[All 10th] Week 306: Point of the Spear

[Time Lady Katie]

The best way to describe the following few minutes was utter chaos. Taidans all around the Tenth Division were almost constantly glowing, people were disappearing and reappearing in groups, deploying the most imposing figures in the Tenth Division with drawn zanpakutou all around. Everyone was in sets of two. In order to even enter the Tenth Division, detailed questions and security checks were in place, in most cases requiring not just identification but proof of mission. People scrambled, and with surprisingly few exceptions, responded to Adelaide’s call for defensive readiness with clarity and seriousness of purpose.

There was a shot, and a good one, that this frantic action was preparing for a follow-up from the Ninth that wasn’t coming, but she couldn’t be sure. And if it wasn’t, at least the Tenth would be prepared for reprisals for what was about to happen. It was time to plan the counterstrike. Teams of three began sweeping the Courtyard and the Headquarters, looking for any surveillance equipment the Ninth might have, again possibly a bit too paranoid, but it was impossible to tell what was coming next. This kind of action from one division against another was shocking and unpredictable. And the reaction had to assume more of the same.

“Well,” Adelaide remarked quietly to herself, materializing in the courtyard as an ordered chaos of her troops swirled around her, “bonds are forged in fire. At least we have that...”

That, and the kind of white-hot righteous fury that could melt steel.

Standing, without her haori but with her scythe, the Captain of the Mystics waited for her officers, and hoped that the clemency and mercies of the Departed Spirits would see her through, even if she and they didn’t see eye-to-eye. This was as much self-preservation for them as it was for her, she reasoned. And even if they disliked her, their accord with Lilith stood. For now, at least, she was sure she could rely on them.

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Please read

Consequences and A Proportional Response

 

[Nutella]

"The Ninth's situation at this moment? I won't say I know, the mystic's Taidan flared in a soft, red-violet glow, accentuating the unsightly folds and mars on skin that its granite rested upon. "But I'll go check. Consider me late."

Outside the window, mystics scrambled about, even worse than any civil disturbance that she had ever seen. What, honestly was the affair all about? The Third Seat, for the nth time, lifted her denreishinki as her single auburn eye scanned through the text dispatched by the Ninth. So, the Ninth decided to stop providing their services to the Tenth. Okay. But why was the Tenth being the defensive one? Or was she missing something here? It didn't say any troop from the Ninth coming to fight them. It didn't indicate anything which required such vigilance from the captain. But why exactly she wanted to do this was an enigma to Yuurei.

Are we really doing this? Seriously? the thought crossed mind as she tossed back the now nearly-defunct item on the small table. And here I thought I'd spend a lovely day facing papers on this little room.

Sighing, the officer stood from her seat, gathered the spiritons at her feet and slowly dissipated into thin air.

But then, this is a legitimate command to go forth and stalk. That should be fun.

* * *​

"Okay, Adelaide, I swear there's nothing abnormal here," Kamenashi Yuurei transmitted through Taidan as she walked past the flurry of scientists around the Ninth. With the powers vested upon her by Koutaizumai, she walked like a tattoo-crazed lady with frizzy orange pigtails, donning the same pristine suits on the researchers, along with an eccentric pair of swirl glasses that concealed her eyes. "No troops, no special orders, no movements, nothing. You know, I don't visit this place very often, but it doesn't really take a genius to deduce that they're having a normal day out here."

"I'm not expecting them to be, was the reply, but we're going to apprehend Yin Feng. This behavior endangers our people in the field, and I'm not going to allow that. If he resists, it'll get messy and I want to be ready," came the immediate reply from Adelaide, a distinct voice that came through the murmurs of the researchers that unknowingly walked past her as if she was one of their own.

 

[Bish]

This is madness.

While the rest of the division hustled about making preparations for war, one man walked through the din of chaos with a very clear purpose. The afrogami's head bobbed above the crowd, leaving no ambiguity as to who dared approach the Captain in such turmoil. He made a beeline for the matriarch of House Pierce with several folders in hand and his zanpakuto sheathed.

