[ Voice ] .013

[ashesandpearls]

[It had been several days since her captain and all of his possessions had vanished. She knew what that meant. And for a long time, she sat and waited, prepared the letters to make her goodbyes. Because he was her captain. And she would follow him. That was just the way that it worked.

...not, apparently, any time soon.]For those of you that

Comments

[lists_to_port]

....The Captain's been sent home, then?

[For Sparrow, this is tragical. He truly enjoyed his interactions with Hitsugaya.]

Very sorry, darling.

[ashesandpearls]

[You. She vaguely recognizes you. The peculiar lethargy that is experience forcing her to live in the now, now, now helps keep her tone even.]

Maaa, don't be. He'd only be sorry he was stuck here so long, after all. He has no idea of a proper vacation.

[Not that this place is a vacation, but you know - she'll take what she can get.]

[lists_to_port]

[This might be because Sparrow hit on you once in Good Spirits, drunk. He vaguely recognizes you, too.]

Dunno about that--he did need looking after, though.

[ashesandpearls]

[A dry, choking laugh. Yes, yes he does. And it was her job to watch his back.

But what had she done? Let herself get mortally wounded within her first steps on the field. She'd be just as much good out there as she was here, even if time didn't stand still.]

In some ways more than others. He's a mighty paper pusher, after all.

[And a fierce fighter, a good captain, a loyal... she closes her eyes, shifts the book away.]

[lists_to_port]

[Jack waits a few moments. Then:]

Darling? You alright?

[ashesandpearls]

[A pause. Then:] Aa.

[And she shifts the book back just enough so he can see her in this pose, her voice somewhat muffled.] I could use a drink.

[lists_to_port]

[WELL, Jack happens to be in town because his horrible experiences with women over the past few days have led him by necessity to find a new pair of boots and yet another coat. And Matsumoto is beautiful and maybe the third time's the charm.]

Meet you at the pub, lovely?

[ashesandpearls]

[Her voice actually gets a bit flatter.]

In a little bit - I've an errand to run first. And then I think I'll need it even more.

[lists_to_port]

Right. I can wait. [And get mostly drunk in the process, actually. But drinking alone is no fun.]

[ashesandpearls]

[However long it takes to get the random 4th Division (4th Division! How could they have stuck her with someone from the 4th! And it's not even Isane!) shinigami settled, Rangiku definitely finds herself in need for a drink afterwards.

She flings the doors open carelessly and glances around to see if she can find the man she vaguely recognized. If not, high-ho, high-ho to the bar she will go.]

[lists_to_port]

[He is there. And he recognizes her, giving her a nod from his seat at the bar and lifting his bottle of rum slightly in acknowledgment.]

[ashesandpearls]

Started without me, eh?

[She approaches and looks around for evidence of sake.]

[lists_to_port]

I had a few for the Captain, aye. [Jack turns back to meditatively studying the rows of bottles on the shelves behind the bar.]

[ashesandpearls]

[A few?]

Better if you made them milk, then.

[She, on the other hand, just grabs herself some sake and comes to sit across from him.]

[lists_to_port]

Why's that? I can hold my rum, child. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Now you, I presume--you were Hitsugaya's lady. Lucky man. Unlucky not to be here with you, of course, but that is the way of love and fate and the universe.

[ashesandpearls]

[And either three sheets to the wind already or not-quite-bright. And after explaining things to 4th Divisioners, she's in no mood to explain her joke (milk for Hitsugaya) or her relationship to him.

Just... bottom's up.]