Southern Surprise. (Akira/Reida)

AKIRA TAIRITSU

The first thing Akira’s body did after the internal conflict with his Hollow was sharply inhale, a brutal desperate gasp for oxygen as his back was against wettened grass, blades feeling irritable against exposed flesh, as a single layer had been stripped across the length of the left arm, only for a similar injury to be ever evident on the upper torso.

Whilst this acidic element had all but faded, a constant steam rose like a plume from the Shinigami’s body, fingernails digging into muddied earth below and dragging his weight, albeit barely, across like a wounded animal, golden hues fixating on his sealed zanpaktou. It was comforting to know it was close by atleast, finally managing to grasp the hilt and place his back against a large tree, beads of sweat and trickles of vermilion staining usually white locks into a lighter pink.

Akira could feel his eyelids struggling to remain awake, glancing at the upper pec whose clothing had all been consumed alongside skin, raising the right hand with a tremble, as a dull emerald energy activated in the form of Kaido, using his slither of focus from the unbearable agony as the cold air bit at this horrific wound to intertwine such a spellwork with a basic seal. It was a work in progress, intertwining spellwork like this of which failed, backfiring into the fingertips.

"Nargh!...T-The only time I-I’d want a Gotei mem-member…Here…How did they not feel that A-Adjucha…”

He attempted to keep his mind off the pain by speaking aloud, glancing around each injury as several forms of smaller shrapnel had embedded themselves unceremoniously within the upper leg. Passing out would spell disaster.

REIDA RAY COPELAND

END POST | HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES

AKIRA TAIRITSU

There was a rather primal response upon hearing a southern charm, a wounded animal of which was natural instinct to defend itself, moving to point the tip of the zanpaktou toward her casual advance, a slight tremble traversing the length of it from lack of strength. He couldn’t fight even if he wanted to, though considering the rather blunt way of introduction, he lowered it slowly.

Her offer was glanced upon before softly nodding, lips parting to offer an exhausted tone to her ears.

"A-Appreciated…I…Can you rip some cloth off from my right sleeve? I need to bind my left arm as I focus on my chest, som- Tsk. Some company would be welcome to keep me awake.”

To manage such a sentence as the thrumming of Kaido continued to knit flesh around the upper chest, pain still ringing through the core of his body, teeth sinking once again into the lower lip as this focal demonstrated another light blue sealant of bakudo which shifted to intertwine with the Kaido and seal bleeding off, only for it to burst a bit again and fail. This was going to take sometime..

."Y-You’re not Gotei are you?.”

REIDA RAY COPELAND

END POST | HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES

AKIRA TAIRITSU

There was a sharp, pained exhale as the sleeve was applied to the wound keeping him awake with another burst of adrenaline, assuring that each breath wasn’t going to be overdrawn to pass out or so quick to elicit a dizziness. The hand carried on pouring a level of midnight blue reiatsu into the upper chest, watching flesh slowly rekindle itself into health though this company was by far the best thing to keep his mind occupied.

"G-Gotei were meant to patrol J-Japan…Fools…If you lived in the town, North of here…My condolences. I wasn’t strong enough, nor do I think anyone lives.”

It was best to offer the bad news off the bat then use this…American? She sounded American. He watched her bandage the arm, glancing at the way she did it.

"Been in this-this situation before? Tending to the wounded I mean.”

REIDA RAY COPELAND

END POST | HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES

AKIRA TAIRITSU

The term militia often held a stigmata surrounding it, a variation of rebel against a regime that by all accounts was forged by Dictators and Tyrants. Terrorists with a rebranding in other instances. Yet a brow did perk at the mention of the Vandenreich, that seemed a little odd and albeit strange, certainly dragging his mind away from the pain from his core.

"I c-can tell. The G-Government can handle it th-then. Forgive my rudeness here, Vandenreich? I-Hrm. I wouldn’t expect a woman of a militia to be joining such an organization, is there a core reason behind it? Maybe your…Militia experience could enlighten me if you are inclined to tell that story.”

Akira hissed once more, shifting a hand further up his wound until the chest was atleast subdued into a healing balm, Kaido finally stitching and rekindling a level that wouldn’t be lethal if left unchecked, realizing that other techniques going forward would be needed.

REIDA RAY COPELAND

END POST | HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES

AKIRA TAIRITSU

Akira chuckled softly, though another pain laced whine flowing through it as the hand shifted to the finished work of Reida, listening to her reasoning for being of the Vandenreich and of the philosophy of it behind closed doors. The Gotei weren’t entirely known for their ability to crowd control once blood started flowing, so it was an understandable reason to harbor hatred, it was atleast good enough for him, any who hated the Gotei were by extension, allies of his. The man finally shifted to bring about a soothing aura of Kaido across the arm, responding softly.

"Forgive me, I am not good with women in general. My track record displays I am inept in this department.”

Trying to make light of his situation, glancing once more at her before continuing.

"The Gotei aren’t exactly known for their merciful engagements, many get roped up in their ways despite their alleged straits of policing and watching. I can’t deny their strength, ashame such a society is also abundant with stupidity.Do you think the Vandenreich can grant you what you’re after? Blood?”

He inquired idly as the pain on a larger scale was fading softly below the waves as his breathing became stable.

REIDA RAY COPELAND

END POST | HUNDRED PROOF MEMORIES