#1 [VIDEO - PUBLIC]

[ladieslikepink]

[The Forge clicks on - sound only at first. There's the distinct sound of fumbling at the keys and a soft, muttered curse before it suddenly switches to video. Someone is only half-familiar with the wonders of modern communications technology and most of what he does know was gleaned over too much sake and from too pretty a girl in too few

Comments

video;

[ladieslikepink]

[He looks mildly surprised to see you, Rangiku, because that's only polite. But it soon melts into a beatific smile.]

Rangiku-chaaan. My view has improved already.

[He takes a sip of the sake, then there's an audible rumble of amusement and a wink that's just about decent, though not by much.]

Ah, you know Ukitake. Sometimes he just needs reminding of how to have fun.

More than one, Rangiku-chan? Are you trying to get me drunk?

video;

[ladieslikepink]

Oya, as if I could ever let down a lovely lady. Your lack of faith tears me up inside.

[Not that he looks especially upset, though he does drain the last of the sake in the cup, reaching just out of shot for the flask that contains the rest.]

I'm sure I don't know what you're implying, Rangiku-chan. I'm a model of sobriety.

[Oh yes he does know, and there's a conspiratorial smile to prove it, before he pours himself another drink. He keeps his eyes on the flask as he speaks.]

If I didn't know better, I'd wonder if this was real.

[A pause, and then he finally looks back at the Forge.]

It's good to see you well.

[piscestruth]

[blink, blink...grin]

Shunsui? I was starting to wonder when you'd show up.

Video

[ladieslikepink]

[You're a sight for sore eyes, Ukitake - and if he's at all wary of the fact that you might just be an illusion, it doesn't show on his face.]

Ukitake. Care to tell me where the hell I am before this flask runs out?

Video

[piscestruth]

[The smile drops a little - business time]

The city's name is Anatole. It appears to not particularly care as to place or time when it feels like bringing new inhabitants here.

Video

[ladieslikepink]

[Don't think he didn't notice that, Ukitake. Though his own expression doesn't flicker, just dissolves into a disappointed frown that in other circumstances might be almost comedic.

Silence for a moment, and then a world-weary sigh.]

Saaaa. And I suppose you're going to tell me that there's no way to leave.

Voice

[applelimber]

You know, usually I'm the one who passes out the drinks around here. But since you're offering...

Video

[ladieslikepink]

[He doesn't even look remotely nonplussed at the lack of video. He just looks at the Forge over the edge of the sake bowl, and notches up his smile by several hundred watts.]

A beautiful woman should never have to pour her own drinks.

Video

[applelimber]

Someone who has taste all the way around. Alright, I'll bite.

[She flips on the video, one of many...many pale-haired and silver-eyed women in Anatole.]

You can just call me Helen though.

Re: Video

[ladieslikepink]

Yare yare - is that a threat, or a promise?

[And they will all be equally beautiful to Shunsui - his tastes are many and varied. As it is, when the video flips on, he raises his sake bowl in a mock-toast.]

Eighth Division Captain Kyouraku Shunsui. Pleased to meet you, Helen-chan.

Video, sure why not. CONFORMITY FTW.

[yetsleeping]

Why is everyone drinking these days?

[Yes, that's the first thing that came to her mind. She can't help it. Too much drunkenness for her tastes in the past week and a half.]

...you're new?

[...and then...]

I'm sorry for being rude before. I mean. The drinking comment. It's not really my business whether you want to drink or not!

*Fistpump*

[ladieslikepink]

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

[Don't worry Priscilla, it takes a lot more than that to offend him. In fact, he looks more amused than insulted.]

It's a long time since I've been new at anything, moonbeam. Especially drinking.

[Another laugh, this one accompanied by a dazzling smile of the sort that he usually saves for new (female) recruits.]

Captain of the Eighth Division, Kyouraku Shunsui. Pleased to meet you. And if you want to make it your business, I have enough for two.

/crazy dance!

[yetsleeping]

Well... I don't normally-- well! It doesn't really matter, but I... I meant new to... here. I would definitely know you if you weren't new!

[...yeah she's babbling again. You'll get used to it. Maybe.]

Captain of the-- are you another shinigami?

And... well.

...did you just call me moonbeam? Or did you mean the drink?

[video]

[inpiecesofcloud]

Shun-Shun!

[She waves enthusiastically but there is something missing from her smile.]

Video

[ladieslikepink]

[Oh he notices, just as he's noticed the absence of Kenpachi's reiatsu. The Eleventh Division Captain never did care much for shielding his power, and Kyouraku is certain that if he was here, he'd know about it. But he's not going to ask in public, and instead he just smiles, leaning forward to rest his chin on his hand.]

Yachiru-chan. It's good to see you safe.

Video

[inpiecesofcloud]

You too, Shun-Shun. Were you in a fight?

Video

[ladieslikepink]

[There's a quiet laugh at that, and then a wink.]

Even I can't avoid them all.