stood her full height, putting her husband's hands behind her. She glared down this stupid shinigami, tilting her head back a little to say to her husband under her breath, "Leave this idiot to me.". She started to walk over to her zanpaktou, which was laid on the floor by her uniform. Since she was a samurai, by her very nature, she would never leave her sword behind, especially Rivu~aiasan, so that's why it was with her. She put her zanpaktou into her new rope belt and started to walk towards this man. She was letting her reiatsu go, so this fool could see how strong she really was and how outmatched he could be. Before she got close to the man, however, she saw six bright lights hit the man.

She was a little surprised to see Kido used inside the manor, but she knew next to nothing about this family so she wasn't going to question it. She stepped outside the door and looked around. It was then that she saw the same man that introduced himself when they arrived at the party. She listened to this man chastise the other shinigami, knowing that soon her husband would be behind her watching as well. When he asked, three maids arrived and took the man out of the manor. She nodded her head in agreement. Then, he turned to address the both of them. He pretty much told them to remember where they are and to not get too out of control with their emotions.

He walked off quickly before she could say anything else. She looked up at Asmoskon and smiled at him. She was walking back inside of the room, gathering their clothes. She walked back towards the now broken door and flagged down a maid. "Would you please drop these off for me in the Kuchiki Manor. The servants there should know where my room is. Also, I am sorry if we caused problems for you." She bowed towards the maid, who bowed back and ran off to complete the small errand she was sent on. She then looked up at her husband. "Well, it seems like he assumed we were going to get completely crazy in there. Thankfully, I think we handled that well. I know how hard it is for you to be here around these shinigami judging us and keeping your calm, especially in there. I promise after this party is over, I will pay you back when we go get our normal clothes."

She winked at him then, hoping that he liked the idea as much as she did. She also hoped that the party wouldn't get too much more exciting than that. Parties aren't meant for fighting. She then grabbed her husband by his right arm, tugging at him playfully. "I think it's time we head back, but I have an idea of what we can do when we get back." She started walking towards the party. Since her arms were around his right arm, he got pulled along with her. Once they made it back to the party, she noticed a slow song had started. She walked towards the floor with Asmoskon in tow and asked, "Would my husband care to dance with me?" Then, regardless of how he answered, she would put her arms around his neck and start to sway side to side to the music, dancing with him.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Well for once it seemed like everything was going to be quite well. Asmoskon had finally gotten Hotaru back and the both of them it seemed couldn’t possibly be happier at the moment unless they were back in his apartment. The feeling of Hotaru wrapping her arms around him as he kissed her was one that always sent a small twinge of static up his spine in anticipation. The beauty of the kimono that he has fashioned for his wife was one that matched his own crimson yet paled in beauty to Hotaru as an individual.

That was when the door was cut in half and fell to the floor and the shinigami stood in the doorway starring angrily at the both of them. Asmoskon was going to display how foolish this shinigami was when he felt Hotaru’s grip on his hands tighten slightly it seemed she wished to be the dealer of bad news to this fool. From that point onwards Asmoskon stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He could see that Hotaru was serious and that she was moving right for her zanpkauto.

Asmoskon simply watched for a moment and then turned around making it look like he was actually looking away from what was about to happen. That was when he heard the sound of a kido going off and his left eye and head turned slightly to make sure it hadn’t been done on Hotaru. He knew that his wife possessed absolutely no knowledge of spell work and that the kido couldn’t have been cast by her. He saw that she was by the door way now and that the man was enclosed by rods of light.

Well he was no longer a problem and Asmoskon could hear the same foot patterns of movement that he had when they arrived. That old servant was here and most likely had been the one to set off the kido so there was nothing that Asmoskon needed to pay attention to at the moment. As the old man spoke to Hotaru and him Asmoskon actually had his back turned to him. He wouldn’t be able to see specifics, but both Hotaru and the old man would be able to see Asmoskon’s arms moving around his head and the eye patch being replaced with a crimson one.

As the old man spoke about the two of them being engaged so physically and that this manor was not the place to be doing such a thing Asmoskon nodded his head slightly towards the man. He had to be on his best behavior for right now even though in truth Asmoskon would have fucked Hotaru right there and then just to prove that he didn’t care about the rules of this noble family. Yet he behaved just so that it wouldn’t cause trouble in the future for his wife and himself.

So from that point onward it seemed like joining the party once again was the only option. So with Hotaru Asmoskon made his way to the party after giving the servants the clothing that the two of them had just been wearing. As they reached the dance floor Hotaru asked him if he would care to dance and he answered with a gentle kiss of on the side of her cheek. Now standing on the dance floor Asmoskon holds Hotaru by her hips as the two of them sway from side to side together as one after such a long struggle that both of them had to endure to gain happiness.

[Taihō Kasumi’Oji]

Taihō sat silently as Raygin, through what seemed to be an infinitely sunny disposition, shrugged aside her comments. "How can I be alone when I have you sitting right here across from me?" He joked, laughing away her statement. Was that really what he thought? Or was he trying to deflect Taihō’s inquiry with humor? Did he hope that by presenting a happy exterior, he could dissuade Taihō from cutting into his core to learn what made him tick? "Those...are some odd similarities, if you don't mind me saying. I mean, I didn't think my family disliked me or anything. Still, I'll take your word for it if you think that's the case.” Was he really that naïve? Or was he trying to throw her off the trail? Had she struck a nerve, which he was desperately trying to cover? The more Raygin spoke, the more Taihō’s curiosity was piqued. What had begun as an exercise is unnecessary cruelty had evolved into a true thirst for knowledge.

A new thought began to writhe in Taihō’s mind. Could it be that Raygin was actually the most interesting person at this party? What if he had never been injured? Could it be a fabrication, to deflect attention away from the most unlikely mastermind Soul Society had even known? To Taihō’s unstable mind, it just barely seemed possible. It made a sick kind of sense: by faking his injury and allowing himself to be discharged, he could quietly exit the public eye, fading into obscurity until he was ready to re-take the spotlight. He could gather strength and allies without drawing the scrutiny of anyone, and at the right moment, put his master plan into motion. It was almost plausible. No, it was more than that. It was firmly within the realm of possibility, though Taihō had to admit to herself it was still highly unlikely. And yet…she had to know.

