Post by MrDoctorDo on Jul 26, 2015 9:15:47 GMT -5
(OoC: I told you I was going to do it, Ray.)
The future. Now there was a pleasant topic. It was always bright. Free. Nothing like the frozen certitude of the past. Completely open to speculation. Interpretation. Unfamiliar to all who look towards it. Different for each who examines it. To everyone it is opportunity. For those with enough sense...a death sentence. After all, look far enough ahead and the future runs out for everyone. A truth that can be quite difficult to swallow. One that is pondered over by all the greatest thinkers. Each as desperate as the last to find a different result. No matter their delegation or perspective...a constant. A downward spiral. The only ones able to escape the gravity of it?
Blissful fools. Those who keep themselves ignorant of it with either distraction or delusion. Such a terrible thing. So why look at it at all? Why ever consider it? Should it not be for the best that each and every one live within the present? This is an option, of course. Certainly a noble one to take. Yet unsatisfactory. Unpleasant in how limiting it forces the scope of life to become. Or so Mika would profess, if asked. For someone like him; the dangers that come with looking towards the future must be braved. Only looking ahead can we hope to find the answers to those questions which rob us of sleep and happiness. After all, answers take time.
If we want them, we have to plan now for their discovery tomorrow. Making the progress towards them out of steps...rather than an unbroken bridge. Moving towards the solutions we seek with unshaken determination. No matter the cost. No matter the setbacks. Ever looking for a way to move from one idea to the next. One stepping stone...to the next. That was the path of his life, as it were. The young man’s philosophies turned reality by choices. Choices that lead him from his home in the Rukongai. Decisions that concluded his training in the Seireitei. Solutions...reached step by step...that left him standing in the world of the living.
A world thriving with change and opportunities, but only down the line. Past stepping stones like Uzaki Enterprises...and Xcution. Each of them wonderful in their own way. Sturdy. Each of them platforms for advancement. For them, and for him. Sometimes even for the world, but always for the future. One that Mika really did hope would be brighter. Filled with more life to live, and to study. Until then, there was work to be done. In this particular case; the job was a lovely opportunity to boost some favor with the likes of Xcution. A rare event, indeed. Certainly too choice to pass up.
Mika had been in the human world for months now. By this time, he had already ingrained himself into the new society he adopted. It was fun to find that many things were similar. The differences between them being only minor, and inconsequential. Like the need for those with means to prove that they...well...have means. Parties. Extravagant and inclusive. Celebrations designed to boost esteem or ego. They happened just as often in the Soul Society, and for equally meaningless reasons. So when it was relayed to the young man that he would be attending such an affair, he began brushing up on his depressants.
If an evening was to be wasted in the company of neanderthals, then he would have to cultivate a stable way to diminish his own faculties. It would take the right blend to make sure that his neurons fired too slowly for his immense ocean of condescending remarks to not spew forth from his mouth like a tsunami of degradation. Initially awe inspiring, but devastating for years to come. Certainly he couldn’t afford such a thing happening this evening. There was a-little-too-much riding on the success of the “mission”. It was going to be delicate work...with a social variable. The very thought of which sent a shudder up his...well, there was a shudder, and that is what is important. The first of many to come, that much was sure...
So for the time being he turned his mind to the future. Examining the evening from the safe distance that was the past. Things should be rather straight forward. The target was a man from the military branch...or so the communique had stated. If such was the case then the man was one of habit. Always prepared for anything, but always prepared in the exact same fashion. Lacking in imagination. Of course, it was that very lacking factor that probably lead him to leave the way he did.
Just walking out, hoping that words on paper would protect him? Or worse...digital files. Files that could be corrupted, erased, or even rewritten. To think he threw away the rest of his life to retire early. ”He really should have been more patient...” Turning back to his assembled flasks, and the stovetop flame that heated them. Tending to the process that still needed a few more hours to go. Slightly mesmerized by the swirling fumes. Lost far enough in his thoughts that he found something he already allowed himself to forget hours ago…”I need a tux!”
