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xxx Aigneis crossed her legs, one foot bouncing jovially as she watched her ribbons go to work. The color was beginning to drain from her face a little and beads of sweat forming on her temple. As she felt the trickles of moisture begin to coalesce and drip down her porcelain skin, she furrowed her brow in annoyance, turning to her head attendant who was visibly restraining himself from attempting to pull the cloth from his face, though it left his nose uncovered, allowing him a viable airway, it couldn't be comfortable. "Hendricks. Fan me, now." she commanded, the ribbon falling limply from his face and disappearing into the ground, then going to join the other red ribbons in their work. Aigneis had to expend a certain amount of Breath to maintain these ribbons and it seemed that it expended her energy to do so, requiring her to focus on both their tasks, mentally and not failing physically, the loss of such a quantity of Breath obviously leaving her weakened. She was barely paying Nikuya any attention, at this point, the man not providing useful information and thusly not making him an asset to her. He was short spoken and to the point, however, which she adored, but now was not the time for that. This was an excursion for information. She had doubts and worries about this . . . Soul Society and needed more information to prove her suspicions either right or wrong.

Gritting his teeth, Hendricks, the now named Head Attendant pulled a fan from his hadori, beginning to fan Aigneis, though she paid him little mind. She enjoyed toying with the weaker man. He seemed to treat her like an over bearing brother with an immensely annoying younger (and more powerful) sister. A thought then occurred to her. "Would your knowledge happen to also extend to who I may get in contact with after this fiasco is sorted? Or are you that single minded?" she would inquire, with a lustful tone in her voice at the last, her eyes scanning the Eleventh Division Shinigami's prime physical form. Aigneis herself was never one who was exceptionally skilled in combat, per se. She and Blushweaver were always more suited to creative forms of . . . retaliation, so to say. "Perhaps you could teach me some of those moves, some time. I'm sure there's a thing or two you could show me." The insinuation in her voice was plainly evident. But, she also would genuinely like to see one of these Shinigami in action and perhaps he genuinely would have something she could implement into their own . . . fighting form. If that was the word for it. Again, she and Blushweaver weren't much for fighting, themselves.

" " " "

xxx Aigneis perked up when she heard that Nikuya actually had a useful response. She was beginning to worry this trip would earn her nothing. All this hard work for nothing. But, there were worse ways to spend one's time, she supposed. A bit of needed work in order to earn some much desired answers was a fair enough trade. Her ribbons still continued to work, though the area was looking nearly as repaired as it would be with the extra effort being put in. Which was a good thing, as well, because the extent of her Breath was running short. "Ah~ Thank you." she spoke, her focus now torn between Nikuya and Zero. Luckily for her, Nikuya was heading to Earth to help there and to deal with their problems as well. If she wasn't trying so hard to put on a good front for these Shinigami, she would have looked visibly disgusted. Let the Humans deal with their own problems. Why should they expect Shinigami to bear the burdens they incur for themselves and then go ahead and bear the burdens of the entire human race as well? Aigneis had heard rumors of the statistics of the number of spiritual awakenings, ancient bloodlines and other mysterious supernatural occurrences creating a rise in the number of "defenders" for their homeland. But, if it created an easy ending to this delightful banter, Aigneis would be glad. Nikuya didn't seem to be returning her attempts at an advancement in the only way she was currently interested, so she merely disengaged, never having been too engaged to begin with. "Well. Have fun~ Make sure you contact me when you return~" she mused, standing and motioning for the attendants to return the palanquin to it's former carrying position rather than sitting. "Thanks again for all of the help." she then added with a smile as she was seated once again in her palanquin and hoisted up by her servants. After being fully seated, she would break eye contact and her smile would fade quickly, the attendants following her directions in carrying her to where the orange haired "Zero" remained.

"Ah~ My dear Zero~" she began with a wide gesture to him. "I need to have a word with you." she spoke as the blue ribbons carried the last of the injured individuals to be found to the medic's quarters. She motioned swiftly with a single finger as she witnessed this, the ribbons spiraling back into a single pillar before her. "Your breath to mine." she would command, a visible prism of color bursting from the ribbons as the color drained from them, the ribbons themselves flaking away into dust. All of a sudden the drained color in Aigneis' face began to gain color and the muted colors of her clothes and makeup began to take on a more vibrant hue. "Aigneis Shi'Ramish of the Thirteenth Division." she spoke pleasantly enough. "I've been informed that perhaps you would be the one to direct questions about the Seireitei's . . . Shakonmaku, I believe it was called, if my research has done me well. Depositories of this Sekkiseki, do you happen to know where any might be?" she began with what she thought were easy enough questions to answer, not wanting to pile too much on the boy all at once.

" " " "

Zero remained by the unfortunate patient's side, still attempting to control the bleeding in his thoracic region. Not long after he had called Lucy for a help, an unnamed fourth division relieved him of his emergency care. "Thank you." he would say with a nod. The young man took a deep breath. That was an intense moment, and he was glad that it had passed by. It was not long until a stranger approached him. She was a very extravagant stranger with a regal air about her. "Oh and what are you here to chat about?" he would reply curiously. As she spoke, she would reveal that she was there to ask questions. "Well you've come to the right place. There is not many people who know more than I do." She would continue on to ask about the Seireitei's Sekkiseki. The young man would raise his eyebrow. "Ah the Sekkiseki, the spirit reducing stones. You want to know where they are held? The real question is why do you want to know?" he would inquire.


