Saraiyu, Masaru and Jurobei

Saraiyu Sorainu felt deprived with only three of her Thralls here. It might be taken as a sign of war if she brought more, so instead she just brought the three most docile. She wanted utter obedience and less thinking on their part. She had entered as unobtrusively as the Corona and leader of the Espada actually could. The tall woman wanted to be all set before dealing with the Steel willed Sotaicho.

Dressing up to the Nines for such an event, Saraiyu felt wonderful, this sort of atmosphere was positively yummy. The anger, the suppressed hunger, the curiosity, the hate. Even without the comforting spiritual presence in Hueco Mundo, Saraiyu felt right at home.

Almost actually. Her perfectly done up lips pouted and the bells attached jingled and that was the signal her thralls had been waiting for. Two of them were more humanoid than the other, the other being a big hulking cat who carried her things. The two unloaded her cushions and made a mini comfortable sitting area where she could lean back and relax. Maybe she'd be able to tempt some potential thralls, as she patted for the cat monster to sit near her as she lowered herself to the seat in the corner she had appropriated. Her movements caused the small bells to ring, drawing more attention to herself.

Most had given her a wide berth anyways, but now there was a definite change in the groups around her. They stared or gawked at her, her choice of dress and her looks. The mostly sheer dress left barely anything to imagination, with a few well placed embroidered pieces covering up as little as it could of any potential taboo zones. The cloth was a light tinted blue, and fell to her knees, while slit up the middle to her thighs. Sarai felt comfortable, and knew it would draw some curious Shinigami to her. She would thrall some if she could, that was for sure. Slowly a crowd of the lesser arrancar drew over to their leader, forming a little section of her own to buffer the mostly Shinigami filled room.

Having her own little court set up in here was a bit blunt, ignoring the dancing and such as a way to show Setsuna that the Cero was still not fully leashed or in favor of a full treaty.

Masaru

The Sixth Division Captain sipped at his drink, standing off to the side while most others shared their conversations. He wasn't exactly comfortable in the presence of Arrancar but it couldn't be helped. He also wasn't exactly skilled in socializing and often ended up being a wallflower at such events.

Normally, he'd be dressed traditionally in his clan's formal robes, but since most had chosen western attire he'd done the same. He was dressed in a black suit, black button up shirt, pants and shoes, along with a blue tie to add some color. Normally he only dressed this way when in the human world, while not as formal, but still, so it was a little strange to be dressed in such a way in the Soul Society.

Narue

Narue hummed happily as she roamed around the ballroom area, albeit trying to steer clear of arrancar's to avoid trouble, holding Hato-kun in one arm and a drink in her other.

She wore a light blue, sleeveless dress that stopped about mid-thigh, accessorized by a thin, long, white scarf. It was simple, but she really didn't have many outfits aside from her shihakusho and the clothes on her gigai whenever she went to the World of the Living.

A flash of color outside her court and Sarai perked up. She had been leaning on her cat, whatever its name was, but now she sat up and the movement caused a ripple of movement from those around her. It wasn't important enough to remember the names of thralls once they were broken under her powers. Instead for those she used endearing terms. She watched his movements, his stance. It all suggested a tenseness she could exploit for fun. Also his suit was too stiff, he walked unused to such restraints in the wrong places.

He was quiet, didn't talk to too many others... and seemed powerful. A Captain? That would be fun and his blue tie matched her dress. How thoughtful. The smile on her face made the other arrancar around her shudder, glad to not be the subject of it.

"Would you be a dear and request that shinigami's presence? Thats a good lad." Sarai patted the cheek of Thrall 2 and sent him on his way with a smile.

Jurobei wore a rigid but formal military style suit, which to him had the peculiar feeling of improvised armor. He saw Lakshmi from across the room talking it up with the snake-like Espada, but kept his head up high with a defiant expression, as though to affirm that he had blatantly ignored doctor's orders to come here and was not ashamed of it.

He was still supposed to be resting in bed, but how could he rest knowing that Armageddon had been invited through the front door? His head, of course, still hurt. Only recently had he been smashed directly through a concrete wall and then piledrived from the sky by the Kenpachi.   As much as he wanted a stiff drink, however, he wanted whatever good he was feeling to stay. He still had the dreamer eyes, curious about the sort of people Setsuna's guests were, their imminent threat a rare excitement.

