Setsuna's Mansion

Setsuna's mansion is a large ornate building, boasting 150 bedrooms and 200 baths. It has a ballroom, and a library as well as a restaurant style kitchen.



Setsuna's pride and joy is her glorious flower garden. She planted each and every flower herself.

Jurobei could only guess the true nature of Setsuna's invitation as he walked down the path of Setusna's luxurious garden. What could be said about someone that surrounds themselves with such beauty? One could hazard thinking that it's because that she felt she was slowly diminishing, but Jurobei knew better.

After all this time liberated from the Science Division he still could see that Setsuna was strong in her leadership. It would still take quite a long time before his plan would come into fruition, far slower than the seasonal growth of the plants. Jurobei felt that it had to be like fractures or unwinding threads, a slow but certain destruction.

He took the time in soaking in the sunlight and the colors and shapes of the flowers, for it had been some time since he had been outside away from his scrolls. The patrols that made their way back and forth in the garden and he put his hand up in greeting to partly mock their attempts at being discrete. He had but a few followers in Setsuna's security, but no action had yet to be committed, save for some insignificant intel.

A chess match, with a seemingly infinite timer. He headed towards the gazebo where he would meet Setsuna for afternoon tea. Jurobei said he loved tea, but not as much as a good liquor.

Setsuna sat in the gazebo that was positioned on the banks of a small pond she had had dug in her garden. She sat in a large wicker chair that was white with ivory and lavender colored cushions. Lavender was Setsuna's favorite color. Anything purple or blue in general. Setsuna rarely bothered to wear the standard Shinigami uniform, and today was no exception. Setsuna wore a purple wool skirt suit with a black silk blouse.

Next to Setsuna on a bench that matched the chair, was her zanpakuto. No one currently alive in Soul Society knew it's true nature. Everyone assumed it was a wind type zanpakuto, and they weren't entirely wrong. Setsuna had vowed many years ago that she would not use her zanpakuto's true nature, unless the life of Seireitei was at risk, and she hadn't since she was captain of squad four.

On a small, round, and iron table in front of Setsuna sat a silver tea set with etchings of flowers onto it. Setsuna was given this set of silver on her wedding day and she cherished it dearly. Setsuna had invited Jurobei, her fellow senior captain and former student over for tea. There was something she wished to discuss with him. She needed him to do something for her, and there was no one better equipped to get it done.

Jurobei had worn his black shinigami garb in response to his summoning; suddenly he felt very out of place and embarrassed because of the contrast to what Setsuna was wearing, but he would be damned if he was going to let it show. Despite the former student relationship having ended, he felt it was the right course of action to keep acting on formal terms around Setsuna. If he acted too casual, he might make a mistake. After all, he was still technically on duty and had to make clear his importance as a senior captain.

Attached to his hip was his zanpaktou, but to him it still seemed only as useful as a flyswatter. If he wanted someone killed, he'd do it in style. He liked a good Red Flame Cannon barbecue.

Jurobei pulled a chair and sat upon it as eloquently as he could, casting his left sleeve arm once to get rid of the folds, then sitting at about a forty-five degree angle on the chair, and then folding his right arm across from his chest. It was calculatingly precise and a product of practice.

How rude.

Setsuna thought as she watched Jurobei sit without being offered a seat. Setsuna wouldn't say anything, but instead would smile and look him up and down with her sapphire blue eyes.

"Jurobei, thank you for coming to my home."

Setsuna grabbed the silver tea pot and poured Jurobei a cup of tea and put it in front of him. Setsuna grabbed a plate of cookies and put it near him, so he could have some if her so chose.

"It's so nice to see you. How have you been?"

[ooc: I have no idea about which honorary to use, so I'll omit it even though Jurobei would be sure to use the correct one]

Jurobei looked at her and returned a pleasant smile, also a product of practice.

"Thank you for inviting me onto your estate, Setsuna." He bowed his head in reverence. "It is certainly a wonderful day for a walk in your gardens."

