Re: Clovers Under Shade [J. Saionji]

Wed May 22, 2024 3:57 pm

Patel's spirits sink. It wasn't just the disapproving look about J. Saionji's person, but that at this point in the conversation, Patel had no choice but to explain why he was not in the second division. "I was rejected from the second division." Patel plainly states, pausing for a sharp exhale. His incisors and canines bear-down on his lower lip, before he clears his expression to hold his lips in a forceful flatline.

What was he going to do now-? Make an excuse?
Appeal to pity or sympathy?

Yomi's voice worms its way into Patel's mind. "Yes- what's wrong with you? Why are you not where you belong?" She asks only as a taunt. Patel did not want to know what she had in mind, and willed himself to ignore her. "I don't have an excuse. I believe I just wasn't skilled enough. So... I asked around, did some research, and started looking for skilled Kido users wherever I could find them." Patel explained, sure he owed some kind of explanation for his rejection.

He starts with a weary sigh next, quite unlike J. Saionji's own sighs. "I want to re-apply and transfer, but I'll need to increase my skills before I can enter the 2nd Division." Patel finishes, hence why he had elected to challenge strangers to Kido duels in which he could not prevail.

Wed May 22, 2024 5:37 pm

J SAIONJI - Clovers Under Shade [J. Saionji] - Page 3 J_PostingHeader4

Enter: J. Saionji

‘Master, the kid’s got spirit. Go easy on him.’

‘I already have.’

‘Maybe a little easier than that. He’s bowin’ down to appeal to your better nature, and is obviously asking if you, an excellent kido practitioner, would offer guidance.’

‘I understand what is happening; I don’t have the time.’

‘Make the time? He is the type you set out to strengthen.’

J stepped back toward Patel and stared at him, collecting the words he should use here, and deciding how exactly he needed this to come off. Since people were watching, he wanted to send the perfect message. Yes, you rely on your team, but if you cannot, then help should be found elsewhere. J’s face softened enough that his intimidation factor faded. He looked more normal and approachable.

“I will not mentor you in the way you likely desire; I will instead help you train your kido to a degree that the Second will accept you. I do not excel in kido. My focus is more in zanjutsu and other styles of swordsmanship. Do you accept?”

End Post

Wed May 22, 2024 6:05 pm

Patel was sure he sounded like a loser, outed in front of the whole 6th squad no less. There might even be questions of how he yet stood in the third division if he had been unable to enter the second. He had no answers for the questions that were brimming in the eyes of onlookers: Patel had no explanation from the Gotei United for his placement. He hadn't even met Captain Urahara personally yet.

But prying eyes and judgemental looks did not trouble Patel for long. Almost zoning-out, he remembers J's Geki: no incantation, skipped without difficulty. Patel had heard of this technique but had never seen it---and now that he had, he wondered how it was done. J's Shakkaho, certainly, had discernable perfections over any Patel had seen that he might try to imitate. He felt grateful for what he knew, and while he wished for a bit more direction than going to his betters or the 2nd division, he's really glad to just be alive and learning after that fight...

Everything changes when J says the words 'I will ... help train your kido.' The short brown Shinigami looks utterly shocked, and begins to crumple-down to start prostrating himself again. "Y- Yes! Holy- yes please!" Patel cries-out in a joyful abandon of positive assertion. But then a thought strikes his mind.

J. Saionji wasn't a Kido specialist? And yet- ... he could skip several incantations, cast two spells in a short time, even manipulate the properties of Shakkaho to create a fireball that wouldn't explode on an insignificant impact---only against the intended target. It wasn't that Patel disbelieved what J had said---rather, he had a full taste of gestalt, realizing the vast gulf that existed between his own meager power and that of a real Shinigami's.

Wed May 22, 2024 6:23 pm

Enter: J. Saionji

“NO, No, n-…” J stopped himself from yelling at the over-excited young man, but also stopped Patel from getting to the floor. He did not like the bowing, especially to that degree. He expected it in some forms, but not that head to the floor shit. It was embarrassing, and he did not think that little of anyone whose desire was to become a Shinigami. “Please, do not do that. Stand. If you wish to bow, at the hip, and a forty-five degree angle is enough to show respect. Understood?”

With a final sigh, J turned away once more. “In two days time, I will be in this very room at five in the morning. I expect you to be there.” The chosen location and time were intentional. One, others would likely show up just to watch, so J could test his confidence. Two, not that many would show up that early. Let’s face it, most people weren’t early birds when they were able to choose their own hours. If it was a day off for anyone, they wouldn’t be here that early. If it wasn’t? They’d be working that early. Win-win. J… also was a morning person. "Do not be late."

End Post

Wed May 22, 2024 6:41 pm

Patel obliges J's urging to stop prostrating himself, but even so, there is still some ash smeared on Patel's forehead where he had done so once already atop the burned tatami mats. If he prostrated back then just as an apology, he would've done it much harder this time, since J was showing him generosity beyond forgiveness... "I, uh- yes my lord." Patel awkwardly assents. It is hardly enough, but he bows standing up at- ... wait, a forty-five degree angle? Patel rises slightly, but then thinks it's disrespectful to take back some of the bow he's already given, so he goes back to where he was at something like a sixty degree angle.

Not a great start for following instructions. "I won't be late! I'll be here at five in the morning, two days from now!" Patel chirps-back, only to internally cringe. Five in the morning? The night animals were still up at that hour- if the birds had not begun to sing yet, then people should still be sleeping... without them, Patel wasn't sure how he'd wake himself.

Maybe he'd stay up really late, sleep into the next afternoon, then stay up really late again so that five in the morning would be like five in the afternoon...?- "Thank you, lord Saionji!" Patel expresses, before standing up from his bow and glancing somewhat remorsefully about the 6th division training ground. If he got out of here promptly, they might be able to finish their routine only a little late...

The short brown Shinigami excuses himself sheepishly, bowing also to some of the 6th division members on his way out of their grounds and back onto the promenade.