"Adelaide!" the Mystic shouted just before he got within speaking range. "You have a lot to answer for, but I doubt I have to tell you that."

Satoru mentally pulled one of the many chairs that littered the office along with a table. He took a seat and laid the requested folders on the table, opening each carefully to show that no harm had befallen any of them. "The Tenth remains unharmed. The Ninth has not made overt attacks on the Tenth. Right now, it looks like Feng is trying to make a point and we're simply a hive of angry bees looking for something to sting in retaliation," he stated with more than a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Despite the fact that you haven't even tried to talk to Feng face-to-face, we are rushing about with zanpakuto drawn and living on edge expecting an attack that, as of yet, remains unmade. If all it takes is a stunt like this to get us so riled up, do you expect anyone to take you or anyone else in this division seriously? It would not be wise to take action against Captain Yin until we have had a civil meeting with him about his decision. It would be madness to just run in and try to arrest a leader of the Gotei without any sort of attempt at diplomacy!"

He sincerely hoped that there was some hidden reason for her impulsive actions that would bring him more understanding. Perhaps a secret sneak attack that she had witnessed, or a private declaration of hostility from the Captain himself? Something... anything that might allow him to look at this situation with a tad more understanding than he possessed at that moment.

 

[Time Lady Katie]

“Ignoring for a moment that he tried to turn my division against me and get me run out by torches and pitchforks,” she responded curtly to the hostility of her ever-ill-at-ease Fourth Seat, “you don’t get to cut off the essential services of soldiers in the field. I anticipate he knows I’ll attempt to apprehend him for this and bring him before the Central Forty-Six, and if that is true the callous disregard for life he has shown in his attempts to have me deposed could lead to open hostility.”

At the worst, I’m showing them what it looks like to fight an enemy you can’t predict who strikes from within. You, yourself, have shown how the Gotei is growing more and more hostile toward the Central Forty-six, even in light of the recent relaxation of restrictions. They need to be ready, she frowned, avoiding giving the thoughts voice. And I don’t want to lose even a single person if he turns this bloody when I bring the hammer down. No one will die because of me. If it means they run around on a razor’s edge for a few hours, so be it.

“Regardless,” she continued aloud, “at any given time there are a few dozen active operations we’re involved in, at least tangentially. And those people have just had their lives endangered by a Captain of the Gotei Thirteen because he has declared me unfit for service and elected to endanger you because of it. How much room for negotiation is there, do you think, with someone like that? And what precedent is it if a Captain can be extorted so gleefully by another. This act was criminal. I will not pretend it was anything less because it doesn’t happen to cause you immediate distress.”

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[Evergloam]

Upon returning to the Tenth Division, Adele immediately sought out her best friend, Ren. Having run almost the entire way back from her small house on the edge of District One, the nekogami was a bit out of breathe. Pausing to steady her breathing, the catlike Mystic leaned against a tree. “Hello, tree-san,” she greeted the tall plant politely, though a little breathily. While she collected herself, she sent a quick Taidan to the shinigami she wanted to see. Ren-chan, we’ve been summoned. Onee-chan needs us. Could you meet me so we can walk there together? It’s an emergency, I’ll tell you more once you get here... Though she was not mentally out of breath, the sounds of the Tenth Seat breathing heavily were still audible, even in Taidan.

Straightening herself, Adele brushed off her robes, smoothing them. I certainly can’t show up looking unprofessional, she thought to herself. Trying to settle her nerves, the young woman set about neatening her hair which had managed to stick out in several random directions. Even worse, I can’t get there all worked up, I have to be ready to do whatever Onee-taichou needs and to do that I need a clear head. Calm, composed, poised... She reminded herself. With a final rake of her fingers through her hair, the young Mystic had repaired her appearance and managed to slow the racing of her mind a bit. Were they in immediate danger? What had provoked the Ninth’s sudden actions? Would she and Ren run into any scientists on their way to meet Adelaide? The nekogami hoped not.

And they wouldn’t. The Tenth was in such a state of organized panic that a Ninth member in the mix would be crushed and stomped to the ground just by the running and stampeding about.