“Other than that, though, my name's Raygin Kawada, though you can just call me Ray for short if you'd like. We never properly introduced, what's your name? Would you like me to get you some food? It's really good, the chiefs went all out."

Taihō had been so distracted by this new train of thought, she almost forgot she was talking to someone. He didn’t know her name? After she introduced herself to everyone? Furthermore, how could he not know the name of the head of one of his families rivals? Was it stupidity, or shrewd manipulation? As always, the only way to find out was to continue with the experiment, and see where it lead.

”I apologize for forgetting to introduce myself to you. It would seem I failed to notice you when I introduced myself upon my arrival. Allow me to remedy that. I am Taihō Kasumi’Oji, Head of the Kasumi’Oji Family.” It was a lie, of course. She had noticed him, and had intended to include him in the introduction. However, it suited her to act as if she hadn’t known he was there, and so she spoke as if she had overlooked him. It was both an asset and flaw for one with psychosis; the ability to lie unflinchingly, to look another soul in the eye and knowingly tell them something that is false. Taihō lied the way most people breathed; it was easy for her to speak the mistruth, her tone never changing from cold and factual. The question now was, how would Raygin respond? He could try to deflect Taihō’s scrutiny as much as he wanted, but the more protective layers he wrapped around himself, the more fiercely Taihō would cut through them. She would hit something meaningful eventually.

”And, no. I am not hungry at the moment. But thank you for asking…I will let you know when I would like something to eat.”

[Ajraka Kuchiki]

Ajraka had been making considerable headway in her endeavor to get herself some more free time. And honestly, it had become more and more possible as she came to become reaquainted with her family. It had taken....quite a while. A few weeks in fact to find someone she could trust with the ship and her.....friend. But at long last, of ALL people, it had turned out that Elder Chojiro Kuchiki was, amazingly, the first person she'd wound up spilling the beans to. The old, sourpuss of an elder had glared for about half a second before breaking out into laughter. It had been.... astounding, shocking even to see the typically stern Elder laughing like that. 

After he had collected himself, he had informed her that he would love nothing more than to help her. Elder or not he had found that things had become a bit boring. He was retired so far as the sereitei was concerned, and he had been seeking something new and exciting for a while. She had introduced him to her crew and well, as their captain, her word was law. They accepted him. Though even as she headed off for the social gathering, donning the cape and dress that so declared her a noble, she spotted Chojiro actually having the crew begin to submerge into the ground, no doubt to explor the ship and question some of the crew. She really hoped she didn't come back to him having organized a tea party or something. 

With a shrug, she proceeded to where the party was supposed to be held. She briefly considered putting on the same ole kuchiki face she'd been taught to give during these kinds of events, and she actually, for once, considered using it outside of lectures. It had been a long-ass time since she'd had to be around shinigami, well free ones. And the prospect of going back, just for a while, to her old life was....nice. NAturally she snuck into the party, sortof. As she walked in through the front door she noticed there was nobody to greet her, though some sort of commotion did seem to be going on inside. So she took the moment to look herself over. 

She was nicely dressed in her own opinion. A white cheongsam with golden trimmings that had been some sort of gift from another clan, a sort of 'congratulations' gift for being adopted. OF course she had grown a little in the past few months and the dress, which had originally stopped at mid-thigh level now rid up a little more towards her upper thighs. She wondered, had she gained some weight? She had been underfed and overworked for a good few weeks, she didn't know HOW she would have managed that.



Of course Chojiro had been wise enough to suggest she put on some shorts underneath. Aside from that she also had the scarf. Originally she'd considered a cape, but it was a bit too close to what the Heads of the family were supposed to wear. So she'd instead gone with a pure white scarf. All in all she thought she looked a bit ridiculous. She had almost considered asking Umaroth to come along but....er.... he needed some work. Especially now that he had gotten over soem of his fear. The last thing she needed was him trying to bend her over the counter int he middle of a party. As Hot as that sounded.



In any case she entered the main room of the party, pausing as she took a look around and found that the guests were all preoccupied. If she was lucky, perhaps they would not even notice her! In any case the scent of fresh shrimp caught her attention and she immediately jackknifed over to the spread, taking a moment to collect herself before very calmly begining to fill a plate with shrimp, her ears perked and alert incase she heard anybody begin to approach her.


She wasn't an idiot. This was the very first big Noble meeting she had ever come to. No doubt she would be, once spotted, quite the spectacle. The primary reason she had gotten herself so dressed up. She took another precautionary look over her scarf, checking to make sure that between the long leggings that covered her from ankle to hips and the skert that there had been no slippage and resulting exposure of fur. The last thing she needed was to be called a slut..... good lord.


She caught herself mid-thought. She really HAD begun to soften up to this noble thing. She was actually caring how people thought of her? Well not entirely. She knew she hadn't rendevoused with her father in the best of conditions.  She knew Kyomei was under scrutiny for her adoption, an adoption that many had seen more like taking in a pet than anything. No. She was here for more than just her own amusement. she wanted to make her father, even if only a little, proud.

[Deleted]

Taiho...Kasumi'Oji? Raygin sat there, eyes unblinking, staring directly at her with a paused expression. His gears were turning. It had just occurred to the former Shinigami that this woman who sat before him had in fact already introduced herself. He suddenly remembered that this was the woman who had introduced herself to Katrina. Raygins left eye twitched as he let out a series of nervous chuckles. "Forgive me...I just remembered you did in fact introduce yourself earlier. I...wasn't quite paying attention." The young man explained, scratching the back of his head. He could tell he was blushing, given how hot his face was feeling right now. He seriously needed to start paying better attention to things like people's names. It was a really bad habit of the boy.

She wasn't hungry? That was too bad. The Shihion really did go all out with their selection. Foods from both the east and the western sides of the world were collected together on the catering table. It was an impressive spread, one that Raygin could spend a great deal of time picking apart and enjoying himself with. Well, Raygin couldn't help but smile at the sign of appreciation she gave him when he offered. The young man chuckled slightly, still giving the woman that incredibly bright and warm smile. Looking at him was like looking directly at the sun. He was so bright and happy it could make someone sick. But people often found themselves relaxing around Raygin, letting their stress out and simply enjoying being in his presence.

