Just Another Day... [Open Training Thread, R]

[Leon Strife]

He felt compelled to follow the girl. Something wasn't settling well with him when she stormed out. Typically when a woman decides to rush out in such a manner that they would bring a majority of their belongings with them. Certainly, perhaps one or two items would be forgotten with their haste, removing the idea of double-checking in the process. After some time of thinking once storming out of the establishment, he would have thought that she may have rushed back in to find the missing item or two. He waited for those few moments but finding no girl at the doorway to retrieve her belongings. So, Leon followed in pursuit with those abandoned belongings.

He managed to keep her in sight, following as close as possible without losing sight of her, but he wasn't alone in his little venture. The woman that they were training with before came with him with reasons of her own. Not entirely certain to as to why she would when he was the one with all of the girl's stuff in haul. Regardless of her reasoning Leon continued to follow Aura through Karakura Town. He found himself wondering as to why would she leave. Why the sudden departure? It made him all the more concern for the girl when she didn't stop at any particular part of town. To the Bount, it seemed that she was just wandering about looking for something. But it didn't seem like she did as she toured one section of Karakura to that of another.

This was getting ridiculous as Aura passed through two areas and still she kept going. Like going around in a circle the girl seemed to be lost. "This doesn't make sense. Where is she going?" he spoke out loud. Eris would be close by considering that he kept his distance from Aura towards her rear. Nothing that the girl was doing made logical sense unless she knew that she had pursuers. It was a common tactic that Police would use in order to learn if they had tailers nearby. Often times Leon would be the one to learn of this tactic as Police used it on his group many times over before they would attack the patrol. That could be the case, and should it be as such then Leon and Eris would have to be careful. But, something about the girl told him that it wasn't the case. Aura appeared to be too distracted to even know that there were people following her.

It only made him all the more skeptical when he found himself in the Red Light District. Crowds of people come to areas such as this for more "exotic" pursuits. Was Aura into such things? Was she here for a job of some sort since.... well... this was a place to do such things. Leon actually found himself to be feeling a bit.... awkward. This was her business and not his own. Besides, who was he to judge as he had his fingers in such businesses. There wasn't a thing that his gang wasn't willing to do. Prostitution, gambling, extortion, drugs, murder, etc, it didn't matter what it was if it allowed them to profit, and feared. Fear was the name of the game for all of them as it served as a symbol of power, respect. It meant that no one would dare go against them and did as they told them what to do. They were the Kings of their own destinies at that point in time. But that wasn't him anymore. It wasn't who he was anymore and following in such a lifestyle would only mean destruction in the end. He had to tell her. He had to at least tell Aura that it wasn't too late to change her life for the better.

The only issue he had now was the fact that he was losing her in the crowd. The girl was literally in front of him but suddenly vanished from his sights. Was she taken by someone? Did someone in the crowd take her away to somewhere shady? No. It's not too late. A girl as young still had a chance to live a fruitful future and away from these sort of things. If he caught up with her then they would definitely have a nice long discussion about a better future, and the consequences what places, like the Red Light District, had for the soft spirited. But he had to find her first...... he heard it. The Bount could have sworn that he heard her voice cry out. So he ran.

Leon didn't care if Eris was following or not, he had to hurry. Aura could be molested, which would give her a reason to cry out. Maybe someone was hurting her. He didn't know or cared what the situation was, he just had to hurry. The Bount ran as fast as he could. His foot work shifted from side to side to avoid the patrons that scuffled around the dimly lit streets. He kept running until he found where the source of the cry came from, or least the general direction in where it resonated from. A dark alleyway. He didn't see anything, or anyone there. Was he too late? Damn it! Maybe a clue, or something there that he could......... Something darted out from behind the dumpster, and charged at him. Too blurry to see in the shadows of the narrow pathway, but not blurry enough to catch in his arms. It came quickly, but short stopped into the wall. The figure was tugged and grind against the wall before being slammed into the floor. Who it was he found to be pretty strong. Restless and wild, it was as if he was dealing with an animal.

