Abnormality of the Soul [Maeda Jirou & Nola Vilde JT]

[Maeda Jirou]

Training for SP

It had passed but a few days since that life changing moment had taken place, Jirou, a literal nobody by fools luck had survived the attack of a Menos Class hollow and stranger yet defeated it. He owed that victory to his Zanpakuto who had graced him with it's awakening in that seemingly hopeless battle but unexpectedly the sword spirit found itself unable to rest within him once the act was done, stuck in the outside world and forced to take form. The young Shinigami was brought to a sigh as the memory replayed in his head, the events fresh in his mind and bothering him to no end. The black haired Shinigami who looked little different from his comrades aside from his more androgynous looks currently found himself with his back against one of the endless walls of the Seireitei in a mostly empty square somewhere in the mazework.

It had been his desire to be alone as the many changes to his ordinary life had begun to stress him out, having been made a seated officer on top of having one of the strangest sword spirits in all of Soul Society catching eyes and interest wherever he went. But, despite his desires he wasn't alone, nowadays he was never alone, not for a single moment. By his side a pale white haired young boy stood, wearing a knee-length kimono that was equally white to the boy's hair. Yet far stranger was the black horns that protruded from the boy's head and the thick-scaled claws it had for hands that he had crossed as he too leaned back against the wall, a white lizards tail extending down from the bottom of his kimono and partially resting on the ground. 

This was Jirou's Zanpakuto spirit, Shiro. A bother like no other to bring anywhere as the curious and foolish did their best to frustrate Jirou with their repetitive nonsense. And that frustration reached the both of them, there already having been a moment where Shiro had broken someone's nose for being too casual with him and trying to convince him to be their spirit instead, as if that was how it worked. Relations were luckily better among the two of them, for Shiro the split was less significant as he was already used to his master and knew him well. But for Jirou the whole having a literal soulmate as his side was an entirely new experience which certainly didn't help him with the stress of his situation.

No matter what thoughts the two might've had about it they were stuck with each other now, the sword spirit adamantly refusing even the slightest suggestion about ''defending the castle'' as if he were some lazy european drake. Jirou however had made the educated guess that the would-be dragon had issues with distance although he kept that to himself. As time passed in their drawn out recovery from the world around them the sword spirit eventually had enough of the quiet, noticing his master even having closed his eyelids with half the mind to sleep. ''We think this is enough.'' the small spirit stated, bringing Jirou's eyes to open from the disturbance.

''Enough what?'' the shinigami replied as his head stretched forward to push it away from the hard surface of the rock. ''Enough time wasting, we are bored with this inaction!'' the zanpakuto spirit said, turning it's head to face Jirou as it pushed away from the wall and stood proper with arms untangling from their earlier crossed state ''We dislike the crowds as much as you but this solution is unsatisfactory.'' the white haired boy stated bluntly in a manner that did not fit his appearance, as if a child pretending to be a strict statesman. Unable to help it Jirou chuckled but soon quieted himself with a hand over his mouth.

''Then what do you suggest, oh great dragon?'' he asked with no attempt to hide his amusement to Shiro's annoyance, ''We suggest nothing, only crave. But since you ask of us, hm... why not wander to the world of the living?'' Shiro suggested ''You have a fancy for life there, do you not? the clothing, the food. So very different from here'' he continued on, notably catching his masters ear but Jirou then shaking his head. ''You are aware it's not up to me where and when i go places, right?'' he replied, that was the disappointing truth of the matter, he would be stuck in the Seireitei until given duties to attend to, technically he was still on his recovery although any wounds he had sustained were long gone already. 