A quarter till nine, and here he was. The former home of what he suspected was a poorly decorated Xcution Military Officer. The house itself was nice. With the use of traditional techniques and style, it bore just enough similarity to remind Mika of his childhood home. Yet, clearly the product of living designers. Once again, the little differences. Then a sudden breeze brought the potent smell of an industrial harbor to his nose. Now this was a delight. Not the smell itself, it was more foul than the Squad 5 barracks*. However, the foreign aroma was something his mind could tinker with.
It was something of a game to identify what forms of industrial run-off, rotting marine life, and city refuse had result in such a stench. While the crowd of guests swiftly pushed forward into the foryer; Mika stood in place. Sniffing at the foul breeze and contemplating how well tuned his nasal receptors must be to pick out each flavor of the odour. Considering how brightly his hypothalamus must be at that moment. Considering the memories he had of first arriving in the human world, near Tokyo. His first real experience with the human world’s pestilent affliction.
The disease that was underdeveloped industry. Of the ways he considered using the hostile environment to modify his research. Of the successes that wrapped in that smell. It gave him assurance that this evening would go well. In some small way. Another stone soon behind him. Well...not until he went through the door. At this point he snapped free from his daydream, and saw that there was no one lingering about him. That he had been left in the late, winter cold. Picking up his feet, he jaunted forward into the warmth of the inviting shelter. Only to find that the noise of the crowd had grown more dense. Like a gas compressed into a fraction of the former space.
Inside, Mika found the abode to be acceptable. It was warm. The stench of the near by bay was gone. The gathered attendants had begun to separate and find familiar faces to address. Mika supposed that the same would be expected of him? ”Well sh…”, that wasn’t going to work. He had failed to acquire information on who else would be...working tonight. Understanding the disadvantage this put him in, he simply stayed put near the entrance. It was the easiest way to run into the others. Or so he suspected. With each passing minute he spent lingering with the new arrivals, the less certain he began to feel about the strategy. Until...
There came a voice. One that was sweetly soft...and tingling with a practiced tempo. The way each word was enunciated flawlessly, despite the encounter being an informal one. It sound as though this individual was addressing superiors, or royalty. Even when it was just some schmuck in a nice, black suit. Some glassy-eyed plebeian. Someone here to actually enjoy the party. Silently Mika watched as this woman to his right, addressed a stranger. She gave a polite apology. The same one Mika remembered hearing everyday he attended Zanpakuto training. That same practiced courtesy, comprised of a half truth.
While she continued, her words fading from his focus; he took a moment to examine her. She had certainly put effort into her appearances for the evening. Mika didn’t notice any of said effort, but it was there nonetheless. Moments pass, and she attempts to proceed into the party. Extending an arm as slender as one of his own towards the stranger, and with it, extending a gentle request. From there it was quite awkward to watch the unknown individual address a few other people coming through. With them this well dressed fellow left. Stepping out of the way so the young woman’s arm would be outstretched to the empty air they separated her from Mika.
Looking at her with a face of passive bemusement, Mika glanced from her offered limb to his own. Or...lack thereof. The folded sleeve folded for convenience over the nub that represented his missing right arm, not much for her to grab hold of. Fortunately, he would not ask her to do so. ”Sure.” Accepting her offer was the disarming visage that was, “classy time Mika”. Strapped to his thin body was a tux, of sorts. Perhaps at one time it had been a tux of style. A classy outfit, acceptable at a cadre of affairs. However, that time had passed. Come again, and then passed for good. What he wore was a orange tuxedo. Words fail. It was simply something that had to be seen**. ”We would do well to make a sweep of the horderves before they reach room temperature...or handled by one too many of these soap skipping elites.” With a nod of his head directing her to the far, food table; Mika exposed his teeth with a cheery grin.