It seemed that Taiho had gone quiet, so Raygin decided that he should pick up the conversation again. "So! Tell me, what's it like leading the Kasumi'Oji? I didn't get to have many conversations with Shade, before he went missing, about what it was like being the head of a family. I don't imagine it's an easy job, probably a lot harder than being a Captain of a Squad." And so it began. Taiho would soon realize it was a mistake, on her part, to get Raygins motor mouth running. "Look at Katrina for example. She seems to be under a lot of stress at having to become the new Head. Shade must have left a lot behind for her, so no doubt it's a lot of weight on her shoulders. Is it a lot of weight on yours?"

It was both an odd and curious set of questions. Raygin was expressing genuine curiosity and concern over both Taihos position as well as Katrinas. If Raygin understood what it was like being a Head, then maybe he could somehow ease the burden on Katrinas shoulders. Then again, there wouldn't be much someone like him could do. Raygin sat there, a smile on his face, watching Taiho and awaiting a response from her. The sound of footsteps though caught Raygins attention. Taiho would see that Rays eyes left hers, then widened slightly along with a slightly agape mouth.

Raygin had noticed someone...interesting had shown up. Raygins attention had been turned to the sight of the newly arrived Beast that had made her way to the catering table. Raygin blinked, looking at Taiho, then back at Ajraka. At first, Raygin had mistaken her for Raion, but then realize that she was nowhere near as hairy. The young man also noticed numerous other guests had begun to look at her, whispering amongst themselves behind either hands or held objects. "Hey, Taiho. Do you know who that is?" Raygin suddenly asked, turning his attention back to his new Kasumi'Oji acquaintance. Perhaps she knew, considering the fact that she came off as a very intelligent person actually.

[Taihō Kasumi’Oji]

Taihō could almost see the gears churning away inside Raygin’s head, as he processed her ‘introduction’, and produced a response. He had forgotten that she had introduced herself? There was no way someone could be that stupid…was there? Could he have honestly and truly forgotten about the Head of a rival Noble Family introducing herself to him and a group of other people, including the Head of his own family? Was it possible?

Or…was it a ruse? Was he still trying to play the fool, to deflect attention away from himself? What secret could be so important that he would go to these lengths to protect it? As Taihō listened to his questions, she found herself doubting her theory. Maybe Raygin was, in actuality, just an idiot. Of course…that could have just been what he wanted her to think, but Taihō found it harder and harder to believe that was true.

"Look at Katrina for example. She seems to be under a lot of stress at having to become the new Head. Shade must have left a lot behind for her, so no doubt it's a lot of weight on her shoulders. Is it a lot of weight on yours?"

That was an interesting question, and not one that had ever been asked of Taihō before. In point of fact, it was terribly stressful for her, trying to lead the family. The innumerable day-to-day decisions, the rules, the expectations, the constant attention…it was quite a bit for her. Once, she had craved this life, but now she despised it. She was a creature of the night, who belonged in the shadows; being forced into the light of the day left her exposed, unsure how to act. She was a selfish person, and acting in the interest of a group wasn’t easy for her.

Then there was the vast criminal empire Azumi had built. It was easy, being the enforcer of that empire, but trying to run it was a completely different matter! Fortunately, Azumi had left a considerable number of advisors in her wake to help Taihō make the proper decisions, and most of the people involved in the actual operations of the organization knew their jobs well enough that Taihō had no need to get involved. So far, nothing had happened, yet Taihō felt certain there would come a time when she would have to step in, and she just knew it would end badly.

“No. To the contrary, I quite enjoy leading my family. It’s not a burden to me at all” Taihō responded in a flat, almost uninterested tone, as if the question had barely deserved an answer. Regardless of her personal feeling on the matter, she couldn’t reveal the stress she was under. Her enemies, and she never doubted for a second they were all around her, could see the stress as a weakness, and might try to exploit it. So, even if she felt like the stress would kill her, Taihō resolved to lie, and say she liked it. If no one knew how far out of her depth she was, no one could take advantage of it.

Before Taihō could ask more questions of her own, a quiet but very noticeable commotion began rippling through the crowd of party goers. Something was coming, not something dangerous, but something…unsettling. Extending her energy sensory, Taihō could feel something that was almost a Shinigami, but was also…something else. Whatever it was, it immediately sparked Taihō’s curiosity, and she found herself rising to see what the commotion was.

The woman walking through the crowd seemed to be a cross between a female Shinigami and an…otter? Or perhaps a weasel? Taihō would have to perform a detailed examination to be sure, but the woman undoubtedly had a form that suggested a member of the Mustildea family of mammals. She didn’t seem to be an animal soul, such as Captain Souretsu, but rather a blending of human and animal features. That could only mean one thing…she was a member of one of the Beast Clans. Which meant there was only one person she could be…Ajraka Kuchiki. Taihō had been told about her simply as a name not to bring up; she never expected that the adopted Beast girl, more a pet than anything else, to actually show up. This was…unusual.

Without saying another word to Raygin, Taihō departed, making her way through the crowd toward Ajraka. As Raygin was, himself, busy looking in the Beast girls direction, and Taihō was being careful not to make any noise as she moved, he probably wouldn’t even notice Taihō leaving until she was already gone.

Moving like the shadow of a ghost, Taihō steadily approached the adopted Kuchiki, stopping quite a ways away. Even to Ajraka’s improved senses, Taiho’s approach would sound softer than the whisper of a butterfly. She was in full-on ninja mode, and would be unnoticed by her target. Stopping a fair distance away, Taihō stopped a moment to pull a plain notebook and a pen from her robes, jotting down a few observations. Then, putting those away, she approached, coming to a stop just outside of arms reach from the young woman.

”We have not met. I am Taihō Kasumi’Oji, head of the Kasumi’Oji family. And, you are?” Taihō’s voice remained as unshakably cold as always, betraying nothing of her inner thoughts. Likewise, her eyes were devoid of emotion or feeling, and her face was concealed by the high collar of her trench coat; Ajraka would be going into this conversation blind, as it were, with no body language to tell her what Taihō was thinking or what her intentions would be. How would she react? That was up to her.

