PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Jan 29, 2022 22:34:28 GMT -5
Port of London, England. Europe.The day shifted steadily into night as a gentle fog began to roll over the streets of London. The air turned crisp as a gentle breeze caused Yoshinori's robes to flutter as he stood on the roof of an abandoned warehouse looking over the ever-so popular Port of London. It had been ages since he had taken it upon himself to track down the ever so evasive Briar Patch casino ship. The ever mobile cruise ship had its fair share of rumors regarding its benefactors. Criminal mob connections and the like tied to an ever wealthy family. Never too many details, all wrapped in a vague little bow that always caused one to question its authenticity. Such was especially true for Yoshinori. Human matters were human matters. It was not that he wasn't interested. It was the question as to whether his unhealthy interest would benefit the recipients of his curiosity. Nevertheless, the silver haired Shinigami was out on a mission today. Less strict than his usual assignments. Yes, today was his day off. They did not come often, but boy oh boy were they savored. In stark contrast to his usual garb, the young Shinigami seemed to have abandoned his black Shihakushō kimono for something considerably more casual. For his night on the town, Yoshinori was garbed in a long, white tunic that hung loosely off his shoulders, the collar of said tunic showcasing a black base with golden colored eyes spread across the fabric. Sporting no sleeves of its own, the sides of his tunic were vacant as well, exposing his ribs for the world to see. While casino dashing on such special occasions as days off were rather typical for the Eighth Division Third Seat, there was something noticeably different about this evening's venture: Maria Tokareva was joining him. Having previously invited the Eleventh Division Shinigami to a night out on the town with him during their time in New York, Yoshinori wasn't one to make empty promises. Giving a week and a half grace period to allow for injuries to heal and pressing matters to be dealt with, the silver haired man finally secured himself the time to dedicate to the venture. Quickly reaching out to Maria soon after receiving the confirmation for his day off, Yoshinori spent an unnecessary number of hours tracking down the wayward casino vessel for this very occasion. And here it was. In all its magnificent glory. The Briar Patch. As it prepared to temporarily dock, all Yoshinori needed was his companion for the evening. Lighting up his smoking pipe with his drug of choice, the off-duty Shinigami patiently waited for Maria to arrive. Post Count: 1 | Hibano
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Jan 31, 2022 6:23:25 GMT -5
Ever since the encounter with two Demon Dukes in New York City, Gotei 13 has grown more wary of any similar incidents. If the Demons managed to cross into the World of the Living again, and so soon, then what could they be planning? Was an another attack on Soul Society impending? If so, what's the best way they could prepare? Maria did not want to spend her time worrying about all of that, however, and she had the perfect way how to take her mind off of what happened in New York. Right before that mission, Yoshi promised her to take her to a casino on Earth and have a good old time - and though it took him a while to finally remember that promise, he finally invited her to one such place. It's been a while since he and Maria have had a chance to hang out together, they hadn't even seen each other for months before they ended up on the same looking-after-children duty by pure chance. Sometimes people just grow distant from one another that way, but it's good that they can finally amend that mistake. Much like her peer, Maria was dressed casually today - she forgoed her Shinigami uniform in favor of jeans and a white jumper, indistinguishable from your average city dweller woman going for a night's out with a friend. And less like an ancient pharaoh who descended down from the skies to mingle with mortals, but that's a whole other topic. Hopping from rooftop to rooftop, the Shinigami finally registered Yoshi's Reiatsu signature atop one of the warehouses in the London port, and leapt forward to join him - just in time for a large, illustrious ship to sail across the horizon, approaching their direction. " ...So that's where we're going, right?" she asked. |
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Feb 2, 2022 15:59:45 GMT -5