His body wasn't holding up as much as his mind, however. He had a limp in his walk despite his self-imposed proper posture, and his complexion was paler than normal, even as an elderly man. He had a hard time searching for people he knew, like Norma, partially blinded by phantom pains and the excitement. He sifted from crowd to crowd in search of Setsuna who he felt was the only one that shared common ground anymore, but then he saw her.

While most had diverted away from the tall arrancar woman in the light tinted blue embroidered dress, Jurobei could not. Whatever look she had assumed when observing the other shinigami, Jurobei took it as a challenge. Jurobei breached the imaginary barrier that kind of expanded like a bubble around the comfortable sitting area like a veteran soldier slowly but boldly entrenching upon newly conquered land.

He looked at her Thralls for a brief moment, considering potential similarities and differences between those under his influence and command, but was taunted by his own thoughts to focus on what really mattered.

What are you, gay?

He passed through various phrases he could potentially say to the woman. He knew he had to approach her; that was all he had, really. You can't just look at a woman for a prolonged period of time and just walk away.

"I see that you have already accustomed yourself to my Captain Commander's hospitality." Already he had second thoughts; he never had those. Was that too cold? It certainly sent the message of how Jurobei felt about the current power structure even in this setting. Jurobei smiled. "I'm glad. I would have expected a bit more uneasiness on both sides, but things seem to be going pretty well so far. May I join you?"

He was asked for?

By an arrancar?

He made know outward signs of surprise, aside from his eyes growing slightly wider, but accepted the request from the Thrall and silently began following it back. He noticed the Captain of Squad Two approach the same area he was headed.

'!'

When he looked at the female arrancar that had requested his presence his eyes widened, he tried to quickly shake off his surprise of the woman's outfit of choice but the red tint in his face wasn't exactly the easiest thing to rid himself of.

He waited until Jurobei had finished speaking.

"Evening." He greeted, offering a kind smile to the both of them despite how awkward he felt. "You wanted to speak with me, m'am?"

Like a predator sensing weak prey, Saraiyu's face snapped from watching for the one shinigami to another as the older one stared. Her quick looks took in several things at once, from the mold of the suit he was comfortably wearing to the limp he walked with as he headed into her court.

This one was strong of spirit, but maybe not body. A recent injury or lifelong problems? Or maybe just an old soul, near its expiration date... He wasn't shy or awkward, so not as much fun could be had. Sarai doubted she could easily pull the wool over on him, though he had looked at her almost nudity for a bit before deciding. It hadn't struck her as scared though, or lust filled. Just...looking.

The words he spoke brought a mocking smile to her lips, though he continued before she could speak up. That part was a bit nicer, so she let the first somewhat cold response slide. He was a handsome sort, for those who cared. His suit was in good repair as well and he seemed as much at ease as one could.

Still, she had to tilt her head and leave that mocking smile on. "Oh of course. I am never one far from my comforts. You may join me on one condition. Isn't it polite to introduce ones self first? Things can only go so well if proper responses are kept."

Another shift of the court, most of them not thralls but regular arrrancar, and the other Shinigami was admitted into it. Sarai eyed him over as well, he was too obvious, hiding behind politeness like that. She could almost taste how much he didn't want to be over here, but came anyway. This one was also honor bound, though his blush showed he had more physical reactions as well. Interesting. Two in one night?

"Oh my, you don't even know proper introductions either? Tsk tsk." Saraiyu wagged her finger at the younger captain and shook her head. "I suppose I should introduce myself and be the one to be polite. I am Saraiyu, the Corona Espada. It is a pleasure to meet you both, may I have the honor of your names?"

She deliberately left out the answer to the question the young one had asked.

Quote :

"Oh my, you don't even know proper introductions either? Tsk tsk."

Eh...?

Well, she had a point, he guessed, though with the way the conversation had been going he'd thought he'd wait to introduce himself...

'Take it easy, relax.'

'R..Right.'

Quote :

"I suppose I should introduce myself and be the one to be polite. I am Saraiyu, the Corona Espada. It is a pleasure to meet you both, may I have the honor of your names?"

