Distant Horizons

Tue May 11, 2021 2:48 pm

FILLER TEXT HERE

Artist: Carrotwine - Song: Dark Side Of The Road

When one arrived at the Second Division, they would see sections handling different degrees of injuries. But a smell filled the air of each and every corridor in the building. Some claimed lavender and others strange food like fragrancies. Truthfully it came down to the most nostalgic and calming smell for each person. Something that set their mind and body at ease.

Further investigation would guide those coming towards it. Out of the winding medicine halls and places of Kido instruction. They'd find an open area where spells had been cast openly, deserted at the moment save one. He requests a time himself to meditate and cleanse himself of what he saw. Sometimes injuries are brutal as any battlefield you'd see. Because as a healer you had to walk through that line of growing your skill and medical technique.

Upon entry after being directed to the Vice-Captain, his frame could be seen hovering slightly off the ground. His eyes closed and his hair drawn back in a ponytail. The color of a raven's wings, the black color suited him well. A white scarf similar to that of the Kuchiki head's but not the real article.

On his right arm, a badge could be seen, marking him as the Second in command of this Division. His clothing wasn't different in many senses, he had a pouch or two for bandages and a healers pack near him. Just in case his duty called again, for now, it was a restful moment.

He meditated to strengthen his mind and his soul, to converse with the spirits within him. Spending his free moments on this, while others were spent at work. Documenting injuries and cases as they came. Life had been brutal beneath his scarf, a nasty scar remained. Where his throat had been torn to pieces, while it was possible to remove it.

He decided to keep it as a reminder of past follies and mistakes. His eyes were gray, like storm clouds, and didn't show as much emotion as they once had. As his visitors arrived at this destination, his eyes opened slowly. Aware of the footsteps, he descended his feet touching the ground softly.

Those who'd arrived would detect a smell, the most nostalgic thing to them. A smell that set the mind at ease. He turned his head slowly to stare at who'd come to see him, they'd been guided to him by aides. His eyes looking at them as they began to bow. The people of this Division were friendly and helpful, it had been such. His talents in Kido weren't above everyone, nor was he the strongest person. But he was a skilled healer who'd treated many cases of difficult mending.

But healing had limits, the mind and soul weren't within the realm one could touch.

"Welcome to Squad Two, I am Takehiko Kuchiki." His voice came out calm, studied his visitors be they one or many. With an interest, his face didn't show signs of a childish demeanor or excitement. Merely a soft smile and eyes that seemed warm, but beneath it a sense that he'd witnessed horrors.

Thu May 13, 2021 11:48 pm

The Second Division, at least healing from his understanding, was left to the assumption of grisley work. There had been times he'd seen what the gangs and cartels in the swamps of Texas did to people let them be passerbys or rival gangs, but the gates of Rangers and law enforcement met a far worse end. Many people died from their fatal injuries, either from severe blood loss, hemorrhage heavily, gnarly infections and wounds, and a mixture of complications. Despite the best doctors and technology not everyone walked away and those who did left scarred and forever crippled.

Amon Breach was no stranger to the horrors of fighting, hunting and helping the law taught him that harsh lesson. Between bear traps, crocodiles, gunshots, knife wounds, and Lord knows whatever he's faced it and lived... Well, the third option happened several times and the last landed him in Soul Society. Despite the afterlife work he took, Amon managed to somehow get a second life. And despite this being an afterlife, death and injury still played a role here.

Managing to meet the other Shinigami at the Second Division, the pair had an aide or a nurse- pick your poison, take them to their destination. Already Amon could see the pain in certain rooms, people being healed from their major and minor wounds, combat with other spiritual forces that seemed leave that lasting effect that won't fade any time soon. Maybe, depending on how fast the healers really were. There were odd smells too, lavender in some, an assortment of flowers and candies and other things that would set the mind at ease. Amon remembered when one of his friends, Marcus, fell out of a tree and onto a rock. The nurses there put his arm back in place and worked on the twelve year old boy but to help put him at ease they used daisies and filled the room with that fragrance. That of course was before he moved away.

To some extent, Amon felt relaxed already thanks to entering an open area, a smell of a variety of flowers and not just one greeting his nose. They weren't overpowering but hit just right enough to have his nostrils filled. Damn these people know how to party. Amons thoughts were interrupted when his eyes fell on a rising figure before the pair, the man would only introduce himself as... Tacohiko Too-cheaky? No wait- that wasn't right-

Amon merely nodded with his own smile before speaking, "Amon Breach, pleased to meet your acquaintance."

Sat May 15, 2021 7:57 am

The Big Woman

Hanako Yamada

Although Hanako’s face was as calm and cold as always, something in her whole demeanour screamed that she felt very uncomfortable. She was tense and her steps weren’t as light and elastic als usual. Once or twice she touched her right arm absent mindedly. Although there was this faint but pleasant smell of fresh tea and moist forest soil in the air, it wasn’t enough to cover the memories resurfacing. She hadn’t thought about it before, but now that she remembered…
If Amon noticed something he would maybe wonder why Hanako was so tense. It was the memories of her awakening here, having lost an arm...and everything else before the moment she opened her eyes. Only a very thin, almost invisible, line on her right shoulder showed, where original skin was grafted to the artificial skin, covering her cybernetic prosthesis that replaced her biological arm.

