Monsters & Kings

The weather was always an unpredictable mistress but today she had blessed the soul society with sunshine and a nearly cloud free sky, a perfect day to extend an olive branch. It was such a day that the king of the iron banner had deemed it to be a great day to meet with the new captain commander: Ibiki Suika. The Menacing Devil Girl was going to get a surprise visit from the world's number one rising star, one who was regarded as both a hero and tyrant.

Thus, Desmond Hayden was wearing his traditional shinigami garb if only out of respect. Surprisingly, it wasn't torn and tattered as one might expect but featured a vibrant floral pattern in a mixture of light and dark colors. His left breast exposed depicting scars which had been hard earned throughout the years, each one deep and carved into the granite like skin with lethality and precision. His Zanpakuto being carried carefully by a black sash tied across his waist, displaying a onyx sheath.

As wooden sandals clacked on the stone paved floor and eventually steps of First Division barracks he could tell he was getting an assortment of looks Some where ones of intrigue and earnest admiration with others having more reserved or outright glares. With becoming a powerful and influential man, who held his roots in the Gotei one could assume that while many saw his ascension as well earned others in the Gotei could potentially see him as traitor or glory hound looking for nothing more than awards and titles.

But it disturbed him little, he knew where his heart lay. It was with his ambitions for the world and Vastime alike

No one bothered to stop him, be it out of respect or simple acknowledgement that he was most likely here to meet with Ibiki something which would easily get word to her after he had walked this far. The floral pattern was also a stark give away in this sea of black and white, his hand resting in his shirt almost idly. But a trained warrior could easily tell that with but a simple flick of the wrist his hand could be on his Zanpakuto in a defensive or offensive strike- his centries of training still imbedded into his skull from his time with the what was previous regarded as 'The Zaraki Division'.

Perhaps in another life, Hayden might've become the Kenpachi.

The man mind was so focused and calm this morning, the breeze in the air brought a sense of serenity to the usually chaotic world of the soul society. With their rebirth and Hayden's own, the man held high hopes for today's meeting. He knew, that this brewing would with Shadowfall the Gotei will play a crucial role thus their friendship and aid needed to be secured for when the strike was launched. Among other things, his own personal interest in the Oni was another reason he had taken this chance to meet with Ibiki albeit with it's randomness.

It was going to be an eventful day, hopefully.

Coding By: [THEFROST]

Of all the types of weather to bless the Seireitei with, a warm and most welcomed sunny day had been the forecast which washed over this most vibrant land. All of the colors that blossomed on this day seemed to flow, shine and radiate with a brilliant glow of life and light. There was a sense of hope, momentum and absolute unity occurring within the depths of the Soul Society. They were picking up the ashes of their dysfunctionality, banding together under one cause and mending the scars of their past so that they could have a much better future ahead of all of their former losses, failures and defeats.

This was a new age, a new day and a new era which was unfolding for the depths of the Gotei United as they see new growth like never before. And who was to lead this charge? Ibiki Suika. Now, was she the sole person who could be responsible for every bit of development for a nation and a people which expanded into the billions? No. Never in a thousand years. However, she is the pioneer, the face and the leader of this radical revolution taking place in the Gotei and she can be accountable for what is now the Gotei United.

So, with that much understood, the ginger-haired commander couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, hope and will constantly surge up and swell up within her like an eternal flame that never rested. For while things seemed so barren and bleak before, now only the burning rays of a new dawn blind her vision and the woman cannot help but feel that things will get better. Will there be struggles? Undoubtedly. But both herself, and the Gotei, were all prepared for such a thing with their united front.

Ergo, it is why Ibiki now found herself coming out to greet the likes of Hayden Desmond. It was only an inevitable variable of fate that these two would meet in her mind because of the fact they were inspiring such mass changes within the realms they overlooked. There was a great amount of willpower which her own zanpukto could sense foaming within the male, and that only meant that this meeting was going to be rather telling for what may become of the factions that each of these respective heavyweights holds in the worlds they come from.

Therefore, when The Iron King had came to meet The Menacing Devil Girl, there could be nothing but a ginger grin which overflew her face as beams of excitement overflowed from the woman's spiritual energy.

"I take it ya must be Desmond Hayden?"

A pause overcame the woman as she took note of the height difference, but shrugged it off anyway and offered him a plate of her ethereal booze which formed in a saucer dish the size of her head. Twas a large thing to consume, but she was certain he had a vast thirst to fill.

