[4th/Captains] Week 191: Taishuu Practical: The Black Swan

Rob · Apr 25, 2011

So this was sort of… it, right? There was no turning back. Well, in all honesty there was, but that would make her look like an even bigger and even completer fool than when she would just take the damn test. They tended to say that, “Failure is not an option,” but that wasn’t exactly true.

Not by a long shot, because even if she would fail… she would be one hell of an experience richer and whoever said that wasn’t valuable could just stick it up their arse.

[-Just promise not to stick me up their arses, okay?-], Mu Teikei jested internally as the young healer vice-captain made her way to the proving grounds... or whatever the hell they called that place.

Can’t promise you anything, buddy.

[-Fair enough, m’lady.-]

Though meaningless, Kaede had always been a bit sceptical about her zanpakutou’s spirit. Sure, there wasn’t exactly a lot you could expect from a robot... because, after all, a robot was still a robot, but the fact that it kept correcting itself in accordance to her own thoughts was a bit unsettling.

She had been dreaming of this for quite some time now, some dreams were nicer than others... some where even a downright nightmare, but for some reason she was a bit happy. Now that she was making her way towards the proving grounds, the grounds where many-a shinigami had been tested, had been put through the practical, she could exhale a soft sigh of relief.

Then again, it was still scary as hell... having to face against a captain... and what if she did fail, what would she do then? Obviously she would return to the Fourth and continue doing her duties there... but was that what she really wanted?

Shaking her head she drove all of her trivial thoughts away and stepped foot on one of the most imposing places she had ever dared to witness. This was, after all... perhaps, a once in a lifetime opportunity and Kaede decided that if it would come to it...

She would definitely try her hardest and make the best of it.

Can’t believe it, I’m first?

[358]

Eidolon · Apr 25, 2011

Upon the ridge of the deep gorge that defined the Taishuu testing grounds, a figure clad in stark white loomed in silence. His senses were extended, waiting for the subject in question to arrive. And her arrival brought with it a flurry of stimulation. A scent, a slow tingle through the sixth sense of reiatsu perception, and the sound of shifting earth. A few steps carried him over the natural roll of the cliff, making him visible to any that would be below.

There were no words for the supplicant, only an unyielding stare augmented by the lazy shift of fine silk about the Ivory Lord's martial physique.

[108/108]

IshinOnigami · Apr 25, 2011

Upon he other ridge sat a figure that slouched under the weight of great chains. His eyes missed nothing of the scene below and across from him. He took it all in.

He was enjoying his recreation time.

Ishin glanced over at Theron, noting that the man wore the ever present mask. His disagreements with the man were not hidden, especially there own two differing ways of dealing with the C46. Theron was the Favorite, their pet captain. At least, that was what it seemed like. Ishin, on the other hand, was the black sheep, for lack of a better term. They tolerated him. He did not indulge them in their delusions of absolute control. He focused his attention down into the pit.

"Ah, if it isn't Makoto's protege. How nice to see you again."

Rob · Apr 25, 2011

Ah, of course I wasn’t first, Kaede mentally noted, smiling softly as she looked up to see at least the face of Ishin and that of which seemed to be the Kenpachi Theron Ascania.

“Ishin-taichou,” Kaede began, nodding his way, “it’s nice to see you too, hopefully your day outside of the prison won’t be a wasted one.”

Still, now that she realized she wasn’t the first to have arrived, she wondered if most of the other captains were also already there. It seemed highly likely, and for some reason the young to-be-captain found herself shaking a bit.

Well, a little nervousness is never a bad thing, right?

[108/466]

Beaks · Apr 26, 2011

"It's nice to finally beat Inuzuri to one of these damn things..." Followed by the tepid crackling of the ebony fire the Templar Queen made her entrance, looking down into the pit to make sure her would-be boast wasn't going to be rendered null by a Reiatsu-cloaked Soitaichou. "...it's also nice not to be down there."

Taking a seat on the ledge near Captain Ascania Tsubaki made a quick greeting to the two other Haori-clad figures in attendance. "Katsuji, nice to see you again." Turning her gaze up towards the still standing noble, the smile did little to fade from her lips. "Theron, how goes?"

Under the circumstances I've been shockingly nice.