When she put the tea and cookies in front of him and asked how he was, he felt it to be another inevitable prelude to what she really wanted to know, as was the procedure.

"I am doing quite well, and so is my division. We are currently working out some minor problems, but in general everything else is under control."

He took a sip of his tea, and placed his teacup back on the small plate.

"You said in your invitation that you had something to discuss with me. Is something wrong? I'll do all I can to resolve the matter right away."

"Why thank you Jurobei. I am flattered that you think so highly of my modest garden."

Setsuna sipped her tea as she listened to Jurobei speak of his division and the happening. It was good that they functioned so well. There had been times in her career where there were captains who's divisions were total disasters. It was good that Jurobei wasn't one of them.

"Yes, there is something."

Setsuna wanted to tip toe around this. It was a bit of a delicate situation. How could one say that they didn't have faith in someone without being rude or offensive.

"I want you to watch the captain and vice captain of the fifth division. The new captain was my former 3rd seat, and with him no longer under my thumb it worries me. Neither him or the vice captain of that division are...mentally all there. I want you to get intel on them for me. I need to know if they are a threat to Soul Society."

Far away, in the distance, as far as the path leads, a little cloud of dust appeared to get closer and closer, it seemed so slow from the distance it was coming, but it was definately heading right for the gazebo where Setsuna and Jurobei were enjoying their tea cups together.

"Fuuuuujihanaaaaaaaa-Soutaichooooooooooooo" could be faintly heard coming from the distance.

Yet, the cloud was getting closer and closer, the closer it was coming, the louder it was getting....

"Fuuuuujihanaaaaaaaa-Soutaichooooooooooooo" not quite clearly yet, but more and more noticeable.

By now, the distance was only but about a mile, the sheer speed of what was approaching was getting somewhat unbelieable, a constant rumbling was noticable just by having a foot on the ground.

"Fuuuuujihanaaaaaaaa-Soutaichooooooooooooo..." a pause followed "Fuuuuujihanaaaaaaaa-Soutaichooooooooooooo" yet another pause followed.

Before long, with two heels straight downs, Miruki slowed down extremely fast ending her long endless run within a few feet from Setsuna and Jurobei. Miruki took a little pause before adding anything else. She was panting heavily from extreme running, she had been running non stop from her quarters back at 12th.

"I... I... I did it! It's completed" she said along with many more panting in between.

"Oh hi there Jurobei-sama" Miruki added politely. No matter who they were, she always held a bit of extra respect to anyone who had the age, and the wisdom that only thousands of years of life span can achieve.

Miruki was so happy to have reached them, she was a little embarassed that she bothered Setsuna during a meeting, but she was so proud of what she had to show her that she could simply not wait anymore. Her brand new, prototype, one of a kind creation was completed, she was extremely eager to finally reveal it.

[Before Miruki's arrival]

Jurobei listened calmly after she said that there was something that needed his attention. The fifth captain and vice-captain had been acting strange, and Jurobei wished he had been faster in recruiting onto his side and control them for his own ends to overthrow Setsuna. Now they were painted targets.

"That is most distressing." Jurobei took another long sip from his tea. "It's embarrassing to think that we have to worry about internal policy amongst such high ranking people. However, I understand the delicacy of this situation. We wouldn't want anyone to think that you are sending spies to survey your own people; it would be a disaster to your public image. You can count on me to assure you where their loyalty lies."

If I could get away with a lie and fabricate evidence, I could have them executed -- Oh what a show that would be, even if they are crazies! Tempting, very temping.

"and we definitely don't want a civil war on our hands, especially not with the impending doom--"

[After Miruki]

Having been interrupted from his assurance to Setsuna that he could get the job done and help save Soul Society by the far away yelling, Jurobei took the time to take a cookie of the plate and take a bite out of it, nodding to Setsuna that his lips were sealed on the matter and could be discussed later.

It was to be expected that the meeting would be interrupted. Miruki always had to show Setsuna new things. Not Jurobei; he liked his developments to be secret.

Jurobei bowed his head once. "Miruki-chan." He wondered what had been completed.