It continued to lash out, trying to escape his grip as he forcibly whipped its arm behind its back. He cranked the arm to better position himself on top of them while his knee was placed at the bottom of the spine for better control. "Who are you? And what happened to the girl? And don't you lie to me now." he said in a stern tone. Leon wasn't in the mood for games. He was willing to break the person's arm if he felt that they were screwing with him. Though, it wouldn't take him too long to understand where the scream came from as it was the girl who he was looking for that he was pinning. Why? None of this made sense.

[Eris Discordia]

Everything made sense. The reason for why the young girl decided to leave in such a hurry was to avoid public attention. A form of attention that would cause certain people to want to cause a ruckus over. This form of ruckus would attract the attention of certain people who would deem her to be dangerous. What the girl was, what she is doing could only be but one thing...... "A Bount." she uttered softly as the man pinned her to the ground. The Red Light District was a good place to hunt for prey, for Bounts at least. Many targets who stumble around without knowing where to go seem to be a good place to feed without drawing attention. Eris knew this from her travels often finding such locations in each city she came across. Perfect place to hide and feed.

Her mother taught her to use such areas that were similar to the Red Light Districts. Hostels, agencies that had many visitors, places that were easily missed because of their purpose meant that nothing would seem suspicious, or out of the ordinary. Eris' mother taught her how to conceal herself in such places, to mix herself within the crowd to better hid herself when she fed on souls. No one would care if someone went missing, or merely pass it off as a simple murder or mugging that took a turn for the worst. In such areas anything heinous was possible.

As Eris followed Leon and Aura to this point in time she wondered as to why. Running around from places that were isolated from the general public it seemed as though Aura wanted to get away from people. For a Bount to wish for such a thing would be considered bizarre. Her movements were strange if she had a desire to feed. Away from spiritual prowess was a mistake, especially if she already partake of soul essence. A prolonged period of time away from such essence meant that she would collapse and eventually die due to accelerated aging. She would have originally thought that Aura would want to keep herself from suffering such a fate, but keeping herself away from people would only increase the odds of her death coming true. But now, that didn't seem to be the case. Aura was running.

In front of her Eris could see the reason behind it; Aura couldn't stop herself from wanting to feed. She was a Bount that chose to deny herself the necessity that every Bount required to survive. If Aura refused to eat, then she would surely rot away and die. Among those in the city that she had met, there were only two Bounts that Eris came to meet. Luke, a young man who thought himself as being more Human than Bount. Strong, and courageous, but misguided and naive. And now Aura. This hunger could only come from a Bount as her mother explained to her, and one such experience that Eris herself had felt once before. And just like with her, Eris could not allow it to continue. "I can help her. When I tell you, let her go. It's time that she knew what she is. And for you, sir, to know that your kind are not the only ones inhabiting this world." she told Leon as her gaze shifted away from the pair and out into the crowd.

She needed a soul. At this point in time, judging from her pain, Aura hadn't been feeding long. Her refusal to do so meant that she was either resisting her urges when they came up, unable to stomach what she was about to do, or the alternative that she didn't wish to feed on souls. A Human thought that Eris had once when she first fed. Taking away life was something that Bounts did. It was their nature if they desired to survive the fate that the Shinigami had bestowed upon them. This was the curse placed upon the Bounts. A notion that Luke didn't seem to understand, nor did this girl. There was no longer a choice in the matter as their lives would be in great danger if they continued to refuse. So, Eris would help her fellow Bount. "Bounts are what we are, sir. Beings that feed on Humans like yourself in order to survive. If we do not, we end up like her." she directed her notion towards the crazed Aura. "Either madness, pain, or fear will overtake us as our death would be certain if we do not. And is something that we Bounts must do, Aura. As we are not Human."

Wobbling down the street, a man who appeared to be too intoxicated to even know where he was. Stereotypical drunk, donning the outfit of what may be described as a typical gang member. Perhaps a rough day, or spending time with acquaintances for a night of thrills. He would be a good example for Aura, and to Leon. So, when the man came leaning against the corner of the alleyway, Eris snatched, pushing onto the floor. "We are not Human. It is a limitation that must be broken when it comes to what must be done. If we do not, then we will die. Sometimes, you must kill your own heart to do what has to be done, Aura. Learn this lesson quickly, or you will die." she said looking to Aura with an offering.

