[Renji jogged most of the way to Isane's quarters, showing up at her door within ten minutes of the butterfly. With a quiet knock on the door, he tugs it open an inch or two and waggles his fingers in the opening.]
[Isane opened the door the rest of the way and smiled, stepping aside and waving Renji in.]
Do you want something to drink? I made some miso soup, too.
[Closing the door behind him, she headed toward the kitchenette to get a cup of soup for herself, pulling a few selections of sweet, fruity tea satchels.]
Ooh, miso? I do like miso. Unless it's the stuff from the mess hall--they make it so damn salty...
[He gave a sort of noncommittal wave as she held up a teabag--'Whatever is fine'--and then sighed softly, leaning against the wall as she served him a small bowl of soup.]
So anyway...ah... [A soft sigh.] Okay, there's no delicate way to say this, so I'm just gonna say it. [He looked at her sidelong then, frowning.] Me an' Ichigo an' Muguruma are goin' to Hueco Mundo after midnight tonight. We're gonna kill that fucker Szayel Aporro Grantz once and for all.
Not mess hall miso. I have a different recipe from theirs. Less dashi.
[Finally, Renji came out and said what he'd been planning to say after she handed his soup over, and he was fortunate that Isane didn't drop the piping hot mug of tea in surprise at his next statement.]
You're going to do what?
[Her exclamation was a bit shrill, but she quickly cleared her throat and offered him the tea, lowering her eyes for a second to quickly regain her composure. She'd heard him right the first time, but it was shocking. Isane knew Renji hated Szayel Apporo, and knew that the Espada was a danger and a menace, but the thought of taking three men to fight him made her immediately uneasy.]
[He accepted the tea, then winced visibly at her reaction.]
Unnexpected? Not really, I think--somebody should'a done something about him a long time ago. I'm sick of waiting for someone else to do it. [He gave her a knowing grin.] I know what you're thinking--three to take on one makes it look pretty harsh. I'm takin' Muguruma along cuz if Szayel pulls any tricks, he's got a Hollow I'm pretty convinced can kick his ass.
[Ichigo did too, of course, but those weren't Renji's beans to spill if she didn't know already.]
An' Ichigo is just for luck. [A dry laugh.] I just wanted to let you know before I left...cuz last time I ran off an' did somethin' reckless everybody got pissed at me.
[He shook a finger at her then.] So don't think this is like me sayin' goodbye or nothin'. I'll be damned if that bastard's gonna kill me.
[Isane wanted to wince in turn when Renji did so after she gawped at his statement. Good going. She hastily amended her comment.]
I just mean that it's kind of sudden, not that I'm surprised that you've decided to do it. I know you've hated him for a long time.
[Boy, was that an understatement. After a slight pause, she gestured to her little table a few paces away, realizing it felt kind of strained (for her, anyway) to simply stand around while having this conversation.]
Sit with me for a few minutes? If you have the time...
[Understatement indeed. There were no words for how much Renji hated Szayel. He probably hated him about as much as he hated Aizen, and that was saying a lot. Aizen's misdeeds may have been a bit broader on the grand scope, but Szayel's had been just about as devastating to the smaller captive audience he'd thrust them upon. 'Captive' being the operative word.
With a nod, he followed Isane to the table.]
Sure, sure, I got some time. Erm...that's about all there is to it, though. [A sharp laugh.] I...feel like I should say something dramatic or inspirational or somethin'.
[Once he was seated, she settled in next to him rather than across from him at the table. Perhaps that was more telling about how nervous she was than any words could be.]
Dramatics aren't necessary. You've said you aren't going to die, and I trust you. [That didn't mean she wasn't going to prep beds in the intensive care unit for all three of them, though.] It's good that you're taking Muguruma-san and Ichigo-san with you. How long have you been planning this?
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Anybody home?
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Do you want something to drink? I made some miso soup, too.
[Closing the door behind him, she headed toward the kitchenette to get a cup of soup for herself, pulling a few selections of sweet, fruity tea satchels.]
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[He gave a sort of noncommittal wave as she held up a teabag--'Whatever is fine'--and then sighed softly, leaning against the wall as she served him a small bowl of soup.]
So anyway...ah... [A soft sigh.] Okay, there's no delicate way to say this, so I'm just gonna say it. [He looked at her sidelong then, frowning.] Me an' Ichigo an' Muguruma are goin' to Hueco Mundo after midnight tonight. We're gonna kill that fucker Szayel Aporro Grantz once and for all.
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[Finally, Renji came out and said what he'd been planning to say after she handed his soup over, and he was fortunate that Isane didn't drop the piping hot mug of tea in surprise at his next statement.]
You're going to do what?
[Her exclamation was a bit shrill, but she quickly cleared her throat and offered him the tea, lowering her eyes for a second to quickly regain her composure. She'd heard him right the first time, but it was shocking. Isane knew Renji hated Szayel Apporo, and knew that the Espada was a danger and a menace, but the thought of taking three men to fight him made her immediately uneasy.]
I... I mean... that's unexpected.
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Unnexpected? Not really, I think--somebody should'a done something about him a long time ago. I'm sick of waiting for someone else to do it. [He gave her a knowing grin.] I know what you're thinking--three to take on one makes it look pretty harsh. I'm takin' Muguruma along cuz if Szayel pulls any tricks, he's got a Hollow I'm pretty convinced can kick his ass.
[Ichigo did too, of course, but those weren't Renji's beans to spill if she didn't know already.]
An' Ichigo is just for luck. [A dry laugh.] I just wanted to let you know before I left...cuz last time I ran off an' did somethin' reckless everybody got pissed at me.
[He shook a finger at her then.] So don't think this is like me sayin' goodbye or nothin'. I'll be damned if that bastard's gonna kill me.
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I just mean that it's kind of sudden, not that I'm surprised that you've decided to do it. I know you've hated him for a long time.
[Boy, was that an understatement. After a slight pause, she gestured to her little table a few paces away, realizing it felt kind of strained (for her, anyway) to simply stand around while having this conversation.]
Sit with me for a few minutes? If you have the time...
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With a nod, he followed Isane to the table.]
Sure, sure, I got some time. Erm...that's about all there is to it, though. [A sharp laugh.] I...feel like I should say something dramatic or inspirational or somethin'.
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Dramatics aren't necessary. You've said you aren't going to die, and I trust you. [That didn't mean she wasn't going to prep beds in the intensive care unit for all three of them, though.] It's good that you're taking Muguruma-san and Ichigo-san with you. How long have you been planning this?
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