"Thank you Jurobei. You are always so helpful to me."

Setsuna stirred her tea slowly. She certainly hoped that Pandora and Zer were just a little off. Pandora had been in squad five for quite some time without incident, but she was under the watchful eye of the previous captain, who was completely lucid. Zer did everything he was asked as her 3rd seat, and she knew he'd perform his duties as captain as perfectly as he could, but...maybe she was just over thinking it. Either way, it wouldn't hurt to have some information on their behaviors to ease her mind.

"What do you mean impend-"

Before Setsuna could finish her question to Jurobei's curious statement she heard it. That all to familiar voice. It was the young captain of squad twelve. The young captain ran all the way from her division, and right up to Setsuna and Jurobei. Setsuna gave the girl a frown and a stern look.

"Captain Miruki I am very proud of you accomplishment, however, it is very rude to interrupt someone's tea without an invitation. I expect you to know better from now on, and if not I will not be so kind next time I am so rudely interrupted."

Miruki's face saddened as she saw the frown from Setsuna... It was rude and indeed, and matter of fact is she knew it, but she had some difficulty controlling her temptation to show new stuff, especially something this great, she believed, to Setsuna herself.

"Please forgive me Fujihana-Soutaicho, but I am sure you will understand, how important that was." she apologized as she bowed to Setsuna and Jurobei as form of apology.

Only a few split seconds after, a huge smile appeared on her face, and she started speaking, with a ton from a convention leader who talks in such a way to do his best to keep the crowd interested, and she started going on.

"Now, please let me show you, why I am here" she took a small breath. "Do you remember, Fujihana-Soutaicho, you once mentioned how important it could be, to be able to tap into the powers, and help the young undevelopped shinigami's to be able to assist more efficiently in case a war would occur? Of course, I am certain you remember. Well I took that seriously, and I managed to create, this, one wonderful masterpiece!" she took a deep breath, and straightened her body up.

"Now behold, my first, but not last...." [OOC: Insert drum rolls] "Sajishokku!"

She pulled out an odd looking crossbow, it had a string, but no arrows. She afterward went to explain, how there are reiatsu perceptors and magnifiers within the handle of the crossbow. She basically created that while studying the ways of the Quincies, she did her best to duplicate their weaponry, but for shinigami's. She gave also various details, as the more reiatsu the user push in, the stronger it gets, but the harder it is to control, it will take some practice for people to use it, but she truly believe that some untrained shinigami's would be able to help out much more efficiently in case of an internal crisis.

"But... What's really great about this thing is..... well.... let me demonstrate" said Miruki.

She pointed the crossbow direction in direction of Setsuna's mansion, and started to release some reiatsu. She was not going too wild with it, but she produced about a 3 feet tall bolt of reiatsu, and before anyone could say anything... BOOM!! she released it, heading directly toward the middle of the roof of Setsuna's mansion. The bolt was fast, truly fast. Hard to tell if it went faster or slower than a quincy's arrow, but one thing sure, it was extremely close.

The bolt sped up and eventually made contact with Setsuna's roof... All you could see at that time, was the arrow completely dissipating...

"I figured, since we would use untrained shinigami's for that, most likely, I made sure that it will not damage and static object, only moving and living beings can be hurt by the Sajishokku, like a hollow, human, shinigami, or a mice even. There is no risk, and not a chance, that if anything gets destroyed within Seireitei, that they could be caused by this invention of I. Oh, and that is not all! It will only, respond to Shinigami's reiatsu. A human can't use it, a hollow can't use it, a quincy can't use it, nor anything else. Shinigami only powerhouse, available right this moment!" She finished saying with a wide smile on her face.

She really was speed talking, no one could even imagine to try to stop her in between to ask question, you simply have to wait until her rush is done, and then she cools off and can answer questions and take the time to listen to feedback from it.

"So! What do both of you think?" she said, anxiously awaiting everyone's answers..