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

The floor was cold, lifeless. The street lights ahead of her were blaring out of focus then quickly back into precise shapes. Her view was narrowed as her body was kept against the floor even as she struggled. Something heavy was on top, and punching into her lower back. Aura found it difficult to find any bearing to get up. But none of that thought even processed as her Osen took hold entirely over her body. Wiggling didn't do much to help as the man's strength kept her pinned. Her fangs wanted to crunch down on someone. She was hungry, and hurting. Whatever was spoken between the two blurred out from the hunger of the Osen. But one, the woman, got through. Something that Aura didn't want to hear.

"We are not Human. It is a limitation that must be broken when it comes to what must be done. If we do not, then we will die. Sometimes, you must kill your own heart to do what has to be done, Aura. Learn this lesson quickly, or you will die." This was something that she didn't want to hear at all. Why was that, because it was true. A truth that slapped her consistently in the face over and over again, and one that she refused to admit to. Being trapped here she couldn't do anything but allow those words strike her once more again. She was weak. She wasn't a Human being. The desire to sink in her fangs into the two of them remained vigilant more than ever before. Even so, shreds of her humanity beckoned her back to sense. That same sense that told her to refuse, and reject that part of herself. Luke's words and presence held strong in her mind. The small amount of memories that she had with him helped to keep her sanity. Erika's words too gave her hope and a desire to wanting to change herself to be Human. She didn't want her sacrifice to be for nothing. She wanted to be free.

"Rrrraaggggghhh." her mind was tearing itself. Be human. Eat. Be Human. Eat..... She couldn't. She had a desire that had to be.... NO!!! A man was brought before Aura, pressed against the floor just in the same manner as she was. Ugh, she could smell him. His reiatsu was weak, meager, but still very much there. She wanted bite him. Aura wanted to feel her fangs pierce through his skin and drain the reiatsu from his body. The Bount had no concern for his life, or for those that he was bonded to. It burned. "I'm.... sorry. I can't do this any more. Erika, Luke, Zaluu.... I'm...I'm so sorry." Kill her heart. Kill the part of herself that she wanted so much. Like breaking glass the pieces began to fall. The warmth in her was replaced by a chill.

She wasn't Human. Her lips opened, curving her head back before lowering it. Bounts were monsters. She couldn't stop it. There was no point in going to school. All of her hard work on the surface among the Humans was for nothing, but learning how to mingle among them only to feed. A truth that she didn't want to admit, but the Bounts belonged in the shadows. Here in the World of the Living the Bounts were the monsters that were only to be rumored to exist in the dark fantasies of the Humans. But now could they be exposed. The woman placed the weakened man before Aura, and with it the meal that would cure her of her insanity. Fangs would pierce that of the exposed neck of the man, and sucking the energy that resided within him. What would result in it would be the calming of the Osen, and the erasure of the Human man from existence.

[Leon Strife]

Leon found himself surprised. In utter shock that the girl managed to slip through his grasp to bite into the man that Eris set before her. It wasn't something that he ever witnessed before in his life. Sure, there were things that he could see that no other Human being could in their entire life-span. Ghosts, monsters, and people wearing black dresses. Sure, life was weird for Leon, but would be the norm for him. Beyond what he has seen so far this should be something else that he could simply shrug off with ease. But, something about it made him uncomfortable. Made his skin crawl. Why was that? He was seeing a young girl eating a man without hesitation. Certainly there were moments of restraint that she held onto, but the way her attention was towards the wanna-be gangster was next to that of insanity. He had seen similar cases of such fixation when it came to some of his hommies who were hooked on drugs. Keen on acquiring the substance with the lack of a better wording than insane, Leon couldn't find a better description that the girl fell into.

What the woman said about the Bounts made him sad. Individuals who were forced to fight and kill in order to survive. Much like living in the ghettos, where one would choose to be a Sheep or a Wolf. There was no such thing as a bystander as they immediately fell into the category of being a Sheep. That was the choice that those who resided in the ghettos had to make for themselves. Though, there were the rare exceptions of those who managed to escape such circumstances to live a better life. Although, they were the rare exceptions. Leon didn't fall into that category, and as such, he choose to be a Wolf among the others; a Killer among Killers.

