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 Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:49 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
When the fox faced woman went flying, she sailed a good distance, through several of the trees, her back finally cracking against one of the over-sized plants with force, back cracking into the thing, before she crumpled to the ground. Ran started moving forward, her fingers curling tightly around the hilts of her daisho. As she weaved through the trees, she became.. different, almost. There was something about her expression that was, while not quite frightening, was very defined. Maybe it was the determinatiojn shining through her eyes. Maybe it was something else.
"I told you once before. I'm not a dog in the street. You won't intimidate me anymore. I won't listen to your whispers in my head anymore. I'm not a dog. I'm a Shinigami. I won't be frightened." her head shook, and she reached down, pulling the fox faced woman upward, the mask on her face cracking, before falling to the ground. What was revealed gave Ran cause to halt her movements, her hands shaking, before she let go, dropping the now unmasked woman quickly.
"I.. don't understand." the woman slumped to her knees, and when she lifted her head, she was a mirror image of the woman standing over her. "You don't?" the voice of the kneeling figure was soft, and the sound of it crawled across the skin in a way that was by no means pleasant.
[22]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 12:50 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
"That's impossible." Ran's head shakes, before she steps forward again. "Your face is false." the woman grinned up at her, head tipping this way, and then that.
"You're right. It is false. I'm not really you. I'm me. But I thought it would be ironic. Beating yourself up all those years." her face warped, and she was back in the mask, head tipping this way, and then that way, before she stood. "You won. You unmasked me. My name is Higure. But don't think your fight is done just yet." she stepped back, into the tree, as Ran surged forward to grab her, coming up short, with only air between her fingertips, as she glanced around at the expansive forest still intact around her.
"Higure...." she mumbled it softly, staring at the more darkly tinted fringe on one of her two daisho blades. It made sense. Twilight. But she had only unmasked one half of it. Only one piece of the puzzle was fitted together. But there were pieces still missing from the puzzle.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, her sweat soaked body tossed and turned in bed, haunted by the violent dreams she was going through.
[23]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:59 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
By the time she's once again focusing on something other than the partial name of her daisho, there's a blast of kidou that explodes just to her right, sending her leaping back, blades immediately coming up in a more defensive position. Her head jerking sharply, she stares around, attempting to pinpoint the source of the attack. What she comes up with, of course, is not exactly what she bargained for.
The figure standing in the distance could have easily been mistaken for a Tennyo, a heavenly maiden. Ran started to move though, as she saw another pinprick of light start to form in front of the woman, the next blast going off just behind her, against a tree trunk. s**t, was the woman following her? Applying her reiatsu to her speed, Ran began moving faster, from tree to tree, in a movement that could almost be considered shunpo, as she landed in front of where the woman had been a moment ago, only to find a blast of kidou raining down on her from above, as the beams of Byakurai rained down around her. Bringing her arm up over her head, she started running, and dodging the blasts from above.
Okay, this wasn't how she planned to unlock the name of the other half of her daisho. Not only that, it wasn't very effective. But getting in close enough to attack was going to be difficult. The way this fighter moved. She was twice as fast. The other side of her daisho had been.. strong. But this one was the total opposite. She seemed faster, and relied more on kidou.
[24]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:22 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
Unfortunately for Ran, she wasn't much of a kidou user. In fact, she'd never unlocked a single kidou technique. Growling, she did the only thing she could think of. When the woman launched her next kidou technique, Ran pushed off the ground, flying straight upwards, through the blast, her body smoking when she emerged, as blood spouted from a wound on her shoulder. When she made contact with the woman, she turned sharply, the left blade of her daisho whipping forward, held by the tassle, as it penetrated into the stomach of the woman.
Wincing, Ran brought the daisho out with a quick jerk of her wrist, the other blade, spiraling in her opposite hand, was brought forward as well, though this second blade was intercepted by the touch of a finger, Ran's eyes widening as she was tossed away from the woman, landing in a sizeable crater, made by her body, when she struck the ground. Dragging herself upward, albeit slowly, she struggled to her feet. Blood seeped from the wound on her shoulder, and now, also from her mouth, likely from internal damage done by her rather uncushioned landing. However, she wasn't about to give up. She couldn't, not now that she was so close.