''It shouldn't be much longer now i hope, although...'' he looked at his zanpakuto spirit ''I've no way of knowing if they will even let me risk bringing you through the Senkaimon gate. Sure it's how we got back home in the first place but it could still be dangerous with the state of us being split apart like this.'' he said with genuine worry displaced over his face as his hand wandered to stroke his chin. For a while Shiro said nothing, understanding full well the potential danger his master described. But given time to consider their options Shiro had another, far more feasible idea. ''Then if stuck here we are another suggestion we have, to train! we have never been able to train with you before, only feel your passion from within!'' the sword spirit said with a satisfied upwards swipe in the air with his clawed right hand.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola honestly had been having little trouble acclimating to her new squad. They were friendly enough, adn what was more the fact stood that she actually had a bit of fun with them. That particular night had been spent at a small area near the old Shiba residence. Ever since it's abandonment, a number of the squads tended to hang around there in the evenings when not on guard duty. With the time of the year coming about, a few had come from the world of the living, bringing with them a multitude of sweets, candies, and costumes with which to enjoy themselves.

Nola herself had been cajoled into wearing a rather revealing witch costume, and though her own little phobias had her on edge, she had to confess that she had found the entire experience rather exciting! So with the night drawing to it's close, she had found herself sleeping in. She didn't have any duties to perform that morning, no training to attend to. So when she finally woke up it was well into the day. She managed to put her uniform on and ditch her costume.

For a while she realized that even with her sleeping in, she had a few hours to kill until she really needed to do anything. She was still low ranked, and because of how obsessive Hotaru (and honestly every other Captain) was with paperwork, she had pretty much jack shit-all to do. Her fellow 5th Seats had made it a point to take most of her workload off of her. they had not been...fully informed, but they HAD been made aware of the gist of her...endeavors in squad 1, and her incident with squad 6. Ever since the removal of Sozen Kuchiki, there had been a lot of rumors around, and a lot of rumblings. But now? The Kuchiki man was no longer around to snuff them out. And so the man's infamous name was slowly blackened, and as more and more murmurs between the squads grew, and accounts told of squad members who no longer felt under threat of execution or imprisonment, it slowly came to light just what sort of man he was.

So, she found herself, at least for the evening, unobstructed, and so she began to meander, making her way around the area, resigning herself to look for some lower ranked members, perhaps to do a little bit of instruction. It was at that time that she spotted the odd little pair, causing Nola to pause very briefly. She herself didn't feel too surprised by that odd, scaly young lad. Aevus was a rather famous fractured shinigami, and with Captain Shihouin, she was familiar with manifesting zan spirits. And with women like Amaya and Shizuyoko, things like tails weren't al that unusual either. Adn nola herself, with her deep red skin and platinum blonde hair, she took the zan spirit's looks in fair stride.

"Hello. You're one of the new recruits yes? Have you been assigned to a squad?" she asked softly, intrigued to find out just where they had wound up. The young lady certainly seemed comfortable, not like the usual tense and enthusiastic academy students. She seemed almost lazy, lounging around with their zanpaku'to spirit. No doubt a few missions would deal with that, if they were put into a squad that DID that. She did somewhat...worry about SOMe of the squads. They had a tendency to be very stagnant and inactive.

[Maeda Jirou]

"Hello. You're one of the new recruits yes? Have you been assigned to a squad?" a foreign voice spoke to them as the two looked over to the newcomer who had arrived at their priorly private discussion, She looked just as foreign as Shiro did but her robes marked her as a Shinigami still. Taken a bit by surprise Jirou pushed himself off the wall and to his feet as he stammered up a reply ''Um, ah- hello, no i'm actually-'' he was about to explain that she was mistaken but before he could Shiro who had been put in a fit over her words interrupted in full hearted laughter. ''Pfffft ahahaha... She thinks-'' he gasped for air ''She thinks you're fresh off the academy, that amuses us to no end!'' the zanpakuto spirit proclaimed, barely able to hinder his own snickering and calm himself.

