|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:22 am
Upon Iba Noriko's acceptance into the Tenth Division, it is only fitting that she be made to endure the tradition of training for one's Shikai. This is a Private Roleplay, so you can watch, but no talking.
Setting: An open field
Time: Evening
Players: Hogosho Jubaku (Captain Jubaku) and Iba Noriko (Joji-tan)
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 4:49 pm
 Ⓢuffering a loss is... Noriko could kick herself in the head for agreeing to do this in the first place. It is not that she does not believe in Zanpakuto. She has seen many used and manifested throughout her time especially with the Covert Ops. What she could not comprehend was why there would be one in her wakizashi. It is not even the standard blade that one receives upon completion of their studies at the Shino Academy. However, she had felt an undeniable attraction to the particular weapon, taking it as her own when she left the school. This was the object that she had in hand now as her legs led her across an open field, somewhere in the World of the Living. It was nearing the time of night, but that was perfect for her. She had trained multiple times to the point that it had only the moon to guide her home afterwards. With this in mind, the newly instated lieutenant slipped her blade back into the folds of her black shizoku. Her body did not feel comfortable, for the lack of a better word, in a kimono. It did not fit her movements and that was important especially for someone of her specialty. The girl stopped in her tracks and faced west to take in the last few moments of a dying sun. She wondered absentmindedly if it mourned its own death or if it could not wait to lend life to its lunar counterpart. She sighed in spite of herself and plopped her body down amongst the grass. Her legs folded them naturally in a position that would allow her to stand instantly if the occasion arose. Actually, it should. This was supposed to be training for her Shikai. Unfortunately, she could not help the feeling that it would be an absolute waste of time. Eventually, her eyelids fluttered shut. Her breathing evened out. Her senses heightened. Now begins the wait for her teacher. ...Gaining a new Ⓛife. Ⓜood
⇒xPatient yet unsettled
Ⓒompany
⇒xNo one…yet.
Ⓛocation
⇒xWorld of the Living – An open field
Ⓞut of Ⓒheerios
⇒xI figured that I should give you a post before I become unavailable for a few days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 5:28 pm
As the sun died down to the last few glimmers of twilight, a rapid gust of wind accompanied Jubaku as he shunpoed into the field, the ever illuminating moon starting to rise in the background behind him. He was fairly anxious to get started as it had been a while since he was an instructor; Not since his days at the academy. He swiftly looked down at his young Lieutenant, sitting upon the middle of the grassy field. He shifted tapping his cane on the ground with echoing *thumps* to alert her to his presence.
"Why you decided to be trained in this place is beyond me, but let us get started, shall we?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:23 am
Noriko stayed still as her Captain came to a stop behind her. She leaned her head to the side as he commented on her choice of a training area. Firstly, it was cooler at night. Secondly, there was something about the moon, was there not? With one arm placed on the grass behind her, she twisted her body to see it beyond the legs of Captain Hogosho.Its brilliance dazzled her even this early in its reign over the sky. Suddenly, a calmness overtook her. Her motionless posture remained so for a few moments before her body tightened and swung out low in a full circle with an extended leg and enough force to throw the man off balance. Once that is complete, she would stand fully with her arms crossed and her head bowed. OoC: It has been a while since I have roleplayed fighting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 9:32 am
Jubaku watched as the small woman made an overly done motion to stand up and then quietly took her standing position in the middle of the field. He slowly walked up to her and stood directly in front of her eying her down with a staunch look of seriousness. He then held out his hand to the young woman his other quietly still as it gripped the head of his cane.
"If I am to train you, you must promise to do everything that I say without question. Is that understood?"
(I couldn't tell if that leg sweep was meant for me or just an overly done way of standing up from the seated position.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 4:01 pm
Noriko blinked her acceptance that it was completely believable that a Captain would dodge such a dirty trick. As the taller shinigami approached her, the girl could not help becoming more and more aware of her height. By the time that he was directly in front of her, she felt like the mine year old child that her mother died, trying to protect. Her face flushed with embarrassment at the thought. She looked away to hide it, but scoffed openly at his demand. With a wave of her hand, Noriko stepped away from the man. "Not interested." She headed in the general direction of the moon. Her arms were almost hugging her now. It had been her choice to leave and to embark on this journey of self-discovery. However, now that it was here, she could not make such a jump without knowing where she would land. Slowly, the young lieutenant turned her head only. "Tell me what you have in mind first."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 6:34 pm
Jubaku silently watched as the young woman seemingly became more and more abrasive towards him as he approached. But as he finally did approach her all the way, she became utterly embarrassed, attempting to hide away her face from him which only made Jubaku's head tilt in curiosity at what could be causing this. Jubaku then noticed that this entire time he had been steadily looking down at the young woman which probably made her feel uncomfortable due to the extreme height difference between them.