But, she was nearing the limit of her body, something she seemed to possess, even here, in this strange place between the real world, and her dream world. She had to finish this quickly.
[25]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:40 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
Rising to present herself more fully to the woman above, she let her reiatsu flow through her. She had to focus. She had to concentrate. Bringing her blades down in front of her, she allowed her eyes to close, knowing full well that she'd leave herself vulnerable. As her eyes began to close, she pulled herself inward, drawing her reiatsu together, pooling it all into her swords. She'd only have one shot at this. And she had to make it count.
Skybound, the woman watched as the shinigami's eyes closed, and her reiatsu began to build. So, she was going to attempt an attack such as that? Foolish child. Didn't she know she would fail? Shaking her head, the woman began to float down, slowly, her arms folded across her chest, reiatsu still a soft flare around her body. She wouldn't allow the girl to beat her. She had part of the name, but not all of it. She'd never have all of it, if she had her way.
With the last of her reiatsu pooled, Ran shook her head, and opened her eyes, a brilliant, blazing glow lurking just under the surface of those orbs, before she launches herself upward, only to vanish, before the woman's eyes. With panic, the tennyo glances around rapidly, trying to focus on the location of the young girl. What she recieves, however, is several blows that seem to come from nowhere, the sting of them rapid, penetrating through her skin, though all of them seem to explode outward in a shower of blood, together.
Ran, landing on the ground moments after, slumps forward, coming to her knees, shuddering for a moment. "Can't... not... anymore.."
[26]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:52 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
She spit blood, as her body shook, tears streaming down her face. She'd reached her limit, and she knew it. "I can't fight anymore.. I can't do it.." with both of her blades in her hands, and her eyes turned toward the dirt, the woman, who had fought so hard, cried. She just couldn't beat them both. She wasn't strong enough to win against her zanpaktou. The look on her face was one of regret, though she couldn't say she didn't put up a good fight.
Shoving to her feet, to stand, she stumbled forward, bracing herself on her blades, using them almost like crutches, as the injured body of the other woman slowly met with the ground. "I can't beat you both. I can't do it. I've tried, and I can't. Maybe.. they're right. Maybe I'm not cut for this. But.. I can't give up....." her head lifted, and she stared at the spirit in front of her.
"So, since I can't give up.. I'll have to die trying!" she launched herself forward again, stumbling as she ran, finding herself knocked away when the woman brought up her own sword, knocking Ran back against the ground. But Ran, struggling, drew herself back to her feet.
"Stay down, Ran.", the voice of the zanpaktou woman was different than the one before. This voice was gentle, soft, and filled her with warmth that seemed to sooth her wounds.
"I can't stay down. I can't give up.. I.." the woman moved forward then, laying a finger against Ran's lips. "You didn't lose. You did well. We're both very proud. I, am Teisei. I am the whisper of the daytime as it fades into night, I am everything warm, and caring in your heart and in your soul. You have bested both of us. Drawn blood, red and pure, and allowed us to draw blood from you as well, in return. This forges a bond. Let us fight for you. Let us help you. We are Higureteisei. Use us well."
[27]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:57 pm
arrow Ruins of an Estate, Dreamscape
"Higure.. teisei..." Ran blinked at the woman, as she slowly eased away from her, staring down at the daisho in her hands. After a moment, she smiled, shaking her head. "So.. its nice t'meet ya."
The manner was casual, but it was like a meeting of long lost friends, so impacting on her was this meeting of her inner spirit. She glanced around then, finally allowing herself to take in more of the landscape. The forested area seemed familiar, almost like the Rukongai forest, though the vegetation was different in several drastic, and not so drastic ways.
Shaking her head after a few moments, she turned back to the woman, only to find her gone, the swords in her hands pulsing with warmth.
"I will use you well. I swear it." shaking her head, she made her way back toward the building.
[28]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:04 pm
arrow Ran's Dorm Room
When she awoke, she did so with a start, her body launching upward out of the bed, chest heaving, her hair an even unrulier mess than usual. That had been a realistic dream. Hadn't it? Reaching upwards, at the feeling of moisture running down her forehead, she drew her fingers across, finding that she had broken out in a hard sweat during her sleep.
