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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Nov 19, 2022 19:32:07 GMT -5
"No written history, sure, is there a spoken history fragmented about?" Said Itsuki.
A longer pauses than usual arose as the student set to his phone again, the pale blue of the backlight and disordered tempo of haptic feedback whispering in their corner of the library. A synthetic click projected through the speaker signified he was done, the thick thud of the chunky-by-choice smartphone clunking back down on the table.
"Professor, 320 Tokyos. Seireitei is the size of a continent! I am both overwhelmed and underwhelmed somehow. A continent to manage the sheer weight of the millions of dead. However, I recall you said that the volume isn't all that high also making the sheer scale bizarre. I'd quite like to know how much space Soul Society itself takes up, oceans and all. Has Hueco Mundo been surveyed for space or even estimated also?"
Itsuki had little to say about technology. If the grey population in Japan lead to fax machines being still relevant and signature stamps over a less easy to fake system it wasn't too hard to imagine feudalists clinging tightly to dead social hierarchy. Though, that did spark one more query for this batch. "Given the historical tilt politically and socially, I'm also going to assume that the old timers are resistant to change in those two aspects of their society too."
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Nov 20, 2022 10:26:07 GMT -5
”I mean, like you said; leadership is resistant to change. I’m sure any particular bits of history they think paints them in a negative light conveniently gets left out of the histories. But yeah, there aren’t many stories from before the founding of the Gotei 13, and the stories since then might as well be the equivalent of Beowulf. Stories of clashes between Shinigami and Hollows, trumped up backstories of how the Captains came into their roles, stuff like that. Nothing that I found particularly interesting, to be honest.”
Cole nodded, there were a lot of questions he himself had about Soul Society and its functions; rules of space seemed to mildly break down here and there; he was still trying to figure out how spiritual energy was created in the first place. But the fact is, Soul Society was huge. ”But yes, I am aware of 320 Tokyos implies. Like I said, roughly balanced with the mortal world. But as for space, physics as I understand them don’t fully apply in Soul Society. Both Soul Society and Hueco Mundo are theoretically, if not effectively, infinite. Remember, like I said, there are four squads devoted to Soul Society, and three squads devoted to Earth. An near-infinite city has room for a lot of trouble to spiral out of control.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Nov 21, 2022 3:42:01 GMT -5
Itsuki scrunched up his eyes, rubbing his temples as elbows met the desk again. The froth of amazement in his mind had begun to give way to conflict.
"I'm sorry to backtrack as this picture comes into focus." He began, voice wearing the light strain of growing exasperation.
"So, Soul Society has a divine being, the Soul King, at the top. He grants rare audiences to a select few of the highest ranks of Shinigami who are catch-all emergency services and standing army while the Central 46, your civil servants, judges and magistrate are heavily intwined with a potentially immortal upper class which itself operates on a form of meritocracy based around power due to their heavy ties to the military and emergency services..." His finger wove through the air, tracing out invisble tracks for the train of thought.
"... Is it some kind of entrenched bastard oligarchy where individuals with enough individual strength basically end up in control with the power to sway the civil government and criminal punishment system while also maintaining ownership over swathes of land in a feudal system with a more literal armchair god simply watching this unfold?" Itsuki's left brow quirked while the other creased. "The will of the divine has always been hard to decipher, however surely such power in the afterlife and immortal lifespan is to be akin to pretending to be divinity, what happened to the concept of one in service to the group as opposed to allowing such an extensive conflict of interests?"
Tap, tap, went his fingertip upon the table. "More to the point, how is this not a machine churning out megalomaniacs? They are after all, still only human."
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Nov 23, 2022 10:03:54 GMT -5
Cole gave the man a slight smirk, ”Sounds like you’ve got a pretty good concept of how the afterlife operates. And, you’ve pretty much nailed down the issue with the whole thing. It’s a self-licking ice cream cone; strength begets rank, which in turn brings more power, entrenching their position further. In order to change the system, you’d need to change it from the top down, and the relative strength of the upper echelons means that any change would take millennia.”
He gave a small shrug, it was a concern, of course; but you had people like now-Captain Muimina, who seemed like a decent bloke, ”Which, in turn, gives plenty of time for nigh-immortals to reinforce their core natures. Think Flanderization, but in real people over the course of decades and centuries. Latching onto their core trait and the center of their identity; the uncaring become callous, the kind become saintly. The afterlife is full of self-reinforcing cycles.”