"I apologize, I am Masaru Shirakawa, Sixth Division Captain and Head of the Shirakawa Clan." He replied kindly, giving a polite bow as he'd always been instructed to when introducing himself.

Quote :

Still, she had to tilt her head and leave that mocking smile on. "Oh of course. I am never one far from my comforts.

Jurobei reformed his smile; this time the smile was genuine, and not the fake one to cover up the first comment he made. He took a good long look at the young looking captain beside him right after she made that comment, before turning his head back to her. His entire facial expression formed a single word: indeed.

Quote :

You may join me on one condition. Isn't it polite to introduce ones self first? Things can only go so well if proper responses are kept."

Jurobei didn't want to be so formal, but that might be at the cost of the image he wanted to project to keep his position and trust with Setsuna. Part of him wished that he wasn't in a comatose state and that he could convince Setsuna in time not to have invited the arrancar in. Jurobei didn't have need for more enemies to compete for power, if that was why they were here. At least if he were conscious, he could have made sure that almost every square of the ballroom floor was rune-trapped, so on a whim Jurobei could unleash an explosive chaotic hell in a matter of seconds. Possibly add some artificial sentinels in the mix for laughs. He even imagined having a floor that would electrocute people if they danced or fought out of the beat of the music that was playing; that would have been fun too.

He didn't want to be so chokingly 'proper' again. Jurobei only really cared about what was exciting. Wearing what he had might have been a mistake. He didn't want to send the message that he was militant about how people introduced themselves or etiquette; another cost to waiting for the right time to strike and obtain power to rule Soul Society. It was still supposed to be a friendly gathering, a party.

Quote :

"Oh my, you don't even know proper introductions either? Tsk tsk." Saraiyu wagged her finger at the younger captain and shook her head. "I suppose I should introduce myself and be the one to be polite. I am Saraiyu, the Corona Espada. It is a pleasure to meet you both, may I have the honor of your names?"

Quote :

"I apologize, I am Masaru Shirakawa, Sixth Division Captain and Head of the Shirakawa Clan."

Jurobei didn't understand why they had given each other rank. Rank wasn't what Jurobei was. Being a captain meant he was still under Setsuna's thumb; he wasn't proud of that. He wanted to be at least Setsuna's equal, so that he wouldn't have to constantly think of her as his Liberator. Except now any Captain, including the new Kenpachi, felt comfortable enough to assault him right in the open.

"Ishimura Jurobei."

He withheld his rank purposefully. Let Saraiyu believe what she wanted about what sort of danger he was capable of unleashing. It added some mystery too, that is, if Masaru doesn't squeal like a little piggy and spill that he was Captain of the 2nd Division, an intelligence squad of elite ninjas.

Maybe this Corona Espada only needed a name and a face to kill, Jurobei mused. In that case, both Captains were now doomed.  A sharp pain shot through his spine right to his brain when he motioned to sit down on one of the cushions.

I leapt before I looked...

He needed to sit in a real chair. Retreat wasn't an attractive option though, even if undercover sabotage appealed to Jurobei's imagination. He knew that somehow controlling Saraiyu's thrulls with rune magic to assault shinigami wouldn't be enough to start a war and keep Setsuna's eye away from his own activities. Jurobei needed a lot more than that. He needed to survive the grand ball first.

"I wouldn't worry too much about formalities, even though I often come across as too serious." Jurobei said to Saraiyu, though it was difficult through the pain, and his pacing gave that away. A new pain fired in his chest. "I regret that I'm going to have to take a rain check on our meeting, though I approached you in the first place."

"Sorry," he said in a jokingly to Masaru. "It looks like you're on your own for this one."
Have fun~

Rukuya wrote:

"I apologize, I am Masaru Shirakawa, Sixth Division Captain and Head of the Shirakawa Clan." He replied kindly, giving a polite bow as he'd always been instructed to when introducing himself.

While bowing was nice, it wasn't what she wanted. Why did they have to come to this Soul Society? A more western one might have been better, though she would have missed out on such a repressed little thing here. While she wouldn't be able to thrall this Captain and not cause huge issues (as well as play her hand early on) Saraiyu decided he would be her new best friend tonight. He seemed constrained by rules and such, so if she asked him to be her escort he would feel obligated to do so. Especially if she worded it just right.... "Its a pleasure to meet such a handsome young man. Would you mind helping me this evening? I am at such a loss for how the Shinigami trivialities work and don't want to show myself for the Hueco Mundo bumpkin that I am. You seem so polite and well mannered, you really must be my escort."