[Ajraka Kuchiki]

Ajraka was enjoying her shrimp for the time being, and really as she stood, calm, with her luxurious tail curled about her feet, she liekyl exuded an elegance that surpassed many present in the room, that massive muscular tail adding a level of balance control that any human would balk at, leaning in such a way that looked as though any normal person would be falling over, that tail perfectly counterbalancing her as she seemed to float on the air as she snacked on the shrimp, somewhat enjoying the attention, however slightly irritating it was. There was however a softness in one direction, and indeed, if Taiho had beelined straight for her, Ajraka would not have noticed them on their approach, though the soft sound of implement on paper curled one ear to rotate in the woman's direction.

Soon after, Ajraka's own brilliant Amber hues shifted to look in Taiho's direction as the woman jotted down notes, a smile splaying casually across her muzzle as she leaned over the table, once more precariously seeming to lean on some invisible surface as her tail kept her from falling, watching with a pleased smile as the first of the nobles approached. Although really, the beastclan did not need body language. It was such a ridiculous shinigami manner of thought to believe that body language was escapable. 

Even as the woman moved in, Ajraka was more than capable of taking little tidbits of information, the brief pause before fully approaching, the jotting down of notes. The woman's stance in either leaning toward her or away from her, although one very clear thing she noticed was the body walling, that rigid barrier as the woman showed the broadest face of their body, facing her very directly and speaking sternly to her. 

It all translated quite fluently to the adopted noble, and she was more than happy to lavish in the woman's attempt at a facade, even if perhaps she did not know that the woman was indeed trying to hide anything from her. And of course, she took a moment to swallow the food in her mouth, casually setting down the glass in order to draw herself to her own full height. She had grown just a tad since her last visit to soul society, indeed she seemed to be growing a lot these days, though she was still shorter than the woman before her, until she lightly shifted, her tail lifting her a bit from the floor so that she could peer down into the woman's jacket, before lowering herself back down, having gotten a glimpse of the woman underneath all of that coat. 


"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person Captin" She greeted Taiho, the faintest dip in pronunciation giving way to the fact that despite all of her tutilage, she still didn't quite conform 100% to noble speech. If anything it gave her a very casual accent of sorts. "I'm Ajraka Kuchiki, Adoptee to the Noble Clan of Kuchiki." She noted, her body briefly blurring as she snared another tray of Shrimp from behind the captain, her own speed outclassing even Taiho's as she moved and then rapidly returned to the same spot, her speed such that even the Captain would have had an incredible time understanding what had happened. In those few brief instants she had all but dove for the shrimp.

Hey, she was still an otter, and with that rapid motion, almost NONE of the guests would have been privy to her micro-slip in composure. To them, she had simply conjured herself some more food. And well... it didn't hurt to show off just a little bit. She was a Kuchiki after all, and the conception that she was some sort of pet was no doubt common, a misconception that she had long ago wanted to quell. She was perhaps not so completely mature, but she had as of late taken on immense responsibilities as a Captain, even if not the type of captain that shinigami focused on, and well, if she could get these nobles to think twice about her, she would feel accomplished. 

" As I said, it is a pleasure. I admit it is a bit of a sh- dissapointment." Almost said shit there. " We haven't been able to meet sooner. However I've had some rather important matters to attend to. Te be honest it's kinda nice to relax a little." With a shift of her tail that she typically did when she was being sarcastic, of course nothing happened as to her voice or her face. she had found out long ago that her tells as to when she was being sincere were so different that it was easy to lie or be sarcastic around nobles. Fun indeed. 

"I gotta say, I'm rather impressed. I would have assumed that the first to greet me tonight would be informing me that I was not to eat at the table." A bit more itentionally obvious as per her dry sarcasm. She raised a glass to the woman, as if making a toast. "To surprises." She added before downing the drink. So it showed just a tiny bit that she knew exactly what they thought of her, and resented it. But she still retained her posture, and that pleasant tone. A win in her mind as she stared calmly at the Captain who, as far as she knew, was thinking about dragging her off to be spayed, and deep, deep down in those calm, lovely eyes of hers, Taiho, and only Taiho, would almost see something, a fearlessness that the adopted noble exuded, as if somewhere in those amber depths, something was just waiting for an excuse to defend themselves. And even deeper than that was someone who was only just noticing that she had to pee. Well she could hold that off for a while.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was lost in the happiness of the moment she was in right then. The kiss on her cheek from her husband was the answer she hoped for and all during this slow song, she had her arms around Asmoskon's neck, pulling herself close to him and laying her head on his chest. She kept her eyes closed and just breathed the scent of him. It was something that she never wanted to forget. It was then that the song ended and she kept swaying, even though Asmoskon stopped. Once she felt the side to side movement from him stop, it took her a few seconds to stop herself.

She took a deep breath and looked up at her husband, who was just smiling at her now. Hotaru felt a blush cover her cheeks from still dancing after everyone stopped. It was then that she noticed the newcomer that had walked into the party. She was beautiful and immediately reminded her of Caedir, since she was a beast clan member. She had never met an otter before, but the woman carried herself well, like she had been to noble parties before. Was she noble? It was true that Hotaru didn't know the nobles as well as she should, but she figured she would've known a beast clan noble.

She looked up towards Asmoskon. "Well my lovely, she is a beast clan member. I guess you can say that you've finally seen one. The one I met was a male cheetah, so I haven't seen her around before. If I remember correctly from what I've heard around Kuchiki manor, there was an adopted Kuchiki that was a female beast clan. She must be the Kuchiki that they talked about. I believe that her name is Ajraka." She grabs her husband's right hand and interlaces the fingers, squeezing it lightly.

She smiles and lightly tugs him, meaning to go towards the beast clan member. Just then, however, Taiho left the table she was at and started walking over towards the beast clan. Hotaru didn't want to interrupt whatever the captain might say to the beast clan, so she decided against it. She instead walked towards Raygin. Once they arrived, she sat down across from him and smiled. She hoped that he wasn't going to make them leave. "Hello again, Raygin-san. This noble party is a lot duller than I thought it would be. But, I have one question for you. Why did you put pudding in all the Kuchikis' socks? I was never told the reason behind it, only that you did it. I'm really curious."

