Bridge of Hope [ Tento | Ajora ]

A pulse of energy shifted in the air. A soft tremble as an attempt was made from the other side of the realm that was the Soul Society to Earth. Tento stood at the edge of the Garganta that he had just summoned, a featureless black void that connected Hueco Mundo and the other worlds. His hollow mask dawned on his face as the ying yang symbol appeared plastered on the white background. The swirling darkness before his eyes was a stark contrast to the pristine skies of the Soul Society. Despite how often he had used this by now to give aid, it was not normal yet from him to see this. But times came a need, and his use of his inner hollows abilities became a fact he accepted.

As the portal opened, revealing its depths, Tento felt the weight of his mission pressing on his shoulders. He was to transport much-needed supplies and vital information to the human world, specifically to Africa—a once strong, beautiful nation now marred by the devastation of a hollow attack. The Gotei had trade agreements and payments with many nations. But all that went down in flames when the Gotei disbanded and land was relinquished alongside its resources. Thankfully there were people who still had resources at hand. And be it from kindness or the chance to make a profit. They took the opportunity to fill the void.

Enter Tento. A man who could solve a piece of the transportation issue, for a fee. Taking a deep breath, Tento stepped into the abyss. The transition through the Garganta was disorienting, the void around him seemingly endless and unchanging. Yet, he moved forward with purpose, his resolve unwavering. The people of Africa needed help, and he would ensure they received it. As he emerged on the other side, the harsh reality of the destruction hit him. Still. The landscape was scarred, buildings reduced to rubble, and the air thick with the smell of smoke and despair. But amidst the ruins, there was a sense of resilience, a determination to rebuild and survive. Tento knew that his mission was not just about delivering supplies and information; it was about bringing hope and support to those who had lost so much.

He glanced back at the Garganta, the portal slowly closing behind him. With a deep breath, he tightened his grip on the supplies he carried and set off toward the heart of the destruction, ready to do his part in helping Africa rise from the ashes. Letting his mask fade away in a black flame of reishi. "Hey! I got some supplies here", he called out to no one in particular.

Exiting the Garganta Tento got a good reminder that he needed to get better at making pinpointed openings. Quite the difference from being in a camp, near a camp, and away from a camp. Who knew?

There was no one immediately that to grab his attention in greeting. But soon he saw something. Something that pressed down heavy in his heart like an anvil. A wasteland of dead bodies scattered. Humans, Hollows, Shinigami, Quincy. Lost in the chaos of Africa at the hands of battle. A few had a concerning aspect of that he felt. Dead with the aura of human residual reiryoku pouring from their wounds.

Humans. Humans…had done all of this?

Oh what people would do in times of desperation. Survival was the ultimate test to a person. The resilience of the spirit. The durability of the body. The depravity of the mind. In terrible times, humans and even shinigami could be hollow.

The arrival of a voice along with a Shinigami's spirit energy greeted him. One that took him a bit off guard as he turned his head towards her at the sudden awareness. How stealthy was she to sneak up on him? He took her in, black hair with a lovely golden eyes amongst shinigami bodies. Tento turned sharply at the voice, his senses still heightened from the journey through the Garganta but doubly so put on edge at the sight of dead bodies long passed. He narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to make out the figure that had addressed him. He had never seen her before.

"You're right. Not my usual mode of travel," he replied, his tone calm but edged with curiosity before his narrowed eyes relaxed. “But then again, I think that's the case for everyone right now”.

"Im getting used to it," he admitted, a hint of a soft smile playing at his lips. "I intended to be here to transport supplies and aid," he explained. "But it seems I've arrived in the middle of a situation." He gestured to the corpses around them. "Need any help with this, do you know what happened?”. His offer genuine despite a bit of ulterior motive. The Gotei may be disbanded but that didn't mean he wouldn't want to know about fellow Shinigami being killed.

Out in a mission, especially in Africa given the whole…situation, Tento was not going to blame anyone for how they were dressed. Even more so with the sudden chaos of their organization. Whoever this lady was, she still had a lovely feminine charm that Tento couldn't ignore. But she was a curious case.

“Had a few hollows open them up for you? Mean they tried to escape?”, Tentonsaid in a calm voice trying to read the words she was saying. He had no idea who this lady was or the division she was in. Or even if she was a part of the Gotei United and not the Gotei 13. It wouldn't be the 1st time he met a unaffiliated Shinigami out around here. “An arrancar can be quite mischievous. I wouldn't know If that's a safer bet than a regular hollow”.

WOWZA THIS ONE WAS A LOOKER.

With all of that dirt and grime gone she was even more beautiful. Guess you had to be to still look attractive in the middle of a war zone. Or maybe the rough look just had a little bit of a taste to him perhaps.

Tento played coy and met Ajora’s gaze though, a slight flirtatious smile playing at his lips as normal when he tried to play the goofy flirt card. "You certainly have a way for finding a toughs spot situation," he remarked in regards to the scene around her, clearly intrigued by her knowledge. "It's true, I’m a Vizard and an ex-member of the Gotei. And yes, still out here handing out supplies. Can't seem to shake the habit of trying to help people."

As she leaned in though he tilting her head inspecting him, Tento took an ever so slightly step back. “First one for you huh? Curious aviator little old me then? I wouldn't get to close to me. I tend to try and charm extremely beautiful warriors like you if you get to close to me”, Tento said in a soft little banter. She was quite an odd one in regards to what a normal shinigami would be doing. He normally had gotten rushes questions seeking an update. To verify information. Heck even an angry or panicked request to go home and see loved ones. But this chick…she was so calm. And practically looking at him as if she was a scientist seeing a new hypothesis that tickled her mind.