Maybe Takehiko would know her, depending on how far back his knowledge of cases went. Alas, it was almost a decade by now.

It was weird...thinking about her arm was no problem for her. She even from time to time considered upgrading the prosthesis, making it stronger so she could deflect attacks with it. It was a good idea, but only now she began to suspect there was a reason why she never went through with it.

Having spoken not even a single word during their trip through the Second Division’s halls, Amon and Hanako finally reached their destination.

She bowed politely.

“Kuchiki-san. It is a pleasure to meet you. I bring greetings from Captain Kobayashi.”

Coding Altered From: [The Frost]

- Hanako Yamada -

= Hanako's Timeline =

>Julia Victoria von Aschewald<

>>Julia's Timeline<<

Sun May 16, 2021 8:27 pm

"Fuck yeah bust that shit out!" Amon thought as he slightly perked from his calm demeanor. He kept his composure, but when tea was offered he couldn't necessarily contain himself especially when it had the right amount of diabetes added. He was a fat boy at heart. Of course, that was sugar. Sweet tea in Texas was ultra sweet, however Amon also loved pure teas with nothing added like green or white. But sweet tea with some lemon slices added? Definitely. Unsweetened herbal tea? His belief on that was that sugar nulled the effects, though it sounded like turtle shit it was just his opinion on the matter. It was just as good as Kool-aid.

With a smile he said, "Certainly."

Though Amon noticed some man run into the area and bow to the Second Divisions vice-big cheese. Unfortunately tea would have to be thrown out, because by the frown and tone of Takehiko this was a serious matter. The words sunk into the young man's head like a rock. There had been another person who'd lost limbs and had been mortally wounded. What the hell could do that to a Shinigami? A Hollow, but Amon hadn't seen any Hollows capable of that stature unless this other guy was as new as he was.

"It's chill, dude." Amon states regarding the tea, knowing how important this was. He followed behind the rushing man, following his training instead of taking up the hallway like some bigwig. Soul Society as a whole was more than impressive, and the sheer size of Second Division was one of many monuments of how far the Society has come. They must have been here for years, perhaps beyond medieval times to establish themselves like this. As they arrived into a room Amons eyes grew wide and a plotting grin quickly formed.

"Holy shit!"Escape the words from Amon Breach as he gazed at the injured man. He quickly moved out of the way to allow for room and people do their work. Professionalism wasn't his strong-suit at all, it was shown a lot but moments like this when gnarly wounds were involved be wanted so badly to poke the open fleshy parts.

'Duuude this is sick!' Amon thought as he fought the smile down. Blood and such fascinated him in some degree, but whatever caused it in the first place was his wonder. The guy was curious, couldn't he be? Regardless, it seems like the Second Divisions Vice Captain pulled out his Zanpacto, was he about the end the poor soul? Amons head cocked a little as something was said, and all of a sudden the sword became some other object. A moment later smoke was blown and Amon himself could smell a forests rainfall, as all was silent he could have swore he heard rain as well.

After a solid minute the smoke was absorbed into the injured man's body and Kuchiki watched for the moment. After that, he turned with a smile and offered a bow, apologizing even though Amon felt he didn't really need to. The Vice was merely doing his job, nothing more and nothing less. Amon simply followed, having seen a grisley wound and the off healing practice used, it was a first for him. He followed the Vice out of the room toward another, keeping quiet for the moment unless words were needed.

Tue May 18, 2021 7:13 am

The Big Woman

Hanako Yamada

The mention of tea did a thing to ease Hanako’s tension a bit. It was a completely irrational feeling. She should feel very comfortable here. After all, they had saved her life and had given her a new arm. She was fully functional thanks to the medics of the Gotei. Whatever had happened, that this place here existed was a blessing. And still, she couldn’t help herself but feel uneasy.

However, it came different and tea had to be postponed when an emergency came in and Takehiko sprang into action. Hanako had just opened her mouth to gratefully accept a tea. She nodded in silent agreement and stood up. Before they could follow Takehiko, Hanako held Amon back with a hand placed lightly on his arm. She spoke in a low voice, so nobody else would hear.

“You usually don’t address a Lieutenant of a Division as “dude” or tell him “it’s chill”.” she said. Her voice was perfectly calm and neutral. It didn’t sound like a reprimand and Hanako didn’t want it to sound like one. She wanted it to be nothing more than friendly advice...for now.
“When we’re among us, in the Fourth, it’s something different. I care more about results than titles. However, towards Captain Kobayashi and other Divisions, I’d appreciate a more...appropriate choice of words.”

