Las Noches Meeting [Arc 1: 29/7/2017]

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Forever still he sat, awaiting the day he would finally be able to force Soul Society to fear his undeniable retribution. Some may mistake the look on his face to that of being bored, but they would be horribly incorrect. No, the look presently displayed upon himself was more so that of curiosity. The King of Las Noches noticed that the Hollow count in Hueco Mundo had severely gone down, and he simply wanted to know why. Why were his armies dwindling? Even for such a brilliant man, Sonken Kouhai was perplexed by the sheer randomness of these actions. These Hollows were being captured and forced to be slaves, but who was behind this?

The King stood himself up from his spectacle of a throne. With every step he took, he advertised his power. Overwhelming confidence flowed out of him like a rushing waterfall, intimidating all who were around. He knew he had to make a decision and get involved. His face was now barren of any emotion, truly showing his full nature as a heartless and selfish master. He had been away from all of this dramatic nonsense for too long, but now someone else was trying to prove their worth. This was unacceptable. He knew he was the most powerful, the most influential, and the absolute least likely to adhere to any threats. That simply wasn't who he was.

But he had to do something. Sitting idly by and waiting for someone else to take credit for work that should have been fulfilled by him and his Espada was not an option. He sent out messages to all who followed him and warned them that they needed to be present for his announcement. He must be heard as he was the only one who could ever possibly save them. Or, at least, that is what he made them all think. He was their ruler, and he wanted it to stay that way. Nothing was going to come between him and his ultimate goals. And within what felt like mere minutes, he had an audience. Kouhai breathed a cleansing, meaningless breath, and opened his arms up to embrace the entirety of his Court.

"My beloved, loyal people!" Kouhai announced with a false smile and feigned exuberance. "You have all been gathered here today because of the events going on in the World of the Living. It affects us greatly. Someone is abusing Hollows and forcing them into slavery. They are being made to murder and eat the beings who reside in that realm." Kouhai lowered his hands as his tone grew more serious and dreadfully strong. "I am telling you all now. It is pertinent that we find out who is responsible for these heinous acts. You are not to rest until we find this person and take them down. You are all required to report to me with any findings you have. Now, go!"

---

Now that Kouhai has delivered his report, all Las Noches members are welcome to report to him using the following template. You will list your Name and Rank, a list of links to threads that you have completed recently, and write up a short report about their impact on Las Noches and the world. Then, you will offer up suggestions for courses of action. Whether it be investigation, assassination, whatever your character desires to do about the world events that threaten the glory of Las Noches. Following 1 week of real time, Kouhai will follow up with these suggestions, approving or denying them. If approved, they will be given a set Ryo reward for completing them. If they are denied, a follow up report may be made or the actions can be taken anyways, with potential consequences. Especially consequences for failures. The story is in your hands.

[Shikitsuhiko Isayama]

Name: Shikitsuhiko Isayama
Rank: Cuarta Espada (3)

• A Nice Outing
  
• My Espada
  
• Love Bugs and Lyme Disease

Shikitsuhiko patiently and quietly listened to his Lord Kouhai deliver his interpretation of events. A special copy of the report was provided to Shikitsuhiko so he may examine the contents without needing another to read it for him. The situation was truly odd, and rather baffling. Hollow were not the types of creatures you tame. They were unruly and all were focused on one thing in particular: Feeding. The identity of those who captured and utilized these hollows as weapons was unknown, but those within Las Noches had an advantage. They were familiar with Hueco Mundo and conveniently positioned to explore the depths of this arid wasteland for clues.

It didn't have to be the proverbial needle in a haystack if the individual in question was clever enough. Shikitsuhiko felt that searching for the culprit's source would inevitably turn up clue. If it didn't directly lead them to those responsible, it would expose those who might be indulging in the trade. They wouldn't directly hunt hollows down themselves. They would have it done by a third party, as is the case most of the time. Who would have the technology and muscle to wrangle hollows and transport them to separate locations? Shikitsuhiko felt ill-prepared to answer that question. 