During his short wait, Yoshinori decided to indulge himself in a smoke. Withdrawing his golden smoking pipe from his tunic, the silver haired Shinigami was quick to indulge in his vice. After carefully placing his drug of choice within the pipe, the spark of a lighter signaled his intents moments before he placed the instrument in his mouth, emerald eyes lazily tracing the cruise liner's steady movement into port. Then, just as he was beginning to get comfortable on the abandoned rooftop, his company for the evening arrived in all her casual glory. In contrast to his own outdated and potentially even downright strange attire, Maria appeared to have dressed for the current century. Garbed in jeans and a jumper, it was an aesthetic that Yoshinori was unused to. Then again, he primarily saw Maria as she was dressed for work. That is, with a Zanpakuto in her hand as she charged into battle. It was enough to bring a small, amused chuckle to Yoshinori's lips. "You look better than me." He remarked casually, his point accentuated with a gentle exhale of smoke infused air, "Yeah, that's the place. Really nice casino they got going on. I've only been here a couple of times, too lazy to go tracking it's location around the world. But it's nice. Last time I was here I fought a Fullbringer for money, so that was nice."With a delivery about as casual as listing off what he had for breakfast, Yoshinori relayed to Maria his history with the cruise liner. Seemingly devoid of a Zanpakuto, or even his pet serpent Hanzō, the silver haired man had little left to hide. All that was left was to board the ship. With little warning to his evening companion, Yoshinori leapt off the building that he was standing atop of, plummeting into the streets below. Given that he had not made himself visible to the many human pedestrians that populated the busy streets of London, his daredevil antics were, fortunately, not misconstrued by the general public as a very gruesome act of suicide. Landing gracefully in an alleyway that opened up into the port, Yoshinori gestured towards Maria to follow before he finally made himself tangible. Removing two tickets for entry from the folds of his tunic he began to move across the street towards the waiting extended bridge that led onto the deck of the famed Briar Patch. "Seems like you've been rather busy since Osaka, Maria." Yoshinori noted as he stepped onto the waiting line, "Sounds to me like you got a lot of stuff to catch me up on. Don't worry, I'm a good listener." He posed, a small smile crossing his features as he glanced back at the woman. He couldn't quite understand himself why he had a sudden desire to reconnect with so many Shinigami that he had worked with in the past. First his passionate yet undeniably reckless swear of allegiance to Hyakuji after Soul King knows how many months of radio silence, and now his reconnection with Maria. What in his heart changed his usual purposeful distancing to longing? It was an emotional enigma that even he could not fully understand. Yet the question remained: Would Maria entertain his questions? Post Count: 2 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Feb 4, 2022 11:44:53 GMT -5
"Fullbringer, you say..." Maria repeated Yoshi's statement - the other Shinigami, apparently, got to fight a Fullbringer here for money last time he was here, a statement which piqued her interest. It was a long shot, but she was going after a particular, feisty, wrothful Fullbringer herself, and it wouldn't hurt to ask, surely? The woman kept it on her mind as she followed after Yoshi, leaping off the building without a second thought. After a few spins, she landed in a somersault, and activated her own material form.
Thankfully, there wasn't some unfortunate human who happened to be walking on this inconspicuously empty patch of the street and then suddenly bumped into either of them.
"Thanks," she blurbed as she was offered a ticket to the Briar Patch - she mindlessly twirled it in her hands as they approached the line leading to the ship. Just in time, she heard Yoshi ask her about her time and exploits since the two of them last met. It has been a while since they fought on the same side in Osaka, hasn't it? It's been...
"...months, I believe. Obviously, lots of things have happened since then," Maria began explaining. "But it's mostly just been the routine, training, fighting Hollows, throwing boulders at my friends when they tease me too often. I was there when the Demons attacked Soul Society - and I laid the finishing blow on their Prince, by the way. While you, presumably, slept through the entire thing."
She grinned, and faintly nudged Yoshi with her elbow. "Who was that Fullbringer you fought here, by the way? Did you catch their name?"