The future. Now there was a pleasant topic. It was always bright. Free. Nothing like the frozen certitude of the past. Completely open to speculation. Interpretation. Unfamiliar to all who look towards it. Different for each who examines it. To everyone it is opportunity. For those with enough sense...a death sentence. After all, look far enough ahead and the future runs out for everyone. A truth that can be quite difficult to swallow. One that is pondered over by all the greatest thinkers. Each as desperate as the last to find a different result. No matter their delegation or perspective...a constant. A downward spiral. The only ones able to escape the gravity of it?
Blissful fools. Those who keep themselves ignorant of it with either distraction or delusion. Such a terrible thing. So why look at it at all? Why ever consider it? Should it not be for the best that each and every one live within the present? This is an option, of course. Certainly a noble one to take. Yet unsatisfactory. Unpleasant in how limiting it forces the scope of life to become. Or so Mika would profess, if asked. For someone like him; the dangers that come with looking towards the future must be braved. Only looking ahead can we hope to find the answers to those questions which rob us of sleep and happiness. After all, answers take time.
If we want them, we have to plan now for their discovery tomorrow. Making the progress towards them out of steps...rather than an unbroken bridge. Moving towards the solutions we seek with unshaken determination. No matter the cost. No matter the setbacks. Ever looking for a way to move from one idea to the next. One stepping stone...to the next. That was the path of his life, as it were. The young man’s philosophies turned reality by choices. Choices that lead him from his home in the Rukongai. Decisions that concluded his training in the Seireitei. Solutions...reached step by step...that left him standing in the world of the living.
A world thriving with change and opportunities, but only down the line. Past stepping stones like Uzaki Enterprises...and Xcution. Each of them wonderful in their own way. Sturdy. Each of them platforms for advancement. For them, and for him. Sometimes even for the world, but always for the future. One that Mika really did hope would be brighter. Filled with more life to live, and to study. Until then, there was work to be done. In this particular case; the job was a lovely opportunity to boost some favor with the likes of Xcution. A rare event, indeed. Certainly too choice to pass up.
Mika had been in the human world for months now. By this time, he had already ingrained himself into the new society he adopted. It was fun to find that many things were similar. The differences between them being only minor, and inconsequential. Like the need for those with means to prove that they...well...have means. Parties. Extravagant and inclusive. Celebrations designed to boost esteem or ego. They happened just as often in the Soul Society, and for equally meaningless reasons. So when it was relayed to the young man that he would be attending such an affair, he began brushing up on his depressants.
If an evening was to be wasted in the company of neanderthals, then he would have to cultivate a stable way to diminish his own faculties. It would take the right blend to make sure that his neurons fired too slowly for his immense ocean of condescending remarks to not spew forth from his mouth like a tsunami of degradation. Initially awe inspiring, but devastating for years to come. Certainly he couldn’t afford such a thing happening this evening. There was a-little-too-much riding on the success of the “mission”. It was going to be delicate work...with a social variable. The very thought of which sent a shudder up his...well, there was a shudder, and that is what is important. The first of many to come, that much was sure...
So for the time being he turned his mind to the future. Examining the evening from the safe distance that was the past. Things should be rather straight forward. The target was a man from the military branch...or so the communique had stated. If such was the case then the man was one of habit. Always prepared for anything, but always prepared in the exact same fashion. Lacking in imagination. Of course, it was that very lacking factor that probably lead him to leave the way he did.
Just walking out, hoping that words on paper would protect him? Or worse...digital files. Files that could be corrupted, erased, or even rewritten. To think he threw away the rest of his life to retire early. ”He really should have been more patient...” Turning back to his assembled flasks, and the stovetop flame that heated them. Tending to the process that still needed a few more hours to go. Slightly mesmerized by the swirling fumes. Lost far enough in his thoughts that he found something he already allowed himself to forget hours ago…”I need a tux!”