The Bounts and himself were very much the same in that regard. They chose to fight and live rather than die. The only exception to their situation was the fact that the Bounts own livelihood resided with taking life, and Leon's did not. Leon only killed when he felt he had to. Now, that could be for any reason that he could use to justify it. Whether it be to earn respect among the other members of the gang, or to inspire fear in the neighborhood, he did so to place himself at a higher pedestal than the others to help him survive. For the Bounts, if they did not feed, then they will die. It wasn't something that they really had a say in that matter.

So, what Eris spoke about made sense to a degree. And seeing how Aura was reacting, how much pain she was in as well in doing this, he could tell that she was suffering. If this was how Bounts felt about feeding, then he truly took pity on them. Seeing how they were trapped to such a fate only made him reflect on his own past. But that wasn't him anymore. However, seeing what Aura was doing felt natural. Possibly due to his own past actions in his younger years. His eyes were drawn to the new sensation that was emitting in the air. Something that he didn't find before. Though, what shook him up more was what Eris had to say next.

[Eris Discordia]

It was there. Eris was definitely certain of what she felt that came from the man. A sensation that only the Bounts emitted from their body's. Was it a pheromone of some sort that their kind produced? Could it be natural, primal instinct? She didn't know, but merely observing Leon told the Bount all that she needed to know. The appearance that only a hungry Bount would express when it came to their need to feed. Although not as powerful as what Aura was emitting, Leon expressed his own desire, being little as it is now. But, she was certain of what she felt within him. "You are a Bount as well.... aren't you, sir?" she nearly blurted it out without thinking. To be honest, Eris was probably more shocked about this than that of the man. To see a Bount not even recognize that of their own nature for who knows how long, and to suddenly discover it, or at the very least being told what they are. The sudden realization of what it may mean, or even bringing unsolved answers to light of their past, that they are part of something bigger than what they may first conceive.

This was only a ponder of course. She didn't have any real physical evidence to acknowledge whether or not that this man was a Bount or not. Merely a feeling that she picked up on that coursed through her as Leon peered down at the drained man. If he was indeed a Bount, then it would be better to have him on their side, rather than against them. Thus far, the only Bount that proved to be a bit of a disgrace to their kind was Luke. However, she can respect his ideals of wanting to remain within the false identity of a Human being, mainly due to his strength. Despite the man's wasted efforts, his strength will one day be needed when it came to liberating the Bount race from their shackles of reality. The same must be said for both Leon and Aura. Both Eris and Aura will have to remain in hiding, or at least their true nature.

Aura was already in a state in which she will be a danger to Soul Society, and to the Bounts. Unable to resist the urge the feed, their cover will be blown, and the Shinigami will come to erase them. If that ever came to fruition, then their race will only be pushed further into the void. An abyss in which the eye will never see or acknowledge. Merely fade into urban legends and folktale. Never will their kind be capable of walking in the light where they truly belong. It is this fear that forced them to reside in the shadows like criminals. For that reason, "I apologize. I did not mean to make assumptions. I merely wanted to express that we Bounts are forced into this position. Such a position that we never chose for ourselves. For this reason is why we need to feed, in order to grow and become stronger...." she looked to the ruffian. "For us to grow stronger in the hopes to help liberate our people from the chains of slavery and fear. For this reason, I will ask for your help. To help us to insure that this is what we never become..... Mindless monsters." she directed her attention towards a helpless Aura, hoping that the message would be clear.

Hopefully that would at least have the man sympathize with the Bounts. Considering how strong he was already in terms of fighting hand to hand, he would make a good asset to them in the long run. At the same time, it would be terrific, if he was indeed a Bount, that they remain together rather than being divided. Already too many Bounts have been lost, her parents possibly among those numbers. Just thinking about them stirred up a lot of her emotions, causing her eyes to water to a degree. But she couldn't allow herself to fall into those memories again. She had to push forward, for the sake of those Bounts who still had families. And hoping that they will never have to be separated from each other.