Looking down at her cell phone, the vampire frowned as it kept its dormant black screen. Useless. Gripping the pink phone tighter, she let out a heavy sigh. She cared about talking to people when she was out on missions, but the main drawback she saw was that talking to Nevada was harder. Being protective was harder. She had to be in the Tenth now, and couldn’t check on her sister. God, what in the fuck was the reasoning for doing this?

Her mind was penetrated by the transmission from Adele, eliciting a quiet sigh from her that was inaudible to her friend. The Mystic grabbed her kosode, putting the halter top on before walking out of her room, her Koutaizumai wrapped around her left bicep and transforming the very form of Ren with every step.

With a quick jog, she began to walk to the area her friend was at, darting past the people in a slight panic. Some were running to follow possible mental orders from Adelaide or others, some were just freaking out. Ren was trying to stay calm, of course. What else was there to do except follow orders and try to be calm?

With a flash step, she faded, disappearing from sight when she saw Adele. Then, within a heartbeat, she was in front of her friend. She looked at her through her masks eyes, a Cheshire grin on her masks features. “Hello, Adele-chan.”

The feline Mystic returned the smile, although her expression was a little tight with nervousness. "Hey, Onee-chan suggested I bring you since you're one of our strongest unseated members." Adele pushed herself off the tree she'd leaned against. Looping an arm around Ren's, she spoke just a word before setting off, "hold on," a brief flash step took them towards their Captain's location.

Upon arrival, the nekogami loosened a bit as she made her way towards Adelaide and Satoru. Adele stopped a few feet away once she realized they were talking. Satoru, the feline shinigami noticed, looked pretty upset. Her sister didn't appear to be too pleased with the Fourth Seat either. Is he scolding Onee-sama? I suppose some of us must be a little upset, but still.

"Are you nervous, Ren-chan?" The nekogami turned to her friend, not wanting to awkwardly stare at her captain and superior officer while they talked.

“A little. But nothing I can’t handle. I’m just worried what all this means for us,” she admitted, standing beside her friend. She spoke up quietly to Adelaide and Satoru, asking a simple question. “Why did Feng-taichou do it anyway, Adelaide-taichou? Why do it to us, of all people?”

Dys: [422/422]
Ever: [327/327]

Sharin' a turn with Dys just for the hell of it. Hi ya'll.

 

[Time Lady Katie]

Because of me.

“He did it to force my hand. If we attempt to apprehend him, I am guilty of treason; if we do nothing, the division cannot function; if we attempt to negotiate, we are subject to extortion. The scenario ends with me powerless and the Tenth broken in every conceivable endgame so far. That’s why I want you to come up with a new one.”

This was a lie.

Because there’s only one solution.

“But our first priority is to get people back from the Outer Districts and from Earth. I’m ordering everyone who uses Far Skies to get people from the far reaches of Rukongai, but it might take several days for them to return. I need to send a few Mystics along with someone from another division to Earth, and to do that quietly. If the Ninth knows we’re sending someone to coordinate on that side and bring our people home, they can easily shut services off there as well. Once those plans are executed, then we come up with our exit strategy. I already made sure we’re ready should the situation escalate further and sent a messenger to the Soutaichou.”

Get them home.

Lie.

Those were her objectives.

Because I know what has to be done to protect them.

“Some of you don’t seem particularly moved by the fact that our people are cut off from meaningful support, but you are ordered to make our first priority, as Officers of the Tenth, bringing our people home safely. I’m sorry if that ruins your plans for the afternoon.”

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[Bish]

"Greetings Adele and Ren; you're just in time for the show!" he said with a note of dry enthusiasm before returning his attention to the Captain.

"Adelaide, you are right about precisely one thing right now," Satoru stated in a somewhat more level tone than before. "The priority is to get the Mystics back home. However, your plan is inefficient and has quite a few flaws in logic. When the Ninth Division shuts off services, that includes all members of the Tenth and not just those in Sereitei."

He closed his eyes and concentrated, thinking for a few short moments before his eyes opened with the spark of satisfaction.