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Feb 8, 2022 1:20:07 GMT -5
It was perhaps fortunate for the duo that whatever the hell Yoshinori was wearing didn't equate to a dress code violation. As the line gradually dwindled down to just them, the bouncer that barred entry to the Briar Patch offered the pair's tickets a passing glance before waving them along. A puff of smoke leaving his nostrils, Yoshinori was quick to board the vessel, his sandals sliding against the boarding ramp as he made his way up. A small smile crossing his features, he allowed his eyes to take in the upper deck for the first time in an eternity. It was just as extravagant as he remembered. Populated with a generous number of guests, the upper deck showcased various amenities, from a pool to a fully stocked outdoor bar. With numerous activities to satisfy the bored mind, the upper deck was also lavishly decorated, so as to introduce the guest to high value comfort from the very onset. It was quite an impressive first glance, but their venue for the day wasn't the pool or the bar. It was the slots and games. With a soft exhalation, the disguised Shinigami would began making his way towards the lower levels, guiding his companion all the while as they made their descent. Mid transit, the Third Seat finally decided to grace his companion with the answer she had been so eagerly anticipating. "Her name was Diana Chase." Yoshinori started, "Interesting woman. Pleasant enough towards a Shinigami, which I found mildly refreshing. Also packed quite a punch at the time. Threw me for a loop. Huh...I wonder if she's still here..." Raising an idle hand to his chin, the Shinigami expelled a plume of smoke from his lips as he descended down towards the ship's lower levels. At first, it seemed like Yoshinori intended to leave the subject of Fullbringers at that, with purposeful intent to deny Maria the information she so desired. However, it was only when the pair began to near their quarry, that Yoshi spoke once more. "But I assume you want to talk about Valentina Tokareva, right?" Yoshinori inquired, turning upon is heel for a moment to watch her expression. A small smile crossing his lips as he took yet another drag of his pipe's contents, the silver haired Shinigami dipped his head forward. "I fought your sister in a small town in Japan. Back when I was with the Second Division. Don't worry, I didn't hurt her. She just beat my ass until I had to accept the loss and retreat." Yoshinori chuckled lightly, as if finding the memory considerably amusing in retrospect "She's a dangerous one, your sister. Wields a lot of power. Of course, that was a long time ago. I don't know how powerful she is now, although I doubt she's reached a plateau. Are you worried about her?" His questions were posed with a tone of mild curiosity. Despite his description of Valentina as "dangerous", he didn't reflect a tone of displeasure, or even judgement. He was genuinely searching for Maria's response. So much so that he halted their trip to the casino floor simply to give Maria the privacy with which she could answer. Or the silence that Yoshinori needed to listen. Post Count: 3 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Feb 10, 2022 5:14:36 GMT -5
Yoshi did not answer Maria's question at first, instead leading the woman inside the ship - certainly, an illustrious place. Brilliantly decorated with numerous extravagant, gilded motifs, full of passengers with a myriad of games, activities and drinks to occupy them for the entire journey. For a second, her thoughts wandered to how much it could have cost Yoshi to acquire tickets for both of them. Unless he had stolen them from someone else's pockets, there's no way that he could have gotten them for cheap.
After all, everything about this ship screamed that this was no ordinary cruise.
After some time leaving her in the dark, the other Shinigami finally answered her question. The Fullbringer's name was Diana Chase, whom Yoshi described in fond enough terms - she was personally pleasant to deal with and quite strong for a Fullbringer, all attractive qualities for him. Maria had never heard of Diana before, though it wasn't particularly surprising - there were probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Fullbringers on Earth, so what chance did she have for her friend to have met the exact person she was looking for?
Before Maria could get mildly disappointed, drop the topic and then focus on their time on the ship, Yoshi suddenly switched the topic, realizing who she was asking about himself, and suddenly revealing that he and Val did meet once before. They fought, she won, and Yoshi declared her dangerous.
When it came from him, that meant something - Maria did not imagine Yoshi as the sort of person to throw around "dangerous" willy nilly.
"Yeah..." the woman muttered and folded her arms, glancing away and retreating to her thoughts. "For the longest time, I thought she was dead, but Hyakuji informed me that she is still alive - and she almost killed him, too." Maria figured that there was no need to explain why that was dangerous. They both got the chance to see just how powerful Hyakuji was, before. "I don't know what happened to her, but she's gone mad, somehow, and is going to destroy herself if nobody does anything about it..."
Surely, she can't keep this up forever. Yoshi guessed that she hasn't plateaued and Maria knew just how spirited and determined she could be when she has set herself a goal, but one day she is going to meet a brick wall, surely...
Since they had stopped and were a little hushed away from the rest of the ship to give them some privacy, Maria stared Yoshi in the eyes and continued:
"I won't dwell on this, since we're here to have fun - but if you meet Val again, try to drag her to me, and I'll try to convince her to settle down."