As for Aura, Eris had to do something about. "Girl, I can understand your plight, not wanting to be involved, wishing that there was another way. I will not fault you for thinking as such, but I can see through your eyes that you know the truth.... As painful as it is... your desire to be like the Humans will come to fruition. If you continue down this path, you'll only come to harm those who you wish to live along with. It is because you lack the strength to do so. And such strength you deny yourself are the chains that you forge for yourself. By trying to bind yourself to Humanity, to their way of life, will only have you destroy it all. Their morality isn't a weakness, but their path certainly is." Eris tried to explain as best as she could to what she meant. The Bount has seen it happened before in wanting to protect everything, which resulted in being able to protect nothing. Such Human greed often led to misdirection, and a polluted mind. It wouldn't take long before they lose themselves and become what they sought to destroy.

She took the moment to kneel before the feeding Bount, her eyes mourning over what she was slowly becoming. Slowly losing the sanity that she saw that Aura was trying to protect. "Do not fall make the same mistakes as they do, and learn to grow stronger. Steel yourself, and learn. Learn what it means to grow stronger.... to better safeguard that in which you want to protect.... The quickest method that I have, which you can do so, is to destroy what will hold you down. Take it into yourself, and remember the pain that it brings to you. Only then will you learn what it means to become stronger. And if you manage to do this, then come find me once more. Then, we will create a better future for all Bounts, regardless if they choose to be Human or Bount. No longer will we have to hide in the shadows; afraid and alone. We shall stand together, as one." She wanted to insure Aura the bright future that was possible for all Bounts. But first they needed to grow; individually.

Eris rose back to her feet to introduce herself, in case they had forgotten her name, scribbling down on a sheet of paper her current residence. A small apartment unit, the same in which Luke had gained entry when they met before. "My name is Eris Discordia, and here is my address. If either one of you two wish to meet again, you may find me here.... I do hope that we meet again." she came to turn around and flee the scene before it began to draw attention. Taking a deep breath, the Bount came to focus on her spiritual pressure, attempting to lower it as far as possible. She didn't want to be found by any lingering Shinigami, or those who would use their situation to justify their reason to destroy them. They had to live, in order to free the Bounts of their shackled fate.

[Aura Kyuketsuki]

The words were blurred, at least for the time being. All she could focus on was the new source of life essence that poured into her body. It washed over the burning nerves that ran across her interior. Like a sense of relief, it began to calm her raging impulses, and searing pain. Aura's body burned, steaming with the tempering of the cooling new spiritual energy that filled her with new life, refueling what was escaping her. The crimson world in which Aura only saw began to dissipate and return to its natural state once more. And with its return, the painful logic of which she had done as well. Blood was on her hands. The same color that shrouded her world, and caused her body to go beyond her sense of control. Its overwhelming desire to feed, and soothe itself gripped both mind and body. Mind and body, which would take her soul in the long run should she continue to resist its calling. Or, cause her soul to break a part from the continuous struggle.

She came back to reality, and away from the crimson world. Her eyes fluttered as the focus came back to her to watch as the body in front of her remained lifeless. What had she done? She obviously knew what had happened without anyone needing to say it, as the came started to settle in the pit of her spirit. "I..I.. couldn't..... There wasn't a way....I'm sorry...Couldn't stop it..." She was already on the verge of tears. It didn't matter what sort of person that she fed on. Good or bad, they were all the same; Humans. If this guy was indeed a sort of monster in his own right, then what would it take for someone to devour such a being? Aura already knew the answer to the rhetorical question, though didn't provide a sense of relief or comfort. Instead, it only made her want to vomit all the more right then and there.

Just as Aura was about to fall into the pits of despair, Eris spoke to her. Despite being older than Eris, she was the one who had to be reminded of the truth of being a Bount, especially with this sort of condition. There was no way for her to live an ordinary life. Like Eris said, if she did so, how long would it take before she sinks her fangs into the body's of her friends at school? How long would it take before she drained all of Karakura Academy empty of souls? She didn't want to think about it, but the truth was there. She saw her friends on the floor, rather than the cremating guy that was dissolving away into the air. What would she have done if it was her friends that she drained lifelessly? "Steel yourself, and learn. Learn what it means to grow stronger.... to better safeguard that in which you want to protect...." Pretending to be Human would only cost her everything that she came to love, and betray the promise that she made to Erika. She had to get stronger, but how?