Jurobei stroked his chin thoughtfully finishing his cookie while Miruki sold them the idea of a crossbow, and jolted when she fired the damn thing at the ceiling. He felt a pang of revulsion towards the idea that she would suggest that they should start emulating Quincy weaponry. It was a rare thing indeed that he should feel revulsion, but he checked himself in holding unfounded preconceptions; maybe the age really had got to him in setting the old ways, even the hate for the Quincy.

He knew he needed to respond to Miruki's pitch carefully, as to not dissuade Miruki from her due diligence and to maintain a healthy relationship so that in the future, she may be of some use to his cause. The jealousy burned inside him however, that he, an old rune scholar, felt obsoleted whenever Miruki presented a new invention at the prime of her youth. He feared that soon she would learn his trade and have machines inscribe runes instead.

Jurobei also knew that the way he responded to Miruki would also undoubtedly influence what Setsuna thought of him, and therefore directly impact his influence in her court. He couldn't be so bold as to completely support Miruki, or he would support the idea of interruption, subjugation and unchecked development, but he also couldn't completely strike her ideas down either, or he would look like a child vying for all of Setsuna's attention or a villain stopping progress in plain sight.

"If I may speak." Jurobei nodded once to Setsuna and then to Miruki and said quite sternly "I should detain you for using a weapon in Setsuna's garden of all places. You could have gotten either of us killed! Punishment will be left to Setsuna's discretion, naturally, as this is her estate. As for my opinion, well, here it is. I just hope that my anger at your recklessness will not completely influence my judgment."

"Let us hope that there will be no war. You can rest assured that Soul Society will do anything in its power to prevent such a thing from occurring, because no matter how much we invent new ways of killing," Jurobei turned grim. "the price of war is the same."

Jurobei's solemn attitude was a lie; inventing new ways of killing was another favorite past-time of his, even though most of it was on the drawing board of his mind, combining kidou spells, runes and squad formations.

"While I must admit that your design specifications for the Sajishokku are genius, as I don't even know how you can prove it works with Shinigami reitsu only or that it only damages living tissue, there is also a reason why we do not try to emulate our enemies. We must admit that our Shinigami training when it comes to ranged combat is not as good as the Quincy training as of this moment. That is not to say that we can't improve our ranged training to finally surpass them, but quite plainly speaking right now they are better than us at ranged combat. That is why we primarily focus on our strengths of kidou and swordsmanship instead to neutralize them if necessary."

Also ranged attacks takes away from the fun of killing them from up close to see their faces wrench in pain.

"However, if you could also devise rudimentary training exercises to implement the Sajishokku with some sort of safety mechanism, it might prove useful over time. However, I must also advise that we don't mistakingly make the impression on our Academy Students that our combat philosophy, and perhaps our philosophy as a whole in Soul Society, has changed."

Jurobei sighed. "These may sound like ramblings of an old man to you, as you probably don't quite share in my concerns, but it is my duty to be wary about change. What do you think about all this, Captain Commander?"

"What on earth is the matter with you?!"

Setsuna screeched as she shot out of her chair and jerked the contraption from Miruki's hands. Setsuna watched in horror as the arrow Miruki fired soared towards the roof of her home. What about the people that inside? What would become of them? Setsuna had no idea of knowing how powerful the attacks of this thing were.

Setsuna watched as the arrow made contact with her roof. To her surprise and relief it dissipated and nothing or no one was harmed. Setsuna turned to Miruki fixing her with a steely cold glare. It took all of Setsuna's self control not to slap the young captain across the face.

"Have you lost your mind?! There are people in that house! People who could have gotten hurt or killed if your calculations had been off. How dare you show up in my garden unannounced and then put the lives of my staff in danger?! I would have thought you knew better young lady. Keep these antics up and I may have to reconsider my decision to make you captain of the 12th division. You level of maturity is severely lacking at the moment, and that is something a captain needs to succeed."

Setsuna shifted her attention to Jurobei as he also reprimanded the young captain, but Setsuna didn't exactly agree with him. Jurobei's views seemed to be stuck in the past. Things were so different now. One could no longer rely on the ways of old. Seireitei had to look to the future. It no longer had any place in the past.