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

{OOC: Hey sorry to do this but not really a lot I can work with for this post so as far as Asmoskon goes in the thread right now. He follows Hotaru and is now sitting next to her across from Ray.}

[Taihō Kasumi’Oji]

"I'm Ajraka Kuchiki, Adoptee to the Noble Clan of Kuchiki."

Just as Taihō thought, the young woman was Kyomei Kuchiki’s new pet. Taihō briefly wondered if Kyomei had some ulterior motive for adopting the Beast-Girl. Did he mean to train her as a living weapon for the Kuchiki? Was it a PR stunt? Or perhaps he was interested in having her as a sex slave? These questions and others like them rattled around in Taihō’s mind, but the idea that Kyomei had done it out of the kindness of his heart was shot down almost immediately. These were Nobles, after all. They always had an ulterior motive.

Taihō reflexively took a half step back as Ajraka attempted to peer down her coat. In truth, the high collar of her trench coat would have prevented her from seeing any of Taihō’s body, but it was a defense mechanism, brought on by her fragile mind. Taihō couldn’t let her see inside the coat. It would be like letting the Beast-Girl open up Taihō’s skull and poke around in her brain. Besides the psychological reasons however, there was also another, much more practical reason for Taihō not wanting Ajraka to see under her coat. Since she had no intention of removing her coat at all during the festivities, Taihō had put all of her effort into making the coat look spectacular, then quite literally quit there. All she had on underneath was a black lace bra and matching panties, since the coat was more than warm enough and covered far more of her body than was required by polite society. It wouldn’t do for Ajraka to see that and possibly get the wrong idea, so Taihō took a small step back to keep her from seeing.

After that, Taihō noticed Ajraka suddenly dash around her, snatching another tray of food, before returning to stand almost exactly where she had stood moments before. Her posture and tone as she continued speaking indicated that she had assumed Taihō wouldn’t notice, so Taihō remained passive as this occurred, letting Ajraka think she had successfully pulled a fast one on the Captain. In point of fact, Ajraka’s speed wasn’t anything out of the ordinary as far as Captains were concerned; even Taihō, who was noted to be one of the least physically capable of the Captains of the Gotei Thirteen, could move that fast. In addition, Taihō’s senses, honed over the course of multiple centuries, were greater than even the Beast-Girls, so it actually wasn’t difficult for her to keep track of the noble pet.

Poor impulse control… Taihō made a mental note of this, for use in future research. She had experimented on Hollows, Arrancar, Bount, Quincies and Mod Souls, but their sheer rarity had thus far prevented her from running any tests on a Beast-Clansmen, and Taihō was already designing experiments to run on the girl. Taihō felt certain she could pry her away from Kyomei, given the proper leverage.

As Ajraka began to speak about how surprised she was Taihō hadn’t told her not to eat at the table, Taihō began to notice something about the girl. There was a certain look in her eye, the look of a fierce beast that refused to be tamed. There was fearlessness in that look, a sense of feral pride, that almost seemed to be daring Taihō, and the world at large, to just try and put Ajraka in her place. It was to much to resist. Not only had Taihō been presented with a new, untested subject for experimentation, but said subject was practically feeding herself to the all-consuming void that was Taihō’s curiosity. Just like her sister, Azumi, Taihō had a thirst for knowledge that could never be quenched. And now, with the opportunity to learn more about this Beast Girl presenting itself to Taihō, she refused to let it pass her by.

”You should know, showing off like that is typically considered to be rude” Taihō noted, in what could almost be mistaken for a helpful tone. Almost, but not quite. It was still too cold, to analytical for that, but she did seem to be offering honest advice. Ajraka was relatively new to this whole Noble thing; it was perfectly conceivable that Taihō wanted to help the young Beast-Girl acclimatize to her new surroundings. But what she said next, however, would dissolve that notion in an instant.

”Of course, you couldn’t be expected to know that. It must have been hard enough for Kyomei-san to house-break you. He can’t have had time to train you on how to behave like a an actual person, yet. After all, he’s only a Kuchiki.” As she spoke, Taihō’s voice dropped subtly, so only Ajraka would be able to hear. She was intentionally trying to provoke the young Beast-Girl, to see what kind of reaction she would get out of her. Partly, it was out of a sadistic urge to hurt the girl, to see where her breaking point was and what it would take to push her past it. But mostly, Taihō was curious. Like Raygin before her, Ajraka had become a test subject in one of Taihō’s needlessly cruel experiments. Would Ajraka react violently to what Taihō had said, or would she remain calm, and react with poise? That was up to Ajraka; Taihō was unconcerned either way, as long as the question was answered.

[Deleted]

It had taken the former Shinigami a few moments before he noticed the sudden dissapearance of his table mate. Blinking in surprise when he finally realized she vanished, he scanned the room looking for her only to finally lock his eyes on Taiho engaging the furry woman in conversation. She seemed rather friendly. Cold and a lot like Hokori, but seemed rather interested in having friends. Something Raygin knew very well, though such a thing couldn't be said about him now. But, now that she was gone that gave Raygin an opportunity. One that he was surprised he hadn't realized before. He was alone. Nobody was talking to him now, nobody was here with him. It meant he could leave. It meant that Raygin could go back home and go to bed, or read his comics once more. There wasn't anything stopping-"Hello again, Raygin-san."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGHAAARAAAAAAAGH-"

"Oh, hello again Hotaru-san." Raygin commented, doing well to hide the screaming that was currently going on in his head. Her name was Hotaru right? Why wasn't she in the garden? Why was she-oh wait her husband was here now as well. Why were they BOTH here? Raygin just wanted to go home for petes sake. But he couldn't just show that or just ignore them. That wasn't his nature. He was still friendly even in his current condition. Raygin just sat there with a smile, listening to her talk. He only needed to get through this conversation and he could go home. Wait, what was it she wanted to know?