She suddenly and openly scoffed at his request, pushing past him as she began to look at the rising moon. She turned and asked him what he had in mind.
"No."
Jubaku immediately sat in place in a seiza position, as he looked up at her before closing his eyes.
"Until you agree to my terms, I cannot and will not teach you. As your Captain, I need your loyalty, But as your teacher... I need your trust."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:04 pm
"And my trust is not freely given," she nearly shouted at him. Noriko turned on her heel to face him fully. "As your lieutenant, I know that my loyalty is required and I have no trouble with that. I would have followed my last Captain to the ends of the Earth if it had been asked." With her arms still folded tightly across her chest, the young woman strode confidently to park herself in line with the man. She looked down at his serene features with a scowl of her own. "Do you even know why I left my squad? Yes, you may know the public record of my departure by heart but," she sat down again, mirroring his position, "can you even guess my reason for walking away?" She breathed deeply after this, leaning back on her arms. "You can't ask someone to trust you just like that. Professional loyalty is a courtesy, not personal." Her chocolate brown irises could not move from his eyelids just yet. OoC: Well, she's making him work for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2014 7:30 pm
Jubaku only sighed, as things were slowly spiraling out of control. He stopped suddenly, just stopped, stopped everything: Thinking, listening, Focusing. He just breathed. Taking in every slow breath as time almost began to stop for him. He slowly reached into his sleeves again, this time pulling out his ornate Japanese pipe and a small leather bag. He took his time cleaning the large, slender pipe, before reaching into the bag and pulling out a small amount of what seemed like dried herbs. Jubaku then stuffed the pipe with the herbs, pressing them into the end of his pipe with great care. He then put away the bag back into his sleeve and pulled out a box of matches. Striking one, he slowly lit his pipe, the smoke slowly rising into the cool night air. The distinguished smell of fresh rain beginning to waft through the air as it emanated from the smoke of his pipe. He put the pipe to his lips, slowly sucking in a small amount of smoke before softly blowing it back out as it colored the night sky above.
"So... being as how we have time and we will be working together for such a very, very long time, it may be best if we told our stories."
(You are not making this easy Joji...)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:51 am
Noriko watched with solemn interest as her Captain prepared his pipe. Then, he proceeded to smoke it. It smelled like rain and she could not help breathing it in on purpose. Her eyes narrowed at his statement. It would seen that the ball was still in his court even after she had tried so hard to kick it into his. The smoke became an easy distraction for her as she fought to find the right words. How does one relate the very core of their being to a stranger? What foundation is there to ensure safe traveling? Her chest heaved. She was not ready for this. With a lowered head, the lieutenant made a small noise of annoyance before lying on her back. "You first," she uttered defiantly. OoC: I am playing out the extent of how much she is afraid to make an emotional connection with anyone. lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:26 am
Jubaku slowly set his cane on the ground in front of him, as he then pulled away from it. He blew another long wisp of smoke into the night air before silently pulling back and sitting straight up. Perhaps it was time to give a little to get a lot. Another moment of swallowing his pride came to his overwhelming dismay, he did not like talking about himself, but to get through to this young woman, he was the one in the best position to do so.
"I have indeed read your file. You think I do not understand, but I may be the one person who understands you the most Iba Noriko."
Jubaku then moved his pipe to one side of his mouth as he pulled back his loose fitting haori and gi on the right side of his chest. There on the top of his right pectoral was a massive circular scar from what appeared to be a pretty nasty stab wound. It went all the way through his body, going from the front to the back. He looked straight into Noriko's eyes as he did this, not daring to look away.
"Long before now, there once lived a small boy in the outskirts of the Rukongai. He was poor, but happy in his small life. He had his family and he was extremely gifted with huge amounts of spiritual power. He was well on the way to a very successful life, a life he could use to make happy the family that had given him so much... One night, however, the boy awoke, not to the silent sounds of his siblings sleeping in the next room, but to the blood-soaked terror of watching as a Hollow began to kill and eat most of his family. As he watched on, he charged the monster in a fit of maddening rage, only to be stabbed through the chest by one of the Hollow's massive fingers for his efforts. As the Hollow was baring down on the boy, ready to collect his wounded prey, it was cut down by a group of Shinigami who had finally showed up to deal with the monster. Yes, it is as you suspect. The monster was drawn to the home by the boy, who in his fledgling youth, possessed great power, but could not control it. Eventually the boy was taken to a healer, who managed to save the child that was on the brink of death. After 3 days and nights of agony and screaming, the boy finally awoke. This time to an empty world, a colorless world. It took a few moments for the boy to regain himself, but after feeling the bandages on his chest, he realized and remembered. He was now alone. He was 10 years old."