"I must disagree with you Jurobei. I can see a use for this. With some modifications I could see it useful in such endeavors as hollow purging The younger more inexperienced shinigami could use these on the hoards we sometimes see. They could take them out from a distance. Sure, the same thing could be done with kidou, but in the same breath what fledgling knows kidou of that level?"

Setsuna paused for a second to gather her thoughts on what to say next.

"Like Jurobei said, this would be a more than useless tool on an enemy like the Quincy, but Jurobei knows as well as I do that they aren't our only adversaries. Change is inevitable Jurobei, and it is not or place to hinder it, but to embrace it. One cannot survive in the past, but should run into the future. I think with testing this device could be useful, but captain Miruki, it is to be tested withing the research and development area. Not by blasting it off at people's homes. You're just asking to get yourself killed."

Setsuna handed the device back to Miruki and sat back down in her chair. She was still a bit annoyed, but was able to get herself back under control. These new captains could be a handful. They certainly kept her on her toes.

Mirku felt quite embarassed, and without saying, terrified at Setsuna's reaction to her firing directly at her home. She did not really foretought how it would look, for someone who did not know what this item was made of, and how it works...

"Please forgive me, Fujihana-Soutaicho, Jurobei-sama... But please, rest assured, there was not a single chance, anyone or anything have gotten hurt. I may have failed in proper manners, but I have never, and will never fail, on proper testing, before showing up with something new. The chances that this device went wrong, were completely obsolete, I promise with my life, and the life of all of my crew who worked on it..." she said in a somewhat disapointed voice.

As she grabbed back Sajishokku from Setsuna, she looked down at her feet. She was a little embarassed and disapointed. She was expecting a rain of praises and congratulations, but yet she has received lot more criticism than she expected. It was justifiable, but for her, it was for widely less important issues. It can be wrong, to butt in uninvited, but she still believe her reasons were justifiable. Still, at least she has gotten some positive feedback from Setsuna, that did slightly lessen the wound on her ego.

Now she needed to ask, for a bit of help in order to send these in mass production. She needed ressources, but she felt that at this time it may not be the perfect moment to ask for anything.

"Well... ummm... I guess I will leave you guys.... back to what you were up to. I guess that was all for me... Truly sorry I disturbed you and your guest, Fujihana-Soutaicho" she said swallowing up all the pride she could.

She bowed down to each of them one after the other, turned around and started walking slowly down the path commencing her leave...

Jurobei said nothing as Setsuna completely missed the point of what he had said out loud.

Quote :

"I must disagree with you Jurobei. I can see a use for this. With some modifications I could see it useful in such endeavors as hollow purging The younger more inexperienced shinigami could use these on the hoards we sometimes see. They could take them out from a distance. Sure, the same thing could be done with kidou, but in the same breath what fledgling knows kidou of that level?"

It is called culling the weak. Shinigami must understand the urgency of survival as an incentive to become stronger. The preservation of life is not the aim of a military organization; it is to breed soldiers.

Quote :

"Like Jurobei said, this would be a more than useless tool on an enemy like the Quincy, but Jurobei knows as well as I do that they aren't our only adversaries. Change is inevitable Jurobei, and it is not or place to hinder it, but to embrace it. One cannot survive in the past, but should run into the future.

What he meant was not the oversimplified version that they must stay in the past, but rather, as he said, that they should be wary about the change. Philosophy mattered, and so did public opinion. If people in Soul Society started to believe that Setsuna embraced the ways of their enemies, it could ruin her public image. It was free advice, but now Jurobei wondered if Setsuna would know free advice if it slapped her across her face.

She also didn't mention a method of discipline for Miruki, which also caused Jurobei to wonder why Setsuna wasn't taking this as an opportunity. Jurobei knew that sometimes the best way to get loyalty from subjects was to shame them a little, show them that you're willing to punish them because you care, and coax them to want to gain your admiration of them.