''Shut it!'' the somewhat offended Jirou retorted all riled up by his spirits teasing before turning his attention back to the crimson woman and calming his temper ''My apologies, but uh, you're mistaken. I'm Maeda Jirou of the third squad... fifth seat, weird to say that still. And this is my odd looking companion Shiro, my zanpakuto'' ''Odd looking?'' ''To anyone with common sense, yes!'' ''We are not odd looking! we are exotic looking.'' the zanpakuto spirit insisted to correct him which had Jirou sigh once more. ''Anyways, uh miss, was there anything else you needed of me?'' the boy asked politely as he took a step forward, unsure just what rank she might hold.

For all he knew she might be his superior, at least from her manner of speaking but it had to be lower than vice captain as he couldn't seem to find any visible hints to her status in terms of apparel. Shiro wasn't as courteous though, he wasn't a shinigami so he saw no reason to give her any respect other than for giving him the opportunity to laugh at Jirou's misfortunate misunderstanding. Crossing his arms as he stood beside Jirou Shiro looked mistrustful of the woman who had appeared, his prior encounter today with other shinigami not his master being less than an impressive experience. ''If there was not you may leave us'' the cocky dragonling uttered and no latter got a slap to the back of his head by Jirou for his rudeness.

[Nola Vilde]

Nola was a little surpised when both girls reacted so loudly to her. She remained very calm and stern, those focused eyes staring sharply at the woman, her stance very rigid and formal as she listened to the both of them speak. As it seemed, they were both of the same rank apparently, which certainly was intriguing to Nola herself. She had only just recently come into the rank herself, so she was curious to see where she stood in the grand scheme of things.

"Oh? I'm a fifth Seat myself." She pointed out, those piercing eyes cutting from Jurou to the zanpaku'to, and then back again. Gently, she bowed her head just a little bit, she WAS their senior after all. " A pleasure to meet both of you. And if you didn't mind. I wouldn't mind doing some training. We could even have a spar if you had the mind to do so." she offered softly, eyes then locking onto Jirou. "I'm sure we have plenty we could do to instruct one another." she added in that same, flat, serious tone.

[Maeda Jirou]

Turned out they were of the same ranking, that should have made him relieved but now he felt the pressure of living up to the name of fifth seat. He smiled in recognition of their shared rank but couldn't help but let out a hint of worry in his expression, bowing as she did albeit stiff in his interaction he listened with attention to her words while Shiro stubborn as he was gave her little more than a nod to avoid a second slap. ''S-sure!'' he answered her, caught of guard by the way she was looking at him and even more so when she spoke again. Instruct each other? instruct each other what exactly! there wasn't really anything suggestive about what she had said but the way she said it was just- before he knew it his cheeks were beginning to redden either with embarrassment or confusion at this point he wasn't sure which.

But before Jirou had a chance to embarrass himself an interloper cut his way into the conversation, breaking the eye contact Jirou had struggled to discern with a light swat to Jirou's back with his restless tail ''A spar with Jirou? you'd be eating him alive.'' the zanpakuto spirit stated bluntly with arms still crossed, as if it were the worst idea he'd ever heard. ''We can tell we wouldn't have a chance, we are fifth seat because of our soul, not our abilities.'' This time no slap came, Jirou was actually relieved that Shiro broke the awkwardness and he wasn't really lying, what he said was the truth of it. With a bothered expression he continued where Shiro left off ''To be frank i've no idea why they thought to make me a seated member, i just pulled off a Shikai by accident and now i'm being treated weirdly for having a manifested sword spirit.''

''But despite what grumpy over here thinks, yes, i wouldn't mind whether we train or spar together. Just... go easy on me would you? i'm waiting to be sent back on duty to the human world so i can't afford any injuries'' he said with a soft laugh, scratching the back of his head as he did to lighten things up. ''I actually haven't tried to use my Shikai since that time, Shiro what was it again? Deliver...'' ''Deliver Judgement, Shiroi ryū.'' the annoyed sword spirit corrected while looking up at his master ''Don't go forgetting it, it's insulting!'' ''Sorry, I've only actually said it once you know, not used to having a trump card yet.'' Shiro agreeing that he was being touchy for no reason exhaled a puff of air from his nostrils as Jirou's attention went back to Nola, making eye contact again as he politely decided to ask ''Before we start i realise i forgot to ask your name, may i have it?''

