Practice Makes Perfect

[glotoneriadesu]

[Aaroniero's sticking to the shadows and shade today. He's wandering about the Nexus, all smiles, and for anyone who pays attention, is acting like a particular Vice Captain. His reiatsu clearly labels him a Hollow, but there's an excellent explanation, which he'll provide if asked. If anyone believes him, of course

Comments

[thirteenth]

...Kaien?

[He's clocked the hollow reiatsu, so he's cautious.]

[glotoneriadesu]

Captain! Sorry about the reiatsu, can't be helped.

[thirteenth]

You're not the first Kaien I have known with hollow reiatsu, you are also not the first Espada I have met bearing his face.

[glotoneriadesu]

Well, I'm Kaien and an Espada. Not an evil one though.

[shrugs and scratches the back of his head]

Uh, it's a long story.

[thirteenth]

I have time.

[glotoneriadesu]

[Have some lies sprinkled with lies, and a side of lies.]

Kuchiki saved me, but the Hollow returned to Hueco Mundo upon death. Due to whatever it did to me, the two of us merged, but my mind was in control. I worked my way into the Espada, and I've been biding my time. Since I arrived here, I've been hanging around Las Noches. They really have no idea I'm not one of them.

That's about it, Captain.

[thirteenth]

[He recognises the story and his heart wrenches. This is not Kaien.]

Leave this area, Espada.

[glotoneriadesu]

But it's me. What do I have to do to prove that to you?

[thirteenth]

[His face is hard, betraying none of the turmoil inside him.]

Step into the sunlight.

[glotoneriadesu]

But if Aizen sees us talking, he has spies everywhere, Captain. We'd both be dead if the wrong person saw us talking in broad daylight.

[thirteenth]

Three steps forwards into direct sunlight, Kaien. That's all it takes to prove your identity to me.

[glotoneriadesu]

I would if I could. It's just that...whatever happened to me changed me. I don't look right in the sun anymore.

[nervous laughter]

And I look pretty unique, so they'd know who I am. Understand?

[thirteenth]

I have met three people bearing Kaien's face with hollow reiatsu since arriving in this Nexus, only one of them was truly who he said he was - and the soutaichou killed him.

What I learned from all of them was that if you truly were Shiba Kaien, you would have no reason to fear the sunlight. Only the Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie would hesitate.

So I ask you again, take three steps forwards into the sunlight.

[glotoneriadesu]

If you insist.

[Here, have a fishtank, complete with voice changes, but still trying to lie.]

It even wrecks my voice. I hate looking like this.

[thirteenth]

[His heart aches, and an uncharacteristic anger is rising that an Espada should sully Kaien's name so. He draws Sougyo no Kotowari and stands his ground.]

I will give you one chance to flee back to Las Noches, Espada.