"If so, it's a pleasure to meet ya'. Sit down and have a dish and we'll talk about our people~ I'm sure that is what you are here for."

Horns which protruded from the the ginger hair'd woman was the first thing which caught the hazel eyes of the warrior turned king. The brown, thin bull style, horns wrapped in a sort of cloth unsymmetrical in clothing design. It was a fairly eye catching sight which only was a minor distraction as his eyes drifted downward to take account of the oni. While he had never met anyone of the Suika tribe he knew of their monstrous strength, appearances be damned. Within the menacing devil girl, as she was called, was strength which could level cities with the same ease he potentially could.

However, the usually tight lips of Hayden began to shift as the corners of his lips turned into a smile. The sun tanned skin which came from working in Africa and his own Mediterranean descent was sharply contrasted against the skin of the oni and the many shinigami which roamed. Yet, the man standing a good head over the girl held no superior aura or even authority to him today indicating this to be a meeting of potential friends more than anything else.

Thus the male once he was greeted would give a slight bow at the mention of his name before going back to his full height. The floral pattern of his wardobe bending ever so slightly, his arm resting within it's fold before he came back up.

"Aye, I am Desmond Hayden, feel free to refer to me as Desmond or Hayden." He introduced, his voice low and fruity completing the introduction. It was clear to see the male was in a pleasant state of mind as his uncovered arm extended outwards taking the large saucer.

The male smile would extend into a grin as his head tilted back, lifting the saucer to his lips to take in the sweet ethereal drink. Though it was rare for him to drink on the job, this was a special encounter akin to sharing a cigar or drink with another nation leader. He may or may not have heard of Oni's vast thirst as well.

Once the drink was fully down'd the male with let out a breath exhale as his eyes closed withholding a burp before extending the new empty saucer to the woman. "Thanks, I needed that." He appreciated the small gesture before his eyes gaze behind her and then to her.

"I must comment your choice of outfit is very fitting for you, I dare say beautiful with the sun today." The male commented before looking to his own outfit. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who appreicates the traditional floral patterns, but perhaps we should retreat inside for private discussion?" He suggested before suddenly holding up a single finger, the hand which was formerly holding th saucer reaching into his yukata removing what appeared to be a small box'd item.

If she bothered to unwrap the string which held the paper she would see a diamond which had been carved into the shape of a Gladiolus flower, along with a emerald green bottle. The small gem was most likely worth a large sum but Hayden himself would explain. "In Vastime, this flower grows within our forests and had the nick-name of the sword-lily. It represents power of character, strength. I figured it would be more than appropriate to present that along with a bottle from my personal collection. You'll enjoy it. Trust me." Hayden revealed with a light laugh.

Coding By: [THEFROST]

Bowing and giving bow, it was a whole funny turn of events in the mind of The Suika Devil. The reason being is because she never really considered herself all to regale or super elegant due to the fact that she was a brute for the majority of her life. After all, how else would she have gotten the title of being a Kenpachi? So, in the reflection of that thought, the woman couldn't help but give a ginger laugh at this whole strange sequence of events that led to her becoming The Captain Commander of the Gotei.

"Well, excuse me, Hayden, I can't help but find this funny. I would never have imagined I'd be one of those fancy big-shots."

When the woman finished making her light-hearted reply, there would be another chugging of booze from her own personal dish of liquor. It was a relaxing feeling to have as it was nice to be able to achieve the level of success that she had at the moment. Since it wasn't too long ago that the woman believed this place to be on it's last legs. So that sense of absurdism had a way of just popping up at the most awkward of moments.

Still, this whole interaction gave a favorable impression of the male so far. He didn't seem pushy, he wasn't trying to throw his laws in their world and he seemed to have patience for the time being. So, she'd indulge in his company, give a nod of her head and encouraged him to drink more.

"Even if there is life and death matters to be discussed, a little bit of relaxation could always help. I feel I have a good understanding of the world, but that won't mean anything if I'm so stressed out of my mind I can't think straight. So this helps to loosen the load and focus."

Then, Ibiki would stop talking, pause and then pat her right arm and give a flex.

"Really, the way my body is made up, booze is my coffee. Hehehe."

Then, with a content sigh, she'd take another gulp and gave a brief stare at Hayden.