Eidolon · Apr 26, 2011

While the veiled figure did not look away from the would be peer below, his head slipped forward in a gesture of acknowledgment to the Captain of the eleventh. "She's afraid, I can smell it," was the first response he offered. Perhaps it was something that heavily weighed on his mind or simply what occupied it presently, for after a moment he seemed to realize the poor quality of his response and offered something a bit different. "That will depend on how the Soutaichou decides to test this request. It should be interesting, considering I killed her predecessor in the Ninth." The last sentence was a bit louder then the first, clearly intended to project down the chasm.

[118/226]

Divine Truth · Apr 26, 2011

“Nice to not be down there,” the ginger-haired nobleman repeated. “I do believe that is an accurate statement if I’ve ever heard one.”

Makoto Matsumara arrived at the precipice of the proving grounds wearing his ever present winning smile, clearly excited for the impending occasion. As the nobleman approached his peers his hazel sight lingered momentarily upon the trail of dissipating black fire that crackled in the wake of the Templar Queen before allowing them to travel up to the face of the warrior that commanded it. “It’s good to see you, Tsubaki. I hope I find you in good health; you as well, Theron.”

The latter part of his statement came with a respectful nod towards the current Kenpachi. “You smell fear, do you?” the healer asked in a conversational manner. “That’s a relief then. It means she’s still human. Frankly, I was starting to have my doubts….”

After a pregnant pause, Makoto finished his statement with a bit of a chuckle, indicating his so-called doubts were little more than jest.

[172]

swaswj · Apr 26, 2011

Amidst that pause, the newly-inaugurated Soutaichou made his appearance. Appearing as if from nowhere, the grey-haired shinigami strode forward to the edge of the gorge. The long tresses were tied behind his head in a simple ponytail hanging down to mid-back. His strong jaw was clean-shaven, save for the trimmed goatee on his chin. The man's one-sleeved haori hung heavily, hardly ruffled by the swift movement of his legs or what breeze could be felt.

The silver spear, Karino Yadori no Kamayari, was clutched in one hand. He stabbed its tip into the hard ground and left it suspended there.

Nodding a simple greeting to the assembled captains, Sayis Inuzuri calmly stepped over the edge and down into the pit with the new captain-potential. His calm grey eyes met hers as he walked over to stand directly in front of her.

Skipping any preliminary discussion, he raised his voice to address not only the woman but also the captains above. "Kusajishi Kaede, you stand before the captains of the Thirteen Court Guardian Squads with intent to stand among their ranks. Under what, and whose, recommendation does she present herself in these proving grounds?"

The question was directed at the captains... more specifically, at Makoto.

[205/205]

Note

Divine Truth · Apr 27, 2011

Makoto shook his head as the newly installed Soutaichou appeared out of thin air. “Showoff,” the nobleman grumbled darkly. But the time for half-hearted jealousy quickly passed; Sayis did not linger amongst the gathering of captains at the edge of the chasm but instead launched immediately into the task at hand.

“Kusajishi Kaede stands upon these hallowed grounds on my recommendation, Makoto of House Matsumara.

“I believe that the woman standing before us has the intellect, the fortitude, and the peculiarity to lead the Ninth Division and have it thrive. And that is the key; to have the division thrive. It is not enough that we simply wrest control from the esteemed Forty-Six; if the Ninth flounders under a Gotei captain’s direction they’ll simply take it back. The division is simply too valuable to fail.”

[135/307]

swaswj · Apr 27, 2011

Sayis looked up toward Makoto. "I believe at this point it bears mentioning that the Research and Development Bureau and the Ninth Division are not the same entity. The Central Forty-Six will maintain control of the Bureau and its funding." Turning back toward Kaede, he nodded. "The new captain of the Ninth will have to augment the division's own funding where necessary to make up for the disparity."

The captain folded his arms, lifting his voice for the others again. "Would anyone else like to voice their support?"

[89/294]

Code of the Noble · Apr 27, 2011

“I would,” he answered in a monotone, approaching the other captains. A breeze tossed the royal haori, branded with the Eighth's kanji.

Senesati looked to Kaede and continued on, “After a rather detailed meeting with this young woman. I, myself came to the conclusion that with her odd talents and views, that she may very well make a great addition to our diversified ranks of leadership.

“With a more diverse leadership, can allow for more growth opportunities to each of our soldiers. Whether the old are learning from the new,” he turned and faced Kaede, “or the new are learning from the old.”