Kane wrote:

Jurobei reformed his smile; this time the smile was genuine, and not the fake one to cover up the first comment he made. He took a good long look at the young looking captain beside him right after she made that comment, before turning his head back to her. His entire facial expression formed a single word: indeed.

Oh my, this one is too observant. I have to get rid of him or else I'll be too busy watching my back for fun. The corona's thoughts were dark as she watched the too canny older man. These shinigami aged in ways the arrancar didn't, though that in and of itself was attractive. Still, while his form was nice, the inside was murky. Saraiyu read his outer parts well but the inside...that was too hidden in shadows. She would have to watch carefully even if she did get rid of his company for the night.

Quote :

"Ishimura Jurobei."

Saraiyu noticed the lack of status added on and her smile went from mocking to slightly perturbed. "Playing the mysterious card I see. Silly menfolk. Its best to be upright and honest with each other, though you must be one of the important posts if you are not retired at your age."

It was doubtful he would tell her, though it would be easy to figure out. Process of elimination would be the quickest and easiest way, besides asking outright. Maybe her new potential toy would help later?

Quote :

"I wouldn't worry too much about formalities, even though I often come across as too serious." Jurobei said to Saraiyu, though it was difficult through the pain, and his pacing gave that away. A new pain fired in his chest. "I regret that I'm going to have to take a rain check on our meeting, though I approached you in the first place."

"Sorry," he said in a jokingly to Masaru. "It looks like you're on your own for this one."
Have fun~

"But formalities are such nice things. They keep such civility between age old enemies and between predator and prey when all else calls for enmity." Saraiyu raised one perfectly done eyebrow as she watched Jurobei, showing him she noticed his pain. She may not know what caused it, but he really couldn't sit down with her could he? The siren had noticed that much as well. Silly shinigami, you don't give the wolf any ideas of your weakness.

"If you wish to leave, I can not stop you Jurobei." And wish you gone as well, her eyes would tell him. A real smile graced her lips though and she gave him a slight nod of acknowledgment. "It was a pleasure, Hunter. Your tools may give you an edge, but sometimes the wolf gets the hunter no matter how prepared he is. Especially Hunters too old and secure in their knowledge."

Quote :

"Its a pleasure to meet such a handsome young man. Would you mind helping me this evening? I am at such a loss for how the Shinigami trivialities work and don't want to show myself for the Hueco Mundo bumpkin that I am. You seem so polite and well mannered, you really must be my escort."

Her escort?

She was being polite enough, though he wasn't going to let his guard down just because of that. Still, she'd asked and it look extremely bad on him to refuse such a request, and it wouldn't only look bad on him, but the shinigami of the Seireitei as well.

Knowing that, it only took him mere seconds to reach his decision.

"Of course, I'd be honored." He replied, giving a small nod.

He was quiet while she and Jurobei exchanged words, and soon the captain of the Second Division bid his farewells. The Corona's final words to Jurobei unnerved him slightly, but he didn't let that show. He kept his serious expression, the red in his face from earlier much fainter and less noticeable now that time had passed.

Quote :

"Its a pleasure to meet such a handsome young man. Would you mind helping me this evening? I am at such a loss for how the Shinigami trivialities work and don't want to show myself for the Hueco Mundo bumpkin that I am. You seem so polite and well mannered, you really must be my escort."

The flattery was thick and obvious. There was no way a Captain would actually fall for it.

Quote :

"Of course, I'd be honored."

Jurobei was wrong. It could be the way she dressed or the way she carried herself. A true guest of Setsuna.

Quote :

"Playing the mysterious card I see. Silly menfolk. Its best to be upright and honest with each other, though you must be one of the important posts if you are not retired at your age."

A lowly inventory clerk wouldn't have been invited to a grand ball, so her assessment was correct. Still for her not to know what important post he had seemed like a small victory, for now. Hopefully when she found out it would be a pleasant or unpleasant surprise depending on the result of the evening.