Word Count: 176

Sepherene sighed softly as the area seemed to have been stabilized by the work of her own technology and the hands of those influenced by her driving power of the Happiness Generator. Everyone seemed in high spirits now, or at the very least, relieved as they were prepared for the impending danger that would surely await them on the other side of the portal. She would have to train and improve her own skills if she were to become more like the Soul-Reaper she was designed to become. Zero needed a strong Vice Captain and one who would readily work to assist him in his goals for the Twelfth Division. Though he seemed pre-occupied with his current task, so she continued to work on restoring buildings completely with her ability to manipulate reishi, even going to the effort of improving the district beyond it's original composition of dilapidated housing to a higher standard of living.

As she worked, Sepherene suddenly froze physically, but internally, she was drawn into a different state of mind. Her spirit energy would be manifested to those who observed the modified soul as her internal meeting with the Ausachi bound to her had begun. "So...You're the faker I was assigned to? What makes you so good to have a zanpakuto? Why do I get stuck serving you?", the spirit hissed in reproach as it lurked in a misty realm that looked like an ancient Shinto shrine. "A false Soul Reaper...A copy of the true article, and I am your Ausachi? The wisest of all; Omoikane, The god of Wisdom and Pure Thought? Isn't this the definition of irony?", the being spoke as it came out of the mist and sat down on the steps of the shrine. It looked like a robotic being, but at the same time, emanated a divine presence of power and knowledge.

Sepherene was taken aback by the appearance of her zanpakuto, and the fact that the spirit was accusing her of being fake, when it looked just as manufactured as she did. "False? I may have been created, but the same applies to everything, and my soul is pure. My thoughts are my own, and my ability to reason your anxiety at the situation is to throw me off, or to try to find fault in my worthiness to be called a Soul-Reaper despite being a Modified-Soul by classification. It's not ironic at all that you are my inner being, my partner in this working relationship... It's actually interesting that one who provides council and clarity would be assigned to one who does that exact same thing... and I know your name, but more importantly, I understand your name. I understand...YOU!", Sepherene shouted angrily as she pointed an accusing finger at the robotic spirit. "I understand that you think yourself above me, but let us clarify that. You're above nothing. You may be a god in this realm, but only through me can you act! Now, accept the reason, and use your divine wisdom to understand that now...You and I are needed beside Zero and the rest of Soul Society more now than ever before. It's not our power that will change anything, but our ability to guide, advise, and move those around us to a brighter future! Join me, or I will be forced to make you join me. That is how important we are to those around us, Omoikane.", she said firmly as Sepherene gave her response with an unyielding fervor that resonated with wisdom and cognition of her own.

The spirit chuckled at her riposte and clapped his hands slowly before he pulled the giant stringed instrument off his back and began to pluck the chords idly, a soothing melody coming from it as he contemplated her response briefly. "They are foolish children, you know? We will have our work cut out for us... but in the end, you are right. Just...try not to let this all go to your head. We're superior to them in every way...Physically, we are eternal as long as your pill is kept intact. Spiritually, we can crush the world around us and rebuild it in a grander image... Mentally, we can out-think them all and bring logic to their madness, but... They will never receive us if we expose their weakness. We will need to cover their weakness and shield them from themselves...and if this is the task you are ready to accept, then you will know me in full.", he said before striking a powerful chord and shaking the spiritual world around them. "Omoikane and Sepherene... the wisest force of the spiritual realms.", the kami in Ausachi form spoke softly, but with enough power that the realm seemed to melt away around Sepherene..allowing her to regain her conscious thought of were she was...back in the Northern Rukongai, back with Zero and the others in the area... all of which might understand what had just happened by the fact that the time spent in the trance, Sepherene had a hand on her zanpakuto the entire time.

xxx Aigneis, standing fully at just over eight and a half feet in height, glanced down at Zero. She was rather used to getting answers immediately, but the man hadn't demeaned her in any way. "I seek knowledge of the protective properties of this . . . Sekkiseki. The records I've found have been wholly lacking. One question as such being why can't the Shakonmaku be extended to encompass even more of Soul Society? Why do the Rukongai districts have to suffer like this while those within the walls of the Seireitei do not have to suffer from these threats? My specialty lies in defense and support, and if there's any way I can use my ability to strengthen these outer limits, then that is why I seek this information." she spoke, feeling far more engaged in conversation with this man than the last. Though he was less of her type physically, she felt this "Zero" was far better for discussing matters with, already. "If I'm to help, I'll need materials. And by the looks of it, we need to come up with something. I believe this is the second attack within a short amount of time? Not blaming anyone, but directing attention to a problem that could have a different solution than simply quicker and more effective combat." she said with a sigh and a glance at the medical tent, clicking her teeth and shaking her head. If only the Phantomhives were still around, but they always had such a unique way of dealing with things . . . very unnatural. But, she had to admit they had their way with structure.