-One hour and a tailor later-
A quarter till nine, and here he was. The former home of what he suspected was a poorly decorated Xcution Military Officer. The house itself was nice. With the use of traditional techniques and style, it bore just enough similarity to remind Mika of his childhood home. Yet, clearly the product of living designers. Once again, the little differences. Then a sudden breeze brought the potent smell of an industrial harbor to his nose. Now this was a delight. Not the smell itself, it was more foul than the Squad 5 barracks*. However, the foreign aroma was something his mind could tinker with.
It was something of a game to identify what forms of industrial run-off, rotting marine life, and city refuse had result in such a stench. While the crowd of guests swiftly pushed forward into the foryer; Mika stood in place. Sniffing at the foul breeze and contemplating how well tuned his nasal receptors must be to pick out each flavor of the odour. Considering how brightly his hypothalamus must be at that moment. Considering the memories he had of first arriving in the human world, near Tokyo. His first real experience with the human world’s pestilent affliction.
The disease that was underdeveloped industry. Of the ways he considered using the hostile environment to modify his research. Of the successes that wrapped in that smell. It gave him assurance that this evening would go well. In some small way. Another stone soon behind him. Well...not until he went through the door. At this point he snapped free from his daydream, and saw that there was no one lingering about him. That he had been left in the late, winter cold. Picking up his feet, he jaunted forward into the warmth of the inviting shelter. Only to find that the noise of the crowd had grown more dense. Like a gas compressed into a fraction of the former space.
Inside, Mika found the abode to be acceptable. It was warm. The stench of the near by bay was gone. The gathered attendants had begun to separate and find familiar faces to address. Mika supposed that the same would be expected of him? ”Well sh…”, that wasn’t going to work. He had failed to acquire information on who else would be...working tonight. Understanding the disadvantage this put him in, he simply stayed put near the entrance. It was the easiest way to run into the others. Or so he suspected. With each passing minute he spent lingering with the new arrivals, the less certain he began to feel about the strategy. Until...
There came a voice. One that was sweetly soft...and tingling with a practiced tempo. The way each word was enunciated flawlessly, despite the encounter being an informal one. It sound as though this individual was addressing superiors, or royalty. Even when it was just some schmuck in a nice, black suit. Some glassy-eyed plebeian. Someone here to actually enjoy the party. Silently Mika watched as this woman to his right, addressed a stranger. She gave a polite apology. The same one Mika remembered hearing everyday he attended Zanpakuto training. That same practiced courtesy, comprised of a half truth.
While she continued, her words fading from his focus; he took a moment to examine her. She had certainly put effort into her appearances for the evening. Mika didn’t notice any of said effort, but it was there nonetheless. Moments pass, and she attempts to proceed into the party. Extending an arm as slender as one of his own towards the stranger, and with it, extending a gentle request. From there it was quite awkward to watch the unknown individual address a few other people coming through. With them this well dressed fellow left. Stepping out of the way so the young woman’s arm would be outstretched to the empty air they separated her from Mika.
Looking at her with a face of passive bemusement, Mika glanced from her offered limb to his own. Or...lack thereof. The folded sleeve folded for convenience over the nub that represented his missing right arm, not much for her to grab hold of. Fortunately, he would not ask her to do so. ”Sure.” Accepting her offer was the disarming visage that was, “classy time Mika”. Strapped to his thin body was a tux, of sorts. Perhaps at one time it had been a tux of style. A classy outfit, acceptable at a cadre of affairs. However, that time had passed. Come again, and then passed for good. What he wore was a orange tuxedo. Words fail. It was simply something that had to be seen**. ”We would do well to make a sweep of the horderves before they reach room temperature...or handled by one too many of these soap skipping elites.” With a nod of his head directing her to the far, food table; Mika exposed his teeth with a cheery grin.
*Cause their whole squad is poopoo.
**I really want to be sorry...but I’m really not.
**I really want to be sorry...but I’m really not.