Raygins smile vanished, replaced with a rather surprised look. That was a question he was not entirely expecting. He blinked, scratching the back of his head as he began to recall the incident in question. "So you wanna know about the socks, huh? Well, okay. So me and Hokori were having this fight you see. During the fight, Hokori did something really really stupid, right...well I sorta cut him in half....no joke. After he got out of healing I felt really bad, so I wanted to play a prank on him in order to cheer him up. So I snuck into the Kuchiki Manor and planned on filling his socks with pudding, thinking he would wake up and laugh his butt off. Well....the problem was I didn't....know where his room was..." Raygin began chuckling with an embarrassed little giggle, scratching the back of his head as he did so.

"So instead of just giving up and going home...I decided the best course of action was to sneak into everyones room and......fill their socks with the pudding. At least one of those rooms had to have been Hokoris! Right? Looking back on it now...I'm not entirely sure why I thought it was going to be a good idea. Nor do I even know where I got the fifty pounds of pudding. You know...it reminds me of the time I had that pet dinosaur...and the time I scared Ms. Miseryfiston out of the Rukongai...but those are different stories." Raygin concluded chuckling as he opened his eyes to look at the two. He was actually beginning to enjoy himself, even though he was the one talking really. But still, talking about the better times was nice.

"But you two, Raygin has some questions of his own that he wants to ask. Hotaru-san, how long have you been with the Kuchiki family anyways? I don't seem to remember seeing you the last time we visited the manor...though I was sorta preoccupied with the guards who were watching me. Though...we may actually have met before and I really just don't remember. I actually forgot who Taiho was a minute ago...she had to reintroduce herself...awkward. Also, this is your husband right? Onkamso, right? My name's Raygin, it's nice to meet ya! What happened to you-actually I'm not going to ask that question forget I said anything. How long have you guys been married?" Hotaru, and Asmokon, would soon learn a few things about the man who sat in front of them. Firstly, any rumors Hotaru heard about Raygins nonstop talking were no doubt being proven true right now. Secondly...what was a second thing about Raygin again?

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru smiled at Raygin while he was scratching the back of his head, no doubt trying to remember all the details of what she had asked him about. While he was doing that, she scooted closer to her husband, putting her hand lightly on his leg and giving her full attention towards Ray. She listened intently as he spoke. It seemed like he was fighting Hokori and he cut him in half. When she heard that, her eyes got a little wide. She never would've thought that Ray could do that to Hokori, but anything was possible.

He continued, saying that he felt bad for what he did, so he wanted to cheer him up with a prank. She had met Hokori only a handful of times and to her, he didn't seem the type of person to enjoy pranks. He seemed way too serious for that. The prank he wanted to pull was to put pudding in his socks. Hotaru smiled at that image that popped into her head. Serious Hokori putting on socks filled with pudding. It would definitely be a sight to behold and she would be sure that no one would let him live that down in the manor.

When he said that he didn't know where Hokori's room was, Hotaru was trying to stifle back a laugh. She had an idea of where this was going. He didn't give up, but just decided to sneak into everyone's room and fill everyone's socks with pudding. One of the rooms would have to be Hokori's which he was correct about. It was then he mentioned looking back on it now, he had no idea where he got fifty pounds of pudding. FIFTY POUNDS OF PUDDING?! Jeez, she would have no idea where he got that much either. She laughed though. Not out loud, thankfully, but loud enough that her husband and Ray would hear her.

He then mentioned he had a pet dinosaur and scaring some woman out of the Rukongai. The dinosaur thing made her stop laughing for a moment. A dinosaur? HOW COULD YOU HAVE A DINOSAUR FOR A PET?! The thought just boggled her mind. It didn't seem possible, but it has been made obvious to her, through what she had to go through with her husband and just her new life in Soul Society in general, that anything was possible in this world. "A dinosaur for a pet?! It sounds like that would be amazing."

It was then that Ray turned the tables on her and started to ask questions about her and her marriage to her husband. She hoped that the questions weren't too bad, and she was happy to see that they weren't. She went through every question in order, though when Ray asked what happened to him, even she didn't know about that yet. She looked to Asmoskon, wondering if he would actually mention it and say what actually happened to him. She had assumed what happened, but she really wanted to know the truth from his mouth as to what happened.

She took a deep breath and decided how she was going to answer the first one. She wasn't going to tell Ray the specifics about how she was now biologically a Kuchiki, even Asmoskon didn't know that. She would just use the standby. "Well, Raygin-san, I have only been a Kuchiki for about a year. Even when I became a Kuchiki, I stayed in the barracks for my division until about six months ago, when I moved into the manor. It was then that it really hit me that I belonged to the Kuchiki Noble Family. I still can't believe I'm in that manor and a part of a noble family.

Since I haven't been living in the manor long, I'm pretty sure that you haven't seen me there yet, since I haven't seen other Noble Families around the manor." When he asked if this was her husband and butchered his name, she just smiled towards him. "Yes, this is my husband, though his name is Asmoskon, Raygin-san. He introduced himself outside when we arrived. We have been married for only a month and a half, but I must say that it's been the happiest month and a half of my life." She looked up at Asmoskon then, smiling and squeezing the hand on his leg.

She then thought back on the questions that Ray had been asking the couple. How could he mispronounce her husband's name and not know that he was her husband? He was the only non-shinigami person here. When he also admitted that Taiho had to reintroduce herself, it was making one thing pretty apparent to her at least. The man didn't have a good memory. She was curious if he was always like this or if it just happened. She honestly had never really forgotten something in such a short period of time. "Raygin-san, if you don't mind me asking, have you always been this forgetful?"

[Ajraka Kuchiki]

Ajraka remained curious as the woman seemed still, that unmoving posture, and yet still so much conveyed. That silent observation,even during her rapid movement as the shinigami watched. Her speed far outmatched most shinigami, and was almost to the peak of what even captains were capable of. And still the woman seemed unscathed. But of course, she hardly expected much more. The woman did not exactly expell an air of superiority. She could have torn the woman's jacket off and put it about her shoulders and that nobl would have likely just stood there.

Judging her, win that way that Nobles so often did. It was odd. But there was one thing that she had never learned. One thing that nobles did, that of all the things she had come to be taught and lectured about, one thing that they all held in common that never stuck. was care. She smiled, her head canting to the side as she munched on some particularly tasteless shrimp. Nobles and their weirdness. They had no idea that raw shrimp had such a better taste, fresh from the water, that could be clear and pristine, giving t a much fresher taste, or from salty water, giving it a bit of an oomf. This iced shrimp was....ok...but it just wasn't the same. Even so she munched it down.