Quote :

"The chances that this device went wrong, were completely obsolete, I promise with my life, and the life of all of my crew who worked on it..."

Now this was interesting to Jurobei; he didn't know just how emotionally attached she was to her work. She had been enthusiastic when she presented what she had made, but this was different. It was a plea for attention, for someone to acknowledge her. It was time to give her just enough so she would want more.

Quote :

"Well... ummm... I guess I will leave you guys.... back to what you were up to. I guess that was all for me... Truly sorry I disturbed you and your guest, Fujihana-Soutaicho"

When she bowed down to them and turned around, Jurobei spoke again.

"If Setsuna would permit it, we could schedule to have you show your new inventions shown to us during our tea. That way we can take the necessary precautions and it won't be an interruption."

Jurobei stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Consider it a challenge for your crew." and most importantly, you

"Please, since you're already here, join us."

Setsuna moved her zanpakuto off the bench next to her so Miruki would have a seat. The girl really meant well, she just sometimes got over zealous.

"That is a marvelous idea Jurobei. I'd love to see the full extent of this devices capabilities. Being a former member of squad 12 myself, I'm quite fond of seeing new inventions."

Setsuna grabbed a cookie off the tray and took a small bite of it. While she chewed she set at place at the table for Miruki, with a saucer and a tea cup. If the girl wanted she could join them and send for her division. If not, well then it was her loss.

Right when everything seemed lost, all of a sudden, they both show some recognition, and even came up to invite her to sit down with them! Her? With the elders? Perhaps he was really that quickly forgiven.

She turned back to them with a smirk on her face, she was truly happy!

"Aye aye! Thank you very much!" She said as she bowed to them before moving to the seat offered to her by Setsuna. And since they opened the door a bit, she figured it would be time to pimp up her invention a bit more.

"You know, I am up for any challenges, Jurobei-sama" she responded as she winked at him. "Sajishokku still have much more to show. According to my estimation, someone with significant reiatsu level could probably throw a discharge that could compete wth a captain level's bankai. The only precaution that this have, is that we should be wary to whom we give them control of. A sinful shinigami might be able to turn that in a weapon of doom, but I truly believe that Fujihana-soutaicho will know exactly who should, and who should not have a hold on them. Right now I can probably make two or three more, afterward I will need several more ressources before starting a mass production of any kind."

She was very happy, kind of like a little girl whom just received a candy cane. She got invited by Setsuna, and that pleased her. She was sitting with both of her legs close to her, and her two hands in between her legs. Her eyes were bright and her smile genuine.

"Where, and to whom would you like me to present Sajishokku?" she asked the both of them.

Jurobei had no idea what the wink was about. Did she think he meant something other than 'challenge' when he said it? Did she know that all Jurobei wanted was for her to please him? Well, whatever the case was, he allowed her to believe whatever she wanted. His job was to figure out what she knew and felt, and then use it.

He was skeptical about the claim that such a device could bring shinigami to compete with captain level bankai; it would be scary unless Jurobei was first to harness this power for himself and his squad. Mass production seemed out of the question, but then again, if everyone had one, nobody would be at a disadvantage either. Perhaps he could even steal the devices and destroy the others, but that goal paled in comparison to gaining the loyalty and trust of Miruki, the inventor. The Sajishokku was only one invention out of the possible infinite others to come.

She did have potential; he just had to make sure to balance her between knowing she had that potential and that she needed and wanted Jurobei to assist her in that growth, and not Setsuna. It was another project that would take a great deal of time.

Quote :

"Where, and to whom would you like me to present Sajishokku?"

That was a tricky question, and Jurobei once again felt that he was at a crossroads. If he said he wanted to make it public, then he would lose advantage but build trust with the other divisions. Then again, there was the alleged crazy division that he had to investigate also; couldn't really trust them yet. They might do something stupid like fight right in the open, declaring conspirators and whatnot because of an invention only just recently presented. They would say, probably, that they were hiding all sorts of things. If he declared it public, then there would be no conspiracy to accuse him of.