Shikitsuhiko bowed his head in respect, and to indicate his desire to speak. "If I may be the first to speak, Lord Kouhai." He said with reverence. "While my tenure has been briefer than some of my fellow Espada, I am confident that my services will be useful for deciphering this most troubling set of circumstances. I will always defer to your judgment, but my fraccion and I will gladly canvas Hueco Mundo in an effort to uncover clues about those trafficking hollows. Based on the data you provided us, it would appear that some sophisticated technology is being utilized in order to subjugate my kin. I suspect those responsible for acquiring the hollows have selected a few location within Hueco Mundo. These locations likely yielded the best results, and so it would only make sense for them to return. They would not risk doing so in too many locations otherwise it would rouse suspicion."

"It is possible, if not on a small level, that those responsible for leading the attack are also responsible for collecting specimens. More plausibly, a third party has been hired to procure hollows from Hueco Mundo and transport them. Whether they have the technology or a separate entity is fitting them with it is unknown at this time. I believe if we place a concerted effort in search areas where populations have dwindled we could potentially intercept those smuggling hollows elsewhere, if not find some clues to their origins. As to my qualifications, I believe my title speaks for itself. Your wisdom is unparalleled and you would not have bestowed upon me this honor if I were not an asset. As for Lagos, I trust that she can engage in a separate endeavor, but if you desire she accompany me I will follow your judgment."

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

Name: Myzaraphiston Synderfell
Rank: Septima
Recent Threads: Love Bugs and Lyme Disease - "Most distasteful, this Shikitsuhiko. He intrudes upon my private meditative time, but when I try to start up some simple conversation, he instead tries to insult me and my beliefs! But for all his big talk, he's still nothing more than yet another faulty Hogyoku creation who I will prove myself better than. The power gap between us is barely there. And this conversation has proven that where he has malaise, I have drive! Where he has skepticism, I have confidence! And for all his big talk, he still refused to face me when I challenged him. He can claim to be an Espada all he wants, but I know the truth of the matter."


Myza listened carefully to Kouhai's report, her eyes quickly scanning other relevant materials. The Septima may not have been an active participant in combat for some time, but she was still in possession of her own keen intellect. Even as Shikitsuhiko spoke, she seemed deep in though, making no moves except to idly spin the prayer beads on her left wrist. Not a sound emerged from her direction until the Cuarta had finished speaking.

"I would start a search with Las Areneas," she said, looking directly at the Cuarta as she spoke. "They are native to the sands, yet open to Lesser Races. Call themselves pirates of the sands. It wouldn't surprise me if someone decided to use them as their patsy for gathering Hollows. They seem like a perfect tool in that regard, especially with their less than stringent recruiting policies opening them up to the other realms.

"On the note of other realms, it also seems prudent to try and discover what the Soul Society knows. If I recall correctly,
they have a detection system of some sort to locate Hollows emerging in the Land of the Living, to try and head them off before they hunt too actively. If some Espada go to Squad 12, find this data, and take it.... Well, suffice to say that it will allow us to locate areas of interest in the Land of the Living and strike a blow against our enemies at the same time. In a worst case scenario, it still wounds the Seireitei more and denies them resources. I believe it would be well worth our time and effort. Perhaps it will even allow some individuals to show their worth.

[Aurora Guerrero]

Name: Aurora Guerrero
Rank: Fraccion to the Trecera Espada
Recent Threads: None

Aurora had been out, like she normally did, searching for something to eat. She found a weak hollow and pounced on it immediately, ripping into the body easily. While enjoying this meal, someone ran up to her. She growled lightly under her throat as the messenger came to tell her that there was an announcement happening back in Los Noches and that Kouhai wanted all that followed him to come to the announcement.

She eyes got slightly wider, trying to take it all in as the messenger left. She had heard about the man, but had never actually met him before. She also assumed that the Espada would be there. She hadn't seen Sargon in awhile, so maybe he would show up there. It sounded to be quite an interesting meeting to be in, so she grabbed a leg and ran off, while she was finishing off the leg she had already started to gnaw on.

Once inside the building, she threw her one leg away and started to chew on the other one as she quickly started up the stairs to where she knew the King's rooms would be. Once there, she opened the door, and saw two Espada in there already. She recognized the woman, Myza as she was called. They had met before, briefly, and Aurora didn't have an opinion on the woman. But, the other Espada was interesting.