Quote :

"But formalities are such nice things. They keep such civility between age old enemies and between predator and prey when all else calls for enmity."

It was fun to keep the charade in place, if only to keep things interesting. After that, civility had no place. Jurobei would kill anyone in his way given the opportunity, no matter how dishonorable the method.

Quote :

"It was a pleasure, Hunter. Your tools may give you an edge, but sometimes the wolf gets the hunter no matter how prepared he is. Especially Hunters too old and secure in their knowledge."

Jurobei had been to secure in his knowledge, and that had toppled in his battle against the Kenpachi. His own body had tried to kill itself because the thrill, his reason for being, had been torn away from him. It was this through this thought that Jurobei had his answer. Without danger, without risk, life was worthless.

He said nothing, having taken the cue from her eyes to leave, and he didn't want to give her some wisdom of his own. He started to wander about the ballroom again. Surely Setsuna would be busy with plenty of the guests already, and he didn't feel like joining a cue if that meant being sent back to bed again. It could have been Setsuna's order he ignored by coming here, and not just Lakshmi's.

Across the ballroom he swore he saw a familiar face, but it could have been his mind playing tricks on him. After all, Captain Norma Higgins left a long time ago.

Rukuya wrote:

Her escort?

She was being polite enough, though he wasn't going to let his guard down just because of that. Still, she'd asked and it look extremely bad on him to refuse such a request, and it wouldn't only look bad on him, but the shinigami of the Seireitei as well.

Knowing that, it only took him mere seconds to reach his decision.

"Of course, I'd be honored." He replied, giving a small nod.

He was quiet while she and Jurobei exchanged words, and soon the captain of the Second Division bid his farewells. The Corona's final words to Jurobei unnerved him slightly, but he didn't let that show. He kept his serious expression, the red in his face from earlier much fainter and less noticeable now that time had passed.

Saraiyu had been reclining on her pillows, but at the young man acceptance the arrancar leaned foward with a large predatory grin. She had thought he wouldn't turn her down, though he could have caught onto her copious amounts of sickly sweetness. She should leave off that for a bit, the Corona was out of practice it seemed.

It would be a shame to be stuck over here all night though, she thought with one finger on her lips, We shall mingle then! Holding her hands out for help, Saraiyu looked at Masaru. "Could you help me up? It would be ungraceful if I had to get up alone, I doubt I could stand the indignity."

Quote :

Holding her hands out for help, Saraiyu looked at Masaru. "Could you help me up? It would be ungraceful if I had to get up alone, I doubt I could stand the indignity."

Giving a nod, Masaru gently took Saraiyu's hand to help her up.

He knew she was just playing with him, in a sense, but he couldn't be bothered by it. The fact that he needed to act appropriately so as not to leave a bad impression on himself and the Seireitei was undeniable. He'd been raised to always act politely and to be a gentlemen no matter who he was dealing with and that wasn't going to change just because he was dealing with Espada.

"Is there any specific area you'd like to visit here?" Masaru asked, referring to the ballroom, knowing he couldn't just keep silent the whole time.

He wasn't exactly a sociable person, but when he had to he at least tried. Growing up the way he did he'd often been secluded, kept away from others. On one hand, he couldn't approach people because either they'd feel intimidated by him because of his noble status or he'd be too afraid of them noticing any bruises and questioning them.

Now that all of that was behind him, he'd been left with poor skill in socialization.

Rukuya wrote:

Giving a nod, Masaru gently took Saraiyu's hand to help her up.

He knew she was just playing with him, in a sense, but he couldn't be bothered by it. The fact that he needed to act appropriately so as not to leave a bad impression on himself and the Seireitei was undeniable. He'd been raised to always act politely and to be a gentlemen no matter who he was dealing with and that wasn't going to change just because he was dealing with Espada.

"Is there any specific area you'd like to visit here?" Masaru asked, referring to the ballroom, knowing he couldn't just keep silent the whole time.

He wasn't exactly a sociable person, but when he had to he at least tried. Growing up the way he did he'd often been secluded, kept away from others. On one hand, he couldn't approach people because either they'd feel intimidated by him because of his noble status or he'd be too afraid of them noticing any bruises and questioning them.

Now that all of that was behind him, he'd been left with poor skill in socialization.