He considered her request for a moment, then nodded. "I can show you the Garganta. I am trying to help people get home after all. What division did you belong to and where do you want to go? It's a bit disorienting if you're not used to it, but it’s a useful skill, in times like now."

Tento listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face as Ajora spoke. Her candidness and the hint of thoughtfulness was something to think about. Was this a lady just being direct or was she just happy to have someone to talk to out here. With all these bodies he had no idea to tell how long she had been out here. The rotation of officers could be…quite draining from what he heard from Lerna. In all with it though, she seemed quite curious and determined to figure her passions out. You had to be as well as a little bit bold mixed with crazy wanting to see into a Garganta. Using an Arrancar no less a hollow if possible. She sounded like she stuck to it even if it led her into risky situations, something he could respect as long as it wasn't too dangerous.

“Stupid? No. Bold and out there, yes”, Tento said in a light chuckle. “In our state right now the Soul Society is helpless. If not for the vizards who can uses Gargantas nothing would be able to get done right now. I don't blame anyone for trying to find a solution. I respect the initiative actually, it got guts”. He said with a nod of his head.

“Researchers and scientists create leaps by testing limits. At some point a genius was considered an oddball or stupid. They just got results in the end that shifted the perspective”. He said as he began his reply. “I can say foolish depending on the case with the hollow, sure. But curiosity and a willingness to take risks are what drive us to grow and learn”, Tento said before raising a hand to his chin. “Oh, I would bet that true from what I've experienced. But you sound as if you've worked with Arrancars before?”.

“Hollows are one thing but, Arrancars. Understanding what they want can be a powerful tool. As well as a gamble. The norm is that they are selfish beings from the negative piece of the soul, you can expect them to do the unexpectable when it comes to others ”, he said in a respectful reassuring tone thinking back to a peculiar and annoying Arrancar at that point. Just Any test, you would have to control factors you could Tento supposed. But with that level of power or ability that's a lot easier said then done…

Tento then raised an eyebrow. His view of this woman jumping by a few leaps if what she said was true. Interning into the gotei as a student? That was a rare thing that he had never heard before. Just what kind of person was he dealing with potentially?? “You must have some skills in your pocket now if you got that, and, was shooting for a seat just a year later. Just…who are you? Yeah know, beyond a prodigious stealthy lady?”, Tento said in a bit of calm despite being impressed. Hopefully he could talk a bit out of her.

If his earlier comments gave her a shock with her eyes widening then that should wake her up. He gave a light warm smile noticing the slight blush on her cheeks. She was most certainty talking different a little bit. "It's impressive that you were offered an internship as an Unseated Member of the Seventh Division. As well as it sounds with the Fifth. That shows a lot of promise. And who knows? The future is full of possibilities. You still have a lot more you can do. Sucks though all the classes are on hold now. Must put you in a weird spot”.

Tento's eyes softened as he continued, "As for the destination, I appreciate your understanding. Things are indeed hectic right now. But once things settle down, I'd be more than happy to take you somewhere special. Maybe we can explore a place where we can learn from each other".Tento's words were filled with genuine respect and encouragement, hoping to inspire Ajora to keep pushing forward despite the uncertainties. "And who knows, maybe your next adventure will be even more exciting than this one today".

Perhaps it was because he was in the Gotei longer or because he was a vizard himself. As Tento took in her words, pondering the peculiar talent she attributed to him. He felt it was not quite right. There was at least one other vizard who could open a garganta that he knew of. And with the still sensitivity and nervousness with being a vizard he doubted everyone would open say what they could and could not do. Be as it may, she was right that he was one of few.

“Perhaps,” he mused, “I’ve always seen my abilities as more... utilitarian, rather than extraordinary. Tried to be well rounded and prepared instead of limited. Your observation is appreciated and noted nevertheless, Ajora.” He did have a bit of interest increase though. Just what vizards did she know??

It wasn't like he thought Arrancars were here, there, everywhere. But they were more than people thought. The last few years made Tento think that at least. Arrancar were twisted individuals but individuals all the same. It could be done and was but the level of success and peace was something to keep an eye on. Either way, as long as they weren't attacking him or trying to eat souls Tento really didnt care. “I will keep that in mind. Anyway, as long as people aren't in danger that's what matters to me”.

“8 months??” he said in a bit of surprise. Her remarks about progress struck. And that was putting it lightly. Six years of study to only eight months? Even the best he had heard of was people cutting their study years in half. He himself only got placed in classes ahead of time but still went through all the years. Just…what the hell was this chick? He didn't know if she was some extraordinary noble, a freak of nature genius with unmatched potential, or a lady that liked to pull legs far too much. Too bad things were shut down at Shino to check it. From his time teaching, he definitely didn't see her before. But if she did do such a thing, she would have been in personal classes with the elite of elite of elite teachers they had. Definitely not Tento.

“You are beyond something special, heh”. He glanced at her thoughtfully. He appreciated her calm demeanor, a contrast to the often frantic energy he had been dealing with as of late. He shook her hand, recognizing her gesture. “Hmmm, perhaps. Depends on your responses. Maybe I'll discover a favorite to call you”, he gave a firm yet careful shake of the hand, only letting his thumb linger for a second longer before letting go. “A pleasure so far, Ajora”.

As she pointed out his need to finish his task at hand Tento agreed. He had enjoyed himself more than enough. He needed to deliver his replies and tell people of what was going on here. Despite the Gotei being disbanded there were still people he would imagine would appreciate the update. With a mention of her camp Tento nodded. "I'll finish up my run and meet you at the cliff later than. I look forward to it". With that, he continued on his way, dispearring in a flash step.