The best possibility wasn't one that she was hoping to hear, at least in her opinion. Eris gave one method to her, though perhaps being the darkest method in achieving it, "The quickest method that I have, which you can do so, is to destroy what will hold you down. Take it into yourself, and remember the pain that it brings to you. Only then will you learn what it means to become stronger." Only one place came to mind. A place that Luke took her to in order to help mold her, shape her into a more refined Human being, even if it was highly irregular. Taka's Club was a place that Aura was beginning to accept as a home, along with the Staff, seeing them as people she can look up to. Each one helped her learn a few things, and helped to interact with the patrons of the club. Thus, it helped her to formulate her own outgoing personality. At the same time the Club was beginning to feel like a home; a safe haven..........

... she had to destroy it, and those that she was beginning to love.

It didn't take long before the name of the Bount woman came forward as she introduced herself. Not long did she leave, almost as if in a hurry. But, at least not without some means of finding her. She didn't know the residence, but finding it wouldn't be difficult either. Aura needed power to break through her curse. She lacked that, but maybe, perhaps, if she did this, would she find a new source of power that could help her? There was only one way to find out. And maybe, just maybe, there will be a place that she can help create for all Bounts. Just like what Eris said, for all to be free.

[Leon Strife]

Both Aura and Eris had their own pain and suffering. This is what Leon could recognize. Just as he had his own. It was the very reason why he decided to live a peaceful life away from the carnage and destruction. He didn't want to return to that life style. Though, it was the woman's words that hit the nail on the head that was embedded in him. He wanted to help without resorting to violence. He didn't want to walk down that path, nor see anyone else have to do the same as well. There was nothing down that path. However, he knew better than anyone of what Eris spoke of was true.

"You are a Bount as well.... aren't you, sir?" That single line cut off his train of thought. Even with her words were mainly for Aura, the small segment of what she spoke of regarded him. Was he really the same as the two women in front of him? It would certainly explain the nature of his parents, why he was stronger than most other people around him. Eris eyed him, looking to be certain of this, but at the same time, considering it from a logical perspective; there was no real hard evidence that would make him believe such things. Not once in his life did he ever have powers, or a bestial like nature that school girl was displaying. Not a single instance did he behave as such..... beyond her standards. Though, his nature to shed blood was probably linked to being a Bount. It would explain a lot indeed.

But was this all? Was this all that was meant to be? Even if he was to keep away from it, it would still come back and haunt him in the long run. Strength was required to help make change, or to protect such changes. Power was needed to help enforce the changes that was to be made. Without it, order could not be possible, and only chaos would reign. Leon remembered the gang wars he was involved in. There was no order, just destruction and death. Life needlessly wasted, and he took part in all of it. He himself was also chaos, at least until Maria came into his life, and helped to establish that order. She brought everything into retrospect, and became easily manageable. But, he wasn't strong enough to protect what was made, and Maria was the one who paid the price for it. So, he did understand what Eris was talking about, and what it required.

That didn't change his stance on how he wanted to live his life. Too much was taken from him, and destroyed. Too many people died and suffered because of him.........or maybe, because he lacked the strength to maintain that change? He didn't want to. He wouldn't want to. However, the Bounts, from seeing what the two ladies are behaving, from what little information he has already, deserve some form of reprieve. Some means at a normal life. If not, then they would go rampant, and destroy. What he was seeing in front of himself wasn't what he wanted to see all over the world, if there were more of them. The two girls would leave, having Leon remain occupied with his thoughts. Something larger was placed in front of him. That was what he saw before, and he had to answer with action. Eris would see him real soon.

[Nola Vilde]

117 paragraphs (one or two didn’t quite make the length standards)
580 tp (nowadays you don’t need to specify so I’m giving you straight tp (plus you made that decision like 2 years ago))