Saraiyu kept her hand in Masaru's, holding on firmly in hopes he wouldn't pull away. She really needed easy prey here, most of the other Shinigami didn't look like they would be so easily bothered. Her glances around the ball led her to no new revelations. The Espada were mingling quite well, though Sarai had to frown at how friendly some were getting. Steinn was leaving... The Cero hadn't thought he would stay long, as it didn't seem rowdy enough for the Espada.

As the music continued she peered at the open dance floor. Aha wonderful! A perfect smile graced her lips and she pointed with her free hand. "I would like to dance, Captain Masaru. Would you do me the honors? Maybe after I shall go meet properly with your Captain Commander."

Saraiyu wrote:

Saraiyu kept her hand in Masaru's, holding on firmly in hopes he wouldn't pull away. She really needed easy prey here, most of the other Shinigami didn't look like they would be so easily bothered. Her glances around the ball led her to no new revelations. The Espada were mingling quite well, though Sarai had to frown at how friendly some were getting. Steinn was leaving... The Cero hadn't thought he would stay long, as it didn't seem rowdy enough for the Espada.

As the music continued she peered at the open dance floor. Aha wonderful! A perfect smile graced her lips and she pointed with her free hand. "I would like to dance, Captain Masaru. Would you do me the honors? Maybe after I shall go meet properly with your Captain Commander."

"If that's what you'd wish to do." Masaru responded with a smile.

He thankfully, knew how to dance, it being a requirement for family head's to know how for events. He wasn't sure how things would go between her and Setsuna, and it wasn't exactly his business, though he figured she'd said that to rile him some -- to see if he'd react.

At Saraiyu's request, he led her to the dance floor. Upon moving to stand in front of her, he bowed respectfully and offered her his hand once more.

"May I have this dance, my lady?"

Rukuya wrote:

"If that's what you'd wish to do." Masaru responded with a smile.

He thankfully, knew how to dance, it being a requirement for family head's to know how for events. He wasn't sure how things would go between her and Setsuna, and it wasn't exactly his business, though he figured she'd said that to rile him some -- to see if he'd react.

At Saraiyu's request, he led her to the dance floor. Upon moving to stand in front of her, he bowed respectfully and offered her his hand once more.

"May I have this dance, my lady?"

The shinigami took her bluff and could dance, a smooth operator. Unless this was a double ploy to make her look bad by having him be an awful dancer, Sarai just looked like she was a nimwit who just enjoyed herself. On top of that if he stepped on her feet too much she would be very angry, thus putting her in a bad mood for the talk with Setsuna. That could be heading right into the plot if some shinigami wanted this...

She wished Steinn were here, she could gracefully decline and pretend she remembered she needed to dance with him. Damn him for leaving early. Her thoughts never betrayed by her face, her smile never wavering, Saraiyu took the offered hand once again and curtsied. It pulled her sheer dress across her body and showed a bit more than the Shinigami might like. "Oh you do me a great favor. I haven't danced like this in such a long time." A thousand years or more had passed since she had with an enemy, this close and intimately.

Her long hair shifted to the side as she tilted her head, placing her free hand on his shoulder and leaning forward almost touching the man with her chest. "Shall we begin then, Masaru? Oh, I'm sorry. Taicho~"

Quote :

"Shall we begin then, Masaru? Oh, I'm sorry. Taicho~"

"Of course." Masaru replied as he took the appropriate stance after her and began to move as the music commanded. He'd done lessons on many occasions, the correct movements, the stances, how he was to act all burned into his mind through his years of practice.

He made sure not to make any missteps as they moved, remaining as elegant as the situation demanded of them.

He was so stuck up! This was no fun at all. All her ploys were ignored and he just kept his eyes away. What was an arrancar to do? Well the only thing she knew. The Corona was light on her feet, belying her height and strength as they danced. Her dress billowed out slightly when they twirled and a smile lit her face as she watch the young Captain intently.

"Masa, I still find myself curious about this place. As one who was turned before she could reach the true afterlife, its so amazing to see it with my own eyes finally. The Seireitei is much smaller than I pictured it though... And most just look at me with anger in their eyes." Sarai's smile fade a bit and she looked over Masaru's shoulder in a distant and sad gaze. "It's hard being a monster and barely anyone will approach me at all. I fear your captain Commander might be angry at me for staying away so long as well... What do you suggest I should do? Is there another captain I could approach who could help me with this tangled mess? Or could you?"