"With that being said, I have a vision of an endgame in which we can get all of the Mystics on Earth home if you're willing to at least consider the plan I've got. Everything else outside of that, namely the fallout from our sudden wartime mobilization and the potential wrath of our superiors, I cannot help you with. The political games are your business, matriarch of House Pierce."

He withdrew a pen from a nearby container, sketching out a verbal diagram of his plan on the back of one the folders on the table in front of him.

"To start, we can allow the Mystics who were patrolling on Earth to stay there if we so choose. They are not in danger. Why? If you recall, every shinigami on Earth has to have a Jigokuchou in order to make it safely through the Dangai. Those Moths were the first form of interdimensional communication long before the Ninth came up with the Soul Phones, and I'm pretty sure Feng didn't murder every Hell Moth in all realms simply by turning off our cellular services.

His words continued to flow quickly and audibly, almost like an incantation, as he weaved the fabric of reality into a safety net for the Captain.

"However, there is the matter of those who we want to retrieve immediately. All we need to do is send two officers for that, at least one of whom should know Far Skies, to the last known location of each Mystic which I have brought as per your summons. Once they are there, one officer will Taidan all other Mystics on Earth in order to get their locations. Then, the Far Skies practitioner can retrieve the personnel in question and bring them to an established rendezvous point. I recommend two officers because most of our soldiers would be quickly taxed by the effort of using those techniques in concert with each other. Once that's done, they can send a Hell Moth back to Soul Society in order to relay the necessary information to us and we can open a couple of Senkaimons to bring all the regrouped Tenth back home," he said, finally taking a well-earned breath.

"At the most, that should have all Tenth personnel back home within a few hours or so, probably sooner depending on how much spiritual power the Far Skies practitioner has, and it will give us more personnel to prepare for the war-," he said, pausing to give a smile that showed his sardonic attitude toward the whole debacle before continuing, "Oh wait, there is no war!"

"That being said, I can go talk to Yin Feng personally since you refuse to. He would be the fastest way to resolve this whole situation because he's the one in control of the services in the first place. Oh, and to answer your question earlier about whether or not I believe it's possible to reason with him, I believe that there is always a way to communicate even if there are strong differences between the people in question."

He finished his speech with, "After all, you and I manage to get along and we're creatures of logic and emotion respectively. It wouldn't be that hard to convince Feng to see reason."

 

[Several Zombies]

"That won't be necessary."

A voice sounded from behind the mystic captain, the smooth baritones radiating from the diminutive figure of Iha Oudoutai as he strode towards the gathered men and women of the Tenth. Letting out a low chuckle as he surveyed the chaos, the scientist ran a finger absent-mindedly along one of the horns sprouting from near his temples.

"Quite the situation we've got here, ah?" he mused with a slight grin, obviously revelling in the discord his counterpart had sewn. Turning his attention to the Fourth Seat, slitted eyes sized up the irritated swordsman for a moment before he continued.

"And yet the one making the most sense is not the Captain, but the grunt. Curious, ah?"

Turning on his heel, the President of the Spiritual Research and Development Institute turned his gaze towards the leader of the Mystics, still maintaining his eerie smile. Standing in silent contemplation for a moment, the scientist finally let out a short sigh; not one of irritation or exacerbation, but a dismissive scoff dripping with disparity.

"My my," the man breathed cheekily, offering the Mystic Captain a curt nod as he approached her. "...Despite the good Captain making his intentions perfectly clear, you still believe this is warranted? How fortuitous, aha."

Running a hand along one of his horns, the scientist's slitted eyes opened a little wider to stare up at the woman towering over him.

"He needn't start a fire when all he had to do was hand you the matches, ah?"

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[Time Lady Katie]

“The Tenth’s movements have been purely defensive, and purely a reaction to an overt threatening action,” she glanced down at the little scientist with a heay frown on her lips, “which is at least a better reaction than having the division as good as decommissioned by a Captain who’s worn his haori less time than even I have. My priority is to get my people home and protect them. Whoever judges me for that is welcome to.”

Besides, the little man was clever enough to know how this had to end. So was Lilith, it’s why she wouldn’t answer. There was only one endgame.