The man glanced at the floating notes with the 13 squads on it, ”I assume some of the Captains are megalomaniacs, I don’t know any of them too well. But some seem to have kept a good heart. It’s not like any are demanding worship; not even the Soul King.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Nov 27, 2022 15:47:29 GMT -5
The closing of Cole's most recent statement drew a lump into Itsuki's throat, swallowing against the sensation lodged in his throat and crawling cold in his chest. Tentative anxiety reared itself in his chest again, fingers anxiously tip-tappping on the desk. Free hand slowly, carefully closed over the pile of notes before him.
"A certain discomfort is becoming more and more apparent as we get deeper and deeper into this. I think I would like to stop here for the time being, Professor. I fear I may have bitten off more than I could chew with certain implications of what those heralded by the living as divinity do. I think I may need to re-examine some personal stances." Half-mumbled the student.
His expression was again, naked confusion to say the least. A long, steadying breath travelled through him. Into the leather satchel went the binders and papers, fresh materials carrying much more gravitas than he had dared to hope or fear.
A thought, a shadow leering from the dark corners of his mind peered out and set him in its sights. Temptation won out, his mouth opening and the sounds coming out in a quivering song of impulsiveness. "When we discussed the view of religion as a moral system or a pre-science attempt at understanding the world, I think I was trying to ignore the possibility. Amatsukami being, ah ... human. Circumstantially empowered. I've seen your power as proof of it not being a fiction. Humans becoming ancestral kami somewhat cover a transition to Shinigami so I guess it makes sense that people simply forget who was who over time and the earliest examples were venerated as something more."
A strange smile emerged from his furrow-browed concentration, eyes at last rising to meet the Professor again. "Even accounting for that it feels so strange, growing up to serve a truth that's really a distortion. Still, there's a lot to think about. I want to thank you again for showing me what you can about the truth to the spirit world."
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Nov 28, 2022 21:49:09 GMT -5
The Shinigami nodded, it was a complicated question with no easy answer, ”Well, I mean; that’s the rub, right? It’s a lot to take in, but most people never need to. Humans without spiritual awareness functionally become new people in Soul Society, we are all the products of our memory, after all. Those that are spiritually aware usually have a hunch that the afterlife isn’t really going to match their old beliefs. You’re in an odd situation where you were particularly faithful, possibly new to your spiritual awareness, and you learn that it is, at best, a flawed interpretation.”
Cole glanced at the notes floating in the air, waved a hand and it all faded from sight, ”It is my pleasure, my enjoyment of teaching has not faded with my death, and hopefully you know enough now to keep yourself safe. The folks in black robes are your friends, and will hopefully be around if you run into any more hollows.”
The man gave a faint smile, ”If there’s anything else, I’m happy to answer, but most Shinigami might be able to answer some of your questions. Most are just looking to do their duty, not as many are really looking for answers.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Dec 1, 2022 2:24:24 GMT -5
Being back in this place pouring things word by word into his brain was at least, comfortable in his bones and fading organs. Habit grasped at him after nodding along in understanding. Itsuki thumbed over his shoulder.
"Fancy a coffee or tea, Professor?" He said.
Talk of passions after death seeded tension in his heart even if the man had tried to be vaguely comforting. Itsuki patted the leather satchel upon the table, pushing up from his chair, strange smile contorting more politely. Behind him stood the same familiar vending machine students and teachers had used for years.
"I don't want to give you the wrong impression. I intend to finish these notes despite my personal difficulties, I just need a few moments." The lump in his throat and tone kept his voice loose, shaken. Apparently the student was displaying a second wind.
It defied being swallowed. Vexing little bastard terror, painting his feelings out in the open. Itsuki hated it as if somehow the spite would drown out his quaking insecurity, if only that invisible marble would retreat. Again he swallowed, clearing his throat. Down, deeper and deeper. Glistening, slick with the black oil of pin at broken illusions concealing a core of pain, it disappeared beneath the subconscious layer and his mind began to ease. That was for the future to deal with, right now he needed facts.
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Dec 3, 2022 18:10:38 GMT -5
Cole followed his former student to the vending machine, ”I’m not allowed to materialize this trip, too close to too many people that knew me in life. I’m not sure how the spirit photocopier would work on liquids, and I don’t want to risk breaking it.” He looked wistfully at the vending machine, ”Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to take you up on the offer, but it’s just not an option, don’t hold back on my account, though.”
