Spiritual Frustrations [Quinn/Hono/Junichiro]

It was certainly a lovely day to be alive. One to not squander being holed up in the barracks, a day to capture. The breeze rustled its way through the leaves, the branches whispering their secrets amongst themselves, the sun stretched dancing shadows across the underbrush, the world was alive. With a contented sigh, Junichiro stood alone by a canvas, alone with the world around him brimming with serenity. This was his solitude, brush strokes imprinting his emotions and feelings onto the canvas, collecting his muse in its colorful droplets and casting them across the blank page to capture this moment forever on a painting. In a sea of stresses, he was currently on an island of peace, this canvas his bastion atop it all.

Although like all good things, that peace was fleeting. Nearby, a startling yell sounded off over the landscape that sent Junichiro's hand shuddering off to one side, leaving a stray streak of crimson across his canvas. Eyes wide from the jump, they soon narrowed as he collected himself, gripping his brush and gritting his teeth. Lovely. Just lovely.

After a few moments, the dejected shinigami had began making his way back toward home, his easel folded up under one arm, his ruined panting dangling from his fingertip, nearly dragging it behind him as he grumbled to himself, paint supplies jingling in a bag over his shoulder. Even today he wasn't allowed to enjoy himself, why should he be able to have one day? This was a fitting punishment, eternity with no peace.

As he sulked, carrying back his supplies, it seemed he had stumbled upon the source of the yelling from earlier, his brow furrowing briefly in anticipated rage, but his expression softened as his lilac gaze fell onto a surprisingly familiar face. His shuffling feet came to a halt, letting out a sigh, he approached from the path, standing on the edge of the clearing nearby, calling out to his friend.

"Ah... Quinn. I can presume it was you making all that noise earlier then...?" His tone was flat and unhappy, but his expression betrayed him, leaving his comment as little more than banter between friends. Then his attention fell upon an unfamiliar face, casting a soft smile and a shallow bow. "Yelling at strangers, perhaps the 4th truly has beaten the brains out of your head?" He teased, casting a sideways glance at his friend, even if he might not see him do it.

"I'm Junichiro, by the way. Don't let me bother you two, wouldn't want to go about disturbing anyone on a day as nice as this." He offered one final jab, preparing himself to leave as quickly as he came.

With Hono's encouragement, Quinn's determination firmed. His face brightened and he nodded, "I'll do that. It seems he'll leave me no choice but to show him who's who. His tone was confident but had a hint of reluctance. He would fight Ekiga but he didn't like it. He listened to what Hono's job entailed.

"I see. Scary Hono...hmm, no, I don't see it." the blond boy joked before continuing, "I thought about joining Realm Enforcement along with another, but the thrill I got in Zanjutsu class still sticks with me. Even more so since my Zanpakto has gained a wonderful trait." The thought made him smile.

He grabbed his Zanpakto's hilt pausing to say, a grin growing, "Listen~..." Quinn drew his weapon casually and backed away a bit from Hono.

The lad spun the sword which began humming a soft melody. The melody shifted into a louder, song-like rhythm as Quinn dropped into his combat dance. The sword rang with warm notes with each fast slice, and every two handed cut dropped the 'song' into a deeper rumbling. Thrusts and feints added their own elements to Quinn's battle song. Once again, it seemed like Quinn sank into his own world, absorbed in the fluid, music-filled dance of death. Spinning into a final slash, the blade came to stop, the song slowing to its natural gentle hum.

Moments later, his Echo-Reikaku brought him the feeling of a familiar spirit coming closer. His face lit up when Junichiro came up the hill. He put his blade away and waved at the man. Junichiro's words had Quinn blush and grimace. "O-oh. Sorry about interrupting your day...I didn't realize how loud I was. He laughed at the man's joke and shook his head, "No no. My yell got her attention too..."

Quinn stood relaxed while the others spoke. With Hono's comment on Zanjutsu, the lad's smile returned and he nodded in agreement. He watched as a soft blush colored the woman's cheeks at his joking comment and his let out an interested, "Oh? You don't agree with me? You some scary monster then?"

Quinn gave a gentle bow at Junichiro's words, his smile growing into an appreciative grin. Seeing the man's reaction to his little show, the Vizard hummed with intrigue. "Did my blade's song inspire you? Not what I expected, but I'll happily take it."

Turning to Hono again, with her earlier comment and Junichiro's recent egging on, Quinn closed his eyes and pulled his blindfold up over them. Quinn then asked, "Feel up for a little exercise?" His hand rested on the hilt of his sheathed Zanpakto. It had been a while since he had last spared and the thought had his heart racing and his muscles aching to move.

Quinn saw Hono's attention shift from June to him and he grinned as he got her agreement. With that, he drew his long blade again and moved a little farther away from his academy friend. He studied her weapon a bit before her question had him think. I don't know what her release is. It could be something like mine or could be more dangerous.

With his speculation, the lad's face creased in annoyance. With a shrug, he said, "My shikai is sound based, so its not overly deadly or anything. But, what about yours? I haven't had much time to practice with my release, so I'd like to use it, if needed. But, that wouldn't be fair to you if you couldn't use yours." While he waited, Quinn focused on the young woman, never letting his blade drop from his defensive stance.

Quinn centered his mind into a combat mindset and decided to let the woman take the first move. He listened to her with an accepting hum. That's interesting. I don't want to...no, maybe her Shikai is too dangerous for sparing. Well, let's see if she can force me to use mine.

His focus allowed him to react as she cast a kido, sending a crimson blast at him, though he spun and dropped below the incoming attack. With his lowered spin, he used his senses to track her movement. He wondered if she could redirect her sword given his dodge. But if so, the blindfolded boy moved his blade to deflect Hono's slash. If she missed or if he deflected, Quinn would then step into a thrust aimed at Hono's stomach. Quinn's longer blade sang with each movement he made.