“Satoru, you’re to coordinate the efforts getting people back from field missions. If you’re truly blessed, it’ll be as easy as you think. You’re not to address Yin Feng. There’s one thing he wants and it isn’t yours to give.”

It was Adelaide’s.

And the only solution was to give it.

She looked back at the little scientist, that scowl still on her face, as she tried to appraise his purpose here. What the hell did he want? What she wouldn’t have given for Taidan to work with this diminutive man. “I intend to end this quickly, before ‘shutdown’ becomes the new state of the Tenth. But if this blackout is maintained through this evening, that is the order I’ll give. Don’t worry, we’re not bringing troops into the streets. I’m an idiot, I’m not hat much of an idiot.”

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[Several Zombies]

"And yet there is plenty of evidence to the contrary." the Souchou beamed, his facial expression oddly mismatched to the tone of his comments. Turning his back to the Captain, Iha's eyes once again beheld the glorious chaos Yin Feng had orchestrated. "...You're acting exactly as he expects you to, Captain."

Stuffing his hands into the pockets of the pristine white coat draped over his shoulders, the Souchou let out another wistful sigh.

"You're a puzzle he's long since figured out." the scientist chided. "...What buttons to push and prod. He's always going to be ten steps ahead of you."

"There's no one quite as good at this game as Yin Feng, ah?" Iha grinned in a sarcastic tone, turning to face the Mystic captain once more. "...Except me."

"I did not present myself to you simply to watch you squirm, Captain." the Souchou let out with a diminutive chuckle. "...I came to offer my assistance."

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[Time Lady Katie]

“I admit, he knows exactly what I’m doing. So, sir, do you. I’m sure you know where I’m going when I leave this meeting, what I plan to do when I get there, and that I see this as the only way out. He played me into a box without lifting a finger, and showed that he’s got more power over the Gotei than five of the rest of us, so I guess this is the part where I ask you to make your pitch.”

She was skeptical. So far the other solutions of ‘do nothing’ and ‘set a precedent for extortion being a food idea’ weren’t particularly appealing, but she didn’t have anyone whose hands she could leave the Tenth in if she gave in to his insanity. That really was the only thing stopping her from doing it the moment service was shut down, honestly. She wanted there to be another option, and Iha seemed ready to present one.

She had about a half dozen orders in mind, different ways to handle a transfer of powers. Not a single person in the Tenth was even close to prepared, but if that was where they were, that was where they were. So, she counted on the little scientist. “He defeated me without having to even try, and I don’t appreciate that. So, sir, go ahead and make your pitch.” Hopefully it was better than ‘give him what he wants’ or ‘just stop using technology’, the brilliant strategies of her subordinates were only marginally more horrible than her own, but they were certainly worse nonetheless.

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[Nutella]

"Any significant developments over there?" Yuurei transmitted through Taidan, her feet now shuffling to the open rooms on the ground floor of the research facility. Lots of screens and metallic machineries and wires... it was overwhelming for the technologically incompetent shinigami, really.

"You know, if I have to judge what's happening here, I'd say they're doing their usual routines."

The Ninth's security and current milieu didn't seem unusual. And if Adelaide didn't tell her to come here and report their current state, she wouldn't be rushing towards the department. Then again, she was able to freely walk around the rooms, and there was no heightened alert for any shinigami from the Tenth. "No troops, no special orders so far. Unless these screens are made to summon their war stuff, I don't think there's anything else besides Yin-taichou's orders." The mystic scurried to the other rooms, poking her head without disturbing the researchers from their businesses. She had gotten curious looks from various researchers, and had been asked, "Don't you have any work to do?" for at least three times now. Sure, if she was doing serious reconnaissance, she could have failed already, but then, the only thing she had to do was to take a teeny weeny peek at their state of affairs.

"Do I stay here and keep looking, or do I have a change of orders?"

 

[Several Zombies]

"You need to do something he won't expect, ah?" the diminutive Souchou breathed. Letting out a dry chuckle, the scientist turned back to face Adelaide, the corners of his lips curling upward in a sly grin that only served to make his plastic visage more eerie. "...You need to think outside of yourself, Captain."

