Shunsui Kyoraku, The Condense [APPROVED, 0-2+] [Absentee]

Shunsui leaned back against the rough bark of the cherry blossom tree, noticing the shift in temperature as the sun began to set. He'd been watching his shadow distort and elongate while he enjoyed his sake for perhaps half an hour, lost in thought. As he pulled his hat down to cover his eyes, as he so often did, several cherry blossoms fell around him. Outstretching his hand Shunsui watched as one of the cherry blossoms twisted its way through the air, casually falling towards his waiting palm. He always enjoyed it when the cherry blossoms fell. They reminded him of himself, they flapped in the breeze for a while enjoying the feel of floating freely in the wind, and then they sleepily drifted down to the ground, and lay still. The two of them were so much alike that they even wore matching colors. It was fitting when he thought about it then, that they also enjoyed lounging in the same spot. This was the only place the cherry blossoms grew, and it was where he'd been spending most of his time lately. As he rose his cup to his lips to take a drink Shunsui sighed. It was the anniversary of the old mans death, and he and Ukitake had plans to get together later to honor the former captain commander. Over four hundred years had gone by, but Shunsui still worried about the old man getting on him for being such a lazy bum all of the time. Well, after you've spent two thousand years with someone it becomes second nature to expect them. Lately he hadn't had this happen very often, but today, as he sat under the cherry blossoms with the sun setting to his back, wind gently whipping his hair, Shunsui almost expected the old man to walk up at any moment. Once more he sighed, the former captain commander would of course have been furious if he were still watching Shunsui these days. More the layabout than ever, he invariably let others take care of whatever problems happened to arise and spent his time in pursuit of the finer things in life, such as women... and sake. Today though he felt immeasurably guilty. It had been a long time since he'd been a useful asset to the team, and although he still kept himself in the same condition with the bare minimum of training, he hadn't become stronger or contributed much to any meaningful cause. Truthfully, if he hadn't had the relationship that he did with the captain commander then he would have been perfectly content to laze around for the remainder of his days in a drunken stupor, with one woman's kimono around his back and another woman's kimono on his floor. That wasn't the case though, the old man, as strict as he may have been, had been like a father to Shunsui, and to Ukitake as well. It seemed as if he should have been worried about the captain commander getting on his case after all, here was the memory of the man doing his job for him. Shunsui lifted his cup to his lips one final time, drained the contents, and stood up slowly. He stood still for a moment, looking over his shoulder at the sunset, and then began walking forwards, towards Ukitake and the future. He'd honor the old man's memory by finally getting off of his ass and lending a helping hand to whoever needed it.

An hour or so later Shunsui ran into Ukitake and they made their way to the old academy grounds. The academy was different now, but in essence it was still the same place they'd graduated from all those years ago, under Yamamoto's tutelage. Although Shunsui had still done nothing, he had at least made up his mind to, and that helped with the guilt. He turned to Ukitake and tipping his hat up unleashed a large grin.

"You've been doing all the hard work while I lay around
haven't you, Ukitake. Well the old man kicked my ass today, and I'm getting back in gear too. Think us old timers can still make a difference?

Ukitake smiled his closed-lipped smile, and a small twinkle lit his eye. He clasped Shunsui on the shoulder and made eye contact.

"I'm glad to hear that, it will certainly be easier around here with your help. And I wouldn't worry too much, we "old timers" always find a way to make ourselves useful, don't we?"

The two walked the grounds for a time, before the chill and the dark persuaded them to make their way home. The night was still young though, and not ready to retire until the morning Shunsui invited Ukitake to have a few drinks. He accepted, and for the next few hours the two old friends reminisced about times long gone by, stories of their captain commander, and of their time in the academy. When Ukitake finally took his leave it was after midnight, and Shunsui felt his eyelids gradually becoming heavier and heavier, until it was simply too much work to lift them a single time more. Shunsui thought as he began to drift into unconsciousness, that come tomorrow he'd make the old man proud, and maybe even stumble upon a few beautiful women, but first things first.

[mod]The above attempt is denied.

This sample doesn't feel like it matches with Shunsui. It feels like it scratches the surface of him without delving any deeper. You hit on a key point: his respect for Yamamoto. That was done well—Shunsui would be the type to honor 'Old Man Yama' and mark an anniversary.

There were more parts that you missed the mark on: You make it sound like he was moved to inaction against his will. Shunsui may be lazy, but he understands the importance of duty, as well as right & wrong. He would have made himself useful in some manner even if he were forcibly removed as a Captain. The sample seems to portray him as lazier than he should be. While yes, that is a trait of his, it seems to be too heavily focused on that. The same can be said about the drinking, although considering the situation it is likely he might have more to drink than normal.