There was however, something very very interesting. Incredibly so. The fact that with the woman before her was speaking as such, even if it was about things she didn't care about. Rude was something she could stand. Hell some would say that standing stock still infront of someone insulting their family was rude, it didn't mean that The Taihou wasn't standing infront of her doing it. That she would mention Ajraka's slight slip, and conduct a faux pas such that she would not only insult Ajraka's family, but do so at a volume that only her, or guests equidistant to the woman as Ajraka was, could hear. Which thre were one or two. No doubt, but they said nothing. She could only guess out of fear. 

But Ajraka didn't calm down. she didn't get excited. she didn't twitch. She didn't frown. She didn't do anything in response that would indicate she had even heard, or cared about that insult. she kept smiling and eating her shrimp, actually she remained silent, watching the woman as they stared down at her, waiting until only after her shrimp was finished, setting the bowl down delicately for a moment. She thought about it. The woman was awfully afraid of her. Stepping back. And even so much as to suppress a natural instinct? It was natural for one to lean in when muttering.  If only to make sure only they were heard, but also to make the point drive home. Any animel advanced when growling when they felt comfortable, when they felt superior. An Animal that remained still whie growling threatening was one thing: Afraid

And that smile just widened. This woman was afraid of her. In some small way, maybe a way that they didn't even realize perhaps, but the fact was that they were. And since they had opted not to close in. Ajraka did that for them. Only she didn't adjust the tone of her voice, or the volume, so in a room full od shiinigami who were used to paying attention to their surroundings, everyone would hear it. "Rude? Huh.... well I guess I am a little rude. But from what I've seen that's pretty normal for us nobles isn't it? I mean, here you are standing infront of me, saying some kinda insult about the Kuchiki family under their breath is kinda rude too. But well, there is something different about how you are rude and how I am rude." She admitted, her eyes not moving away from te captains.

No, she was locking eyes with the captain. Her instincts picking up on more and more. The wya they had retreated when she had lifted herself up. The way they stared straight ahead not meeting gaze. The way they remained hidden in that big coat. Things like tone and words, that Nobles took as contradiction to these signs meant nothing to Ajraka. Words and such? Those meant nothing to her, they were simply things that annoyed her with having to learn it. What she understood, and what she could ascertain, all of it told her that this woman was afraid, and defensive about it, one of the deeper kinds of fear. 

"Because well, I'm rude being just the way I am. Incase you didn't notice the fur. But in a way that's non.......non...my apologies, I'm having trouble thinking of a word that's like....non-coward,-y." she murmured, rubbing at the back of her head before smiling and shrugging. "But that's ok. I know I'm supposed to be offended, like many of the Kuchiki here probably would be. About you talking about my Family like that. But well, hearing it from someone hiding in a coat, backing down when I get up to my full height, murmering like a kit who is afraid it'll attract predators, from a family I never heard of till I came to the sereitei. I dunno." She noted, passively, taking a cracker and chewing it, finding it nice and crunchy. Ooh, speaking of crunchy.

She took a plate, putting some nuts from a tray onto it and munching some down, managing to be incredibly elegant, the grace that being aquatic gave her, that no stiff-backed shinigami could hope to pull off, was in full effect as she smiled and offered the woman one of the nuts. "Ooh, these are nice. Peanut?" she offered, holdign it up to the noble and smiling. She ahd said her piece, in retaliation, and unlike a shinigami, she wasnt'  planning on getting even or butting heads, in fact, she wondered if she could make this woman relax a little with her casual demeanor. She could always hope. Sure the woman would probably see her offer as mocking, as opposed to the simple, calm, and genuine offer that it was. She probably thought Ajraka had some grudge. Well, she could expect as much short-sightedness. But it was totally worth that jello she planned on tackling next. 

In addition to well, not taking much from Taihoe's insult, she also was not looking at her anymore, almost seeming to lose interest as her eyes set instead on the guest of honor, only a solitary ear rotated in the captain's direction. Every Kuchiki knew HIS face.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon sat next to his wife as the Shinigami across the table spoke with her about details regarding the past. Asmoskon knew that he had to be on his best behavior due to actually being connected to Soul Society now and one of the noble families, but that didn't mean he had to actually listen to the word spoken from every nobles mouth. The both of them were speaking about some childish prank that was played on Hotaru's family at some point in the past. Honestly the only thing that attracted Asmoskon's attention was that this Shinigami stated he had cut another in half.

Asmoskon's left eye as the both of them spoke was searching around the manor for any sign of Takashi. H remembered him being in the same noble family as Hotaru and was actually puzzled by the fact that he hadn't seen him here. At the same time though Asmoskon hadn't seen Sozen at the party. It wasn't that strange to him though he could recall his grandfather skipping out on attending the noble parties that his father would hold back when he was a toddler. Asmoskon made a mental note to himself though to speak with Sozen about Takashi seeing as he hadn't actually seen his old acquaintance since he and Hotaru got back together.

Asmoskon's eye refocused on the Shinigami Ray when he spoke in the third person about himself which Asmoskon normally only believed those who had lost sanity would do or those who just were douche bags. Ray had asked Hotaru how long she had been a member of the Kuchiki family and when she responded Asmoskon actually remembered that he had known her prior to her being accepted into this family of nobles. He could even recall her maiden name although the fact that she wasn't allow to take hi own still was rather irritating.

That was when the right hand of the Quincy closed into a fist and an incredible surge of irritation swept up his judgment. He was about to stand up and scream at the Shinigami for completely butchering his name when Hotaru began to speak. Thankfully she corrected him and Asmoskon let out his irritation knowing it was best not to start something bad right now. Asmoskon was still in a rather ticked off mood by the fact that the Shinigami had the manners of a child. It then clicked into his head that the man had actually brought up his eye patch yet that was also due to the fact that Hotaru was speaking and had just squeezed his leg.