Snakelike eyes glanced past the Mystic leader towards Satoru, accompanied by another indignant scoff.

"Listen to your subordinate. You're wasting precious resources preparing for an impossible eventuality, ah?" Iha scorned with a dismissive wave of his hand. "...For now, use what methods you can to retrieve your fellows from Earth, as your learned underling has suggested."

Letting out a long, low chuckle, the Souchou returned his gaze to Adelaide.

"...And then we'll deal with Feng." he grinned, clasping his hands behind his back. "...But first, there is the matter of compensation."

Those nearest to the pair seemed to halt their frantic chatter as the words left the scientists lips, earning a short guffaw from the diminutive Souchou.

"Surely you didn't think I would offer my services and ask nothing in return, did you?" Iha breathed, his snake-like eyes gauging the woman's response.

"I am closer to Yin Feng than anyone. There is none more suited than I to solve this problem of yours, ah?" the little man grinned. "...And solve it I will, Captain. If the price is right."

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[Time Lady Katie]

Stand by, Yuu. There are a few places I might need you.

“Drawing down the activity of the division isn’t problematic,” since someone wasn’t responding to her repeated attempts to get in contact, the distraction wasn’t really for much of anything, “but I don’t want to do it until everyone’s home safe. If I need to use force to extract someone from a situation, today that force’ll be overwhelming. I won’t lose anyone because they can’t use their phones, the insanity of that is beyond my threshold for tolerance.” Other than that, if she couldn’t execute her own brilliant resignation strategy it was incumbent on her to massively draw down operations; to run silently, essentially. The shutdown would be a hit on functionality the Gotei would simply have to endure.

“As for your price,” she continued, aspiring to a measure she herself couldn’t provide and she doubted that the Commander or the Forty-six would be willing to provide, “I want justice. Badly. I want to make it clear to Yin that even if he got my tenure as Captain ended, the cost would be too high to allow the practice of extortion of Gotei divisions to continue.” She also wanted him to suffer, but she decided that the part of her that wanted that needed not be mentioned in public, “and if you can give me that, whatever cost you have in mind is well worth the result.” Hell, she had been planning to leave a young and inexperienced division to fend for itself and settle into a life of absolute worthlessness to accomplish this end. Compared to that, whatever cost the little scientist had in mind was cheap. Even being a dangerously clever little creature.

She didn’t see a way out, he did. That was more valuable than anything she had to offer. Anything at all.

But until her people were home safe, she was going to be ready to rain Hell itself on anything that endangered them, regardless of who or what force that might’ve been.

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[Dysney]

Adele watched things progress quietly, a small frown on her face. She didn't like this new person. He seemed... off. Like the men Kenshi would do business with sometimes. Her father figure had never liked them, but had brought her along to teach her about people like that. They couldn't be trusted. This strange shinigami from the Ninth had the same glint in his eyes as the types of people Kenshi had told her about, they were hardly honest and usually meant to betray whoever they dealt with.

Then again, the nekogami knew she couldn't necessarily apply these standards to this man she had never met before based on the advice of a man who was a master of manipulation and untruths and expect them to help her understand what was taking place accurately. Still, this guy made her hairs stand up on end. Despite that, the Mystic kept a straight face and did her best to think clearly. To her credit, the feline shinigami didn't even flinch when Adelaide mentioned giving up her captaincy, though inwardly it was a struggle not to panic. Why would Onee-chan stop being our Captain? Even if she is worried if she can do a good job, we need her....

Focus child, her sword spirit reminded her.

Hai. Arigato, Crescendo-chan. The nekogami looked from person to person, trying to assess the situation. Even if Kenshi was a terrible man, he had been smart. In this situation, he would have told her to keep calm and try to figure out as much as she could. Little details could tell a whole story.

Small things, like Toride's ire and blatant, public disrespect to their captain. The odd look in the Ninth shinigami's eye that gave him the impression of looking very smug. The desperateness of Adelaide, who was not even considering the cost of this man's "help". Adele's purple cat ears flickered. The reiatsu signatures around her were interesting. They reminded her of "A Witch's Sabbath". A bad sign. Something horrible was about to happen. The young Mystic had a bad feeling.