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Feb 12, 2022 17:26:59 GMT -5
It had been a long time since Yoshinori had fought Valentina. The odd match of then Second Division Fourth Seat against a Fullbringer conjurer such as she in a small Japanese city almost felt like an eternity ago, which was saying something for Yoshinori, who measured his lifespan (or "soulspan") in decades rather than months and years. Yet he didn't forget her power. Potent enough to leave Yoshinori unable to compete. Sure, Yoshinori had grown exponentially in power since that fateful day in Kagemino City, but judging from Maria's words, he wasn't the only one. Yoshinori had experienced the power of Muimina Hyakuji firsthand in South Rukongai. Set to fight against the First Division Vice Captain, Yoshinori was powerless to halt the raven haired Shinigami's advance. It was only through such crushing defeat that Yoshinori was able to gain the clarity and perspective needed to... Enough of that. Remaining tucked away in their private corner, Yoshinori seemed to be in no rush to move onto the day's activities. In fact, when Maria suggested they do just that, he waved his hand dismissively, silently banishing the notion as he took another drag from his pipe. As wisps of smoke filtered from his mouth and nostrils, the Third Seat finally replied. "Power's a funny thing. Everyone always aspires for more, believing their cause to be just. Myself included. But it's dangerous. Power in itself, is dangerous. I personally think I'm dangerous. One bad decision, and I can adversely affect a lot of people. I could defend a lot of people too, and I believe I have. Maybe. But all it takes is one time. One without power...can only harm themselves. Isn't that dangerous?" At first, Yoshinori seemed to be going off on a tangent regarding power, the likes of which related only loosely to the subject of Valentina. However, his next words dragged it back, "Everyone needs a guiding hand every now and then. No one is perfect, and if left to fend for themselves will spiral off in their imperfection. Your sister may be lost. May be hurting. I don't know. I can't know. But I do believe that she wants for something from someone." Cue another exhalation of smoke. His emerald eyes zeroing in on his friend. His ally. He knew immediately what to do. "She needs her family. I'll do whatever to help bring her back to you." Yoshinori didn't know why he was doing this. His desire to assist in a matter that ultimately did not concern him. To assist in the potential hunt and capture of a Fullbringer who nearly Hyakuji, just so her sister could reunite with her. Several months ago, he wouldn't have given a damn. In fact, several months ago, he would've believed that Valentina, like all others, were doomed only to destroy, and that the Shinigami too, would have to destroy in order to prevent destruction. This was different. This was new territory for him. Why he felt his entire philosophy and knowledge base changing before his very eyes was a phenomena that yet still eluded him. But one thing was clear. He was going to help the Tokareva Family. Post Count: 4 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Feb 16, 2022 12:25:44 GMT -5
Maria asked Yoshi to promise to bring her to Val if he ever finds her, and the other Shinigami accepted it. He too believed that it was possible to convince the woman out of her crusade, for that she needs someone's guiding hand and help. He vowed to be that someone, and help bring Val to the light. Bring her to Maria.
"I..." Maria muttered, her voice cracking and her eyes glancing off to the side. "I'm not even sure what to say..." Yoshi's words were soft and reassuring, and yet, he was clearly determined to amend the mistake which had drawn Maria to confront him about the Fullbringer in the ship in the first place. Well, she knew one thing she wanted to say.
"Thanks, I... appreciate it. I'll... be rooting for you."
It's not even been that many years since she arrived to Soul Society and enrolled in Shin'o Academy, and yet her past self would hardly be able to recognize her. Here she was, Maria Tokareva, the terror of the suburbs of Moscow, the baddest girl that the nightclubs and bars of the city have seen in decades, who used to thrash her fellow Eleventh Division Shinigami on the streets for looking at her funny and flip the bird at her own Captain if she didn't enjoy her orders... being so moved by Hyakuji and Yoshi, cracking a smile, cheering them on, and talking about reuniting her family.
Perhaps she should not be so shocked at Val's change of heart during her absence. Maria herself has changed so much during her absence, and it would be odd to assume that her twin would not develop far from her original starting point, either.
"And I'm sure you'll succeed."