If he declared that it should remain private, he would probably be interrogated for his reasons. If he told the truth, which was that he didn't want the power to fall into the wrong hands, he would appear insecure and if he told the surface lie that he couldn't trust only one divison, he would be dragging Miruki in his previous secret conversation with Setsuna.

"Setsuna and I will discuss the details at a later time to best ensure that your crew's inventions get the best reception possible."

"You're very welcome. Please have some tea."

Setsuna reached for the silver tea pot again. Pouring Miruki a cup of tea and offering her some of the cookies. It was such a beautiful day here in Seireitei. The perfect say for tea in the garden.

"Indeed. Jurobei and I will discuss it later and one of us will notify you of the time and date."

Setsuna sipped some tea and took another bite of her cookie. She had invited someone else to the gathering, but she supposed they didn't want to come.

"I invited the former captain of the ninth division, Norma Higgins, to tea. I suppose she had other plans. I'll have to give her a call later and see if she's alright."

Miruki happily grabbed a cookie from the tray and sipped a bit of tea. Although tea was not her favorite drink, it certainly did work pretty well with cookies. She payed attention as Setsuna mentioned that she invited Norma Higgins, although she didn't knew her personally, she has heard about her from various other shinigami's, and she is also part of many tales that older members of soul society often tells.

"I'm sure it would be a delight to meet this former captain, I have often heard about her" says Miruki in order to participate in the conversation a bit.

She looked at Jurobei a bit, although not much was noticable from this man, he really seemed often lost in toughts. She could not help to wonder what was going on in his mind. He has always been pretty close to Setsuna, these two have had lots going on and have lived many more lives than Miruki even thinks she ever will.

"So, Jirubei-sama... what would you suggest I work on next? You mentionned that you seem to prefer more classic material, do you have a clue what I could also design, to make soul society a better place for all?"

"I'm sure you would enjoy her company, Miruki. We talked often, just like this, when we weren't bound by our duties during her captain days. Now that she is retired, I was planning to make a visit to her cottage sometime in the near future to see how she's doing."

Jurobei noticed that Miruki was looking at him for a bit, and felt a certain kind of accomplishment. Good, he had piqued her interest.

Quote :

"So, Jirubei-sama... what would you suggest I work on next? You mentionned that you seem to prefer more classic material, do you have a clue what I could also design, to make soul society a better place for all?"

Jurobei's mind suddenly swam with possibilities, but on the surface, he appeared contemplative, scratching his head as though he had no idea where to start. He was thinking about weapons and rune modulations, combat clothes, microwaves to sap spirit energy, etc. On the surface he was silently hmm'ing and haw'ing as though the thought never occurred for him to innovate in his life and that he really was somewhat limited by the old ways. Underneath, he really couldn't express all that he wanted at once. It was as though Miruki was a genie in a bottle. Jurobei's rune variety was extensive, and Miruki's technology would be a more than worthy addition to his division's arsenal.

"I didn't say that I preferred the old ways, but you are right, of course." Jurobei smiled weakly. He was surprised that his opinion was asked before Setsuna's. Was this just her pandering to what she thought of as a senile old man? "I would need to think about it more. I have grown to appreciate what I already have, and so haven't really delved into what people might want."

Which was a lie. He did not appreciate his current situation. Having to be careful all the time and limit himself in case Setsuna knew about his plans for insurrection infuriated him. He wanted his rune inscribing gifts to be used more than just for security and defense. In his old age, he still wanted to have fun. Fun... that wasn't a bad idea.

"We still have our traditional sports, of course, but maybe you could design a new game for shinigami to play using simple devices. It would be a great way for people to blow off steam in a controlled, competitive environment, during their free time."

Setsuna couldn't help but to burst into laughter at Jurobei's suggestion. She hoped Jurobei wouldn't take offense, but Setsuna found it absolutely ludicrous that he'd even suggest such a thing.

"That is absolutely hilarious to me. Sorry for laughing Jurobei, but I just couldn't help myself."

"Oh.... a game..." was Miruki's response before Setsuna started laughing.