With a small pulse of reiatsu, she sent a mental message to her big sister. I know you are worried, Onee-sama, but please be very careful, this man... he may not really want to help you. It's hard to explain, but I think he is trying to manipulate you and it may not end well for anyone if you are not careful.

[408/830]

 

[Several Zombies]

The smile that graced Iha Oudoutai's porcelain facade grew wider as the Captain's desperation was laid bare before him. Leaning towards Adelaide, the little scientist stretched upwards, getting as close to the woman's face as his minuscule stature would allow and lowering his voice to a low whisper only he and the Mystic Captain could hear.

"What I want, Captain, is not petty material recompense. No, what I seek is something far more valuable." the Souchou breathed, running a hand absent-mindedly along one of his horns. "...Knowledge is more valuable than gold, ah?"

Snake-like eyes locked with Adelaide's emerald orbs as the diminutive scientist's grin widened.

"You have a particular set of skills I'm interested in," Iha breathed. "...Teach me of these forbidden magics of yours. Show me the skills you so proudly displayed battling the hollow Prometheus and instruct me in their use, ah?"

"Then, Captain..." he laughed, never breaking his stare. "...Then you will have your vengeance. I can assure it."

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[Evergloam]

Like her friend, Ren was wary of the scientist speaking with Adelaide. Shady, science-y, horns on his head. They all pointed to something going wrong in one way or another. Well, except the horns. They didn't point to anything but the ceiling.

'Forbidden magic? Is he talking about Kidou? How are those forbidden?' she mentally asked herself, staring at the scientist, then back to Adelaide. The captain could handle whatever the payment was, probably. She didn't need to get caught up at all in the business of the captain and the scientist. But that wouldn't stop her from at least trying to be useful. She spoke up to the captain, looking to her friend beside her. "Adele-chan and I could go with users of Far Skies and get our Mystics home if you wish us to, Adelaide-taichou."

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[Time Lady Katie]

“Yeah,” she responded to Ren almost absentmindedly, “that’s a good idea. Hurry along.” She sounded like she was only slightly paying attention, like the words Iha had said rang in her ears. He was certainly not being duplicitous, there was no underhanded element to this cost he charged. No, he was asking for something terrifying. Why would he need to manipulate her? Why, when he was asking for something so grand, would he need to manipulate her?

She hesitated, analyzing Iha for a long moment. “Get going,” she ordered her division with elements of shock and distress in her tone.

Finally, not really waiting for her people to leave, she responded to Iha’s insane request; “What in Sappho’s name are you asking for? Forking over my haori has a lot less potential for harm, even if I have to leave them to fend for themselves. You... what you want could probably end this all rather effortlessly, but doing so would be beyond dangerous and would change the very nature of the world we live in. And you don’t want me to use that power; you want me to teach you to use it? Sir, long before I even explained the fundamentals to you, our heads would be on spikes.”

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[Dysney]

Adele looked from Ren to Adelaide in distress. She didn't want to leave her alone with the scientist. It went against every protective instinct in the nekogami. Even Crescendo didn't like it. In a moment of boldness she stepped forward and hugged her captain tightly, speaking to her mentally. Please be careful, Onee-chan. This division, especially Ren and I needs you. We love you. Whatever you do I'm sure it will be for the best. We trust you.

Stepping back she gave a short bow. "I'm sorry. My control must have slipped for a moment. We will go, Taichou-sama." She turned and took Ren's hand. "Ren and I will assist in retrieving our comrades. Is their anyone who can teach me the technique so that I may be of greater use? I'll seek them out immediately if I can."

She sent another mental message to Satoru. I know you are upset with Onee-chan, but at a time like this you need to show her your respect and be willing to follow her orders. She is our captain for a reason and it's our duty to support her and follow her even if we don't understand what she's doing. That aside, I take personal offense to you treating my big sister like this, especially at a time when she needs the support of her division. Can't you see that Ninth member here means no good to us? Even if I have no right to ask you, please don't let him hurt Adelaide-onee-chan or this division. I don't trust him at all. I think he's manipulating her. If he is anything like his captain, you reasoning with the Ninth's taichou may be useless.