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Feb 23, 2022 13:23:51 GMT -5
It seemed as if the world was passing by the pair as they stood in the far off corner of the ship's entertainment area. Patrons were beginning to descend to the lower decks now, the glamour of the outdoor activities fading in favor of the thrill of chance and the flashy allure of the various games available. To Yoshinori, such attraction would have surely pulled him. After all, isn't that why they're here? To gamble the night away and experience Yoshinori's idea of the nightlife? "Let's go get a drink." Splitting off from the corner, Yoshinori would guide his fellow Shinigami to one of the nearby bar rooms. A low sigh would escape him as concentrated smoke would stream from his nostrils. She was cheering him on. On a mission to save the very person he had once been sent to the World of the Living to observe. The very first Fullbringer he had ever met. How the world turned full circle. "Apple Martini." Yoshinori ordered as he moved to sit down at the bar. Glancing towards Maria, seemingly uncaring that they were no longer in as private a space, he would move to speak freely to her. "How did you end up becoming a Shinigami?" The silver haired Third Seat inquired. It was a fair question. He himself couldn't recall his past life, if he ever had one that was. All his life, his earliest memories had been of Rukongai. No memories of infancy (not that infants remembered anyway), nor memories of early development. Simply school aged childhood in Rukongai that morphed into early adulthood in Soul Society. What was it like, to remember a life prior to one's new life? "I have not met many who...remember a life before this. Assuming you had one. I mean, if Valentina is your sister then it is..." Yoshinori shook his head, cursing at his rambling, "My point is...do you miss your old life?" He inquired, tapping his fingers against the counter as he waited for the bartender to finish his drink. For some reason, voicing the question aloud made him that much more invested in her answer. To be connected to a world to which you no longer inhabit...what was that like? What was it like to feel a connection to something? To someone? Post Count: 5 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Mar 4, 2022 15:12:01 GMT -5
The two Shinigami moved on from their conversation, and Yoshi invited them to have a drink at the nearest bar room. Perfect, there is no better way to move on from salt being rubbed onto her painful memories, at least one that humanity has invented so far. Maria took a seat next to Yoshi at the bar - and, once he ordered an apple martini, she requested the same. Here, her peer touched upon another topic. How did she become a Shinigami? After a few seconds of thought, glancing at the squeaky clean bar table, Maria grinned and looked back to Yoshi. " Well, as it turns out, Val's not the only one of us twins who got some talent imprinted onto themselves when they were babies. I had only just learned about my Fullbringer powers at the moment of my death, and carried them over to Soul Society - and... well, you know, for someone who was powerless and weak their entire life, suddenly gaining superhuman powers is... fascinating. Dizzying, even." She smirked with confidence. " Seeing them was the first time I felt that I could do something. That I have a chance for my life to no longer be pointless. And so I decided to find my purpose in becoming the best Shinigami I could possibly be. I haven't graduated that long ago, but... honestly, I can't say I regret my decision." Maria rested her elbow on the bar counter. " How about you?" Yoshi's next question left her a lot more... silent, however. He decided to inquire about her past life - after a brief ramble about having not experienced something like that himself, he decided to ask whether she misses her mortal days. Maria's answer was decisive. There was no thought and little pause. " No." |
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Mar 8, 2022 12:00:29 GMT -5
So there it was, laid bare. Maria was a Fullbringer, like her sister. It was something that overall made sense. After all, if Maria was Valentina's sister, wouldn't it make sense for both siblings to possess some level of the same power? Or at the very least, the same source of their power? Yet, the revelation still surprised Yoshinori to some degree. Fullbringers were not Quincy, or Hollows. Yoshinori did not experience a full course at the Shinōreijutsuin regarding Fullbringers. In fact, he had only been introduced to the term shortly before engaging in combat with Valentina herself, all those years ago. As such, the mystery surrounding such superpowered humans was still very much a learning adjustment for him. Yet, Valentina was not Maria, and Maria was not Valentina. While the living Fullbringer found purpose in some goal that equated to freeing humanity from some form of metaphorical "slavery", Maria found purpose with the Shinigami. A soul who retained her Fullbringer powers from life, and directed those talents and that power towards becoming a Death God. It was an origin story that deviated sharply from the standard. Yoshinori could safely say that it was something he didn't foresee hearing again for a very long time. Maria's answer to his second question was much briefer. A simple answer, no explanation, no backstory. A low hum passed through Yoshinori's lips as he reached forward to accept his Apple Martini. It was a sentiment he could respect. He too, had his sore subjects, and as such could recognize when he spotted such subjects in others. Taking a sip of his drink, the Eighth Division Third Seat did not linger on the topic, instead releasing Maria from the burden of elaboration in favor of answering her return inquiry of him. "My first memories are of Rukongai." He started, "That could mean I was born there, or there is some other life that I had before that I cannot recall. It's difficult to figure out which it is." Tapping his left hand upon the counter, the silver haired Shinigami allowed his gaze to idlily wander, taking note of the various patrons. All living their own lives, having their