He then pivoted on his right foot, turned around, and faced the Soutaichou as his long raven-like hair whipped in pursuit of the his very being.

[132/132]

swaswj · Apr 28, 2011

Sayis waited. When it seemed that no other votes of support were forthcoming, he gave a solemn nod. "Such quiet for such an important question," the Soutaichou remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"Now," he called out, eyes firmly on Kaede, "will anyone voice dissent? Is there a reason, or reasons, that one of you existing captains would deny Kaede the opportunity, the honor and responsibility, of donning a haori?"

Theron and Tsubaki were the ones he most expected to speak up, but how many would prove to be undecided?

[89/383]

IshinOnigami · Apr 28, 2011

"Sorry Sayis, but let me interrupt you. I was going to voice my support. I haven't had the chance to actually sit down and talk to her, but every time she has spoken to me, she has asked me to proctor this exam. Now, whether that happens or not, I have to admire her tenacity, if nothing else."

He didn't mention how stubbornness much like that was why he was a Captain. None present had been there for his.

OOC: SOrry for the late post. was gonna post last night but i had to go out for a birthday party then i was beat when i got home.

Rob · Apr 28, 2011

Kaede felt like an odd fish in an even odder tank of diversified people. There was so much going on that it was, frankly, a bit frustrating for the young woman to try anything in the hopes of figuring out what the hell was going on.

She was supposed to be fighting someone for her practical, right? So why hadn’t they started yet? And, as things were going right now... she would probably have to fight the Captain-Commander himself? That didn’t bode... exactly well, actually.

Still... could be worse.

[83/555]

Eidolon · Apr 28, 2011

"A question, then, before I give my answer." Theron did not turn his gaze from the prospective captain below, even as his thoughts churned back thousands of years. "Your predecessor was a failure. Not simply because he took up the path of a rogue; disavowing his duty to the Gotei and turning his back upon it when most needed. No, his true offense was a lack of ethics. The man who started the Research Bureau was a rival for the first Kenpachi in power, but in another way as well: morality. Though he created many great assets for the Gotei, his heart was his guide." Clasping his hands at the small of his back, the skull of rarest painite appeared from the part of the captain's long white cloak. The carving leered in silent appraisal of the woman below.

"What is your limit? What will guide your hand?"

[148/374]

Rob · Apr 29, 2011

“What will guide my hand, huh?” Kaede repeated somewhat stoically as she pondered on the thought for a second.

“Well, first and foremost... and with all due respect, I am no womanizer, never was never will be. I do not enjoy the company of skimpy-dressed women on my lap, nor do I enjoy going to a bar, pub or whatever you want to call it to pick them up.

“But,” she continued, suppressing a chuckle, bowing her head softly only to move it back up to Theron again, her eyes staring back into the abyss that was the Third Division Captain’s gaze, “I know that is not exactly the answer you are looking for, nowhere near even.

“You asked me what it is that will guide my hand... as opposed to my predecessor. For one, rationality. Whereas he was, perhaps, irrational in his thoughts, his motives, his moral even. I will try my hardest to adhere to whatever task is set out for me. Don’t get me wrong, though. If you say jump, I will not ask how high... I will, however, ask you why. I am not a mindless creature, bent only on following her master’s orders, I have a meaning of my own, ideals of my own, but I will not let my thoughts, my feelings, my heart stand in the way of doing what is right, what is just, and what is to be done.

“I have been asked a similar sort of question by my captain, mentor and friend, Makoto, who asked me a question regarding priorities. In a dire situation, possibly in Hueco Mundo, would I offer my men a chance for escape, a chance to complete a mission or a chance to fight off the incoming forces along with me?

“I think it speaks for itself that no operation, no mission is the same, but the outcome... very much. I will not send them off on their own, for fear of them getting killed in the aftermath, I will not ask them to complete the mission... because that would be suicide as well. I will tell them, ask them to come with me, to help me fend off whatever needs to be done so that our chances of survival are the highest.

“If they do die, it will be my responsibility, and mine only. I will take any burden thrown at me, for I will not regret my decisions.”

Breaking free from the Alabastar Lord’s gaze for a single second, Kaede faced Senesati and continued, “Similarly, Senesati here asked me whether or not I will put my own interests before the interests of my division, of the entire Gotei Thirteen. He asked me whether or not I was aware that my own interests could lead to not only the destruction of the Ninth, but a lot more than that.