" " " "

Zero listened intuitively to the points that Aigneis was bringing up. It made sense to him. "It's been the third attack I believe." he would clarify in an uncertain tone. "The Sekkiseki are made naturally similar to that of magnetic lodestones. There are depositories." The young man would scrunch up his nose as if he was thinking about what he should say next. "I don't know if you would have permission to take or use such things. I mean yea I agree with you, but having such things.. well.. I'm sure you could see the potential for abuse. Go talk to your captain, and see what steps you need to take in order to use them." After speaking with Aigneis, Sakura would show up and ask what she needed to do. "Most of the rebuilding is done already, maybe help with some of the relief supplies. I'm sure you can find something to do. Oh and its good to see that you're ok." he would speak before moving along. "Now if you'll excuse me. I'm gonna go check out this portal." he would make not while moving to the area where the portal was located. "Allright Elly. Do your thing." After speaking the command, Elly would hop off of his shoulder. She would then proceeded to start scanning the portal with care. The little cat knew it was unwise to get too close to what with all she knew could be the portal straight to hell. A few steps back, Zero continued to tap away at his datapad. While occasionally looking up to check on his favorite feline, he would read the scans as they arrived on his datapad.



Word Count: 279

Sepherene tilted her head at the burst of activity from Fourth Division. Healers were pointless to her. The body was frail and the flesh was weak. If the Soul Society truly sought any superiority, then more of her design should have been made. There had to be a reason behind clinging to tradition and the frailty of the 'human' existence. Upon closer examination, she could see the suffering of the people in the area, returning home to possessions lost and memories shattered by the horrifying event that occurred. No healer could truly fix this, and even her ability to manipulate the area to her liking wouldn't be able to fix the rift.

As Zero and Elly analyzed the Portal, Sepherene began to steal reishi from rubble and dirt, turning the spirit particles into a new structure, a sort of containment field that seemed to enshrine the Portal amongst an intricate stone-work with monuments to the fallen Soul Reapers about it. "Zero - Taicho. Containment established. Monuments constructed. The zone is clearly demarked as an enter at your own risk. We should likely consider enacting executive control over it until a meeting with the Captains can be established. Making going near the portal without Squad Twelve authorization a criminal offense due to it's volatile nature.", Sepherene explained to Zero.

Sepherene was not normally one to have an opinion, but with her own ability to analyze the Portal left behind by the pillar's explosion, she could not help but feel a desire to prevent any Shinigami from getting too close. The only reason she did not initially stop Zero was because he was her superior and to do so would violate her programming. She could not stop Zero nor object to his will. Mayuri had designed her to be an obedient lap-dog for himself before his demise in the Quincy Blood War, and that programming effect had now transferred to Zero with him being the new replacement for Kurotsuchi.

'It's for everyone's protection... Fourth Division can heal the existing wounds, but as long as I am operational, there will be no new ones here for them to contend with.', the artificial soul thought to herself. Or was it even a thought? Maybe it was a simple command line in her programming? Self-Awareness had this strange implication that organic organisms weren't programmed in a way themselves to behave one way or another, Were her creators even aware of their own natural instinct to react, retaliate, defend, balance? No, this had to be more than just a series of protocols imprinted on a fleshy central processing unit. Until she could understand life and what it meant to be alive, Sepherene's resolve to protect and the protocols backing it up seemed reinforced by her quest for this knowledge.

It was likely his readings would have come back with the portal being a two-way door, but it's condensation of jokai energy would likely have an effect on a normal spiritual being akin to being torn apart by a black-hole. Complete erasure as far as he could tell...or at the very least being converted into a Jokaisho-Sworn on the other side. It is obviously a trap for the fool-hardy explorer.

Isabella Kiyoshi
Squad 4 Soldier
Isabella yawned softly into the palm of her hand as she glanced around. She glanced over at Lucy as the other girl entered the tent, and stared for a moment as she commented on not being able to respond enough to the medical tent. After a brief pause at the comment on the area being rebuilt, she replied, "it's alright. You were still helpful with being out of the hospital and healing people who you found on patrol with Zero-Taicho and Nikuya-san. And hopefully with the area fixed, division twelve can focus on figuring out where the portal leads and what can pass through into this world."

She would look outside as she heard a noise, and glance over at Lucy as she added, "hang on for a moment." With that, she would look outside, the medical tent and watch as the supply tent was put together. She motioned over to a group of medics that were sitting around and not doing anything, and do a silent hand signal to tell them to move the excess supplies to the requisition tent. As they were moving the supplies over, she glanced over at the portal as she noticed something odd. She watched as a containment structure went up around the portal, forcing a group of soldiers to move to keep from getting in trouble. With that, she would glance over at Lucy as she commented, "it looks like division twelve determined whatever's on the other side shouldn't be messed with. It should also keep anything that tries to come through trapped." She would glance back at the other medic after a couple of seconds as she asked, "when's your birthday by the way?"

Overzealous Orange Congressmen:
Zanpakuto State: inactive / shikai
HP: 325/325 SE: 205/205
Word Count: 282 * 1.8 = 507

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