He studied the young man, he was clearly not taking the information that the afterlife didn’t match up with his beliefs particularly well. Perhaps Cole had done him a disservice, but hey; information was information, while he would have loved to publish the paper with proof, the fact that he had managed to provide it to a former student was something. Maybe Itsuki would be able to do something with it, and not be dismissed as a rambling madman.
Maybe.
Or maybe he’d just bounce back to his old faith, chalk this whole encounter up to a hallucination or fever dream. Either way, he was getting his drink as Cole gave a faint smile; he’d let the man re-engage however he’d like; he’d laid down the basic, now he could answer questions.
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Dec 4, 2022 21:21:56 GMT -5
A few dulcet beeping buttons later with all the clarity of coughing into a tin can later, the vending machine was whirring away at cooking up the most okay cup of coffee your would ever have in your life. The flimsy beige cup plopped down into a holder, the steady steam of dark bean juice trickling away. At least watching it was pleasant, faint steaming beverage that it was.
"I reckon we give it a go." Itsuki said, eyeing the plain black coffee. The cups were proven to be as thin as the budget could push it to ensure an awkwardly hurried hobble back to your desk, every time. I mean, it can't be too much trouble if we try to translate it safely. Is there some way we can do it where we won't get coffee all over it?" The student plucked up a coarse napkin from the stack available as part of the dispenser, wrapping it around his lethal beverage and turning to the Professor.
The student cleared his throat and gazed down into the dark drink, blowing on it gently before speaking in a slightly more hushed tone as someone drifted by. "You'll have to let me know how you take it if you're willing to field the risk."
The priest slipped a sideways glance as the stranger drifted out of earshot. "And once we've conducted that exercise, I'd like to know if Soul Society has found any particular philosophy to emerge. You know, the wisdom of a few thousand years probably gives rise to some interesting perspectives on the purpose of life and post-life."
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Dec 6, 2022 8:53:07 GMT -5
Cole shook his head, ”I appreciate the encouragement, but still no. Soul Society doesn’t have the best coffee, but they were hesitant to even let me come to Oxford, even with the limitation on materializing. I don’t want to give them any reason to think it was a bad idea, I’m already going to have to explain how I know the bulk of my research is with my sponsor when I wouldn’t have been able to get into computer systems. I’m not exactly supposed to be talking to living folk right now.”
The former professor considered for a moment, ”It depends on the squad, honestly. Each Squad of the Gotei 13 tends to have their own outlook on purpose; squad eleven is well known for wanting to fight and be the strongest. Fourth squad the preservation of life, my squad the preservation of knowledge. But they’re not all so straight forward, Sixth squad is known for their particular attachment to rules and decorum, whereas Eighth squad is basically a frat house; all of them basically getting plastered weekly.”
He shrugged, ”Frankly, it’s surprising there isn’t more infighting among the squads, given some of the conflicting views, but I think most are united in the overall purpose of the Shinigami.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Dec 8, 2022 11:14:28 GMT -5
Alleviated fully of overhearing ears, Itsuki shrugged in response and made for the desk.
"Ah, there's the mention of those military police again. It does make sense they sway culture too." He said, itching at emergent stubble.
"Doesn't it bother you, Professor? There is a reason state, religion and military have been divorced over the years. Doesn't this leave even more room for corruption, for the average person to be slave to the whims of even the lowest level representative of this practically renegade organisation?" Challenged the monk. With a click of the brass clasp upon fine leather satchel, curiosity was set free again. Out came the university stamped binder and sheafs of paper, the freshest notes leafed through until the latest in raw religious intrigue was laid bare. "It is comforting to know some among the squads represent a preservation of life though. I can only hope it is through more benevolent means. Do the differences between the squads ever result in active internal conflict or have ever reached full-blown civil war? I'd imagine two of these Captains of yours were sufficiently strong and upset with each other their conflict could leave quite some nasty scars on the afterlife."
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Dec 8, 2022 20:59:16 GMT -5
Cole shook his head, ”I think I might have been explaining this poorly, Itsuki. There’s no question about what comes next, which is one of the chief questions religions seek to answer for their devotees. The soul king might be the closest thing to a god there is, but his existence isn’t a faith-based mystery. I have met people that have talked to him. Religion isn’t a part of it.”