Jubaku then hid his chest again, turning around as so not to face her as his breathing had become erratic and should one be able to see him right now, they might see a single tear roll down his face.
(Now. Your turn.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:08 am
Noriko kept her eyes fixated on the mass of darkness above them. Her ears picked up the shuffling motions of Captain Hogosho. She paid it no mind until he stated those fateful words so clearly. The girl let out a breath before pulling herself up to face the man. That was quite a claim to make and she wanted to laugh in his face properly when he had failed to convince her. However, she was in for a rude awakening when one of the most horrific and unsightly scars that she had ever seen came into view. Her irises flickered upwards to meet his. Then, he began the story. As the words came, she leaned forward to take in as much as she could. She noted that he related the tale in third person. 'Does that make it easier?' she wondered in spite of herself. Tears accumulated at the corners of her eyes once it became clear to her how the story would end. By the concluding statement, Noriko had the answer to her question in the way that the older gentleman turned away from her in an attempt to save face. She closed her eyes and smiled at this, causing the tears to fall of their own accord. "You're an idiot and even more so for crying." She wiped at her own wet face, laughing at herself. Forcing herself to breathe evenly, the lieutenant shifted into a kneeling position and looked away from her Captain's back. "I was nine when Hollow decided that I should die. My mom died trying to foil that plan." Crap, the tears were coming back. "Naturally, I woke up here and he found me." Noriko allowed herself to pause at this, remembering her play partner, Miho. Her body shook at the memory and her breath came tagged as she was determined to return this depressing favor. "If I had been better, he would have..." She could not stop the watery flow. "Anyway, fast-forward to this year, I had an accident that damaged the Second Division Grounds greatly. No one was hurt, but..." She rose to her feet now. "I don't know how to forgive myself for the people who have lost their life for mine." She wiped at her face again, failing very well at calming her soul. "Idiot." OoC: Okay, it should be smooth sailing from here on out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 9:35 am
When Jubaku had finished his story of the boy and turned around, the young woman asked him a question that only one who had lived through the same nightmare would ever think to ask. It was in that moment that the two thought as one, and it was there that they could find their center; The common ground they needed to move on. He stood up and slowly walked past her, his face still hidden by the night air. Holding his pipe in one hand and his cane in the other, he looked up at the moon that blazed through the night sky with a brilliant silver sheen. He then thought about how to answer her question as saying the words were perhaps the hardest thing he ever had to do. But he realized that he had already given her the answer, as he wiped away the single tear on the large sleeves of his haori. People who understood need not utter the words.
He now listened as he could hear the soft tears trickling down her face, an act, that if he focused to much on, would affect him as well. She called him an idiot and laughed, which caused him to smile ever so slightly as he continued to stare at the moon. Yes, perhaps he was an idiot, but she was an idiot too. I was useless now to tell her not to cry as she began her own story. The continuity of which was eerily familiar to his own, which continued to stir up the emotions inside him, plaguing him with feelings of loss and pain. She then talked about forgiving herself. At which by the time she finished wiping her face the last time, he was standing in front of her as he held out his hand, the moon shining brilliantly behind his head.
"Move forward. Take all the pain and all the loss and Live, if not for yourself, for them. This is not me offering you forgiveness, that is something you must take for yourself. This is me offering you the way to the future. So... Iba Noriko, please, be my student!"(This ending post made me feel good.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 2:55 pm
She had just managed to control her breathing when Noriko realized that her Captain had taken up position in front of her. She sniffed up the last bit of her self-pity, wiping the past from her eyes. His words infiltrated her mind and the young woman frowned by default. This was the problem with sharing secrets. It made darkness seem to be a little brighter and fooled hearts to think that they had found sneak mirror this time. Noriko sighed and turned away from him, turning her back on the moon. "Fine. If you must sound so desperate, I will oblige. Consider me your student." Her arms wrapped themselves around her form once more and her chin touched her chest. "What's first?" was the whisper. OoC: I am sorry for the wait. Christmas present, maybe? sweatdrop Oh yeah, it is all about the process. That is why it felt good.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:54 pm
He shifted and lowered his hand, sighing a bit at her actions, but this time it was a sigh of contentment as he had managed to finally get her to open up to him, even if it was only a little. He shifted again and turned on his heels making a complete 180 as he faced her this time. He took his pipe and pressed it to his mouth once more taking a deep breath before pulling it away again. He closed his eyes and refocused himself, this time getting frankly rather serious about the affair that they have just undertaken. He blew a large smoke ring at her, the fresh smell of rain still wafting from the smoke and his pipe.
"Firstly... Your Zanpakuto. Give it to me. You won't be needing it for now. Oh, and no questions."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