When they followed Takehiko they bore witness to the abilities of the Second Division’s Lieutenant. It was most impressive. His Shikai was the most unusual shape she’d ever seen, as was the smoke-ability. But the result spoke for itself. The regeneration on the body started to speed up visibly. And the smell was...it almost smelled like the misty forest of her Inner World. When she closed her eyes for a moment she could see a faint image of it before her inner eye and feel the amusement of Bakumusha.

When she opened her eyes again she couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t received this treatment and had instead to accept a prosthesis. Maybe Takehiko hadn’t been around back then, or he hadn’t achieved his Shikai yet.

When they returned to the sitting room and settled down, Hanako spoke, but couldn't keep the tension completely out of her voice.

“That was really impressive. I have never seen a Zanpakuto like yours.”

Unconsciously she softly touched the sheath of her own Zanpakuto with her fingertips for a second.

“We are here on the recommendation of our Captain. He said your abilities are most unique and we could learn from you. He didn’t elaborate on what he meant specifically, but I see he hasn’t exaggerated your abilities.”

Coding Altered From: [The Frost]

- Hanako Yamada -

= Hanako's Timeline =

>Julia Victoria von Aschewald<

>>Julia's Timeline<<

Tue May 18, 2021 4:00 pm

Previously, before the pair moved onto the medical room Amon had heard what Yamada said about his choice of words. He didn't realize he'd use, "Dude," and, "Chill," too relaxed to even realize how he was speaking to a Vice Captain of all people. With only a nod, Amon simply used that to confirm what the lady said, taking it as a cautionary warning. At least she didn't scream his ear off or slam his head to the ground like a bad dog, that'd make for an interesting moment.

When they say down in the office of Mr. Kuckiki, he began to spin the tale of a past that Amon payed mind to. It was clear this guy went through some serious stuff, with what a homicidal uncle it seems as well as past failures, a very cult-like sounding weapon, and scars of the past. Everyone around these parts seemed to have some story revolving around misery and failure, sure, it might be commonplace no thanks to after the war. But it was at this point anyone could have those stories, and that didn't mean Amon wasn't sympathetic. If the guy wished to share his story he could.

However Amons main take from this story were how family can go bad, plans didn't always work out, and to be careful of the tools you choose from what he gathered on Kuchikis happentence. The thing that Amon couldn't help but shift at was when his friend became the enemy and the scars left behind. He's had his fair share of that particular subject.

The story ended with a warning in itself though, one Amon was familiar with. There had... Been some screwups he was part of, headed even, and mistakes were made. He was by no means the kind to take things lightly nor take them too heavily, just simply keeping it in mind and when said things happened to handle it the best way possible... Whatever that may be. Amon didn't reply to the words of the Vice Captain, not even to his unique Zanpactos or the wood items he pulled, just watching and listening as everything filtered through his little head. Hell, Amon had even forgotten the tea that was presented before him.

Wed May 19, 2021 5:09 am

The Big Woman

Hanako Yamada

Curious Hanako took in the scent of the tea Takehiko had poured. Lavender and cinnamon, how very interesting. She didn’t even know lavender could be used for berages but alway sthought it was just a nice smelling plant. Well, that was probably a reason why Takehiko’s path brought him here, as Lieutenant of the kido corps and the healers, while Hanako’s path brought her to the first seat of the Combat Division.
She tried a small sip of the tea. She wasn’t sure if the taste of the lavender was something she liked, it was surprisingly intense, but the cinnamon was definitely to her liking. It would be something that she could try in a green tea, maybe chamomile, or in the very rare instances when she drank coffee. She also realised the soothing effect of the beverage.

The tale Takehiko told, however, was a bit more difficult to digest. Especially for Hanako, who had no past, no history from which she could tell such a tale. Even though she had regained some portions of her memories, it was hazy and still mostly like a dream one tries to remember after waking. But what she remembered was the tale of a victim, a fact that frustrated her immensely. But maybe this was why the Captain had sent her here. Not because she should learn from some past, but for her future. As a Shinigami, and even more so as a member of the Combat Division, she and all her comrades wielded great and devastating powers. It was like Takehiko said: Whatever one did, it had consequences. They might not be visible, maybe not at first, maybe not at all.

Truly, what she had always assumed seemed to be confirmed again: Captain Kobayashi’s actions usually had a very good reason.

“I suspect you are very right in your assumption.” Hanako said to Takehiko.

“He probably felt it would be a good idea for us to get some new perspectives. After all, we are members of the Combat Division and our actions could potentially have the most devastating effects of all.” was how Hanako formulated a few of her thoughts out loud.

She also had her fair share of experience with devastating effects, only that it had been her that had been on the receiving end. At least, as far as she knew. She still had no idea if there maybe was some dark secret waiting somewhere within her or if she had just been a normal soul that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But like this she was even better aware of just what ‘devastating’ meant in this context.

Coding Altered From: [The Frost]

- Hanako Yamada -

= Hanako's Timeline =

>Julia Victoria von Aschewald<

>>Julia's Timeline<<