Shaking her head, she turned, checking the place where she usually set her zanpaktou. Blinking, she was surprised that they were not in their usual place, instead, they rested down in the bed, beside where her hands had been moments before. Bringing the blades to her, she pulled them, one at a time, from their sheath, before laying them across her lap.
"I know your name now. It will be good, to be able to hear you. I'm glad to know you." fingers traced the symbols across the blade, as she heard their voices echoing around in her head. It was good to know them indeed.
[29]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:16 pm
arrow Ran's Dorm Room
Turning, she stood out of bed a few moments later, holding the swords at her side. It felt as though a part of her had been completed. The smile that stretched her face was a genuine one, and she murmured, under her breath, to the blades. They had a lot to talk about, one could say.
"I promise. I'll let you both out real soon. I want to see the real you. I want to see what you can really do. What yer really capable of." she lay the swords down for a moment, leaving them there on the bed, before giving her head a shake. "I can't believe I finally did it."
She sheathed them both then, and stripped down, making her way towards the showering area. She needed to get clean. She'd made a wreck of herself during her sleep. "See you soon, Higureteisei."
[30]
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:40 pm
arrow Dorm Outside
Megumi sighs..walking from where he was in the main academy. There'd been no teachers in the Kidou classes, but he'd made do with what he had. Still, it was something. Ideally, he'd learn how to use the Kidou without being trapped in a desperate situation. Ultimately, there'd have to be a moment when he grasped the arts, and used them to their fullness.
Regardless, there'd be other times. He needed to head back..and head back he does.
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:47 pm
arrow Dorm Room 481
The hot shower is bliss to her aching muscles, and she washes quickly, before standing there, letting the hot water beat down on her head, shoulders, and back. Her eyes lulling forward, and closing.
"Waiiiii..." the soft mumble, as she finally forced herself into moving, letting the water drain away, before tumbling out, wrapping a large, fluffy towel around herself, her damp hair falling in curls around her face, and shoulders, sliding her feet into her slippers, making her way towards the outer corridor that led into the main area of the double person dorm, where she and Megumi had their shared space.
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:01 pm
arrow Dorm
Megumi flexes his arm, grunting..he steps in the door and mutters, that ethereal wind still swirling around his person. It isn't felt so much as visible, to those who have any kind of sight, but even then it's faint. He's still hearing that off whisper, and he can't place it. There aren't any trees in his dormroom..so where is it coming from? hearing breezes there there aren't any..
"Oi, anybody home..?"
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:05 pm
arrow Dorm Room 481
She comes padding out toward the front, unable to hear the soft call, and not realizing there's anyone there, until she spies Megumi, lifting her hand in a wave, before immediately dropping it back down, to grab the hem of the slipping fabric of her towel.
"Y'surprised me." shaking her head, and kicking off her soft slippers, making her way off toward her bedroom, while calling back over her shoulder, as she started to unwind the towel.
"How y'feelen?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 5:28 pm
arrow Dorm Room 481
He shrugs..and shakes his head.
"I'll be fine, I was trying to practice my Kidou. How about you? How are you feeling? You just get out of the shower, or are you heading into one?"
He flops down, laying back..staring at the ceiling of the dorm. He still can't shake the feeling that there's a breeze around him..the subtle sound of the wind in the trees...
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Dangerous Conversationalist
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Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:07 pm
arrow Dorm Room 481
"Just got out of the shower..." there was the sound of rustling fabric, and when she comes out of her bedroom, she's rubbing her hair dry with the towel, now garbed in a basic kimono and hakama, something easy to move in, but not her more decorated shinigami uniform.
"I'm feeling pretty good. I take it Kidou practice didn't go well?" she moved out, and without reservation, flopped down atop him, sort of, straddling his waist, and sitting back, keeping herself propped on her knees, tossing the towel aside before she gets comfortable, leaning forward, using her legs to support her weight, as hands knead into his shoulders. He seems frustrated, something she can understand well.
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