The Taidan mark behind her right human ear burned brightly with violet energy as her thoughts were conveyed. Her tone was even though worry was evident in them along with the underlying sense of dread she felt.

[318/1148]

 

[Bish]

Satoru sat back and watched the proceedings unfold with a narrowed gaze, the quiet storm in his eyes flashing with a wary cautiousness. He watched the two heads of power shakily trying to find their footing with one another as the two sides of his nature warred against one another.

On one hand, he could remind his Captain that this man had nothing to offer that Satoru's plan didn't already solve for. There was no good reason for her to make a deal with someone that made literally everyone in the room uncomfortable by his very presence.

On the other hand, his curiosity reminded him could simply let things run their course and see just how much damage this woman would allow herself to instigate. Anything she gave to Iha would likely end up as a negotiating chip for him to use with Feng. If he did, Satoru would have a figurative front row seat to watch the mighty passions of Adelaide Pierce lead her into the place where emotions usually led: failure.

Satoru's shoulders sagged as if they were being physically weighed down by the choices. As the Inquisitive was weighing his options, his head was suddenly filled with the outburst of thoughts from Adele. He briefly turned his gaze toward her before his own Taidan lit up, coursing with ebony reiatsu. Rather than looking irritated, he looked as though he had given up something inside.

First mistake: that man is the head of the SRDI, and is not connected to the Ninth Division of the Gotei Thirteen. While the two entities often work together, they are separate organizations.

Second mistake: Captain or not, if you're wrong then you're wrong. It doesn't matter if she's your sister or my leader; if she is making a bad decision, it is your responsibility to yourself and your division to tell Adelaide why her choice is a bad one. Why? Something, no matter how small, is being gambled when she gives an order. If you let her make bad decisions, then we lose a lot more of those gambles than we win. It's simple logic, kiddo.

Third mistake: Having a rough time is not an excuse for doing foolish things. If you encounter a bad situation, you do your best to make the right call. With that being said, I can't do anything to "protect" Adelaide. At the end of the day, I don't have the power to stop her and she is still Captain. Because of that, her word goes no matter if it's wrong or right.

Fourth mistake, though this one is not yours: She's allowing her emotions to get in the way of her duty to the division. She also seems to be forgetting is that the 'right' thing is not always the 'righteous' thing. Instead of scrambling us like Hollows with our masks cracked, she should have simply remained calm and visited Captain Feng personally. Even if he refused to return our services, she could still go to the Soutaichou armed with the fact that she attempted diplomacy beforehand.

The afrogami shook his head woefully before finishing his reply.

If you'll recall, I told you that you should think before you act if you ever expect to get stronger. Right now, you have to see past your loyalty to Adelaide as a person and take an objective look at the Captain as a leader. Can you honestly tell me that you think she's making the right choice?

His Taidan dulled back to its normal hue, yet his gaze never left Adele's own. The Mystic constantly shifted his weight from foot to foot, staying light on his toes in an effort to stay alert.

"The only people who could actually teach you Sora Harukani are Adelaide, Lilith, and... yeah, that's about it. So basically, your best option right now is Lilith because Adelaide is preoccupied at the moment. Last I heard, Lilith was either enjoying retirement or on some sort of extended assignment. The rumors surrounding that are still up for debate," he said before pausing to refocus his gaze on the Briton.

"Unless I happen to be wrong about your state of occupation, you wouldn't mind if she paid Lilith a visit in her cabin or something to learn a technique that will be vital in the recovery of our Mystics, would you?"

A quick note for katie

Yeah, Satoru doesn't actually know what Lilith is really up to. This was the official record written by the Historian of the Second Division:

Lilith Maikeru would become the new Forty-Six, a fact that would not leave this room. Instead, she would be relieved of her duties in light of her injuries, and enjoy a peaceful retirement away from prying eyes.