“I’m not fickle, I will not be lead by mere emotions... simply because I’ve never even learned how to. At the same time, I won’t be misled by my own interests either. Sure, if I have the time and space to execute whatever thought I want, I will, but there is no way I will have that affect my duties as a captain.

“What I’m trying to say is,” Kaede carried on, averting her gaze back to Theron, “is that the interest of the Thirteen Court Squads, as well as that of my subordinates will guide my hand, the requests from my peers. I will not be so fickle as to say no to someone’s request when, or if, I don’t like them. Even if I hate them with all my guts, even if I feel like smothering them... I will carry out my duties as I’m supposed to.”

[624/1179]

P.S. Sorry for the somewhat long turn.

Eidolon · Apr 30, 2011

Silently, the captain of the third lifted his chin through the candidate's response. After a time, he stood stark still, nothing to hint that flesh had not simply turned to stone underneath the ivory folds of silk and cloth. The heavy thoughts of whether he should give support or not might have been what kept him silent for those few, long moments, but certainly something did.

Theron broke his own silence after the theatrical pause, though he still did not seem to move. "Let us see what the blades say, then."

[97/471]

swaswj · Apr 30, 2011

The Soutaichou closed his eyes, mulling it over for a few moments. Always before the taishuu practical had been little more than a hazing ritual, pitting one against a foe they could not defeat and not quite testing anything. At the same time, though, that kind of insurmountable opponent helped hammer in the necessity for determination.

A mountain to overcome... and a purpose to trying it.

"As Captain of the Ninth division, you will be expected to be creative and display ingenuity. In battle, this can turn the tides in a trying situation. You must find solutions to impossible problems, and while under duress.

"Makoto, Ishin, step down here." Sayis opened his eyes at last, looking into Kaede's eyes. "Your opponent is Katsuji Ishin. He will be protected and healed by Makoto Matsumara. Using any means possible, or necessary -- even if that means killing Makoto, should you be capable -- you are to demonstrate your ability to respond to and overcome this handicap.

"Makoto, defend yourself and Ishin to the full of your ability, but do not attack Kaede. Ishin, attack Kaede with absolute seriousness."

In a blink Sayis had disappeared, reappearing at the top of the gorge next to the spear, Karinoyo. With a calm, heavy tone, he announced, "Kusajishi Kaede, your practical test has begun."

[219/602]

Rob · Apr 30, 2011

Having not quite expected this sort of development, Kaede nonetheless reacted within the blink of an eye.

“Raikouhou!” she called out as soon as both her adversaries had landed on the ground, forcing the spell onto Makoto; not caring for the incantation whatsoever.

Immediately thereafter, the young woman silently released her shikai, pouring quite the bum of reiatsu into her now empowered gauntlet and used her flash step’s momentum to launch a punch towards Ishin’s face.

[76/1255]

Stats

Expenditures

Shikai

IshinOnigami · May 2, 2011

"As you order."

Ishin disappeared from the point opposite Sayis where he sat, reappearing across from his adversary inside the testing grounds. When she came at him with her attack, his blade came up with little effort, the metal of his sword sliding along the metal of first her gauntlet, then her artificial arm. Pushing out against his sword, he cleared a little room from her. A small smile graced his features for a moment, showing his approval for her opening attack.

Then his began. In the span of a heartbeat, he was upon her. His sword flew at her in different angles, some absurdly strange when considering the blade's size. One moment a downward slash, the next a thrust that should have been impossible with such a weapon. He would duck and weave through it, like a dance that they had practiced before hand. It was as if his blade knew where she was going. After what seemed like an eternity, he backed away, his sword held out as if it weighed no more than a twig.

"You had better keep up. If you don't keep this interesting, I tend to grow bored. I despise being bored."

STATS

Ready to join Post Terminus?

[4th/Captains] Week 191: Taishuu Practical: The Black Swan

Pew Pew Pew

Murderface Murderface

New Member

Pew Pew Pew

Wacky Woohoo Pizza Sadness Man

Murderface Murderface

Word. Adjective. Pronoun.

Administrator

Word. Adjective. Pronoun.

Administrator

New Member

Administrator

New Member

Pew Pew Pew

Murderface Murderface

Pew Pew Pew

Murderface Murderface

Administrator

Pew Pew Pew

New Member

Current Date in Araevis