Asmoskon thought it over for a few moments while Hotaru continued to speak and came to the conclusion that it was as good a time as any to actually tell someone what had caused the lose of his right eye. He hadn't even realized that Hotaru hadn't been told yet. Honestly the only person that he believed knew of it was Kazura. So when Hotaru finished speaking Asmoskon leaned on the table his arms up elbows just below the table. His hands just above his lips fingers intertwined and his left eye cast don at his hands as if he himself was trying to remember what had actually occurred that day.

"You speak of my eye Ray? Well since those morons from earlier believe all Quincy to be one and the same I might as well make it clear that such a statement is incorrect. I lost my right eye when I was on an assignment in the world of the living. It turned out to be a trap set for me by the Vandenreich. The Empire of Quincy that attacked Soul Society. I was ambushed by over a dozen and although I prevailed victories it wasn't without sacrifice."

Asmoskon's left eye narrowed when Hotaru asked her question towards Ray. "Firefly I don't believe asking bringing up the stories of everyone's horrible experiences in combat is a great way to spend a party." Asmoskon motioned himself back up sitting upwards in the chair while looking across the table at Ray. "Or would you like to elaborate exactly who or what might have caused such a tendency upon one capable of defeating Hokori?" Asmoskon hadn't met Hokori yet in truth yet he knew of his captaincy simply due to the fact that the Kuchiki never shut up about the strength they held.

[Taihō Kasumi’Oji]

"Rude? Huh.... well I guess I am a little rude. But from what I've seen that's pretty normal for us nobles isn't it?”

Taihō felt a shadow of a wry smile cross her lips, hidden from view by the high collar of her trench coat. Clearly, Ajraka was at least aware of what being a Noble really meant, even if she hadn’t yet fully experienced it. With the nobility, everything was indirect, subversive. Everything was a statement, a coded message. This party by the Shihoin, for instance, was anything but a party. It was a warning, directed at the other Noble Families, not to forget the small but growing house. Anyone who thought otherwise was a fool.

Taihō despised the indirect ways of the Nobility, but by necessity she had learned how to maneuver through it. She had learned how to send these messages, by speaking to one person and snubbing another, by attending some parties, and missing others. Everything a Noble did was a message. It was a wearisome world to live in, but as the Head of her Family, Taihō had been forced to enter it, to learn the ways of the Nobility. Some would even say she had become quite good at it. As such, she found it quietly amusing to see this Beast-Girl claim some understanding of what she was getting into.

“But well, hearing it from someone hiding in a coat, backing down when I get up to my full height, murmuring like a kit who is afraid it'll attract predators, from a family I never heard of till I came to the Sereitei. I dunno."

Something stirred in Taihō, not anger, or even annoyance, but it was close to both of those. A small frown crossed her face, masked by the collar of her coat. In the end…she is still only a beast. She can speak, and walk on two legs, and wear expensive cloths and act like a person, but she is only an animal. All she knows is a world of predator and prey… Taihō had expected this, and yet somehow it still left her feeling disappointed, even cheated. She had thought to experiment on the girl, to pull her mind and soul apart to see what made her tick, but she now realized there was no point. The Beast-Girl had already revealed herself. She was nothing more than what she appeared to be; an animal, pretending to be a human. It was…almost sad. Taihō had been looking forward to making the girl scream, but now realized it would only be as satisfying as kicking a puppy. Even someone as sadistic as Taihō could find little joy in that.

”True. My family is not as mighty as yours.” Taihō replied, completely ignoring the rest of what Ajraka had said. It was a well understood fact that the Kuchiki Family was by and large the most powerful in Seireitei, and to refute it would be a waste of time. Instead, Taihō chose the path of least resistance, accepting what Ajraka had said as a statement of fact, before continuing, ”However, I think you of all people would know, it’s not the predator you see coming you should fear. It’s the one the you never suspect that you should truly be afraid of.”

That was, most likely, the most truthful thing Taihō would say at the entire party. She had deliberately used the predator analogy to put into simple terms, ones which even Ajraka could quickly grasp the meaning of. Everyone knew how powerful the Kuchiki family was. It was simply taken for granted that non could stand before them. However, no one knew of the secrets the Kasumi’Oji clan. None knew their power. And Taihō meant to keep it that way, until the time was right for her clan to retake what was rightfully theirs.

"Ooh, these are nice. Peanut?"

Taihō blinked once, then again, at the abrupt question. For her, it was a veritable storm of emotion, but she took it stride, politely refusing. Instead, she took it as an opportunity to disengage from the Kuchiki, who herself had already seemed to have lost interest in the conversation. Upon realizing that there was nothing meaningful to learn from testing the girl, Taihō had lost all interest in her, and felt it was appropriate to move on. She excused herself, and turned away, melding into the crowd so thoroughly that, from Ajraka’s perspective, it would appear as if the Kasumi’Oji Head had simply vanished.

Taihō began to consider leaving, until she caught sight of Hotaru and her husband, speaking with Raygin. She decided to at least spend a moment to catch up with Hotaru, and for once she had no ulterior motives in this. Unlike Raygin and Ajraka, whom Taihō had spoken to as an excuse to subtly test them, Taihō wanted to speak with Hotaru just to speak with her. She approached like a ghost, and even watchful Asmoskon would be surprised to see Taihō seemingly materialize out of thin air near their table.

”Hello, Hotaru-san. Asmoskon-san.” She began in a cold, yet polite tone. Without waiting for an invitation, she sat at the table, equidistant from both Raygin and the couple, so that she could observe both parties. ”We did not have a chance to speak earlier, Hotaru-san. I hope you have been well since last we met, and that your marriage has been a happy one thus-far.”

Though Hotaru might not have realized it, Asmoskon was sure to notice how Taihō quietly kept an eye on him, not watching him or staring openly, but casting him occasional glances, just to confirm he wasn’t doing anything unusual. Like many Shinigami, Taihō felt a deep resentment toward Quincies in general, after the devastation visited upon the Seireitei by the Vandenreich. She was willing to give Asmoskon the benefit of the doubt, but that didn’t mean she automatically trusted him, and as a Captain of the Gotei Thirteen, she felt it prudent to remain cautious around him. For the moment, she kept her power hidden, as she had been throughout the event, and made no threatening or hostile moves toward him. But she was ready, in case something did happen.