He must've been a new Espada, because she hadn't seen him around before. But, then again, she had been away from Los Noches for a time. She noticed the number on him as she walked in. 4. So, he was a step under her own Espada. It seemed that the ranks here changed all the time. Then again, hollows as well as Arrancar, it was always survival of the fittest. It seemed that Arrancar had been vying for Espada spots more often lately.

Kouhai began to talk, making Aurora stop eating so she could hear what he had to say. The man definitely knew how to talk to a crowd. Aurora just stared at him while he gave his huge announcement. So, there is someone out there that thinks they can abuse and control hollows?! She didn't think that anyone could do that. He said the hollows are forced into slavery and being made to eat people. From what she knew about hollows, they seemed to eat whenever they wanted.

Continuing to eat from the hollow she had just slain, she listened to the Espada speak. Cuatro seemed to think that someone is coming into Hueco Mundo and stealing hollows. It would make sense, but it's rather hard for people to even get here. Only certain few could even get here. It was an interesting view and he also volunteered his Fraccion to help him. So, his plan pretty much involved him finding these people and killing them. It sounded like a good plan to her.

Then, Septima spoke. She wanted to investigate something called Las Arenas. She had no idea what that was, but it sounded like another group that was here, or at least frequented here. Soul Society....to sneak in there and steal stuff sounded interesting, but really, not something that she would want to do. She really didn't do sneaky very well at all. Her temper really didn't allow her to stay too quiet for too long.

Once they were done, she spoke. "Lord Kouhai, Aurora Guerrero, Fraccion to the Tercera Espada. Now, I can't speak for Sargon personally, since he's not here, but if you're willing to listen to a lone fraccion, I would like to give my two cents. I personally like fighting things, so I would love to find the fucking smugglers taking our kind and beating the shit out of them.

It sounds the closest to what the Cuatro said, so I would help him, if allowed. But, if there is something that my Espada would ask of me, I would help him of course. This is just my opinion after all." She bowed again, feeling a little awkward about this whole meeting. She then started to eat the leg that she had brought into the meeting, trying to stand in the middle, not wanting to pick sides between the two Espada, even though she had really already sided with one.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

"Obviously, you three are my most loyal followers since only you bothered to show up."

The mastered state of false irritation was played off in the way Kouhai spoke. Each person present would immediately think they were important to him, perhaps even special to the King of Las Noches, but that would not be the truth. They were all simply puppets for him to control. But since they were so quick to appear before him and offer their insight, he would reward the good behavior. Kouhai smiled and looked at each of them in their eyes, lingering for a few seconds with each stare. Their suggestions were good, but there was something he needed to address. Something rather peeving.

"You, Fracción. You said your name was Aurora, correct? Yes, I believe Sargon mentioned you once before." He didn't. "Next time you show up to a meeting of this caliber, I would suggest you leave your..." He motioned to the leg. "I don't know what to call it. Dinner, I suppose. Leave your dinner at home. If you are to ever rise in your Ranks, your behavior must be significantly modified when speaking to me. You get off with a warning this time."

Aside from that, everything he heard was fine. He quickly sorted through his thoughts and decided it would be best to follow what Shikitsuhiko mentioned. Actually, he and the Septima had wonderful ideas. Kouhai, himself, had obviously already thought of both of them. He simply wanted his underlings to try to be independent and prove themselves. Thankfully, they were doing a good job so far. He would not have to use corrective methods to force them to bend to his will since they were already so devoted. So, when he came to his conclusion, Kouhai braced himself up against the rail of his balcony and spoke once more.

"Cuarta, you are to take the Tercera's Fracción and explore these lands. Find clues. Find anything that would possibly lead us to more information. As for you, my Septima, go to the Sands. If they do not wish to comply with your interrogations, use brute force. I suspect that, as a member of my Espada, even you can handle that."

With a wave of his hands, Kouhai dismissed his Court. He retreated back into his quarters and stewed. His thoughts were racing, but not because of something causing him anguish. He wanted to know if the Soul Society was responsible for any of this. Could that cursed Gotei be the ones ruining his kingdom? Are they responsible for the destruction in the World of the Living? While, truthfully, Kouhai cared not about the pathetic humans of that realm, he did not want anyone using the Hollows, his potential weapons, for their own selfish desires. That was his responsibility. And what if anyone is to think that he, the King, is behind these attacks? That would be an insult. He would never do anything like this. So who would?