own fun. Much too preoccupied with a night out on an expensive cruise liner to pay attention to what a few human appearing souls had to say amongst themselves. "I joined the Goteijūsantai to forget more. To remake myself into something that I could tolerate. I was a child thief from the 78th District of South Rukongai. Myself and a band of like-minded children." Yoshinori revealed, sipping from his Martini once more, "We stole to feed ourselves. To survive. Souls may be souls, but with spiritual presence our needs become as clear as any other. As time went on, a simple need to survive became corrupted into resentment for the elite. Resentment that turned to..." Something made him pause. A deep sigh filtered from his lips, "I wished to bury my past with something else. So I joined the Goteijūsantai, and that's been my motivation for more than a century. Now, for the first time ever, I am unsure of if that goal still applies." He shrugged. "A century of stagnation in purpose, only to change now. How strange of me. Do you ever feel the same way? Like...you've felt your priorities shift? Your goals have transformed entirely from what they once were?" Yoshinori posed to Maria. There was no barrier to his words now. It seemed the former assassin was finally speaking his mind. Post Count: 6 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Mar 12, 2022 8:35:40 GMT -5
Yoshi chose to not touch Maria's "No.". Just like she expected, it told enough of a story to the fellow Shinigami that he did not need any more elaboration. Instead, he answered Maria's own question, and began detailing his past before he joined the Gotei 13 and reached the position he is now. Telling a story of having been a thief in the Rukongai, stealing to survive and feed themselves, before suddenly cutting that line of the story and moving on to explaining how service in the Gotei 13 was a means for him to forget that past.
At least, until recently, when even that goal began to change. Clearly, there was a lot about his life story that Yoshi was hesitant to tell, at least for now. Maria listened to him in silence, slowly fiddling with the martini glass in her hand, before finally answering:
"I suppose my story is similar to yours. Can't say my life was any better than that... Had less of a need for redemption, though."
Much like she had described before, death and joining the Shin'o Academy was a liberating experience for her. Being so weak and at the bottom of the toilet bowl of society understandably left her just as frustrated as Yoshi, or Val, but it's simply how the world works. And now that she's escaped that rut and can spend her time doing something she truly loves doing, she can't exactly... hate the world any longer.
Maria took a sip from her martini.
"I haven't lived for nearly as long as that, so I can't say I've had changes in worldview as... extreme as that, but living in Soul Society has certainly changed my perspective," she answered Yoshi's question, and looked down at her martini. "Certainly, I feel a lot... happier here. I was rather rough, loud and careless for anyone's feelings back in my first life, and I certainly started that way, but I can't help but feel that I've mellowed out a lot since."
With a smirk, she glanced back to Yoshi. "Remember how I acted back in the Osaka mission? Well, that was a bit closer to the old me."
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Mar 17, 2022 15:01:38 GMT -5
Yoshinori was almost grateful that they weren't playing games now. Somehow that felt...unappealing. Gambling his money away seemed rather lackluster in comparison to just sitting in a bar, enjoying Maria's company. He couldn't claim to have expected such an outcome, but he was grateful for it, at the very least. "I guess we are more alike than I thought, Maria." Yoshinori revealed, eventually coming to the bottom of his martini. Almost immediately, the dark skinned man waved for another, emerald eyes never leaving the subject of his conversation, "Maybe not loud, but rough and careless for anyone's feelings were about as consistent as it could be with my own personality. That too, was consistent with Osaka. Although I did a good job of playing like I was nonchalant." A low sigh left his lips. "Proficient in Shunpo, excelling above expectation in Kido. Approached by the end of my six years at Shino Academy by both the Fifth Division's Kido Corps and the Second Division's Onmitsukidō. I did not believe myself deserving of anything other than shadow work. I sought to rewrite myself to forget, but all that happened was I fell into uncaring ways, and shut myself away in the Maggot's Nest as soon as I became the Fourth Seat. A life in solitude, where I believed I belonged."Another pause as the bartender returned with his second drink. Offering a nod in thanks the disguised Shinigami raised the glass to his lips and took a generous sip, before placing the green liquid back down upon the counter. Closing his eyes, Yoshinori unveiled his smoking pipe once more. Having taken several moments prior to clean it out of the waste from his last smoke, the Third Seat was now going through the motions of inserting more tobacco within it. The movement was practiced, almost unconscious in its execution given that Yoshinori wasn't even looking at what he was doing. "Now, I suppose we are both different. I don't hold the same hate I used to hold. Or at least, not in the same way." Yoshinori allowed the barest of smiles to cross his features, "I now have a goal in mind that I can fight for. That can motivate me. Principles that guide my hand where I couldn't be guided before." A flame flickering across the exterior of the golden smoking pipe, Yoshinori was swift to light the tobacco inside ablaze before quelling it. "You have found a place where you can truly belong. For that, I'm happy for you. People like us...deserve a place to belong. After traveling so long, on so hard a road, with nothing." The silver haired Reaper finally said, placing his pipe in his mouth. Post Count: 7 | Hibano |
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GAME MASTER
Wandenreich - Soldat
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...