"Although, the results on your body may vary, my elixir is good at relaxing the soul itself. So who knows, maybe you might find benefit in making this an addiction~"

Again, the woman would give a laugh. Laughter was the natural medicine of the spirit. It helped to relax nerve, made light of bad things and helped to soften the mood of those in a casual or stern setting. It may come off as rude to some, but Ibiki knew she had the best of intentions and it was a matter of making them vocally known to those who wanted to partake in her lone audience.

Granted, those thoughts would be lost to distraction because of the fact that Hayden had pointed out how nice her kimono was. And really, the woman didn't think too much of it. Sure, it was something that was passed down within her family, but Ibiki figured it was just something polite to do given how intense this meeting was supposed to go down. So, out of formality, and nothing else, is why she chose this outfit.

"This old thing? Well, I'm glad you like it, but I assumed that is just what you do for formal meetings like this. It's a shallow thought, but I don't hold much stock in it. Others may, though."

There was then a playful shrug before her amber eyes turned back towards her barracks. She had to agree that it would be better if they took this whole thing indoors. So, she'd nod her head and lead him towards her humble office -- at least before the man gave her a gift. The woman would give a questionable raise of the eyebrow, blink and take it. After all, who would turn down a free gift?

So, when she unwrapped the string and was pleasantly surprised with what appeared to be a fine bottle of age-old wine and a gladiolus flower. The gesture was not lost on the woman and she seemed to appreciate it as she wore it on her kimino and promplty hurried i nto her office to tuck the wine away for a later date.

"That was sweet. Thank you~"

Quick and to the point, Ibiki didn't mince words and could appericate the sigifance of that gift. So, when she sat down on the floor, the woman gave a nod of the head and smiled.

"But I do have to ask: should we get down to business quick, or shall we ease on into it? Your choice, Hayden."

A certain aura made it's self known with the meeting of these two beings, almost as if Hayden's own resolve was coming into the world being drawn out by her very presence. As she spoke, his hand would remain rested within his cloak slightly listening intently with a light smile on his lips. It was heartening to hear her speak so easy around him, bringing back old memories from his beginning days in the gotei- days which where even older than his time on earth or with the Vanguard. Thus, one could say this meeting was also for the male a reaffirmation of his path, a way to move on from a past which he never fully explored.

Each word that escaped her lip allowed a fair respect to be formed between the two, she had not came at him cocky or with attitude which one might expect. Instead, he found a very respectful woman who was showing him the same level of respect he was display. In a way it helped placate that small amount of anger he held at Mirja former relations with him, after all she had barged into his office making demands in such a way that caused him the utmost anger. Ibiki, thankfully, was working around that well.

"I say we ease into it, rushing into this delicate talk might not be advisable- I don't know if you heard of one Mirja Eeola?" The male questioned lightly, his eyes shifting around the office in an examining manner. It was an innocent gaze at worst more out of the curious culture which invaded his own fascination. However, she would soon have his attention again as his gaze rested on her.

If there was one feature of Hayden which had grown more striking with his ascension of power and position, it was the vibrant intense nature which seemed to be embedded into his mocha color'd eyes. The piercing brown gaze seemed to hold all his ambition, resolve, and duty in their endless abyss- an assortment of emotions which one could easy find intense should they not be of steel mind. But, for someone like Ibiki perhaps they could find a kindred spirit of sorts. If there was one person who understood the ideals and drive of Hayden- it would certainly be her.

"She came to my office, on the gotei behalf- The conversation didn't go well. She demanded the numbers of shinigami in our ranks which I refused to provide. A threat was made." He mused out loud almost to see if she had sanctioned some action, despite the respectful nature they where exhibiting he had to know if that was the actions of a rogue agent or something the Gotei condoned. "At any rate, I just wish to know if that action is the way your people act? I'm not trying to insult you but to come to my home- my people's nation- and make a threat within minutes of arriving in my office. I cannot and could not let that go unabashed. She has since apologized to me personally, but I do not quite like the idea of that happening again."

The male mocha color'd eyes would take in the scenary once more before he let out a deep sigh, as if to visibly relax the tension that may have been forming. His next words where simple, an honest truth that he wanted to be known.

"Honestly- I'd just appreciate if I didn't get a situation like that again. Eeola's got potential but she's raw. She needs some guidance which may require both of us to take action. I don't get the vibe you'd condone threats made to potential allies." He admitted finally pursing his lips before adding on. "We've both had a duty thrust upon us. I want to make this work, Ibiki Suika."

Coding By: [THEFROST]