The Shinigami let out a slight laugh, he understood the man's concerns, and while he had mild concerns himself, there was little he could do to change them from his current position. Maybe, in time, things would shift, but it wouldn't be quick, ”And I’m from the States; as dysfunctional as Soul Society might seem from the outside, it seems at least as functional as any Earth-based government. It’s no more of a renegade organization than them either; if you’ve got an anarchist streak, well; I’m not sure what to tell you. Shinigami are basically cops in Rukongai, but on earth we’re more like shepherds; escort spirits to the afterlife, and protect them as best we can from predators?”
He gave a slight shrug, ”Who watches the watchers is always a question, but I don’t think substantial internal conflict has been an issue. I imagine the Soul King or the Captain Commander intercedes if something starts getting out of hand.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Dec 9, 2022 5:59:29 GMT -5
Itsuki's cheeky blossomed a fine dusted pink as if he were a rosy-cheeked first-year again, caught unawares by a question.
"I'm sorry, Professor! I seem to be really struggling to wrap my head around it. I think I've had you saying that several times now..." A nervous laugh arose, the student shaking his head against it. I may as well be a first year. He mused, sipping away at his burning beverage. Nodding along once more, the student at last ceded the point. "Alright, I'm sorry for being a bit antagonistic about it all too. I think that's all part and parcel of struggling to accept how big a change it will be for me personally."
Busy fingers set to work scoring a few more symbols of connective tissue between his notes, scoring bits here and there, underlining others. Again the page turned, laid flat and smoothed out with a brush of a pen-laden finger. "Given it's a world after this one, do you get paid out there?" A fiendishly playful grin surface, at last breaking the mess he'd been wearing and trying to pass off as a calm and accepting expression. "What is there to do for fun and nights out, do you have a personal hobby out that way?"
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Player
I have nothing to say.
Cole
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Post by Cole on Dec 10, 2022 8:40:25 GMT -5
Cole smiled at his old student, ”There is no need to apologize, and it’s not a problem. I’ve challenged your deeply held beliefs, I’d be more surprised if you didn’t become at least somewhat antagonistic. That’s just human nature.”
He nodded, ”The pay is there, but in that sense Gotei 13 really are more of a military force. Room and board is covered, and we get a small stipend to spend on whatever we’d like. And, like I said; Soul Society pretty much has 320 massive cities. The gates between seireitei and rukongai are generally open; if someone complains that they’re bored, that’s more a reflection on them than anything else.”
The Shinigami thought for a moment, “But yeah, for specific examples? I’ve got a friend who goes to a concert in East Two every month; another group I’m aware of goes clubbing in South Five every few weeks. There are lots of clubs within the Shinigami, including a Mortal World Pop Culture that has permission to bring back media from the living world.”
He gestured to the substantial library around them, ”I read a lot, and most of my research is in my free time; most of the materials I use I buy with my stipend.”
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Post by Itsuki Hasegawa on Dec 11, 2022 5:23:15 GMT -5
"Sounds like I don't need to worry about getting bored in the afterlife, then." Came Itsuki's gleeful reponse.
The next statement flowed just a little stiffer than the momentary distraction. "I think even though my heart wants to press on, I've run dry except for two important questions. It's a shame but these fundamentals will keep me busy for a while."
Leafing back to the earlier pages, the ones partnered with a bitterly detailed rendition of a bear-skulled hollow. Tap-tap, went the studious and dedicated finger, a pen clicked in his other hand a few times for good measure. "I know you're concerned about it and as someone I respect, that means a lot to me. I can see there is a whole world of depth I need to be careful about out there and I promise you, I won't be stupid enough to risk myself on unfavourable odds. However, I can't pretend I won't be looking for the bear-faced hollow. What can you tell me about fighting them and if it comes to it, their more evolved counterparts?" He held his gaze for a moment, pausing to clear his throat.
"Are you willing to allow me to cite you? I imagine it would be a risk in your position but it would strengthen the work. In truth I'll be intending to reference whatever relevant materials of yours I can get my hands on." Academic anxiety urged him to chew the inside of his cheek, scanning over the works. "Don't get me wrong, it might be just about impossible to pass it as legitimate. At worst I should be able to use my position to have it submitted as a kind of formal religious document."
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