Hibano
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Post by Hibano on Mar 23, 2022 5:58:45 GMT -5
Though different in some parts of their backstory and approach, Maria and Yoshinori were nonetheless more alike than distinct. He too had been much closer to his old, unrefined self back during their Tokyo mission. Ah, those were the times. It was the first time when Maria felt actually powerful, and important - especially at the very end, when she stood before one of the three most powerful Sinners, acting so sinister, and declaring that she was about to put them to the sword...
Lots has changed since then. Back then, Maria was still certain that her sister died on the same day she did and would eventually turn up somewhere in Soul Society - which, as it turns out, was not the case. She was still alive, and she was a terrifying Shinigami-slayer on a quest for vengeance and world destruction.
Maria faintly moved the glass of martini in her hand, allowing the remaining drink inside to faintly tumble while she was lost in her thoughts.
"...Thanks," she answered, with a smile. "I appreciate it. It's... nice to finally be in a place where I belong. Certainly makes for a welcoming afterlife."
Not that she could have possibly predicted that she would end up in a faithful recreation of feudal Japan where she would end up serving as a ghost police samurai, or that she would end up in any world after death, even, but still.
"So... what is that goal in your mind now?" the woman asked. Yoshi had been vehement this entire conversation that something had changed in his life and finally given him a cause after a century of stagnation, and Maria did not ignore it.
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PLAYER
13th Division - Vice Captain
"Enjoy yourself while you can."
Yoshinori Okamoto
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Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Mar 27, 2022 13:28:17 GMT -5
Briefly left to his own thoughts, Yoshinori too found himself transported to times long past. A Second Division Shinigami he was then, confined to the belief that he deserved the eternal darkness that was a glorified prison warden within the Maggot's Nest. Against the Sinners, he incapacitated the sinner known as Taisho with precision accuracy, utilizing a series of techniques that would otherwise be seen as lethal to any other being. Back then, he had engaged in battle with Valentina over nothing more than a desire to scout out her abilities. While what he had seen of her philosophy in that moment sharply differed from his own, even then, Yoshinori had sought nothing more than the completion of his mission. No further inquiry into her life, no understanding whatsoever as for who he was fighting beyond the Fullbringer abilities she represented. This wasn't born from any specific unreasonable loyalty to Soul Society, not quite. As admirable as such sworn fealty to his organization would be, Yoshinori was no such man even in those early days. No, he simply didn't care. He didn't care to understand Valentina and her transgressions. She was not a Hollow, nor was she a Quincy. She was a human with special abilities that possessed a divergent philosophy that did not simply manifest from thin air. What could that come from? As far as the then Second Division Fourth Seat was involved, Valentina was another assignment. Something to check off his to do list before returning to the eternal darkness that was his self imposed prison within the Maggot's Nest. Things were different now. Or, at least, Yoshinori hoped he was building towards a different future. "So... what is that goal in your mind now?" Maria asked, snapping Yoshinori back into reality. Finally reaching the end of his second martini, Yoshinori released a low sigh. His goals? Should he... "I want to leave these dimensions a better place than when I entered. Change the direction of my contributions from what used to be. I have aspirations to 'heal these dimensions' and to forge peace between the Quincy and Shinigami but...those are lofty goals that I do not believe one person can accomplish. So, I settle for contributing as much as I can towards change. Towards an end to conflict." With a long exhale, a concentrated plume of smoke left his nostrils. "And, when I have felt I have contributed enough, I want to retire. Return to my District in Rukongai. My adoptive father owns a tea house. That is how I want to spend the rest of my days until the cycle of souls finally takes me. Leaving the sword and spells behind, and just serve tea until the inevitable end. I don't want to die fighting. Simplicity...I guess that's the biggest change in my priorities.." He offered a low chuckle. "In the end, I want simplicity. And now is the time that I ask you for what you want from your life. You have begun to fit in...where from there?"Post Count: 8 | Hibano |
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