At her reaction, Miruki smiled a bit and did this fake laugh type thing. She was not sure wether or not Jurobei would feel offended by such a reaction, but on the other hand, she could not really go against Setsuna's will. Kind of an uncomfortable situation for her.

"Well Jurobei-sama, if you truly want some sort of game, for your division. I will try to think of something out, that could also have some potential training advantages. If you truly want something like that, you know where to find me" she managed to say after she pulled herself together.

Until then, Miruki started to hope that this tea party actually ends soon. She could not butt herself out that easily, but it was getting less and less comfortable for her to be around there. She really felt like she was out of place, they are elders, they don't think like she does, and their personality is so imposing, that she can't help it but feel restrained.

Jurobei had appeared to be quite flustered because of Setsuna's laughter, and he didn't try to hide it with his emotion training because it would be the natural response at such unexpected laughter.

Setsuna's laugh, after all, sounded quite natural. However, he could tell Miruki's laugh was not. He guessed it was because of uneasiness, but Jurobei couldn't blame her if she decided to take Setsuna's side. They were both 12 Division... Science Division material. At one point the Science Division just treated him as a test subject, now he was a subject. He thought about how Setsuna had rescued him from those tests, but now that he was out of the Academy, all he seemed to have to her was practical use. Hell, she wanted him to be her private spy. He knew she was using him even before her laughter, but it made the feeling of resentment stronger. There was an old adage; nothing ever changes, but he believed that one day he would kill her and be truly free.

However, Jurobei wanted to make Miruki feel more comfortable around him, and that meant not waiting on time to do so. He wanted to make a good impression now; otherwise she might see him as nothing more than a relic, an obsoleted person, to be forgotten over time. Jurobei judged that she had been somewhat disappointed at his suggestion, so he decided he would try to think of other challenges in the meantime.

Despite his growing resentment towards the memory of his childhood, on the surface Jurobei appeared like he cooled off from his flustered state. "Well, it was only a suggestion." Jurobei took another sip of his tea, to think. He wanted to say 'you don't have to make a game just for me' but that didn't seem like the right thing to say.

"If you can't think of anything like that, that would be worth your while, you don't have to worry about it Miruki. I understand." That seemed better. Lead her to want to do it herself. No orders, no commands, an implicit expectation, maybe. Now it is time to change the subject to something completely different, to get Miruki thinking I've already lost interest.

He looked at both Miruki and Setsuna. "I don't believe I've heard about how you two met. Seeing how you ran through the garden Miruki, I'm sure it wasn't over flowers."

Pandora walked with Zer up to the gates of Setsuna's mansion. Beyond the iron structure stood an ostentatious house and an even more ostentatious garden. Pandora didn't like this obvious show of wealth. It sickened her. There were so many other uses for the wealth Setsuna had gathered over the years. Why did she even need such a large home? What did she do? Sleep in a different room every night?

"Tch."

Pandora was already sick of being here, this wasteful display made her stomach turn. She could feel two spiritual pressures in the garden, and then there was the captain commanders. Pandora could tell she was suppressing it so as not to make her guests uncomfortable. She was truly a giant compared to someone like Pandora. This also made Pandora roll her eyes. Such power in the hands of someone like Setsuna. What a pity. The things Pandora could do with that power.

-----

Setsuna rolled her eyes as the two captains reacted to obviously uncomfortable to her laughter. Had they never been laughed at before? Please.

"Really? So uncomfortable we are. The sooner you two pull those sticks from your bums, the sooner we can all have a good laugh."

Setsuna punctuated her statement with an airy laugh. She wasn't trying to be mean, and she hoped she didn't come across that way. She just didn't want them to take themselves to serious in this sort of setting. This wasn't a formal event, so it didn't hurt anything to lighten up.

"It's very simple how we met darling. I'm the head mistress of the academy, and Captain Miruki was a student. A damned good student."

Setsuna took another sip of her tea when she felt two spiritual pressures at her gate. She knew who they were, but had no idea why the two of them would be here.

"It seems like we have visitors."