Her eyes gleamed with hope as she turned back to Masaru.

Ikari wasn't buying it, Masaru knew that from the few words he'd mentally spoken within his mind. He couldn't just act as if he didn't believe her outright though, it would be shameful and he wasn't that cruel a person in the first place.

So, he decided to play along.

"Yes, I think the Soul Society is a beautiful place in appearance, but I know what you mean by the other's eyes. While it may seem beautiful it doesn't mean the people are." He replied, giving a little bit of his own opinion to her, it wasn't like it wasn't already common knowledge to others when it came to him anyway. "If certain people see others as superior, inferior, or as a monster, they're bound to be mistreated no matter their origin."

He'd witnessed it and, while he wasn't seen as a monster as she claimed she was, he'd lived it. The Soul Society may be beautiful in appearance but it had an ugly underbelly. Residences of the Rukon Districts, he despised how they were more or less forced to live in poverty. Normally nobility had the opposite opinion, seeing them as nothing more than unimportant trash. They were people though, and they deserved more respect than that.

"The Soutaichou, she...well I may be biased when it comes to her considering she practically raised me." He replied, "If you feel uncomfortable approaching her alone though, I'll be happy to approach her with you if that's what you'd like."

Sarai was laying it on too thick, but this was so much fun! It'd been years since she could Ham it up this badly. If only there was someone else she could have more back and forth with. Someone who could return her fake with more fake and make it even more elaborate... Maybe she had picked the wrong Dance partner? The Corona was miffed.

She kept it under wraps though and spoke truthfully for once, her force growing more than a bit cold. Maybe this one would react better if she was more truthful? "The desert is much better for that. It has its own beauty and if you have enough power you can destroy those who hurt you quite easily. Power is all we respect for the most part."

"I don't know if she'd want her adopted Son up there with me. She might be angry with a woman getting too close to you, this makes me sad." She looked down with a dramatic sigh. "You are so sweet and innocent, a loose corrupted monster like me has no business with such a pure one."

"While I may not be one for destruction, I can agree that the thought of a desert at night holds its own appealing beauty unique to only itself." He'd never actually been in Hueco Mundo before, but he knew about it through much of his own studying and research.

He gave a small chuckle at her response to him concerning Setsuna and himself.

"While I may be that way I am a captain of the Seireitei above it, you and your companions are our guests and are to be treated with respect. If you truly wish to speak with the Soutaichou and wish for a captain to be at your side, then you're free to request that from any of us in attendance."

"It is one of the highlights of being a hollow. I know some find it awful and depressing, but it becomes home after not too long. The air is infinitely better than even here, so clear and cold." The song they were dancing to came to an end soon after she spoke and the Corona let go of the young man. He was much older than he looked, like most spiritual beings, but so was she. She stepped back and gave him a small nod, her bells jingling lightly. It wasn't like they hadn't been there, but the noise of the ball overrode most of the sound coming from them.

"If you ever get tired of this place, I could use another Fraccion. There could be ways of acclimating you to my home and you would also be free of the obligations that tie you so much. Maybe then you wouldn't be so cold and stuck up and would let me have more fun with you."

She turned with a small finger waggle, spying the Sotaicho. Her fake smile was back in place as she walked up to the woman who ran this whole part of the Spiritual world.

[Ending this thread with this reply yeha]

It wasn't long before the music came to a stop, their dance ending as it did.

Quote :

"If you ever get tired of this place, I could use another Fraccion. There could be ways of acclimating you to my home and you would also be free of the obligations that tie you so much. Maybe then you wouldn't be so cold and stuck up and would let me have more fun with you."

He smirked in response. Cold and stuck up, huh? It'd been awhile since he'd heard those terms thrown at him. He wasn't bothered though, as she wasn't exactly wrong.

He gave her a small bow as she turned to leave, waving slightly at him as she walked away leaving him to himself once more.

Once off to the side, Masaru took one of the many wine glasses and moved to an empty area near the wall, choosing to stay there rather than awkwardly mingle.