With that said, you are not barred from applying for Shunsui again. You may try again in 2 weeks' time, on September 10.[/mod]

Shunsui tipped his sakkat downwards slightly as he sighed softly. He'd been asked to go keep a ryoka coming in busy and while he wasn't eager for a fight. He carried his zanpakuto with him, though he was rather hopeful he could avoid using them. Though if the need came he would use them, he rubbed at his chin as he walked. Perhaps he could offer them a leisurely drink and still their time. Hopefully, they were more reasonable than the young man he previously offered his hospitality too. That image reflected in his memory, that engagement leads them to meet Ichigo Kurosaki. Perhaps this would be a fruitful encounter as well and lead to someone. He wore his traditional outfit minus the Captain's Haori. Honestly, he'd not minded it, Yama-jii often scolded him when it came to harming or such a thing. It wasn't that he didn't understand it, but sometimes in situations, he couldn't do anything about it. Slung over his shoulder he carried a gourd of sake with him. The pot was special and it did lead to good memories.

He paused during his walk to the location, pondering if he should have Nanao-Chan shower him in petals again. That was a very interesting effect, he smiled a bit before shuddering. As he recalled last time his Little Nano hit him over the head with the basket. He'd rather not needlessly put her in danger either. While he was confident the situation wouldn't go anywhere. Walking forward he looked around, smiling to himself as he thought about maybe making a flashy entrance. Nah it wasn't wise to ruffle Ibiki-chan's feathers too much. Besides he'd promised Jushiro, they would share some sake later. So he'd forgo the whole flashy entrance thing he did previously. Now that a plan was in place he could just wait here. He rubbed his chin as he thought about strategy on paper. What he could do to greet the Ryoka. He recalled that Chad as he remembered said something about being underage. That made it against the law for them to drink in their world. The troubling situation that one seemed to be, but it did turn out for the best.

He plopped himself down now, deciding to wait as this was the only way through. He caught sight of his quarry as he sat there looking onward at them. It seemed to be a regular male similar to the last one he encountered but a bit older. Perhaps this time things would and could go more smoothly. "Kyoraku Shunsui, pleased to meet you. " The male repeated his name back to him as he smiled and chuckled lightly. " Yup, how do you do?" The perplexing look on the face of the Ryoka was the plan. He couldn't quite figure out who he was. "I can't really let you go, but I'm not terribly eager for a fight you see. So I have no choice but too. " He said revealing his master plan of sorts and pulling out the sake and pouring glasses for them. He held one in his hand as a real pro with it, he'd drank many a night with his friend Jushiro. The male looked confused and lost all at the same time.

"Offer you a friendly drink, come let me show you some hospitality. You must be thirsty after the long trip after all." He said smiling as he held the cup out as an offer. This wasn't a dirty trick or even him being a letter. It wasn't him avoiding the issue entirely either, he didn't think this one had done anything wrong yet. He may have been on his way to do so. Last time Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends had the right to things. Something didn't smell right that time but this time was different. The male sat down accepting the drink, he and the male would share talks of what justice was. Or rather the male would while he tried to passively steer the conversation towards good looking women. " Yama-jii, used to say we should accept the true justice of the world. But it's for each man to find out what that means. I think it's up to you to determine right and wrong, not just go running in dangerously. Think of all the beautiful women waiting to wake you in the morning."

He said adding a small joke at the end before concluding their dialogue. He and the one who called himself Tatsuya talked for a long time. The conversation stopped eventually when the young male passed out. He up the male as he made a slight sound. "Normally I don't do this for men, I'd much rather pick up a lovely young lady." He paused his complaint as he smiled softly. Kids talking about Justice and carrying on legacies among other things. Yama-jii's will was with the younger generation now it seemed. Justice of the World and everything being discussed still now. Jushiro would like to hear about this he imagined. He used a quick step getting the male to a tavern in the Rukongai. He smiled looking at the familiar owner and her lovely appearance. Sadly he couldn't swoop her off her feet at the moment. He had other things to do and a meeting with a friend to keep. He walked into the room and set the boy down to sleep off his hang over.

"Your quite the lightweight, Tatsuya-kun..try to think about your father's legacy and what it means to you before invading as a Ryoka." He said smiling and departing, content that his original plan for Sado Chad actually worked this time. He walked off using a shunpo to travel away.