[Nola Vilde]

Nola offered no alteration of that stern, serious look on her face, even if inwardly, she was pleasd to see that little blush on the girl's face. But this was official business, especially for one so new, it was of her duty to ensure the quality of seated officers. The young man had obviosuly done SOMETHING to distinguish himself, and as such it made sense that she should initiate a spar, regardless of how averse to the idea Shiro was. She reached down and gently grasped her zanpaku'to, and drew it into open space.

Her weapon was just as unique as she was, rather than a traditional katana, her weapon took the form of a needle, an enormous meter and a half-long needle the eye of which served as it's handle, her fingers sliding through that opening as she held it like one would a saber. "Irrelevant. For whatever reason you were brought into your position, that makes no difference. A spar is a test of one's abilities, a simulation of combat that stirrs the soul into growing and maturing. However, if you are uneasy, then I suppose we can find a more suitable means of training you." she noted as she reached out and took a firm hold of the young lady's chin, turning them this way and that before releasing them.

"Seeing as you have not yet attained clearance for the world of the living, why don't you accompany me to the Rukongai outskirts? It's about as dangerous, and it will be an opportunity to experience the level of danger some areas in the world of the living pose." She offered gently. It was an offer at least, an option to abstain from just merely sparring and transitioning to something more constructive to what the young lady's job would be.

[Maeda Jirou]

The woman displaying her strange Zanpakuto brought Maeda to look at his own, with a white sheath as well as tsuka it was a simple weapon it terms of colours aside from the red tassel hanging by the butt of the handle. It wasn't really that strange looking compared to the woman's weapon aside from those colours still being a regular katana with a lengthened grip. Looking back up at the woman as she began to speak he listened patiently as if he were below her in rank, perhaps it was a force of habit from previously being rank and file or perhaps it was her experience which had him pay close attention to her.

''Then what would you sugges-'' he was about to say, but her grabbing on to the lower part of his face visibly startled him to a freeze as she moved his head around according to her will, Jirou not exactly sure of what to do was pretty thankful that she eventually let go of him. What she said next did sound like a good idea to him and one he would find comforting. Jirou did come from pretty far out in Rukongai, fourty-third district to be specific so eliminating any problems at the edge of it would technically help his family out with easing some worries. It also did ease over the fact that she had chosen not to provide him with her name.

''I would love to do that'' he said as he smiled to her ''My family lives decently far out so any chance to help them out even if indirectly would brighten my day'' he admitted. Giving Shiro who had been quiet for now a light tap on the shoulder they both turned towards the exit as Jirou looked towards the woman ''Shall we get going then? it'll be quite the long walk.''

[Nola Vilde]

Nola remained silent, staring calmly as the young man spoke up. That was certainly one way of thinking of it. But she did have to wonder if this was the sort of thing he was going to be inclined to .....enjoy. Dealing with the outter rukongai was seldom a pleasant experience. Many Rukongai citizens were.....in danger, starving, impoverished. Largely mostly afraid. Adn they had very little they could offer to them, outside of these patrols.

In any case, Nola simply gave a soft, silent nod to the young...whatever, and began to lead the way out of the sereitei, heading out into the rukongai. It would be quite a walk, no doubt taking the better part of a day to head out there. But she was sure that the new seated member would not have any complaints. Walking was the least of a shinigami's concerns after all, and so she simply proceeded in silence, humming softly to herself as they went. She picked their destination rather carefully. A district of outter area 80, the VERY edge of Rukongai territory. Almost completely destroyed in some places, it was often littered with ghost towns and the like. But this was one particular ex-ghost town, ruins which a hapless group of citizens had chosen to occupy.

[Col Arana]

28 paragraphs; 140 TP (converted into 70 SP for Maeda).