---

From here, only respond if you wish to disobey the orders. If you're going to follow them, begin making threads that relate back to what you were told to do. From there, Canon Threads will be made to further the plot. Additional Ryo rewards will be given for completing Canon-related threads.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

"Fuck that noise." A towering figure entered the room. Rio Demoniogalgo, the Quinta Espada. One who had clawed his way to this position through brute strength and power. Certainly not loyalty. It was something of an open secret that Rio only served in Las Noches, because Sonken Kouhai was more powerful than he was. A darwinist to the core, it was the duty of the strong to rule. However, it was not a secret at all, that the Quinta's hatred of shinigami extended even to the leader of Las Noches. A more treacherous subordinate there never was. But at least Rio was open with his disdain of Kouhai, and Rio's love of open combat was well known. There was no threat of the Quinta stabbing Kouhai in the back. He would not take anything less than an open challenge, and so as long as Kouhai was strong enough to defeat Rio in open combat (which he was, of course) the Quinta posed no serious threat to his rule, much as Rio despised that fact. "Someone's taking over Hollows. So what? They're just Hollows. Not proper arrancar. Not even good enough to be soldiers. They're just garbage, if they're taken over that easily. So what if they go on a little rampage? No skin off our backs, and if we're lucky, those bleeding hearts in Soul Society will get drawn out by this, and open to being crushed." Rio said. "I fail to see the problem with letting a bucketload of Hollows die. Humans die. Shinigami die. Hollows die. And we sit just fine here, only striking out when we want to. If whoever is doing this is stupid enough to try and bring this fight to our doorstep? They're just Hollows. Any arrancar worth the effort it took to break his mask is worth a hundred Hollows at least." The Quinta added. He noticed the Tercera and Septima present. Rio was old, and full of prejudices. He remembered the Septima when she was still Adalo's Fraccion. Hell, he'd met her BEFORE she had been Adalo's Fraccion. To Rio she was still a whelp for that reason. And the Cuarta? ....Eh. Rio had no opinion on him. But he was the Cuarta which meant he was strong at least.

"And lookin' at this turnout it looks like the majority of Las Noches agrees with me. Who gives a damn what happens in the Human World? We can go in if we want to crack some skulls, but it should hardly be anythin' like a priority." The Quinta concluded.

----------------------


Name: Rio Demoniogalgo
Rank: Quinta Espada
Recent Threads:
rpforumbleach.proboards.com/thread/9412/smashing-good-time-kitai

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

"'So what?' You show up late to my calling and you have the audacity to ask me, your King, 'So what?'"

Rio's voice made Kouhai stop dead in his tracks as he retreated back towards his quarters. The intimidating bellow within his voice would undeniably send jolts of fear throughout the Quinta's body. He turned on his heels and made his way back out to his Court, presenting himself with his head held high. Kouhai could practically taste the hatred Rio had within his heart, but it meant nothing. His pitiful presence meant nothing. In truth, if he were truly as much of an Espada as he said he was, he would never speak this way to the one who rules him. How disgraceful. If Kouhai chose to feign any emotion, it would be total disgust.

"Obviously you do not understand, so I'll explain it to you. This threatens our entire being as Las Noches. Since you are too inept to see that, it does not surprise me that you lack any desire to suggest something remotely helpful like your fellow comrades have. If you had shown up on time, you would have heard that none of them agree with you. They all have well-thought-out plans and intend to fulfill them before they report back to me. As for you..." Kouhai stared at the Quinta in a way that was both horrifying and overpowering. "You are to assist the Septima if she asks for it. You are not to back-talk. I trust her to tell me if you do, and you will be rightfully punished. I seek no further audience with you, so be gone."

With that, the King turned around and entered his quarters once more. Why were they being so exhausting? He had to make them submit to him somehow, and so long as they either respected or feared him, he was successful. All he wanted was to make the Soul Society shake in their robes so they knew he was all-powerful, and to take down the dreaded Captain Commander. For now, though, he needed to find out who was threatening his lands. He cared not for the Hollows, but someone was getting through to Hueco Mundo unnoticed and taking command of those mindless beings. Kouhai needed to know who.